Issa Irasga : I Am What I See: Lumix LX5

Friday, March 16, 2012

Mr. Grasshopper

I never tried to take Macro shots on insects before, maybe because I am too impatient to capture these kind of subject. Yesterday afternoon, when I went outside the house, I saw this grasshopper on top of the clothes hanger. So, what to do? Sayang naman, because I don't get to be as near as the grasshopper all the time, I got my cam and took a few shots with this little thing. One function that I really like about my Lumix LX5, is its macro feature. Yes, other digicams have their macro feature as well, but not as superb and sharp as the LX5. I don't know why I am such an advocate of this compact camera, so far, this has never disappointed me.

It's really handy and with relatively the same quality of DSLRs (I already mentioned this to my previous LX5 post: Pimping my Lumix LX5) . I am quite impressed with its functionality, but this does not stop me from using DSLR though. Further pimping of my LX5 will be coming up, since tatay will be buying me a Lumix Dedicated Flash and Viewfinder. Looking forward have it with me at the end of the month. Wee!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Pimping my Lumix LX5!

Panasonic Lumix LX5

I have been using Panasonic's Lumix LX5 Compact Camera for almost a year now. It's a great alternative for an intro level DSLR, minus the bulk. I prefer to bring this when I'm out during events, outings, family gathering etc. It can capture great images, so why settle for the heavier one. hehe With its maximum aperture opening of f 2.0 it can still capture great images under low light conditions without even popping out the flash. Anyway, I didn't realize its full potential not until one of my cousins, who is a Lumix owner himself, showed me his accessories. And yeah, I am but impressed, I might not want to use my DSLR ever again. haha just kidding. But, I mean really... seriously.

Dragon Fly - Photo by my cousin Sonny Tekiko (Using Lumix LX5 with macro converter lens with minor post processing)

Ok, I must admit, after seeing this image, I really wanted to buy the macro converter lens, he bought it at an online seller here in Philippines for not more that 600 php. How cool is that?! Macro lens owners might cry when they see this photos because the lens itself is much expensive than the camera being used with this images. He said that most of the professional photographers that he know, owns an LX5, whether for back up purposes or personal use.

Excited to pimp up my cam, for a start I bought an Auto Lens cap. With these on, I will no longer be removing the cap ever again as it automatically opens by itself as you turn the unit on.

With the auto lens cap

with auto lens cap (side view)

So this is how it looks like when turned on, if it is turned off the cap just retracts by itself. How much does this thing cost? I bought it at the Nikon Store in Gaisano Mall of Davao for 995 php, they are the official distributor for Panasonic/Lumix accessories. Quite expensive though, but it can protect your unit from damaging the lens especially if there are times that we tend to forget to put the cap back on.

Top: side view; Bottom: Front view

Lens Adapter and Auto Lens Cap

Another accessory that I bought (or my father bought for me) was a lens adapter. Since LX5's lens opens up when in use, you are sometimes uncertain of its protection, so to ensure that your lens is safe and sound, a lens adapter could be attached, together with a lens filter. This can be bought at the Nikon Store as well for 550 php. Lens filter costs at around 150-200 php. When using this one, you can no longer use the auto lens cap, so remove it first.