"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

[fidsey79]

Ha ha ha!! My story is short but feel it will get a whole lot trickier soon...
Got a G1 nearly 3 years ago, had lovely lenses. Became obsessed with photography, did City and Guilds Level 1. Decided I wanted to become a photographer. Decided that to become a photographer I NEEDED more pro-like kit. Bought D7000 (after a lot of nagging and begging!) Sold lovely lenses. Did City and Guilds Level 2 using both cameras. Which camera produced consistently good photos? - the G1 of course. Which has given me complete wrist ache especially this evening when trying out new Jessops flash? - the D7000. Where am I now - heaven knows!!!

 

[ShrubMonkey]

Well my GF3 has given out on me... Keeps kicking out card errors (tried a number of different cards) so it's off back to Panasonic

That's not good, how old is it?

 

[postcardcv]

That's not good, how old is it?

About five weeks!!! It's going back via the retailer (srs) who are being very helpful. It's an odd one as it will work fine for a while but when it flashes up a card error i have to switch it off to clear it. When this happens it wipes all the images from the card but will then happily start shooting again. First time I assumed it was the card that was at fault, but it has happened with a couple of different brands of card now.

 

[ShrubMonkey]

About five weeks!!! It's going back via the retailer (srs) who are being very helpful. It's an odd one as it will work fine for a while but when it flashes up a card error i have to switch it off to clear it. When this happens it wipes all the images from the card but will then happily start shooting again. First time I assumed it was the card that was at fault, but it has happened with a couple of different brands of card now.

Wow wipes the card, nasty way to fail. Hope you get it sorted

 

[fidsey79]

Oh dear, glad they are sorting it out for you! What a nightmare

 

[Galaxy66]

You really have a story there, now looking at a 5D3, that is a change and a cost increase.

BTW we should celebrate this thread, just about to hit e 5k mark

It could very easily be another 5dMK2 if I happen upon a good one at a good price

 

[nog]

Getting a G3 (again-long story) this week, any ideas on best place to order a non oem battery.
Thanks

 

[Galaxy66]

Getting a G3 (again-long story) this week, any ideas on best place to order a non oem battery.
Thanks

Problem is if it has the latest firmware it will not accept a generic battery.

 

[clicktor]

I'd like some solid info on this as well for the G2. What exact versions of firmware will and will not work with non OEM batteries? I'm not paying Panasonic £40 odd for a battery surely?
My G2 has firmware version 1.1 sadly which I think is the "latest" one. Latest one being about November 2010 I think it came out? Or was it 2011.

 

[Dave *]

I'd like some solid info on this as well for the G2. What exact versions of firmware will and will not work with non OEM batteries? I'm not paying Panasonic £40 odd for a battery surely?
My G2 has firmware version 1.1 sadly which I think is the "latest" one. Latest one being about November 2010 I think it came out? Or was it 2011.

My G2 was 1.1 and it wouldn't work with some brand new batteries that were working with my G1 with the latest firmware installed (And had been advertised as working with G1/G2).

 

[nog]

Hmmm Thanks, definitely not payng £50 odd for a panny battery. There are a few advertised as compatible with G3 on ebay and Amazon so if they do not work can always return them. Cheers

 

[Mandoo]

I'd like some solid info on this as well for the G2. What exact versions of firmware will and will not work with non OEM batteries? I'm not paying Panasonic £40 odd for a battery surely?
My G2 has firmware version 1.1 sadly which I think is the "latest" one. Latest one being about November 2010 I think it came out? Or was it 2011.

My G2 is also running 1.1 which is the latest version and I have 2 non-OEM batteries. I got both of these in the box with the used G1 I had previously.
One of them works on the G2 and one of them doesn't, but neither of them worked on the G1 after I accidently updated the firmware.

 

[Janice]

I also have a G2 on 1.1 firmware. Both batteries work perfectly one OEM and one third party.
They both came from when I had a GF1 with updated firmware.

If thats any help!

 

[Janice]

Changing the subject... which I have been loathe to do since the weekend because as we don't have a sub forum whenever you say something different to the line of conversation, if some folk haven't finished yours gets lost in the original topic!!

So, here goes!!

