Micro 4/3 as backup for M8

[HenningW]

What can you see in the finder if e.g. the summicron is stopped down to f8?
does the finder compensate that? or will it get dark as hell?

It won't be dark. Your DOF will increase, but just as you expect an f/8 exposure to be as well exposed as an f/2 exposure, so an LCD (whether on the back or in the VF) will show the scene equally bright, within the limits of the exposure/ISO limits.

It's not the finder that will compensate. The full camera exposure system will compensate, if it's set to automatic exposure.

The camera feels rather cheap and dinky and was not terribly impressive overall, but it should work reasonably.

Since things like the C mount adapter are also mentioned, that would be a reasonable route for off brand wideangles if you're so inclined.

Henning

 

[veraikon]

Novoflex has announced an adapter µFT -> M in early 2009 and later a µFT -> R
(source a pers comm. to a LuF Member). And in early 2009 there will be also an Olympus µFT camera...

 

[scho]

I bought the G1 as a backup for my M8 and based on the images I've been getting with just the Panasonic kit lens so far I think that the G1 will be perfect for this task. Manual focusing is quick and very accurate with the G1 and should not be a problem with M mount lenses once an adapter becomes available. Here is a link to some of the shots I've taken with the G1 and 14-45 kit lens. All shot in raw mode, developed in SilkyPix, capture sharpened in Lightroom 2.1, and exported as jpegs for the web at 50% of original file size. This little featherweight camera is a joy to use.

http://www.schophoto.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=919&exhibition=10&ee_lang=eng&u=1631,1

 

[bottley1]

smashing shots! The G1 seems to be rapidly turning into this seasons must have accessory! Loved the resolution of the door/lock/peeling paint shot. One worry however: The interior warehouse shot - is that lens flare, or atmospheric conditions?

 

[scho]

smashing shots! The G1 seems to be rapidly turning into this seasons must have accessory! Loved the resolution of the door/lock/peeling paint shot. One worry however: The interior warehouse shot - is that lens flare, or atmospheric conditions?

Thanks bottley. The warehouse (actually a farmers market) haze was caused by very heavy fog. After I get an adapter I'll make some comparison shots using some of my CV and Zeiss lenses on both the G1 and M8.

 

[mike_j]

I borrowed a G1 today with the 4/3 adaptor and am most impressed. The viewfinder is much better than normal 4/3 optical finders. The manual focussing is excellent, automatic zoom and critically sharp focussing.

If there is a 'M' adapter I am going to buy one, though mainly to use with wide angle CV lenses.

 

[flessas]

FYI

I just received an email from NOVOFLEX that a mFT -> M-mount adaptor will be available in approx. 3 weeks time.
Price approx. Euro 149.-
Does anyone has experience with the NOVOFLEX adaptors?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Stephen says he'll have them in stock soon, not sure if it's the Novoflex or another brand. He also said he'll soon have...

...wait for it...

...a Canon FD adapter!

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I bought the G1 as a backup for my M8 and based on the images I've been getting with just the Panasonic kit lens so far I think that the G1 will be perfect for this task. Manual focusing is quick and very accurate with the G1 and should not be a problem with M mount lenses once an adapter becomes available. Here is a link to some of the shots I've taken with the G1 and 14-45 kit lens. All shot in raw mode, developed in SilkyPix, capture sharpened in Lightroom 2.1, and exported as jpegs for the web at 50% of original file size. This little featherweight camera is a joy to use.

http://www.schophoto.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=919&exhibition=10&ee_lang=eng&u=1631,1

I'd love to see the photos. What is the password for your site?

 

[scho]

I'd love to see the photos. What is the password for your site?

You don't need a password to view the photos. There are also some more on pbase:
http://www.pbase.com/scho/panasonic_lumix_g1&page=all

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Scho! You live in Ithaca! How is it that we haven't met?

 

[scho]

Scho! You live in Ithaca! How is it that we haven't met?

I guess because "Tiny town" isn't that tiny anymore!

 

[bmattock]

I cannot do critical manual focusing on an EVF, and I do not believe anyone can. I have read statements by people who say they can, and I believe that THEY believe they can, but I do not believe that they ACTUALLY can.

