I have had this camera for several years and have only just had a recommendation to watch your tutorials. I am an amateur photographer who thoroughly enjoys taking good photos. I have just watched your introductory tutorial and have already learnt things I didn't know about my camera before now. Eager to watch some more. Thank you so much for your efforts in preparing these works Graham. MUCH appreciated.
Thank you, Graham, for this "manual" for the FZ200. My own FZ200 arrived this week, and I've worked through the first two videos. Without exception, this is by far the most helpful manual I have ever used for anything! You are systematic, thorough, and clear. It's lovely to be able to pause the video in order to re-enforce what you describe and show by doing it for myself on the camera. Keep up the wonderful work. You are clearly gifted at this.
Graham, you are a legend. I bought this camera 5 days before going on holiday and without your videos I would have been completely stumped! Thank you for saving my holiday pics!
Hi Graham! I'm doing a wedding on Friday and I've just been through all your tutorials to remind me of certain feature ... and calm my nerves! Thanks again for such a great series of video tutorials!
I've just bought a used FZ200 from a friend, it's my first bridge camera and I struggled to make sense of the Panasonic manual then discovered your ebook, which is excellent and really helpful. Now I'm working my way through your TH-cam videos which are outstanding, so a big thank-you Graham for producing them and making them available.
Thanks much for putting this series together. UPS just brought my 200 today and I can't wait to figure it all out. You are so correct that the manual is vague and confusing, and I can't imagine getting through it without your help.
Hi Shiela, the remote/mic socket is dual purpose. It can be used for either function, but obviously only one at a time. Plug a mic in and the camera selcts the mic input, remove it and plug in a compatible wired remote release and the camera then sets the socket as the remote connection. Hope that helps.
Hi Graham, baby-boomer getting back into photography after many years of not owning a camera (apart from phone & partner's Lumix TZ1, bought for her birthday 7 years ago). I had already narrowed search to FZ200, enticed by fast video, fixed lens & x24 zoom @ 2.8, then discovered your videos which sealed the deal! Bought 10 May, very happy, now learning how to use. Discovered that I can't play videos on TV with USB, need mini HDMI! Now ordered.... thanks again for your videos
Mr Houghton, I'm new in TH-cam and photography, and I consider myself lucky to have found you so early. Thanks for the amazing tutorials, as well as the fact that you make yourself so well understood, even to me who don't speak good English! Kind regards, Yiannis
Greetings from 2021. I started using this camera for photography (auto mode) in 2019, but never bothered figuring out how to seriously use it. I decided I am finally going to, and the manual was so dry I nearly gave up. You're a lifesaver and I'm so glad I found your channel!
I've just bought the FZ200 and am delighted to have found your excellent review, user friendly presentation and introduction to the camera - thank you very much. As an ex 35mm camera user (Yashica, Olympus) unused to digital technology (save for my only previous purchase, a 7 year old Canon Ixus 60). I plan to work my way through the various video user guide sections you've produced until confident the FZ200 will make next years trip to Australia a memorable one for me! Thanks again Graham.
Hi Graham. I have watched all your instruction videos on the FZ200 prior to purchasing. Having bought the camera I have watched them again, this time with the camera in my hand, and I have to say I have learnt more in one evening than any instruction manual could have taught me in a week. Many thanks and I shall continue to follow your fascinating videos.
Hi Graham.....love your tutorials. Just bought the FZ200 partly because of your videos. I don't know how I would figure out how to use the camera without your tutorials.
This is absolutely fantastic, as is the rest of the series so far. You have completely cemented my wish to buy this particular camera, because you've given me such confidence in its use! Thank you so much, Graham.
I discovered your videos the same day I purchased my FZ200 (three weeks ago). They are very useful and have helped me get used to the camera having moved to it from a DSLR. Many thanks, Paul
thanks Freda, hope you enjoy the updated camera. The screen is much bigger and folds out, which is a big advantage. You are used to the constant aperture f2.8 on thee FZ10 so no change with this newer model. You will notice more in the video mode than in stills quality.
Hi Graham I just ordered this camera for a safari to Africa that I am taking at the first of August. I was worried that I wasnt going to have time to learn everything (and I still may not), but after watching your videos, I feel much less overwhelmed, and cant' wait for the camera to get here so I can start practicing!
Many thanks for your very kind reply I am glad you find my video series easy to understand, that was my main goal here to help beginners without too much technical stuff.
Greetings Mr. Houghton, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating all of these wonderful videos. I used to take many pictures with my old Pentax K-1000 when I was younger, but haven't done any decent photography in 20 years. I purchased my FZ200 about a month ago. After reading the instructions for my new camera, I hate to say, I was more confused than enlightened. Thanks to your videos, I'm getting to know my camera the right way. Once again, thank you.
Just got this camera from my cousin so I don't have the guide disk. This video provided so many useful and detailed information that will probably take me forever to discover by myself. This is awesome!
Graham: Many thanks for these user guides. I am stepping my way through them and I can't possibly tell you how you've taken a camera that I was completely underwhelmed with and made it an effective tool for my needs. Tech manuals only go so far. Your videos are superb! Best regards,
Hi, I've been following you for 10 years and I'm always curious about your tutorials and findings. Always top presented. Bought the DC-G9 last year, already had the fz200 for 10 years. Greetings from the Netherlands Stephan
Sincere thanks Graham for your very clear instructions on the Lumix FZ200. Having only bought it on line a few days ago, I was at a loss to find detailed instructions, and as it is so different to Canon and Nikon I was used to, your guide was just what I needed. Thanks again!!!
This is perhaps one of your best videos. Considering your standard runs generally from A to A+, that makes this video a quietly superb accomplishment. Thank you very much for all your work, and your kind help to all of us.
