how many g1 users sticking with 4/3 lenses only?

[back alley]

i was all excited when i found out i could use my m lenses with my g1 and could not wait till my m43>m adapter arrived...but now i seem to only use the 4/3 lenses and mostly the 14-45 lens while the 45-200 sits.

how about you other g1 owners, same thing or are the m lenses still calling you?

joe

[scho]

i was all excited when i found out i could use my m lenses with my g1 and could not wait till my m43>m adapter arrived...but now i seem to only use the 4/3 lenses and mostly the 14-45 lens while the 45-200 sits.

how about you other g1 owners, same thing or are the m lenses still calling you?

joe

Hi Joe, The 14-45 is a great performer on the G1 and tough to beat with any MF lenses. It is also my go-to lens but I do occasionally use the CV 75 Heliar, 40 Nokton, or more often the 40mm AR Konica or 50mm 1.2 and 24mm f/2.8 Canon FD lenses. I think that the manual focus Canon FD and Konica AR SLR lenses perform better than the M lenses on the G1.
Regards,
Carl

[back alley]

carl, i see your pics at dpi and they are phenomenal. you are a much more considered and careful shooter than i.

even though it is easy to focus m lenses on the g1 i find that i grab it more for the lazy times when i want auto everything from the camera.

[mawz]

i was all excited when i found out i could use my m lenses with my g1 and could not wait till my m43>m adapter arrived...but now i seem to only use the 4/3 lenses and mostly the 14-45 lens while the 45-200 sits.

how about you other g1 owners, same thing or are the m lenses still calling you?

joe

I tend to use the 14-45 when I want wide-angles and the Zuiko 40-150 for longer stuff, but my go-to lenses on the G1 are the Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 in C/Y mount, the Voigtlander 40/2 Ultron in AI-P mount and the Tamron 28/2.5 Adaptall-2. The Planar in particular is just lovely on the G1.

I'll be adding M lenses soon, but I just got my M adapter yesterday and it's been a while since I've had any RF glass lying around (Never should have traded that Zorki 4k for 15 rolls of VPSIII in 120. Hated the camera, but the Jupiter-8 was a gem).

[digitalintrigue]

My most used lens is not technically an M mount lens, but I have to use an M adapter with it - Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 in Contax RF mount. It works with a Contax RF to M adapter, and the M to micro 4/3 adapter.

The kit is nice, if it were faster, it would probably never leave the camera.

[back alley]

i should have worded this differently..for me it's the m mount as that is all i have but i was meaning more like - who is using the 4/3 lenses vs 'other' lenses.

it would seem that you all like other lenses as well as the 4/3.

[digitalintrigue]

I have shot maybe 10% with the kit, the rest with adapted manual focus lenses.

[back alley]

i love that 14-45 lens.

can't wait for the 20/1.7 though, for winter shooting as it seems dark most of the time up here.

i didn't realize you were an oly dealer bob.
a man of many talents...

[RayPA]

good question, but I would narrow that down to Micro 4/3 lenses. The 14-45 is my only m4/3 lens. I like it, but I use mostly M and LTM. Are any other Micro 4/3 lenses available, yet? I thought I was still waiting for the 20/1.7.


/

[back alley]

the 45-200 is a micro 4/3 lens too.

small and sharp.

[DRabbit]

I already pre-ordered the new Olympus E-P1 (with 17mm f/2.8) and hope to use my M-glass on it (going to order adaptor tomorrow). I'm certainly anxious to try them out on m4/3.

[mawz]

good question, but I would narrow that down to Micro 4/3 lenses. The 14-45 is my only m4/3 lens. I like it, but I use mostly M and LTM. Are any other Micro 4/3 lenses available, yet? I thought I was still waiting for the 20/1.7.


/

The 45-200 OIS is widely available, the 14-140 HD OIS and 7-14 f4 have limited availability but should be widely available soon.

Note a number of the 4/3rds lenses are effectively native with the MA1 adapter (You get full function including AF and OIS if equipped), these include the Oly 40-150 f4-5.6, 25/2.8 pancake, 9-18, small 14-42, 70-300, 14-54 II and the Panasonic/Leica 14-150 OIS, 14-50 f3.8-5.6 OIS and 25/1.4. Basically any lens which support Imager AF is fully supported.

