5 Reasons You NEED a Panasonic GF1 - (Go Digital Retro In 2025!!!)

[@dddd717]

I bought this brand new …I still have it and use it…and now multiples. The black and white is awesome. It’s fun for concerts.

[@skeskali]

I used to have one of these back in the day and I sold it and moved to the OM-D system. Today I'm scouring the internet to replace it. Such a great camera.

[@grantrobertdavies]

It's a Classic!

[@monsieur_arno]

I have a blue GF1 with a 20mm 1.7 and made a lot of streetphotography with it. I still love it. I upgraded to the GX9.

[@richardjleonard6199]

A friend loaned me her GF2....I was so impressed I now have 4 Luimix cameras (G7, GH4, G95 & a G9)......love them all

[@ferv5470]

I have one and love it. The size, the weight, the build quality but mostly the image’s it provides. I really like what you can get out of it! It is a great combination with the 14mm f2.5 too!

[@susanneotterberg6952]

Love the GF1 for b&w with the 20/1.7. Got 3 of them.😂

[@dddd717]

lol…I am in the same boat…I am thinking I might turn on into infrared.

[@PRB_and_PLB_Photography]

I have a GX1 + Lumix 20mm F1.7 and love it. It's the camera I reach for most when I head out for some photography. It's like the perfect combo.

[@alex-reay]

I don’t use my GF1 often but when I do I’m always impressed especially by B/W images. They have really nice quality and depth to them. The body is built like a tank and the battery life is awesome.

[@abysal311]

LX100, GX9, G9, G85, & GF1 are in my m43 collection. I like the challenge shooting with the GF1, where I also shoot it in AV, where it's limited auto ISO works to some degree. Shooting it in manual is very deliberate.

[@JohnOpie]

Consider the GF 2 as well! Fabulous monochrome emulation!

[@FnokiN]

I’m going to buy one tomorrow. Found on a second hand shop in Belgium. White, without lens, never used, 120€. Thank you for your video. Very interesting. And of course … I subscribe to your channel.

[@Speedydig]

Super bring back retro and enjoy a small camera that captures every day life 👍👍👍

[@steadicamwalker]

when there's enough light, gf1 can give a very good skin tone, personally the skin tone is even better than most mirrorless camera on the market. Now i have many more advanced cameras but i still keep 2 gf1 for rainy days.

[@leemoody9247]

Just bought one due to your review. Really liking it so far. I agree about the build quality. It's really good fun. I then found a cheap Red one and bought that too, doh! I'm trying to get all the colours!

[@MikeRinz]

The shutter mechanism is so violent and loud it turned street photography into a nightmare for me. And the Shutter shock is a real issue with these early Panasonic cameras.

[@MikeRinz]

@@MontrencoPerez the sound of the shutter IS pleasing and everyone in a 2 block radius can hear you taking a picture)

[@Keilikeramen]

⁠Issue only for street photography not for me who take portrait and landscape

[@ferv5470]

I do shoot street with it and like it. It sure does not make more noise as my film slr’s I also use. And be honest. When people hear your shutter the picture is taken 😄. Just smile respectfully and go on!

[@taratantara]

What makes it special is the LFV-1 viewfinder! I have mine with a vintage Canon 50mm 1.4 and some Oly lenses like the 45mm 1.8 and 30mm macro, it's incredibly versatile for day to day snapshots. The BW is not as premium as a Sigma DP, but the gritty aspect of the GF1 and small size makes it an enjoyable experience. Oh and it fires up 500x times faster than any Sigma DP camera…

[@petepictures]

Lovely, I too have one, mine is silver . I could also add, a great battery life.

[@alangamble3236]

Hi Grant, the GF1 was the second MFT camera I bought (after the Oly EP1). I put an Oly 17mm 2.8 on it and I found it to be a great combination very portable and lightweight. I still have it but it’s more of an ornament nowadays as I generally use the EPL7 now as a carry. The results, images I got from the GF1 were far better than I had expected especially the evening/ night shots. At one time I did have three others in different colours but sold them on a couple of years ago ( wish I’d held on to them now! ) to fund and EM5 mkiii.

[@chakwong]

Two cameras in one: C1 set to COLOR (saturation +1) C2 set to B/W (contrast +1) Best use as a point-and-shoot camera. Should be the last-ranking camera in my collection. BUT coupled with the 7Artisans f6.3/18 pancake, it slips comfortably into pockets too small for my Panasonic LX100 II. The fact that focusing is preset makes it a camera for quick street photography.

[@evodevo69]

How do you set the C1 and C2?

