Thoughts on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

 

Size Comparison - DMC-GX7 (Left) v. DMC-LX100 (Right)

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0540594623/opinion-why-buy-a-panasonic-lx100-when-you-could-buy-a-gx7

 

I am a huge fan of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7. I have owned LX-series cameras since the LX2 came out. They are absolutely amazing in terms of features, lens speed and quality (Pana-Leica lenses, including the DC Vario-Summilux f1.4-2.3 lens on the LX7), and compact design. Up until now, the only downside to the LX cameras has been small sensor size. Of course, that small sensor enabled some of the very positive features already mentioned, most clearly the overall compact design of both body and lens (not interchangeable). From the LX3 on, there has been an available accessory electronic viewfinder (EVF).

 

The newest LX-series camera is the DMC-LX100, which was announced a few weeks back. The LX100 addresses that small sensor question by putting a full-size Micro 4/3 sensor into a compact camera body. Not as small as the LX7, but still pocketable, the LX100 sports a 24-75mm equivalent f1.7-2.8 lens. And, the LX100 has a built in EVF. Very nice.

 

Knowing that the LX100 is a little larger than the LX7, I began to wonder if the GX1 Micro 4/3 camera I already have doesn't fill the space of the LX100. Both have the Micro 4/3 sensor, though the LX100 reported uses slightly less than the full sensor area. The GX1 is truly tiny, especially without the accessory EVF attached. Even with, it's quite small. But, I have nothing like a 24-75mm equivalent zoom with fast f1.7-2.8 aperture for the GX1. There's the 14-42 Series II kit lens, which is nothing short of great in my opinion, but it's a slow f3.5-5.6 aperture lens and makes the camera too big to fit in a pocket. The Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 zoom lens for Micro 4/3, slower than that on the LX100, quite expensive, and a lot larger, just doesn't compare.

 

If it weren't for the compact and fast lens on the LX100, I think the GX1 would make it completely redundant. As it is, that differentiates the LX100 as a very capable pocket camera from the GX1 or GX7 for that matter, which have the benefits of many great interchangeable lenses, but at the cost of size.

 

I still wonder how they can make this lens on a Micro 4/3 sensor as small as it is. Maybe I need to hold an LX100 to see just how compact it has remained (or not)

 

I decided to see if others had the same question about the overlap of the larger LX camera and the smallest Micro 4/3 cameras. Of course they did.

 

(Click Here) to read a comparison of the LX100 and GX7 on dpreview.com.

 

Author Damien Demolder comes to essentially the same conclusion as I did - the LX100 is indeed distinct from both the previous LX-series cameras, and the interchangeable lens G cameras.

 

At about $900, the LX100 is more expensive than the LX7 was. But, I'm pretty convinced that it's going to be worth every penny.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Panasonic Lumix LX100 is Here! Micro 4/3 Sensor is a Huge Upgrade from the LX7.

Well, it's finally here. And the rumors were pretty much true.

 

The Panasonic LX100 has been announced. The big news is the sensor, Micro 4/3 size, more than four times the size in area over the sensor in the DMC-LX7. That's awesome.

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx100

 

(Click Here) to read a first-glance review on dpreview.com.

 

The lens is a DC Vario Pana-Leica Summilux Aspheric, 24-75mm equivalent, f1.7-2.8. Not quite as fast as the f1.4 lens on the LX7, the sensor size should more than make up for that difference. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), as opposed to the accessory finder on the LX7.

 

You probably already know that I'm a huge fan of the LX7. That said, I can see no reason not to upgrade to the LX100. This is very exciting news.

 

Actually, I'm not sure "upgrade" is the right way to refer to it. The size of the LX100 seems to be somewhere between the LX7 and, say, the GX7. But, the fixed, fast zoom lens on this size sensor had to result in some increase in overall size.

 

The introductory price is $900. Pretty steep. But, I think that $900 buys you quite a lot of camera.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Pana-Leica Summilux 15mm f1.7 For Micro 4/3 - Great, but Neither Here Nor There?

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/H-X015K

 

Leica's product emphasis seems nearly as varied as my own these days. With the advent of the new Leica T system with APS-C sensor, Leica seems to have made it even more clear that sensors smaller than that are not serious enough to warrant their direct attention. That said, their compact camera offerings continue, and are pleasing to many. To me, it seems that Micro 4/3 is in a bit of a no man's land with Leica.

