NAIAS Soon approaching...

[ChrisFZ20]

Hello, I love the form. Found it as I was looking for tips and tricks to better understand my FZ20 that I got over the summer.

Anyways the point of this post was to ask for any tips from you experienced guys/girls in order to get some good photographs while at the North American International Autoshow (one of the, if not the largest indoor auto shows in the world).

I guess my two main questions would be:
-Would it be worth-while getting a polorizing lens (and I would need the adapter too right? Off of Ebay?) in order to help with the glare that the cars give off with all the lights inside.

-Could anyone give me an idea of what settings (exposure/fstop settings to use while in doors?)... I will, of course, be re-reading the manual that came with the camera before hand :) but any tips would be appreciated.

I still find it kind of trickey to use while indoors without a flash... it has taken some really killer outdoors photos. Thanks in advance for any replies :)

[genece]

I think you will find plenty of light at a car show and while I have not taken photos at a car show I would say no polarizer ..It will cause a loss of light.

I would try a few photos at F5.6, but if you seem to be short of light either go to F2.8 or would I be afraid to use a flash if necessary but I doubt it would be.

I am sure someone else can give more specific advice.

[jcon]

Here is one I took at a local show. It was hit and miss because the lighting was very poor here. I am sure it will be better at yours, you will have to spend a few minutes taking test shots, then go from there. The exif on this is photo is....

S Mode
1/80th
F2.8
6mm
ISO 80
spot focus

Hope this helps!

[ktixx]

I honestly think a polarizer would be good in this situation as the glare from the intense lights might be distracting in the picture. Using a polarizer would allow you to control the glare. I would think about using one and remember, if there truly isn't enough light you can always remove it. Take a look at this link on how to photograph classic cars (http://www.hymanltd.com/photographing_classic_cars.htm). Good luck and make sure you post some pictures when you get back!
Ken

[studderstep]

Do you have a flash to mount on your hot shoe?

If so, it would be relatively cheap to construct a defuser to put on top of the flash and have the light more inderectly bounced onto the cars. This may help provide any needed light and minimize any glare.

If not, playing around with a polarizing filter in some combination with the built in flash may give you the light you need without the glare.

Best advice is to experiement a lot before hand. Might be worth a try to walk into a car dealership and bang out a few quick shots of a car under the floodlights and see which shots look best??

[ChrisFZ20]

Thanks for the link, too bad I won't be able to have much control over the environment; being a large convention and all, but I definatly will keep that in mind.

The reason for the polorizor would be to get some of the glare down, inside the show its very very bright plus all the freshlywaxed and shiney cars I figured a polorizor might remove any unwanted glare. If I were to get that and the adapter would I be better off getting something like this off of ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ20-Tele-Wide-Angle-Lens-Filters_W0QQitemZ7577895971QQcategoryZ116191QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

or should I just stick to the links I find off of here.

Thanks for the responses, I'll definatly be keeping the suddgestions in mind :)

[ChrisFZ20]

Do you have a flash to mount on your hot shoe?

If so, it would be relatively cheap to construct a defuser to put on top of the flash and have the light more inderectly bounced onto the cars. This may help provide any needed light and minimize any glare.

If not, playing around with a polarizing filter in some combination with the built in flash may give you the light you need without the glare.

Best advice is to experiement a lot before hand. Might be worth a try to walk into a car dealership and bang out a few quick shots of a car under the floodlights and see which shots look best??


Sorry I didn't reply to this.

Great idea about taking shots at the dealership, I'll try to do that... hopefully they won't look at me too wierd :)

I unfortunatly dont have any addons to my FZ20 as of late, so no flash :(

[rschofield]

...If I were to get that and the adapter would I be better off getting something like this off of ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ20-Tele-Wide-Angle-Lens-Filters_W0QQitemZ7577895971QQcategoryZ116191QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

or should I just stick to the links I find off of here.

Those particular eBay lenses are plain junk. Stay with those recommended by users on this forum and the Panasonic forums on steves-digicams.com and dpreview.com. Read the sticky threads listed first and use the search function to find recommendations on lenses, filters, and all sorts of other accessories.


Dick