LUMIX G9 Lenses and Bags for Hiking etc.

[Justadreamer]

Hello,

I’ve just joined the forum. I’ve picked up my first camera a LUMIX G9. I’m looking to buy some lenses and a bag I can use to carry the camera and accessories. I like to hike and also take photos of buildings and nature.

Thanks.

[Derek Smith]

I have a G9. I take mine on walks. However, I take images and video of landscapes, flowers, fungi, the occasional bit of lichen and grandkids. I have a bad back.

I have a number of lenses.

Three primes. An f1.4 Panasonic, Leica-badged 25mm (50 in old money). Light, small and gives superb images. I tend to have it with me whenever I’m out on a shoot. I'm told the f1.7 Panasonic 25mm is a very good lens for the price-saving.

F2.8 Olympus 60mm macro. Great lens for flowers, particularly with insects on them. Great images.

F2.8 Panasonic/Leica 42.5mm macro. Used in the studio mostly. Superb images. Great for portraits.

Three zooms. F3.5, 12-60mm Panasonic. I use it for video. Good image.

F3.5, 14-140mm Panasonic. Best general purpose lens when out for a walk. Get’s a bit heavy after a few hours. Images almost as good as the Leica ones.

F4, 100-300mm Panasonic. Best for birds, deer and such. I don’t use it much nowadays as the birds have defeated me. I tend not to carry it as a bit heavy. Images are good. The range/weight balance is great. 600mm equivalent. I’ve used it with extension tubes a fair bit.

I tend to prefer primes but the 14-140 zoom has a great range. Only you, though, can say what is best for you. Don't ignore Olympus lenses. They've got some great ones.

One bit of advice I will give is plan your lens purchases. No one only buys two or three, so spending a lot on one means not having a cheap one in the back of a drawer when you get a bit more money.

Great camera and a bargain second hand. I have a G9ii and bang-for-buck, the G9 wins almost across the board. It only loses on video and multiple shots. Have fun.

[Justadreamer]

Is this one of the lenses.

https://www.parkcameras.com/shop/used-panasonic-le...

[Derek Smith]

Justadreamer said:

Is this one of the lenses.

https://www.parkcameras.com/shop/used-panasonic-le...

Yes it is. Price has dropped a bit since I bought mine. The lens suits my photography and I'm not necessarily recommending it for everyone.

My first six or seven cameras had fixed lenses, all of the equivalent focal length - the 'nifty fifty - and I was used to it. All I'm saying is that if it suits your photography, it's a cracker. Especially at that price. But you should ignore all recommendations from photographers who say, 'You've got to buy this.'

I've bought some s/h gear from Park over the years and had zero problems with them. If you live near Mid Sussex or in London, go and play with it. and see if you like it.

[Steve_H80]

I have an old Tamrac rucksack bag, new equivalent is the Tradewind. The lower camera section is enough for a camera body and a couple of lenses, the upper for other 'walking' stuff, and a couple of mesh side pockets.
It's a bit of a compromise but useful.

[JonnyWhitters]

You had some good recommendations for lenses and bags from the threads you started under another username. Without being an arse, I doubt much has changed in the couple of weeks since the responses were posted.

[Justadreamer]

JonnyWhitters said:

You had some good recommendations for lenses and bags from the threads you started under another username. Without being an arse, I doubt much has changed in the couple of weeks since the responses were posted.

I’m not sure about that? As I’ve not long joined this forum.

[Justadreamer]

Would anyone be able to suggest a lense suitable for golf. I’m going to be going later in the summer and want to take some good action shots.

[Russet Grange]

Justadreamer said:

Would anyone be able to suggest a lense suitable for golf. I m going to be going later in the summer and want to take some good action shots.

Any lens is suitable for golf, but if you just want to take one lens then go for the one with the biggest zoom range. A 24-200mm gives you a reasonable bit of reach, but also allows for some nice wide stuff for landscape type shots and also if you can get near players.

