Panasonic GF3 driving me insane

scottduffy

scottduffy

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Anyone else moved from a DSLR to a GF3 or similar? I am getting so frustrated using this GF3 and just when i am about to flog it and go back to the world of DSLR's i take a picture that blows me away and i think again.

I am using the GF3 along with the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 and the Olympus 45mm f1.8 and although the image quality is stunning at times the size of the camera and lack of viewfinder gets me so frustrated. I have only been using this combo for a couple of months so i'm not sure whether to stick with it or jump ship. :bang:
 
What is it exactly you dont like about the gf3? Apart from lack of viewfinder?
I owned a g2 and the oly 45mm 1.8 and like you some shots were great others not so great, this was due to lack of light so the camera was using a high iso, anything over 800 looked rubbish.
When you take a good and bad pic what are the camera settings you used iso, shutter speed etc?
 
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Mostly silly things like when in manual mode i can't seem to change from adjusting the f stop to adjusting the shutter speed even though all i have to do according to the instructions is press the bottom of the wheel. I end up going back into the shutter priority and changing the shutter speed that way then adjusting the f stop in manual mode.

I don't feel i can hold the camera like i was taught to hold my DSLR due to the lack of viewfinder which means i can't take photos at slow shutter speeds as well as i used to.

One thing that really bugs me but is my fault is that i didn't know i couldn't hook this camera up to studio lights. I knew it had no hotshoe but i thought there would be a simple solution to this but apparently not.

To be honest the only thing i'm completely happy with outdoors in decent light is the image quality which i think is stunning for the price of the combo.
 
You sound as though you're in the denial phase - you don't like it for a couple of reasons, but because of the images you get on some occasions, you persist with it and justify its keeping.
As an apt phrase goes: if there's doubt, then there's no doubt.
In other words, you know the answer, it's whether you're brave enough to admit it to yourself.

If the size/weight was part of the appeal of switching, then what about the Fujifilm X-Pro1?
Similar focal length lenses are available for it or are planned to launch this year.
 
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Hi Phil,

The size was nothing to do with it mate. I had sold up when i had my son as i wasn't using my gear enough to justify keeping it. I bought this kit as a cheaper alternative but with good image quality.

The images are the only reason i'm keeping it just now because some of them match anything i shot with the DSLR's which were so much more expensive.
 
How about a G3 instead? It's still significantly smaller than a DSLR but has an EVF and is easier to handle.
 
ukaskew said:
How about a G3 instead? It's still significantly smaller than a DSLR but has an EVF and is easier to handle.
Click to expand...

This as well, lets you keep those excellent lenses, gives you a viewfinder and a hot shoe, and the manual controls you want.
 
danolive1 said:
...this was due to lack of light so the camera was using a high iso, anything over 800 looked rubbish.
Click to expand...

Then you're doing something wrong.

Shoot with a smack in the middle exposure or if at all possible ETTR and 800-1600 will not be as good as 5D but should be perfectly usable without heroic noise reduction. You will see noise if you pixel peep at 100% but whole image shots or even modest crops should be perfectly usable, good even, as long as you don't mess up the exposure and end up boosting it post capture.
 
scottduffy said:
I am using the GF3 along with the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 and the Olympus 45mm f1.8 and although the image quality is stunning at times the size of the camera and lack of viewfinder gets me so frustrated. I have only been using this combo for a couple of months so i'm not sure whether to stick with it or jump ship. :bang:
Click to expand...

I had a honeymoon period when I bought a GF1 but I quickly decided I needed a built in VF. I got a G1 and I'm happier.
 
scottduffy said:
Mostly silly things like when in manual mode i can't seem to change from adjusting the f stop to adjusting the shutter speed even though all i have to do according to the instructions is press the bottom of the wheel. I end up going back into the shutter priority and changing the shutter speed that way then adjusting the f stop in manual mode.
Click to expand...

There's your first mistake. You toggle between f-stop and shutter speed in manual mode by pressing the TOP of the wheel - labelled +/-.