[KEH]

I have tended to play around with various adapters/lenses, even though the kit lens is superb. Here is some recent stuff with Contax, CV and Olympus lenses:

http://kirkh.smugmug.com/gallery/8479184_hqNR5#557574363_o6mTc

Cheers,
Kirk

[JoeV]

I use the 14-45 exclusively, it being my only u4/3 lens. Would love to adapt my old Minolta MD glass, but only for telephoto uses. I'm really liking the kit lens at the 14mm f.l., but would like a faster lens (<f/2.0) for shooting in low light with minimal DOF.

~Joe

[Tom Diaz]

i was all excited when i found out i could use my m lenses with my g1 and could not wait till my m43>m adapter arrived...but now i seem to only use the 4/3 lenses and mostly the 14-45 lens while the 45-200 sits.

how about you other g1 owners, same thing or are the m lenses still calling you?

joe

I admit that my G1 is pretty new and I've been busy. However, from messing around, I think two frequently used lenses will be the 28mm f/2 Summicron and (for autofocus, albeit a little noisy) the 25mm f/1.4 Summilux. The Summilux really is a fine lens and gets into dark corners very well. It's big and bulky, but the package is still a lot more hand-holdable than a Digilux 3 with the same lens (and higher res, for what that's worth).

I also think the kit lens is great, but I shoot in available light quite a lot. Like others I'm eager for the 20mm f/1.7, the 17mm f/2.8, or both.

Tom

[Audii-Dudii]

My favorite lens on my G1 so far is the 14-50 Vario-Elmarit kit lens borrowed from my DMC-L1, with my Nikon F-mount CV 12mm (show below) a clear second and Nikon F-mount CV 15mm a solid third. In fact, I haven't used the G1's kit lens for a few weeks now...

http://members.cox.net/jeffreygoggin/_1000033.jpg

[BigOwl]

I use primarily the 14-45 and 45-200 kit lenses. For portraits with shallow DOF, I get pretty good results using an LTM adapter and a Jupiter 3 either wide open or stopped down to f2.

[sebastel]

current favourites:
c-sonnar
olympus 9-18mm

[Tuolumne]

I mostly use the 14-45 kit lens. I use the longer 45-200 for nature shots and theater closeups. I use my fast manual m-mount lenses for their faster speed in theater shooting. You just can't shoot the kit lens under theater lights and freeze action. It's too slow.

/T

[Frank Petronio]

Waiting for that 20mm prime... why they don't get that baby out sooner defies logic.

I really love mine, I didn't think I would but it's great, other than the legacy 45mb dng files and the just a bit too small/plastic build. They should come out with a larger "pro" model with less features, lol, but they just don't "get it".

[kbg32]

I stick with the lenses designed for the G1, even though I have adapters for others. I don't find using the adapters and using other lenses on the G1, having any advantages over the Lumix lenses at all. As a matter of fact I find the Lumix lenses to be fantastic performers, especially the 14-45. I've tried my Leitz, Zeiss, Voitlander lenses to name a few, and I don't see any advantages to using them over the Lumix lenses. If I need fast primes, I go my M8.

I am patiently waiting for the release of the 7-14 Vario! The G1 is quite an amazing camera. It makes for a really small lightweight walk around travel kit with all three zooms and extra batteries fitting into an extremely small shoulder bag.

[back alley]

keith, the 7-14 has been available for awhile now.

someone at dpi has been posting some great pic from one.

joe

[kbg32]

keith, the 7-14 has been available for awhile now.

someone at dpi has been posting some great pic from one.

joe

It is not available in the US Joe. At least at the dealers in NYC. Beleive me, I've checked!

Keith

[digitalintrigue]

Japan Exposures is selling them: http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=279

[Traut]

My FD Canon 50/1.2 is the only non m4/3 lens that I see an obvious advantage to. I doubt any manufacturer will produce a lens as fast for the m4/3. The out of focus areas / low light performance / and ability to shoot in almost zero light are the benefits. The EP-1 with in-body stabilization make it even more intriguing.

[back alley]

robert, does that canadian dealer, contact photo (iirc) have them?

[back alley]

the 7-14 is out of my price range so i wait patiently for the 20/1.7...

[back alley]

http://www.contactphotoarts.com/products.php

sold out but expecting more.

[JBurnett]

The 14-45 kit lens is a great performer for a kit lens. I was surprised at how useable it is even wide open. The 45-200 seems considerably better than the reviews I've read. I eagerly await the release and reviews of the 20mm f1.7 and the Olympus 17 f2.8. However, I do use adapted lenses frequently.

