Why Did You Sell Your G1? [Archive]

djonesii

03-02-2009, 04:28

Right now, the only reason I would quit using it is if I hit the lottery or some equal! I will not sell it, It's the camera on the table for snapshots. Can't deal wit the wife using a P&S when I have to PostProcess after her! She will pick up the G1, not the D300, and NEVER the M6.

As the English say, horses for courses.

Dave

Tuolumne

03-02-2009, 05:08

I am selling my Nikon D200 and all of the overly large lenses it takes and using my G1 in its stead. Who needs a cannon when a derringer will do?

/T

CLE-RF

03-02-2009, 05:25

I will trade in my D300 set with all lenses on Thursday and pick up a new M8 from the dealer in the process. I considered the G1 since it would have saved quite some bucks, but I cannot get over the SLR design and the cluttered viewfinder which displays all kinds of useless 'info'.

I'd rather spend some more time post-processing than be annoyed with camera ergonomics while shooting.

fbf

03-02-2009, 05:33

I personally don't think the G1 makes sense to leica M lenses at all (r-d1 might be the better choice) However, G1 is probably the best and only digital choice for many other mounts. Robert showed the C mount lenses on G1 and I was very very impressed by the results

Benjamin Marks

03-02-2009, 05:51

Not a lot of response to Stephen's original post yet. I too am interested. My corollary is that I have not YET bought a G1. Reasons for this are:

1) don't need it yet.
2) waiting for a model with anti-shake (true avail. darkness cam w/fast Leica glass).
3) pricing model for digi-cams: initial interest/full price = 1 year or less, followed by discounted pricing, followed by rebate, followed by new model with the kinks worked out (hopefully), followed by lightly used models showing up on the used market (D200 anyone?). Anyone want to bet that a used model of this camera will be on offer at KEH for $300 or less within 3 years?
4) waiting for just the camera to be offered (no kit) at a savings (don't need/want a zoom)
5) waiting to see what other manufacturers will do with micro-4/3 mount -- this could well be the future of e-RF style photography. . .

But, delighted to see all the action around this model. Proves the theory that while a lot of the camera industry seems to be in "incremental refinement"/fashion update mode, there is still hard core R&D out there that can produce wonderful, useful surprises.

Ben Marks

tbarker13

03-02-2009, 06:32

I'm one of those who bought and later sold.
Basically, I bought it to see if I wanted to replace my Nikon D200 with it. I knew I would never keep 3 digital cameras (also have the M8).

In the end, I just couldn't pull the trigger on the exchange. Part of it - and this i just totally a personal preference - is that the G1 doesn't feel as sturdy in my hands as the D200.
With an M8, i can already travel light when I want to, so that wasn't much of a consideration.

In the end, I realized the G1 was just never really going to have a place in my photo kits. I do think it's a neat little camera though. I really have nothing bad to say about it.

Frank Petronio

03-02-2009, 07:01

I haven't used the G1 yet, but I had such a bad experience with the Olympus 420/25mm pancake camera that I probably will stick with Nikons. The 4/3s chip of the Oly was significantly short of highlight range, the AF was primitive, and the camera controls were too small for my large hands (that's my fault for buying it though). I got better quality photos from a 5-yr old Nikon D70 than the 4/3s Oly, and based on the sample pictures and reviews, I'd fear the G1 isn't that big a leap forward.

JohnM

03-02-2009, 07:03

I had it and sold it.

There was nothing that I did not like about it -- it just sort of fell between the cracks. The lenses just were not there to make it a viable replacement for my Canon DSLR. And if I really wanted to travel light, the LX3 is so good that it made the G1 expendable. (I actually tried to sell the LX3 here first before giving it another shot -- decided I would be crazy to sell it.)

I could have kept it, but I really don't like to have extra, unused cameras lying around. I'll be paying attention to the micro 4/3rds systems and if the lenses available to it expand some, I would be happy to get back into it.