Thank You Graham~! I've had the FZ200 for several months and have had a difficult time getting crisp interior shots for Real Estate. Put it aside but now that I found your instruction series on this camera I am hoping that it will help me. Look forward to watching them all~!
Hi Graham I am very impressed with your tutorials , I have recently bought the FZ200 camera and it is excellent. I have been viewing several of your tutorials for this camera and it has really been interesting and very helpful for me. Thanks for the help
Hello Graham... Thought to let you know that I just purchased the camera today and YOU ARE THE REASON I made the decision after months of checking review sites. I now look forward to your videos about the camera and I'm very excited about my new hobby! Cheers!
"I don't assume any superior knowledge and won't talk down to you, either"....from your updated DMC-FZ200 User Manual No, not "superior knowledge" of people, but you certainly do have a very high - dare I say superior - knowledge of the working of a camera and how to use one. And you most definitely don't "talk down". On the contrary, you're clear and concise without any 'babble' to confuse or loose the viewer, making it very easy to follow along! I bought my FZ200 about 6 years ago, but like others here, the OEM manual left a LOT to be desired. I used it for about 2 years off and on before life and frustration seen it relegated to the bottom of a cupboard. I recently got it out in preparation of a planned extended holiday with the thought of just taking 'happy snaps'. In just a matter of a couple of hours searching and finding YOUR tutorials, then watching your 1st 2 tutorials and having a 'play', I have a much better understanding of my camera, and am now looking forward to (hopefully) much better 'happy snaps'.....I thank you Sir!
Thank you for this series. I just ordered this camera. For over a decade I have only had cheap point and shoot cameras and cell phone cameras and was missing the creative functionality of my ancient Pentax Spotomatic and the heavy bag of lenses. Because of that memory (and the cost) I figured DSLR is not for me at this point in time. Looking forward to the creative opportunities with this camera..there is so much to learn and your series has given me more confidence to dive in.
Hi Brian the same rule applies where 50mm is the equivalent of human eye focal length, however on the FZ200 the "crop factor" is x4 for the 1-2/3 inch sensor so this has to be taken into account. The equivalent focal length would be about 12.5 mm so with a zoom factor of x2 we reach this equivalent. The adjusted focal length of the FZ200 is 24 - 600 mm
Thank you Trystian. Several viewers ahve commented similarly so I pleased that the series of videos helps new users to become more proficient with the FZ200 camera
By blown out I presume you mean "out of focus" or blurred. Yes it will provided you use a focal length of over 100mm say x 4 or more zoom and keep the subject away from the background. These small sensor cameras have a lot more depth of focus than larger format cameras so you need to use the zoom to get this effect.
Very nice quick summary of the basic feature of this camera. Very useful and thanks a lot for putting this one. I am planning to watch rest of your video series as i have purchased this camera recently.
Thanks , Graham, for your helpful videos on the Lumix FZ 200 ! I bought the camera about a year ago , and soon after I discovered your tutorials . Learned a lot; it is so much easier than just reading a manual. I am still not a super-photographer, and learning along the way, but this camera certainly helped me improve my skills.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! This is the camera I was assigned to use at work and I was so frustrated, having always used a Cannon previously. Add to that the frustrations with the user manual that you so accurately express and the fact that most laptops no longer come with a CD player! I'm so grateful to have found your series!! And also, as an American, I find it so charming that you say Zed instead of Z :)
Thank you, Graham. I found you as a last resort after nearly giving up on my DMC-FZ200. I decided it was just too much camera for me. I could not make sense of the user guide because I don't know the terminology. I have just completed your first video lesson and now I have hope!
Thank you Graham.....brilliant video as you always do...i am a new user and could never follow the manual the way i can follow your videos.....you make it so easy to follow and explain everything so well....a real pleasure to watch....thanks once again......billy
Hi Graham. I just love your videos. I've just bought the fz200 and you've been my "spiritual" guide for these amazing possibilities this camera offers. Best from Paraty, Brazil
If you look at the exposure given by the camera when you half depress the shutter button you may find the fstop and shutter are highlighted in red. This means the camera cannot set a iso low enough and a shutter speed high enough to prevent over exposure. If you want to use F2.8 in sunlight you may have to use a ND4 or ND8 filter on the lens to reduce the light entering the camera.
Sharon. You are in the iA+ mode which gives you these 3 options of exposure compensatrion, background defocus and colour tint (white balance shift). Exposure consensation is useful when you are shooting a subject against the sun and the camera doesn't allow for the bright background. You can use this control to brighten the scene. Background defocus allows you to select an aperture which will either give you most of the subject and background in focus or just the foreground. The colour tint .. 2
When you set the camera to M mode you can then adjust the shutter speed up to 60seconds and the aperture upto f8 by using the back control dial. Push it in to change from aperture to shutter and back to aperture etc.
Just Briliant! Your videos on the subject is not only very informative, but could just as well serve as an in-depth review. Thanks to you; I am now convinced that this is the camera to buy.
A very illuminating series! I am getting interested in this camera after watching your series as I am looking for an inexpensive camera with constant f2.8 lens. A DSLR with constant f2.8 lens is not affordable at the moment. The photos presented by you are very impressive. Thank you for the series.
That's correct the lever can only be one mode or the other, however by using the program function buttons you could program Fn3 button to quickly set it to either zoom or focus without having to go into the menu to set iy
Graham, thank YOU. Awesome video, I typically don't have the time/patience to listen to TH-cam videos. But yours was more than worthwhile. I've learned quite a bit in a mere 15 minutes. I'm going to now watch your next video to learn the menu options, etc. Thanks!!!
