How best to travel with a G9 to Peru (Machu Pichu)

[Brooks Vaughn]

I am preparing for my 3 week trip to Peru and wanted to know what works best as far as how to travel, what to pack, and any helpful hints anyone has about traveling and taking photos using the Canon G9 camera.

I will list my questions below after I enter my first impressions of the Canon G9.

After 2 months of a struggling decision of what digital camera I should use to replace my Canon A520 (my May 2005 purchase for my China trip), I had decided to go with the G9 instead of a S5is or A720is.

It's been two days since I have purchased the G9 and here are some of my impressions so far:

The 3" fixed LCD display is wonderful. It is so big, it is almost intimidating at first. Something I am very happy to live with.
The macro feature allows you to get in really close. So close, I almost dipped the camera lens into a glass of water while taking a shot of the floating ice.
Works great with my Speedlite 380EX
The bracket feature has great potential for taking 3 photos one normal, one under and one over exposed. It is fixed at one stop above and below the normal exposed shot. You can adjust the normal exposed shot up and down and the under and over will follow that.
Comes with only a neck strap. It's a cheap vinyl strap 3/4" x 25" sown to stiff nylon 1/4" x 8-1/2" webbing on each end. There is nothing I hate more than stiff nylon webbing and stiff camera straps. Canon use to provide excellent, fine nylon straps that were very soft like the one that came with my Canon Optura Pi camera. for a $500 camera, they should be ashamed.
The camera is in between size and weight for a neck strap. Too small and light for a neck strap as it will easily swing when on your neck or shoulder so the LCD panel rubs against your shirt or coat buttons/zipper or belt. I wish they had provided a good hand strap instead.
The camera has a mode that can save both a RAW and a JPG image at same time. Both images will be saved at 4000x3000 resolution. you are looking at between 10 and 20 mb for the RAW and 2 to 5 mb in size for the JPG image. For example, one shot was 12.6 mb for RAW and 2.9 for it's matching JPG.
I used the Sandisk 2 GB. Ultra-II from my A520 with the G9 without problem until I put it back into the A520 and took some shots with the A520. When I used the Canon Camera Window software to download the images after returning the SD memory to the G9, it downloaded the first set of images then stopped with error when it hit the A520 images. I had to delete the A520 images to finish the download. By the way, I was able to browse and print the G9 photos from the A520 and visa-versa.
There is a Shortcut button on the upper back left edge of the G9. The button has an LED in it, it is flatter and more difficult to press especially when you need to use it for ISO shifting.
Even with Image Stabilization, the G9 is difficult to hold and get a sharp image. I am 6'3" and have big hands. I find the bottom of my thumb easily presses the Function/Set button when holding the camera stead to take photos.
The digital Zoom is great. It seems to be the only benefit from using a sensor with more Mega Pixels but you will need to shoot at 8 or 5 MP (which is still great for 8x10 photos).
I have been to many professional camera stores and the adventure and sport equipment stores and I have not been able to locate a case that the G9 can fit it. For a compact camera, I like to use a neoprene belt mounted case that is plane and simple. One that has a Velcro flap and where the camera fits very snuggly so the camera cannot fall out if open or be easily removed if someone tries to sneak it out.If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer them.

Now to the subject of this message, What is best to take, use, and do while traveling to take better photos. I will be taking my G9 and a Canon Optura 50 Mini-DV camcorder. It is wonderful they both use the same battery.

I need a neoprene case to hold the G9 to my belt. Has anyone found one that works well as I have described in #12 above?
I need a travel tripod with a smooth moving head suitable for use with the camcorder. It should also be light weight. An option would be to use a tripod head (3/8" or 1/4" mount) that is light and good for video as I own a Gitzo Gilux Totolux that could benefit from a suitable tripod head.
I an thinking about some kind of back pack to carry everything in instead of the very small and compact shoulder bag I have. The tripod could strap to the shoulder bag but it would be too heavy and bulky to use.
It it worth getting a Lens/Filter adapter and hood?
Which brand of cheap Canon NB-2L (NB2L) & NB-2LH (NB2LH) Batteries would be good? They seem to range from 550mAh to 1200mAh.
Which brand and size of flash memory? SD vs. SDHC memory? I know it would be best to use something that has a transfer rate over 120 x or better.I would love to know your thoughts and advise.

