Over all.. G9 for action shots... any good?

[zacker]

I know someone who doesnt want a DSLR and all the lenses to go with it.. she wants a small cam to go in er pocket book and will mostly use it for her sons football games and base balll games.. (little league) i have explained about shutter lag and all the cons of using a P&S camera but she has shown me photos that other parents took at the games with little P&S cams and they arent half bad.. by the way, she really isnt "into" photography.. just wants to get great grabs when they appear.. shes a snap shooter..
So, how does a G9 look for action stuff, is there a big lag time like the older cams ( i have a pro1 and you can take a nap the lag is so long) does it trak well for moving targets? also, what is its range from xxmm to XX mm ? thanks all!

[zacker]

nothing? does anyone here use this camera?

[Sparky98]

I don't think anyone has one yet. B&H has them listed as available in September so maybe they will be shipping soon.

I doubt that they will have improved too much over the G7 but since I don't have a G7 I can't tell you what the lag time is like on it. Based on what I have read each G series has improved slightly on the lag time and focusing time but I don't think anyone will recommend a G series for action photography. However, it can be done if one is good at anticipating action.

[JohnJ80]

The big problem with ANY p&s is that the shutter lag is too long. By the time you press the shutter button, the camera thinks about it and fires, the subject is out of the frame.

That said, if you half depress and pre-focus, you can get better results because the shutter lag drops dramatically. For instance, this picture was taken with a pro1:

http://www.pbase.com/johnj80/image/46106391.jpg

This works - a moving object arriving at a KNOWN place with the camera pre-focussed. Things like bike races, running races, ski races, - anything with a course is MUCH easier to do this than field sports.

Field sports such as soccer, field hockey, ice hockey etc.. are next to impossible to do reliably with a P&S camera.

Looking at the G7's specs and presuming the G9's specs are not radically different, I'd expect the above to hold.

DSLRs on the other had, have virtually no shutter lag and are the alternative, really the only one, to those who want to shoot field sports.

J

[EORI]

I have the G7, but would never use it for action photography. It requires too much effort and luck to get right.

That being said, as the previous poster stated, one can overcome some of the shutter lag by half pressing the shutter in anticipation of the shot. I've never tested the G7s focus tracking capability, but would not expect it to be all that reliable.

For baseball, where most of the players are stationary, it may be possible to pre-focus, half-press the shutter, and get decent results. For example, it should not be difficult to capture a pitcher or a batter in motion. Runners and fielders are going to be next to impossible with a p&s. Same thing for football. You can probably capture the QB taking the snap, or getting ready to make a pass, but you can forget about any other action shots.

The way I view the G7 is the way I viewed rangefinder cameras in the film days. It's a wonderful piece of equipment to capture still life and candids. If you still intend to go with a p&s, the longer reach of the S5IS may be more suited for your purposes.

[Savas K]

I didn't have my head on straight when I brought the G7 to an airshow. I reasoned that it was lightweight with the tele-adapter 420 mm reach. It worked — for taking shots of air that jets streaked through split seconds before. ;)

[red hot sheep]

Course you can. Patience, learning how long your camera takes to react and some skill.

These cyclists were going very fast. I used prefocus (depth of field is huge so not a worry), and after learning response time, shots like this were fairly easy.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/755640031_7f3729104a.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1180/755813173_c7556d42f7.jpg?v=0

[zacker]

its funny, she isnt a photog but a snap shooter... i think as photogs we tend to over think the shots and maybe we are used to our DSLR's that we also lag a bit behind the shot..lol I have seen alot of pics of the games taken with other (worse) P&S cams bby other mooms and they really arent half bad... although there is prolly a huge loss rate too! I have a Pro1 and wouldnt reccoment=d it as I have trouble with action shots. but im thinking, with the G9 in sports mode, and a bit of tracking practice, she'd prolly be ok. Thanks for your posting of photos!

[vkalia]

The question isnt whether someone can get 1 sharp shot with the G9. I have a gull frozen in flight taken with a G6. That doesnt make the G6 a good action camera.

The question is - can action photos be taken reliably enough by a G9, especially by a snapshooter? Without seeing the particular camera, I am willing to lay a pretty good bet that your friend will be disappointed by it.

If she is a snapshooter, get her one of the Casia or Ricoh cameras with the ridiculously low shutter lag. That might help her. Or have her pony for a Nikon D40 or Pentax K100D and a kit lens, put it on AUTO mode and fire away.