I've got one too and my main frustration is the lack of real buttons. All of the functions I can possibly want are available - it's just that I need to access them via the touch screen and that requires too much thought. Practice helps! The quick menu function is useful if you arrange the icons logically.

As for studio lights & flash, there I have to pass 'cos I don't use them.

I still think that the image quality for the price is pretty good. I paid £200 for mine new with the 14mm pancake prime. There's nothing to match it for the price and tiny size so I make do with its operational shortcomings.

I've just noticed that Amazon are doing the newer GF5 with collapsible power-zoom for £250. That's another amazing price.
 
I was going to suggest a G3/G5 or even the Olympus OMD.. All are more DSLr like and you get to keep those great lenses. The GF3 is a decent camera but not really designed for an enthusiast who wants to change settings often. I bought one for my wife but she usually shoots on auto mode, the size vs quality is excellent for her needs.
 
I had similar problems, but also problems with the increase in depth of field that you get on MFT camera's, I struggled to get backgrounds out of focus even with an F2.8 lens.
I ended up going back to canon before ditching it in favour of Fuji.. I can honestly say the fuji x pro1 not only meets my needs but exceeds them.
I would suggest trying out a Fuji X100, it might fit the bill for you, its dead easy to use in manual as just like old camera's you rotate the aperture ring to adjust the aperture and the shutter speed dial is on the top.
 
If budget allows then I'd strongly recommend the OM-D, would go fantastically with those lenses. The G3 would be my second choice, it's a good camera although I sold mine as I just couldn't gel with it, probably because it didn't feel like a premium camera (it's a bit light and plasticky imo).
 
Personally I don't find much difference DoF wise between MFT and APS-C and I personally don't have a lot of problem getting shallow DoF from MFT, I have hundreds of shallow DoF MFT shots on my pc :D

I don't want to come across as a MFT fanboy as I'm not. It's main strength is its compact size and there's no doubt that for that you give in some other areas but I think that it's worth trying before giving up.

Anyway, just for fun, one of hundreds... :D

sd1_zpsded759de.jpg
 
I have a gf2, and keep going through shall i keep it phases ! Its so easy to adjust the focus point to exactly where i want it on my 5d, whereas the touch screen is ok, but hate the instant shoot using this method, and having to move the focus point using the screen is somewhat cumbersome :-(... But then I'll take a great photo and think no I'll keep it !, i also have an x10, used it last weekend outdoors and got loads of great shots with it ! Exr mode really is good, and take great shots where the 5d would struggle with getting correct exposure !
 
I have a G3 and a GF3 - I much prefer the G3, mainly because of the viewfinder but also the articulating screen, plus I prefer the 16mp sensor which gives better results at high isos. Plus it has a hotshoe, rear control dial for aperture/shutter speed and exp compensation, etc. I use the Panasonic 20mm lens 80% of the time and the 14mm the rest. The one and only advantage of the GF3 is that it's smaller size means it fits in a jacket pocket more easily - otherwise the G3 is better in every way - the GF3 is more like a premium compact, while the G3 is more like a small dslr.

I got the GF3 + 14mm for £200 when that deal was on last year and picked up the G3 body only for £200 late last year, so if you sold your GF3 and bought a G3 it probably would not cost you more than £100/£150 or so to 'upgrade'.

If you want another good prime lens which fits in between the 20mm and 45mm, the Sigma 30mm is a bargain at the moment at £99.

There is a good review of the G3 here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DMCG3/DMCG3A.HTM

Body only at Park it's £269 although as I said it's been cheaper than that in the past: http://www.parkcameras.com/19569/Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-G3-Black-Body-Only.html
 
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I have a GF3, and I wouldn't want it as my main camera.

It is possible the most basic panasonic camera out there, if possible I would be tempted to sell it in favour of a GF1 or upgrade a little to one of the slightly larger bodies.
 
I'm feeling no love here for the GF3.

I have one, along with a GF1 and an x100. I did a comparison session recently and the GF3 is absolutely fine image wise. (ISO limited clearly)

UI is clearly less intuitive than the other cameras but works well - I like the touchscreen. It's also much smaller - with the 14mm it's very pocketable.