Hi Graham, had hesitated to choose this camera or Canon SX50. Until finally I find your tutorial video series that helped me take decision to choose this camera. As a pocket camera user's before, your video is very helpful for adaptation to more sophisticated camera. Your video is wonderful and very easy to understand. Thanks.
Hi Mike, this is a normal characteristic of this lens as it is the optical stabiliser element which is held normally in a magnetic filed when the camera is switched on. If the camera is off the OIS element is free to rattle inside the housing. There is no damage being done, it's perfectly normal. Enjoy using this fantastic camera.
Hi Graham, bought the FZ200 earlier this year and absolutely love it. As you said, it's brilliant for nature photography, am really enjoying shooting birds and other native animals with it. Thanks very much for posting these videos, big help! Also bought a Crumpler Quick Escape 150 camera bag and really recommend it for outdoor work, hiking etc. Excellent bag that can be worn over the shoulder or round the waist (eg with a full pack), and even comes with a waterproof cover.
Hello, yes this is indicated in my video to remove the lens hood if using the pop up flash. It is also mentioned in the user manual so I am surprised that they asked you to return the camera.
After taking hundreds of pictures with my new fz200 I have decided it time to try to learn the proper way to use it. The manual, to me, is next to worthless since it is a pdf file and I really don't want to print off over 200 pages when the manual isn't that good anyway. This series should be a great benefit to me. Thank you Graham!
I would try the 5.5 fps burst mode. Focus is set on the first shot then the remaining are taken using the same focus in order to get this frame rate. The sports mode sets f2.8 and intellegent ISO so you may find it pushes the iso too high buts its work a couple of test shots before your event starts to see how it looks.
Bought an older reconditioned Lumix a while ago just as a cheap substitute for the car to save my kinda pricey Nikon DSLR . Wow what a surprise that was. On seeing your vast and excellent series of videos I bought a beautiful almost unused FZ-200 ..and your book on Amazon. Can't wait to get my hands on it. You are a credit to your craft sir .. Many thanks.
@@GrahamHoughton12 -- The great surprise was to find such a surprisingly capable camera combined with such detailed and wonderful guides ... it really is a quart in a pint pot. Many thanks . Keep up the good work.
Graham - thank you so much. i usually use a point and shoot camera - but for sport i use my son's SLR - as he is a keen triathlete. i'm looking forward to trying the camera for that purpose. I've only just bought it - and as you say - handbook provided and pdf - doesn't help as clearly as i would have liked! i am so grateful for your full explanation on video - its helped a lot - i haven't used a flip screen before so was thrilled to find on your video that i could turn it all the way around and use it flat! - look forward to your further vid.
Hi graham i just got this camera today for £300 what a bargain. i almost got the Sony Cyber-shot HX300 but it had no mic input jack so i got this as adding a better audio device is a must for a good camera. Also keep up the videos i found this series to be very help full because i am new to video and photography thanks
Graham, Thank you so much for all of your hard effort, and for the fantastic video series. This presentation helped me to be very comfortable with my new purchase, and made it fun to explore the FZ200 features!
Thanks for this video. I just purchased my camera and this tutorial has helped. I look forward to viewing some of your other tutorials on this camera as right now I am lost!
Well there is some advantages in a larger format sensor, mainly reduced image noise and shallower depth of field. However there are disadvantages of the need for extra lenses to cover the same focal range which adds weight to the camera bag. Also convenience of shooting from 24 to 600mm at f2.8 is a great advantage with the FZ200. In the end it comes down to the quality of the results versus convenience and size/weight. A lot of photographers are now selling dslr's in favor of bridge cameras.
The Missing manual was only a mock up in photoshop. To get 60 second exposures you need to switch to manual mode (M) this allows you to set aperture and iso but more important shutter speed down to 60 seconds.
Wonderful video, Graham, thanks so much for sharing! I bought my FZ200 yesterday to replace my FZ10 which I've had since 2003. I'm excited about my new camera and much more so since finding your videos! The little manual included with the camera is not much help at all. I'm looking forward to this journey with you, learning how to get the best performance from my FZ200. Thanks again!
Hi Graham, Thank you for such a great job on your FZ200 tutorial. I am looking forward to your upcoming FZ200 basics and advanced IA program functions. I have this camera and find it to be a great advantage and convenience over carrying around a heavy telepho lens for bird photography.
I would generally recommend using AWB as there may be a mix of lighting, try to keep below iso 400 - especially in stills mode, use a fairly large F stop like f3.5/4 and the standard profile with -2 NR and +1 sharpening added. If the shutter speed drops below 1/30 sec you may have to increase iso but at the expense of increased noise.
Yes you can do this in the replay mode via title edit. You can add any characters to an image, or selected images and then create new images with the text stamped on the image or create entirely new copies which are text stamped thus leaving your original imaged untouched.
The f2.8 constant aperture means that when you zoom all the way to 600mm equivalent focal length ( the maximum zoom) the camera can still get enough light to take better images in low light situations. You will get images with more detail as camera shake will be reduced as the camera will automatically increase the shutter speed. In bright sunshine you wont see much difference - it is only in lower light where the camera will start to show the benefits of the new lens.
Hi Ken it looks to have great specs and the manual zoom might be an advantage in some instances. Focus speed looks incredibly fast. I'll have a look at a local delaer when I'm next in town to see how the display and evf look.
Hi Graham & what a wonderful idea which will prove extremely valuable to beginners & advanced users alike. Panasonic are always guilty of trying to be too helpful with their over complex instruction manuals for all their products. Not having a hard copy doesn't help either. Video manuals are always useful, provided they are well presented which in your case I'm sure it will be. Videos are like having someone with you demonstrating how to, and not to, handle the various features & functions.
