Leica Summicron tested on Panasonic G1

[kuzano]

Interesting reading.

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

[noimmunity]

Author's comment about how much fun it is to use the G1 with a Leica lens is just what I wanted to know.

[back alley]

it's a good kit lens...

[Silva Lining]

This is great - The kit lens looks good and as soon as the adapter becomes avaialble .....



would appear tha some already have their hands on one judging from this group at Flickr

CLICK (http://www.flickr.com/groups/lumixg1m/pool/)

[Tuolumne]

I like the kit lens, but can it really be as good as Leica glass?? Heresey!!!!!!!!!

/T

[cmogi10]

Or maybe the camera just isn't capable of taking advantage of the nicer glass?

Just a maybe...

[back alley]

the kit lens does not glow though...

[visiondr]

Ummm, not so fast, it's really hard - essentially useless - to compare the two lenses based on a single badly compressed internet image. Just look at the 100% crop. It's riddled with JPEG artifacts. And if you don't believe me and want to trust the images, then look at the huge amount of colour fringing in the Lumix lens example. The far right edge of the black crescent has a blue edge to it while the Leica lens produces no such artifact. You can keep that kit lens.

[Nigel Meaby]

Looking forward to seeing what the 20mm 1.7 is like based on the performance of this zoom lens.Potentially, I could happily use one of these with just that lens as a walk about one lens camera

[cmogi10]

I just like stirring the pot.
When it comes to reviews I generally skip the text, look at the pictures.
If the pictures look like a waste of someones memory (In my own humble opinion) I skip the review.

Seeing all those big-ass lenses on that little body was kinda neat though.

[digitalintrigue]

I kind of pointless using the non-kit lenses it would appear, you lose all the auto functions and don't gain anything.

Other than several f-stops and different focal lengths, I would agree. :)

[rover]

To what extent, if any, is Leica collaborating with Panasonic regarding lens design?

[back alley]

the kit lens is called a 'vario' ...

[rover]

Here here to the hope that the 20/1.7 is called a "Summi"

[Larry Mclendon]

The focusing process he describes with manual lenses seems a little slow for shooting moving subjects. Anyone tried it?

[ChrisN]

Is anyone else struck by how big this camera is with its kit lenses?

http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_01/section_gear_cameras/20081119_Panasonic_G1/500_IMG_0048_G1And2Lenses.jpg

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


If I want digital I'll stick with my Pentax dslr and its wonderful prime lenses, thanks!:)

[digitalintrigue]

Perhaps that photo needs something alongside for reference. I've never heard anyone say the G1 is big, especially the lenses.

Here is the Olympus 4/3 50-200 lens on a G1:

http://homepage.mac.com/godders/G1_w_ZD50-200.jpg

[back alley]

the 14-45 is very small
have not seen the the 45-200 in person yet.

[digitalintrigue]

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

[venchka]

Think about this:

Show up at a concert, pro sports event, etc. with a DSLR and a lens over 4" in length and see how far you get past security. "No professional cameras allowed."

Show up with the red G1 and just about any RF lenses and nobody would ever think it was a "professional" camera. A Canon 100/2.0 or the 135/2.8 Leitz would be awesome if you could get courtside at a basketball game.

If they will just work on S/N ratio and dynamic range and avoid the dreaded bloated megapixel sillyness.

[RayPA]

The focusing process he describes with manual lenses seems a little slow for shooting moving subjects. Anyone tried it?

-Viewfinder shows a magnified crop
-Use the lens focusing ring to get crop in focus (ideal would be to open up the lens first and then stop down)
-Set the f-stop on the lens
-Set camera to aperture priority
-Half press the shutter
-Have live histogram enabled and change EV correction for optimal exposure (to avoid clipped highlights)
-Compose and take exposure

I agree. I'm not liking the "old school" extra steps of opening up to focus and stopping back down again to expose.

I saw a review online where the reviewer said the camera was noisy (or rather 'not quiet'—and not the AF). Anyone know why this would be?


.

[digitalintrigue]

The G1 is as quiet as an M6 in terms of shutter noise.

If you shoot in a dungeon, you may have to focus wide open, but then you'd probably be shooting wide open, too. The EVF will brighten as the lens is stopped down, so it's pretty easy to focus at shooting aperture.

[RayPA]

The G1 is as quiet as an M6 in terms of shutter noise.

If you shoot in a dungeon, you may have to focus wide open, but then you'd probably be shooting wide open, too. The EVF will brighten as the lens is stopped down, so it's pretty easy to focus at shooting aperture.

Thanks for clarifying both points.

.

[Larry Mclendon]

The only real negative I've heard about the EVF is that it strobes under florescent light, but that's a common problem with EVF's. Otherwise it should be o.k. A one button solution to get into magnified manual focus view would also be nice, but will probably come in a later generation of the camera.

Has anyone tried one under florescent lights?