wongyboi
Established
14 Days in Japan: Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo
Between December 2009 and January 2010, I traveled to Japan for 2 weeks with the Panasonic GF1 w/ 20mm 1.7 as well as my Leica M6 w/ 50mm 2.0 Hexanon. I had no previous experiences with the GF1 and this was the first time I had truly tested the camera. My initial impressions of the GF1 was that it is a fantastic, simple and convenient camera for travel. I agree with Craig Mod's Himalaya review but I will touch on some aspects that I have personally noticed.
Top: Yokohama. Noise at ISO400 is noticeable and ISO800 should only be used in desperate situations. With the pancake lens at 1.7 and ISO400, most situations are covered.
Bottom: We queued at at Tokyo Imperial Palace for about 30 minutes and waited another 45 minutes to see the Imperial family. This was on the 2nd January, locals flock to temples and shrines during the New Year period.
The Camera
Small, compact and rugged. When you have the pancake lens attached to this camera while traveling it no longer becomes a burden to carry your equipment around. Strap it to your shoulder or around your neck and the weight difference compared to carrying a low-end DSLR (or Leica M6) is noticeable. What I loved about the camera was that by the end of each shooting day (usually from 8am to 9pm) I would not be feeling sore from carrying the camera. The camera never left my side and throughout the day the lens cap would always be off - ready to shoot.
Viewfinder Issue
I noticed a few people stating their concerns that the lack of a viewfinder hinders their shooting and how they 'see' the scene. I admit that I was one of them. However, after a day you don't really notice that you are shooting differently. I quickly adapted to the 'flow' of the GF1. Shooting with the camera at a distance away from your eye quickly became a non-issue.
When it comes to using the movie mode I did find many of my hand held scenes to have slanted horizons. It does become difficult to judge angles on a moving display especially when you have the camera below or above eye level (but at least you have the luxury of being able to see the scene).
Top: Overlooking Lake Ashi, the pancake lens is very sharp at 1.7 and unobtrusive compared to other cameras. Found it easy to capture moments like these without people being suspicious. I also fell in love with the focal length (40mm). Great all-purpose lens.
Bottom: Taxis in Japan can be pricey. Drivers wear formal uniforms and they stand out under the light of the city.
Camera Layout/Design
Simple and makes sense. The only fix I would recommend is the placement of the single/continuous/compensation/timer switch. It is very flimsy. Too often I found myself wondering why the timer would trigger whenever I pressed the shutter; without realizing that while turning the main mode dial I had also turned changed settings. I tend to stick with aperture priority but often switch to iA mode whenever I hand the camera to someone else for candid shots. If you are likely to switch between modes often then this will be an issue.
At this point I would also mention that with iA mode, anyone can take great photos without knowing how the camera operates. This may sound silly but in my previous trips with a Canon 1Ds I would ask other members to take my photo only to find out that I was out of focus or because the metering was off. With the GF1, set it to iA mode, hand over the camera and you are almost guaranteed a well-exposed clean photo. In iA mode, I noticed that the camera will always choose f1.7 ISO 100 Shutter Speed 1/30 as the limit before upping the ISO automatically.
Top: Museum of Science and Technology, Odaiba. Some people say the shutter noise is loud. I say, by the time you have taken the shot the shutter noise doesn't matter.
Bottom: Shinjuku skyline.
The Bad
Video
Japan Video Montage
Overall I love this camera. It's fast, fun and easy to use. It's a serious camera for a serious travel photographer but at the same time anyone can pick one up and start shooting. I can go out and take great travel photos and then switch to iA for family/candid shots (and use the flash if required). The GF1 with pancake lens is a great combination. Add a gorillapod for video/long exposure and you have a great low-weight travel kit.
Between December 2009 and January 2010, I traveled to Japan for 2 weeks with the Panasonic GF1 w/ 20mm 1.7 as well as my Leica M6 w/ 50mm 2.0 Hexanon. I had no previous experiences with the GF1 and this was the first time I had truly tested the camera. My initial impressions of the GF1 was that it is a fantastic, simple and convenient camera for travel. I agree with Craig Mod's Himalaya review but I will touch on some aspects that I have personally noticed.
Bottom: We queued at at Tokyo Imperial Palace for about 30 minutes and waited another 45 minutes to see the Imperial family. This was on the 2nd January, locals flock to temples and shrines during the New Year period.
The Camera
Small, compact and rugged. When you have the pancake lens attached to this camera while traveling it no longer becomes a burden to carry your equipment around. Strap it to your shoulder or around your neck and the weight difference compared to carrying a low-end DSLR (or Leica M6) is noticeable. What I loved about the camera was that by the end of each shooting day (usually from 8am to 9pm) I would not be feeling sore from carrying the camera. The camera never left my side and throughout the day the lens cap would always be off - ready to shoot.