[JohnJ80]

Lowepro should have a belt case that will fit this.

For batteries - easy: Http://www.sterlingtek.com

What can you tell us about image quality especially at higher ISO?

J

[Pauly_G]

Congrats on the new purchase!

As for the bag... I have a Lowe Pro Apex 30Aw for my G7, which is the same size as the G9. It's a snug fit and there isn't a lot of room for anything other than a spare battery and memory card but it's a good little bag. The bag has a neck strap or a secure belt attachment. It also has a weather proof cover (like a big rucksack cover - yet smaller!) which fits over the bag when needed to protect it from rain etc. Here's a pic.

Cheers

Paul

[EORI]

Batteries: I would second the Sterlingtek. Great value, great service.

Flash memory: If you're shooting RAW, stock up on a bunch of memory cards. 2GB cards (I use Sandisk Ultra II on my G7) are so cheap these days. Are you going to bring a laptop or downloadable HD like the Epson P4000 (http://www.amazon.com/Epson-P-4000-Multimedia-Storage-3-8-Inch/dp/B000BPCWFA) (I use the P2000)? If not, make sure you have enough cards for the duration of your trip.

Teleconverter adaptor: I really like my Lensmate adaptor (http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/G7.html). I've fitted a circular polarizer and Canon lens cap to mine for when I need it. It usually stays in my pocket, and is worth having. I've not bothered with the lenses, as they add too much bulk; I'd rather carry my DSLR at that point.

Case: First, figure out what you want it to hold. For example, if you get the teleconverter adapter, you'll need a slightly larger case. If you wanted to carry about a tabletop tripod, you may want to go with a bag. Circuit City has a very good selection of brands and sizes of bag. I would try there first. I have the Lowepro Rezo 60, which just fits my camera, spare battery and memory card.

Tripod: I've not yet found a good companion pod for the G7. Other than my full-size carbon fiber tripod, I do have a couple of compact table tripods, but for a once-in-a-lifetime trip like Machu Pichu, I would want to take along a light-weight compact tripod with proper height. I'm thinking that the Velbon Ultra Maxi SF (http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm) may be a good value/size/weight compromise.

Wrist Strap: You may want to consider getting a wrist strap like the one offered through the POTN store (http://www.procameragear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=185). I prefer it to the Canon neck strap.

Good luck with your trip, and don't forget to post some of your images after you get back. :)

[dexdex]

Our G7 is also on a simple wriststrap, I bought for 0.nothing at a local flea-market. Most bag manufacturers propose small cases, I use a Delsey, which is partly made of neoprene. No picture handy, but check their web.

[Brooks Vaughn]

Do you have a model on that Delsey case?

I looked at the Lowe Pro Apex 30Aw case. It was hard to get the G9 into the case with Canon neck strap attacked. Maybe if the neck strap was a quality soft nylon strap, it would have folded in easer.

I find the the camera is too light to use with a neck strap so I am looking a wrist strap. With a wrist strap, I can buy a vertically oriented belt case. I am thinking about using the LowePro D-Pods 50 case but have not found any store that have them in stock. I like the Velcro top flap making it easy to get the camera out and back in. Has anyone tried the D-Pods 50 with a G7/G9 ???

I am also considering the Semi-Hard Canon case PSC-5000. It seems to be a horizontally oriented belt case but then again, no local stores have the case in stock so it is difficult to see how it looks and feels.

[Brooks Vaughn]

I am also considering taking my Canon Optura 50 Mini-DV camcorder with me as well. I normally have a small shoulder camera case I picked up in Hong Kong. This has enough room to carry almost everything (including batteries, tapes, microphone, lens adapter, filters, wide-angle converter, wallet, passport, Treo-650, notepad, pens, etc...), without being too big and heavy to handle all day. It measures 10w x 8h x 6d but with side and front pockets the overall dimensions are 14w x 8h x 6-1/2d.

