[ Non Tech Review ] My thought about GF-1

[A.T.]

I don't own the GF1 or the PEN. GH1 is my choice for all its features.

Anyhow, I don't really fancy the retro stuff. I would go for the defacto look. Bet you can guess what I would prefer if I go for the GF1/PEN class.

I won't say that I'm a purist but if a change in design or whatever makes things better, I'm sure to embrace and adopt it. However, such occurrence is rare.

Here's a couple of stuff I think stay the way they are:

1. Cameras should always be black. Sorrie, silver don't cut it. And black doesn't reflect back in reflective situations.
2. Ferrari cars - red; Porsche - black; Mercedes - white. Weird to see these cars in different colour. The colour of each car brand represents its maker somehow.
3. If you have black hair and oriental, you shouldn't dye brown or otherwise. It's like nature out of place.
4. Restoration of old buildings. Keep the old shell outside and change all new inside. What a mess! Sad to say, Singapore got a lot of such cases. Since I don't fancy retro stuff, you should know why I don't really like our Chinatown.
5. Fusion cooking. Where do I begin.
6. Bus stop shelter should function as what it is and not a venue for ads placement. I don't really get it. So many panels and ad stands blocking bus passengers' view and movement. (I broke my foot because of this).
7. Batteries and storage disks should be easily removed by user in electronics stuff. There's concern of data theft. To be honest, it could be easily prevented. Sending in electronics with data intact? Think Edison Chen. That's why, I can never consider certain range of computers.
8. TV display or LCD monitor should not have BIG bright lights or indicators. The only light I want to see is the light coming out from the panel! Of course with images lah. Goodness me, Samsung and Phillips are the biggest culprit for such designs!
9. Movies should be watched in BIG cinema halls. Cineplex halls are crap. Not much different if you set up your own home theatre.
10. Traffic lights. More each day. Can't a straight road run free?

Enuff nonsense for more.

 

[microcosm]

I don't own the GF1 or the PEN. GH1 is my choice for all its features.

Anyhow, I don't really fancy the retro stuff. I would go for the defacto look. Bet you can guess what I would prefer if I go for the GF1/PEN class.

I won't say that I'm a purist but if a change in design or whatever makes things better, I'm sure to embrace and adopt it. However, such occurrence is rare.

Here's a couple of stuff I think stay the way they are:

1. Cameras should always be black. Sorrie, silver don't cut it. And black doesn't reflect back in reflective situations.
2. Ferrari cars - red; Porsche - black; Mercedes - white. Weird to see these cars in different colour. The colour of each car brand represents its maker somehow.
3. If you have black hair and oriental, you shouldn't dye brown or otherwise. It's like nature out of place.
4. Restoration of old buildings. Keep the old shell outside and change all new inside. What a mess! Sad to say, Singapore got a lot of such cases. Since I don't fancy retro stuff, you should know why I don't really like our Chinatown.
5. Fusion cooking. Where do I begin.
6. Bus stop shelter should function as what it is and not a venue for ads placement. I don't really get it. So many panels and ad stands blocking bus passengers' view and movement. (I broke my foot because of this).
7. Batteries and storage disks should be easily removed by user in electronics stuff. There's concern of data theft. To be honest, it could be easily prevented. Sending in electronics with data intact? Think Edison Chen. That's why, I can never consider certain range of computers.
8. TV display or LCD monitor should not have BIG bright lights or indicators. The only light I want to see is the light coming out from the panel! Of course with images lah. Goodness me, Samsung and Phillips are the biggest culprit for such designs!
9. Movies should be watched in BIG cinema halls. Cineplex halls are crap. Not much different if you set up your own home theatre.
10. Traffic lights. More each day. Can't a straight road run free?

Enuff nonsense for more.

Should we meet in Hong Kong for another movie? :bsmilie:

Actually, Chinese cinemas are really awesome these days. Their new digital cinemas pack a punch. Well calibrated and their subs are really working... made me watch Transformers thrice!

