"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

Well, the G3 is a bit like a small SLR and it has a built in EVF, the GF1 is a bit like a big compact and it doesn't have a built in EVF. I don't know how the size of the two compares.

I went out with my G1+25mm f0.95 and shot something other than flowers today. I'm amazed how sharp this lens is and how much detail is recorded. I think I took 14 shots and there was one reject which was completely OOF so I need to learn from that to get a 100% keeper rate.

I wanted a shot of this building...

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and I was very surprised at how much detail there is at 100% (as always they look better on my screen than these shots via photobucket)...

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Hey folks, looking for a little advice, I've been using pretty much exclusively manual Canon FD lenses on my EP1 (17mm native lens hasn't been on in a couple of weeks!) The EP1 works much better for MF than I expected although I am finding times when I'd love a viewfinder; really when the sun is far too bring for the screen.
I've been swithering at perhaps buying a cheap EP2 and adding the EVF for it but then I started wondering about either a Panasonic G1 or G2, both are very cheap used (£150-£150) and an EP2 + EVF would be £450+, I know that I'd be losing image stabilisation but I wouldn't be replacing my EP1, merely complementing it, and as I've started using a tripod (and noticed much sharper images!) IS is not as killer a feature anyway.

Anyhow I just wondering if anyone was using a G1/G2 with manual lenses and could comment on how good this works in reality? Also if anyone has any experience with both the Panasonic EVF and the Olympus VF2 any comparisons would be great.
 
I'm using a G1 with a manual lens and I love it. Focusing is no problem even at f0.95 and there's always the focus help zoom thingy to aid focus.
 
woof woof said:
I'm using a G1 with a manual lens and I love it. Focusing is no problem even at f0.95 and there's always the focus help zoom thingy to aid focus.
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Thanks Alan, I'm going to keep an eye out for a used G1 I think, is there much difference between the G1 and G2?
 
Probably 95% of my time with the G2 is using FD lenses and it's fine.

I hardly ever use the rear screen (perhaps if I'm using a tripod at an awkward angle) and the EVF is good enough to get focus most of the time.

Press the click wheel on the rear of the G2 to magnify the centre if the VF image for critical focus.

Not used the Oly EVF though.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Thanks Alan, I'm going to keep an eye out for a used G1 I think, is there much difference between the G1 and G2?
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I think that the main thing is that the G2 has video. I think they both have the same chip so image quality should be the same-ish.
 
Nupe. No touch screen.

I bought mine in the classsifieds here for £125 and it was a bargain. What I like is that they're small and light, the EVF has great coverage and with the f0.95 fitted I can just about see in the dark :) The shutter is quiet too, much more so than my 20D which sounds like an anvil being thrown into a tin bath.

The only real limitation that I have at the moment is that the max shutter speed is 1/4000 so on a sunny day I'm pretty much limited to f2.8 but hopefully a ND will fix that. Overall I'm happy... but some fast auto focus primes and a standard f2.8 zoom all with lens markings would make me very happy.
 
Took this by zone focusing. It's a 100% crop and on my screen I can read the writing on the parking sign :) although as usual for me photobucket has softened it a lot here but it's not way out of focus :LOL:

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woof woof said:
Nupe. No touch screen.

I bought mine in the classsifieds here for £125 and it was a bargain. What I like is that they're small and light, the EVF has great coverage and with the f0.95 fitted I can just about see in the dark :) The shutter is quiet too, much more so than my 20D which sounds like an anvil being thrown into a tin bath.

The only real limitation that I have at the moment is that the max shutter speed is 1/4000 so on a sunny day I'm pretty much limited to f2.8 but hopefully a ND will fix that. Overall I'm happy... but some fast auto focus primes and a standard f2.8 zoom all with lens markings would make me very happy.
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Cheers, not a big touchscreen fan anyway! Will keep an eye out for a G1 I think, although I'm already thinking about a possible upgrade to a G3 later in the year, I love the look of the EP3 but I think its a bit dear!
 
Yeah. I might look at a G3 as a replacement for my GF1 but I'll probably wait until the rumoured new GF1 style camera comes out (if it does...) later this year. The G1 was so cheap that I think I'll still hang on to it even if I buy a new model.
 
woof woof said:
Yeah. I might look at a G3 as a replacement for my GF1 but I'll probably wait until the rumoured new GF1 style camera comes out (if it does...) later this year. The G1 was so cheap that I think I'll still hang on to it even if I buy a new model.
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Same really, I don't think I'd get rid of my EP1 no matter what and if I can get away with spending £125-£150 on a G1 I'd likely keep that too.
 
