GF-1 vs GF-2

stupid leica

stupid leica

i don't shoot rf
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Aug 13, 2009
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Ok, i'll admit i haven't given M4/3 a fair chance. I have all but ignored it as a format until recently.

A little background- i have shot pretty much every DSLR and point and shoot digi from the Canon D30 to the 5DmkII, and a large assortment of Nikons as well. I have since gone to a mostly film setup that i've amassed over the years, but local film lab options are just miserable.
Wife and i have a kid on the way, i would like a better digital option than my powershots.

Now here we are.
I do not like the Olympus offerings, mostly based on looks and just how they felt in the store last time i checked.
I have messed with a GF2, i think i remember it feeling pretty good. I like the shape and appearance of the thing.

I'll mostly be using the camera for video and stills will be a secondary but also important purpose. I plan on getting a cheap C-Mount like a 25/1.4, but like the option of the 14mm kit lens.

Is the GF-1 decent, or should i just go for a GF-2? I am trying to keep it cheap, which the GF-2 does seem to be reasonably priced.


i guess i'm just trying to justify it, and not feel like it'll be a let-down.... Is it fairly quick to use, in operation, on the go? How is battery life? Shutter lag?

thanks
 
I have the GF-1, I bought it just before the GF-2 came out. The reason is the control knob on top. The GF-2 has only touch screen. My vote goes to the GF-1, with my M lens.
 
GF1 can be hacked with PTOOL allowing for much better video control and improved bitrate. If video is your thing, GF1 is the one to get of the two you mention.

With that said, IMO you will need the finder for the GF1 (expensive for what it is) and you may as well find a used GH1 instead with much better video capabilities and a much better finder.

edit: I have both the GF1 w finder and GH1
 
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I have optical vfs as well as the evf for the GF1 and always use them. I recently bought the GH2 for video and the difference in size and bulk is less than you would think. The 14 and 20 pancakes protrude little further than the hand grip and longer lens feel better balanced on the GH2, atleast to me. I am not sure how much I will use the GF1 now. My GF1 is on the other side of the world so I haven't had chance to compare side by side images.
 
Oh thanks, i didn't realize the GF2 did away with the dial on top. Touch screens are the worst.
That EVF for them looks pretty cool for sure.

Do they have the same sensor? Looking at the spec sheets, the numbers are the same.

720P is good enough video for me, it'll be for quick videos around the house and when travelling, and occaisional artsy-fartsy stuff with C-Mount lenses.

Do either of them have a mic input?
 
ugh, GF2's seem to be way cheaper on the used market. A quick look at FM, GF2's are going for under $300, and GF1's are up around $500.
 
GH1 and GH2 bodies are way better for video usage. I think the GF1 only allows video in Program/AF mode.
 
From what i've read about the GF1, it will record video in any mode- but with factory firmware it will limit your control to just automatic settings regardless of what mode you are in.

the "GH13" firmware will fix that! :)
 
I'm going to Shanghai with my son for his hockey camp next week and I've always been shooting GF1 'HD' which requires format transformation before replay on the computer. All the videos are for post game study and I don't want to have any hiccup.

I've been reading quite a bit about the GH13 but I'm no computer geek so any advice on the upgrade will be appreciated. Thank you.

Cheers,
Dennis
 
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stupid leica said:
ugh, GF2's seem to be way cheaper on the used market. A quick look at FM, GF2's are going for under $300, and GF1's are up around $500.
Click to expand...

I sure feel good about buying my GF1 when sellers were blowing them out at rock bottom prices as the GF2 was being introduced.
 
I've got a GF1 lined up for a marvelous price already. Pentax 25 on the way, C-Mount adapter on the way... 8gb class 10 SDHC on the way....

You could say i'm diving in headfirst
 
DennisPT said:
I'm going to Shanghai with my son for his hockey camp next week and I've always been shooting GF1 'HD' which requires format transformation before replay on the computer. All the videos are for post game study and I don't want to have any hiccup.

I've been reading quite a bit about the GH13 but I'm no computer geek so any advice on the upgrade will be appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

I don't really understand why you say "HD" requires format transformation? GF1 records in two formats AVCHD lite and MJPEG both are HD (720).
If you can't play the files, you just need to download an application/codec that can.
You don't have to be a computer geek to use the hack, but if you feel uncomfortable with the lack of structured information available, I suggest you don't apply it. The GF1 makes decent video without it.
 
Lflex said:
I don't really understand why you say "HD" requires format transformation? GF1 records in two formats AVCHD lite and MJPEG both are HD (720).
If you can't play the files, you just need to download an application/codec that can.
You don't have to be a computer geek to use the hack, but if you feel uncomfortable with the lack of structured information available, I suggest you don't apply it. The GF1 makes decent video without it.
Click to expand...

Hi Lx,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and sorry I was not clear. I've been using AVCHD for my video and the quality is acceptable but not great. That's why I am tempted to try the hack but worries I may do something stupid or even worse stone the camera. Maybe I shall wait after the trip so I can be more relaxed about it.
Cheers,
Dennis
 
I was reading random stuff about the hack last night, i dont know if i misunderstood or not- but when you apply the hack, does it brick certain photography modes?
 
I had a gf1 before, and i sold it...becos i still think the IQ from my canon dslr is much better..and the 2x crop factors is a terrible experience for me, imagine i mounted a 50mm lens on it..and i had to stand really far to take a group photo for my friends...

Back to topic...i don think there is much difference between a gf1 vs a gf2....pick a gf1...its super cheap now in de market...:)
 
pika, i'm not looking for sheer overwhelming IQ. If i wnted that, i know i could get better from most modern crop DSLR's. I want something cheap, compact, kinda fun, that can take better pictures than my powershot, be quicker and more economical than film, and shoot video also.
I think the GF1 will work nicely for me.
 
stupid leica said:
I was reading random stuff about the hack last night, i dont know if i misunderstood or not- but when you apply the hack, does it brick certain photography modes?
Click to expand...

THe hack requires you to educate yourself a little and that can be a little difficult as things are not well structured. I have applied the hack to both my GH1 and GF1. I just used the most recent reliable in-camera playback patch by Lpowell available on this site:
http://www.personal-view.com/
Where you also will find the latest version of Ptool.

Before doing critical video recording, you should do some testing under similar circumstances to ensure your card(s) support the write speed that your new hacked camera is capable of. I use only category 10 cards (Sandisk and Transcend) and have had no problems.

It is a hack and I cannot make guarantees of course, but all photo functions works well on both my cameras and the video is greatly improved.

The GF1 hack opens op for manual control of video which is not supported out of the box. If I remember correctly: There is supposed to be a potential issue if you store manual video settings to one of the custom setting slots. You should be able to find more information if you look around at the site above.
 
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