"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

[Tulipone]

Anyone bought a 12-35 f2.8 and seriously compared the IQ to their 14-45. I am tempted by the gains of a fixed aperture and sharp centre even wide open, as well as an extra 2mm at the wide end, but my 14-45 is bitingly sharp by f5.6 and I am concerned that I might lay out a lot of money for a 12-35 and find it less sharp. Anyone comment on the 14-45 vs 12-35?

If you have a specific test in mind, I'll do my best to complete it. Let me know what you'd like.

For what it is worth, I am pleased that I purchased the 12-35 (from UK) and am amazed each time I have used it. It acquires quicker and the pictures appear, to my eyes, more vibrant than those of the 14-45.

I use it with a GX1.

 

[ukaskew]

Thanks. The battery life seems a bit better than my dads g3, I think. If iso quality equals the g3 then I should be happy with the reaslts of a g5.

I also like the look of the new version of the 14-42, I dont really like the way the current version feels and handles so will be interesting to see if there is any price difference in the kit prices.

The best thing about battery life is that if you register your camera with Lumix Lifestyle you can buy original Panasonic batteries for £14.99 each (down from about £60) until the end of March, which is cheaper than most 3rd party ones (which are incredibly hit and miss with Panasonic bodies in my experience).

I have 4 now, which will just about cover me for my longest shoot (24hr motorsport race) without recharging.

 

[sinar]

The best thing about battery life is that if you register your camera with Lumix Lifestyle you can buy original Panasonic batteries for £14.99 each (down from about £60) until the end of March, which is cheaper than most 3rd party ones (which are incredibly hit and miss with Panasonic bodies in my experience).

I have 4 now, which will just about cover me for my longest shoot (24hr motorsport race) without recharging.

Thanks for mentioning that, I was not aware of that offer, I've just ordered one for my GH2

 

[Tulipone]

Thanks for mentioning that, I was not aware of that offer, I've just ordered one for my GH2

+1. The GX1 with the LVF is a power greasy little b****r! Thanks, ordered 1.

 

[Rico]

How does the LVF for the GX1 compare to the EVF on the G3 if anyone has done comparisons? I adore my GX1 and rarely miss having a viewfinder but if its better then the G3's the I may bung one in the bag.

Also, for people that have had the Panasonic 12-35 and 14mm pancake, did you ditch the pancake and only use the 12-35 now or does 14mm have better image quality?

 

[Tulipone]

I prefer the 12-35 to primes, others will differ.

The LVF comes into its own when you are in sun.

 

[sgott]

I prefer the 12-35 to primes, others will differ.

The LVF comes into its own when you are in sun.

Agree entirely I've just put two lenses on eBay for that very reason, the 25mm Leica and the 14-42 x series one. The 12-35mm is an excellent choice of lens

 

[Rico]

Agree entirely I've just put two lenses on eBay for that very reason, the 25mm Leica and the 14-42 x series one. The 12-35mm is an excellent choice of lens

That's similar to what I'm contemplating, sell the 14-42 X and 14mm and put the proceeds to the 12-35 as I feel it will be on the GX1 most of the time although I am really impressed with the Olly 45!

 

[sgott]

That's similar to what I'm contemplating, sell the 14-42 X and 14mm and put the proceeds to the 12-35 as I feel it will be on the GX1 most of the time although I am really impressed with the Olly 45!

Mine is . Went on a trip to World Superbikes last yr in France and travelled light ( left all the big Canon gear at home!) and all I took was the GX1 and the 12-35. Worked superb with everything thrown at it, the quality is in a different league. It feels right on the body too, nicely balanced and stable.

 

[Rico]

Mine is . Went on a trip to World Superbikes last yr in France and travelled light ( left all the big Canon gear at home!) and all I took was the GX1 and the 12-35. Worked superb with everything thrown at it, the quality is in a different league. It feels right on the body too, nicely balanced and stable.

You've sold me on it! Not that I needed much more persuasion lol. Wife should be happy as well as I'm selling 2 lenses and buying 1 (being careful not to mention prices!).

