New DMC FZ-18

I just got a new FZ-18 at Costco. It included a 1 GB card and a small Panasonic case.

One of the best things is their established return police. You can return the camera as long as you have the sales slip 90 days after sale. That gives me a chance to really check out and debug the camera.

So far I've taken about 25 pictures and really like what I've seen. The camera is small and light and seems to be well made.

Congratulations! I love mine, and while not perfect, it's a great cam. First test for "hot pixels" and the "blue band". If you are clear of those I think you'll love the camera.

In some instances, usually ISO 400, low contrast, a "blue" strip has appeared on the left,on some peoples images. usually in images with a bright/hot area towards the middle and areas of dark towards the edges.

Check that you're clear, and take a few captures of a uniform coloured surface so you can check for any "bright" pixels.

You're probably fine, most people seem so. With Costco's excellent return policy put your new camera through it's paces!

--
Mark Jones
Olympus 2100 (UZI), FZ18, OLY B-300, OLY A-Macro.
http://www.pbase.com/mjonesgraphics

I just checked costco.com and it is not available .. Did u get it in a store or online?
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Grazie,Thank you, Sal .. -

They were one of the first.

The product lines at Costco.com and costco do not overlap very much.
FZ18 has never been available via costco.com
Sherm

salBolzano said:

I just checked costco.com and it is not available .. Did u get it in
a store or online?
--
Grazie,Thank you, Sal .. -

Click to expand...

Have fun with the new camera Howard, I love mine, only had it 4 weeks and already taken over 1300 shots. I have no signs of the blue band so lets hope yours is OK.

HeatherV....in the county of Dorset UK....Panasonic LX1, FZ7, FZ18 and FZ50. Tcon 17, Raynox DCR250 & DCR150



http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathervhogg/
http://www.heathersgallery.fotopic.net

I bought it at the store. They had a special table setup with all kinds of cameras for sale for the holidays.

Howard

i saw the booth too, and i've been hesitant to order from amazon due to the blue band, but since costco has such a nice return policy ... anyway, it looked like the case was model DMW-SFZ8. what's your impression of the case? is it small enough that you could carry it on your hip? and what speed class is the memory card? is it class 2, 4, or 6?

So how are you liking it after a couple of days? Is it a keeper or are you throwing it back?

So far, I am liking mine a lot. The more I use it, the more I am sure the FZ7 is going on the auction block.

--
Stujoe - Camera User
http://www.DigitalPhotoPeople.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/

.

It seems to be a keeper.

I have not seen and am not looking for the blue stripe. I have taken about a hundred pictures at all kinds of settings and have not seen anything unusual.

I used to have a Sony DSC F-717 and it was a great camera but quite heavy and a bit slow by today's standards.

This LUMIX camera works quite well and I have found it fast, light and very smart. It generates very good pictures and is intuitive and ergonomically good for me.

All in all I am quite pleased and will continue running it thru the paces. As I stated previously the excellent COSTCO return policy gives me a wonderful feeling that if anything shows up or goes wrong, I can return it easily.

Seriously, when I was in the COSTCO store about six months ago a man was bringing back a mattress for return after two months. That kind of comfort is well worth the price to join the club.

The case is small and is belt carry only. IT has a Panasonic logo and is about 6 inches high by 5 inches across and 4 inches deep.It is black woven material and will just fit the camers.