- Messages
- 11
- Name
- Peter
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi All,
Now, i've owned many a camera in my time. The list so far is -
Zenith EM
Cosina CS-1
Olympus OM10
Olympus OM1N
Olympus OM2sp
Nikon FE2
Nikon FM2 (still own)
Nikon F-90x
Nikon D70
Nikon D300 (still own)
And that's not including the 'compacts' which include -
Olympus AF1
Ricoh GR1 (still Own)
Nikon 35ti (still own)
Canon G2
Panasonic LX-1
Ricoh GRD 2 (still own)
Ignoring my film cameras, in many situations the digital compacts are capable of awsome results apart from 2 areas -
Control of depth of field (this is due to the VERY short focal lengths of the lenses on compacts due to the small sensor size)
Noise at high ISOs (due to the relative lack of base sensitivity of the small sensors- Large sensors = more photons hitting each pixel)
The noise thing i can cope with, specially if i use B&W, but i've always gone back to big, heavy SLRs simply to get the perspective and control of DOF that a longer focal length lens gives me. So, what i really want is an SLR with a big sensor that is the same size as a compact. Not going to happen, but the panasonic GF1 is as close as i'm going to get for now. So i bought one (with the lovely 20mm f1.7 pancake lens)! I tried the Olympus (i have a soft spot for the brand) e-p1 but felt it crippled with terrible autofocus and no built in flash (i don't use flash indoors much but find it invaluable for outdoor fills)
So far, i'm smitten with the GF1. It is fantastically responsive and fast. Not far off my D300 in that respect. Focus seems accurate and exposure seems sensibly done. Plus it has all the features, bells and whistles one expects of a modern camera..?... I took a few shots this morning on the way back from taking the kids to school. Nothing particularly artistic but a few examples of shots that would have been impossible with a compact due to not being able to control DOF. They can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/30578910@N07/sets/72157622575656032/
Even pixel peeping the quality wide open on the 20mm f1.7 looks as good as any of my Nikon primes. The colour rendition also seems warmer than the Nikon cool norm.
I'm of to the U.S. on Thusday for 10 days (3 days pleasure in NYC 6 days work in Indianapolis ) so will give the camera a workout there.
Now the question, i'm sooooooo tempted to sell the D300 and the 2 DX lenses i have for it (but keep all the primes for the inevitable full frame Nikon DSLR one day that i'll probably end up buying..) as the GF1 is so portable and flexible for 85% of the photos i ever take. I could then invest the money in a couple more micro 2/3rds lenses - The 45mm Leica macro and 7-14 Panasonic zoom are calling to me. The camera plus all 3 lenses would weigh less and be more compact than the D300 with the 16-85 fitted.
Anyway, again, i'm more smitten with this camera than any other i can ever remember. Review over.
Cheers!
Peter.
Now, i've owned many a camera in my time. The list so far is -
Zenith EM
Cosina CS-1
Olympus OM10
Olympus OM1N
Olympus OM2sp
Nikon FE2
Nikon FM2 (still own)
Nikon F-90x
Nikon D70
Nikon D300 (still own)
And that's not including the 'compacts' which include -
Olympus AF1
Ricoh GR1 (still Own)
Nikon 35ti (still own)
Canon G2
Panasonic LX-1
Ricoh GRD 2 (still own)
Ignoring my film cameras, in many situations the digital compacts are capable of awsome results apart from 2 areas -
Control of depth of field (this is due to the VERY short focal lengths of the lenses on compacts due to the small sensor size)
Noise at high ISOs (due to the relative lack of base sensitivity of the small sensors- Large sensors = more photons hitting each pixel)
The noise thing i can cope with, specially if i use B&W, but i've always gone back to big, heavy SLRs simply to get the perspective and control of DOF that a longer focal length lens gives me. So, what i really want is an SLR with a big sensor that is the same size as a compact. Not going to happen, but the panasonic GF1 is as close as i'm going to get for now. So i bought one (with the lovely 20mm f1.7 pancake lens)! I tried the Olympus (i have a soft spot for the brand) e-p1 but felt it crippled with terrible autofocus and no built in flash (i don't use flash indoors much but find it invaluable for outdoor fills)
So far, i'm smitten with the GF1. It is fantastically responsive and fast. Not far off my D300 in that respect. Focus seems accurate and exposure seems sensibly done. Plus it has all the features, bells and whistles one expects of a modern camera..?... I took a few shots this morning on the way back from taking the kids to school. Nothing particularly artistic but a few examples of shots that would have been impossible with a compact due to not being able to control DOF. They can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/30578910@N07/sets/72157622575656032/
Even pixel peeping the quality wide open on the 20mm f1.7 looks as good as any of my Nikon primes. The colour rendition also seems warmer than the Nikon cool norm.
I'm of to the U.S. on Thusday for 10 days (3 days pleasure in NYC 6 days work in Indianapolis ) so will give the camera a workout there.
Now the question, i'm sooooooo tempted to sell the D300 and the 2 DX lenses i have for it (but keep all the primes for the inevitable full frame Nikon DSLR one day that i'll probably end up buying..) as the GF1 is so portable and flexible for 85% of the photos i ever take. I could then invest the money in a couple more micro 2/3rds lenses - The 45mm Leica macro and 7-14 Panasonic zoom are calling to me. The camera plus all 3 lenses would weigh less and be more compact than the D300 with the 16-85 fitted.
Anyway, again, i'm more smitten with this camera than any other i can ever remember. Review over.
Cheers!
Peter.