Tuesday 11 January 2011

HS-10 (HS-20 EXR) Lens At Full Zoom

Update : There is now a second part to this with examples at full wide (24 mm)

HS-10 (HS-20 EXR) Lens At Full Wide

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When I first heard about the HS-10, my main attraction to it was the 24 mm wide end and the fact it shot Raw.

I thought a 30 X zoom was a little 'gimmicky', and also thought I would use it little.

In fact, of the 9,669 Jpeg images images I have shot, to date, it turns out that about 33 percent have been shot at full wide (24 mm), and 32 percent have been at full 30 X zoom - 720 mm.

On one forum I participate in, there a couple of folk who continually say the HS-10 lens is 'soft' at full zoom. If I use the camera correctly, I have never found this.

I should also point out that those folk don't actually use the camera. Just 'shit stirring' as we Ozzies like to say. I would say 'excuse the French' but it's not French, it's Ozzie and we are proud of our linguistic culture.

So, anyway, the new HS-20 EXR has been announced and will be available at the end of March. It does not share the same sensor as the HS-10, but it does share the same lens. I thought I would show a few examples of what might be expected from the lens on the HS-20 EXR, at full zoom.

First, here is my actual focal length usage chart for all my HS-10 Jpeg's, to date.




And here are a few images which are representative of what I use full zoom for. These were all shot as Jpeg, have all been sharpened and have had some degree of editing. They are also in chronological order.

However, a tripod was not used for any of them - All were shot hand held.

Note : Clicking on any image will take you to a larger size. The Exif information is available at the larger size





























This next image was shot at full zoom and also with a 2 X teleconverter attached. Equivalent focal length is 1,440 mm.












For an index of all posts relating to the HS-10, click here



Cheers


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18 comments:

  1. I love the last pic. it just looks so messy :P

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  2. Ralph, Hi.

    Thanks.

    LOL. Yes, it was messy. I even came back covered in mud.

    Cheers.

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  3. Great series of pictures, Dave.You did a very good job with the full zoom.

    Pokkrong

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  4. Pokkrong, Hi.

    Many thanks. Good camera helps.

    Cheers.

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  5. Hi, What ISO's were these taken at. All at the lowest or were they mixed according to lighting. Were they converted from RAW or jpgs from the getgo. Very impressive, luv them. What are your thought on a 16mp sensor with regards to noise as I found the noise on the hs-10 unacceptable ubove 400. Thanks Alec

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  6. Alec, Hi.

    Thanks.

    Most are at ISO 100 or 200 with the last being at ISO 400. Usually, I have the camera set to ISO 400 (Auto).

    Clicking on any image will take you through to a larger size and the Exif information is intact on those.

    I really can't give any opinion about the new sensor. Just don't know yet. I would have to think it would be improved for low light though. That thought is purely based on the current details which have been released.

    Cheers.

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  7. Great pictures Dave! I think I'm turning back at hs10 again, cos many are degrading it due to its picture quality (as many other hs10 users say).

    I'm planning to buy one, but hs20 came out and changed my plan to wait for its release. Do you think it would be a LOT better than hs10?

    Really need opinions from great photographers. Thanks ;)

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  8. Rap, Hi.

    Thanks.

    The HS-20 will be available at end of March. I think we'll have to wait and see some images to know how good it will be. I should think it will have several improvements, most noticeably the EXR sensor and, hopefully, faster write times.

    Cheers.

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  9. Hi Dave,

    I just posted a link to your site over here:

    "http://notionink.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/there-and-back-again/comment-page-2/#comment-75785"

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  10. Al, Hi.

    Thanks for that. I'd never heard of an 'Adam' before. Sounds interesting.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey Dave, thanks for dropping by, leaving your warm words and of course, your link!:-) How I enjoy these pics my friend... so "colourful" and full of life! Splendid! Have a great weekend! Catch you later.:-)

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  12. Hugo, Hi.

    Many thanks for your thanks. I look forward to your shots each day. Love how you show a 'slice of life' that sadly will disappear too fast.

    Talk soon.

    Cheers.

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  13. Dave, nice shots and words. What model 2x teleconverter are you using. I purchased one from B&H and am not impressed with it(Zeiko I think). It makes all of my shots cloudy looking. I am thinking of getting the Raynox after seeing and hearing the stories of it's complimentary work with the HS-10.

    Marc from Canada.

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  14. Marc, Hi.

    Thanks.

    Mine is a Digitex DGT-20T58. It is adequate but the Raynox or Sony ones are much better. I've had this one for a very long time and rarely use it. On the HS-10 it works OK but the 'keeper' rate is low.

    Cheers.

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  15. The images that you have posted are very small. Once they are resized
    to 13 x 19 they lose their appeal. I was thinking about buying a HS20 but after looking at your images I am having second thoughts. My LX3 produces sharper images which I have enlarged to 13 x 19.

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  16. Gordon, Hi.

    The images displayed here are 640 pixels by 480 pixels. When you click through to the larger size, then it is 1,024 x 768 pixels. If you work that out in inches, then the larger size is 3.41 x 2.56 inches.

    The images are specifically (down)sized for the blog post and in no sense are representative of the way an image would be prepared for printing.

    An image straight from camera is 12.16 x 9.12 inches and can easily be resized, and printed, to 12 x 16 inches, or larger.

    The caveat of course, if the image is good.

    Cheers.

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  17. Beautiful set of images you got there... HS10 is a very capable camera in the right hands :)

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  18. Faisal, Hi.

    Many thanks for your comments.

    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete