"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

woof woof said:
I quite like the look but that wouldn't tempt me to buy it. By relative excitement about the Oly I was rather thinking about weather sealing, IBIS and it moving the image quality on.

I hope I'm wrong but Panny seem to be treading water a little, maybe becoming the Canon of MFT... with each new model being rather... dull.
Click to expand...

Agreed, and don't forget the inbuilt EVF, the combination of features all made the difference, but don't forget the must have silver finish:). Panasonic seem to be keeping things under close wraps, it will be interesting to see if and how they counter the OM-D.
 
Last edited:
Cashback arrived in my Paypal account within 3 days! (y)

There do not appear to be any charges associated with each payment - but it is an eCheque which means it takes a week to clear in your PP account.

What do I need to buy next :bonk:
 
Enough......you men! Now go out and take some photos with the cameras you've got!!! :)
 
What are people using for macro.

I shoot a lot of flower shots, many with shallow DoF, and with my 20D and now 5D I use a 150mm f2.8. I can't quite get the look with my 25mm f0.95 so I'd like a longer lens. Maybe a macro or maybe just a close focusing lens. I was thinking that something between 70 and 100mm would be fine and I wouldn't mind manual focus as that's what I use with my 150mm. Looking at my 5D flower shots I seem to be using anything from f2.8 to f8. I suppose a macro or close focusing MFT 70mm f1.4 is out of the question :(

I had a quick look and Panny don't seem to make anything so I just wondered what others are using.
 
Last edited:
I've not tried macro yet. I picked up a Raynox 250 a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to give it a go yet.
There is an Olympus 75mm f/1.8 on the way apparently, but I don't think its going to be macro, its being marketed as a portrait lens.
 
woof woof said:
What are people using for macro.

I shoot a lot of flower shots, many with shallow DoF, and with my 20D and now 5D I use a 150mm f2.8. I can't quite get the look with my 25mm f0.95 so I'd like a longer lens. Maybe a macro or maybe just a close focusing lens. I was thinking that something between 70 and 100mm would be fine and I wouldn't mind manual focus as that's what I use with my 150mm. Looking at my 5D flower shots I seem to be using anything from f2.8 to f8. I suppose a macro or close focusing MFT 70mm f1.4 is out of the question :(

I had a quick look and Panny don't seem to make anything so I just wondered what others are using.
Click to expand...

Minolta MD 45mm F2 on Teleplus macro 2x converter. Fantastic macro setup, although heavy.
 
I've never used a converter.

What I'm really looking for is the front to back "flattening" that you get with a longer lens as it's even visible in a sort of psudo macro flower shot. So, I'm wondering if a converted lens in the 50mm range will give that effect or if I'd be better off going for a longer lens?
 
Was bored so thought I would do a little (less than scientific) test of the 14mm pancake vs the 14-42mm manual zoom as a number of people have asked recently whether the 14mm pancake was worth purchasing......

  • GX1 mounted to a tripod approx 2.5m from the fence
  • Focus point for the wide shots - fence post to the right of the spikey plant
  • Focus point for the bokeh shots was the Andrex logo
  • ISO was locked at 160
  • Aperture fixed at largest or smallest
  • Shutter was allowed to do what it wanted (Aperture Priority mode)
  • Straight out of camera and resized to 1600 - not tampered with at all

First up - field of view..

14mm pancake wide open at f2.5
gx1_14mmf2_5.jpg


14-42mm zoom wide open at f3.5
gx1_14-42f3_5.jpg


Edge sharpness is much better on the pancake

Second test - field of view (f22)..

14mm pancake at f22
gx114mmf22.jpg


14-42mm zoom at f22
gx114-42 f22.jpg


Not alot in it there

Third test - bokeh

14mm pancake at f2.5
gx1 14mm f2_5.jpg


14-42 zoom at f3.5
gx1 14-42 f3_5.jpg


Pancake is ever so slightly better here as you would expect

In summary...
I don't think there is really that much noticeable difference between the pancake and the zoom when it comes to image quality in everyday use, but clearly the choice comes down to whether you want a small prime lens or a larger flexible zoom lens.

There is always the 14-42 PZ lens to choose if you want something that zooms but is not much bigger than the 20mm pancake (when retracted) but reports of flaky copies are common and then there is the extra drain on the battery life and the additional price.

I still love my 20mm pancake and this is my lens of choice, but the next choice is the 14mm pancake with the zoom 'my least likely to be chosen lens' - even behind the 8mm fisheye!

See the next post for the bokeh on a 20mm at f1.7
 
Last edited:
have now put my gh1 and the lens in classifieds :(

I hope I could raise enough money to keep it. even if this one sells, will definitely get a mft when I start making monies from photography.
 
woof woof said:
I've never used a converter.

