Micro 4/3 as backup for M8

[eleskin]

This new camera, Lumix G 1 from Panasonic seems interesting. I wonder if it would be possible to make an adapter to fit the M series lenses? If so, this could be a cheap back up for any M8 user. I hear alot of talk about the 4/3 system and how because the distance from lens to sensor is much smaller than DSLR's, it may be possible to use M lenses on the new cameras. Anyone have any thoughts?

[johnastovall]

And how do you propose to focus? Surely not with that little screen on the back?

[Fred Burton]

It would be kind of funny, though, to see a Noct hanging off one of those tiny Micro 4/3's cameras! :)

[dhpc]

wait one year: "Leica CL-D" with 4/3 micro System :D

[johnastovall]

I seriously doubt that the Leica lenses, not designed for 4/3rds Micro would perform very well,

but as for focussing -- you do it with the viewfinder, not the LCD, like any manual focus. The G1 lenses can be used in manual focus mode, as all Olympus interchangeable lens cameras function.

It is not however an M8 backup, it has nothing much in common with the M8.

You are then looking through the electronic viewfinder and getting a focus confirmation and hoping it's focused on what you want.

The best back up for an M8 is another M8 or film M body.

[JoeV]

...but as for focussing -- you do it with the viewfinder, not the LCD, like any manual focus. I believe the idea behind the micro-4/3rd's format is to dispense with the optical viewfinder altogether, while permitting the APS-sized sensor in a smaller body size, with interchangeable lenses using a different lens-mount format; at least that's what the micro-4/3rd's website says.

So there's no optical viewfinder with which to focus through. You have to use a "camcorder-style" color LCD viewfinder, or the back LCD screen.

As for the possibility of M-mount adapters for the new camera format (yes, it's a new format, with a new lens mount with electronic contacts) the camera body normally relies on aperture position feedback from the lens to help calculate proper exposure; you'd therefore have to rely on totally manual exposure settings, with manual focus.

Since the new micro-4/3rd's format is still essentially vapor-ware (I have yet to read a personal account from an actual owner, just pre-release publicity reviews), it's still too early to tell if this new format will actually function as a practical manual rangefinder backup to the M8, especially given that they will most likely be designed to function as automatic cameras, and not optimized for manual controls. It all depends on how individual models of cameras are actually implemented, design-wise.

It's way too premature to be making blanket statements like "the micro-4/3rd's format will function as a digital M-mount camera"; it would be equivalent to saying that "all SLR's do this or that," while having never seen an SLR.

~Joe

[mike_j]

I use an Olympus 4/3 with a range of alternative lenses inluding Pentax Takumar and Leica R. It is really quite practical, the live view which zooms to x7 or x10 gives extreme focussing accuracy, generally aperture priority lets the camera pick a suitable speed (it doesn't need to know the aperture set on the lens) but manual is always an option. Even the image stabilizer works, you just have to set the focal length via a menu.

I very much hope to be able to use M lenses and a micro 4/3 in the same way. The Noctilux may look a bit silly but the little Voigtlander lenses would be superb.

[scho]

I use an Olympus 4/3 with a range of alternative lenses inluding Pentax Takumar and Leica R. It is really quite practical, the live view which zooms to x7 or x10 gives extreme focussing accuracy, generally aperture priority lets the camera pick a suitable speed (it doesn't need to know the aperture set on the lens) but manual is always an option. Even the image stabilizer works, you just have to set the focal length via a menu.

I very much hope to be able to use M lenses and a micro 4/3 in the same way. The Noctilux may look a bit silly but the little Voigtlander lenses would be superb.

Looks like Lecia M to micro 4/3 will soon be available. See:
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/67403-cheap-alternative.html

[BillBingham2]

Eleskin,

For a backup I would say look at the GD-D II.

My hope is that Leica and Olympus will come out with a great Electronic RF camera with good controls, but it's about 6 months to a year out (my guess). I'm very interested in the Olympus M4/3s system as they have rocked the photographic world with the OM system and the Pen F was very interesting.

B2 (;->

[Fred Burton]

I'm baffled at the logic of using M lenses on a 4/3 body. Focal length, dof, everything changes. Could someone explain what they think manual M lenses on a 4/3 body would add to their photography?

[BillBingham2]

Olympus and Panasonic are the folks who drive the 4/3 and M4/3 standard. Leica is a tag along. I believe that it's an open standard (one that anyone can use for free) but I'm not sure. I think Leica can make use of it for free in any case because of their relationship with Pany.

What I'm hoping for is an LED that can be turned off but is bright enough to see in the daylight that will confirm focus on a spot at the center of the frame. Focus should be controlled like the old-fashioned lenses, by a ring around the lens. I would be happy with a set of great bright line finders that clip on to a hot-shoe on the top. Mechanical range finders go out of alignment way too much compared to electronic.

I'd like a set of primes from 7.5 through 200mm. I could forgo a DSLR as the rear LCD would give me enough viewing for the teles and I could get bright lines for the wides.

I'm actually hoping Nikon will think of this as I would love to see a strong metal body and some classic glass, but Olympus should be good enough.

B2 (;->

[Trius]

That is pretty unlikely, Leica and Olympus have never had any relationship.

Not true. Leica is a part of the original 4/3 standards group. The Digilux 3 (http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/d_system/digilux_3/) is a 4/3s camera. Apparently they are not part of m4/3, but that doesn't mean they can't be or won't be.

[shadowfox]

http://photofan.jp/camera/html/uploads/img48f93b001bbec.jpg

http://photofan.jp/camera/html/uploads/img48f93afaa7db7.jpg

From Scho's post above, cross-linked from here to make it easier to see what we're talking about:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fphotofan.jp%2Fcamera%2Fhtml%2Fmodul es%2Fnewbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ftopic_id%3D5605%26for um%3D2%26post_id%3D50572%23forumpost50572 (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fphotofan.jp%2Fcamera%2Fhtml%2Fmodul es%2Fnewbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ftopic_id%3D5605%26for um%3D2%26post_id%3D50572%23forumpost50572)

Needless to say that those pictures above are what makes this new platform so exciting. Need quality wide-angle lenses? that's what the C- and Arriflex- mount adapters are for ;)

[tom.w.bn]

But still you have the 2x crop factor. Your 15mm looks like a 30mm on film and the 25 looks like a 50mm. So real WW you will only get with the announced 7-14 mm lens.

[shadowfox]

But why??? Can't afford to buy a couple of G1 lenses? :D

Fred, for weird people like myself, there's a special enjoyment in using those gem-like Biotars and Flektogons made for film cameras. :D

[DC1030]

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

[BillBingham2]

Dark is an understatement! That's why I'm hoping for an ERF (Electronic Range Finder) version rather than an SLR. Great you can use the glass, but I'm spoiled by automatic aperture for bright viewing like on that almost 50 year old Nikon F!

B2 (;->

[Avotius]

heh I cant wait to get my hands on this with the small compact Olympus m4/3 that will eventually replace my GRD...

