Anyone Using the Panasonic G1 ??

[DNG]

I am thinking about selling my Pentax K20D and all lenses (see Sig, + BG-2 grip), and getting a G2 with a 14-42, and 45-150 Maybe the Oly ZD versions). and a m4/3>M adapter. I had a E-510 a few years ago, so I familiar with the format. and I'm hoping ISO 800 is more usable than the E-510..

your views are important. I just don't use the Pentax that much, and would prefer a more compact Interchangeable Digital + plus I own some nice glass in M mount I could use on it.. Ummmmm a 180mm f/2 Summicron...Or a 100mm f/1.1 Nokton... or a 70mm f/1.4 SC Nokton... or a 56mm f/2 Ultron :cool:

[Dave Wilkinson]

I am thinking about selling my Pentax K20D and all lenses (see Sig, + BG-2 grip), and getting a G2 with a 14-42, and 45-150 Maybe the Oly ZD versions). and a m4/3>M adapter. I had a E-510 a few years ago, so I familiar with the format. and I'm hoping ISO 800 is more usable than the E-510..

your views are important. I just don't use the Pentax that much, and would prefer a more compact Interchangeable Digital + plus I own some nice glass in M mount I could use on it.. Ummmmm a 180mm f/2 Summicron...Or a 100mm f/1.1 Nokton... or a 70mm f/1.4 SC Nokton... or a 56mm f/2 Ultron :cool: looks like Panasinics are a bit scarce here! ;)

[Frank Petronio]

I'm a Pana-Cynic myself.

But yeah I think a G1 or better would outperform a K20D in image quality alone, besides being better built and smaller.

[RayPA]

The G1 is a great camera. For m4/3, I'm sticking with the G1/G2 form factor (as opposed to the GF1). It's not as stylish as the GF1 or the Oly (some say ugly), but it's small and light and has the tilt/swivel LCD and the EVF. The handling is great; and the grip is excellent. The camera always feels very secure. For the G2, Panasonic has made some minor tweaks (improvements) to the button and dial locations.

I've never found the Panasonic UI to be a problem. Some here do have issues with it. I owned the LX3 before the G1, so maybe that helped (?). However, I also own Nikon and Canon digitals.

I use the M-mount and the F-mount adapters. I like to use my Nokton 40/1.4 and my wide Nikkors on the camera. The 2x crop factor is a bit much, but the m4/3 lenses are really very good (especially the Panasonic 20/1.7). I own the 20 and the 14-45,

I'm planning on getting the G2, preferably a body-only option (although, I haven't seen that offered here in the U.S). I'm stoked about the touchscreen AF. I think it's going to be a very useful feature.

BTW, you can probably find a LOT of threads on the G1 here on RFF in the forum archives.



/

[Warren T.]

I am very happy with my G1.

I tend to keep my cameras for a long time, and manage to avoid upgrade-itis :). My main digital was a 7 year old Nikon D100, that I've been using extensively until now.

After extensive research and pondering, I jumped into M4/3 with both feet, and I found a used G1 w/14-45mm for a good price over a month ago. I have since added the Lumix 20mm f1.7 (really excellent!), and adapters for Nikkor and Leica M mounts.

I chose the G1 for its long list of features that I wanted (including an excellent EVF built-in which I use 99.9% of the time). I have no interest in video, so that eliminated the GH-1, and I'm not interested in a touch screen interface, so I won't be upgrading to a G2 for a while, if ever.

On my last two extended photo outings, my most used lenses were the Lumix 20mm f1.7, and an adapted Nikkor 85mm f2.0 manual focus lens.

My next M4/3 body will probably be a compact body, either a GF-1 or Oly E-PL1 that I will use with a prime, probably the 20mm, to give me a more portable option when needed.

I shot a few test shots with my 50mm Elmar M which turned out fine. I have not had an opportunity to use it extensively yet, but I will soon.

--Warren

[RayPA]

and I'm not interested in a touch screen interface, so I won't be upgrading to a G2 for a while, if ever.

--Warren

I thought the same, Warren, primarily because I also use the EVF a lot. However, I have found myself using the LCD at ground level, above my head, and in other positions where using the EVF would not be very comfortable. In those situations, the ability to manage AF by touching the screen sounds like a very useful feature. Otherwise, I would be content with sticking with the G1.


/

[Warren T.]

I thought the same, Warren, primarily because I also use the EVF a lot. However, I have found myself using the LCD at ground level, above my head, and in other positions where using the EVF would not be very comfortable. In those situations, the ability to manage AF by touching the screen sounds like a very useful feature. Otherwise, I would be content with sticking with the G1.


