Im new to this forum, im in the process of choosing a new camera.
Its between FX01 and T30. My heart is telling me Sony but Im a car
designer and feel that the wide angle lens of the FX01 may be of
more use to me than the slightly better image quality and flash
performance of T30.
Have any of you taken images of cars (at 28mm) you could post,
preferably with a link to full res originals.
Well, it wasn't done for a study of car design, but here are two images taken with the FX01-
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=18250448
These are at the equivelance of 32mm and 39mm. They are meant as rough examples of the way that different focal lengths with similar framing can affect the basic look of an image. The mailbox shows it best, but the Bug also has a different shape between the two.
Be aware that for 'design' reference images, 28mm could introduce too much distortion. For creative images, and for getting images in tight spaces that couldn't otherwise be done, it is wonderful. But for any kind of technical reference of complex curved shapes, 28mm is wide enough to where its distortions may be more of drawback than its benefits.
I'm saying this as someone who has done prototyping work for designers and architects for 20 years, including many compound curves on consumer products, buildings, movie props, etc. So I am familiar with what makes drawing and photographs useful throughout the design process. Wide angle distortion is
not very useful- fun for dramatic images in renderings but limited for its practical applications. If you want 28mm for its drama, go for it- it's a blast and taking it to cars is great fun. If you want it to be able to communicate a shape to another designer, well, I wonder.
Of course, the FX01 can be taken off of 28mm!! I actually prefer the color rendering of the Panasonic compared to Sony (which I owned before I went to Panasonic). A bit more 'filmic' and natural, less colors that have that Sony 'electronic shimmer' to them.
Dan Daniel
)))