New Panasonic DMC FZ18 (LUMIX)

Discussion in 'Badminton Photography' started by scann, Sep 18, 2007.

  1. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    Hi,

    Just bought a New Panasonic DMC FZ18 costing RM1599.99. Anyone using this camera to take Badminton action?

    I will try to take some photos with this camera on my next Badminton session.

    SCANN
     
  2. Netasia

    Netasia Regular Member

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    used to own a FZ5, great camera FZ18 has ISO1600 with 18x zoom? wow!
    I believe you will enjoy taking badminton photos with it.
     
  3. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    First photos on Professional players using DMC FZ18

    Managed to take these photos during exhibition match between CTF/LWW & CCE/CCM

    All in smashing action (some cropping here and there). You can see CCM smash action in Chan Chong Meng's thread. Did not take a lot of photos. This is amateur work, hopefully will improve on my next assignment.

    Next time will use manual focus, focus on the floor and wait for smash action. I missed the action while waiting for them to smash at a particular location. Take badminton (or any sport) photos is not as easy as I thought.

    Regards,
    SCANN
     

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  4. Marky

    Marky Regular Member

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    Good trial. We shall await for your next shots.
     
  5. joytime360

    joytime360 Regular Member

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    That's good photos, expecting your later shots.
     
  6. Oldhand

    Oldhand Moderator

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    If I were you, I'd also pay a bit more attention to framing, not just focus :p
     
  7. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    ok for a first try. but ultimately you will find that you will be limited by the camera's ability and the (un)availability of light in regular gyms.
     
  8. coops241180

    coops241180 Regular Member

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    i was going to try and take badminton photo's with this camera (my dad bought one) but after a bit of fiddling with teh iso settings and aperture and shutter speeds i don't think you can get enough light without using flash. which would be a big no-no at badminton matches. however does anybody else think that shooting using f8, 1/500 iso1600 should work really? or am i perhaps doing something wrong?
     
  9. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    can you go lower than f/8? a lot of P&S can go down to f/2.8 which is borderline. 1/500 seems to be a bit optimistic, try 1/250, 1/200.

    even ISO1600, 1/200, f/2.8 will require a decently lit gym to get enough light.

    the built in flash will be useless and produce horrible looking photos so don't even bother.
     
  10. coops241180

    coops241180 Regular Member

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    oops - my mistake - got my f's back to front.. 2.8 is better of course..
    lets pretend i'm not going to use my dad's camera anymore - how would i get more light in on a camera like the canon 300d or 350d perhaps?
     
  11. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    aim for:

    - large value ISO, ISO1600 is minimum for most badminton gyms.
    - small f number, f/2.8 is the largest, that's limited by your lens, i use f/2 normally.
    - as for shutter speed, 1/200 is around the limit, sometime you might be able to get away with 1/150, but i would aim for at least 1/200, the faster the better. i normally shoot around 1/320.

    put those values in the camera, see how the photo comes out, if too dark, do one of:

    - increase ISO, decrease f, slower shutter speed.

    if too bright, then the reverse.

    until you get something that you think look pleasing to the eye.
     
  12. coops241180

    coops241180 Regular Member

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    cheers kwun - after having a nosy on dpreview, getting a cam with anything above iso1600 is pretty pricey - so i guess i need to find a lens that gets the f down... suggestions??
     
  13. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    for canon DSLR? get the 50/1.4 or 85/1.8.
     
  14. coops241180

    coops241180 Regular Member

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    yeah - saw the 50/1.4.. now that i've got my head back round stuff (bit of catch up reading does the world of good) i feel a little less lost.. once i've got some nice pics i'll put them on my google account.. cheers for your help kwun.
     
  15. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    Trip to Wife's Home Town

    Just came back from Bidor which is located North of Kuala Lumpur and about 1 1/2 hour drive from KL.

    Play a few games of energy-draining Badminton with new friends in Teluk Intan, about 45 minutes drive from Bidor. I have not been there since 1995.

    A week before the trip Mr. Ravi who plays every week at the Challenger Sport Centre in KL with me mentions that his brother (Anbarasu) plays Badminton in Teluk Intan. After a few SMS and Phone calls to Mr. Anbarasu, the GAMES in on (Saturday 8pm-10pm)

    We met at a Shell station about 1km after the Teluk Intan's Government Hospital. After 2 left turns (2-3km) we were at the San Min Secondary School Badminton Hall.

    Some of the selected images that I cropped/chopped that I would like to share with you all. A video clip of Mr. Anbarasu and friends will be uploaded to YOUTUBE.

    If Anbarasu and friends read this, again I would like to thank you for your hospitality during my 2 hours of Badminton games and 1 hour mouth-watering supper.

    SCANN.
     

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  16. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    Some Photos

    A few more images....
     

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  17. scann

    scann Regular Member

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  18. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Nice hall with a concrete floor....:)
     
  19. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    Yes, the concrete floor is covered by a none-slippery material as was told by my friend. If player dives to safe shot like what WMC did in China open final, the player will get injured easily.

    Just to share with all of you....

    ... Just bought a new Yonex MP-45. My less than a year old Nano Ace 7000 twin are sold to my desperate friend who are looking for same racket model.

    Some fun photos to remember my buddy 'Nano Ace 7000'. The last photo is my new ba....by the MP45.

    Enjoy.
     

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  20. scann

    scann Regular Member

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    Cat and badminton bag & Guess famous player.

    Picture 1: What the cat will do next?

    Picture 2: Just concluded 1st KX-MBA Tournament. Guest the famous Badminton Player. He was a champ in MD90(combined age of 90) category.



    SCANN
     

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