Retro Street Photography with the Panasonic Lumix GX8
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- When I found a second M43 camera, the Panasonic Lumix GX8, I was struck by how it reminded me of my first SLR camera, the Pentax K1000. So, I decided to do a day of retro street photography in Melbourne. One (virtual) 'roll of film' = 36 shots. Fully manual, no tripod. Black and white, set ISO at 400. Here's how I went.
Hope you enjoy!
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Follow me at: www.iansmissen... / iansmissen
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Photography, video and editing by Ian Smissen
Incidental Photography by Joanne Smissen
Music
"Wishful Thinking" by Dan Lebowitz
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Use this link for a 15% discount on Topaz Labs products:
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Gear I use:
Cameras
- Panasonic Lumix G9 Camera
- Panasonic Lumix GX8 Camera
- Apple iPhone Xs
- GoPro Hero 4 Silver
Lenses
- Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8
- Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm f/2.8
- Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3
- Panasonic Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Panasonic Leica 12mm f/1.4
- Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro
- Panasonic Lumix 25mm f/1.7
- Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3
Filters
- Nisi V5 100mm Kit (now superseded)
- K&F Concept ND2-ND32 Variable ND Filter
Tripods
- Jobu Design Algonquin Tripod
- Jobu Design BWG-HD3 Gimbal Tripod Head
- Really Right Stuff BH-55 LR Tripod Ball Head
- Sirui N3203X tripod + Sirui K-30X ballhead
- K&F Concept KF-TC2534 Travel tripod
Gimbal
- DJI Osmo Mobile 3 for Smartphone (Combo)
Drone
- DJI Mavic Air (Combo)
- Apple iPhone 6s
Audio
- Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone
- Rode SMARTLAVPRode Microphone for Smartphones
- Rode VMGHORode VideoMic On-Camera Shotgun Microphone
- Zoom H1N Handy Recorder
- Apple iPhone 5
Camera Bags
- Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L
- Tarion RS-01 Canvas Photography Bag
- LowePro Sling
Tq for the walk around... Very nice black and white set
New to your channel and I really enjoyed this video. It was very timely for me as a few months ago I purchased a GX8 and already owned the Panasonic 25mm 1.7 for use on my Olympus cameras. In addition, a few years back I inherited a Pentax K1000 with the 50 mm 1.7 lens. Just yesterday I put the 25 mm lens on the GX8 and film with a new battery in the K1000. Planed on something very similar to you video. I am so glad I came across it because I would have never considered shooting in B&W with the GX8. Your photos really inspired me and I can't wait to give it a try. I have been using the GX8 primarily for a macro camera; but, it felt like I had barely scratched the surface of its capability.
Photographers nowadays don't realise how lucky they are. In the film days in B/W ASA 125 was considered fast, ASA 400 was about the limit due to graininess. Colour I used Kodachrome for decent slides, ASA 25. Film was expensive so every wasted shot cost money. Today the world is different, Cameras and phones all capable of decent shots into the thousands ISO (ASA). Take a shot it costs nothing, it has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Experimenting costs nothing. We now live in a new world of fantastic camera and photo choices with our photography, on top of that most cameras and smartphones have excellent video capability. Software allows us to manipulate our images to our own view of perfection. Compare that with dodging and burning with an enlarger. I watch many videos where they complain this is wrong or that is not quite right. Well done for a video that shows the virtues of modern digital photography and its capabilities.
Thanks Rob. I agree!
Some great photos. A couple of years later and I’ve picked up a secondhand gx8. Previously, I’ve been put off this camera due to reported issues of shutter shock, although it doesn’t seem to affect your images. But, I don’t like the mechanical shutter on this camera though (it seems loud and feels clunky), but I love the format. The electronic shutter is a work around, but you have to be aware of motion/jello shots. Panasonic should update the gx9 with the weather sealing and viewfinder of the gx8. I’d be sold on that immediately.
Fantastic idea for a shoot with this camera and lens. It gave me a view of Melbourne as well.
Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed it.
Really great video Ian. Melbourne still rocks even though I’m a country bumpkin these years.
Back to your 36 shot concept, I parked my Pentax some time ago as well when my Tri-X stash ran out, so we’ll done! Wasn’t keeping count but 11:29 nailed for me…
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
That was a lively video, thanks Ian!
Thanks Barb, glad you enjoyed it 😀
Gracias por el paseo 😌
Hi Ian, I look through your gear list and realise I have most all of what you list. The one difference is you get out and take interesting photos and I just have the gear. Thanks for stimulating me to get out and take some photos.
