Canon G9........the temptation was too much :)

[Autumn]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Interesting comparisons Stephen. I thought you were going to post pics from each camera (and I think that is what Pol thought!).

It is obviously more compact than the G3 and a nice looking camera with the large screen. One thing that hasn't changed is the self timer being within the menu. On the Lumix it is on the back and so easy to find. I use this feature quite a lot as I move more than I think I do.

BTW your G3 looks new, all the lettering has worn off my dial I have used it so much.

I shall be interested to see the results. I thought the demo of the IS was very good, I never thought that it would be obvious to the naked eye.

Enjoy!

[ash]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Nice one, ive been looking and pondering one of these for a while, as you no I have a canon a85 and have always been impressed with the quality of the images it produces for a compact, ill expect some cracking shots and a full review when you return from your holiday Stephen
Dont tell the missuz, she thinks I have a camera fetish at the moment having just aquired kev's k10d

cheers
Ash.

[Bob Ross]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Hi Bob thanks for your input. You actually prove the point I made initially that we all have different needs in a camera. The 25mm lens would certainly be useful, but there would have been too many compromises for me I think if I'd gone for such a camera. The Ricoh GRDII also gets good reports, but its a fixed focal length camera. The Sigma equivalent is also tempting with its large sensor, and proves the fact it can be done in compacts, again though too many compromises and of course its much more expensive.

Hi Stephen,
I was after the tiny size and something to use as a sketchpand. Size-wize my next smallest camera is a Leica M8, a bit to big for normal size pockets. I think part of the fun with these small sensored cameras, is to see just how good the image quality is and where it starts to reach its limits. For a guy from the land of pudgy pixels, it is quite an eye opener.
Have fun.
Bob

[DTD]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Certainly one of the most appealing compacts in my opinion.
I got a GRD-II as I'm a longtime GR-1s film user.
My first digital camera was the Olympus C5060 which had an articulated screen which is a great feature.

I don't think it's a coincidence… but as I get older big heavy cameras get less appealing :-)

A couple of years ago I met up for the first time in years with a friend who has become a very successful fashion and advertising photographer. He stayed with us whilst going into Manchester to get some architectural shots. At the end of the day he came back and moaned about his back – he said he'd not had to carry his own camera bag for years, what did I think he paid assistants for? Blimey it's tough at the top! :-)

I think everyone probably needs a decent compact to go along with their dSLR, it's nice to see manufacturers still think it's worth developing them.

[Stephen]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Thank goodness its not just me then

I think everyone probably needs a decent compact to go along with their dSLR, it's nice to see manufacturers still think it's worth developing them.

I totally agree, though I often wonder why in the top end compacts they can't use bigger sensors, people would pay the extra I'm sure, I did several times when I bought my first digicams and they were not a patch on todays. Having said that I noticed that the G9 has a bigger sensor than the Panasonic TZ5, just under 2mm (in the diagonal)

[DTD]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I've just been thinking about the great film 'super compacts' such as the Ricoh GR-1, Minolta TC-1, Nikon 35ti and the Contax T's. Now they were all great quality cameras.

[Stephen]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I've just been thinking about the great film 'super compacts' such as the Ricoh GR-1, Minolta TC-1, Nikon 35ti and the Contax T's. Now they were all great quality cameras.

Not forgetting the Olympus Trip. I once even had an Oly half frame (Pen I think) and of course I suppose we mustn't forget the daddy of them all the Leica M's I'm intrigued however as to why you were thinking about them, film cameras don't really seem to hold the same attraction for me now and I don't look back fondly on them, though maybe had I used a Leica I may think differently.

[Pol]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Interesting comparisons Stephen. I thought you were going to post pics from each camera (and I think that is what Pol thought!).

Moi? Naah.

I'd be interested to see some of Stephen's pix and read about any comparisons he makes but I'm not interested in having another camera as the G3 is suitable for my needs atm.

I still have my istD too, along with the K10D, so I'm well kitted out. I won't even start to think about all the cameras David has (compacts and dSLRs) so we're never stuck for choice.

Pol

[DTD]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I'm intrigued however as to why you were thinking about them, film cameras don't really seem to hold the same attraction for me now and I don't look back fondly on them, though maybe had I used a Leica I may think differently.

I still use film for some work. Certainly regarding compacts, I think the best film cameras are still more useable and better designed than modern digital cameras. Being a fan of black and white, but a hater of darkrooms, digital is a massive convenience for me.

Mind you my Leica M6 is a big heavy lump compared to something like an E400.

I've just got one of these today off eBay. Something I saw in the late 1980s? and thought was interesting but not worth the money. It's essentially just a Minolta autofocus compact in retro clothes, bought as a toy rather than a camera to do anything serious with.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Andrew Thatcher]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I see DJN has just got one too

http://www.chromasia.com/cgi-bin/mt/t-_83aq__r-2s.cgi?entry_id=1832

[Stephen]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I see DJN has just got one too
http://www.chromasia.com/cgi-bin/mt/...?entry_id=1832

Thanks for the info Andrew, I hadn't spotted that. If its good enough for David Nightingale, its good enough for me Its a lovely photo too. I'd be interested in peeps opinions on the horizon issue though

[Andrew Thatcher]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Thanks for the info Andrew, I hadn't spotted that. If its good enough for David Nightingale, its good enough for me Its a lovely photo too. I'd be interested in peeps opinions on the horizon issue though

I think the sea is that soft and light in tone its not a major issue for me.

[Stephen]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

I think the sea is that soft and light in tone its not a major issue for me.

I'd agree and it didn't strike me at first, but now its been pointed out I can't help noticing it and I have to wonder if were he to revisit the scenario whether he would reposition Harmony in the viewfinder

[Stephen]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

Actually its just occurred to me that the horizon is on a third, but he has cropped the image to a letterbox style so it obviously wasn't originally. The G9 (need to keep this on topic ) has an overlay grid option to help with composition, bet DJN never used it

[Caz]

Re: Canon G9........the temptation was too much

It's good to see one of the big boys on here finally succumb to the compact

However, I'm lugging the DSLR around with me most of the time (into week 3 of the OU course.... not that I've finished week 2 yet - too busy, and family came home). After that, it'll be back to the compact in my handbag - lugging around camera + 2 lenses in new back pack (a tamrac daypack - bottom for the camera, top as a handbag... but it's still a close fit!)

I took both with me on my holiday to Egypt - used the compact (Canon A710is) for videos and when I didn't feel safe taking the dslr - like on a boat trip, though I did take the dslr up in the hot air balloon.

But the compact is not languishing unused - got some good sunset shots the other night because I was going out after work and didn't think I'd be too popular lugging the DSLR down to the restaurant with me!

All I can say, Stephen, is enjoy - even if you can't pop it in a shirt pocket