Sunday, July 6, 2014

Wow Factor

I was playing with my new Panasonic ZS40 yesterday as we walked down to the seawall walkway at the end of our driveway to try out the zoom. The weather was a little hazy and overcast so this is not the best the camera can do but it is still pretty impressive!

Wide angle looking at Quadra Island. See the lighthouse in the middle of the photo? You probably can't, it is just a dot. Try clicking on the photo to enlarge it.


Here it is at the maximum optical zoom of 30X. Hand held, no tripod or cropping!


And at less than the maximum software zoom. I am not sure of the magnification number, probably around 40X. Again hand held, no cropping.


Here is an example of the macro setting. This is my dad's Omega watch that I inherited.


And a close crop of the above photo just to show the detail captured.


Here is just a quick shot of a Northern Flicker Woodpecker at one of our feeding stations. It is taken hand held at just under 30X zoom.



Needless to say, I am impressed with this little camera! I have to re-iterate that I took the telephoto shots without a tripod or any support other than the fact that I was sitting on a park bench. All photos except the macro received minimal adjustment in Picasa to diminish the haze in the air. The macro was fine as is.





15 comments:

  1. You made a great choice buying this camera.

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    1. It was your recent purchase that got me started.

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  2. Yep, looks like a great little camera. Lens technology has really improved over the last couple of years. Pretty tough for your average amateur photographer to justify carrying around a bunch of lenses and a DSLR when a little pocket camera is so versatile.

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    1. Whoever thought Panasonic made cameras? I can't get over the range and quality of this thing!

      Yes, I hardly notice this little thing in my pocket. Why carry the DSLR hanging off my shoulder banging into everything?

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  3. The zoom on that little camera is amazing. You can go in the spy business now.

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    1. Now there is a thought, Bill. No, no, NSA. I'm just kidding!

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  4. I bought an Omega Semaster DeVille identical to yours in the ships store on The USS Shangri-La in 1968.When I came home my Late Dad fell in love with it so I gave it to him as a late Fathers gift. He had it for several years and each year would take it to the jeweler to be checked and the time reset although it never lost time. One year when he went to pick it up the Jeweler said his shop had been burglarized. He offered to give him the most expensive Bulova in the shop ,about $500. He told my Dad he would never be able to find another Seamaster and if he could it would be in the thousand dollar range. My Dad took the offer but he said it just wasn't the same as the watch I gave him. Boy your pictures brought back memories. Sam...

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    1. That was about the same time my dad bought his in Vancouver, BC. He wore it just about every day when he wasn't working as a carpenter until he died in the early 90's and I got it. I have to take it in as the self wind is failing after almost 50 years.

      This was the watch that JFK wore every day.

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    2. get an appraisel while your having it fixed, I am curious as to what those are worth now. Sam Weibel.

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    3. They are going on eBay (asking price) for anywhere from $350 for one that "needs a little work", $400 for one that has had the hands and maybe even the face painted or replaced to one asking $6,000 for a gold model, recently factory serviced and "as original". It looks pretty flawless and has never been opened before this service.

      As far as sold prices, nice ones in unmodified working condition seem to be selling for $700 - $900. Buying them on eBay is always a crap shoot as there are many "Frankenwatches" out there. These are watches that have had parts substituted with off brand parts or entire replacement movements made for the watch but not near the quality of the original. It is very hard for a casual buyer to tell the difference. It is buyer beware and your odds are not great.

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  5. Thanks Don. I was amazed at the quality of this lens.

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  6. Excellent photos from that little camera.
    I too have and Omega that belonged to my father.
    Excellent watch.

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