Tree in San Diego Balboa Park
This was an interesting tree in San Diego's Balboa Park when I was down there a few weeks ago. Taken with my new Panasonic FX3 P&S. Nice little camera, easy to carry around.
posted by Benson at 3:20 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
It's a nice, clear picture (and under difficult lighting conditions). Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? Lea? Just wondering...
Let's see some more shots from this camera, Benson. Or how about a mini-review too?
--WT
The sign said it is a type of ficus tree. We have a ficus tree at home and it does not look anything like this.
Here is my short review of the Panasonic FX3:
I love the size of the camera. I got a little case for it and it hooks onto my belt like a PDA/cell phone. That's why I got the camera. I was looking for something really small, not too expensive, but took clear pictures. I was looking to supplement my Nikon D70 or even replace it when I don't feel like lugging around a DSLR. It used to be a "Dave's Pick" at http://www.imaging-resource.com/ but looking today it is not listed anymore. It is a discontinued camera now. For the price, I don't think it can be beat for the camera size and quality of pictures. I thought about a Canon SD series or Nikon L series (which uses AA batteries, great for traveling) but the Panasonic seemed like the best bet.
From what I've read online, Panasonic is rumored to make the digital cameras for Leica. The Panasonic branded cameras have super sharp Leica lenses. The camera is capable of ISO 1600 but I have found any ISO above 100 will result in a lot of noise in the image. I think the higher end LX3 is better in this respect but is also more than double the price and a little bulkier. I just keep the camera at ISO 100. In low light situations the flash is not strong enough to brighten subjects more than 5 feet away (at ISO 100) but it takes really nice shots when there is adequate lighting. Let me know what you think.
Nice photo Benson, I like photos of interesting trees, and also took some this weekend.
Also like your photo of clouds while flying. I have a sequence of these on my smugmug site - matsumura.smugmug.com and hopefully will get to editing a couple and posting here.
Hi Benson,
Thanks for the mini-review of the FX3. I know that you got a great deal at Costco on this camera. How much did you end up paying for it?
The pictures from the FX3 look very good.
--Warren
I'm happy with the camera. I'd be even happier if it took better pictures in low light situations.
Camera is now $180 at Costco (same price I paid with a coupon about a month ago). Was $220 but now there is a $40 instant rebate since it is a discontinued model. Saw it last night when we were there.
Hi Benson, I also like Panasonic cameras. I have an old FZ3 with "Leica" lens and it takes great photos, though it's quite dated with it's 3MP sensor.
About 6 months ago I was shopping for P&S's, and looked hard at the FX01, FX8/9, as I really liked the 28mm wideness end of their zooms.
However, from all the samples and reviews I checked, it appeared they were quite noisy above ISO 200 or so, while the Fuji F30, had pretty good images at high ISO's.
I'm glad I got the F30, since carrying it around, there have now been several times I've found myself in a dark indoor setting, or just after dark, and even with my DSLR and film cameras, I can't get images like I can with the F30 @ 1600 or 3200. It's really been a lifesaver.
Sorry, don't know much about ficus trees.. But with a quick Google search I learned a few things. Most ficus trees are evergreens (they don't lose their leaves throughout the year), probably because they're mostly found in the tropical areas of the globe. And because of their humidity demands, they are also apparently hard to grow.. That, and they grow figs!
They also seemed to have served as inspirational trees for J.R.R Tolkein's fictional race of Ents from Middle-Earth :)
Benson,
Looking at the specs, the FX3 has a max aperture of f2.8, which when coupled with the built-in image stabilization, should allow you to take some decent low/existing light shots at ISO 100 or 200. Have you experimented with this at all (non-flash, existing light shots at low ISO (200 or so)? If so, how did those shots turn out.
FWIW, I've been very impress by Ted's high-ISO shots from his Fuji F30.
--WT
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