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JasonsDrivingForce
Oct 21, 2009, 9:23 PM
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Registered: Apr 3, 2009
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Several people had stated that a camera won’t make your shots better. I contend that while it won’t make you a professional photographer it can enable you to shoot in situations that you never could before.
I recently purchased the Panasonic DMC-GF1 and the 14-45 mm and 20 mm F1.7 lenses. I couldn’t be happier with the purchase. The camera is not much bigger than a Canon G series yet it takes very good video and stills. I have compared it extensively to the point and shoot I was using before and there is no comparison.
Now I am not claiming that my shots or footage are pro grade. However, they are better than any indoor shots that you could take with any other compact camera or sub $1000 camcorder.
If any of you would like to take decent low light shots and good HD video then definitely look into the DMC-GF1. You can buy it with the excellent 20 mm F1.7 lens for $899. That may seem like a lot but decent HD video cameras cost $800-$900 by themselves and stills from those camcorders are useless.
Have a look.
GF1 video Raleigh rampage video
http://www.youtube.com/...-86oo4P2c&fmt=22
GF1 Hound ears video
http://www.youtube.com/...zvr36SxLU&fmt=22
GF1 to ZS3 comparison Mini Review
http://www.youtube.com/...6npu2M8CU&fmt=22
ZS3 video Climbing video for comparison
http://www.youtube.com/...3tt0msAtc&fmt=22
GF1 to ZS3 close-up comparison
http://www.youtube.com/...XrbS9ZUj4&fmt=22
Pics:
(This post was edited by JasonsDrivingForce on Oct 21, 2009, 9:25 PM)
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JasonsDrivingForce
Oct 22, 2009, 3:24 AM
Post #3 of 4
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Registered: Apr 3, 2009
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pfwein wrote: Video looks stellar to my eye. Let's hear it for Micro Four Thirds power. As I mentioned on another post, I have an Olympus EP-1--not sure quality is as good as yours, but I'm happy with it. Here are some vids and pics I took at Ibex earlier this month: Is there any way to rotate the video on YouTube?
I actually think the EP1 is a better still camera than the GF1. It handles noise above ISO 800 better than the Panny.
However, from the few samples I have seen from the EP1 the AVC-HD lite compression is better than the EP1's.
Both are fantastic cameras though. If the rumors are true the EP2 should be spectacular. I guess we have to wait till October 31st for that though.
Yes you can rotate video with programs like AVS converter, Sony's video vegas, and even Quicktime pro will do it. However, the video ends up being 720x1280 which just doesn't fit well on a typical computer screen. Your best bet is to remember that you CAN'T ever shoot portrait video. I have thrown away a few videos myself because I forgot to switch to landscape.
What lens do you use? I heard the noise when it zoomed in one of the clips. That was quite distracting. I highly recommend getting the Panasonic 20 mm F1.7 for your EP1. It is truely a fantastic lens and works extremely well on your camera since the camera has built in IS.
(This post was edited by JasonsDrivingForce on Oct 22, 2009, 3:26 AM)
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pfwein
Oct 22, 2009, 5:14 AM
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Registered: Feb 8, 2009
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OK, thanks for the advice re: screen rotation. Sounds like shooting in landscape mode is the easiest fix.
Those were all taken with the standard (14-42) zoom lens that came with the kit; it's the only one I have so far and I'm happy with it, but I'll think about a new one.
The zooming sound IS very noticeable--I chalk that up as a bit of a compromise in the system. All in all, the sound sounds really good to me (there is a boombox playing in a few of the videos).
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