bruce_garrett

Review sites usually review a production model and normally specify if they are testing a

pre-production model, so it may be that the version with the embossed logo is an early

variant.

As Tom also has a non-branded LX1, it appears we are using a later model.

Leica introduced the rebadged D-Lux 2 some three months after the launch of the LX1,

so it is possible the embossed Panasonic logo was deleted to allow for the Leica graphics

below the screen without retooling the back panel.

I have contacted Panasonic UK to clarify this but have yet to receive a reply.

I recently bought a Panasonic Lumix LX1. I researched many review sites before final purchase and each

showed the back view of the LX1 with a Panasonic logo embossed below the LCD screen. However the

logo is absent on my silver LX1 with a simple plain metal strip below the screen.

Is it possible that Panasonic produced more than one version of the LX1 with the logo denoting an

earlier or later model or different global market? If so are there other less obvious upgrades to the

original specification?

Any input much appreciated.

I am thinking of buying a Panasonic FX01 as a carry around camera to complement my FZ30.

I have heard reports of a potential problem with the screen cracking on the FX series, some with the

FX01 but many more specifically on the FX9. The damage appears to be in the same place right next to

the review button on the joystick. It seems to occur even when the camera has been well treated and in

certain instances when stored overnight in its case.

This sounds like a design fault which Panasonic refute but may only affect a particular batch of stock.

Has anyone else had this problem in say the last 12 months as I understand the FX01 is no longer in

production?

Any input much appreciated.

If you are in the London area you might try Aperture Photographic in Museum Street

(www.apertureuk.com). They are a main Nikon dealer and hold a large range of new and

used Nikon gear. I have dealt with them in the past and can highly recommend their prices

and service.

Bear in mind you will probably be offered about one third of the new price for the D40 and

slightly more for part exchange. On ebay UK new D40s are selling for around GBP250.00.

Bruce

As a brief follow-up...

The FZ30 has two settings: one for Clean-Up and one for Format.

Does anyone know the difference?

Bruce

Many thanks for the advice and comments.

I have now run the card through Clean-Up and the ghost files have been deleted and

processing seems to be marginally faster.

I normally clear the card via the Delete All drop down in the Review Menu which is slightly

quicker than reformatting, although I now realise the latter is more efficient. I note that

reformatting is not advisable on a low battery charge.

Neil: The Clean-Up function is built-in on the FZ30 (see pages 114-115 in the manual)

and is Panasonic's term for reformatting the SD card. Most if not all digital cameras have

this facility.

Bruce

Is it necessary to apply the SD Card Clean-Up procedure on my FZ30?

The manual suggests that continual shooting and deleting of images will reduce the card processing

speed and Clean-Up will return the card to full speed. I am using a standard 1 Gb Panasonic card.

My card now indicates two or three files more than the number of images I have actually shot although

all images download without problems. I have tried downloading from an 'empty' card (all images

deleted) to isolate these ghost files without success. Will a Clean-Up solve this problem?

Any advice much appreciated.

Bruce

Hi Lori

Most if not all Leica digital cameras are actually rebadged Panasonic models. There is a

fairly hefty premium paid for the red Leica logo and a few cosmetic 'improvements' but the

camera itself is built by Panasonic. Even the digital back for the R9 is OEM.

The Vario Elmarit lenses used in these cameras are still designed by Leica but

manufactured and assembled by Panasonic.

The present range of Leica/Panasonic (Leicasonic?) and Panasonic models are notorious

for unacceptable noise levels at anything above ISO 100 but there are software

workarounds to improve this situation.

Bruce

Many thanks for all the advice... it seems that Nikon View is the problem.

Breezebrowser and Rawshooter Essentials are only available in Windows but Bibble Lite

does have a Mac version which I have downloaded along with the manual.

Images downloaded from my FZ30 still default to Nikon View so if I uninstall will Bibble

automatically become the default browser?

Bruce

I shoot with a Panasonic FZ30 and download images to Nikon View then post production in Elements

3.0. I use Nikon View because the supplied software is less than adequate and the Mac version of

Elements does not include a browser.

I shoot in hi res jpeg but have started to experiment with RAW. I have installed the Adobe RAW plug-in

for Elements but any image files shot in RAW do not appear in the Nikon View browser.

What am I doing wrong or can anyone suggest another browser that will show RAW files?

Any advice much appreciated.

Bruce

Hi Debbie

Over on Steve's Digicams one of the members has shot 29,000 frames on their Panasonic

FZ5 and is still going strong. These cameras seem to be built to last so as long as they are

treated with respect, they should last a reasonable time.

Obviously pro grade DSLRs are designed to take heavy punishment so 200,000 frames is

expected of them along with faultless operation.

