I bought the G9!

[tedln]

Okay folks, thanks for the good information you have been giving me about the G9. With your input and a few good reviews, I decided to buy the G9. I bought it at Circuit City (best price except Amazon). I will play with it for a few days and probably ask a few questions about the best settings for most point and shoot photos.

Thanks Again.

Ted

[Raven]

Congrats! One nice camera!

[primalcarl]

I also bought one today! It looks very nice but I've got one concern. There's one tiny, tiny mark (dust/scratch) on the lense. I've tried cleaning it but it seems to be in or behind the glass. Not sure it's substantial enough to affect shots or get it replaced!

[Padrino]

Primal and Ted... FEEL MY ENVY!!!!!!! :p

Primal, if there's something not right, get your rig and take it to the store. Let them solve the problem.

Congrats to you both!!!

[openspace]

That dust in the barrel shouldn't affect images at all. But if you want to check, take some images of a blank white wall or piece of paper & then blow up to 400% and pixel peep in Photoshop or Zoombrowser. Check an image captured at close focus in macro mode as well (since focus is closer to the front element in macro & if anything that dust would show up in the image here).

[primalcarl]

Thanks openspace, I tried that earlier and couldn't see any effect on the pictures. It looks like a small bubble more than anything but it's quite hard to see

[Raven]

Openspace is quite right, primalcarl. If something that small is between the sensor and the end of the lens barrel, you aren't going to see it on a photo. Now, if it was ON the sensor, then you might have a problem.

[millsde]

Well, I'm officially a G9 owner. Circuit City was quick and easy, but useless for help. So far it seems lensmate is the way to go on an adaptor and wide angle ??? I did order the grip package tauted on here from R. Franiec. I'm not overly please with bag choices in local stores here to date. I am still looking a slim profile quick opening belt hanging bag that might store the G9 with the adaptor on and a wide angle maybe later a telephoto. I picked up a Lowepro APEX60 which is not bad at all for the camera with a bit of space. Is there merit on leaving the adaptor on for added protection?
First in a long series of amatuer questions.........:o

[openspace]

Hi Millsde. I use a LowePro Apex 100AW. Stores the camera with LensMate & filter mounted, 2 extra batteries, an extra filter in its case, small cleaning kit & extra memory card. And it fits like a glove on my backpack or fannypack waist belt. But there's no room at the inn for an extra conversion lenses. Once you look for cases to add those kinds of accessories to the kit it seems to me that a shoulder bag might be a better option (though the LowePro Apex 110 / 120 still have a beltloop). In this respect I hear good things about some of the small Domkes, as well as the Mountainsmith Reflex II series.

I suspect you'll get the grip and wonder why you blew $28 on it. That is until you install it. It does work well.

The LensMate is the best adapter because it is metal - less chance for stripped filter threads. Order a 58mm lens cap while your at it. The one they sell with a tether is perfect (and you can remove the tether if you find you prefer not to use it).

I personally don't use any conversion lenses (I use the LensMate to mount a UV or a polarizer). I would recommend giving the G9 stock lens a chance to make its mark before messing with add-on lenses. Outside of the unique fisheye perspective, I find that I can photostitch at home to produce my ultra wide angle shots (and they're bigger to boot).

But if you head down the conversion lens road know that Raynox offers a number of add-ons that people seem to really like.

[millsde]

Now see. That is what I'm talking about. Like going to a car lot and having a squared away salesman tell you what you want, down to the color. Whether he knows what he's talking about or not! LOL. I'm a rank amatuer and my learning curve will no doubt at my age stay shallow. Thank you for your opinions. Like no doubt numerous others on this forum, it's great to have someone make the decisions for you or at least give you a direction to steer. You made some very valid points. I was jumping on the wide angle due to the limits of the G9 lens, but did intend to try out that stitching. However, and here is where my ignorance in the photography world might show, last time I had a wide angle on a camera, I really appreciated it for group or room wide shots. Wouldn't stitching just be suitable for landscape or some such with non moving subjects shot from a tripod? Oh, I did look up the APEX 100 earlier and thought it might be something to consider. Without my options or the adaptor yet, I'm kinda guessing. The 60 if that is what I bought the other night was quite suitable for the base camera. Anyway, you made a dent. I'll get my adaptor and filters and evaluate my need for extra lenses. I def. want to get back into the fisheyed perspective before long and am quite excited about this IR conversion which I've never paid attention to. But I get ahead of myself. Plenty to learn till then. I've still yet to be exposed to RAW. As soon as Christmas gets here, I'll get my camera back. My wife took it away from me as I walked in the door and wrapped it. Teach me to buy my own present. Thanks again, and no doubt if you don't come answer my questions, I'll be hunting ya down on here.
Dennis in Pensacola.

[tedln]

Dennis in Pensacola,

Congragulations on your purchase of the G9. It's a shame you can't play with it until after Christmas. I've been playing with mine now for a few days and I am very impressed with it. I was really impressed with it's 12 megapixel capability, but in all honesty; will probably shoot most photos around 2 megapixels. I bought an extra battery and a two gig flash card. I like to have plently of room and power when I do shoot a lot of photos. Our daughter borrowed my little Nikon P-5100 which I was useing until I bought the G9. She shot over 800 photos on a ten day trip to Isreal last month. I need lots of storage for photos. I also bought a LowePro bag that is just large enough for the G9 and spare battery. I like the bag, but it isn't large enough to store the camera with the carrying strap on it. I will need a larger bag to carry extra lens and a small tripod.

I'm not sure how happy I am with color reproduction of the G9. The little Nikon I was using produced colors that were vibrant and true. It did have problems with pink and purple but white, red, green, and blue colors jumped off the page. The G9 seems to capture true colors, but they don't seem to have the same vibrancy as the Nikon. I will play around with my white balance a little and see if that does the trick. The G9 photos do seem to have more depth, even when shooting in low resolution; than the Nikon.

You mentioned playing around with IR photography, I would like to do that also, but I have no intention of messing with the internals of my camera by replacing the IR filter with clear glass. Are you going to do that on your G9?

Merry Christmas,

You have a nice gift under the tree. :)

Ted

[openspace]

It is true what you say about photostitching, Dennis -- best for non-moving objects like landscapes. The G9 lens is a 35mm equivalent wide angle. I know a lot of people would like to see a 28mm, and that's why they look for a good adapter lens. But I find a 35mm equivalent to be wide enough for my purposes.

The physical IR conversion is quite expensive. Plus it basically renders your camera worthless for standard photography. As for me, I just use the infrared adjustment in Photoshop CS3's "black & white" filter. You can also find Photoshop actions on the Internet that work with any recent version of PS. Though not true IR, I get pretty good results that way.

As for colors tedln, you can play with the "custom color" function on the G9, and boost in camera saturation of colors. Or you of course can use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements or the Canon software to adjust saturation.

[millsde]

Great info guys. You can't believe how helpful this is. Well, maybe you can.
Wow Ted. 800 photos huh? