Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Dave, thanks fr the suggestion. I think that this is what you are talking about http://www.amazon.co.uk/PicknBuy-Dif...Flash+Diffuser

Like Chris I have seen pro photographers using all manner of home brew flash diffusers constructed out of cardboard, aluminium foil, plastic etc. It's not a sign that they are cheap but that photographers are always searching for that elusive perfect flash diffuser. Look how Gary Fong has made a fortune out of selling photographers an overpriced white plastic bowl.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Roger that shot of the ceremony room is a perfect example of the extreme lighting we have to deal with at weddings - I get that so often where one half of the room is in darkness and the other half is in bright sunlight - the FZ1000 seems to deal with it ok.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Pete,
Yes it was quite extreme, more so than it looks in the clip. I only shot from that point as they were coming back down the aisle. Given more time I could have played around with the contrast range adjustments and other settings that I haven't even tried yet, but the camera seemed to handle it well anyway.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Yep, that's the one, I have a couple of them stuck in my bags so there's usually one handy. There seem to be two China/HK manufacturers, as I've got two slightly different types, one is a gloss finish on the difusers, the other a satin finish - both seem to work fine, I think the satin ones might be slightly better. Both were cheap as well!

For the price, they give you a more diffused light, and less problems with shadows behind the subject - not quite as good as a fully rotating bounce system, but I found I needed a diffuser with those as well! I intentionally avoided those that looked like a bathroom fixture... Sto-Fen makes a more discrete design, as do many knockoffs of their product. I can still mount a full size type flash with bounce/rotate and a diffuser on the RX10's, but then I have to carry another "thing" with more weight and bulk.

Another handy "thing" you might take a look at is the Sirui brand footed monopods - similar to the better known Bogen/Manfrottos, but bigger/longer feet, making them much closer to a tripod. I noticed a few pros mentioning them, picked up a couple of the older designs (with the fluid system in the base - new ones have it up towards the top/grip) used, and they seem to be a good all-round support setup.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hmmm I have a couple of plastic diffusers that I used to put on my generic flash heads but stopped as they kept falling off ... If I cut a slot in the bottom they will work really well over the pop up flash .. I'll try one later ... I can also see some potential using a plastic shoe bracket slid into the hotshoe which could also support the diffuser so the pop up flash doesn't take any excess weight! With camera ISO's getting better and better one can also restrict flash to really dark situations ...I see a lot of photogs actually NOT using flash but have a remote LED light with the camera ...one of the biggest issues I have with flash is people instinctively closing their eyes when you say 1- 2 -3 smile. If there is no flash they tend to keep their eyes open so maybe photogs have now seen the "light" ( sorry ..very pathetic pun I know!!)

Maybe flash days are coming to a close with cameras like Pete's A7S which can see in the dark!!

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I don't do stills Chris so have never even pressed the shutter button and I've had it nearly 6 months! Taking the dog for a walk in a minute so I might have a go! I should point out that I have some experience in photography and when I started out on my own in the wedding video business I also set myself up as a wedding photographer as well in case the income from the few video bookings I was getting at the time was not enough so I'm no stranger to it.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Interested to read how you get on Peter. Me also with my FZ (and my GH4s) never a snap EXCEPT video grabs from 4K which not bad. I do bird vids so the 1/50th "fixed" shutter speed a bit of a drawback with "grabs".

Ron

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Me neither! I have yet to take a still on the FZ1000 .. too busy shooting video plus I'm so used to using the Nikons for stills and my wife has got used to them too. The Nikon software also gives you amazing facilities in post for photos ... Their D-Lighting is a huge asset and gets carried forward into the software too. However I must admit Roger's stills do tempt me to try a few stills at a wedding when I'm not too busy!! I slip in a few just for fun on Saturday!! The only thing that worries me a little is Nikon flash units have a backlight feature and I have yet to see the same on Panny flashes ... Like Pete I just shoot great video on the FZ's so far and am more than happy!!