 

[Trinity54]

very interesting thoughts from many of you guys here.

i have just gotten my GF1 not long ago .infact just barely 2 weeks old.
before i purchase it , i first saw the ep1.man , i find it really nice looking
even though till now i still prefers the ep1 interms of outlook compared to the GF1.

but what made me start swaying towards the GF1 are the rave reviews , the inbuilt
flash which would definately come handy and of cos , personally hands on both
the units at various mega stores and have a feel of both the ep1 and the GF1.
and on the day of purchase , frankly i am still undecided between the two .
EP1 being i like the outlook its so nice with the brushed silver panels on the front with the
rubber gripping area while the GF1 spots nicer incam menu and faster AF which
a photography newbie like myself would very much love.
AND THEN , i turn it upside down the EP1 and saw these "made in China" i was like aww..
and therefore made my purchase (the GF1) and left the shop happily.
i may seems like an idiot or whatsoever , but then Personally i really do not like
to purchase something which is MIC especially if i am ready to fork out about 1.4k for the twin lens kit.

 

[E-Gene]

Funnily enough, I bought the GF1 because of the built in flash but I've been shooting with it for over a week now and I've never used it.

 

[iNotion]

I am currently torn between both the EP-2 and the GF1...
But i am swaying more to the GF1 side...
only becos of the fast AF.

 

[Novadove]

Made in China means the item has a higher chance of being 1) a pirated piece, 2) fake/bootleg 3) shorter lifespan 4) mentally disturbed

Made in Japan means the item has higher chance of being 1) original product, 2) better quality, 3) longer lifespan 4) heart-felt secure

i took a look at my camera and the components and realised the GF-1 are made in japan; all except the carrying bag that has a tiny MIC tag found internally.

Not that made in (insert whichever country) has got anything to do with producing a good photo, but to me, having a camera of EP-1, GF-1 caliber is like a kid holding his favourite toy.
He brings it all out day long everywhere to wet market as long as it is in his hand. Many of us can train for 30 years in photography but when we reached the limit of hardwork, natural talent comes into play in composing, imagining and framing the world.

Therefore, having a camera no longer satisfy the basic need of just a machine that can capture photo. We are past the age of having complicated gigantic monolithtic computers that work like a calculater. In fact, aesthetic reason is one of the most important factor in our everyday life. Cars like audi, price-jacked vaio are some of the examples why they sell so well. One of my girl-friend told me this before: "Don't know how to play billiard like an expert never mind, as long as can hold a que stick with the right pose can look like an expert liao!"

i am sure majority of the people have different perspective on choosing the camera; be it the sudden impulse that occured during the purchase, or the last minute on-site factor that includes sales person attitude etc.

For me, it's the GF-1 resemblance of the 50's/60's hand held camera that makes me want to own GF-1 so much. It's timeless.

As long as we think what we are holding or wearing makes us stylish and confident, i feel that is more important compare to the constant indulgence of finding the best camera between EP-1 and GF-1.

 

[microcosm]

Made in China means the item has a higher chance of being 1) a pirated piece, 2) fake/bootleg 3) shorter lifespan 4) mentally disturbed

Made in Japan means the item has higher chance of being 1) original product, 2) better quality, 3) longer lifespan 4) heart-felt secure

i took a look at my camera and the components and realised the GF-1 are made in japan; all except the carrying bag that has a tiny MIC tag found internally.

Not that made in (insert whichever country) has got anything to do with producing a good photo, but to me, having a camera of EP-1, GF-1 caliber is like a kid holding his favourite toy.
He brings it all out day long everywhere to wet market as long as it is in his hand. Many of us can train for 30 years in photography but when we reached the limit of hardwork, natural talent comes into play in composing, imagining and framing the world.

Therefore, having a camera no longer satisfy the basic need of just a machine that can capture photo. We are past the age of having complicated gigantic monolithtic computers that work like a calculater. In fact, aesthetic reason is one of the most important factor in our everyday life. Cars like audi, price-jacked vaio are some of the examples why they sell so well. One of my girl-friend told me this before: "Don't know how to play billiard like an expert never mind, as long as can hold a que stick with the right pose can look like an expert liao!"

i am sure majority of the people have different perspective on choosing the camera; be it the sudden impulse that occured during the purchase, or the last minute on-site factor that includes sales person attitude etc.

For me, it's the GF-1 resemblance of the 50's/60's hand held camera that makes me want to own GF-1 so much. It's timeless.

As long as we think what we are holding or wearing makes us stylish and confident, i feel that is more important compare to the constant indulgence of finding the best camera between EP-1 and GF-1.

I like this! :thumbsup:

But it all depends on which year you were born. But for your generation, that is definitely valid.

 

[pchmj]

Shall not discuss about the made in whatever country thing.

I've no idea how a 50/60s camera looks like, camera started to be more common during 70/80s I presume? Maybe because of my age, born in 80s so to me retro is something like PEN, at least that's my first impression. It's true most people go for things that look good, including me sometimes.

