G1-- what a camera!

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remphoto

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After much soul-searching regarding a small digital camera, decided to give the G1 a try. I considered one of the more compact 4/3 cameras but wanted the leverage and grip to use my Canon FD legacy lenses. With a compact pancake lens (have one on order) the entire camera isn't much larger than a Leica M.

Right away, I found one neat feature after the other on the G1. The blow up screen for manual focusing, viewfinder grid option and ability to easily adjust exposure compensation while viewing are favorites. I have yet to use the LCD screen as the viewfinder provides all the information necessary to compose and review shots.

Here are a few quick shots I grabbed while riding around the surrrounding countryside this morning:

http://gallery.me.com/remphoto#100891&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=8

I also got down on the floor and took a couple pictures of one of our Bichons at ISO 800, handheld (elbows braced on floor):

http://gallery.me.com/remphoto#100875

I am used to Leica M's and Canon DSLR, but this 4/3 product is opening up a new area of interest. Can 't wait for the adapter to arrive to try out some of the FD lenses.
 
The G1 images look great! (Nice photography, by the way.)

Have you tried printing anything yet? Let us know how they come out. And I'd be interested in what kind of noise you see in images taken in low light at ISO 400 and above.

Thanks for posting the images. I'm also very much interested in this type of camera.
 
Jamie Pillers said:
The G1 images look great! (Nice photography, by the way.)

Have you tried printing anything yet? Let us know how they come out. And I'd be interested in what kind of noise you see in images taken in low light at ISO 400 and above.

Thanks for posting the images. I'm also very much interested in this type of camera.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind comments. I haven't printed anything yet -- will be interested to see what they look like printed versus on a computer screen. As to noise, there is a little at 800, but not much difference from my 20D. It can be seen when blown up on the color dog picture on the wall (appears to have more texture than in real life.) I smoothed it a little using the iPhoto noise reduction setting. BTW, all these shots were JPEG's tweaked with iPhoto. Haven't done any RAW/PS work yet.
 
The G1 is the most tempting no-frills Micro 4/3 offering for those who are accustomed to film cameras and who do only still work. Given that the sensor is the same - or at least the same size - as those on 4/3 cameras, I should think that noise will not be objectionable at 400. I have done well enough even at 800.
 
A second MFD

A second MFD

I just ordered a G1 with the 14~45 zoom. It all started out with wanting the zoom for my GF1. Saw the price of the kit and I couldn't resist. GAS attack!!!
 
I've owned G1, E-P1 and now E-PL1. I must say G1 is the most complete, well sort out little package despite the fact that this was the first m4/3 camera ever. That EVF made me realize that good/usable EVF actually does exist.

I had no problem using M/OM manual focus lenses with G1. If you want to get that level of EVF, you'll have to pay a lot more for GH1, G2, E-P2 or E-PL1+VF-2. I'm happy wit E-PL1, but I regret selling my G1 to my boss.
 
I agonized over my choice of M43 camera, and really wanted the Pen to work for me, given that I have been collecting original Olympus viewfinder Pens for some time, but the G1 was the choice I made. Red too, I might add. It's been great. I got an M42 adapter for my screw mount lenses, and have adapters on the way for my Nikon F lenses, and my rangefinder Contax and Nikon lenses. Can't wait!

In the meantime, I've been using a Russian 58mm f2 Helios-44-2 lens in M42 made for the Zenit with nice results.

http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365969
http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365988
http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365981

Jim
 
perhaps its just my imagination, but looks like used non-M4/3 cameras e.g. Olympus E-420 has devaluated quite a bit. could it be because of M4/3 hype ?
seen some auctions ending nowhere, while price has been same level or lower than same age/use Canon G-series.
 
jarski said:
perhaps its just my imagination, but looks like used non-M4/3 cameras e.g. Olympus E-420 has devaluated quite a bit. could it be because of M4/3 hype ?
seen some auctions ending nowhere, while price has been same level or lower than same age/use Canon G-series.
Click to expand...

Not surprising because the M4/3 has in some ways made the regular 4/3 obsolete. The M4/3 can use the 4/3 lenses (with an expensive adapter) but the regular 4/3 cannot use the m4/3 lenses. The m4/3 does about everything the larger 4/3 does, but is even more compact. That said, the regular 4/3 fit my big hands a little better, gas an optical finder and is lighter and more compact than the big 2's DSLR's.
 
gzuiko said:
I agonized over my choice of M43 camera, and really wanted the Pen to work for me, given that I have been collecting original Olympus viewfinder Pens for some time, but the G1 was the choice I made. Red too, I might add. It's been great. I got an M42 adapter for my screw mount lenses, and have adapters on the way for my Nikon F lenses, and my rangefinder Contax and Nikon lenses. Can't wait!

In the meantime, I've been using a Russian 58mm f2 Helios-44-2 lens in M42 made for the Zenit with nice results.

http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365969
http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365988
http://jpgmag.com/photos/2365981

Jim
Click to expand...

Jim -- Very nice photos (and dogs). Like your use of depth of field.
 
G1 and lenses

G1 and lenses

Thanks, I'm really anxious to try some of my favorite Nikon and Contax glass on it next. I've got a Metabones adapter coming from Hong Kong, and an Amedeo adapter coming from Venezuela. It will be interesting to see which one arrives first!

