New Camera and Setup - Panasonic G9

[BoozinCroozin]

I had a Sony a6400. I had it for a year and rarely used it. It was bought when my other camera was lost/stolen. Every review and recommendation was to go the a6xxx route. Because I need a camera quickly, I got a deal on it (and recently sold it for more than I bought it for). I could not get the camera to work for the way I was use to shooting. I learned using a Canon 7D. I learned how to get out of Auto mode and strictly use Manual mode. ISO, Aperture, and Speed were all at my finger tips. I never had that with the Sony and left it in Auto mode. I tried for several weeks to make it work for me through customization, but it was a no go. The more I fiddled with it, the more I started to hate the camera. 

 

I spent a good long time with a camera shop. Obviously they have a bit of agenda as well, but the one I went with was very helpful. They pushed Sony, Fuji, Canon, and Nikon, but let me handle things and see what I liked. I never liked Nikon and I may not have given it a fair shake, but so be it. It came down to a Sony a7iii (~$1700 used), Fuji X-T4 (~$1,700 new), and a Panasonic G9 (~$800 used). Obviously, there were Nikon and Canon's that fit these sizes, but slowly cut them out of the decision because I liked the feel of these more. In the end, what I use a camera for and budget became the deciding factor. All three had everything where it intuitively should be for me. I went with the G9 because my I can get the 2 lenses and body for what just the body is for Sony and Fuji. I know I am sacrificing low-light performance. That can be compensated for with fast primes (Sigma 56mm f1.4 which I am buying) and the use of DXO DeepPrime for noise reduction. All of this combo should be more than enough for my needs.

[TheOldBear]

What lenses did you get with the body?

The Panasonic/Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 is the 'natural' pairing for a normal range zoom. 

 

For Micro Four Thirds both Olympus and Panasonic lenses are 'first party' and function nicely on the other manufacturers body [exceptions are the sync/dual image stabilization, Oly 'pro capture', Panasonic 'depth from defocus' features all require the same brand body & lens]

If you initial choice of lenses did not include a tele or one of the 'travel zoom' lenses [14-140, 14-150 or 12-200] you may want to pick up the Olympus 'plastic fantastic' 40-150R lens [frequently available refurbished for $59]

 

Check with Panasonic's support site to download the current manual, and firmware upgrades - the body has received several updates since its initial release. You may also want to download the free, Panasonic specific version of SilkyPix - there should be links from Panasonic support's web site.

 

[BoozinCroozin]

Thank you for that. So far I only have one lens (coming in today). It is the Olympus 14-150mm MkII version. It was a great price. I wanted the a7iii, but cost became the driving factor. I will most likely be getting the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens. I need a portrait lens for a friend's event this Summer and probably another just after. 

 

There are a few lenses I would like to eventually get which includes the PL 12-60mm f2.8. I am also looking at the Laowa 7.5mm f2 and the Olympus 100-400mm. All of these are way down the line purchases if I need them. I am getting what I need initially and will look from there at what else I may want/need. If I can get a good deal on one of the small wide primes, I will probably get one of those as well. 

 

Once I get my lens today, I want to get a few high ISO pics with it and test DXO's DeepPrime to see how good it really is. If it is as good as the videos, then I won't ever need FF.

[TheOldBear]

The 14-150 travel zoom makes the 'plastic fantastic' redundant.

 

I am renting the Oly 100-400 for the 'Jones Beach Airshow' over Memorial Day weekend  I will see how that behaves on my OMD EM1.2 [and try balancing the 12-200 on the much smaller EM10.2 body]

 

[BoozinCroozin]

I saw the release of the Olympus 100-400. I hope Panasonic does something similar down the road. Having dual IS would be nice on something of that size. 

 

As for the G9, all I can say is it is night and day difference for me than the Sony a6400 I had. It only took 2-3 pictures to get use to the G9. I have all the control I am use to at my right finger: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. The adjustments are quick, can be seen easily on the display (I like the black/red bars). I know low light is the biggest issue with m43. I knew that well in advance. I watched several videos of DXO DeepPrime for noise reduction. I am not a photo editor and rarely do it, but I was amazed at how much detail was recovered/corrected with it. I know it is not the best test, but I cranked ISO to 6400, took a 1/250 shot of a movie poster in reflective glass. My picture actually looks better than the movie poster of DXO DeepPrime. I am fairly certain I will be buying that package for DeepPrime alone. It has general editing too which I may not require anything else. 

[TheOldBear]

Panasonic already has a Leica branded 100-400 zoom lens, with dual IS on their bodies 

 

Many Olympus M1 shooters used that lens. No ‘sync’ IS, but on an Oly body you have a choice of either lens or in body IS. My understanding is with Panasonic that it’s either dual IS or off.

[BoozinCroozin]

I just saw that late last night when looking. After seeing the lens comparisons and reviews, the Panny 100-400 is severely lacking to the Olympus. I am a LONG while out from buying such a lens, so I have plenty of time to research.