"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

I don't know any other hobby that involves GAS as much as photography. I don't know why it happens, but even though I've got a perfectly good camera to use, the first place I go when I log onto the forum is the classifieds section!
I'm quite bad for always wanting to buy new flights and stuff for my darts, but nothing like wanting to buy new lenses and stuff for my camera.
I'm now in a place with my kit where I'm reasonably happy with what I've got though. I was hoping to add a smaller body to my kitbag before I go on holiday tomorrow, but have not been able to. I know that my G2 and 14mm will be good enough for what I want though.
 
Mandoo said:
I don't know any other hobby that involves GAS as much as photography. I don't know why it happens, but even though I've got a perfectly good camera to use, the first place I go when I log onto the forum is the classifieds section!
I'm quite bad for always wanting to buy new flights and stuff for my darts, but nothing like wanting to buy new lenses and stuff for my camera.
I'm now in a place with my kit where I'm reasonably happy with what I've got though. I was hoping to add a smaller body to my kitbag before I go on holiday tomorrow, but have not been able to. I know that my G2 and 14mm will be good enough for what I want though.
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+1

I'm now planning to spend my cash traveling somewhere to use my gear!!!
 
bl0at3r said:
what did you not like about the d7000 chris?
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Honestly? I didn't really like the feel of it, didn't feel as "high end" as other Nikon bodies, I also am almost ashamed to admit! Didn't like the Viewfinder, I think without realising I've become a convert to the Electronic Viewfinder.
 
Another discovery today. My quest for a long time has been for a compact camera, light, convenient, lots of control, which I believe I have now in the G1/14-42mm PZ package. Hazel and I went out for our first long trip today sincer her health problems struck back in March, nearly 100 miles to Bromley in Kent. I simply picked up the camera as a matter of course, sat in the car and thought, now where do I put it? The DSLR had to be stowed in the boot or behind the seat on the floor.

I have a centre conceal in my car beetween the two front seats with a stowage area under a lid out of sight, keep CD's, maps, GPS in there, the camera, in its bag fitted no problem. Out of sight, but to hand if needed.

. . . the G1/14-42PZ lives in this bag:
700cameralivesinthisbag.jpg


. . . tucked up ready and waiting: w110mmxd100mmxh140mm
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Unfortunately I had no opportunity to use the camera, but it was there, just in case . . .

CJS
 
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Evening Chaps and chapettes.

Just bought myself a G3 and would be interested in hearing what settings you guys use to get the best out of camera jpegs? I know...I know I should shoot RAW but I just too disorganised to process my pics afterwards :bonk:

Mike :)
 
GAS is a terrible think I have been through so many cameras and lenses till my head hurts. I was also going to upgrade to the OMD and sell my gx1 and dslr but I think that for my needs the GX1 gives me everything I need so my setup is this.

Fuji X10 when im out with my son at park or just want to take snapshots, GX1 and 14mm 20mm and 45mm for landscapes street portraits and the dslr for specific days out such as zoo bird displays or when zoom is needed.

Maybe when the price of the omd comes down I will eventually purchase one but i like the pocketability of the gx1 with 14 and 20mm the only thing i do miss is a viewfinder.

Some recent GX1 shots

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[/url] clean by Thunderbird_010, on Flickr[/IMG]

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[/url] Flower by Thunderbird_010, on Flickr[/IMG]

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[/url] Flowered Bridge by Thunderbird_010, on Flickr[/IMG]

7617807692_0ca07fc844_z.jpg
[/url] Happy Birthday by Thunderbird_010, on Flickr[/IMG]

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[/url] Rebecca Statue by Thunderbird_010, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
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chrism_scotland said:
Has anyone got the Panasonic 12-35mm? I know its pricey but I'm quite tempted....
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I'm watching price daily until near the end of August to see if they drop any further, then I'm buying one - the wait is destroying me though !
 
sgott said:
I'm watching price daily until near the end of August to see if they drop any further, then I'm buying one - the wait is destroying me though !
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It's certainly not cheap but very tempting. The samples I've seen so far look very good and I believe it's also water resistant which would be handy!
 
man in hat said:
Evening Chaps and chapettes.

Just bought myself a G3 and would be interested in hearing what settings you guys use to get the best out of camera jpegs? I know...I know I should shoot RAW but I just too disorganised to process my pics afterwards :bonk:

Mike :)
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I wouldn't know where to start. The thing with RAW is it's all so simple :D but with JPEG you have so many choices and decisions to make. Maybe you could just shoot a load of shots at different settings and see what works for what subject?
 
CJS said:
Another discovery today. My quest for a long time has been for a compact camera, light, convenient, lots of control, which I believe I have now in the G1/14-42mm PZ package....

