Panasonic Lumix FZ200 the Users Guide Illustrated, part 2 - the iA and iA plus modes

[@luisv7117]

As mentioned in a previous video, I recently acquired a new camera to replace the one I had sold. After watching this video, I have developed a strong admiration for the camera. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Houghton for providing such a detailed and informative review. It is refreshing to see a review free from unnecessary distractions like background music. Your extensive knowledge on the subject is greatly appreciated, and thank you once again for sharing it with us.

[@peterhorsfall6934]

At last I discover the usefulness of blogs and videos, these tutorials are brilliant, if there was an honour for services to amateur photography it would be arise Sir Graham.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thank you Peter, really appreciated.

[@metta4110]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your easy to understand yet, comprehensive videos on the FZ200. I have had this camera for years but, never fully understood it's operation. Wish I had found these videos years ago. Thank you.

[@mikereed6293]

Hi Graham Bought your book from Amazon, delivered on Christmas eve. Once I opened the cover I could not put it down, Never realised the FZ200 had so much to offer. Thanks so much and tremendous value for money.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi thanks for the comment, the rule of thirds gridlines are set in the guideline menu on page 3 of the tools menu and it is the very first option of the 4 settings.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks Len for the comment. Actually the videos are posted with full creative commons licence so you can download the videos and do whatever with them. If they are used on other websites (and of lot of mine are appearing on all sorts of web pages I just ask that credit is given to me on that page ( but it doesn't often happen). I had seriously thought of producing an e-book covering a lot of this material but I'm not sure how large the demand would be for such a lot of extra work.

[@JohannGarrido]

I just bought this wonder of camera. I'm impressed the FZ200 is still awesome 5 five years later. Your videos have been very useful to fully understand the inner mechanics of the camera. And, thanks a lot for the e-book.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Appreciate the comment, thank you. The book doesn't exist, it is something I made in photoshop to act as the opening title for the series, sorry.

[@amberrain2073]

Mr. Houghton!! I hadn't had time to actually watch your video's in their entirety until today. I must say I am grateful as a newbie to photography!!! I read the manual bought beginner books and had all the new beginner frustrations. In you very first 2 video's I have learned more than I have in the past three months reading!! I feel like I am in class and I cant thank you enough for being so in depth with your explanations. Thank you a zillion times over !!!! The other wonderful thing I have found is you truly care about your viewers understanding and your responses! You are an awesome fellow.

[@robbieirlam414]

Will second your comment! Being somewhat technically challenged, as far as understanding manuals, I echo your sentiments Amber.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes, you are correct the flower symbol is indeed the macro mode with 1 metre to infinity focus at tele end and 0.01 to infinity at wide angle. The other option is to use the manual slide switch and use the semi auto mode of A if you are doing macro to get f8 for maximum depth of field or use program shift in P mode.

[@stevestephens8925]

So, I have had my DMC-FZ200 for 3 years and have been lost with all the multiple options on this camera. Thank you for making these videos on how to navigate the DMC-FZ200.

[@gcsmithbmc]

Hello Graham, I am very much enjoying your Illustrated User Manual series on the FZ200. There are so many options it is daunting to try to figure it all out. I appreciate the level of detail that you provide. Regarding your question about length of the video, I think 30 minutes for this topic was perfect. I like that you've split the series into manageable chunks. I've just completed Part 2 and I'll be moving on to Part 3 and beyond. Thanks again! Garland Smith

[@paajith]

Graham - your video is just awesome - bought the camera for a recent trip to europe and being a total amateur your videos helped me a lot.Thanks AJ

[@vinodshand]

Mr. Houghton, I really want to thank you a lot for your great demonstration on the usage of the camera. This is just part 2 of the lumix fz 200 series I am watching and I couldn't wait until next tutorial to thank you enough. Your demonstration skills are excellent. Thanks again.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks Richard, you make a good point there about stop and return to the video. The only problem uploading is the time it takes and if the upload fails, starting again. This one took 8 hours before it was uploaded and converted by KZbin.

[@hansschnieder993]

And I thought I knew my FZ200 after having used the FZ150 for a year! I can't thank you enough for your videos. Great job.

[@DjangoGypsy]

Hi Graham, i have just purchased the FZ200,as i am a complete novice my purchase was mainly due to your video series giving clear and concice tricks and shortcuts to getting good results. I have shot a whole day in IA and am very pleased with the results. I am currently working my way through the series to learn about manual settings and more creative work. Continued

[@lelanddavis3354]

I have viewed at least 10 of your videos and can't thank you enough. I purchased an after market written manual but it doesn't come close to helping one understand the various functions as well as your videos. I am an experienced photographer and have owned lots of other cameras. I am very impressed with the design of the FZ 200 but without your help it would have taken me a long time to figure out how to optimize its use.

