A Giant Leap (Backwards) For Mankind!

[Belmondo]

They say confession is good for the soul.

Today I have committed what many will argue is the ultimate act of heresy for a double-10D owner. Even though I’m a self-avowed zealot and unabashed advocate of the digital SLR, I bought myself a G5 PowerShot P&S camera.

I’m feeling almost like I’ve cheated on my wife, committed treason, blasphemed against my Creator, and betrayed the trust of a dear friend. I am loathsome beyond words.

My downfall began this morning. As my wife and I departed our house, we were greeted with an absolutely crystal clear day. The mountains in the San Gorgonio Pass looked like you could reach out and touch them. They were crowned with a new coat of fresh snow that had fallen on Christmas Day. The sky above them was electric blue, and a smattering of white, fluffy cumulus clouds gave accent to a perfect landscape composition. The only problem---no camera.

I muttered a few obscenities, generally indicating my dissatisfaction with not feeling comfortable carrying around my camera equipment in the car unless I was sure I’d be using it, and missing likely-never-again photo opportunities.

Then, late in the afternoon, we were heading in the opposite direction, and a squadron of 6 (maybe more) hot air balloons were ascending from a field to our east. The setting sun illuminated the scene perfectly---the colors of the balloons were vivid, the sky was still blue, and the clouds had grown even more beautiful.

More muttering. More profanity. This time, however, I resolved that I was never going to be caught in this state of unreadiness again. I drove straight to Cirucit City, grabbed a G5, and vowed then and there that I will never go anywhere without at least that camera in my possession.

I sure wish I hadn’t given away my two G2’s.

Thanks for listening. I feel better already.

[defordphoto]

Well...Once I get a few more things for my 10D, I also plan on getting a decent Canon point-and-shooter. Rumor says that they're releasing something like 20 new cameras in 2004, so one of those will surely have my name on it.

Many times it's just not practical to haul all this stuff around, and if you have to leave it in the car, it rattles the nerves when you're away from your equipment and as you walk back to the car you breathe a sigh of relief when you see all is safe.

No matter for insurance or not. It sucks when someone steals your stuff.

So, you're singing to the choir here. I'll be in the market for a (probably G5 or equivalent) soon. Remember what Ken says: The equipment does not matter! :)

[msnow]

At least you bought something in the same species. I bought my wife (shhhh looking around to make sure no one is listening) a Pentax Optio 555 (5 MP) P&S. I know, I know, the G5 is probably better but it was sooo darn small and cute and I can stuff it in her purse instead of worrying about bring all of my stuff and very practical.

[Belmondo]

You know, I really thought hard about the S50, thinking that it certainly would ride in a pocket a lote more easily that a G5, but ultimately opted for the bigger camera. I figure I only want something that was small enought to fit in the glove box or center console, and the hot shoe is a bonus that allows me to use at least one of my EOS accessories (the 550EX flash).

[Sketcher]

Hey Tom,

That G5's as good as it gets for PS IMO. I'm on the fence myself in getting one of those. I had decided to hold off and put the $$$ toward a backup DSLR (perhaps the 10D successor) but I dunno. I have gotten used to keeping my 10D by my side, but it'd be nice to carry something in a small pouch and not lug the bag around.

As for the need for confession... You still bought into Canon; their top PS to boot, so I'm thinking there's no need for absolution. Now if you start babbling nonsense about G5>10D, now not only are them fightin' words but it'll take more than a few Our Canon's and Hail Digic's to get you out of that forum purgatory! ;).

BTW, congrats to the new addition to the family :D.

[msnow]

Tom--you can also use your CF cards, I had to purchase a Secure Disk card for the Pentax. Will you be hanging out in the G3 forum now or will you be starting a new one?

[morenoar]

I guess I should get my G1 back from my daughter then. Gave it to her the day I bought my DREBEL. HMMM, what do I say to her?

[Belmondo]

Actually, that was one of the contributing factors in buying Canon in the first place. A long time ago, I had a Kodak digital P&S that used CF cards. When I decided to replace it, I bought a Nikon 995 because it wasy highly regarded at the time, AND it used CF cards. When I decided I wanted to step up to a 4mp camera, I bought a G2, again because it was a consistent 'best buy,' and it used the CF cards. Since then, I've been 100% Canon. At one point, I actually had two G2's, and gave them both away when I switched to the 10D. What a huge blunder.

It's really funny to go into my CF card collection. I actually have a couple 8mb and 16mb cards. How far will they go when I'm shooting RAW?

[defordphoto]

morenoar wrote:
I guess I should get my G1 back from my daughter then. Gave it to her the day I bought my DREBEL. HMMM, what do I say to her?

Give it back.

:)

[hawg]

Tom - I know exactly how you feel I bought a G3 just 2 months ago for the same reasons. I have a 10D and a D60 but they are too bulky for mountain bike rides. I have missed so many opportunities cause I didn't have a camera. Now I take it with me everywhere(my twin).

But, look at the pluses. Same batteries, same media, and like you said a hot shoe. And I think it is actually a step forward since you have no excuses for missing a moment.

[kohlphoto]

I purchased an Olympus 5060 for my companion camera.

ED Glass

Extremely Fast power on to first shot

A beautiful Battery/vertical grip accessory

compact flash and xd cards.

Many more nice features....