You will probably struggle to get bitingly sharp images in this situation. However I would fire a couple of test shots using iso 400 as the max iso then set for A mode and set aperture to wide open at f2.8. The camera will make the exposure adjusting the shutter speed. If the images look light dial in -1EV with the exp compensation or +1 if they are dark. If there is still motion blur you will have to go to iso 1200
It is generally recommended to turn off IS when the camera is on a tripod, however at this focal length even the slightest ground tremor or wind can cause camera shake during the exposure. It is thought that the camera will move the stabilisation lens element when there is no need too on a tripod thus giving unsharp images. I think you should go with whatever gives the best, sharpest image.
I've just purchased an FZ300 (in the US) and am getting to know it. I do very much hope that you will produce an Illustrated Users Guides for the FZ300 (FZ330) comparable to the terrific one you put out for the FZ200. Since I have no previous familiarity with the FZ200, I'm finding it a little confusing at a number of points to make the necessary adaptation of what I'm reading the Users Guide for FZ200 to the FZ300 that I'm using. Your videos about migrating from the FZ200 to the FZ300 are helpful but presuppose a degree of familiarity with the older camera that I don't have, since I'm really starting with the FZ300. It would be absolutely *wonderful* if you could give us an updated User's Guide for the FZ300 (FZ330)! Thank you SO much for the knowledge and experience that you are sharing. Like many others, I'm already deeply in your debt.
...2 allow you to either apply a warming or cooling colour tone to the image. You can use a combination of all three controls. In the iA mode there is just the option to set the effective aperture from f2.8 to f8 which will again control the overall sharpness between foreground and background. Hope that helps. I might do a short tutorial this week to cover these issues as I guess other users might also be struggling with these controls.
I'm sure there is a service menu option to get this but i haven't found the start up sequence yet to get this data. If the clock is still needing to be set then this is one indication its new. Also look at the picture info when you take a shot it should be p1000001. These can be changed doing resets but most people wouldn't know about them in the menu. If I get a minute later I will do a search for the service option.
brilliant review, Im a beginner (I have an Olympus sp810 zoom cam) and I have been looking to get a new bridge camera, of all the various bridge camera reviews ive watched on you tube, your reviews are without a doubt the best - easy to understand & very informative without being to confusing, especially for beginners like me. I have decided to get this camera (still saving my pennies lol)
The term was used to describe a camera which "bridged" the gap between a simple compact point and shoot and a more traditional interchangeable lens system camera such as a DSLR or micro four thirds system
Excellent video. Thank you! That explained, in 16 minutes, what would have taken hours to get from a manual. Very clear and easy to understand. Just ordered a FZ200 after viewing a number of your videos and reading MANY reviews. Now I'm on to your next video!!
Hi, yes you can totally silence all sounds from the camera by going into the set up menu page 1 BEEP. beep level set it to the bottom icon = mute and under shutter volume set this also to mute. The camera will now not make any beeps during turn on/off, during focus or shooting!
I'm using a 3 year old sony vaio fw11 for my sony vegas and it seems to cope quite well. I have a HP pavillion laptop with core i5 and nvidea graphics for my edius 6 program as it needs more power
I not experienced this sort of behavior with the camera but sometimes the way I hold the camera depresses the zoom lever and the camera stops responding until i realise that I am doing this. This occurs maily when Im shooting with the lens at wide angle but it could happen at full telephoto
I love your video series! It is so useful and better than anything Panasonic provided! Thank you so much for all this information and the vast amount of effort you must have put into it. Know that it is greatly appreciated!!
Hi Graham! Thanks so much for all your informative videos. I was on a hunt for the best "Bridge" camera, to grow as a photographer but not become too overwhelmed with a DSLR. Your videos helped inspire me to buy the FZ200. I just got it yesterday so have yet to take it out, but I am looking forward to it! :)
Thanks for the video - just got my FZ200! Can't wait to play with it tomorrow! Now I have to watch your other videos so I know what I'm doing. THANKS SO MUCH!
Many thanks. Have just bought one for £100 with box and CD very little used. Pretty much mint condition. So am starting now as I want to use it for video (though not on my current channel, but a new one with a different subject matter). Many thanks!
thanks for the comment. I did have the T3i before upgrading to the 60D and thought that most people using a dslr would probably be OK with the basic operation - am I wrong do you think there is a need for this?
10 years later and as a complete beginner, finding this playlist is like a gold mine. You are incredible!
I have had this camera for several years and have only just had a recommendation to watch your tutorials. I am an amateur photographer who thoroughly enjoys taking good photos. I have just watched your introductory tutorial and have already learnt things I didn't know about my camera before now. Eager to watch some more. Thank you so much for your efforts in preparing these works Graham. MUCH appreciated.
Thank you, Graham, for this "manual" for the FZ200. My own FZ200 arrived this week, and I've worked through the first two videos. Without exception, this is by far the most helpful manual I have ever used for anything! You are systematic, thorough, and clear. It's lovely to be able to pause the video in order to re-enforce what you describe and show by doing it for myself on the camera. Keep up the wonderful work. You are clearly gifted at this.
Graham, you are a legend. I bought this camera 5 days before going on holiday and without your videos I would have been completely stumped! Thank you for saving my holiday pics!
Hi Graham!
I'm doing a wedding on Friday and I've just been through all your tutorials to remind me of certain feature ... and calm my nerves! Thanks again for such a great series of video tutorials!
I've just bought a used FZ200 from a friend, it's my first bridge camera and I struggled to make sense of the Panasonic manual then discovered your ebook, which is excellent and really helpful. Now I'm working my way through your TH-cam videos which are outstanding, so a big thank-you Graham for producing them and making them available.
