"Panasonic G series" Owners Thread

I have to agree with woof woof I really don't understand this desire to be at wafer thin DOF all the time, yes for certain shots it works but 95% of the time I must set my G80 to f5.6 and just shoot away happily knowing its the right amount of DOF for what I want. Maybe I am not a "bokeh" whore!!

Also the whole MFT v FF for DOF/F-stop/focal length equivalence crap. It get's so boring reading it on a few Facebook groups. I am sure most of the people who bring up the equivalence thing on there have a G9 or EM1-II with the Leica or Pro lenses purely for posing status and probably don't know how to achieve the best from it.

One day last week I set my FF camera to f8 and left it there and it was a liberating experience not to have to think about the whole DoF thing :D I'll certainly do that with my MFT cameras too but at f4 or so :D

We live in the era of the gear head sadly. It's not so much about end results now, it's how flashy you can be when shooting - gotta impress your elitist peers y'know? This is why I never could get along with camera clubs. I found the people in the one I joined at least, nauseating, cliquey and snobbish - and I had FF gear at the time. They all shot the exact same s**te, not an ounce of imagination or originality among them either.

I used to like gear and specifically looking for, selecting, buying and learning about old lenses, the different looks they give etc but recently I've been losing interest in the kit. I suppose we all go through phases and as I've been taking pictures for over 40 years I've been through a few phases :D These days I just seem to want to take pictures in a way that many wouldn't even describe as the sort of photography people talk about and post on forums like this.
 
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I used to like gear and specifically looking for, selecting, buying and learning about old lenses, the different looks they give etc but recently I've been losing interest in the kit. I suppose we all go through phases and as I've been taking pictures for over 40 years I've been through a few phases :D These days I just seem to want to take pictures in a way that many wouldn't even describe as the sort of photography people talk about and post on forums like this.

I still like gear, I can admire a nice looking camera and it's specs, I just don't obsess over it. I've switched gear many times myself, but it wasn't so much for the latest and greatest, rather what suited me at the time. I will always size things up tailored to my style, my personal preference etc. I am never tied to any brand, if the mood takes me I'll change ship in a heart beat. End results matter the most. I'm mid-ponder right now on a switch to something like a Canon 80D for example, with one of their M cameras as a back up. Why? because I fancy trying some Canon glass, it's the one system I have never tried and feel I need to do this at least one time. If it goes tits up, it's not hard come back to M43. It's just a ponder for now, but that can turn to 'done!' with me just as quick. I owe no manufacturer anything, it's all about me and my satisfaction when shooting always. I don't give a flying football about what Nikon are doing next, or how many mp the latest Sony has or who or who doesn't have 4K - I am a photographer, video is like an add on, always will be. Gear heads can suck my hairy left one with their more money than sense approach. We all see them, showing off their new A7RIII with a fancy pro, high end lens that combined cost nearly as much as my whole life belongings, then you see the images they recently shot and you're like "coulda done that with a compact dude" :LOL:
 
When I had Canon DSLR's (300D, 10D, 20D - I had that for over 7 years, and lastly a 5D) I thought that I could never want better lenses than the Sigma 50 and 85mm f1.4's I had. When I had the 5D I thought I could never need or want better picture quality. I also liked the Sigma 20mm f1.8 and 12-24mm. I did have Canon and Tamron lenses too but the Sigma's stuck out for me.

Actually some of the best picture I've ever taken were taken with the 5D and Sigma 50mm but it was more to do with the quality of light than the kit. I went to Kazakhstan a few times years ago and the quality of the light there made a sunny day in north eastern England seem like a dimly lit cellar.
 
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When I had Canon DSLR's (300D, 10D, 20D - I had that for over 7 years, and lastly a 5D) I thought that I could never want better lenses than the Sigma 50 and 85mm f1.4's I had. When I had the 5D I thought I could never need or want better picture quality. I also liked the Sigma 20mm f1.8 and 12-24mm. I did have Canon and Tamron lenses too but the Sigma's stuck out for me.


Bit like me when I had the D800E - I loved the files from that camera, but never got along with Nikon's lenses for some reason, and I had some of their most popular, like the twins - 24-70 and 70-200 2.8, didn't like them at all! The last 2 lenses I ended up with before selling all of were Sigma lenses, The lovley 35mm 1.4 Art and the 150mm 2.8 OS macro. The macro was fantastic but a bloody beast of a thing to hand hold for long periods.

