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Panasonics Micro 4/3rds Mirrorless DSLR


dkCambridgeshire

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I think the electronic finder has the potential to tremendously influence future camera designs - even 35mm full frame sensor cameras. I'm a little disappointed with the design of the G1 too. But I suspect they didn't want to alienate the general user with something radical that wouldn't look like the other cameras on display. They want a big slice of the pie.

 

Simply from the standpoint of materials, if a full frame 35 can be made with the visual 'feel' and quality of a mirror box - then I can't see any company staying on the reflex design very long, the costs of manufacturing a quality mirror box have to be substantial, not to mention the material and design costs.

 

Interesting that Leica doesn't show anywhere and is conspicuous by it's not being mentioned anywhere in the DP Review preliminary report - unless I missed it. But they are still using Leica lenses on the smaller point and shoots. Maybe it means Leica really is off the 4/3rds bus as has been mentioned before.

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Ain't it ugly :eek: !

 

It certainly is ugly. And the "Lumix"-branded lenses are slow. The good news is that I'll be keeping the pile of money I might otherwise have spent on a µ4/3 system. Unless, of course, Olympus release something much, much more promising.

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I think M backfocus (= flange-to-sensor distance?) is 27.8 mm, so an adapter could be made.

 

But hasn't Leica said that FourThirds sensor isn't in its future? And these are the only lenses on Lumix cameras that don't say "Leica."

 

 

 

I doubt that Leica will have any part of this.

 

But it looks like a great entry from Panasonic, probably through their association with Olympus.

 

I meant a third party adapting Leica lenses to it, using the EVF to focus and of course stop down metering. Imagine a Noctilux on it :) Until now, there has not been a way to mount a M lens on another digital camera, other than the Epson RD-1.

 

Robert

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now that i look at it again, this camera looks like a nikon (D40) and about the same size and sensor size. there's probably a comparable canon version as well.

 

the write-up says panasonic wanted to create something that would not be too much a design departure (externally) from what's out there (even including a moderate "prism hump"), and looks like they did just that.... nothing special (except maybe the EVF).

 

maybe the small Leica digital (on a classic frame) is only a dream after all.

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I meant a third party adapting Leica lenses to it, using the EVF to focus and of course stop down metering. Imagine a Noctilux on it :) Until now, there has not been a way to mount a M lens on another digital camera, other than the Epson RD-1.

 

Robert

 

Does anyone want to volunteer to Photoshop a Noctilux with adaptor onto this camera and show us what it might look like? ... or even a 24mm M ??

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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conceptually, i like the micro4/3 idea, but this body design is not even close to what i was hoping for (which was a small D2 with interchangeable lenses)

 

I agree that this design is not at all what I had hoped for, but (not surprisingly) it is about what I was expecting. :(

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12 out of 10 to Panasonic for developing this in time for Photokina and for being the first ⁴ ⁄₃ Partner to announce a μ⁴ ⁄₃ camera ... and μ⁴ ⁄₃lenses ... no mean feat ... and as for being ugly? ... I have seen much worse ... and it looks fine to me

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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imagine this (image below, i hope) 15mm thinner and a 4/3 sensor ...... that's what i was hoping for.

 

a big plus for the general marketplace would be interchangeable lenses.

 

(i never posted an image before.... i hope this works ! )

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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Dave, do you remember how unappealing the styling of the Panasonic version of the Digilux 2 was? Leica's restyling really made a difference.

 

I think Panasonic has learned a lot about styling between then and now. :)

 

 

Oops.

 

Or maybe not, seeing Sam's shot below. Sigh.

 

Buttons and levers and gewgaws on every surface. And no chance of a Leica redemption. :(

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I think we generally expected 35mm based cameras to have a certain shape. This has carried over to digital cameras. But MF and LF cameras have been designed with all kinds of shapes.

 

Linhof once made an odd camera that looked like this:

 

Linhof 220

 

Once you accept a digital camera with an EVF, the design possibilities are wide open. For instance, why can't the EVF be articulated or removable? (With a wired or wireless link.) There could be upgradeable EVFs. Perhaps there could be a b/w night vision amplified one.

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I think we generally expected 35mm based cameras to have a certain shape. This has carried over to digital cameras. But MF and LF cameras have been designed with all kinds of shapes.

 

Linhof once made an odd camera that looked like this:

 

Linhof 220

 

Once you accept a digital camera with an EVF, the design possibilities are wide open. For instance, why can't the EVF be articulated or removable? (With a wired or wireless link.) There could be upgradeable EVFs. Perhaps there could be a b/w night vision amplified one.

 

The Linhof 220 was designed in 1966 by Linhof's owner, Nikolas Karpf ... in the book 'The Linhof Story' on page 80 it states: "At the Leipzig Spring fair in East Germany the camera gained a gold medal for 'timeless styling'."

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Dave, do you remember how unappealing the styling of the Panasonic version of the Digilux 2 was? Leica's restyling really made a difference.

 

Whoa ... I personally think the LC1 is far more attractive than the Digilux 2! Of course, as accountants like to say, there's no accounting for taste... :p

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I meant a third party adapting Leica lenses to it, using the EVF to focus and of course stop down metering. Imagine a Noctilux on it :) Until now, there has not been a way to mount a M lens on another digital camera, other than the Epson RD-1.

 

Robert

 

But surely the main point of introducing the MFT system is to enable use of very much smaller MFT dedicated lenses .. thus reducing size and weight in the camera bag ... and creating a very much more ergonomic tool for photographers needing to carry a full range of lenses. If it is possible to adapt Leica M lenses that will be a bonus ... but dedicated MFT lenses will be smaller. Remember how the Olympus OM system took off in the 70's mainly because it was the most compact SLR system . and remember how other manufacturers followed .. and what happened to those that didn't. Current 4/3 partner Co.'s must be aware of this and it would be foolish for any of them to abandon the system or not progress and develop their own MFT products. Although it might be possible to attach a Noctilux to an MFT camera, the facility would only appeal to a very small minority.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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And these are the only lenses on Lumix cameras that don't say "Leica."

 

Yeah, it looks like Leica got dumped. Maybe Pana figures they have enough lens-making expertise by now to forge on their own? Would be interesting to see images from this Lumix lens: I think it would give us a better indication of how much Leica was actually in the previous "Vario" efforts!

 

Great concept. Body design not so hot, though. Why oh why can't they just stick to the D2 formula? Wouldn't the manual dials and rings be easier for beginners to use compared to menus?

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This link Four Thirds User and further links within it suggest that other MFT announcements are due so it's possible that even Leica might have some input to the revised format. And seems as if those in the know are obliged to not to say anything yet.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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