Going to the USA. Leaving the 1D's and taking the GF1

Tobers

Tobers

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Andy
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I'm off for a family trip to the USA taking in new York, Vegas, the Pacific coast and San Francisco. I've decided to leave my big cameras and L lenses behind and I'm just taking my GF1 with 20mm and 14-45 lenses.

I really want the camera with me all the time and be quite inconspicuous so logistically the GF1 makes a lot of sense. Having used it quite a bit I'm confident it'll do everything I want. I'm also taking some Lee filters, a polarizer and a ND110 plus a Gorillapod and a cable remote so I should be able to handle everything.

I'm quite keen on splashing out on the 7-14 lens but the inability to fit filters is a big own goal i think.

Fingers crossed on this one. I worry that I'll regret not having the 1DIV with me but I'm hoping that the small size and light weight will more then make up for it.

Oh - I've also got a Polaroid PoGo mini printer to print sticky backed photos on the way to put them in a wee diary we're doing. And if I ever find an iPad camera connection kit I might do some post processing on the road too.
 
Sounds like a sensible option to me, I think at first you might regret not taking it but after a while I think you'll just get on with it.

But if you need someone to look after/ babysit your 1DMKIII + 1DIV I'd happily take that position for you :)
 
Do you need someone to look after your 'BIG' cameras? :D
 
Tobers, I too have a gf-1, but I've just bought a better camera, a G1 and they are so cheap at the moment.
I'm off with the family to California in July and I'll probably take the G1 with 20mm and 45-200, the gf-1 is my pocket camera for family nowadays.

Brilliant idea with the pogo, my daughter has one I'll grab a pack of paper and take it along.

Have a great trip.
 
Tobers, have you thought about the Olympus 9-18? Meant to be pretty good and very small so good for travel, plus can take filters I think (and it's a fair bit cheaper than the Panasonic one).

phototuition - I suppose the G1 is a more sensible 'proper' camera, but it's kind of just like a small DSLR, whereas the GF1 is a sexy little Leica style thing. The G1 might be more practical but I'm not in love with it like I am my GF1. :)
 
5D mk2 (800g) and leave all spare clothes at home. There are locations in US that deserve only the best. 17-40 + 70-200 f/4 are very light but more than capable. The printer can stay at home. US is not just the desert; you can buy and order things there too.
 
J4MIE_P said:
Sounds like a sensible option to me, I think at first you might regret not taking it but after a while I think you'll just get on with it.

But if you need someone to look after/ babysit your 1DMKIII + 1DIV I'd happily take that position for you :)
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If you are minding his 1d, I can mind your 5d for you! : )
 
haha, well i'll tell you what, you get Tobers to let me babysit both his 1D's and you're happy to borrow both my 5D's for the same period of time :lol:
 
phototuition - I suppose the G1 is a more sensible 'proper' camera, but it's kind of just like a small DSLR, whereas the GF1 is a sexy little Leica style thing. The G1 might be more practical but I'm not in love with it like I am my GF1. :)
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Yes I love my gf-1 for for just those reasons but the viewfinder on the G1 is a hell of a bonus, pity it comes with that ludicrous pentaprism style flash housing!!

I have a metal Voigtlander optical viewfinder for the 20mm on the gf-1 which makes it even more sexy leicalike.
 
You obviously have your reasons, but I can't see the point in investing large amounts of capital in good photographic equipment just to leave it behind when you go away somewhere nice...

Defeats the whole purpose of buying it, I'd have thought...:shrug:

I mean, are you a photographer or just someone who owns a camera?
 
Arkady said:
You obviously have your reasons, but I can't see the point in investing large amounts of capital in good photographic equipment just to leave it behind when you go away somewhere nice...

Defeats the whole purpose of buying it, I'd have thought...:shrug:

I mean, are you a photographer or just someone who owns a camera?
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Perhaps lugging 8kgs or so of camera stuff around isn't his idea of a holiday in the sun?
 
phototuition said:
Yes I love my gf-1 for for just those reasons but the viewfinder on the G1 is a hell of a bonus, pity it comes with that ludicrous pentaprism style flash housing!!

I have a metal Voigtlander optical viewfinder for the 20mm on the gf-1 which makes it even more sexy leicalike.
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Ooh how much was the Voigtlander viewfinder?

malla1962 said:
I think going all that way with a compact no fun.:D
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GF1 isn't a compact by any stretch of the imagination. I think a lot of you are underestimating it.
 
grum said:
Ooh how much was the Voigtlander viewfinder?



