Lawrence Photographic

   

 

   GF-1 Menu + Control Dial Settings

 

 

The first lens that I purchased with the GF1 was the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 Lens with it's 40mm field of view. I use the A setting on the top control mode dial for this lens and I tend to use only centre (spot) autofocus area these days but the menu settings show 23 area focusing. For hyperfocal mode and video, I tend to use the C2 on the top control mode dial.

 

I later started to use my manual focus Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI-s Lens on the GF1. I have stopped using this lens for stills but I now use the C2 setting on the top control mode dial for video - see the Video + Hyperfocal Section below.

 

In March 2010, I decided to purchase a Panasonic 14-45mm Zoom OIS Lens to try out for travel and for leaving on my GF1 as a 'general use' lens. I use the A setting on the top control mode dial for this lens and switch between centre and multiple autofocus area points as required. As a settings backup and for a quick switch, I can also use the C1 on the top control mode dial for centre (spot) autofocus area.

 

In 2011, I purchased a Lumix 100-300mm Zoom OIS Lens for the zoo and natures reserves. I use the A setting on the top control dial for this lens and use the centre (spot) autofocus area point. I very often reduce the size of the centre (spot) focus area for shooting subjects between leaves. As a settings backup and for a quick switch, I can also use the C1 on the top control mode dial for centre (spot) autofocus area.

 

These menu settings have therefore been updated as of 5th August 2011 to reflect the use of all 4 lenses.
 

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GF1 - Menu + Control Dial Settings

 The Menu Programming is split up into 4 Control Sections:-

  • Top Control Dial - A Mode (Aperture Priority, Dynamic Colour, Autofocus Lenses - Multiple Weighted Metering - 1 Area Focusing

  • Top Control Dial - C1 Mode (Aperture Priority, Dynamic Colour, Autofocus Lenses set to Multiple Weighted Metering - 1 Area Focusing

  • Top Control Dial - C2 (C2-1) Mode (Aperture Priority, Dynamic Colour, Manual Focus Lenses - Multiple Weighted Metering - use lens focus ring to focus - Ideal for 'Hyperfocal' Photography

  • Top Control Dial - iA Intelligent Auto Switch (Video Mode='Motion Jpeg')

I have also set-up the 1-3 Sections to capture images in RAW + Jpeg.

 

To achieve Infinity Hyper Focal with the 20mm f1.7 Lens - (Depth of Field back from Infinity - Depending on Aperture but f4 recommended) I use Control C2 and then switch the camera off and back on - the lens will automatically set to infinity focus (do not touch the lens manual focus ring whilst using it or you may lose infinity focus)   

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Dial Controls - Set-up Routine

I pressed the Menu/Set Button to enter the Menu program

I used the Top Dial A Mode to program my choices for C1 then in the Custom Menu (See No 9 below) I saved all the settings to C1 - Custom 1 Control Switch       then

I used the Top Dial A Mode to program my choices for C2 then in the Custom Menu (See No 9 below) I saved all the settings to C2 - Custom 2 Control Switch (I used the C2-1 Selection as the C2 Control has 3 separate menu areas but C2-1 is my default choice on the top dial)

Once I saved C1 and C2 - I used the Top Dial A Mode to program my choices for A and then exited using the Menu/Set Button. (A Mode settings are saved automatically as I change them)

I used the Top Dial iA Intelligent Auto Switch to program my choices for Video. I use the Top Dial iA setting only for video and I now use C2 for my video - see the Video + Hyperfocal Section below. I use the small red button on the top of the camera to toggle video on and off.

When using the camera and when making any changes in the menu (or with exposure compensation) - only  A Mode will remain changed when the camera powers down or is switched off or the Control Dial is turned away from A and then back again. The programmed Controls C1 and C2 will revert to their original saved parameters.

