The Trend Continues! - New Rugged Lumix DMC-TS4 Announced

 

New Lumix DMC-TS4

Image Source:

 http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/pressrelease/first_half_new_production2012_2/index.html#ts4

 

Back on January 11, I posted about the trend of new Lumix waterproof, shockproof camera models being announced in January.  It started in January 2009, and has now occurred every year for four years, culminating in today's announcement of the DMC-TS4.

It seems that the main differences from the DMC-TS3 are in higher resolution video, manual exposure settings, with the rest being software features, including time lapse, "miniature" mode (which I have yet to understand), panorama assist, and automatic image retouching in the camera.

I must admit, I was not patient enough to wait for the new announcement, and my DMC-TS3 is on its way to me in the mail; I purchased last weekend.  Based on what I see, that was not a bad decision.  These improved features may well be important to others, but I don't feel like I missed out.

Apparently some others see it the way I do.  My reading of dpreview's user comments generally agrees:

(Click Here) to see the dpreview announcement and comments.

I will be writing my impressions of the DMC-TS3 in the coming days and weeks, as I get my first experience with a waterproof Lumix camera.  I plan to get it wet!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

The TS4 is not yet available, but if you want a great deal on the TS3 (which is the way I went recently), support this blog and buy it here:

Tiny Sensors and Landscapes - Seems Like a Bad Combination

When is a small-sensor camera acceptable for landscapes?  Many people would say "never."  And, I understand this sentiment.  But, who cannot agree that this shot from user  AJAPHOTO over on dpreview.com, using a DMC-LX5 is a great landscape image?

 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=40312409                                      Himeji Japanese Garden Adelaide South Australia

Click on the picture and see just how nice it is at a larger size.

Here is one of my own images:

Garnet Lake, Mammoth, California                                                                                                                               Lumix DMC-LX2, iso 100, f8, 1/80 sec

The image above is from my Lumix DMC-LX2, which I used for three years before replacing it with the even-better DMC-LX5.  Printed at about 9"x15", this image looks great.  Now, low iso is necessary to get this kind of performance from such a small sensor.  But, since I had a (small) tripod with me, that was not an issue.

So, don't avoid taking that beautiful landscape shot just because you don't have your "better" camera with you!  Enjoy using the camera that's in your hand.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 If you want a DMC-LX5, please support this blog and buy it here:

 

 

Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon

I took my twin G3 kit to the Chinese New Year parade in DC's Chinatown yesterday (briefly).  A minor family emergency required me to leave early, but I got a few images I like.  All of these images are straight from the camera, unedited.  They were converted from raw to jpg in the upload process.

Dragon Masks, Year of the Dragon, 2012

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 at 58mm

iso400, f5.6, 1/640 sec

Here is a shot of the Chinatown Gate:

Chinatown Gate, Washington DC

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso400, f5.6, 1/400 sec

It was very crowded, even before the parade officially began.  I can only imagine that it got more so.  This boy's face and costume caught my eye:

Young Participant

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 at 114mm

iso800, f5.8, 1/500 sec

This photo is one of those tiny glimpses of time:

Dressed for the Festival

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso400, f4, 1/125 sec

 Happy New Year 2012!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7

iso160, f16, 1/13 sec

DMC-365.blogspot.com

If you are interested in the DMC-G3, which I used for this post, please support me by clicking this link to Amazon!

One of My Images That Sticks in My Mind

 

Chilled Milk

Lumix DMC-G1, 14-140mm f4-5.8 at 14mm, iso400

f5.6, 1/80 sec.

 

I can't say why I like this one, but I do.  Hope you enjoy it too.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

A Little Humor - Digital Review Looks at the Lumix DMC-LX5

This guy, Kai Wong, from digitalrev.com, really cracks me up.  He has done a series of funny videos,including this one, performing "durability testing" on popular DSLRs:

Video Source: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1tTBncIsm8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Here, Kai does a much less destructive evaluation of the Lumix DMC-LX5.  Now be forewarned, there's more humor than substance here, but if you have a few minutes, it's worth a look (and laugh).

 

 Video Source: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqqogOb73wc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Just a little humor for a Sunday morning.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Like the LX5?  Support my blog and buy it from Amazon through this link:

Surf Photography With Compact Cameras?

