A mess of photos from my first days with the Panasonic #Lumix G5

A new toy showed up at my door this week! A toy that makes a geek, such as myself, run around doing the happy dance all over the kitchen!

The Panasonic Lumix G5 is a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) camera and my very first step away from the point and shoot. I have no idea what I’m doing with this fancy piece of equipment but I plan on having fun while I learn to use my Lumix properly! 

To start to get a feel for the new camera, I walked around the house and yard today — snapping  a few photos as I went. Here’s what happened!

The chickens were out scratching underneath the bird feeder as usual. I zoomed in on them from the living room window and used the “Freeze Animal Motion” filter.

chickens under the birdfeeder

Throughout my photo taking session, I used several of the different Scene Guide filters and Creative Control Mode filters while snapping. Here’s the extensive list of filters the Lumix G5 boasts:

23 Scene Guide Filters: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing tone, Sweet Child’s Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome.

14 Creative Control Mode Filters: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color

I’m not certain exactly which filter I used for which photo, but I will share the ones I do remember. There are some amazing filter features!

Finally, I was able to get a photo of sweet old Ginger’s face without a huge glare on her eyeballs!

Awww, puppy dog eyes!

sweet Ginger Dog

To be honest, I’m impressed with the Lumix G5, so far.

The shots in this post are all straight out of the camera. I think they turned out fairly well for my first time using this type of hybrid camera.

The “Soft Image of a Flower” Scene Mode that I used to shoot a quick photo of my African Violet flowers is going to be one of my favorites. I want to experiment and see if I can figure out how to get the flowers more in focus. For now though, I think this photo is lovely.

African Violet from a friend

Our old ornery cockatiel, Kooky, does not enjoy having his photo taken.

I did manage to get a fairly clear shot of him anyway. 

Or at least his beak! As I mentioned, I do need to work on my focusing skills! I believe I used “Backlit Softness” for this one.

Kooky (aka Kookaburra)

Then, I just decided to get silly and took a bunch of random photos to see how they turned out.

Fuzzy Socks – a must have for NW PA! Love the bright pink in this shot.

fuzzy pink socks!

I wish it was warmer outside, it’s too cold for outdoor photo taking today.

Me in Monochrome.

wishing for warmth

My daughter’s mirror and my new camera!

I love how the Lumix G5 fits so naturally in my hands.

me in a mirror my daughter made! Hello!

Ugh, she has her walls plastered in “boy band” posters.

Great colors though! I think I used the “Expressive” filter for this one.

can she fir any more posters on her wall?

It seems like just last year she was all about these instead.

Oh wait, for several of them, it was! Stop growing girl!

medals from my daughter's elementary school days

Since I wasn’t quite ready to publish this post this on the day I started it, I decided to add a few more photos! We had a beautiful sunny day and I wanted to get outside to try some of the other filters. I couldn’t be more pleased! 

Check out the photo I took using the “Glittering Illuminations” filter — so cool! This is one of my guy’s old motorcycles. Love how the filter adds all of the sparkles to the guard!

old motorcycle

My hubby’s other bike is hiding in the garage. I took two quick photos, one in Auto mode and one with the “Retro” filter. Which one do you like best?

I have an idea to get hubs dressed up in all his biker gear then take a few shots of him in the Retro filter. It could turn into a fun photo shoot!

Harley bags Harley bags

The “Retro” Creative Control filter is way cool! I could take photos of the chickens using this filter all day! I love how it makes their feathers look all soft and fluffy! I’m going to practice with this one to see if I can get a frame-worthy shot of my flock.

Not there just yet!

chickens free ranging

Chicken Butts!

All of the dried wildflowers add a pretty backdrop to the chicken shots I took.

But, they are also gorgeous on their own, especially when using the “Soft Image of a Flower” filter — beautiful! I really like the light in this photo.

dried aster field

When I peeked inside the chicken coop, I had to share a photo of the pretty feathers surrounding a few fresh eggs.

This is either the “Expressive” or “Dynamic Art” filter, I can’t recall which. I like the contrast the filter adds to the photo — do you see the hidden egg?

fresh eggs in a nest surrounded by feathers

All of the little flowers and buds on my miniature fairy rose are dried up from the frost.

They still look pretty in both Auto Mode and the “One Point Shot” Creative Control Mode. I really like how the green leaves stand out against the monochrome roses in the second one.

dead roses

dead roses

Before I headed back to the house, I thought why not take a few shots of hubby’s old Mustang. He has been very slowly working on fixing it up, she’s going to be a beauty!

For comparioson, the first shot was taken in straight Auto mode, then the next two shots are with the “Sepia” creative control filter, while the third shot was taken with the “Cross Process” filter. I love how different each shot looks!

It’s really fun to use all of the different filters on the Lumix G5. I like that I can even see what the photo will look like on the screen before I take the shot!

old Mustang

old mustang car

mustang dashboard

mustang rearend

The flower pots on my front steps still have a bit of green left in them. And this one lonely chrysanthemum!

Somehow, the “Low Key” filter made this very shady spot turn into a gorgeous shot.

last flowers of fall

Experimenting with the filters and sky shots is going to be so much fun! I like the way the Impressive Art filter makes the details of the clouds stand out more. Though, the Auto Mode one is pretty too!

I think I’m going to have a hard time choosing which filters to use for the photos I take! They all make the photos look beautiful, in different ways.

dusk sky

dusk sky

My sweet little kitty, KiKi, needed a bit of attention before I headed indoors.

Oh how I love the way her whiskers catch the light in this photo taken with the “High Key” filter!