When I got my GF1 new I immediately got the 20mm, 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses.

Now I have a G2 but I still haven't actually used the 45-200mm, so on Sunday we went to see Essex play Worcestershire at Essex County Cricket Ground and I took it along.

It was so light that it wobbled from handshake, whereas I have been used to the longer Canons waving about from the weight!!

However, I was very pleased with the results....it was a fine sunny day so high shutter speeds were the order of the day...

The lovely Alastair Cook (Essex and England) in action!

and then I thought I would give a try to see if I could do candid shots while using the twisty lcd screen to be surreptitious!!

As I was at the end of a row and the people I wanted to photograph were about 5 or 6 people away in the next row to the right, I rested the camera on my knees facing the right and just spent a few seconds looking at the screen which I could see perfectly on my lap.

No one had a clue what I was doing, neither the people who were photographed as you can see... or indeed anyone around me.
If my son had known he would've died of embarrassment lol

 

[samems]

Fantastic shots!

 

[ShrubMonkey]

Fantastic shots!

Second that, great shots

 

[ronnus]

Second that, great shots

Thirded... I love the screen on my G2 for the same reason

 

[Galaxy66]

M4/3 or DSLR here is my story..briefly

During my move towards M4/3 I sold a 7D then sold my 5DmMK2, decided not to sell the lenses just in case, instead selling my least used glass. Then on an impulse thinking I could not be without a DSLR bought a new 7D imported at a good price. On returning from a holiday where I only used the M4/3 gear I shouted from the rooftops that this was the way to go and started selling my full dslr kit.

First to go was the Canon 24-105L but as soon as I started packing it up to send it to it's new owner I had regrets and pulled the rest of the sale and bought another 24-105L from the classifieds within days, then after a day out with the 7D and also comparing shots in my archive from both systems I convinced myself I was sticking with DSLR. I am now deciding on either a mint s/h 5DMK2 until the price of the MK3 drops or just go for the MK3 now.

DSLR will be my main system and I will also remain with M4/3 but will be slimmed down to just the IR G1 one other body and couple of lenses, I have yet to decide which body to keep as I like the G1 for it's handling and the thumb wheel on the front so likely to go will be the G3 and G2.

Well that is me in a full circle having replaced the 5DMK2 tonight via classifieds but I am not jumping out the M4/3 ship, it will still have a place in my photography in fact I make sure I have one of the bodies with me whenever I go out.

 

[Dave *]

Well that is me in a full circle having replaced the 5DMK2 tonight via classifieds but I am not jumping out the M4/3 ship, it will still have a place in my photography in fact I make sure I have one of the bodies with me whenever I go out.

My circle is slightly more complete than yours all my m4/3rds is gone, and even when I do replace my 50D, I'll keep the 500D as my carry around camera in my bag. (I carry a small day bag around most days, for my papers and iPad, the 500D fits quite snugly).

The G2 and kit weighs 593grams, the 500D and kit weighs 680grams. For the sake of 87grams I'll go with the Canon.

I might come back when the superior sensor in the E-M5 filters down to smaller (cheaper) bodies.

 

[Dark Star]

Changing the subject... which I have been loathe to do since the weekend because as we don't have a sub forum whenever you say something different to the line of conversation, if some folk haven't finished yours gets lost in the original topic!!

So, here goes!!

When I got my GF1 new I immediately got the 20mm, 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses.

Now I have a G2 but I still haven't actually used the 45-200mm, so on Sunday we went to see Essex play Worcestershire at Essex County Cricket Ground and I took it along.

It was so light that it wobbled from handshake, whereas I have been used to the longer Canons waving about from the weight!!

However, I was very pleased with the results....it was a fine sunny day so high shutter speeds were the order of the day...

Janice what great shots...nicely done lass

 

[2blue4u]

Some great shots there, Janice. Why does the mono bloke look familiar??

Changing the subject... which I have been loathe to do since the weekend because as we don't have a sub forum whenever you say something different to the line of conversation, if some folk haven't finished yours gets lost in the original topic!!

This is now a real problem in this mega-thread. Surely this format deserves a sub-forum? Has anyone got a manky jaffa cake at the back of a desk drawer that can be sent into the mod room?

