Who's getting the GF-1?

Wonderful images, John.

I'm surprised we haven't seen any negative GF1 comments yet. I'm just waiting for the obligatory "in-camera distortion correction is bad" and "the 2x crop factor changes the character of adapted lenses" and "the camera equalizes out all the photos in terms of sharpness, color, etc so adapted lenses all look the same as the kit lens." 🙂
 
Test shots with the GF-1 and 20mm lens.

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I was worried about the color rendition but am pleased with how the pics look. I agree with mabelsound - the shutter is a little on the loud side.

I got the EVF with it - I can't stand shooting without one and so far I really like it. It's very easy to use but you get a "review" of the previous shot in the EVF after you shoot the pic and then have to wait until it clears so you can frame for the next shot. There must be a way to turn that feature off.
 
digitalintrigue said:
Wonderful images, John.

I'm surprised we haven't seen any negative GF1 comments yet. I'm just waiting for the obligatory "in-camera distortion correction is bad" and "the 2x crop factor changes the character of adapted lenses" and "the camera equalizes out all the photos in terms of sharpness, color, etc so adapted lenses all look the same as the kit lens." 🙂
Click to expand...

Feh! There are things to complain about if you're fussy, but it's such a little marvel, the good far outweighs the bad. And sure, the crop changes the character of film lenses, but hell, is that a bad thing? Suddenly I have an f/1.1 portrait lens, boo hoo! 😉

I did notice massive purple fringing wide open on the Pen lens I was using, so there is definitely a difference with the in-camera correction working.

Overall, the images are very conservative. The camera underexposes to prevent blown highlights (I assume there is less latitude than on a DSLR), it keeps the colors muted. If you're a RAW shooter (I am, mostly), none of this will bother you at all.
 
"I did notice massive purple fringing wide open on the Pen lens I was using, so there is definitely a difference with the in-camera correction working."

Also happens with my FD 55mm 1.2 and 24mm 2.0, nothing huge, though.
 
mabelsound said:
Overall, the images are very conservative. The camera underexposes to prevent blown highlights (I assume there is less latitude than on a DSLR), it keeps the colors muted. If you're a RAW shooter (I am, mostly), none of this will bother you at all.
Click to expand...

I am seeing this too and am happy about it. My D90 always over exposes so I have to correct for it, but the Lumix does not. I like the softer colors, and am finding that when set to monochrome or dynamic color I can get nice muted pics or eye popping colors. 😉

My husband can keep the Lumix Tz5 (since he keeps it with him all the time anyway) 'cause I'm keeping the GF-1!
 
What the GF1 needs is a good Luigi leather half-case with a built in grip. Seriously, the camera looks great, but I too cannot tolerate framing pictures at arms lenth in the sun trying to see that small "monitor." My wife has to guess at it when the sun's bright on her Panasonic Z1. I really like the electronic viewfinder on the G1 and its manual focusing of Leica M lenses. I also like the fact that the LCD screen comes out and swivals for shots at odd angles and levels. All this is given up on the GF1, assuming he attached EVF is not as good as the G1. Also, the G1 is about as small as I could possibly go. As it is the buttons are very difficult to navigate. Quality of the images of the G1 with Leica lenses and the original kit zoom are great, so I assume the same would be true of the GF1. Lot's of nice choices these days.
 
larryk34 said:
I too cannot tolerate framing pictures at arms lenth in the sun trying to see that small "monitor."
Click to expand...

I wish people would stop saying this. You can hold it as close to your face as you want. In fact, the monitor is clearer the closer you bring it.

I completely understand the preference for a built-in viewfinder--I share it. But "at arm's length" is a canard. That is not how people use the LCD. They hold it at exactly the distance they please. The camera is not equipped with a mandatory 30-inch spacer that you are required to keep between the screen and your eye.
 
"The camera is not equipped with a mandatory 30-inch spacer that you are required to keep between the screen and your eye."

No, but my bifocals are! 🙂
 
I've looked at three options...the Canon G11, the G1 and the GF-1. Right now, I'm leaning toward the G1, although I like the G11 form factor better.

Man, I wish someone would assign a different letter to each camera maker so there weren't so many "G's." 😉
 
Well, I have a G10, so I know what it can do. But, ISO 400 on the G10 is noisy, enough that Noiseware can't really fix it without smearing detail. The G11 seems to be a much better in that regard. But the G11 didn't improve on the useless optical finder of the G10, which is why I'm leaning toward the Pana G1.
 
I had a GF1 on order until it was canceled due to lack of GF1+20mm kits.

Now I'm not so sure I want a digital camera that can't even auto-rotate the pictures it takes (with the 20mm lens at least, which is the main one I'd be using). What were they thinking there? That is just plain stupid and slows down workflow. I guess it's still the best thing in it's class, but hopefully Nikon (rumored) and Samsung (ugly first concept but who knows) and Oly (with followup to E-P1) will raise the bar soon.
 
I set the autoreview feature on my G1 to 1 sec playback; it's enough to give me a quick glance of the image, enough to know whether I got it or not, but not too long so as to interfere with the flow of shooting. I call it "quick-chimp".

~Joe
 
I just ordered the GF-1+14-45 kit

I just ordered the GF-1+14-45 kit

My buddy just bought the GF-1 with the pancake and he wants to add the 14-45 zoom. This is perfect because I only want the body right now, so he's buying the 14-45 from me and we both come out ahead.

I plan to use the GF-1 with LTM and M-mount glass, mostly wides. I have the 15 CV, 21 CV, and the 28 Elmarit.

I'd like to experiment with 16mm video/movie C-mount lenses, especially some really fast Kern-Switars. Can anyone tell me about sensor coverage, effective focal lenths, etc?

I saw some sample shots taken last year with the G-1 and I think, a 10mm f/1.2 lens, but now I can't find the link.
 
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I looked very closely at this camera but for the time being Ill stick with the film side of things cause I know when they bring out the GF-2 in a couple more months Ill want that one and then the GF-3 etc etc etc.
 
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