So many youngsters carrying DSLR nowadays, more of a fashion rather than functionality. Looks pro and see some lift their head high up while carrying their DSLR but I presume more than half don't even understand the basics of photography.

 

[henavs]

Ok, photography skills aside...lets talk about camera design

Most of the designers & architects I know went for E-P1/P2, while the techies & engineers went for GF1.

The GF1 is indeed looks very retro compared to most modern cameras due to it having a slight rangefinder hint. But it will never take E-P1/P2 place as an almost aesthetically perfect camera.

IMHO, GF1 is like an efficient, almost perfect but mass produced drones. E-P1/P2, meanwhile, feels alive.

Even the less retro E-P2 (compared to E-P1) is already look timeless compared to GF1.

From my recent trip, the E-P2 stood out in the sea of identical DSLRs. It turned head & sparked discussions everywhere it went

 

[Novadove]

The old camera is a 60's Yashica. Image taken from wiki. My dad's one has already been recycled somewhere haha.
Below is GF-1

Last time camera more squarish.
There is something i notice quite interesting. If compare EP-1 to the yashica, EP-1 component individually looks more similiar. meaning EP-1 lens does not take up the entire body. There is a capping with "Olympus" written on it. This trait can be found on the yashica's VF panel. But the overall feel when the lens is attached on the EP-1, it looks like 60's lens on modern body.

The GF-1 when attached with 20mm lens or 15-45mm lens, the whole camera looks more wholistic in completeness but EP-1 looks like putting an old camera lens on a modern designed body.
GF-1's subtlety is something which i personally prefer compare to the modern design of EP-1.

I guess what microsm said is right. it is totally depending on which era the camera owner is referring to.

 

[stetan]

The GF1 is indeed looks very retro compared to most modern cameras due to it having a slight rangefinder hint. But it will never take E-P1/P2 place as an almost aesthetically perfect camera.

To me, the GF1 is a more intuitively designed camera...the menu system , user interface are all very user friendly. Plus the super fast autofocus, built in flash and MIJ sways me towards the GF1.

To me brains matters more than beauty and looks.

 

[chuanzuya]

Ep-2 is definetly an "head-turner" From personal experience, foreigners in the country would come up to me and talk about the ep-2.. They would want to have a test shot and feel of the camera. In exchange, I also tested their bulky dslr.. The feel of holding onto an ep-2 or m4/3 definetely feel better in my opinion..

 

[stetan]

Ep-2 is definetly an "head-turner" From personal experience, foreigners in the country would come up to me and talk about the ep-2.. They would want to have a test shot and feel of the camera. In exchange, I also tested their bulky dslr.. The feel of holding onto an ep-2 or m4/3 definetely feel better in my opinion..

Hope that is not your sole purpose of buying an EP-2

 

[PixMan]

To me, the GF1 is a more intuitively designed camera...the menu system , user interface are all very user friendly. Plus the super fast autofocus, built in flash and MIJ sways me towards the GF1.

To me brains matters more than beauty and looks.

I had the P1 and GF1. I now own a beautiful silver P2 with brown leather covering.

I disliked the P1 for the lack of a meaningful viewfinder. Holding it like a PnS meant less stability because arms are more extended. The AF was nothing to shout about but it got the job done most of the time. The GF1 and Pen work differently from DSLRs so I had no speed expectations.

I got the GF1 on the basis of faster AF and the flash. I was disappointed. The flash was next to useless in most cases unless it was for up-close fill-in. It didn't have enough punch at slower apertures and lower ISO. Taking a photo of, say, friends in a room with the flash was futile. Higher ISO introduced noise, etc. While the AF was indeed faster, I also had a higher rate of out-of-focus pictures than I did with either Pens. I believe microcosm mentioned somewhere that the GF1's faster AF speed was achieved at a lower sample rate. This may translate to more misses. To this end, the user may be better served if shots were focused even if more time was needed to achieve that. Then again, the Pen's AF is NOT that much slower than the GF1's.

The lack of in-body stabilisation of the GF1 also meant extended-arm, handheld shots, required higher speeds, higher ISO. Low-light shots became harder.

The above factors, combined with the GF1's expensive but lower-res optional viewfinder, helped me rid the GF1 system within a week.

The P2's EVF is a joy to use, although it really sucks - power, that is. The Pen, with its in-body stabilisation meant I got more usable handheld shots at lower speeds. I regularly shot at 1/2 second, handheld, while on holiday. My Gorillapod remained in my bag most of the time unless I wanted low ISO.

