I often find myself changing between M mode and S mode for exposure. Last week I accidentally did something and up popped this little menu that allowed me to quickly change between M and S. But I have no idea what I did! Can anyone help me?

Also, are there any tricks you know of to make the DOF shallower? It doesn't seem as shallow as on Canon cameras. I know about opening up the iris, or placing the camera very close to the subject on wide angle... or using a telephoto lens. But is there something else I can do?

The GH series imaging chip is smaller than the Canons which translates to wider DOF. Aside from what you have already mentioned the only solution is your choice of lenses.

No idea what you did Bill, but William is right. Try to work at f2.8 if you have that lens and just adjust the exposure and shutter speed, if its bright you have a choice of adjusting shutter speed or using a variable nd filter and work at a constant 2.8 and adjust the nd filter or work at 2.8 and adjust shutter speed, some people don't like doing this but I love it as it gives a great look. Particularly when they throw the confetti...If you can get lens below 2.8 then even better

I sit on 2.8 or whatever F stop I want, set my preferred shutter speed and adjust my ND to suit the exposure. Seems to work pretty quick.

Chris, I feel like a rank amateur for asking this, but how are you adjusting a ND filter?

You have to have a "Vari-ND" aka variable ND. The adjustment is made by turning one of the two elements. The Tiffen Vari ND is excellent.*I have one on the 12-35 f2.8. Google it.

The Polaroid one on the new 20mm f1.7is awful but it's the only one I found. It vignettes about halfway through it's range.

The 1.7 delivers a better bokeh than the 2.8. But there's no comparing the sDOF capability with the Canons. They have their own problems tho... LOL

I have a screw-on genustech variable ND, that does 8 stops down. You just rotate it like a polariser. It enables me to pretty well shoot around F2-F2.8 in strong daylight - brilliant for that SDOF look. Some people just buy a 4 stop, but if you shoot a lot in harsh light I'd get more stops - I think it's what called a 2.4 density. They start at 0.6, then 1.2, 1.8 and finally 2.4.

Just ordered it, Chris!

Good stuff, you'll find yourself using it more and more. You may also need a few step-down rings if you use it with a wide.

ND fader filters don't work however in ETC mode. Fair enough, ETC not for everyone, but for those like me who use it, you need to use fixed ND filters. My favourite are 8X ones, by either B&W or Hoya Pro.


Ron

ND fader filters don't work however in ETC mode

Why not? The filter does operate independently from the etc mode or am I missing something?