If any new camera can get through the first three months without a problem, then it will

probably just keep on going. But if Quality Control at the factory was at fault then this will

show itself early in the life of the camera, hence the warranty period.

Bruce

JC:

I'm not using any kind of macro converter and just relying on the macro setting on the

FZ30. As you say it's not a true macro but with the lens set at 35mm and the ISO fixed at

80, my results are improving.

To my eyes the macro definition and detail achieved by this lens is amazing considering its

range. I will post some of my attempts when the standard is high enough.

Bruce

Ed:

I learned from a previous post of a review by Dr Shene comparing 28mm and 24mm wide

angle converters by Nikon, Olympus, Raynox and Panasonic among others that confirmed

the LW55 as the one to go for.

I have experimented with macro on the FZ30 with varying success but that's down to my

technique more than anything. I know good results are possible so I'm working on it.

GBP 140.00 comes out as US$145.00 at today's rates. In the UK we pay roughly the

equivalent in pounds that you guys pay in dollars... nearly twice as much.

Thanks for your input.

Bruce

Hi Ed

Now THAT'S what I call a teleconverter!

I'm actually in the market for a wide angle converter for my FZ30 and research shows the

Panasonic DMW-LW55 to be the best available at 24mm. A couple of UK websites are

listing this, along with the LT55, as both in stock at GBP 140.00.

Was the LW55 also developed for the FZ10/20 or is it a new design?

Bruce

The Panasonic DMW-LT55 Teleconverter designed for the FZ30 has a 55mm thread and

will also fit the FZ20 without an adapter. Again the front is not threaded for filters or

hoods.

This is an expensive item although the price has dropped to about 35% of the list price, at

least in the UK.

Bruce

Many thanks for all the advice.

Dr Shene's website was particularly useful when comparing the LW55 to other wide angle

converters and it seems to be the best of the bunch. But apart from this review I have yet

to find anyone who has actually used an LW55 on an FZ30 in the real world.

I am wondering how it would affect the lens at the long end and whether it would

compromise any other functions on the FZ30. Presumably the built-in flash cannot be

used because of the much wider front element.

I have only found the LW55 at online stores in the UK so I might take a chance and see

what happens.

Bruce

Hi

Does anyone have any hands-on experience of the Panasonic DMW-LW55 Wide Angle

Converter on the FZ30?

I understand this goes out to 24mm (35mm equivalent) and screws directly onto the lens

without an adapter. Specifically how is the linear distortion and vignetting and is the image

quality acceptable?

It seems that most FZ30 owners are using OEM wide angle converters by Olympus and

Raynox with an adapter because of the prohibitive cost of the DMW-LW55. Yet in the UK

the online price is now around 120 GBP so would this be a wise choice?

Any input much appreciated.

Bruce

Also be aware there is an FZ7 coming next month. On paper it seems to be an

improvement on the FZ5 but only previews available so far.

Bruce

Thanks Colin. The ILEX website shows that the Foreign Rights to The Digital SLR Handbook

have been sold to three different publishers in the US, France, Spain and The Netherlands,

but no mention of a title change.

When I originally ordered from the Blackstones website, the book was listed and illustrated

as The Pro Digital Photographer's Handbook so I was surprised to receive a supposedly

different volume. Further research on other UK websites showed this title to be out of

print.

This is hardly best practice by the publishers as I now have two identical volumes with

different titles. We live and learn.

Bruce

I recently bought The Digital SLR Handbook by Michael Freeman. This book was

recommended as I am about to switch from a film SLR to a Nikon D200. I eventually found

it online at Blackstones after searching bookshops in Central London.

I noticed that Michael Freeman had written another book entitled The Pro Digital

Photographer's Handbook which was out of print in the UK but was available in America.

After further searching I located a copy in the States which arrived today.

On reading the second title I sensed a distinct feeling of deja-vu... both books are

identical. There is no reference that they were published under a different title elsewhere

and the ISBN numbers are different.

Having said that, the book(s) are well written and informative and will prove very useful to

anyone making the transition from film to digital.

Bruce

Hi James

You need to contact Sunpak and/or Nikon to check that the voltage won't fry the circuits in

your 8800. The Sunpak will not be iTTL compatible so you will have to shoot in Manual.

Nikon only recommend the SB-600 and SB-800 for use with the 8800. Both these

Speedlights are iTTL compatible and pretty much guarantee perfect exposures in all

modes. They are fully automatic and will zoom with the lens and turn on from standby

when the shutter is half depressed.

I initially used an SB-28 on an 8800 with variable success so switched to an SB-800. The

combination is a bit unwieldy but the results were outstanding.

Happy shooting.

Bruce