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LX5 newbie (whats the next step?)

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zerepcram

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Hi folks,

I am quite new to the photography world and I just bought an LX5. I could say I know some basics of photography like the use and effect of shutter speed, apperture and ISO, in a picture. also a bit on the concept of exposure and dof.

Nevertheless, I feel dumb when people start discussing too technical stuff like hyperfocal distance, the ratio of this to that, uhm exposure compensation, metering, etc..

Can anyone help me? I just want to know what should be my next step? I know im just a hobbyist right now, but i really want to get serious in this and produce great shots.

THANKS! :)
 
I would casually put it in 'P' on your mode dial & work on getting acclimated to the controls... Maybe get whatever you can from the manual on program-shift & ±EV... I have the Lx3 which handles completely differently so I can't get into more specifics on how to adjust either P-shift or ±EV...

±EV is a shortcut so you can boost or dull exposure if you see the cam has metered a little too over or under exposed, especially if it's not too far off either way...

Aperture priority which is basically what P-shift turns P mode into really only need be used if you try to get deeper or shallower DOF, which is almost a non-issue in most instances other than when shooting macro... For the most part you'll want to be using apertures below F\5 & when it's not real bright probably wide open @ F\2-2\5 depending on zoom.. Small sensor cams generally have deep DOF so getting shallow DOF with heavily blurred backgrounds is more difficult than with larger sensor cams...

As you shoot, more specific issues may arise in any number of categories from exposure & focus issues to WB or color & film issues... As those arise & after you're more comfy navigating the camera, then maybe post more specific questions...

It might also help to know how much or little post processing you do or plan to do because certain settings are better for more extensive PP of out-of-cam JPG's while others can be better tuned for less PP of JPG's & as well there's RAW wich most in-cam settings effect less if at all & that requires a bit more PP...

But just so you know, if you're really planning on getting much deeper into photography as a whole... You're probably going to want to get to know your way around an image editor as deeply as the controls of your camera regardless if you choose to shoot JPG or go whole-hog with RAW...
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zerepcram said:
zerepcram said:
The Amateur Formerly Known as ' UZ'pShoot'ERS ' 'Happy Shootin'! Comments, Critique, Ridicule, Limericks, Jokes, Hi-jackings, EnthUZIastically, Encouraged... I Insist!



* rrawzz'at'gmail'dot'com * http://www.pbase.com/rrawzz *
zerepcram said:
zerepcram said:
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Shooting is more important than discussing ;). But shooting and reading is the best way. After several month you'll be almost pro.
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Best regards, swnw.
 
Don't worry too much about the very technical stuff at the moment. Learn as much as you can about the camera functions and play with it in various conditions. I have now grasped a lot in s a short time with my LX5. My Indoor pics are good, with the correct white balance, I love macro, and getting used to the settings in P mode. Also thanks to DezM for providing me with the P mode settings he uses. Let the eyes do the talking, and take your shots in Raw mode if you really want to play with your pics.

I was quite apprehensive at first, for years I only used our trusty canon ixus 50(my wife still refuses to part with). But now I try to take it everywhere I go and just keep clicking.
 
zerepcram said:
Can anyone help me? I just want to know what should be my next step? I know im just a hobbyist right now, but i really want to get serious in this and produce great shots.
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Here are a few suggestions:
  • go out and practise with your new camera.
  • read a good book on photography.
  • visit a few useful websites. There is a Learn section on the main menu at dpreview but a good all round learning website on digital photography can be found at
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/
 
I'd suggest reading these books:
  • Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson:
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390
  • ..........and/or The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-3/dp/0321617657/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300276253&sr=1-3
  • And this easy to read guide to the LX5 by Alexander White:
http://www.whiteknightpress.com/panasonic-lumix-lx5/

Lastly, practice ;)

.......and here are some of my LX5 samples: http://dezsantana.com/lx5
--
Dez

http://dezsantana.com

 
zerepcram said:
Hi folks,

I am quite new to the photography world and I just bought an LX5. I could say I know some basics of photography like the use and effect of shutter speed, apperture and ISO, in a picture. also a bit on the concept of exposure and dof.