Vandit

[ajayclicks]

If you still intend to go with a p&s, the longer reach of the S5IS may be more suited for your purposes.

I agree. Wouldnt extra zoom of S3/ S5 IS be more appropriate for her?

[andrewaaa5]

I read this some time ago about the G7 (not the G9 - so I am unsure of the relevance here..):

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=321445

Stephen talks about shutter lag even in full manual mode with manual focus. Still baffles me...

See posts #3, #4 and #8 in particular about lag on the G7...

[KarlMarsh]

I shoot motorcycle road racing. With the G7 and a Teleconverter lens I have gotten some really great shots while panning. My problem is not so much shutter lag but slow frames per second and lack of Al Servo focus tracking. The 30D blows away the G7 for action shots. It will shoot 6 FPS and will track focus 10x better for moving subjects. With a DSLR you will end up with about 10x as many "keeper" shots for the same amount of time as you would with the G7/G9.

[JohnJ80]

Motorcycle racing, bicycle racing, alpine racing - all of these are the sorts of action shots that you can get with a P&S because the subject is going to be at a known place where you can then pre-focus. Trying to do this for "field" sport where the subject can be at a random place at any time is where it won't work.

As Karl has said, the DSLR is still quite superior in almost any sports situation. The keeper rate being 10X with a DSLR is what I would expect. What wasn't said is that when shooting sports, you have a very small proportion of keepers anyhow even when shooting with a DSLR. If you take 1/10th of those keepers, it is starting to get to be a pretty small number.

J

[NOsquid]

I think you guys probably have higher standards than she will. Though I agree with the basic premise that predictable sports are much easier to use a point/shoot for. I think the baseball would be no problem and I think she'd get a few decent football snaps, depends on her expectations and her willingness to learn the camera. I mean really guys, kids football isn't THAT fast :-) How old is he? And she'll be looking for her son the whole time, not trying to catch the action in every play, that makes things a little easier. Also the G9 will probably have a bajillion pixels as is the trend so she could shoot pretty wide and do some cropping.

[zacker]

I think you guys probably have higher standards than she will. Though I agree with the basic premise that predictable sports are much easier to use a point/shoot for. I think the baseball would be no problem and I think she'd get a few decent football snaps, depends on her expectations and her willingness to learn the camera. I mean really guys, kids football isn't THAT fast :-) How old is he? And she'll be looking for her son the whole time, not trying to catch the action in every play, that makes things a little easier. Also the G9 will probably have a bajillion pixels as is the trend so she could shoot pretty wide and do some cropping.


thats what i was thinking, these are only 8 year olds... they do more standing around than playing...lol I talked to her again yesterday, she is definetly NOT wanting a huge DSLR or even the S5IS.... soooo, I told her to wait till the stores get the G9 in, id give her a card to use and go take some photos with one... that is prolly the only way she'll even understand what shes getting into. I think the local cam store here in Milford might let her take it outside where she can practice shooting moving cars at least... :lol:

[thitipong]

G9 available for pre-order at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=canon%20g9&tag=pre%5Forder%5Fcanon%5Fg9-20&index=blended&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=canon%20g9&tag=pre%5Forder%5Fcanon%5Fg9-20&index=blended&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

[JohnJ80]

I think she will be disappointed. She will wind up with a lot of those shots with a picture of an ankle and heel left in the frame (kid running) or the classic picture of the little dots of kids on the field.

Last year, one of the mom's (a scrapbooker) decided that each parent would be responsible for taking pictures of the kids at one of the games through the year. All would then share the photos and put together this scrap book thing she had. No one had any luck, lots of frustration and embarassment. I was 6th (with DSLR). Once they saw the first pictures all of them promptly told me that I was then taking ALL the rest of the pictures that year.

In point of fact, a DSLR set on AUTO with a superzoom (18-200) would be much easier and much better than a G9 and trying to half press focus etc...

If she is going to give this a shot, at least give her a camera that is a lot less expensive than the G9 because she is going to get the same results and will have less into it before she gives it up or steps up.

J

[zacker]

the thing is, she wants a small camera to fit in her purse and she wont be just taking pics at games, she will be using it for every day snaps and such.. like birthdays and so forth..

[JohnJ80]

the thing is, she wants a small camera to fit in her purse and she wont be just taking pics at games, she will be using it for every day snaps and such.. like birthdays and so forth..

That isn't what you said when you started this thread.

