First few days with the LX3 - test shots + a question

Got my camera 4 days ago and I'm still getting to know my way around it, but I've been very pleased thus far. Never had this kind of satisfaction with a compact before! I'm shooting RAW and doing a bit of post in Lightroom, but really not much.









And a quick flash question. I want to pick up a little flash, doesn't have to be multi-directional, just something small and simple. I see that someone is compiling a master list of compatibility which is fantastic, but I'm unsure about this: in order to shoot with second curtain flash, does the flash itself have to be able to do it or will the flash listen to my LX3 settings when I set it to second curtain? On my Canon 30D I shoot with a 580EX, and I set the 580EX to shoot second curtain, without changing anything on the camera. Will it work in reverse? (This is a wordy question and I know it's a bit confusing so if I can clarify at all please let me know.)

Thanks in advance!

Particularily enjoyed the last 2.

How did you get the motion effect ?

laurenornot wrote:
[snip]

laurenornot said:

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LOVE those two photos. The light in the first one is terrific.

In the 2nd, the butterfly would be too centered in the frame but the similar colour on the shoe kind of pulls the balance to the right, making it more interesting to look at.

laurenornot said:

And a quick flash question. I want to pick up a little flash, doesn't have to be multi-directional, just something small and simple. I see that someone is compiling a master list of compatibility which is fantastic, but I'm unsure about this: in order to shoot with second curtain flash, does the flash itself have to be able to do it or will the flash listen to my LX3 settings when I set it to second curtain?

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2nd curtain is controlled by the camera, not the flash, so you can use that feature with non-Panasonic flash units, too. I'm fairly certain I tried this when I had my LX3 and was using my Nikon SB800 on a remote cord. BTW, congrats on your new camera. It's an absolutely wonderful device.

larsbc

larsbc said:

LOVE those two photos. The light in the first one is terrific.

In the 2nd, the butterfly would be too centered in the frame but the similar colour on the shoe kind of pulls the balance to the right, making it more interesting to look at.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much! After I got up off the pavement, I showed my boyfriend (the owner of that shoe) the photo and he asked why I hadn't told him to move his foot. I'm so glad you agree with me that it works in the shot!

And for the first one, that's handheld in almost pitch dark except for the streetlights. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of blur! ISO400, f/2.0, shutter 1/5.

larsbc said:

2nd curtain is controlled by the camera, not the flash, so you can use that feature with non-Panasonic flash units, too. I'm fairly certain I tried this when I had my LX3 and was using my Nikon SB800 on a remote cord. BTW, congrats on your new camera. It's an absolutely wonderful device.

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Ah, thanks for answering this. It makes total sense that the flash setting is controlled by the camera, but realized that with my other setup I only alter the settings on the flash itself. Iiiiiinteresting.

P_Y said:

Particularily enjoyed the last 2.

How did you get the motion effect ?

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Thank you! For the motion effect, I set the camera up to use second curtain flash, and then slowed the shutter speed. The band was moving around a lot, so I didn't have to, but if it were a still subject I would have moved the camera around a little.

Can't answer your flash question, because I am just using the flash on board. But I really like these shots. You have a very creative eye, particularly evident in those last two. If these are your test shots, I can't wait to see your serious photography.
Daniel
--
http://danielsonkin.smugmug.com/

danielsonkin said:

Can't answer your flash question, because I am just using the flash on board. But I really like these shots. You have a very creative eye, particularly evident in those last two. If these are your test shots, I can't wait to see your serious photography.
Daniel
--
http://danielsonkin.smugmug.com/

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Thank you It's wonderful to have an everyday camera to bring around again, I look forward to shooting as much as possible with it!