"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

Third party batteries work fine on the G3 BUT the display to show battery level does not work.

Lots on ebay and most state they work with x model but no power level display.
 
Any thoughts on the 14-140 kit lens for the GH2? Not sure if it should be sacrificed for the 100-300 (ie buy a body only and 100-300, which works out at roughly the same price)...and I've only got one chance at it as it's fairly reasonable with the GH2 but costs a fortune on its own.
 
People complaining about the EVF might like to consider the conditions and lens settings.

I find that in good light the EVF is a joy to use. In lower light the gain gets turned up and you can get noise in the EVF but if you increase the size of the aperture the gain goes down and all is sweetness and light again.

I can use my 25mm f0.95 in really low light and it's still a joy to use but with a kit zoom set to f4 (or whatever) in low light I'd agree that things get a bit less fun and a bit noisy.

I find the EVF histograme a joy and the WYSIWYG is fantastic, it's great to see the DoF and focus point changing. I really miss these things when switching back to a DSLR.
 
Last edited:
Got to admit, i tried a G2 today and had 2nd thoughts about what i said about the EVF!! It was quite bright and the shots looked great.
 
cam1986 said:
How did you find the EVF? It seemed very slow to me and artificial (I know it is that).
Click to expand...

I find it to be absolutely fine. It's a very high pixel screen so the quality is very good. The colours differ from what's on the rear screen a bit but i see the EVF and screen as a composition tool and don't really care about it's image quality. The end result is what matters and the G3 really does deliver!!!
 
Yea, use the EVF to get the shot as its going to be better than what the EVF is showing
 
Can anyone confirm what the build quality of the g3 is compared to the gf1? I still fancy the g3 (and a spare battery). 270 shots a charge is quite poor IMHO. Thing is I do love the metal build of my gf1.
 
I'm tempted to look at a G3 but they've upped the base ISO to 160 and that'll give even more problems shooting at wider apertures as the max shutter speed is still 1/4000 and all that puts me off a bit.
 
So I took a special trip into town this afternoon and checked out a G3 in the flesh. To me it felt pretty well built, better than 550d/600d/d3100 & d5100s, but not as good as the d90 and up. But, it does feel plasticky in comparison with the gf1 metal body and not quite as good as the G2.

I actually quite liked the touchscreen and the new menus, especially the new pin point focus thing which isn't present on the GF1. The flip out screen felt safe and secure, with a decent hinge on.

In my hand, it felt quite comfortable, slightly more so than the G2 which was also on display. Shame there are a load of instant access buttons/dials missing from the G2 --> G3 upgrade. Despite IMHO not looking as good as the GF1, it did feel nicer to hold and suited the 14042 kit lens more.

The EVF was OK, and would certainly get rid of those annoying situations in bright light where I'm guessing a little on my framing.

I think I'm pretty close to buying the G3, all things considered. I can re-use my 20mm and 14-42 lenses, and get a decently priced body only G3 deal. The one thing that's holding me back is the battery on the G3. Why do manufacturers seem to think it's OK to upgrade things from one gen to the next, but downgrade the battery?? Whichever marketing genius that thought of that ought to be fired.
 
.
 
Last edited:
fidsey79 said:
Andy, how do you find the G3 in comparison to your 40d?? Does it produce comparable pictures?
Click to expand...

Funnily enough i did a load of comparison (ish) test's today and the G3 in my opinion is a bit better than the 40D. The colours and general quality of the images are better from the G3. In fact i prefer using the G3 so much more than the 40D that I'm going to sell the 40D when i get back from my holiday next week. The G3 is a lovely little devil that produces great images and at the moment it's doing 'it' for me!!
 
nog said:
Well got my adapter from ciecio7, delivery only took 3 or 4 days and now have a Canon FD 50mm 1.4 so hopefully try it tomorrow, thats if it ever stops raining here in sunny North Wales.

Love the size of the G3, not sure about the menu layout, will get used to it I guess.