I've shot Sony, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic .... never Canon. And I don't honestly know why. I think once you pick a Canikon side, it's hard to switch, but my journey is not yet over.
 
Bit like me when I had the D800E - I loved the files from that camera, but never got along with Nikon's lenses for some reason, and I had some of their most popular, like the twins - 24-70 and 70-200 2.8, didn't like them at all! The last 2 lenses I ended up with before selling all of were Sigma lenses, The lovley 35mm 1.4 Art and the 150mm 2.8 OS macro. The macro was fantastic but a bloody beast of a thing to hand hold for long periods.

I've shot Sony, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic .... never Canon. And I don't honestly know why. I think once you pick a Canikon side, it's hard to switch, but my journey is not yet over.

Oh, I forgot I had a 150mm f2.8 but no IS. I miss that lens and the closest I have now is a film era 50mm macro which gives a 100mm FoV on MFT. I miss that extra reach of the 150mm as I can get the same framing with a 100mm FoV lens but not quite the perspective, unless I step back and crop.

Before I went digital I had a Nikon SLR for decades. I only switched to Canon when I went digital because everyone said they were better than Nikon. I recently bought three Nikon pre ai primes to use on my A7 but I have a problem remembering everything is backwards with Nikon and it drives me mad :D
 
Oh, I forgot I had a 150mm f2.8 but no IS. I miss that lens and the closest I have now is a film era 50mm macro which gives a 100mm FoV on MFT. I miss that extra reach of the 150mm as I can get the same framing with a 100mm FoV lens but not quite the perspective, unless I step back and crop.

Before I went digital I had a Nikon SLR for decades. I only switched to Canon when I went digital because everyone said they were better than Nikon. I recently bought three Nikon pre ai primes to use on my A7 but I have a problem remembering everything is backwards with Nikon and it drives me mad :D


The OS version was a beast, over 1kg, and as you know, doing detail macro on tiny subjects takes some steadiness and you can cramp up even with the lightest of macro lens. It wasn't comfortable to use, but I did love the results. It had the tripod collar, but ... me and tripods ... meh. The OS actually stopped working on mine after a couple year, just when the warranty was up, which was nice :rolleyes: I used it after I switched to Fuji for a bit using an adapter, but it was so stupidly hefty I sold it on as a non OS macro

Found a pic of it on my XT1 -
sigmamacro.jpg


A few things interest me with Canon - That dual pixel AF, their oft praised colour "science" and their broad lens selection, particularly at the budget end. which suits me.
 
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I just had a week away using the GX80 and a couple of lenses, few good photos, some mediocre and the usual delete straightaway ones.
Going to keep it, ideal for days out and weekends away, ibis is great and it all fits nicely into one of the Tenba Byob inserts.

Keeping some of my Fuji gear for longer breaks especially to places I may well never visit again.
Confidence plays a part and need to know I will get something halfway decent first time, every time.
Only my opinion, but the X-Pro2 seems to give me nicer photos and is definitely a more pleasurable camera to use
Please no worms/artefact business, most of my stuff is architecture and transport so it's not even a factor

Can't see a problem using both, neither takes up that much room and be interesting to see how the different systems evolve.
 
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The OS version was a beast, over 1kg, and as you know, doing detail macro on tiny subjects takes some steadiness and you can cramp up even with the lightest of macro lens. It wasn't comfortable to use, but I did love the results. It had the tripod collar, but ... me and tripods ... meh. The OS actually stopped working on mine after a couple year, just when the warranty was up, which was nice :rolleyes: I used it after I switched to Fuji for a bit using an adapter, but it was so stupidly hefty I sold it on as a non OS macro

Found a pic of it on my XT1 -
View attachment 131732


A few things interest me with Canon - That dual pixel AF, their oft praised colour "science" and their broad lens selection, particularly at the budget end. which suits me.