 

Actually, Micro 4/3 is occupying a similar place for me personally. With only so many hours free to use my camera gear, I find my interest pulled in many directions. Leica rangefinders are my most common companions. However, on any given day, you may also find me with a Nikon SLR, a medium format film camera, or even a 4x5 pinhole camera in my hand. Yet, my Micro 4/3 gear persists. It's still my favorite choice for many types of travel.

 

Anyway, back to Leica. Their collaboration with Panasonic continues, and the newest addition to the Pana-Leica lens kit is the 15mm f1.7 Summilux. I won't speculate on the performance of the lens, except to say that I expect it to be wonderful, just like the 25mm f1.4 Summilux is in my opinion. For more on those aspects, please

 

(Click Here) to read a nice introduction to the lens by Napier Lopez on mu-43.com.

 

From my point of view, the 15mm focal length, which provides an equivalent field of view as a 30mm lens on full frame 35mm sensors, is an odd choice. To me, it's neither here nor there. In between the classic lengths of 35mm (a wide normal) and 28mm (what was once considered a very wide angle lens), 30mm equivalent field of view would take some getting used to. Now, my view on this is not purely based on sticking to the most common lengths. For example, I find the 40mm focal length on full frame to be nearly ideal for my style of shooting.

 

I am very pleased to see the Pana-Leica lens lineup continue to grow. I'm certain that many people will make great use of this non-standard field of view lens. I'll have to keep my eyes and mind open to see if it leads to any new styles or views that I should consider.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Bug Closeups with the Micro 4/3 Panasonic-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit

I have had the Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit lens for quite some time. When I purchased it, the Macro-Elmarit was the only medium telephoto available for the Micro 4/3 mount. Had the Olympus 45mm f1.8 been out at the time, I probably would have bought that instead.

The extra >1 f-stop of the Olympus would be nice. That said, the macro ability of the Pana-Leica is great. I like to be able to take closeups of details when I travel.

I have not really explored the capabilities of this lens in more classical macro applications. Yesterday, I had the time and opportunity to go bug hunting while my wife practiced free swimming in a local quarry. I decided to see what the Macro-Elmarit could do. So, I mounted it on my Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, set up the touch screen to focus and trigger exposure (I rarely use the touch screen features of the GX7), and connected my Nissin flash with a remote cord. Having mounted the camera on a sturdy tripod, I was ready to go.

Well, it was hot, and the bug hunting was a little tough. After waiting an eternity (okay, about 30 minutes) for a gorgeous dragonfly to return to a particular perch to no avail, I started stalking. By the way, dragonflies usually will come back to exactly the same spot over and over. I think maybe I was just too close for comfort. This is where a longer macro focal length would come in handy, giving me more working distance.

My stalking actually resulted in finding a stationary dragonfly, but my best subject of the day was this bug you see below. I'm not sure of his exact species, but guess that he's part of the hemiptera family of true bugs.

Bug, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro Elmarit, Remote Flash

iso 200, f11 1/100 sec.

 

I used a mini softbox mounted on the flash head, and handheld the flash. Even with the camera on a tripod, I had too many things to hold, and the flash-to-subject distance wasn't well controlled with my hand holding method. I should work on mounting the flash to a bracket if I continue this line of imaging. I did use the touch screen to identify where to focus and trigger the exposure. I must admit it's a pretty cool tool, as long as the camera is held stationary. It was a little difficult to get the focus point just right, on the bug's head, at this magnification. But, I did get it a few times.

 

I was not at the closest focus distance of the lens, but was at about the shortest useful working distance for this subject. Here's a 100% enlargement of the same image (a little clarity and sharpness applied in Lightroom):

 

100% Crop of Image Above

 

So, I'd say this lens is pretty capable in the true macro realm. I don't shoot a lot of nature macro images like this, and would normally tend toward the large sensor of my Nikon D700, and either my true macro 60mm Micro-Nikkor f2.8, or a longer lens (say 105mm f2.5) with extension tubes. The longer lens would make the working distance more reasonable. Now I know that the Micro 4/3 sensor in my GX7 and Macro-Elmarit are quite capable in this realm.

