If you got a GF3 body only which lens would you buy?

JohnN

JohnN

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Hi,

Just wondering, if you bought just one lens which would you get?

Also if budget was an issue, which then?
 
For gf3 I'd have the 14mm, I used this same combo until I got rid of some older m43 gear ( I had 6 bodies)
 
Didn't you find it being fixed at 14mm a bit restrictive (I know its the usual zoom vs prime argument), but I find I zoom in quite a bit.

Edit: Just noted the six bodies bit - you must be the goto man on all M43 questions :)
Edit 2: Actually given that statement, I know they're different beats but how did you find the GF3 vs the RX100?
 
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postcardcv said:
I had the 14mm on my GF3 and did quite like the set up but would have prefered the 20 f1.7, as the slightly longer focal length suits me better.
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Seconded. I got the GF3 with the 14mm (came as a kit) but then I got the 20mm and that stays almost permanently attached to the camera, with the 14mm getting little use. But then I prefer a 'normal' view to a wide one.

What focal length do you use on your current cameras (bearing in mind the m43 crop factor is X2)? The 45mm is also highly rated and goes for around £220 new or £170 to £180 used.

If you prefer zooms you can pick up the 14-42 mk ii Olympus pretty cheap on ebay (maybe £60 or so?) - the smaller size vs the Panasonic 14-42 makes it a better 'fit' on the GF3 I think (although I hardly use mine, as the IQ of the 20mm is good enough to crop a fair bit if I wanted to and I prefer primes for the speed).
 
JohnN said:
Didn't you find it being fixed at 14mm a bit restrictive (I know its the usual zoom vs prime argument), but I find I zoom in quite a bit.

Edit: Just noted the six bodies bit - you must be the goto man on all M43 questions :)
Edit 2: Actually given that statement, I know they're different beats but how did you find the GF3 vs the RX100?
Click to expand...

The 20mm did work well on the gf3 too, I also used it on my g3 for a bit as a smallish setup

I got rid of G1, GF3, G3 and 14mm, 20mm, 14-42 lenses. The RX100 is fantastic, a true pocket camera and very versatile. Like any gear there are compromises, but the benefits for me were worth it.
 
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In answer to a previous question - I tend to have the 70-200 on if I'm just out wit the kids (and do almost portraits), or the 24-70 if I think there is more of a landscape to the day, on occasion the 50-500 which also makes a fairly good all-rounder.
 
fidsey79 said:
Don"t want to hijack the thread but how do people find the gf3? I am thinking about a quick purchase as an upgrade to g1.
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I like mine a lot, but would not want it as my only camera - there is no evf obviously and no ability to add one and there is no hotshoe (but there is a built in flash which I have never used). But it's one of the smallest (possibly the smallest?) m43 camera and with the 20mm pancake, is nice and small (fits in a bulky winter jacket pocket).

I like the 'touch to focus' and I find the control wheel a lot easier to use (less fiddly) than my Olympus E-PL3 one. The menu is a lot easier to use than the Olympus one too. As with my E-PL3 I try and avoid going over ISO 1600 as it's gets quite noisy.

So compared to your G1 it may be a downgrade in some ways? (no evf, no hotshoe,no mode dial,fixed lcd) but an upgrade in others (faster AF?, touch screen). Sensor is the same as the G1 I think?
 
JohnN said:
In answer to a previous question - I tend to have the 70-200 on if I'm just out wit the kids (and do almost portraits), or the 24-70 if I think there is more of a landscape to the day, on occasion the 50-500 which also makes a fairly good all-rounder.
Click to expand...

Of the cheaper m43 telephoto zooms - the Olympus 40-150 is nice and light but no stabilisation on the GF3, the 45-200 is a bit unbalanced on the GF3 as it's a lot bigger and heavier than the Olympus lens but still usable and has stabilisation. Both are around £150 to £200 with £50 cashback on the Panasonic one). Then there is a Panasonic 45-150mm (£240 or £190 after cashback assuming there is cashback on this lens) - but no idea what that lens is like.
 
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