Urgent... help me decide Panny GX1 or Fuji X100

[wonglp]

Hi Wong, what is the cost of voigtlander f0.95 lense?(pls state currency) It is going to be massive right?

I would be more interested to compare bokeh effect of x100 against Oly mpus 45mm f1.8 as the cost is reasonable and within my budget in the near future. What's your opinion with this comparison?

However I also understand from vanquer that Olympus 45mm lense could encounter small problem on panny body? And problem at low light, . Is the problem a deal breaker? Anyway to counter this problem?

It's hard compare x100 lens with olympus 45/1.8 as they are very different. It's easier to get subject isolation and thus blurrer background with 45/1.8 because of the focal length. You have to stand far enough from your subject to get the effects you want. x100 is much wider so to get blur background is still possible but less easier. 25/0.95 is a manual lens and it's not easy to use. Oly 45mm on pany body = no image stabilization. At low light shooting wide open, you may need to bump up the ISO to handhold well for a steady shot or use a flash.

 

[JW73]

To TS,
Both 20mm and x100 can give nice bokeh.see the example below.
45mm is much easlier to get bokeh.

GF1 with 20mm

x100

 

[pbear1973]

Given your requirements, I'd go with the GX1. Reason is the interchangeable lenses give you flexibility. The X100 comes with a fixed standard 35mm equivalent lens which is really not great for taking architecture shots (I struggled with a 28mm equiv while trying to take pictures of the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul!!). Bokeh is dependent on the lens, and although the larger sensor size on the X100 means better bokeh for a given focal length, as someone else mentioned the panny 20mm gives really good bokeh.

I have both a GF3 and X100 and greatly prefer the X100 because of its vastly superior IQ and low-light performance (the GF3 is a complete fail at high ISO), beauty, viewfinder and extremely quiet operation. But I'm not selling off my GF3 because of the flexibility it gives me, espy with the awesome 14-42 PZ X. The GF3+20mm panny also focuses about 2x faster than the X100.

I wouldn't normally quote Ken Rockwell, but I do agree with him on this point: the X100 is a photographer's fun camera. I.e. a camera you buy only if you already have another camera. I carry my X100 in my haversack everywhere and will use it 95% of the time, but there's that 5% that really would need a different camera.

Re your question about using the Oly 45mm f/1.8 on a Panny body.. I have absolutely no problem with that setup except that it has no IS. So you need proper shooting technique when using it.

Dear Fellow forumers,....
I had just posted my first thread,.. and I had a tremendous and useful response.

I hope the Mods do not mind me posting another thread on GX1,..because I am trying to get quick and urgent attention to my thread to help me decide very soon on the camera I want to buy. I plan to buy in 2 days' time.
BTW,...my new born is 1.5 months now,...I had seen baby grew up so fast, a 10 mths old baby look totally different...So I am in a very desperate urgent mode to buy myself a camera as fast as possible.

After much surveys,... I had pretty much a clearer idea of what lenses I need if I buy GX1 -
GX1
I will have twin lense package -
- RM 2400 for 14-42mm (for holiday use and easy zooming)
and 14mm with 2.5f (for more serious higher quality shots)
...
- I intend to get Olympus 45mm with f1.8 for potrait and bokeh photography ... It will cost approx RM 1100
- I may need wide angle convertor,...not too sure how much it cost for Panny convertor,...if Olympus fits,..then it will cost RM 300

The total cost if I want everything - RM 2400 + RM 1100 + RM 300 = RM 3800


Fuji X100
Fuji X100 will cost RM 3200.
It has 35mm fixed lense with (if I am not mistaken) f2.0.

Based on my understanding, Fuji with its APC-S sensor and Fujinon lense, will definitely beat Panasonic GX1 in terms of overall image quality and low light performance.
But it has a lense that is fixed wide angle.


If we compare GX1 (total everything) RM 3800 vs Fuji X100 RM 3200,...what are the compromise if I buy Fuji X100?
- I can't shoot potrait so well?
- is the bokeh quality of Fuji X100 better than GX1 with Oly 45mm f1.8? I undertstand X100 uses the 9 blades aperture lense which gives beautiful bokeh. I had seen some nice pics on the web of X100's bokeh.
On the other hand, there are people who tells me X100 will not give very good bokeh due to its fixed wide angle and high Depth of Field.


