"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

WOW!! Superb images there Graham!!
 
Willo said:
So your saying it's not possible even though though the GF2 is smaller, proving there is abit of space in GF1 body.

Or maybe it's a clever business practice, take the G1 remove the EVF and swivel screen, put it into a smaller body than the G1 and make a bigger margin on the product as you don't need to many components.
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I think it may be on the dvxuser forums when they were trying to work out what chips were inside the body of the cameras, they had pictures of the internals of the GF1. Although it looks like there is a reasonable amount of space on the top left of the camera under the flash, there isn't actually due to parts of the mount (I assume Fuji save quite a bit of space with the fixed lens on the X100) and circuitboard as well as the flash itself. Even without looking inside you can see from the very flat flash design (as opposed to the vertical rising design on the LX3) that it's very tight on space in that area. The fancy EVF in the bigger micro 4/3 bodies and the Olympus viewfinder both clearly take up a reasonable amount of space.

Even for a basic viewfinder it would have added size, weight and cost to the camera and given I think the GF1 is already too bulky and expensive for what it is and too close to the G1 etc. I can't see any sense in adding an EVF. Of course I like the idea of having a GF style body with an integrated EVF without adding any size but it just can't be the reality.

As for the cost of the GF series cameras, it's worth bearing in mind that the more cameras Panasonic can sell the lower the equivalent R&D costs which means the GF1 has been more pricey as it's the only one of its type whereas there's now five of the large design. While the GF1 may seem like just a cut down model from the G1, it's obviously not as simple as that as it has different hardware (to support video which the G1 didn't) and mostly a new design as it shares few parts with the G1. There is only a single camera using this new body and other parts which is the GF1 and it looks like it's the last one as well. The G1 body has now been used for the GH1, G2, G10 and the GH2 which aren't all identical but they clearly share a lot more of their parts and physical design.

John
 
AndyWest said:
John. From your reply, I take your point about external switches etc and as said the GF1 just does not have the room but to got rid of the dial i think is madness and yes I keep it on AP 95% of the time but I just like it being there. I wonder how I would get on with a NEX5?? :D :D

I did go off on one this morning :D and it's probably not that bad but it's not what I thought it would be and I have been waiting for a decent GF1 replacement for ages and ages. Hey ho
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I first 'lost' the mode dial on an Olympus E-3 which I bought when it came out (about three years ago?) and honestly never missed it once as it was easy enough to switch modes using the command dial. Last year I switched to a D700 which is also missing a mode dial and similarly it's never bothered me in the slightest, it just seems like clutter as the top of both cameras can have a larger LCD without the mode dial getting in the way.

If anything I think it's better not having a mode dial as particularly on the LX3 I often catch the dial when taking the camera in and out of its case and have to double to check it's on the right mode which I never have to do on the D700/E-3. The GF1's stiffer dial is better for this but I still occasionally catch it as I also do on the GH1. I think for the amount of space these dials take up on the micro 4/3 cameras, it's a sensible idea to remove them when space is at such a premium.

I do think there's been a total overreaction to the GF2 which is admittedly a lot worse on DPR, reading comments there you'd think Panasonic had stripped all the controls and replaced them with a touch screen which isn't at all true. If that was the case I'd certainly not be happy either but I think Panasonic have done a reasonable job balancing the size and buttons by keeping all the frequently used controls and relegating a couple to the touchscreen. It's certainly nowhere near as bad as the NEX cameras despite the constant incorrect comparisons. Also I think people expected far too much from the camera, it seems many were expecting Panasonic to shoehorn the GH2 into a smaller chassis which I don't think at all was realistic. Snobbery as always seems to be playing a part with people denouncing the GF2 as for P&S users only despite only lacking a couple of controls from the GF1.

