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Debating Panasonic GX 8 purchase

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PhotoTaker76

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I have an Fz1000 and like it, but have done issues. Placement of the tripod plate over the battery cover, less clear action photos (birds flying), can't go below f8 among them. Just unsure about another camera. But have big trip to Africa coming up and I want hood photos. Forgetting price, would you go with a gx8 or stick with what I have?
 
The FZ1000 is a nice camera.

BEWARE if you purchase a GX8. You will have a massive outflow of money. You will need/want better lenses than the kit lens. There are a lot of good to excellent lenses. Some are inexpensive. Others not so much. You may not be able to purchase only one to achieve the clarity and speed of your FZ1000.

You may let the genie out of the bottle.

Marty
Psychiatric Nurse & Street Photographer
 
renttoown said:
The FZ1000 is a nice camera.

BEWARE if you purchase a GX8. You will have a massive outflow of money. You will need/want better lenses than the kit lens. There are a lot of good to excellent lenses. Some are inexpensive. Others not so much. You may not be able to purchase only one to achieve the clarity and speed of your FZ1000.

You may let the genie out of the bottle.

Marty
Psychiatric Nurse & Street Photographer

--
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.
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^ This. While a GX8 plus the 14-140mm lens will prove a great daylight travel combo, you'll be wanting a faster prime for low light/indoors and a longer lens for Africa unless you plan to safari in a stealth Land Cruiser that can sneak up on the big 5...
 
I just got back from a great trip to Cuba. I have the GX 7 and it is a truly great little camera. It is cheap now and I do agree that you could be better off spending extra on lenses. I used three lenses 99% of the time. The 15mm 1.7, the 12-35 2.8 and the 14-140II. When I wanted to go small or be indoors in difficult light I used the 15mm, otherwise I used one of the others depending upon whether or not I would need a telephoto. The pictures turned out great and the camera is a pleasure. I am not knocking the GX8 and I do not know how much you want to spend on your camera equipment but you will be pleased with the GX7. Whatever you get, practice with it before your trip and buy extra batteries.

Hal
 
Stew Volt said:
Marty is correct, and I'll even suggest the body is far less important than your lenses. Because the GX8 is fairly new I'd suggest GX7 now and spend your extra $ on lenses. You can always buy a GX8 when the price comes down.
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OP said "forgetting price" so please oblige him.

GX8 is a fantastic choice. A 100-400mm lens sounds ideal for the birds. Just remember I've forgotten all about the price.
 
The FZ1000 is a nice camera, you should be aware that if you buy a GX8 you will also have to splurge another $1800 or so to get the Panasonic 100-400 to get somewhere near the zoom with the same speed and glass quality, or suffer a cheaper lens like a 100-300 that may be not as good.
 
PhotoTaker76 said:
I have an Fz1000 and like it, but have done issues. Placement of the tripod plate over the battery cover, less clear action photos (birds flying), can't go below f8 among them. Just unsure about another camera. But have big trip to Africa coming up and I want hood photos. Forgetting price, would you go with a gx8 or stick with what I have?
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"Forgetting price" : the expression most dear to any merchant's ears. Just wish I could say the same...

With that in mind, Africa means wide-open spaces and long telephoto shots - unless you want to get real close to the man-eating furry things - so a mix of telephoto and wide-angle lenses. As mentioned above, the 14-140 II F3.5-5.6 would be an excellent match to the GX8 as you'll benefit from the dual IS (in-cam IS + lens OIS). Again, "forgetting price" and depending on the date of your trip, the upcoming (April, I think) PL 100-400 would be outstanding for animal shots. Add to that a couple of fast primes such as the PL 25 F1.4 or Oly 25 F1.8 and you're all set (and you'll have made a merchant very happy).

PS: As an intro the the PL 100-400 capabilities with the GX8, here are two links on Dan Cox's preview of the lens in natural environments:

http://naturalexposures.com/leica-lumix-100-400mm/#comment-895431 and http://naturalexposures.com/lumix-diaries-leica-100-400mm-samples/
 
PhotoTaker76 said:
Thanks Everyone!

a friend suggested a G7 over the GX8, so I am torn.
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I feel you. Was torn like that a few months back.

