XZ-2 at Leysin Switzerland

[numerix]

 

[Henry Falkner]

Looks like the XZ-2 is doing the job for you. Congratulations on the purchase.

Henry

 

[Greynerd]

The ones at lower f number look much crisper. Was the camera choosing f8 as I have never seen a test result of a lens where minimum aperture is ideal. If the shutter speed is maxing out I would have thought in these conditions the ND filter would be useful. Presumably if the camera can stop down to get good exposure it will without warning you but I am not sure that is ideal. I would presume that these lenses are optimum wide open but would be happy to be corrected on this.

I am tempted to get an XZ-2 if the UK prices drop but I am not convinced that my tiny Ixus 230 with its 8x zoom would perform a lot worse than this in these conditions and would in fact be easier to use. I am very unsure of this current crop of top end cameras especially with this small 1/1.7" sensor which is scarcely larger than some very good economy compacts yet they cost significantly more. The fast lenses are really the only thing keeping them alive but at a hefty premium in price and heavily restricting zoom range, the P7700 being the only exception.

 

[Aaron Sur]

I think that is oversimplifying things a bit too much .

high end compacts have several features that appeal to photographers

size ( 4/3rds cameras are now starting to challenge this as the compacts get bulkier)

Multi mode flash hot shoe to take external speedlights accessories. Stick a off camera cable and a large flash on the XZ-1, XZ-2 and one will be surprised at the lighting options this provides

RAW images

Full manual control , the Fuji x10 with its lens barrel zooming cable release thread in shutter and viewfinder is probably leader of the pack.

Threaded lens barrels to take converters filters etc.

Much better build quality overall .

fast lens has really only come in to play since the Canon S90 appeared before that lens speed was mediocre.

cheers

Aaron

 

[numerix]

One is taken at F2.5 and the other at F8.

Can you see any difference ?

 

[Aaron Sur]

Aperture controls depth of field so when shooting a flat subject there is not much visible evidence of this since there is no near or far in the image . If the focus is not spot on however the smaller aperture ie f8 will appear sharper as it does in your images.

Small sensor cameras don't need as much stopping down as there is already greater depth of field . All lens have a sweet spot an aperture where image quality is optimised .Fot the XZ-1 I find it at about 4.5.

 

[Greynerd]

numerix wrote:

One is taken at F2.5 and the other at F8.

Can you see any difference ?

The one on the left seems distinctly sharper and with nicer contrast to me. Of course if it was not the focus point it could be f8 one benefiting from the deeper DOF.

I expect you will sayit is the focus point and f8

 

[Ben O Connor]

Greynerd wrote:

numerix wrote:

One is taken at F2.5 and the other at F8.

Can you see any difference ?

The one on the left seems distinctly sharper and with nicer contrast to me. Of course if it was not the focus point it could be f8 one benefiting from the deeper DOF.

I expect you will sayit is the focus point and f8

I was the same all the past year since i have the XZ-1 .... Maybe i should change habits and stop using the modes below;

%80 P mode

%15 S mode

% 5 Candle (indoor-etc) mode





Should touch more to C mode to see some differance on my photography it seems

Thanks Greynard Numerix and Aaron, it was educative to me.

Ben

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

I lived in Leysin and well remember those crags behind the town. But where are the Dents du Midi?

 

[Sho-Bud]

Greynerd wrote:

numerix wrote:

One is taken at F2.5 and the other at F8.

Can you see any difference ?

The one on the left seems distinctly sharper and with nicer contrast to me. Of course if it was not the focus point it could be f8 one benefiting from the deeper DOF.

I expect you will sayit is the focus point and f8

In my eyes the one on the right looks sharper to me, but the difference is insignificant. I think subject and composition are way more important than such an detail.





--
###Olympus XZ-1, Olympus SP550UZ; Olympus 2003 Ferrari Edition###

 

[numerix]

I think subject and composition are way more important than such an detail.