Thanks much for putting this series together. UPS just brought my 200 today and I can't wait to figure it all out. You are so correct that the manual is vague and confusing, and I can't imagine getting through it without your help.
Hi Shiela, the remote/mic socket is dual purpose. It can be used for either function, but obviously only one at a time. Plug a mic in and the camera selcts the mic input, remove it and plug in a compatible wired remote release and the camera then sets the socket as the remote connection. Hope that helps.
Hi Graham, baby-boomer getting back into photography after many years of not owning a camera (apart from phone & partner's Lumix TZ1, bought for her birthday 7 years ago). I had already narrowed search to FZ200, enticed by fast video, fixed lens & x24 zoom @ 2.8, then discovered your videos which sealed the deal! Bought 10 May, very happy, now learning how to use. Discovered that I can't play videos on TV with USB, need mini HDMI! Now ordered.... thanks again for your videos
Mr Houghton, I'm new in TH-cam and photography, and I consider myself lucky to have found you so early. Thanks for the amazing tutorials, as well as the fact that you make yourself so well understood, even to me who don't speak good English!
Kind regards, Yiannis
Greetings from 2021. I started using this camera for photography (auto mode) in 2019, but never bothered figuring out how to seriously use it. I decided I am finally going to, and the manual was so dry I nearly gave up. You're a lifesaver and I'm so glad I found your channel!
Glad I could help!
I've just bought the FZ200 and am delighted to have found your excellent review, user friendly presentation and introduction to the camera - thank you very much.
As an ex 35mm camera user (Yashica, Olympus) unused to digital technology (save for my only previous purchase, a 7 year old Canon Ixus 60). I plan to work my way through the various video user guide sections you've produced until confident the FZ200 will make next years trip to Australia a memorable one for me! Thanks again Graham.
Hi Graham. I have watched all your instruction videos on the FZ200 prior to purchasing. Having bought the camera I have watched them again, this time with the camera in my hand, and I have to say I have learnt more in one evening than any instruction manual could have taught me in a week. Many thanks and I shall continue to follow your fascinating videos.
Hi Graham.....love your tutorials. Just bought the FZ200 partly because of your videos. I don't know how I would figure out how to use the camera without your tutorials.
I wish all camera reviews/guides were as clear, detailed and well organized as this.... thanks Graham
This is absolutely fantastic, as is the rest of the series so far. You have completely cemented my wish to buy this particular camera, because you've given me such confidence in its use! Thank you so much, Graham.
I discovered your videos the same day I purchased my FZ200 (three weeks ago). They are very useful and have helped me get used to the camera having moved to it from a DSLR.
Many thanks, Paul
thanks Freda, hope you enjoy the updated camera. The screen is much bigger and folds out, which is a big advantage. You are used to the constant aperture f2.8 on thee FZ10 so no change with this newer model. You will notice more in the video mode than in stills quality.
Hi Graham
I just ordered this camera for a safari to Africa that I am taking at the first of August. I was worried that I wasnt going to have time to learn everything (and I still may not), but after watching your videos, I feel much less overwhelmed, and cant' wait for the camera to get here so I can start practicing!
Many thanks for your very kind reply I am glad you find my video series easy to understand, that was my main goal here to help beginners without too much technical stuff.
Greetings Mr. Houghton,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating all of these wonderful videos. I used to take many pictures with my old Pentax K-1000 when I was younger, but haven't done any decent photography in 20 years. I purchased my FZ200 about a month ago. After reading the instructions for my new camera, I hate to say, I was more confused than enlightened. Thanks to your videos, I'm getting to know my camera the right way. Once again, thank you.
Just got this camera from my cousin so I don't have the guide disk. This video provided so many useful and detailed information that will probably take me forever to discover by myself. This is awesome!
Graham: Many thanks for these user guides. I am stepping my way through them and I can't possibly tell you how you've taken a camera that I was completely underwhelmed with and made it an effective tool for my needs. Tech manuals only go so far. Your videos are superb!
Best regards,
+Greg T Greg, love the "MAX HEADROOM" avatar - wish they would bring those films back...
Hi, I've been following you for 10 years and I'm always curious about your tutorials and findings. Always top presented. Bought the DC-G9 last year, already had the fz200 for 10 years. Greetings from the Netherlands Stephan
Sincere thanks Graham for your very clear instructions on the Lumix FZ200. Having only bought it on line a few days ago, I was at a loss to find detailed instructions, and as it is so different to Canon and Nikon I was used to, your guide was just what I needed. Thanks again!!!
This is perhaps one of your best videos. Considering your standard runs generally from A to A+, that makes this video a quietly superb accomplishment. Thank you very much for all your work, and your kind help to all of us.
Thank You Graham~! I've had the FZ200 for several months and have had a difficult time getting crisp interior shots for Real Estate. Put it aside but now that I found your instruction series on this camera I am hoping that it will help me. Look forward to watching them all~!
Hi Graham I am very impressed with your tutorials , I have recently bought the FZ200 camera and it is excellent. I have been viewing several of your tutorials for this camera and it has really been interesting and very helpful for me.
Thanks for the help
Hello Graham... Thought to let you know that I just purchased the camera today and YOU ARE THE REASON I made the decision after months of checking review sites. I now look forward to your videos about the camera and I'm very excited about my new hobby!
Cheers!
"I don't assume any superior knowledge and won't talk down to you, either"....from your updated DMC-FZ200 User Manual
No, not "superior knowledge" of people, but you certainly do have a very high - dare I say superior - knowledge of the working of a camera and how to use one. And you most definitely don't "talk down". On the contrary, you're clear and concise without any 'babble' to confuse or loose the viewer, making it very easy to follow along!
