Category Archives: Lens

Panasonic Lumix G9 with the 200mm Leica f/2.8 and 2X teleconverter

February 2, 2018 by sverma | 0 Comments

Tricolored Heron Reflected – Exposure triad: f/5.6, 1/1600 sec at ISO 640. Focal length 800mm (Full Frame equivalent)

Last week at the Florida Space Coast Wildlife and Birding Festival this image was shot hand-held using the new Lumix G9 and the Leica 200mm lens with the 2X Teleconverter. What I really love is the ability to handhold this combination, yes 800mm equivalant, for the entire morning.  The image stabilization is exceptional and the lens performs great.  Mind you the lens I was using is a pre production sample and I am sure when I have the production version, it will be even better.  In addition, what is truly great about the G9 is the way it renders color – it’s just fantastic!

Also posted in Mirrorless, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography Tagged , , |

Space Coast Wildlife & Birding Festival – Day 1

January 24, 2018 by sverma | 0 Comments

Great Blue Heron in early morning light. Lumix G9 with the Leica 100 – 400 at 528 mm eq. Exposure Triad: f/8, 1/320 sec ISO 800

It was a gorgeous 84 degree day yesterday when I arrived in Titusville for the Space Coast Festival but this morning it was a cold 51 degrees.  This rapid change is no good for bird photography as most of the birds were hunkered down in the mangroves.  The few that braved the cold were mostly way out of reach even with an 800 mm equivalent lens.

These are a few decent images albeit severely cropped.  Now for the good news – the new Leica 200 mm f/2.8 arrived and I have just unpacked it.  Will give this lens a shot tomorrow morning.

Snowy Egret. Lumix G9 with the Leica 100 – 400 at 800mm eq. Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/6400 sec ISO 400

 

Spoonbills and Great Egret. Lumix G9 with the Leica 100 – 400 at 800mm eq. Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/2000 sec ISO 200

 

Spoonbill Preening. Lumix G9 with the Leica 100 – 400 at 800mm eq. Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/1000 sec ISO 200

Also posted in Lumix Leica 100-400 mm, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 Prime Lens and Teleconverters Announced

November 8, 2017 by sverma | 0 Comments

Press release:

The New Compact, Lightweight Ultra Telephoto Lens with POWER O.I.S. For Handheld 400mm Equivalent Ultra-Telephoto Shooting

November 8, 2017 (Newark, NJ) – Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is proud to introduce a new telephoto single focal length lens, the LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. (35 mm camera equivalent: 400 mm). The LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. is the first large-diameter ultra-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a name of LEICA DG. It boasts sharpest-ever image quality from corner to corner in the history of LUMIX digital interchangeable lenses. Featuring high mobility in a compact, lightweight design, it also realizes handheld ultra-telephoto shooting.

With its 400mm ultra telephoto focal length and stunning descriptive performance, the LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. is suitable for wildlife or sports photography. The 1.4x Teleconverter (DMW-TC14) is bundled*1 to extend the focusing distance to 560mm (35mm camera equivalent) for close-up shots.

The fast F2.8 aperture lets you capture fast-moving subjects while the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively compensates for hand-shake movement, making it easy to shoot even without a tripod or in low-lit situations. The lens works with Dual I.S.*2 (Image Stabilizer) and Dual I.S. 2.0*3 system when mounted on the compliant Panasonic LUMIX DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) cameras for more powerful hand-shake suppression.
Clearing the stringent quality standard of LEICA, the lens is comprised of 15 elements in 13 groups, featuring two UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses. The use of UED lenses and Panasonic cutting-edge optical technology achieve high resolution, high contrast image from corner to corner while suppressing distortion and chromatic aberration.

Incorporating a triple linear motor system and max.240 fps sensor drive, the new LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. achieves high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system for both photo and video recording. This stunning AF performance is excellent to record 4K video, where precise focusing is required. In addition, the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section helps the camera smoothly catch up to brightness changes when panning.

It boasts a rugged, dust/splash-proof design and are even freeze-proof down to -10℃ (14 degrees F) to withstand professional use under harsh conditions. Offered in sharp, metallic black color, it stylishly matches the LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) cameras.
The LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. can also be used with the 2.0x Teleconverter DMW-TC20 (sold separately), which extends the focusing distance to 800mm (35mm camera equivalent) to capture subjects at a greater distane.

