"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

You lot are worse than my wife for trying to talk me out of getting one now! (Well, sowing the seed of doubt)

Considering I'm going skiing and I intend to take the camera up the mountain I may stick with the G1 and wait and see what happens in the next month or so.

I've followed upgrades in the G series and it's not until the G5 that I thought it'd be worth a change,
 
ShrubMonkey said:
The G5 is great, so underrated, handling is miles better than the G3. I got my G5 on release and thanks to lumix lifestyle offer avoided early adopter price hike (got it for around £400), you never can tell with Panasonic
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Julian, I notice that you have both the G5 and the OMD. Can you tell me how they compare against each other please? I have recently decided to sell my Nikon kit and make a return to the micro 4/3rds fold. My main question is whether the OMD is worth the extra £400? Thanks, Sarah
 
fidsey79 said:
Julian, I notice that you have both the G5 and the OMD. Can you tell me how they compare against each other please? I have recently decided to sell my Nikon kit and make a return to the micro 4/3rds fold. My main question is whether the OMD is worth the extra £400? Thanks, Sarah
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I bought the G5 to replace my G3, mainly for the improved handling. The OMD is fantastic, but is it worth that much more, is down to personal choice. I actually prefer the menu and layout of Olympus than Panasonic. The tilt and swivel screen of the Panny really comes in useful.
 
I agree with rugeyes about the G5 being a proper G upgrade, finally.
rugeyes said:
...I've followed upgrades in the G series and it's not until the G5 that I thought it'd be worth a change,
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I just wish it was better looking. :|
I was handling one on Friday in PCWorld and although everything was in the right place and I've heard good things about the internals and responsiveness : it didn't make me want it.
And I keep harping on about this but they took multifilm away. :'(
 
I was considering a switch from G5 to OM-D but I don't think I could live without the moveable LCD, I use it far more than I ever thought I would, mainly to take very low or ground level shots easily. I find it actually opens up a whole other aspect to my photography, many of my better shots lately have been from low angles.

Having said that, the rear dial drives me mad as it's very stiff to rotate but very easy to press (which switches from aperture/shutter speed adjustment to exposure compensation, and you can't switch that off), and I also accidentally press the silver 4 way button a lot as it's very sensitive. I'm sure I will learn to live with those things but for such a customizable camera I've so far found two things I would love to change but can't.
 
ukaskew said:
I don't think I could live without the moveable LCD, I use it far more than I ever thought I would, mainly to take very low or ground level shots easily. I find it actually opens up a whole other aspect to my photography, many of my better shots lately have been from low angles.
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Another thing it's good for is setting up a group shot that you want to be a part of. With the rotating screen it's a doddle to set it up so that it's visible from the front and join the group and see what the final composition is like.
 
ukaskew said:
I was considering a switch from G5 to OM-D but I don't think I could live without the moveable LCD, I use it far more than I ever thought I would, mainly to take very low or ground level shots easily.
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You think the e-M5's LCD doesn't move?
For simple low shots it's even easier than the Lumixes to flip.
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
You think the e-M5's LCD doesn't move?
For simple low shots it's even easier than the Lumixes to flip.
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The panasonic screens are far more versatile than the omd screen IMO.
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
You think the e-M5's LCD doesn't move?
For simple low shots it's even easier than the Lumixes to flip.
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I know it moves, but not nearly enough compared to how I've been using the screen on the G5. Take this one, for example. The camera was held out over the canal with the screen at a right angle to the camera body so I could see it.
 
ukaskew said:
I know it moves, but not nearly enough compared to how I've been using the screen on the G5. Take this one, for example. The camera was held out over the canal with the screen at a right angle to the camera body so I could see it.
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I like the set of photos on Flickr and the G5 has worked well.
 
I am not too interested in video. I own a gx1 and a g5. Would I see much benefit in IMAGE QUALITY in upgrading to the gh3? I currently own the 20mm prime, 14-42x, 45-175x, and the gmc and gwc converters. Anyone else got both or made the swap already?? Thinking about investing in more lenses too...
 
garethld said:
I am not too interested in video. I own a gx1 and a g5. Would I see much benefit in IMAGE QUALITY in upgrading to the gh3?
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Do you shoot JPEG or raw? The GH3 seems to produce sharper images out of the camera and has more dynamic range in the highlights so you have more wiggle room in pulling back highlights.

Define MUCH......
 