[@labotamizer]

Your videos are the best I've seen in this sort of genre, so clear and not an um or er anywhere. Well done and thank you

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you, I really appreciate the time you have taken viewing the video and providing me with the feedback.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks Ed for the comment, the e-book would be an additional workload which would be very time consuming as well.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hello and thank you for your comment. The AE/AF lock facility is a useful one and one which I probably should include in an updated video. I was preparing one to include the AFS-AFF-AFC modes which again seem to be causing people some confusion so I might combine the two. thanks for the suggestion.

[@2cmrinhfx]

I am shocked that you don't have more subscribers. This has been beyond helpful (I am still learning what the heck the f settings actually mean and what aperture is). This was SO HELPFUL. Really looking forward to the 3rd video in this series. Excellent instructor!

[@johnbrus1780]

Graham Thanks again for posting these fabulously informative and consisely put together videos on the fz200. I am learning so much so quickly.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi yes the CSC does have a larger sensor and that potentially gives you a lower noise picture in low light however it does lack the all round convenience of the f2.8 FZ200 and its 24-600 zoom range. With CSC you will be limited to whatever zoom the attached lens has say the 14- 42 ( 28-84 equivalent) any longer means going to a 45-200 (90-200) and a lens change. The aperture is much slower too at f4 - f5.6. I like my G5 & GH3 CSC's but the FZ200 is my preferred camera for day to day shots.

[@caronlddpirjl]

I'm back. I must review. I didn't buy the FZ80 because I had so much trouble with the seller. But that's okay. I have so much to learn about my FZ200 and I'm finally trying to pay attention! Thank you, Mr. Graham.

[@cornusrugosa]

Thanks Graham. This video is easy to follow. The length is not an issue for me. I think that the video is easier to follow than an e-book.

[@ReneHorsthuis]

Thanx Graham for explaining the FZ200. Just upgraded myself from the TZ5 to this one. Got it for a week now and learning how to use this nice piece op equipement. I look forward to watch your other vids about this cam...

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks for the comment, I'm affraid B setting doesn't exist with the FZ200, thats reserved for the G and GH series of cameras. The remote control is universal so it has functions which aren't available on quite a few cameras

[@GG-ni1zj]

Sir Graham, Thanks for sharing your knowledge to others. You're such a good teacher. May God bless you more "n" more. 🙏🙏🙏

[@GrahamHoughton12]

..2 for macro consider getting a #1 and #2 close up lens by Hoya with 52mm filter thread. This will allow you to use the zoom settings and get closer to your image. I would get the "holster" type of bag if you just want a small bag as they give quicker access to the camera than conventional bags.

[@willjones1722]

HI Graham...bought this camera a few days ago and i find your videos very very helpful,more so than the manual...i am going through all your videos and really enjoying everything about this camera .....thanks to you i am slowly learning photography the way it should be taught...thank you so much and please keep these great videis coming.....billy

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi and many thanks for the comment, it is really appreciated.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Right, got you. You will need to go to A mode and set the aperture to f3.2 ( a little sharper than f2.8), set up the ISO to 400. You will need to observe the shutter speed that the camera calculates. If you are using the telephoto setting and its more than say x10 you must make sure the shutter speed is at least 1/125 and more zoom needs at least 1/250 second. You can get away with lower speeds if you time the shot to when the action is the least like at the top of a jump before coming back down

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi. This depends on the level of light available. In iA mode the camera has to provide an exposure and will attempt to give one with the lowest iso at f2.8 with a shutter speed that will prevent motion blur. If the 1/4 second (lowest 24mm hand held speed) can't be achieved it will then have to start to increase the iso until it can achieve the 1/4 sec. So you may see exposures of 1/4sec at iso 400/800/1600/3200/6400. If the light lower than this it reverts to ihandheldnite shot mode

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for the comment, the camera shooting the tutorial is the panasonic SD700 camcorder

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for the comment, I hope you enjoy your new camera and the rest of the video series.