With golf, shots of swings get very similar after a while. The "photo finish" when a player has hit the ball can be good, as can tons of sand splaashing out of a bunker. Another nice one is a player knelt down, lining up his ball.

Players' reactions can make good photos too. A ball dropping into a hole might be the result of a huge putt, but it;s still just a ball dropping into a hole. The player celebrating is a better pic.

Crowd shots, candid shots, shots of a player watching another player, clubs in a bag... there are countless options, far more than at many other sports.

So yes, one lens I'd go something like 24-200. If you can take two lenses then maybe a 16-35mm and a 70-300mm (these figures are 35mm equivalents, so you'll need to convert for your G9 by halving all of the numbers).

Edited by Russet Grange on Tuesday 7th April 22:46

Edited by Russet Grange on Wednesday 8th April 07:44

[Derek Smith]

I have a 24-120 that's great for general purpose. My 'universal' lens, when I've not go much idea what I'll find, is a rather pleasant 28-280. I also have a delightful f1.4 50mm that's so light I take it every time I go out with the camera. I have a bag for it. I stick it in my pocket and forget it is there until I need it.

Olympus do a 28-300 that an owner sang the praises of. It's only F4 but for golf, that's no handicap and it keeps their weight down. I've no experience of it so suggest you read reviews.

[Derek Smith]

Justadreamer said:

Is this one of the lenses:

https://www.parkcameras.com/shop/used-panasonic-lu...

Ignore everything I've posted in reply to you. I thought you were after suggestions for micro four thirds lenses for a Lumix G9 or similar. I think that lens is Leica L mount.

[Justadreamer]

Derek Smith said:

Ignore everything I've posted in reply to you. I thought you were after suggestions for micro four thirds lenses for a Lumix G9 or similar. I think that lens is Leica L mount.

I am yes. As that’s the camera I’ve got. It takes micro four thirds lenses. Obviously some lenses may have similar model numbers. I’d just had a look on Google that’s all.

Edited by Justadreamer on Wednesday 8th April 21:51

[Justadreamer]

Russet Grange said:

Any lens is suitable for golf, but if you just want to take one lens then go for the one with the biggest zoom range. A 24-200mm gives you a reasonable bit of reach, but also allows for some nice wide stuff for landscape type shots and also if you can get near players.

With golf, shots of swings get very similar after a while. The "photo finish" when a player has hit the ball can be good, as can tons of sand splaashing out of a bunker. Another nice one is a player knelt down, lining up his ball.

Players' reactions can make good photos too. A ball dropping into a hole might be the result of a huge putt, but it;s still just a ball dropping into a hole. The player celebrating is a better pic.

Crowd shots, candid shots, shots of a player watching another player, clubs in a bag... there are countless options, far more than at many other sports.

So yes, one lens I'd go something like 24-200. If you can take two lenses then maybe a 16-35mm and a 70-300mm (these figures are 35mm equivalents, so you'll need to convert for your G9 by halving all of the numbers).

Edited by Russet Grange on Tuesday 7th April 22:46

Edited by Russet Grange on Wednesday 8th April 07:44

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll have a look on Parks or MPB.

[Russet Grange]

Justadreamer said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I ll have a look on Parks or MPB.

London Camera Exchange are my preferred supplier for second hand kit. Always worth a look.

[Justadreamer]

Derek Smith said:

I have a 24-120 that's great for general purpose. My 'universal' lens, when I've not go much idea what I'll find, is a rather pleasant 28-280. I also have a delightful f1.4 50mm that's so light I take it every time I go out with the camera. I have a bag for it. I stick it in my pocket and forget it is there until I need it.

Olympus do a 28-300 that an owner sang the praises of. It's only F4 but for golf, that's no handicap and it keeps their weight down. I've no experience of it so suggest you read reviews.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Justadreamer]

I’ve just bought this:


https://www.wexphotovideo.com/panasonic-14-140mm-f...