/

Ray, I will be very interested to know how that works out for you in actual practice. Of course, there are other reasons to upgrade to the G2 besides the touch screen. I think one of them would be that the G2 offers slightly better high-ISO performance over the G1. And the relocation of some of the controls might be interesting too. No! Stop it!!! ... must... resist... GAS...:bang::D

--Warren

[seakayaker1]

G1 with English Lenses

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9786

G1 with Japanese Lenses

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11443

Life is Grand!
~ ;)

[remphoto]

Lot's of past threads regarding the G1 with a search. Here's one of them:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86209

[blacvios]

I have owned the G1 for a better part of 6 months now. Most of the time it is slapped on with a nikkor MF or a voigtlander fast glass. See my links below for the shots taken with various MF lenses. All of them worked fine with the 2X crop m4/3 format.

CY mount Planar 50f1.7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623073207444/)

Nikkor 28f2.8 AIS (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623177160030/)

Nikkor 105f2.5 AI'd (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623392378215/)

Nippon Kogaku 58f1.4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623602671893/)

Voigtlander nokton 35f1.4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623334448350/)

Voigtlander nokton 50f1.5 LTM (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845593@N08/sets/72157623921924232/)

The EVF really helps in the MF when out in the sun.

[Flinor]

My wife traded a K20D three lens outfit for a G1 with 14-45 and 45-200 and she is very happy with the G1. IQ appears to be at least comparable if not better and she's lost about a pound and a half of dead weight. The EVF, while possibly the best that there is, is not a match or the optical finder, but she has adapted and no longer complains.

The swiveling LCD is great.

[Paul T.]

Heads up for UK buyers - the G1 with zoom is now priced at around £349 with cash back in several major dealers, I believe including Curry's, Jessops etc (I got my GF1 form McDonalds in Tottenham Court Road and suspect their prices are even lower).

It's a fantastic camera for the price, especially when compared with, for example, the Canon G10.

[250swb]

I love my G1, its a great 'photographers camera', easy to use and doesn't get in your way. The kit 14-45 is very good indeed, and I like the EVF (although the refresh rate could be quicker using 'drive')

Steve

[awilder]

I was very tempted to get the G2 but my 135/2.8 Elmarit-M goggle would get in the way of the grip. The large grip was paricularly attractive to me due to the bulk of some of the bigger adapted M lenses. I wound up with the E-P2 and VF-2 EVF. Better noise control at high ISO's and an inbody IS with Leica lenses are very nice advantages over the Panasonic G1, GF-1. A small accessory Promaster TTL flash can be had for about $70 to fit the Olympus cameras that's more powerful than any built-n flash.

[srtiwari]

Like many here, I love my G1 ! I also bought an adapter for M from cameraquest, but was disappointed. The images from the 20/1.7 (and even the kit lens) are very nice, and the manual lenses do not add anything to it. I am considering the 45/2.8 lens, largely for its macro capabilities.
I have wondered whether the uninspiring performance from the manual (Leica and ZM) lenses was a function of the adapter tolerances etc., but do not know. Perhaps someone else can comment on this..

[Warren T.]

I am waiting for a good native wide angle prime lens, but until one comes out, I'll use the 14-45mm kit lens for the wide view. On the telephoto side, I have had success using my Nikkor primes (50mm, 85mm, 105mm, and even a 500mm reflex). I am raising cash to buy a native tele-zoom like the Lumix 45-200mm to take care of the telephoto coverage.

Someone correct me if this is inaccurate, but I believe that the native lenses are good partly because the M4/3 specification uses in-camera software to correct for lens faults (such as barrel/pincushion distortion, fringing, and other things) where adapted lenses do not have the benefit of software corrections.

--Warren

[biomed]

Someone correct me if this is inaccurate, but I believe that the native lenses are good partly because the M4/3 specification uses in-camera software to correct for lens faults (such as barrel/pincushion distortion, fringing, and other things) where adapted lenses do not have the benefit of software corrections.

--Warren

Yes, I believe that is true - plus in lens software. BTW the 45 ~ 200 lens is great!

[awilder]

I found performance of lenses 35 and longer are fine but shorter focal lengths are smeary at the edge due to the fact they are not telecentric designs. Also, a 12 MP sensor will not resolve detail anywhere near as well as film, so don't expect much on big crops.

[Finder]

I use cv 12mm and 21mm lenses on my E-P1. I have not noticed any "smearing" at the edges of the frame. I have printed beautiful 16x20 prints from images taken with both of those lenses. I don't see any great difference between the print quality at that size between my E-P1 and my 35mm film cameras.

