A Report On the New Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 On Luminous Landscape

The New Panasonic DMC-GX7

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

 

I've been watching for some reports on the new Lumix GX7 Micro 4/3 camera from Panasonic. I only care about reports from people who've actually used the camera, rather than simply reviewed the specifications. I found a very nice, concise report from Michael Reichmann on Luminous Landscape, a site that I respect highly.

 

(Click Here) to read Mr. Reichmann's full report on Luminous Landscape.

 

Here are some of the high points of the report.

 

Pluses:

• Camera size - unlike the flagship Lumix DMC-GH3, the GX7 is small. I believe that's one of the most important aspects of the Micro 4/3 format - small cameras and lenses.
• Image quality - at least matching the DMC-GH3 and Olympus OMD, according to the report
• In-body stabilization - this is important for those of us who like to use old "legacy" lenses on Micro 4/3 cameras. Olympus has had this for a long time, but the GX7 is the first Lumix to have the stabilization built into the body, rather than the lenses.
• Electronic and mechanical shutters - the electronic shutter reduces wear on the mechanical one, and allows one to shoot completely silently. I need to read up on this - I'm not sure what the downside is. I'm sure there is one, or they would have done away with the mechanical shutter altogether.

Minuses / Bugs:

• Image stabilization (in the body) doesn't work in video mode, or with lenses that have IS built-in, even if the lens IS is turned off. Maybe this can be fixed in firmware?
• Auto ISO doesn't work in manual exposure mode

While I have been shooting some Lumix cameras (mainly the LX7 and TS5), I have really been neglecting my Micro 4/3 gear this year, in favor of shooting my Leica M9, and doing my ongoing series of Skeletons From The Closet, where I shoot a different old film camera each month. I'm thinking about what next year will look like here on DMC-365, and may decide to bring Micro 4/3 back in a bigger way. Those gorgeous lenses are waiting to be used.

 

The truth is, I love shooting many different types of camera. There's simply not enough time to shoot them all. Stay tuned, I'll be sure to not let it get stale around here.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

My Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Real World Guide is Available on the Amazon Kindle Store! $2.99 or Free for Prime Members!

 

 

Want to learn how to quickly set up and use your DMC-LX7 without wading through >200 pages of Panasonic user manual? I have finished writing my guide for how I set up and use my Lumix DMC-LX7. It's now available on Amazon.

I share exactly how I set up the camera for street photography, travel, and macro, and explain many of the less-obvious functions of the camera.

 

(Click Here) (or use the Amazon link below) to buy it for $2.99, or borrow it for free if you're an Amazon Prime member. It's currently available in Amazon's Kindle format. After 90 days I may make it available in other formats.

 

By the way, $2.99 is the lowest price that Amazon allows. I want it to be affordable, and I also want to

have the convenience of using Amazon's automatic distribution. Twenty pages of information for $2.99 seems reasonable.

 

I hope you enjoy it!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

User Report on Steve Huff Photo - William Jusuf Uses a Lumix DMC-GF2 and Leica R 50mm Summicron For a Couple of Months!

 

Breads and Cakes by William Jusuf on stevehuffphoto.com

Image Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2012/07/10/user-report-my-journey-with-the-panasonic-gf2-and-leica-50-summicron-r/

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, Leica 50mm Summicron R

 
William Jusuf presents a user report based on his concentration on using a Leica R-mount Summicron 50mm f2 on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2.
 
(Click Here) to read the whole post on stevehuffphoto.com and see the other awesome pictures.
 
Here William shares a wonderfully non-technical, image-inspired review of the fun he's having with this adapted legacy lens on a Panasonic Micro 4/3 body. Of course, the Leica Summicron is world-renowned for its image quality, but the R-mount version is significantly less expensive than those made for the rangefinder M-mount. William puts it to great use.
 
I love seeing this kind of variety in results from such a limited equipment choice. Many would say that the 100mm equivalent field of view on the smaller Micro 4/3 sensor ruins the performance of the Summicron. Not only does it now act as a medium telephoto due to the crop factor, but the out of focus areas ("bokeh") will not be as pronounced, as the smaller sensor produces deeper depth of field than the original 35mm film would have.
 
I would say that William has done a beautiful job of showing just how capable this combination is. Do go look at the original post - there are many more great pictures there.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com