I've never been a big fan of the GF1 as I think it's far too big a camera, size wise it's very close to the GH1 and given the latter's superior design and specification it makes the GF1 a bit pointless. I think Panasonic are quite right to try and get the size down on the GF2 as I want something as compact as possible to give a reasonable saving when not using the GH1. My main concern though is the apparent lack of flash compensation, when I saw the GF2 design I was worried that the flash would be gone (as with the Olympus E-P1/2 and Sony NEX cameras) but was pleased to find it was still there. However DPR are claiming there's no flash compensation which really is a blow as I find it very useful to be able to control the flash's output power on the GF1/LX3 to avoid it being too bright.

John
 
Well, I am glad the GF2 has a touch screen and is smaller than the GF1 because that means I dont need to buy one now.
We all spend so much trying to keep the rear screen pristine, touching it all the time is bound to induce scratches and greasy smears. Of course you could cover the new anti glare screen, but will it still be anti glare afterwards?

But, the main problem for me will be the smaller size. I wouldnt like a camera of this weight to be any smaller. My hands fit nicely round the GF1 with my little finger just coming into contact with and supporting the base. Any smaller and my little finger will be on its own!
My first DSLR was chosen for similar reasons. I went with ( and stayed with ) Nikon because the Canon grips were uncomfortabley small for me.
So, for that reason, I'm out.......

Allan
 
I don't think you'll need to touch the screen all the time as most of the controls are still external and despite 'touching' my phone for its interface frequently there's no problem with its usability or scratches. Plus I don't find rear screens to be pristine anyway as any use of a viewfinder will probably mark the screen from your face as well as additional marks from sliding the camera in and out of pockets and cases.

John
 
Willo said:
Fair points John, let's agree to disagree?

Just out of interest, do you miss your E3 and the Pro glass?
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Well I'm curious what you disagree with? I don't see how physically Panasonic could fit an EVF into the GF1 without increasing size and the GF1 must have had higher R&D costs. I think both points are reasonable and backed up factually so it's a bit odd to just say you disagree and not actually address any of the points I spent a while typing up. Even inspecting it from the outside you can see the GF1 has little spare room at the side as the interface sockets are almost directly beneath the flash.

While the Zuiko glass is quite rightly highly regarded, no I don't miss my E-3 or the pro glass at all. I haven't as much as powered the E-3 up in over a year, I should really get around to selling it all as the E-5 is of no interest. The simplest difference between the E-3 and D700 for me is that after reviewing shots from the E-3 I was always dismayed at the easy shots it missed the focus on whereas the D700 I'm amazed at the shots it managed to nail. I do miss the E-3's build quality though which could take a soaking with no problems, the D700 has already been in for a chargeable repair (taking six weeks) for liquid damage despite not having been near a drop of water.

John
 
Be very interesting to see the comments on the GF2 after launch day...

As usual there will be some like it and some not

Must admit I'm tempted but will wait and see in February..
 
I've just been comparing the Gf1 and 2 pictures on dpreview. I think the new model has lost the retro look and feel that swayed my choice to the GF1. The new one looks like any other compact now. I like mode dials too. I can see what the camera is set at before I even turn it on. My P7000 is even better, it's got 3 mode dials!
The GF2 looks more like a different model than an upgrade of the 1, and probably aimed at a different Market too.
Still, I will be interested to see how it sells and the type of buyer it attracts.
Allan
 
grum said:
Thanks Alan.

I still keep flip-flopping between Canon and Nikon in my mind. :)

Just had some canvas prints done - 24 x 16" - all from the G1 or GF1

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Hi Graham,
who did you use for your canvas prints? They look really good.
 
While I don't think the GF2 is quite deserving of the general bashing it's getting, I can see it's not going to offer much for existing GF1 owners. I'm waiting to try one out in my hands to see what I think, I do find the GF1 bulky for a pocket camera so the idea of having something smaller is admittedly appealing. Since launch I've only really used the GF1 as a backup second body to the GH1 as I found the GF1 too big and too limiting with its single pancake lens however since the release of the 14mm lens I've been using the GF1 on its own now but would still like it smaller.