[morenoar]

I just told her to give it back. She wants half the value of what the G1 cost. I think I am going to get MORE VEHICLE THEFT insurance.HMM

[CoolToolGuy]

Tom,
Confession is good for the soul, no?
I have my G3 in the car all the time, and it serves me well.
Pretty soon you may find yourself trying to resist the temptation to buy an S400 for every jacket you own (I'm struggling with that one now). ;-)
Have Fun
Rick

[Belmondo]

I had an S230 for a while, and ended up giving it to my brother-in-law. You know, if I had all these cameras back that I've either given away or loaned out, I'd probably need a bigger house.

[chris.bailey]

I bought a S50 for just the same reason and must confess that it has been used more than the 10D just because it pretty well lives in my coat pocket. For its size the S50 really does take very respectable pics. I see it as complementary to D10 ownership rather than anything to need confessing as such :-)

[sdommin]

Just goes to show you - the best camera in the world is useless if you don't have it with you!

[ron chappel]

Well thanks guys!
I've saved for several years to get a DSLR,had it only a few days and NOW you tell me i'll be craving a digicam soon?!

[Tom W]

cooltoolguy wrote:
Tom,
Confession is good for the soul, no?
I have my G3 in the car all the time, and it serves me well.
Pretty soon you may find yourself trying to resist the temptation to buy an S400 for every jacket you own (I'm struggling with that one now). ;-)
Have Fun
Rick

Its a good thing that the S-400 doesn't come in different colors. Pure silver goes with everything in the wardrobe. :)

Realistically, I rarely leave home without my S-400, whereas I only take the SLR when I'm specifically going out to photograph something.

[IanD]

I bought the wife a little A70 for Christmas and damn if it is not a great little P&S. We have taken a ton of photos with it and sure, there are a few that went right into the trash but that camera will be everywhere with us. Nothing wrong with having a P&S and a D-SLR. Folks have a monster SUV and a Civic in the same driveway right?
Ian

[Belmondo]

The real reason I bought the P&S?

I loaned my pack mule to some guy in Canada, and he hasn't sent him back yet. If I have to carry this stuff myself, I'm opting for the smaller models.

[IanD]

Pack mule????
It's a damn 3 legged goat you sent me!
Me and "Gimpy"are heading out soon to check out the new "toys".
With my luck I'll have to carry all my equipment and the goat.
If you see a post here for a recipe for goat currie you'll know the trip was not a success.
:)
Ian

[Belmondo]

I alway knew that eventually you'd get my goat.

Don't worry about him only having three legs.....he's fundamentally stable as long as you don't ask him to move.

BTW his name isn't 'Gimpy,' it's Gitzo.

[IanD]

I stand corrected. I only hope that Gitzo stands corrected too.

[Belmondo]

I once asked Gitzo how he lost his leg.

He said he didn't know---he was stumped.

BTW, you are going to post some pictures after your field trip, right?

[IanD]

Pics will be posted if suitable subject is found (Gitzo is not a sutiable subject :) )
Ian

[ciarank]

After 20 years or so using my slr film camera at work, I persuaded the authorities to buy a G2, and 18 months later we have just added a few G5s as well. All the reasons above came into the equation- portability, ease of use, and picture quality- especially if used with a tripod and a 550EX. It would be fair to say that my EOS3 has seen little use since in comparison- but once an EOS3D or something similar comes along in February, that will change!

[msnow]

Would be nice if it shot RAW.

[Belmondo]

The G5 does, if that's what your referring to. In fact, that's proabably all I'll shoot with it.

[IanD]

http://www.pbase.com/image/24549216
Tom,
Here is the result of this afternoons deer expedition. Gitzo pulled a cramp in his remaining rear leg and I had to carry him and all the equipment. Tried to drag him but he bit me.
No one specified what type of deer :)
Ian

[mjordan]

Just a bunch of wimps. If it's worth shooting, it's worth shooting with your best camera and lens. LOL!

I have two camera bags... one for most of my gear and a smaller one that just carries my 10D with lens, a extra lens, batteries, CF cards and some other stuff.

Now if the P&S cameras didn't have the shutter lag, it might be a different story. But getting half a shot is worse than not getting a shot at all. ;D

Mike

[arthurb]

ron chappel wrote:
Well thanks guys!
I've saved for several years to get a DSLR,had it only a few days and NOW you tell me i'll be craving a digicam soon?!

I never go anywhere without a cardboard box, a pin (to make a hole) and some silvered glass.... :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow,. I am impressed by your confession Tom,. I did not have the gutsd myself....


It seems that on my birhtday a few weeks back,, I bought myself an S400....... !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Belmondo]

Well, happy birthday. You don't look a day older. In fact, with that cute little camera, you look almost childlike.

I was shooting some pictures today, and they turned out okay, but there's just a lot more noise in them. I suppose it's a function of that little bitty sensor. Anyway, I'll have it with me when those photo opportunities come up in the future, and that's all I wanted it for.

Good luck with your.

Confession is good for the soul.

Tom

[CyberDyneSystems]

The 10D is a bit of a handfull some times.. but with the tiny S400 (and no I am NOT happy with it! I mean it has to live next to a 10D!!! How could it possibly live up to that! :) )

anyway with the tiny S400 I can keep it in a pocket or a tiny cell phone case on a belt.. it is with me almost all the time.