[@donnasparks5931]

Graham - you're a star! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge - you really are a great teacher and I'm starting to understand my new camera better every time I watch one of your videos.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes the camera varies the power of the flash in preference to iso as this is the last adjustment the camera makes because of the noise issue

[@lizfortunato9226]

Graham,thank you for the quick reply.They were shot indoors, in a poorly lit area.I was using scene mode for sports & portrait.The kids who were performing double dutch & other jump rope tricks & were almost completely blurry but everyone else who was "still" watching them was clear. The majority of photos I will be taking will be indoors in a gym so the lighting is good. My main goal is to be able to get shots of my daughter when she is in the air or doing an intricate trick without the blur.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks, I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the series

[@yurisheptikita8971]

Hello Graham! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! It helps me a lot to discover the camera possibilities by watching your videos and applying right away. Gives the practice to my hands and eyes. Just can’t wait for next session.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thank you, I appreciate your comment. I do have a flickr account but don't use it that much now. I usually post interesting images now on facebook

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Annie many thanks for the vote of confidence in my tutorials, greatly appreciated.

[@barryv1314]

Graham, you have done an amazing job explaining the Z-200. I thank for your unselfish sharing.

[@cargobikeshark]

Hi Graham, Excellent video series so far. I thoroughly appreciate your detailed and concise approach. No, I don’t think part 2 was too long at all. Your timing with these videos is perfect, as I’m the new owner of a FZ200 going on three days now. Your early FZ200 videos were very helpful in deciding which camera was right for me. Thank you for assuming that your audience might be new too more manual modes of photography. I look forward to your next “missing manual” video. Cheers!

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you for both of your comments

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Brian, thanks for the comment and the feedback on the video length, appreciated.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you very much for the response, appreciated. Next video wikk the the P mode and will be up in a few days.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

The iDynamic mode appears to be a more advanced version of iExposure, capable of reducing both blocked shadows and clipped highlights. In terms of improving image contrast it will have very little effect. It is a very limited attempt to increase the dynamic range of the intensities captured by the sensor by allowing the shadows to be lightened and highlights darkened. The Contrast parameter in the photostyle will have more direct effect, choose Vivid and add +2 contrast if you want more bite!

[@brianjordan3067]

Graham, As always excellent and very helpful information. As to the length of the video I have no problem with it being this long - it doesn't have to be watched in one go after all.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you the video will upload tonight for the AE/AF and focus modes. I used to have sony alpha cameras however I switched to Nikon and the Canon so it wouldn't be possible to do tutorials for this series of cameras.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi, Peter thanks for the comment. Really depends on the location for your shoots and the size of the finished prints. Indoors you will need additional lighting to enable the Fz200 to stand a chance of getting an exposure which will use iso 400 or less. Outdoors you should have no problem producing work up to 12x10 inch prints if you keep to the iso 100-200 rule. The D3100 has a slower lens but the larger sensor is a little more forgiving with noise.

[@MrTheMink]

Hi, just a quick THANK YOU asI've just got this little beauty and its so diffrnt from my last Finepix camera and the pdf is not straightforward, your time and effort (and style!) are much appreciated.

[@nigelackroyd7991]

Absolutely fantastic. Graham ur a star. Just got my very first camera the fz200 and ur videos are so clear and helpful. The detail is brilliant thankyou so much :-)

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hello Anne, this technique is a useful feature and yes you turn on the forced flash and then you can adjust the amount of flash output power to balance the daylight. to do this you need to go to Flash adjust on page 5 of the Rec menu. Here you can reduce the flash power by 2 complete stops ( or boost it if needed for against the sun shots) You can also use a single layer of paper tissue to reduce and soften the light from the flash - this gives some more natural lighting as well.

[@MediaStreamTV1]

Great contribution to the usefulness of the entire Lumix line. I don't have the FZ200, but several others (FZ150, FZ70, ZS19). After recently purchasing the mediocre FZ70 just for the long 60X lense, I couldn't find any decent videos of menu structure explanations. I've always been amazed that Video/Photo manufacturers release products with minimal user guides using their own technology. If you are manufacturing books, then a PDF would be a logical training medium.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

The background de focus aperture setting is changed by pressing in the rear thumbwheel and then rotating to the right gives smaller aperture. Backlight compensation cannot be accessed whilst in th iA mode. Hope that helps.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I will need to test this out, will be on a shoot this weekend so i will let you know but I usually shoot aperture priority mode F4 and iso 100 and let the camera decide the shutter speed. Never use auto iso.

[@anniebell4193]

Hi Graham. I just wanted to thank you for these tutorials, they are amazing, and you should get paid from panasonic!! I used your FZ150 series but due to damaging that camera I have now got the FZ200. I thought I would check your site to see if you had done anything and am so pleased to have found these. I am only on number 3 but already I have learned so much. so thank you again. and I look forward to whatever you do next!