Am I missing something or is this a really good price for a GF5 with 14-42 PZ at Argos?
Linky
 
Rico said:
Am I missing something or is this a really good price for a GF5 with 14-42 PZ at Argos?
Linky
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Interesting, if it includes the PZ lens then I think this is excellent. Camera price buster has the same camera and lens at £449!
 
Rico said:
Am I missing something or is this a really good price for a GF5 with 14-42 PZ at Argos?
Linky
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Argos are being useless.

The camera model listed - DMC-GF5KEB-K - refers to a kit not just the body. As far as I can determine, it is the kit with the standard 14-42 NOT the PZ. The PZ kit number is DMC-GF5XEB-K

But the description then lists the lens as - H-PS14042 - which IS the PZ lens.

It seems likely (taking into account the picture) that it IS the PZ kit, but at least Argos have a decent returns procedure if it isn't.

I've tried telling Argos about a dodgy product description before - I got ignored.
 
arad85 said:
Do you shoot JPEG or raw? The GH3 seems to produce sharper images out of the camera and has more dynamic range in the highlights so you have more wiggle room in pulling back highlights.

Define MUCH......
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will the difference be proportionate to the price. I got G5 body only for £400 and i'm talking about spending £700 more for "more wiggle room"

I think i may just put the money into the 12-35 and 35-100 and 100-300 then sell off the 45-175.
 
garethld said:
will the difference be proportionate to the price. I got G5 body only for £400 and i'm talking about spending £700 more for "more wiggle room"

I think i may just put the money into the 12-35 and 35-100 and 100-300 then sell off the 45-175.
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The only significant advantage I found was pulling back highlights in blown skies. Have a look here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=450864

I already had a G5. I have the 7-14, 12-35 and 35-100 (and 14/25/45 primes). I'm waiting for the G with the GH3 sensor to come out rather than jumping to the GH3. I process ALL images in RAW and never use the SooC JPEGs though.
 
arad85 said:
The only significant advantage I found was pulling back highlights in blown skies. Have a look here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=450864

I already had a G5. I have the 7-14, 12-35 and 35-100 (and 14/25/45 primes). I'm waiting for the G with the GH3 sensor to come out rather than jumping to the GH3. I process ALL images in RAW and never use the SooC JPEGs though.
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I think i would benefit from shooting in RAW i just dont understand completely how it is best to organise them on my mac. what software is good for that? I use photoshop elements 11 with adobe RAW 7.3 but the adobe organiser doesnt seem to like RAW files...?

I like your lens selection. which do you rate most highly out of those six?
 
I cant decide whether or not to go for that Argos deal if it has the PZ lens.Oor just buy a GX1 body to complement my kit when I want to slip a smaller camera into my wifes handbag!
 
garethld said:
I like your lens selection. which do you rate most highly out of those six?
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The most used is the 12-35 - so by default..... Probably my favourite to post process with is the 7-14 (it's just so sharp and the wide angle is sooo wide). Not done much with the 35-100 yet (I'm a fair weather photographer). Of the primes, the 25mm is my favourite, followed by the 7.5 fisheye.
 
garethld said:
what software is good for that? I use photoshop elements 11 with adobe RAW 7.3 but the adobe organiser doesnt seem to like RAW files...?
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Really? I think 7.3 is current, so should support the G5 (and GH3). The most often recommended is Elements, Lightroom or Aperture. They all have different strengths and what I may choose may be completely different to you.... The latest versions should all handle the G5/GH3 though.
 
garethld said:
will the difference be proportionate to the price. I got G5 body only for £400 and i'm talking about spending £700 more for "more wiggle room"

I think i may just put the money into the 12-35 and 35-100 and 100-300 then sell off the 45-175.
Click to expand...

Having seen comparisons with the OOC images from the G5 and GH3 in my view the cost of the GH3 is hard to justify, but then what do I know I have an OMD as well as a G5 :)
 
arad85 said:
Really? I think 7.3 is current, so should support the G5 (and GH3). The most often recommended is Elements, Lightroom or Aperture. They all have different strengths and what I may choose may be completely different to you.... The latest versions should all handle the G5/GH3 though.
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Yes but interms of viewing thumbnails and organising raw files the elements photo organiser doesn't seem ideal. It's otherwise great software...
 
Llamaman said:
Argos are being useless.

The camera model listed - DMC-GF5KEB-K - refers to a kit not just the body. As far as I can determine, it is the kit with the standard 14-42 NOT the PZ. The PZ kit number is DMC-GF5XEB-K

But the description then lists the lens as - H-PS14042 - which IS the PZ lens.

It seems likely (taking into account the picture) that it IS the PZ kit, but at least Argos have a decent returns procedure if it isn't.

