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Comment on UK Bargain Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens for Sale by adetri

adetri — Sat, 19 May 2012 16:16:47 +0000

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

Amazing, 29 July 2011

adetri (UK - London) -

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens (Accessory)

I'm a professional photographer but when not working I just use a trusty 1st gen. Olympus EP-1 with the Olympus 17mm pancake lens and VF-1 Viewfinder - it's great for informal snapshots and holidays - when you really don't want to be burdened by photo gear - or feel every holiday is a busman's holiday! I was very happy with this combo, until I tried this Panasonic 20mm f/1.7.... What can I say about this lens which has not already been said? I find it so sharp, the f/1.7 aperture so useful and its compact form so convenient that it has transformed my tiny Olympus camera system from something good into something very very good!

You can use this lens in low light at f/1.7 or use that big aperture to isolate your subject from its background to great affect. Oh and with the Olympus Pen cameras you get Vibration Reduction built into the the camera body too, so you now have a super bright f/1.7 lens with Vibration reduction - how is that for low light snaps? Amazing!

What's more, if you have the optical viewfinder (VF-1) which came as part of the original Olympus kit and is apparently matched to the 17mm lens, you may have found it showed much less than the 17mm lens was actually capturing - i.e. the lens was wider than the viewfinder. Stick this 20mm on your EP-1 (or any other m4/3rds camera) and the view out with the VF-1 is actually more accurate! It still has the usual parallax error on close subjects of course but it is a much better match for this lens.

Downsides? It costs a fair bit compared to DSLR lenses of the same sort - e.g. the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 for DX or 50mm f/1.8 for FX and it doesn't come with a lens hood. Some might say the 40mm equivalent focal length is neither one thing nor another - not wide not zoomy! Really though all that it does it force you to be creative with your compositions, and surely that is the sort of photography these little micro 4/3rds cameras are designed for?

Its a fit and forget lens for me... I see my Olympus + this lens + the VF-1 Viewfinder as a superb compact digital camera system.

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Comment on UK Bargain Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens for Sale by Cheatin' Jockey

Cheatin' Jockey — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:34:33 +0000

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful

A little gem!, 2 Aug 2010

Cheatin' Jockey (Worcestershire) -

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens (Accessory)

This lens has been lauded in many reviews - it's probably *the* must-have lens for M43 camera users.

I use it on my Olympus PEN E-P1 and my wife's Panasonic G2; on either camera it transforms the overall size making them both look and feel much smaller. Focus speed is OK, though I must say it seems a bit slower to focus on the G2 than the PEN for some reason - after the last firmware upgrade the PEN has got much snappier in this respect.

In use the 20mm gives a 40mm equivalent on a traditional film SLR (or Full frame DSLR) which isn't quite standard lens length and the extra field of view can lead to distortions if used without care on portrait shots though it's not that wide for landscapes either! Having said that having a prime lens makes you think more about your shots and you'll get picture you just wouldn't with a lazy old zoom.

One of the top benefits of this lens is the super wide (for M43!) 1.7 aperture. This Makes it good for low light photography and in some conditions enables you to get a nice blurry background. This is especially nice on the PEN as it has in camera stabilisation, there is no OIS on the Lumix 20mm. Chromatic aberrations isn't an issue on the PEN and the G2 removes any it finds it automatically, so zoom users that get annoyed with purple fringing will be happy too.

So, this is a compact lens that is pin-sharp and great for low-light pics and makes some M43 cameras almost pocketable. Five stars without question.

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Comment on UK Bargain Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens for Sale by Pierluigi R.

Pierluigi R. — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:41:38 +0000

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

The best lens for the MFT System, 1 Feb 2011

Pierluigi R. -

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix G 20mm/F1.7 Pancake Lens (Accessory)

The best lens for the Micro Four Thirds System. Fast, sharp, small, light, fast autofocus. The best kit is with a Panasonic GF1 o GF2: it's like having a smaller Leica with a normal lens.

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Comment on UK Sell DURAGADGET Adjustable Tripod For Panasonic DMC-FZ45, LUMIX DMC-G2 With Nylon Carry Case Lowest Price by Surveyor

Surveyor — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:03:31 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Great kit, 30 April 2012

Surveyor -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)

This review is from: DURAGADGET Adjustable Tripod For Panasonic DMC-FZ45, LUMIX DMC-G2 With Nylon Carry Case (Electronics)

Lightweight and stable - perfect for the price!
Get one of these. No need to pay rip off prices unless
you need to use it every day as a pro.

