FZ5 questions from another newbie to the forum

[enyapjr]

Hi. I'm a newbie to this forum who just purchased an FZ5... I purchased this model to be my primary "backpacking" camera - its relatively small size and light weight for a 12x zoom with IS, fast focus, and ease of use far outweighed what some reviews considered to be 'deficiencies' in this model... For backpacking the 'pros' certainly stood out over the 'cons' for me... I only wish it was more than 5 Mp (7 or 8 in the same size package would be super!)… I can't wait to use it in the field...

In the meantime, I have some questions that I haven't yet found answers for on the forum:

Battery life: I've seen the specs on how many shots or minutes of playback one charge will yield, but does anyone have 'field' knowledge regarding...
How much do 'cold' temperatures affect the batt life (I have previously slept with batteries inside my sleeping bag on colder nights if needed to help extend their charge life)?
If one can normally get 270 minutes of 'playback' - does that roughly equate to 270 total minutes of usage on one charge (I need to gauge how many batts will be required for up to 10-12 days away from an electrical outlet - and in 10 days I would probably take 200-500 shots)?

Filters: I plan on using a UV filter on Panasonic’s adapter for lens protection primarily, but also for photo enhancement (already have a link for a UV – thanks, genece)… I’m definitely going to want a polarizing filter and ‘possibly’ a 50/50 blended ND (4 or 2?) filter – any 55mm favorites for the FZ5 suggested?

Conversion lenses: I’ve seen some references to websites comparing various WA and Tele conversion lenses – but they are for other Panasonic models… Is there any FZ5 specific conversion lens comparison website (I didn’t have success with Google yet – but I will keep digging deeper)?
For a WA, sounds like the Raynox 6600-55 might work – but is there any vignetting on the FZ5? For WA, I would like to get to about 24mm equivalent – which the 6600-55 would do.
Are there any suggested good Tele conversion lenses that don’t vignette starting at about 6x – I don’t want a Tele conversion lens that must be used with a minimum full 12x (or higher w/digital zoom)? – I would like the versatility of a broad range of usage. I assume to get this versatility that the Tele conversion lens would have to be larger than 55mm thread… If so, what specific set up do FZ5 owners use – adapter, step-up ring, etc.?

Adapter: Are the threads on the Panasonic adapter easily damaged? Are there many ‘third party’ adapters for the FZ5 available, including to larger than the Panasonic's 55mm size? Specific web sites would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance… Happy trails!!! JR

[genece]

Hi. I'm a newbie to this forum who just purchased an FZ5... I purchased this model to be my primary "backpacking" camera - its relatively small size and light weight for a 12x zoom with IS, fast focus, and ease of use far outweighed what some reviews considered to be 'deficiencies' in this model... For backpacking the 'pros' certainly stood out over the 'cons' for me... I only wish it was more than 5 Mp (7 or 8 in the same size package would be super!)… I can't wait to use it in the field...

In the meantime, I have some questions that I haven't yet found answers for on the forum:

Battery life: I've seen the specs on how many shots or minutes of playback one charge will yield, but does anyone have 'field' knowledge regarding...
How much do 'cold' temperatures affect the batt life (I have previously slept with batteries inside my sleeping bag on colder nights if needed to help extend their charge life)?
If one can normally get 270 minutes of 'playback' - does that roughly equate to 270 total minutes of usage on one charge (I need to gauge how many batts will be required for up to 10-12 days away from an electrical outlet - and in 10 days I would probably take 200-500 shots)?

The Battery question is by far the hardest thing to give an answer to....
3 batteries should be more than enough to take 500 photos but if you do a lot of reviewing, it will not be enough...I really think the batteries do a good job but 270 minutes I doubt.

Filters: I plan on using a UV filter on Panasonic’s adapter for lens protection primarily, but also for photo enhancement (already have a link for a UV – thanks, genece)… I’m definitely going to want a polarizing filter and ‘possibly’ a 50/50 blended ND (4 or 2?) filter – any 55mm favorites for the FZ5 suggested?

I would suggest this polarizer
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=23441&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
But I am not sure about graduated ND filters my own preference is a ND8 filter for slowing waterfalls and using the polarizer instead of a Graduated ND.
But thats only my opinion.

Conversion lenses: I’ve seen some references to websites comparing various WA and Tele conversion lenses – but they are for other Panasonic models… Is there any FZ5 specific conversion lens comparison website (I didn’t have success with Google yet – but I will keep digging deeper)?

I do not know of a site but many folks here can help with that.

For a WA, sounds like the Raynox 6600-55 might work – but is there any vignetting on the FZ5? For WA, I would like to get to about 24mm equivalent – which the 6600-55 would do.

