GF1 - for the "square" photographer?

W

Way

Guest
I purchased a GF1, 20/1.7 and EVF a few days ago and I do like the ergonomics and ease of shooting that it provides. Wish the IQ at ISO 1600 were as good as the the EP1. Shutter is louder than I'd like but it's not bad. With the 20mm lens the camera is small enough and solid.

I really like the EVF. I find that the resolution is fine and shows all the info I need, manual focusing is easy with the auto magnification. The ability to adjust the viewing angle makes it easier to hold the camera in certain shooting situations and is very comfortable. I really believe that it helps steady the camera when shooting and as is effective in preventing camera shake. Using a button to switch between the EVF and LCD screen is a little inconvenient, but I can live with that. I haven't done any testing but I'm also wondering if using the EVF would draw less power, thus extending the battery life?

But strangely enough, the thing that drew me to of the GF1 is the 1:1 aspect ratio. I've always wanted to see the square when shooting digital and was even tempted to tape up the sides of my P&S LCD screen. I applaud Panasonic for including the 1:1 aspect ratio in their newest cameras and adding it to the LX3 as a firmware update. Using the 1:1 aspect ratio is great - sort of like a mini 6x6 MF camera, so I've been shooting a lot of 1:1 pictures and and hope that it helps me better my "square" compositions. As an added bonus, the view from the 20mm lens is very close to the view of my Rollei's and Autocord's VF (75mm or 80mm MF lens). So I can use the GF1 as a "digital polaroid back" to preview my MF shots. Pointing the EVF up and looking down into it mimics using a WLF. It's funny but when I look through the EVF that way, I tend to move the camera in the opposite direction as if I'm using my TLR or Hassy.
 
I agree, I've always loved the square format, got hooked on it years ago when I began shooting with a Mamiya 6 medium format wtih 6X6 capability.
And I was impressed when the EP-1, and now the GF-1, have added the square format as an option. Unfortunately, I think this format cuts down on the resolution b/c the full size the 17X13 sensor is not being fully utilized (it must only use the 13X13 poriton of the sensor, right??).
However, I actually returned my EP-1 b/c I wasnt too impressed with the image quality with my prime lenses (Leica, Zeiss, CV) and the no flash or EVF which the GF1 now offers. I have been leaning toward picking up the GF1, but have gone back to my film M6 in the meantime. In any case, I hope they continue to offer the square format in future generations of the M43s cameras!! .......and continue with an improved EVF with waist-level functioning!

(........BTW, when you look thru the GF1 EVF, does the EVF just show live view, or does it include exposure info (shutter speed? Aperture? over/under exposure info?......and would you happen to know if Oly and Panny have the same M43s lens mounts so that you can swap them b/w cameras?)
 
Shooting 1:1 is an option on the Nikon P5100 P&S as well, and I thought it was great, until I found that using anything other than 4:3 locked out the image processing options built into the camera (e.g. D-lighting) when on the go. Still, composing in 1:1 is swell indeed.. especially when in B&W mode and with ISO upped so that the result is sufficiently grainy to give a 'TLR feel'.
 
This is great news. I hope more digital camera begin to add this capability. I much prefer square format and when I do buy a digital camera having this capability will be essential when making my choice.
 
Yea, I'm a square format lover also. Wish Panasonic would do a firmware update on the G1 permitting the 1:1 aspect ratio.

~Joe
 
I didn't know that the ep-1 had a square format. Now looking at the specs I see it is written as "6:6". So is 3:2 the new 6x9? :)
 
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