RIP Panasonic G9 (and a Few Other Follow-Ups)

The original Panasonic G9

To expand on a few items on the last few posts:

—> A number of people asked what I meant by the comment about "the new site." We're working on overhauling The Online Photographer. The plan is to create a new version of this same blog more in line with modern potentials and with readers' desires and suggestions, yet also adjusted for current interests among younger photography enthusiasts in the culture. Specifically, one that offers:

• A new look
• Mobile-friendliness
• Larger (enlargeable to full screen) images
• An option for you to sign up to be notified by email of new posts with their titles and a brief description of their content
• Content more in line with the wishes of a majority of readers (and, um, a little less indulgent of Yr. Hmbl. Writer's peculiarities and peccadilloes)
  
• More immediate comment posting
• A possible option for a permanent web shop for ongoing print sales, including sales not just of my prints but also editions of prints by readers and expert printmakers suggested by readers.

Probably something I should have done years ago, but better late than never.

—> That idea of losing weight by eating nothing after 5:00 p.m. is called "time-restricted eating" (TRE), "time-restricted feeding" (TRF), or "intermittent fasting" in case you want to research it further on your own. A basic pair of videos on the subject are: "Time-Restricted Eating Put to the Test" and "The Benefits of Early Time Restricted Eating." It was how I lost 55 lbs. in 2020–21.

—> Edsel (in the title of the previous post but unexplained), intended to be a separate automobile brand, was created by Ford Motor Company in the late 1950s. After an extensive and expensive promotional buildup, which created high expectations, the first model was a big fat flop, in part because its radiator was thought to resemble (I'm sorry, there's no polite way to put this) a certain part of the female anatomy...possibly one of those notions that "can't be unheard" once people hear it, whether that was fair or not. Edsel Ford was Henry Ford's son and had been a progressive in the company prior to it becoming a publicly traded corporation. Ever since, the Edsel, along with New Coke, has been synonymous with crash-and-burn marketing failures.

—> And finally, the original Panasonic G9 really is an appealing bargain right now. It's a unique camera the form and control layout of which has been abandoned by Panasonic in the refresh (they also orphaned their GX8 which I personally loved), but it was designed and built to be the "stills" top-of-the-line when it was introduced six years ago. It's a very persuasive and highly competent working tool, assuming you can deal with complex and fully-featured cameras. The viewfinder is luxuriously generous, and the hand-feel with the oversize grip is great. And the price of $898 is a stone steal, not only compared to the original selling price when it was introduced, but also compared to full-price mid-level cameras and even entry-level kits. It's way cheaper than a Fuji X100V and the same price as a Sony A6400. It's simply a hell of a lot of camera for not very much dosh at all. The huge number and variety of Micro 4/3 lenses is highly satisfying for aficionados to play around in. Personally, I'd start out with a two-lens "nested" kit: the tiny 20mm (40mm-e) to make the combination light and portable when you're doing other things but want to carry a camera around, and the Leica 12–60mm (24–120mm-e) as an ideal do-everything lens for when you're out doing nothing but photographing. There's even a less expensive 12–60mm for those who can't spring for the Leica one. Either way, it's really nice to have 120mm-equivalent reach with a smallish normal zoom. It's preferable to the 12–35mm (24–70mm) that I have. I love that lens, but I admit I often felt constrained by the 70mm-e limit in the landscape up here where I live.

I realize this is a very niche product in today's environment, but the whole notion of the "outgoing camera that's a great bargain" has a powerful nostalgic appeal! This used to happen so often back in the glory days of the digital camera market. I'm sure most of you remember.

Mike

Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Grant: "Not only is the G9 a good price, it includes a free battery grip and you can extend the warranty to three years at no cost."

Dave Millier: "My G9 is a wonderful camera and one I pick up in preference to my Fuji GFX50s for everything except long exposures. If you are working from a tripod, the in-camera pixel shift reduces aliasing and noise and extends dynamic range by a couple of stops, yielding images on a par with full frame high-res cameras, and has the convenience of everything merged automatically into a large raw file. The grip and overall feel is amazing. I use mine primarily with the 14–140mm superzoom as an alternative to a bridge camera. It doesn't feel bulky or heavy at all (much less so than an A7rII for some reason).

"It does have one ergonomic flaw that it shares with the FZ1000 Mark II: the Canon-style front command dial is just ever-so-slightly too far towards the rear of the camera. Because the grip has a huge overhang below the shutter release, I find it requires a shift of the hand to reach it if I want to avoid arthritis-inducing pressure on the joints through stretching for the dial. The new G9 has a similar-looking front dial arrangement around the shutter release as the older G7. I found the G7 arrangement more comfortable than the G9. On such tiny details does perfection hang...."

