Hi!

I'm fairly new to photography, but I really want to get more involved. Currently I have just a 2 mp Kodak digital from about 4 years ago, but I'm really hoping that my husband will get me the Panasonic FZ20 for Christmas.
I want to do a lot of wildlife and nature photography. I am an art quilter (means my quilts are meant to hang on walls like art, as opposed to on a bed) and I plan on using my photos as a starting point for quilt designs. I'll also be using my new camera to photograph the finished quilts for slides for submission into juried shows.
I'm glad to have heard about this forum as I am unfamilliar with TX, but I'd like to learn where all the best spots for great pictures are, especially any places of natural beauty, or bird/wildlife hot spots!

[Abel]

welcome aboard!

quilts huh.. there was a HUGE quilt show herer in houston a few weeks back that a coworker went to. she said they had to go a full 2 days just in order to see everything!

good luck on the new cam and let us know how it works out... id never heard of that cam until you mentioned it. have u used one before?

[MandiB]

Yes, that show in Houston is the biggest in America. I was there for 4 days. Its incredible and one day I want to get one of my quilts into the show (it's tough competition).
Panasonic isn't really known as a camera company, so it's hard to find one in stores, but they are great cameras. I tried one out at Circuit City and loved it. It's big and looks like a dslr, but it's at the prosumer level. Panasonic teamed up with Lecia to put a fantastic 12x zoom lens on it and that is what I really want, along with the IS.
Just last night my husband said he'd get it for me by Christmas! Yea! Here's a link to see it:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/

[Aoide]

Hi Mandi,

Welcome to the boards. I have heard nothing but fabulous things about the FZ20. What a great Christmas present!

[cbuhay]

Mandi,

Welcome to the forums. FZ20 -- what a great camera choice! I have been thinking of getting that camera as another alternative to my 300D. With a 12x optical zoom and IS, it's a great combination. Then you throw in the Leica lens and f/2.8 the whole way though, and you've got yourself a winner. Good luck on your Christmas wish list!!

-christian.

[Aoide]

Haha... Christian. I've had the exact same debate in my head between those two cameras thought I'm leaning much more to the 300D now. Of course this is all in my head, because I won't have money for either for quite a while. :roll: