fneil

Panasonic have launched a new type of "mirrorless" DSLR which the digiscoping world has been waiting for to replace the Nikon 8400. The camera comes standard with a kit lens that is 14-45/3.5-5.6 (28-90 mm )with 52 mm lens thread.  It's an internally focusing lens so all you need to do is screw it onto your adapter and it goes straight on the scope.  Due to it's light weight no extra support is needed. There is no vignetting with my Swarovski 30x and 20x at the 14-35 range but a little shadowing comes in after that.  With a fixed lens , such as the Olympus 50/2.0 macro this would not be a problem.
The Auto Focus is very fast, I would say instant, and the speed is 3 fps ( ups to 7 frames in RAW and Continuous in Jpeg ).  Up to iso 400 is noiseless, a little noise at iso 800 is easy to get out with Noiseware.
Here are some of my first weeks images.
Neil.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcg1/

Panasonic Lumix G1 plus Swarovski STS80HD scope and 20x/30x eyepieces and DCA adapter

fneil

Wing,
     Thanks for your comments.  I was also a bit disappointed that it still required a shutter as well but I haven't noticed too much vibration and I think I could eliminate it with the use of a Balance Bar.  I haven't used mine yet with the G1. I was hoping the camera would run silently so as not to scare the birds but it still is a bit noisy.
     I do like the fast frame rate, very good screen, fast RAW, 12 megs , rotating screen. The kit lens is ok but the use of a good quality prime would improve the sharpness. The quality of the kit lens drops over 50 percent zoom.
     Here are a few more from today.  Also taken with the 30x eyepiece.
I hope to use it at NSW soon.
Neil.

fneil

From Kowloon Park.

fneil

Quote:

Original posted by lwingkay at 13/02/2009 16:30
Dear Neil,

Thanks for the trial run information which sounded not only interesting but also thrilling to those who have special liking for digiscopy.
Would be obliged if you would enlighten me on two ...

Peter,
      You would get some "zoom creep" with the angled scope due to the weight of the camera. If you shoot at wide-angle this won't be a problem.  I shoot at wide-angle or close ( usually 14 - 18 mm )most of the time and prefer to change eyepieces if I need more reach.
I will be going to a fixed lens when with a zoom eyepiece when the budget allows ( the Olympus 50/2.0 is around HK$4500 ).
The weight of the camera is not a problem with the connection as it seems very stable.
Neil.

fneil

Here are some more photos with the G1.  The first Little Egret photo was taken at iso 640 and the flamingo bathing at iso 400.
Neil

[ Last edited by fneil at 14/02/2009 17:40 ]

fneil

I took this Magpie Robin photo at 60x on the Swarovski zoom and at iso 1600.  The result has been adjusted in CS2 and Noiseware.  Neil

fneil

Here is the original jpeg file.  I haven't processed the Raw files yet as I have to use the Panasonic software and I haven't tried it yet.  I will get to it during these few days of lousy weather.
Neil.

fneil

I finally worked out how to use the Panasonic Silkypix editing software. This composite shows the converted Tiff image on the left and the CS2 adjusted image on the right .  The photo was taken at iso 400 from about 7 metres.
Neil

fneil

Here is the way I have the G1 setup on the Swarovski scope using the Swarovski DCA adapter.
Neil.

fneil

Pete,
    This is the way that I set up for my other DSLRs and digicams with eyepiece "unfriendly" lenses (eg Canon G6, A650 ).  The advantage here is that the downward pressure on depressing the shutter is almost directly over the tripod head (this will only balance well with heavier cameras ). The Manfrotto sliding plate at the rear makes it most flexible when you use lenses of different lengths. I have not found the balance bar necessary with the G1. Neil

fneil

These are from about 8 metres which is perfect for digiscoping.  Shows the detail the G1's plastic kit zoom lens is capable of.  I'll be testing the Nikon 20/2.8 lens on the G1 soon. Neil

Panasonic Lumix G1 plus Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw 30x eyepiece

Hong Kong Island,
Hong Kong,
China.
March 2009

fneil

KC,
   Sorry to be a bit slow responding to your question but I was away in Dubai without my laptop.  The Pentax eyepieces have a screw thread ( I think it's 43 mm ). You can just a step up ring from 43 - 52 mm and then just screw the eyepiece straight into the camera lens. Neil.