Avotius

03-02-2009, 07:07

photogdave

03-02-2009, 07:14

I am disappointed that the M mount lenses are not really showing any interesting differences over the kit lens

I think you hit the nail on the head there. I didn't buy the camera but I had the opportunity to try one out with some M lenses and felt the same. Why bother with mounting and manually focusing and M lens when the kit lens is just as sharp and has AF? Then when they start bring out fast primes there is even less reason to use M lenses.
I think it's a cool camera and I'm still thinking M4/3 for a future digital since I no longer have a digital camera.
Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that I have a D70! :angel:

digitalintrigue

03-02-2009, 07:36

I'm not selling mine unless Oly comes out with the same set of features as the G1 plus in body VR.

IMHO, adapted lenses (M and otherwise) can show tremendous difference over the kit lens; much faster, and different renditions, depending on the lens. Using the kit lens at 45mm results in a 45/5.6; not of much use for me, when there are oodles of fast adapted lenses in the 40-50mm range with all sorts of different kinds of rendering and bokeh.

The kit lens is pretty much used at the 14/3.5 setting, making it a 28/3.5 equivalent for wide angle.

back alley

03-02-2009, 07:38

i have 2 g1 kits and want to sell one, not because of the camera but because i bought an rd1.
i think the g1 will make a great kit along with the rd1.

i did sell the sony a300, it was bigger and not better than the g1, for me anyways.

nemjo

03-02-2009, 08:19

I find it really very funny. So I don't plan it to sell.
(Have to say, I haven't sold any camera...)

nemjo

Gabriel M.A.

03-02-2009, 08:21

I'm assuming we're talking about the nonrangefinder Lumix G1, and not the rangefinder Contax G1.

JCdeR

03-04-2009, 02:09

I had mine for 5 weeks or so, I really liked it but:

- Leica lenses didn't offer anything special
- It was to big for day to day light travelling, and not any better in size and IQ then my D60
- My D60 with 50mm 1.4 produce better results
- My Sigma DP-1 produces better results and is much smaller
- My M8 produces better results with my M lenses and is just about a s big (and I have it)
- I felt it was a sort of "not a napkin and not a tablecloth" sort of thing
- The overall quality was not all that good (paint and lettering)
- Lack of wide angle and fast lenses (or adapter needed)
- Adapters pretty much "not all that good"
- I still think 4/3 IQ is inferior to DX format
- Not able to shoot moving subjects

Otherwise I did like it but became more and more a gimmick.
I was able to sell it when the second hand prices were still good

wolverine

03-06-2009, 16:52

I have it . I use your adapter. I am very impressed with the 90mm asph, apo m, on this camera. I don't know why folks are selling. Live view manual focusing is incredibly easy. The 90mm lens is wonderful and acts as a 180mm f/2! I am waiting for the 50 asph lux to arrive. I am sticking with it. I think Sean Reid's misunderstood reveiw with leica m lens turned some people off. I don't think his intent and communication was clear. Too bad. I thinkk as this format develps, folks will come back.

dcsang

03-06-2009, 17:16

I think Sean Reid's misunderstood reveiw with leica m lens turned some people off. I don't think his intent and communication was clear. Too bad.

As someone who's actually considering this camera - to know that he has reviewed it, and, I'm assuming has perhaps passed on it or gave a less favourable (or, in your words "misunderstood") review using a Leica M lens than some other folks; I think I'll actually buy the camera after all.

To me, some people take other folks word as gospel instead of actually evaluating a product or item for themselves and figuring out if it's right for them.

If I had done that with respect to Mr Reid's reviews, I never would have discovered the joyous 35mm Nokton f1.4 on the M8/M7s.

Cheers,
Dave

endustry

03-06-2009, 17:29

I am someone who is actually holding off buying into Micro 2/3 until Panasonic or Olympus release the prototype body that looks more like a P&S. The Mini-SLR look is really unappealing to me. Also, this 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens they keep talking about would make it a much better option than the Sigma DP2 IMHO.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/28/two-olympus-micro-four-thirds-cameras-rumored-for-soonish-releas/

digitalintrigue

03-06-2009, 17:37

The entire basis of this thread is inaccurate, IMHO. I see far more buyers than sellers. There are always those that 'buy/try' and sell. And for every selling transaction, there is another buyer...

Panasonic hasn't shown a P&S-style Micro '4'/3 concept, that would be Olympus. :) The pancake 20/1.7 is real for later this summer; who knows what Olympus will really do...

