Field-Testing the Panasonic L1 in China

[tomcat]

Just got back from a 8-day holiday in Yunnan China during which I took the opportunity to field-test my new toy, the Panasonic L1.

Now very busy processing the hundreds of photos during the trip. I will post the photos taken with the L1 over the next few weeks, starting with the first batch taken during Zhang Yimou's fantastic outdoor production of "Impression Lijiang" <<印象-麗江>> which I managed to catch during the stop-over at Lijiang.


<<印象-麗江>>

The photos are posted here for those who are interested.
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...81#post2554981

[hhho]

Hi! Tomcat

Wow! Very nice scenery there- 麗江 in Yunnan China
Thank you for sharing these photos.
I'm interested to know the outcome of your field test.
What's your comments on L1?
Cheers,

[nightpiper]

thx for the pics. did u go for hair treatment?

btw, i thot this thread wud be more appropriate in the panasonic sub-forum.

[microcosm]

Honestly, I think we should bring this up to the admin to see if it makes sense to "convert" this section into a 4/3 section because this is a unique system and there will be more companies joining the 4/3 family. I know there will be spill overs. But then again, the L1 is Panasonic, while the Leica lens is applicable here since it also mounts on Olys.... what the heck... things are getting confusing...

Unless we merge Pana-Oly-Leica into one section?

[tomcat]

I posted it here because Oly DSLR users seem to be more interested in how the L1 and the Leica kit lens stack up against the Oly cameras and lenses. The members at the Panasonic sub-forum seems to be more interested in the P&S cameras like LX1 & LX2 and don't give 2 hoots about the L1.
In any case, some of the pics were taken with the ZD 7-14mm and I thought people might like to see how this lens perform on the L1.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by tomcat I posted it here because Oly DSLR users seem to be more interested in how the L1 and the Leica kit lens stack up against the Oly cameras and lenses. The members at the Panasonic sub-forum seems to be more interested in the P&S cameras like LX1 & LX2 and don't give 2 hoots about the L1. In any case, some of the pics were taken with the ZD 7-14mm and I thought people might like to see how this lens perform on the L1.

I think this is precisely WHY we need to have either a merger or a dedicated 4/3 section. Thanks for posting the sample pics, tomcat. By the way, what was the temperature where you shot those pictures? And how did the battery take it?

[weekh]

how do u find the L1 for travelling?
Is the size of the cam and lens too big? Is the battery charger big also? How long can the battery last?
Wat sort of limitation do u find in the system?

[microcosm]

Back on track for this thread...

Some questions I have (pardon me for silliness) about the L1 :

1. Does the body design really save space in your bag?
2. After traveling with it, how do you feel about the handling?
3. How does the sensor (in your opinion) perform when used with the ZD lenses. Just your personal opinion.
4. OIS working well (in body) for the ZD lenses?
5. How is the software that comes with L1? Comparing it to say, Studio? In terms of speed and user friendliness.

Sorry I have so many questions. Just very curious about the L1. I never really liked the E-330 after a while and that is why I have sold it.

[microcosm]

Also, do you have more photos to share from this trip? From this pic, the colours look very rich and contrasty, how about those images taken when the lighting is not so harsh? And if possible, can you post some 100% crops for reference? Noise levels? I cannot really tell from a resized image.

Sorry for the trouble.

[bernstein1234]

Originally Posted by tomcat I posted it here because Oly DSLR users seem to be more interested in how the L1 and the Leica kit lens stack up against the Oly cameras and lenses. The members at the Panasonic sub-forum seems to be more interested in the P&S cameras like LX1 & LX2 and don't give 2 hoots about the L1. In any case, some of the pics were taken with the ZD 7-14mm and I thought people might like to see how this lens perform on the L1.

Hi, I tink the reason why there is little discussion of L1 in panasonic forum is becasue most of the users I know in the forum are students. You are right,most of them are discussing about P&S cameras, but also there's discussion of pro consumer series such as FZ series. Another factor to be considered is that the price of L1 is $3k++. I, for one, being an undergrad student, will find it hard to dish out the $ although I can only drool. For now I'm contented with my Lumix FZ camera. Until I graduate, maybe I will join in the L1 discussion as well

[microcosm]

If you think that a new sub forum for 4/3 is relevant, then maybe you can case a vote here.

[lim8395]

Hey Tomcat,

wow the images u took in yunnan was absolutely gorgeous!

Really very detailed pics right down to the details in the mountains in the background.

How would u compare the images from the lumix L1 with the leica kits lens with the LC1's summicron lens?

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by lim8395 Hey Tomcat, wow the images u took in yunnan was absolutely gorgeous! Really very detailed pics right down to the details in the mountains in the background. How would u compare the images from the lumix L1 with the leica kits lens with the LC1's summicron lens?

Thanks, but I can't really claim too much credits for those shots. The location and natural lighting there lent a lot to making those pics come out so well. I'm sure anyone who were there could have produced equally nice pics. I'm just really fortunate to be there at the right time and place to be able to catch the show.

[drewdam]

Originally Posted by tomcat Thanks, but I can't really claim too much credits for those shots. The location and natural lighting there lent a lot to making those pics come out so well. I'm sure anyone who were there could have produced equally nice pics. I'm just really fortunate to be there at the right time and place to be able to catch the show.

hey i saw your pic at dp...wow..

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by drewdam hey i saw your pic at dp...wow..

Thanks.
Some viewers have commented though that the clouds were too blown out in some of the shots for their taste. Thinking retrospectively, maybe a graduated ND filter would have help in this case but I didn't bring one along for the trip and even if I did, I might not have the opportunity to use it for fear of losing the moment while fiddling with the filter as the production was really dynamic and fast moving.