My GF1 beats my M8

N

Nick De Marco

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I'm certainly not trolling or flaming here. I loved my M8. Took some great photos in Cuba with it especially. But the image quality was not quite good enough to justify the cost, the battery life not long enough, and more than once it stalled when using.

So I sold it and bought the 5D Mk II. Fantastic image quality, and great with Leica or Contax or Olympus lenses. But it is a DSLR, and for street shooting I like small.

Since October 2008 I have been using the Panny GF1 as my main digital camera (the 5D II comes out for specialist stuff). Took a while to get used to but I have to say it is the digital camera I have enjoyed the most. The image quality is great, for me matches the M8 - but not as good as the 5D II. It small. Even smaler with the 20 f1.7 pankae lens. Now I love Leica M lenses so much my mortgage suffers, but the 20/1.7 is as good, for me, as a good 35-50mm Leica M lens. And it has quick AF which is sometimes great for street shooting. If I want to use an M or LTM lens, I put it on my adapter on the GF1. I recently got the Panny 7-14mm f4 wide zoom. It is superb, giving me a 14-28mm wide equivilent.

Although I would lurve to be given a M9, I still think I would use the GF1 more. Especially for travel it is a spuerb all purpose little camera.

I am using film a lot more these days. The M6 is still my favourite 35mm camera, but I am using medium format a lot more - mainly Mamiya M7 and now M6 (the size thing again). A GF1 and a Mam 6 in your bag covers most of what I would when travelling.

Like I said I am not trying to start a row here. I do still love the M8, and Leica film RFs and M lenses are the best 35mm equipment I have ever used, and the most enjoyable to use. But if you are an M8 user and haven't yet tried it, I can't help evangelising to you about the GF1.

And here, a photo of my current favourite film camera taken with my favourite digital (the GF1)

 
Nice, positive, comments. I don't have, and probably never will have, an M8 but the GF-1 is on my 'must consider' list. Thanks for the post.
 
I have to admit as well, I have been carrying my GF1 around a lot more lately then my M8. I think image quality is still better with the M8, but convenience-wise, it is a real joy to use and IQ is pretty darn great!
 
I'm enjoying my G1 after brief ownership of an M8. The G1's ability to view the image and settings through the EVF and see settings changes real time is nice. Plus a pancake-equipped G1 is not much larger than a grip-equipped M8 and is inexpensive enough that I don't worry about damaging it when carrying it. Great to use heritage lenses on it, too. In the unlikely event it breaks, it can be replaced for less than sending an M8 to Leica for service.
 
I am also in a similar position. My 5D to use when max image quality is needed. Recently sold my M8, got an EP-2 to use for everyday happy snaps to use along with my M4-P/CLE.
 
Well, never had an M8 or GF1, but I have an M9 along with an EP1, and I must say I really enjoy shooting with the EP1. Now I can never choose which to bring, so I find my self carrying *both* around at all times.

My Nikons on the other hand have been seeing less and less use :( But still need to keep those around for jobs where I need them....
 
It is very interesting to hear others have had similar experiences, preferring to use the GF1 or EP1 than a more expensive Canon, Nikon or Leica. I know there are many who are as yet unconvinced about 4/3 rds cameras, and of course like any camera they have their limitations, but I haven't seen a poster on here or elsewhere who has said that after buying or using their GF1/EP1 or 2 it i now catching dust as they use their DSLR or M8 more. That is the ost revealing thing to me.
 
I borrowed a friend's G1 and enjoyed it. And the image quality was certainly good enough for the stuff I was shooting. But, I decided not to buy one because, even though the images were fine, when I looked at them I still regretted not shooting them with the 5D.

Would I ever print these photos in such a way that the extra quality of the 5D would make a difference? Probably not. But there was still that regret. As much as I want a small camera with a high quality image, I still don't think we're there.

Even the M9, which certainly has the image quality, is not really that small or really light a camera with the 50mm lens attached. Still waiting for 5D quality from my LX-3 sized package. :)
 
Sold my lower Nikon DSLRs after I got the GF-1. I kept the D300 but for most things the GF-1 and the 20mm is perfect. Small enough to fit in a Domke 5XB with a M3, it's my go to kit.:)
 
I opted for the GH-1, because I prefer the ergonomics and the ability to shoot 1080i video. Very very happy: perfect size, low weight, accepts really any lens ever made, fantastic image quality.
 
