Flight pictures with Prosumers

[trevorc]

I picked up an old thread from Matt

"I don't have a DSLR but use a Panasonic FZ30 which has a zoom of 35-420mm (equivalent) which extends to 714mm with a TCON17 teleconverter on. It is far smaller, lighter (and cheaper) than a DSLR with equivalent zoom range but there is a difference in quality. One day I will make the step up to DSLR. Most of my shots in my Gallery below were taken with the FZ30 and either the teleconverter fitted or a close-up lens."

Some nice pictures with your FZ30 in your Gallery Matt, I'd be very interested to know how you get on with flight shots, and that applies to anybody else with Prosumer participating in this forum.

I have a Minolta Z6 which suits my purpose quite well but it's almost impossible to to get decent flight shots although I used to have a Z3 which was seemed to work better. The problem seems to be the auto focus just isn't up to dealing with moving objects unless thay fill half the frame against an infinite sky.

The Z6 has a manual focus adjustment in the menu but it's fiddly and I can't seem to get a sharp focus with it.

I don't want an SLR and the Panasonic FZ50 is top of my list is because I'm hoping that the real manual focus makes this much better. It might also be the case that the FZ50 works well on autofocus

Suggestions on another forum are that the problem exists with all Prosumers but I have a few pictures with my Z3 which are fine

Keep posting the flying shots.


My Galleries are at
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/birdsofhants/index

The Common Gull and Herring Gull in Gallery 1 are both taken with the Z3 I don't seem to be able to get this result with the Z6

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by trevorc

The problem seems to be the auto focus just isn't up to dealing with moving objects unless thay fill half the frame against an infinite sky.

I've only ever had occasional goes at in-flight shots, but the above seems to sum up my exprience. It is possible to get good in flight shots with the FZ30 (and presumably FZ50) because I've seen other people's shots. I imagine it's something that comes with practice. I also suspect it is easier with a DSLR.

Matt

[eeyore]

one of the bigger issues with flight shots with prosumers is shutter lag (my old dear has a fuji S7000 which i find frustrating as heck to use after my SLR)

however the FZ series are supposed to be nearly as good as an slr in this regard.

I have heard that the FZ50 has some issues with the in camera sharpening , though i have no personal exp of this, so you might be better off going for a FZ30 which should be tumbling in price now that the 50 is out.

[life through a lens]

I used to have a Konica Minolta Z5 and it was really frustrating trying to get in-flight shots because of the slightly lacking autofocus. I've just got a FZ30 and have been practising on hoverflies with the manual focus and can't fault it. Shame I'm not as good !!!

Olly