 Yes!  The capability of compact cameras sure has changed in recent years.

 

User Gary R. on dpreview posted this story about going to Oahu's North Shore with three compact Lumix Cameras:  DMC-LX5, DMC-TS1 (underwater), and DMC-ZS7. 

 

 (Click Here)

 

 

Source: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=40345180

It is certainly worth clicking through to his pbase album to see the rest of his images:

(Click Here).

 

I was hoping to see some images from inside the waves with the TS1, but they aren't there.  Regardless, I think it's impressive how well Gary captured the gorgeous waves and the feeling of the beach.  Sounds pretty good on a rainy cold day here in Northern Virginia.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Where Are My Zeiss Lenses For Micro 4/3?

I Want to See A Planar on my Lumix WITHOUT

an Adapter!

Image Source: http://projecthree.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

I recently found this announcement from almost a year ago, stating that Carl Zeiss had joined the Micro 4/3 standards group

 

(click here) to see the announcement at dpnow.com.

 

So where are the Zeiss lenses for Micro 4/3?  I would LOVE to see that happen.

 

I also found this very recent announcement about Tokina, Tamron, and Astrodesign joining up:

 

(click here).

 

So maybe we'll start to see even more world class lenses for Micro 4/3 in the near future!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Update:

Multiple helpful users on dpreview informed me of these Zeiss cine lenses already available in Micro 4/3:

 

(Click Here)

http://www.zeiss.com/compactprimes

 

These are large cine lenses, and reportedly multiple thousands of dollars.  Not exactly what I am looking for, but it does answer my question.

 

Thanks!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Real Inspiration for Chinese New Year Photography

To add to my earlier post, here is one from Boston.com with many truly excellent images from Chinese New Year.  Inspiration!

Image Source:  http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/01/lunar_new_year_2012.html

 

(Click Here) to see them all.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Lunar New Year and the Color Red

Here in Washington, DC, this coming weekend will mark the celebration of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year.  It is the year of the dragon, most auspicious of them all.  DC will host a Japanese New Year celebration, as well as the annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown.  Here is an image I took at last year's parade:

 

Chinese New Year 2011

Leica M8, Carl Zeiss 25mm f2.8, iso320

f8, 1/125sec

 My friend James, a DC resident, forwarded me this link from the Washington Post:

 

(click here)

 

The piece features some descriptive text about the color red, about our perception of it as described by eminent scientist Jeremy Nathans, and a great set of photographs by Post photographers, exploring the color itself.

 

Happy Lunar New Year, and have a great Year of the Dragon!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Winter's Dream - One of My Shots

 Winter's Dream, Bristoe Station, Virginia

Lumix DMC-G1, Pana-Leica 45mm Macro-Elmarit f2.8

iso100, f5.6, 1/100 sec

I took this shot on a cool winter morning, while visiting the Bristoe Station Civil War battlesite.  For some reason, this image made me think of what those confederate soldiers, far from home, many from Alabama, thought as they camped here soon after the first battle at Manassas.  Many of them died from disease, which was rampant throughout the encampment.  

This view could be anywhere.  I wonder if any of them saw something similar, which made them think of home.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Beautiful Post of Wide Angle HDR Images

 User Guzziknight on mu-43.com has posted a very nice series of high dynamic range (HDR) images of a church interior, taken with his Olympus EP-1 and Lumix 14mm f2.5.

Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f56/westview-abbey-20529/

Here is a link to the full post (click here).

 

While I have been accused of being a technological luddite when it comes to photography, I am a fan of well-controlled HDR.  This is a great example.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Results From New Lumix 45-175mm f4-5.6 Starting to Appear

 

 Image Source:  http://www.iflphoto.com/Other/Petals-2012/i-LBrRH96/0/X2/P1030642-X2.jpg

 

Poster OdzBodkinz on dpreview posted this and one other nice image, taken in his garage with the DMC-G3 and new power-zoom Lumix 45-175mm f4-5.6 lens.

 

(click here) to see the original post.