[shadowfox]

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

It will get dark, that's when stop-down metering comes to play. You focus with the lens wide open and then close it down to f8 and shoot. Very handy if you pre-calculate the exposure settings, either with Sunny-16 or handheld meter when necessary.

[Trius]

If it's red, I ain't buyin' it.

[Leica0Series]

I will probably get a G1 if this adapter works. I don't care if it's red, I can deal with the crop factor, lack of metering, whatever. I want to use my M lenses with a digital body and don't (yet) have the bucks for an M8. If focusing works like it does on my Digilux 2 (done through the EVF or on the back screen) that would be great, it's easy.

I could not make much sense out of this article, does it say that the adapter has been built and tested and will now be sold?

[mabelsound]

heh I cant wait to get my hands on this with the small compact Olympus m4/3 that will eventually replace my GRD...

Yeah, if the Olympus body has image stabilizsation, this will be SWEET. The crop factor's pretty extreme, though...

If it's red, I ain't buyin' it.

I believe it comes in a variety of colors. I dislike the pointless SLR styling though.

[Trius]

I dislike the pointless SLR styling though.

Amen brutha.

[HenningW]

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

It won't be dark. Your DOF will increase, but just as you expect an f/8 exposure to be as well exposed as an f/2 exposure, so an LCD (whether on the back or in the VF) will show the scene equally bright, within the limits of the exposure/ISO limits.

It's not the finder that will compensate. The full camera exposure system will compensate, if it's set to automatic exposure.

The camera feels rather cheap and dinky and was not terribly impressive overall, but it should work reasonably.

Since things like the C mount adapter are also mentioned, that would be a reasonable route for off brand wideangles if you're so inclined.

Henning

[veraikon]

Novoflex has announced an adapter µFT -> M in early 2009 and later a µFT -> R
(source a pers comm. to a LuF Member). And in early 2009 there will be also an Olympus µFT camera...

[scho]

I bought the G1 as a backup for my M8 and based on the images I've been getting with just the Panasonic kit lens so far I think that the G1 will be perfect for this task. Manual focusing is quick and very accurate with the G1 and should not be a problem with M mount lenses once an adapter becomes available. Here is a link to some of the shots I've taken with the G1 and 14-45 kit lens. All shot in raw mode, developed in SilkyPix, capture sharpened in Lightroom 2.1, and exported as jpegs for the web at 50% of original file size. This little featherweight camera is a joy to use.

http://www.schophoto.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=919&exhibition=10&ee_lang=eng&u=1631,1

[bottley1]

smashing shots! The G1 seems to be rapidly turning into this seasons must have accessory! Loved the resolution of the door/lock/peeling paint shot. One worry however: The interior warehouse shot - is that lens flare, or atmospheric conditions?

[scho]

smashing shots! The G1 seems to be rapidly turning into this seasons must have accessory! Loved the resolution of the door/lock/peeling paint shot. One worry however: The interior warehouse shot - is that lens flare, or atmospheric conditions?

Thanks bottley. The warehouse (actually a farmers market) haze was caused by very heavy fog. After I get an adapter I'll make some comparison shots using some of my CV and Zeiss lenses on both the G1 and M8.

[mike_j]

I borrowed a G1 today with the 4/3 adaptor and am most impressed. The viewfinder is much better than normal 4/3 optical finders. The manual focussing is excellent, automatic zoom and critically sharp focussing.

If there is a 'M' adapter I am going to buy one, though mainly to use with wide angle CV lenses.

[flessas]

FYI

I just received an email from NOVOFLEX that a mFT -> M-mount adaptor will be available in approx. 3 weeks time.
Price approx. Euro 149.-
Does anyone has experience with the NOVOFLEX adaptors?

[mabelsound]

Stephen says he'll have them in stock soon, not sure if it's the Novoflex or another brand. He also said he'll soon have...

...wait for it...

...a Canon FD adapter!

[Benjamin Marks]

I bought the G1 as a backup for my M8 and based on the images I've been getting with just the Panasonic kit lens so far I think that the G1 will be perfect for this task. Manual focusing is quick and very accurate with the G1 and should not be a problem with M mount lenses once an adapter becomes available. Here is a link to some of the shots I've taken with the G1 and 14-45 kit lens. All shot in raw mode, developed in SilkyPix, capture sharpened in Lightroom 2.1, and exported as jpegs for the web at 50% of original file size. This little featherweight camera is a joy to use.

http://www.schophoto.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=919&exhibition=10&ee_lang=eng&u=1631,1

I'd love to see the photos. What is the password for your site?

[scho]

I'd love to see the photos. What is the password for your site?

You don't need a password to view the photos. There are also some more on pbase:
http://www.pbase.com/scho/panasonic_lumix_g1&page=all

[scho]

Asks me for a password for each photo.

Anyway I have been using 4/3s for years, it is a great system, despite what the pixel peepers have posted.

The G1 just lets the secret out. The E3 is a great camera at a low price.

Sorry about that. I changed the security settings so see if works now.

[mabelsound]

Scho! You live in Ithaca! How is it that we haven't met?

[scho]

Scho! You live in Ithaca! How is it that we haven't met?

I guess because "Tiny town" isn't that tiny anymore!

[bmattock]

I cannot do critical manual focusing on an EVF, and I do not believe anyone can. I have read statements by people who say they can, and I believe that THEY believe they can, but I do not believe that they ACTUALLY can.

For the present, an optical viewfinder is required for manual focus if you are doing anything that would not otherwise be covered by DoF side-effects or focus on infinity, hyperfocus, etc.

That may change as OLED takes over from LCD for EVF and it becomes better, faster-updating, and less pixelated. For the moment, it is like peering closely at a TV screen - just a bunch of dots when you try to actually gain focus. And for the record, yes, I have 'tried it lately'. I keep trying it, because I would love to be able to report that the need for a slapping mirror is finally over and done with.

But it just isn't so. I'm sure the G1 will be a lovely camera, and excellent for auto-focus. Manual focus, no. Who would even think such a thing?

[mabelsound]

I guess because "Tiny town" isn't that tiny anymore!

:D My friend Franklin Crawford used to write the "Tiny Town" column in the paper...he's quite a photo geek himself these days, and has taken some great Ithaca pics, including a great series from inside the defunct Ithaca Gun factory...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2559668555_da2c2c3e5a.jpg?v=0

http://flickr.com/photos/frankie14850/sets/72157605496283949/

[scho]

:D My friend Franklin Crawford used to write the "Tiny Town" column in the paper...he's quite a photo geek himself these days, and has taken some great Ithaca pics, including a great series from inside the defunct Ithaca Gun factory...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2559668555_da2c2c3e5a.jpg?v=0

http://flickr.com/photos/frankie14850/sets/72157605496283949/

Now that is a target rich environment! Franklin's shots look great.

[scho]

I cannot do critical manual focusing on an EVF, and I do not believe anyone can. I have read statements by people who say they can, and I believe that THEY believe they can, but I do not believe that they ACTUALLY can.