I bought my FZ200 about 6 years ago, but like others here, the OEM manual left a LOT to be desired. I used it for about 2 years off and on before life and frustration seen it relegated to the bottom of a cupboard. I recently got it out in preparation of a planned extended holiday with the thought of just taking 'happy snaps'.
In just a matter of a couple of hours searching and finding YOUR tutorials, then watching your 1st 2 tutorials and having a 'play', I have a much better understanding of my camera, and am now looking forward to (hopefully) much better 'happy snaps'.....I thank you Sir!
Thank you for this series. I just ordered this camera. For over a decade I have only had cheap point and shoot cameras and cell phone cameras and was missing the creative functionality of my ancient Pentax Spotomatic and the heavy bag of lenses. Because of that memory (and the cost) I figured DSLR is not for me at this point in time. Looking forward to the creative opportunities with this camera..there is so much to learn and your series has given me more confidence to dive in.
Thank you Graham...I hope Panasonic is paying you for all these wonderful videos! Wouldn't be able to use this camera without you!
Thank you, Graham, for producing the series of videos on the Panasonic FZ200. They helped me to understand my FZ200 camera better.
Thank you, I really appreciate your feedback on the video series.
As a new owner of this camera, I find your videos very informative and a pleasure to watch. Thankyou very much.
Hi Brian the same rule applies where 50mm is the equivalent of human eye focal length, however on the FZ200 the "crop factor" is x4 for the 1-2/3 inch sensor so this has to be taken into account. The equivalent focal length would be about 12.5 mm so with a zoom factor of x2 we reach this equivalent. The adjusted focal length of the FZ200 is 24 - 600 mm
Thank you Trystian. Several viewers ahve commented similarly so I pleased that the series of videos helps new users to become more proficient with the FZ200 camera
By blown out I presume you mean "out of focus" or blurred. Yes it will provided you use a focal length of over 100mm say x 4 or more zoom and keep the subject away from the background. These small sensor cameras have a lot more depth of focus than larger format cameras so you need to use the zoom to get this effect.
Very nice quick summary of the basic feature of this camera. Very useful and thanks a lot for putting this one. I am planning to watch rest of your video series as i have purchased this camera recently.
2019 and your videos are still so helpful. Thank you so much.
2021 and ditto the above, Thank you
2022 and your teaching continues, how amazing is that. Thanks Graham
Thanks , Graham, for your helpful videos on the Lumix FZ 200 ! I bought the camera about a year ago , and soon after I discovered your tutorials . Learned a lot; it is so much easier than just reading a manual.
I am still not a super-photographer, and learning along the way, but this camera certainly helped me improve my skills.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! This is the camera I was assigned to use at work and I was so frustrated, having always used a Cannon previously. Add to that the frustrations with the user manual that you so accurately express and the fact that most laptops no longer come with a CD player! I'm so grateful to have found your series!! And also, as an American, I find it so charming that you say Zed instead of Z :)
Thank you, Graham. I found you as a last resort after nearly giving up on my DMC-FZ200. I decided it was just too much camera for me. I could not make sense of the user guide because I don't know the terminology. I have just completed your first video lesson and now I have hope!
Thank you Graham.....brilliant video as you always do...i am a new user and could never follow the manual the way i can follow your videos.....you make it so easy to follow and explain everything so well....a real pleasure to watch....thanks once again......billy
Just bought this camera, and have learned a ton from this Gent already. Loving this little powerhouse so far...
This is so helpful! I just bought this camera used and this is so much more helpful than reading a 300 page manual. Thanks.
What a wonderful teacher and professional you are. Everything seems so easy to understand with your instruction!
Hi Graham. I just love your videos. I've just bought the fz200 and you've been my "spiritual" guide for these amazing possibilities this camera offers. Best from Paraty, Brazil
If you look at the exposure given by the camera when you half depress the shutter button you may find the fstop and shutter are highlighted in red. This means the camera cannot set a iso low enough and a shutter speed high enough to prevent over exposure. If you want to use F2.8 in sunlight you may have to use a ND4 or ND8 filter on the lens to reduce the light entering the camera.
Sharon. You are in the iA+ mode which gives you these 3 options of exposure compensatrion, background defocus and colour tint (white balance shift). Exposure consensation is useful when you are shooting a subject against the sun and the camera doesn't allow for the bright background. You can use this control to brighten the scene. Background defocus allows you to select an aperture which will either give you most of the subject and background in focus or just the foreground. The colour tint .. 2
Graham,
Thank you for posting this video. It's most helpful in getting to learn the camera. I will be watching the rest of your series.
Bought this camera for myself for Christmas. Thanks so much for these videos. Without them I'd be lost.
When you set the camera to M mode you can then adjust the shutter speed up to 60seconds and the aperture upto f8 by using the back control dial. Push it in to change from aperture to shutter and back to aperture etc.
I am beyond delighted to have found your superb, informative videos for the FZ 200. Thank you!!!
Iv been getting very frustrated with not understanding how to use my camera, you have helped me so much! Thank you so much !
Just Briliant! Your videos on the subject is not only very informative, but could just as well serve as an in-depth review. Thanks to you; I am now convinced that this is the camera to buy.
A very illuminating series! I am getting interested in this camera after watching your series as I am looking for an inexpensive camera with constant f2.8 lens. A DSLR with constant f2.8 lens is not affordable at the moment. The photos presented by you are very impressive. Thank you for the series.