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

You really should experiment with the stills Chris, I think you will be quite surprised.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Roger

I will at the next wedding it's one of just only 3 in 2015/16 that I'm not doing the photography too so while the Asian photogs are fussing with the couple I will test out the camera at the reception on the guests. I'm not really concerned at all with good outdoor shots or even well lit indoor shots but I do need good stuff at the reception and that's where flash comes into play and I can find nothing for the camera that equals the Nikon SB600 units we currently use on our Nikon still cameras. We work hard and fast at receptions so I definitely need a TTL flash that thinks for itself. Wifey does an open photobooth with a big black backdrop so I also need a flash unit that will not interpret the background as "more light is needed" and then end up with overexposed people ...the Nikon flashes have that built in.

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

If anyone in the UK is thinking of buying an FZ1000 there are some reconditioned ones with full warranty from the official Panasonic outlet store on eBay for just £499. Despite my new RX10m2 at that price I am tempted to get one myself just for the 400mm equivalent zoom. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000EB Bridge Camera 20.1MP 16x Optic Zoom 4K Video Record | eBay

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I bought my second one from a Dutch supplier that I regularly use, very fast delivery, reliable and easy to contact. Their new price is only £29 more than the EBay refurbished ones. Search results for: 'LUMIX FZ1000'

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Chris,

We don't do a photobooth, but at last week's wedding I was asked to take some extra group and friends pics in the evening. I always carry a reflective umbrella and stand with a bright low energy studio bulb just in case. I set one up in front of a wood panelled wall to the side front and tried the FZ1000 without flash. It handled it beautifully and with a much warmer feel to using a flash.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Thanks Roger

Actually we only run an "open" photobooth so it is a simple black backdrop on stands and a bunch of props. When I bought the backdrop and stands kit off eBay it also came with two light stands, 2 x white umbrellas and 2 x 125W CFL lamps .... It would probably work a lot better although not as convenient as a flash. We, of course, don't get any shadow issues even with direct flash with the black backdrop!! I must set it up in the camera room at home and try my camera with it ..It will probably work very well. I wonder how the camera will work with a video light on it?? That might give me nice stills and provide easy on camera lighting... I'll experiment tomorrow at the reception too !!

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Claire and I have both got separate joint packages tomorrow, so we will both be experimenting with the LUMIX. We will both have studio lights if necessary and a 132 led on camera light in the camera bag.

I do find if I use the camera light for portraits, that they aren't keen on looking directly at it, plus the light is too even like a direct flash. I prefer off camera lighting if I can, to give a little less light to one side of the face and more depth to the shot. With your open photo booth setup, I can see that the shot is all about the moment the flash is fired, but on the other hand, people do seem to like posing in the fixed light as well and you don't have the blinking problem.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Roger

We used to use flash for fills on outside shoots but the closed eyes is a nightmare!! I just shoot without it now as you have to delete so many pics ...even if you switch the flash off the mere presence of seeing a flash unit on the camera (they don't know that it's turned off) they seem to automatically close their eyes when you say 1-2-3 .... With the FZ's decent ISO I don't see why reception shots couldn't use an LED light for a fill ....I'm shooting video at the tables and getting brilliant results without any lighting so I cannot see why stills shouldn't be as good??? Yeah for the booth I have CFL lights so no problem there and it saves using flash too ..funny on the booth they don't seem to close their eyes!!!

I would appreciate your comments on shooting guests at the reception with the FZ1000 without any extra lighting ..I can do a couple but mine tomorrow is only video so I don't want to upset the photog!!!

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Shooting the guests without lighting is a difficult one Chris as it obviously depends on the lighting levels in the room. I would be prepared to take the camera to ISO 3200 if necessary, but if you may want to crop probably a bit lower. The automatics handle the evening guest shots well, but I would put a stop on exceeding ISO3200. Using the biggest aperture and a light flash works well so that you can maintain a lower ISO, but you know that anyway and a medium LED for quick round the tables works well to avoid closed eyes.