 

On top of that, the Macro-Elmarit is a reasonably good portrait lens (limited in its shallow depth of field potential by the relatively small maximum aperture of f2.8), and an excellent lens for capturing closeup details when on travel.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico

One final post of images from my recent trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Very close to my hotel, Petroglyph National Monument offered a unique early morning walk before my business meetings started.

 

Petroglyphs are images by native people of the area, made by chipping away at the surface of the basalt rock in the area. The basalt stones were created about 200,000 years ago, when lava flowed 5-50 feet thick over a series of six separate eruptions. These boulders have a thin dark patina layer on their surface, caused by water, sun, temperature extremes, and microbes. It was by chipping away at the outer layer and exposing the lighter stone color underneath that native Americans made the petroglyph images.

 

Petroglyph on the Mesa Top, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, Bower 7.5mm f3.5 Fisheye Lens

iso 400, f-stop unrecorded, 1/250 sec.

 

Most of these petroglyphs were made 400-700 years ago. Those from that period ("Rio Grande" style) include human figures, masks, hands, feet, as well as animal shapes and tracks, and geometric designs. Others date back as far as 3,000 years.

 

Various Petroglyphs, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Pana-Leica Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 Lens

 

As I've written in other posts, I found the Bower fisheye lens to be very useful on this trip. This was a bit of a surprise for me, as I've always thought of fisheye lenses as gimmicks, for special effects only. On this walk, I carried the GX7 with the fisheye attached, and my backup Micro 4/3 body, the GX1, with the Macro-Elmarit. This made for a very good combination in this particular setting.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Still on the Edge with Micro 4/3 and Lumix DMC-GX7

Ice, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, 14-42mm Series II Kit Lens at 32mm

iso 200, f5.4, 1/400 sec.

 

I have been buying a few cameras lately. Also, I currently have four cameras out for service or cleaning: my Leica M9 (which deserved it after a year of Whole Lotta Leica), my beloved Leica M3 double stroke (which locked up and went to Youxin for a minor adjustment), a IIIC wartime camera (these just keep popping up for good prices, and usually need a CLA), and my M6 Titan (which started making a squealing sound at 1/15 sec and went for what I hope is a simple lubrication).

 

If you read my blog much, you probably also know that I've been going through somewhat of a renaissance with film and film cameras, falling back in love with old Nikon SLRs like the F2 and my very first Leica, the M4-2.

 

Well, all of this has me wondering where Micro 4/3 fits in my photography. It was my strong focus for the first year of DMC-365. Currently, I have a DMC-GX7 and DMC-GX1 as a backup. I also have an amazing set of Lumix, Olympus, and Pana-Leica lenses. Yesterday, I was tallying up all of my Micro 4/3 gear, with a mind to selling and reducing my camera gear by one format. Simplifying can be good. However, as soon as I was done listing, I started thinking about what I'd be giving up - first to mind was the 100-300mm zoom with OIS - this is simply the most amazing handheld birding lens I've ever seen.

 

 

Barred Owl (Strix varia), by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 OIS Lens

iso 400, f6.3, 1/800 sec

And there are many others. The Summilux 25mm f1.4 is a gorgeous lens. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a true miniature wonder. The Olympus 75mm f1.8 is simply amazing. So, I just have not yet reached the point of giving up on the format.

One thing's for sure - before I sell off my Micro 4/3 kit, I need to make sure I'm out for good. Getting into and out of formats can be very expensive. New bodies (like the GH4) keep coming, and Micro 4/3 will only improve from here.

I did read a post by David Taylor Hughes, another GX7 owner, who's sort of in the same frame of mind as me.

(Click Here) to read David's post on SoundImagePlus.

 

Maybe this is just me doing some hand-wringing with the funds I've been spending on Leica gear lately.

 

I simply have not fallen for the GX7 yet. Maybe it's the form factor, as I do prefer the feel of the G3 (SLR-emulating) body to that of the GX7. The GX7 makes me feel like I'm shooting a pocket camera - all plastic and electronics. So, I think my current issues may be more related to form than function.

So, here's what I'm going to do. I have a trip to New Mexico coming up next month. It will be my concentrated effort to fall in love with the GX7, and Micro 4/3 again. I will not take any other gear with me, and will treat my Micro 4/3 kit as I intended when I started it - as a travel kit. Hopefully, I'll come back once again in love with Micro 4/3. If not, I may have to trade the GX7 for something else, like a GH3, or get out of Micro 4/3 altogether.

