LX3 camera questions

[robc450]

I haven't ordered an X6 yet (just waiting for the go-ahead from the insurance company)... any day now.

In the meantime, I was wondering if the LX3 camera will shoot raw files when it's being used remotely? Canon's G10 will only shoot jpg when it's under remote control.

Thanks
Rob

[sRagnar]

it does shoot in raw. you can have full control of everything that I have wanted to control.
here is a shot straight up, taken raw, developed in silkypix, added sharpness and saturation in color no other changes and convert to jpg. I know it is a lousy shot but the best in raw that I have. when i get a still day i will do better and upload. there was light breeze so up there it was bouncy and shaking.

[robc450]

Thanks for the info. I would've thought 1/200 would've been quick enough to reduce the wind effects, especially with image stabilizing.

I suppose the best times of day for aerial photos are morning and early evening when the winds usually die down, although that means slower shutter speeds. Sounds like a bit of a juggling act to me.

Thanks

[robc450]

Panasonic has just released a firmware update for the LX3.

"..Version 1.3 of firmware for the Panasonic LX3 includes several improvements related to the camera's white balance, focus, exposure and lens systems..."

Update and more info available here:
panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index.html

[sRagnar]

what are the settings that you guys shooting your best stuff?

I have tried some different stuff and I have found it to be best to shoot in automatic setting with max iso set at 400 and program aerial on?

any suggestions for better results?

[rdent]

Siggi:

I have been trying that for the last several outings....
and am still getting lots of out of focus shots....LOTS.

Another photog friend told me to set the shutter priority high and let the apature do its own thing....as the focus issues are being caused by the slow shutter speed set by the auto setting.

Does that make sense to you.....?
Tried it yesterday but the wind was to high to make a good comparison.

[sRagnar]

hey
yea setting the minimum shutter on 1/500 or faster would do it. then set iso on auto with 400 as max. then wait for the sun
here is a photo that i did this evening. i think it must be close to being the 8th wonder of the world.
taken on the settings that Draganfly recommended.
in P mode with ISO at 400 and minimum shutter at 1/250 sec.
this is a stitch of 8 shots and is almost 360° and taken at about 120 feet
the original file is 342m
I am looking forward trying this tomorrow in full light.
the lumix is ok on iso400 but not more than that.
I think that going iso200 will be max that I will tolerate.
we will see tomorrow when i have better light.
let me know your thoughts

[Ben Freedman]

Howdy...

What is 'Program Aerial On'? I've never heard of that...

I use Shutter Priority (sometimes called Tv), and use 1/1000th if possible (works well in daylight, maybe not so much at sunset). Even with 1/500, however, your focus issues should be a thing of the past...

-Ben

[sRagnar]

hey Ben,
there is a setting on the turn dial that says "scn" in the scene mode you can hit menu/set and select a bunch of different scene modes. one of the modes there is "aerial photo" and that optimizes speed, sharpness and color. you can still control most of the other settings like iso, focus select area and metering mode.

yea i have done that as well to shoot in shutter priority and then i set the aperture and iso on auto.

and now camera raw 5.4 for photoshop cs4 will open the panasonic raw .rw2 file directly so i have dumped silkypix which i hated from the start.

[sRagnar]

here is one taken on shutter priority and on iso200
it set it self on f5.6
this photo is direct from raw to jpg with a very small sharpening.

the colors are kind of flat but sharpness is great and focus is perfect.
it is only taken at about 20 feet but it is in there air