"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

Anyone using a m4t wide angle? I bought the Oly 9-18 in December but Im not too taken with it yet. Admitedly I havn't had a chance for a good session out yet, but I find it nowhere near as inspiring as the 20mm, which has found it's way back on to my G1.
 
Danny_Two said:
Anyone using a m4t wide angle? I bought the Oly 9-18 in December but Im not too taken with it yet. Admitedly I havn't had a chance for a good session out yet, but I find it nowhere near as inspiring as the 20mm, which has found it's way back on to my G1.

I have the Olympus 9-18 MFT and REALLY like it

I couldn't afford the 7-14 Panasonic lens but in terms of sharpness etc there seems to be little difference between the two - the Panasonic edges it at wider settings but not enough in my mind to warrant the extra cost.

The Panasonic is clearly wider but the Olympus makes a much better walkaround lens for landscapes
 
My Panasonic G 45-200 has arrived at last from City Link - only 7 days for next day delivery. Outer box was squashed but luckily Park Cameras had packed it well, and initial try appears OK. Driver said they were in chaos - he wasn't joking, understatement of the New Year.
Looking forward to getting a chance to try it out properly now.
 
Great news Barbara, hopefully we will get some clear days now for you to try it out. Did you manage to get a G1?
Allan
 
Great news Barbara, hopefully we will get some clear days now for you to try it out. Did you manage to get a G1?
Allan

Yes thank you Allan. I've just ordered the G1 from dazzajl. Looking forward to getting it. Although it will be a bit heavier and bulkier than my GF1 I think it will be better with the long lens and also save my poor aching knees.:thumbs:
 
I think the viewfinder is a great help to use the longer lens properly. I tried it on my GF1 and G1/2 and its easier to get sharper images with the G1/2.
Allan
 
Hey folks, posting from Zermatt in Switzerland. :)

Finding the GF1 great for boarding, and the 45-200 is actually coming in pretty handy. It's so bright that you can get really good shutter speeds and stop down quite a bit which really helps with the IQ.
 
Hey folks, posting from Zermatt in Switzerland. :)

Finding the GF1 great for boarding, and the 45-200 is actually coming in pretty handy. It's so bright that you can get really good shutter speeds and stop down quite a bit which really helps with the IQ.

You lucky devil - have a great holiday and look forward to seeing the pictures.
 
Does anyone know of a good flash you can use with the gf1. I'm looking for one that will let me bounce the light from it. Thanks.
 
Does anyone know of a good flash you can use with the gf1. I'm looking for one that will let me bounce the light from it. Thanks.

You could go for the Panny flashes, the FL220 can be angled to bounce flash or the FL360 has a tilt head.
I don't know any third party flashes that will work but I am sure there are some. They won't say Lumix on the front though!

Edit. Nissin do a Di466 that is half Panny prices and seems to be highly regarded
Allan
 
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If it was from ebay it was probably spent Standard delivery which is usually 5 working days if you're lucky. RM special delivery I have found to be very good. Hope you get it ok after the hols.
Well, it finally showed up on Tuesday. Unfortunately, currently going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. Guess I'll have to wait until the weekend to try it out.

I've also ordered the 35mm f1,7 from the same seller.
 
My G1 body arrived today from Darren (dazzajl). Quite impressed it seems a nice little camera. I still love my GF1 though for it's smallness and lightness, but the G1 seems a much better bet when using a big lens such as the 45-200. Just dying to get out and try it when this stupid foot gets a bit better.
 
Edit. Nissin do a Di466 that is half Panny prices and seems to be highly regarded
Allan

That looks like it will do the job:thumbs:
I've been playing with my 50mm and extention tubes to take a few macro shots. I know there is the 45mm but what other options are open for a macro lens:shrug:
 
Olympus flashes fit, and Metz also do a dedicated range.

As for Macro, theres the Oly 35mm and 50mm or the Sigma 105 and 150mm 4/3 lenses on an adaper
 
I have a Metz 45 which is ETTL for the GF1.

It isn't manual but you can turn the flash power up and down on the camera if you need some adjustment.