. . . the G1/14-42PZ lives in this bag:
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That looks like a nice bag. When I want the smallest possible package I use a Lowpro Apex 100 AW which will just about take my G1+20mm or more usually a cheap bag I bought from Aldi if any other lens is fitted, plus it'll take a couple of ND's too.
 
woof woof said:
I wouldn't know where to start. The thing with RAW is it's all so simple :D but with JPEG you have so many choices and decisions to make. Maybe you could just shoot a load of shots at different settings and see what works for what subject?
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I cheat, I set the camera the way I think it should be, any changes made to settings can usualy be seen in the view finder or on the screen, a big advantage over DSLR's, he says smugly:naughty: The camera is set to take a 'JPG and a RAW' image, so when I come to the computer if the JPG is off, I pull out the RAW shot and adjust it to my liking. It must be said, I use the RAW picture so often these days I should shoot in RAW only? However, JPG is usefull for initial computer viewing and assesment, so I keep it set that way.

CJS
 
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I previously only used Jpeg, but since getting the puppy I've started using Raw. The reason being that in trying to get better shots of the pup, I've had to start learning to use manual settings more. This has been a steep learning curve as I previously only used aperture priority, but I've learnt more about photography in these last 6 weeks than I have in the last 6 years. By using Raw I feel I've got a bit more to play with if the photo hasn't come out how I'd like it.
 
chrism_scotland said:
It's certainly not cheap but very tempting. The samples I've seen so far look very good and I believe it's also water resistant which would be handy!
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And you know it makes sense to get one ;)
 
I currently own a Canon 40D with a set of lenses, filters and flash. Recently I have been thinking that the setup hardly gets any use as I can never be bothered to lug it all around. Most of the time I have opted to take the little family compact, a Panasonic FS7 but often it just doesn't cut it.

My thoughts therefore turned to the possibility of an m43 setup being the solution and selling off the Canon DSLR kit.

I quite fancy the Olympus OMD but also conscious that the new G5 is out soon as well as Photokina being around the corner where hopefully there will be details of the GH2 successor, maybe more news on the Canon EOS-M and potentially an announcement on a new OM-D that could drive the price down of the current M5 :bonk:

With all that in mind, I thought I would dip my toe into the m43 waters by picking up a cheapish body and some lenses that I could potentially continue using with whichever body I finally settle on.

Which leads me to today where I have a Panasonic GF2, a Panny 14mm lens and a 45-200mm lens. So far I have taken about 50 photos with these and quite liking the results. I will pst some up as soon as I get them off the camera.

After that rambling post (sorry :schtum:) My question is - which bag ?

I want a compact bag that can carry the GF2 with the 14mm attached and the Panny 45-200mm lens. What are people here using and which bag would fit the bill ?
 
If I'm honest I certainly doubt we're going to see any new OMD level body from Olympus this year, I'd expect a refresh of the EPL, EM and maybe EP lines but not the OMD.

Most of the rumours regarding Photokina and Olympus are new lenses and a new 4/3 Body, a successor to the E5.

New G5 is indeed out soon look decent and the EOS-M looks like a decent option perhaps as an accompaniment to the Canon gear you already own?
 
ShrubMonkey said:
Yeah, lovely set ;-)
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Cheers folks, I've been taking heavy advantage of my Amazon Prime membership and distance selling rules to try out new bits of lens and kit so with the 12, 20 and 45 I know I'll be fine with them, the 7.5mm is a bit of a gamble to give it a try, may well go back but I think it and the 12 might cover off my wide angle for now...
 
Spy said:
After that rambling post (sorry :schtum:) My question is - which bag ?

I want a compact bag that can carry the GF2 with the 14mm attached and the Panny 45-200mm lens. What are people here using and which bag would fit the bill ?
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Lowepro Streamline 100 is what I use and can heartily recommend. Not the prettiest bag around though...
 
vaizki said:
Lowepro Streamline 100 is what I use and can heartily recommend. Not the prettiest bag around though...
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Thanks Jukka. The Streamline 100 doesn't look too bad and doesn't shout out camera bag - what kit do you manage to fit into yours ?

The Nova 140AW also looks quite good but not sure if it is big enough (or too big) ?
 
In the streamline I have:
- GF1 with 20/1.7 + screw-on metallic ebay hood in one compartment, extra battery on the bottom
- 14/2.5 + 45/1.8 + 7.5 fisheye in the other compartment (stacked)
- Extra SD cards in the divider pocket (+ of course the included lens cloth on the other side of it)
- the outside pockets don't really have any depth to them, if I have a map (paper one, yes I know!) it'll be sticking out of one of them. The other one I use for lens caps mainly and there's a hyperfocal distance chart somewhere there.. :)

This amount of kit has the bag basically STUFFED but it's easy to put everything in and it doesn't matter what order I do it in etc. It's too full for easy one-handed grab-n-go searching from the bag but once I take the GF1 + lens out of the bag it's of couse HALF EMPTY :D And that's what I do, hanging the GF1 on my neck and just move the top lens from the 3 lens stack to the now empty compartment. Then it's easy to rummage there one handed while holding the camera in the other for lens changes etc.

The top closes with a double ended zip which is nice because when you half close it from one side, the other side remains open but as a tight slit where I can get my hand in but not have stuff fall out very easily. And I wear it with the strap loooong, diagonally over my chest and opposing shoulder, I keep panicking because I forget it's there and have to check.. it's that light even with the lenses in it.

