Free! My First Installment of an ebook on How to Set Up Your DMC-G3!

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-G3KK

 
Ok, folks, for those of you who are Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 users, I've embarked on a project to document how I set mine up, and share it with all of you.
 
There is a dizzying array of menus and settings on the G3. I worked through all of them, at least to some extent, and documented not only HOW I set them, but WHY. Now I don't expect you to agree with all of my settings, but at least you'll know what you're disagreeing with, if you decide on a different setting.
 
I have completed the first chapter, which I share here with you now.
 
(Click Here) to download the first installment of my G3 Settings Manual in Adobe pdf format.
 
The second chapter, much more extensive, outlining my settings for the Priority, Shutter, and Aperture Priority and Manual modes, is nearly finished. It will be distributed in the same way.
 
All I ask in return is that you buy your Amazon items by clicking through from my site. That really hasn't paid off yet; I think I'm up to about $15 revenue, total, ever. Of course, if you'd like to contribute directly to this blog, rather than buying things from Amazon (on which I make a very small percentage commission), you can always send me Paypal at rgeorge911@hotmail.com.
 
But, I'm really not in this for the money. It would be great to bring in enough to pay my annual flickr and smugmug bills...
 
I sure hope you find this manual useful. I actually learned some things in the process of writing it.
 
UPDATE 5/13/2012: Chapter Two is now available as well! (Click Here) to get it.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

 

I Love Nice People - the Simplest of Connections

 

Enjoying Farragut Park in DC, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 25mm f1.4 Summilux
iso160, f5.6, 1/125 sec


I am constantly challenging myself to overcome any resistance to ask people for permission to photograph them. On a recent evening trip into Washington, DC, I noticed the beautiful backlight from the setting sun lending to the already attractive profile of this young lady.


Our entire interchange went like this:


"Excuse me. I'm an amateur photographer, and I was wondering if I could take your picture. The light is just perfect."


"Sure."


Click click click (this is the third exposure - the first two featured a trash can at the right, and terrible flare). I used Aperture priority mode, with exposure set to +1 f-stop, to compensate for the strong backlight.


"Thank you so much!"


"Sure."


Perfect. I think I was minimally invasive to her evening, got a shot that I personally really enjoy, and we both made a tiny connection with a complete stranger. Nice people are, well, nice.


DMC-365.blogspot.com




 

Moscow - Beautiful Series Shot With DMC-GX1 and Prime Lenses

Poster PiterM on mu-43 posted a spectacular series of images from Moscow.
 
(Click Here) to see the entire post. You really owe it to yourself to see all of the images.

Moscow, by PiterM on mu-43.com
Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f56/russia-love-gx1-3-primes-12-20-45-a-24469/
 
PiterM comments on how much satisfied he is with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and three primes for his travel photography. On this trip, he carried two Olympus lenses (12mm f2 and 45mm f1.8) and the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7. He notes that so far, he has used the two Olympus lenses most on this trip.

PiterM also mentions how "out of place" he would have felt if he'd been carrying his Nikon DSLR instead.

As always, I love seeing faraway places through the lens of other photographers. PiterM and I certainly agree on how well Micro 4/3 works for travel. Moscow is another place I'd love to see one day.

DMC-365.blogspot.com


 

Photography Blog Announces April Contest Winners, and Start of May Contest ("Rain")

 

First Place Winner - "The Blue Galaxy," by csardases

Image Source: http://www.photographyblog.com/news/april_2012_competition_winners/

Photography Blog (www.photographyblog.com) has announced the winners of its April photo contest, themed "Black and Blue," as well as kicking off its May contest, "Rain."

(Click Here) to see the announcement of the winning images (first place, "The Blue Galaxy," by czardases, shown above.)

Be sure to (click here) to see the full gallery of April entries.

Personally, I find the overall quality of the submitted images to be quite good. For example, the second place winner ("Virus," by zainee) is really cool:

Second Place Winner - "Virus" by zainee

Image Source: http://www.photographyblog.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=124393

I plan to get out there and shoot some rain-related images for the May contest. I have a couple existing images in mind, but can always add more. Here in Northern Virginia, I'm sure I'll get the chance to get out in the rain this month.

In fact, I need to get my Lumix DMC-TS3 waterproof camera out in the rain!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

The Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 Super Zoom - User Reports

Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 Zoom Lens
Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/H-VS014140
 
Recently on mu-43.com, user Z-man posted an inquiry about practical impressions of the Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.7 zoom lens.
 