[willie_901]

I use a G1 as my take-it-with-me-everywhere-I-go camera. I use the 20/1.7 LUMIX lens 90% of the time. I set the camera on manual focus and use A priority. I compose, zoom focus (nudge the focus ring), touch the shutter (back to full frame), recompose, and then hold the shutter down for three bracketed exposures. AF works well, but I enjoy using MF mode.

I use the EVF 95% of the time. I only shoot RAW.

The G1 is light and easy to use. I occasionally carry the 14-45 kit lens. Sometimes I use gaffers' tape to "lock" the zoom at 14 mm in order to have a FOV simiar to my old Color Skopar 28/3.5. I find ISO 400 performs well. ISO 800 can be ok for color if one exposes carefully. I do think ISO 800 has a nice look to it for B&W. RAW from my D200 is a definately better than the G1's and RAW from the D300 is much much better.

The 20/1.7 lens is wonderful. I thought I'd be interested in legacy lenses, but I decided it's not worth the trouble for my style of photography. However my Nikkor 35/2 gives lovely results with the G1.

I hope this helps you decide.

I have a bunch of G1 photos on FLICKR.

[JoeV]

I love my G1, take it with me on most off-work days. In the daytime I use the 14-45 lens almost exclusively, but sometimes also take the 20-1.7 if I expect to be indoors in subdued lighting.

In bright lighting the 14-45 is the better lens for me, offering a wider wide angle and telephoto options, and is at least as well corrected as is the 20. And its autofocus performance is just plain better; silent operation and focus so quick that one never notices it even focusing.

The 20-f/1.7 is incredible in subdued natural lighting, but it's wide f/1.7 aperture is of no use outdoors in bright sun, since the exposure times, even at ISO100, exceed the shutter's maximum speed. I could use an ND filter, I suppose, but that defeats the purpose. The 14-45 does a good 20mm f.l. in bright sun.

The AF performance of my sample of the 20 tends to hunt in low-contrast situations; I use center-weighted AF and the lens will often choose to first hunt for focus in the wrong direction, after it reaches that limit it reverses and finds focus. It's not a total limiter to using the lens effectively, but its AF operation one is always aware of; it's not transparent to the user like the 14-45.

~Joe

[Joe Leung]

Ray,

You said in part:

<I use the M-mount and the F-mount adapters. I like to use my Nokton 40/1.4 and my wide Nikkors on the camera. The 2x crop factor is a bit much, but the m4/3 lenses are really very good (especially the Panasonic 20/1.7). I own the 20 and the 14-45,>




/[/quote]

I have the same adapters and used the as you do. As for the use of 20/1.7 in addition to 14-45, do you find it's an overlap and make you want to switch to the other when you have one of them on your camera. I ask this silly question because I just own the kit 14-45 and struggling to decide whether I should get the 20/1.7.

[back alley]

the 20 is a great walkabout lens especially if indoors or an a dull day.
the short zoom is great but needs more light so a touch more limited in use.
the 20 with zoom makes a great kit.

[RayPA]

Ray,

You said in part:

<I use the M-mount and the F-mount adapters. I like to use my Nokton 40/1.4 and my wide Nikkors on the camera. The 2x crop factor is a bit much, but the m4/3 lenses are really very good (especially the Panasonic 20/1.7). I own the 20 and the 14-45,>



I have the same adapters and used the as you do. As for the use of 20/1.7 in addition to 14-45, do you find it's an overlap and make you want to switch to the other when you have one of them on your camera. I ask this silly question because I just own the kit 14-45 and struggling to decide whether I should get the 20/1.7.

I get caught in the overlap sometimes, but not to the point where I'm kicking myself. I find I switch when I want the extra reach and when I need the speed or smaller size. The two are just different enough that it isn't a pain. But, I find that lately I have been using both m4/3 lenses more than the adapted lenses. :)


/

[Avotius]

Many people here will disagree with me but I will chime in here as I used to have a G1.

I was very disappointed in my G1 because of its image processing made images feel flat and lifeless. When using the kit lens there was not much to say about that, however when using adapted lenses, from different brands and qualities there was so little in the results that you could not pick out the character of the lenses in the photos. All the lenses were equalized by the Panasonic's aggressive image processing which for instance you could not tell the difference in the rendering qualities of a Zeiss or Leica lens to the kit lens.

Some people say you cannot see the different anyway, buy you can, you most certainly can, as I sold my G1 and got an Olympus EP1 which does not has such aggressive color and tone antilogarithms and let the qualities of the different lenses shine through in the final image, especially for my Zeiss lenses which have very specific rendering qualities compared to other lenses that did not transfer well with the Panasonic.