Part of the fun of owning an M is having the rangefinder, manual focus rings, shutter speed dials, and a simplified menu. The GF1 is too modern for me i.e. no dedicated dials, convoluted menus, etc.
 
Many people like the GF1, but I'm not about to join that club. While the image quality is very good, it is still a point-and-shoot camera at heart. Nothing wrong with that of course, but the digital p&s approach with no viewfinder just doesn't work for me. I need and want a good viewfinder.

I absolutely see the merits of GF1 and I've actually been thinking about the G1/GH1 (and now G2) as a second digital for travel for quite a long time. It's obviously pretty much the same camera as GF1, but with a better form factor for tele lenses (my primary use case for a second digital) and a good viewfinder. Right now I need to lug around my Canon DSLR stuff, if I want long tele. That's not very convenient for travel when I anyway will have some rangefinder gear with me.
 
Worth pointing out to UK buyers that London bricks and mortar stores have the GF1 now for £640 - with £50 cashback and a 3 year guarantee, so that's £590, for the camera with the 20mm/1.7. (Some people like Camera Exchange on the strand, are still askin £690).

Got mine this morning from McDonalds (make sure you go to the electronics vendor, not the nasty burger joint) on Oxford St. Just having a cup of team and reading the manual now.
 
jsrocket - I note what you say and I must admit I felt the same way before getting used to shooting with a GF1.
What I would be interested in is how you, with that approach, are getting on with the X1, which is a camera I am interested in but unfortunatrly does not have the speed (f2.8 isn't it?) or ability to change lenses as a GF1.
 
I have an E-P1 and it is a great little viewfinder camera. I have a 17mm and 12mm manual focus lenses with matching viewfinders for it. I just picked up a cv 21mm for it--now I just need to get a matching viewfinder.

The monitor is kind of neat. It is a viewfinder camera with an instant ground glass. I am having a blast.
 
Nick De Marco said:
.................

So I sold it and bought the 5D Mk II. Fantastic image quality, and great with Leica or Contax or Olympus lenses. But it is a DSLR, and for street shooting I like small.

Since October 2008 I have been using the Panny GF1 as my main digital camera (the 5D II comes out for specialist stuff).

...............
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These are fantastic cameras. I should add that a single G is not enough, given their low price for body only, and a second one can permanently bear the adaptor for the lens of your like, which can be the same as those in your film camera.

But for those involved in street photography I will never have enough words to recomend the original G1, whose rotating back monitor and its advanced Electronic Viewfinder - make this specific model a mighty spy in the art of camouflage.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
Interesting comments. I've recently bought an M8 but am still not sure I'm entirely happy with it. I get good results from it but I still love film - not for the sake of it, but I enjoy the whole analogue photographic process (ie computerless). However, there is definitely a need for a good digital camera in my arsenal and it may be that I'd be happier selling the M8 and buying a GF1 instead....?

I am somewhat confused though by the plethora of Panasonic and Olympus models out there now. If I wait another three months then there's bound to be more out there.
 
I have tried the GF1 and I was impressed by the quality of this camera. Built, handling are great though I think its IQ will not match the one of a M8 + 24mm Elmarit.
Nevertheless, the M8/9 are rangefinders and as such, compairing them with the GF1 is IMO not of much value. AF can be as fast as you want it, but it will never match zone focusing with a M, nor will you get the bright viewfinder.
Moreover, I still like the DP2 better as a compact alternative to the M. Seems a new firmware is coming out next week that should solve its main quirk, slow AF. Because apart of that and a few minor quirks, IQ is stunning in low ISO's and comes very close to the M8 at times.
 
ruben said:
These are fantastic cameras. I should add that a single G is not enough, given their low price for body only, and a second one can permanently bear the adaptor for the lens of your like, which can be the same as those in your film camera.

But for those involved in street photography I will never have enough words to recomend the original G1, whose rotating back monitor and its advanced Electronic Viewfinder - make this specific model a mighty spy in the art of camouflage.

Cheers,
Ruben
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I've enjoyed my G1 also, nearly as much. The only downside I can see for the G1 is that it appearantly has kept you (Ruben) off RFF for far too long. :D

~Joe
 
JoeV said:
I've enjoyed my G1 also, nearly as much. The only downside I can see for the G1 is that it appearantly has kept you (Ruben) off RFF for far too long. :D

~Joe
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Accurate.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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