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Great video. GF1 was released in 2009, I bought my first in 2009 and use it daily for most purposes. I bought a second a few years later in mint condition. Those cameras are built to last ( the GX7 is not, I am on my third grip ). Regards Ulf

[@iandrury1542]

I bought one that had been converted to full spectrum Infrard and use it with various strength IR filters, mainly with my 20mm F1.7 lens.

[@shahidulImon]

I have a GM1, had that for about 3 years. A small little one similar to GF1. Fantastic camera as well, a bit smaller than GF1.

[@grantrobertdavies]

nice one :)

[@bobbyhicks1078]

Definitely a nice little camera… But if you’re looking for a mini, don’t overlook the Olympus Pen e-PM2! Smaller, lighter,16mp vs. 12, plus stabilization… an overlooked little jewel! It’s cheaper too!

[@juliette-mansour]

Hey Grant, let's talk about reason #4. When I switched from DSLRs to point and shoot cameras for street photography, I bought an Olympus E-P2. This was around 2011. Those pre-Sony times to me are what give those older MFT cameras the special quality I'm yearning for. Here's what I learned: 1. All 12mp sensors for MFT cameras were made by Panasonic. 2. The first 16mp sensor was made by Panasonic for the GH2 in 2010. That sensor was also used in the G5, G6 and GF7. 3. The second 16mp sensor was the 2011 Panasonic "economy model" in the G3, GX1 and other Panasonic cameras (e.g.GF6). 4. The third 16mp sensor was the 2012 Sony one used in the EM-5 and other Olympus cameras, and also the Panasonic GH3. 5. The fourth 16mp sensor was made by Panasonic and first appeared in 2013 in the GX7. It was subsequently used in many other Panasonic cameras and also the Olympus EM-1. 6. Panasonic and Olympus 16mp cameras have apparently used only Sony sensors but I don't know the details about it ... Some of my best shots were with that old Oly E-P2. I'm probably going to go find one and see if it still holds the magic. I'll keep my eye open for the GF1 as well. One last comment: The smaller the better for me! I love my 25mm Leica lens on my GM5. It's just perfect for EDC and so inconspicuous for street! I love the colors, but I think an Oly to go with would be nice, since I do actually prefer something about those Olympus files.

[@grantrobertdavies]

That’s Awesome :) Great Feedback… Very well thought out :)

[@juliette-mansour]

@@grantrobertdavies thanks! And after I typed that out, I found an old Oly E-P2 in banged up condition for $87!!!

[@juliette-mansour]

Also, for those confused about the difference between the GM/GF/GX, etc., here's the breakdown: G Mini DSLR-like design, economy line of GH products. GH Mini DSLR-like design, the top line product specially on video side, weatherproof body. GX Range finder design, a mid-range product close to G, below GH. GX7 is the only IBIS Panny body. GF Range finder design, the predecessor of GX series, now more on the entry line of products. GM Rang finder design, going towards miniature style similar to a P&S (GM1) but having ability comparable to GX & G.

[@88steps81]

what about lx-100? My sister has this camera and i liked it a lot. One thing that made me buy gx9, was that it had fixed lens starting at 24mm and there were those situations where it was just too narrow. Then going to 75mm which is ok, but i like having even bigger tele range. I mainly use lumix 14-140 now. lx-100's lens is a bit sharper than 14-140, and it offers incredible 1.7-2.8 aperture. If it was 12-75 or even 12-60 with same aperture, then it would be out of this world. So i think lx-100 is really nice for travel. Small, lightweight, good lens. Cons are: small and uncomfortable EVF, no tilting screen, no weatherproof.

[@jonlouis2582]

I love mine. This is the only camera I've bought another copy of as a back up. The first is still going strong, and it's been around more than Harry and Meagan's Privacy Tour.

[@steadicamwalker]

me 2, i bought 2 gf1.

[@l.a.3388]

I wanted a small cheap camera so I got a GF1 for 79€+79€ 7artisan 24 mm 1.8A. I bought it one month ago I love it, always in my pocket. Quality is good in daylight. It's a little hard to manually focus when in great aperture but you can quickly zoom image on screen by pushing physical button then focus on zoomed detail to ensure the image sharpness. However after a few weeks I want more lenses. Finally I bought a second gf1 for 54Euros with 14-54mm lens!... and a gf3 ....and 2 more lenses.... It's so cheap in comparison to my pro setting. I agree the GF1 body build quality is really nice.

[@frstesiste7670]

I used the GF1 when it came out with kit zoom and the 20mm F1.7. Really good build quality and AF was excellent compared to the first Olympus MFT models. IQ was slightly worse compared to low end dSLR from the same time. Today though, wouldn't want a GF1 at any price unless I couldn't afford anything else.

