You may have noticed an improvement in my photographs since early October.If you haven't; I have.
The sole reason is my new camera. After a bit of assistance from a number of you (through a glass darkly), I decided to purchase a Panasonic FZ-35.
I wanted a camera that had some of the ease of a point and shoot, but also had the ability to override the built-in macros to perform more like an SLR camera. This camera met that basic criterion.
Along with the ability to shoot at 12 megapixels and an 18X optical zoom.
For me, the zoom is far more important. The wide vistas of the Mexican Pacific coast gives me a great field of vision for shots. But many of those shots are simply beyond the range of a point and shoot.
My last camera taught me the value of a powerful zoom. I will never buy another camera without one.
But there is one downside. The camera body is about the size of an SLR camera -- just a bit smaller. It certainly will not fit in a pocket without some rather morally-pointed stares.
That means I need to carry a back pack with me when I go out on shoots. Not really a big deal.
The camera has also given me an opportunity to relearn basic photography skills. Because I can set the camera as if it were an SLR, I need to recall all of those principles that are now on a dusty shelf somewhere in the south of Greece. But it will be fun to relearn what I have forgotten through disuse.
My bottom line is that is a great camera.
The question is whether or not you will enjoy the photographs.
I promise to use it on my upcoming trip.