Last week, Claire used mainly ISO 125-200, with 50-100th shutter and a wide flash setting and just tilted the flash up and down to vary the intensity depending on the range.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Thanks Roger

Enjoy your wedding too! I have lots of time on this one actually since they have their own photog!! so ceremony at 2:00pm today (civil one so that will be done and dusted by 2:30pm) then after yje photog has done groups I'll do a quick stedicam shoot at the same venue (it has nice gardens) I'm going to shoot some general stills on the FZ so I can see how it performs on a sunny day (we have blue skies today and 26 degrees C) Then at the reception I'll play with some inside shots on the Lumix too It's one of the weddings where I would have rather have done photos too as I'll be done by 3:00pm latest and the guests only arrive at the reception at 6pm ..Will probably pop home for a cuppa to kill some time!

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Claire and I both had long photo/video weddings today with both taking around 11 hours base to base. Claire used the FZ1000 for all her stills and two Panny video cams for the video. She came back buzzing about how good the LUMIX is for stills, and how she used the auto settings for virtually all the outside shots and M for evening and flash.

My experience for the stills was virtually identical, although I managed to get some sunset shots mixing manual flash into both auto and manual settings. For the first time I also used the FZ1000 as the main video camera with one of the Panny videocams as a B cam.. I took a decision to leave the LUMIX on IA+ for the church service, using the sub record button for the video. This meant that I was able to take silent stills without stopping the video, as the vicar didn't want any flash or shutter noises and absolutely no moving about.

A quick look at the stills in the church confirms that they look very sharp and it was so easy to concentrate on the camerawork for video and just press the stills shutter whenever I felt it was a good stills opportunity. A couple of times on changing shots to congregation, I found the camera focusing on the wrong part of the scene due to people at different distances, so rather than stopping the video, I changed to manual focus while recording. I got the focus direction wrong on several occasions, which gave a couple of seconds of searching time, but easily covered with the B cam. I'm not used to needing to restart the recording after 29 minutes, but found I could do that during a hymn.

During the formal photo session, I continued to avoid the creative video mode so that I could use the sub button for video and main shutter for stills, so alternated between them for a while. Back at the reception, I checked the quality of the stills taken while videoing and decided that they were high enough quality to continue using that method when I wanted video of the same scene. That meant that at times I could set up the poses as I would for stills only, but then shoot the video and take the still without having to reset anything. The only things to be aware of is that only a certain number of stills can be taken during any continuous video take, I'll have to check how many, but it means that I missed a couple of shots during the ceremony, so will have to use screen grabs. The video frame is also tighter than the stills frame, so some of the border is lost if you start the video record while you are set up for stills.

For the first dance and following dances, all lights were out apart from disco lights and for the first time, I felt that the footage was sharper than the Panny video cams, which I had paralleled up just in case.

Altogether it was a great learning day, and although I felt a little uncomfortable initially using just the FZ1000 for much of the day for video and stills, I gradually got used to it and it made things so much easier than using still and video cameras on my double tripod mount. The quality of both video and stills throughout the day was amazingly good, with the auto white balance continuously getting it right. It was a bright sunny day with a white marquee, blue skies, white puffy clouds and lots of grass, but auto exposure only needed the occasional gain adjustment. I have never taken so many stills where almost every shot was right, focus, superb colour and exposure.

For a solo shooter it is a godsend and although I seem to be overflowing with superlatives, it is without doubt the best camera I have ever owned for convenience and quality both in video and stills. There are a few things like the zoom, battery door and lack of headphone monitoring that could be improved, but nothing that is a major problem. I'm not sure what Panasonic will add when they eventually upgrade it, but it can only enhance what I consider to be an excellent little camera.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Roger

Many thanks for that excellent summary! My wedding on Saturday turned out very well also ... I still used Creative Video Mode for all the video and apart from a silly mistake (somehow I had accidentally switch the focus to manual and didn't notice on the A-Camera ) Amazingly enough that clip was sharp and perfectly focussed ..I only found out it was in manual when I looked thru the EVF and saw the groomsman high lighted in blue focus peaking so when the opportunity arose I quickly changed it. Our reception was REALLY low light ...A few dimmed lights and then candles !! I tossed my video light on the camera and turned the dimmer to full and was stunned to see the image totally blown out ...I used the light now and again in a couple of dark corners with guests otherwise it wasn't needed. If I still had my Sony's the light would have been a lot brighter as no light would have resulted in a dirty brown image!! I did speeches in front of the bridal table and the only light was two small halogens in the ceiling yet the camera handled that lighting perfectly!! I did have a short time to "play" so I took stills with just the dim video light ..images were good BUT shutter speed hovered between 1/10 and 1/15th at best so one gets a few blurry shots which isn't practical! If I turn up the video light it just blows out the skin tones so definitely indoor stills need a flash to light the whole scene correctly and keep the shutter up at 1/60th at least otherwise camera shake is going to happen especially handheld shots. Our next wedding is a "normal" one with us doing photos too so I'll definitely use the FZ1000 for the photoshoot!!