The P&S style camera concept doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It would not have an articulating LCD, or EVF. It would only be practical for a limited range of focal lengths, it would be difficult to use with longer lenses.

wjlapier

03-06-2009, 17:46

I'm kinda going in the opposite direction. I'm thinking of picking up another one--maybe the new one with video. I think we are just scratching the surface as to what potential there is with this camera--in terms of adapted lenses.

Alot of folks keep mentioning Leica M lenses, but with the adapters out there just about any lens can be used on the G1. My primary interest now is finding fast cine lenses that are sharp wide open, pleasant bokeh, not too expensive, and fills the sensor.

The camera is too much fun to use for me. I won't be selling mine, in fact I sold my Canon XSi and adapters and will now concentrate solely on the G1 as my adapted to camera.

endustry

03-06-2009, 17:50

I agree it would be strange trying to work with longer lenses on something akin to Olympus' P&S-style prototype. I'm only interested in the 20mm f/1.7. Even P&S-style "live view" focusing/composing would be fine with me.

I just believe that a Micro 4/3 body similar to the Oly prototype w/ the 20mm f/1.7 pancake would be a better alternative to most of the fixed focal-length P&S cameras on the market now and in the near future (Sigma DP2). The fact that you could remove the pancake lens and put something else on is just a bonus for someone with interests such as mine.

digitalintrigue

03-06-2009, 17:58

Yes, from that standpoint, the P&S concept works. ;)

BillBingham2

03-06-2009, 19:30

Count me in on the P&S with interchangeable primes. Say 8, 17, 25, 42, and 150, all reasonably fast aperture and the ability to set and lock focus (like snap mode on the GRD) at different distances and then use aperture priority to have a way cool P&S. I also want to use CV Bright Lines on top too please.

I never saw the G1 giving that to me, though I hold out hope that the Olympus will (Pen F ish please rather than P&S on steroids (ala Canon)).

B2 (;->

digitalintrigue

03-06-2009, 20:05

B2, with that set of primes, you've got a 300mm equivalent...that would be kinda tough to use except on a tripod. :)

BillBingham2

03-06-2009, 20:33

Or a chest/table-top tripod, or my next invention.....

More in a week or so.

B2 (;->

Cindy Flood

03-07-2009, 18:35

I'm not selling mine, but I did sell my big DSLR and lenses.

I didn't read Sean Reid's review, but I must say that I heard about the corner problems that he "exposed". My most-used lens on my G1 is the CV 28 f/1.9 and I have not seen the soft, blurry corner problems that Sean was supposed to have seen with a 28 f/2. My personal opinion is that people should try these things out for themselves. He may have had a bad copy of a lens or a bad copy of an adapter. I wouldn't base my buying decision on one review.

I'm using my G1 with M lenses, Nikon lenses, Olympus lenses and the two kit lenses. Others are having great success with cine lenses, Olympus Pen lenses and more.

dcsang

03-07-2009, 18:43

Thanks Cindy.

Here's the thing I really want to know..... how many of us find the corner of our photos EXTREMELY important to the meaning/subject of the photo itself? I mean, honestly, look at the photos that mean the most to you, the ones that really tug at your heart strings - is it the corners????

I think we've lost our way here...

Cheers,
Dave

Cindy Flood

03-07-2009, 18:52

Dave,
I couldn't agree with you more about the corners.

I was really troubled about this review, though. I went back through some of my photos with my CV 28 f/1.9 after reading all the flurry about it. I couldn't find any of the smearing that was supposed to be going on.

back alley

03-07-2009, 19:02

i have not noticed the 'smearing' with my 21 or 35 or 50.

the images from the kit lenses are outstanding.

i don't think you'd regret getting one dave.

dcsang

03-07-2009, 19:31

i have not noticed the 'smearing' with my 21 or 35 or 50.

the images from the kit lenses are outstanding.

i don't think you'd regret getting one dave.

I don't think I would either Joe.

I'm really just getting really pissed off at people reviewing lenses and such and then, folks deciding that a camera/lens isn't "good enough" for them.

I would love for people to look through their images - and like I said, look at the ones that REALLY matter to you - these are the ones that make you smile, cry, and laugh, and see if any of those images are the ones where you're saying "oh, gee, the corners look a bit soft in this one....."

It's absolutely insane that we put that much importance on such things when we look at images that matter....