I've tried telling Argos about a dodgy product description before - I got ignored.
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I emailed Argos about this model and asked if it includes the stated H-PS14042 powerzoom lens and I got the following response.

Thanks for your email.

We would assume that all components and accessories stated within our item
description will be included with the item.

Hope this helps.

Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards
Emily
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Which probably translates as:

We have no idea.
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I might just buy one and see.
 
If it contained ALL components and accessories - as per the model numbers - then it should include the body, the standard 14-42 and the 14-42PZ. That clearly isn't the case and their response is both lazy and misleading.

If high street stores want to hasten their own demise, they're going about it in the right way.
 
Llamaman said:
If high street stores want to hasten their own demise, they're going about it in the right way.
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Although you could suggest that Argos are doing well (which they are) because they have a vast range of goods that they sell in high quantities. Their customer service kicks in once you have bought the goods, I don't know anyone who would go to Argos to ask for advice on what to buy.

I wouldn't expect them to have anyone vaguely specialist to hand if I had a camera query, but equally I would expect their returns policy to be robust enough (which it is) that it wouldn't be a major hassle to take it back.
 
ukaskew said:
Although you could suggest that Argos are doing well (which they are) because they have a vast range of goods that they sell in high quantities. Their customer service kicks in once you have bought the goods, I don't know anyone who would go to Argos to ask for advice on what to buy.

I wouldn't expect them to have anyone vaguely specialist to hand if I had a camera query, but equally I would expect their returns policy to be robust enough (which it is) that it wouldn't be a major hassle to take it back.
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It's true that you wouldn't expect to get specialist advice from Argos staff - especially in-store. And they at least have a good returns policy so if you get something completely different to what you thought you were buying you should get your money back easily (even if bought in-store so not protected by DSR).

But I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the on-line catalogue to contain accurate model numbers and basic product details - the former are known to the buying team who ordered the stuff and the latter is readily available from the manufacturer.
 
So I went in to Argos and purchased one, opened it there on the counter then got my money straight back because it wasn't the PZ lens.
 
garethld said:
I think i would benefit from shooting in RAW i just dont understand completely how it is best to organise them on my mac. what software is good for that? I use photoshop elements 11 with adobe RAW 7.3 but the adobe organiser doesnt seem to like RAW files...?
Click to expand...

Aperture.
 
garethld said:
does aperture use a directory similar to iPhoto where its a pain getting to your photos?
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Don't really use iphoto, but don't recall it ever being a pain.

Aperture is just projects and albums, click on an album and there are the pictures, displayed in whatever view you left them in.
 
if you want to access them in the finder are they visible normally or are they grouped together in something like 'Aperture Library' which you can't then expand.
 
garethld said:
if you want to access them in the finder are they visible normally or are they grouped together in something like 'Aperture Library' which you can't then expand.
Click to expand...

If you want to view them in the finder you will have to export them to your mac hd.

Aperture is designed to be a self contained photo viewer/organiser/processor, the images are all kept within Aperture, but you can duplicate them to anywhere.

Unfortunately they no longer do the trial version, but there are a million video's and articles on Aperture on the web if you want to see it in action.
 
Hello,
I am considering of getting a m4/3 camera, but I dont understand one thing: how could a (say) GF5 posses "fastest AF of any camera" and simultaneously be bad at focusing on fast moving subjects?
 
Borsch said:
Hello,
I am considering of getting a m4/3 camera, but I dont understand one thing: how could a (say) GF5 posses "fastest AF of any camera" and simultaneously be bad at focusing on fast moving subjects?
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Because the claim is based upon photographing static objects?
 
It's all down to demarcation, brother.

The little pixies that live inside the camera are members of different trade unions. The pixies who are members of the Union of Pixies For Still Life Photography are diligent and fast workers but the Union of Pixies For Moving Things are lazy sods.
 
I would say it's far from 'bad' at tracking movement. I can comfortably and pretty consistently shoot cars travelling at well over 100mph with a G3 and Panasonic 100-300, presumably the G3 uses similar tech (if not older) to the GF5.

I won't pretend it's as reliable or consistent as a DSLR, but I personally feel it's significantly better than many people suggest it is.
 
Borsch said:
Hello,
I am considering of getting a m4/3 camera, but I dont understand one thing: how could a (say) GF5 posses "fastest AF of any camera" and simultaneously be bad at focusing on fast moving subjects?
Click to expand...
Erm ... marketing? Lies? Bait for trolling?

Choose one. :)
 
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