Only had one tiny disaster at the wedding ...I was checking the one cam during the ceremony and put the 2nd cam on a granite wall where it promptly slid down the rough stone face where a nice guest caught it BUT it scratched my LCD at the bottom!! I wish I could get the tough plastic covers that my Nikons have!!!

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Chris,

Seems like we are both being continually surprised by this camera :-) I'm sure the Sony RX10 probably stacks up pretty well also, but Noa seems to be finding some odd problems. I am very happy that I stuck to Panasonic and my background doubts about the ability of the FZ1000 against the price, have been quickly erased.

On the matter of your LCD screen, I bought a pack of 6 iPad screen protectors a couple of years back and all my cameras have a screen protector cut from the sheets which seem to protect against scrapes and knocks. I've only used 2 sheets for 8 cameras so far.

Claire took on our first ever photo shoot only today, it was for a christening following a recommendation from a wedding joint package that we filmed. She came back a little while ago, saying that it was so easy compared with filming video. All she took was an FZ1000, flash and a few batteries, no tripod and a packed lunch. She took 500 stills, and used the same battery for the camera throughout. She didn't even need her lunch as they invited her to join the finger buffet afterwards.

She's now had her head turned and wonders why photographers seem to get so wound up when it is so easy!! She wants to get stuck in to pushing the photography only package as she thinks it is a walk in the park compared with the joint package or video only package. She took loads of closeups and loads of discrete telephoto shots of guests and now questions why photographers cart around several cameras and various lenses. I just shrugged and smiled :-)

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

When you see a photo taken with a full frame body coupled with a few fast primes you know why they do :) There is not much of a comparison to a f2.8 to f4.0 lens on a 1 inch sensor camera. Taking pictures is very convenient while shooting video and can enable you to do offer video/photo at the same time though, I only take some quick snapshots during the photoshoot for my dvdbox prints, I don't even have a clue if my rx10 can do video and photo at the same time, I guess not?

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I agree with Noa, your camera is no doubt convenient and takes great stills and video. However just as you can see the difference between the FZ1000 and your old video cams, so others can see the difference between the FZ1000 and full frame photos.

It's great you love the camera and I'm sure it sits well within your style, but it's a solution to your needs.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I agree Noa that a full frame camera with top quality glass will give superior results, but the vast majority of photographic work that we would take on just doesn't require that level of photography or investment. If we were shooting magazine covers, fashion photography or high end photography of any sort, we wouldn't consider using the FZ1000 with it's 1" sensor, but for the sort of work we do it is brilliant, so I see Claire's point of view.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Cross posts Steve, but the same reply as to Noa, it suits our purposes perfectly at the moment.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Roger, my comment is no criticism of your style and camera choice, more on the remark about why other Photographers cart such gear about that your wife made and which you shrugged and smiled. I imagine done so in jest, unless you think the FZ1000 can top say the 5d Mark iii for quality stills. Of course it costs more and for your package, not a worthwhile investment. However for other Photographers, it's an investment worth its weight in Gold.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

That's what I said about using this camera as an easier way to add on photos to your package because you can take photo's while shooting video. But I still don't see Claire's point of view. All wedding photographers I have worked with the past 10 years carry full frame bodies, f2.8 zoomlenses and f1.2 or f1.4 primes, some high end photogs I know only work with a 35 and a 85mm prime lenses. They don't carry all that weight to look important, you just can't deny the magic full frame photography can have and it's not only a requirement for magazine covers or fashion shoots, it's expected at weddings as well. Ofcourse you can do a photoshoot with a bridge camera but I"m sure you are then targeting a client with a lower budget.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I certainly wouldn't even suggest that the FZ1000 could top a 5dMk III for image quality, but it will beat it hands down for flexibility and convenience and it will record in 4K.