I have a G3 and think it's a superb camera. I have not had much time to play with it yet but from the test shots i have taken so far it looks like it's going to be superb!! There are quite a few video's on you tube explaining the functions etc so check them out. It really is the perfect replacement for the GF1.
 
I didn't realise that the GF3 was even available for sale yet

Here

It there rubbish Site if you look under G series it listing them as in stock
 
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Copying the URL gives a link to the G3 but the GF3 comes up if you enter GF3 into the search box.

...the list suggests the GF3 kits will be coming in later this week.
 
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This is a 100% crop @f0.95. There's noticeable fringing but unfortunately CS5 is completely and utterly ineffective at removing it. Moving the sliders had no effect what so ever. Not too bad for a 100% crop though.

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I have had a play with the GF3 and it is a funky fun little camera but don't think it anything like the GF1 as it's designed for people coming up from compacts so it's devoid of buttons. It looks nice with one of the pancake lenses but looks odd with the 14-42 kit lens.
 
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I'm Sticking to my GF1 for now not even used that to it's potential but would like to see a GF1 type upgrade rather then how the GF2 and 3 have moved direction
 
chrism_scotland said:
Thanks Alan, I'm going to keep an eye out for a used G1 I think, is there much difference between the G1 and G2?
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I've got a G1 and I love it. I don't miss the video as my GF1 has that. I did consider an upgrade to G2 but decided against it for the following reasons.
1. I have a Panasonic FX 500 with a touch screen and I really don't find the touch screen to be an improvement.
2. They have moved the card slot from the side of the G1 to the bottom of the G2, which is really stupid. The advantage of the side slot is that you could remove your card while the camera is on a tripod to check the progress of your shots, now you have to take it off the tripod to remove the card.

Get a G1 whilst there are still some about.
 
hillwalkinggirl said:
I've got a G1 and I love it. I don't miss the video as my GF1 has that. I did consider an upgrade to G2 but decided against it for the following reasons.
1. I have a Panasonic FX 500 with a touch screen and I really don't find the touch screen to be an improvement.
2. They have moved the card slot from the side of the G1 to the bottom of the G2, which is really stupid. The advantage of the side slot is that you could remove your card while the camera is on a tripod to check the progress of your shots, now you have to take it off the tripod to remove the card.

Get a G1 whilst there are still some about.
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Thanks! I was very close to buying a G1 but waiting on some cash coming back from work so have had to put off buying it for now, I don't really like the touchscreen on the G2/GF2 so the G1 is my preferred option! I'd quite like a Pen that I can use the EVF with but they seem very expensive sadly!
 
matt b said:
You don't have to use the touch screen on the G2. It has the same button layout as the G1 just with the option to use the touch screen.
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I know that, but I wouldn't pay the extra for a G2 to get the touchscreen considering the low price of a used G1 these days.
 
AndyWest said:
I have had a play with the GF3 and it is a funky fun little camera but don't think it anything like the GF1 as it's designed for people coming up from compacts so it's devoid of buttons. It looks nice with one of the pancake lenses but looks odd with the 14-42 kit lens.
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What did you think of it size wise? I'm considering replacing my GF1 as I only use it as a quick pocket camera (as I have the GH2 and D700 for anything more) but I find it too big, it needs a decent size jacket pocket which I don't have on some of my more formal jackets. Last time it ended up stuffed in the back pocket of a Slingshot 100AW so having something noticeably smaller would be good. I've not seen any good size comparisons to the E-PL3/E-P3 nor been able to try any of them out in a shop.

John
 
Been struggling a little with very bright sunlight here in Scotland and been wondering about using ND filters to try and help my shots, mainly using Canon FD lenses (24mm and 50mm) although I also have an Olympus 17mm and looking to add one of a Panasonic 14/20 or 14-45mm lenses also.

If I were to go for square filters would the smaller 85mm size ones be enough? I remember having to look at 100mm filters previously for ultra wide lenses on my Sony/Pentax such as the Sigma 10-20 but I guess this wouldn't be an issue on a m4/3 body unless I was using the 7-14 or 9-18 lenses?
 
markie100 said:
Hi, i have just had my G3 & i was wondering what tips & settings people could give me?
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I think that a few people have G3's now so maybe someone could chip in?

