OMG it’s arrived.
Not only do I have it in plenty of time for my trip to Norway in April, but I hit a Panasonic promo that saved me $500. So glad I waited a bit since I hardly shot at all since it was released. Because $500 ain’t nothin’.
So what did I get?
Just the body since my lens collection is all I need and they should all work just fine with the new baby. But since the processing engine is new and much faster, I got faster and bigger memory cards, too. No sense having a really fast buffer and read out speeds if I’m going to hobble them with slow cards. And since the batteries aren’t the same, I got a spare and a charger since it doesn’t come with one of those either. Maddening, but what can you do? My new iPhone didn’t come with a charger either. For that though it wasn’t so frustrating, but since batteries have to fit specifically and precisely into a charger because of the contacts, I can’t just slap any old USB-C charger onto them. What are they thinking with this? But anyway…I got a third party to save some bucks and since I’ve never had a problem with third party batteries or chargers before. I have time before Norway to adjust the number of batteries and the manufacturer if these don’t work out.
Also got a Small Rig Black Mamba cage for it. I waited too long to get one for the G9 (it was discontinued when I decided to get one) and had to settle for a cage I don’t like all that much. Luckily it was short money and I can use the top handle I have with the new cage. Holding off on an L-bracket for the moment since I might be able to adapt an Arca Swiss plate to the cage for those times when I want portrait orientation. Many people using the Black Mamba cage leave it on all the time since it’s light and follows the contour of the body so closely. I’m hoping that’s the case with me, too. If not, I’ll look into an L-bracket. There are a few out there that would work since they are universal ones, but I also think one or two companies make a specific one that fits the S5 II and the G9 II since they share a body style.
I’ll have to see if I wish they didn’t. The G9 is VERY easy to handle, hold and operate. It’s rounded and while not exactly sexy, it is useable and enjoyable to work with. Another thing that Panasonic gets right is ergonomics. At least in their larger bodied cameras.
So…what’s my first task? Well, other than setting the language, time zone and date it will be to basically familiarize myself with the menu system and the new functionalities. I don’t think this will be as bit a leap as it was going from the GH3 to the G9, but there is a lot to absorb. I have the GIGANTIC ebook that is the manual and will keep it open while I dive in. Oh and I will have to update the firmware since Panasonic has released a couple of new ones. They are so good about keeping their cameras fully stocked with all their high-tech goodness. The G9 is as capable as it is partly due to the fact that it has so much new stuff via firmware.
Customization is a big part of how I work as you know from other posts I’ve done on the G9, so I’ll be working with the custom modes and function buttons. The G9 II has several more C3 modes that are accessed through the menu and best of all, they can be labeled! No more trying to remember what the heck I set for C3-2…or was it C3-3? So excellent.
Another thing to do is test all my lenses with it to make sure they work well and perfectly as they can given their ages. The last thing I need is to have a problem while I’m in Norway. Luckily I have some time for that and a ton of birds and other things in the yard that I can fool around with. Even the swans are still around since it’s been warm enough all winter to have open water for them.
So tomorrow I’m going to head out – probably just in the yard at least for a while – to test it out with all the lenses. So far just attaching them in the house they all work fine and I see the Dual IS icon pop up with all except for two – the macro and the 100-300. I assume those will get … something. More to investigate! Woo hoo!
First shot that I processed from it – a little American Goldfinch wondering if I’m a threat.
It’s a bit of a crop and I used the denoise AI feature in Lr to clean it up, too. Overall I like it, but think I can fine tune the focus, etc.
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