- The camera is solid and did take a few knocks but I did not have any issues with function by the end of the trip .
- Each battery last a whole day of shooting + previewing on the LCD.
- Turning the camera on and off is quick. Similarly, the camera quickly switches from stand-by mode to shooting mode.
- Movie mode comes on quickly but lags when you try to stop recording.
- Art filters are fun but should never be a reason to buy a camera (or decide between cameras).
Viewfinder Issue
I noticed a few people stating their concerns that the lack of a viewfinder hinders their shooting and how they 'see' the scene. I admit that I was one of them. However, after a day you don't really notice that you are shooting differently. I quickly adapted to the 'flow' of the GF1. Shooting with the camera at a distance away from your eye quickly became a non-issue.
When it comes to using the movie mode I did find many of my hand held scenes to have slanted horizons. It does become difficult to judge angles on a moving display especially when you have the camera below or above eye level (but at least you have the luxury of being able to see the scene).
Bottom: Taxis in Japan can be pricey. Drivers wear formal uniforms and they stand out under the light of the city.
Camera Layout/Design
Simple and makes sense. The only fix I would recommend is the placement of the single/continuous/compensation/timer switch. It is very flimsy. Too often I found myself wondering why the timer would trigger whenever I pressed the shutter; without realizing that while turning the main mode dial I had also turned changed settings. I tend to stick with aperture priority but often switch to iA mode whenever I hand the camera to someone else for candid shots. If you are likely to switch between modes often then this will be an issue.
At this point I would also mention that with iA mode, anyone can take great photos without knowing how the camera operates. This may sound silly but in my previous trips with a Canon 1Ds I would ask other members to take my photo only to find out that I was out of focus or because the metering was off. With the GF1, set it to iA mode, hand over the camera and you are almost guaranteed a well-exposed clean photo. In iA mode, I noticed that the camera will always choose f1.7 ISO 100 Shutter Speed 1/30 as the limit before upping the ISO automatically.
Top: Museum of Science and Technology, Odaiba. Some people say the shutter noise is loud. I say, by the time you have taken the shot the shutter noise doesn't matter.
Bottom: Shinjuku skyline.
The Bad
- Focusing in movie mode: the lens tends to 'search' when auto-focusing. More importantly however is that Craig Mod mentions that it is best for shooters to use manual focus. While I do agree, there is however a big flaw with this suggestion when using the 20mm 1.7 pancake lens. Focusing from one extreme to the other requires you to turn the manual focus ring at least 2 whole revolutions (not simple by any means). When shooting hand held videos this may be okay for fine focusing but if you intend to pull-focus or switch focus between 2 objects that are relatively far apart you will not get good results without a tripod. To compare I used a Leica - m/43 adapter. Manual focusing using a 50mm Hexanon is much easier and camera shake is reduced dramatically.
- LCD: is deceptive. You will notice the camera adjusting the white balance automatically on the LCD screen but this is no representation of the final product. Although this won't be an issue if shooting raw or setting the WB manually, I have noticed that images on the LCD appear much more saturated and contrasty. I'm sure most photographers have come across this in other cameras but it is something you need to be aware of nonetheless.
- Manual: don't bother learning about shooting video and the differences between each video setting from here.
Video
Japan Video Montage
Overall I love this camera. It's fast, fun and easy to use. It's a serious camera for a serious travel photographer but at the same time anyone can pick one up and start shooting. I can go out and take great travel photos and then switch to iA for family/candid shots (and use the flash if required). The GF1 with pancake lens is a great combination. Add a gorillapod for video/long exposure and you have a great low-weight travel kit.
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axiom
Non-Registered User
jello video
__hh
Well-known
Lovely travel photos and thanks for sharing your throughs Brian. I am also tempted by the M43 cameras and still trying to decide whether to to the GF1 or the EP-2.
I also hope that the M6 is treating you well also
Hung
I also hope that the M6 is treating you well also
Hung
Top: Yokohama. Noise at ISO400 is noticeable and ISO800 should only be used in desperate situations. With the pancake lens at 1.7 and ISO400, most situations are covered.
My office building (where I'm sitting right now) is just behind those buildings in the distance in the middle of this photo
Thanks for the writeup on the GF1. I'm certainly tempted by the various 4/3 offerings, but have managed to restrain GAS so far. Will probably wait to see what the next generation of 4/3 cameras brings to the table before taking the plunge.
wongyboi
Established
Haha. Yes the 'jello' effect is evident. We were on the bullet train and going pretty fast. Most of the structures closest to the camera slant pretty badly but it's expected with most video cameras.
Lovely travel photos and thanks for sharing your throughs Brian. I am also tempted by the M43 cameras and still trying to decide whether to to the GF1 or the EP-2.
