"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

I had a reply from Panasonic confirming that the G2 is definitely not included in the cashback offer - not that I thought it was really having read the terms properly as it clearly states what is and is not included.
As for cashback on lenses. From what I can gather there is no issue claiming for £50 cashback on a lens (that is included on the list of claimable lenses) having NOT bought a camera kit. i.e. You do not have to buy a camera body/kit in order to claim for a separate lens. The lens cashback is a standalone thing. Obviously you cannot claim cashback on lenses included as part of a kit though i.e. the 14-42mm - this is clearly stated.

I asked Panasonic about the 20mm H-H020 vs H-H020E difference and a rep got back to me saying that the E designation is to show that it is a UK lens. He showed me an example packaging which actually has a generic H-H020 mark on it, and then in more detail elsewhere on the packaging it states H-H020E as well. So I don't know. I will wait to see what John Lewis ship to me and then submit a claim. I am still happy with the overall deal I got if the lens cashback price goes through.

Cheers.
 
GH2, G3, GF3 & GX1 is only ones included.

Lenses have to be bought as standalone products.
 
srhmoto said:
Errr, that's for last year's cashback offer if you read the information in the link you provided........
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I don't recall mentioning the link was this years promotion.

What I did say was they are mentioned specifically on Panasonics web pages, so the odds are they are an approved retailer, no?
 
There is a part of the site which lets you see which are authorized retailers. I'm pretty certain John Lewis is so it should be fine.
 
woof woof said:
I don't know if manual focus will be that much of an advantage unless you are setting focus at infinity or some other distance for depth of field or zone focus reasons. Other than those uses I think I'd be tempted to leave the AF on and just tweak it manually if required or if the AF latches onto the wrong thing.

I only use centre spot focus myself although these days I mostly use a manual lens anyway.
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yes its a bit fiddly...but the enlarged screen facility with manual is a great boon.
the focussing ring is the problem for me...a bit thin on the G1
i tried using manual on a close up at 45 on the zoom
and then with autofocus and focus lock...
both seemed the same but the autofocus was loads more user friendly
any real reason for manual then...?
cheers
geof
 
having just bought a G2,my 1st panasonic camera,im now looking for compatable lenses that will either a/f or m/f on this camera.what is good and what to avoid.im about to purchase a Nikon adapter too so i can experiment with my Ais lenses,and also looking for info on compatable flashguns too.
so if you can recommend any websites/forums that may help cover lots of questions i have not even thought of yet on my new toy,i would be much appreciative

peter
 
pmiddleditch said:
having just bought a G2,my 1st panasonic camera,im now looking for compatable lenses that will either a/f or m/f on this camera.what is good and what to avoid.im about to purchase a Nikon adapter too so i can experiment with my Ais lenses,and also looking for info on compatable flashguns too.
so if you can recommend any websites/forums that may help cover lots of questions i have not even thought of yet on my new toy,i would be much appreciative

peter
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M4/3 forum here
 
Got myself a G3 and a 20mm prime, do the Raw files take a lot of work. What does everyone use to convert and tweak with. Coming from a 5D so used to Canon and Elements.

Thanks
 
purplepleaser said:
Got myself a G3 and a 20mm prime, do the Raw files take a lot of work. What does everyone use to convert and tweak with. Coming from a 5D so used to Canon and Elements.

Thanks
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Didn't like silkypix thing that came bundled, I moved on to use LR3 and now LR4
 
purplepleaser said:
Got myself a G3 and a 20mm prime, do the Raw files take a lot of work. What does everyone use to convert and tweak with. Coming from a 5D so used to Canon and Elements.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Elements v.7 and v.8 works fine on my G1 RAW files.
CJS
 
mrtoad said:
any real reason for manual then...?
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MF is good for some things I think... especially when the camera is likely to focus on something you don't want it to such as when shooting through a fence or branches etc and wanting the focus to be on what's beyond. Manual is also good for macro and close up shooting, for zone focusing, and in circumstances when AF wont lock on.

I use manual all the time...

IMG_9068.jpg
 
woof woof said:
MF is good for some things I think... especially when the camera is likely to focus on something you don't want it to such as when shooting through a fence or branches etc and wanting the focus to be on what's beyond. Manual is also good for macro and close up shooting, for zone focusing, and in circumstances when AF wont lock on.

I use manual all the time...

IMG_9068.jpg
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that lens on the G1 looks a cracker with a decent focussing ring
cheers
geof
ps points taken
 
Is anyone using LCD plastic protectors?