 

Here's a link to Panasonic's description of the lens:

 

 

 (click here)

 

I am having trouble seeing a reason to consider this lens, myself.  Before I bought the 14-140mm, I had the 45-200mm.  It was a great lens, and I can't imagine where the 45-175 would be better.  It has the same maximum aperture.  Apparently the new lens has aspheric elements, Power OIS (versus Mega OIS in the 45-200), and power zoom.  Power zoom does not attract me.  I did not see anything lacking in the 45-200 image quality, but I suppose aspheric lenses could always add something. The improvement to be expected from Power OIS is nebulous; Panasonic's description has a non-quantitative graph, which seems to indicate more images will be in focus.  Not too convincing for me.

 

I will stick with the good all-around 14-140, and the awesome 100-300 for the time being.

 

That said, the images I've seen from the 45-175 look quite good.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Lumix DMC-G3 Visits Croatia!

 I love seeing how a new camera model, especially one that I'm using, travels around the world to places I will likely never see in person.  This post is from user Solamente on dpreview.com, and shows four stunning images from Croatia, taken with the DMC-G3 and Lumix 14-140mm zoom.

 

(Click here) to see the rest.

 

                             

Image source:  

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=39882148&q=G3+Croatia&qf=m

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, 14-140 (@25 mm), ISO 800, 1/60 sec, f5, -1 EV

This looks like a very special place.  Solamente indicates they used the clarity slider in Lightroom to reduce the effect of the fog.  I would love to see the originals.  I can almost feel the humid chill in the air.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

A Couple of Examples From the Fossil Shoot

In my earlier post today, I showed the setup I used to start photographing the fossil samples at the Calvert Marine Museum.  I thought it may be useful to show a couple of examples of the images taken.

Keep in mind, these are for scientific and not artistic purposes.  They were shot in the smallest file size available on the Nikon D700 (2,128 X 1,416 pixels) in order to save time and storage space.  I did my best to optimize the lighting to show the features of the specimens, using cross-lighting with two flashes.

Conradostrea Sp., Image 1

Conradostrea Sp., Image 2

Panopea Americana, Image 1

 Panopea Americana, Image 2

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Photographing Fossils for the Calvert Marine Museum

I spent the weekend fighting off a cold and photographing the extensive fossil collection at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland.  As you will see below, my Lumix kit has not supplanted my Nikon D700 for this type of work.  I shoot the D700 tethered through Lightroom, and use the excellent Nikkor 60mm f2.8 AF-D Micro lens almost exclusively.

The two shots below, however, were taken with the Lumix DMC-G3 and 14mm f2.5.  You can see the Nikon inverted above the fossil.

John Nance and I, Photographing Fossils

Lumix DMC-G3, 14mm f2.5, iso160, f8, 1 sec

In order to get these shots, I set up the DMC-G3 with a remote shutter release, prefocused, and with a 10 second timer.  I then I triggered the DMC-G3, waited until I heard the shutter open (after the 10 second timer), then triggered the Nikon D700 remotely, to get the Nikon flashes to go.  I like the way they came out.

This is one of just me.  Same settings as above.

Did I mention that the museum's collection is extensive?  How does 40,000 samples sound?  We covered maybe 10% this weekend.  Good thing it's fun and interesting!

DMC-365.blogspot.com 

Lumix DMC-GH2 Sails Tasmania!

Image Source:  http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6683697889_dd43456dfb.jpg

This forum contributer over at mu-43.com, who goes by "nickthetasmaniac" (same id on flickr) has posted a very nice set of images taken while sailing around Tasmania

(click here).

source: http://www.mu-43.com/f56/east-coast-sailing-20329/

Unfortunately, he doesn't give lens or exposure details, except his list of equipment, which is a DMC-GH2, Voigtlander Nokton 25mm, Lumix 7-14mm f4 and SMC 50mm f1.2, which I have to guess is a Pentax lens and adapter.

Regardless, he clearly has a very good eye, and knows how to get out where there's something to see.  I feel that I learned a little about a part of the world I've never seen, and even a little about the photographer.  Excellent.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

I Admit It, I like HDR

This is What My Eyes Saw; the Camera Couldn't See it All in One Exposure

HDR Image of Ficus Tree, Kauai, Hawaii

Lumix DMC-LX5, iso80, 35mm equiv full-frame focal length

Three exposures, processed with Nik HDR Efex Pro

 

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a technique that combines brightness levels from multiple images of the same scene, to produce a single image with a wider apparent dynamic range, which means that details are not lost in shadows or very bright areas.  Used correctly, it can reveal detail that is visible to the human eye, but not within the capture range of a camera sensor.

