On 5/10/2010 10:03 AM, Ken Norton wrote:
> ...
> BTW, anybody else notice that the Canon G-series has essentially dropped off
> the face of the planet lately? A shame on one hand as it is a mighty fine
> camera, but nice on the other hand because we're seeing the value in other
> cameras which were drowned out by the DPR crowd.
>
Maybe they've been denied access to Iowa?
More seriously, have you thought of leaving the DPR forum silliness
alone? Of course, I speak from very little experience, having turned
away from them long ago. I was simply amazed by the ignorance of even
simple photographic facts displayed there. I saw way too many obvious
mis-attribution of image flaws to camera or lens when they were clearly
operator error or misunderstanding of the laws of optics. There were way
to many folks just nattering on about whatever was newly good or awful,
all too often on the basis of second or third hand information or
incompetent use. (Tell 'em how you really feel, Moose. Do you sorta
sound like one of them here?)
I have followed the very occasional link from somewhere else to a
particular post of thread on a topic of interest. I've been generally
disappointed with the post(s). As far as I can see, the denizens there
are a small minority of photographers that include lots of uninformed
and technically untutored yahoos. Nothing wrong with folks bloviating on
line, but that doesn't mean one should listen.
Seriously, what is the basis for your statement? Are you judging by
something like sales, or just on how often the name crosses your
consciousness? The G11 is readily available and prices have held steady.
No rebates so far. To which other cameras which were "drowned out" are
you referring?
For myself, I don't listen to any of that twaddle. I usually have a
pretty good idea what I'm looking for in my next camera. I follow the
reviews of any cameras that look likely to meet those criteria on DPR,
Digital Camera Resource, The Imaging Resource,Digital Camera Review,
Steve's Digicams and read lots of user reviews on places like B&H and
Amazon, where folks talk more about their actual experiences and less at
each other.
I compare standardized studio shots from those review sites with those
of earlier reviews of cameras I have and know well. Studio shots aren't
everything, of course, but they do provide very useful points of
comparison. Certain important IQ characteristics become clear. If they
don't measure up, there's no point is worrying about other, more subtle
things.
In my unending quest for the perfect compact camera, I've done pretty
well. The Canon S110 was a pretty competent intro to digital. I still
have some excellent images from it. I didn't realize how good until I
was recently given an Oly from the same period, which is unbelievably
big, slow and clunky by comparison.
Next up was the Fuji F10, a very capable camera only limited by the lack
of manual controls. It was followed by the F30, still a classic that
last time I checked was going used for more than original price. These
cameras proved to be absolute class leaders and the F30 is still the low
light champ for moving subjects in my comparisons.
Next up, the anomalous Canon A650, a G9 in cheap's clothing, with the
same lens, sensor and processor in a cheapish body, but with the
tremendous addition of an articulated screen. I got a LOT of excellent
images with it. Perfect, no, but even in retrospect, the best choice for
me at the time. A few weeks ago, when I last looked, to see what to
charge my son for it, they were surprisingly expensive used.
To date, as far as I am aware, the only serious contenders for serious
compact camera, other than fixed focal length cameras, which don't
interest me, are the LX3, G11 and S90. There are plenty of smallish
cameras out there, like µ4/3 and the other coming mirrorless,
interchangeable lens cameras, the Ricoh, etc., but none of them fit the
pocket and/or belt requirement.
For "pocketable" with RAW, good IQ and good overall control and
performance, there are really only the three. I've spent way too many
hours and looking molecules checking, and everything else is a step or
two below when it comes to how the images out of them look. The other
true compacts, with smaller sensors, just don't measure up in IQ.
My conclusions were simple. The 24-60mm FL range of the LX3 just doesn't
meet my needs, so everything else about it doesn't really matter. The
G11/S90 share most imaging characteristics. Both improved on the G10
sensor by backing down in pixel count in favor of other IQ factors. The
choice was mostly size and weight vs. longer lens and articulated
screen, although the G11 has some other advantages, hot shoe, which
means little to me, ND filter, etc. I'm totally hooked on an
articulated screen, and have always had something of a "tele eye"so the
S90 was handicapped.
I bought a G11, completely based on careful, through analysis, and with
no reference at all the "the DPR crowd", and as far as I am concerned, I
have another winner. I now not only use it as my "carry a camera
everywhere" camera, but I carry it together with the 5D out in the
field. The articulated screen means I get shots I simply couldn't with
an SLR unless I carried a box to stand on, a shovel to get down under
things and an eye extender to allow looking through the finder at the
end of my outstretched arm. I know, you mostly shoot different things
than I do, but that doesn't signify for me.
I also value the option of very close-up shots with much greater DOF
than with the FF sensor and lenses. I often take the same shot with both
cameras, so I can choose which DOF I like better later. When I was in a
photo shop the other day to pick up some developed film (!), I handled
an S90. Hmmm. So small and light. Do I need one of those too? ;-)
Anyway, the G11 is still current, available and highly capable. Just
because it may have dropped out of sight in the ramblings and rants of
the fashionistas doesn't mean it and its capabilities and desirability
for the more serious photographer wanting a compact, competent camera
have changed.
An. Opinionated Moose
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