I love the quality of your production, the helpful information and your humble but professional approach to your work.I am so pleased I found your channel.
Hi GCD8, thanks for watching and your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it does inspire you to get out and shoot more. Cheers, Ian
Hi Ian
I've just come across this great video. Some terrific and sharp street images and the mono works wonders! Has inspired me to get out more (I'm near London, UK) and make more use of my recently purchased secondhand GX8 which, as a G9 owner, I'm really impressed with. P.S. Your video brought back memories of being in Melbourne some 7 years ago - a lovely city.
Great idea. Many thanks for the inspiration.
Just came across your channel and this video. I bought into the MFT system the first year it was available. Started out with Olympus then migrated to Lumix starting with the gx1 all the way to the gx8 today. I have a second gx8 body and an all Leica lens lineup, 5 in total. I wouldn’t trade this camera for anything. It is the most comfortable camera I’ve used in many years. It does everything it need. This is probably the first time in my 50 years of photography that I had been looking to “upgrade” for some reason or another. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yours. Keep up the quality content 👍
i enjoyed the video, thanks
I had to chuckle when you picked up the Pentax. I too still have the very first camera I bought, a secondhand K1000 that I got in 1985. Its 50mm f1.7 lens was the only one I had for ages. I had it serviced a few years ago, it's a beauty. And my latest camera? The GX8, with which I really enjoy a 25mm prime.
Nice photo walk.
Thanks!
My first slr camera was was a Pentax P30N still have it great video
Thank you for sharing this with us! 👍🏻🌼
Superb video, images and use of equipment!
Ian, thanks for the walk around it brought back memories of my visit to Melbourne in 2003
Hi Ken, thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed.
Hello Ian, I’ve been enjoying a couple of your videos this evening (UK), a bird photography one and this video and wanted not only to say thanks for making and putting them out there but also for making such calming and well made videography and taking some wonderful stills too and sharing them. I too have made a similar choice in cameras and for similar reason, the G9 and GX9, had both for at least a couple or three years, they’re wonderful pieces of kit. If I’m honest you’ve inspired me to make better use of both, I also love the way you’ve used the GX9 in a retro way and with the 50 equivalent, I think it was a kit lens with my G9 and to be honest it’s had very little use as I’ve shot with an Olympus 17.5 for what street I do but I’ll dust her off I recon! Hoping to get to Australia to visit little sis this year, looking forward to it, finger crossed ey! Best wishes from the UK. 👏📸
It's a lovely camera, I love mine. Gorgeous photos!
Great Video, thanks a lot.
Lovely journey :) THANK YOU 📸
Good fun! Reminds me of using my old Minolta SRT-101's with Tri-X.
Thanks Bob, me too 😀
Great concept for a video. I enjoyed watching.
Oh mate...you just took me back to Melbourne, everything you shot I remember so well from my only trip there 2 years ago....great work Ian, I enjoyed that.
Thanks David. Glad to bring back some happy memories. 😀
@@IanSmissenPhotography Oh yeah, my first Camera was a Pentax K1000 that I bought in Fiji for $60 back in 81/2 , great little Camera and so easy to use, I knew nothing about these type of cameras before I bought it, just made sure the meter needle was in the middle and shoot...
Great Video. Danke!
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Interesting and informative. Appreciate the effort you put into this.
Great concept and execution. My first camera was a Minolta SRT-101 with 50 mm lens. I still have fond memories taking it out on day trips to photograph Sydney (back in the 70s). I still have the negatives and a good scanner and eager to see if I can resurrect some of them and go back to retake the same scene 40-50 years later. I was amazed how good the iPhone video turned out.
Thanks Glenn, glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Ian
Outstanding video Ian! Reminded me of the good old days over 50 years ago when I shot Tri-X with my first SLR. Back then I was lucky if I got just 5 keepers out of 36 shots.
Thanks Bob. Exactly 😀
Great change up from landscape. I’m feeling inspired. Jer
Thanks Jer 🙏
This should have been sponsored by the Melbourne Tourist Office. Pity there hasn't been any more videos after this one.
Coming back soon!
:D awesome shots :) just did my first POV style myself !
Ian, you've duplicated the gear I use on a daily basis. I use both the G9 and GX8 for wildlife, landscape, and walk around photography and, although the G9 has some advantages with better auto focus and deeper buffer, I much prefer shooting with the GX8. The GX8 is a joy to use. Good luck with it.