I am greedy and love many types of photography -
- candid shots
- street photography
- Black and White photo
- interior design / architecture shots
- potrait
- bokeh


Why should I go for Panny GX1?
Why should I go for Fuji X100?



Your advise will be greatly appreciated..

 

[weaver46]

Dear members,....

Thanks once again for the prompt reply.

I have one final question, hope you don't mind

1. Without a doubt Fuji X100 produces better color and quality right?
If I am using GX1, and do a proper photoshop (eg. color adjustments, sharpening, noise reduction etc),....will I be able to get a photo very near to the quality of X100?

 

[pbear1973]

Possibly, but when you have a pile of 600 shots I don't think you want to PS even 20% of them.

My workflow is very simple; select the better shots, crop out distracting elements, tweak the curves, tweak the color tones and saturation a bit (general shots) or convert to B&W and tweak the conversion (for street shots) and publish to Flickr. Even that becomes unbearably tedious with hundreds of shots. >.<

IQ really isn't everything when choosing a camera. I think many (most?) people can't tell the difference between a GX1 with a 20mm panny and the X100. It's much more important that the camera fits your needs, and from the list you gave I don't think the X100 isn't going to be great for you.

Dear members,....

Thanks once again for the prompt reply.

I have one final question, hope you don't mind

1. Without a doubt Fuji X100 produces better color and quality right?
If I am using GX1, and do a proper photoshop (eg. color adjustments, sharpening, noise reduction etc),....will I be able to get a photo very near to the quality of X100?

 

[Diginaut]

Weaver46,

The GX1 twin lens kit will be suitable for you at this stage of your photographic journey.
It is versatile for different types of photography with the various inter-changeable native and adapted lens.
For the time being, the 14mm prime kit lens is good for indoors and confined space shooting, eg, in baby's room, without flash as the flash might upset the little one.
The kit zoom is good enough for you to use for walkabouts so that you can try the various focal lengths to see what your primary range is before you decide on lens upgradings. Any perceived shortcomings you find in the kit lenses, you can learn to use different settings on the GX1 to overcome and work around them. This is the most interesting part. The GX1 kit can be easily carried around in a small bag together with a larger bag for milk bottles, diapers, extra change of baby's clothes, pram, sling, etc.....
So, in other words, exploit fully what you have and anything you are unsure about the sifus in CS are always ever ready to advise.

The X100 is a great camera but it is for PHOTOGRAPHERS who already knows what the want and know how to exploit it's capabilities.

I have a very active 3-years old grandson and I derived a lot of pleasure capturing images of his antics with an Oly EP2. A lot of times you just shoot the fleeting moments as you do not have much time to frame. Anticipation of the focusing area is important and I do a certain amount of hyperfocusing. I also shoot dancesports and I use fast manual lens for that purpose.

So don't need to be too academic about comparing specifications. Just shoot and you will learn more doing it. We can talk till the cows come home but it will only increase your knowledge but not your skills. Go and get it and start shooting!

Cheers

 

[Diginaut]

Weaver46,
One thing to bear in mind is that if u get the GX1 you are buying into a system camera. In this case it is the m43 system and future investment in lenses and body upgrades will be towards this path.

 

[pbear1973]

Weaver46,
One thing to bear in mind is that if u get the GX1 you are buying into a system camera. In this case it is the m43 system and future investment in lenses and body upgrades will be towards this path.

+1. The body is just the beginning. System cameras can get very expensive very quickly. Switching to new systems can be prohibitive.

So although this will delay the TS's purchases, I'd recommend expanding the search to the Sony NEX (APS-C sensor!! But huge and apparently crappy lenses - though now Zeiss is apparently producing good lenses for them), and even the X-Pro range.

 

[shength]

Dear members,....

Thanks once again for the prompt reply.

I have one final question, hope you don't mind

1. Without a doubt Fuji X100 produces better color and quality right?
If I am using GX1, and do a proper photoshop (eg. color adjustments, sharpening, noise reduction etc),....will I be able to get a photo very near to the quality of X100?

Different people will view couloirs differently. If you like the colors of Fuji, then go for the Fuji

 

[KYFoong]

First you have to decide what you want to shoot. What interest you? Funny question? Yes, the exactly answer is "don't know" until you have a camera. For this reason, get a lower cost camera that you can sell off later. Popular models are Panasonic Lx5, Oly XZ-1; Nikon P7000, Canon Power shot etc... Unless you are sure that you want to stick to a system, it is difficult choice. You need to do your home work. Owning a system is hard to let go unless you have not committed to other lenses and accessories. Do you intend to keep the hobby or do you just like a set to carry around for holidays and then use it for birthdays and functions? Your answers will help you make a wiser choice.