I couldnt afford the Panasonic or Olympus FL360 flashes which are both ETTL AND manual, so the alternative was either a manual only or an ETTL only.

I reckoned ETTL with the fine tuning on the camera was best and it was about £60ish from Flash in the Pan if my memory serves me correctly.
 
I think the Nissin has a couple of advantages over the Metz for a similar price. The Nissin has a motorised flash zoom and faster recharge time. The Metz is probably better built, but you seem to get a lot for your money with Nissin.
I will probably be ordering one next week.
Allan
 
I used a Metz45 on my E-P1. Basic, but you get a full-TTL bounce flash. No swivel if I remember right though...
 
I've been trying out my new acquisition G1 today, and comparing it to my GF1. Firstly where the GF1 gains.
  1. Rear dial on GF1 feels more convenient to me than the front dial on G1.
  2. Excellent video on GF1 whereas no video on G1 (however I don't miss this as I have other cameras I use for video.
  3. It's lighter and smaller than the G1 so better for hiking in my opinion.
  4. Smaller size is not so useful with long lens as hard to hold steady
Now where I think the G1 is better.
  1. Live View Tilt screen, makes low angle photgraphy much easier on the knees, and much more convenient when using tripod close to floor.
  2. Although the viewfinder is nowhere near as good as on my DSLR it is so useful to have one.
  3. It has more modes on the mode dial, but I will seldom use these as I generally use Aperture, Shutter or manual.
  4. I like the top dial for focus mode, even though dpreview hated it.
  5. Viewfinder and more substantial body makes it much easier to hold steady with long lens.
  6. Card holder on side instead of on bottom means that the card can be removed without removing QR tripod plate.

All I need to do now is get out and take some proper photos with it.
 
For the flash debate: Yongnuo YN560 on GH1. I should think it would look somewhat comical on a GF1!

165096_1714303374009_1130922469_1953025_8173270_n.jpg


:D

(As I was bored and playing around, this was sho twith an Olympus C5050 with bhuilt in flash AND the YN560 fired via YN04 wireless trigger bounced off the wall, I was attempting to take a shot of the YN firing on the GH but the in built flash of the C5050 isn't powerful enough to compete - naturally!)
 
I've been trying out my new acquisition G1 today, and comparing it to my GF1. Firstly where the GF1 gains.
  1. Rear dial on GF1 feels more convenient to me than the front dial on G1.
  2. Excellent video on GF1 whereas no video on G1 (however I don't miss this as I have other cameras I use for video.
  3. It's lighter and smaller than the G1 so better for hiking in my opinion.
  4. Smaller size is not so useful with long lens as hard to hold steady
Now where I think the G1 is better.
  1. Live View Tilt screen, makes low angle photgraphy much easier on the knees, and much more convenient when using tripod close to floor.
  2. Although the viewfinder is nowhere near as good as on my DSLR it is so useful to have one.
  3. It has more modes on the mode dial, but I will seldom use these as I generally use Aperture, Shutter or manual.
  4. I like the top dial for focus mode, even though dpreview hated it.
  5. Viewfinder and more substantial body makes it much easier to hold steady with long lens.
  6. Card holder on side instead of on bottom means that the card can be removed without removing QR tripod plate.

All I need to do now is get out and take some proper photos with it.

Nice comparison although if you go for the G2 later, you will notice the card slot has moved back into the battery compartment. Bit of a backward step methinks, but the dial at the front of the camera has moved to the back like the GF1, so that evens it up!
I must admit I do like the viewfinder especially when using longer lenses.

I have been stuck in all week with a new camera too ( not M43 though) following a bout of poorliness. Hopefully the weekend will be a little better. I am.

Allan
 
Ive gone the other way, from a G1(and the wifes G10)to a GF1 and agree with the comparison.
 
This must be the photographic version of stone cladding on houses that was all the rage in the '70's.

I think I will pass on that....

Allan
 
The biggest benefit of skinning the GF1, I find, is the improved grip you have of the camera body. Helps protect from minor bumps and scratches too.
 