For the present, an optical viewfinder is required for manual focus if you are doing anything that would not otherwise be covered by DoF side-effects or focus on infinity, hyperfocus, etc.

That may change as OLED takes over from LCD for EVF and it becomes better, faster-updating, and less pixelated. For the moment, it is like peering closely at a TV screen - just a bunch of dots when you try to actually gain focus. And for the record, yes, I have 'tried it lately'. I keep trying it, because I would love to be able to report that the need for a slapping mirror is finally over and done with.

But it just isn't so. I'm sure the G1 will be a lovely camera, and excellent for auto-focus. Manual focus, no. Who would even think such a thing?

Manual focusing with the G1 EVIL is outstanding, extremely accurate, bright and clear (not pixellated), and beats the pants off any optical rangefinder or SLR I've used.

[bmattock]

Manual focusing with the G1 EVIL is outstanding, extremely accurate, bright and clear (not pixellated), and beats the pants off any optical rangefinder or SLR I've used.

I will look at one as soon as one becomes available at retail. However, I have my doubts, because I have been down this path several times before. People whom I would think could tell the difference have insisted that this or that EVF is ideal for manual focusing, and I go and look and no, it is not. Not even close, which is the part I find so astounding.

If, when the G1 hits my local retail shelves and I can have a look at it, I find I can focus manually, I'll state it and publicly eat crow. At the moment, I still seriously doubt it. I would very much like it to be capable of real manual focus, however.

[veraikon]

NOVOFLEX that a mFT -> M-mount adaptor Does anyone has experience with the NOVOFLEX adaptors?
At the Leica "Info Tage Wochenende" (Leica info weekend) (15/16.11.08) at Wetzlar , Novoflex appeared with a G1 the new adaptor and a Summarit 2.5/35.
Some people tried it - and sayed focusing was ok.
Unfortunatelly I couldn´t take part at this Leica-weekend.

[Fred Burton]

The manual focusing is going to be the make or break deal with this camera since most people seem to want to use it as a cheap digital camera to use their Leica lenses on. There is so much interest, it's likely to kill the market for film M's if it works out.

[Benjamin Marks]

The manual focusing is going to be the make or break deal with this camera since most people seem to want to use it as a cheap digital camera to use their Leica lenses on. There is so much interest, it's likely to kill the market for film M's if it works out.

Fred's nailed it. I have several lenses that I'd love to try out, including a converted-to-M Contax G 45mm lens. The focusing will be key, though. If you can accurately focus, say a C/V 35/1.4, when stopped down, goodbye alleged focus-shift problem. If it works, it could mean lots o' fun for folks with lots of M and LTM glass.

Ben

[bmattock]

The manual focusing is going to be the make or break deal with this camera since most people seem to want to use it as a cheap digital camera to use their Leica lenses on. There is so much interest, it's likely to kill the market for film M's if it works out.

If it did work, that would be a very cool thing indeed. I could really get into a pocketful of my LTM lenses, an adapter, and this camera. We'll see!

[Fred Burton]

What I still can't understand is why people would want to put Leica lenses on a cheap digital camera. The reviews I read says the image quality is about on par with a Canon Xsi. What's the point?

[bmattock]

What I still can't understand is why people would want to put Leica lenses on a cheap digital camera. The reviews I read says the image quality is about on par with a Canon Xsi. What's the point?

I don't know what the image quality is of a Canon Xsi, but if it is as good or better than my Pentax *ist DS, then I'd be reasonably pleased with it.

[Fred Burton]

It's very good; but, I can't believe Leica M shooters would be happy with it. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[kuzano]

What I still can't understand is why people would want to put Leica lenses on a cheap digital camera. The reviews I read says the image quality is about on par with a Canon Xsi. What's the point?

Now, go read the image quality reviews on the XSi. Per Steves Digicams:

The XSi's image quality is excellent, and has improved at high ISO settings over the former model. Images were consistently well exposed with natural color saturation and accurate white balance. When shooting portrait style photos, skin tones were also very pleasant. Noise is absent from test images shot at ISO 100 and ISO 200, barely detectable in shadow areas at ISO 400 and 800, and noticeable in shadow areas at ISO 1600, but these images are still very usable.

Per DCResource:

Straight out of the box, the Rebel XSi's photo quality is a mixed bag. The biggest problem I have with the photo quality is that JPEGs are way too soft at default settings, especially if you've seen how they look in RAW mode. The good news is that you can increase the sharpness with the Picture Styles feature, and get much better results. Exposure was very good and colors were accurate. The XSi is a superstar when it comes to noise performance: there's minimal noise, even at ISO 1600.

Per DPreview on the XSi:
The new sensor is superb, and from a resolution point of view puts the EOS 40D to shame without losing any of the high ISO performance that has been Canon's trump card for so long. Canon was never going to take any risks with its biggest breadwinner, and we feel the EOS 450D is a significant, albeit incremental step in the right direction.

I do hope the Panasonic G1 that I am about to order shoots this well....... But, I've heard reports that it's better.

I will agree with you that I can't see the advantage of using Leica lenses on the camera. Why jerry rig a lens solution that was not engineered into the system. Perhaps those who have a significant investment in Leica lenses (which would be what... one lens? or more) need to find some way to continue to use that investment, but I can't imagine it would make the Panasonic G1 into either 1) a rangefinder or 2) a superior camera over it's intended market application. That target market is as a high quality, small, interchangable lens digital prosumer camera with a larger sensor than most. additionally it will fill a market niche as a fantastic "bridge" camera for those moving from small sensor, fixed lens compacts to a mid range/large sensor with interchangable lens capability.

I do believe that the system will hit a home run in it's intended market. I don't believe you can make a pseudo Leica out of the system.

[Fred Burton]

So where does that leave the M8?

[funkaoshi]

Does the XSi have worse image quality than an M8?

[Fred Burton]

Fred, that's what I was thinking. It looks like a pretty cool camera with the lenses designed for it. I don't know about hanging Leica glass on one, though. :)

[Fred Burton]

Ah, a question. Do the lenses designed for the camera stop down automatically? I assume you view and focus wide open like an SLR. What happens when you have that Leica lens set at F8 to meter? Will the finder go dark?

[Micky D]

The CV lenses maybe more interesting however, but still no 7mm lens.

The G1 is being way underrated however if it is any like the other Olympus cameras my brother and I use, which I suspect it is.

I just bought an Oly E-420 (should arrive this week) and was looking at lenses on the Olympus site, they have a 9-18 zoom. (http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/dslr_digital_slr_zuiko_digital_09-18mm_1_4_0-5_6_19277.htm)

[dazedgonebye]

I would not buy it based on what M glass I could put on it. But if I did buy it, I wonder if the Nokton 40mm f1.4 wouldn't make a nice portrait lens? :-)

What I'm not seeing that I need to see are primes. The 20mm is the only one in the pipelines from Pany. Perhaps oly will do more.