Eventually, I shed money and bought GX8 because of IBIS, Dual IS, slightly better sensor and a 12-bit electronic shutter.

Would do it again, no regrets.
 
PhotoTaker76 said:
Thanks Everyone!

a friend suggested a G7 over the GX8, so I am torn.
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Besides the slightly higher-res sensor , much better viewfinder and the 4K photo mode (extracting 8Mp stills from 4k video for animal motion-capture shots), the GX8 also features dual-IS with most Panasonic or PL lenses so you get really improved steadiness especially with long telephotos for your Africa trip. It is more expensive, but you are forgetting the price...
 
WhiteBeard said:
PhotoTaker76 said:
Thanks Everyone!

a friend suggested a G7 over the GX8, so I am torn.
Click to expand...
Besides the slightly higher-res sensor , much better viewfinder and the 4K photo mode (extracting 8Mp stills from 4k video for animal motion-capture shots), the GX8 also features dual-IS with most Panasonic or PL lenses so you get really improved steadiness especially with long telephotos for your Africa trip. It is more expensive, but you are forgetting the price...
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G7 does have 4K photo mode and 4K video.
 
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Hiphopapotamus said:
The FZ1000 is a nice camera, you should be aware that if you buy a GX8 you will also have to splurge another $1800 or so to get the Panasonic 100-400 to get somewhere near the zoom with the same speed and glass quality, or suffer a cheaper lens like a 100-300 that may be not as good.
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I would suggest that the PL 100-400 should not be "somewhere near the same glass quality", it should prove way better than any 16x zoom on a 1" sensor.

The 100-300 is undoubtedly less expensive (by a wide margin) but I don't see the suffering part. True, it lacks the PL's weather sealing, extra range, better OIS and dual-IS (with the GX8) but recent posts tend to prove its very decent capabilities in good hands : keeping it steady (monopod or bracing), using a decently high shutter speed and closing the aperture slightly should yield very good results. It's also almost half the weight (520gr vs 985gr) even if the 100-400 is considered the lightweight champion for the reach provided.

Still, "forgetting price", I'd go for the PL 100-400 in a heartbeat...
 
PhotoTaker76 said:
I have an Fz1000 and like it, but have done issues. Placement of the tripod plate over the battery cover, less clear action photos (birds flying), can't go below f8 among them. Just unsure about another camera. But have big trip to Africa coming up and I want hood photos. Forgetting price, would you go with a gx8 or stick with what I have?
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I'd make sure you handle it before making the purchase, and preferably with the lenses You intend. I tried the GX8 when I purchased the Pen-F recently and found it uncomfortable. Using the dials I had to shift my grip to a position that was less secure. I don't have small hands either.

For the purpose you mention I'd suggest getting the Olympus EM-1. It has the most comfortable and secure handling of any camera I've tried. Couple this with the 12-40 f/2.8 Pro and the 14-150 f/2.8 Pro and you'd be set. Or the 14-150 II if you want a single lens kit.

Again, make sure you get a chance to handle it first, rather than order on spec on the web.

Nick
 
Stick with the Panasonic...you are used to their menu system. I owned the EM5 and hated the OLY menu system. It is not user friendly and when you are on a once in a lifetime trip you do not want to be stymied by the camera's operating system.

I am speaking from experience.

Hal
 
With a big trip coming up, I would get the GX8 and hopefully (if there is supply in time) a 100-400. Then a fast normal (15 1.7, 20 1.7, 25 1.4) and a 12-35 2.8 zoom. Of course, you could also add the 35-100 2.8 and have all the bases covered. Perfect.
 
IMO the GX8 was very much worth the upgrade from GX7. With its IBIS, I opted for the Oly 75-300 4.8 - 6.7 because it was smaller lighter and cheaper. With the GX8 its a really great lens. THe OLY 40-150 4-5.6 is being dumped now. I picked on up for $100. WO stabilization the OLY lenses are smaller and lighter than the Pany's and the work great on the GX8. 4K photography and in body raw editing are also worthwhile IMO.
 
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