Lumix 3G

[Ian]

Re: Lumix 3G

HI Patrick,
i have almost made the decision to get one of these too, as a second camera for my wife to use next year as I have D5000, I cant do point and shoot. so I for one will look forward to your opinion on the G3..............thats if i havent taken the plunge before

There is always a dilemma for people interested in Micro Four Thirds - Olympus or Panasonic? In-body IS (Olympus) or in-lens OIS (Panasonic, though not on all lenses), EVF built in or add-on optional extra?

As both you and Patrick have opted for the G3, I guess the integrated viewfinder is perhaps top of the list of priorities?

Ian

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

My priorities were the viewfinder, size, cost and not least performance, as I have had four thirds before my Nikon format is not an an issue.
I need something that will point and shoot for my good lady that is easy to handle but maintain SLR quality as it will probably use it more.
And in that vain I ordered it earlier this evening

[Patrick]

Re: Lumix 3G

My priorities were the viewfinder, size, cost and not least performance, as I have had four thirds before my Nikon format is not an an issue.
I need something that will point and shoot for my good lady that is easy to handle but maintain SLR quality as it will probably use it more.
And in that vain I ordered it earlier this evening

The viewfinder was high on my list of priority's as well, the viewfinder of my Canon G10 is pathetic and its not always convenient to use the screen for composition.


One interesting fact, I used a SD card with some images made with the Canon and I could view them on the Panasonic, I thought the file formats were incompatible.

Anyway here are two images made in the garden this evening, one at 800ISO the other at 160ISO, can you make out which is which? (without peaking at the exif data)

They were both taken in RAW brightness corrected and smart sharpened exactly the same.

Patrick

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

I cant decide without looking at the exif data

[Geoff]

Re: Lumix 3G

I would say that image 1 was taken at the higher iso.

Geoff.

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

Well i got away with just a frown from my wife after informing her of my order Phew

[Ian]

Re: Lumix 3G

The viewfinder was high on my list of priority's as well, the viewfinder of my Canon G10 is pathetic and its not always convenient to use the screen for composition.


One interesting fact, I used a SD card with some images made with the Canon and I could view them on the Panasonic, I thought the file formats were incompatible.

Anyway here are two images made in the garden this evening, one at 800ISO the other at 160ISO, can you make out which is which? (without peaking at the exif data)

They were both taken in RAW brightness corrected and smart sharpened exactly the same.

Patrick

The first has more depth of field so the aperture must be smaller, so it has to be the higher ISO shot

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Lumix 3G

The first has more depth of field so the aperture must be smaller, so it has to be the higher ISO shot

Ian

I have taken your advice Ian and today acquired a second hand 14-140 lens, had a good trade-in deal on the 14-42 kit lens.
Much better built lens, much smoother to use, test shots show the optics to be pretty good too.
I am negotiating for the 7-14 so will probably have bought that by tomorrow.
The two lenses should make a comprehensive kit to cover most photo opportunities, and less weight than my Canon 7D with the Sigma f2.8 24-70

Here is a shot taken in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday (with the kit lens), I inadvertently set the ISO to 3200. Still a very usable image.

Patrick

[Patrick]

Re: Lumix 3G

I have taken your advice Ian and today acquired a second hand 14-140 lens, had a good trade-in deal on the 14-42 kit lens.
Much better built lens, much smoother to use, test shots show the optics to be pretty good too.
I am negotiating for the 7-14 so will probably have bought that by tomorrow.
The two lenses should make a comprehensive kit to cover most photo opportunities, and less weight than my Canon 7D with the Sigma f2.8 24-70

Here is a shot taken in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday (with the kit lens), I inadvertently set the ISO to 3200. Still a very usable image.

Patrick

I have today picked up the 7-14 f4 Panasonic lens, just one word to describe it (at least after taking a few test shots) WOW its a little cracker. Light weight, smooth as silk very, quick focusing, and so far the test shots show optical super. Just love it.

My experience with the 4/3 system thus far, Panasonic in particular is making me seriously consider my Canon gear. Do I need it?

Here is a quick image or two, the first 7mm end about 6 or 7 inches from the flower.
f8 1/500sec 800ISO. Just converted from RAW no sharpening or additional contrast adjustment.
The second image again no sharpening or additional contrast adjustment.
f6.3 140mm 800ISO.

A happy bunny

Patrick

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

A cracking set of images Patrick, i picked our G3 up last week too, I must say
the image of the guitarist is very good, but i do have reservations about the 14-42mm kit lens. I have found that it can be quite soft on some landscapes I have taken but quite sharp in the mid range of zoom.
One thing i have stopped doing is comparing it to my Nikon as i can always find something on the negative side.
What you have shown is that with the right lenses the G3 is a match for anything in the same price bracket, and that 7-14mm lens does look to be the way to go to get those super crisp shots like those flowers

[Patrick]

Re: Lumix 3G

A cracking set of images Patrick, i picked our G3 up last week too, I must say
the image of the guitarist is very good, but i do have reservations about the 14-42mm kit lens. I have found that it can be quite soft on some landscapes I have taken but quite sharp in the mid range of zoom.
One thing i have stopped doing is comparing it to my Nikon as i can always find something on the negative side.
What you have shown is that with the right lenses the G3 is a match for anything in the same price bracket, and that 7-14mm lens does look to be the way to go to get those super crisp shots like those flowers

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

I've also found that the kit lens is not very smooth when zooming, but adequate for the reason we bought the set up, the G3 body is very nice to handle. I can live with the kit lens but will be looking at some secondhand lenses for the longer zooms.

[Ian]

http://fourthirds-user.com/2012/07/panasonic_introduces_the_lumix_g_vario_45150mm.php

So now you and Patrick have M43 cameras are you going to frequent our Four Thirds User site?

Ian

[Mike Parr]

Re: Lumix 3G

Hi Ian,
I have re aquainted myself with the FtU site as im still amember from my Oly E500 days.
The new 45-150 lens does look interesting as does the 45-200 as the extra zoom would suit the horse photos I like to take.
Also now im running to systems Panasonic and Nikon there is a financial issue to consider so the budget end of either market is my target area.

[Ian]

Re: Lumix 3G

Hi Mike - it will be interesting to see how you respond to the G3 Your Nikon D5000 has a better sensor especially in dynamic range, but the difference is not like night and day. Noise is pretty similar. I'd be very interested to know how you feel about the respective results you are getting from the two cameras.

Ian