KiKi -- the cat

I think that’s enough photos for now! As you can see, I do need more practice. What I’m really surprised by is how true to life the colors are on all of the photos I’ve taken with my Panasonic Lumix G5. And by how clear they are, even though I am basically just snapping away with no clue.

Usually I have to spend 10 or more minutes on a photo trying to get the color and sharpness to be realistic looking. Not so with this new camera! For my next post, I hope to show some improvement in my use of the awesome filters the G5 features.

Now, I do need a bit of help to learn how to improve. Besides reading the manual, where should I look for some great photography tutorials?

Do you have a favorite photo tutorial that would work for a beginner like me? I’d love to hear about it!

Although I received a complimentary product as part of a promotional program from Burst Media, all thoughts and opinions are genuine and 100% my own.
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About the Author

Henrietta Newman is a self-loving empty-nester into smudging, nature, yoga, fitness, healthy living, hunting, camping, hiking, tech, video games, gadgets, recipes, reviews and more.
With a love for the outdoors and visiting local attractions in and around NW PA and Lake Erie, you never know what you'll find in my nest! Subscribe to A Hen's Nest so you don't miss the fun!

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Comments

  1. 1

    Hahahahaha – all her One Direction posters reminded me of how I had New Kids on the Block posters plastered all over my wall 25 years ago! Jeez – I’m old.

    This camera looks really nice. I need a new camera, but it’s not at the top of the priority list at the moment. The picture you took of those flowers is gorgeous.

  2. 2

    You Tube probably has a wealth of info if you poke around there?

    The pics are neat, I like the glittering chrome!

    Congrats on the new camera. :)

  3. 3

    I love all of those pics! I need a good camera to take awesome pics like that! Looks like you are having fun with this new camera!

  4. 5

    You have a good feel for photography. this is something you either have or don’t.
    Scott Kelby has great books in the market for digital photography. I HIGHLY recommend The Digital Photography Book by him.
    Keep up the good work and enjoy.

  5. 7

    Henrietta, it looks like you’re off to a great start already. Having a good camera sure does help. But it doesn’t make the photographer. My recommendation would be this: I don’t know how far you live from a two year community college, but most of them have very good photography classes, and if I were you, I’d check in to one. That would be your best bet. Forget books and such. It’ll take you longer trying to become a good photographer that way. Going to a good school with a good instructor will make you a great photographer.

    • 8

      This too, is great advice. Personally, I think a combination of books and hands on learning will be my greatest help. While I’m not ready to jump into a full-blown college course, yet — I am signed up for a photography class in January hosted by a very well known local photographer. I don’t have the illusion that one session will magically turn me into pro, I am optimistic about learning how to properly manage settings that I am clueless about! Thank you for the recommendation!

  6. 9
    Debbie Bryan says

    Henrietta, As a photo/art graduate, I can tell you, while you gain a lot of technical information from a college course, most of the instructors encourage you to find your own voice and build on it. Check out work of photographers that you like, take some advice on techniquies, but don’t try to copy anyone else’s style. If you do you will lose the unique art that is all you. I agree that you do have a good eye, and that, for the most part comes naturally. However, for those who feel they do not have it, it CAN be learned over time, so they should not give up. For you, Henrietta, just keep on what you are doing, stay loose, and have fun.

    • 10

      I do agree that finding your own voice is what makes you unique as a photographer… or anything else for that matter. I am constantly looking at and seeking out photography that inspires me to try new things. Seeing how others view the world really helps my creativity come out! Thank you Debbie, for the encouraging words!

  7. 11
    Steve Atwater says

    Henrietta,
    I subscripe to a weekly E-magizine called Digital Photography School (DPS). Each week they have various subjects and guidance. I save them all. And it’s free.

  8. 13

    I love the chickens! You’re a natural.

  9. 15

    beautiful pics i dont think ya need a class. you might come out of it as a world class photographer

  10. 17

    Great shots. Inspirational!

  11. 19

    Hi Henrietta: I enjoyed your article that shared your photos & comments about your new Panasonic camera. You did great. My interest in this camera was the built-in filters. Have you checked with a Panasonic website? They may offer hints & suggestions about using their product. I wish you well! Have a great time taking photos in 2013!

  12. 21
    Larry Bauer says

    Henrietta, I have an older model of the Lumix, the G2. I gave my G1 to my grandson. I like the movie function the best. I haven’t tried any of the filters yet. I have used the G2 with lenses from other manufacturers. A cheap adapter and you can shoot Nikon or Canon on your Lumix. Manual focus only but the magnifier function makes that easy. The Lumixs are a very nice lightweight alternative to a full-size DSLR. Keep shooting.

    • 22

      Larry, I have yet to fully explore the movie feature of the G5 but the little bit I did shoot with it, seemed to be super high quality. Thank you for the info about lenses. I have been thinking about what my first extra lens purchase should be and your comments have given me something to think about! I truly am enjoying the convenient size and weight of this camera! Now to find the perfect camera bag :)

  13. 23

    Henrietta- Nice pics! I am also a Panasonic Lumix owner, a ZS8, point & shoot with 16x optical (3rd Lumix). Nowheres near as good as yours but great pics for a such a small camera. I’m curious…which filter did you use to avoid redeye with the pic of Ginger? Thanks in advance.

  14. 24

    I noticed this morning that serveral web sites that I navigated to had banner ads for this camera, so it is no coincidence that I am on your web site.

    A clever way to advertise your product Panasonic – let a blogger do the advertisng for you.

  15. 25
    Lee Liang says

    The quality of the pictures are just fantastic and I love the fact that you can choose from so many filters to get the perfect picture. BTW love the doggy eyes, very cute!

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