GF1 isn't a compact by any stretch of the imagination. I think a lot of you are underestimating it.
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Sorry but it would just not cut it for me.
 
Me neither, but not having all my kit to hand would seriously trouble me: I'd rather have it and not need it than encounter something where I was unable because of equipment shortfalls to realise the potential of the situation...

I'm not saying the GF-1 is a bad or inadequate camera under many situations, but it's not the same as carrying a 'full' kit with you, is it?
Otherwise we'd all be using them...
 
Arkady said:
Me neither, but not having all my kit to hand would seriously trouble me: I'd rather have it and not need it than encounter something where I was unable because of equipment shortfalls to realise the potential of the situation...

I'm not saying the GF-1 is a bad or inadequate camera under many situations, but it's not the same as carrying a 'full' kit with you, is it?
Otherwise we'd all be using them...
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Thats just what I was thinking, im sure its a great camera.
 
But he is going on "holiday". Id much rather take my GF1 than be bogged down with a huge heavy backpack and fiddle about and miss shots and end up not taking it places because of the weight of it. (we arent all soldierly fit like you, Rob! ;) )
 
Arkady said:
Me neither, but not having all my kit to hand would seriously trouble me: I'd rather have it and not need it than encounter something where I was unable because of equipment shortfalls to realise the potential of the situation...

I'm not saying the GF-1 is a bad or inadequate camera under many situations, but it's not the same as carrying a 'full' kit with you, is it?
Otherwise we'd all be using them...
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But if you were on holiday, would you actually carry around a camera bag with big camera and lenses everywhere with you?

Be more likely to miss a shot due to not having the camera with you.

And there isn't that many situations where the equipment shortfalls would stop you getting a very decent shot imo. Shooting fast moving wildlife or action, or shooting without flash in VERY poor lighting are about the only ones I can think of. (you would probably want a telephoto like the 45-200 anyway though)

I seem to remember you liking some of my gig pictures taken with the GF1 and a £10 USSR manual focus lens. :D
 
Janice said:
But he is going on "holiday". Id much rather take my GF1 than be bogged down with a huge heavy backpack and fiddle about and miss shots and end up not taking it places because of the weight of it. (we arent all soldierly fit like you, Rob! ;) )
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"fiddle about and miss shots"...

Well I've not heard that as an argument for not taking the right kit with me before...

Maybe the point I made earlier about the difference between a photographer and someone who owns a nice set of cameras is more valid then.
As a photographer I've never been on a 'holday' where photography wasn't factored-in at the planning stage.

The idea of just sitting doing nothing on a beach or visiting amusement parks is anathema to me...:cuckoo:
 
grum said:
I seem to remember you liking some of my gig pictures taken with the GF1 and a £10 USSR manual focus lens. :D
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As I said: it's a very capable camera under certain circumstances...
 
Arkady said:
The idea of just sitting doing nothing on a beach or visiting amusement parks is anathema to me...:cuckoo:
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He didnt say he was going to be doing that!!

Tobers said:
I'm off for a family trip to the USA taking in new York, Vegas, the Pacific coast and San Francisco.
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The GF1 is more than capable to handle a holiday like that.

OK you do your photography for a living and we don't. I dont think many people would like to go on a family holiday and make the whole holiday about THEM and THEIR photography needs.

MOST folks try to be unselfish on a FAMILY holiday and mix the two together! :)
 
Janice said:
He didnt say he was going to be doing that!!
The GF1 is more than capable to handle a holiday like that.
OK you do your photography for a living and we don't. I dont think many people would like to go on a family holiday and make the whole holiday about THEM and THEIR photography needs.
MOST folks try to be unselfish on a FAMILY holiday and mix the two together! :)
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Quite how this is now about my being a selfish pig is beyond me...:shrug:

Maybe you should be a little more objective perhaps?

I merely questioned why buy all the gear if you're not going to use it on a trip to somewhere...:cuckoo:
Seems like an obvious question...
 
Janice said:
He didnt say he was going to be doing that!!



The GF1 is more than capable to handle a holiday like that.

OK you do your photography for a living and we don't. I dont think many people would like to go on a family holiday and make the whole holiday about THEM and THEIR photography needs.