Also of course, if someone is looking to get started up in wedding video and photography at the end of the market where the most work is, they would need a pair of Canons and lenses if they want that quality of equipment, or for the same price they could have a dozen FZ1000s, or two FZ1000s, an editing suite, sliders, jib, a couple of GoPros, tripods and probably a second hand car to carry it in :-)

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

I"m pretty sure if they would invest in full frame camera and primes and do photography only and if they are really good at what they do that investment is quickly earned back. They probably will also easily make more then double for photography only then what we charge for combo packages. For a photographer this is a necessary investment, for a videographer not, that's why a bridge camera has more possibilities for us because we can more easily combine doing 2 disciplines but it will not be at the same level as a photog that shoots with full frame only and that's the reason we charge less for it.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Flexibility and convenient is good for me, quality of shots is good for the clients. I'd suffer my inconvenience for the sake of a good shot for the client. Okay it's back to your opinion Roger of faffing around on the arty stuff and missing the shot. However those of us who go further don't feel one necessary leads to the other.

I'm not sure someone new to the industry should jump in and offer both. By all means learn the trade with one, then dip into the other. Photo and Video are 2 disciplines. There are plenty incapable of mastering one, goodness knows the mess if they start up and try 2.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Thing is Steve you are only partly right, because although there are great photographers out there and great videographers with fantastic gear there are also many more who buy fantastic gear and come up with poor photos and flat boring videos. Believe me, I have come across many in my years, being the main reason that we added photography to our packages. Although I have been a reasonable photographer for decades, I only added it to our services after seeing some of the poor work that some photographers managed to achieve inspite of some amazing cameras and lenses, and many video clients asking for stills from the video because of poor photography.

A camera like the FZ1000 doesn't stifle artistic creativity, but if you want very low light or very shallow DOF pics, or maybe want to blow up to extreme enlargements, then you cannot beat a full frame top of the range cam. Great photography though is as much about the framing and capturing that different angle or mood as it is about the camera, and the FX1000 is very capable of superb pics in the right hands and with the right conditions. Those conditions can be quite wide ranging and enough to satisfy the requirements of the vast majority of weddings enquiries that I would expect us to get in the medium price range.

I wouldn't expect or encourage newcomers to move straight into photography and video packages unless they are experienced and competent at both, so I should have put 'video and/or' photography in the previous post, although it was more to make a point of emphasising what is possible and the huge differences in costs, rather than an encouragement to leap in with both feet and no experience.

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Most but not all of the wedding photographers that I encounter do other types of photography to maintain their income, and use the equipment that they have already invested in to photograph weddings. They also work in ways that they are familiar with, some using light meters to assess the lighting conditions and setting the camera for every single shot and assistants to hold reflectors and take backup shots. Others have well paid careers and can afford expensive gear and want to be seen to look professional for weekend weddings even if the results are sometimes amateur.

I am not suggesting that they could do everything with a single bridge camera, but I am suggesting that a large number of weddings can't afford those types of photographers, or don't want hours spent on painstaking photography. Many prefer to have some lovely posed and romantic shots mixed with casual shots taken throughout the day and have the time to enjoy their day and their guests. Some want and expect the traditional time consuming photography and are prepared to pay for it, but there is a whole new market developing with the smartphone generation who are looking for something quicker, less upfront and affordable, but still giving them the opportunity of a romantic canvas and pictures on the wall. That's what cameras like the FZ1000 and others are starting to offer with speed and convenience, but maintaining acceptable quality and that is the market we target.

Claire is entitled to her own opinion and has also often seem some of the poor offerings, so from that point of view she is often absolutely right. She is also a very imaginative and capable photographer and videographer, so who am I to disagree with her!

