First time with "proper" camera

Having been keen with phone and gopro photography, I picked up a pre-used fz330 from Camera Jungle (I missed the Panasonic £100 cash back deal else I would have bought new)

So much to learn!

No idea what all the settings mean yet, but spent a day at the safari park with it.







This is probably my favourite of the day.

I updated firmware on camera arrival, and I only used iA mode.

Will be looking for tips on how to make the most of it

**Mods, how do I change my username? Somehow I've managed to put an erroneous 'g' in my name?

I'm not a fan of "iA", but if you are as new to photography as you say, you are doing just fine - don't rush into al lot of stuff you find confusing: stay with the iA until you feel comfortable that a shot you take will be ok.

I'd suggest getting a book or 2 on basic (maybe "for Beginners") photography out of your library to learn what the terms are - and what they mean.

Unfortunately most basic books assume you are using 35mm film or a "full size" sensor, and some of their advice ("stopping down" to increase "Depth of focus" (how much stuff nearer & farther than what you focused on, is sharp or nearly so, like the background beyond your bird is out of focus - smoothed out which helps to separate the bird from the background. This effect is often called "Bokeh") will be exagerrated from what your camera will deliver.

Just enjoy the camera - you'll have fun and soon want to go further, a step at a time.

Almost forgot - the Mods may not notice your request - send our Mod, Martin Ocando, a private message asking to change - click on his name in the Forum introduction to get his profile and address:





Welcome aboard !!



--
"Measure wealth not by things you have but by things for which you would not take money"
www.flickr.com/ohlsonmh/ [email protected]

Thanks Erik, i've pinged Martin a PM

Good morning DC.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your camera.

I have been playing with cameras for some 65 years and I think that the FZ300 has to be my favourite but if you are new to photography there is a lot to learn.

A good place to start after the basics of photography is on Graham Houghtons website. He has written a book on the FZ300/330 readily available from Amazon or as an ebook. He also has many videos available on the site there is also a wealth of information from the good folk on this forum who are always ready to give a hand.


Enjoy your camera and good luck with it.

NOTE. You won’t get too much from me for a while as we will be moving soon and keeping pretty busy.

This website from member Copernico might help get you started:

http://photo.braybaroque.ie/fz300/index.html

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

dcurzon said:

Having been keen with phone and gopro photography, I picked up a pre-used fz330 from Camera Jungle (I missed the Panasonic £100 cash back deal else I would have bought new)

So much to learn!

No idea what all the settings mean yet, but spent a day at the safari park with it.



This is probably my favourite of the day.

I updated firmware on camera arrival, and I only used iA mode.

Will be looking for tips on how to make the most of it

**Mods, how do I change my username? Somehow I've managed to put an erroneous 'g' in my name?

Click to expand...

That's a lovely photo. Some might comment on the slight blurring of what could be deemed the main feature, the eye, but there is a definite charm in it for me.

Sharp enough to notice and be sharp, soft enough to make the overall image seem smooth and gentle rather than harsh.

I rate this picture highly - well done... very well done there.

--
"Press "X" to reboot universe"
*PRESS*

The Lumix FZ300 is a powerful shooter and can yield some astonishing results for those who are willing to try, learn and stick with it. I´ve had mine for about three years now and I really enjoy it, moreso than my DSLR







--
Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints

Thanks all... i've managed to stumble upon Graham Houghton's youtube, struggling to follow it, but i'm also busy working full time and studying as well, so the grey matter is a bit stretched and the hours of the day seem less.

Not been able to shoot anything since, i was hoping to try some moon stuff but i swear to god somebody has actually stolen the moon from my sky this week.