(Click Here) to see the post and numerous informed replies.
 
I have this lens, and offered this feedback:
 

I find the 14-140 useful, with some limitations.I used to have the 14-45 kit lens and the 45-200, both quite nice for what they are. I should say here that I found the 45-200 to be a step better in my hands than either the 14-45 or 14-140. It was tough to give up, until the 100-300 showed up.I prefer to shoot primes most of the time. However, when I travel, I usually want a lens that I can be sure will cover most circumstances, especially when I'm with family or friends who aren't primarily photographers. That is my most common use of the lens. I agree that it doesn't gather much light, so that's the biggest limitation there.My other big use is for a telephoto for travel. Sometimes the Pana-Leica 45mm Macro-Elmarit just doesn't have enough reach. The 14-140 works well in that situation as well. It is not the sharpest lens at the extreme long end, but sure isn't bad. For me, the 100-300 is a specialty lens, one that comes in handy for birds and nature, especially. I don't carry it on travel very often.So, in summary, I find the 14-140 is in my bag quite often. Second only to my primes.   I also forgot to mention that the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) works very well in my experience, though I have heard opinions that differ. Also, this lens is optimized to minimize noise during video capture - not important for me, but crucial for those who shoot a lot of video. DMC-365.blogspot.com

The Ultimate Adaptation - 100 Year Old Camera on Modern Sensor

 

Image Source: http://ricknunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Vest-Pocket-Lens-900x599.jpg

Rick Nunn's Hybrid - a 100 Year Old Vest Pocket Kodak and Canon EOS.

 

This is very cool! Rick Nunn shows how he adapted a 100 year old Kodak Vest Pocket camera to shoot on his Canon SLR. He includes a video to describe how it's done. Essentially, he attaches the camera to extension tubes, and a lens mount adapter.

 

(Click Here) to read Rick's post.

 

I am new to his blog, but definitely added it to my regular reading list. He seems to share my interest in cameras, blogging, and coffee.

 

This idea is interesting. I have an old Zeiss folder with a stuck shutter in the closet at home. This approach should work just fine, perhaps even easier, with Micro 4/3 bodies. Maybe I'll give it a try.

 

I'd like to see more examples from Rick's camera. Maybe that's coming soon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Don't forget all of those ready-made adapters to use your older lenses on Micro 4/3:

 

 

 

 

Best Little Sushi Shop in Tsukiji

Sakura Ebi Soup, by Reed A. George

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

iso400, f2.5, 1/40 sec

 

If you live in the United States, you probably know how the best of certain types of restaurants (e.g. barbecue) are usually deceiving in their appearance. Somehow, the best BBQ comes from that "hole-in-the-wall" place on the backstreet. You know, the one you're a little scared to walk into?

 

Well, it's not so different with restaurants in Japan. This little shop is literally adjacent to the Tsukiji fish market, the world's largest seafood market, located in Tokyo. Looking out the front door of this place, you can see the market stalls directly outside.

 

Tsukiji Sushi Restaurant, by Reed A. George

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

iso400, f2.5, 1/160 sec

 

Japan is full of tiny restaurants. While this isn't the smallest sushi restaurant I've ever been in (I think that one sat about four or five customers), this one's not huge, by any means. I think it seats eight diners.

 

Tsukiji Sushi Restaurant, by Reed A. George

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

iso400, f2.5, 1/50 sec

This place served up some of the best sushi I've ever eaten. Literally. I'm sure that fresh fish comes in directly from the market every day, and it shows. The selection was awesome. For example, one of the tell-tale sushi pieces is sea urchin (uni, in Japanese). If it is fresh, it is sweet and tasty. If it's even a little past its prime, it's awful. Here, it was downright transformational. Another for me is squid (ika, in Japanese). This place's squid is tender and tasty. Anyway, I digress.

And, my dining company was great as well. Here's three generations of the ladies in the family - my daughter, wife, and mother-in-law:

Three Generations, by Reed A. George

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

iso400, f2.5, 1/30 sec

The Lumix 14mm really worked well in this tight situation. It was wide enough to allow me to shoot in close quarters, and fast enough to keep the iso at 400, very safe territory for manageable noise with the DMC-G3.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little description of a memorable lunch with my family. Thanks for humoring me.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com