Portrait Lense help for my FZ20PP

[rscattle]

Okay, so I am new to all this camera business, and am busy taking a photography course as I write this. I bought this camera (DMC-FZ20PP) last year (by the way does anyone know what the PP stands for) and have been fooling around with it for a year, and now have decided I would like to get a bit more serious about photography, but am not ready to purchase a different camera yet because I don't feel I have out grown this one. However I am interested in portraiture and realize that the lense that comes on the camera probably will not do the best job. At least that is what I think I understand. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, because as I said I am new to all this. From other posts I realize I can get differnet lenses but which one would do what I want. Are there only two lense options. I guess I am just asking for some expertise on this subject as I have found I can spend hours researching the web and still end up unsure of what I should get. Any advice?

[genece]

I am far from an expert but I believe most people consider a 50mm to 80mm lens a portrait lens and you already have that built in.
Try shooting some portraits at 2 or 3X.

[jcon]

I agree with Gene, since its not a DSLR, you cant slap on a 50mm prime. I too have the Z20 and it takes wonderful portraits, try it and see how you like the results, I think you will be pleasantly surprised, this is a superb lens! If you are shooting portrait, Id suggest getting an additional flash, like the Sunpak 383, which I have. It allows you to bounce the flash and reduces shadows that the built in camera flash produces.

[rscattle]

Thanks for the info, I have been practicing, and maybe the flash will help. Outdoors I think the camera does great, but I have been having problems indoors. I have fooled around with the white balance and the ISO. Then I tried pictures setting me aperature, but I get the best results with the automatic potrait setting and the flash. However, still they seem like so, so pictures. That was why I was wondering if I need a diffent lense. I guess it could just be my lighting and perhaps I need to look into that a bit more closely. I am liking the challenge.

[genece]

That is one area where an external flash can be a big help...One that is very good is the Sunpak 383.

But if you would post aphoto that we may see where you are having a problem if you have too hars light with the built in flash a diffuser may help a lot....And there have been many Ideas on homemade diffusers. If you are not getting enough light there is a way to boost the output.

Post a picture with the problem and maybe we can help.

Oh and PP means North America....Strange huh?

[genece]

Here is two good articals on portraits and even the people with $10,000.00
cameras follow these tips.

Studio
http://photography.about.com/cs/portraits/a/aa062303a.htm


Lighting
http://photography.about.com/library/weekly/aa063003a.htm

[rscattle]

Thanks for the info. My daughter and I went and shot some more photos this morning and changed some of the ways the lighting was directed. I realy am very much an amateur when it comes to this, and am realising it probably isn't the camera, but the dumby behind the camera. But I am learning. Thanks so much for the info and I will be investigating these sites shortly. I will post some pics later, and you can see what you think. Do you have any pics of people you have taken, or would you mind directing me to where I can see what the FZ20 is cabable of in portraiture. I can tell already your knowledge surpasses mine -- not hard to do when it comes to this subject!

[genece]

Keep in mind that these are not my photos but I do not think LaRee will mind and these should show what the FZ20 is capable of.

there are about 60 photos here.

http://laree.smugmug.com/gallery/503364

This is from someone else and mostly wildlife but will show what the FZ20 can do.
http://art4less.smugmug.com/FZ20%20Old%20Galleries