If you like macro you will love the 100mm L IS lens, had one when it first came out and its excellent.
Used it with a 5D MkII and along with the 70-200 F4 IS probably the best results I have had from any lenses I have ever owned.
Had numerous cameras, favourites were the 40D, had two of them and 5D Mks I and II
Biggest disappointment was the 7D, lovely in form and function, but a bugger for noise if the exposure wasn't dead right.
Just got fed up lugging it all around hence my switch to Fuji four or five years ago when I retired and wandered about a lot more
 
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As i’ve Told you before Keith I have had two 80d bodies a host of 1dmkiii and Mkiv bodies plus lots and lots of earlier models a good few eos.m models plus a variety of lenses from most makers ,same with Nikon .like you I don’t care about having the most expensive not that I could afford it anyway . I specialise in wildlife so the camera and lens have to do the job and the finished files have to have a certain look to them something you can’t put into words .

I’m also lucky that my wife and son are also into photography so over the years we have had the ability to swop and change gear in house and anyone that knows us personally will know we constantly argue over technique etc when out .

You will love some of the ergonomics of the canon system I.e rear command dial and the joystick fitted on some models . But at the end of the day the two things to take into account are the weight ( some lenses are HEAVY ) and the i.qof the finished files . ‘‘Tis your choice “; my advise would be to visit a large camera store take some cards with you and try before you buy . Btw a 90D is in the offing
 
As i’ve Told you before Keith I have had two 80d bodies a host of 1dmkiii and Mkiv bodies plus lots and lots of earlier models a good few eos.m models plus a variety of lenses from most makers ,same with Nikon .like you I don’t care about having the most expensive not that I could afford it anyway . I specialise in wildlife so the camera and lens have to do the job and the finished files have to have a certain look to them something you can’t put into words .

I’m also lucky that my wife and son are also into photography so over the years we have had the ability to swop and change gear in house and anyone that knows us personally will know we constantly argue over technique etc when out .

You will love some of the ergonomics of the canon system I.e rear command dial and the joystick fitted on some models . But at the end of the day the two things to take into account are the weight ( some lenses are HEAVY ) and the i.qof the finished files . ‘‘Tis your choice “; my advise would be to visit a large camera store take some cards with you and try before you buy . Btw a 90D is in the offing


It's still very much a ponder, but I'm always open to trying something new [to me] - The 80D would still be a lot lighter than my old Nikon with it's hefty lenses. I would most likely go primes mainly either way. The M50 is also attractive, it's like a mini 80D. I'll keep going with the Pany until the urge really bites or fades though ;)
 
I've switched once, from Nikon to Canon, when I decided to go full frame. This was at the height of the D600 shutter oiling the sensor debacle, when Nikon spent something like 12 months in denial before taking proper action. Since all my Nikon lenses were DX crop sensor lenses, it didn't matter too much to change, I needed FF lenses regardless. So it was goodbye D7000 and hello Canon 5D2, which I still have and use regularly when the weight and carriage is not a issue. My first M43 camera was an Olympus E-PM1 twin lens kit bought on the last day that the old Jessops was trading. I've always had at least two M43 cameras since, I find them perfect for long distance travel or such as when walking the dog. Recently, I acquired a Canon EOS M which was so cheap I thought it was worth a try out, I loved the screen interface and loathed the autofocus, which is truly abysmal. However, a Canon EOS M100 has recently arrived, again at a very reasonable price and the dual pixel focus on this is marvellous, tracking my dark faced German Shepherd to perfection on videos, shame about the current native lens selection.

So I run two sytems, Canon and M43, both Canon FF and EOS M crop, along with a mix of Panasonic and Olympus bodies and lenses. I have looked at the Sony A7III which I really like, but the cost of Sony lenses is probably too high for me to go in that direction any time soon.
 
I only have three Sony lenses for my A7, the 28-70mm kit lens, 35mm f2.8 and 55mm f1.8 and I think they're actually reasonably priced for what they are, the 55mm in particular is an absolutely outstanding lens. Other than those I have the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 and 40mm f1.2 in Sony mount which I also think are reasonably priced for what they are and I have lots of film era primes.

Anyway. Today I took my GX9 out with the 14-42mm Mega OIS. The light was quite poor but when we go out I like to get a couple of pictures to send to Mrs WW's family and this was one of them...