Nevertheless, I feel dumb when people start discussing too technical stuff like hyperfocal distance, the ratio of this to that, uhm exposure compensation, metering, etc..

Can anyone help me? I just want to know what should be my next step? I know im just a hobbyist right now, but i really want to get serious in this and produce great shots.
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Then by all means, spend some time reading about composition. Left to its own devices (i.e., P mode) the LX5 is pretty much going to take care of exposure issues and do the right thing for you. By far, the most significant thing for you will be to learn to see photographically.

As has been pointed out already, the LX5 has enormous depth of field and very limited potential for subject isolation via selective focus, so you don't need to worry about those issues as much as dSLR users do; and just forget about bokeh, you won't be seeing that much.
 
1st step:

Use auto and learn composition first. Then analyse the results and see what you'd like to do and if any settings can help that, either in camera, or PP. Usually, they can be helped with in-camera settings. The last step is learning PP after you learn the technical aspects of taking pics, but it all starts from composition.
 
Dez: As another LX5 noob... I thank you for posting the book references! I just bought Alexander White's "PDF" book for $9.00 and it looks to be something that will be really useful for me - I know it's going to get me off of the iA mode! Thanks again...
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Cleve
 
wow. Thats really an in-depth reply, thank you very much. :) uh, yesterday, i tried shooting raw pictures. Unfo, i wasnt able to view/open it in LR? what software can i use to post process this? THANKS.

And oh, the Pmode is really awesome. I used to shoot only on A-mode since i like playing with DOF. Thanks for the heads up.
 
DezM said:
I'd suggest reading these books:
  • Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson:
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390
  • ..........and/or The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-3/dp/0321617657/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300276253&sr=1-3
  • And this easy to read guide to the LX5 by Alexander White:
http://www.whiteknightpress.com/panasonic-lumix-lx5/

Lastly, practice ;)

.......and here are some of my LX5 samples: http://dezsantana.com/lx5
--
Dez

http://dezsantana.com

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COOL! Thanks for the references DezM! Also, your photos are so amazing, thanks for sharing!

I would really want that guide for LX5, but its too expensive for me. Is there any way i can get it for free? :s
 
You're starting with a great camera. Congratulations on your choice.

It sounds like you're looking for instruction and probably some encouragement. Depending on your comfort level, instruction can come from books, on-line courses, videos, but instruction and encouragement is perhaps best gathered in a classroom. For the latter, check local camera shops or schools that might offer adult education, possibly even night courses. Some US municipalities offer photography courses thru their parks & recreation department.

And if you want a little encouragement to just use your camera, check this guy's blog:
http://lightscrape.blogspot.com/

...and this editorial about him:
http://blog.dpreview.com/editorial/2010/06/keep-shooting.html

He's taken over 100,000 images in less than 3 years using his LX3 which he carries with him everywhere. Authors & instructors everywhere have admonished their students to just take pictures and he's taken the advice to heart!

Hope you enjoy using your camera!
 
Bruce Bowman said:
You're starting with a great camera. Congratulations on your choice.

It sounds like you're looking for instruction and probably some encouragement. Depending on your comfort level, instruction can come from books, on-line courses, videos, but instruction and encouragement is perhaps best gathered in a classroom. For the latter, check local camera shops or schools that might offer adult education, possibly even night courses. Some US municipalities offer photography courses thru their parks & recreation department.

And if you want a little encouragement to just use your camera, check this guy's blog:
http://lightscrape.blogspot.com/

...and this editorial about him:
http://blog.dpreview.com/editorial/2010/06/keep-shooting.html

He's taken over 100,000 images in less than 3 years using his LX3 which he carries with him everywhere. Authors & instructors everywhere have admonished their students to just take pictures and he's taken the advice to heart!

Hope you enjoy using your camera!
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Thanks a lot Bruce. I was tossing between g12 and Lx5 before, glad to hear i made the right choice. thanks for the references, ill be sure to post some of my shots too - it would really be helpful to get ur opinion on it. :D Ciao.
 
zerep: the PDF version is only $9 online download... EZ PZ and really pretty affordable for what you get... good luck on your journey!
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Cleve
 
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