That's correct the lever can only be one mode or the other, however by using the program function buttons you could program Fn3 button to quickly set it to either zoom or focus without having to go into the menu to set iy
I just watched your first video on the FZ200 and it was such a wonderful help to me! Thank you very much. On to the next one.....
Graham, thank YOU. Awesome video, I typically don't have the time/patience to listen to TH-cam videos. But yours was more than worthwhile. I've learned quite a bit in a mere 15 minutes. I'm going to now watch your next video to learn the menu options, etc. Thanks!!!
Hi Graham, had hesitated to choose this camera or Canon SX50. Until finally I find your tutorial video series that helped me take decision to choose this camera. As a pocket camera user's before, your video is very helpful for adaptation to more sophisticated camera. Your video is wonderful and very easy to understand. Thanks.
Hi Mike, this is a normal characteristic of this lens as it is the optical stabiliser element which is held normally in a magnetic filed when the camera is switched on. If the camera is off the OIS element is free to rattle inside the housing. There is no damage being done, it's perfectly normal. Enjoy using this fantastic camera.
Hi Graham, bought the FZ200 earlier this year and absolutely love it. As you said, it's brilliant for nature photography, am really enjoying shooting birds and other native animals with it. Thanks very much for posting these videos, big help!
Also bought a Crumpler Quick Escape 150 camera bag and really recommend it for outdoor work, hiking etc. Excellent bag that can be worn over the shoulder or round the waist (eg with a full pack), and even comes with a waterproof cover.
Hello, yes this is indicated in my video to remove the lens hood if using the pop up flash. It is also mentioned in the user manual so I am surprised that they asked you to return the camera.
After taking hundreds of pictures with my new fz200 I have decided it time to try to learn the proper way to use it. The manual, to me, is next to worthless since it is a pdf file and I really don't want to print off over 200 pages when the manual isn't that good anyway. This series should be a great benefit to me. Thank you Graham!
I would try the 5.5 fps burst mode. Focus is set on the first shot then the remaining are taken using the same focus in order to get this frame rate. The sports mode sets f2.8 and intellegent ISO so you may find it pushes the iso too high buts its work a couple of test shots before your event starts to see how it looks.
Bought an older reconditioned Lumix a while ago just as a cheap substitute for the car to save my kinda pricey Nikon DSLR . Wow what a surprise that was.
On seeing your vast and excellent series of videos I bought a beautiful almost unused FZ-200 ..and your book on Amazon. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
You are a credit to your craft sir .. Many thanks.
Many thanks for the kind comment. Enjoy the camera and my user guide - thanks also for the purchase.
@@GrahamHoughton12 -- The great surprise was to find such a surprisingly capable camera combined with such detailed and wonderful guides ...
it really is a quart in a pint pot. Many thanks . Keep up the good work.
Graham - thank you so much. i usually use a point and shoot camera - but for sport i use my son's SLR - as he is a keen triathlete. i'm looking forward to trying the camera for that purpose. I've only just bought it - and as you say - handbook provided and pdf - doesn't help as clearly as i would have liked! i am so grateful for your full explanation on video - its helped a lot - i haven't used a flip screen before so was thrilled to find on your video that i could turn it all the way around and use it flat! - look forward to your further vid.
Hi graham i just got this camera today for £300 what a bargain. i almost got the Sony Cyber-shot HX300 but it had no mic input jack so i got this as adding a better audio device is a must for a good camera. Also keep up the videos i found this series to be very help full because i am new to video and photography thanks
That was a good price. thanks for your comment, appreciated.
Graham, Thank you so much for all of your hard effort, and for the fantastic video series. This presentation helped me to be very comfortable with my new purchase, and made it fun to explore the FZ200 features!
Thanks for this video. I just purchased my camera and this tutorial has helped. I look forward to viewing some of your other tutorials on this camera as right now I am lost!
Would just like to say "thanks", Graham. I have just bought the camera, and am going though your excellent videos religiously :)
Well there is some advantages in a larger format sensor, mainly reduced image noise and shallower depth of field. However there are disadvantages of the need for extra lenses to cover the same focal range which adds weight to the camera bag. Also convenience of shooting from 24 to 600mm at f2.8 is a great advantage with the FZ200. In the end it comes down to the quality of the results versus convenience and size/weight. A lot of photographers are now selling dslr's in favor of bridge cameras.
Because of this series i bought a FZ200, and Graham, i am a very happy guy! Thanks a lot for this videos!
The Missing manual was only a mock up in photoshop. To get 60 second exposures you need to switch to manual mode (M) this allows you to set aperture and iso but more important shutter speed down to 60 seconds.
Wonderful video, Graham, thanks so much for sharing! I bought my FZ200 yesterday to replace my FZ10 which I've had since 2003. I'm excited about my new camera and much more so since finding your videos! The little manual included with the camera is not much help at all. I'm looking forward to this journey with you, learning how to get the best performance from my FZ200. Thanks again!
Hi Graham, Thank you for such a great job on your FZ200 tutorial. I am looking forward to your upcoming FZ200 basics and advanced IA program functions. I have this camera and find it to be a great advantage and convenience over carrying around a heavy telepho lens for bird photography.
I would generally recommend using AWB as there may be a mix of lighting, try to keep below iso 400 - especially in stills mode, use a fairly large F stop like f3.5/4 and the standard profile with -2 NR and +1 sharpening added. If the shutter speed drops below 1/30 sec you may have to increase iso but at the expense of increased noise.
Yes you can do this in the replay mode via title edit. You can add any characters to an image, or selected images and then create new images with the text stamped on the image or create entirely new copies which are text stamped thus leaving your original imaged untouched.
