Blog

So close yet so far, originally uploaded by john m flores.Can’t replace the battery on the GH2 when a Manfrotto tripod mounting plate is attached. Boo. Surprised that they missed this. -1, Panasonic.UPDATE: A chap on mu-43.com correctly noted that I can rotate the mount 90 degrees and gain access to the battery. That works, although you do have to take the camera off the tripod before changing batteries. Now, where do I get spare batteries!?

Photography at MOMA, originally uploaded by john m flores. Tested the GH2 at the Museum of Modern Art. I haven’t been here in many years. The expansion and renovation has really opened the place up – the public spaces and walkways are great for people-watching. Great collection of photos here, and a great place to capture some stolen moments… The GH2 makes for a good street/stolen moment camera. It’s small and quiet, and shoots up to ISO1600 pretty cleanly. There were a couple of moments when I with the camera had front and rear dials instead of the rear dial… Continue reading Photography at MOMA

Panasonic GH2 20mm F1.7 vs. Canon G10, originally uploaded by john m flores. Here’s something that vexes me about the GH2 – it sometimes feels a like a point-and-shoot, like a more advanced Canon G10. I haven’t quite put my finger on it. Is it the EVF, particularly in low light when it artificially amps the image brightness and introduces noise into the otherwise excellent display? Is it the decidedly pixelated camera settings on the top and bottom of the EVF – a subtle but clear reminder that you are looking at the world through a digital screen? Is it… Continue reading Panasonic GH2 20mm F1.7 vs. Canon G10

New York from West New York, New Jersey, originally uploaded by john m flores. Here’s a shot taken on New Year’s Day, admiring the New York skyline from West New York, New Jersey. No joke, there’s a town called West New York in New Jersey! This shot was taken with the Panasonic GH2 mated to the 14-140 zoom. It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a 10x, 280mm-equivalent lens, and I’m enjoying the creative possibilities on the long end. The 14-140 unfortunately, is pretty slow, an anemic F5.8 at the long end. This particular shot was 78mm (156mm eq)… Continue reading New York from West New York, New Jersey

Tai Chi Hot Dog, originally uploaded by john m flores. This is why you should always have your camera hanging around your neck, powered on and with the lens cap off. And this is what’s intriguing about the Panasonic GH2 – with one of the pancake primes mounted, you can carry it around your neck and almost forget that it’s there, but it’s ready to spring into action when life happens. You can’t say the same with many dSLRs. Shot with the GH2 mated to the 20/F1.7 @ F2.8, 1/640, ISO160. And for the record, I crossed the street and… Continue reading Tai Chi Hot Dog

Panasonic GH2 with Pentax DA40 F2.8 Limited (via Fotodiox adapter) vs. Pentax MX with M50/F1.7, originally uploaded by john m flores. A little throwback today. To the right is the camera that was basically my photography high school and college, the venerable Pentax MX mated to an equally venerable M50/F1.7. Fully manual. I made plenty of mistakes with this little bugger and learned a lot because of it. I also took a lot of shots that I now cherish. To the left, the Panasonic GH2 fitted with a Pentax DA40 F2.8 Limited via a Fotodiox adapter. No mirror, but a… Continue reading Old school. New school.

A munchkin eats a munchkin, originally uploaded by john m flores. I’m a luck guy – I get to pick up my nephew every Thursday from daycare. If he’s been a good kid and given a sticker at school, we go to Dunkin’ Donuts and get some Munchkins as a reward. This was a good day! This is the GH2 paired with the 20mm F1.7. I’m in the right of the shot, holding the camera out and using the excellent flip-twist screen. I had one years ago with the Canon G2 and I’m so happy to have it again. Settings… Continue reading A munchkin eats a munchkin

Looks like I’m not the only that has got their grubby paws on the hard-to-find GH2. Architect Björn Utpott shares his thoughts on the GH2 as well as some nice photos. Check it out: http://www.bmupix.com/journal/2010/12/17/gh2-first-impressions.html

Panasonic GH2 20mm F1.7 vs. Pentax K-x 40mm F2.8 Limited, originally uploaded by john m flores. Another view of these two cameras to illustrate their relative size. The GH2 is definitely smaller than the K-x, but I’m waffling on whether or not the size difference is a big deal. Yes, I can stuff the GH2 into an oversized winter coat pocket, but you then have a giant lump in your pocket that feels awkward and may make you look disfigured. You know, “Is that a GH2 in your pocket or are you happy to see me?”… At the end of… Continue reading Panasonic GH2 20mm F1.7 vs. Pentax K-x 40mm F2.8 Limited

Nate, relaxed., originally uploaded by john m flores. Come to think of it, when isn’t he relaxed? Panasonic GH2 with 20/F1.7 prime. Shot at ISO800, F2.0, 1/50s. This was a difficult lighting situation – light streaming in through the window behind the cat. I had to really push the exposure to get the cat well exposed. This is one of those shots where the resulting photo is much brighter than reality was. The GH2 AF did well in this situation, and the lens is rendering Nate’s face nice and sharp while throwing his tail (closer to the camera) and body… Continue reading Nate, relaxed.