That is a good choice


Are there any suggested good Tele conversion lenses that don’t vignette starting at about 6x – I don’t want a Tele conversion lens that must be used with a minimum full 12x (or higher w/digital zoom)? – I would like the versatility of a broad range of usage. I assume to get this versatility that the Tele conversion lens would have to be larger than 55mm thread… If so, what specific set up do FZ5 owners use – adapter, step-up ring, etc.?

There arre a couple lenses that will do that the Canon TL55 ,the Tcon 17 and the Sony VCL DH1758..I am sure there are more.

Adapter: Are the threads on the Panasonic adapter easily damaged? Are there many ‘third party’ adapters for the FZ5 available, including to larger than the Panasonic's 55mm size? Specific web sites would be appreciated!

There are no adapters available for the FZ5 but there are some modifications.
Follow this thread
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=16186685

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance… Happy trails!!! JR

I am sure there is more help around.

[tim11]

.......

Battery life: I've seen the specs on how many shots or minutes of playback one charge will yield, but does anyone have 'field' knowledge regarding...
How much do 'cold' temperatures affect the batt life (I have previously slept with batteries inside my sleeping bag on colder nights if needed to help extend their charge life)?
If one can normally get 270 minutes of 'playback' - does that roughly equate to 270 total minutes of usage on one charge (I need to gauge how many batts will be required for up to 10-12 days away from an electrical outlet - and in 10 days I would probably take 200-500 shots)?........
JR

I don't have FZ5 but generally you can conserve battery in digital camera by:
1. Use EVF instead of LCD.
2. Avoid using playback on LCD to view pictures. (so in short avoid using LCD as much as possible.)
3. Use zoom lever purposefully. When you zoom in and out it will really suck up power.
4. Use battery power saving mode. (some people will debate on this)

Should the cold weather dramatically reduce battery life? .... I don't have a clue to that.
200-500 shots in 10 days? Only 200-500? I can easily do 200 a day;).
FZ20 standard battery can do a little over 100 shots when I didn't even try to conserve energy. I think FZ20 & FZ5 share the same type of battery.

[enyapjr]

:) Thanks for the quick response!

genece: Thnx for the links and suggestions… Filters: Yes, I would probably also get an ND8, even though I didn’t list it (good reminder, genece!)… As for the graduated ND filter, I had some good results many years ago with a film SLR, but used almost exclusively with B&W– it would mostly be used when the sun angle affects or negates using a polarizer, especially with high contrast between land (snow or bare granite / or shooting towards the sun) and sky (high altitude, clear deep blue / or cirrus, stratus cloud filled)… i.e., to tone down the top or bottom in such a high contrast situation… If I play around and it doesn’t do to well with color, then I will see how it does converting to or shooting B&W. It still might be fun to try again. Lenses: I will look into your suggestions! Adapter: I ran across that same thread yesterday but didn’t read all of it… I just bought the FZ5, so I don’t think I want to alter the Panasonic adapter just yet! I was hoping there was already a third party adapter made that improved upon the Panasonic one – especially lessening the distance between the main lens and any add-on. Thanks, again!

tim11: Thnx for the tips… I have a Canon G2, and when backpacking I only used the LCD when framing macro/close-up shots – the G2 only has an optical viewfinder (and horrible parallax!)… I know the FZ5’s EVF will use less power than the LCD, but it will use POWER – just looking for confirmation of gauging what to expect (lazy, before doing trials on my own!). But I am looking forward to using the EVF on the FZ5, it will be much better than the G2’s optical VF. I already set the power saving mode to the minimum 1 minute (I actually wish it had a 30 second setting!). You said “I can easily do 200 a day”… Yeah, me too! But if I’m backpacking, I wouldn’t get very far now would I? ;) Have to settle for a happy medium between making miles and photo memories. Thanks, again!

Happy trails!!!:D

[emalvick]

Cold weather will have a tendency to degrade a battery although it won't be permanent. Heat tends to permanently diminish battery life, but cold just temporarily diminishes it.

I'm not sure how cold you're talking, but I've never seen too negative of an affect. My FZ15 could get about 150-200 shots on a charge if I am taking a lot of shots. With cold that might diminish by 10% (15-20 shots less).

I use the view finder a lot because when I am outdoors, the sun tends to make the LCD hard to use and I just like using it. That, and it will use less battery than the LCD.

I do notice that even when not in use that my batteries lose a bit of charge while just sitting and waiting to be used. It isn't much, but if you are getting 150 shots at the beginning of a week long trip, you may get 100 by the end on a similar battery (it may not be that dramatic). You may want to just test things out a bit, and see how it goes.

Erik