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes all digital cameras save the camera settings in the EXIF file and it is embedded in the jpeg image. You can see basic info by using windows explorer, use right click, select properties the go to the details tab to see this info. Photofunstudio software (came with camera) gives you more information and there are a few free file viewers on the web which will also reveal all the EXIF data

[@GrahamHoughton12]

They are usable but the decline starts at 400. It, as usual, depends upon the amount of shadow detail. It is always better to over expose the low light shots and recover the mid tones in post processing - like lightroom as this keeps the noise down. It is easier to pull detail from shadows as this is where we would normally want to see detail, we become accustomed to seeing blown highlight detail in everyday life anyway i think.

[@paulmoss4199]

Thanks Graham, I wondered why I couldn't find it on Amazon! I actually have the FZ150 which I bought last summer. I was a bit dissapointed that the FZ200 came out so soon after I had bought the FZ150. Anyway, I am very happy with it and have learnt a great deal from your videos, many thanks.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

HI Jack. Yes the camera does 50(60)p or 50(60)i at both full HD and 720p. The MP4 is as you suggest at 25(30)p I guess they wanted to retain the highest image and motion smoothness quality in 28Mbps so AVCHD was the obvious choice producing smaller files sizes. MP4 is there for those users who can't edit avchd on their pc's.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks for the comment, enjoy the camera and I hope you find the rest of the series beneficial

[@DebErney]

These video's are such a help to me in learning my z200. You did an excellent job and have given me all kinds of options for using my new camera. Thank you!!

[@razorgit]

brilliant. thank you for taking the time to make these videos, they have helped me so much! after buying an fz330 i was starting to regret buying it as i couldnt get my head around its functions.(first camera after my phone) now im starting to have some fun with it thanks to you. 5* thanks again!

[@tyronegulleful]

Even if the video exceeds 30mins or an hour or 2hours, i wont mind, because this series is so informative for fz200 users like me.

[@awilmot2003]

omg Graham this is amazing thank you thank you .i just watched video about ia and iaplus.i have the FZ70 and i take nice pictures but this being my first camera love it.i was lost learning .this has helped me so much ..woo hooo..i'm finally learning my setting

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I will be doing more with the FZ200 once i can get the kitchen finished so I will include this for you.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

The x50 is tempting but the IQ is going to be affected by atmospheric and heat haze on longer shots plus the hand held shots will take some holding to get sharp images.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you very much for the great comment, really appreciated.

[@inmishigan]

Thank you so much for the education on the FZ-200. You make learning about it easy!

[@luisv7117]

I didn't know that I can adjust the kelvins in this camera, super great incredible review

[@RandTx]

Experimenting last night.. Had some surprizing reults using IA+ mode with the built in flash, wihile zoomed and macro zoomed. moving the depth of field slider from the default F2.8 end to the F8 end did not increase the ISO. Depth of field was outstanding!. I was expecting it to raise the ISO to compensate for the smaller apeture, but it remained the same. For instance, with the flash, zoomed from 10x - 48x at about 5 feet, both F2.8 and F8 both returned a125 SS at 100 ISO.

[@PuppetMiester]

Hello Graham Your videos are brilliant, presented in a way even a novice like myself can understand. The other camera I'm considering is a DSLR - the Nikon D3100 . I mostly photograph our dogs, portraits of friends and family. If you have any thoughts as to which camera would be the best choice I would welcome any comments you care to make. Your video series is a true labor of love the comments and numbers certainly confirm how many people you have educated and helped. Cheers Peter

[@JayVee73]

Thank you so much, also for your book. Coming from the FZ-18 where the IA mode always was just the right option (Airshows), I feel now confident with the FZ200 to shoot also on IA but also on scene modes, such as panning. I'm looking forward to the photographic adventures your book will lead me to. I also purchased a (2nd hand) DSLR with a 500mm lens which I sold again due to the fact that I need to be able to capture the moment (airshow) and don't have the time for perfect setup, alignment, shutterspeed, or aperture adjustments. I've always felt the IA mode was my partner in getting that perfect photo. Leaving that path behind wille be quite an adventure, and I'm sure I'll still be using the IA and IA+ mode often. With guidelines from your book, I'll give all other options a chance, and am particularly interested in the best possible Depth Of Field without ruining the image with motion blur. For propellor planes, the blur is, on the other hand, the goal. Looking forward to it. And thanks again for your book and guidelines.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you for the comment. I will be updating the series very soon with more information on the AF modes of AFS-AFF and AFC as well as the AE/AF lock mode