My favourite focal length for city walkabouts is around 35 or 40mm (70-80 equiv.) -- in part because, at that focal length, what I see in the viewfinder appears to be about the same distance away as what I see with my naked eye (it's a psychological thing I guess). Lately, I've been strolling with just the Olympus 35mm macro. Even though it's also slow (f3.5) it's sharp right away, and the corners don't lag behind -- that's a big plus to me. It's making me consider looking for a 40mm f2 Ultron, which seems to have a good rep for corner to corner sharpness. (If anyone can share their experience with the Ultron or the 40mm f1.4 Nokton on the G1, I'd be grateful. Oh, yeah, I also use a Canon FD 50 f1.4 on the G1 if it's helpful to compare.)

[Tuolumne]

I stick with the lenses designed for the G1, even though I have adapters for others. I don't find using the adapters and using other lenses on the G1, having any advantages over the Lumix lenses at all. As a matter of fact I find the Lumix lenses to be fantastic performers, especially the 14-45. I've tried my Leitz, Zeiss, Voitlander lenses to name a few, and I don't see any advantages to using them over the Lumix lenses. If I need fast primes, I go my M8.

I am patiently waiting for the release of the 7-14 Vario! The G1 is quite an amazing camera. It makes for a really small lightweight walk around travel kit with all three zooms and extra batteries fitting into an extremely small shoulder bag.

Ditto. I can fit the 14-45 and 45-200 Lumix lenses together with a 50mm f2 Summicron and 75mm f2.5 Summarit in the tiniest bag. Fly weight and can be carried all day without notice.

/T
P.S. Oh yes, that includes the camera in the bag as well.

[250swb]

I am staggered by the quality from the Panasonic 14-45 and 45-200 lenses, so have no ill feeling towards them when used alongside my Leica M lenses. So they all get used in the same way, each lens has a job, and in the bag with the Pana lenses go a 50mm Summicron and a 90mm Elmarit. Even if I add a small flashgun I can still walk upright, and have a massive range of focal lengths available in a small bag. There aren't many boxes that aren't ticked in this setup, and the variable may be to take an Olympus ZD 35 macro lens instead of the 45-200mm.

Steve

[Diane B]

I do shoot quite a lot with MF lenses--4 FDs (24 f/2.8, 35 f/2.8, 50 f/1.8, 135 f/2.8), a Konica Hexanon 40 f/1.8. I have an MA-1 adaptor so have teh Oly 9-18 WAZ---and just bought the EOS to m4/3rds without electrical contacts. That gives me access to all my EF lenses--but they are big/heavy and that's why I bought the G1 LOL--to have a lighter/smaller kit for travel, hiking. BUT--the Sigma 15 f/2.8 FE is quite nice on the G1 and will allow me to wait for the 20 f/1.7 instead of buying the 17 f/2.8--size wise, of course not, but its reasonable on teh G1 so that's what I plan. Its also totally nonn-fishy on the 4/3rds sensor.

I really wanted to use my Canon EF 45 f/2.8 TS--and found that its great fun on the G1 with the MF assist. It really is big and heavy on it, but worth it for the ability to use the MF assist. Then--there is the old Lensbaby 2.0 that I never used--fun also with the G1--and I have a tele and WA, plus macro lenses (why--don't ask LOL). Yhere was a tip given on FM for changing the aperture manually using an EF body--works fine if you can live with one aperture--or if you carry an EF body besides the G1).

But--for the most part, I find I like the FD 24 f/2.8 and the Hexanon 40 f/1.7 and use them quite a lot. I have the Panny 14-45 and 45-200--both nice. I'm traveling today and have the 5D and a small kit (mainly the 12-24) plus the G1 and the 2 Pannys, Oly WAZ and the a40 f/1.7. We'll see how it goes.

Diane

[pbhome]

how about you other g1 owners, same thing or are the m lenses still calling you?

joe

Joe,

Three lens I use most on my G1
- Summicron-C 40mm
- Pentax P-FA 77mm
- Vivitar 55mm Macro
- Once in a while, my wife will use the 14-45mm Lumix lens. It is also nice and light for travel.

I have 15mm Heliar, but for me, it is not better than the 14-45mm.

-Pat

[WD8CDH]

The main lens that I would use that is not 4/3 or u4/3 is my Canon 50mm f0.95.

[elstudio]

I rarely use the u4/3 kit lens. While I've no complaints about it, I find myself using manual lenses much more -- especially these:

- CV 28mm f1.9 Ultron LTM
- CV 50mm f1.4 Nokton LTM

Been enjoying both low-light and shallow DOF. It surprised me how well manual focus works with the LCD.