"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

Crotal Bell said:
If you are considering the G90, then you should really look at the G80 first.

The improvements made for the G90 are very minimal and in some cases many experts thought they took away as much as they gave, the video in the G80 is better for a start and the camera bodies are almost identical.

There's a lot of great condition G80 bodies available because they sold in good numbers, weather sealed and very comfortable to hold, fits in a small shoulder bag with portrait/landscape lenses, even a larger baggy pocket with the right lens.



Shutter shock was a proven issue on some of the earlier models, depending on the settings used some people would never encounter it, but it was there nonetheless.
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Thanks for the input. I actually owned a g80 for a few weeks, but ended up having to return it for being faulty. It was secondhand though, so possibly not treated well before I bought it. If I remember rightly it was something to do with the screen going black after taking a photo. It would happen intermittently. I’ve no idea if this was a common fault or what could’ve caused it though. I just returned it quickly before I got stuck with a faulty camera.
 
Odd one today.

Not used the G80 for a while. It's been sitting in the cupboard.
Decided to take it out today. As expected the battery was totally flat.
Went to change it and instead of just sliding out it was ' jammed ', I had to gently tease it out with a knife. Replacement Lumix battery just slid in, no problem.

The flat battery is a Duracell. On inspection the battery has an imperceptible bulge on the label side. You can only 'see it' by rocking a steel rule across it.

I haven't recharged it as I dont trust it any more.

Anybody had similar or can shed any light?
 
Cockney said:
I haven't looked recently, is the Olympus menu system still quirky and (to me) illogical?
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The menus in the latest iteration of OM System cameras are a light year away from the original. Totally intuitive.
 
Cockney said:
Cheers. I expected it was toast. Has certainly been deep discharged. So much for going for a known brand. Cheers Duracell.
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I suppose it's good to take any batteries out if not using a camera for a while.
It hadn't crossed my mind before but this has got me thinking cautiously.
 
Crotal Bell said:
I suppose it's good to take any batteries out if not using a camera for a while.
It hadn't crossed my mind before but this has got me thinking cautiously.
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Its got me thinking too.
Do I go Duracell again?
Shell out for genuine Lumix?
Try a.n other brand?
 
I've had several batteries for my Sony A7 swell but I'm not sure that buying genuine camera brand batteries will be a 100% fix. I think age and probably the number of cycles plays a part. My Panasonic kit gets much less use and so far I don't remember having a problem.

Anyway. Some recent GX80 and 14mm f2.5 and GX9 and 20mm f1.7 pictures I like. Nothing special, just out walking and day out snaps. The first three are GX9 and the next three are GX80.

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One last one, mid chomp :D

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Cockney said:
Its got me thinking too.
Do I go Duracell again?
Shell out for genuine Lumix?
Try a.n other brand?
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I've found that when buying third party batteries, it's not worth spending extra on the more expensive versions, generally they are all of a similar quality and with time they will either no longer hold charge well or will start to swell. I still don't think Panasonic batteries are worth the premium prices, I just buy cheap third party batteries and accept that they might need to be replaced after 3 or 4 years.
 
woof woof said:
I've had several batteries for my Sony A7 swell but I'm not sure that buying genuine camera brand batteries will be a 100% fix. I think age and probably the number of cycles plays a part. My Panasonic kit gets much less use and so far I don't remember having a problem.

Anyway. Some recent GX80 and 14mm f2.5 and GX9 and 20mm f1.7 pictures I like. Nothing special, just out walking and day out snaps. The first three are GX9 and the next three are GX80.

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One last one, mid chomp :D

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My wife would have made me delete the last one. :D
 
Cockney said:
Its got me thinking too.
Do I go Duracell again?
Shell out for genuine Lumix?
Try a.n other brand?
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Duracell lithium batteries usually don’t hold up compared to other brands. The best third party batteries I’ve used are Hahnel. I’ve never had any issues with those. I used to work in a camera shop and PC World sold Duracell batteries as part of a bundle with their cameras. In our shop we’d often see customers come in and complain as Duracell batteries would often leak into/damage the cameras they’d purchased. So they’d come to us for advice rather than PC World. They did the same selling poor memory cards with cameras. I once had someone come into our shop wondering why it took so long for their photos to write to their memory card and it was because PC World sold them a micro SD card with a converter to fit into their camera.
 
woof woof said:
I've had several batteries for my Sony A7 swell but I'm not sure that buying genuine camera brand batteries will be a 100% fix. I think age and probably the number of cycles plays a part. My Panasonic kit gets much less use and so far I don't remember having a problem.