On my other, other hand, with the 20mm prime as the every day lens, maybe I could live with a big slow zoom to handle all other shooting. Hard to imagine.

[djonesii]

Scho;

your report is quite glowing, is it really that good?

The equipment listed in your profile Gear: Leica M8, Bessa R3M, Zeiss Ikon, + full set of lenses.

Leads one to put some stock in what you have to say about MF, and how viewfinders compare.

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave

[dazedgonebye]

Not sure if this has been posted....
Sorry if it has.

These folks are taking pre-orders for various adapters to M4/3rds.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://homepage2.nifty.com/rayqual/Micro4_3.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[scho]

Scho;

your report is quite glowing, is it really that good?

The equipment listed in your profile Gear: Leica M8, Bessa R3M, Zeiss Ikon, + full set of lenses.

Leads one to put some stock in what you have to say about MF, and how viewfinders compare.

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave

Dave, I bought the G1 as a backup for my Oly E3 and Leica M8 since the G1 can use lenses from both with adapters. I have been so impressed with the performance and image quality of the G1 so far that roles are now reversed and the M8 and E3 are seeing a lot of closet time. Take a look at Vivek's images and experience with the G1 and legacy lenses (including a Canon f/0.95) in this thread.
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4194

Carl

[Fred Burton]

I really think it is more likely to be the Leica film camera killer than the M8 (although it would certainly hurt sales there, too). There are a lot of people shooting film M's (or Bessa's or whatever) that are doing so because they can't afford M8's. Film Leicas are the market (new or used) that an inexpensive digital camera that takes M lenses would hurt.

Still, the crop factor and the hassle of viewing through the lens that has no automatic aperture might be a problem for many. With lenses designed for it, though, the camera looks very interesting.

[aniMal]

I think it could really be something... I myself seldom use the rangefinder much, I go by zone focusing a lot of the time. In really low light I use Nikon anyway, which means this is really interesting as backup for the M8 when travelling, say.

So, instead of getting another M8, which I am planning on, I could really be tempted to test this out if it gives good picture quality... And I wouldnt worry about focusing at all, especially as it would be a backup...

[aniMal]

Well - I have just laid my hands on the G1...

One way or other I really think I will end up with one during the next half a year or so.

I just wonder - when will someone make adapters available? If I could have bought both an M and a Nikon F adapter on the spot I am afraid that I would have shelled out for all of it today, even if I cannot afford it quite yet...

[pvdhaar]

Although the 2x crop isn't the greatest thing about it when it comes to wide angles, it does mean the enlargement required for a given print size is such that the faster 50's will have razor thin DOF wide open.. That would make them 50's gorgeous portrait lenses.

[Fred Burton]

Could be interesting hanging my old 300/4.5 Nikkor off this thing. 700mm! Sure would look funny, though. :)

[aniMal]

I dont know about the design - it felt good handling-wise and that is what counts for me.

I have been thinking of getting a compact again from time to time, but this feels much more attractive... I guess it will be close to compact with a 25 on it! (got to check that right away - are fixed lenses in the pipeline?)

[dazedgonebye]

I dont know about the design - it felt good handling-wise and that is what counts for me.

I have been thinking of getting a compact again from time to time, but this feels much more attractive... I guess it will be close to compact with a 25 on it! (got to check that right away - are fixed lenses in the pipeline?)

Panasonic has announced a 20mm f1.7. No idea what oly will come up with.

[Tuolumne]

In another thread Stephen says he will have the M -> micro 4/3rds adapter in stock toward the end of December. I already have one reserved.

I am very excited about trying my M lenses on it, especially the older slower LTM lenses since they are very small and seem like they would fit the camera's diminutive size well. But let's not kid ourselves, not many people have lenses wide enough to make that other than a specialty use M-tele camera. Even a 21mm lens becomes a normal 42mm lens. A 50mm lens becomes a 100m tele lens. The CV 14mm gets boosted to 28mm. Nevertheless, since I do own 14mm, 21mm and 25mm M-lenses, it will be fun to try them out.

I note that Panasonic has also announced an 8mm-16mm zoom lens coming in 2009. Now that should be REALLY interesting.

I couldn't resist and bought a G1 before going on a 10 day trip. The camera has been interesting to use, is all I'll say. The lens did seem to flare badly when pointed at anything with the sun nearby, which I found quite upsetting. So much so that I switched to my M5 backup camera for a day. But I did put a haze filter on the G1 which may be suspect in causing the problem. I haven't had a chance to try it out in sunshine since removing the haze filter but will report back with results later.

/T

[scho]

In another thread Stephen says he will have the M -> micro 4/3rds adapter in stock toward the end of December. I already have one reserved.

I am very excited about trying my M lenses on it, especially the older slower LTM lenses since they are very small and seem like they would fit the camera's diminutive size well. But let's not kid ourselves, not many people have lenses wide enough to make that other than a specialty use M-tele camera. Even a 21mm lens becomes a normal 42mm lens. A 50mm lens becomes a 100m tele lens. The CV 14mm gets boosted to 28mm. Nevertheless, since I do own 14mm, 21mm and 25mm M-lenses, it will be fun to try them out.

I note that Panasonic has also announced an 8mm-16mm zoom lens coming in 2009. Now that should be REALLY interesting.

I couldn't resist and bought a G1 before going on a 10 day trip. The camera has been interesting to use, is all I'll say. The lens did seem to flare badly when pointed at anything with the sun nearby, which I found quite upsetting. So much so that I switched to my M5 backup camera for a day. But I did put a haze filter on the G1 which may be suspect in causing the problem. I haven't had a chance to try it out in sunshine since removing the haze filter but will report back with results later.

/T

Vivek has been using a home made adapter for his G1 and just posted a nice shot using the CV 15:
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4194&page=3
I haven't had any flare problems with the kit lens on my G1, but then we haven't had to deal with sunshine around here very much recently.:)

[Tuolumne]

Vivek has been using a home made adapter for his G1 and just posted a nice shot using the CV 15:
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4194&page=3
I haven't had any flare problems with the kit lens on my G1, but then we haven't had to deal with sunshine around here very much recently.:)

Since I am in the desert in Israel, we have more than our share of sun!

/T

[bmattock]

I don't suppose anyone has thought about adapting Olympus Pen-F lenses to this camera?

[scho]

I don't suppose anyone has thought about adapting Olympus Pen-F lenses to this camera?

I loved using the old Pen-F and I hope Olympus brings back the clean lines of the Pen-F in a new m4/3 format camera. Should be possible to adapt the Pen-F lenses, but I don't know if an adapter is in the works or not.

[djonesii]

Just ordered mine off the big auction site.

In red, from a private seller, with the 150 Micro$oft cash back, it came in cheap.

I really would like the adapter to put in my stocking dear Santa!

Dave

[Tuolumne]

I removed the UV filter from my Lumix G1 and solved my flare problem. I thought I was using a high quality multi-coated UV filter, but it turned out to be an elcheapo uncoated variety. Live and learn.

