Focus on the Stars: Lumix S9, Lumix G9ii and OM-1 Cameras

In this video I’m going to show you how the Lumix S9, Lumix G9ii and OM-1 cameras work for basic Astro photography and focusing on the stars.

But there’s one hidden feature in your Lumix camera that you might never have heard of, that will pop up just when you need it. I’ll tell you about that in this video.

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All Panasonic Documents and Operating Manuals:

Firmware Updates for all Lumix Cameras:

Lumix AF Guidebook:

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I’m a proud Micro Four Thirds shooter. Here’s a list of my gear and tools I use, with affiliate links.

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Marlene Hielema
Calgary, AB Canada

** All video and audio content created by myself and or used with permission from the creator.

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Disclaimer: Some of these links go to my website and some are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

[video-carl]

Good gosh! p87 of my G9 manual - there all along but needing your 🔦 for me to look for it. Big thanks

[BuildingByFaith]

I never knew about this feature. Looking forward to trying it out on my G9ii. Thank you.

[DanielCurious]

I started with Pentax partially for their Astrotracker feature; good cameras (built like tanks) and lenses but my neck and shoulders revolted hauling the kit. I’m really pleased to find this feature in the G9ii. I missed it going through the manual when I first got the camera. Thanks!

[ravineelakantan]

Marlene is undoubtedly one of the very best when it comes to Tutorials ...the presentation is very lucid and every single step is clearly explained ...I learnt a lot about the menu options and features in Lumix Micro four thirds cameras watching her tutorials....wonder why Panasonic is not taking advantage of her knowledge and interest in Lumix cameras!

[laurentyarp]

Always those invaluable tips in your videos Marlene. Thank you

[sebastienblanchetiere]

It's awesome to find new features in our Lumix camera in 2024 !!

[EmilieT]

Excellent tips! I am sure a lot of people were happy to have them for the last aurora and now for the comet! Happy photographing!

[norskradiofabrikk]

OMG OMG! (as you say over there) I thought I knew the G80/G85 manual by heart! So seldom do I learn new and useful techniques on YouTube, but this is one such moment! And BTW - beautiful pictures! And thank you! Autumn is coming and with it clear night skies.

[allenoakley]

Thank you for discovering this feature and sharing. Looking forward to more nighttime shots with my G9ii. Have only shot a few star trails and it did get with the Live View Composite.

[sue.Hoo]

Hey Marlene great to see a video from you. Thanks for the tip, I didn’t know about holding down the AF rear button, but did notice on screen it kicked in a couple of times focussing on the Aurora show we had in May. Have to say I found results much better with the iPhone on Night Mode for the Aurora. I too struggle with tired eyesight in the dark 😵‍💫

[a.bettywith]

Yeah great to see you back, thanks for the insight 👍

[laurentldoldi]

Excellent! I have ordered a G9-II and regretted the OM-1 Starry sky AF, but your video shows me that the Lumix has the same feature! Magic! (BTW for astrophoto I have a Pentax K3-III with its mode 3 Astrotracer = tracking the sky by moving the sensor, no calibration or Polaris alignment needed)

[TiaTucana]

Huh! Who knew? Thanks for that - going to try it out!

[danieldeemer]

Great video Marlene! Thanks for this great tip. love my G9ii!

[nmecredy]

Thanks Marlene for this!
I will try this next time we get a clear night sky.
But searching for Milky Way I see that it is only visible below 50 deg latitude, so not in the Netherlands. I will look when we are on holiday in Greece

[jpsteiner]

Thanks. Nice to know. I use the OM-5 and the OM-1 mkii, and have used the Panasonic-Leica 9mm, as well as OM system primes for astro. Like you, I tend to use the flip screen vice the EVF. Starry Sky AF works amazingly well, even with light pollution. For star trails, combining SS AF with Live Composite is terrific. I've set it up and let my camera run for almost three hours to get some cool effects. Glad the Lumix line has the Starlight feature. Manual focusing on stars is hard, especially for my old eyes. :)

[DaddyyCrab]

Great timing on this video. I’ve been doing astro the past few days. So hold the BBF down on G9II? Also don’t use zoom lens? Thanks. ☕️

[gordon]

This was great Marlene…now I have to check to see if this feature exists on my g9! A couple of things: (1) you likely win first as being the only person to try astro photography with an S9to date! (2) and glad you found out that the Pan lenses work on the OM 1 for Astro as well. Last, not quite related but thanks to you we camped at Dinosaur Park in June and also got some great photos (even some wonderful unexpected “ quick before the light changes” ones on my iphone). Wonderful place!

[joesjourney]

How cool is that!? I tried for the Orion Nebula with my GH6 and the Leica 100-400. It was a lazy attempt, handheld for 3 seconds. Pretty surprised it actually came out handheld. I'm definitely going to try again in a dark sky zone with proper techniques.

[entertainment]

Great educational video! May I know what lens you have used on s9