*1 The 1.4x Teleconverter (DMW-TC14) is also sold separately as an optional accessory.
*2 Dual I.S. is available on GX8, GX80/85
*3 Dual I.S. 2.0 is available on GH5, G9, G80/81/85
•Some functions of H-ES200 cannot be used with DC-GH5. The firmware for DC-GH5 to fully comply with H-ES200 is scheduled to be released by the end of March, 2018.
•Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
•LEICA is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
•ELMARIT is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

The new ELMARIT 200mm lens and accessories will be available in early January 2018. The lens with the 1.4x teleconverter MSRP will be $2,999.99 and the optional 2x teleconverter is $599.99.

Also posted in Mirrorless, News, Panasonic, Photography

Out of Acadia

October 15, 2017 by sverma | 2 Comments

This is a late post but never the less the Out of Acadia conference was spectacular.  Over a hundred participants and multiple instructors made the event a great success.  Between leading excursions and doing classes there was not much time to do a lot of photography but this was photographed on the last day at Little Hunters Beach.  Given the shape of the cove and the direction of the sunrise, one has to wait for the light to hit is peninsula.

I used my new Leica 12 – 60 mm with the GH5 that I am loving more and more – particularly with Version 2.1 of the firmware update.  Exposure triad: ISO 200, f/7.1, 6 sec at 12mm (24mm equivalent). Benro filter holder with a polarizer and 4 stop ND and a grad.

The image below is the same converted to B&W using Capture One 10.

Also posted in Black & White, Blur, GH5, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography, Workshops

Lumix GH5 Image Stabilization

July 31, 2017 by sverma | 2 Comments

 

Big Red Lighthouse, Holland State Park, Holland, MI.

This image was captured last night July 30, 2017 at 9:45.  Panasonic had sent me the relatively new 12 – 60 mm f/2.8 – F/4 Leica lens to show at SWMCCVC so I decided to take it out for a test.  The lens is absolutely amazing but what is more amazing is the GH5 and it Dual IS II when combined with this lens.  I tried this shot by holding the camera and framing the image using the articulating screen.  I did not get very good results so I brought the camera up to my eye and used the EVF.  The extra anchor of my face worked.  The lens was at 34 mm (68 mm FF equivalent). The exposure triad is f/3.8, 1 sec at ISO 200.  I was not very sure if this was going to work but it sure did.  Post processed to correct the horizon, pull back the highlights and open up the shadows a little.

Also posted in GH5, Mirrorless, Night Photography, Panasonic, Photography Tagged , , |

“Refugees Welcome”

July 12, 2017 by sverma | 0 Comments

Refugees Welcome

After a lot of debate I decided to title this image “Refugees Welcome”.  In the past 6 months the topic of refugees has been dominant in the news. With Canada as one of the countries that has openly welcomed refugees, I felt this image represented the statement appropriately.  The concrete totems can be viewed as either emerging or going into the St. Lawrence river in Northern Quebec.

A little back story on this image:  we had picked a number of location to photograph this morning but the incessant rain messed up our plans.  So we stopped for a second breakfast and more coffee.  – Well one just cant keep sitting in a restaurant for ever so I decided to get this image rain or no rain.  It was pouring but I had my GH5 with the 12 – 35 mm f/2.8 (version 1) lens attached.  I wanted to slow the shutter down so as to prevent capturing the water drops splashing on the water but was not going to venture back to the car to get my ND filters.  I had my polarizer on so I closed down the aperture to f/18 that was enough to give me a shutter speed of 60 seconds at ISO 100  – yes it was quite dark and miserable.  I held my hand over the front of the lens to prevent rain from ruining the image.  The camera and lens were soaked but I got the image.  I am convinced, first hand – the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is great in the rain.  One day I might consider doing a dust test – Africa or India would be great for that.

The following images are ones I have already posted on Facebook but wanted to include them as a record of the trip to Northern Quebec and New Brunswick over the 4th of July weekend 2017.

 

 

Himalayan Blue Poppy – Lumix GH5 with the Lumix Vario 30mm macro. Exposure triad f/2.8, 1/400 sec, ISO 400.

 

Potato Field – New Brunswick. Panasonic Lumix G7 IR converted, Lumix Vario 14 – 140 mm. lens.