One telling fact, though. I have another trip planned in May, a pure photography trip to New Orleans. I am already 95% sure that will be a Leica trip, and not Micro 4/3. I think that may say where my true love lies.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

A Little Live Music with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

I've been working a lot lately, and not getting out for enough shooting. I have roughly kept up with my posts, but it's been a stretch.

 

Last night, after a full day of science, I headed out to see Jake and the Burtones at LoCo Joe's Coffee in Purcellville, VA. Here are my favorite shots from the evening.

 

Forgive the brevity; I'm a little short on time this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This final shot was made with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 and Series 2 kit lens at iso 6400. Not bad. The remaining images were made with the Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4 and Olympus 75mm f1.8 lenses at iso 1600 and 3200.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

I Think Micro 4/3 is at a Tipping Point... Could Go Either Way

This is the beginning of my third year of hosting this blog. My first year was largely focused on Micro 4/3 equipment, and I shot an awful lot with a pair of Panasonic DMC-G3s. The second year saw a lot more use of film cameras with special emphasis on Leica, largely in response to my significant (for me) investment in a Leica M9 body. During that time, I replaced my G3s with a Lumix GX1 (which I picked up for an unbelievable low price during one of Amazon's discount periods), and in late 2013 I purchased the new DMC-GX7.

 

I haven't really given it a chance, but I have yet to fall in love with the GX7. I sincerely love the form factor of the Micro 4/3 equipment, but still realize a compromise in image quality as compared to my full frame cameras such as the Nikon D700 and Leica M9. It's not all as black and white as that in comparison to the M9. In fact, I think my GX7 does better at iso 1600 than the M9 in terms of noise. But, at no iso does the GX7 make an overall nicer image. The M9 is just somehow special in my opinion.

 

I think I entered the Micro 4/3 world hoping that I was betting on the sweet spot of sensor size versus overall package size, that the sensors would improve to the point that I could get everything I wanted out of the incredibly compact cameras. And improve it has. But, I think the latest generation is truly an incremental improvement (I don't feel that the GX7 is that much better than the GX1). The G3 was miles better than the G1. I hope this isn't an indication of a slowdown in the technology improvement for these sensors.

 

I'm not ready to get out of Micro 4/3, but it's not going to displace many other cameras, either.

 

Anyway, as I was browsing the web this morning, I saw these two adjacent posts, which I think sum up the current situation very well:

 

I'm interested in what others think about this. I feel that Micro 4/3 is still very promising. But, it's a tough competitive world out there.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Fewer New Lumix Cameras in 2014? Five May Be Enough :)

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Image Source: http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/lumix-cameras-falling-out-of-favour-at-panasonic-less-launches-in-2014--1203912

 

According to an article on TechRadar, Panasonic may be reducing their efforts to produce new Lumix camera models for 2014.

 

(Click Here) to read the TechRadar post.

 

Now, as with most things, there are two sides to this for me. First, if the report is correct and Panasonic is losing money on the Lumix camera line, I am concerned. I love that Panasonic can come into this market, pick a very strong format (I'm talking Micro 4/3 here), and compete (beat?) the companies that have been making still cameras since before I was born. There is no old Lumix film camera for users to be attached to; they made the choice to try something new. In my opinion, Panasonic has done a lot of things right, including partnering with Leica for optics, and continuing to push the Micro 4/3 sensors to a level where they've surpassed 35mm film image quality already.

 

And, the Lumix compacts are also great achievements. My experience is with the amazing DMC-LX7, which does everything and does it pretty well, while fitting in my pocket, and the DMC-TS5, which I can use to shoot movies or stills at 40 feet underwater, carry into the mud to go fossil hunting, and never worry a minute about.

 

On the other hand, as long as Panasonic stays in this game, five new models in 2014 is enough for me. I would imagine this to be three compacts and two Micro 4/3 cameras (pure speculation on my part). That's enough. In fact, I'm looking forward to spending some time with my new GX7 in 2014, and don't need the diversion of a GX8 or 9.

 

So, keep your chin up, Panasonic. Put your efforts into five EXCELLENT cameras instead of ten incremental improvements.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Winter Doldrums? December is Here.

Sunsets on the Month of November, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4 Lens

iso 200, f8, 1/50 sec.

As I write this, it's Sunday morning, December 1, 2013 (I usually write posts several days ahead). Amazing how fast this year has gone; it seems like yesterday we were in January.