I also hope that the M6 is treating you well also
Hung
The great thing about the GF1 is that I can use Leica lenses on it. A 50mm becomes 100mm, I double my available focal lengths. The M6 is being treating well
My office building (where I'm sitting right now) is just behind those buildings in the distance in the middle of this photo
I'm quite jealous. I would love to live in Japan especially if it's near where you work - in between Tokyo and Kamakura!
Mark D.
Member
Nice review and pictures. The more I read (and see) about the GF1 the more tempted I am to sell my DSLR and pick one up as a lightweight travel camera.
__hh
Well-known
I have been thinking the same thing, but my M8 will be on the chopping block instead of the DSLR
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
I'm still mulling this camera over.
My only issue is having to go to an uber wide just to get wide angle (i.e. I don't want to use the zoom lens) - this means the 15mm or the new 12mm from CV - and then I have to suffer with f4.5 and f5.6 respectively.
I need to do more research before I even consider this camera further but thanks for the temptation
Dave
My only issue is having to go to an uber wide just to get wide angle (i.e. I don't want to use the zoom lens) - this means the 15mm or the new 12mm from CV - and then I have to suffer with f4.5 and f5.6 respectively.
I need to do more research before I even consider this camera further but thanks for the temptation
Dave
gavinlg
Veteran
Dave - panasonic 7-14mm. I know you said you don't want a zoom lens, but it can be used at 7mm (14mm equiv) and is small enough to feel like a fixed lens. Optical quality is near flawless for such a tiny and wide optic.
back alley
IMAGES
i played with a 7-14 lens the other day and was surprised at how small it is. it looks bigger in all the pics i've seen of it.
but too much $$ for me.
but too much $$ for me.
jky
Well-known
Played with a GF1 + 20mm today and it's quite a little kit. Not as small as I thought although I found it to be a good size with adequate weight.
So is iso 800 really the max of this thing? Not even iso 1600? I'm thinking 12x18 inch prints at high iso.... can/can't do?
So is iso 800 really the max of this thing? Not even iso 1600? I'm thinking 12x18 inch prints at high iso.... can/can't do?
GaryLH
Veteran
back alley
Pany is suppose to have a 14f2.8 on their road map. For me if they put a 10mm or 12mm in their road map I would not even think twice about the 7-14. So I am hoping they will add one of these to their road map...
I agree with u --> very expensive lens. Others have said it is a good lens.
For those with the 7-14 how about posting some pictures from it?
Thanks
Gary
Pany is suppose to have a 14f2.8 on their road map. For me if they put a 10mm or 12mm in their road map I would not even think twice about the 7-14. So I am hoping they will add one of these to their road map...
I agree with u --> very expensive lens. Others have said it is a good lens.
For those with the 7-14 how about posting some pictures from it?
Thanks
Gary
GaryLH
Veteran
here is a link to the road map
http://43rumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Panasonic_mft_lens_roadmap.jpg
http://43rumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Panasonic_mft_lens_roadmap.jpg
GaryLH
Veteran
Basically yes .. I set my auto ISO max to 800. Manually over ride when I need to go higher because shutter speed would be too low.
But you also have too look at it this way.. If the difference is getting a decent picture at higher iso or not, 1600 has noise but is acceptable. Depending on the type of picture, you may not even notice the noise.
Since getting the 20f1.7 I cannot remember the last time I need to go that high (1600).
wongyboi
Established
I believe that ISO800 is actually really ISO1100 on the GF1. Again, the 20mm f1.7 really covers most of your needs. My GF1 is set to max ISO800 and throughout the trip it had only taken 1 shot at ISO800 (but then again, nights in Japan are filled with many neon lights). I wouldn't mind trying out the new 14mm Panasonic but I often carry a 28mm CV already for the Leica.
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
While the 20mm may be the "normal" lens on the GF-1 I don't think it can cover most of "my" needs. It may cover most of "other" people's needs but not mine.
I find, if this camera is to be used in the sense that I use my GRD-II, I need at least 14mm on the camera if not wider.
Cheers,
Dave
I find, if this camera is to be used in the sense that I use my GRD-II, I need at least 14mm on the camera if not wider.
Cheers,
Dave
emraphoto
Veteran
that has been the stumbling block for me as well. for the record i think they are brilliant cameras and i would love to start working on them but the lack of wide, reasonably fast options has left me on the sidelines. the 14 f2.8 would be a mighty convincing argument though!
for those of you using them what are your feelings on build and durability? reckon they could stand up to fairly heavy use (and possible abuse)?
for those of you using them what are your feelings on build and durability? reckon they could stand up to fairly heavy use (and possible abuse)?
emraphoto
Veteran
sorry, the photos are very cool wongyboi and i don't mean to hijack the thread!