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Comment on UK Low Price Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) In Stock by R. May

R. May — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:01:11 +0000

143 of 144 people found the following review helpful

A very good camera, 16 Nov 2006

R. May (Cardiff, Wales) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What is this?)

This review is from: Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) (Electronics)

I come from a traditional SLR background, as well as using a few DSLRs, and have found this to be the easiest to use camera yet. The menu systems are very nicely organised, and newcomers to DSLRs will have no problems learning how to use it.

It has a very nice array of features for a consumer-end DSLR, some of which have been taken from the top-end models.

There are lots of negative posts on the internet proclaiming the 18-55mm kit lens bad, and that is simply not the case. The lens responds fast, and outputs high quality images - the colours are especially accurate in all the photos I've taken so far.

In response to other complaints about the grip size, I have had no problems (although I don't have the biggest hands). It's a compact, lightweight (for a DSLR) camera, that you won't be dragged down by on long hikes, for example.

I highly recommend this camera to both amateurs and professionals, as it provides many high-end features and quality photos in an easy to learn and operate design.

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Comment on UK Low Price Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) In Stock by Mr. Graham Cummings

Mr. Graham Cummings — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:08:26 +0000

163 of 164 people found the following review helpful

A stunning piece of equipment, 22 Feb 2007

Mr. Graham Cummings (Yorkshire, UK) -

This review is from: Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) (Electronics)

I remember, back in the day, buying a 2mp Minolta camera, and just how disappointed I was trying to get it to take a decent photo. So, since then I've not been that enthusiastic about digital cameras/SLRs. Until I bought the 400D. What an amazing camera! It's everything I always wanted in a camera (although I'm relative newcomer to photography).

It does everything I could possibly expect from a camera and there may be a reason why you would want to buy a more expensive than this one, but I honestly cannot see why you would want to!

It's so quick at everything. Which is what you need when you really urgently need to take a photo. It takes less than a second to boot-up, the focusing speed is usually phenomenally fast, and it can continuously shoot 3fps for about twenty seconds. The menu system is great, and all controls are sensibly laid out. The camera feels rock-solid. It's quite weighty, so it may not be so good for people of slight frame, but it's a small complaint for such as awesome peice of kit. The built-in flash is powerful (more than enough to annoy and blind my brother) and even on the auto settings you get great daylight shots that require very little, if any, touch-up in Photoshop. I would say buy a decent lens, because the 75-300 Canon lens I bought suffers from a bit of blur, and chromatic abberation, especially on full zoom (that blue tinge you see around high contrast subjects). You can sort these things out in Photoshop, but really you'd be better of buying a decent lens to avoid these problems in the first place.

The battery life is excellent, and you can pick up cheap replacements or spares.

I'm not sure whether the sensor cleaning thing works, but I assume it does beause all my shots have been noise free.

I love the fact that you can leave the shutter open for as long as you want. That's great for night time shots where there is little light, or when you want to do a bit of Astrophotography. I got some fantastic photos of the Orion constellation, and of a huge halo around the moon. Although I would recommend a tripod and definitely recommend buying a remote control so that you can take shots without the camera shake from pressing the button.

Well, for the last five minutes I've been enthusing about the 400D, but I think it really is that good. Believe all the reviews you see here and elsewhere. It is an amazing camera for the price.

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Comment on UK Low Price Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) In Stock by brainleek007

brainleek007 — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:31:37 +0000

298 of 299 people found the following review helpful

Affordable 10 Mega Pixel SLR Nirvana, 18 Nov 2006

brainleek007 (Bracknell) -

This review is from: Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Kit) (Electronics)

I've had this camera for a few weeks now and am blown away by it. I've upgraded from a Sony DSC-V1 which was a pretty handy 5mp compact but the Canon is in another league entirely as you'd expect from a 10mp SLR.