 

[sgott]

That makes perfect sense - and less for her to help you carry around too lol. Bit of a random one but this is one pic I took earlier this year on hol in Cornwall with gx1 - 12-35 combo:


P1020012 by sagott, on Flickr

And ever tried taking a photo of a black dog and getting it sharp lol:


P1020077 by sagott, on Flickr

THis was the gx1 and 12-35mm at Magny Cours


Untitled by sagott, on Flickr

Last one - colour representation is spot on - in my opinion anyway!


Untitled by sagott, on Flickr

 

[garethld]

quick question. whats the best combination with a G5 and the OIS lenses such as the 12-35 and the 100-300 for image stabilization? Lens on Camera off? Camera on Lens off? both on?

and then if you're using a tripod do you switch them both off?

Thanks
G

 

[sgott]

quick question. whats the best combination with a G5 and the OIS lenses such as the 12-35 and the 100-300 for image stabilization? Lens on Camera off? Camera on Lens off? both on?

and then if you're using a tripod do you switch them both off?

Thanks
G

I leave both camera and lens set to on. Never needed to steady 12-35 on a tripod either!

 

[garethld]

quick question. whats the best combination with a G5 and the OIS lenses such as the 12-35 and the 100-300 for image stabilization? Lens on Camera off? Camera on Lens off? both on?

and then if you're using a tripod do you switch them both off?

Thanks
G

This suggests that IS is only on the lens and not the body...

 

[wellyboot]

Panasonic cameras don't have IBIS (in body image stabilisition), any IS is in their lenses. Having said that, not all Panasonic lenses have IS eg 20mm
Olympus have IBIS, so IS is not built into their lenses.
Hope that helps!

 

[sgott]

Panasonic cameras don't have IBIS (in body image stabilisition), any IS is in their lenses. Having said that, not all Panasonic lenses have IS eg 20mm
Olympus have IBIS, so IS is not built into their lenses.
Hope that helps!

The images are pin sharp choose what with the 12-35mm

 

[Tulipone]

Added a couple in Las Vegas at night. Please bear in mind these were handheld (I dislike tripods) using the GX1 12-35 combo.

 

[Markp777]

My original 14-45 can still produce some nice pictures. This was taken early yesterday morning as the flocks of starlings started to leave Brighton pier.
[

 

[garethld]

My original 14-45 can still produce some nice pictures. This was taken early yesterday morning as the flocks of starlings started to leave Brighton pier.

i'll be surprised if you didnt get crapped on

 

[Markp777]

i'll be surprised if you didnt get crapped on

Knowing where to stand comes with experience!!

 

[woof woof]

The weather here and more specifically the lighting has been flat and miserable and horrible so I haven't taken any decent pictures recently so instead I decided to see if I could see any difference between my Zuiko and Rokkor lenses.

I have Rokkor 28mm f2.8, 55mm f1.7 and 135mm f3.5 and Zuiko 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 and 135mm f3.5. They're slightly different in look and in use, the Zuiko's look lovely but I prefer to use the Rokkors.

Anyway for anyone interested here's the results of my little tests...

The 28mm f2.8's gave more or less identical results and I really couldn't split them.

My Zuiko 50mm f1.8 appeared to be sharper and to give more contrast than my 55mm f1.7 Rokkor until I realised that I needed to increase the magnification of the Zuiko shots slightly to match the framing of the 55mm Rokkor. Once this was done the slight difference in sharpness disappeared or at best became marginal to insignificant and the slight difference in contrast in favour of the Zuiko could easily be equalised in post capture processing. So basically there's nothing in it image quality wise.

I didn't bother testing my 135mm f3.5's as previous use tells me there's nothing in it between them.

The Rokkors are a little nicer to use IMVHO and they have the advantage of having intermediate aperture settings but image quality wise my little tests didn't show anything significant. None of the 28 or 50-ish mm lenses could match my Voigtlander 25mm f0.95. It's in a different league - if you go pixel peeping. The legacy lenses are however perfectly usable and give good results and I really have to pixel peep to see any problems. I bought them because they are lovely things and I'm happier to take a cheap legacy lens than the Voigtlander to a couple of my favourite locations, one because it's a beach and the other because it's frequented by parties of lager drinking youngsters. I've had no trouble but if I do find trouble I'd rather find it with a £20 lens than one that cost me a penny or two more

Anyone tempted to have a look at a cheap lagacy prime should do it!

