"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

Crotal Bell said:
That's a lovely clear image, no doubt the natural light helped. Can I ask what filters were applied to the lens on the G80? I assume they were a good quality brand?
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Thanks for that, an yes, as is the case most times, good light helped a great deal at that time of the day.
I used the Canon 500D close up filter for that shot.

Heres a more detailed answer to your question, which is quoted from back 20 pages on this thread, when i was answering a similar question that you asked -

My quote to you from Page 363 (i think)? ;)

Thanks for that.
If your just starting out with close up/macro shots, then close up filters are a cheap effective way of seeing if macro is for you, if you get right into this type of photography, then you might want to think about buying a much more "expensive" dedicated macro lens. I dont rate single element "cheap" close up filters, its best to get double element close up filters. The "doublets/achromats" may cost more, but its worth it in the end. "Fleabay" is a good place to look, an bargains can be had...A couple of years ago i bagged both the Canon 500D an 250D close up filters for appox £50, an ive been using those extensively ever since. I also have a Polaroid 500D, which is virtually the same as the Canon 500D.
I have the 500D mounted to the Panny 45-150mm, and to answer your question...I have the 250D mounted to the Panny 12-60mm. I believe the 500D is +2, an the 250D is +4 diopter.
For my style of close up/macro, im looking for uncluttered/creamy backgrounds (mainly UK wild Butterflies) so im trying to find a good balance between the right diopter strength, which still allows for optimum focus on the whole of the butterfly (without the need to crop my images).


Note- i see you bought that Sigma off of Fleabay?...it looks to be 1.6 Diopter? Its a doublet, so the quality should be good. Will it give you enough magnification on your 12-60mm lens? I guess it depends what subjects you will be shooting. If i was you(after some practice) i would mount that Sigma to a longer zoom range/lens, then possibly look for a stronger magnification/higher diopter close up filter, to mount to your 12-60mm..................But im not you, an we all have different needs/goals, in the type of subjects/images we are chasing to produce.
Cheers Paul.
 
Testudo Man said:
Thanks for that, an yes, as is the case most times, good light helped a great deal at that time of the day.
I used the Canon 500D close up filter for that shot.

Heres a more detailed answer to your question, which is quoted from back 20 pages on this thread, when i was answering a similar question that you asked -

My quote to you from Page 363 (i think)? ;)

Thanks for that.
If your just starting out with close up/macro shots, then close up filters are a cheap effective way of seeing if macro is for you, if you get right into this type of photography, then you might want to think about buying a much more "expensive" dedicated macro lens. I dont rate single element "cheap" close up filters, its best to get double element close up filters. The "doublets/achromats" may cost more, but its worth it in the end. "Fleabay" is a good place to look, an bargains can be had...A couple of years ago i bagged both the Canon 500D an 250D close up filters for appox £50, an ive been using those extensively ever since. I also have a Polaroid 500D, which is virtually the same as the Canon 500D.
I have the 500D mounted to the Panny 45-150mm, and to answer your question...I have the 250D mounted to the Panny 12-60mm. I believe the 500D is +2, an the 250D is +4 diopter.
For my style of close up/macro, im looking for uncluttered/creamy backgrounds (mainly UK wild Butterflies) so im trying to find a good balance between the right diopter strength, which still allows for optimum focus on the whole of the butterfly (without the need to crop my images).


Note- i see you bought that Sigma off of Fleabay?...it looks to be 1.6 Diopter? Its a doublet, so the quality should be good. Will it give you enough magnification on your 12-60mm lens? I guess it depends what subjects you will be shooting. If i was you(after some practice) i would mount that Sigma to a longer zoom range/lens, then possibly look for a stronger magnification/higher diopter close up filter, to mount to your 12-60mm..................But im not you, an we all have different needs/goals, in the type of subjects/images we are chasing to produce.
Cheers Paul.
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Thanks Paul
I've looked for more Sigma filters but can't find them. I guess it would be best to contact a few camera store in regards to double element macro filters and see what they have.
 
 
Crotal Bell said:
Are these things any good or a waste of money?
Do they act as a macro or more to increase the zoom of the lens?
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Teleconverters often go on the other end of the lens. I had one years ago (the type that goes between the camera and the lens) and whilst these things can I guess only degrade image quality the question is by how much?

For £25 this could be worth a gamble if you're not expecting great results and sharpness. I guess somewhere on line there could be some reviews and sample pictures?

PS.
There are more reviews on the Amazon US site.

