No DSLRs

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It's been quite a while since I've posted over here. I have finally figured out what I want to do with this site. You may notice I took some of the individual blog pages away. I kept all the data for those and have consolidated the individual camera blogs into one single blog.

Additionally, I have been out shooting....A lot of shooting in fact. I've primarily been shooting with my Canon S90is and my Panasonic GF1. Today I bring you my mid term report for the lovely Panasonic GF1. As with all my reports I will say that this is a non scientific update. If you want to pixel peep, you should go elsewhere. I do not have the time, equipment or desire. This report is based on my experience with the camera as well as the photos that I've captured with it.

Contemplation - 45mm - ISO 100 - F5.6 - 1/1600

I recently went on a family trip to Florida. I struggled for some time thinking about what camera to bring. I ended up bring my Panasonic GF1 with the 14-45 and 45-200 zoom. I kept it small and simple. I've been messing around with a lot of cameras recently and after this trip, I honestly must say that I don't know why I have been shooting other cameras. I love the GF1.

While on this trip, I was reminded of the following about the GF1 and about small cameras in general

- If it is small enough, you will carry it more. I carried the GF1 with me everywhere except the day I forgot it in the hotel room. DRAT!

- It is so much more unobtrusive than a larger DSLR

- The GF1 is a really versatile and capable little camera. I shot both video and stills with it. I quickly changed lenses and got shots I would not have gotten with my pocket Canon S90is or my larger bodies "PRO" DSLR.

- I took a few of my favorite family pictures ever. I have printed some up to about 11.5 x 8.5 with very, very good results.

- Very fast focus

- An incredible camera for B&W "Street" style shooting. I shot frequently between 400 and 1600 ISO and got some very good B&W shots. The grain and texture of the B&W are really nice.

- I don't like where the video button is on the top of the GF1. On several occasions I ended up taking video when I wanted to shoot resulting in a missed shot. I wish it was in a different location. I can't really decide where to recommend, but I know I'd move it.

- I still wish the camera had a bit more to to hold onto when you are removing it from a camera pouch/bag. If you leave the camera on, you will likely be pressing the dial on the back. Since I shoot in "A" 95% of the time, this either results in a change in F-stop or an exposure compensation correction. More than once I had incorrect exposure because I quickly pulled the camera from the pouch and shot and afterward reviewed and saw the missed exposure. This is my largest niggle with this camera.

- After reviewing almost 500 pictures from Florida in varying lighting conditions, I think the auto white balance is a little inconsistent.

- I really wanted the EVF in some of the Florida sun shots. I missed a few shots or they were slightly off in my framing because I just couldn't see the LCD well enough.

After the trip, I decided to invest a bit more in this camera. In fact, I now think it will once again be my primary camera. I plan to purchase the 20mm 1.7 along with an EVF.

In the rain at Cocoa Beach - 17mm - ISO 200 - F5.6 - 1/500

I shot all images in color using My FILM 1 with a standard setting with saturation +1. I then convert to black & white in Lightroom where I have a custom setting for a Dynamic Black & White. It is just a bit different than the standard Dynamic Black & White on the camera.

To view more images click on the new GF1 Gallery Page at the top of this page. I added an "At the beach" gallery and I will be adding a few more.

Lastly, despite my little nitpicks, I gotta say it is an amazing little camera. It's interesting to point out that after a 2-3 month love affair with the camera last fall, I put it down and experiemented with other cameras. I even put it for sale. Then, after realizing that my other cameras were either too big (Nikon D90 with 3 lenses) or too small with not quite enough IQ (Canon S90is) for my needs, the GF1 made the cut for my trip. In the end, I could not be happier with my choice.

All in all, I am very, very pleased with this camera. I'm looking forward to shooting with the 20mm 1.7, which I expect to stay on the camera 90% of the time. I am also considering replaceing my Nikon D90 with a Panasonic GH1. This will give me increased video capability as well as some additional speed and features.

tagged

Cocoa Beach,

Panasonic GF1

Tuesday

Nov242009

Updates

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 11:07PM

So much going on and not enough time to write about it. Here is the summary.