 

[cannedpineapples]

OP, it's simple. Between your two choices, pick the GX1- more flexible, and much easier to use for a newbie user. It will already be miles better than anything you've used before in terms of Image Quality, so don't worry.

 

[seech]

Buy the X100 and learn how to use it properly and you will not regret it.

The full manual controls are a pleasure to you and make other cameras clunky to use. IQ are second to none at its price point. The lens is fast enough to produce some beautiful bokeh and the pictures are sharp as the X100 does not have a AA filter. The Fuji colors are beautiful and the X100 puts out awesome looking JPEGS so no need to PP.

If you like more of a P&S camera with fast AF then maybe the X100 isn't for you.

The X100 makes you WANT to take pictures and learn about the process. I absolutely LOVE mine!!!

 

[Diginaut]

TS,
Do not be frightened by system cameras and that it is expensive in the long run.
It is within your control if you know your equipment and what you want from them.
As you have sufficient funds to buy a GX1 twin lens kit, then go for it. Use it in Auto mode for the beginning and even your wife can easily handle it.
Don't spend on other lenses for the time being. Play with all the functions of the camera as you go along. it will be more than enough for your current use.
I like the m43 system because of its size and availability of native lenses (from Panasonic, Olympus, Voigtlander) and vast amount of adapted lenses.
You won't need all of them. Don't need to pixel peep and see that every detail is sharp and without distortion.
Just learn to capture pictures that tell a story.
I always marvelled at the photographs taken by photographers before the digital era.
Using film cameras, they capture history and immortalize the moments. Photos taken during WW2, Vietnam war, street scene in the 50s,60s, etc, using rangefinders and other simpler cameras where we need to make parallex corrections. No light meter as we estimate the exposure setting.
Deciding whether to use Kodak, Agfa or Fuji films. Which ASA/ISO film to use...
I still have found memories of a Diana-F toy camera I used more than 40 years ago and yes, the B&W photos are still with me.
Just shoot. Things will take it's course, you will learn from the sifus here. The camera will be able if you are able.

My 2 cents worth.
Cheers

 

[weaver46]

hallo all...

I have bought my twin lense gx1.....thanks for sharing all your advice...

Did have time to test it yet...will do it in the weekends....

Time to start learning photography..YAHOO@@!!!!

 

[Diginaut]

Weaver46,
Congratulations on your aquisition!

 

[MichaelLee]

hallo all...

I have bought my twin lense gx1.....thanks for sharing all your advice...

Did have time to test it yet...will do it in the weekends....

Time to start learning photography..YAHOO@@!!!!

congrat to your purchase. enjoy the new cam.

 

[pbear1973]

hallo all...

I have bought my twin lense gx1.....thanks for sharing all your advice...

Did have time to test it yet...will do it in the weekends....

Time to start learning photography..YAHOO@@!!!!

Awesome!! Congrats on your purchase!! The best way to learn is to shoot frequently

Put your flickr stream in your signature line (like what I did). Would love to see your work!

 

[cannedpineapples]

congrats!!!

 

[weaver46]

Awesome!! Congrats on your purchase!! The best way to learn is to shoot frequently

Put your flickr stream in your signature line (like what I did). Would love to see your work!

Hallo everyone,...thanks for the congrats.

Hi PBear,.....I had viewed a few of your pics,...some of it from Beijing looks really good using your Nikon camera.

Tonight and yesterday night I was just doing some crazy random and clueless shots,...trying to just get the feel of the camera. Well,...I am overwhelmed by the endless options....And learnt a few things.

I got a long long way to go before deciding to create a Flickr account....otherwise they may ban me for posting lousy shots.

 

[wonglp]

Hallo everyone,...thanks for the congrats.

Hi PBear,.....I had viewed a few of your pics,...some of it from Beijing looks really good using your Nikon camera.

Tonight and yesterday night I was just doing some crazy random and clueless shots,...trying to just get the feel of the camera. Well,...I am overwhelmed by the endless options....And learnt a few things.

I got a long long way to go before deciding to create a Flickr account....otherwise they may ban me for posting lousy shots.

Have fun with your new camera. There will be an outing soon for m43 shooters, maybe good chance to join and get poisoned...:devil: It will be good to learn from others as well.