Are they worth it or do they spoil the 'composing' experience or interfere with the touchscreen functionality?
 
DayDreamer said:
Is anyone using LCD plastic protectors?

Are they worth it or do they spoil the 'composing' experience or interfere with the touchscreen functionality?
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I prefer to look after the screen, stick-ons never look good in my experience, the way to go is a GGS glass protector screen if you must, but it can interfere with an articulating screen unless you leave the screen facing outwards.

Edit... a glass screen would obviously interfere with a touch screen.
 
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Galaxy66 said:
I prefer to look after the screen, stick-ons never look good in my experience, the way to go is a GGS glass protector screen if you must, but it can interfere with an articulating screen unless you leave the screen facing outwards.

Edit... a glass screen would obviously interfere with a touch screen.
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Good points and in my lifetime I have always looked after my kit/s so may give them a miss. It seems there are so many incidental accessories for your cameras these days we may get too carried away :lol:
 
woof woof said:
MF is good for some things I think... especially when the camera is likely to focus on something you don't want it to such as when shooting through a fence or branches etc and wanting the focus to be on what's beyond. Manual is also good for macro and close up shooting, for zone focusing, and in circumstances when AF wont lock on.

I use manual all the time...

IMG_9068.jpg
Click to expand...

i sense an adaptor and a full bodied prime lens there with the voitlander etc
what are the component parts...
cheers
geof
 
Well I just bought a G2 on offer from Tesco Direct. The kit lens rattle issue is well documented and doesn't bother me, but I have noticed a quiet rattle in the body. It's not the strap lugs and doesn't seem to cause any issue with the function of the camera.

So:-

Can any other owners test their G2 with a gentle shake (without lens) and say whether it rattles, please?
 
George Dorn said:
Well I just bought a G2 on offer from Tesco Direct. The kit lens rattle issue is well documented and doesn't bother me, but I have noticed a quiet rattle in the body. It's not the strap lugs and doesn't seem to cause any issue with the function of the camera.

So:-

Can any other owners test their G2 with a gentle shake (without lens) and say whether it rattles, please?
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Yes...mine does. No lens and holding strap lugs tight. On the Canon it used to be the onboard flash, but it makes no odds if flash is up or down on the G2.
It's only a small sound, I wouldn't worry! :)
 
George Dorn said:
Well I just bought a G2 on offer from Tesco Direct. The kit lens rattle issue is well documented and doesn't bother me, but I have noticed a quiet rattle in the body. It's not the strap lugs and doesn't seem to cause any issue with the function of the camera.

So:-

Can any other owners test their G2 with a gentle shake (without lens) and say whether it rattles, please?
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Yep, mine does it, sounds to my entirely untrained ear like it's part of the shutter mechanism. And nope, I'm not worried about it :)
 
Thanks, folks. I shan't be sending it back, then - just concentrating on enjoying the camera! :thumbs:
 
Update on cashback offer from Panasonic. The H-H020 Panasonic 20mm prime I got says H-H020 on the side AND H-H020E on the barcode which is normal. So this should be honoured. Only issue I can see is that my original purchase receipt from JL has no purchase date written on it, which is a bit stupid. Hopefully this all goes through with Panasonic ok as I would have thought the purchase date matters the most since it must be after 2nd April and before 31st May. We will see.

I need to get an SD card and a spare battery for my G2 now. Any recommendations?
 
which of the available 3rd party batteries are ok to use and last well on the G2 and reasonably priced too.

secondly also for the G2 can you recommend a fully TTL compatable flashgun that will not break the bank

thanks
 
Does anyone have issues with the GX1 underexposing? I find the camera seems to underexpose most of the time and I end up dialing in 1 stop of exposure compensation.

It also seems to have a habit of setting the shutter speed to 1/60 when using Auto ISO and Aperture priority which I find gives camera shake with the 20mm.

Any ideas? :(
 
I went out with my 5D today and I had a few problems... As I've been shooting with a G1+manual lens shooting with the 5D and AF seemed strange and looking through the VF I couldn't understand why f10 looked so shallow but I'd forgotten about focusing wide open and stepping down to take the picture but once I remembered to press DoF preview all looked well. I blew a few highlights though.

It was strange not shooting MFT+manual lens.
 
woof woof said:
I went out with my 5D today and I had a few problems... As I've been shooting with a G1+manual lens shooting with the 5D and AF seemed strange and looking through the VF I couldn't understand why f10 looked so shallow but I'd forgotten about focusing wide open and stepping down to take the picture but once I remembered to press DoF preview all looked well. I blew a few highlights though.

