The Reported "Slippery" Body of the GF1

I reposted this because the header on my first posting was inexplicably not published.

A couple of early users of the GF1 have reported that it has a slippery finish.

I'm not personally concerned about this but find it interesting that all the solutions have focused on cases to use to compensate for that. I haven't seen anyone refer to using a wrist strap.

Given my style of shooting with a small camera I almost always use a good adjustable wrist strap. Given my hall of fame level ability to drop things: fly balls, dishes, cell phones, etc., even if a camera isn't slippery I prefer the insurance. I also generally find the cases more an intrusion and prefer to slip a camera easily in and out of a small waist or shoulder bag.

I'm not suggesting this is preferable to a case for anyone, just noting another "solution" for some of us and a reason why the smooth finish probably won't bother me.

--
Mark
[email protected]

markpsf said:

I haven't seen anyone refer to using a wrist strap.

Click to expand...

I need a better one (something tighter) but yeah, no problems here.

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-CW

よしよし、今日も生きのいい魂が手に入ったな

I suggested a case but it was more in terms of holding it to get a good grip for shooting than to guard against dropping. I completely agree that wrist strap will be useful for many to guard against a tumble. That being said I generally prefer a flexible neck strap that can be wrapped around the wrist when wanted. I like to be able to put a camera on my shoulder for time that I need both hands and don't want it bouncing around.

I will post my impressions tonight when I have mine in my hands.

--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/

Chez Wimpy said:

I need a better one (something tighter) but yeah, no problems here.

Click to expand...

That's the A series strap - the Ixus models like the 500 and the S30/45/50 etc had the same one but with the sliding lumpy bit to tighten it - I use the older S10/S20 one on my LX3, it's Black with a sliding lumpy bit but is heavier duty than the old Ixus one .......

I use the one from the Sony V1 on my EP1, it's probably the toughest non obtrusive wrist strap there is



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Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

markpsf said:

Given my style of shooting with a small camera I almost always use a good adjustable wrist strap. Given my hall of fame level ability to drop things: fly balls, dishes, cell phones, etc., even if a camera isn't slippery I prefer the insurance. I also generally find the cases more an intrusion and prefer to slip a camera easily in and out of a small waist or shoulder bag.

Click to expand...

Mark, I am probably ahead of you in the line for hall of fame entry for dropping things, not that this is a skill that I am proud of. My solution for cameras has always been to use a neck strap, although I know that some people find this difficult.

To me the virtues of a neck strap are:

• I can carry the camera inside a zipped jacket and get it out ready for shooting very rapidly. As both a cyclist and a walker, I find this very useful.

• The strap usually folds up small when I need to store the camera in a bag.

• It is a strong and safe way to stop the camera being dropped.

• If you need to hand the camera over to someone else to take a photo you can make sure that they have it round their neck before you issue the obligatory "press here gently" instruction.

The only disadvantages I have found is that in very hot weather the camera on a neck strap can swing around like a manic pendulum bob, and it can make you appear like the archetypical tourist when you don't want to.

At present I use a Panasonic LX3 as a carry everywhere camera, and that too has a slippery surface unless you clad it in something. My present solution is the small, elegant, but horribly expensive, leather DMW-CLX3 leather case. If I graduate to a GF1 I shall probably look for something similar.

Hmm, I thought I posted before, but must not have hit post LOL.

I use a wrist strap on the G1 and expect I will use one on the GF1, but the case interests me a bit--maybe more from aesthectics than function--and rarely do I consider that with my cameras. I do wish Panasonic had gone easier with all the logos, writing on the front--the case would cover some.

With my Canons, esp. 5D, I use an old Canon E1 wrist strap--which is really a hand/wrist strap and I carry the camera in hand. When I'm traveling I usually have it on an Optech strap cross my chest--but my hand is still usually on the grip/in the wrist strap. I use a Camdaptor on the other bodies.

With the G1 it felt 'wrong' somehow to put a neck/shoulder strap on it, perhaps because all my straps are so big. Its also usually in a small bag if not in my hand, so a neck strap just didn't seem necessary.

With the GF1 I may have to rethink this. I don't carry the G1 from the wrist strap--its just on my wrist for same thing as you--protection against dropping (though I never have LOL). A very soft, supple strap may be the thing I'll like better--I could wrap it around my hand or use it as a shoulder strap. I"ll have to think this one out. I haven't had a small cam (except for the G9 and I did have a wrist strap on it for the short time I used it) for many years. I think this will depend a lot on how I shoot with this camera---and what lens(es) I use with it.

Diane
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Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

http://www.prostrap.com/DeluxeLoop/DeluxeLoop.html

I've used it on everything from a Nikon D90 to a Panasonic LX3.

It's a bit large for the little cameras, but very secure and comfortable.

I love the look of some of those cases but in this instance I choose practicality over aesthetics.

