A few days in Waterfall Valley

[nickthetasmaniac]

Managed to get away for a (long) weekend to Waterfall Valley between uni commitments

All with the Panasonic GH2 and Lumix G 20/f1.7

[phan_TOM]

Nice photos Nick, I especially like composition & light in number 4.

Looks pretty cold, especially for someone like me who lives in the subtropics, I'm curious what sort of temps you had? I also like the idea of a small camera like the gh2 + 20/1.7, how do you find it in regard to image quality, size etc?

Cheers
Tom

[nickthetasmaniac]

Nice photos Nick, I especially like composition & light in number 4.

Looks pretty cold, especially for someone like me who lives in the subtropics, I'm curious what sort of temps you had?

Thanks Tom

Yeah was pretty chilly, it snowed a bit on Friday and the forecast for that night was for -5C, but I don't know how cold it actually was...

I also like the idea of a small camera like the gh2 + 20/1.7, how do you find it in regard to image quality, size etc?

In a word, excellent I used to shoot with various dSLR kits (Pentax K20D with DA* lenses, and Olympus E-3 with 'High Grade' Zuiko Digital lenses) and decided to change to the GH2 because I wanted something high-quality but more compact for travelling and hiking. I haven't noticed any loss in image quality and in most cases I think it's actually improved...

Check out my GH2 set on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickthetasmaniac/sets/72157626626048674/

Size wise it's awesome after lugging around a dSLR kit. The GH2 is fine for me, but the newer G3 is more compact and keeps the EVF and articulated screen (great for getting down low - think fungi photography), and then Olympus' EPM1 and EPL3 are even smaller again.

The Micro Four Thirds system is especially good if you like shooting with prime lenses (I do), with some absolute gems in the line-up (m.ZD 12/f2, Lumix 14/f2.5, Lumix 20/f1.7, Lumix 25/f1.4, m.ZD 45/f1.8 )

[phan_TOM]

Yes, thanks Nick, very tempting indeed.

I carry a 40d with a couple of lenses & batteries etc etc which adds up so I know what you mean. I have a panny FT1 (which replaced a G9) as a compact but it leaves a lot to be desired in regard to image quality, mainly got it for on the kayak though.

I really like the GH2 with the primes, so small and excellent IQ to boot and the 20/1.7 is only 100g! Pretty impressive and it seems to get good reviews too.

I also see that Panasonic has released some collapsible zoom lenses >> http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11082615panasonic14-42Xpreview.asp which, if they are as good as they claim, adds to the appeal and versatility without much bulk.


Still, theres much truth to thew old saying 'The most important of a camera is the 12 inches begind the viewfinder". It makes me smile when I show people my photos and they "yeah, but you have a good camera", I've seen some real rubbish from people carryting all manner of pro gear

[nickthetasmaniac]

I carry a 40d with a couple of lenses & batteries etc etc which adds up so I know what you mean. I have a panny FT1 (which replaced a G9) as a compact but it leaves a lot to be desired in regard to image quality, mainly got it for on the kayak though.

If you do a lot of kayaking and 'wet' stuff, might be worth checking out the Olympus Pens - Oly make a range of decently priced underwater housings for them... http://www.olympus.com.au/Products/Unde ... r-PEN.aspx Obviously a fair bit bigger than an FT1, but a pretty stella kit if you're rather keen.

I really like the GH2 with the primes, so small and excellent IQ to boot and the 20/1.7 is only 100g! Pretty impressive and it seems to get good reviews too.

Unless you're fairly serious about video I'd probably go the G3 over the GH2 - similar IQ, smaller and cheaper... The Lumix 14/f2.5 is worth checking out as well, so small it feels like a lens-cap

I also see that Panasonic has released some collapsible zoom lenses >> http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11082615panasonic14-42Xpreview.asp which, if they are as good as they claim, adds to the appeal and versatility without much bulk.

Yeah it's pretty amazing how small they managed to make it! Certainly not cheap though so it'll be interesting to see what the reviews say about quality...

Still, theres much truth to thew old saying 'The most important of a camera is the 12 inches begind the viewfinder". It makes me smile when I show people my photos and they "yeah, but you have a good camera", I've seen some real rubbish from people carryting all manner of pro gear

lol indeed