After hearing about the warnings on carrying camera cases and new looking backpacks, I am thinking about leaving the shoulder bag behind and opting to put everything into an old backpack except for the G9 on a belt case. Now how to modify the backpack to hold the equipment for easy access.

[Brooks Vaughn]

Has anyone had any experience with the "A-DATA" SD cards such as the A-Data Turbo SD Card 150X 2GB?

I have a few 2 gb SanDisk Ultra-IIs but when shooting RAW + JPG mode, it only holds 94 photos. Has anyone tried the 4/8 gb SDHC Class 6 or higher cards yet? IS SDHC really any better than a 133x or 150x regular SD card?

[JohnJ80]

Why are you shooting RAW + jpg? Why not just RAW?

J.

[Brooks Vaughn]

I may not have time to process the RAW images in order to upload and/or print immediately. Plus, it will also give me a reference point to compare how well I am processing the RAW images.

[JohnJ80]

I'm not sure I understand why either of those are important.

The camera is really not any better at making post processing decisions that you are - because it doesn't really know what you intended to do. Most of the raw converters make all of those decisions very well - if not better as well. You'll do much better than the camera in almost any case.

I'd have to defer (because I print my own) but would have to think most of the point of sale would have to understand Canon's raw format. Do you really want to lug prints around with you? Otherwise, you may want to consider a PSD or a PSD like the Epson P3000 with a display. That gives you great backup AND you can look at the images (and they look fantastic on the Epson's display). Either way, if you are going to shoot raw +jpg, you will need quite a number of cards or a PSD.

J

[Brooks Vaughn]

Yes I know what you mean. RAW gives you a file that contains the necessary information to be able to apply different post processing to achieve a desired result.

Currently, I have no experience with processing the RAW format yet or to know how to process them quickly to for uploading to the net. Since I am heading to Peru in 11 days, I thought it best to be covered then to regret not having both.

I am now looking for good but cheap memory cards to take with me. I do have a CompactDrive PD7x that contains a 40 gb hard drive, a Flash Media reader, and a copy button to offload the files to the hard drive without needing a computer. The one I have I bought in 2005 for my trip to China. It worked great backing up 8000+ photos taken in 22 days. I was using a 4 MP A520 and Optura 50 with only one card in each without problems.

For Peru, I plan to take the Canon G9, Optura 50, and several 2 gb memory cards. I like that both these cameras use the same battery the NB-2LH. Does anyone have any experiences with the off brands other than with SterlingTEK ?

[HiltonP]

1. I would recommend you visit http://www.mycanong7.com/ with regard to ideas for pouches, tripods, lens adapters, etc.

2. Why are you trying to use the Shortcut Button to change ISO? There's a dedicated knob for that on top of the camera. Rather set the Shortcut for something like IS, which you can then toggle on and off depending on whether you're using a tripod or not.

[Brooks Vaughn]

My Canon G7 site is a very helpful and good site to learn about the G7/G9 camera and how to improve your photos by knowing how to use the advanced features. It seems that G7 and G9 are almost identical other than the 3" LCD, increased mega Pixels, and the RAW modes. The site can also be found at http://www.powershotvalley.com

Does anyone tried the LowePro D-Pads 50 case with the G7/G9? I am looking for a small, clean, belt case to use with the G9.

[JohnJ80]

I really wouldn't worry about RAW, if you use lightroom or any of the RAW converters, they will pretty much make the same decisions as the camera does but typically better in rendering the image for viewing. The benefit is that if you don't agree with that, it is a piece of cake to change it.

Being in the memory business, I'd be more worried (far more worried) about getting cheap memory cards than I would in dealing with RAW.

J.

[dexdex]

The Delsey case is the IOTA 15. I allows for a spare battery + 1-2 SD cards.
http://www.delseycamerabags.com/view_product.php?productid=52