Photography Thailand Forum

[AmazingThailand]

Hi Guys.  Well I bit the bullet and bought a GF1.  Great little camera, a lot like an LX3 on steroids, and a truely fabulous replacement for the LX3 too.  It's my new point and shoot.

But now I am on a quest to find some accessories.  Nothing too exotic, a second battery and the EVF.  But no one seems to be stocking ANY accessories (and that seems to include lenses).

So my question is this... does anyone know where I might find said accessories?

Can't believe I cannot even but a second battery.  Sigh.

Another thought, who is the Thai distributer for Panasonic?

Thanks all.

[Ray Evans]

Most people, and I'm in this crowd, use the legacy lenses on their micro 4/3rds - that's the big attraction of the system. Currently, via adapters, I'm using my "old" Contax G lenses, Nikon and Leica lenses and newly acquired Kern-Switar C-mount. The latter from Ebay for $100!

You might want to investigate this route.

[AmazingThailand]

Well that would require me buying a Nikon (I have Nikon lenses) to micro43 lens mount adapter.  Which brings me back to the question in my original post...  Does anyone know WHERE I can buy accessories for the micro43 and specifically the GF1.

Actually the lens I am waiting for is the Panasonic 14mm f2.8 pancake, due out later this year.  While attaching 'legacy' lenses to the micro43 bodies is possible, it (to me) defeats the purpose of buying the GF1 (or the Olympus PEN series), since the main attraction here (for me) is the small size. 

For me, the attraction of the GF1 is to replace my LX3, NOT my DSLR.

[Ray Evans]

Have you tried Fotofile in MBK - I seem to recollect seeing a GF1 there and maybe they have some accessories

Worth a call I guess. I actually get my stuff off Ebay - no problems and delivery c.3/5 days

Fotofile:- http://www.fotofile.net/index.php?lang=en

Hope this helps

[AmazingThailand]

Yes, I have tried Fotofile in MBK and just about every shop that has the GF1 and some that don't.  No one seems to have ANY accessories, not even a spare battery (my number one need).

I went back and talked with the guy at the shop where I bought mine in Fortune and he told me he is expecting some accessories in next week.  So I gave him a list of what I am looking for and my phone number.  He said he will call me when anything arrives.  So I have my fingers crossed, plus I'll head to Fortune around mid week if I have not heard from him.

[epixx]

AV Camera, http://avcamera.com/, has lots of m4/3 accessories. I bought my GH1 there, extra battery and adapters for OM and F-mount. They are a very likable bunch, and their prices are reasonable. They also have the Olympus m4/3 cameras.

They are located next to Robinson on New Road, BTS Saphan Taksin.

[AmazingThailand]

Sorry, I have been kinda busy.  Actually I had never head of avcamera, but had cottoned on to it last month.  They are kind of off my beaten track, but I do plan to make an effort to get over there to see what they have.

As for the accessories I was looking for, I have managed to find most of them at SP Camera in MBK.  I guess the first time I went in, either they really didn't have anything or I got the typical thai 'no have' answer from some one not interested in even trying to help me.

The only thing I am now seeking is the Nikon to micro43 mount adapter.  Absolutely no rush on that.  I am actually far more interested in the new Panasonic 14mm pancake.  Now if only they would release it.  I have also decided I have no interest in any other lenses for my GF1.  Zooms get too big too quickly, and that just defeats the dimunitive size advantage of the GF1.  If I want to lug around a big lens, I have my DSLR.

Anyway, thank you everyone for the help.

[Ray Evans]

This is the one I bought for my GF1 and Nikon 50mm F1.4 Ais - works great

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250595016475&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123#ht_2729wt_1139

[Michael Chick]

Hi, I use a GF1, anyone else on this bulletin uses the micro-fourthird system here?

[Ray Evans]

Hi, I use a GF1, anyone else on this bulletin uses the micro-fourthird system here?

Yes I do - GF1 and now GX1 also.

[Michael Chick]

Oh Cool !!... What is your lens arsenal?

I seem to have started liking shooting with old manual lenses again....
I have the 9-18mm Oly
14mm Panny
25mm Pentax
45mm Pannny
105mm f2.8 Nikon
180mm f2.8 Nikon

and a Nikon 2X teleconverter as well....

Any fun and cheap lenses out there and where to get them?

[Ray Evans]

Schneider Xenon 25mm f0.95
Schneider Xenon 50mm f0.95
Schneider Variogon 18-90 c mount zoom constant f2
Panny 20mm f1.7
Contax G lenses - 35, 45 and 90mm
Nikon 50mm f1.4 Ais
Panny 7-14 zoom
Kern Switar 75mm f1.9
Contax Zeiss MM lenses 25, 35, 50, and 85mm - all f1.4 except 25mm @f2.8

Doubled up a bit on some FL but they go with my other cameras

[Michael Chick]

Oh WOW !!! SWEET !!!

That's quite an Arsenal you have there !! The names of some of them look like they're wayyyyy outta my budget though 

Schneider Xenon 25mm f0.95
Schneider Xenon 50mm f0.95
MC: They come in f0.95? What mount are these? I thought that only the Voightlander made that f-stop for the m4/3 at least...


Schneider Variogon 18-90 c mount zoom constant f2
Panny 20mm f1.7
Contax G lenses - 35, 45 and 90mm
Nikon 50mm f1.4 Ais
MC: This lens always reminds me of a "Transformer's tennis-ball", coz of its spherical shape. hahahaha


Panny 7-14 zoom
Kern Switar 75mm f1.9
Contax Zeiss MM lenses 25, 35, 50, and 85mm - all f1.4 except 25mm @f2.8


Question:
Are all the C-lenses full frame, or do you get vignetting?

Did you buy these from Thailand, or elsewhere? I've tried looking, but could not find anyone/ shop who sells old stuff. But then again, I don't read any Thai.
Any pointers?

Khop Khun Khap

[Ray Evans]

The two Schneider lenses and the Kern Switar are c-mount and adapters are readily available for M4/3.

The 25mm does vignette at 4:3 format but is fine at 3:2. The others do not vignette. All three cover full frame.

I got lucky with both Schneiders and picked them up for a few hundred dollars each on eBay BEFORE folks realized they adapted to M4/3. Tested them against the Nokton 0.95 wide open and they destroy this lens. And so tiny. Wouldn't like to be buying them now tho at $1500/2000 each!

The Schneider 18-90 was dirt cheap and frankly is a crap lens. Nice paperweight tho.

Frankly though the ones to get are the Contax G lenses. So sharp your eyes bleed. Contrast and Bokeh are unsurpassed. You can realistically only use the 35, 45 and 90 as the others need modifications to fit which is beyond me.

[Khun Hans]

Michael, see this shop here in BKK:
http://www.avcamera.com/
I was there several times and it is really worth going there. Lot's to see and test. Friendly people.
They got almost everything of M4/3 and second hand lenses. Scroll down on 'Home' page for 2nd hand.
I have the PEN EP1 with Canon FD lenses 24/50 and 85mm
Hans