Question about the Lumix DMC-FZ18 -- does it take quick shots at full zoom?

[mom2mikel]

I had a Lumix FZ20 (loved it - but then we dropped it - may it rest in peace). I primarily take photos at my children's soccer games. My favorite shots are the ones with the ball in action and as close up as possible. I ended up buying a Nikon D80 last Fall. While I love the quality and the speed in which it takes my pictures, I'm starting to find the 300mm lens just isn't quite enough (and my daughter is moving onto a bigger field next year). However -- to my knowledge, I'd need to spend thousands to get a lens for my Nikon that can get any closer.

I've been thinking about getting the Lumix DMC-FZ18. I was wondering about the quality of the shots I'm hoping for at 18x optical. I'm also very intrigued by the Telephoto Lens Adapter (DMW-LT55, 1.7x) as mentioned in the review. I saw another poster mentioned in the Nikon TC-E17ED also. How is the quality of action shots using these optional accessories?

I found that where I took 200 photos in a normal game with my FZ20, I'm taking 400 with the Nikon D80 because it takes them so much faster. I was wondering how the FZ18 compares.

Am I completely missing a better option out there? Or am I crazy to think I can get it all in one nice neat package? Again, I probably take between 1000-2000 pictures a weekend. I'm just looking for something with a great optical zoom, image stabilization and I like automatic program modes. I do not want to do much (if any) processing on the computer to enhance the photos. I use the camera for some day to day shots -- mostly at holidays or parties. I'd probably pull out the Nikon for indoor shots. I don't really print photos -- I make them into DVD slideshows. If I printed, I would think 4x6 or maybe up to 11x14.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[genece]

The FZ20 and the D80 ( which I have both ) and I think the FZ18 all can take photos at 3 fps.......so the D80 is not faster than the FZ20. (on continuous high)
Perhaps you did not use the correct setting on the FZ20.
And a D80 with a 300mm lens is 450mm which is very close to what the FZ20 has and not far from the FZ18........and I would say the amount of crop posssible with the D80 photos should exceed the 18X zoom even at 5 EZ.

That said IMHO, the FZ18 is a better camera than the FZ20 and much more compact than the D80.

[mom2mikel]

[QUOTE=genece;260810]
And a D80 with a 300mm lens is 450mm which is very close to what the FZ20 has and not far from the FZ18........and I would say the amount of crop posssible with the D80 photos should exceed the 18X zoom even at 5 EZ.
QUOTE]


Thank you for your reply. Please forgive my ignorance...are you saying that I should be able to crop the photos from my D80 which will produce better pictures that those taken using the 18x zooom on the FZ18? What does 5 EZ mean?

Do you have any experience with the magnifier attachment (for lack of proper term)? I'm wondering if the quality is greatly reduced by using the attachment.

Thanks again!!

[genece]

Thank you for your reply. Please forgive my ignorance...are you saying that I should be able to crop the photos from my D80 which will produce better pictures that those taken using the 18x zooom on the FZ18? What does 5 EZ mean?

I do not own a FZ18 but I think my numbers are very close to being correct
The FZ18 at full resolution shoots at 504mm and the D80 with a 300mm lens shoots at 450mm, so its very easy to crop enough to match the magnification of the FZ18 and because the D80 has very little noise the IQ should be at least as good as the FZ18.
And if you shoot the FZ18 in the 5mp size it gives an extended zoom that I believe is about 650mm......which I still believe and for the same reason the D80 photo can be cropped to equal that and at at least the same IQ.

Do you have any experience with the magnifier attachment (for lack of proper term)? I'm wondering if the quality is greatly reduced by using the attachment.

I am not sure exactly what you mean here but if you are referring to using a Tele-Converter on the D80,I do have a 1.4 TC that I use on the D80.....and I feel safe in saying, the image quality will suffer if your lens is one of the 70 to 300mm lens.
however if your 300mm lens is say the 300 F4 ...IQ will be maintained at a very high level with a TC added. And also with a prime lens like that, IMHO, a crop very near 100% is possible, matching or outdoing most anything the FZ18 can do.

Thanks again!![/QUOTE]

None of that is meant to bash the FZ18, it seems like a fine camera to me.
It is only if you are keeping the D80 there are some things to consider....such as the crop and /or different lenses.

[mom2mikel]

THANKS so much! I don't think you're being negative regarding the FZ18 -- I appreciate your comparing it to the cameras that I own.

I'm trying to find a way to take as close up as possible, without having to do any type of processing after the fact.

I was wondering how the 1.7x tele-converter for the FZ18 affects picture quality at long zoom. I didn't realize there was one for the Nikon -- but my lens is a 70-300mm Tamaron lens, so I'm assuming it wouldn't give me the best results based on your reply.

I think I may just bite the bullet and try the FZ18. I have to admit, I like the idea of not having to change lenses out and have a smaller camera to carry around.

Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it!

[genece]

Yes a TC on the tamron would not give the best image quality and the focus speed would really be slow if it would AF at all.



Enjoy your FZ18 if that is the way you go.....I have seen some very nice photos from the FZ18 with a Tcon17.....
Have you folowed this enough to know you will need the optional adapter to mount a teleconverter.......but you may well be surprised how well the extended zoom works and decide no TC is needed.

[Mike63]

Have you looked at this tread? I was rather impressed by what I saw.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34563

[mom2mikel]

Have you looked at this tread? I was rather impressed by what I saw.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34563

I did -- aren't they amazing photos!! That thread is the reason I now want to add the 1.7 tele-converter :) Thanks for pointing it out to me!