Couples at DisneySea with the Panasonic G1

If you’ve followed my blog, you know that I’ve been “playing” with a Panasonic G1 for four months.  I bought the G1 and the Leica M-mount adapter to use with my Leica lenses.  The results with the Leica lenses, at least the wide angles, have been less than stellar, what with poor resolution away from the center of the image.  And with the 2X crop factor, wide angles lenses became less than wide angle.  Check out my other postings for impressions and photos taken with the Leica M-mount lenses.

However, the Lumix 14-45mm and 45-200mm zoom lenses on the G1 have performed in good fashion.  In color images, I found the sensor (and lenses) to produce rich color images although the lenses were not the sharpest at the wider apertures.  I also found the focus lock to be quick and accurate.  When you combine that with a compact design that’s easy to carry, you have a winner.

This series of photos were taken in a span of one hour.  They were converted to black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro and Aperture 2.

More photos from Tokyo DisneySea

I’m finally getting to the bottom of my DisneySea photos.  It’s such a picturesque venue with lots of opportunities for photographs.  Between the attention to detail of the various themes to people watching, you would be hard-pressed not to have your camera out.

Photos taken with Panasonic Lumix G1 with Lumix 45-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens and Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

More Panasonic G1 photos – dancing girl at Tokyo DisneySea

This sequence of photos was taken with the G1 and the 45-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens wide open at f4.56, 1/400 sec, 230mm effective focal length, ISO 100.  Handheld single-shot with image stabilization on.  The results show the camera is quite capable.  Slight post-processing, increasing vibrancy using Aperture 2.

More photos at Tokyo DisneySea with Panasonic Lumix G1

I’ve had a Panasonic Lumix G1 since January and I’ve discovered that its a very handy piece of gear that easy to carry, especially when traveling.  On a recent trip I relied on my Leica M8 for the majority of my photos but the longest lens in my traveling M8 kit is the Summilux 75mm f/1.4 lens which with the M8’s crop factor of 1.3 is equivalent to 100mm in 35mm format.

On this particular day I also carried the G1 with its optional image stabilized 45-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens which has an effective range of 90-400mm.  Not only is the G1 a tiny DSLR, this lens is very compact, so much so that I was able to carry both the M8 with a Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8 lens and the G1 and lens in the same bag, the small Billingham Hadley.

The G1 saved the day as there was no way I could get close to the show to take closeups of the action.  The show photos ranged from 107 -334mm effective range.  Although the lens isn’t that fast the image stabilization managed even to steady the lens extended to 334mm.  (And as I noted in other recent postings, some photos to 422mm.)

The show photos in this posting were all shot in jpeg.  Handheld.  No tripod.

Dancers from “Mythica” show at Tokyo DisneySea

I’ve been to Tokyo DisneySea on several occasions and never had the opportunity to view “The Legend Of Mythica”,  the daytime waterfront extravaganza.  During my previous visits, the crowd was so large, I  did everything I could to avoid the show.  But it was a great time to visit other parts of the park.

On this visit, the crowd was smaller and I was able to get a front row view.  Visually, it was a vivid, action-packed production.  With a percussion background, the rhythmic and sychronized show was the highlight of my visit.

Check out my other posting for more photos from this show.

Photos taken with a Panasonic Lumix G1 camera and Lumix 45-200mm zoom f/3.5-5.6 lens, focal length from 230 – 422mm, image stabilization on, JPEG.

Tokyo’s DisneySea theme park

There are two theme parks at the Tokyo Disney Resort.  The 26 year old Tokyo Disneyland, which is as much fun now as it was when it opened, and the seven year old DisneySea,  which is based on an aquatic theme with a few major rides thrown in for the thrillseekers.  I won’t go into detail about the attractions at the parks.  You can check out their website for more information.

These photographs were taken during DisneySea’s midafternoon presentation of “The Legend of Mythica”, a fantasy-based extravaganza that features Disney’s beloved Mickey Mouse (and friends) and mythical characters from the land of Mythica.  The “show” is spectacular with plenty of opportunities to take photos.

These photos were taken with a Panasonic Lumix G1 with 45-200mm f/5-5.6 zoom lens.

Muir Woods north of San Francisco – don’t miss it.

One of the highlights to any trip to San Francisco is a visit to Muir Woods located north of the Golden Gate Bridge off the highway from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach.  It’s not a long drive, probably about 15 miles north of San Francisco. Take US101 across the Golden Gate Bridge, get off the highway at the Stinson Beach exit  and follow the signs.

One does not see many locals visiting Muir Woods as they have the luxury of many destinations in beautiful Marin Country and beyond.  And tourists usually are bound to a few days in the area.  As a result, one sees many tourists (and school groups) at Muir Woods.  But thats not a bad thing although Muir Woods, being the focal point of tourists wanting to see coastal redwoods, does become congested when the weather is sunny and dry.

There are many miles of trails and the farther you roam from the parking lot, the fewer people you do see.   And if the weather is wet and foggy, well, there are even fewer people.  I happen to like the wet weather as the experience is more primeval.  The dampness of the air, the scent of the redwoods and other fauna, and fewer people can make the visit more personal, a sense of being part of nature.

All photos were with either a Leica M8 with Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8 lens or a Panasonic Lumix G1 with Lumix 45 – 200mm f/4 – 5.6 lens.

