G system for pro use.

daz103

daz103

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Darren
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I have quite a few photojournalism projects pencilled in over the next couple of years in places like Morocco, Ethiopia and Malaysia and was considering my equipment for these trips. I currently use a D3 with pro lenses, but have found that the sheer size of the camera and lenses can be a hinderence, not just with travelling, but also with drawing attention to myself and being a bit imposing. I am therefore re-evaluating my gear for such trips and am considering the panasonic G system and especially the new GX1 (GFX) whatever its called, with a collection of prime lenses, probably Olympus 12mm, leica 45mm, Panni 20mm and possibly a pro zoom if they make one soon.

The GX1 is supposed to be similar to the G3 but with a better processor. Are these cameras suitable for pro work. I know that stock agencies probably would not take them, but the images will primarily be B&W and be printed probably no bigger than A3 for exhibition and published in Books.

Obviously the size of the kit will be a benefit, but I am just worried a little by the low light performance and although I know the D3 will smash it in that respect, will I be concerned by the noise levels at say ISO 1600-2000?
 
I use primarily Nikon kit but just acquired an Olympus Pen for much the same reason as you as I am off to India in January and find the iso performance quite outstanding up to 1600. Expensive and obtrusive kit is not a good idea in some locations (I was almost mugged in Madrid for my Nikon 2 years ago). Not shot much with the Pen yet but very impressed so far.
 
Well I would be interested to hear how you get on with the PEN. I think the GX1 is going to be ideal for what I need it for, but in my current situation I would probably have to sell my nikon gear to fund the outfit I would need for my projects. Not sure if I would lose business from not having the d3 etc.
 
The GF1 is on a list of cameras deemed acceptable by Alamy, I haven't checked about other agencies.

I wouldn't really use ISO1600 on my GF1 though, not sure how much it will be improved by the GX1.
 
I don't see why a mft camera couldn't be used for pro stuff, as long as you don't need super fast auto focus or burst rate. The GH cameras are considered the closest to 'pro' level in the mft line up.
 
In terms of zooms there's some great examples from the Panasonic 100-300 zoom, so that's worth a look.
 
I am wondering pretty much the same too.

Start of this year I went from a D3 and a few lenses to a 5D1 and 1D2 plus a few L lenses as I wanted 2 bodies for doing press work, then I bought a NEX3 for shooting more personal work, added a Konica Hexar to that for when I shoot film, now I've treated myself to an x100 and sold the NEX and the 1D.

I had thought I'd need to sell some more kit to fund the x100 but managed it with finance.

Only thing is, the agency I was doing stuff for seem to have taken the hump at me turning down so many jobs (I'm a student and I'm often either at my part time job or studying) and don't send me so much (any) jobs so now my remaining canon slr kit is sitting pretty much unused.

I don't need to sell it but the money that selling it would raise would be nice. but without a DSLR though I think I might feel like I'm not a real photographer or something.
 
grum said:
I wouldn't really use ISO1600 on my GF1 though, not sure how much it will be improved by the GX1.
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I just leave my G1 and GF1 on auto ISO and let them get on with it. I took the following GF1 shots hand held after seven o'clock on a March evening so it was quite dark. They're at 1600 and have had only basic NR in CS5 and I'm sure that better would be possible with more processing skill :D The last is a 100% crop from the centre of the frame.

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grum said:
The GF1 is on a list of cameras deemed acceptable by Alamy, I haven't checked about other agencies.
Click to expand...
I'm fascinated that such a list exists, notice the gf2 is on it. I think has is the same sensor as the gf1 but I don't let my gf2 go over iso800 (so far, only had it a few weeks tho!)

Here's the alamy list in case I'm not the only who has never seen it!

http://www.alamy.com/contributor/help/recommended-digital-cameras.asp
 
So would I but the lenses are bigger and just like most MFT offerings they lack markings and ease of manual use, being designed very much for AF and AF alone me thinks.
 
Wow good to see that alamy will except images from the panasonic cameras. That gives me little more confidence in the system. As someone pointed out the other day, i could always hire out a camera and lenses if a job required the extra image quality. I would just factor it into my charges.
 
I think the touch screen focussing and the speed of the af means that manual focussing is less important I suppose. Playing around with the ep3 with the leica 45mm macro, taking over 100 shots it never missed focus once. Using the touch screen was really handy.
 
There is a guy out there (I can't remember his name at the moment, will come back with it) who uses a GF1 for pro photojournalism, and his work is first class. He was using the 14-45mm and 4/3 Leica 25mm 1.4 for sure, and probably others.
 
I know that Dave Loftus (of Jamie Oliver book fame) used a GF1 for a series on Jamaica, but it was more that he was in Jamaica and fancied taking some snaps. The results were good though.
 
Also interested to find that these guys also use Micro four thirds

- David Alan Harvey (Magnum/Natgeo, GF1)
- William Albert Allard (Natgeo, GF1)
- Jonas Bendiksen (Magnum, EP-2)
- Stephen Alvarez (Natgeo, GF2)
- Ira Block (Natgeo, GF2)
 
Can I just ask a bit more about the projects? I am interested in photojournalism. Have you got commissions to go to these places or are you just going to try and sell to agencies when you get back?

Considering a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan at the moment...
 
I haven't got commissions, they will self financed projects with the aim of having them published when completed. Although I have had some interest on one of the projects already. Saying that the view is to publish them as books. Any unused images would probably used as stock.
 
More extensive testing now done and very impressed. I would happily use the Pen for any of my professional work provided fast af was not an issue. Mine did not cost and arm and a leg, camera with 14 42 lens £300, s/h VF2 viewfinder (essential in my opinion) £140 and 40 150 lens £180 new but unboxed (from a split kit). If you go down the Pen route try to shoot some frames before buying as my original 14 42 lens was terribly soft at all apertures.
 
when I come back from my trip someone please sell me a panasonic G2 with 14mm f2.5 :D
since I saw that there is a nice small camera with proper VF I was sold.

portraiture with such kit will be interesting .

and this thread doesn't help me either :D
 
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I'd go for it. In fact, they are so cheap you could pick up a second body to minimise lens changing.

I have a GF1 with a 14mm 2.5 and 20mm 1.7. both are exquisite. The 14-45 was nice too but I like the teeny primes. I'd like a longer prime too like a 45, and a much wider angle, but the v. wide zoom is pricey and cant take a filter.

On the subject of filters, I use my Lee filter kit on it with a 77mm step up ring.

Image quality is very good. Not on a par with my M9 but easily "good enough" with lovely bokeh from the 20mm.
 
there is one supermental lens called - samyang 7.5mm :D .
I hope they make something like 17mm f1.4 for the m43 . I'm a fan of that company.
 
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