Setting up the Panasonic FZ300 Part 1 Accessories

FZ300  No problem with the high subject brightness range when the original file is  a RAW.
Like many others these people appear to have come to Sydney in order to peer intently at their smart phones.

The FZ300  is an advanced model which can be configured to suit an individual photographer’s preferences. 

This is a wonderful thing but it does require the user to make many choices.

This series of posts is designed to help the new or no-so-new FZ300 user make the most of the camera’s considerable capabilities.

Accessories

In no particular order here are some hints about accessories.

* Follow the prompts from ‘Support” on any main regional Panasonic website and download the PDF  Operating Instructions for Advanced Features.

This 363 page document contains a wealth of information and is easy to navigate with the jump icons provided.

The answer to most questions can be found in there somewhere.

* Carry bag.  I use and recommend the Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 10. I remove the rain cover as it takes up space which I want for spare batteries.  This bag provides a nice fit for the camera with space in the front pocket for 2 spare batteries, microfiber cloth and several memory cards.

* Batteries.  Battery life is highly dependent on usage patterns. I have been able to capture 800 RAW+JPG shots on one battery in a day’s outing provided that  I do not chimp shots on the monitor and do not use flash.

I have found both Panasonic and aftermarket brands are satisfactory although I get more shots from the genuine Panasonic ones.

* Memory cards. Page 29 of the Operating Instructions details which cards are required for various service requirements.

* Neck strap. One of these is supplied. I leave mine in the box and attach a slimline budget wrist strap to the right side D bracket.

I feel like a dork if I walk around with the camera on a neck strap. In addition doing so can accidentally bump the dioptre wheel, buttons and dials.

* The lens takes standard 52mm screw in filters. I always fit the best protect filter I can find. Top of the range B+W or Hoya HD models are fine. They protect the front element of the lens and I have never dected any loss of image quality.

* Outdoors I also always deploy the lens hood.  There are two little notches on the near rim of the hood. I fill these with liquid paper applied with a toothpick. This makes the bayonet fitting a little easier by providing an easily visible guide.

FZ300

* The finger pads on the front of lens cap are slippery. I roughen them with coarse sandpaper so they are easier to grip.  Some owners use a small piece of coarse self adhesive material here.

* Night time photos means long exposure times so if these are contemplated a tripod and Shutter Remote RSL1 or equivalent might be required.  Timer delay can be substituted for the remote cable.

The camera is very suitable for night shots as the longest shutter speed available is 60 seconds, much longer than other small sensor cameras can offer.

* The FZ300 is also compatible with a teleconverter lens LT55, close up lens LC55 and the adapter LA7.

An external microphone MS2 is available.

The FZ300 enables extensive flash control including multiple wireless off camera flash units if desired.

These optional accessories are described on pages 213 and 318-319 of the Instructions.

I have no experience with the accessory lenses and flash units.