 

HDR is frequently over-used and over-processed, which can lead to a very artificial look.  If that's what the photographer intended, okay.  But, in many cases, it just looks like someone went on a trip to computer game animation world.

 

Here is a nice online article from Peter Tellone on the B&H Photo blog:

(click here)

 

I learned about HDR in an excellent workshop at a Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) meeting.  Our instructor, Dr. Stephen Wright, did a great job of demonstrating the technique.  The LHSA is probably not the most technically progressive group in the world; they tend toward more traditional approaches and fewer buttons and controls.  However, many of us saw HDR as an extension of what the best cameras can provide.

 

If you are interested, the software I use is Nik Efex Pro.  It is available at Amazon:

(click here)

 

I hope you will find this useful.  HDR really can make a challenging, high contrast lighting situation into something you'll be proud to show.  Just don't overdo it!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Well, Some Good News From Kodak?

Image Source:  http://www.KodakTransforms.com/

 

This post from the British Journal of Photography says that Kodak is indicating a commitment to the film business, and also says this part of their business has remained profitable.

 

(click here for more)

 

That's great news.  Let's hope Kodak bounces back as a smaller, focused business, and continues to provide film for years to come.  I, for one, still want it to be available.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

New Firmware Announced For Lumix DMC-GX1 and 100-300mm f4-5.6

 Panasonic announces new firmware for the DMC-GX1 and 100-300mm f4-5.6 Mega OIS lens

Image Source: 

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_100_300.html

 

I don't own the GX1, but look forward to seeing the "Improved Performance of O.I.S." for the 100-300, indicated in the announcement:

 

(click here)

 

The firmware upgrade should be available at the link above around the end of January, 2012.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

The Crooked Mile - One of My Shots

The Crooked Mile

Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 at 14mm

iso200, f16, 1/25 sec

 

This shot was taken in Solomons, Maryland.  I opened my zoom as wide as it would go, closed down the aperture to f16 for maximum depth of field, and got down low for a perspective that hopefully draws you into the scene.  

 

The walkway is as ricketty as it looks; I did not venture further out onto it.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Featured Lumix Photograph from "and the bird took flight..." on flickr

I regularly peruse flickr and other sites for inspiring photographs.  It keeps me out of creative ruts.  Every once in a while, I come across something I feel I must share.

Image Source:http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7022/6635799317_b787e11145.jpg

  210/365 by flickr user "and the bird took flight..."

Lumix DMC-G3, 20mm, iso200

f4.2, 1/8 sec

This photograph really caught my eye.  Flickr user "and the bird took flight..." has real creative genius.  You owe it to yourself to take a look at how she is using the Lumix G3 to express it.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

A Sad Day For Photography -Kodak Files For Bankruptcy

 Today, the 130 year old pioneer in photography, Kodak, has filed for bankruptcy protection.  I don't know 

about you, but my first camera was a Kodak 126 Instamatic, loaded up with cartridge film.  I still remember my mom saying that I was just wasting film, taking pictures of cars going down our street.  Most of the only photos I have of family members who have passed are on Kodak film and paper.  I learned to develop and print with Kodak film, paper, Dektol, and D76.  I, for one, will miss Kodak.

Image Source:  

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-19/kodak-photography-pioneer-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-1-.html

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Wish I was There Now...

 

 Sunrise at Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii

Lumix DMC-G1, 14-140mm zoom at 29mm 

iso100, f11, 1/15 sec

 

I was talking with a colleague last night about places that I feel my soul is at home.  This is one of them for me.  Of course it's easy to feel that your soul belongs in such a gorgeous place, but I really feel it, even in the small local town.  