PPS.
You may lose AF!!!!
 
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Hey Keith @Crotal Bell have you tried your 100-300mm lens on insects/macro-type shots?

Here's one I did, not great, could have been better, a bit rushed. I was like a couple of metres away, at 250mm. And that pic is cropped, I should have got in closer.

AL9nZEUJbAuS0XcwP8h_MT349zvKoNLJSezapEGl4mfQo8kYs1SuGlcFf5DkCCVWaB192xIk8EDWRvH3d3XwFzNyrRInzV9eZesMq68U_YYHpKmvw0yY67DW7lT5MxcPV8l-wYVMnCMCaIZOhQCMxklDcXi9iw=w1103-h879-no
 
Crotal Bell said:
Thanks Steve, I had a feeling that would be the answer.
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I think this gives you a hint "The teleconverter telephoto lens adopts high-quality optical glass lens, which can greatly block unobstructed light and reduce light field and scattering"

There were some good ones made by Panasonic and others, but they cost nearly as much as the camera :)
 
Sangoma said:
I think this gives you a hint "The teleconverter telephoto lens adopts high-quality optical glass lens, which can greatly block unobstructed light and reduce light field and scattering"

There were some good ones made by Panasonic and others, but they cost nearly as much as the camera :)
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The only decent ones are the wide and tele converters made by Fuji specifically for the X100 series
 
I had two wide ones I used on my GF1 and 20mm f1.7. One was decent and the other was quite poor.

I have used a film era teleconverter on the camera end of a film era lens on my Sony A7 and it sort of worked for whole pictures, it was a bit soft but for some subjects it was ok as long as I didn't expect miracles.
 
d00d said:
Hey Keith @Crotal Bell have you tried your 100-300mm lens on insects/macro-type shots?

Here's one I did, not great, could have been better, a bit rushed. I was like a couple of metres away, at 250mm. And that pic is cropped, I should have got in closer.

AL9nZEUJbAuS0XcwP8h_MT349zvKoNLJSezapEGl4mfQo8kYs1SuGlcFf5DkCCVWaB192xIk8EDWRvH3d3XwFzNyrRInzV9eZesMq68U_YYHpKmvw0yY67DW7lT5MxcPV8l-wYVMnCMCaIZOhQCMxklDcXi9iw=w1103-h879-no
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Yeah I have but not really done it enough, need to try it more often.
This was similar to the kind of distance and zoom of yours
Seeds.jpg
 
Crotal Bell said:
Thanks Paul
I've looked for more Sigma filters but can't find them. I guess it would be best to contact a few camera store in regards to double element macro filters and see what they have.
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Probably few, if any. Some shops may have the Canon 500D & 250D but a quick google isn't encouraging on stock levels. Wex list but don't stock many of the Marumi Achromats. After that you're looking at the Raynox DCR range and Amazon is the only source for those.

Note that the better close-up lenses aren't usually available in many filter sizes (with the exception of Marumi) so you may have to buy the nearest size and use a step-up/down ring as appropriate.
 
In an idle moment I was looking through my buying history at a retailer and saw that I paid £729 plus £4.99 shipping for a Panasonic GF1 with 20mm f1.7 on 9/11/2009.

A few pictures I remember taking with it.

Saltburn.

fEZczLw.jpg


Ski resort, Kazakhstan.
My then GF, this doesn't do her justice :D

rf0z0CM.jpg


I can't remember if this was dawn or sunset.

S0C6NJX.jpg


It was a good camera but I decided I couldn't do without a VF so I sold it and bought a used G1 and that camera convinced me that mirrorless was the future.

A PS.
On 18/11/2016 I paid £447 for my GX80 body which I still have today.
 
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I had a similar start, Alan. I had a Fujifilm Bridge camera and I was getting frustrated with the lack of options regarding shutter speed, ISO, and f-stops, so I looked round for a way forward. I'd had Minolta and Nikon SLRs previously but didn't have the money to go the DSLR route, and I ended up with a GF1 and 20mm. I really liked the GF1 - it was like a little brick! - but like you I couldn't do without a VF, so I sold the GF1, kept the lens, and bought a G3 which was my #1 camera for several years, and I was really fond of. In some ways the GX85 reminds me of the GF1, but with an EVF.

I bought the GF1 and 20mm secondhand for £300 and sold the camera for £200, so essentially bought a 20mm 1.7 for £100.

The only image I can find from the GF1 is Alfie, our old Maltese terrier.