Simon Grosset: "I learned from a Panasonic rep that the lovely little LX100 II is also discontinued. Apparently there’s a part inside it that is provided by a third party supplier, and they’re no longer making that part. So Panasonic have been forced to stop making the camera."

Mike replies: I have an expensive Accuphase integrated amp that's apparently useful only as a boat anchor for a similar reason. The little IC that controls the turn-on delay mechanism is wonky, like it is in most of these, and it's not available any more. The circuit can supposedly be painstakingly rebuilt by hand, but it costs $600 plus shipping both ways, which was another $170.

And I don't even have a boat!

Speaking of unobtainable parts, and boats, another story: My mother bought a gorgeous Peugeot 604 back in the '80s that I totally loved. Leather seats and a marvelous floaty suspension, and a great big greenhouse which spoiled me forever after, even though it would no doubt have killed me in a rollover accident. My brother managed to run the car into a stopped car in front of him at a stoplight, and the parts evidently had to come from France by boat. It took months and months. I think it was seven months before my mother got the car back.

I learned that if you're going to buy a used car, make sure it is one that sold well—and locally—when it was new. I've even suggested finding your mechanic first and then asking them what car to buy! They'll tell you to buy whatever they like working on and can get parts for. My mechanic here specializes in Toyotas and Hondas, so it'd be Toyotas and Hondas for me.

Comments

[Richard Parkin]

I think you announced your intention to migrate to new site to your Patreon supporters but not here until now? I hope mentioning again here will add pressure on you to complete it :-).

[Leonard Salem]

I recently noted via the Camera Size Comparison site, that the G9 plus Leica 12-60mm lens is very similar in size to the Nikon full frame Z6 plus 24-70 f4 zoom. The weight of the former combo is around 2lbs 2oz and the latter is around 2lbs 6oz though. Depending on one’s type of photography and the importance you attach to the comparative quality between four-thirds and full frame, the difference in the lenses maximum reach, and the range of lenses available, it is something to think about if you are in the market for a new camera/lens kit.

[Leonard Salem]

Should have mentioned in my previous post that the Z6 +lens would need to be bought in used condition to achieve the same broad price area. The z6 is now superceded by the Z6 mk2 which is pricier.

[Doug Vaughn]

I've always wondered why the Edsel was such a flop as I consider them pretty stylish and ahead of their time. I've seen that grill many times and never thought, "Oh, that looks like..." I had to Google it and remind myself of the shape. Now I can't unsee it... LOL. Thanks!

Although I never owned the Panasonic, it's a shame when a camera is nearly perfect in the customers' eyes, and they have to ruin the attractive features. Kinda like Fuji's move from X-T3 to X-T4. Thank goodness they saw the error of their ways and introduced the X-T5.

[Patrick Perez]

The Lumix G9 might have been a temptation for me, but last year I purchased from the Olympus Outlet a refurbished OM-D E1(ii) for $450 and I suspect it wasn't refurbished but was in fact New Old Stock.

Last cameras, indeed.

Patrick

[Martin]

I don't want or need email updates for new posts - but please ensure your new blog supports RSS, as that's how I keep up with most blogs / websites that I want to follow.

[louis mccullagh]

Good Luck with the site changes. I know it will be a pain to implement but I hope it improves things for you.

[And I'm hoping it will improve things for YOU!! --Mike]

[Bud the Spike]

Had same problem with 2019 Subaru Outback. The infotainment system went berserk. Changing the channels at will, turning the A/C up or off on it's own. Made the car undriveable. Subaru told me the part was from third party that was out of business. Was able to sell it to CarMax that didn't even care that it was screwed up.

[David Brown]

I have been “researching” for a new camera for a while. Had my sights set on a used Sony a7Riv. I have a Sony a850 that is still going strong, even for its limitations (mostly not very high ISO). It was purchased (partly on your recommendation) to use my cache of Minolta AF lenses. I could get Sony’s A to E adapter and be off to the races.

But I also have two Lumix (pronounced, by me, as LOOmix) and a few lenses. Panasonic announcing the new 25mp G9ii threw a wrench in the thought works. I wouldn’t need to buy any lenses or even an adapter! (And really, isn't 25mp enough?) So, today I visited a local dealer where Sony reps were in residence. My God, even the single focal length lenses are HUGE. I think micro 4/3 it is, (for a while).

PS: I hope the sound system in my 2019 Outback holds up …