The Pen's out-of-camera JPEGs were also better than the GF1's. The art filters are also something else.

In short, I am having fun with the P2.

Of course, the above is my 2¢ about the whole thing. What one gets is, really, a personal choice. Let's have fun using the tools!

 

[chuanzuya]

Hope that is not your sole purpose of buying an EP-2

definitely not. I bought the EP-2 becuase of its image quality and viewfinder. The other things that comes with it are just additional bonuses

 

[TangKF]

Made in China means the item has a higher chance of being 1) a pirated piece, 2) fake/bootleg 3) shorter lifespan 4) mentally disturbed

Made in Japan means the item has higher chance of being 1) original product, 2) better quality, 3) longer lifespan 4) heart-felt secure

Dont count on it nowadays. I bought my Hitachi Plasma TV solely because the whole thing is Made in Japan. Forked out twice the price of Pioneer (Made in malaysia? or China?) at that time. It broke down twice in 4 years already.

 

[yunhen3350]

I had the P1 and GF1. I now own a beautiful silver P2 with brown leather covering.

I disliked the P1 for the lack of a meaningful viewfinder. Holding it like a PnS meant less stability because arms are more extended. The AF was nothing to shout about but it got the job done most of the time. The GF1 and Pen work differently from DSLRs so I had no speed expectations.

I got the GF1 on the basis of faster AF and the flash. I was disappointed. The flash was next to useless in most cases unless it was for up-close fill-in. It didn't have enough punch at slower apertures and lower ISO. Taking a photo of, say, friends in a room with the flash was futile. Higher ISO introduced noise, etc. While the AF was indeed faster, I also had a higher rate of out-of-focus pictures than I did with either Pens. I believe microcosm mentioned somewhere that the GF1's faster AF speed was achieved at a lower sample rate. This may translate to more misses. To this end, the user may be better served if shots were focused even if more time was needed to achieve that. Then again, the Pen's AF is NOT that much slower than the GF1's.

The lack of in-body stabilisation of the GF1 also meant extended-arm, handheld shots, required higher speeds, higher ISO. Low-light shots became harder.

The above factors, combined with the GF1's expensive but lousy optional viewfinder, helped me rid the GF1 system within a week.

The P2's EVF is a joy to use, although it really sucks - power, that is. The Pen, with its in-body stabilisation meant I got more usable handheld shots at lower speeds. I regularly shot at 1/2 second, handheld, while on holiday. My Gorillapod remained in my bag most of the time unless I wanted low ISO.

The Pen's out-of-camera JPEGs were also better than the GF1's. The art filters are also something else.

In short, I am having fun with the P2.

Of course, the above is my 2¢ about the whole thing. What one gets is, really, a personal choice. Let's have fun using the tools!

Will it need to be so expressive until need "sucks/lousy" keywords?
Will it be really that "suck/lousy" as u said when EP2 EVF didnt launch yet?
How about when one day GF1 launch EVF2 which put another "suck/lousy" keyword on ur dictionary?

Time and tech improving everyday, none “better” exist with "suck/lousy" passed.

Appreciate what we gain, what we have. Instead of insulting another~

 

[iNotion]

Ok, photography skills aside...lets talk about camera design

Most of the designers & architects I know went for E-P1/P2, while the techies & engineers went for GF1.

For me, i prefer the shape & design of GF1,
it looks more like a serious looking camera [like a RF] than the ep-2 [another compact cam design].
My only complaint is there is too much words on the camera body.
Doesn't the lumix designers know what it means by "Less is more"?

Pics w/o all the logo/ labels/ unnecessary wordings.

 

[chalib]

Everyone has his own taste

I would think E-P2 looks more like RF (especially add in the leatherette skin)

Looks at Leica :think:

 

[A.T.]

Should we meet in Hong Kong for another movie? :bsmilie:

Actually, Chinese cinemas are really awesome these days. Their new digital cinemas pack a punch. Well calibrated and their subs are really working... made me watch Transformers thrice!

Haven't really seen anything that's great in the past years. Quality of movies has fallen. Nothing worth travelling for. China may have good halls but they still have film limitations along with censorship. On the other hand, U.S. TV shows are better alternatives as movie folks move on to the television. However, I think it peaked around before the writers' strike. Put it this way, earthlings ran out of ideas for quite a few years liao.