Panasonic G2 as a supplement ?

[wetterzentrale]

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Hi there . I am having an M8 with a couple of lenses and miss a point a shoot with strong tele occasionally. Thought of getting the Panasonic G2 and the "Superzoom" ...

 

Also bearing in mind that one can use the M lenses with an adapter it appears to be a good option. Is anybody having experience with G2 plus M lenses ?

I know one looses the automatics, but it is tempting to have the 2/90 on the M8 and getting a 2/180 that way ...

 

Appreciate your thoughts / experiences.

 

Many thanks !

[mike_j]

I have a G1 which is much the same as the G2. It's OK with M mount lenses (and very many other mounts). buy a decent adaptor, I'd be inclined now to go for the Voigtlander one.

 

Focusing is manual of course and can be difficult on some lenses where travel is very small (Voigtlander 15mm and 21mm for example.) There are some issues with edge definition with some wide angle lenses but results are entirely reasonable. The x 2 crop factor is very annoying. Don't expect too much, I generally find that the Panasonic 14-45mm kit lens at least matches the results from my Voigtlander Zeiss and Leica M fit lenses,

 

4/3rds Cameras - The GetDPI Photography Forums has an enormous amount of information about using all sorts of lenses on the G series.

[RobertW]

I'm using the G2 with M lenses.

Its very easy to focus, much easier than my NEX, since with the G2 you have the EVF.

 

For the G2 just touch the screen and you get 7x magnification and focus looking thru the EVF. Its very easy and quick to focus. One can also go to 14x by turning the dial. Press the shutter slightly and the camera returns to normal viewing mode and then just click!

 

The NEX is more time consuming as there is no EVF so its difficult to keep the camera steady (since its not pressed against your face).

[keats1964]

I'm using the G2 with M lenses.

Its very easy to focus, much easier than my NEX, since with the G2 you have the EVF.

 

For the G2 just touch the screen and you get 7x magnification and focus looking thru the EVF. Its very easy and quick to focus. One can also go to 14x by turning the dial. Press the shutter slightly and the camera returns to normal viewing mode and then just click!

 

The NEX is more time consuming as there is no EVF so its difficult to keep the camera steady (since its not pressed against your face).

 

Hi Rob,

 

I was just checking out the G2 using the Novoflex adapter ($280), and thought the zoom focus was an awesome feature to verify critical focus. Considering buying the G2 and playing with a first gen Noctilux at 100mm f1! I would probably choose the Olympus E-PL for it's better EVF, but in my mind I'm seduced by a couple of G2 features in real world shooting.

 

Having done some research on the G2, I have a feature set idea I'm wondering if you've tried... namely,

1. Use the 1:1 framing ratio

2. Use the lcd on as a waist finder with the camera held vertically (ratio stays 1:1, and lcd isn't hanging out like a flag)

3A. If using the kit lens or another autofocus m43 lens, use the touchscreen focus feature on the lcd - And now it's an autofocus Rollieflex!

3B. Same setup but with M glass. I can zone focus for large DOF.

-- My one reservation is that I think it would be slower work, or possibly clunky with manual focus lenses if I want shallow Depth Of Field.

 

Have you tried this setup? Would you mind giving it a go and letting us know how things work out?

 

Thanks,

Keats

[johnwolf]

Keats,

 

I don't use adapted lenses, but I think you can find adapters that work well for much less than the Novoflex. Maybe others can comment on this.

 

And I think the G2 EVF is considered much better than the PEN EVF. Maybe you're thinking of the GF1, which has a relatively poor viewfinder.

 

John

[RobertW]

Hi Rob,

 

I was just checking out the G2 using the Novoflex adapter ($280), and thought the zoom focus was an awesome feature to verify critical focus. Considering buying the G2 and playing with a first gen Noctilux at 100mm f1! I would probably choose the Olympus E-PL for it's better EVF, but in my mind I'm seduced by a couple of G2 features in real world shooting.

 

Having done some research on the G2, I have a feature set idea I'm wondering if you've tried... namely,

1. Use the 1:1 framing ratio

2. Use the lcd on as a waist finder with the camera held vertically (ratio stays 1:1, and lcd isn't hanging out like a flag)

3A. If using the kit lens or another autofocus m43 lens, use the touchscreen focus feature on the lcd - And now it's an autofocus Rollieflex!

3B. Same setup but with M glass. I can zone focus for large DOF.

-- My one reservation is that I think it would be slower work, or possibly clunky with manual focus lenses if I want shallow Depth Of Field.

 

Have you tried this setup? Would you mind giving it a go and letting us know how things work out?

 

Thanks,

Keats

 

I guess what you're referring to, many refer to as "street photography". It can be a lot of fun to zone focus and snap some inconspicuous pictures. It works quite well, and one of the easiest lens to do that with is the CV 15mm. You could use the older version which is tiny combined with 2 adapters a LTM adapter to permit the screw mount lens to be inserted into your M to micro 4/3's adapter or you could go the bigger way with the newer more "bulbous" version which as a bayonet mount already.

 

However, as I don't do a lot of street, I do find I get a higher hit rate on keepers for lenses other than the 15mm, with the old fashioned focus and shoot method.

 

I'd like to mention (don't know if I need to), but there's no autofocus for M lens as they are manual focus and manual aperture lenses.

 

One last comment, is that there's no need to spend $200 on an adapter. There's nothing special about them, I picked up one for $60 bucks and it works fine. YMMV

[wetterzentrale]

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Thanks to everyone !

 

I bought the G2 for a good price and also the adapter to use M lenses. Very interesting combination. Initial reaction after a few days of shooting experience in Switzerland : Focusing with M lenses works great particularly with the 90mm.

 

Interesting handling experience though : The G2 is a true lightweight. With the 90mm handling becomes ... funny as the camera seems to fall over. But it works.

 

Main disadvantage yet : Another raw format, and yet one which is not supported by the C1 version I am working with.