I'll give a brief rundown of some of the key features:

1. Built in sensor cleaning
2. EOS system compatibility
3. 2.5 inch LCD
4. 0.2 second start up time
5. 27 frame buffer at 3fps
6. 9 point auto focus
7. Various auto picture modes and full auto

In the box you get the body, an 18-55mm lens (more on the lens later), a full suite of software for downloading and editing pictures on your computer, battery + charger, camera strap and usb cable - a pretty comprehensive starter pack. Note there is no CF card but if you buy before the end of December 2006 you can apply for a free 256mb CF card direct from Canon.

I find the 400D a compact but comfortable camera to use. I think some with bigger hands have had trouble with it being a bit small but for me its fine.

After switching on the camera it's ready to use in around 0.2 seconds - that's a massive plus for me after moving from a camera that took a good few seconds to wake up. If you're moving up from a compact digital you'll love this feature!

On peeking through the viewfinder you'll see the nine-point AF system which gives good coverage around the centre of the frame. Various weighting methods are available and you can even select any one of the AF points to focus from so if the subject is off centre it's not a problem to focus on. Pressing the shutter release halfway will bring in the AF and exposure system. A bleep will notify the user that the system has locked on and achieved focus. Press all the way and the shot is taken. Simplicity itself. Once you get going the Canon can take shots pretty much as fast as you can press the shutter release.

Now onto the lens and really the only thing I can criticise. The provided 18-55mm lens is disappointing. It's basically just not that sharp for discerning photographers and it certainly does not let the 400D show its true potential. I would strongly recommend buying the 50mm 1.8 Canon lens for around £70. It is plasticky and built cheaply but please don't let this put you off - believe me this lens is S-H-A-R-P!!! I bought this lens after messing around with the 18-55 for a while and there's no comparison - the 50mm is a much faster lens and produces great pictures.

By all accounts the self cleaning system is a revelation and whilst I've never had a digital SLR before and therefore never suffered from dust problems on the sensor Canon has taken a positive step by making the sensor cover literally shake off dust particles on each power-up and power down operation!

The LCD is large and easily viewable and the camera is also very responsive to button presses and selections when reviewing shots for example. The button layout will take a bit of memorizing but that's purely down to the variety of adjustable options available!

I should mention battery life which I feel is very good. Unless you are taking shots left right and centre I can't imagine you having a problem on a day's photography - the manual states something around 360 shots with 50% flash use and I think this is reasonably accurate.

I could sing the 400D's praises all day but to summarise I'd say if you're new to digital SLR's or a seasoned pro this is a very solid camera with all the features you'll need. It will inspire your confidence too with its ease of use and excellent picture quality and hopefully spur you on to new creative exploits! Buy it - you won't be disappointed!

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Comment on UK Cheap 77MM Macro Close-Up Lens Set for Canon 100-400mm 24mm & Any Other Cameras with 77mm Threads Lowest Price by dilltrex

dilltrex — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:26:27 +0000

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

close up lens, 7 Oct 2010

dilltrex -

This review is from: 77MM Macro Close-Up Lens Set for Canon 100-400mm 24mm & Any Other Cameras with 77mm Threads (Electronics)

first class product no need to spend on a full lens these do what i need !!!!

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Comment on UK Bargain Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lens Lowest Price by Mrs. F. M. Robertson "Fleur"

Mrs. F. M. Robertson "Fleur" — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:44:17 +0000

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

No four thirds system owner should be without it, 22 Aug 2009

Mrs. F. M. Robertson "Fleur" (UK) -

This review is from: Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lens (Accessory)

This is a very fine lens. Crisp, fast, lightweight, incredibly versatile - the one you have on your Olympus to walk around with and rarely need to remove. I bought it not very long after its debut a few years ago and, despite its cost, have never looked back to my kit lens. A real step up. Yes - there is some distortion at the widest angle, for sure, but most of the time it is far from obvious. I doubt you'd regret the purchase. Very highly recommended.

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Comment on UK Bargain Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lens Lowest Price by Mr. N. Pearson

Mr. N. Pearson — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:06:00 +0000

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

The best walkabout lens of any system?, 29 Dec 2009

Mr. N. Pearson (Nottingham, England) -

This review is from: Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm 1:2.8-4.0 SWD lens (Accessory)

Superb optics, sharp wide open, very fast & quiet autofocus and environmental sealing. This is just about the perfect walkabout lens. The only minor downside is some wave-like distortion at 12mm - PTlens plugin for Photoshop resolves this problem.

If you want a DSLR and one lens solution then Olympus have the answer.

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