Review : Lumix G1 With Leica M Lenses

I know, I know, you heard about this a month ago.  But I have had my G1/Leica M lens hybrid setup for over a month now, and want to share my experience.

Until now, there has been little competition in the rangefinder market.  There is the Epson R-D1, and the recently announced R-D1x, they look fantastic, but the paltry 6 megapixels is just unacceptable, and they are quite pricy at $2,000.  Of course there is the M8, but with a price of $5,000, you have to be a hardcore Leica fanatic to own one.  I do.  But even with the mighty M8 there are still limitations; looking through viewfinder to frame the picture, no autofocus, and all the other vices that surround any traditional rangefinder system.

Enter the $600 Lumix G1, the world’s first micro four-thirds camera system.  The Micr0 4/3 Standard eliminates the heavy mirror box and shutter mechanisms seen in SLR’s like Canon and Nikon, instead opting for a Live View Finder.  This saves on weight, bulk, and decreases camera shake.  Because the G1′s lenses are interchangeable, this titillated all Leica fanatics and M lens owners…  with an adapter you can hook up your collection of M lenses to a newfangled and modern digital body.  But how does the G1/Leica compare to the Leica M8?  Or a Canon 5d mkII? In short.  It is good, very good.  From a price/performance ratio standpoint, it is really hard to beat the quality of the G1 with an M lens.  Keep in mind, not all M lenses are expensive.  There are brands like Voigtlander and Zeiss that make much more affordable M lenses.  There is also a large secondhand market for Leica lenses as well, which are still expensive, but hold their value very well. The primary advantage to using M lenses is their low light capability, as well as compactness and build quality.

How does an M lens work on a G1, what makes it so good?  First you need an M to Mirco 4/3 adapter, I had a friend of mine to order me one in Japan from a company called Rayqual.  The quality is superb.  You can also try Novaflex and Ebay as other sources for the adapter.  Attach your adapter to the camera, attach your M lens just like you would on an M8 or any interchangeable lens camera, and you are ready to rock!

Though you still have to manually focus the lens, the beauty of the system is the Electronic View Finder (EVF) lets you electronically “see” right through the lens to your subject.  This is similar to Live View on newer SLRs like the Canon 5D MkII, but without the shutter lag.  You can use the swivel monitor to shoot from the hip, over your head, behind your back… you get the point.  When you rotate the focus ring, you can instantly tell when the subject is in sharpest focus… press halfway and the camera adjusts the exposure, press fully and the moment is captured in stunning detail.  Additionally, if you really are working with a slim focal plane, the G1 has a 10x magnification box that you can bring up to finely tune your focusing.  This is simply fantastic, and makes the camera a real pleasure to shoot, a true blend of old and new.

When used with a wide aperture the bokeh, or background blur, is stunning and very professional looking.  This can only be replicated with mega high end cameras with high speed lenses from Canon and Nikon.  And check out the size of the G1!?!  It is tiny!  Easy to grab when you are running out of the house.  No need for a backpack to carry your 20+ lbs of heavy lenses and camera equipment.  Additionally, the G1 is discreet and unobtrusive, allowing you to capture moments all but impossible with an in-your-face Canon or Nikon camera system

This is a brief review, but I mainly want to convey how amazing this system is.  The photo quality, low light capability, and portability are all huge benefits.  For the Semi-Pro and amateur photographer buff, the G1/M combination is novel and exciting, breaking away from the fully-automated click and forget SLRs you see everywhere.  The G1/M makes you think about your photos, producing more memorable and unique images.

With the G1 HD being released in the next few months, you get to have your cake, and eat it too… with the new model allows for full HD video capability!  I say save the money you were going to spend on a D700 or 5D MKII, and get the new Lumix HD and a collection of M lenses when it comes out.  Check Flickr for many excellent G1/M sample pictures.  Happy shooting!

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