Ricoh GRDIII as a high ISO B&W camera at TOP. Review added to GRD pages.

G11 review at DC Resource. Also added a few other reviews to the G11 page.

Panasonic issued a firmware update for GF1 and lenses. Link to Panasonic download site on GF1 page.

Last but not least, check out the featured artist, Clancycoop. I added one of his EP-1 images to the right. Check out his whole Flickr site by clicking the image or the link in the text below image.

tagged

Canon G11,

Ricoh GRD III in

Canon,

Ricoh

Monday

Nov162009

Observations of micro 4/3rds and an open invitation to camera makers

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 10:08PM

5 Comments

My posts here have been a little sporadic lately. It hasn't been intentional. Nope. I've been busy shooting a lot. Mostly I've been shooting with the GF1, but I've also been shooting with my Nikon D90. What? I mentioned a DSLR here on the small shooter blog at NO DSLR's website. Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I do own an DSLR. Let me explain.

Not only have I been shooting a lot, I've been studying micro 4/3rds. I've also studied the FLICKR user groups and what not and have come to a few conclusions. I don't necessarily claim that I am the originator of any of this information nor do I guarantee it is true. It is however, my experience.

So...Here are a few observations.

1) If you are coming from a DSLR and looking for one of the current cameras to replace your DSLR, you may not be satisfied with what is on the market. Don't get me wrong. I love the my GF1. LOVE IT! However, I'm not ready to make this my only camera. I do predict that someday it will, but right now the current crop of micro 4/3rds just don't quite offer enough speed and performance.

2) If you are stepping up from a point and shoot, you will love the micro 4/3rds cameras...Other than the slightly larger size. In my opinion, the GF1 and E-P1 outperform every small chip point and shoot camera on the market. That is why you are now seeing the LX3 sell for under list price again and see Canon's brand new G11 sell for under $500 bucks as well.

3) High end point & shoots need to find a new way to survive. Is it the Ricoh module/block system? Is it super compact size? Who knows but I think that Nikon and Canon need to figure it out as sales of their flagship point and shoots go elsewhere.

4) In reviewing Flickr galleries, it appears that both the Olympus e-p1 and the Panasonic GF1 appear to be bringing out the bokeh artist. So many of the images shared in Flickr GF1 and EP1 groups are about the "bokeh" produced by these cameras.

5) Old lenses - Many photographers are justifying the purchase of micro 4/3rds to once again use some of the old lenses in their collection.

On a personal note, I love the GF1 but here is my open invitation for micro 4/3rd camera makers.

1) I need a weather proof camera. I don't need all the crazy features found on the current crop of micro 4/3rd cameras. I need the basic functions of the GF1 or the G1/GH1 in a weather proof body. I need a smaller pro/semi pro camera. Someone needs to do this and don't tell me that the Pentax K-7 is in that category because I've held it in my hands and it's not anything like the EP1, GF1, G1 or GH1.

2) I would like faster frames per second and better focus tracking. This is pretty much the only reason I shoot my DSLR. Bring it to 5 FPS and improve the continuous focus tracking.

3) Lenses - Why can't Olympus (or Panasonic/Leica) produce higher quality lenses like they did with the 4/3rds format. I shot an Olympus 4/3rds camera with high quality Zuiko lenses. I miss them. Folks will pay for higher quality glass. Someone just needs to do it!

4) Please adopt DNG like Pentax and Ricoh. This will allow much easier digital workflow and increased immediate sales because folks would not have to wait for Adobe updates. Just do it. I also like the RAW button for shooting individual RAW shots. That is a feature I would love.

OK....That's enough ramblings for now.

tagged

Tuesday

Nov102009

Ricoh GXR and more GF1 news

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 10:14PM

The internet is all up in arms over Ricoh's new GXR. I'm new to the camera world and the thought of "interchangable blocks". I need to ponder that a bit before I fully comment about this camera. I will say one thing that I'm certain about is that it will likely have great handling. OK, that's enough. I will write about this camera later.

