Panasonic GF1 - Midterm Report
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.
Cocoa Beach,
Panasonic GF1 in
Panasonic GF1 