/T

[sojournerphoto]

I had a quick play with a G1 today and was actually quite impressed with the manual focus. There are still things I'd need to get used to - viewing the picture on an electronic screen and the auto zoom when focusing. On the other hand a 50 sonnar would probably be excellent and no issue with focus shift:)

I can see this as almost a digital rf alternative - even if there are things I'd like to change

Mike

[sevres_babylone]

The user, arri, on flickr, has posted pictures using the G1 and old c-mount cine lenses, also with a homemade adapter
http://flickr.com/photos/tachar/

[djonesii]

Dear forum;

My red G1 came in today .... I took some shots that give a size comparison ...

M6 w/ 50mm summicron, Contax G1, Nikon D300 + Tamron 25-75mm, Canon G9

http://www.jonesii.net/2008%2012%2001%20Panasonic%20size/content/bin/images/large/DSC_4102.jpg

http://www.jonesii.net/2008%2012%2001%20Panasonic%20size/content/bin/images/large/DSC_4108.jpg

http://www.jonesii.net/2008%2012%2001%20Panasonic%20size/content/bin/images/large/IMG_0187.jpg
http://www.jonesii.net/2008%2012%2001%20Panasonic%20size/content/bin/images/large/DSC_4111.jpg

The manual focus in good light is excellent. In low light, it looks like a bad high ISO image with a lot of chroma noise, but usable none the less, The kit lens seems pretty sharp, only got a few minutes of use before "Santa" asked my to put it away and save so that I have something for under the tree!

Need the M adapter as a stocking stuffer!

Can't wait to try the 24 F4 and the 40 F1.4 .... now all I want is the 15!

Dave

[digitalintrigue]

Nice comparisons. The D300 looks huge. The G1 with the 50 Summicron on it, wouldn't be that much bigger than the M6 with the 'cron.

[retow]

M8 with 2-3 lenses and G1 with adapter and 45-200mm zoom in the bag will make for a perfectly versatile travel combo. Also, it might be the better solution for lenses with focus shift than the M8. The Sonnar 50mm starts to look very tempting.

[djonesii]

Nice comparisons. The D300 looks huge. The G1 with the 50 Summicron on it, wouldn't be that much bigger than the M6 with the 'cron.

I would add, not only does it look huge, it feels huge. I have used both D50 and D80, and the progression to D300 was not that dramatic. I have held the D40/60, and the feel round, almost like a grapefruit by comparison.

The G1 is much more readily compared to the G9 with a mount adapter. The weight is closer as is the feel and size.

In addition, I would add that I never even had the LCD facing out except when I had to use it to format a card. Much more like the M6 experience than any other camera I have used to date.

Dave

[dazedgonebye]

Where are the G1 naysayers?
So far, I only find people like me (never having touched one) who are concerned about not being happy with the camera. The few people that have them seem quite pleased.

[digitalintrigue]

I haven't found any naysayers (who have actually used the camera) in any of the forums that I frequent. It's been quite the opposite actually. And manual focus appears to be not only a non-issue, but a home run...the Canon 50/0.95 shots in the other forum are pinpoint focus. There is no optical RF that will allow accurate focus with a 100mm f/0.95. :)

[mabelsound]

I'm very surprised and impressed, especially at the apparent quality of the EVF. I'm even more eager to see what Olympus comes up with.

[Fred Burton]

Perhaps they'll change the name of this website to the EVF Forum. ;)

Seriously, I think we'll have to wait until M mount adapters are generally in people's hands to find out what the actual experience of using a G1 day to day with Leica lenses is going to be.

[Avotius]

Now that I have taken some more time with the G1 I am really liking the camera too, but the high iso is not my favorite, I very much dislike chroma noise, luminous noise I can deal with but chroma noise is just ugly. Would I buy one? No, not in its current form, the high iso just doesnt cut it for me, but its a neat camera none the less, I am really looking forward to the compact type olympus showed before, I hope they add an evf to it too.

[dazedgonebye]

Now that I have taken some more time with the G1 I am really liking the camera too, but the high iso is not my favorite, I very much dislike chroma noise, luminous noise I can deal with but chroma noise is just ugly. Would I buy one? No, not in its current form, the high iso just doesnt cut it for me, but its a neat camera none the less, I am really looking forward to the compact type olympus showed before, I hope they add an evf to it too.

Avotius,
Don't you shoot a GRD1 or something like that?
Isn't the G1 better for noise than the compact digitals?

[digitalintrigue]

Here is an interesting report on the G1 with regards to CA.

http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/index.html

[Fred Burton]

His examples of noise are higher than I expected. Above 400 is not good at all.

[digitalintrigue]

Here is a side-by-side:

G1 ISO 400
http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/iso/0811G1_1000034_iso_0400.jpg
M8 ISO 320
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0033_nn_iso0320.jpg
G1 ISO 800
http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/iso/0811G1_1000035_iso_0800.jpg
M8 ISO 640
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0034_nn_iso0640.jpg
M8 ISO 1250
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0035_nn_iso1250.jpg

Original scene:
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0032_nn.jpg

[Tuolumne]

M8 with 2-3 lenses and G1 with adapter and 45-200mm zoom in the bag will make for a perfectly versatile travel combo. Also, it might be the better solution for lenses with focus shift than the M8. The Sonnar 50mm starts to look very tempting.

I just came back from a trip with the G1 and M5 with a 35mm f3.5 ltm lens. Unfortunately, the M5 was redundant. Hardly used it at all.

/T

[Fred Burton]

How do prints from the G1 look?

[Tuolumne]

How do prints from the G1 look?

I haven't had a chance to make any yet, but will report back.

/T

[scho]

How do prints from the G1 look?

I have made several 16x20 and 18x24 inch prints from my G1 image files and they look great. Using a Canon iPF6100.

[Avotius]

Avotius,
Don't you shoot a GRD1 or something like that?
Isn't the G1 better for noise than the compact digitals?


Yes it is but the GRD is also a lot smaller then the G1. I would maybe consider a G1 type camera later once the price came down a few hundred dollars but as it stands now my ultimate benchmark is that it has to have high iso better then my canon 20D and I am not seeing it in this camera. That kit lens though, its really nice, not canon L grade but certainly more then a match for any high end consumer zoom in the canon stable.

Unfortunately I think what we do have with the G1 is another noisy panasonic camera, but it is progress at least. I am looking forward to more m4/3 developments, and I can see myself owning some sort of m4/3 compact in the future, but as it stands now I would not want one as my primary carry around shooter.

[mabelsound]

If they were to put the sensor technology from the LX3 into a 4/3ds sized sensor, they would have a hell of a nice camera.

[Tuolumne]

If they were to put the sensor technology from the LX3 into a 4/3ds sized sensor, they would have a hell of a nice camera.

Maybe the G2?

/T

[HansDerHase]

this could be a cheap back up for any M8 user.

Now that there is a M-lens adapter for m4/3 I'd wait for Olympus to bring out the announced m4/3 compact.