 

I hope to make it back there sometime soon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Ice Photography

I will start with a few of my own images of ice to get us going:

Geometric Ice

Lumix DMC-LX2, iso 100

f5.6, 1/100 sec

Frozen Forest

Lumix DMC-LX2, iso 200

f5.6, 1/160 sec

Abstract on Ice

Lumix DMC-LX2, iso 100

f4, 1/125 sec

I was inspired to look these up after reading this nice article on Ephotozine:

(click here)

Source:  http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ice-photography-advice-18149?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ephotozine+%28ePHOTOzine%29

Well, I don't know the weather where you are, but winter is threatening us here in Northern Virginia, and I won't let it stop me from going out.  Even when the trees are bare and the sky is gray, if you look hard enough, you can find something interesting to photograph.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Blogger's Morning

 

 Blogger's Morning

Lumix DMC-LX5, iso100, f5.6, 1/60 sec, 16:9 ratio

 

This is just a quick grab shot that I think epitomizes my mornings - coffee, blog writing, journaling.  Could be worse...

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Super DMC-G3 User Tips Thread on dpreview.com

Image Source: Panasonic

http://shop.panasonic.com/dotAsset/1b37230b-19c7-46ef-8f25-c26c03bdf59d.jpg

User Phototransformations at dpreview has started a new thread to collect useful user tips for the new DMC-G3:

(click here)

source:  http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=40291102

He is asking for others to contribute.  I think this will be a very good resource for us G3 users going forward!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Old Stone House at Manassas National Battlefield

The sunrise reflecting off of the windows in the Old Stone House at Manassas battlefield was too attractive to drive by.  The house is located right in the middle of the American Civil War Battlefield, here in Manassas, Virginia. 

Sunrise at the Old Stone House, Manassas National Battlefield, Virginia

Lumix DMC-G3, 20mm f1.7 lens, iso 400 f6.3, 1/125 sec

Closeup of Window, Old Stone House, Manassas National Battlefield, Virginia

Lumix DMC-G3, 20mm f1.7 lens, iso 400 f6.3, 1/320 sec

 

 

There were two major battles here, approximately one year apart (1861-1862).  They are referred to as First and Second Manassas by the South, or First and Second Bull Run by the North, who preferred to call battles by the names of nearby rivers.  

 

The Old Stone House was a battlefield hospital in both battles, and sustained significant damage in the war.  There are inscriptions in some of the walls, written by wounded soldiers.

 

Even though I have visited this site many times, on this visit I discovered something new - a cannonball embedded in the exterior brick wall.

 

Cannonball placed in exterior wall of the Old Stone House

Lumix DMC-G3, 20mm f1.7 lens, iso 160 f1.7, 1/2500 sec

 

Apparently, when the house was rebuilt at some point after the war, perhaps after 1912, the cannonball was placed in the wall where it actually sustained a hit during the battle.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stone_House,_Manassas_National_Battlefield_Park#The_Stone_House_Today

 

Here is an HDR shot of the interior, through a rear window:

 

Sunrise Illuminates the Interior of Old Stone House,

Manassas National Battlefield, Manassas, Virginia

Lumix DMC-G3, 20mm f1.7 lens, iso 400 f6.3, HDR composite of three images

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Monday, January 16, 2012

Learning From Our Past

 Learning From Our Past

I took this picture a few years ago.  While it was not taken with a Lumix camera (Nikon D200), I felt it was woth posting today, in memory of Dr. King.

We can all learn something from that man.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

I May Have to Look at a Wider Angle Micro 4/3 Lens

I am naturally a telephoto shooter, though I have tried hard over the past few years to learn wide angle technique, with at least some success.  My widest lens on Micro 4/3 is the 14mm f2.5 Lumix, which is a great lens.  But, images like these make me think I should try a wider lens.

This was posted on mu-43user.com by Paulo Moreira:

(click here)

Source: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4094/4910746436_cdcc907640_z.jpg

Now, to be certain, I don't know what focal length it was shot at.  I suppose it could be the "long" end of the 7-14mm zoom, which is the same as my lens.  But, somehow I think this was shot wider, maybe 7mm?

With the Panasonic 7-14mm lens costing nearly $1,000, maybe I'd better make sure?  :)

Or maybe a trip to Europe would be better for getting me closer to shots like this?

Either way, I am inspired by this image.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 15, 2012

What Can I Do To Get Sharp Images With A Compact Camera?

Okay, so you've been watching how the capability of very compact cameras has been increasing quickly, blurring the lines between compact and SLR, amateur and "pro" equipment.  These changes are real.  For example, the Lumix DMC-LX5 has many features and image quality previously restricted to more expensive (and heavier, larger) cameras.