[@freespeechoneeach]

have a GF1 in black mint condition. a steal off ebay. lumix 14-43 and lumix 45- 200 lenses. carried in a lowepro passport sling makes for a light travel set up. looking for a cheap 25(nifty 50) prime.

[@richardwalker4518]

I have a GF9 (gx800 in some markets), so may not be much reason to pick up a GF1. If you are on a tighter budget, getting the older ones makes sense. They are a handy bit of kit, for me it is the main EDC option, used mostly with the 7Artisans 18mm f6.3 cap lens and the 12-32 kit zoom. The 12-32 adds stabe, which those bodies lack. The cap lens turns it into a poor man's Ricoh GR. I much prefer it to using a phone camera.

[@55whiplash]

I'd love to see some new smaller rangefinder type M4/3's cameras. I love my OM-1 but, I'd love something like the Pen F, or GF series. A S9 with a smaller body would be cool.

[@OutRAjious]

I have the olympus xz-1 in white …. best people camera esp with flash

[@van.wolputte]

Have the gf1 with viewfinder for 14 years now and its still my favorite street mft to take with me on a daily basis. Had the gx85 for a month this year thinking i needed to go lens + body stabilisation. I was in love with it but the battery just went flat to quick, so realised dual stabilisation is overkill if it makes me stress about batteries. And indeed the GF1 feels like is built like a tank. The evf1 is super fun and adds to the looks. Just a shame there is no sensor that tracks me coming close to the evf1 / you need to manually switch it on and off to be able to switch to the main back screen of the gf1.

[@holgerb.4143]

G’day Grant, The GF1 looks interesting. Thanks for the video. I’d like the film like look so much, especially Kodachrome 64, Portra 400, Kodak Gold 200, Classic Chrome and Nostagic Neg. I though to buy a Fujifilm. But there’re but’s, too bricky, it feels not good in my hand and it’s bloody expensive, even used. Ok, the GX9 it’s expensive too. And not easy to get. But with the 15mm 1.7. it looks like a good alternative. Well, I could get a get a black GF1. Have you already tried your GX9 JPEG recipes with the GF1 or the build in film simulation nostalgic? Does it work and how are the results? Thanks, Holger from Germany

[@Unirule]

A used GF1 was the first ever "good" camera I owned, purchased some time around 2023 for $40us. That was a hell of a bargain considering back then i was mostly just toying with (also cheap) manual film lenses and adapters. I've since gotten attached enough to it that I bought a "native" Lumix 20mm f1.7 for nearly 5x the price I paid for the body and am even shopping for one of those detatchable viewfinders on Yahoo Auctions. For such a cheap camera this thing sure has eaten its fair share of my money.

[@waynecox5138]

I got one with a couple lenses. Look for lenses and other accessories paired with the body.

[@S3mj0n]

People need to take a look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 from 2004 with the f/2-2.4 Leica Vario-Summicron lens. It's basically the same as the Leica Digilux 2. Beautiful BW mode and still produces great images with a unique look. Just not very good at low light

[@vermis8344]

I actually bought a GF3 last year. Definitely not mint, MPB was selling it for peanuts because of a massive scratch on the rear screen! But still a lovely little camera. I sold it on because I decided I had too many cameras... then later I bought an Oly E-PL5. 😳 I think the chunky grip, metal body, and flippy screen turned my head. In any case, both went nicely with the Lumix 12-32. Or if you can tolerate bodycap lenses, those make the dinkier M43 cameras _really_ pocketable. (I would like to get an EVF for the PL5, but that's got the same problem - costs more than the actual camera)

[@waynecox5138]

What are your thoughts on the GX-1 or G1.

[@Keilikeramen]

I still own gx1 convert fullspectrum

[@pinanay]

Oh my! I just saw a used GF1 for sale and this video comes out. Coincidence?😅

[@snugsonblitz]

I can get the GF1, the GF3 or the GF5 for about the same price ($20 difference)...leaning towards the GF5, what say you?

[@HD-RoadGlide-131]

There is a firmware update for it. Check your version and see if it is the latest

[@CtlinMunteanu]

i have one, amazing retro camera, but i searc foar cheap autofocus lens, ideas>?

[@grantrobertdavies]

20mm f1.7 :)

[@news603redux]

The GF1 seems to have a bit of a cult following and honestly, it makes no sense to me. My "pocket" go to is a GF5 with the 12-32 and it can't be beat. The GF5 has it all over the GF1 spec wise, much better ISO, very good 1080p video, lighter, smaller etc. I can't believe a lesser camera that's two and a half years older could be superior - what am I missing?

[@grantrobertdavies]

Dunno, I’ve never used a GF5…