We may become a "cheap" substitute for any M8 user.
(That is besides the "me-too wealthy dentist-or-eye-surgery" type of user who can't live without a red dot of course.)

Ooops, this is the M8-Forum. I better run now :eek:.

[jaapv]

Here is a side-by-side:

G1 ISO 400
http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/iso/0811G1_1000034_iso_0400.jpg
M8 ISO 320
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0033_nn_iso0320.jpg
G1 ISO 800
http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/iso/0811G1_1000035_iso_0800.jpg
M8 ISO 640
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0034_nn_iso0640.jpg
M8 ISO 1250
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0035_nn_iso1250.jpg

Original scene:
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/equipment/leica_m8/iso/0610R8_0032_nn.jpg


Judging by the noise ,the ISO1250 is underexposed. Try compensating + 2/3

[gohaj]

Now that there is a M-lens adapter for m4/3 I'd wait for Olympus to bring out the announced m4/3 compact.

We may become a "cheap" substitute for any M8 user.
(That is besides the "me-too wealthy dentist-or-eye-surgery" type of user who can't live without a red dot of course.)

Ooops, this is the M8-Forum. I better run now :eek:.

is anyone using "M-lens adapter for m4/3" now?

[digitalintrigue]

Judging by the noise ,the ISO1250 is underexposed. Try compensating + 2/3

Feel free to email Uwe Steinmueller at outbackphoto.com as those shots are from his G1 and M8 reviews. :)

I have neither an M8 nor a G1.

[digitalintrigue]

is anyone using "M-lens adapter for m4/3" now?

Check this thread: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4194

[IGMeanwell]

To add to this thread for reference:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2008/12/leica-lens-to-p.html

[Tuolumne]

I found this thought by Richard from the above mentioned thread provocative:

"If Olympus or Leica has the vision, one of them should produce a simple rangefinder style m4/3 camera. Make it look like an M, for crying out loud. And if they are truly innovative, then produce an adapter with a reducing glass element to eliminate the crop factor. People would complain about why putting a $6000 Noctilux on a $800 body, but they would own the Leica users' souls. It's different enough from the M8 that they can justify existence of both."

An adapter with a reducing element would be just about the coolest thing ever!

/T

[Fred Burton]

I suppose they could rebadge still another camera, but really, what's the point? It's certain Leica isn't going to build plastic autofocus cameras. Would it make Leica users happier to see that red dot and pretend the $800 camera was a "real Leica?"

[Tuolumne]

What Leica does is irrelevant. The important thing is what can be done with Leica glass. It seems inevitable that someone will make a reducing adapter for the m4/3rds format. Then we will have what's really important in the digital realm - a way to use superb M-mount lenses. For the purists there will still be the "real" Leica rangfinders. This would even benefit Leica if a way could be found to use all of their glass on other digital cameras without a crop factor! And imagine what it would do to the price used Leica glass. Whohoo...

/T

[didjiman]

"I found this thought by Richard..."

That would be me. Leica or Olympus needs to switch their way of thinking. Sure maybe no one will buy Leica lens for a m4/3 rangefinder, but I bet that almost everyone with Leica lens would want to buy a m4/3 rangefinder, especially if there is a crop factor cancellation adapter. Slight image quality loss? Who cares, the G1 is the price of some Leica lenscaps (I may be exaggerate here a little bits)!

[digitalintrigue]

A crop factor cancellation adapter...hmm, like a reverse teleconverter?

How would this affect image quality? Seems like counter productive to take Leica glass and put another piece of glass in between. And maybe it would also result in light loss, so your 35/2 Summicron would now be a 35/2.8 or something. Thoughts?

How about Leica just make a 17mm/2 Summicron in micro 4/3 mount? ;)

[BillBingham2]

Problem is the angle of light hitting the sensor would be way angular and mess things up if you put any glass between the camera and the lens. The space is just not there. I've been saying for a long time that Leica should be making glass for Nikon, Canon, Olympus, 4/3s and now M4/3s mounts. Drop the R line up and focus on core competencies, glass and M bodies.

B2 (;->

[digitalintrigue]

Yes, look at how thin the M adapter is. No room in there for glass.

http://photofan.jp/camera/html/uploads/img48f93b001bbec.jpg

[veraikon]

I was yesterday at Foto Brenner (a photo dealer) house fair . There the Novoflex rep announced that delivery of te µFT/M adapter starts in (european) week 50 (for America the week in which the Monday Dec 8th lays) [or in other words tomorrow] Order code ist MFT/LEM, Price 149€
There was also the possibility to test a G1 with a Summarit 2.5/50. It was no problem to focus it (zoom loupe), even with my adapted 1.2/ 35 on it was possible to focus sharp and quickly wide open. In my opinion the time I needed to focus wasn´t much longer than with a traditional rangefinder.


Even when I am waiting till march (after PMA when Olympus presents his µFT the G1 prices are falling) I am impressed by the G1 .

[aniMal]

This scares me a bit... It looks too good, and will probably lead to me buying a G1 soon even though I cannot really afford it!

It will probably be the perfect backup for my M8 on travels, and will also provide me with a possibility for getting those very few shots that I always miss because I don´t like carrying long teles... My 90 elmarit should should be ideal, and also my 15 CV becoming a 30mm is really not too bad!

As for the noise, it should be OK for me - I never really miss speed that much with my M8. 800 is good enough for me.

[Fred Burton]

I know that the G1 isn't being marketed for the use all these RFF folks plan to put it, nor was the purpose to be a Leica killer. But if they would make this camera with interchangable lens mounts for every lens made, and also sold the mounts, they could have picked up some real money.

Imagine the hundreds of threads this thing will generate when a lot of adapters are available and we get to see photos of cats, dogs, kids and flowers shot with every permutation of Leica, Canon, Nikon, Minolta, not to mention old movie camera lenses.

The toy factor is really high. Beyond what it is with it's kit lenses, though, I just can't understand the utility.

[veraikon]

Todays press release of Novoflex:
http://www.photoscala.de/Artikel/Novoflex-koppelt-MFT-Kameras-Leica-M-Objektive
(unfortunatelly in German)

[digitalintrigue]

Translated:

http://tinyurl.com/6s7dcl

[bottley1]

Ah, a question. Do the lenses designed for the camera stop down automatically? I assume you view and focus wide open like an SLR. What happens when you have that Leica lens set at F8 to meter? Will the finder go dark?

Because you are looking at an electronic image of the view, it will always be perfectly exposed, at whatever aperture you shoot with.

[digitalintrigue]

Ah, a question. Do the lenses designed for the camera stop down automatically?

Yes


I assume you view and focus wide open like an SLR. What happens when you have that Leica lens set at F8 to meter? Will the finder go dark?

You can view wide open, or you can view stopped down. The viewfinder doesn't go dark like on an SLR; the LCD will brighten to compensate. If the light is very low, the image can get noisy/grainy. But it is still far easier for me to focus the G1 even under these conditions than it is an M, including the M8. It's not even close.

