I have been wondering about getting the VF-2 or 3 for my E-PL1 and a research collegue has just offered me his Pana G3 in base kit format(charger cradle, battery, strap and 14-42 lens) for only £300!

Should I buy it and thus overcome my need for a viewfinder and at the same time have a second body to use all my various legacy lenses on?

Or am I just turning into a gear-tart?



Andreas

You seem to think that the two are mutually exclusive...

PS (IMHO) Buy it. That's a good price and you know its provenance.

I have an E-P3 with a VF2 and a G2 and to be blunt I find the EVF on the G2 to be superior to the VF2. Part of it is that the integrated EVF is a less clumsy on the camera and I find the rotating LCD to be more useful than the flip up VF2. in addition, the G2 (and I assue the G3 as well) is more convenient to use with legacy glass in that the thumbwheel is used to control the manual focus assist. Then there is the better sensor of the G3, faster AF and IMHO better control layout. Of course everyone is different but if it were me I'd grab the G3 over the VF2.

Thank for the informative, Pana-user perspective!

I will go see the man tomorrow and inform him of my over-bearing lust for his G3!



Andreas the tart

With the G3, not only do you get the better EVF, but you get a newer sensor with better DR and lower noise, especially at high ISO. So yes, I think you should by the G3.

I don't believe my luck... the guy has gone to the western Carribean and left the G3 in the safe in his office.

No G3 for me till after 23rd May!



Oh well, at least I have it once he is back and then I can play with 2 quite different m4/3 bodies and all my legacy glass!

I think you will be very happy with the G3... but the anticipation will do you in LOL! :)

__________________
Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix DMC-GF1, Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix LX5
Lumix 14-45mm, Lumix 20mm f1.7, Lumix 14mm f2.5, Lumix 45-200mm, Lumix 100-300mm

Oh you know it... I was so full of the joys of spring till I got to work and realised I missed him by a day.

In fact, not even that, whilst I was finding out, he was actually in Heathrow airport waiting to fly out!

He e-mailed me earlier and said it was an over-sight that he forgot to leave it with our boss!

It will be all the sweeter when I get it though.

I am still having handling issues with the my G3. Perhaps down in part to my battered builder hands, but i still have it and wont sell it.
Its the quality of the images it produces that keep me holding on to it.
Usually over exposes for my taste , so compensate quite a bit.
You WILL love the viewfinder when used with MF optics ! And AF glass too.
Not a big fan of the 14-42 though. Not wide open at the long end anyway. So mostly attached are the 14 and 20 primes.
I mean you cant argue with the chicken image here
Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 Image Thread
Nice cameras deserve nice lenses.
You will love the G3

I have battered hands with short sausage-like fingers, first from military service and then as a shuttering carpenter for an interim period!

I know the pain of mobile-phone dyslexia and ham-fisted typing!

I am not much better with my E-PL1, but damn it that G3 is calling my name!