Roger

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

It's always about equipment and what camera should I buy and over here I see variations from one photographer with a Canon 550D camera, kit lens and pop up flash (yep just one camera too..I bet the professional decal job on her car cost more than the cameras) and then we have a mate of mine who shoots with nothing less than 3 x Nikon D4S bodies and a pile of lenses..nothing less PLUS an assistant too! Both take photos and both spend 8 hours on site. The difference is one charges $600 and one charges $4000 .... "you pays your money" My friend Rob (he is the one with the D4S kit) also imports his albums from Italy and his traditional prints are hand done over on our East Coast whilst our enthusiastic young Canon 550D lady gives the bride a USB and is done.

There is no bad still (or video) camera ..all of them do a satisfactory job and your gear ultimately will point you towards either the budget bride or the "daddy is paying" bride ... I have seen my mate Rob's work and yes it is stunning but you do pay through the nose for it!! It all depends on what the bride is prepared to pay for and wise photogs should have equipment that match their pricing ...No-one in their right mind (video or photo) is going to spend $50,000 on cameras and lenses and then stay with budget $500 wedding budgets.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Roger, you keep picking on bad professionals to justify your reasons whilst ignoring that there are plenty of good professionals using the same gear to great effect. I see plenty of guests with more expensive gear than yourself, do I think they're getting better photos, no.

So you offered Photography because of the bad ones you saw, how very noble of you. Why not extent this to bad djs, Wedding planners and caterers. Of course the fact that there's money to be made from dual packages, the satisfaction of applying something new and creative after many years working in video, offering something competitive and different to other Video professionals and not working with a Photographer who gets in your way played only a small part in your decision. :)

Now I'm not disagreeing that there are bad Professionals out there, but on the other side of the coin, there are also plenty of damn good ones. Besides I'm not sure what criteria you judge by. What is bad to you could just be a style that is different to your own. You can come across as overly critical of others work and style.

Now I'm not doubting that the FZ1000 is for your service an excellent choice. Working both video and photo, it's better to have a bridge camera as this is the type of work they target. However to even suggest that those photographers who work photo only are foolish to have so much expensive gear where a FZ1000 will do, and justify it by saying there are bad ones using said gear seems a bit warped and one sided. One can own a Canon 5D Mark iii and still work to your style of Wedding Photography. I know, I've seen it. It's a versatile camera that can be adapted to different methods of shooting from quick shots to studio work.

Great gear is great gear, put it in the hands of the capable and they will do better work with it. I mean do I think that a C300 is a bad choice of camera, because a student used it and got crap footage. Not in the slightest. I love my GH4, but it's choice for me was as much about budget as it is about function. If I had the money I'd own a C300. Would it make me a better videographer, no. Would it be a better tool for some of the work I do. Absolutely. Alas I don't have the money for it, so my GH4 makes do. :)

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Steve

Shucks don't you ever sleep?? It's 1pm here and we are 8 hours ahead of you so am I right saying your last post was at 4am?? Yikes ..I'm sleeping that time of the morning!!

I do agree with you, but not entirely ! Good gear should give you better results. My two Sony EA-50's gave me results that were not worth writing home about and they cost me $4000 each. They were OK but never blew me away whereas the little FZ1000 blows it out of the water ..that of course doesn't mean everyone should sell their $4000 cameras and buy $1000 ones ... Maybe it was me with the Sony's but I just prefer Panasonic sharpness and colour ..if I wanted to up it would be a GH4 not a Canon.

I think the bottom line here is the results and especially for photography I still get better results on my Nikons indoors because they work better for me. In the old days your professional status was based on how big your camera was not how good it was. If I was doing photography only I would still gravitate to something like a Nikon D4S and I would charge accordingly (since the bodies alone are $6K+++)

This discussion all comes down to equipment cost versus profit and if you are selling el-cheapo photo shoots it makes sense to pay less for a camera so you actually do make a profit ...Selling photos for $500 would be very stupid if you had two 5DIII's and a batch of lenses that would cause a huge hole in your bank account. For the very same reason as our photos are add-ons rather than a package we get by on two Nikon D90's and for what the brides pay they give a good result but more importantly a good profit!

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Chris, yep 4am. Needed something do. Staying overnight in a hotel after a days filming. 4-5 hours of sleep and I'm wide awake and no editing to keep me busy.

