Photographer's Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX3: Getting the Most from Panasonic's Versatile Digital Camera

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Photographer's Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX3: Getting the Most from Panasonic's Versatile Digital Camera Details

About the Author Alexander S. White is an amateur photographer, writer, and attorney. He lives near Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Clenise. He previously published Photographer's Guide to the Leica D-Lux 4. He also has co-authored several books about other current digital camera models. Read more

Reviews

I think Panasonic is up to the LX10 by now, and probably LX11 next month. Never fall for that kinda thing, whether it's a camera or a new update to your computer platform. Don't fix what ain't broke. The LX3 is just as adequate a camera as the LX10, and any of the LX series is better than any other point and shoot out there. In fact it's much more than a simple point and shoot, and with a Leica lens to boot.White does a pretty good job, primarily with organizing the information from the outset. The LX series has endless menus inside menus inside menus, with endless options. And White manages to organize it all into something readable. The factory manual (which is almost totally disorganized) does include yet more stuff but it's often so brief as to be incomprehensible in some places, and White writes a disclaimer stating that he doesn't cover everything to a T! Even so, and with particular respect to shooting RAW, there are lots of things that can't be done when shooting RAW format and White does mention a number of those instances.I followed along with my camera while reading this guide, checking on everything White describes. The guide is accurate and so I appreciated that, since lots of books are not--as one follows along one discovers that what's claimed to be there ain't there, whether the book is about one's camera or about a new program one just bought. I've been frustrated by a few books that leave out steps or skip over steps thereby bringing one to a complete standstill until one has figured out what went wrong, or that the author just doesn't really know. This is partly the fault of manufactures forever putting out new versions of software, usually with more decimal points to the right. In this case I did notice that the firmware in my camera is different from that in White's camera, but that affects the listing order of options in the main Recording Menu. Not White's fault. More importantly I otherwise noticed no difference in camera operation, regardless of firmware version. I've not even bothered to update. But if that happens to you don't freak. Just note the difference in order of options because that's all that's different near as I can tell. Or you might have the firmware update--2.2 or 2.02 available at Panasonic's website.This really is a guide or manual for the LX3 and not a "how to shoot great pictures" with the LX3, in the event anyone is looking for that. Nonetheless there are a number of examples of what can be done with the camera and how to do those things that do result in better photos. Course knowing one's equipment usually results in better photos.I didn't put five stars for two reasons: 1) because I can't fit this book in my LX backpack, in which I carry a number of accessories and the camera itself. I wish the book were more compact even thought I mostly get why it's not. There's an awful lot of info in it and making the book shorter would be difficult. Still, I'd settle for a smaller typeface if that would reduce the dimensions of the guide. Guides are items to carry with one when out shooting, and especially when the camera is as complex as the LX3, which is no simple point and shoot--unless you want it to be. That mode is available, but for just that one could spend a lot less money for a camera that would do what people who want only fully automatic require. Those people don't need this guide either; and 2) White mentions a website at which one can supposedly obtain a cable release, which Panasonic doesn't make for its point and shoots. Apparently, the business at the website no longer provides that item, nor, as far as I could see, any other item for Panasonic cameras. The reference to the website should be removed (and perhaps replaced with one that does carry such accessories).Anyway, excellent guide; buy it if you want to get the most out of your LX3.

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