 

[samems]

A vote for a new sub-forum gets the thumbs up from me.

 

[clicktor]

Me too.
Guys, of those that said they have G2s with non OEM batteries that work with it on firmware 1.1, can you link me to where you bough them from?

 

[samems]

My G3 that i am going to sell has 3 batteries and the wife bought the 2 non Panny ones but i will have to ask here where she bought them from.

 

[Galaxy66]

Some great shots there, Janice. Why does the mono bloke look familiar??


This is now a real problem in this mega-thread. Surely this format deserves a sub-forum? Has anyone got a manky jaffa cake at the back of a desk drawer that can be sent into the mod room?

Has it been requested in the Forum Discussion section by anyone ?, I did a search using M4/3 but no results came up for that section, but as the search facility is not that good that is not to say it has not been requested before.

 

[Janice]

Me too.
Guys, of those that said they have G2s with non OEM batteries that work with it on firmware 1.1, can you link me to where you bough them from?

7 dayshop for me I think

 

[Janice]

Some great shots there, Janice. Why does the mono bloke look familiar???

He immediately reminded me of actor Keith Allen, Lily Allen's dad.

 

[Galaxy66]

7 dayshop for me I think

It was Janice as you told me to get mine from there.

..and as good if not better than the OEM ones in my opinion.

 

[2blue4u]

Has it been requested in the Forum Discussion section by anyone ?, I did a search using M4/3 but no results came up for that section, but as the search facility is not that good that is not to say it has not been requested before.

Search didn't find this :razz:

Could everyone pop over to this thread and offer an opinion and a promise of Jaffas 'n Whiskey.

 

[martsharm]

My circle is slightly more complete than yours all my m4/3rds is gone, and even when I do replace my 50D, I'll keep the 500D as my carry around camera in my bag. (I carry a small day bag around most days, for my papers and iPad, the 500D fits quite snugly).

The G2 and kit weighs 593grams, the 500D and kit weighs 680grams. For the sake of 87grams I'll go with the Canon.

I might come back when the superior sensor in the E-M5 filters down to smaller (cheaper) bodies.

Fascinating stuff. The G2 sensor does lose a bit in dynamic range and ISO to the Canon, but we're talking minor differences. This must have been noticeable in your photos for you to change systems - I wonder what sort of subjects you shoot that have such demanding conditions?

I ask certainly not to criticise a choice, but to understand the context in which m43 works, and conversely the areas in which its users feel it falls short. My own personal view is that it's a very sharp system, but not the choice for anyone who requires ISO 1600 or above. Having said that, the GH1 appears the equal of the 500D in that area, if DxO's figures are to be believed.

I agree in a certain context, especially the DSLR-style G bodies with kit lenses, the size advantage of m43 is minor at best. But look at the GF3 with 14mm lens - is there anything that can beat it in weight-for-weight performance? Plus the availability of several superb pancake lenses for which Canon or Nikon have no equal.

IMHO m43 is a strong competitor to the APS-C DSLRs of the same era. One has to travel to full-frame to see it comprehensively beaten in terms of ISO, and even then sharpness is essentially the same.

 

[PrinceCorum]

I've been following the discussions about sticking with Canon DSLRs as opposed to G2 with interest.

If weight is an issue, I can see that some of the Canon bodies hardly weigh any more than the G2, but when you add lenses they do! Plus in terms of size m 4/3 has less bulk and so is easier to accommodate, again, especially when you compare m 4/3 lenses with APS-C lenses.

The 12MP sensor in the G2 is a match, in terms of resolution, to APS-C but not in terms of noise performance or DR. The OM-D is better, of course.

But let's not forget the 16MP sensor in the G3 and GX1 - it gives excellent performance. In the GX1 they seem to have tweaked the processing pipeline a bit from the G3 and sequued a bit more DR and very slightly better high ISO performance. The G3 and GX1 (as well as OM-D) really are a step up from the old 12MP sensor. I strongly recommend that the latest crop of m 4/3 cameras be tried before anyone abandons m 4/3 and goes back to DSLR land.

 

[PrinceCorum]

Those are very nice - very sharp. Any of them shot at 200mm? I ask because my 45-200 isn't that great at 200mm even stopped down.