I'd like some feedback on image quality and ISO performance as although I haven't had my G1 long I would possibly think about changing to a G3 if IQ and ISO are better.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
What did you think of it size wise? I'm considering replacing my GF1 as I only use it as a quick pocket camera (as I have the GH2 and D700 for anything more) but I find it too big, it needs a decent size jacket pocket which I don't have on some of my more formal jackets. Last time it ended up stuffed in the back pocket of a Slingshot 100AW so having something noticeably smaller would be good. I've not seen any good size comparisons to the E-PL3/E-P3 nor been able to try any of them out in a shop.

John
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The GF3 is smaller and rounder than the GF2 so with the 14mm or 20mm pancake it should fit into a jacket pocket. It actually feels very nice to hold and I have big hands. I tried it with the 100-300mm lens and it felt like the body was the add on rather than the lens but again pretty comfy. The rear screen is a joy to use as a touch screen.

I took some image examples from the GF3 with the new 12mm f2 Olympus lens which can be found here and the image quality is better than my Olympus XZ-1. I have the GF1 but feel I would still rather keep that than go for the GF3 as it is getting to be a classic.
 
I would also like to know more about how people are finding the G3, as I am considering buying one for a smaller carry around camera than my 7D - which is excellent but heavy when on the shoulder all day ! Does anyone know of the best place to look for reviews etc please?
 
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fidsey79 said:
How are people finding the G3? Thinking about upgrading from my G1, is it a massive difference in camera and picture quality? Thanks, Sarah
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I have had my G3 for nearly a month now and i love it. The screen is nice and responds pretty well to the touch, the EVF is superb and it feels nice to hold. The image quality is better than the 12 mega pixel models and the images are of corse larger being that it has a 15.8 mega pixel sensor. The only down side at the moment is no Raw support but it won't be long. The supplied software is OK and youcan convert the RAW to Tiff for now untill Adobe update their RAW converters.

I'd give it 8.5/10
 
AndyWest said:
The GF3 is smaller and rounder than the GF2 so with the 14mm or 20mm pancake it should fit into a jacket pocket. It actually feels very nice to hold and I have big hands. I tried it with the 100-300mm lens and it felt like the body was the add on rather than the lens but again pretty comfy. The rear screen is a joy to use as a touch screen.

I took some image examples from the GF3 with the new 12mm f2 Olympus lens which can be found here and the image quality is better than my Olympus XZ-1. I have the GF1 but feel I would still rather keep that than go for the GF3 as it is getting to be a classic.
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Damn didn't realise there was a GF3, seems like not long since the GF2 came out. Is the high ISO performance improved?

Would really like that 12mm f2 but it's a bit pricy for me at the moment.
 
What's the consensus on the 100-300?

I've had the X100 for a while and I was going to sell the G1, but as it's not worth much these days I'm tempted to hang on to it, sell the 14-45 and 20mm and just have a telephoto and specialist macro lens so I have all my bases covered.

Is the Leica 45 the best Macro around or is it a waste of money when you're going to be using MF most of the time and might as well get an older lens?
 
Hi, Been messing about with my G3 & i'm not too sure about the q menu. hope someone can help me understand how the q menu works. I'm not too sure what items you can have in here & how you programme them in. Thanks , mark.
 
I'm sure it explains it in the manual, Mark. I don't think you choose the items. When something is displayed you select it and go either way to change the settings.
 
Thanks Janice, although it does explain it in the manual, i wasn't too sure. i have asked on another forum & between the two i now understand thank you. I'm sure this will be only one of many questions i will need to ask!!!, once again Thank you.:)
 
Sounds good Andy Im getting more and more tempted !! How do you find the size aspect of it? I wondered if it might be awkward to hold.
I see you have a 40D as well so you must know what I am referring to with having to lug around the Canon kit!
 
mid_gen said:
What's the consensus on the 100-300?
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The 100-300 is well-regarded but it does require good light, it performs better stopped-down a couple of notches and it also needs practice to get the best out of it, I use mine on a G1/GH2 and am very happy with it. Used in ETC mode on the GH2 it gives great results.

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chrism - I live in Edinburgh and have two G1 bodies. I'd be happy to lend you one if you want to try it out.

I'm in Ireland at the moment but back in the middle of the month if you want to take up the offer.

Cheers,
Des.
 
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