Panasonic Lumix FZ20 w/ Manual Ext. Flash

On a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in M manual setting, how do you override
the dimming "feature" on the viewfinder?

In manual mode, my FZ20 dims the viewfinder if you are way under
exposed. I guess this is intended to tell that user that the picture
will turn out dark. In only does this in manual mode, and if you open
up the aperture and/or lengthen shutter time, it brightens up fine.

I want to defeat this "feature" so that I can use my external flash in
manual mode.

It may be a nice failsafe feature for a novice, but I'd also be nice to
see what the heck is in the frame when using an external flash!

Jim wrote:
> On a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in M manual setting, how do you override
> the dimming "feature" on the viewfinder?
>
> In manual mode, my FZ20 dims the viewfinder if you are way under
> exposed. I guess this is intended to tell that user that the picture
> will turn out dark. In only does this in manual mode, and if you open
> up the aperture and/or lengthen shutter time, it brightens up fine.
>
> I want to defeat this "feature" so that I can use my external flash in
> manual mode.
>
> It may be a nice failsafe feature for a novice, but I'd also be nice
> to see what the heck is in the frame when using an external flash!

I use my FZ20 with an external flashgun in aperture-priority mode, setting
the gun to manual and using guide numbers. It seems to work OK, without any
of the "dimming" you mention. The gun should have a lower trigger voltage of
course, or you will blow the camera's internal wiring. Mine has a trigger
voltage of around 6.5 volts.

Dennis.

Dennis Pogson wrote:
> Jim wrote:
>
>>On a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in M manual setting, how do you override
>>the dimming "feature" on the viewfinder?
>>
>>In manual mode, my FZ20 dims the viewfinder if you are way under
>>exposed. I guess this is intended to tell that user that the picture
>>will turn out dark. In only does this in manual mode, and if you open
>>up the aperture and/or lengthen shutter time, it brightens up fine.
>>
>>I want to defeat this "feature" so that I can use my external flash in
>>manual mode.
>>
>>It may be a nice failsafe feature for a novice, but I'd also be nice
>>to see what the heck is in the frame when using an external flash!
>
>
> I use my FZ20 with an external flashgun in aperture-priority mode, setting
> the gun to manual and using guide numbers. It seems to work OK, without any
> of the "dimming" you mention. The gun should have a lower trigger voltage of
> course, or you will blow the camera's internal wiring. Mine has a trigger
> voltage of around 6.5 volts.
>
> Dennis.
>
>

I verified that my 285 had low voltage before using it. I did mess
around with it more and found that the aperture priority did give a
brighter display, but still not as bright as my old AGFA digital that
has a switch to brighten the display in low light settings.

BTW, first night out, I snapped this pic:
http://www.seattle-attorney.com/private/seattle.jpg

"Jim" <askme@beforeyousend.com> wrote in message
news:1394vu6756ejdb4@corp.supernews.com...
> Dennis Pogson wrote:
>> Jim wrote:
>>
>>>On a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in M manual setting, how do you override
>>>the dimming "feature" on the viewfinder?
>>>
>>>In manual mode, my FZ20 dims the viewfinder if you are way under
>>>exposed. I guess this is intended to tell that user that the picture
>>>will turn out dark. In only does this in manual mode, and if you open
>>>up the aperture and/or lengthen shutter time, it brightens up fine.
>>>
>>>I want to defeat this "feature" so that I can use my external flash in
>>>manual mode.
>>>
>>>It may be a nice failsafe feature for a novice, but I'd also be nice
>>>to see what the heck is in the frame when using an external flash!
>>
>>
>> I use my FZ20 with an external flashgun in aperture-priority mode,
>> setting
>> the gun to manual and using guide numbers. It seems to work OK, without
>> any
>> of the "dimming" you mention. The gun should have a lower trigger voltage
>> of
>> course, or you will blow the camera's internal wiring. Mine has a trigger
>> voltage of around 6.5 volts.
>>
>> Dennis.
>>
>>
>
> I verified that my 285 had low voltage before using it. I did mess around
> with it more and found that the aperture priority did give a brighter
> display, but still not as bright as my old AGFA digital that has a switch
> to brighten the display in low light settings.
>
> BTW, first night out, I snapped this pic:
> http://www.seattle-attorney.com/private/seattle.jpg

There's an option in the Menu/Setup called "Monitor" where you can brighten
the screen. I know this is not exactly what you're looking for, but it
might help.

Victek wrote:

>
>
> "Jim" <askme@beforeyousend.com> wrote in message
> news:1394vu6756ejdb4@corp.supernews.com...
>
>> Dennis Pogson wrote:
>>
>>> Jim wrote:
>>>
>>>> On a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in M manual setting, how do you override
>>>> the dimming "feature" on the viewfinder?
>>>>
>>>> In manual mode, my FZ20 dims the viewfinder if you are way under
>>>> exposed. I guess this is intended to tell that user that the picture
>>>> will turn out dark. In only does this in manual mode, and if you open
>>>> up the aperture and/or lengthen shutter time, it brightens up fine.
>>>>
>>>> I want to defeat this "feature" so that I can use my external flash in
>>>> manual mode.
>>>>
>>>> It may be a nice failsafe feature for a novice, but I'd also be nice
>>>> to see what the heck is in the frame when using an external flash!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I use my FZ20 with an external flashgun in aperture-priority mode,
>>> setting
>>> the gun to manual and using guide numbers. It seems to work OK,
>>> without any
>>> of the "dimming" you mention. The gun should have a lower trigger
>>> voltage of
>>> course, or you will blow the camera's internal wiring. Mine has a
>>> trigger
>>> voltage of around 6.5 volts.
>>>
>>> Dennis.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I verified that my 285 had low voltage before using it. I did mess
>> around with it more and found that the aperture priority did give a
>> brighter display, but still not as bright as my old AGFA digital that
>> has a switch to brighten the display in low light settings.
>>
>> BTW, first night out, I snapped this pic:
>> http://www.seattle-attorney.com/private/seattle.jpg
>
>
> There's an option in the Menu/Setup called "Monitor" where you can
> brighten the screen. I know this is not exactly what you're looking
> for, but it might help.

I found that, and tried it. No cigar. I guess I was hoping for a
feature similar to my old 1 meg AFGA that, in essence, amplified the
light in the display, to give you better viewing in a low light
situation. The Lumix will get a bit brighter, but not bright enough for
my liking.

My inquiry to Panasonic went unanswered...