Dave

ampguy

03-07-2009, 19:39

Basically agree with #'s 1, 3, and 5 below, and with fbf's mentioning that M mount lenses will be tricky to match up with the 2x crop factor. Need really wide, but also want very low distortion. The 2x factor makes that a challenge.

Not a lot of response to Stephen's original post yet. I too am interested. My corollary is that I have not YET bought a G1. Reasons for this are:

1) don't need it yet.
2) waiting for a model with anti-shake (true avail. darkness cam w/fast Leica glass).
3) pricing model for digi-cams: initial interest/full price = 1 year or less, followed by discounted pricing, followed by rebate, followed by new model with the kinks worked out (hopefully), followed by lightly used models showing up on the used market (D200 anyone?). Anyone want to bet that a used model of this camera will be on offer at KEH for $300 or less within 3 years?
4) waiting for just the camera to be offered (no kit) at a savings (don't need/want a zoom)
5) waiting to see what other manufacturers will do with micro-4/3 mount -- this could well be the future of e-RF style photography. . .

But, delighted to see all the action around this model. Proves the theory that while a lot of the camera industry seems to be in "incremental refinement"/fashion update mode, there is still hard core R&D out there that can produce wonderful, useful surprises.

Ben Marks

digitalintrigue

03-07-2009, 19:47

We need a thread entitled "Why did you sell your D700?"

My answer: because of the G1. ;)

Zenjitsuman

03-07-2009, 20:27

As you know there is another shoe that dropped at the PMA and that is the short register Samsung NX. It too will use HD lcd vf and likely the 14mp sensor that got such good scores on the DXOmark (top 10 I believe)
and its crop factor is 1.5 being an APS DX camera.

I looked at the 5 Leica M lenses I have and they would convert to 31mm; 37mm; 52mm; 75mm and 135mm. That is more like what I need and I could buy an ultra wide zoom like a 10-18mm or such to cover the real wide end.

Yes the camera is a little bigger but so are my hands and when you are forced to press buttons because they keep comming out with old 6mp digital rf designs for $3,000 because they treat us as rich fools then I will go for a bit bigger ( bigger buttons) as long as the IQ is up to top 10 levels.

digitalintrigue

03-07-2009, 20:34

Yes, the Samsung is next, and most likely there will be others from Nikon and Canon, eventually. The days of the reflex mirror are numbered.

Gordon Coale

03-07-2009, 20:47

The pentaprism SLR is so 1957. :-)

wolverine

03-08-2009, 06:37

If this is an issue for you, oly and panny have very excellent lenses for wide angle. And when the 7-14 comes out it will be interesting to see the quality. So wide angle is covered. But as Cindy says her 28 is fine. I can't tell you how excited I am with the APO 90mm f/2 Asph is on this camera. Can't wait to try the 50 lux asph. I love high contrast and lots of color. B&W does very little for me. I get it and why people love it. Just not many B&W photos look good to me. But as the wise sage said... "Kodachroooome... give me the nice bright colors.... don't take my kodachrome away from me" The G1 delivers. This is coming from someone who has used the 5D, D300, and D700.

jl-lb.ms

03-08-2009, 06:39

I really considered the G1 and had it in my cart on Amazon. In the end, however, I wanted a smaller camera to go with the D200 and R-D1 and the G1 wouldn't have made as much difference in the size category. Ended up with a Leica D-LUX 4. I had hoped for some 4/3 Leica glass for the G1, but the compact is Leica glass. Apples and oranges, yes. I may end up with a G1 in the future when all the lens offerings shake out.

Scott G

03-09-2009, 09:47

I kept my G1 and sold the M8!

jarski

03-09-2009, 10:30

As you know there is another shoe that dropped at the PMA and that is the short register Samsung NX. It too will use HD lcd vf and likely the 14mp sensor that got such good scores on the DXOmark (top 10 I believe)
and its crop factor is 1.5 being an APS DX camera.

now this is interesting (didnt know such thing existed) ! full frame EVF camera cant be that far anymore, perhaps comes out even before full frame DRF (if that ever shows up) :rolleyes:

mabelsound

03-09-2009, 11:06

I've been holding out for an APS-C version of this concept, and the NX could be it. Especially if it's the same or a similar sensor to the Pentax K20D, my DSLR. I like the form factor a little better, too. If somebody comes out with M and FD adapters for it, I would be tempted indeed.