"she wants a small cam to go in er pocket book and will mostly use it for her sons football games and base balll games.."

So which is it?

J

[EORI]

If she is going to give this a shot, at least give her a camera that is a lot less expensive than the G9 because she is going to get the same results and will have less into it before she gives it up or steps up.

Agreed. A G9 is a waste of camera for the individual and the intended use. She can spend $350 less and get the same results with a Canon A560:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NK3NBA/103-8272194-4495808

That way, when she's disappointed with the images, she'll be $350 less likely to blame you for a poor recommendation. :)

[NOsquid]

I dunno, I just don't think it'd be that difficult though to be fair I haven't tried. Just tell her the truth, if she wants a little/cute camera she's going to have to put more practice into it to get acceptable results. She can't have it both ways, but I really don't think it's as bad as some of you are making it out to be, they're 8 and wearing 10lbs worth of pads. Not quite birds in flight, lol

The cheaper camera idea isn't bad though. Even a G7 should be significantly cheaper when the G9 comes out.

It really just comes down to her expectations, not ours. Maybe go shoot a few and show her what a DSLR produces. But she's already seen the pictures other parents took and seemed satisfied with the quality? They're not likely to be any more talented than her.

[zacker]

That isn't what you said when you started this thread.

"she wants a small cam to go in er pocket book and will mostly use it for her sons football games and base balll games.."

So which is it?

J
So which is it? its both, Unless cameras were made for one type of photography only, Hey, that explains why my macros are better than my landscapes.. should have bought the Landscape 30D instead of the Macro one huh?

Ill say it again, for like the 3rd time.....she does NOT want a DSLR!!

From the start i have said its gotta be small and fit in her purse.. you keep saying DSLR, DSLR... she doesnt want one! And yes I did say for football, baseball mainly but shes gonna use it for other stuff obviously!!

So, all i wanted to know is if anyone has used it yet and if they thought it might work, I didnt want to compare it with a DSLR at all.. and since it isnt even out yet i guess anything else posted is Moot huh?

Geeze.

[zacker]

I dunno, I just don't think it'd be that difficult though to be fair I haven't tried. Just tell her the truth, if she wants a little/cute camera she's going to have to put more practice into it to get acceptable results. She can't have it both ways, but I really don't think it's as bad as some of you are making it out to be, they're 8 and wearing 10lbs worth of pads. Not quite birds in flight, lol

The cheaper camera idea isn't bad though. Even a G7 should be significantly cheaper when the G9 comes out.

It really just comes down to her expectations, not ours. Maybe go shoot a few and show her what a DSLR produces. But she's already seen the pictures other parents took and seemed satisfied with the quality? They're not likely to be any more talented than her.


I dont think $$ is an Issue for the camera, and I told her all aboout shhutter lag and all that. i guess its the same here as on the DSLR forums... it all comes down to buying the best camera, with the most bells and whistles.. lol (i think her husband really wants her to get the G9 cause its new) who knows, she asked me so Im trying to help her.
yeah, she thinks the pics from others are great, i have seen them and I gott say, they are bad, I/Q wise i mean, at any rate they are just good snaps not photographs but... thats the difference between "us" and "them".... we look for quality all the way around, they just wanna see a photo where they can see their subject, even if it means looking past the blur..lol

thanks NOsquid!!

[JohnJ80]

So which is it? its both, Unless cameras were made for one type of photography only, Hey, that explains why my macros are better than my landscapes.. should have bought the Landscape 30D instead of the Macro one huh?

Ill say it again, for like the 3rd time.....she does NOT want a DSLR!!

From the start i have said its gotta be small and fit in her purse.. you keep saying DSLR, DSLR... she doesnt want one! And yes I did say for football, baseball mainly but shes gonna use it for other stuff obviously!!

So, all i wanted to know is if anyone has used it yet and if they thought it might work, I didnt want to compare it with a DSLR at all.. and since it isnt even out yet i guess anything else posted is Moot huh?

Geeze.

No, you haven't been clear.

The fact is that if she wants to shoot field sports this camera will be inadequate. The only real choice for that is DSLR. If she doesn't want a dslr (which is fine), then don't set an expectation that the G9 will be fine for field sports, when it won't. The G9 will not do "both" well. It will do non field sports very well and it will do field sports very poorly. Go and try for yourself and see. I have - and I've tried it with three different P&S - including a Pro1.