11116467793_1c5d82aa8c_c.jpg
 
delb0y said:
I had a similar start, Alan. I had a Fujifilm Bridge camera and I was getting frustrated with the lack of options regarding shutter speed, ISO, and f-stops, so I looked round for a way forward. I'd had Minolta and Nikon SLRs previously but didn't have the money to go the DSLR route, and I ended up with a GF1 and 20mm. I really liked the GF1 - it was like a little brick! - but like you I couldn't do without a VF, so I sold the GF1, kept the lens, and bought a G3 which was my #1 camera for several years, and I was really fond of. In some ways the GX85 reminds me of the GF1, but with an EVF.

I bought the GF1 and 20mm secondhand for £300 and sold the camera for £200, so essentially bought a 20mm 1.7 for £100.
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That's a lovely picture of a lovely dog. Well taken Derek :D

One thing that struck me was the price of the GF1 v the GX80 some years later. The GF1 must have been quite an expensive camera in its day. I hadn't realised I've had the GX80 and probably the GX9 so long. I've since added a GM5 and a G100.
 
I don't have the years when I bought stuff, although I could probably work it out. But like you I keep records on the cost. I've pretty much bought everything used - my GX80 was £189 and my G80 £210 (although you may recall from my previous posts how much trouble I've had, and still have with this one - and I guess the cheap price reflects that.). The only things I've bought new are a Fuji 35mm lens and a Nikon 35mm lens.

My entire expenditure on cameras and lens comes out at a whooping £6000. Cameras and lens sold recouped £1350, but that still means I'm into this hobby for almost £5k. I'd estimate residuals on the current gear is probably around £2.5k. So it's still an expensive game - and all this excludes courses, tripods, books, printing, memory cards etc etc

All that said, I know one Nikon Z9 would cost someone more than my total expenditure, and that's without a lens...

Derek
 
delb0y said:
I don't have the years when I bought stuff, although I could probably work it out. But like you I keep records on the cost. I've pretty much bought everything used - my GX80 was £189 and my G80 £210 (although you may recall from my previous posts how much trouble I've had, and still have with this one - and I guess the cheap price reflects that.). The only things I've bought new are a Fuji 35mm lens and a Nikon 35mm lens.

My entire expenditure on cameras and lens comes out at a whooping £6000. Cameras and lens sold recouped £1350, but that still means I'm into this hobby for almost £5k. I'd estimate residuals on the current gear is probably around £2.5k. So it's still an expensive game - and all this excludes courses, tripods, books, printing, memory cards etc etc

All that said, I know one Nikon Z9 would cost someone more than my total expenditure, and that's without a lens...

Derek
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It's a bit like golf clubs. You could buy an entire set in a bag for £150, but for some of the premium gear that won't be enough to buy a single club.
Nevertheless in the right hands, the £150 set will do a great job.
 
Crotal Bell said:
It's a bit like golf clubs. You could buy an entire set in a bag for £150, but for some of the premium gear that won't be enough to buy a single club.
Nevertheless in the right hands, the £150 set will do a great job.
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I remember paying £13 for a set of irons. Mind you, that was about half a century ago.
 
woof woof said:
It was a good camera but I decided I couldn't do without a VF so I sold it and bought a used G1 and that camera convinced me that mirrorless was the future.
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The G1 is the only digital camera I regret selling. The rubbery bondi-blue had real character and, because it was the first mirrorless system camera ever made, might even be worth a bit now or will be in the future. As of that time, my primary system has always been mirrorless. Only the sensor size has gradually expanded.
 
I liked the G1. It was possibly the best handling camera I've ever had. I had high hopes for the G7 I bought but that camera was the worst handling camera I've ever had, the grip was just so uncomfortable for me and I just didn't like holding it plus it was badly affected by shutter shock. The G1 did have issues for me and one of them was the performance of the EVF in low light as it failed to show detail clearly visible by eye and yet kicked out so much light it was uncomfortable to use in low light. It did persuade me that mirrorless was the future.
 
woof woof said:
I liked the G1. It was possibly the best handling camera I've ever had. I had high hopes for the G7 I bought but that camera was the worst handling camera I've ever had, the grip was just so uncomfortable for me and I just didn't like holding it plus it was badly affected by shutter shock. The G1 did have issues for me and one of them was the performance of the EVF in low light as it failed to show detail clearly visible by eye and yet kicked out so much light it was uncomfortable to use in low light. It did persuade me that mirrorless was the future.
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I enjoyed my G1, and looking back it produced some great results. However, I did feel it a little “creaky” if handled firmly, a trait which seemed to be resolved in the G2. But it set a good example, unfortunately not followed by certain other manufacturers, of ergonomic best pracice.
 