Also, how do you feel about posting images of strangers on here without their permission? Not breaking the law, but ethically a bit iffy, or not? I am agnostic on this issue but I know some think it is a no-no. I guess you have to ask - how would you feel if someone was posting close up images of you on web sites without your knowledge...Personally, I'm a supporter of the right to photograph things in public spaces and I love street photography, but it can be a contentious issue and I know many street photographers do make contact with their 'subjects' and talk to them first.

Changing the subject... which I have been loathe to do since the weekend because as we don't have a sub forum whenever you say something different to the line of conversation, if some folk haven't finished yours gets lost in the original topic!!

So, here goes!!

When I got my GF1 new I immediately got the 20mm, 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses.

Now I have a G2 but I still haven't actually used the 45-200mm, so on Sunday we went to see Essex play Worcestershire at Essex County Cricket Ground and I took it along.

It was so light that it wobbled from handshake, whereas I have been used to the longer Canons waving about from the weight!!

However, I was very pleased with the results....it was a fine sunny day so high shutter speeds were the order of the day...

The lovely Alastair Cook (Essex and England) in action!

and then I thought I would give a try to see if I could do candid shots while using the twisty lcd screen to be surreptitious!!

As I was at the end of a row and the people I wanted to photograph were about 5 or 6 people away in the next row to the right, I rested the camera on my knees facing the right and just spent a few seconds looking at the screen which I could see perfectly on my lap.

No one had a clue what I was doing, neither the people who were photographed as you can see... or indeed anyone around me.
If my son had known he would've died of embarrassment lol

 

[Janice]

Its the first I have ever done and I just thought that as there are squillions of street shots of unknowing people on these forums every week, I didnt think my two shots would be a problem.

I will check the exif to see which were 200mm.

 

[Mandoo]

As the photos were taken within a sports ground hosting a professional cricket match, its obvious that there is a chance you're going to appear online, in a newspaper, on TV or whatever because of the press photographers and TV cameras that cover these events. By purchasing a ticket and entering the ground you're accepting that. Whether they are professional pictures or amateur ones doesn't matter.
From my own personal point of view, I don't mind it at all if my picture appeared somewhere online after attending an event or even just being in a public place.

They are good shots though, Janice. I've not really tried anything like that out with the G2 yet, I've mostly been doing wildlife recently.

 

[woof woof]

There's a picture and a bit of chat about the G5 on the rumours site, I think it looks a bit underwhelming after all the relative excitement over the recent Oly. I was hoping for something a bit more... tempting, exciting...

http://www.43rumors.com/

 

[Janice]

They are good shots though, Janice. I've not really tried anything like that out with the G2 yet, I've mostly been doing wildlife recently.

Thank you. Spring is certainly a time to get the long lenses out with all the baby birds about!

 

[broadway]

There's a picture and a bit of chat about the G5 on the rumours site, I think it looks a bit underwhelming after all the relative excitement over the recent Oly. I was hoping for something a bit more... tempting, exciting...

http://www.43rumors.com/

I not overly impressed with the retro Oly look and have no objection to the Panny hump. It's amusing that the Oly hump is ok as it holds the IBIS. I'm more interested in what the GH5 might bring as that is the current flagship line.

 

[ShrubMonkey]

I not overly impressed with the retro Oly look and have no objection to the Panny hump. It's amusing that the Oly hump is ok as it holds the IBIS. I'm more interested in what the GH5 might bring as that is the current flagship line.

Ibis is in the body, the hump is the evf and hotshoe mount

 

[woof woof]

I not overly impressed with the retro Oly look and have no objection to the Panny hump. It's amusing that the Oly hump is ok as it holds the IBIS. I'm more interested in what the GH5 might bring as that is the current flagship line.

I quite like the look but that wouldn't tempt me to buy it. By relative excitement about the Oly I was rather thinking about weather sealing, IBIS and it moving the image quality on.

I hope I'm wrong but Panny seem to be treading water a little, maybe becoming the Canon of MFT... with each new model being rather... dull.

 

[mrtoad]

i got an original battery for my G1 on ebay...not so expensive that way
cheers
geof