Housebound, desperate to find something to take a photo of. Stole a bloom off hubbys Xmas cactus. It was looking a bit sorry for itself, but I did my best. Very pleased with the G1- it's a nice camera to use.:thumbs:
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Just arrived ....this GF1 book I found on Amazon
OK its American but looks as though it will help me a lot, for under £16 can't be a bad buy anyway, we will see, Watch this Space !!

So is this book any good, Made you a better user of the gf1 or better photographer :)
 
Unfortunately due to Care comittments to my partner have not had chance to read it yet.
 
The biggest benefit of skinning the GF1, I find, is the improved grip you have of the camera body. Helps protect from minor bumps and scratches too.

I like the skin on mine - definitely improves the grip.

Just got back from Zermatt - used the GF1 a lot, it really is great for taking out snowboarding.

The last two are with the 45-200 - not razor sharp but you do get a hell of a lot of reach in a relatively small and light package.


P1220817 by Grum Wynne, on Flickr


Spindrift - Castor and Troy by Grum Wynne, on Flickr




View from the Kleine Matterhorn towards Italy by Grum Wynne, on Flickr


Matterhorn - Hornli ridge detail by Grum Wynne, on Flickr
 
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Beautiful shots Graham. Not jealous at all!
Love #3, lots of depth to it

Allan
 
Finally got around to taking a few pictures using my GF1 with my new 25mm f1,4 C-mount lens (CCTV lens plus m4/3 adaptor from eBay). Here are a few samples which, I hope, demonstrate what to expect...

Toy25_001.jpg


Toy25_002.jpg


Toy25_003.jpg


Toy25_004.jpg


Toy25_005.jpg


Pictures are straight from the camera with no PP. Left the aperture wide open to demonstrate the full effect. In all honesty, I doubt I'll use this very often. That said, well worth the money imho.

The oddest thing was realising how dependant I'd become upon auto-focus :eek:
 
grum said:
Adrian - how much was that inc the adapter? Looks like it could be fun for video - lots of softness and vignetting in the corners but I quite like the effect.
£25.98 all in (free p&p). Included the links in a previous post. Also bought the 35mm f1,7 - less impressed with that tbph.
 
I've been thinking about getting a 45-200m for my GF1, I know some folk think it can be a little soft at certain FL's but looking at the two above (Grum's Photos) the pics taken with the 45-200 look pretty good to me. I know the lens would never be as good as my old Canon 100-400 L (quality wise) but then that is to be expected, but a little tweak and USM in PS Elements would surely be enough to take any softness away ...would it ?

I suppose I'm still trying to convince myself to buy one, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it LOL, perhaps one of you can convince me my thinking is on the right track.
 
I suppose I'm still trying to convince myself to buy one, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it LOL, perhaps one of you can convince me my thinking is on the right track.


I think it's a good value lens, £ for £ you get quite a lot for your money. I barely use mine to be honest, but Ive never found fault in it when I have.
 
Nadeem said:
So is this book any good, Made you a better user of the gf1 or better photographer :)

I got my GF-1 just before christmas, picked up the same book about a week ago and sat down for a look through it on Sunday evening.

Best way to describe it is a glorified user manual with quite a few extra chapters on photography basics. I'd say it most certainly aimed at the P&S user who's upgraded and curious about all the new features and potential he/she has in their hands. There was quite a long chapter(s) on the video functions of the camera but I flicked past that section.

I'd class myself as nothing more than an average enthusiast but there wasn't anything in it that;
A) I didn't already have at least a basic concept of. Which leads to..
B) I couldn't have found out easily and probably more in depth on the forum or probably any generic photography book/magazine.

I'm going to pass my copy onto a friend who bought a GF-1 just before new years. I don't think he's had a camera, beyond a Sony Ericsson Cybershot, for a good few years now and he wanted a good camera in anticipation of the birth of his first child in the summer, so I'm sure he'll get quite a bit of benefit from it.
 
£25.98 all in (free p&p). Included the links in a previous post. Also bought the 35mm f1,7 - less impressed with that tbph.

Ah ok thanks, I missed that somehow.

Thought people may be interested to hear - I posted some pics for critique in the landscape section. The one most people seem to like best was taken with the GF1 and 45-200, whereas the others were taken with a full frame 5D and some 'L' glass. ;)
 
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