It was strange not shooting MFT+manual lens.
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I'm considering selling all my Canon gear in one hit, been considering it for a while now
 
I have the 5D and 7 lenses, I think... 20mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 150mm f2.8, 12-24mm, 20-35mm, 70-300mm, Yup, that's 7. I sold my 20D + 50mm f2.5.

I used my 5D+12-24mm some time ago to do some indoor shots but I mostly use my G1 now.
 
ShrubMonkey said:
I'm considering selling all my Canon gear in one hit, been considering it for a while now
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Big decision Julian, my present way of thinking after selling my 5D MK 2 and quickly replacing it with a 7D, is that I may sit on the fence for a while with DSLR on one side and M4/3 on the other.
 
Galaxy66 said:
Big decision Julian, my present way of thinking after selling my 5D MK 2 and quickly replacing it with a 7D, is that I may sit on the fence for a while with DSLR on one side and M4/3 on the other.
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Yeah, big decision. Im really not using the canon lenses that much, having all that gear doing nothing is my reason.
 
ShrubMonkey said:
Yeah, big decision. Im really not using the canon lenses that much, having all that gear doing nothing is my reason.
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Sensible decision if not being used, I should be making the same decision!, at one time I would lug DSLR gear around with me everywhere, now I either carry my shoulder bag with the full M4/3 kit or just pop the G3 14-42 power zoom in my pocket, today was an exception and forgot to take a camera with me and missed a shot I would have liked :bonk:.

I am actually sitting here looking at my huge Vertex 200 back pack, alongside the Classified 200 over the shoulder jobby......:cuckoo::shake:

The wife is also pleased as she never liked me carrying a heavy back pack anywhere:).
 
I did a similar thing but moved from Nikon, I sold a fair heap of stuff:

Nikon D700
Nikon D300
Nikon D80
Nikon D70 with Infra-Red conversion

Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 85mm f1.8
Nikon 105mm Macro f2.8
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8

Sigma 10-20mm f3.5-5.6
Sigma 50mm f1.4
Sigma 150mm Macro f2.8

Nikon SB600 x 3
Nikon SB800

MB-D10 Grip
MC-36 Remote

R1 Macro kit

Gitzo GT3540L Tripod
Gitzo 2541 Monopod
Manfrotto 393
Manfrotto 468MGRC2

I now shoot with a GX1 and mostly prime lenses and take more photos than ever and enjoy it more than I did in the last few months of my Nikon life. With a young family, the portability and cost savings have also been a big bonus. I don't miss all of the SLR gear, it just wouldn't fit with my lifestyle anymore and with the quality of MFT cameras/lenses I think there are actually a lot of people who shoot with an SLR who don't need to (not knocking their choice at all, just commenting on the performance available from MFT equipment).
 
ricky1981 said:
I did a similar thing but moved from Nikon, I sold a fair heap of stuff:

Nikon D700
Nikon D300
Nikon D80
Nikon D70 with Infra-Red conversion

Nikon 50mm f1.8
Nikon 85mm f1.8
Nikon 105mm Macro f2.8
Nikon 14-24 f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8

Sigma 10-20mm f3.5-5.6
Sigma 50mm f1.4
Sigma 150mm Macro f2.8

Nikon SB600 x 3
Nikon SB800

MB-D10 Grip
MC-36 Remote

R1 Macro kit

Gitzo GT3540L Tripod
Gitzo 2541 Monopod
Manfrotto 393
Manfrotto 468MGRC2

I now shoot with a GX1 and mostly prime lenses and take more photos than ever and enjoy it more than I did in the last few months of my Nikon life. With a young family, the portability and cost savings have also been a big bonus. I don't miss all of the SLR gear, it just wouldn't fit with my lifestyle anymore and with the quality of MFT cameras/lenses I think there are actually a lot of people who shoot with an SLR who don't need to (not knocking their choice at all, just commenting on the performance available from MFT equipment).
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Jeez that's a lot of stuff to sell. I'm no pro and although I've taken a few pics we've had made into A2 canvases most of the stuff is either just for memories or printed at 5x7. My dslr is too much for my needs. It does take cracking pics but with a MFT + fast prime I can take equally as good pics.
 
ShrubMonkey said:
Yeah, big decision. Im really not using the canon lenses that much, having all that gear doing nothing is my reason.
Click to expand...

I did exactly the same thing in September last year, and sold all of my Canon gear in one go to move over to a MFT system based around a GH2.