From The Online Photographer

Image Source: 

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/.a/

6a00df351e888f8834014e89d45965970d-800wi

 

But, the compactness and lightness of these new models is both blessing and curse.  Okay, mostly blessing, speaking as someone whose back has suffered from 40 lb camera bags.  One drawback is that the new cameras are so small, it's very difficult to hold them still during exposure, which is necessary to avoid blurring of the image when using slower shutter speeds.  Also, using an LCD display to frame your shot, with your arms extended, puts you in a less stable position to begin with.  So, how do you eliminate your own motion during shooting and get those sharp images you want?

 

In a lively forum entry on dpreview.com, user Rick880 asked this very question.  Here is a link (click here), but I will save you some reading time by summarizing the ideas for you:

 

First off - the old standard - a good tripod and cable release.  The small camera blessing applies here, as you can get away with a very compact tripod, with so little weight to stabilize.  Cable releases are available for some models, but not all.  In the case of the DMC-LX5, Richard Franiec's website (click here) offers this nice adapter that uses a standard screw-in cable release.  You can order the product directly via email/Paypal.

Photo source: http://www.kleptography.com/rf/lx3_04.jpg

But, a even a small tripod may be more than you want to carry.

A second approach is to use something - the neck strap, a string or chain connected to the camera, usually through the tripod mount on the bottom of the camera, and pull it tight while you've got the camera in shooting position.  This lends some stiffness to your body and arms, which can significantly reduce motion.  Here's an example of a homemade version from instructables.com:

"String Tripod"

Image Source: http://www.instructables.com

/image/F1N2WJVF0ZSTF17/String-Tripod.jpg

A third method is to use the camera's internal timer to trigger the shutter.  This removes the tendency to move the camera when pushing down on the shutter release with your finger.  However, it requires a subject that will wait a few seconds for your timer to go off, without missing the shot.

Fourth, most new compacts have a "burst" mode, where they will take multiple images in rapid succession.  If you take several pictures, you can usually find one that's very sharp.  This has the same disadvantage, in that it's only useful if your subject is holding still.

Finally, some advanced compacts, the DMC-LX5 included, have optional viewfinders (the LVF1 in the case of the LX5).  This may be the best way to avoid that "arm's length" motion, by bringing the camera back to your eye, which is where it belongs in my opinion.  You are much more stable in this position than with your arms extended, camera at the far end.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  These little cameras really are amazing - don't let their small size be a disadvantage!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Great Train Raid of 1861 - American Civil War

I am working on a photography project about the 150th anniversary (sesquicentenial) of the United States civil war.  Living in Northern Virginia, I am in a prime location.  I am an hour or less from several major battlesites, including Manassas (Bull Run), Antietam, and Gettysburg.  This project will last over the coming four years.

On May 23, 1861, under the command of Thomas (soon to be "Stonewall") Jackson, confederate forces appropriated a large set of railroad equipment, including locomotives, cars, tools, and track, from the B&O Railroad for use in the rebel cause. As a result of damage to the tracks, the equipment had to be moved overland. For a full description, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson's_operations_against_the_B%26O_Railroad_(1861) Pictured here is reenactor and historian Arthur Candenquist who presented on the Great Train Raid at Zion Church in Aldie, Virginia on November 13, 2011. He was dressed as, and spoke from the perspective of Confederate Captain Thomas R. Sharp.

Captain Thomas R. Sharp, Confederate
Lumix DMC-GF1, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit
iso800, f2.8, 1/40 sec

 

Confederate States of America (CSA) Belt Buckle
Lumix DMC-GF1, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit
iso800, f2.8, 1/40 sec

Captain Thomas R. Sharp, Confederate
Lumix DMC-GF1, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit
iso800, f2.8, 1/40 sec

Captain Thomas R. Sharp Surveys Confederate Graves
Lumix DMC-G1, Pana-Leica 25mm f1.4 Summilux
iso400, f2.2, 1/80 sec

Confederate Grave, Zion Church, Aldie, VA
Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 14mm f2.5
iso100, f9, 1/8 sec

Captain Sharp's Boots
Lumix DMC-GF1, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit
iso800, f2.8, 1/125 sec

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