OK...Now onto the GF1 news. It's no secret I'm very smitten with this camera. It's an amazing piece. It has without a doubt caused quite a stir in the camera world. The Online Photographer posted part two of their post. Interesting read and comparison. Even a more interesting twist in the end when the author made a choice and then a few days later bought something else. I'll let you read it here and here. I'll just end this by saying that I made the same choice.

I'm almost done with my crazy week and here is what I have in store for the coming days.

- My kit and how I carry it

- My second thousand picture review of the GF1

- Photo Gallery of GF1 images

Until then, here is one more image I really like from my GF1.

tagged

Ricoh GXR in

Ricoh GXR

Tuesday

Nov032009

Lot's-O-Links

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:00PM

Wow, I've been busy and haven't been able to keep up with postings, links and updates. Today you get a slew of postings and links.

Here is an interesting link to an article about big sensors in small cameras. A worthy read. PDN Gear Guide.

Camera labs compares noise between new Canon G11 vs Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1. Read it here.

Camera labs reviews the Olympus E-P1. Read it here.

Luminous Landscape reviews the new Canon S90. Read it here.

What's coming later this week?

- I'll be sharing my second thousand picture review of the Panasonic GF1.

- I'll also be sharing a couple of carrying options. I did a 6 hour ride on Sunday with a new set up. I'll be sharing a few options.

In other news.....Tomorrow may be the last day I own an LX3. I'm a bit sad but I'll explain why in my second thousand image review of the GF1.

tagged

Canon,

Wednesday

Oct282009

How do you carry your small but serious camera?

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 8:58PM

3 Comments

I received an awesome suggestion this week from a reader that just bought a Panasonic GF1. He asked me to do a post on how I carry and protect my cameras while out riding my bike?

It is a great question. One of which I don't fully have an answer for yet. I am working on this right now and plan to do a long gravel ride this weekend. Hopefully I can get it worked out. That said, I can't promise you will like or trust my solution......

In the meantime, I added some reviews to both the Olympus E-P1 and the Panasonic GF1 pages. The one review I suggest you read is the By Thom review where he compares the E-P1 and the GF1. His findings are interesting and his conclusion is different than mine. He's a pro and I'm not though and I don't have the experience he does. Check it out.

tagged

Olympus EP1,

Olympus,

Panasonic

Monday

Oct262009

Small camera ramblings

Monday, October 26, 2009 at 9:29PM

It's been quite busy in camera land and recently I've added a bunch of links and reviews to pages like the G11 and GRDIII. I also added a link to a user manual for the GRDIII. Click the specific blog pages to the right if you want to check those out.

But to me the interesting reading is at the Luminous Landscape and By Thom. Both are talking about something that I wrote a week or so ago regarding high end point & shoot cameras and their place in the camera world now that there is the Panasonic GF1, the Olympu E-P1 and micro 4/3rds. You should read them.

I agree that the camera world is changing. I am interested to read more about the one statement Thom made about the Panasonic GF1; "That solves the autofocus issue (of the E-P1) but, unfortunately, is a slight step backwards for usability for Panasonic". I just don't know what that means and am looking forward to him sharing his thoughts and experiences with the GF1.

All that said, I may have found my first real chink in the armor of the GF1. I'm not sure if it is the 14-45 lens or the camera itself. I'll be testing with another lens by the end of the week. Stay tuned.

tagged

Canon G11,

Ricoh GRD III in

Canon,

Panasonic,

Ricoh

Tuesday

Oct202009

Panasonic GF1 - The first 1000 shots

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 3:22AM

5 Comments

I've spent the last couple of weeks shooting with the new Panasonic GF1. It's really an amazing and feature packed camera. The GF1 and it's main competitor, the Olympus E-P1, are setting course to really change the digital camera world. Small no longer has to mean poor image quality. Small no longer has to mean short on features. Small is just right.