Only panny lens I have ATM is the 14-42, most posts I read say the 14-45 is a better lens - is it worth me looking out for a 14-45 and ebaying the 14-42?. Thanks
Click to expand...

What do you set the camera at when using the adapter/FD lens , is it AP/Man/Shut mode ? , just asking as got adapter & 50mm 1.8 today

Julian
 
If it's the same as the manual lens I'm using it's Aperture or Manual.
 
woof woof said:
If it's the same as the manual lens I'm using it's Aperture or Manual.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that I thought it would be , its on a GH1 , when you are reviewing a a taken shot in camera the info available includes shutter speed and iso setting but shows 0.0 value for aperture , spose you have to remember what aperture you set , is that correct ? :)

Julian
 
Yes... we're back to a notebook and pen I'm afraid! :)

Another thing that you have to remember is to change the aperture :lol:
 
Guy in a camera shop today said the battery on the Panasonic was pants
 
Off to Jessops in York today to try out the G3 - to see what it can do :)
 
Going to see if the gf3 is in as well.
 
Last edited:
Took a couple of snaps with a canon FD1.4 on....I know I missed the bottom of the rose:)



6062833097_f6a1b3ed40_z.jpg
 
Nice shot.

I must admit that I have no complaints so far about battery life on my GF1 or G1. With the G1 I only use the EVF and I usually turn my cameras off between shots if I think it'll be a few minutes before I take another so maybe those factors help.
 
I noticed last night that there's also a free lightroom offer with Panasonic at the moment. That tipped the balance for me, (pants battery or not) and my body only g3 should be here on Tuesday.

So that's the free photoshop elements 9 and premiere 9 I got last time around on the gf1 and now Lightroom this time - that's quite generous of Panasonic I feel. Not sure I'll use lightroom though as I'm an Aperture 3 user with a few paid plug ins, worth me flogging Lightroom do you reckon?
 
That's what I intend to do...flog Lightroom as I already have it. It's also nice to get the 5 year warranty too.

I have a spare battery but have yet to change it over as the 1st is doing OK for me at the moment. I guess if you were shooting almost all day then a spare would be needed but so far so good.

Here are a few shots from my G3.


Cycling by andywest1, on Flickr


G3 Hastings amusements by andywest1, on Flickr


Shiney Leaves by andywest1, on Flickr
 
fidsey79 said:
Are these processed or out of the camera???? These are maaaad pictures, the quality is amazing!!
Click to expand...

I agree excellent images Andy- what lens did you take them with, the kit lens which comes with the g3?
 
fidsey79 said:
Hi Simon, enjoy Jessops in York, I thought they were fab. The chap I spoke to was really enthusiastic about the G3. There is a GF2 to trail, some Olympus camera and Sony on the same island in the middle of the shop. Was great to take photos on my SD card! Have fun and let us know what you think!
Click to expand...

Will be like a kid in a sweet shop then :)
 
fidsey79 said:
Sorry andy, hope you don't mind me answering for you (looked at your flickr site) it was a 20mm pancake. Looks a very nice package!
Click to expand...

Thank you - should've looked on flickr site myself eh :lol:
 
Had my G3 for a couple of weeks now and just got the 20mm pancake last week. It's stayed on the camera since, lol. 5 year warranty and free lightroom (which doesn't support the G3 raw file yet :() along with 10% discount sold it for me.

Also got a Canon 500d which I'm now selling as I just don't need it with having the G3. I'll take so many more photos with the G3 as it's so portable. Especially with the 20mm lens on it.

Here's a random pic I've taken with it:

Choo choo by InfernalBadger, on Flickr
 
fidsey79 said:
damn!!! see they are also offering £20 off pancake lens if bought with G3!
Click to expand...

Is the Panasonic offer (5 year warranty, Lightroom etc) available if buying through Argos? I checked the Panasonic website and it's not bringing them up as a participating dealer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top