[veraikon]

A little remark and question: the Novoflex adapter is constructed that way that you can take off the m-lens only if you take off the adpater from the camera. A little pin at the lens lock of the adapter secures it.
If you want to use the µFT as "M-only" you have to file off about 1.0-1.5mm from the pin.

If some one has got the adapter from Stephen, could he look at if it the same system or if it is possible to let
the adapter on the camera?

f the light is very low, the image can get noisy/grainy. But it is still far easier for me to focus the G1 even under these conditions than it is an M, including the M8. It's not even close.It was also my impression -focusing is n o t more "difficult" than with a traditional rangefinder - in low light situation it is IMHO easier.

[digitalintrigue]

If some one has got the adapter from Stephen, could he look at if it the same system or if it is possible to let
the adapter on the camera?

As far as I know, the CameraQuest adapter is not yet available. I don't know if anyone outside Japan has seen one.


That was also my impression -focusing is n o t more "difficult" than whith a traditional rangefinder - in low light situation it is IMHO easier.

In practice, I don't see that it will be necessary to focus wide open, and stop down to meter. Just focus and meter stopped down. The traditional 'stop down metering' method doesn't really apply.

[Avotius]

When I got my mits on a G1 I thought it was neat but maybe not a keeper for me, panasonic cameras have never really struck a cord with me, now though its hard to say, it really is a clever little camera and I have to give panasonic credit for a great effort even if it is a little conservative in the body design, also i dont like how bare the left control for focus is, seems like a after thought. Also I am rather disappointed to learn that the 20mm 1.7 that many of us here would find so interesting will not be image stabilized which is kind of a let down.

I do find this a very compelling camera even with its problems, for instance the high iso performance is not great, and the way it can watercolor smear details is typically panasonic (though vastly improved from other panasonics I have used), I must say I wouldnt blame anyone for buying one. What keeps me from smacking down my money for one though besides the price is olympus, I want that in body image stabilization. Also the finder, though very nice and large is flanked top and bottom with a hell of a lot of unnecessary icons that could be put somewhere else where you dont always have to look at them. Maybe thats just from using a rangefinder for a while, you get used to a bare minimum. One of the things I like a lot about this camera is that the drive switch is indeed a switch so I can easily change from single to continuous mode, something I hate about my Ricoh GRD is that if you have it in continuous mode and shut the camera off it goes back to single then I got to turn the camera on, go to the shortcut menu and reengage it in too many button presses, panasonic made it a physical control and I appreciate that a lot.


So what does it come down to for me? The Panasonic is a great camera, a great choice for a walk around/light weight kit camera and then there is the fun to be had with adapted lenses. The incoming 20 1.7 is not stabilized, boo. The Olympus prototype did not have a finder on it, boo, but if it lives up to its DNA the Olympus will have in body stabilization, many points there. 2x image crop would not be so nice for adapted lens users but not a total loss, I cant wait to be able to stick my zeiss 28 biogon zm on the G1! The G1's battery life is so so, I have not run one down all the way but seems like a second battery would be a must. Also its not a main camera for me, even though both are 12 mega pixels, the canon 5D mops the floor with the G1, the 5D though old is still a titan. Also that prototype camera olympus showed....can you imagine putting a lens besides that small prime they showed on it? Even the G1's kit lens would look ridiculous on that thing not to mention a telephoto. Do you hold the camera and rotate the lens or the other way around?

Sigh...its a hard choice either way, I think we will know more in January when PMA comes around.

[veraikon]

Next year´s PMA is from March, 3-5th 2009

[digitalintrigue]

First adapter photos (http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?p=63867#post63867)

[veraikon]

Many Thanx !!

[djonesii]

Any news from the head bartender when his will be ready, is three days after mid considered late?


Dave

[back alley]

the end of january is what he told me.

i'm chomping at the bit - and i don't even have the camera in hand yet!

[pevelg]

(http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?p=63867#post63867)First adapter photos (http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?p=63867#post63867)

This is very exciting to say the least. I would love to use my current glass with a digital camera, especially as it takes decent photos. This is now on my "Want" list, though I will wait until past march to see what else hits the shelves.

[djonesii]

arghh ..... he screams how will I live to mid January ....

Perhaps with my M6?

Dave

[digitalintrigue]

VC 28/1.9 on G1:

http://www.pbase.com/scho/image/107245517/original.jpg

[mabelsound]

That looks terrific. It almost makes me slightly like the form factor of the G1.

C'mon Olympus, bring it on. M lenses with stabilization, baby. That's the future!

[Tuolumne]

VC 28/1.9 on G1:

http://www.pbase.com/scho/image/107245517/original.jpg

It doesn't really need that UV/IR filter, or does it?

/T

[scho]

It doesn't really need that UV/IR filter, or does it?

/T

No, it doesn't need the UV/IR cut filter.

[oris642]

Just picked up a G1 last night. Overall I'm very impressed, and is making me think hard as to whether I should keep my Sony DSC-R1.

As it's my Dad's Christmas present I have to, um, play with it so I can show him how it works. : )

[back alley]

i am looking forward to mine arriving, with luck it will be here this coming week.
i also just ordered the 45-200 lens (2 day delivery) and m adapter (end of jan. delivery) for it.

joe

[digitalintrigue]

I used to have a Sony 828, the forerunner to the R1, and liked it. But being able to use so many types of lenses, and the amazing EVF and manual focus assist makes the G1 very enjoyable.

I'll be playing with a 50/2.8 Tessar, a 40/1.8 Hexanon, a 50/2 Summicron-R, and a 50/1.5 Sonnar, all of which have different mounts, and all of which will work on the G1. :)

[back alley]

on flickr, in the g1 group, there are some shots taken with several leica lenses on the g1 and they are fabulously sharp.

i cannot wait to see some results from my zeiss lenses.

joe

[digitalintrigue]

Joe, there is a pic in that set of an M8 with 21/4.5. I wonder if he's tried that lens on the Rayqual...

[back alley]

Joe, there is a pic in that set of an M8 with 21/4.5. I wonder if he's tried that lens on the Rayqual...

i asked...

Yoshinori Kikuchi said:
back alley-san,
Yes, C-Biogon ZM can use DMC-G1 with adapter.

yes!!!

[digitalintrigue]

That is excellent news, back alley-san. :)

[boy_lah]

Any sample pix taken with the G1 using a m lens?

[digitalintrigue]

http://flickr.com/photos/yoshinori_kikuchi/sets/72157610940630628/

[digitalintrigue]

Novoflex adapter pics.

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/novo5.jpg

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/novo4.jpg

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/novo3.jpg

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/novo2.jpg

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/novo1.jpg

http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com/photo_posts/g1novo40.jpg

[Tuolumne]

Where did you buy it?

/T

[digitalintrigue]

Direct from Novoflex on the 12th, just arrived in today's mail.

[mervynyan]

sweep, other than 2x crop, i want one

[gohaj]

Direct from Novoflex on the 12th, just arrived in today's mail.

does it allow to focus to infinity?

[digitalintrigue]

does it allow to focus to infinity?


