Best zs3/tz7 Underwater settings - Draft for Comments

[kevmiami]

I have been a huge fan of the series of cameras since the TZ1. IMHO they ruined the camera by going to a CMOS censor, but such is life. Just started diving again and have used this camera for snorkeling, but now have gotten serious and bought a YS110a, a spare camera ($109), aftermarket batteries and am ready to go. Have tried to go through all the discussions/reviews and pull together the best settings to start with and see how it goes. I'm going to Bonaire in early Feb and fortunately/unfortunately, that will be the first time I will have use rig, so trying to eliminate as much trial/error on paper as possible.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

Panasonic TZ-7 / ZS-3 Best Underwater Settings - On Paper Anyway (DRAFT)

- Compiled from Forums and Reviews - My apologies for no individual credit, but thank you to everyone!

Zoom Ranges	Pairs
1x = 5mm = 28mm (Equiv)	3.3 / 8			Each focal length uses a set pair of apertures
2x = 10mm = 58mm (Equiv)	4.4 /10
4x = 18mm = 112mm (Equiv)	4.7 /11
7x = 33mm = 200mm (Equiv)	4.8 /11
10x = 46mm = 280mm (Equiv)	4.9 /11
Normal Pic Mode	Photo	Video	Menu	Comments
Exposure
ISO	100		Q-Menu	Keep range within 80 - 200 for best results.
Intelligent ISO (i-ISO)	Off		Menu - 3	Uses 1/125 down to 1/30; increasing ISO to isolate movement, up to ISO 1000
Intelligent Exposure (i&#1060	Off		Q-Menu	Starts ISO 100 - when hits shutter speed of 1/30th; incr ISO 1/3 step to ISO 200, then decr below 1/30th
Min Shutter Speed	1/125 - 1/250		Main - 4	Use 1/250 (fastest available) to stop fast fish
EV Compensation	-1/3		&#652;	Press < > change 1/3 stop
Auto Bracket	Off		&#652;&#652;	Press < > change 1/3 stop (changes shutter speed)
Stabilizer (OIS)	Auto (Default 2)		Main - 3	Mode 2 - Photo; Mode 1 - LCD & Photo (use when set at long zoom) - Off (when on tripod) - Auto
Metering Mode	Center Wghtd for Wide Angle	Intelligent Multiple	Main - 2	Intelligent Multiple (.) - Center Weighted ( ) {75% Center} - Spot {very focused}
Focusing
AF (Auto Focus) Mode	Spot (or) AF Tracking		Q-Menu	Preferred to ignore back-scatter or background Moving target - press v to activate
Pre AF Mode	Off	Quick	Main - 1	Off - Quick (focuses when detects camera shake) - Continuous (focuses when shutter pressed halfway)
AF Assist Lamp	Off		Main - 4
White Balance & Color
Color Setting	Vivid	Vivid	Main - 3	Vivid = Better sharpness & increased saturation
AWB	White Set		Q-Menu	"Shade Mode" has most red
Manual White Bal Set			Main - 2	Set with white card
Manual White Bal Adjust			&#652;&#652;&#652;	Select more red or more blue manually - Press < >
Other Settings				Using Extreme 32gb Class 10 SDHC Card
Aspect Ratio	4:3 (10mp)	16:9 (9mp)	Q-Menu
LCD Power Mode	High	Off	Q-Menu	Off - Auto - High
Economy - Auto LCD Off	30sec		Tool - 3	(Off - 15sec - 30sec)
Economy -Power Save	Off		Tool - 3	(Off - 2min - 5min - 10min) Turns Camera Off
Auto Review	Hold		Tool - 3	(Off - 1sec - 2sec - Hold - Zoom in for 1 sec)
Zoom Resume	On		Tool - 3	Camera starts zoom at last setting
Flash Setting on Camera	Forced		>>>	(Fires pre-flash for TTL, but not red eye pre-flash)
Macro
Macro Zoom	Not Recommend	N/R	vv	Locks lens at 28mm & uses digital zoom
Tele Macro	Approx 9.5x		v	This is sweet spot (min distance approximately 4.5'), better than wide-angle at 5 cm
YS-110a Flash Settings
TTL				Use TTL when subject fills frame, otherwise manual
Slave
Power				Start with half-power and approximately f8
Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode	Nighttime Only	Recommend	Top Dial	Video will select: portrait, scenery, low light and macro; detect any faces and brighten shadows
Panorama Assist Scene			Main - Scn	Locks Focus and Exposure
Underwater Scene	Not Recommend		Main - Scn	Manually adjust WB below 30'; Uses auto ISO; 1/30th is too slow, but has focus lock