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All the Menu Settings are default except for these:-

REC Menu

  • A Mode - Film Mode = Dynamic (Colour)

  • C1 Mode - Film Mode = Dynamic (Colour)

  • C2 Mode - Film Mode = Dynamic (Colour)

  • Quality = RAW + Jpeg Fine (recording file formats)

  • Flash = Forced on with red eye reduction (for using flash with backlit subjects)

  • Bracketing = 5 bracket shots at 5.2/3

SETUP Menu

  • Fn Button = Metering

  • Highlight = On (blinking white/black) useful for detecting blown highlights!

My Camera Control Buttons (Program these before you save any C1 or C2 Settings) :-

  • AF/MF Button - set to autofocus single for A Mode

  • AF/MF Button - set to autofocus single for saving to C1 Mode

  • AF/MF Button - set to manual focus for saving to C2 Mode

  • ISO Button (top of menu set control button) - I changed AUTO to 100 (ready for changing to suit)

  • WB Button (right of menu set control button) - already set by default to AWB

    •

  • AF Button (left of menu set control button) - set to 23 area focusing (multiple area) for A Mode -Autofocus Lenses

  • AF Button (left of menu set control button) - set to 1 area focusing (centre area) for saving to C1 Mode - Autofocus Lenses - centre point focusing

  • AF Button (left of menu set control button) - No settings for a Manual Lens uses its own barrel focusing ring for C2-1

  • Fn Button (bottom of menu set control button) - set to multiple weighted metering

  • AF/AE Button - set to 'toggle' auto exposure lock on and off when pressed (see custom menu above)

  • Bracketing shift switch - camera top (already set to 5 shots - in the menu)

  • Control Wheel by default - already set-up to press 'toggle' for aperture control

  • Control Wheel by default - already set-up to press 'toggle' for exposure compensation

  • Trash Button - already setup to press (toggle) depth of field preview (Only a trash button in playback mode)

  • Half press of shutter - holds focus point (plus auto exposure if AF/AE Exposure Lock Button is not used first)

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Custom Menu

  • Guide Line = Multiple Grid Lines for LCD

  • AF/AE Lock = AE

  • AF/AE Lock Hold = Hold

  • AF/MF = On (Allows final manual lens adjustment of auto focus)

  • MF Assist = On (Allows magnification of focus area)

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  • A Mode - Shoot W/O Lens = OFF (A third party manual focus lens will not work)

  • C1 Mode - Shoot W/O Lens = OFF (A third party manual focus lens will not work)

  • C2 Mode - Shoot W/O Lens = ON (Tells the camera it is a third party lens that will be fitted) I use C2 for manual legacy lenses and also my Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens in hyperfocal mode and for video

  • Custom.Set Mem = (Saving all the settings to C1 or C2 (C2-1)

WARNING: When using A Mode to make a set-up for C1 and/or C2 - I always had to remember after saving the set-up in the Custom Menu (to C1 or C2) to change my choices back for A Mode's own use.
 

Video + Hyperfocal
I now use the GF1 with the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens for video. I have it set-up for manual under my C2 switch. The choice of settings for video are really down to whether you want video for the television or the PC. I have mine set-up for Mpeg (PC) but the main setting change in the video menu settings is to switch the Continuous Focus=OFF and with the AF/MF button menu set the camera to MF for manual focus.

When I want to use video, I switch to C2, switch the camera off and then on. The GF1 and the 20mm are now setup for 'Hyperfocal' mode. I never touch the lens focus ring and the focus remains constant and the 'depth of field' is dependent on the aperture setting. I tend to have it all pre-set for ISO:100 and aperture f8..............I then make changes to the ISO and if required to the aperture, dependent on the light conditions. I always attempt to work at the lowest ISO that provides me with an aperture of f8 and a shutter speed of at least 1/20sec but preferable a higher shutter speed if possible.

If you also set the Custom Menu for Shoot W/O Lens=ON ..............you can also use manual focus lenses for video, such as the Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 lens and I can use my Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI-s manual focus lens.

I use the small red button on the top of the camera to toggle video on and off.

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Firmware Updates (25th November 2009)
I still have not managed to get decent weather for proper test images but I updated the GF-1 body and 20mm lens firmware - both to Version 1.1. The instructions and the downloads can be found at the following link :-

The link is - http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index.html