Italy with the G1+Kit Lens+20mmF1.7

[srtiwari]

Like many, I was uncertain about what Digital camera to buy as my Venice and Florence trip approached. There was no way to wait for the Leica X1, or the other Digital Ms. So, I hedged my bets, bought the G1 Kit, a 20mm F1.7, and M to M4/3 adapter from Cameraquest. I also packed an M6, and the M Hexanon 35/2 and the 90/2.8, wanting all kinds of versatility.
The G1 gear proved more than adequate for my needs. I shot over 600 frames with the G1, and a mere 2 rolls of 35mm film. The G1 can be fast, easy to carry, has AF etc. etc., and I never felt I had significantly compromised Image Quality.
And, I never used the G1/Legacy Lens combo - too slow for the purpose, such as when i shot several frames riding the rocking Water Bus on the Grand Canal in Venice on a rainy day struggling with suitcases on the way to the Train Station.
I came back quite satisfied. The images (specially the RAW ones) can be worked further, but even the "out-of-the-box" JPGs were ok, requiring sharpening, but rarely much else.
(As a side note, sharpening after RAW development did best in Lightzone, whereas PS easily produced an oversharpened look)

The 14-45mm Kit lens is sharp, but doesn't quite have the "Bite" of the Pancake 20mm F1.7, but is no slouch either. I think they make an effective combo for what I needed.
Here are the pics..

First the 14-45mm Kit Lens-

A 100% crop from the above image-

And now the 20mm F1.7 Lens -

And this shot at ISO 320-

 

[acheyj]

Last pic 320? or did you mean 3200 ?, if so Im very interested.

ron

 

[RayPA]

Beautiful. Nice work. I have the same kit (G1 + the two lenses), and I would have brought along a similar analog kit (same two lenses, but an MP instead). I'm thinking I probably would have come away with more than two rolls of film, but I fully understand predilection for the G1. Ergonomically, it is so comfortable to shoot with that it just doesn't seem to want to leave the hand. 🙂 Agree about the 20/1.7 it's a great little lens with just enough teeth. Thanks for posting this.


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[srtiwari]

Thanks, Ray. Wonder if you are considering using other lenses/combos with the G1 ?

 

[gho]

Wow, nice lens performance and pictures. Are you also experiencing banding at higher ISO- settings? I am unsure if my camera is faulty or if this is something common to all G1s. The 320(?) picture is looking great though. Maybe I should give my Nokton 50/1.5 a try and lower the ISO settings.

I totally agree with the ergonomics of the camera. It handles very well.

Thanks for posting.

 

[srtiwari]

Thank you, Gho. I have not seen any banding, but then I avoid High ISOs, which is why the 20mm is so good to have.
BTW, that is 320 ISO, not 3200. The G1 only goes upto 1600 anyway.

 

[gho]

Thank you, Gho. I have not seen any banding, but then I avoid High ISOs, which is why the 20mm is so good to have.
BTW, that is 320 ISO, not 3200. The G1 only goes upto 1600 anyway.

Amazing that it is just 320. Way enough headroom to 'capture the black cat hunting in the coal cellar' ;-) .

At these ISO settings I do not see any banding either and I am probably testing under extreme conditions. Have fun with your G1 and thanks again.

 

[ruben]

Great work. I specially loved the first panoramic picture although I see it somewhat too light on my uncalibrated computer screen.

I walk with two G1. One with a permanently attached adaptor for legacy lens, the other with a permanently attached kit zoom. The long distance zoom is done with primes on the G-1 with the fixed adaptor.

I am councious that the G-1 hardly can compete for image quality with full sized sensor cameras and perhaps even with APC sized ones.

But in terms of design smartness for Street Photography, I don't know a better or smarter camera.

The following picture was done with a G1, and OM Zuiko 28mm inside a moving bus. Raw iso 1600.
Distance metering of the woman was done by flipping the back LCD to discresion and then adjusting the lens.

 

[bronney]

srtiwari, that second last pic is fantastic.