Any other M43 camera owners around here?

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NZtechfreak

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#115321 21-Mar-2013 17:06

I got a Lumix GH3 over the weekend with the Lumix 12-35mm F/2.8 lens, so far really enjoying using it and really starting to get a feel for manual settings for shots (What aperture do I want here for a particular DOF effect? What ISO? What exposure compensation etc...).

Just wondering whether there were others using the same system and how their experiences are?

In particular interested in what lenses people are packing as I consider which other ones to invest in (and getting thoroughly paralysed by the sheer diversity of choice, which spirals even more out of control once you add in lens adapters and so forth).

What software are people using? I'm thinking of getting Photmatix and Lightroom.

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Disrespective

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#785108 21-Mar-2013 17:17

I can't comment on the M4/3 camera side of things but can highly recommend incorporating Lightroom into your image workflow.

I've been using it for about 7 years and haven't found an alternative that I like as much. That might have to do with my heavy use of other Adobe products but I don't think i'd be tied to it if something better did in fact come across my desk.

I used Photomatix years ago when HDR was first coming on the scene. I tried it and quickly got over it but Photomatix was easily the best option then. I would imagine it'd be up there still now as it still reviews highly and everyone I know who uses it only have minor GUI type gripes.

NZtechfreak

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#785171 21-Mar-2013 20:03

Disrespective: I can't comment on the M4/3 camera side of things but can highly recommend incorporating Lightroom into your image workflow.

I've been using it for about 7 years and haven't found an alternative that I like as much. That might have to do with my heavy use of other Adobe products but I don't think i'd be tied to it if something better did in fact come across my desk.

I used Photomatix years ago when HDR was first coming on the scene. I tried it and quickly got over it but Photomatix was easily the best option then. I would imagine it'd be up there still now as it still reviews highly and everyone I know who uses it only have minor GUI type gripes.

Thanks for that.

Lightroom certainly seems the industry standard, hard to argue with that.

Photomatix now make a plug-in for Lightroom so that you can do everything but creating the alligned 32-bit combined image from within Lightroom, plug-in on its own costs $29USD and comes bundled with the Pro versions of the Photomatix software. HDR isn't something I plan to use a huge amount, but that seems pretty reasonable.

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timmmay

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#785175 21-Mar-2013 20:29

You either love LR or hate it. I'm in the second category - I prefer Bridge, which comes with Photoshop.

I don't really do HDR, I use all sorts of lighting instead.

Geektastic

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#787924 27-Mar-2013 13:19

NZtechfreak: I got a Lumix GH3 over the weekend with the Lumix 12-35mm F/2.8 lens, so far really enjoying using it and really starting to get a feel for manual settings for shots (What aperture do I want here for a particular DOF effect? What ISO? What exposure compensation etc...).

Just wondering whether there were others using the same system and how their experiences are?

In particular interested in what lenses people are packing as I consider which other ones to invest in (and getting thoroughly paralysed by the sheer diversity of choice, which spirals even more out of control once you add in lens adapters and so forth).

What software are people using? I'm thinking of getting Photmatix and Lightroom.

Yep. I have a GH3, battery grip (coz it's too small without one) and both the 12-35 and 35-100 in f2.8.

I am taking it as a lightweight alternative when I head to SE Asia for 2 months shortly to shoot images for my latest photojournalism project "Revolution: Wheels of Change In SE Asia".

My usual kit is two Nikon pro bodies and 3 Nikkor f2.8 zooms plus the 24mm f1.4 G prime. I own't be messing about with adaptors or with any more lenses for the Lumix unless the new 300 f2.8 equivalent becomes a reality.

As for software, I use Apple Aperture which I prefer to LR and the full set of Nik plug-ins (now marketed by Google who bought Nik and available at $150 - very cheap as when they were sold as stand alone, the full set would have been over $600).

testha

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#800202 16-Apr-2013 14:19

Yes! I jumped on the M43 train as soon as it was announced, first with an E-P1 and now with the OM-D.

By now I got quite a lens collection:

12mm/F2.0:
I didnt like it at the start as I wasnt much of a wide angel person, it is now one of my favourites. Fast focus, works well in difficult light, I can easiely do handheld shots down to 1/5 of a second without blur.

PL 25mm /F1.4:
My favourite lens, super sharp, I can literally take pictures in the dark with that and the OM-D. Best feature: you get an aparture of 1.4 but a bigger depth of field compare to bigger sensor SLRs so you get the things (usually people) you want in focus without using flash or a tripod. It also renders pictures in a certain way that I just love.

45mm/F1.8:
Used to be my favourite. Shooting portraits was never that easy. Dont use it much anymore as this focal length got a bit boring for me. Also you get a lot of picture quality for that price.