It must be said however, that it seems that the Panasonic and Olympus cameras do not adjust things like distortion or vignetting and such with adapted lenses as that correction information is stored in the native m/3 lenses and sent to the camera via electronic interface which of course adapted lenses do not have. What I am speaking about up there is the cameras (even raw) tinkering of the image in regards to its rendering qualities.

[blacvios]

Many people here will disagree with me but I will chime in here as I used to have a G1.

I was very disappointed in my G1 because of its image processing made images feel flat and lifeless. When using the kit lens there was not much to say about that, however when using adapted lenses, from different brands and qualities there was so little in the results that you could not pick out the character of the lenses in the photos. All the lenses were equalized by the Panasonic's aggressive image processing which for instance you could not tell the difference in the rendering qualities of a Zeiss or Leica lens to the kit lens.

Some people say you cannot see the different anyway, buy you can, you most certainly can, as I sold my G1 and got an Olympus EP1 which does not has such aggressive color and tone antilogarithms and let the qualities of the different lenses shine through in the final image, especially for my Zeiss lenses which have very specific rendering qualities compared to other lenses that did not transfer well with the Panasonic.

It must be said however, that it seems that the Panasonic and Olympus cameras do not adjust things like distortion or vignetting and such with adapted lenses as that correction information is stored in the native m/3 lenses and sent to the camera via electronic interface which of course adapted lenses do not have. What I am speaking about up there is the cameras (even raw) tinkering of the image in regards to its rendering qualities.

Actually i have had opposite results from your findings, i noticed the planars are sharp and pop, the nikkor 5.8cmf1.4 has a swirly bokeh as reported, all can been seen either in JPEG or RAW. Scroll up and see my earlier post for links to pics. It is just that the character is less pronounced with the 2x crop factor. I don't think the kit lens can reproduce this

NK 58f1.4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/4509973238_d03a671ea0.jpg

CZ planar 50f1.7
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/4231230040_15a659d0e5.jpg

Nokton 50f1.5 LTM
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4560193603_f9c59c58c9.jpg

Maybe other users with adapted lenses can feedback on the experience, i know that mine is positive.

[aliceelizabeth]

at the moment yes :) but it's too big for me and I therefore rarely take it out, I'm used to pocket cameras- hence I am selling it.

I am however impressed with it as such a relatively cheap camera - if you want some examples here's my blog, bearing in mind I'm a distinct amateur so you may well be able to get far better results out of the thing.

http://alicemouse.wordpress.com/

Many of the photos linked to my profile on here were taken with a G1 also.

for the price - it's an excellent buy.

[stimply]

I've had the G1 for maybe around 8-9 months now and had used it as my primary camera up until buying an m6 a few weeks ago. I inherited a Noctilux and bought the G1 and m-mount adapter to use with that lens and rarely have I taken that lens off.

It works great. It is cropped (obviously) so you don't get all of the Noctilux love (no vignetting wide open) but you definitely can see the bokeh. The EVF is outstanding and having played with most of the other 4/3rds cameras out today, none look as good as the G1/GH1. Focusing is easy with the zoom and I find that I focus better with it then with M6 (though I'm still getting used to a rangefinder so there's that)

I almost never use the kit lens. I never really cared for the look myself and really it's tough to go back when I'm so used to the real leica lens :) I also much prefer to have f-stop control on the lens rather then anywhere else on the camera. Also, I've tried shooting some with a 35mm summilux but it had a bit too much of a weird glow to every shot so I moved back to the noct.

All in all I really enjoyed the camera and got a lot out of it. That being said once I got the M6 I haven't looked back :)

here are a few shots I took with the G1/Noct combo:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4201577889_4125494a0b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4124335062_1e0bd3918f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/4118738423_7b3a9f9b27.jpg

I lucked out on this one. It was a bright day out and I wanted to do a macro of the tulip, so I took the lens off the camera and handheld it far enough away to get an impromptu macro:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4440646727_b00d4d7b0c.jpg

[Fujitsu]

I was very disappointed in my G1 because of its image processing made images feel flat and lifeless. When using the kit lens there was not much to say about that, however when using adapted lenses, from different brands and qualities there was so little in the results that you could not pick out the character of the lenses in the photos. All the lenses were equalized by the Panasonic's aggressive image processing which for instance you could not tell the difference in the rendering qualities of a Zeiss or Leica lens to the kit lens.

