Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

[Detail Man]

A fresh and hydrated skunk-cabbage takes wings to flight, amidst the Spring afternoon's warm light ...

Skunk Cabbage

P1020866_DMC-LX3_ISO-200_DxO-6_PSP-9.jpg (801.45 KiB) Viewed 480 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:27 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/20 Sec

F-number: F/6.3

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: 0 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

The earlier emergence of the very same skunk-cabbage plant, now foregone for luminous verdant wings ...

P1020013_DMC-LX3_ISO-200_DxO-6_PSP-9.jpg

Flowering Skunk

(547.2 KiB) Downloaded 391 times

[Detail Man]

All shots appearing below were taken hand-held with the DMC-LX3 Optical Image Stabilization (Mode 2):

P1030929_DMC-LX3_ISO-160_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg

Shady Grove

(772.34 KiB) Downloaded 391 times

Orange Blossoming

P1030965_DMC-LX3_ISO-125_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg (763.14 KiB) Viewed 458 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:17 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/30 Sec

F-number: F/4

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: 0 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

Pink Lady of the Spring

P1030979_DMC-LX3_ISO-400_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg (629.68 KiB) Viewed 429 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:20 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/30 Sec

F-number: F/5

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: 0 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

[Detail Man]

To the delicate flowers, add fern and tree in an ancient dance proceeding for well over 7 Billion sunrises:

P1040128_DMC-LX3_ISO-200_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg (830.27 KiB) Viewed 422 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:23 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/25 Sec

F-number: F/4

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: -33/100 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

P1040070_DMC-LX3_ISO-200_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg

(713.65 KiB) Downloaded 346 times

[thelps]

That previous image is sublime DM. My ferns pale next to yours but I have a liking for them as well, they are a favourite plant of mine.

Picture shown now, is DM's DxO enhanced version --

[Detail Man]

Tim,

"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" ... It's been a while since I ran into any other humans out here in "DMC-LX3-land" ...

I like your image. It has some good details in the delicate structures of the ferns. Would you mind if I "play" with it (and re-post my rendition of it here)?

[Detail Man]

I am liking this one better (in retrospect) than I did when in initial processing. The deep shadows taunt the eye with their blackness ...
This 1/8 Second shutter-time shot was stabilized using a mono-pod, as well as using (Panasonic MegaOIS) Optical Image Stabilization (Mode 2).

Green Suede Boots

P1040150_DMC-LX3_ISO-200_DxO-6.12_PSP-9.01.jpg (790.61 KiB) Viewed 386 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:37 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/8 Sec

F-number: F/3.2

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: -66/100 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

[Detail Man]

Both of these ISO=200 shots below were taken hand-held using the Panasonic DMC-LX3's (Mega OIS) Optical Image Stabilization (Mode 2).
Every single step in processing prior to high-quality JPG conversion to 8-bit color-depth was accomplished using 16-bit arithmetic:
"Raw" to TIF (DxO Optics Pro 6.12) > "Lanczos" re-sampling (Artizen HDR 2.86) > Unsharp Masking (Sagelight 3.102) > JPG Conversion (XnView 1.972).

Each part of this composite post-processing makes a positive difference (relative to re-sampling with "Bicubic" and making a JPG using DxO Optics Pro 6.12). For USM pixel-width = 0.5: The "deconvolution deblurring" included in DxO's "Lens Softness" corrections dramatically improves image-acuity, allowing for lower USM strengths to be used (in USM at full or at reduced sizes);
"Lanczos-3" resampling allows approximately twice the strength of USM to be applied without any artifacts (relative to re-sampling with the "Bicubic" algorithm included in PaintShop Pro 9.01) ; 16-bit "Lanczos" re-sampling using Artizen HDR 2.86 allows approximately one-half the strength of USM to be used (relative to 8-bit "Lanczos" re-sampling performed using XnView 1.972); and 16-bit "Unsharp Masking" using Sagelight 3.102 allows approximately one-half the strength of USM to be used (relative to 8-bit "Unsharp Masking" performed when using PaintShop Pro 9.01). Since the above described benefits are cumulative in nature, the full 16-bit processing-chain described in the paragraph (above) is (almost) removing the need for any USM completely! ...

The resultant fine image-detail present is now regularly exceeding the ability for a 1024x786 pixel-size to adequately represent that detail. Image pixel-size of 1600x1200 (or higher) required!

Whether as close as optics will allow one the depth of field to see ...

Pink Princess

P1040427_DMC-LX3_DxO-6.12_Artizen-2.86_Sagelight-3.102.jpg (593.54 KiB) Viewed 340 times

or farther away, DxO's deconvolution deblurring included in "Lens Softness" corrections
maximizes acuity by compensating for error in the lens modulation transfer function:

Ancient Gardens

P1040259_DMC-LX3_DxO-6.12_Artizen-2.86_Sagelight-3.102.jpg (893.5 KiB) Viewed 354 times

100% crop from the full-size 16-bit TIF output image (without any USM applied at any stage of the process):

Ancient Gardens (100% Crop)

P1040259_DMC-LX3_DxO-6.12_100% Crop.jpg (778.37 KiB) Viewed 327 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:36 pm

Focus length: 5.1 mm

Shutter speed: 1/20 Sec

F-number: F/4.5

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: DMC-LX3

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: -66/100 EV

Metering mode: Center-weighted average

The 16-bit TIF output dynamic-range of the "raw" processed DxO Optics Pro image-file equals a solid 10 EV (10 "stops"):

P1040259_DMC-LX3_DxO-6.12_16-bit Log Histogram.jpg

Ancient Gardens (Full-Size) 16-bit Log Histogram

(219.94 KiB) Downloaded 259 times

The 16-bit TIF output dynamic-range of the Artizen/Sagelight final post-processed image equals a solid 12 EV (12 "stops"):

P1040259_DMC-LX3_DxO-6.12_Artizen-2.86_Sagelight-3.102_16-bit Log Histogram.jpg

Ancient Gardens (1024x768) 16-bit Log Histogram

(215.88 KiB) Downloaded 260 times

Not bad for a camera that costs $400 USD, a "raw" processor that costs $170 USD, and a 16-bit editor that costs $60 USD. The same ($630 USD) cost as a Ricoh GRD III camera ...

[Muddy]

Detail Man,
Your shade of green on nature and landscape shots are vivid and lively, flowers shots are colorful and dynamic range are exceptional more like taken from DSLR than Compact cam. Excellent shot and PP.

[Detail Man]

Muddy,

Thank you for your kind words! The thanks should more rightly go to the beauty to be witnessed in Nature, and the "machinery" that makes these nice things possible. All that I personally contributed (above $630) is the time, patience, and tenacity to stand in/at the right places/times, push the right buttons on the machines, then find and polish the "gems" that emerge! ...

Check out the new (full 16-bit processed) versions of my most recently posted images at:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1556&p=20845#p20845
They look even better now after using full 16-bit processing prior to 8-bit JPG conversion!

[thelps]

This image here and the one above is DM's DxO enhanced version --