 

Fields of New Brunswick. Panasonic Lumix G7 IR converted, Lumix Vario 14 – 140 mm. lens.

 

Northern Gannet Pointing

Also posted in Infrared, Lighting, Lumix Leica 100-400 mm, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography Tagged , , |

The GH5 continues to excel

May 23, 2017 by sverma | 0 Comments

With the exception of the last three years we typically go to Damariscotta Maine to photograph the Osprey fishing for alewives.  The main reason for not going was the decline in activity.  However we did spend this past weekend in a lovely B&B – The Mill Pond Inn in Nobleboro.  It is a great place and has two of the finest hosts.

My main purpose was to test out the GH5 for its tracking capability and the Dual IS 2 function.  Both these images were shot with the GH5  and the Leica 100 – 400 lens, hand-held.  Exposure was set to “Manual” and the ISO was set on Auto.  The focus was set to 1 Area and reduced to its smallest size.  All images processed using Capture One Pro, version 10

I intentionally left the shutter speed slow so as to get a lot of motion in the wings and to have the water droplets streak.  I panned this shot keeping the 1 Area on the bird’s eye.

Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/200 sec, ISO 200. 800 mm (FF equivalent)

As we waited for more action (that never happened) a Bald Eagle flew by in the distance and finally landed on a tree on the far bank.  I knew that the bird was just to far to get a decent shot but I wanted to see what I could get irrespective.  Once again this was hand held.  I did increase the shutter speed to 1/1600 sec and the lens was out at 800 mm (FF equivalent).

This next image is the un-cropped version.

No Crop applied. Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/1600 sec, ISO 500. 800 mm (FF equivalent)

The next image is a crop at 1400 by 1050 pixels:

Cropped version. Exposure Triad: f/6.3, 1/1600 sec, ISO 500. 800 mm (FF equivalent)

#LumixLounge #wherelumixgoes #lumixusa #lumixGH5 #gh5 #birdphotography#birds #africa #wildlifephotography

Also posted in Lumix Leica 100-400 mm, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Panning, Photography Tagged , , , , , , , |

GH5 with Leica 12-60mm at Shutterfest

May 5, 2017 by sverma | 0 Comments

This was one of my very first images captured with the GH5 using the Leica 12 – 60 lens while the model was being prepped.  The image is a jpg capture in sRGB.  Click on the image to view it larger.

Also posted in Lighting, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography, Portraits Tagged , , , , , |

Aquatic Birds of Florida

February 16, 2017 by sverma | 0 Comments

Before I say anything, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not a videographer.  I captured these clips while I was in Florida during the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, late January 2017.  All these were captured during my photo walks/drives in Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island.  The primary purpose was to tryout the “In Body Image Stabilization” aka IBIS of the Panasonic Lumix G85 camera body.  The camera was used with the Leica 100 – 400 mm lens at its full extension that is an equivalent of 800 mm (most of the time).  All footage was captured hand-held and in many instances during high winds and rain.  

It is important to note, that all the footage was captured before Panasonic released two major firmware updates, one of the camera and the other for the lens.  What this means is that the Dual IS function was not in effect when these videos were captured.  

I was very impressed with the performance of this camera and lens combination and will be doing a comparison to see the impact of the new firmware when I am at the next conference in St. Augustine in April.

To see the video in 4K please CLICK HERE to be directed to YouTube

 

Also posted in Lumix Leica 100-400 mm, Mirrorless, Panasonic, Video, Workshops Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Panasonic GX85 with the Leica 100 – 400mm lens

July 2, 2016 by sverma | 0 Comments

I received my GX85 a few days ago but yesterday was the first opportunity to try it out.  The GX85 with the Leica 100-400 is a superb combination.  Both these images are considerable crops.  There are two recently fledged Downy Woodpeckers, a male and a female who frequent the back yard.  I am most impressed with the detail from the GX85 (no anti-aliassing filter) and excellent image stabilization.

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Hand-held at 400mm, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/160 sec

 

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Hand-held at 318mm, IS0 1600, f/5.7, 1/1000 sec

Also posted in Lumix GX85, Lumix Leica 100-400 mm, Mirrorless, Noise Reduction, Panasonic, Photographs, Photography