1-P1000486.jpg

This picture makes the light look better than it was as it was pretty dark in there feeding the squirrels :D I think the 14-42mm isn't at all bad for a kit lens and to get this quality from a DSLR I'd have needed much bigger kit. The GX9 and kit zoom fitted in a small man bag along with our snacks and drinks :D
 
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Got fed up with my grip coming loose and keep pressing it back on so sent my camera in for repair. Hopefully it won't be away too long.
 
Got fed up with my grip coming loose and keep pressing it back on so sent my camera in for repair. Hopefully it won't be away too long.

I had the front grip replaced on mine. But, looks like it'll be going back again, the bloody IBIS is now acting up! I have asked for a replacement at this stage, as it's issue after issue, I feel like i got a dud from the off :/
 
I had the front grip replaced on mine. But, looks like it'll be going back again, the bloody IBIS is now acting up! I have asked for a replacement at this stage, as it's issue after issue, I feel like i got a dud from the off :/

That's not good, hopefully I won't suffer the same issues.
Having the grip come loose after 9 months use hasn't filled me with confidence. The camera is a great little unit just hope it stays reliable.
 
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That's not good, hopefully I won't suffer the same issues.
Having the grip come loose after 9 months use hasn't filled me with confidence. The camera is a great little unit just hope it stays reliable.

Mine happened after only 6, it's heading back again for the second time Monday and it's barely 8mths old. I've asked for a replacement but they're insisting on sending it to Panasonic repairs first, I'm looking into what I can do about it.
 
Mine happened after only 6, it's heading back again for the second time Monday and it's barely 8mths old. I've asked for a replacement but they're insisting on sending it to Panasonic repairs first, I'm looking into what I can do about it.

What's the issue with the IBIS?
 
What's the issue with the IBIS?

It's acting weird, I notice especially for video. Even when I'm dead still, the video is jerking up and down randomly, it happens when shooting stills too but not as noticeable and still stabilized, but when framing you can see it suddenly jump now and then. Body has the latest firmware 1.3 and there is no firmware for the lenses I'm using. The PL15mm and an old Canon 50mm
 
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It's acting weird, I notice especially for video. Even when I'm dead still, the video is jerking up and down randomly, it happens when shooting stills too but not as noticeable and still stabilized, but when framing you can see it suddenly jump now and then. Body has the latest firmware 1.3 and there is no firmware for the lenses I'm using. The PL15mm and an old Canon 50mm

How odd, I haven't tried any video with my G80 yet was looking into getting some better spec SD cards so I can use the 4k features. Will set mine up when it returns to see if I have any IBIS issues.
 
How odd, I haven't tried any video with my G80 yet was looking into getting some better spec SD cards so I can use the 4k features. Will set mine up when it returns to see if I have any IBIS issues.


This is only happening since it returned from the first repair, it was perfectly fine before that. Video is amazing on it, 4K 24fps, Cinelike V [D if you like to do colour corrections in post more so] - I have NR to -5, and the rest all dropped to -1, and it gives a lovely filmic effect. The IBIS is brilliant for it when it's working correct, you can easily get smooth clips hand-held and people would think you used a tripod. I'm using Sandisk extreme pro U-3 95mb/s and they're absolutely fine. Only £18 for a 32GB which is plenty for a bunch of short clips https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ex...0494&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+extreme+pro+32gb
 
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This is only happening since it returned from the first repair, it was perfectly fine before that. Video is amazing on it, 4K 24fps, Cinelike V [D if you like to do colour corrections in post more so] - I have NR to -5, and the rest all dropped to -1, and it gives a lovely filmic effect. The IBIS is brilliant for it when it's working correct, you can easily get smooth clips hand-held and people would think you used a tripod. I'm using Sandisk extreme pro U-3 95mb/s and they're absolutely fine. Only £18 for a 32GB which is plenty for a bunch of short clips https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ex...0494&sr=8-1&keywords=sandisk+extreme+pro+32gb

You've got me worried as mine has gone in for a repair! Just the grip cover though, if I remember rightly you had the trim for the screen hinge fixed also? Maybe something isn't right from that repair.
 
You've got me worried as mine has gone in for a repair! Just the grip cover though, if I remember rightly you had the trim for the screen hinge fixed also? Maybe something isn't right from that repair.


