Panasonic GF1 for landscape work?

Dudie

Dudie

Messages
463
Name
Julian
Edit My Images
Yes
Anyone using a GF1, with perhaps the 14-45, for landscape work? Much as I love the output from my 50D with the 17-40 stuck on the front, sometimes the weight of the kit can be a bit of a pain on long mountain walks or scrambles (where I take most of my pics), moreso when the weather means it all stays firmly in my rucksac all day. This got me thinking that the GF1 would perhaps be the ideal alternative - relatively compact and light, but with similar image quality to what I am used to. David Clapp's review here seems to bear out my thoughts exactly. Does anyone else have significant experience of the GF1 used for landscape work? I've had a look at the monster GF1 thread (well, some of it anyway!) and seen some mighty impressive pictures taken by TP'ers with the GF1, but any further comments would be welcome....

...Or do I wait and see what Canon come up with (they are working on an interchangeable lens compact apparently)....

Ta.
 
Well - provided you're not into ultra-wide-angle landscape shots, I can't see why the GF1 wouldn't take perfectly good shots and save a kilo or so of weight into the bargain.
 
I have used it for landscape shots with the 20mm lens. Mostly for hillwalks where weight is an issue. The camera manages just fine. Sometimes I could be doing with it being a bit wider. I wait patiently for the 14mm prime to come out.
 
I take mine out walking and mountain biking - have used it quite a bit for landscape stuff. With the 20mm or the 14-45 (if I ever find mine again :bang: )

4820213147_f27b356481_z.jpg


4689489140_1578ecdfca_z.jpg


I also have a G1, and I have to say the flip out screen is quite handy for using it low down with the Gorillapod (with small ball head) that I often use. I can stick a CPL and Cokin Grad in my bag too and have a pretty small light weight set up that is capable of decent IQ.

4871670696_7408547eed_z.jpg


4817824514_ba8214985e_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
TheBigYin said:
Well - provided you're not into ultra-wide-angle landscape shots, I can't see why the GF1 wouldn't take perfectly good shots and save a kilo or so of weight into the bargain.
Click to expand...

Not true, there is the choice of the Panasonic 7-14mm or Olympus 9-18mm which is very small and light. I have an E-P1 and G1, great little cameras.

4830257428_ae1bf17fae_b.jpg



4852642796_3d5fca4af8_z.jpg
 
I found it great as a portable option while biking or walking except for screen glare in bright sunlight. If you're not bothered by that, or use a hood or shade, then great. I'm selling mine though and moving to a G2, fits the same case and the EVF is a lot better than the add on for the GF1.
 
Willo said:
Not true, there is the choice of the Panasonic 7-14mm or Olympus 9-18mm which is very small and light. I have an E-P1 and G1, great little cameras.
Click to expand...

You're right Willo, the 7-14mm is a good wide-angle option - though personally I'd be happy having a GF-1 as an additional camera to the SLR system for walking/biking etc. at around £550, adding an extra grand to get a wide lens for it is a bit rich for my blood. If I'd £1500 to drop on a camera for that use I'd be looking for a s/h Hasselblad xPan and 45mm lens.:lol:
 
Thanks everyone - very helpful. Glad to hear it's a viable alternative to the 50D Richard. I must admit, it's because of Grum's postings on here and over on STW that I started to pay attention to the GF1. It's hard to find anything bad about it...

Strax - not quite 14mm but this 15mm Voigtlander/GF1 combo looks rather nice:
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/images/pages/GF1_Voigt15VM.jpg
 
TheBigYin said:
adding an extra grand to get a wide lens for it is a bit rich for my blood.
Click to expand...

Olympus do a 9-18mm lens for £500ish.. half the price of the panasonic 7-14mm.


Can anyone tell me on a Canon FD 50mm f1.4 lens.. what the A button does. at the end of the aperture numbers on the ring is a green letter and and a button can be depressed to line it up and click onto the A. it then wont move off A till you depress the button again and turn the ring back to F22 etc
 
Last edited:
Janice said:
Olympus do a 9-18mm lens for £500ish.. half the price of the panasonic 7-14mm.


Can anyone tell me on a Canon FD 50mm f1.4 lens.. what the A button does. at the end of the aperture numbers on the ring is a green letter and and a button can be depressed to line it up and click onto the A. it then wont move off A till you depress the button again and turn the ring back to F22 etc
Click to expand...

I believe that is an early incarnation of Auto that was incorporated into the later FD canon models.
 
the green A is the automatic aperture setting on the Canon AE-1/A-1/F-1/T-Series cameras. If you're in the program modes on any of those cameras, leave the lens set on A and the camera will adjust the aperture to what it needs. For use with adaptors and any other camera, just take it off the A setting and set your desired f-stop as normal.
 
Dudie said:
Thanks everyone - very helpful. Glad to hear it's a viable alternative to the 50D Richard. I must admit, it's because of Grum's postings on here and over on STW that I started to pay attention to the GF1. It's hard to find anything bad about it...

Strax - not quite 14mm but this 15mm Voigtlander/GF1 combo looks rather nice:
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/images/pages/GF1_Voigt15VM.jpg
Click to expand...


Hehe - sorry!

That Voigtlander is sexy as hell :drool:

14mm prime comes out at photokina in September apparently. 8mm fisheye is out now.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top