Anyway, leave it aaaaht!:)

PS I'm actually going to sell mine as I much prefer the handling of the GF1 and the image output is the same. For size, I have the RX100!;)
 
Just had a look around at GF1s, seriously cheap now, in fact I just bought a mint boxed one from MPB for £89.

You could probably sell the GF3 and move to a GF1 without losing any money, that would gain you a load of on-camera controls.
 
The problem is the performance is there it's just a bit frustrating and also a bit hit and miss trying to replicate the good shots. I'll not make any hasty decisions and mull it over.
 
I agree handling isn't the GF3's strong point. But if you want a pocketable interchangeable lens P&S on a budget there's not much like it. I tried to do some "serious" work with it and it was indeed rather frustrating, but whack it into iA mode and use it for snapshots with the 14mm, it's a little powerhouse. Wouldn't like it as my only camera though. I agree the X100 would be a great upgrade. If you can find one that works :lol:
 
If you only changed from a DSLR because of cost (you said size has nothing to do with the decision although many people seem to have missed that) then why not just get a cheap DSLR (either entry level or older mid level) as it would perform in the way you want (proper viewfinder, external buttons, flash control etc,.) and still give the IQ.
 
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I find so arkward,trying to use a camera without an viewfinder,just sold my last camera without one,now everything got an viewfinder build in :)
 
Ernesto,

I would imagine that my 20mm, 45mm and GF3 combined would be worth roughly £440 and i think i would struggle to purchase a DSLR with a good lens for that kind of money. Even if i picked up a 40d for £250 that would leave me roughly £200 for a decent lens and other than the the Tamron 17-50 i don't see anything else decent enough to compare with the image quality i am getting just now. I think i might be better just saving a couple of pound and selling the body i have and upgrading to a 4/3rds body with viewfinder and hotshoe. The OMD is way out of my reach just now though unfortunately.
 
I've got a G1 and GF3. A G1 will give you the same image quality as a GF3, but with an evf and better controls. I'd guess they're quite cheap to buy these days. If you want video, you'll need a G2.

If you want a viewfinder and a compact-sized body with pretty good image quality, take a look at the Fuji X10 thread.
 
scottduffy said:
Ernesto,

I would imagine that my 20mm, 45mm and GF3 combined would be worth roughly £440 and i think i would struggle to purchase a DSLR with a good lens for that kind of money.
Click to expand...

Yes, you might struggle to get a dslr and 2 equivalent lenses for that kind of money - might be better to keep those 2 lenses (which are 2 of the best m43 primes) and swap/sell your GF3 for a G3. It's still smaller than a dslr and arguably not as good ergonomically, plus the viewfinder is an evf (electronic) one, so I guess it depends how you feel about that.

On the other hand if you can afford a second hand dslr + the Tamron zoom that's another good option and you might be happier with that - only downside is slightly less reach on the long end of the zoom (75mm equivalent vs the 90mm equivalent of the Olympus m43 lens) plus the 2.8 of Tamron vs the 1.7 and 1.8 of the m43 lenses. But the Tamron gives you the wide angle and the flexibility of a zoom.

I would suggest trying the G3 in a shop first if you can, to see how you get on with the evf and the controls/ergonomics...
 
Decisions decisions. I'll have a think over the next few weeks. Thanks guys for your input.
 
I think the GF3 is a lovely little camera, but I wouldn't want it as my main or only body. I run mine in tandem with a G2 where I use the G2 for my main stuff and the GF3 basically as a point and shoot. I mostly keep my 14mm lens on the GF3 to keep it pocketable, but I have the 14-45, 45-200 and Sigma 19mm lenses as well.
If I were in your shoes I'd probably look at getting a used G1,G2 or G3 to use you current lenses along side the GF3 for a while, that would give you a more DSLR type experience in a smaller body. If you don't get on with that then I'd be changing the whole lot for a DSLR.
 
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