GF1 and too many lenses?

[david_pogoff1]

<p>My wife and I are going to Costa Rica for two weeks and I've decided to take the GF1 instead of my DSLR. At the moment, I have only the kit lens, 14-45, and want to get additional lenses. What gets frustrating is that one can easily accumulate lots of lenses, thereby undermining the appeal of the GF1 as a small, light, travel camera.</p>

<p>The 45-200 looks like a good idea -- it complements the 14-45 at the long end. If I want to spend $900, the 7-14 complements the 14-45 at the wide end. With these three lenses, and applying the crop factor, I have the 35mm equivalent of 14-400.</p>

<p>Additionally, the 100-300 might be nice so that I can get the 35mm equivalent all the way up to 600.</p>

<p>And who can resist the 20mm f/1.7; gotta have it.</p>

<p>Now, my light travel kit has 5 lenses. Repeating what I said above, this undermines the purpose of a small, light, travel camera. What I'm looking for is advice on which of these 5 lenses to forgo so the kit is manageable. Would any of you with micro-4/3 cameras go for all 5 and take all 5 with you traveling? Thanks for any commentary.</p>

<p>David</p>

[maury_cohen]

<p>Personally, I'd stick with the 14-45 and 45-200 (and a small tabletop tripod). These two lenses should cover 80% of the situations you might encounter and help you keep the bulk to a minimum. That should have been the main reason you invested in Micro 4/3 to begin with.</p>

[phule]

<p>This is probably why the 14-150mm was created, right? :)</p>

 

[SCL]

<p>Costa Rica, I'd just stick with the kit lens and enjoy the trip instead of spending the time figuring out which lens to use. UNLESS, of course, you have something particular in mind, like shooting toucans or hummingbirds in the rain forests - in which case you'll want a long lens and perhaps an off camera flash. Have a nice vacation, it is a nice country.</p>

[phototransformations]

I travel with the 14-45, 45-200 and 20 1.7. Since I'm not a birder I don't need anything longer, and I can get a wider

view by stitching images together into a panorama. (And I don't really miss the kinds of shots you can take only with a

wide lens.) I added the 20 1.7 because the 14-45 was not adequate for night and some indoor shots , and it takes up

little space. I fit my G1, the lenses, extra batteries and memory, and a flashlight and lens pen in a small camcorder

bag about 1/3 the size of my DSLR bag, and I can carry it all day.

[ilkka]

<p>20 1.7 is a very good and compact lens. I think it is the best and most suitable lens for the whole system. But it is a fixed focal length lens. Sometimes one needs a zoom. So it is good to have a normal 14-45 or thereabouts zoom. It is also small and reasonably light. 14 is not very wide, so if you need something wider, you have to choose either 9-18 or 7-14, or as I did, the 8mm Fisheye. I did not want to get the 9-18 because I already have it on the 4/3 system and can use it with the adapter. If money was no objection, I would get the 7-14. For me the 45-200 is the best compromise between size, reach and price. I would not really want anything longer on this small system. For macro and steet portraits, the 45macro would be nice, but I have the 2/50 macro which is actually better and faster, though even slower at focusing, so I have not seen the need to invest in yet another lens. So there you have my minimalist suggestion: 1.7/20, 14-45, 45-200. Since you already have the 14-45, I would consider the need for the 1.7/20, and maybe leave that out for now. For a bit more cash, add 9-18. For even more cash, add 7-14 instead and maybe the 45. If I wanted the 100-300, then I would not get the 45-200 at all and would try to manage the gap between 45-100 just by cropping and moving closer. In that case I would be even more eager to the the 45 maxcro to get a fast lens, as these zooms are all pretty slow.</p>

[Sanford]

<p>I have the GF1 (and now the G2) with those two lenses, 14-45mm & 45-200mm. The next and hopefully last M4/3 lens I have my eye on is the 20mm F1.7 because, to be honest, high ISO performance is not the Panasonic's best feature and I need better low light capabilities. ISO 400 seems to be about it for the two cameras and also the two zooms are just a little to large looking on the GF1.</p>