That doesnt make a lot of sense technically. Native m43 lenses will be auto-corrected in any m43 body. With legacy lenses whatever is projected on sensor is recorded. The in-camera processing does (and can) not affect "bokeh", depth of field, absolute sharpness or color rendition. The camera does not communicate with the lens. It doesnt even "know" that a lens is attached. It will just take a picture when you press the shutter button and white balance that as far as it calculates it correct.

[Rob-F]

I have been on a G1 GAS kick for the past 24 hours or so. I imagine the lenses are pretty good. But the post by Avotius about the processing is scaring me off. Then again, the pictures in this post don't seem flat or lifeless.

Comments/observations? quick, before my GAS attack goes into remission . . .

[JoeV]

The G1 has been my primary digital camera since 2009. Long in the tooth, perhaps. But the ergonomics are great.

I recently acquired a new in box Vivitar series 5, 24mm f/2.8 in Minolta mount, which is now my primary lens. Superb manual focus and aperture control. The poor man's CV25.

Now, my working methods have gravitated to shooting JPEGs in the G1 and importing them via the camera connector USB port to iPad2, where I process them and upload. These two examples were taken just this morning and were processed in the Cameramatic app.

I've come to believe that 4/3rd's cameras and iPads are a great combination, since they both share the same aspect ratio of display, and sport smaller form factors than their alternatives.

~Joe

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/6852993822_d77b80e4c4_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/6852990690_6a288a7c75_z.jpg

[Doug]

The Panasonic G2 is a fine little camera... I bought one for my wife as a step up from her Nikon p&s. She likes it. I occasionally use a Pentax K20D, but prefer the Leica.

[Warren T.]

Rob-F, so did you end up buying a G1? It has been two years since I posted on this thread and I'm still heavily using my G1. The G2s are old enough now for you to find deals on used ones, and the G1s should be really affordable by now. Both are still fine cameras and either model will serve you well if you can find one in good condition. --Warren

[Rob-F]

Rob-F, so did you end up buying a G1? It has been two years since I posted on this thread and I'm still heavily using my G1. The G2s are old enough now for you to find deals on used ones, and the G1s should be really affordable by now. Both are still fine cameras and either model will serve you well if you can find one in good condition. --Warren

Nope. Didn't buy one yet. Still in the thinking stage. I love my D-lux 3 and D-Lux 4 so much, I'm also thinking I should get a D-Lux 5, or else the Panny LS-5, which is much the same thing. I presume the iQ should be higher in the G1--bigger sensor.

[rhl-oregon]

I've used the G1 since December 2009, and while I've taken significant digital time away from it for the Ricoh GRD III (totally pocketable, zoom with your legs) and the GXR (for the ergonomics, ease of navigation + Leica mount adaptability), I am still quite happy to have its portability and versatility with Contax G lenses, OM Zuiko lenses,and M/LTM lenses. I also rely on the 20/1.7 and 14/2.5.

Though this is not part of the thread, I A/B'd the G1 with the EP1 for over a year, and gave the EP1 + 14-45 ( + OM adapter + a few second-string OM lenses) to my son, so he can a lens-changing camera body in addition to his LX3.

I like the G1 EVF magnification/focus, I really prefer having diopter-correction on all VF cameras so I can shoot without my specs, and I like a tilt screen that lets me shoot at ankle level without having to lie down on the squishy Oregon ground in these rainy months.

And right now, with the G1 mounting the 45/2 Planar, I couldn't be happier. Even with the 2x crop factor.

[ssmc]

I recently bought a G2 as they went on sale here for $299 (body only, but including a genuine spare battery) which just seemed way too good to pass up, even if I ended up not using it much. I ordered a Novoflex adapter so I can play around with my old Minolta MC-MD lenses until I square away the cash for a 25mm 1.4.

I expect the EVF to be very helpful in bright sunlight and I am a huge fan of tilt-swivel screens as on the G2 and various Canons. The G3 was tempting for its better sensor but I disliked the lack of external controls and the fact that it's still twice the price of the G2 (body only), which was important as this is more of an experiment for me than a serious endeavour (ditto for the GF3 - better sensor, no built-in EVF and (inexplicably) even more expensive than the G3)

It sure is a fun camera to play around with. I hope to have the adapter in my hot little hands in a week or so and will waste no time posting some pics! I have Minolta prime lenses in 24, 28, 35, 45, 50 and 85mm and really look forward to seeing how their distinctive "look" translates into digital! The screen resolution is a noticable let-down compared to what I'm used to on DSLRs, though some of that impression is due to the non-aliased fonts used in the menu system.

Regards,
Scott

[Gerry M]

Yep

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7001686317_bca23d7ccd_z.jpg

Before being massacred by Flickr, this was a very sharp & detailed image.