 

Yesterday, I went to visit a friend in Warrenton, Virginia, and captured the shot above, the final sunset of November, with my new Lumix GX7 and 25mm Summilux.

 

Oh yeah, while I was out, I got to handle the new Nikon Df at McClanahan's Camera in Warrenton. It's really, really attractive.

 

(Click Here) to got to McClanahan's. Mr. M. has a Df waiting for your purchase; I;m sure he'll be happy to ship it to you.

 

Winter makes it harder to find interesting subjects to photograph, especially outdoors. This just means that I need to focus my lens and efforts elsewhere. People are still interesting in winter, right? And, it's a chance to focus on cleaning up all of the image files I shot all year round, organize my folders for next year, and maybe even do some post-processing and printing.

Last of the Leaves, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 OIS Lens at 280mm

iso 400, f5.6, 1/400 sec.

 

If you know me at all, you know that organizing files isn't what turns me on about photography. No, it really is December 1, and that means it's time to select my final lens for my monthly series Whole Lotta Leica (that series will end after this month), and pull a neglected camera out of the closet for my Skeletons From The Closet series. The future of SFTC is uncertain at the moment, but I'm thinking of focusing on a few of my favorite cameras next year, for longer than a month. I may even do multiple cameras at the same time. We'll see.

 

So, time to start thinking about some new projects, and continue on some current ones. I'm sure I'll find some good live music being played in the local venues even as it snows outside, for example.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Time for a New Micro 4/3 Body

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-GX7SBODY

 

I have been focused on other camera systems for most of this year, and have left my Micro 4/3 lenses (mostly Panasonic or Pana-Leica, but also the awesome Olympus 75mm f1.8) largely unused. I think I really need the latest advance in sensor technology (beyond my DMC-G3 and DMC-GX1 bodies) to get me back into the wonderful world of Micro 4/3. Not that the G3 or GX1 are slouches; they're not.

 

I have been having a lot of fun shooting my Leica M9 this year (see Whole Lotta Leica), and will not lose focus on Leica. I've also had a blast with my film cameras (see Skeletons From The Closet), but am ready to settle in with a few of those cameras for deeper concentration in the coming year. And of course, my Nikon D700 continues to impress and serve as my only choice for extreme low light applications (think live music in small dark venues).

 

So, with all that, why get back into Micro 4/3? Shouldn't I just sell my Micro 4/3 stuff and focus on the other outfits? Well, no. While many users consider a Leica rangefinder a great travel camera, I frequently need more focal length options than that system offers. I love to travel, so the optimum travel camera is something I'm always seeking. Film cameras fall from this category simply because of the issues of traveling with film. My Nikon DSLR can be a great travel camera, but at great cost of bulk and weight. So, once again, I'm pursuing Micro 4/3 mainly for this purpose.

 

I've always been a proponent of Panasonic Lumix cameras in Micro 4/3, preferring them over Olympus. This is not a decision based on performance. I have a long history with Panasonic, including working with Matsushita Denki (Panasonic's parent company) over multiple decades in my engineering career.

 

Olympus is testing my resolve in my Panasonic dedication with the E-M1. In fact, Steve Huff, while being very complimentary about the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, says the E-M1 outperforms it in most ways. Yes, the E-M1 is $500 more than the GX7, but that would not be a deciding factor for me.

 

(Click Here) to ready Steve Huff's GX7 review.

 

I am nearing the decision point, and need to look more into the E-M1 before making it final. Subjectively, I like the form factor of the GX7 more than the SLR-like E-M1; that may be enough to keep me with Panasonic.

 

Regardless of which way I go, I'm encouraged that Micro 4/3 may now be at the performance level to really hold its own against APS-C and larger sensors. I'm hoping that my next Micro 4/3 body will give me the equivalent jump in performance that I experienced in Nikon DSLRs, when I went from the D200 (which is a solid performer) to the D700 (which is simply amazing). If I can get that sort of improvement, specifically in high iso performance, I'll be very pleased. I know Micro 4/3 will not give me the same high iso as the full-frame D700. But, a similar jump in performance relative to the earlier generation will go a long way.

 

On top of that, I will get in-body stabilization, built-in EVF, and the silent shutter - all nice features that I'll love using.

