HI folks,

I'm planning a project in mid May which would be really well suited to the GH1. Does anyone have any clever ideas on how I could get a GH1 shipped to me in London by mid-May? I've checked eBay but no joy. The GH1 was released in Japan on Friday 24th April. Does anyone know when it's due to be released in the UK?

Many thanks,
Jack

I think it's due in the UK some time in May, perhaps early June. There was a guy on ebay a week or two ago offering to place orders for people and then ship out, but I think this was a scam. Other than that, book a plane ticket!

If your projects for PAL delivery, then you might need to wait on the EU model.

Adrian

I just sent an inquiry to a U.K. dealer because I thought you guys might be getting it before us here in the Colonies but they sent back a reply that they will receive them in the first week of June. I am in the same boat.

Dan

If you happen to be the incomparable Philip Bloom, you can get one today, as he did...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/panasonic-lumix-gh1/234223-philip-bloom-gets-his-mitts-gh1-austin-tx.html

Just spoke to Panasonic Australia and I was told that they expect the PAL version in June.
:-(

The solution is to import a Japanese model.

More info about the Australian release is here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/panasonic-lumix-gh1/145004-here-new-panasonic-gh1-6.html#post1134796

Thanks loads for the replies.

If I do import the camera from Japan, please may I check 2 points:

1) Will the cam have Japanese menus? I assume so?

2) Will the cam have a 25fps mode? I assume it will? I think I've read that all cameras will be switchable between 25p-over-50i and 24p-over-60i.

Many thanks,
Jack

Jack,

If I were you I would double check this. I read it that European models would output 25p in a 50i stream and 24p in 60i for US/Japanese models. If I'm wrong then great, cause that means there is another bonus to this little camera. Phil Blooms clip was 25 and I think his was a UK model? He might be able to confirm this.

Adrian

2) Will the cam have a 25fps mode? I assume it will? I think I've read that all cameras will be switchable between 25p-over-50i and 24p-over-60i.


Don't count on it.

I'm also interested in getting the camera as soon as possible, I've read that the japanese cameras have english menus,

anyone has experience dealing with japan internet stores?

I have not ordered from an internet site, but there's a big chain of Yodabashi Camera stores over here. The one in Akihabara (Tokyo area) is the largest in Japan. I recommend you do internet search on that and see if you get an English-language site.

Beware - Almost every electronic item I've purchased in Japan has come with a non-English instruction manual. I have to find and download manuals. If there's software involved, such as with an Epson photo scanner I bought over here, it's even worse. The only language on the software was English and Epson USA wouldn't send me a replacement CD due to import/export laws.

You'll also want to brace yourself for sticker shock. Prices are higher in Japan than everywhere else. I got a Canon 70-200mm IS F2.4 lens in Bangkok for $1,750 about 2 years ago and the same lens is NOW going for $2,400 over here.

Yodabashi phone number: 81-3-5209-1010
yodabashi.com (http://www.yodabashi.com)

Oh, they have staff in the camera dept. who speak perfect English.

HTH
Mark

Oh, they have staff in the camera dept. who speak perfect English.

Thats a stretch.