For the present, an optical viewfinder is required for manual focus if you are doing anything that would not otherwise be covered by DoF side-effects or focus on infinity, hyperfocus, etc.

That may change as OLED takes over from LCD for EVF and it becomes better, faster-updating, and less pixelated. For the moment, it is like peering closely at a TV screen - just a bunch of dots when you try to actually gain focus. And for the record, yes, I have 'tried it lately'. I keep trying it, because I would love to be able to report that the need for a slapping mirror is finally over and done with.

But it just isn't so. I'm sure the G1 will be a lovely camera, and excellent for auto-focus. Manual focus, no. Who would even think such a thing?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I guess because "Tiny town" isn't that tiny anymore!

😀 My friend Franklin Crawford used to write the "Tiny Town" column in the paper...he's quite a photo geek himself these days, and has taken some great Ithaca pics, including a great series from inside the defunct Ithaca Gun factory...

http://flickr.com/photos/frankie14850/sets/72157605496283949/

 

[scho]

😀 My friend Franklin Crawford used to write the "Tiny Town" column in the paper...he's quite a photo geek himself these days, and has taken some great Ithaca pics, including a great series from inside the defunct Ithaca Gun factory...

http://flickr.com/photos/frankie14850/sets/72157605496283949/

Now that is a target rich environment! Franklin's shots look great.

 

[scho]

I cannot do critical manual focusing on an EVF, and I do not believe anyone can. I have read statements by people who say they can, and I believe that THEY believe they can, but I do not believe that they ACTUALLY can.

For the present, an optical viewfinder is required for manual focus if you are doing anything that would not otherwise be covered by DoF side-effects or focus on infinity, hyperfocus, etc.

That may change as OLED takes over from LCD for EVF and it becomes better, faster-updating, and less pixelated. For the moment, it is like peering closely at a TV screen - just a bunch of dots when you try to actually gain focus. And for the record, yes, I have 'tried it lately'. I keep trying it, because I would love to be able to report that the need for a slapping mirror is finally over and done with.

But it just isn't so. I'm sure the G1 will be a lovely camera, and excellent for auto-focus. Manual focus, no. Who would even think such a thing?

Manual focusing with the G1 EVIL is outstanding, extremely accurate, bright and clear (not pixellated), and beats the pants off any optical rangefinder or SLR I've used.

 

[bmattock]

Manual focusing with the G1 EVIL is outstanding, extremely accurate, bright and clear (not pixellated), and beats the pants off any optical rangefinder or SLR I've used.

I will look at one as soon as one becomes available at retail. However, I have my doubts, because I have been down this path several times before. People whom I would think could tell the difference have insisted that this or that EVF is ideal for manual focusing, and I go and look and no, it is not. Not even close, which is the part I find so astounding.

If, when the G1 hits my local retail shelves and I can have a look at it, I find I can focus manually, I'll state it and publicly eat crow. At the moment, I still seriously doubt it. I would very much like it to be capable of real manual focus, however.

 

[veraikon]

NOVOFLEX that a mFT -> M-mount adaptor Does anyone has experience with the NOVOFLEX adaptors?

At the Leica "Info Tage Wochenende" (Leica info weekend) (15/16.11.08) at Wetzlar , Novoflex appeared with a G1 the new adaptor and a Summarit 2.5/35.
Some people tried it - and sayed focusing was ok.
Unfortunatelly I couldn´t take part at this Leica-weekend.

 

[Fred Burton]

The manual focusing is going to be the make or break deal with this camera since most people seem to want to use it as a cheap digital camera to use their Leica lenses on. There is so much interest, it's likely to kill the market for film M's if it works out.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

The manual focusing is going to be the make or break deal with this camera since most people seem to want to use it as a cheap digital camera to use their Leica lenses on. There is so much interest, it's likely to kill the market for film M's if it works out.

Fred's nailed it. I have several lenses that I'd love to try out, including a converted-to-M Contax G 45mm lens. The focusing will be key, though. If you can accurately focus, say a C/V 35/1.4, when stopped down, goodbye alleged focus-shift problem. If it works, it could mean lots o' fun for folks with lots of M and LTM glass.

Ben