Dr JLW

IS controls the line of sight . Electronic stabilization, at least as I understand it, based on having built such a system on the mid 1980's does not. I assume the Fujifilm method is similar since ...

I looked at the edges of the  moon.  That "munge" is air turbulence.  That is a problem with all celestial objects near the horizon.  It may also be what is smearing the trees. I like the exposure ...

Thanks for the reply. FWIW I did some analysis of electronic stabilization.  It is better than nothing but nat as good as controlling the line of sight. I think I'll hang on to my HS-30 until it dies.

I am still in the none of the above camp with my HS-30 but I am intrigued by the 5 way stabilization on the 9800 and 9900. Does is work any better than the older HS cameras?

I can't say which is best but my wife has essential tremor and she loves her Panny Travel zoom. At the time we bought it DP, was rating travel zooms by anti shake and this was best rated at the time. ...

NormallY id be wary of a refurbished camera but now ebay is s skewed to the buyer that you can claim its bad get your refund for any reason at all.  They give you 90 days. Your time and aggravation ...

Alexis,  I do not give it all much thought. I use my HS-30 in bursts a lot over a few weeks and then long periods where it stays put away. I usually put it in EXR mode but switch to Aperture ...

My HS-30 has not the tripod socket issue.  I put my anti twost plate on it and once I had it adjusted it has been in place. I have taken it on several overseas trips and used it quite a bit. ...

I'd take a look at the Pany and compare features.  Also, since this is your wife's camera, it is a good idea to get her thoughts. There is a lot of benefit to staying with a camera you know, if you ...

Yes the plate was a lot of work.  The socket was failing and I had hoped that it would prolong the socket life but eliminating the need to mount and unmount the screw. I like making stuff like this ...

1) I refrained from suggesting contact cleaner spray to you because I do not know where the contacts are that are causing your problem.  If they rare deep inside the ca,era it will require take ...

I do not believe the OP's problem was ruggedness. It was an intermittent contact inside the camera. I had a similar issue with my HS-10 after a about three years.  My camera would occasionally fail ...

Since you have sent it back let me offer this advice. Check it out, and if it works well, fine. Enjoy using it. If not do not waste more time and energy, and simply buy another camera, an HS50 if ...

I travel with a superzoom and a Nex 7 and a monopod. I can usually find something to prop it against making it essentially a tripod.  It is a lot lighter cheaper and less annoying to fellow ...

Insurance is usually a hassle. We take for the entire trip to cover flight or hotel or other major issues and its primary benefit is that the insurance holder have motivated experts working to get ...

While the OP mentioned astro photography, it was not necessary the only application. For astrophotography  it is probably a lot cheaper to mount the camera on an equatorial mount on a tripod than ...

In addition to those reasons there are not any compelling reasons to make one. One other problem in making and using them is that they would require even a lot of elements and since they cover a ...

Unusual and rare but more like about a thousand to one chance.  You are shooting at about the same time and if you shoot for say 1/100 of  second and the pro is shooting say once per second your ...

I replaced my HS-10 with an HS 30.  At the time I was torn between the X-S1 and HS 50 but there was a super special at Costco for the camera a bag and an SD card for $250. I tried th HS-30 and ...

A lot depends on where you are going. There are some countries whose customs officers routinely pilfer high value items.  If you are going to such a place take as much as checked baggage so you ...