Anyway. Some recent GX80 and 14mm f2.5 and GX9 and 20mm f1.7 pictures I like. Nothing special, just out walking and day out snaps. The first three are GX9 and the next three are GX80.

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One last one, mid chomp :D

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I love the colour and exposure on the one in the arcade, I was thinking you must have used a flash back I can't see any flare reflection. It's a very vibrant colourful image and I would love to know how you set the camera up for that one.
 
Crotal Bell said:
I love the colour and exposure on the one in the arcade, I was thinking you must have used a flash back I can't see any flare reflection. It's a very vibrant colourful image and I would love to know how you set the camera up for that one.
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Deffo no flash as it could have affected the lighting and colours in the arcade but I did do a little processing to taste, a slight S curve with contrast and a slight boost to vibrancy. It was taken with my GX80 and 14mm f2.5 at f2.5 and I think the main things here are the perspective created by the distance and focal length and also the height and angle the picture was taken from. I do like using the evf rather than the back screen but the back screen is great for taking pictures with the camera held lower and here pointing slightly upward, not taken from eye level, hence the not from eye level perspective. I like to do this with people pictures, I learned this from Vivian Maier. Watching "Finding Vivian Maier" was a real WoW moment for me :D

I'm glad you like it, I do too and Emanuel was very happy with it printed to fill an A4.
 
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woof woof said:
Deffo no flash as it could have affected the lighting and colours in the arcade but I did do a little processing to taste, a slight S curve with contrast and a slight boost to vibrancy. It was taken with my GX80 and 14mm f2.5 at f2.5 and I think the main things here are the perspective created by the distance and focal length and also the height and angle the picture was taken from. I do like using the evf rather than the back screen but the back screen is great for taking pictures with the camera held lower and here pointing slightly upward, not taken from eye level, hence the not from eye level perspective. I like to do this with people pictures, I learned this from Vivian Maier. Watching "Finding Vivian Maier" was a real WoW moment for me :D

I'm glad you like it, I do too and Emanuel was very happy with it printed to fill an A4.
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Thanks mate
 
After getting a Panny S5, ive not posted in this thread for awhile now!!.......................However, im still using my Panny G9 to good effect. With the Oly 60mm macro lens, the G9 is a joy to use, it nails virtually every shot i ask of it. Ive been having some fun this season, stepping back from my subject, shooting at 2.8, an getting some pleasing images.
Some G9/Oly 60mm lens images, no images are cropped, Cheers Paul.

In close for this female Adonis Blue.

Female Adonis Blue Butterfly, basking in early evening. by Tort Man, on Flickr


Stepping back, an shooting at f/2.8. Female Common Blue.
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Male Common Blue.
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Testudo Man said:
After getting a Panny S5, ive not posted in this thread for awhile now!!.......................However, im still using my Panny G9 to good effect. With the Oly 60mm macro lens, the G9 is a joy to use, it nails virtually every shot i ask of it. Ive been having some fun this season, stepping back from my subject, shooting at 2.8, an getting some pleasing images.
Some G9/Oly 60mm lens images, no images are cropped, Cheers Paul.

In close for this female Adonis Blue.

Female Adonis Blue Butterfly, basking in early evening. by Tort Man, on Flickr


Stepping back, an shooting at f/2.8. Female Common Blue.
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Male Common Blue.
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Nice work
I use the Leica 100-400mm which can get pretty close magnification at around a metre from the subject, with the G9.
I've often considered a macro but not sure if I like the microscopic style, preferring images like these you've posted, especially the first one.
How far back can you stand with the 60mm and get maximum macro? and is a soft flash box/rig essential?
 
Crotal Bell said:
I use the Leica 100-400mm which can get pretty close magnification at around a metre from the subject, with the G9.
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The 100-400mm is a surprisingly versatile piece of kit and goes well with G9. I find that makes a nice carry about camera for grab shots...

