Just ordered a Panasonic LX7

[Throckmorton]

Can't show noise without holding everything but ISO constant, and if you're hand-holding that is not holding things constant.

I guess maybe it's dust then. f/6.3 is at the diffraction limit or even beyond it, at that sensor size. Up to you whether or not you want to ask for an exchange or something.

You have to vary exposure time though which actually does affect noise. I don't see how camera shake would affect noise

I did the RMA already. I think I'm just going to order the replacement now so I have it in time for a trip in 2 weeks.

 

[Throckmorton]

Ok I found the EV adjustment. It's in the quick menu!

 

[Throckmorton]

I tested for dust again with my computer screen. I made a black square surrounded by white in MS Paint and sure enough, at 6.3 and smaller aperture the blue spot shows up

 

[Munky]

I don't see why you'd want to use f6.3 on a compact camera for 99% of typical shots. Unless you're into long exposure photography.

 

[Throckmorton]

I don't see why you'd want to use f6.3 on a compact camera for 99% of typical shots. Unless you're into long exposure photography.

I'm guessing it's sharper at f6.3 than wide open, although depth of field at wide angle doesn't change much. One of the main things I got this camera for is landscape photos

 

[CuriousMike]

I'm waffling on picking up the LX7 at this $300 price point.

I'm looking for something i'll carry with me more than my D5000 that gives me better photo quality than my Sony HX9V while matching the Sony's video capabilities.

 

[Throckmorton]

Oh Blastingcap said f6.3 is small enough for diffraction... Hmmm

 

[Throckmorton]

It's not dust! It really is a flare. It's in the shape of a hexagon.

The question is whether the replacement will have the same issue...

Could one of you guys with one of these test it at small aperture on this image?

 

[Itchrelief]

Same thing on mine.

 

[blastingcap]

Try shooting with and without the built-in ND filter and see if there is a difference. Could be ghosting caused by the ND filter. In that case, this is a non-issue because you would not use a ND filter in conjunction with small aperture in 99.99999999% of cases. Even for long exposure photography you are better off just using a tripod at that point and BULB mode.

 

[Throckmorton]

Haven't even checked for the flare with the ND filter. I don't get why flare exists but I guess it's acceptable since you don't really need those small apertures. I already got the RMA prepaid label though, and my replacement already shipped.

 

[Itchrelief]

Seems to only happen at the widest zoom setting. Unnoticeable once you zoom in about 15-20% in from widest setting.

I think activating the ND filter got rid of the effect.

 

[Throckmorton]

It got rid of it for me too... strange. Also I noticed the flare is slightly off center to the upper left

 

[Throckmorton]

The ND filter is useful for pan shots for motion blur

 

[Throckmorton]

Here's a 16:9 pic straight out of the camera resized to 540x960 pixels. Check out the distortion on that Acura TSX!

 

[Throckmorton]

Here's a full res pic with no postprocessing except 25 sharpening, exported as an 80 quality JPEG from Lightroom. 80 ISO, 17.7mm focal length, f2.3 1/800

http://i.imgur.com/3NRsKc4.jpg

 

[Throckmorton]

I can't figure out where this camera stores AVCHD files... checked every folder and found nothing.

 

[CuriousMike]

Search the card for *.mts files.
If it's like my Sony and older Panny, they're buried in some folder.

 

[CuriousMike]

Oh. I just ordered the LX7 last night... literally it went from $298 to $348 after I placed my order.
Phew.
Now to find the right case.

 

[Throckmorton]

Search the card for *.mts files.
If it's like my Sony and older Panny, they're buried in some folder.

I searched and found nothing. Maybe I didn't get any AVCHD video.


BTW this camera is supposed to do 120fps 720p video but I can't find that option in the menu.

I did find a 60fps burst shooting mode (at a reduced resolution). Very interesting...

 

[xSauronx]

Oh. I just ordered the LX7 last night... literally it went from $298 to $348 after I placed my order.
Phew.
Now to find the right case.

i have an lx7 and use this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

little inner pocket for another battery and a cleaning cloth or something
i can keep the camera and a fisheye in the main pocket

thats about all youre going to put in it...but i like it. i got the camera, and the case, so i wouldnt have much stuff to lug around

 

[Throckmorton]

I got my filter adapter and a 37mm polarizer in the mail but I don't know if I should put it on since I'm returning this one. I don't want to risk damaging the lens. It really doesn't just unscrew by hand, I see why people use rubber cloths to grip it.

 

[Throckmorton]

Finally got some sunny weather so I went and photographed some wildflowers. I'm really pleased with the landscape photos from this camera!

Used a polarizer held in front of the lens (58mm Hoya I think)

Here it is with no postprocessing (but also resized to 1920 with high sharpening from Lightroom)

Here's a 100% crop so you can see the depth of field. I set sharpening to 0 in Lightroom so it's pretty soft. This was f3.5 1/400 80 ISO

 

[Throckmorton]

16:9 is great for landscapes. This is probably the ideal landscape compact camera

 

[cheez]

That looks like a real nice camera. LX7 MMmmmmMmmMMMmmmm~~.........


cheez