I remember one particular day with my G1. I bought a Minolta Rokkor 55mm f1.7 for something like £15 or so and I walked to the local PO depot to pick it up. I took my G1 and adapter and I shot some pictures on the walk home. It was a dull flat light day but these pictures got me hooked on using old lenses on a modern digital camera :D

HuHlGPb.jpg


31ZKXHR.jpg


C0mCpxT.jpg


This was in July 2012.
 
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woof woof said:
I remember one particular day with my G1. I bought a Minolta Rokkor 55mm f1.7 for something like £15 or so and I walked to the local PO depot to pick it up. I took my G1 and adapter and I shot some pictures on the walk home. It was a dull flat light day but these pictures got me hooked on using old lenses on a modern digital camera :D

HuHlGPb.jpg


31ZKXHR.jpg


C0mCpxT.jpg
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Really strong shots - dare I say better than many a modern lens.
 
Stephen L said:
Really strong shots - dare I say better than many a modern lens.
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That lens has its issues as it's relatively low contrast and suffers from flare and both I suppose are because of the less good coatings on older lenses (this is a MC lens and I believe the coatings on the later MD lenses are batter and that seems to be my experience in use) but it was the mix of sharpness in the central area and the fall off that I liked.
 
I've managed to get some time playing with my cameras again over the last few days (work, life and immediate family members with I'll health had put a block on things).

I simply love this G9 camera. Anyone tried or use the 4/6k photo modes for sport / wildlife?
 
Adamcski said:
I've managed to get some time playing with my cameras again over the last few days (work, life and immediate family members with I'll health had put a block on things).

I simply love this G9 camera. Anyone tried or use the 4/6k photo modes for sport / wildlife?
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In these what can be rather depressing times... It's always nice to know that someone is happy :D

Enjoy :D
 
woof woof said:
In these what can be rather depressing times... It's always nice to know that someone is happy :D

Enjoy :D
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I won't drag on but mother was in hospital, dad went for biopsy yesterday (3 wks we find out) and wife is in next Friday...it's been blinking awful if I'm honest.

Getting my cameras out has taken my mind off things a little
 
Adamcski said:
I won't drag on but mother was in hospital, dad went for biopsy yesterday (3 wks we find out) and wife is in next Friday...it's been blinking awful if I'm honest.

Getting my cameras out has taken my mind off things a little
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I wont list what's happened in my life in the last coupe of years but Mrs WW said today "We are good people so why does this happen to us?" There's no real answer to that but to try and enjoy life and experiences when we can :D

Hope things get better... for all of us :D
 
Yep. It's been the same here. Dog got savaged to death, dad passed away, uncle passed away, mother passed away, and just two weeks ago my heart decided to stop ( all sorted now with a pacemaker, but I still haven't been able to get back out walking yet). It can only get better!
 
delb0y said:
Thanks @Adamcski, but all is good. Some of it was expected, some of it wasn't. Trying to apply some Stoicism to my life helps a lot.
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Just be positive. I was when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I’m clear now.

PS going in for a shoulder procedure tomorrow. That’ll be fine too!
 
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I see the G9 is down to £699 brand new at some places now - and you can get a free 25mm lens, too (if there were any in stock). Very tempting, but I'm managing to resist in the (possibly vain) hope that this new price drop will drive the used prices down.
 
delb0y said:
I see the G9 is down to £699 brand new at some places now - and you can get a free 25mm lens, too (if there were any in stock). Very tempting, but I'm managing to resist in the (possibly vain) hope that this new price drop will drive the used prices down.
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Disappointing news for those of us (me!) who bought new earlier in the year from a UK store and now am thinking of selling :(
 
Stephen L said:
Disappointing news for those of us (me!) who bought new earlier in the year from a UK store and now am thinking of selling :(
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Wonder whether the E-M5 iii will go the same way when the OM5 appears?

delb0y said:
I see the G9 is down to £699 brand new at some places now - and you can get a free 25mm lens, too (if there were any in stock). Very tempting, but I'm managing to resist in the (possibly vain) hope that this new price drop will drive the used prices down.
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Total bargain at that price, get one now and enjoy using it, can't see it going much lower
 
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