Butterfly on damp patch of ground G9 P1013360.jpg
 
Crotal Bell said:
Nice work
I use the Leica 100-400mm which can get pretty close magnification at around a metre from the subject, with the G9.
I've often considered a macro but not sure if I like the microscopic style, preferring images like these you've posted, especially the first one.
How far back can you stand with the 60mm and get maximum macro? and is a soft flash box/rig essential?
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Thanks for that.
For the close up female Adonis shot, i had to get within approx. 50cms or less.
The other 2 images were taken approx. 120cms from the Common Blues.
I dont use flash for my butterfly images, i rely on natural light only. But if i were to use the Oly 60mm macro lens for "Macro shots", were i needed to get much closer to a subject, then if your casting a shadow over your chosen subject, it would be a good idea to use a flash setup. Get too close to a butterfly (cast a shadow over it) then the insect will certainly fly off out of frame! People have great success using the Oly 60mm Macro lens, for "proper" macro, but my butterfly images are close up, rather than macro. I also shoot Auto Focus, i think there is a setting on the lens for closest focus distance (1:1) but that setting might be for manual focus, which i never use. I tend to just flip between the other 3 settings on the lens, depending on my working distance to subject. Its a quirky little lightweight lens, some people complain about it, an dont seem to like it...The lens works for me though, time an time again, all day long out in the field. Cheers Paul.......another G9/Oly 60mm macro lens combo, shot this season. The Grizzled Skipper is a tiny Butterfly, with a wingspan of just 23-29mm

Grizzled Skipper Butterfly. No cropping. by Tort Man, on Flickr
 
Well as a long term dweller here and not posting in a while I've just dropped my entire FF Sony gear and jumped in the M4/3's with the G9 and a range of lenses. Not had the chance to really stretch its legs yet but will in the next couple of days.

Have to say the though that I bought the Oly 75mm f1.8 with it and my lord does that produce some beautiful images.
 
Columbo said:
...jumped in the M4/3's with the G9 and a range of lenses.
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Did you include the 100~400mm?

Mine lives permanently on one of my G9s and it's the reason I bought the G9 in the first place. I think of the combination as a super light 200~800...

Team Raven Sidmouth G9 P1014447.JPG

The other G9 also has a permanent optic, the 7~14mm - superb for confined spaces...

Toilet refurbishment New piping in place G9 P1002695.jpeg

Enjoy using your G9 outfit! :)
 
My G9 is on firmware 2.4, is it worth updating to 2.7?
The panny change list only states one line and its not something I care about.
 
If your looking for a wireless remote trigger/receiver for the G9 or the G9ii don't pay the £60 panasonic want for a wired one. I have been looking on the interweb for something cheaper, but couldn't find a Wireless one. So had a dig in my parts box and believe it or not the PIxel Oppilas works on both cameras and only costs about £29. Also a 2.5mm 3 pole to 4 pole cable is needed where the 4pole end goes into the remote socket on the camera.

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The Pana 100-300mm lens works well as a close up lens when fitted withExtn tubes. I use Meike "MK-P-AF3B" automatic tube set comes with a16mm and a 10mm extn tube. Ideal for a closup while still at a distance
 
Some advice please guys, my other half is taking an interest in Photography for Wildlife. I am thinking of a g9 or a gx 80 and either a Panasonic 100-400 mk1 or 100-300 mk1
is there much difference in iq and af speed between the 2 lens, which would be the better Body out of the 2 I have short listed
Thanks
 
G9

And not the 100-300 mk1, so it would have to be the 100-400. The 100-300 mk2 is a different story.
 
mav said:
Some advice please guys, my other half is taking an interest in Photography for Wildlife. I am thinking of a g9 or a gx 80 and either a Panasonic 100-400 mk1 or 100-300 mk1
is there much difference in iq and af speed between the 2 lens, which would be the better Body out of the 2 I have short listed
Thanks
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I suppose the wildlife and the light she will shoot in has to come into it and sadly the aperture range of these lenses isn't great. Depending on the subject, the light and the expected results it may well be worthwhile looking at another system if the budget allows.
 
woof woof said:
I suppose the wildlife and the light she will shoot in has to come into it and sadly the aperture range of these lenses isn't great. Depending on the subject, the light and the expected results it may well be worthwhile looking at another system if the budget allows.
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Yet despite that, the G9 and the lenses have earned themselves an excellent reputation for wildlife :)
Maybe because aperture range is only one of the factors to be considered.
 
