In the afternoon I biked up No. 2 Line. Hard going, because the grader was still working and the freshly scraped gravel and dirt road was soft from the morning's rain. Still, I'm glad I took the opportunity — the rain returned even before I'd got back home.
[7 April 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 100 mm, ISO 400, 1/640 at f5.6. Grain added in Lightroom.]
All content © 2011 Pete McGregor
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6 comments:
Looks like here, this week. Our winter going out, yours coming in. Dawn and dusk look the same in a given moment as well.
Zhoen, I'm hoping for a long, mild autumn. Ideally, one that lasts until midwinter.
Pete: How come you added the grain? How do like the GH1? Do you think the glass is real Leica, top quality stuff?
Paul, I'm not sure I can give a satisfactory answer about adding the grain. It just seemed to suit the photograph better: without the grain, it looked too "clean".
The GH1's a lovely little camera, but it feels like a toy and the viewfinder's horrible. I'll repeat: horrible. Don't believe anything you read about how it's the best electronic viewfinder — that's like saying Pepsi's the best soft drink: they're all horrible and nasty. The LCD, on the other hand, is beautiful, but I use it very rarely, for two reasons: first, I can't use an LCD screen for photographing (I need to look through a viewfinder), and second, the LCD chews through a battery far too fast.
I haven't tried the video, but I suppose I will eventually. It's supposed to be excellent (although the GH2's apparently even better).
The camera feels fragile to me. I doubt it'll withstand the treatment I've given the Canon.
The lens are Panasonic, so they're not branded Leica. Nevertheless, they seem very good, but as expected, the 100–300 simply can't compete with the Canon 300 f4 (not much can). Still, it comes close, and at 300 it's the equivalent of a 600 mm lens on a full-frame sensor, so it has a little more reach (but it's f5.6, not f4). The 14–45's delightful.
Now the most important reason: the GH1, both lenses and 3 batteries in total weigh less than the Canon 300 mm f4 alone, and probably amount to about the same volume. For travelling when weight and bulk are important, there's no question about which system to take.
I'm getting used to it and my initial impressions are mellowing. It's certainly a remarkable little camera, and it doesn't scream "steal me" to the same extent as the Canon with those big, luminous lens, but if weight, bulk and security weren't issues, I'd opt for the Canon every time.
Kia ora Pete,
Looks haunting yet alluring, calling me into the mist and cloud. Going to give another few weeks though, at least.
Cheers,
Robb
Kia ora Robb. Yes, it'll be a while yet before the hills empty out. Day walks are fine with hi-viz clothing on good tracks, but keep out of the bush. The huts will be commandeered, too.
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