Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-200
Bought it. Used it. If you are demanding, then don’t consider it. Too soft in 200mm. I think that you should buy 100-300 if You really are in M4/3 world.
Here is my bird gallery, all shot with 45-200 and Lumix GX1
Science below…
Vario G 45-200 characteristics
G Vario 100-300 characteristics
Notice how contrast and resolution lines are dropping much faster on 45-200.
My valuation: mediocre
Got Fujifilm X-E1 in my hands. Compared to Panasonic Lumix GX1.
Fuji need improving in focusing, too slow, too unreliable. But image quality is absolutely top class. New X-Trans APS-C sensor rocks.
Pro’s
- excellent IQ (resolution, dynamic range, colour reproduction)
- excellent build quality (and iPhone style packing!)
- 2.36M dot OLED EVF (with some issues)
- lovical menu system
- aperture, exposure and EV +/- dials easy tu use
- Drive, AE and AF buttons
Con’s
- poor and unsuccessful focussing in low light conditions
- close focusing slow and often no success
- macro lens is not so macro (min dist. 26 cm, 0,5x magnification)
- lens heavy and large
- EVF is slow
- lens covers hard to use
- SD card not easy to access/change quickly
- EV +/- correction dial rotates on its own
- only 2x zoom in play mode
- no video
- Windows fails to preview .RAF format
Why I upgraded to Panasonic Lumix GX1 from GF1?
My first surprise moment was actually, that new Panasonic Lumix GX1 is smaller than my previous GF1. Second wow was how fast it acquires focus(!!!). As we know, phase-detection AF, used in DSRL’s are superior to contrast-focusing hybrids. Not anymore. New Panasonic Lumix GX1 focuses as fast as any prosumer DSLR.
I really haven’t push it to the limit, but my primary reason was better ISO and faster focusing in low light conditions.
And one more thing. GX1 was available only with pretty crappy zoom lenses. Camera like that deserves only good fixed focus glass!
My minimal strobist equipment and maximum results
This is a sample shot of my fav model “J”, Vivitar 285 through white umbrella.
Here is my equipment with some comments:
Vivitar 285, iShot remote receiver, Flash Shoe Holder Swivel Bracket Mount Light Stand, 33” Inch 84cm Pro STUDIO Umbrella, Photography Light Stand.
Closer look of 4-channel iShot remote receiver and lash Shoe Holder.
Instead of Alkaline AA batteries You might want to use rechargeable NiMH batteries. My choice is Panasonic HHR-3MRE 2000 mAh units. They guarantee fairly quick recharge times. I can soot 2 shots per second at 1/16 flash power lever.
Batteries are charged with BQ-CC03 wall charger, specially designed for NiMH batteries.
More of my strobist shots
LEICA - Some values still are values
Leica has struggeled on the edge of the bankrupcy last few years. Then they turned around the company. Brought in digital cameras M8, M9, S2 and small Pana Lumix stepsisters. All top-level manufactured. It seems, that people see the value of precision mechanics, optics and quality manufacturing process. Leicas sales are up significantly. Cameras and lens up tio 140% (more than twice!). They hire more people to assembly lines and fight backlogs.
CEO of Leica Camera AG, Alfred Schopf:
“After the successful turnaround in the last fiscal year and the launch of new products in the last few months running the business for Leica more than positive. The Photokina in September 2010, we even brought record levels of new orders. We have set 30 new employees in production and are working flat out, the backlog as quickly as possible to reduce. But it is clear: quality over speed. “
Great news from Leica!
First video of Panasonic Lumix GF2. Latest, meanest, smallest Micro 4/3 camera. Worth to look for image-quality sensitive people, who travel. GF1 was a tad too big for my pocket.
Shutterless digital camera
Typical DSLR diagram
What is expensive these days? Quality optics for sure. Then also precision mechanics. Electronics is reatively cheap. Or at least reasonable priced.
How to reduce the cost of digital cameras?
- get rid of as many precision mechanics as possible!
- get rid of as many quality optics as possible!
You might say: “NO!!!”. But I’m dead serious. Talking about DSLR’s, there is more pricey optics inside, than lens (pos 1). Lets get rid of penta-prizm (pos 7; precision fabricated five-faced block of glass), matte glass focusing surface (pos 5 and 6), mirror (pos 2), ocular (pos 8). Thats exactly what hybrid cam’s like Olympus PEN, Panasonic Lumix GH1, GH1, GF1 and other Micro 4/3 and APS-C hybrids like Samsung NX and Sony NEX cameras did.
Samsung NX series vs DSLR
But, now its time for phase II. Lets get rid of shutter (pos 3). Precision mechanical part, remember? Both, focal plane shutter and central leaf shutter.
Panasonic Lumix GH2 is first camera with shutterless design. Exposure is made purely electronically switching the sensor quickly on-off (pos 4). Elegant, isn’t it?
But, we have to agree — nothing is going to replace precious quality lens. So, no innovation in that are. You still have to pay 1K€ for good glass…
Panasonic Lumix phone (+cam). Looks more Panasonic than Lumix. Not impressed at all. I know, 13,2 Mpix camera is awesome in the phone but Where is Your style, Panasonic??? Still big fan of Lumix / Leica creations…
I’m quite heavy GF1 shooter. It’s absolutely my favourite cam due to pocketability and sheer image quality. I’d shoot only F1,7 20 mm pancake. Superb optical quality, its very fast in dark situations and DOF is nice. What I missed, specially in street-shots, is angle. 20 mm is 40 mm normal focus range lens, good for portraits, but too narrow field for architecture and street-shots.
Now Pana made 14 mm wide-angle (compare to 28 mm on normal cam) cousin to 20 mm pancake. Looking forward to get one. Still only pre-order in Amazon.
