Thank you, Max,

The manual that comes with the camera is definitely small. They either assumed little kids (who have very good eyesight) would be using the camera ... or they wanted to save the trees.

I found their manual on-line to be useful and easier to read.

Do you have this camera too? It does so many things and I'm still learning as I go ...

Thank you again.

John

Dear PlushToy,

Thank you for your reply. I've done a lot of checking. I've bought one that I thought would work and the connections were wrong.

Do you have one that you would recommend? or can provide the store name that I can check on?

I've looked all over the internet but have not been able to find one that shows what the connections are ... Do you know of any "off-the-shelf monitors (Walmart, K-mart, Target, etc) that would have an input connection of either a USB or Mini or Standard HMDI connection?

Thank you.

Greetings all from Vienna & Fairfax VA.

I just bought my Panasonic FZ-150. Its a beauty but still learning how to use it ... Video is GREAT!

Problem I always have is the built-in video screen when video-ing my favorite sports, softball and baseball games. The 3-inch diagonal screen is just too small.

I want to buy a screen that is inexpensive and yet at least 7."

Major concern is the connecting cable and ability to change the battery when necessary.

Connection: the Camera requires a MINI HMDI connection, so the Input Video should be either a mini or standard HMDI connection.

I tried a &" Colby Photo-Frame, but the Video-In connection was not compatible.

I'm Now looking at the Liliput 667 or 668 GL series ... or a portable monitor that accepts a USB connection to the Input Video.

Anyone have any experience or input regarding either an On-Camera Monitor or using a portable monitor?

Has anyone else had any good experience with an On-Camera Monitor?

Thank you in advance for any information (ANY ANY ANY) regarding an external video monitor ...

John From Fairfax / Vienna, Virginia!

Greetings, Ginger and all the folks who replied to her inquiry.

I normally do not reply to vague posts but I was doing a search for FZ150 cameras and I saw yours. (love this web site -- Ugly Hedgehog!!!!)

Ginger. I've posted as well and like you, I've settled on the Panasonic FZ150. And if you have $1,000 to spend (invest) you can use the leftover from the $1,000 you would invest in, to buy some of the necessary accessories such as filters, external microphone, quality tripod, etc.

I've got almost enough money saved up for the FZ150 and should have in another month or so.

I'd be very interseted to see some of the pictures you will have taken.

Abe flags (John the Steelers guy in Vienna/Fairfax, VA).

Greetings fellow Hedgehog Forum lovers.

Taking pictures and video at Softball & Baseball Games --

I've been taking pictures and video for over 55 years. I just like to take pictures and video.

I do all kinds of photo work for my house league team (I coach 12U girls), plus my daughter's travel softball and high school.

Because of the chain-link fence, always being a hindrance, I resort to finding a spot to shoot from various locations along the outfield fence.

Sometimes the fences are SO TALL, I have to bring along a ladder! I wish there was a way to film from behind the backstop, but the links always get in the way.

So, my question to SOFTBALL and BASEBALL photographers is ... how do you film these kinds of events? Where do you like to position yourself to get as much of the action (video) as possible.

Thank you.

Abe Flags (John) From Vienna & Fairfax, Virginia!

Regarding the Kindle Camera Connection ...

I'm the guy who is trying to find a monitor to hook up to my (to be purchaed) Panasonic FZ-150. I want to us the Kindle as the monitor when I'm taking video & pictures at softball games.

So my question is, I wonder if its also possible to purchase a Kindle for use as a Monitor screen while filming.

I love this forum!

John from Vienna / Fairfax VA
(and a 50-PLUS YEARS A HUGE STEELERS FAN!

Good point on the Sintra. Sintra is very easy to cut (3mm). I use one of thos dollar store knives to cut it to make signs at our sign shop. Like any sign shop, I've always got odds and ends (not really scrap as its always usable for something.

Most sign shops have pieces with minor scratches, but unless its in frontthe the photo it should not matter. All sintra comes in colors and is NOT CLEAR. The common color is WHITE MATTE.

John (AbeFlags@aol.com)

Hi, I'm in Vienna / Fairfax, Virginia.

I'm the owner of Abe Lincoln Flags Banners & Signs. I use Acrylic, both clear and frosted for light boxes. You may check out a local sign shop. For example, I have walk-in customers who need various sizes of blank materials.

I have my supplier cut to size and ship to me the next day. If you are in need of acrylic, check out my supplier at www.Harborsales.net.
They will not sell to you but you can check out the thicknesses available. Check with sign companies in your area to see if they can do AT A REASONABLE COST to you.

If you feel you're getting gouged, contact me at AbeFlags@aol.com. John.

Hi, I'm in Vienna / Fairfax, Virginia.

I'm the owner of Abe Lincoln Flags Banners & Signs. I use Acrylic, both clear and frosted for light boxes. You may check out a local sign shop. For example, I have walk-in customers who need various sizes of blank materials.