What I'm really looking for is the front to back "flattening" that you get with a longer lens as it's even visible in a sort of psudo macro flower shot. So, I'm wondering if a converted lens in the 50mm range will give that effect or if I'd be better off going for a longer lens?
Click to expand...

Since I wanted to take a few test shots to see which legacy lens I want to keep here's a couple of not very macro shots at f4.0, about 1:5 ratio, both OOC jpg:

PENTAX SMC M 50mm f4.0
M501.JPG

M502.JPG

PENTAX SMC M 100mm f4.0
M1001.JPG

M1002.JPG
 
Last edited:
bl0at3r said:
Looks like nobody cares about my lens test or your macro shots broadway :shrug:

Reckon they must have all gone to the dedicated M43 forum http://www.mu-43.com/forum.php (y)
Click to expand...

I enjoyed both sets of pictures.

I'm still thinking about which way to go...

I do like having a small system but a few things do annoy and frustrate me, FBW, which I hate, lack of markings, slightly less opportunity for very shallow DoF, being limited to 1/4000 sec shutter speed, the endless conveyor belt supply of almost identical slow kit and tele zooms, the trend towards power zooms and the gradual disappearance of manual controls in favour of touch screen and menu based controls and the lack of a RF form body with integral VF.

Having said all that there are still just enough positives to keep me invested but despite looking at my DSLR and bag full of lenses and wishing that MFT could replace them it can't and because of that and the FBW and all that goes or rather is lost because of it I don't think I'll be buying anything new unless something breaks or Panny finally bring out a RF form camera.

I might buy a G5 and 25mm f1.4 though.
:)
 
Seems a little wasteful shooting at f22 as diffraction is already degrading the image at f8! Not trying to be rude, but a sample at f8 would be a better test, although shooting porn in the garden may upset the neighbours. Alright my spelling may be defracted too.... :coat:
 
I just ignore diffraction. This is a 100% crop from a shot of a model car, it's f16 which is as narrow as the lens goes and it's good enough for me.

_1050295c-1.jpg


Is anyone thinking of getting that new 12-35mm f2.8? At the mo I can't really see myself getting one as I mostly use primes.
 
I need a hood for my Pany 14-42 power zoom, the infra red converted G1 does not take kindly to too much light getting in.
 
woof woof said:
I just ignore diffraction. This is a 100% crop from a shot of a model car, it's f16 which is as narrow as the lens goes and it's good enough for me.

_1050295c-1.jpg


Is anyone thinking of getting that new 12-35mm f2.8? At the mo I can't really see myself getting one as I mostly use primes.
Click to expand...

A lot of people in m43 land ave been complaining about the lack of fast zooms, especially at the long end, so it will be interesting to see how this and the 35-100 sell.

It really does depend on the price, I doubt won't be getting one immediately, but in a year or 2 if the price comes down and they are available 2nd hand who knows. A 12-32 + 45mm f1.8 would be a nice walk round combination.
 
I think Panasonic/Olympus are "avving a larf", for the prices charged on some of the lenses I would have expected a much better construction with less plastic used in the making of them.

Fair enough it keeps the weight down which is the main attraction to the system, but by using pressure moulded plastic as opposed to metal must be giving them a better than fair profit margin before it is distributed to the retailers, the size also comes into the equation as there are less materials used.
 
No offence intended, but there seem to be a lot of retired micro fourt thirds users and quite well off Americans who can afford the high prices - fair dues to them, but it does mean that Pannie and Olympus can keep charging high prices for some of their lenses (7-14, the new zoom, the new Oly 12mm f2, etc). To many UK users like me our first reaction is "ouch, can't afford that" but over on DPR there seem to be plenty of micro 4/3 users with large wads of cash to spend on the latest and greatest bit of kit - witness how many new OM-D owners there seem to be. With a family to feed and a less than stratoshperic wage, I can only look on as a passive spectator, but as I say, good luck to those with the disposable income and I hope they enjoy their new toys !
 
PrinceCorum said:
No offence intended, but there seem to be a lot of retired micro fourt thirds users and quite well off Americans who can afford the high prices...
Click to expand...

The kit may look expensive in isolation but IMVHO if you compare MFT to similar spec Nikon and Canon stuff a bit of reality strikes. For example there is no direct Canon equivalent for this new Panny, but in FoV I suppose a 24-70mm f2.8 is the best comparison and despite not having IS it's a lot more expensive and begins to put the Panny price in a little perspective.

It's not just the price that's moved upwards as although I obviously haven't handled the new lens yet I'm sure I read that it's construction feels more "expensive" with metal construction. Found it... This is what DPR say...

