Review

Getting the FZ1000 working as I like cameras to work is just as difficult as a DSLR.  Fortunately, I have used Panasonic cameras for a long time and I have a good understanding of the menu system.  The previous post looked at the basic settings; this one concentrates more on custom settings or the more obscure options.  I won’t cover jpeg only options as I am a raw shooter.

External controls

Zoom lever

The zoom lever around the shutter release button can be set either to zoom the lens or to act as a dedicated exposure compensation control. I am experimenting with it set to control exposure compensation because I am more used to a two dial set up. I don’t like the lever as much as a proper dial but it does work.

Zoom ring

Having set the zoom lever to control zoom means the zoom ring around the lens barrel has to be used to change focal length. This is a fly-by-wire ring rather than a mechanical zoom and is typically slower and less precise than a mechanical ring.  The zoom lever is quicker for some reason and I may eventually end up using that for zooming but for now that is not available so I will do my best with the zoom ring.  I have found that having it set to stepped rather than continuous zoom is quicker. In this mode the ring acts more like a jog switch – slight twist moves the lens to next preset focal length.  I’ll have to practise with this a while to make my mind which setting is the least irritating.

FN1 button

This is the function button just behind the shutter release. I have set it to ISO sensitivity.

FN2 button

I have left this to the default wifi

FN3

I have left this as Quick menu.

Currently I have left the Quick menu at its default preset option, which displays a lot of options. Too many for field use and I’ll customise this once I’m more familiar with using the camera.

FN4

I have set this to aspect ratio. Not everyone bothers changing in-camera aspect ratios in the field but I consider this an important composition aid. I wish there was a dedicated control for this like on the LX100.   I’ll explain why I think direct control over aspect ratio in the field is so important in a later post.

FN5

I have set the spirit level indicator on this button. I don’t like to see the level cluttering the screen permanently but it is useful on occasion.

Menu settings

Camera shooting menu

Burst mode

I set this to M as I don’t do much “spray and pray” shooting and I like the viewfinder to keep up with frame rate so I can see what I am photographing in real time.

Auto bracket

With recent low noise, wide dynamic range sensors there is little need to bracket to blend images for HDR. Because I usually review each image immediately to check exposure I can usually pick up on mistakes and re-shoot. However, for the rare occasions this is not possible it is sometimes useful to have a rapid fire autobracket capability. I set 3 shots +/- 1 stop which is the maximum step.  For the extreme amongst you, you can set up to 7 shots but that is too much for me.

Shutter type

With my G6 and G7 cameras I use the electronic shutter unless I am shooting flash when the mechanical shutter is needed.  I could never work out how the auto setting worked on those cameras – it didn’t seem to do what I expected so I didn’t use it.  I’m going to give it a go on the FZ1000 and see whether it is any better.

Flash

Because of the leaf shutter, the FZ1000 is more flexible for flash use – you should be able to synch with any mechanical shutter speed.  I will explore the flash opportunities of this camera later and write it up in a post. For now I’m leaving it on the defaults.

Extended ISO

I’ve switched this on just to see what the extra settings offer.

Long shutter noise reduction

Many cameras can shoot a second exposure when long exposure times are used.  This is a “dark frame” and provides a reference frame for dark current noise. The camera can use this to deduct this noise from the real frame. However, it doubles exposure times (which may be very long already). I’ve left it switched off for now as I don’t know whether I will be shooting long exposures on this camera. My experience with G series cameras so far has put me off Lumix cameras for shooting long exposures. I’ve had better results with my DSLR. But this is a Sony sensor, so maybe it will be better!

Spanner/wrench C menu

AF/AE Lock

I have set the function of the back button to back button AF on just so I can play with this mode of working.

All the AF options

I’ve set all these of OFF

AF+MF 

This is ON so I can get magnification for manual focus

MF Assist

I have set this to turn on when the focus ring is used or the left arrow key on the thumb pad.

Peaking

I’ve turned this on

Histogram

I’ve always had the preview histogram on but thinking about it, zebras might have made this redundant. I might switch it off.

Spanner/wrench menu

Beep 

Off

Live view mode 

60 fps in case this makes a difference!

All the other settings

I may get around to playing with these at some point.

Index to FZ1000 articles

• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 diary: FZ1000 on safari – a very overdue conclusion… the good, the bad and the ugly
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 diary: Image quality @400mm wide open vs Fuji X-E1 (APS-C)
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 diary: Image quality @400mm wide open vs G7
• Taking the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 for a walk in the park (Beckenham Place Park)
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 handling part 2: shooting at 300mm (equivalent) vs G7 plus 45-150mm
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 handling test
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 set up – Part 2
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 – first stab at set up
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 Day 1 – First impressions
• Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 1″ type sensor superzoom bridge camera now £428