 

So, as soon as my "due diligence" in exploring the E-M1 is complete, I anticipate pulling the trigger on a new Micro 4/3 body.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

New Pana-Leica Lens! 15mm f1.7 Summilux Aspheric

Pana-Leica 15mm f1.7 Summilux

Image Source: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/pressrelease/leica_dg_summilux_15/

Well, it seems that Panasonic and Leica's collaboration continues. I'm pleased to hear it.

While I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my newly-ordered Lumix DMC-GX7, Panasonic has just announced the latest addition to the Pana-Leica lens set for Micro 4/3. While 30mm equivalent field of view is a little odd, being neither here nor there between 28mm and 35mm traditional fields of view, I'm sure it's going to be a great lens. It will be a nice addition to my 25mm Summilux and 45mm Macro-Elmarit. A tiny three lens prime kit that covers lots of ground.

As you probably know, I am a Leica nut. I have been focused on shooting my M9 this year, which is appropriate given the investment I made in it. I didn't want to stray from Leica, but my Micro 4/3 lenses have been calling me, albeit with a muffled voice, from inside my equipment drawers. So, I decided to jump back in with the purchase of a DMC-GX7 camera. Now it seems I can really have the best of both worlds - the latest Lumix features and Micro 4/3 size advantage with the highest quality Pana-Leica lenses.

Exciting times in photo equipment!

Now, please, Panasonic. Please ship my GX7!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

New Lumix G Vario 14-42mm Series II Kit Lens - Cousin To the Leica X Vario Lens?

Indulge me in a little fantasy, please. Read on.

 

I have decided to jump back into Micro 4/3 in a big way, with the new DMC-GX7 from Panasonic. I packed up my Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and G3, sending them off to KEH for resale. Hard to see them go, but it was time. So now I'll be shooting with the new GX7, and the GX1 as my backup body. Two tiny, full-featured cameras.

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Image Source: shop.panasonic.com

 

I happened to order the GX7 with the new Panasonic kit lens, the 14-42mm G Vario Series II. Interested to see what had changed from the last version of the cheap 14-42mm Lumix kit zoom, I was intrigued to find that they've made it smaller, and reportedly better, through the use of two aspheric elements. This rang a bell in my head.

 

Here's how Panasonic describes the new lens:

 

"Lens Construction:  9 elements in 8 groups (2 aspherical lenses)"

 

Intrigued, I decided to look up the new, highly-acclaimed zoom on Leica's new X Vario camera. Here's how Leica describes their lens:

 

"Lens Leica Vario-Elmar 18-46 mm f/3.5-6.4 ASPH. (corresponds to 28-70 mm in 35 mm format),

9 lenses in 8 groups, 2 aspherical lenses."

Now, I know they're not the same lens. They're not the same focal range, but they're close. And, the Leica lens must cover the larger APS-C sensor. But, it does seem a little ironic to me that they have the same number of elements, groups, and aspheric lenses, especially since we know Panasonic and Leica collaborate at some level, as evidenced by the excellent Pana-Leica lenses (the 14-42 is not one of those, and is branded solely by Panasonic).

 

So, I'm going into this with the probably-unrealistic belief that my new kit zoom has some influence in design from the X Vario!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

The "Sketchbook" Concept

User jl-lb.ms on Rangefinder Forum has put a name to the concept of exploring a subject or concept with a camera, simply documenting a scene, or exploring a thought. He calls it a "sketchbook."

 

(Click Here) to read the post on Rangefinder Forum, and see a couple of examples posted in the comments.

 

I think I do this regularly. Below is an example of my exploration of some raindrops on a tree in the dreary winter of Virginia.

 

"Sketchbook" Raindrops, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 Lens

 

Little glimpses like this are interesting. I remember well the day I took these. I was out for a late January walk, cabin fever having set in. I also remember lamenting the barren scene of winter, with very little interesting to look at or shoot. White sky, no leaves on the trees, lots of gray. Even in these times, if you look hard enough, something is interesting. One approach is to simply go with the lack of color and shoot monochrome. Look for structure. Another is always to shoot closeups.

 

What works in these shots, if anything at all, is the glowing dots of out-of-focus raindrops. The final shot shows these best, in my opinion. Even though the overall outdoor light was very dull, even, low contrast, the drops against a relatively dark shadow background lends at least a little drama. No masterpiece here, these are still worthy of the "sketchbook." They bring back the day for me now, 18 months later.