Yeah the bottom corner of the LCD hinge came off, they replaced it but it's come loose yet again. I think i just got a dud from the off. No point worrying about what might happen, I'm just unlucky - plenty others with G80s and no issues. But definitely hold onto the receipt!
 
Been out today for a hour or so ,good weather blue skies over a high tide , I thus set the camera and lens up g80 +100-400 in a.v mode ,l.s.o set at 800 it gave good shutter speeds and I got a fairly high percentage of in focus shots of the local gulls in flight . However a very noticeable percentage are showing excessive noise . I think that I,m going to have to go back to using shutter priority in future with auto I.s.o as this gives more reliable results .go’s against everything I have done in the past but the results count , also went through the entire menu system and changed a lot of stuff this afternoon working on what I have learned if it works I’ll publish it if not I’ll keep stume
 
Been out today for a hour or so ,good weather blue skies over a high tide , I thus set the camera and lens up g80 +100-400 in a.v mode ,l.s.o set at 800 it gave good shutter speeds and I got a fairly high percentage of in focus shots of the local gulls in flight . However a very noticeable percentage are showing excessive noise . I think that I,m going to have to go back to using shutter priority in future with auto I.s.o as this gives more reliable results .go’s against everything I have done in the past but the results count , also went through the entire menu system and changed a lot of stuff this afternoon working on what I have learned if it works I’ll publish it if not I’ll keep stume


Here's an odd one, I wonder if anyone other G80 users have noticed, or not! - I find the in-between ISO settings cleaner, like 650 is cleaner than 400, 1000 cleaner than 800 ... I thought it was just my mind playing tricks when I got it first, but I have noticed this many times since.

A G7 turned up here today unannounced, the camera shop had told me they wanted to send my G80 back and I asked for a loan of any M43 cam for the duration. They never confirmed they were sending one before taking mine, so atm I have both here. Will be interesting to compare. I just set it up earlier, not really used it yet, but right off I don't like the shutter sound. It's a lot clunkier than the G80, sounds more like an old dslr. Also noted the build isn't as good, and the G80 is actually noticeably bigger, I thought they were the same.
 
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Took my Gx80 and pany 45mm Macro Back today as they were just not working out hated the small viewfinder and didn’t like the size of camera, just too small. The macro lens rattled so much I thought it had been dropped. WEX accepted returns no problem.....

I can hear you all asking yourself the same question “He didn’t just turn around and leave”.... did he!!!

The answer of course.... a resounding no.. I had a play with a some Sony Cameras, then a Canon and finally a play with the EM-1 MkII. Lovely camera.... Long Story Short, came away with the MkII. So now I can do a side by side comparison with my G9. Oh and picked up a nice Oly Macro too .....
 
Took my Gx80 and pany 45mm Macro Back today as they were just not working out hated the small viewfinder and didn’t like the size of camera, just too small. The macro lens rattled so much I thought it had been dropped. WEX accepted returns no problem.....

I can hear you all asking yourself the same question “He didn’t just turn around and leave”.... did he!!!

The answer of course.... a resounding no.. I had a play with a some Sony Cameras, then a Canon and finally a play with the EM-1 MkII. Lovely camera.... Long Story Short, came away with the MkII. So now I can do a side by side comparison with my G9. Oh and picked up a nice Oly Macro too .....


Which Oly macro? The 30 or 60? I fancy the 60mm, really should sort out getting one at some point, every time i see someone upload pics from one I'm impressed. The PL 45mm macro is pretty old at this stage, would much prefer the 60mm
 
Took my Gx80 and pany 45mm Macro Back today as they were just not working out hated the small viewfinder and didn’t like the size of camera, just too small. The macro lens rattled so much I thought it had been dropped. WEX accepted returns no problem.....

I can hear you all asking yourself the same question “He didn’t just turn around and leave”.... did he!!!

The answer of course.... a resounding no.. I had a play with a some Sony Cameras, then a Canon and finally a play with the EM-1 MkII. Lovely camera.... Long Story Short, came away with the MkII. So now I can do a side by side comparison with my G9. Oh and picked up a nice Oly Macro too .....
Be interesting to see a side by side comparison ,I,m really impressed with my oly omd 10-mkii and always looking towards future purchases .
 
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