Walking four bridges on the Singapore River

Read Bridge near Clarke Quay

One of my favorite walks in Singapore is down the Singapore River from Read Bridge near Clarke Quay to the Cavanagh Bridge near the Fullerton Hotel.  Along the way is also Boat Quay and its boisterous pub and restaurant row.  (Of course Clarke Quay is home to many restaurants and bars.)

The walk is best done during the evening as the heat and the humidity during the day can be overwhelming.  There are paved walkways down the river with pedestrian tunnels to avoid having to cross busy streets.

As you proceed from Read Bridge, the bridges become more beautiful and elaborate, especially at night.  First comes the Shaw Bridge, then the beautifully red-lit Elgin bridge and finally the Cavanagh Bridge with the backdrop of the Fullerton Hotel.

I recommend you make the walk a loop, starting at Clarke Quay down to the Fullerton Hotel and then around to Boat Quay and back.  I believe the loop is around five or six kms but this is a guess.  There are many online map sites which will help plan your walk.

These photo were taken with a Leica M8 and a Carl Zeiss Biogon 28mm f/2.8 lens and a Panasonic Lumix G1 with Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens.

Shaw Bridge in the late afternoon sun

Elgin Bridge

Elgin Bridge looking at Boat Quay

Cavanagh Bridge

Cavanagh Bridge and the Fullerton Hotel

Billingham Hadley v. L2 (Alice) camera bags, which one for you?

L2 on left, small Hadley on right.

Ok, so in terms of appearance, the small Hadley has it hands-down over the sturdy but plain looking Billingham L2.  The Hadley has two buckles and exterior pockets and the Billingham logo to attract your attention.  Let’s face it, the Hadley is a great looking bag.

But as they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and  “beauty is only skin-deep”.   Beneath the plain exterior L2 is a GREAT bag for someone looking for a compact design.  Where do I start in describing the superlatives of the L2.  How about the leather reinforced bottom panels with feet?

L2 on bottom, small Hadley on top

Or a slight larger main compartment that makes the L2 roomier for your cameras and your accessories.  This difference can be seen in all the photos. From the “face” in the first photo to its bottom panel in the second to its end view below.

L2 on left, small Hadley on right

And the L2 is also expandable by attaching the optional AVEA pockets to the leather loops that comprise the shoulder strap anchor on each side of the bag.  The small Hadley does not have this advantage.

Inside the bag, one can notice other differences between the two. Whereas the Hadley has a removable padded insert, the L2 does not.  In addition, the Hadley has narrow spaces between the insert and the interior front and back of the bag for additional storage, while the L2 has a sizable storage area in front of the main compartment that is capable of holding additional gear to include smaller Leica “size” lenses.  The narrow space behind the main compartment is large enough for flat accessories like filters, etc.

In addition, the main compartment of the L2 is slight larger than the Hadley as the below photos show.

Contained in the bags are a Leica M8 with Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8 AND a Panasonic Lumix G1 with 45-200 f/4-5.6 zoom lens.  Both bags are roomy enough for a DSLR, like the Canon 5D lens.  But an additional lens may be difficult to carry.  A smaller DSLR like the 450D may be a better choice for this bag as the smaller body will give you more room.

Small Hadley with Leica M8 and Panasonic G1

L2 with same Leica and Panasonic cameras

Note the size of the compartment in front of the main compartment of the L2 (but remember that the Hadley has two exterior pockets the L2 does not have).  Finally, the L2 has additional weatherproofing in the form of an extra layer of waterproof canvas on interior side of the top flap (and both side gussets to protect the sides of the top flap).

Bottom line?  I think the L2 is a very practical bag to shoot from.  There are no exterior or zippered pockets to contend with.  You just open the flap and get to shooting.  However, if you’re going by looks, the Hadley is the way to go.

One small problem. I can’t find the L2 listed on the Billingham website.  Maybe it’s not being made any more.  (However the L2 is available at various photographic equipment websites.)

Final thought.  I find both of these bags easy to carry.  They are lightweight and comfortable.  I do not find my Hadley Pro or my 555 to be “easy to wear” bags.  The Pro’s insert stiffens the bag to the point I don’t find it to be very comfortable.  The 555 because of the sheer weight of the bag.  For me, there are better choices in that size of bag.  But for looks and detailing,  they are good-looking bags.

Panasonic Lumix G1 with Voightlander Ultron 28mm f/2 lens

I’ve tried several Leica M-mount lenses using the Rayqual adaptor on the Panasonic Lumix G1.  So far, I used the Voightlander Heliar 15mm f/4.5, the Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8, the Leica Summicron 35mm f/2, Leica Summicron 90mm f/2  and the Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1 lenses.  This particular lens is the least satisfying lens I’ve tried on the G1.  Resolution off center is poor and I could not pre-focus the lens and expect a sharp image.  On the M8 and M6, I prefocus all the time with no problems whatsoever.

I set the lens on f/8 which should bring into focus everything between 2 meters and infinity.  As you can see from some of the photos, this was not the case.

By the way, I tried to use my Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon 28mm f/2.8 lens on the G1.   It would not seat as the back end of the lens clashed with the sensor mount.  Therefore, I could not try it out on this camera.