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you, you will be pleased to hear I am about to do a completely new series of "how to" videos around the FZ200 showing users how to get the best from the FZ200

[@GrahamHoughton12]

You need to visit adobe's web site and download the latest camera raw plug in for CS6 which supports the FZ200. IF not you can always download the free Adobe DNG ( digital negative convertor) and convert the files to TIFF and the edit them in CS6 ( that's what i do as my version of CS doesn't support the upgrade)

[@14091977jam]

Sempre que me esqueço das coniguraçoes seus tutorias me salvam, obrigada

[@Sunshinelover9999]

Hi Graham, Thank you so much for these videos! I am gradually working my way through them. I bought the FZ200 2 weeks ago - my first ever non-compact camera. I was undecided whether to take the plunge into a more advanced camera, because I wasn't sure I would use it properly, but your videos convinced me to take the plunge! (no pressure then!) They are great, Thanks! :-) B

[@terryshoemaker8570]

Thank you so much so now I know much more about my new camera and IA+ which looked as a mistery to me. All the best from France

[@RichardHannam]

Hi Graham. 29 mins is fine especially as, arguably, these modes are fundamental to appreciating all of the cameras capabilities which, later, can be managed more specifically in manual modes. On a separate note, have you considered making & selling a DVD of the series? As many of us know, Panasonic manuals are notorious for their complexity & a visual demo of their products is always welcome.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi thanks for the comment. "P" mode is the next video due in the series so hopefully you will have a better understanding of its aim and how to get the best results using it. I will be covering all the topics you have raised.

[@missskybird]

Thank you Graham. I have managed to sort it out lol! Thank you for the wonderful tutorials they are very helpful to those of us who are just getting acquainted with the wonderful FZ200.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for letting me know, appreciated.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thanks for the feedback, appreciate the comment

[@jillidee]

Love these videos...have upgraded and expected to find similar for Canon ESO 700D....but nothing! So disappointed as your video helped me enormously when I had a Lumix!!!

[@dodgecarro]

Obrigado Graham ! tenho aprendido usar a minha Panasonic FZ 200, Graças a você. - BRASIL

[@ccsw1537]

Very clear and helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to the rest of the tutorials.

[@PuppetMiester]

Hi Graham, That makes it easy I'll pick up a little card reader. However, to format the card while it's within the camera is a series of steps not included in the manual. Some of the reviewers on Amazon explain a short cut. Looking forward to learning more from your video's - this time with camera in hand. Thank's again ~ Peter

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes the format option is a little deep in the menu, in the iA mode yo have to goto replay mode to do it set it which is the one which fools everyone at first

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi Roelof, if you click on my name it should take you to the home page. Here I have a playlist with all the Fz200 videos I have produced. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

In auto the camera generally uses a wide aperture and a fast shutter speed. So in you semi auto modes like P the camera will give the same results but not influenced by scene type. In the A mode if you stay with F4 generally in good light even with iso 100 the shutter speed will be adequate to give sharp images. If you could give information on the mode and types of pictures i might be able to help you more

[@jaynefarmer1]

thank you so much, love my camera even more now that I understand how to make full use of what it offers

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you Jayne, glad you found the content of the videos useful

[@GrahamHoughton12]

thank you, your comment is appreciated.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Hi I can't ever make the choice for you, only point out some of the strengths and weaknesses of each model. The bridge camera has many convenient features in one body like the full zoom range of 24 to 600mm. To achieve this with the 5100 you would have to buy a range of lenses and the longest focal length would cost many times the cost of the FZ200. Lightweight, the D5100 is a heavier camera to carry around. Video quality is better with the FZ200. Stills at higher iso are better with the d5100.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thanks again for the comments.

[@Bimboberg]

Thanks Graham for instruction. Never had a camera, start with this. Helped me a lot , so far. Greetings from Germany Elmar

[@ArabsBerlin]

Dear Graham, I went through your first video and found it very good, when I saw the second one at 30 mintues length and covering the Menu I thought "rubbish, I can go through the Menu in 2 minutes myself".. After having been through your 30 mintues Video, I am sooooo grateful for it, excellent simple explenations whith examples on what to do when and why this or that is for. What use are all the tools if you dont know what to use them for! Great Video, looking forward the the next ones. Thank you very much for this work.

[@wirralbonsaithelad8846]

Hi Graham I have solved my issue with the Motion Picture setting in the Intelligent Auto Mode You need to have a MEMORY CARD INSTALLED before you can adjust the settings to the Rec mode and Quality mode thanks Jim thelad