Also, it's worth noting that, as with the LX3, Panasonic is applying software correction to pictures taken with the m4/3 lenses, even in RAW. If it works, it works--but it's a little weird to think that your lenses aren't as inherently excellent as they appear.

digitalintrigue

03-09-2009, 11:27

mabelsound

03-09-2009, 11:32

The Samsung looks interesting. I like the idea of APS-C. However, using wide M lenses will probably be even more of a challenge than it is on the G1 -- minor edge smearing could become mid-frame smearing. No articulating LCD (one of my favorite G1 features.) Cine lenses are out with the larger sensor.

The supplied G1 raw converter does corrections, but other converters do not.

Not even ACR? Back when the LX3 came out, Panasonic had to really twist Adobe's arm to make them apply corrections to the LX3 RAW conversion...I just gave up and use jpegs.

digitalintrigue

03-09-2009, 11:39

You are correct, Lightroom 2.2 and ACR 5.3 (Photoshop CS4) do corrections.

I keep forgetting since I use CS3; the file is converted from RAW to DNG and then opened in CS3, hence no corrections for me. :)

But I rarely if ever use the kit lens anyway.

back alley

03-09-2009, 13:17

i just use jpegs mostly.

Avotius

03-19-2009, 07:33

I am actually seriously considering selling my G1 now that I have had it for what...a month? The camera and I just don't "click". It is a very capable, very interesting, and great handling little camera. But this is kind of like me with my old Mamiya 6, it and I never connected on a level that I was comfortable with, and I still think that those Mamiya G lenses are the best I have ever used, its just the body did not work with me.

Will try to sell it off locally but I fear that the demand for this camera is so so so low in China that I wont be able to get rid of it. No stores carry it here and on the online second hand places there are none at all.

mawz

03-21-2009, 08:49

MikeL

03-21-2009, 09:38

The days of the reflex mirror are numbered.

Robert, are you going to launch the www.reflexmirrorforum.com?

I see fora on focusing screens, retrofocus lenses, and anti-EVF.

And, of course, a bunch of curmudgeons telling glorious tales of how they used to rough it and still got the job done old-school, with a 45 point auto-focus system, a 24 megapixel sensor, and 63 zone TTL full-aperture metering. Oh yeah, with low-res HD video built in.

"That's the way it was, and we liked it" (channeling Dana Carvey)

Edit: Grumpy old man (http://www.hulu.com/watch/4303/saturday-night-live-grumpy-old-man)

kbg32

03-21-2009, 13:34

I am disappointed that the M mount lenses are not really showing any interesting differences over the kit lens but I will keep mine because I think there is potential to this system, especially when that 40mm 1.7 and the 28-300 come out. That would be a great combo kit right there for the light weight traveler.

I have been saying this for awhile. The kit lenses are better. M glass does not produce any differences in the recording of the files. Actually, they seem worse then the Panasonic lenses.

digitalintrigue

03-21-2009, 15:26

M glass does not produce any differences in the recording of the files. Actually, they seem worse then the Panasonic lenses.

What does this mean exactly? "M glass does not produce any differences in the recording of the files."

"Actually, they seem worse then the Panasonic lenses."

Worse in what way?

digitalintrigue

03-21-2009, 15:29

Robert, are you going to launch the www.reflexmirrorforum.com?

I see fora on focusing screens, retrofocus lenses, and anti-EVF.

And, of course, a bunch of curmudgeons telling glorious tales of how they used to rough it and still got the job done old-school, with a 45 point auto-focus system, a 24 megapixel sensor, and 63 zone TTL full-aperture metering. Oh yeah, with low-res HD video built in.

Old-school with that 15 pound weight resulting in shoulder and neck injuries. :)

Zenjitsuman

04-10-2009, 11:22

I looked at the G1 results on the comparison DXO did and its not that much better than some P&S and nowhere near what the Samsung GX results showed. If Samsung uses the same sensor in the NX then it will be a better platform.

Also, the Panasonic 7-14 is going to sell for a thousand dollars. If I sink that much money into a camera it will be at least a real prosumer or pro level well built camera. It makes sense to get at least an APS-c camera that is virtually the same size and has a 1.5x vs. 2.0x (u4/3) crop factor. Also, all the third party Sigma, Tamron and Tokina ultra wide zoom selections will likely be available.

