Picked up my new camera today....a GF1

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Tim (?) I at least appreciate that you have posted some piccies from the GF1.. #5 is my favourite............lovely atmospheric shot. Traffic lights just lift the picture..

hope to learn from image posted here and please include the Exif info
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Just leave the camera in Intelligent Auto Mode then look at your own Exif information.



Brian.
 
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The 2 B&W of the bridge and the steps are awesome!! Really love them. Great B&W tones.

The GF1 is still impressing me after 3 months of ownership. Long may it continue to impress! :thumbs:
 
out of the cameras i have owned D300, 5D2 & 7D this little camera is the most fun...just pick it up & shoot with it...my only gripe is the lack of a viewfinder as i hate looking at lcd's to compose a shot but apart from that my GF1 is my new baby that hangs around my neck when i go out
 
got mine yesterday, will share some pics soon, the GF1 is excellent oh and the 20mm lens is fantastic!
 
Brian and Andy,

Thanks for the comments, yeah, I think they are the best shots.
I'm really astounded by the quality of the camera, and the modes work really well.

The 2 shots in question were both shot in Aperture Priority mode, using the B+W Dynamic scheme. Rather than mess about with PP for 20 minutes to get the same effect, I can shoot in that mode, and if I don't like them, the camera is set to Raw +Jpg so I can play around with the Raw file if needs be, which has none of the in camera effects.

Being one of those people who would rather be behind the lens instead of sat facing Photoshop, it really makes me want to take more pictures, which can only be a good thing.

It;s seriously making me consider selling my SLR equipment which hasn't been touched since I bought the GF1!
 
bl0at3r said:
Has anyone bought from Mathers in the last week or so - have they actually got the GF1 in stock or is there a waiting list?
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I emailed them the other day and they got back very quickly (yesterday) to say they do have them in stock. Only black ones, if you are bothered about such things.
 
I agree your MO completely. I use exactly the same method, really think PS etc is for fiddlers who like to complicate things.

Yes I have D200/D300 outfit and I am seriously considering getting rid of the whole shootig match apart for a 50mm f1..4 and an 85mm f1.8. These I could use with the Novaflex for the rare times that I need a long lens.

The only thing that's holding me back is the viewfinder and wide angle/ faster standard zoom problem.

Brian.
 
Well, i'll be regrettably letting my kit go over the next week or so (GF1 / 20mm 1.7 / 14-45 / 45-200) as i promised myself that 2010 was the year of rationalisation and scrimoing and saving to pay off debts and the camera is one of the 'casualties of war'! :(

Love the camera to bits, but needs must.
 
When i post it up in classified, you can reply - you're just not allowed to start new thread (unless i'm mistaken)

I'll keep you posted.
 
Chillimonster said:
Well, i'll be regrettably letting my kit go over the next week or so (GF1 / 20mm 1.7 / 14-45 / 45-200) as i promised myself that 2010 was the year of rationalisation and scrimoing and saving to pay off debts and the camera is one of the 'casualties of war'! :(

Love the camera to bits, but needs must.
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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

:(:'(
 
GF1 + 20mm

A few snaps, just trying to get my head around all this digital malarky having come from a shonky old russian camera fascination (let me know if you'd like to see hi res versions of any of these and I'll post em up/email them over to you)

P1000169.jpg


P1000227.jpg


P1000235.jpg


P1000189.jpg


P1000177.jpg
 
Off this morning to Lancashire, backyard of England, hope to make it back with either an EVF or in the certain knowledge that it's useless

Thought I'd post a self portrait, OK that's a bit of an OTT for the snap. But it was only taken so that Northern Nikon would recognise a prospective drinking partner.

I do like the stage lighting thing........always been a bit of a luvvie..;)

P1000502.jpg


As always, straight from the camera (apart from re-sizing, oh and cropped for my Avatar) no cissie PS for me.

I'll post you all my EVF thoughts later.......if I get back safetly over the border.
Brian.
 
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Great stuff Brian.

I'll be interested to know what advantages you think the EVF has over an optical viewfinder for someone like me who only intends to use the 20mm lens.
 
None, none whatsoever. And if Panasonic made more decent prime lenses I would certainly go the "optical route". But one thing against the 40mm finder for me is that I only use the 16-9 ratio whereas if my maths are correct the finder is 3-2. Doesn't sound a lot, look at it on your screen and decide if you can live with it.

Mind you if Mathers continue to ignore my attempt at ringing them they might have lost a sale. But there is no way I'm driving 100 miles to find the shop shut or out of stock. Bolton I have always considered a place best avoided.

Brian.

PS And Mathers are still not responding, so f..k it, the pub is starting to sound a better alternative. Now how much Gin can I get for £169?
 
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with the 20mm and the LCD the gf1 actually feels very natural, once you get over the inherent desire to balance it on your nose :D (still I'd like the EVF but I can live without it for the now)
 
An optical viewfinder or maybe even the EVF appeals to me for occasional use such as on sunny days when the display is invisible and for use on occasions when you want to be more discrete and avoid having a bright oblong light shining back over your shoulder.

Of course, with an optical viewfinder I might actually forget that I'm using a digital camera.
 
One good thing about the GF1 is that you can almost forget that it is a digital camera. Fit an optical viewfinder and I might be looking for the film advance lever.
 
At last got through to Mathers ( 1710hrs ) So why didn't they answer the phone? They were locked out by a faulty security system. Oh well.

Brian.
 
So, once you get in you might not get out! :lol:
 
Graham the first thing that springs to mind is where do you get the third hand from?

One to hold the loupe, one to hold the camera and another to focus the lens.