If she wants to take everyday snapshots, then there are any number of cameras that will do that effectively at about half the price. In point of fact, a Fuji F31FD will probably do that a lot better and a lot crisper at low light than the G9 will. The F31FD can be had for right around $200.

Now, if you want a camera as a fashion accessory or want to have the latest and greatest high tech point and shoot - then the G9 is fine and an excellent choice. Please note, you did not list that as a requirement.

The G9 will, I'm sure when it becomes real, take wonderful pictures just like the G7 does, especially people pictures, landscapes etc... But it is not a sports camera. If she doesn't want to take the time to learn about all the capabilities of the G7/G9 then it seems like that would be a pretty big waste. In fact, having knobs (like ISO) that can be accidentally adjusted can be much more of a problem for a beginning photographer than can a point and shoot that is a bit more downscale.

Seems to me you are asking for opinions to support your already made recommendation of a G9 for an application in which it is questionable. If you have already made up your mind, why do a post like this?

J.

[NOsquid]

I don't think you can fairly say he's misleading her or giving her false expectations. She's seen crappy pictures from other parents and thinks they're fine, she just asked him which crappy little cam to buy since he's into photography and she doesn't know if one brand will blow up or cause her kids cancer. He recommended one of the better point/shoots from a reputable manufacturer.

[zacker]

I don't think you can fairly say he's misleading her or giving her false expectations. She's seen crappy pictures from other parents and thinks they're fine, she just asked him which crappy little cam to buy since he's into photography and she doesn't know if one brand will blow up or cause her kids cancer. He recommended one of the better point/shoots from a reputable manufacturer.


exactly!

John, Im sorry if I got you kinda confused here, she was the one who came to me asking if she should get the G9.... I just told her the truth, P&S cams arent good for action... a DSLR would be better but she said she didnt want a DSLR so I told her id find out if the G9 was any good. I know how bad P&S cams are for fast action, hell, I own a Pro1 also... (im sure i could make it work but I know she cant) I explaind shutter lag, Noise at High ISO and all that but then she showes me all thes shots her friends take with P&S cams and they look OK... how do i argue with her on that? shes not o photog so she thinks as long as you can see the subjects, who cares? lol SO let me get this straight... the G9 over the G7..... there really is no difference for someone who will shoot in auto modes correct? just more MP's? im gonna tell here to get one or the other, whatever oneshe wants and ill show her how to pan and pre focus. These kids, they dont move to fast anyhow!

[JohnJ80]

exactly!

John, Im sorry if I got you kinda confused here, she was the one who came to me asking if she should get the G9.... I just told her the truth, P&S cams arent good for action... a DSLR would be better but she said she didnt want a DSLR so I told her id find out if the G9 was any good. I know how bad P&S cams are for fast action, hell, I own a Pro1 also... (im sure i could make it work but I know she cant) I explaind shutter lag, Noise at High ISO and all that but then she showes me all thes shots her friends take with P&S cams and they look OK... how do i argue with her on that? shes not o photog so she thinks as long as you can see the subjects, who cares? lol SO let me get this straight... the G9 over the G7..... there really is no difference for someone who will shoot in auto modes correct? just more MP's? im gonna tell here to get one or the other, whatever oneshe wants and ill show her how to pan and pre focus. These kids, they dont move to fast anyhow!

no problem. Heck, if she is that stuck on getting that camera, and doesn't seem to care then there really is nothing you can do. She'll wind up learning the $400 lesson.

She would probably be better off with the G7 - less money plus it will (depending on if the reviews bear this out) be better in lower light and be slightly noise and suffer slightly less from diffraction effects.

That way if she gets the G7 and isnt' happy she will at least be to the good on the price difference between that and the G9. If she doesn't know about or use RAW, then she would be better off with the G7. The extra megapixels are not an advantage on the G9. Truthfully, I canceled my pre-order with Amazon because I'm concerned about the >100 ISO performance due to the severe noise reduction built in- the pictures at ISO200 and up start to look muddy quickly. The camera I'm probably going to buy in its place is the F31FD for exactly the reasons listed. Besides that it is about half the price of the G9 and it has an underwater enclosure that the G9 doesn't (yet).

I'd seriously get her to look at something like the F31FD. I think it is smaller and lighter, it will do much better in lower light. If I recall, it also has very good shutter lag for a point and shoot.

J.

[zacker]

who makes the F31FD?? I guess the shutter lag and the Optical zoom are probably the 2 most important features to look for. ill go have a lok at the f31fd.
Thanks!

[NOsquid]

Fuji.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/