G9 Aperture Priority - slowest shutter speed

[openspace]

Interesting - though the G9 has a max slow shutter speed of 15", it seems that the slowest shutter speed available in aperture priority (Av) mode is 1". Am I missing something? I know I can switch to Tv or M and set a slower speed as needed, but it seems rather strange that Av limits to 1". I keep thinking I'm missing some setting to override this, but I can't find anything anywhere that addresses this on the web or in the manual. . Any thoughts here?

[openspace]

LOL - never mind. The net gods provided me the answer shortly after I posted. 1 second is the set limit in Av mode. Bummer. Manual mode here I come.

[GordonSBuck]

It is a bummer. I got caught by the 1s while doing some auto bracketing to get an HDR set. See my blog, http://lightdescription.blogspot.com

[openspace]

LOL - yes interesting that you'd reply, Gordon, as your blog was the gift the "net gods" provided. Good to see some G9 enthusiasts blogging about this most capable machine.

[GordonSBuck]

LOL - yes interesting that you'd reply, Gordon, as your blog was the gift the "net gods" provided. Good to see some G9 enthusiasts blogging about this most capable machine.

Thanks for the nice compliment. The G9 is an extremely capable camera and fun to use and learn from as well. The blog is good for me because it forces me to organize my thoughts.

[openspace]

The blog is good for me because it forces me to organize my thoughts.

Yeah, organizing my thoughts is something I gave up on a long time ago. I'm practicing chaos theory myself. :0)

The G9 is a great camera. In my case I have actually stepped down from the SLR / dSLR & mothballed the equipment for the time being. Maybe permanently. There are so many gearheads on these boards who absolutely convince themselves that the very best equipment makes for the very best photos. In my early years I was one of them, and I have many great shots in my portfolio courtesy of what then was cutting edge gear.

But the digital revolution is different from film in that we are seeing exponential increases in sensor pixels, image resolution, detail, and sharpness, not to mention infinitely better software & processing capabilities year to year. Meaning that tack sharp saleable image from yesterday's 10D is just a snapshot to todays' 5D or MkIII. Digital images are dated.

That is unless they are OUTSTANDING images. The kind of images that I like to think present themselves to us, the least expected spontaneous event that we stumble on and with great luck, certainly skill & a bit of serendipity capture. Like Ansel's "Moon Over Hernandez". That is why I bought the G9. Because I knew I would always have that camera with me.

I know what kind of photographer I am, and I was looking for a camera that would get out & get used, and be at the ready when the image presented itself to me - as opposed to those who go hunting for the image. I'm no action photographer who needs fast lenses and ultrasonic motors. I needed a great field camera for city streets & high mountain valleys and peaks. It makes for one hell of a wildflower macro. And contrary to all the postings I've seen that claim otherwise, the G9 is a remarkable imaging machine. That is if you get to know it.

And that's why I like blogs like yours. You share your thoughts and experiences with the community. Just what can this camera do? Let's all find out together.

And as for the gearheads, well... I might suggest that you check out some of the pinhole camera images available on the Net and hanging in fine art galleries around the world. Or photographers who are picking up B&W film and their old Leicas and Pentaxs again. A great camera enables you to do great things, this is true. But you still have to point it in the right direction. And that is not something event he greatest camera in the world can do for you.

[hassiman]

Hi,

I had heard that the G9... like many of its breathren had automatic and very effective subtractive Noise Reduction filter that kicks in when the camera is used with shutter speeds longer than 1.3 seconds. Is this true?

On other Canon P&S cameras shutter speeds longer than 1 second are a part of an automatic mode like "Night Shot" Is there an Automatic "NightShot" mode on the G9 or are the long speeds only in Tv mode...

and does NR kick in automatically?

By the way... really love this little camera!:lol:

[condyk]

I agree 110% Openspace - nicely put. Thanks for your blogging efforts GordonSBuck ;-)

[openspace]

Thanks, condyk.

Hassiman - it does have a noise reduction that kicks in with exposures over 1.3 seconds. From everything I've seen it is very effective. That is if you are using ISO 200 or lower. Long exposure night shots rock at ISO 80. Very high quality.

Though there is a "Night Shot" mode (as well as a zillion others - this camera is stuffed with modes) I haven't played around with the modes a whole lot. The long exposure (between 1 - 15 secs) is available in Tv mode, but also in Manual mode, which is where I do my long exposures. And Manual mode on the G9 is very well thought out.