Thank you, hope you enjoy using your new camera
The f2.8 constant aperture means that when you zoom all the way to 600mm equivalent focal length ( the maximum zoom) the camera can still get enough light to take better images in low light situations. You will get images with more detail as camera shake will be reduced as the camera will automatically increase the shutter speed. In bright sunshine you wont see much difference - it is only in lower light where the camera will start to show the benefits of the new lens.
Hi Ken it looks to have great specs and the manual zoom might be an advantage in some instances. Focus speed looks incredibly fast. I'll have a look at a local delaer when I'm next in town to see how the display and evf look.
Hi Graham & what a wonderful idea which will prove extremely valuable to beginners & advanced users alike.
Panasonic are always guilty of trying to be too helpful with their over complex instruction manuals for all their products. Not having a hard copy doesn't help either.
Video manuals are always useful, provided they are well presented which in your case I'm sure it will be. Videos are like having someone with you demonstrating how to, and not to, handle the various features & functions.
You will probably struggle to get bitingly sharp images in this situation. However I would fire a couple of test shots using iso 400 as the max iso then set for A mode and set aperture to wide open at f2.8. The camera will make the exposure adjusting the shutter speed. If the images look light dial in -1EV with the exp compensation or +1 if they are dark. If there is still motion blur you will have to go to iso 1200
these videos by Graham are the next best thing to the camera itself...
Thank you!!!
thank You Rick, appreciated
It is generally recommended to turn off IS when the camera is on a tripod, however at this focal length even the slightest ground tremor or wind can cause camera shake during the exposure. It is thought that the camera will move the stabilisation lens element when there is no need too on a tripod thus giving unsharp images. I think you should go with whatever gives the best, sharpest image.
I've just purchased an FZ300 (in the US) and am getting to know it. I do very much hope that you will produce an Illustrated Users Guides for the FZ300 (FZ330) comparable to the terrific one you put out for the FZ200. Since I have no previous familiarity with the FZ200, I'm finding it a little confusing at a number of points to make the necessary adaptation of what I'm reading the Users Guide for FZ200 to the FZ300 that I'm using. Your videos about migrating from the FZ200 to the FZ300 are helpful but presuppose a degree of familiarity with the older camera that I don't have, since I'm really starting with the FZ300. It would be absolutely *wonderful* if you could give us an updated User's Guide for the FZ300 (FZ330)! Thank you SO much for the knowledge and experience that you are sharing. Like many others, I'm already deeply in your debt.
...2 allow you to either apply a warming or cooling colour tone to the image. You can use a combination of all three controls. In the iA mode there is just the option to set the effective aperture from f2.8 to f8 which will again control the overall sharpness between foreground and background. Hope that helps. I might do a short tutorial this week to cover these issues as I guess other users might also be struggling with these controls.
I'm sure there is a service menu option to get this but i haven't found the start up sequence yet to get this data. If the clock is still needing to be set then this is one indication its new. Also look at the picture info when you take a shot it should be p1000001. These can be changed doing resets but most people wouldn't know about them in the menu. If I get a minute later I will do a search for the service option.
brilliant review, Im a beginner (I have an Olympus sp810 zoom cam) and I have been looking to get a new bridge camera, of all the various bridge camera reviews ive watched on you tube, your reviews are without a doubt the best - easy to understand & very informative without being to confusing, especially for beginners like me. I have decided to get this camera (still saving my pennies lol)
The term was used to describe a camera which "bridged" the gap between a simple compact point and shoot and a more traditional interchangeable lens system camera such as a DSLR or micro four thirds system
Excellent video. Thank you! That explained, in 16 minutes, what would have taken hours to get from a manual. Very clear and easy to understand. Just ordered a FZ200 after viewing a number of your videos and reading MANY reviews. Now I'm on to your next video!!
Graham, thank you for taking the time to make this very informative video!!! Love,love,love this camera!
Hi, yes you can totally silence all sounds from the camera by going into the set up menu page 1 BEEP.
beep level set it to the bottom icon = mute and under shutter volume set this also to mute. The camera will now not make any beeps during turn on/off, during focus or shooting!
I'm using a 3 year old sony vaio fw11 for my sony vegas and it seems to cope quite well. I have a HP pavillion laptop with core i5 and nvidea graphics for my edius 6 program as it needs more power
I not experienced this sort of behavior with the camera but sometimes the way I hold the camera depresses the zoom lever and the camera stops responding until i realise that I am doing this. This occurs maily when Im shooting with the lens at wide angle but it could happen at full telephoto
I love your video series! It is so useful and better than anything Panasonic provided! Thank you so much for all this information and the vast amount of effort you must have put into it. Know that it is greatly appreciated!!
Hi Graham! Thanks so much for all your informative videos. I was on a hunt for the best "Bridge" camera, to grow as a photographer but not become too overwhelmed with a DSLR. Your videos helped inspire me to buy the FZ200. I just got it yesterday so have yet to take it out, but I am looking forward to it! :)
I'm sure you will be delighted with it, don't forget my free eBook for the FZ200 will be available the week after next 9th December -
I'm definitely looking forward to it and to more of your videos. :) Thanks again!
Thanks for the video - just got my FZ200! Can't wait to play with it tomorrow! Now I have to watch your other videos so I know what I'm doing. THANKS SO MUCH!
Enjoy the camera, the tutorials and my free eBook - you will get a lot of pleasure from this camera.
Many thanks. Have just bought one for £100 with box and CD very little used. Pretty much mint condition. So am starting now as I want to use it for video (though not on my current channel, but a new one with a different subject matter). Many thanks!
thanks for the comment. I did have the T3i before upgrading to the 60D and thought that most people using a dslr would probably be OK with the basic operation - am I wrong do you think there is a need for this?