MOST folks try to be unselfish on a FAMILY holiday and mix the two together! :)
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A road trip across US is not equivalent to 2 days on the beach. I'd let GF1 handle the beach and other family snaps. These places in the US, including a number of unique national parks along the route, deserve only the best kit. A good kit does not take anything away from family, it rather helps to take good photographs when needed and without frustration. I have been to Greece without decent kit and I could tell how I feel about it.
 
daugirdas said:
A road trip across US is not equivalent to 2 days on the beach. I'd let GF1 handle the beach and other family snaps. These places in the US, including a number of unique national parks along the route, deserve only the best kit. A good kit does not take anything away from family, it rather helps to take good photographs when needed and without frustration. I have been to Greece without decent kit and I could tell how I feel about it.
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:thumbs: Someone gets it anyway...
 
I'd let GF1 handle the beach and other family snaps.
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I have been to Greece without decent kit and I could tell how I feel about it.
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Is this another person talking without having used a GF1? For the majority of photography you really wouldn't see much difference - and as said would be much more likely to take the camera with you if you went hiking or on a day trip or whatever.

A big DSLR and lenses is great for planned photography where you're not going a million miles away from a car, or if you have to look the part of a pro (I plan to get one at some point for this purpose) - for the rest a GF1 or similar would be more suited imo.

Have a look here for some nice examples - http://www.boxedlight.com/gf1/index.htm

Anyway aren't we always being told it's not all about the kit?

Arkady said:
:thumbs: Someone gets it anyway...
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Someone else who's never used a GF1?
 
Janice said:
But he is going on "holiday". Id much rather take my GF1 than be bogged down with a huge heavy backpack and fiddle about and miss shots and end up not taking it places because of the weight of it. (we arent all soldierly fit like you, Rob! ;) )
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I have seen Janice "fiddle about":lol:
I now understand why she likes her little one.:D
 
sawman said:
I have seen Janice "fiddle about":lol:
I now understand why she likes her little one.:D
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Ahem!!! :D You dont have to tell EVERYONE that I am a cack-handed, ham-fisted, clumsy person!! :D
 
When I think holidays I think USA and then I think wetlands and birds and that means big lenses so the SLR and 300f2.8 ends up in the bag first, not sure a G-1 would fit my needs;) if the OP is happy snapping about round the city and family snaps then its the right choice.
 
Why do you call a photograph taken with a GF1 a "snap" ?

it is not a compact as such apart from it being the adjective compact (small).

It has all the modes and features .. the shots are taken with thought and planning .. just like your "big dslr" ! :D I use spot metering and manual all the time.

If you go to the States, I hope you enjoy taking your "snaps" of your wetland birds! :D
 
Janice said:
Ahem!!! :D You dont have to tell EVERYONE that I am a cack-handed, ham-fisted, clumsy person!! :D
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I didn't, but you just did! :lol:
To tell the truth I am getting quite interested in the idea of having one of those wee cameras too. Handy for just having with you at all times I would think. As I understand it the can do movie stuff too.
 
I think the heat is getting to everyone!

I have a 7D and a GF1 - and I am finding less and less reasons to keep the 7D - yes I know I already have it and am lucky enough not to need the money for something else - so it is hanging on by a thread (infact after I have taken some photos at my sisters Wedding reception at the beginning of August the 7D is being sold)

I guess I am with the GF1 camp on this - it is far better to take the GF1 and actually have it with you, than take a large collection of DSLR stuff and find it is a pain lugging it around.

Perhaps several of us are happy to plan holidays around their extra camera luggage - I am clearly not alone in thinking that I'd rather it didn't get in the way of the holiday.

Everyone is different - but the GF1 should not be looked upon as a compact P&S that will take inferior 'holiday snaps'
:thumbs:
 
grum said:
Tobers, have you thought about the Olympus 9-18? Meant to be pretty good and very small so good for travel, plus can take filters I think (and it's a fair bit cheaper than the Panasonic one).
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Graham, does this still retain all of the auto features when stuck on the gf1? and is does it need an adapter?
 
bl0at3r said:
Graham, does this still retain all of the auto features when stuck on the gf1? and is does it need an adapter?
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Edit:

There is a four thirds version that needs an adapter (pricy but even with it still quite a bit less than the 7-14) but will autofocus etc I believe. There is a micro four thirds version too which should work without an adapter.

To tell the truth I am getting quite interested in the idea of having one of those wee cameras too. Handy for just having with you at all times I would think. As I understand it the can do movie stuff too.
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Yeah, does 720p but there is a firmware hack which gives 1080p at decent bit rates - some of the footage looks amazing.

i have done, and will be doing again.
and my holidays involve climbing and mountineering.
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Fair enough but you could save yourself a lot of weight and space and have a camera system that would be just as good in 90% of situations.

if the OP is happy snapping about round the city and family snaps then its the right choice.
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Bit patronising there and assuming everyone is interested in birds.
 
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