[pbizarro]

<p>I recommend the following approach:<br>

1. Buy a guide book, or books, investigate your destination. Look at the kind of photos that are illustrating the books.<br>

2. If you fancy taking similar photos, then select the camera gear to suit them, be it DSLR or m4/3, or whatever.<br>

You can buy a bag full of lenses, to get some leverage on being adequately equiped to deal with any conceivable photographic opportunity. This is one approach. The other approach is to compromise on something; to define that something, you need to get your priorities right.</p>

[wayne_murphy8]

<p>I have the 14-45 and the 45-200. The 45-200 is much better than I thought but be prepared to use high shutter speeds to stop movement blur, even with the (pretty crumby) image stabilisation.<br>

The 20/1.7 is more promise than delivery in my opinion but some people love it. I would really like a top quality MICRO 4/3 zoom with a constant aperture. Yes, I know it would cost more and be heavier, but that's OK with me. I don't want the Leica 4/3 with adaptors and poor quality control at huge prices thanks.</p>

[harold_gough]

<p>In general, for holiday/photo trip purposes my experience is:<br>

For building interiors or exteriors in narrow streets or similar situations you need an ultra-wideangle, at least 24mm, better is 17mm (35mm equivalent). Similar considerations if you want to photograph a high mountain and can do do only from relatively close. I make most use of a middle range zoom (35-80mm equivalent) and carry a x2 converter. I always carry a macro lens but rarely use it, moderate close-ups of flowers being typical shots available.<br>

I rarely use flash. I would to some extent if my OM cameras allowed fill.<br>

I also recommend buying a guide book, the Eyewitness series being the best.</p>

 

[kbg32]

<p>I would take the 7-14, 14-45, and 45-200. Don't forget a couple of extra cards and an extra battery or two. You're set for any situation. I carry this kit with my GF1 for travel. It all fits in a small light shoulder bag.</p>

[david_pogoff1]

<p>I appreciate all your responses and am inclined to not bring five lenses (even if I do buy the four additional lenses I discussed). So, I'll bring the 14-45 and either the 45-200 or the 100-300. It's hard to decide whether I want the reach of 600mm (with crop factor) and have nothing between 45 and 100 versus getting the 45-200 and hope that 400mm (with crop factor) is long enough for animals in trees.</p>

<p>Keith, you're the only one who even mentioned the 7-14 which, on paper, is enticing. Is it worth $900? Is that what you paid?</p>

<p>Thanks again,</p>

<p>David</p>

[Ian Taylor]

<p>I have the 7-14 and the 20/1.7. The wide angle is amazing but the 20mm lives on the camera most of the time. Very useful lens.<br>

Here is one with the wide:<br>

http://www.iantaylor.ca/gf1.jpg</p>

[Jim_Tardio]

<p>Have a look at some of the Olympus m4/3s lenses. They are smaller.</p>

[kbg32]

<p>I love the 7-14. A great lens. Sharp and wonderful color.</p>

[kbg32]

<p>"<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=19848">Jim Tardio</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /></a>, Mar 19, 2011; 10:09 p.m. Have a look at some of the Olympus m4/3s lenses. They are smaller."</p>

<p>But somewhat slower.</p>

[eric_arnold]

<p>personally, i would take an UWA for travel. i dont think you'll need longer than 400mm realistically. so the 7-14, 14-45, 45-200 would be ideal. look at it this way, it's still lighter than a comparable DSLR setup.</p>

[hstelljes]

<p>Well I suppose it also depends on your budget. I think I would go with 14-45, 45-200 and definitley the 20mm for low light situations. I am slowly becoming aware of the ISO issues with the GF1 and the two zooms are not fast lenses so make sure you have something to cover those situations. I myself am waiting for the 100-300 so I can't comment on it yet. Have a great trip and post your photos when you return. Take care.</p>