FZ300/ Panasonic Adapter/TC Rig. See it here:-)

[old jim]

Finally, with encouragement, I am using this rig. I have had the pieces, but for reasons expressed elsewhere, never put them together. I have actually taken a few images now; some of which are posted on other FZ300/330 topic threads. It's marvelous to handle for its size. Solid in feel, and beautiful in appearance. It actually encouraged a few folks to chat with me when I was near the beach, shooting some young surfers! Nifty. Didn't include the monopod which added to its usefulness, and attractiveness!


Taken with GH2/RAW! Left side.


Taken with GH2/RAW! Rear


Taken with GH2/RAW! Right side

It just feels like a very secure piece of equipment. The weather seal adds to the experience, and confidence! Makes me Happy!!!!!
Warmest regards,

--
DP Review - Where else?
Old Jim ;-)

 

[windmillgolfer]

That's a very nice looking outfit Jim, quite a piece of artillery ;-)

 

[old jim]

Hadn't thought about it in those terms Stuart! However, we need all the protection we can carry these days. You could probably give someone a good bash with it, LOL . More reason to like it!

Warmest regards,

p.s. However it might affect the focus "LOL"

 

[panoptic]

Looks very impressive! I'm considering an FZ300 and want to have the option to add extra optical zoom. Forgive me if some of these questions have been answered before in another thread. I did a quick search and didn't find it.

Here's what I can see from your photos. Did I miss anything?

* DMW-LA7 adapter screwed directly to the FZ's front threads.

* DMW-LT55 TC screwed directly to the LA7.

I assume the DMW-LT55 has 55mm filter threads?

How much weight does it add to the camera?

Is there a possibility of a bayonet fitting to make the TC quickly demountable?

Given the talk about focusing issues with TCs on other threads, have you had any focus issues?

Thanks for sharing.

Larry

 

[old jim]

Looks very impressive! I'm considering an FZ300 and want to have the option to add extra optical zoom. Forgive me if some of these questions have been answered before in another thread. I did a quick search and didn't find it.

Here's what I can see from your photos. Did I miss anything?

* DMW-LA7 adapter screwed directly to the FZ's front threads. YES

* DMW-LT55 TC screwed directly to the LA7. YES

I assume the DMW-LT55 has 55mm filter threads? YES

How much weight does it add to the camera? THE RIG WEIGH 2.47 LBS WITH STRAPS AND CAPS

Is there a possibility of a bayonet fitting to make the TC quickly demountable? DON'T KNOW

Given the talk about focusing issues with TCs on other threads, have you had any focus issues?

Thanks for sharing.

Larry

Answers above Larry! If your interested:

I have one day's shooting experience with this rig Larry. I have a half dozen pictures on another thread about FZ300 pictures in this forum. There is one there of the roof of the hospital. That's about the sharpest I got, and it's OK for me. At 100% you can see the small lightening rods. A bit of noise, which, had I developed in DxO, would have been much better. Unfortunately, it does not yet support the FZ300. I'm old, shaky, and even with the mono pod I messed a good number of shots. I have read somewhere the use of a bayonet fitting, but you will have to search for it!

In my opinion, this is a very solid setup. No loose connections, rattles or other concerns! If your looking to change lens, to the wide TC it's not that big of a deal to screw one off, and the other on, Or screw the whole thing off and use the 2.8 25-600 lens. I know there are many beautiful pictures taken with other, more expensive TCs. However, I am completely content with this one.

Warmest regards,

--
DP Review - Where else?
Old Jim ;-)

 

[robert fuller]

Looks very impressive! I'm considering an FZ300 and want to have the option to add extra optical zoom. Forgive me if some of these questions have been answered before in another thread. I did a quick search and didn't find it.

Here's what I can see from your photos. Did I miss anything?

* DMW-LA7 adapter screwed directly to the FZ's front threads. YES

* DMW-LT55 TC screwed directly to the LA7. YES

I assume the DMW-LT55 has 55mm filter threads? YES

How much weight does it add to the camera? THE RIG WEIGH 2.47 LBS WITH STRAPS AND CAPS

Is there a possibility of a bayonet fitting to make the TC quickly demountable? DON'T KNOW

Given the talk about focusing issues with TCs on other threads, have you had any focus issues?

Thanks for sharing.

Larry

Answers above Larry! If your interested:

I have one day's shooting experience with this rig Larry. I have a half dozen pictures on another thread about FZ300 pictures in this forum. There is one there of the roof of the hospital. That's about the sharpest I got, and it's OK for me. At 100% you can see the small lightening rods. A bit of noise, which, had I developed in DxO, would have been much better. Unfortunately, it does not yet support the FZ300. I'm old, shaky, and even with the mono pod I messed a good number of shots. I have read somewhere the use of a bayonet fitting, but you will have to search for it!

In my opinion, this is a very solid setup. No loose connections, rattles or other concerns! If your looking to change lens, to the wide TC it's not that big of a deal to screw one off, and the other on, Or screw the whole thing off and use the 2.8 25-600 lens. I know there are many beautiful pictures taken with other, more expensive TCs. However, I am completely content with this one.

Warmest regards,

 

[Jon_T]

Shortly after upgrading from the FZ150 to FZ200 while looking through B&H's use gear came across a use LA7 and LT55 for reasonable price.

Due to the threaded LA7 attachment and limited zoom range have not used all not much; below is a pic of the moon FZ200 EZ zoom and LT55 (1248mm equiv) that's fairly decent.



In addition to Robert's post, below are some old topics on using tripod mounts that clamp around the LA7:
DMW-LA7 Tripod Mount? (myssvictoria)
DMW-LA7 tripod mount (sherman_levine)

Cheers,
Jon

 

[old jim]

Thank you for those links Richard! My Monopod is similar: it's a QSX EZ Pod. It has the spring loaded top section with button release for the top spring loaded section. I like the looks of the gun handle ball mount. My tripod is a carbon fiber Slick, but it doesn't have a ball head. It would probably work. The ring connection would balance better, and I might look for one!

Glad you liked the birds. I was playing with some of the features in PSE13, which is fairly new to me. The other pictures are in a different thread.

Warmest regards,

--
DP Review - Where else?
Old Jim ;-)

 

[old jim]

Shortly after upgrading from the FZ150 to FZ200 while looking through B&H's use gear came across a use LA7 and LT55 for reasonable price.

Due to the threaded LA7 attachment and limited zoom range have not used all not much; below is a pic of the moon FZ200 EZ zoom and LT55 (1248mm equiv) that's fairly decent.



In addition to Robert's post, below are some old topics on using tripod mounts that clamp around the LA7:
DMW-LA7 Tripod Mount? (myssvictoria)
DMW-LA7 tripod mount (sherman_levine)

Cheers,
Jon

I would say more than decent Jon. I like it my friend!! So it's looking like Panasonics TC are not so useless after all. Thanks for the links!

Warmest regards,



--
DP Review - Where else?
Old Jim ;-)