Questions to owners of GF2 and Nex

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I am toying with the idea of adding a GF2 to my NEX-3. Since I prefer to hear owner’s opinions over more formal test sites, I would be very grateful if you that actually own or have owned both cameras could comment on:

How the GF2 compare to the NEX-lines (old 3 or 5) when it comes to:
1) video
2) AF-speed
3) Image quality up to and including 800

I am primarily interested in how the cameras compare when using native lenses, but all input much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Xpanded
 
Don't know the Nexs but I think their lenses are pretty ungainly. High gloss and wayyy too big for the small bodies. I have a GF1 and a set of lumix lenses (20, 14-140, 7-14) and they make an excellent combo.
 
Af speed faster
Better prime lens selection for now in terms of af lenses
Iso up to 800, but if u need more better to stay with Nex

If u use with legacy lenses, 2x instead of Nex 1.5, which is why I tend to use Nex more for legacy lenses.

I like gf1 better than gf2 because they got rid of the top right thumb wheel.. Gf1 with 14 and 20 pancake lenses plus the 14-55 kit zoom are good lenses.
 
Gary, I fully understand what you mean. I use a 45mm Contax G lens on the Nex-3 and it is a wonderful combo.
 
Fwiw

The gf1 has not seen much use since I bought the Fuji x100. When I want to take pictures in digital instead of film, i tend to grab the Fuji or the Nex-3. I am looking forward to the Nex-7.

Gary

Ps. Contax g lenses are some of the best out there. The lens that is on my Nex the most is canon rf 28 f2.8. I like the 42 mm equiv perspective... Got used to it from the old days with Minolta CL with the 40 f2 lens on it.
 
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GF1 with Panny 20mm f1.7 is where it's at. This combo accounts for an unscientifically measured 90% of the digital photography in our house, my wife and I both use it a lot. The focus is fast enough and accurate enough that we rarely miss a shot, and the 40mm-equivalent FL and f1.7 give it considerable versatility and low light capability. I also put the M-mount adapter on once in a while and go out to play, which is an added benefit but I don't do it as much as I thought I would when I bought the camera. I would buy a discounted, or used and depreciated GF1. You get the same sensor but with more buttons and external controls and with the money you save you can fund most, if not all, of the 20mm lens.

Cheers,
Rob
 
+1

The panasonic 20 f1.7 is most likely the best m43 lens out there. It is the default lens on my gf1.

Gary
 
Have never tried the CL 40 lens, but have the 90mm Leica version. Like it a lot.

Had an unfortunate incident with an X100 (bought new, but faulty - it was returned), so decided to wait on that until it becomes more readily available.
 
GF1 with Panny 20mm f1.7 is where it's at. This combo accounts for an unscientifically measured 90% of the digital photography in our house, my wife and I both use it a lot. The focus is fast enough and accurate enough that we rarely miss a shot, and the 40mm-equivalent FL and f1.7 give it considerable versatility and low light capability. I also put the M-mount adapter on once in a while and go out to play, which is an added benefit but I don't do it as much as I thought I would when I bought the camera. I would buy a discounted, or used and depreciated GF1. You get the same sensor but with more buttons and external controls and with the money you save you can fund most, if not all, of the 20mm lens.

Cheers,
Rob
Can easily understand your fascination with the 20mm. It will probably be the first (and only [yeah, right... :rolleyes:]) additional lens I buy.

I opted to go for the GF2. It cost me 299£ with the 28mm and a full license of Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere 9 [I needed to have that upgraded anyway], so I found that fairly good value.

Also I am keen to see how a camera with touch screen will actually suit me.

I just waited to see what Nikon had to offer which I find shockingly expensive.

Basically I would have been fine with just the NEX-3 with pancake lenses, but I must say the 18-55 (my specimen at least) is hardly encouraging and would also like to try m4/3.

Thanks for all the input all of you.
 
The 20 pany does not come w/ hood. I ended up buying a generic rubber hood 4 it and keep the hood folded back.

Gary
 
Thanks Gary - I saw there are some metal ones available on ebay - but probably the rubber ones are better. Is it prone to flare?
 
I have never noticed any flare from the pictures I have taken, but I have had the hood on since the first week I owned the lens. Others may have more insight then I on this..

Gary
 
I have never used a hood, and have never had any problems with flare. I have to admit though that most of my photos from this combo are indoors and of people, hardly an area where flare can be a problem. It has a very standard 46mm filter size though, so I guess aftermarket hoods should be both affordable and readily available.

Cheers,
Rob
 
...
I opted to go for the GF2. It cost me 299£ with the 28mm and a full license of Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and Premiere 9 [I needed to have that upgraded anyway], so I found that fairly good value.

Also I am keen to see how a camera with touch screen will actually suit me...

Great deal, kind of negates what I said about a cheap GF1 above. Once you have lived with it for a while please provide some feedback on the interface. For some reason I am highly averse to touch screens on cameras, and yet I use a touch screen Android phone on a daily basis and think nothing of it - go figure!
 
Great deal, kind of negates what I said about a cheap GF1 above. Once you have lived with it for a while please provide some feedback on the interface. For some reason I am highly averse to touch screens on cameras, and yet I use a touch screen Android phone on a daily basis and think nothing of it - go figure!

Well, I still pining for a return to Word Perfect 5.1 DOS version and have a simple Nokia, so maybe I am in for a cultural shock :D
 
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