Sangoma said:
Yet despite that, the G9 and the lenses have earned themselves an excellent reputation for wildlife :)
Maybe because aperture range is only one of the factors to be considered.
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But it's a significant factor as it could well impact IQ and has to be considered, As I said above the aperture range is less than great for eg with the 100-400mm you could very well be at f6.3 wide open (that's f12+ in ff speak) and depending upon the subject and the conditions and the settings needed this could be an issue.

It all depends on conditions and settings and all I'm advising is that Mav looks into this and also looks at other systems, systems with potentially larger sensors and wider apertures. Another system may come at a cost of bulk, weight and more money but the Panny kit isn't exactly peanuts so the abilities of the MFT kit and that of the competition need to be looked at otherwise we might as well be fanboys and just tell everyone to go ahead and spend their hard earned on the Panny kit without reservations no matter if it's suitable and the best choice or not.
 
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I had a Panasonic 200/2.8 and 1.4 t/c to use with my G9, so effectively in FF terms a 560/4
It was very sharp and utilising the dual is gave some excellent results.
Considerably lighter/smaller than larger formats for that focal range and aperture.
Another consideration might be an Olympus 300/4 which also has a fine reputation.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
I had a Panasonic 200/2.8 and 1.4 t/c to use with my G9, so effectively in FF terms a 560/4
It was very sharp and utilising the dual is gave some excellent results.
Considerably lighter/smaller than larger formats for that focal range and aperture.
Another consideration might be an Olympus 300/4 which also has a fine reputation.
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That sounds like a setup worth considering.

I don't want to put people off MFT, I've had it for a long long time, I just want to be open about possible pitfalls.
 
Another option might be a Panasonic 50-200/2.8-4.
Heard good things about this lens and it also has the zoom flexibility.
Did have a 100-300 mkii, but wasn't overly impressed, perhaps I expected too much for the relatively low price.
Not tried the 100-400 ii, I believe it has to some extent cured the stiff zoom of the mk i version.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Another option might be a Panasonic 50-200/2.8-4.
Heard good things about this lens and it also has the zoom flexibility.
Did have a 100-300 mkii, but wasn't overly impressed, perhaps I expected too much for the relatively low price.
Not tried the 100-400 ii, I believe it has to some extent cured the stiff zoom of the mk i version.
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My Panny 100-400mm is a bit stiff but TBH I've never thought it was much of a problem. It's something that needs to be tried to see if it is a problem but it wouldn't put me off buying the lens and at least it doesn't seem to creep when you're carrying it.
 
mav said:
Some advice please guys, my other half is taking an interest in Photography for Wildlife. I am thinking of a g9 or a gx 80 and either a Panasonic 100-400 mk1 or 100-300 mk1
is there much difference in iq and af speed between the 2 lens, which would be the better Body out of the 2 I have short listed
Thanks
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I have the Panasonic 100-300mm mk11 version with the 1.2 version firmware as I like to keep up with the latest. At the moment I am waiting for the 100-400mm lens which is in transit from Japan. It all depends if and how I get on with the new lens before I consider selling the 100-300mm which is dust free. I am very fussy over all my camera gear and keep it in top condition

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weight is the issue , we had a look at a used panny 100-400 mk 2 today it was good price £1000 nearly bought it , but reviews say it does not perform any better than the mk1 they didn't have a g9 body the size may put her off so may look at the gx80 . Budget is around a £1000
thinking about a sony a6400/6600 and a 70/350 as well
 
mav said:
... but reviews say it does not perform any better than the mk1
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I'm very happy with my original G9 and mark 1 100~400mm.
 
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I came away from Nikon not because of the camera weight but that of the lens weight. at least the Pana MFT lenses are a lot lighter. As for the pana 100-400mm lens I have one in transit from Japan in "top mint" (japanses way of saying like new) for £575 +Plus import charges. took a bit of finding to meet my criteria. Hate to think of the number I rejected when looking on the interweb

If your thinking of those sony cameras remember they only have one card slot, I prefer a camera with two card slots so I have a backup. worth thinking about as well. Also your stuck with sony lenses but they do have a large range.
 
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