60mm/F2.8 (Macro):
Always wanted to try macro, so got this one last Christmas. Still learning the macro side of it but using this as my main portrait lens atm (:

Kit zoom lens:
I still have it, but the quality between this and the awesome primes is just to big. Havent used it in years.

Other lenses I used:
P 20mm/F1.7 while everyone is raving about this lens and it is a good and cheaper alternative to the PL25, I cant stand the slow auto focus, missed to many shots with it. The Olympus primes and the Pana Leica focus way faster.

PL 45mm/f2.8 Another good macro option, similar good build quality like the PL25mm, decided for the 60mm cause of faster auto focus and weather sealing

new 17mm/F1.8 I liked the fast auto focus, but nothing real special about that lens. Decided I dont need that focal length and I usually use the 12mm if i need to go wider then 25mm.

12-35mm/F2.8 Awesome zoom and good choice on your side to skip the kit lenses. Still debating if I should get one as I already have lenses that cover these focal lengths and dont mind zooming with my feed. But it is still a super sharp and weather sealed lens. Could become my single travel lens. Maybe I just wait till the price comes down, rumor has it Olympus is to release a simlar lens this year, lets wait and see.

NZtechfreak

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#800259 16-Apr-2013 15:02

testha: 12-35mm/F2.8 Awesome zoom and good choice on your side to skip the kit lenses. Still debating if I should get one as I already have lenses that cover these focal lengths and dont mind zooming with my feed. But it is still a super sharp and weather sealed lens. Could become my single travel lens. Maybe I just wait till the price comes down, rumor has it Olympus is to release a simlar lens this year, lets wait and see.

Wow, nice collection of glass you have there!

The 12-35mm is really nice, and being one of the few weather sealed lenses makes it a very appealing option for a single-lens kit for travel etc.

Interested to read your thoughts on the 20mm pancake and PL25mm. I think I will give the 20mm a miss, I have heard now from too many people that its focusing is 'glacial'. I got the Voigtlander 25mm F/0.95 lens last week for a sharp price and been enjoying playing around with that, being the first time I have ever used a fully manual lens. Still weighing up whether I get the PL25mm, its a fair bit sharper at F1.4 than the Voigtlander is (at 0.95 the Voigtlander is really soft, even in the centre area), and has the advantage of AF and the usual on-camera distortion correction that the Panasonic lenses have when used with a Panasonic body... Decisions...

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testha

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#800735 17-Apr-2013 09:58

NZtechfreak:
Interested to read your thoughts on the 20mm pancake and PL25mm. I think I will give the 20mm a miss, I have heard now from too many people that its focusing is 'glacial'. I got the Voigtlander 25mm F/0.95 lens last week for a sharp price and been enjoying playing around with that, being the first time I have ever used a fully manual lens. Still weighing up whether I get the PL25mm, its a fair bit sharper at F1.4 than the Voigtlander is (at 0.95 the Voigtlander is really soft, even in the centre area), and has the advantage of AF and the usual on-camera distortion correction that the Panasonic lenses have when used with a Panasonic body... Decisions...

If you dont mind spending a little extra for the 25mm, I can highly recommend it. It also comes down to which focal lengths you prefer.

dman

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#817128 14-May-2013 00:29

I'm a *huge* micro four thirds fan! I've got a Panasonic GH1, I use a lot of Pentax K mount, Nikon F mount, and C mount lenses on it.

Lightroom + Photoshop + Premier Pro is a good starting point for software (& PluralEyes too if you're using a dual sound set up for video, as most people do).

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

getresults

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#821705 18-May-2013 19:21

dman: I'm a *huge* micro four thirds fan! I've got a Panasonic GH1, I use a lot of Pentax K mount, Nikon F mount, and C mount lenses on it.

Lightroom + Photoshop + Premier Pro is a good starting point for software (& PluralEyes too if you're using a dual sound set up for video, as most people do).

I bought a Panasonic GH2 a few months ago which I've barely used so far. I have the Panasonic 20mm and Olympus 45mm lenses.

I bought it mainly to use for creating website videos (interviews, presentations etc) but haven't quite got around to using it for that yet.

Also looking forward to using it for general photography but feeling pretty intimidated by it so far given it's my first step away from the point and click cameras.

dman

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#821790 18-May-2013 23:06

If you're barely using it may I pretty please swap it with my GH1, you will hardly notice the difference! ;-)

I'm envious :-P

getresults:

Also looking forward to using it for general photography but feeling pretty intimidated by it so far given it's my first step away from the point and click cameras.

Just stick the settings on auto for the first month! :-o

But it will take the fear out of it for you, then after a month you can try some other modes (such as "P" or "A")

Maybe also take a read of this:

http://lifehacker.com/5717451/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-new-camera

Especially the two links from it called "Master your DSLR" part 1 & 2

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding