Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82 focusing issues

[graham]

I bought this about two months ago and have been very impressed with the quality of the images taken so far.

For the first time today, I tried to get a shot of an aircraft trailing overhead. I had no issue finding the trail and the camera focused perfectly. However, as I then extended the focal length to zoom in on the plane, the camera would not focus properly and let out a series of fast beeps. I've been through the trouble shooting part of the manual but can find nothing that deals with this. It must be something to do with the AF lock but I've tried changing modes and it still won't focus in at high zoom.

Has anyone experienced this and is there a simple fix please?

[Jeff]

Have you tried making the focus square bigger on the screen? May give the camera more time to focus

[graham]

Hi Jeff, I had a play around with the different focusing settings and it seems to be fine now thanks. I think the issue was that the camera was trying to find a point to focus on in a clear blue sky. In fact I fired a shot off late yesterday afternoon of a low level flexwing that must have been a mile to my south at around 3000ft and was able to read the reg straight from the camera using the touch screen (it was a pot too...)

[deke]

I have the same camera Graham, and have occasionally experienced the focusing issue, but find it works best if I focus at around half way then extend on the subject in focus.

As for image quality, I find the FZ82 superb for general photography, and any aircraft on the ground. As for high level I find it's quite good, but not quite as good as my old Sony HX300 which was amazing at full zoom.
The problem with the Sony though is a known software problem with image stabilisation which Sony has never resolved and takes no responsibilty for after warranty (and sometimes even within warranty).
The cost of repair privately is almost as much as a replacement camera, so just not worth it. It's a shame as I've taken photos with that camera at full zoom which on a computer screen look as good as those from guys using high end SLR gear costing £0000s.

When the Sony packed up a couple of days before travelling I picked up a Kodak Pixpro with similar specs locally on Ebay, which sadly was a piece of junk! To be fair to it, it was still acceptable as a spotting aid, as you described, just awful image quality.

Happy with the FZ82 though, and whilst the Sony has the edge for aircraft at altitude, the Lumix is much better as an all rounder.

Happy snapping!

[graham]

Thanks for that Deke, at least I know now that it wasn't me being dim or pressing the wrong buttons.I sold off my Canon DSLR kit a couple of months ago and have to say that I don't regret it for a moment. Very impressed with the Lumix although for a bridge camera, it has all the features of the 7D I got shot of.

I've had a day out with it in Bath, Wells and a few long walks with the dogs across the Downs here and the clarity for maximum zoom shots is tremendous. Years ago, when I first started digital photography, I owned a succession of Fujis with the last one I had, the S9500 having the best colour of any camera I think I've ever owned. But the Lumix gives it a good run for its money and for a £300 camera, it's credentials are top notch.

[graham]

Morning again Deke

I'm still having the "will not focus at full zoom" issue despite thinking I'd solved the problem a few days ago. If I aim at a contrail at say half zoom, it will lock on and focus, but as soon as I extend the zoom and run along the contrail to the plane it refuses to focus. A friend who's a bit of a camera buff suggested I select the manual focus option and that with the focus on infinity, that the lens should find the plane but it still doesn't.

Could I ask what settings you use on a full zoom shot please, especially a plane up at say FL350 or higher?

Thanks

[jargon]

Hi Graham

I also use the Panasonic DC-FZ82, I mainly use it in a fairly basic way, using P (program mode) and base settings but I do switch the Beep off and the I-zoom. For OTT's I usually zoom straight out to the aircraft, focus and snap, very occasionally it doesn't focus first time but will focus the next'

I haven't commented about your camera problem before because I suspect you are using the camera in a lot more technical way than myself, however the above is how I take OTT's, I hope it helps take a basic shot, hopefully Deke can help more

Regards

John

[graham]

Thanks John, I still think the issue is that the camera finds it impossible to find the "small" plane in a huge expanse of featureless clear sky. It finds and focuses on the contrail because it contrasts well with the blue sky. I took the camera out with me yesterday, and it focuses perfectly at full zoom on say some distant hills where there's plenty of contrast so there's nothing wrong with the camera.

I have been using it with the shooting mode dial set to "iA" which is "intelligent auto" whereby the camera sets the aperture and shutter speed as it does on the "P" mode but allows you to make adjustments using the control wheel. I'll try it on "P" and see whether it solves the issue.

[deke]

Hi Graham, I also use iA setting at home for spotting and for me it's the most suitable for quick focus on aircraft at altitude and the GA which buzzes about, however it does tend to set the ISO quite low when skies are bright so some camera shake is inevitable at full zoom. I really must get round to becoming more familiar with the functions, I get a bit lazy with iA.

[graham]

Thanks Deke, yes, I'm the same, it's just too convenient to pick up the camera and let it decide all the settings for you although I have to say that most minor imperfections can be sorted out in a half decent post shot editing programme. I used a Canon EOS7D Mk.1 for several years, the range of functions and settings on that was mind blowing plus all the kit weighed a tonne so by moving over to the Lumix, I thought I might be simplifying things a bit but it has just as many functions/settings as the Canon.

No doubt that it's a great bit of kit for three hundred quid, I think I just need to get to know its abilities better.

[Jeff]

The Nikon P950 has a dedicated bird photography setting which also seems to work well on aircraft, it does freeze Props though on that setting so I need to remember to go manual for those

[graham]

Thanks Jeff, I guess I just need to keep trying out the various combinations. Beautiful clear skies here this morning so maybe a chance or two to catch those high flyers.