Last timeI used one of these it had a Sinar in front of it.

I shall attempt another foray over the Pennines this morning and will report back.

Have I posted this before?

f2.2 1/30th 800ISO. ( From memory) Wet and dark 1700hrs in early January, bus and street lighting.

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As always no PS except for re-sizing and border

Brian.
 
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Made it to Mathers despite the fog.

Mathers for those " not in the loop"............(just trying to establish some street cred );is a small shop in Bolton. Great welcome very keen staff in all a nice experience. The reported security problem? Somebody had stuffed up the locks with chewing gum. I kid you not.

So what did I think of the EVF? Funny, the technology I feel might be " pushing the envelope".................(off he goes again) but. Yep the image is small, the resolution could be better. operationaly it works a treat, almost worth the cost to get rid of the Praying Mantis stance of the LCD user. Focussing manual lenses? Yep no problem as I say it works. Could it be better? I don't know, I ain't a Rocket Scientist. is it worth the money? Well there is one sitting snugly attached to my GF1 as I write............but they always say a fool and his money are soon parted. Bye the way, re size, the EVF is hardly bigger then the average Viogtlander

But here is a bit of a bummer for some. It is my opinion that the GF1 even with the EVF should be used with dedicated lenses, other lenses are fun to play with but as far as I am concerned just that. And there ain't nuffin wrong wiz zat,( anyone got a baseball cap?) Methinks a makeover might be on the cards.:cool:

I liked Bolton, loads of interesting looking pubs and of course lots of nice Lancastrians.....no, that's not a p..s take.

Incidentally for those thinking about cases for their little treasures, the Panasonic ones are very very nice.

Brian.
 
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Very interesting Brian, I'm glad that you finally tracked one down and I hope that it suits your needs down to the ground.

I'm undecided, I might go for the EVF or for an optical one as I only have the one lens. All food for thought though.
 
Glad you secured one. Does seem like a nice shop to me with nice people (from the conversation I had with them over the phone).

It's definitely a cool little thing that EVF. I'd tend to agree that the provision of GF1+EVF+non-dedicated lens is in the fun/experiment area.

BTW - I think you did post that shot before, but that's ok as we're lacking photos in this thread!
 
I'd like to find a descent screen protector, the hama ones are awful, any suggestions?

oh and here's a photo as we're a little light on them...

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Taken at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, tricky as it was through glass and there's loads of tiny lights that reflect!

(GF1 + 20mm pancake)
 
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BrianT said:
But here is a bit of a bummer for some. It is my opinion that the GF1 even with the EVF should be used with dedicated lenses, other lenses are fun to play with but as far as I am concerned just that.
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I was pretty damn impressed with these pics taken with a GF1 and a Canon FD 50mm 3.5

http://christan.smugmug.com/Nature/Close-Ups/Macro-with-GF1/P1080897/758651832_irsP9-XL.jpg

http://christan.smugmug.com/Nature/Close-Ups/Macro-with-GF1/P1090433/758696077_kNE3C-XL.jpg

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=34169712
 
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The R/F Leica was very much a niche camera . Lenses up to 90mm were just about O.K. Yes a 135mm coupled but was a bit chancy due to the restricted base of the rangefinder. Longer lenses and macro could be undertaken if you were prepared to go seriously Meccano and with the Visoflex housing turn it into a most clumsy Heath Robinson type reflex camera. But in it's field, for fast action, candid, instinctive, photography it reigned supreme.

I see the GF1 as a digital equivalent. Yes you can tow a caravan with a Ferrari, but a Range Rover is a far better tool.

Brian.
 
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Interesting discussions here. I love my GF1 and find the EVF to be quite useable in most situations. I too found Mathers to be most helpful.

GF1 users might be interested to know that I have just bought a third party battery, for £17.99, that works with the current firmware upgrade. I have no association with the company, merely passing on useful information.

http://www.digitalmediastore.co.uk
 
"I have no association with the company..."

A pity. You could have got me one cheap. :lol:
 
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/images/pages/Panasonic_GF1_2_1600.jpg

Now, I have a question. If I sold my D80, 50mm, 17-50/2.8, 70-300VR, 200-500 and MB-D80, and I purchased said silky black 20mm prime setup complete with that tasty Lee R75 ND... and I added a Voigtlander 40mm/1.4 MC as a second portrait prime... would I miss a Leica M8.2?

MPtoGF1with%20text%20.jpg
 
Well....I told myself I didn't need one, but I've pulled the trigger. Just bought Chillimonster's GF1 with the 20mm 1.7 and the 14-45 :D

Looking forward to getting some serious proper photos on those occasions when lugging the 5D II is just too much and it ends up staying at home - the best camera is the one you have with you, and all that ;)
 
Nicely done! I for one have a whale of a time with the Leica D-Lux, and with a potential bag-O'-Canon kit coming my way [though nothing's definite, yet...] I'm tempted to live out my Leica M fantasies...

I have nothing against manual focus. To tell you the truth I've felt for a long time that in order to improve, I need to change my shooting habits [and it wasn't really until the DL4 that I enjoyed using non-telephoto standard lengths again], and my Dream lens will always be the 50 'lux....

I may never be able to justify the expense of the 'lux, but the CV VM mount stuff seems to fit the bill for a great many M owners...

Now, will one of you GF owners tell me how feasible it might be to mount, say, a 150mm faster prime on the end of one of these, and manual focus it using the screen? Or is the EVF an essential for critical longer focus work? Because the only thing holding me back right now is that at some point I will want to head to the zoo and shoot some critters with a long prime wide open...
 
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