And I also see both Canon and Nikon comming out with this type camera. Maybe they will improve the way the VF handles changing light levels and panning.

andrewteee

04-10-2009, 12:23

I just sold my G1. It did not quite fit into my line up. It was too big to be a serious compact and it was not up to the quality level of my Olympus DSLR. I purchased a film rangefinder instead.

I respect the G1, but I was not willing to buy into the system more seriously, not yet anyway. I'm curious to see what Olympus delivers in the format.

Interestingly, the G1 was the "hot" camera for a while, but I had a hard time finding a buyer, even at an excellent price.

astroman

04-10-2009, 12:55

People were loving this camera a month or two ago so what happend ?
I must say I almost bought in to the hype

back alley

04-10-2009, 13:54

nothing happened, still loving mine!

whitecat

04-10-2009, 14:00

I sold mine to concentrate on my G2.

back alley

04-10-2009, 14:04

right now i am in camera heaven.
the g1 for complete auto shooting and so light to carry.
rd1 for rf digital with my zm lenses.
and the zi for film use with my zm lenses.

digitalintrigue

04-10-2009, 14:40

The G1 is still as good as ever, it's just the people who are changing. ;)

JoeV

04-10-2009, 15:40

I spent several days last week on vacation in Tuscon, Az. Shot over 300 RAW + JPEG images. I love the G1. However, editing the RAW files in Silky Pix I don't look forward to, especially with this many files.

With SilkyPix I'm getting a standard workflow down, where I adjust contast to a bit above normal; boost color by +10, do some standard sharpening and noise reduction, then "develop" to TIFF. Final tweak is in PS, as levels and curves and such are much easier than in SP.

~Joe

Tuolumne

04-11-2009, 17:44

People were loving this camera a month or two ago so what happend ?
I must say I almost bought in to the hype

No hype. I still love mine. Wouldn't think of selling it. It gets more use now than all of my other cameras combined.

/T

Cindy Flood

04-11-2009, 18:38

I love my G1. I have had it since Thanksgiving and am not any less enthusiastic than I was in the beginning.
With every new camera you see the initial euphoria and then some people feel that they need to knock it down. I know lots of G1 shooters who have been just happily shooting away. Maybe it is not for everyone...no camera is, but it seems to me that some of the people making negative comments about it have never tried it.

dng88

04-12-2009, 16:47

I sold it, a M3 and a Rockwell recommended Nikkor 18-200 to get a M8.

I like G1 manual focusing and the flap out screen. The x2 factor for my Novo adapater does not bug me that much. But then that is it. Not sure I like the evf especially in the dark. Also, there is a shutter lag. I cannot even take picture of my dog easily :-). The picture comes out is not really anything. Epson RD1 seemed to get something different feel (so is M8) but I am not sure G1 get that kind of special feel. Well, I think I like my TLR more even though different kind of camera. I sold G1 instead of my Rolleiflex T etc.

Having said that I think I may wait for the video version. Also, I do not want to carry one small camera like DLux3 and if it can take video plus a good kit lens (and via adapter the other M Lens I carry), it will be on again.

DRabbit

04-12-2009, 19:19

Didn't buy one. Wasn't all that much smaller than my e410. I'm watching for what Olympus does with it's model because that one truly looks more "pocket-sized".

250swb

04-13-2009, 23:34

I think the G1 is an exceptional camera for what it is. Ideal as a light all day carry around camera, and the two lenses cover nearly every eventuality.

The G1's EVF takes a little getting used to, but only in the same way a TLR, field camera, or rangefinder takes some getting used to. I'm finding the image quality to be right up there, and in the like for like areas it can match my Olympus E3 and 'high grade' lenses (12-60 and 50-200). And that is with the G1 'kit' lenses.

I can't think of a 'second' camera I have ever had that I have ever been happy with. IQ has always been disappointing enough to not bother using them in the long run, be it a P&S or cheaper DSLR. I've always defaulted back to not carrying it or using my main camera ( Leica or Olympus in recent years). But the G1 is a camera fully worth taking out on those days when I'm not on a photographic mission, or indeed as an alternative when I am.

Steve