As for your gear you have to remember that with 4K, quality has risen in the video industry. I expect the new Panasonic DX200 to demonstrate the new $4000 standard or whatever price it is. Plus I agree, paying more doesn't lead to better image. Canons new XC10 costs more than the GH4, but not I'd say with an equivalent jump in quality. I'm not a fan of Canon and although I love their colour science and ergonomics, features and price is not so good.

Ultimately it's how you use the gear that counts. The GH4 can be laughed at for his size, one Sony rep at a Wedding I filmed, compared it to a toy camera. However it's the image that ultimately is how you'll be judged.

If I was shooting video and photo I'd go for a bridge camera, probably the rx10 to be honest. Shooting just photo, I'm not sure but probably Nikon's best in the £2000 to £3000 category. I prefer Nikon's image to Canon.

I wouldn't use a bridge camera for pure photo service as its big advantage of offering both functions would be wasted, whereas a dedicated photo camera would be more suited to the job. I shoot video, so I suppose a dedicated video camera would be best. A GH4 may seem not to fit that criteria, but then I think few people are buying it for its photo function.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hey Steve

Wow you will be tired later I bet!! Yeah I looked at the DVX200 as the 100 was a legend but the $4000 price point is a dream!! It looks closer to GBP3200 without your 20% VAT so down here it going to come out at around AUD$6000 a bit too much for my budget ...If I spend $12K on two cameras I need to charge a whole lot more money to justify the capital cost!! If I want to go fancier it will be a GH4 ... I started in the 80's on Panasonic with a WVP100 camera with a Saticon Tube sensor and a big NV100 recorder ...ahh!! the old days!!! My only deviation was 2013-2015 with the Sony's and I never liked the image ..it just leaves me cold!! Hopefully the DVX200 will stay with the tradition of eye popping images and decent colour ...the only ones I hated were the AC-130's ..they lost the Leica lenses and I'm sure they were made under licence in China as that was when the Tsunami hit Japan ..!! All my others have been Panasonic right thru the M series "all in one" VHS and then the MS series in Super VHS and then onto HMC series ..all brilliant!

Better get some sleep ..if I stay over I have the same issue!!!

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Nah, got my 5 hours. I'll be fine. I'm considering the DVX200 for corporate work really. May have to wait for price to drop a little. Mind, the lack of constant aperture is a concern. Frankly I'd prefer a AF101 replacement that does 4K. At the moment it's just speculative. I'm still saving for a 2nd GH4 and maybe an RX10. Still on the fence about the latter.

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Roger again

Back to stills at receptions? I'm assuming that your flash is non TTL so in Ia mode the camera would try to expose the scene as best as it can since the pop up flash is not released so shutter would be super low (like 1/15th or less?? In this case I\'m assuming you expose in manual to just a comfortable setting like the old film cameras ..say 1/60th and F2.8 and then use the flash on manual??? Do you guess what flash power to use or does your flash do a semi auto calculation?? In the old days you set your manual flash according to f stop and it worked ... then again bounce can be tricky so I think I would prefer a TTL flash ..Next wedding I\'ll use the Nikons at the reception but shoot stills during the photoshoot with the Lumix ..... Maybe I\'m just lazy but indoors having a TTL flash is so much easier.

What is your exact methodology using the Lumix at the reception with a manual flash??

Chris

Re: Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
 

Hi Chris,

My flash is not TTL which would be a lot easier, but the one I use has variable zoom from 24-105mm and variable speed from 1-1/128. I use the camera in full manual, but prefer that anyway in variable indoor evening lighting. I usually set for ISO125, shutter 50-100th and aperture f2.8-4.00. I normally start with the flash on 1/4 and zoom 70mm and vary the light by altering the angle of the flash. Once I have a good average setting, I can just change the angle, or bounce the flash without having to change much else unless I am zooming in from further away. In that case I would I would use a more direct flash and drop the shutter speed perhaps to 40 or even 30 if the is no movement. I tend to find that once I get into a flow, I have no problems at all, although a TTL flash require less thought. I also find myself using the pop up flash if shooting things like table decorations, sometimes with the mini shield over it.

Did you say you had colour balance problems using an LED? That\'s not something I have found although I have only used it a couple of times and it required playing with the white balance manually.

Roger