I have my supplier cut to size and ship to me the next day. If you are in need of acrylic, check out my supplier at www.Harborsales.net.
They will not sell to you but you can check out the thicknesses available. Check with sign companies in your area to see if they can do AT A REASONABLE COST to you.

If you feel you're getting gouged, contact me at AbeFlags@aol.com. John.

greetings, everyone,

I'm probably going to make someone upset, but ... I'm a busy guy ... but at the same time I love to check in on this fantastic forum daily. As I read thru the new topics, the subject of quite a few of these posts are JUST TOO VAGUE ... If I had nothing better to do, I'd open each one of these to see if there is any info I'm interested in.

But, like many of you, I don't have that kind of time. I sure wish more of the authors of new topics would be MORE SPECIFIC in choosing the title of their new posts.

Too many (from my point of view) are so vague that I don't even bother to open them. Example: "JUST WONDERING" "QUESTION" "CAMERAS" "PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTION" "NEED HELP" "WHAT SHOUL I DO" ETC ...

I'm not trying to be a wise guy. But just ask that more titles state in a few words, what the post is about.

Thanks. John (AbeFlags) in Vienna/Fairfax VA.

Hi, BuckeyeBilly,

I'm just not back on the computer. I bookmarked that link you sent. Boy, when I compare apples and applles like that link does, one can see the clear differences, taking into account what features are most important. And like you say, touch and feel it before buying.

As I look at the differnces and although some are great, for my purposes the price is good and many of those features on the FZ150 I like ... but you made me take a closer look at these 2 cameras side-by-side as well as some others that that link allows me to compare.

I've got to make up my mind soon. This is a fun adventure getting great feedback both from this fantastic forum as well as from YouTube reports and comparisons.

Thank you, BuckeyeBilly.

John (AbeFlags)

Thank you for your reply, Paul.

I must say, not owning one yet, I keep comparing various cameras against the FZ-150, some a bit pricier and some less ... thinking I might change my mind ... but as I look at the specs side-by-side ...they seem to have more positives than the others I've looked at.

Paul, I've been using my Sony camcorder to do all my video work of my daugher's softball games ... and the monitor screen is the only way to follow waht's going on and its usually affected by any kind of sunlight. I'm serously looking at a external monitor to attach to the FZ-150 either via a bracket or mounted to he hot shoe.

I've missed so many plays because I can't find the runner or the fielder on the screen ... I know the screen on most of the point & shoot cameras is 3 diagonal inches, but I'm wondering if its enough. I continue to look at a reasonably priced monitor. Have you had any kind of issues using your camera? Also, any attachments/accessories that you suggest?

Right now, besides an external monitor (gerry-rigged portable battery-operated DVD player), I'm thinking about
an external microphone -- the kind that cuts down the noisy wind, as well as 2 exra batteries, a lens hood, a monitor hood (maybe that would work in place of the external monitor??). Also, on the SD card or the other ones that it accepts ... which ones do you recommend and, if I'm going to be primarily video-ing about 90 minutes at a time -- interspersed with still shots. Gee its going to be fun experiementing and learning how to use this puppy. I always use a tripod.

I'd be grateful if you send tips along to this great forum anytime. Lastly, I've been looking as to where to buy the camera / accessories. I know Sears carries them, but do you think its more wise to buy from a true camera retailer as they'll have many of the gadgets & accessories ...

Sorry to throw a bunch of t hings your way ... I feel great knowing someone else is as excited about this camera as I am ... The last time I felt this way about any product was my first ELECTRIC TRAIN -- about 55 years ago! -- like 1950 or so.

John (AbeFlags).

Hi, Buckeye Billy, Thank you for the info and the useful links. You're making me look at more cameras ... They're all so functional.

Thank you again.

John (AbeFlags)

Thank you for that, RandyMoe!

The YouTube Video was well done and informative. Then I went to find the current price and its almost triple the price talked about in the video. I guess they call it supply and DEMAND!

Nevertheless, it seems to be the most practice and simple of all the ones I've been finding on my own. Thank you again.

John (AbeFlags)

I have a Sony Camcorder with a 2.5" Screen and am going to purchase a Panasonic FZ-150 Point & Shoot Camera to replace it.

With my Sony the screen is too small and in some days Ican barely see the images even with a sun shade.

I've looked to purchasing either a portable DVD player and connecting to the camea to overide the built-in screen so that I have a larger External Monitor to follow the action when videoing sports. I see that you can also buy monitors that clip onto the hot shoe or have brackets for connecting to the camera.

I have checked out some doing internet searches and on YouTube Searches ...

Dedicated monitors are expensive. Using portable DVD players (with a Video INPUT) seem bulky and clumsy and require a lot of "gerry-rigging."

Does anyone have any experience with buying or making something work in this regard. I'll bet others would have an interest in a good solution to this problem of haveing a "too small" video screen.

Thank you for any info anyone can share with me.

John (AbeFlags).