Hi, what lens do you pair the GX8 with for wildlife photography?
@@bhamerlik I use the 100-400 and the 45-200 on both GX8 and G9.
@@tmuss I was considering the 45-200. Even tried it in a shop and man was it totally stable at 200mm! No handshake at all! I think I'll get it and enjoy it :) Probably good/ suitable for other than wildlife photography as well.
Great video 👍
I don't know why lots of people jump on the bandwagon of trashing a camera just because someone has said it doesn't do a certain function as good as another camera.
I have one and have taken very pleasing and praise worthy shots, even in autumn woodland. In the past I had Olympus om film cameras in the 80s, and even in recent times Various digital cameras such as canon 6D.
Nothing wrong with any of them, the trouble with RUclips etc is every Tom dick and Harry thinks they're an expert by reading off a set of specifications and chart results, then joining by saying this or that camera is no good because there is a new one!
Basically I watch these channels for the PHOTOGRAPHY and advice, if people want to do VIDEO then surely it makes sense to get a Video centric camera?
Anyway apologies for the long winded comment, basically I think the GX8 isn't given enough Photographic credit, but like your episodes very useful/helpful and entertaining. Cheers, Rob..
Thanks Robert, Horses for courses and tools of the trade. If it does the job and I enjoy using it, that's enough for me. I was a Pentax user for 40 years, not because I was convinced they were the best cameras, lenses, etc but because that's what I had always used. When I switched to M43 it was not brand or camera related but wanting to downsize my whole kit. Yes, I tested a few cameras and lenses and found the combo I was happiest with. There will always be fanatics and zealots for and against anything so I am a firm believer that personal choice and preferences are more important than anything else. I teach photograph and am often asked "which camera should I buy?" and the answer is always "It depends..." Thanks for taking the time to comment. I enjoyed reading your opinion. Good luck with your photography. Cheers, Ian
@@IanSmissenPhotography no worries, exactly, there's some good photographers on RUclips including yourself, I think a lot of the younger folk favour the video side of things etc especially our dear American counterparts 🤗
Anyway keep up the good work. Cheers Rob 👍
Oh yes, it was ASA not ISO. This reminds me of old memories.
btw A bit suprised you prefer the GX8 over the GX9. I am considering a companion campera to my G9. Same reason as yours.
Didn’t say I prefer the GX8. Definitely prefer the G9 but the GX8 is a nice, small, light option for street photography and backup for the G9.
@@IanSmissenPhotography Hi Ian, Sure. I was talking about the GX9. I know it is not exactly the successor of the GX8, but the 2 look quite similar to me.
@@laurentyarp514 sorry, misread. GX8 allows continuous video (no 29:59 limit) and was cheaper 2nd hand
@@IanSmissenPhotography Got it, thanks. Was most curious about that.
Hi Ian, thanks for this video and for the inspiration. I have quite recently bought a used GX8 and so far I really enjoy it. One question to this video: what mode did you use for these shots (in the GX8)? Did you use one of the B&W presets in the camera or did you shoot colour and then changed to B&W during post-process? Also, if you have any tips on software that you're using, I'll be grateful for any advice. Thanks a lot again! Barnabas
Thanks Barnabas, all shots taken in raw and processed in b&w using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Cheers Ian
@@IanSmissenPhotography Hi Ian, shot in raw meaning you actually saw the images in colour when you took them and made them B&W later? Great and inspiring shots! All of them. And I like the project of having only 36 shots :) Just like in the old days. Thanks for your answer and for the inspiring video once again.
@@bhamerlik Yes, colour first and processed in b&w
Hello Ian, could you please tell me how were you setting your exposure for every shot? As you said, you decided to shoot full manual using ISO400 as fixed film and playing with aperture and shutter speed with the display turned off all the time! ?
Hi World Nikonist, for each shot I set the aperture to what I thought was appropriate for the required depth of field, then set the shutter speed to give me what the camera metering (matrix) suggested was the ‘correct’ exposure then adjusted the shutter speed up or down according to the scene to account for overall darkness or lightness or to avoid blowing highlights.
@@IanSmissenPhotography Then you were using the histogram through the viewfinder, right?
@@punisher2551 Normally that’s exactly what I do but, in this case, I was working ‘old school’ and guesstimated exposure compensation by eye.
@@IanSmissenPhotography Big thanks, that is a very good practice indeed ! Your video is very inspiring. Have a nice day !
Again..