Further camera musings.

Finally realized that Panasonic G3 is a step down from G2 for my needs: fewer physical controls, smaller battery. The smaller “depth” turned out to be purely from the shorter handgrip, which won’t matter given the lens length. GH2 is out of the running because it is too much for a backup camera — I think I’d be just as happy with a smaller, cheaper and simpler G2, especially since video is less of a consideration for me than stills. The question how is whether I should just get the Olympus 45/1.8 or also a Panasonic 20/1.7 for wider shots. I take almost all of my 5D2 photos with 85-100mm range lenses, but wider views do come into play from time to time.

G2 with either lens won’t be purely pocketable, but then neither is my LX3. Truly pocket-sized camera were not useful for the poor image quality and the lack of usable controls. LX3 has the controls but they are too menu-driven for my taste.

I suppose I could just use the backup 5D (without the battery grip) with a 35/2 but somehow that doesn’t seem compact enough. Canon’s lower end bodies, though compatible with my existing lenses, just don’t inspire me much — and I have too much experience with lackluster 5D2 live view performance to want a repeat.

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4 Responses to Further camera musings.

  1. Kirk Tuck is not a fan of pocketability for this kind of use either.

    I suppose you should probably borrow my EPL-2 and 20/1.7 while you’re here (don’t have the 45/1.8, at least yet).

    • Oleg Volk says:

      I really enjoyed using your EPL-2 and the 20mm last time…except for the unfortunately silent video recording of a concert! If available again, I’d love to play with it, more for the 20mm evaluation than for the Olympus as the articulated screen looms important in my mind now.

      I went away from pocket pistols and never did get used to pocket cameras…but a single-point sling for a micro 4/3 with a decent lens could be almost as useful as that MP5K 🙂

  2. Frank says:

    Do you use film cameras?
    other than that I rarely take pictures any more, long time ago (1969 to about 1979) I took a lot of pictures of my two daughters. but now even with a cheep digital camera I take very few pictures of any thing.
    Sincerely Frank

  3. Vlad says:

    I’m thinking of getting this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00554Z9G6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER) for that exact reason.
    Its missing a GPS which is key for me. Not sure if there’s an underwater case out for it yet.

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