 

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Finally! The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 is Announced and Looks Great!

 

Image Source:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/08/01/panasonic-reveals-lumix-dmc-gx7-enthusiast-mirrorless-camera

 

I have not been using my Micro 4/3 camera system much at all this year. Focusing more on Leica and film cameras, I just have not had the time to use it all. I did invest in a DMC-GX1 for a pittance earlier in the year, and took it along on a trip to Key West, Florida.

 

(Click Here) to see some shots I made with the GX1 on that trip.

 

The GX1 works very, very well in my hands. But, we Panasonic fans have been waiting for a next generation of GX cameras, bringing the sensors up to date with the state of the art, especially as it concerns high iso performance. Well, it's finally here, or at least announced.

 

(Click Here) to read about it on dpreview.com

 

What are the great features? Well, first, the GX7 reportedly has an all-new sensor with improved signal-to-noise performance. This means that it will indeed perform better at high iso settings (low light), with less noise. The maximum iso setting is now 25,600, though I would bet that the maximum useable setting is somewhat lower than that, if you don't want to deal with a lot of sensor noise. We'll see.

 

It also has in-body stabilization, which has been in Olympus cameras for some time, but never in a Lumix Micro 4/3 body. I hope this will work well with my older Micro 4/3 lenses that have stabilization built into the lens.

 

The next GX7 also has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), rather than the accessory finders required for previous GX cameras.

 

Finally, the GX7 provides "focus peaking," which allows you to know when you're in focus when you're using manual focus.

 

These cameras will be in high demand for some time. They'll sell lots of them. I can't wait to see just how good the new sensor is.

 

There's more news from Panasonic as well. They have announced a new Pana-Leica "Nocticron" 42.5mm f1.2 super fast lens. This will be a wonderful portrait lens, taking advantage of the compact Micro 4/3 design, yet with a sufficiently fast maximum aperture to produce shallow depth of field, a common desire in portraiture. More on that later.

 

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I Was Tempted By The Fuji X100S, Sony RX1, and Leica X2 - I Think I'll Pass For Now

Image Source: www.amazon.com

I have been traveling for the past week or so with my Leica M9, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 compact camera, and my Skeletons From The Closet camera for March, the Zeiss Ikonta folder.

 

I have been sorely tempted by the three fixed lens cameras mentioned in the title of my post. All three, the Fujifilm X100S, Sony RX1, and Leica X2 offer a lot of excellent features. However, I'm pretty convinced that if I were to buy a fixed lens camera, I would want a 50mm equivalent field of view, as opposed to the 35mm field of view of each of these cameras.

 

On this trip, I brought my Summilux 35mm f1.4 lens for the M9. That lens is my Whole Lotta Leica pick for March. While it's an amazing lens, I have felt throughout the trip that I'd have been happier overall with a 50mm lens. Of course, the M9 lets me change lenses, which I am not shy about doing. But, if I bought one of these new fixed lens cameras, I would not have that option. So, I am staying out of that market for now.

 

If I were going to go for it, it would be between the Fuji and Leica. I've now handled both, and they are extremely nice cameras. I've also handled the Sony, and like it. Just not to the tune of the price difference.

 

I wrote a couple of days ago about how I essentially traded in my year-old Lumix DMC-G3 kit for a new DMC-GX1 through Amazon (the GX1 is $275 brand new right now!). The new GX1 is waiting for me in its box until I get home. I'm thinking that the GX1 with the Lumix 20mm f1.7 pancake lens should give any of these cameras a run for their money, and for much less of it (money, that is). If I considered the combination of a flexible compact camera and a fixed lens higher image quality camera combination for travel, I would have thought about the Lumix DMC-LX7 (which I continue to explore and enjoy immensely) and either a Fuji X100S or Leica X2. Now, I'm thinking the GX1 with 20mm f1.7 will be the higher end choice. The GX1 is very compact, and yields great image quality. I know this from my experience with the DMC-G3, which shares the same sensor as the GX1. With the 20mm f1.7 lens, it's a very nice little package. And, I have the awesome 25mm Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4 if I really want the 50mm equivalent field of view.

 

Kirk Tuck recently wrote a post about comparing the high iso performance of the Fujifilm X100S with his Sony NEX, using the excellent comparison tool at dpreview.com. His conclusion is that the hysteria over the X100S may be warranted by the features of the camera, but not by high iso performance alone.