 

[Rico]

Great post Alan. I've only recently got into the world of Panasonic G cameras, can you tell me what lenses and adapters you are referring to? I like the idea of having so many lenses to choose from but I am unsure where to start!

 

[woof woof]

Hi Richard,

I'm glad if in a small way I've inspired you to look at legacy lenses

You may know that you can fit lots of different lenses to Micro Four Thirds cameras as long as you have the right adapter and of course it helps if the lenses have an aperture ring too but assuming that you have an aperture ring and the right adapter you should be good to go for relatively little cash

Popular legacy lenses for use on MFT seem to include Minolta MD/MC, Olympus OM, M42 and Canon FD and doubtless there are many more out there too plus of course there are numerous companies that made Olympus and Minolta etc fit lenses.

With a little bit of research I'm sure you'll soon be well informed and you can always ask questions here too.

I bought lenses from the classifieds here, from ebay and from used dealers like Ffordes. Here's a link to Ffordes where you can have a look at the used Canon FD, Olympus OM and Minolta MC/MD lenses. They also stock adapters but personally I just bought cheap ones off ebay. Ffordes adapters seem to start at £20 but I think I paid about £10 on ebay. Anyway, here's the link to Ffords but of course other used kit dealers are available...

http://www.ffordes.com/category/Photo_Accessories/Lens_Mount_Adaptors

These people sell adapters too...

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/other_accessories/body_adaptors/140_0c.html

Here's some cheap ebay ones...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minolta-M...ns_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item232194dec1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Olympus-O...ns_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET&hash=item19ba835af1

What you want is a lens to MFT adapter so it'll be described as (lens to body) for example... Minolta MD to MFT, and of course you want it to support infinity focus.

28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4/1.7 and 1.8 and 135mm f3.5 lenses seem to be relatively easy to get plus there seem to be plenty of 50mm macro lenses about too.

That picture I posted earlier is a Minolta Rokkor lens fitted with the lens hood from my Voigtlander 25mm. Here's a picture of my G1 fitted with a Rokkor 28mm f2.8 via a Minolta MC to MFT adapter.

It's wearing a metal lens hood I bought for very little money off ebay where you can also pick up lens caps. I like these metal lens hoods. They're available for as little as under £2 but note that if you want to leave them on your camera you may want to buy a lens cap to go on the end. For example the 28mm f2.8 in that picture would normally take a 49mm lens cap but with the hood fitted it takes a 52mm cap.

I really like using these old lenses. With their aperture rings and mechanical focus mechanisms they're a joy to use. You can zone focus or focus at infinity very easily and with the cameras magnified view focusing isn't a problem.

Just because I can here's some legacy lens shots I like, all 28 or 55mm. They'll be mangled a little by Photobucket but they're all sharp on my screen ...

 

[woof woof]

Aaaaaand some more

PS. I forgot to say something...

These legacy lenses are lovely things but another reason I like using them is they're CHEAP! I get enjoyment from using cheap stuff, my G1 is worth peanuts these days and I feel smug when I go out shooting with it and a lens that cost under £20 and the results can easily get lost in a pile of 5D prints or in amongst 5D screen images

 

[Rico]

Alan, thank you so much for the info, I was exactly what I was after!

I love the idea that these old lenses can be used again without spending hundreds of pounds and they still produce the goods as you have shown!

I'm off to spend a bit of time (and money :bonk on eBay now.

Cheers again.

 

[rugeyes]

Alan, thank you so much for the info, I was exactly what I was after!

I love the idea that these old lenses can be used again without spending hundreds of pounds and they still produce the goods as you have shown!

I'm off to spend a bit of time (and money :bonk on eBay now.

Cheers again.

They are great lenses. I've got some super takumar m42's and the thing I notice the most is the colours. They are reproduced really naturally. In their day of course they were high quality lenses and carefully looked after they are still the same.

I've bought a couple from rockycameras.com he has loads of bargain basement stuff to try out (£5 a lens!) . There are lots of reviews of the lenses on the web and loads of flickr groups for certain brands of lens to have a look at what they do too.