--
Mark
[email protected]

I used one oif these with my FZ30. Should work on the GF-1?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00166EUI0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000OMR00C&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1D1RQPBK6R5YV0FEEQJA
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http://www.pbase.com/hb1840

I have one of those around--looked for it last evening and couldn't put my hands on it, but maybe by the time I get the camera.

markpsf said:

http://www.prostrap.com/DeluxeLoop/DeluxeLoop.html

I've used it on everything from a Nikon D90 to a Panasonic LX3.

It's a bit large for the little cameras, but very secure and comfortable.

I love the look of some of those cases but in this instance I choose practicality over aesthetics.

Click to expand...

at least you spelled/typed aesthetics correctly LOL (I need to proofread better)--I looked at mine and said 'what???'. Yes, in the end practicality usually reigns for me. Its more or less why I'm shooting more with m4/3rds than my 5D kit. When I need to print larger, need to shoot interiors with multiple strobes--things like that--I'll pull out the 5D, but for most of my shooting and printing uner 13 x 19, the m4/3rds works wonderfully.

Diane

markpsf said:

--
Mark
[email protected]

Click to expand...

--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

That functions similarly to my Canon E1. I have an OpTech wrist strap on the G1 right now--this looks like it
http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=6&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEGORY_ID=11

I also have a Gordy's black leather with red string--nice but stiff.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

I've been using this little wrist strap as a 'drop safety' wrist-leash with the G1 for quite a while:



The movable bead let's me cinch it around my wrist so that the camera cannot slip off and it is guided up and out of the way, cannot get in the way. I can also attach it to the left hand strap lug and use it on my left wrist (carrying the camera in my left hand rather than the right) in order to allow my right hand more freedom of movement and make lens changing a bit easier. That also keeps the bead from getting caught and pressing a button on the four way controller when I've not got the leash around my wrist. (It could stand to be about 2-3 inches longer for use in the left hand like this.)

Most of the aftermarket leashes sold by Op-Tech and others seem a heck of a lot bulkier. This one came with the Fuji F30. They'd all work, however, with a cinch bead or eyelet similarly arranged.

I've tested this strap by attaching it to a 2 lb weight and repeatedly trying to drop the weight, or even fling it in such a way that the weight is stopped by the strap. It's quite strong ... the weak point in the chain would be the lug on the camera body!
--
Godfrey
http://godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com

Personally, I'll probably just cover my grip in black gaffer tape if it seems too slippery.

--
Sam Bennett - http://www.swiftbennett.com

Mine is bulky--but I owned it LOL--I took off the Gordy leather strap because it was too stiff to suit me. One that I've just seen is from Artisans and Artists---a silk cord really. It would be lovely and light on the wrist--and looks long enough for any use.

Diane
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Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

Diane...The silk cord one I see looks like a long neck strap. Is that the one you referred to? Also, there are good cameras that cost less!

--
Mark
[email protected]

If you want a simple wrist strap with a locking slider, pick up one of the Nintendo Wii remote straps. They are only $1 each from the Nintendo online store - http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=117709&storeId=10001

I haven't checked on the shipping price, so it might be cheaper to get them locally.

I think a neck strap on a camera of this size just does not feel right.

I have the same strap on my E-P1 as I have on my G9 and DP1 which is a black wii strap, I have a draw full of the things and they are perfect for a small camera (imo).

After two days of shooting with the GF1, I'm even more grumpy about the slippery body than I was when I first picked it up. I've got a neck strap on it now since the camera shop I was at didn't have any decent wrist straps, nor did Best Buy... but it's more a matter of feeling like the camera is steady and controlled. I noticed again today how it felt incredibly slippery first thing this morning, after my shower had taken all the natural oils off my hands. By this evening it's better, but not good. Maybe simple hand lotion would help...

It's just a tactile feedback thing more than anything else. If the body feels slippery, a little piece of my mind that should be thinking about the picture I'm making is instead monitoring my grip on the camera. Shooting today with my D700 and the GF1, it was soooooo apparent. The Nikon bodies are gummy to the touch, I can actually carry them with two fingers hooked under the grip bulge and they won't slide.

After reading this thread, I think I need to go find a Wii strap...

How about this?
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=33090893

It looks quite simple and non-slippery

markpsf said:

Diane...The silk cord one I see looks like a long neck strap. Is that the one you referred to? Also, there are good cameras that cost less!

Click to expand...

Yes, I agree--really pricey LOL. It is more a neck strap but would wrap around the hand nicely.

What I'd like to find is a soft supple leather wrist strap. I hoped the Gordy strap would be softer, but its still very stiff.
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Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

OK,

It's only been a few hours but I'm not having a problem holding this camera. I find that the bottom right hand corner of the camera sits well in the fleshy part of the hand below the thumb.
--
terry
http://tbanet.zenfolio.com/