I do wish there was a NatGeo looking version though, not too hot on the nylon outer shell.
 
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Not sure if I should have started a separate thread but here goes...:)

New to this G3 world. Already have a 14-45mm and 45-200mm. However, coming from an X10 I want great low light use for example in restaurants for family shots with very good / excellent bokeh.

Im torn between the 20mm pancake or the significantly more expensive 25mm 1.4. Im happy to buy one or the other and fund by the potential sale of my X10.

What I want though is advice on the better lens versus potential cost based upon my aforementioned requirements. I dont want to save money getting the 20mm only to be disappointed and needing to use flash at night etc.
 
Iiyama said:
Not sure if I should have started a separate thread but here goes...:)

New to this G3 world. Already have a 14-45mm and 45-200mm. However, coming from an X10 I want great low light use for example in restaurants for family shots with very good / excellent bokeh.

Im torn between the 20mm pancake or the significantly more expensive 25mm 1.4. Im happy to buy one or the other and fund by the potential sale of my X10.

What I want though is advice on the better lens versus potential cost based upon my aforementioned requirements. I dont want to save money getting the 20mm only to be disappointed and needing to use flash at night etc.
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The 25mm is a cracking lens but it's not really much faster than the 20mm. it is an outstanding lens though the 25 probably the best I've owned on any system.
 
chrism_scotland said:
The 25mm is a cracking lens but it's not really much faster than the 20mm. it is an outstanding lens though the 25 probably the best I've owned on any system.
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2nd that, lens I use the most on my OM-D, only negative thing I can find to say about it is the auto focus sounds like tractor when fitted on my EP-3
 
chrism_scotland said:
The 25mm is a cracking lens but it's not really much faster than the 20mm. it is an outstanding lens though the 25 probably the best I've owned on any system.
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ShrubMonkey said:
2nd that, lens I use the most on my OM-D, only negative thing I can find to say about it is the auto focus sounds like tractor when fitted on my EP-3
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Only got experience of the 20 - stunningly sharp and fast with great bokeh.

I did notice the 14 is significantly faster and quieter when focussing - is the 25 as fast as the 14 or slower like the 20?
 
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Thanks for all the replies. Is it a £170 quicker and faster etc than the 20mm:)
 
Iiyama said:
I dont want to save money getting the 20mm only to be disappointed and needing to use flash at night etc.
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I don't think the 'flash at night' issue will be much different between them.
I've seen (not owned either) folk post two main differences ;
The 20mm focuses slower than the 25mm and the 25mm has better focus-isolation, although specifically for that you'd be going for the 45mm.

Chris I though you were selling everything, now you're buying more stuff?! :naughty:

The first company to bring out a wide-normal-ish pancake with F1.8 or better and FAST focus will win a lot of friends...
 
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Ulfric M Douglas said:
I don't think the 'flash at night' issue will be much different between them.
I've seen (not owned either) folk post two main differences ;
The 20mm focuses slower than the 25mm and the 25mm has better focus-isolation, although specifically for that you'd be going for the 45mm.

Chris I though you were selling everything, now you're buying more stuff?! :naughty:
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Bought a D7000 and sent it straight back! Keeping my OMD!
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
Chris I though you were selling everything, now you're buying more stuff?! :naughty:
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Lol I know. You know what this lens addiction is like :)

When I bought the X10 i doubted I would want anything more again but the lack of electronic viewfinder was killing me:bonk:

So enter the G3. The problem is I'm always drawn to wanting the sharpest within reason. The X10 would be perfect if it had longer zoom and better viewfinder. IQ wise its superb.

EDIT: I thought I did not know you lol
 
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chrism_scotland said:
Does anyone noise filters with their m4/3 lenses not sure whether to look at screw in on square kits
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I use a CPL but that's it. Too lazy too bother with grads!
 
I have the 20m f1.7 and also a 25mm Voigtlander.

I've looked at the FoV they both give and there is a difference but which is best is a personal decision.

I use mine for different things. I use the 25mm as a general purpose lens, for pseudo macro shots and low light (I don't think the Pany 25mm can match the Voigtlander for low light or pseudo macro so I suppose those aspects of the Voigtlanders performance are irrelevant to this discussion) and I use the 20mm when I want the most compact camera and lens combination.

Faced with a choice between the Panny 20mm f1.7 and 25mm f1.4 I think I may go for the 20mm just because it offers pretty near the FoV of the 25mm but in a very compact form.
 
I've got a legacy lens question if someone can help. Am I right in thinking that with a crop factor of 2, my G1 will turn an 85mm f2.8 into a 170mm f5.6?

Thanks
 
rugeyes said:
I've got a legacy lens question if someone can help. Am I right in thinking that with a crop factor of 2, my G1 will turn an 85mm f2.8 into a 170mm f5.6?

Thanks
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No, it's gained a FOV similar to a 170mm f2.8 ( max aperture remains the same)
 
Dave1 said:
No, it's gained a FOV similar to a 170mm f2.8 ( max aperture remains the same)
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Thanks

I'm going to give one a go for some portrait stuff and see how I get on. Any suggestions on where to look for a lens and what to look for?
 
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