Jim
 
I used my CV lenses on the G1 but they are not so much better than the kit zoom. Only advantage of the CV lenses is the bigger aperture. Don't like the manual focussing. It's ok when it's on a tripod but not when operated without tripod.
The G1 is an overall good camera at ISO <=320. For everything above it's a compromise-camera. Because I am taking night photos the most at the moment I don't use. When I'm back on daylight vacation photos I will use it again.
 
epl1 questions

epl1 questions

Sug, how is the EPL1 IQ compared with the G1/GH1, and noise at say 800? Thanks!

coelacanth said:
I've owned G1, E-P1 and now E-PL1. I must say G1 is the most complete, well sort out little package despite the fact that this was the first m4/3 camera ever. That EVF made me realize that good/usable EVF actually does exist.

I had no problem using M/OM manual focus lenses with G1. If you want to get that level of EVF, you'll have to pay a lot more for GH1, G2, E-P2 or E-PL1+VF-2. I'm happy wit E-PL1, but I regret selling my G1 to my boss.
Click to expand...
 
The G1 is a great camera - but for those who haven't committed yet, the GH1 has some significant advantages (beyond just video). The multi-aspect ratio sensor is really nice and provides a consistent angle of view with no cropping. High ISO noise is improved a bit as well.

It seems a lot more expensive for the kit, but the kit lens is really great.
 
I have had the G1 since Dec. 08 and really like it (have the GF1 as well)--and really enjoy it with 5 FD and a Konica lens. I shoot these handheld all the time--they are all f/2.8-1.8 which is why I added them (had one already). I also have the 20f/1,7, 45f/2.8, 17 f/2.8, 14-45, 45-200 and the ZD 9-18--so lots to choose from for a light kit that covers whatever FL range I need. I'm finding I carry this quite a deal more than my 5D.



For those that haven't tried LR 3.2 beta, the NR is quite improved. I like low light shooting and I believe I will be able to do away with standalone NR--we'll see.
 
remphoto said:
After much soul-searching regarding a small digital camera, decided to give the G1 a try. I considered one of the more compact 4/3 cameras but wanted the leverage and grip to use my Canon FD legacy lenses. With a compact pancake lens (have one on order) the entire camera isn't much larger than a Leica M.

Right away, I found one neat feature after the other on the G1. The blow up screen for manual focusing, viewfinder grid option and ability to easily adjust exposure compensation while viewing are favorites. I have yet to use the LCD screen as the viewfinder provides all the information necessary to compose and review shots.

Here are a few quick shots I grabbed while riding around the surrrounding countryside this morning:

http://gallery.me.com/remphoto#100891&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=8

I also got down on the floor and took a couple pictures of one of our Bichons at ISO 800, handheld (elbows braced on floor):

http://gallery.me.com/remphoto#100875

I am used to Leica M's and Canon DSLR, but this 4/3 product is opening up a new area of interest. Can 't wait for the adapter to arrive to try out some of the FD lenses.
Click to expand...

I think you chose well. I have owned other 4/3 and m4/3 cameras, and I think the G1 is best for me. I'd like the GF1 too, I'm sure, but I would have the EVF latched on all the time, so I might as well have the G1.

I sometimes shoot with Leica lenses on it, although the Panasonic lenses I have are excellent. Maybe I shouldn't say "although." The Panasonic lenses are excellent, and it is nevertheless a big bonus, and lots of fun, to be able to use things like a 75mm Summicron on it (or a 90mm even). I look forward to lots of good times with it. I also have the 45mm Macro-Elmarit for it, which (after only a short experience so far) seems to be excellent also. I have also read great things about the 50mm f/2 Zuiko Macro (the 4/3 lens), which would be another good one for macro shooting.

I don't really intend to buy one of those f/0.95 Angenieux lenses I see in the "porn" gallery, but I can appreciate how much fun those people are having. That kind of thing is all part of the m4/3 thing, eh?

Tom

PS I also liked your pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
 
Viewfinder

Viewfinder

jarski said:
used non-M4/3 cameras e.g. Olympus E-420 has devaluated quite a bit.
Click to expand...

A lot of people on this forum seem to like m4/3 because of the compatibility with older lenses while retaining full camera functionality.

Two years ago, I bought an Olympus E520 (regular 4/3 dslr) for the same reason. There are loads of cheap, good adapters available for the 4/3 dslrs. The problem was that it was nigh on impossible to achieve good focus with manual focus lenses because of the incredibly small fresnel-brightened viewfinder. Unless you're WAY off, almost everything appears to be in focus, even with a 50mm 1.4 lens wide open. Focusing via the screen ('live view') worked much better, but the camera was very slow to respond to the shutter button whilst in Live View mode (took some time, flipped the mirror up and down in the process). Micro 4/3 cameras don't have these problems - specifically on the G1 and GH1 manual focusing is a breeze, and there's hardly any shutter lag.

The only thing i want to say is: think twice if you see a low-cost alternative to m4/3 in, say the E410/420/510/520 series cameras. It didn't work for me, i sold the lot and went micro.

If you're seriously looking at the Canon G-series, just get yourself a S90. It has a faster lens, is smaller and has much better manual controls. Or have a long, hard look at the Panasonic LX3.
 
I actually ended up getting GH1 kit new, then selling the kit lens. This gets me a GH1 body for very reasonable price as I am planning to use it with manual lenses only for now. 20mm f1.4 pancake is nice, but too expensive for now...

So far I am having a lot of fun with OM lenses, was able to take some decent shots during Disney On Ice with OM 100mm f2.8. Not to mention capturing some videos.
 
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