GX8 - Disappointed with shuttershock

Arctra wrote:

WARNING - Bit of a rant!

So I've been using the GX8 as my main video cam (and backup stills cam) for a few months now and while I don't like Panasonic's' UI and color output I've put up with it because the IQ has been worth it. Now however I'm not sure.

This weekend I shot my first wedding (helping a fellow photog friend as a favor) and brought my GX8 with me to use as my B-cam. The setup I had was pretty simple, EM1 on one shoulder with the 40-150 f2.8 and the GX8 on the other with either the 12-40 or 7-14 f2.8's. along with a couple speedlights for when it got dark.

The EM1 performed as expected but my GX8 didn't. Throughout the event I was experiencing extreme shutter shock issues that forced me to shoot at a minimum shutter of 1/250th. I suffered through it because the lighting was still usable but the moment the sun started setting the GX8 was shelved for the rest of the event. I had never seen such bad shutter shock coming from that camera before and I couldn't even use the e-shutter because it doesn't work with speedlights.

That would've been almost forgivable if it wasn't for the fact that I was also experiencing a lot of focus issues with the GX8. The camera would be quick to lock focus but it was almost always off the mark despite my best efforts. It didn't matter how big or small of a focus area I used it or how stationary I or the subject was it would constantly miss. My EM1 despite being much slower to focus when it got dark was almost always bang on with its focus. I eventually gave up and used the lenses in MF instead of trying to fight with the GX8.

I have no idea what went wrong with the camera, but it left me feeling rather angry and frustrated by the end of the wedding. I don't know if my camera's a lemon and I honestly don't care that much right now. I'm seriously considering selling the GX8 and either getting the GX85/80 or picking up a EM5 II. At this point I'm rather burnt out over Panasonic.

There were a few other issues I ran into but I don't want this to be any longer than it already is.

Sorry about the rather long, rambling, rant but I had to vent it somewhere!

I have noticed it with the 42.5mm f1.7 and the 35-100mm. I've also noticed some strange focusing issues in E-shutter mode, where it supposedly locks focus, take the photo, and you'll see the focus breathe right after the photo was taken (with finger fully depressed on the shutter)... this does not happen with the mechanical shutter though. I have also been having issues getting sharp shots with the 35-100mm f2.8 lens between 60mm-100mm at most focal lengths with the GX8 using dual IS versus using my old E-M10 and using just its in-body, 3-axis stabilization. I haven't done a true A/B test yet, but I think I will soon to determine if its my copy of the 35-100 or something wonky with the GX8 body.

I'm going to be shooting a wedding in August, so I'll need to iron out these kinks as well.