Yes, it allows focus to infinity.

[HKHoward]

Ray Tai and Chris Topher and I met at the China Tee Club today and mated my L > M4/3rds adapter with
Chris's black G1. We used my 15 Heliar, the 24 Elmarit, the 35 Summilux Asph, The Tri-Elmar, the 50mm Summilux Asph,
the 90 Summicron APO, my old 135 Elmar (from 1964) and Chris's 50mm Zeiss f1.5.

Pictures taken with some of these lenses can be found at:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Howard+Cummer/M+Lenses+to+Micro+4-3rds/

http://tinyurl.com/9bh9zx

The EVF is better than I remember it at Photokina. Under fluorescent lights
there is strobing in the viewfinder but with daylight or other lighting the EVF works quite well.
A Leica rangefinder viewfinder it isn't but still it is usable. You have to set the G1 to fire
the shutter without a lens on the camera and that takes some digging through the instruction
book to find the menus within menus.
What is very appealing is that in manual focus you touch the left arrow of the control wheel on the back
and that brings up a 10X magnification box. You can move the box over the area you want
to enlarge and then push the set button in the center of the control wheel to enlarge that section.
You have to be quite fast to fix focus because the magnification shuts off in about 3 seconds. It is easiest to use
with wide angle lenses because the magnified camera shake is not so great. For telephotos like the 90 Cron and the
135 Elmar - the shaking of the hand held camera is so magnified that it is hard to fix focus before the magnification
turns off. Chris believes a firmware upgrade has already been announced to allow the user to extend the timing
of the magnification.
I didn't get to take the camera out for any street shooting so I can't comment on its use there and I didn't have
time (nor inclination) to work through all the camera's features and menus.
Still, as you can see from the pictures it performs pretty well - although we did notice that white balance when set to auto
fluctuated quite a bit from shot to shot.
A feature which appeals to me for street shooting is the moveable view screen on the back but I will have to test it
another day.
Bottom line: Would I buy one? Could be, but I wasn't so blown away that I ran next door to get one today. Still, I might
when the new prices fall a bit more.
Comments and questions welcome.
Cheers
Howard

[digitalintrigue]

The manual focus assist magnification is adjustable, via the wheel on the front grip.

The firmware update allows continuous focus assist, so there is no 3 second limit.

Here is a list of what the firmware update does:

Makes it possible to check the exposure with Live View during the AE lock.
Makes it possible to continuously display the enlarged screen of the MF assist.
Added "color adjustment function" for the LCD monitor/View finder.
Added "Red-eye reduction forced flash on" to the flash setting for the [PARTY].
Improved the performance of AE(Auto Exposure) and AWB(Auto White Balance).
Improved the accuracy of flash control.
Improved the noise reduction during high sensitivity photo shooting.

[HKHoward]

Thanks for the info on the update - and the control of the amount of magnification - that is all good to know.
Cheers
Howard

[Tuolumne]

Where can the updated firmware be found?

/T

[scho]

G1 firmware update (http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/)

[Rayt]

Ray Tai and Chris Topher and I met at the China Tee Club today and mated my L > M4/3rds adapter with
Chris's black G1. We used my 15 Heliar, the 24 Elmarit, the 35 Summilux Asph, The Tri-Elmar, the 50mm Summilux Asph,
the 90 Summicron APO, my old 135 Elmar (from 1964) and Chris's 50mm Zeiss f1.5.

Cheers
Howard

Hi Howard,

I don't normally use lenses longer than 50mm so something like a CV 15 and a Zeiss 25 would do it for me on the G1. And forget about focusing; I would leave it at f/5.6 and 3 meters most of the time for a Ricoh-esque "snap" mode. How did those shots come out IQ wise?

Ray

[Tuolumne]

G1 firmware update (http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/)

There does not appear to be an update required for a G1 body using the Panasonic lens. Is that correct?

/T

[back alley]

the update is for the g1 body.

[Tuolumne]

I finally found it. Thanks.

/T

[HKHoward]

The G1 - Leica M lenses duet continues.

One minute I think the G1 is a piece of light plastic junk and the next minute I put on a Leica lens and it surprises me.

Here's my Heliar 15mm on the G1 - accurately focused on my son Russ who is on his way back to Tokyo today.
It really enhances the value of the Heliar when you don't have to guess at its focus.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Howard+Cummer/M+Lenses+to+Micro+4-3rds/Russ15HeliarBw.jpg.html


http://tinyurl.com/7rdsg5

Cheers
Howard

[Fred Burton]

I wonder if Leica has realized exactly how dangerous the G1 is to them. Cheap digital trumps everything. They are nuts if they don't rebadge this thing with a red dot.

[HKHoward]

For Rayt
Hi Ray,
If you click on the enlarge icon at the top of the photos I posted you can see a bigger picture. IQ is very good - there is noise above ISO 1600 which is objectionable. Unfortunately there is a bug in CS4 which prevents the latest Camera Raw plugin from reading Pana Raw - even though the plugin lists the G1 Raw as readable. So I am not getting the max out of the camera yet. Adobe is working on a fix.

[scho]

For Rayt
Hi Ray,
If you click on the enlarge icon at the top of the photos I posted you can see a bigger picture. IQ is very good - there is noise above ISO 1600 which is objectionable. Unfortunately there is a bug in CS4 which prevents the latest Camera Raw plugin from reading Pana Raw - even though the plugin lists the G1 Raw as readable. So I am not getting the max out of the camera yet. Adobe is working on a fix.

Did you install the latest ACR (5.2)? I'm using CS4 on a Mac with ACR and have no problems processing G1 files.

[Vickko]

Hmmm

I can't find it on the Novoflex site.

How did you find it? i.e. what camera type did you enter?

Thanks
Vick

[digitalintrigue]

It isn't on their site yet.

Here is a press release: http://luc.saint-elie.com/wp-content/uploads/MFT_Adapter_EN.pdf

[HKHoward]

Did you install the latest ACR (5.2)? I'm using CS4 on a Mac with ACR and have no problems processing G1 files.
__________________

Hi Scho,
I have ACR 5.2.0.65 installed with OSX 10.5.5 on an I Mac with a 2.16 Ghz Intel Core 2 duo processor, 3Gb memory and L2 cache at 4 Mb. When I try to read the Rw files from the G1 I get a message that they are not recognized. I went to Adobe and they say they know about the problem and are working on it. I have to use Silky Pix to open Rw files in the meantime.
I am glad that your plug in works - gives me hope for mine. But why yours works and my doesn't is, as they say, a mystery.
Cheers
Howard

[Fred Burton]

You have to be using CS4 before you can install the 5.2 release. There will be no ACR updates for CS3. (For those using CS3). Planned obsolescence, I'm afraid. Found that out when I bought a Canon G10.

[HKHoward]

Hi Fred,
I am using CS4 and then installed the 5.2 plug in - so I don't know what is going on but feel better that Adobe doesn't either but is working on it. :-)
Cheers
Howard