If the GF2 had been out sooner I'd have probably gone for it and the 14mm lens which is the main reason I bought the GF1 as I wanted the 20mm lens, the package worked out quite well. As I have the 14mm lens though the GF2's price is a lot tougher to swallow.

John
 
Panasonic should hang their heads in Shame with the GF2......i'll be holding onto my GF1 thankyou very much.

The reason i bought a GF1 is i like the idea of a dial to change mode etc i don't want a touchscreen. It was like a Small Dslr now it's a compact with lens you can change Great.

Maybe they fix it all in GF3 :) But like others have said i'm not gutted that i want to upgrade as there is no real reason that Panasonic have given me to want to upgrade
 
I recently bought a couple of FD lenses from here and one of them was a 50 mm macro lens. I've got it on the GF1 with an adaptor and using a 480EX2 on the hot shoe quickly shot the following images.


Drop on a Sieve by KJ (शिष्य), on Flickr


Shaving Brush by KJ (शिष्य), on Flickr


Water Drop by KJ (शिष्य), on Flickr


Match Head by KJ (शिष्य), on Flickr

Manual seems fine for still objects, but not ideal for moving ones for obvious reasons.

The use of old FD lenses has opened up another dimension on the GF1.
 
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KayJay - thanks, the canvases are from snapmad - there's a thread on here about them.

Lovely macro pics - must use my copy of that lens some more.

Peter - I'm not sure on your flash question sorry :(

Quick sunset snap on the way home from work today - finally got a replacement 14-45

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Very nice canvas images there graham! How much do they cost roughly? I really need to get a decent printer and print some of my stuff out.
 
£20 delivered for 24"x16" (which is what mine are) or 24"x20" I think

www.snapmad.com

So, I got published with my G1 pic (kind of) :D

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Mine is just the pic with the reflected sunset.

Few more from today

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hillwalkinggirl said:
Love no.1 Graham. Which birds were leaving our cold and windy shores?
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Thanks Barbara - not sure what birds to be honest. Annoyingly the picture is not that sharp when viewed big - I find the 45-200mm very inconsistent in that respect. :bang:

Peter are those taken with the 45-200mm?
 
:thumbs:That must be some set up, but it produced super results.
 
Just thought I'd pop back in and say hi as I have been away from the thread for sometime now.

Must say there are some fantastic images being posted..!

I'm going to have to get to grips with PP and really need a simple procedure to get to know how to do things from scratch..?

Anyway, was out riding the other day and thought I'd try a candid shot...

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Have posted in the photo section for critique too.
 
Nice one RSMarco - is that outside the cafe at Llandegla by any chance? :)

Been a bit quiet round here lately - anyone else got some pics to share?

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Some lovely landscapes there Graham. Looks like these GF1's are still doing the business!! :)

havent taken mine out of its case for a while but the weather was so nice today.. i took a trip.....into the garden!!! :D

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Thanks folks,

Janice those are great, fantastic colours in the first one. :thumbs:

My pics were taken around Arnside, just across Morecambe Bay from the Lake District.
 
Lovely pictures Janice and Graham, went shopping and popped camera in bag as the sun was shining...

Where has all the leaves gone ?
 
Nice sharp shots, David, and I will tell you where all those leaves have gone... all over my front garden I think!!! We have an enormous horse chestunt tree and the lawn was about a foot deep in leaves since october!! :D
 
Janice said:
Nice sharp shots, David, and I will tell you where all those leaves have gone... all over my front garden I think!!! We have an enormous horse chestunt tree and the lawn was about a foot deep in leaves since october!! :D
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Glad those leaves have gone to a good home:thumbs:
 


Unusual wreath we are about 15/16 miles from Bethnal Green
 
Janice said:
Some lovely landscapes there Graham. Looks like these GF1's are still doing the business!! :)

havent taken mine out of its case for a while but the weather was so nice today.. i took a trip.....into the garden!!! :D

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Nice photos Janice and I'm so glad you have had some nice weather, we've had floods here today:'(
 
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