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Does your new lens need running in ?
Automobiles with internal combustion engines need a ‘running in’ period when new. Manufacturers advise against heavy acceleration or continuous work at high load or high revolutions in the first 1000...
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Camera Of the Year 2015 is.....not awarded
I made this picture today by scanning a 44 year old monochrome negative. Will any of our modern digital images stand the test of time this well ? Will any of our new hi-tech wunderkameras tell the...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 1 Introduction and Definitions
Five current model cameras each with a Panasonic LUMIX logo. Yet they represent a variety of ergonomic themes. You can see there are flat tops and hump tops, different handle types and different...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 2 Framework and Concepts
This is my Mockup #13 with the lens removed so you can see how the fingers of the right hand lie in the natural 'half closed-relaxed' position when holding the handle. The shape of the handle and the...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 3 The Shape of a Camera
Cameras over the years. The humptop Panasonic Lumix fZ1000 on the left is a fixed zoom lens type. Next is the GH4, a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, then a Canon SLR which takes film and a 50...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 4 Feedback and Unscored Features
Photo made with Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 camera. I believe that fixed zoom lens cameras like this are the way forward for the great majority of photographers. This camera comes close to being truly...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 5 Scoring Specifications and Schedules
Finishing in style (Lumix FZ1000)My proposed approach to scoring a camera’s ergonomics is based on evaluation of:* Number and complexity of actions required to operate the camera.* Holding* Viewing*...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 6 Functional anatomy of hands and fingers
Bones of the human wrist and handMost cameras are hand held devices so it makes sense to begin a study of camera ergonomics with an exploration of the range of movements and capabilities of the hand...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 7 Application of functional anatomy to design
Front view of the Canon Powershot SX60 handle. This is a nice implementation of an inverted L type handle. Note the middle of the shutter button is vertically above the inner side of the handle which...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 8 Handles and thumb supports
Here I have made a handle without the body (represented schematically by the grey bordered black rectangle) to show how canting the handle back 10 degrees allows the wrist to be held straight with eye...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 9 Capture Phase controls
Two fully featured current model cameras from the same maker. I own both and use them regularly. The one on the right works much better ergonomically. Everything is better. The handle shape, thumb...
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Discovering Camera Ergonomics Part 10 Controls for Setup, Prepare and Review...
Panasonic Lumix G7 control panel. See the ridge on the right side of the control panel area. This prevents the user from accidentally pressing the Disp or WB buttons while handling the camera, yet...
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Canon Powershot G5X Personal observations
Iceland is a landscape photographer's playground. The hill which I climbed to make this panorama is entirely green, presumably due to its mineral composition as there is not a blade of grass or other...
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Three cameras I want someone to make
Shanghai 2011I hate changing lenses. I find the whole business of having to buy, carry and change lenses to be the least appealing feature of interchangeable lens camera (ILC) ownership.I look forward...
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Panasonic Micro Four Thirds wide-standard zoom and prime lenses
Micro Four Thirds (M43) is the name of a System. All M43 lenses will mount and work on all M43 bodies.Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras range in size from the compact but substantial GH3/4 and GX8...
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Most promising and puzzling cameras and systems of 2015
Seal show at the zoo. More interesting than the camera show this year.At the end of the year or in this case at the beginning of the next year, I usually post some personal musings about those cameras...
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Pansonic GX8 Exposure Compensation Dial -- Masterpiece or Kludge ?
This former lunatic asylum is a bit out of the left wing in a photography blog. In the 19th Century it was thought that this type of architecture would be conducive to recovery from mental illness. It...
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Panasonic GX8 Half Case CGK33
GX8 with CGK33 fittedJanuary 2016: Right now Panasonic is offering its customers some frustrating and to my mind decidedly unappealing Micro Four Thirds camera choices.In the enthusiast/mid range G/GX...
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Setting up the Panasonic GX8 Part 1 Basic Decisions
GX8 + 12-35mmUsers who are familiar with other Panasonic micro four thirds cameras will have no trouble setting up the GX8 as the menu system and operation follow established themes.However newcomers...
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Setting up the Panasonic GX8 Part 2 Custom Menu
Lambertia formosa GX8 + 12-35mmThe GX8 Menu system is basically the same as other recent Panasonic M43 and high spec fixed zoom models such as the FZ1000.I think it is high time Panasonic revised...
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