"The 12-35mm marks a departure from previous Lumix G lenses in terms of construction. The rear segment of the barrel between the zoom ring and the mount is made of metal, as is the manual focus ring with its finely-milled ridged grip. This immediately gives an impression of build quality that Panasonic lenses have recently lacked. The 12-35mm is also Panasonic's first lens with any kind of environmental sealing, although it's unclear whether this extends beyond the slim rubber seal that encircles the lens mount.

This impression of a quality product is reinforced by the wonderfully-smooth zoom ring action, that rivals Canon and Nikon's top-end lenses for its silkiness of operation. It rotates about 80 degrees between the wide and tele positions, which allows you to fine-tune your compositions with some precision. The electronically-coupled manual focus ring on our-preproduction sample doesn't have quite the same smoothness of rotation, but it does offer extremely accurate manual focusing with a remarkably well-tuned tactile 'feel', which is all that really matters."

Personally I'd like to have seen three fast quality primes, a macro and a set of three quality zooms much earlier but unfortunately for me the system seems to have been aimed more at the entry level with repeated relatively slow and cheapo kit type zooms rather than a Fuji X Pro 1 type approach and market. What we're getting now is more choice with higher spec bodies and lenses becoming available. For someone like me, fitting your profile somewhat (retired two years ago at 49 with more money than I'll ever spend) the system is at last turning into what I always wanted it to be - a genuine alternative to low to mid and even more top end DSLR's and lenses although to be truly a direct replacement we'd have to see lenses with much wider apertures and we're not going to get the likes of a 25mm f0.75 in my lifetime but if all you want is an entry to mid type body and kit lens then that's been available for some time.

Choice is good :)
 
Last edited:
God I wish I could retire at 49 - the way things are going the Govt will have me retiring at 80+ by which time I'll be hobbling to work on my zimmer frame

woof woof said:
The kit may look expensive in isolation but IMVHO if you compare MFT to similar spec Nikon and Canon stuff a bit of reality strikes. For example there is no direct Canon equivalent for this new Panny, but in FoV I suppose a 24-70mm f2.8 is the best comparison and despite not having IS it's a lot more expensive and begins to put the Panny price in a little perspective.

It's not just the price that's moved upwards as although I obviously haven't handled the new lens yet I'm sure I read that it's construction feels more "expensive" with metal construction. Found it... This is what DPR say...

"The 12-35mm marks a departure from previous Lumix G lenses in terms of construction. The rear segment of the barrel between the zoom ring and the mount is made of metal, as is the manual focus ring with its finely-milled ridged grip. This immediately gives an impression of build quality that Panasonic lenses have recently lacked. The 12-35mm is also Panasonic's first lens with any kind of environmental sealing, although it's unclear whether this extends beyond the slim rubber seal that encircles the lens mount.

This impression of a quality product is reinforced by the wonderfully-smooth zoom ring action, that rivals Canon and Nikon's top-end lenses for its silkiness of operation. It rotates about 80 degrees between the wide and tele positions, which allows you to fine-tune your compositions with some precision. The electronically-coupled manual focus ring on our-preproduction sample doesn't have quite the same smoothness of rotation, but it does offer extremely accurate manual focusing with a remarkably well-tuned tactile 'feel', which is all that really matters."

Personally I'd like to have seen three fast quality primes, a macro and a set of three quality zooms much earlier but unfortunately for me the system seems to have been aimed more at the entry level with repeated relatively slow and cheapo kit type zooms rather than a Fuji X Pro 1 type approach and market. What we're getting now is more choice with higher spec bodies and lenses becoming available. For someone like me, fitting your profile somewhat (retired two years ago at 49 with more money than I'll ever spend) the system is at last turning into what I always wanted it to be - a genuine alternative to low to mid and even more top end DSLR's and lenses although to be truly a direct replacement we'd have to see lenses with much wider apertures and we're not going to get the likes of a 25mm f0.75 in my lifetime but if all you want is an entry to mid type body and kit lens then that's been available for some time.

Choice is good :)
Click to expand...
 
I forgot to mention...

One of the changes I'd like to see on some future more upmarket camera is a faster shutter speed. 1/4000th sec can be limiting as if you want to shoot at wide apertures in good light you could be limited to something like f2.8 unless you use a ND filter and that means messing about fitting and removing. 1/8000th sec is much better for wide aperture shooting.
 
on the G1 and perhaps other G models
can the users please tell me if they leave the anti shake setting on on the lens and if so do they use no 1 in the menu..

or if not...are the results normally not easy to tell apart notwithstanding any shake present..?

be 70 in a few months..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top