For me, it was the best move I've made in a long time. Photography is now fun again, I don't break my back humping heavy kit around and I don't feel like I stand out like a sore thumb when using a big DSLR and lenses.

All in all I couldn't be happier :)

Simon.
 
I've been umming and aahing over whether to ditch my SLR kit (D5000, 18-200, 35, 18-105, 70-300) and go permanently over to MFT (I presently have a GF2, 14-42, 14-140, 14, 20). Especially now I have a little one (9 weeks).

The only thing holding me back is the high ISO performance of the GF2 (in good light it's fantastic) - is the new sensor on the G3/GX1 much better?

These last few posts are convincing me to sell the Nikon stuff, and use the cash to fund a GX1/G5 (G5 announcement in May?) and maybe a 7-14 if I can find a used one...
 
Llamaman said:
I've been umming and aahing over whether to ditch my SLR kit (D5000, 18-200, 35, 18-105, 70-300) and go permanently over to MFT (I presently have a GF2, 14-42, 14-140, 14, 20). Especially now I have a little one (9 weeks).

The only thing holding me back is the high ISO performance of the GF2 (in good light it's fantastic) - is the new sensor on the G3/GX1 much better?

These last few posts are convincing me to sell the Nikon stuff, and use the cash to fund a GX1/G5 (G5 announcement in May?) and maybe a 7-14 if I can find a used one...
Click to expand...

I bought a s/h GX1 off of here a couple weeks ago but I have to admit it was not what I expected it to be when it came to ISO performance nor did I care much about the colours.

Of course my comparison is a K-5 which is one of if not the best high ISO performer in the APS-C land.

I had a quick play with an OM-D though and that seemed to be quite a bit better. Where I could see noise in the ISO 800 of the GX1 I could not see much noise at all at 1600 with the OM-D it was actually rather useable at 2000. The K-5 in comparison is very useable up to 3200 and with a bit of care in PP you can get little noise in pictures at ISOs as high as 6400.

I think your GX1 will match in performance your D5000 when it comes to high ISO and although that says a lot it is not good enough for me anymore. So the GX1 has been sold.
 
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Thanks for the reply. I'm pleasantly surprised that MFT has caught up on a not-that-old APS-C sensor. If a GX1 or G3 will match my D5000 there's no reason to keep it!
The OM-D looks like a well-specced camera but it is far too expensive. Same was true of the EP3 when I bought into MFT - Olympus are clearly good at squeezing the pips out of design-conscious users!
 
Llamaman said:
Thanks for the reply. I'm pleasantly surprised that MFT has caught up on a not-that-old APS-C sensor. If a GX1 or G3 will match my D5000 there's no reason to keep it!
The OM-D looks like a well-specced camera but it is far too expensive. Same was true of the EP3 when I bought into MFT - Olympus are clearly good at squeezing the pips out of design-conscious users!
Click to expand...

Olympus also manages to drain every ounce of quality out of their sensors as well though cause their 12mp EP3 sensor manages high ISOs a fair bit better than the GF2/3 of this world which seem to be using the same sensor.

I agree though, Olympus camera prices stay quite a bit higher than the Panasonic ones. It was not until I started looking into the MFT a couple months ago that the EP3 is still no much less than its initial price. You also don't see that many s/h either which might say a lot about their quality or just their owners.

GX1 has a nice little rebate on it too at the moment so it is considerably (nearly 200£...) cheaper than the EP3 even now but keep in mind that the EP3 has IBIS and the optional EVF of the Olympus is quite a bit better than the one for the GX1 and to top it all of OOC JPEGs the GX1 is just meh while the EM-5 was soooo much better.

I am currently torn between an OM-D or a K-01 and for the life of me I can't decide! One too expensive especially given that I will need a few lenses for it, the other has no VF and it is a lot bulkier but I have plenty of lenses for and the IQ is fantastic. I should probably buy both I think.
 
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Finally succumbed to temptation and ordered myself the Panny Leica 25mm f1.4 and Olympus 45mm f1.8. Only managed a few shots when I got in from work before my camera's battery went flat :gag:, but from what I've seen of both lenses wide open, I think I'm going to get on well with them!

#1 Shot taken with the 45mm f1.8 wide open on a GH2

45mm_test_001 by srhphoto, on Flickr

#2 Shot taken with the 25mm f1.4 wide open on a GH2

25mm_test_001 by srhphoto, on Flickr

Get in close wide open with both lenses, and it really is a case of "Background? What background?" :lol:

Cheers,

Simon.
 
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