Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I just got one last week and I can't keep my hands off it!   :)  I really think/hope that Olympus/Panasonic has started a trend that will continue by removing the mirror from the "SLR" as it opens new doors and corrects a lot of gripes I have about dSLR cameras.  In fact, my June article (to be posted here in a few days) is going to go over some of the benefits of removing the mirror from SLR-like cameras.  To give you a teaser, the focus on the G1 is impeccably accurate since the main image sensor can see what is going on and can get and confirm focus!  This kills one of my biggest pet peeves about dSLR's: that almost all of them have some focus error because with the main imaging sensor obscured by the mirror, all you can do is predict where focus should be and lenses are almost never 100% calibrated to camera bodies.  Also, parallax error is a thing of the past: what you see through the electronic viewfinder is exactly what you'll get in the photo.  There are many other benefits to taking the blindfold off the main sensor which I'll go over in the June article, so tune in.

To make a long story short, the G1 is a real gem!  Other dSLR cameras may have (slightly) better image quality and noise characteristics but this camera is so user friendly that I'm getting better shots with the G1 than I've ever gotten with my other (many) dSLR's!

Mike

Is this camera a 4/3 sensor??  I have the Oly 410 which is a 4/3, but it DOES have a mirror, just like a "real" SLR ;-)  It also has "live view" (mirror is UP), BUT, when in live view, as you take the shot, it flips the mirror back down, then up again for the shot, a waste of time, don't you think??  Couldn't Oly come out with a firmware update to give you the choice to "lock" the mirror up in "live view"??

Both good questions.  No, the G1 is the new Micro Four Thirds format.  "Micro" being the key word here which boils down to deletion of the mirror and mechanical shutter.  Cameras like the Oly 410, Canon 40D, Canon 5D Mark II, and others employ a live view mode that flips the mirror up so you (and the sensor) can see what is going on electronically but that's about where those technologies end.  They have no lightning speed contrast focus like the G1 and still rely on the old phase focus prediction which is why the mirror flips down when you take the shot: it can't focus otherwise.  I don't want to sound harsh but these "live view" implementations on regular dSLR cameras are a sort of kludge.  The G1 is the real deal when it comes to "live" in that the camera is designed to use the main sensor for that purpose.

Mike

Mike, I'm delighted that you are enthused about the G1, I JUST got one, and it seems like a real gem.  Now I'm puzzled about how to get a single focus and exposure area in the center while still retaining the usual functions of the rear dial.  It seems to revert to moving the focus area, and that is most annoying.

Anybody?

Jack

That one got me too and took me a while to figure out.  The camera has such an abundance of functions that the controls can be a little quirky at times.  Click the menu button, go to the "Custom" set of menus, locate "Direct Area AF" and turn it off.  As long as it's on, the focus area is controlled directly by the arrow keys.  As soon as you turn it off, the functions (ISO, WB, etc.) come back.

Mike

Mike:

Whew, I'm delighted to get that simple solution, and relieved that it puzzled you also.  I felt like a dunce!

Jack

Mike, I'm delighted that you are enthused about the G1, I JUST got one, and it seems like a real gem.  Now I'm puzzled about how to get a single focus and exposure area in the center while still retaining the usual functions of the rear dial.  It seems to revert to moving the focus area, and that is most annoying.

Anybody?

Jack

That one got me too and took me a while to figure out.  The camera has such an abundance of functions that the controls can be a little quirky at times.  Click the menu button, go to the "Custom" set of menus, locate "Direct Area AF" and turn it off.  As long as it's on, the focus area is controlled directly by the arrow keys.  As soon as you turn it off, the functions (ISO, WB, etc.) come back.

Mike

I can only agree: the G1 is a phantastic camera, which is replacing more and more my Canon 40D equipment. It's ergonomics are superb the EVF (electronic view finder) is much better than that of most entry level dSLRs. Some people claim that in low light the EVF becomes too noisy. While that it is true, however, I do not consider this as a big problem, because the EVF signal is enhanced in low light so that you actually see even more than with optical view finders, just with a little less quality.

I got the 4/7-14mm zoom yesterday and can say that this is also a very fine lens.

Now, I am thinking to buy the 14-140mm lens separately, because it is a very nice travel lens. I inspected in a store and was very pleased with the build quality. Does anybody has some experience regarding the image quality of this lens (sold with the GH1 model as the kit lens)? Is it bettter or much worse that the kit lens of the G1 (the 14-45mm lens)?

Kind regards

Thomas

I sold my G1 for a GH1 and the 14-140 lens is an excellent quality lens.  It's as good or better than the Canon L lenses I have!

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thank you for putting the time in on this one. Your input is invaluable. I'm in the process of ordering a GH1 for a test drive. This is also because of the video capabilities. I look forward to being able to take decent HD video clips, and like the idea of the hybrid. My "big" camera is a Canon IDsMark111, I was thinking about waiting to see what the IDsMarkIV would bring, most seem to expect the video capability, but I think it might be a lot easier having the smaller GH1 with me a bit more often. A wise man once told me the best camera in the world is the one you have with you!

Regards,

Keith

I have three EOS DSLR's and have never bothered with Custom on any of them. However, with my G1 I have set up a Custom that gives me (a) spot metering (b) spot focus and (c) aperture locking from frame to frame - sorry I can't remember what that is called.

For most of my shots the matrix metering and multi area focus works. However, in particular with backlit portraits, it can be improved and that is when I move to Custom. It nothing more than a quick turn of the dial and it is always there.

I find moving the focus area, as suggested earlier, with the cursors is too slow. With my method you can first pick and hold your exposure. Then (at the same time if you want) you can pick your focus. Then you can reframe if needed.

I think that is quicker.

Tony

Another thing I have decided upon is to reverse the back LCD so that the image faces the camera.

I'd never take a shot by looking at the screen. When I want to review one I put the camera to my eye. It gives a much cleaner and brighter image and (am I a weirdo??) I think it makes me look less like a pointandshooter!

I bought my G1 in March and I have never had a camera that gave me so much pleasure since the Minox I used to keep in my pocket as a naughty schoolboy.

The only thing that has held me back from selling my EOS kit is finding a way I can use the G1 tethered. After a struggle I have mastered (or almost mastered) Eye-Fi. A few months to test that works and my Canon kit will be on Ebay.

Mike. Did your June article about the G1 get diverted? I will be fascinated to see what your thoughts are.

Tony