 

(Click Here) to read Kirk's post, entitled "New "Holy Grail" of Cameras Spanked by the Real Deal." How controversial that title sounds!

 

I decided to do the same comparison between the X100S and the GX1. Here's a screenshot of the raw images at iso 800:

 

DPreview iso 800 Raw Comparison of Fuji X100S, Fuji X100, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1,and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Image Source: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/fujifilm-x100s/6

 

You can easily switch iso level for all of the cameras in the comparison using the dpreview tool. I decided that iso 800 is important for me, as I need that level fairly often on travel, especially in cloudy weather. However, the f1.7 lens on the GX1 will need it less often than the f2 on the Fuji or f2.8 on the Leica.

 

My conclusion from this comparison is that, as expected, the LX7 really lags the other, larger sensor cameras in performance at iso 800. But, surprisingly, I like the GX1 result more than the Fuji cameras. While the Fujis certainly have a smoother image rendition, it is at the cost of detail. When considering raw files (before noise reduction is applied), I prefer to retain as much detail as possible. So, I think my GX1 will perform very well in comparison to the X100S at iso 800. The same trend applies at iso 1600 and up. Plus, I can change lenses when I want.

 

How about those LX7 results? Well, it's a compromise. The LX7 has so many features, including a nice zoom range, in such a tiny package, I'm willing to keep the iso level low to preserve image quality.

 

So, if you've followed my musings thus far, I won't be buying one of the new fixed lens wonders from Fuji, Sony, or Leica any time soon. I'd be more inclined if any of them came with a 50mm equivalent lens.

 

Now, I will admit that I'm still very attracted to the Fujifilm X20 for the flexible end, as competition for my LX7. I handled an X20 in Tokyo, and it's very impressive. The optical viewfinder is very nice, and it feels like a real camera. But, for now, I'm sticking with Panasonic for both cameras.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

Joshua Tree National Park - Lumix In The Desert

 

Prickly, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7 Lens

iso 160, f4.5, 1/500 sec

 

Desolate, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 20mm f1.7 Lens

iso 160, f5.6, 1/250 sec

 

The detail in the twisted tree in the foreground contrasts nicely with the smooth, weather-worn cliffs. The dry riverbed gives the eye something to follow.

Namesake Joshua Trees, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 Lens at 162mm

iso 200, f8, 1/160 sec

 

The space between features at Joshua Tree makes composition a challenge. In this case, I decided to shoot from afar with the 100-300mm, to compress the Joshua Trees a little closer together in perspective.

 

I decided to put the 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit on and shoot some macros:

 

Wood Detail, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f5.6, 1/25 sec

 

 

Monarch's Demise, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f5.6, 1/30 sec

 

Radial, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f4, 1/320 sec

 

Miniature Flower, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f4, 1/200 sec

 

Skeleton, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f11, 1/60 sec

 

Wherever there is water, life abounds. These are fan palms at a small spring.

Fan Palms, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 Lens at 300mm

iso 200, f5.6, 1/200 sec

 

Ocotillo, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit

iso 200, f4.5, 1/800 sec

My trip was a little early in the year for the short-lived desert bloom. The ocotillo (above) was well on its way, though.

 

The desert is an amazing place to shoot. It's challenging. You really have to tune in to see what to photograph. I find it stimulating. It stretches me beyond my normal shooting situations, which is always a good thing.

 

 

Earth's Spine, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens

iso 200, f5.6, 1/640 sec

Split Rock, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens

iso 200, f11, 1/320 sec

 

Window To The Horizon, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens

iso 200, f11, 1/200 sec

Wispy Clouds, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens

iso 200, f8, 1/320 sec

 

 

This little guy is called a side-blotched lizard:

Side-Blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 Lens at 300mm

iso 200, f8, 1/1600 sec

 

Even though it was only about 75 degrees fahrenheit on this day, as the sun rose directly overhead at mid-day, it was brutal. I got sunburned much more quickly than I expected. I also stepped off the trail, and got myself into a walk several miles longer than planned. The desert is no place to mess around. Stay on the trail. Period.

 

Mid-day Shadows, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens

iso 160, f16, 1/200 sec

 

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the desert. I will take any opportunity to go back and shoot here again.

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