I ve inherited a Lumix G9 - help with set up.
Discussion
I’ve been gifted a Lumix G9 from a late family member. There are no instructions, or any lenses. Would anyone be able to recommend a starting point. I’ve never owned a camera, but I’m keen to start to use it. I’m basically needing advice on a good all round lens, software and any good YouTube videos. I’ve ordered a manual for the camera off eBay. Thanks.
My advice is to go slowly. The menu can be intimidating; pages of the stuff. Concentrate on just a few basic items, put them on the Q menu, and add others as you need them.
Remember it's just a camera. Point it at whatever, press the button, and you'll get a picture. Everything else is fluff.
Once you get the hang of it, set up the function buttons and controls to suit what you do.
It's a great camera. With mine, I bought back-up OE batteries second hand from MPB. No difference between them and the new ones I bought with the camera.
I bought the G9ii and they had deleted a number of functions from the G9, such as the screen on the top, the variable viewfinder switch, the rotating switch and more. I think the G9 is the bargain of the Panasonic range.
As for lenses, I use my 12-60mm, my 14-140, the delightful f1.4 25mm and the Olympus 60mm macro (double all focal lengths for 35mm equivalent) the most. But much will depend on what you want to use it for.
Best of luck. Starting out in photography is exciting.
Nowadays, once you get the hang of the controls, you'll have transferable skills. In the old days camera manufacturers did things their own way, and even changed controls depending on camera. I have a 1956 Voightlander Vito II and a Vito Bii of 1958 and the controls differ significantly.
Children today!
Remember it's just a camera. Point it at whatever, press the button, and you'll get a picture. Everything else is fluff.
Once you get the hang of it, set up the function buttons and controls to suit what you do.
It's a great camera. With mine, I bought back-up OE batteries second hand from MPB. No difference between them and the new ones I bought with the camera.
I bought the G9ii and they had deleted a number of functions from the G9, such as the screen on the top, the variable viewfinder switch, the rotating switch and more. I think the G9 is the bargain of the Panasonic range.
As for lenses, I use my 12-60mm, my 14-140, the delightful f1.4 25mm and the Olympus 60mm macro (double all focal lengths for 35mm equivalent) the most. But much will depend on what you want to use it for.
Best of luck. Starting out in photography is exciting.
Nowadays, once you get the hang of the controls, you'll have transferable skills. In the old days camera manufacturers did things their own way, and even changed controls depending on camera. I have a 1956 Voightlander Vito II and a Vito Bii of 1958 and the controls differ significantly.
Children today!
Start on Full Auto while you learn what you like to shoot and composition.
Software, If your on a Mac start with Apple Photos.
I would also recommend you have a look at RapidRaw.
https://www.getrapidraw.com
No affiliation but have used lots of different software over the years, RapidRaw fills my limited needs at the moment.
Welcome to the wonderful rabbit hole that is photography.
Software, If your on a Mac start with Apple Photos.
I would also recommend you have a look at RapidRaw.
https://www.getrapidraw.com
No affiliation but have used lots of different software over the years, RapidRaw fills my limited needs at the moment.
Welcome to the wonderful rabbit hole that is photography.
We were told on a photographic course that nothing you buy beyond camera and lenses will improve your photography. It might make it quicker, easier or make you look good, but the only thing you need is a camera and lens, and not that many of the latter. Nowadays he'd be pushing all sorts of 'retail opportunites' at students. Of course, I took no notice and over the years have given away lots of camera gear to local photographic courses at colleges. The first time I did it I expected to be treated like royalty and, although they were obviously pleased with what I gave them, the college had a 'system' for donations. Join the queue sort of thing.
I've belonged to three camera clubs. In every one there was a small clique with fixed lens cameras, rangefinders in the old parlance, who irritatingly often won competitions and produced images that stood out, but I still drool over the reviews in Amateur Photographer. The only thing that stops me thinking I'm stupid is that so many others do the same.
If you want to become a 'real' photographer, please ignore this post.
I've belonged to three camera clubs. In every one there was a small clique with fixed lens cameras, rangefinders in the old parlance, who irritatingly often won competitions and produced images that stood out, but I still drool over the reviews in Amateur Photographer. The only thing that stops me thinking I'm stupid is that so many others do the same.
If you want to become a 'real' photographer, please ignore this post.
Derek Smith said:
We were told on a photographic course that nothing you buy beyond camera and lenses will improve your photography. It might make it quicker, easier or make you look good, but the only thing you need is a camera and lens, and not that many of the latter.
Of course it will. Tripods will improve your night sky photography by a factor of a gazillion, and your landscapes too. A cheap flashgun can make a huge difference as well - directly lighting with a diffuser to give a bit of subtle fill when required, or set to a suitable power level and bounced off of a ceiling to tickle some overall light into a dark-ish room.Russet Grange said:
Of course it will. Tripods will improve your night sky photography by a factor of a gazillion, and your landscapes too. A cheap flashgun can make a huge difference as well - directly lighting with a diffuser to give a bit of subtle fill when required, or set to a suitable power level and bounced off of a ceiling to tickle some overall light into a dark-ish room.
His main point was that if all you can afford is a camera and a lens or two, that's enough to take great photos. Choose subject to suit what equipment you have. Some students brought a single camera and looked enviously at the ones with a backpack oozing stuff that, if they were on this intermediate course, the owner had no real idea of how to use.The old adage that the best camera is the one you have is not believed by many photographers. The best camera is the newer one to yours that the photographer next to you has.
As for a tripod, I've taken a photo of the Moon with a 125mm lens on a 35mm SLR without one, using one of his methods. I took off my jacket, laid the camera on it, used the 5(?) second shutter delay, slow speed and wide aperture. I was pleased with the image.
He gave us a list of equipment to consider buying as and when and a flashgun was at or near the top. We did an evening of street photography and he got us to wait for car headlamps. Reflected light from shop fronts was another source he got us to use. It was mostly monochrome, oddly enough similar to today's street lot, and we could set our 400ASA to 1600 and alter development time.
The course was fun and a lot of what he taught us, by getting us to do it, has stayed with me and stayed relevant.
Thanks so much for the help and advice. Would something like this be okay:
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/panasonic-lumix-...
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/product/panasonic-lumix-...
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