 

[Tulipone]

They are great lenses. I've got some super takumar m42's and the thing I notice the most is the colours. They are reproduced really naturally. In their day of course they were high quality lenses and carefully looked after they are still the same.

I've bought a couple from rockycameras.com he has loads of bargain basement stuff to try out (£5 a lens!) . There are lots of reviews of the lenses on the web and loads of flickr groups for certain brands of lens to have a look at what they do too.

Have you found any aging true macro lenses that work well with m43?

 

[woof woof]

Have you found any aging true macro lenses that work well with m43?

I was browsing FFords and they have some macro lenses there at the moment. You don't have to buy from them, you could just get ideas there andthen run off to ebay!

 

[woof woof]

They are great lenses. I've got some super takumar m42's and the thing I notice the most is the colours. They are reproduced really naturally. In their day of course they were high quality lenses and carefully looked after they are still the same.

One thing I do like is the natural looking images it's possible to get.

I'm off to look at rockycameras.com

 

[rugeyes]

Have you found any aging true macro lenses that work well with m43?

I've used extension tubes and when I get to my pc later I'll up what they do. £3.99 for pristine m42's!

I keep meaning to grab a specific macro lens and give it a go but haven't got round to it yet

 

[rugeyes]

One thing I do like is the natural looking images it's possible to get.

I'm off to look at rockycameras.com

They have a mailer once a week and the popular stuff is snapped up in minutes (zeiss etc) so it's worth looking for what you want, mail him to see if they come up and then wait till they do. His prices are so low you could easily buy lenses and put them straight on fleabay and make a profit.

 

[Micehorns]

I have to say, some of the prices on that rockycamera site are very good. I've bought/sold Minolta MD/MC lenses and bodies on eBay for more than this website is charging.

And browsing through this has reminded me how I miss my Rokkors. Urgh.

 

[woof woof]

My God!

They have some tempting stuff there and with those prices I wouldn't even bother going to ebay. You can pick up...

Rokkor 50mm f1.7 for £14.99 and a "Minolta fit" 28mm f2.8 for £12.99.

Add a £10.50 adapter and a couple of metal lens hoods and lens caps and you could be up and running for under £40, certainly for under £50.

 

[rugeyes]

My God!

They have some tempting stuff there and with those prices I wouldn't even bother going to ebay. You can pick up...

Rokkor 50mm f1.7 for £14.99 and a "Minolta fit" 28mm f2.8 for £12.99.

Add a £10.50 adapter and a couple of metal lens hoods and lens caps and you could be up and running for under £40, certainly for under £50.

 

[Mandoo]

I've got a couple of OM fit lenses that i want to try out. What's the best way to use them with an adapter? Does the camera need to be on full manual mode, or do they work through aperture or shutter priority. I've ordered an adapter on eBay, but I don't really know where to start!

 

[jeff6125]

Alan that is a genius idea. Hadn't thought of buying legacy lenses. I had to be careful not to spend the same money as getting a new lens though.

I've been trying to decide on some focal lengths I prefer. Getting these I'll be able to have a nice range and if I still really want a nice new lens I know I'll get what suits me best.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[jeff6125]

Forgot to add. I *think* you can use aperture priority and let the camera set shutter speed but shutter priority won't work because the camera can't set the aperture. Or like you say just use full manual and probably learn a whole lot as well

 

[Rico]

I can't wait to start using them, I just have a feeling that they'll be a real joy to use!

 

[woof woof]

I've got a couple of OM fit lenses that i want to try out. What's the best way to use them with an adapter? Does the camera need to be on full manual mode, or do they work through aperture or shutter priority. I've ordered an adapter on eBay, but I don't really know where to start!

When your adapter comes you mount your lens on it and then mount it on your camera... should take you all of 20 seconds Then you're good to go

I use aperture priority mostly, manual now and again. Remember to make sure that your camera is set to shoot without lens.

I very often use the magnified view which for me and my G1 means pressing two buttons but I think on some bodies it can be done with one button push.

 

[woof woof]

I can't wait to start using them, I just have a feeling that they'll be a real joy to use!

They are a joy

Focusing manually is not as fast as using an AF lens, obviously, but on the plus side you can set a distance/infinity, select a suitable aperture, raise your camera or shoot from the hip and grab a shot quicker than AF can.