Disclaimer: If you ended up here on this website to read a thorough technical review of the GF1, you will find yourself disappointed. For folks that know me, my reviews are more like impressions and experiences with the camera. There are tons of technical reviews out there already.

The Panasonic GF1 has proven to be a faithful companion thus far. I'm shooting with the 14-45 zoom (28mm-90mm equivalent). This combo just works better for me. I wanted the even smaller overall size with the 20mm pancake but I wanted image stabilization and I wanted zoom.

Standout features

- The overall package of size, weight, & performance

- image quality

- focus speed

- ergonomics (ergonomics are a personal thing but the GF1 really works well for me)

- I like the 2 times magnification factor because I can get a small and somewhat inexpensive 400mm zoom equivalent

- Dynamic black & white are amazing

Niggles thus far

- Auto focus tracking is a bit weak and slow compared to my D90. I only used this once and it was in low light so this may be a bit unfair at this point but it is my initial impression.

- The R2D2 flash is neat but very weak. Could be a good thing if you want just a little bit of light!

- Exposure compensation - It could just be the physical location in the menu sequence, it's right next to ISO, but twice I have found that I have inadvertantly changed my exposure compensation.

- Screen is 3:2 and sensor and image are 4:3. I know why I just think it should be the same.

- Wish IS was in body as opposed to lens

I have seen a few reviews call out its dynamic range and one called out its inability with a few colors like yellow. My experience here is that it does appear to be true. I am OK with this as I can adjust for these so I have not called it out as a negative. For some this will absolutely be a negative.

Overall, I could not be more happy with this camera. When I compare it to my LX3 I find that I have little or no need for my LX3. I may put on the 18mm converter and leave it on the LX3...That is until I get a 7-14mm zoom for the GF1.

This feeling about my LX3 is why I wrote the last article on the new Canon G11. I think this camera along with the E-P1 will and should replace the high end point & shoot camera segment.

So...Stay tuned as I work with the GF1. I'll post up a second thousand shot review as soon as I can. Until then, here are a few of my favorite shots with the GF1.

tagged

Panasonic

Friday

Oct162009

Canon G11 impressions and thoughts

Friday, October 16, 2009 at 4:23PM

3 Comments

After a long week of Panasonic GF1 reviews and news, I spent a little time researching the G11 and posted a few updates on the G11 blog page. That said, I was a bit shocked that I really didn't find anything all that worthwhile on the new G11. I wonder why? Canon has sold so many G10's. I see them everywhere at events, shows and in my travels. The G11 supposedly offers even better image quality AND has a lovely swivel screen. Why aren't folks more excited about this camera?

Honestly, I think the appeal for this camera, and cameras like it from other manufacturers, have dwindled since the introduction of the Olympus E-P1 and the Panasonic GF1. See how I keep finding ways to mention the GF1 in a Canon G11 post.

As I look back at the G9 and the G10, folks wanted these cameras because they didn't want to carry around a larger DSLR. They wanted something to have with them at all times. I was one of those folks. That is why I bought the Panasonic LX3. But you know what, they aren't good enough anymore because these new small and very serious cameras are better.

I think Canon, Nikon and Panasonic may be in trouble with their top end point and shoots. Time will tell. I know my interest has faded with the G11 unless the image quality is better than the Olympus E-P1 or the Panasonic GF1.

One last thing....I think this may also explain why their is so much interest in the S90IS. You see, the S90 has such a diminutive size it still offers something that can't be matched by a micro 4/3rds camera.

Canon & Nikon - Time to get on the bandwagon and produce higher quality small cameras. Sigma, Leica, Olymus and Panasonic are kicking your small sensors butt.

tagged

pPanasonic LX3 in

Canon

Wednesday

Oct142009

Two new GF1 Reviews

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 9:17PM

2 Comments

Check the GF1 page for two new reviews from DP Review and Imaging-Resource. Both are worth reading....And quite long. Don't bother with the DP Review if you are diagnosed with ADD.

I'm still working on my initial review of the GF1.

tagged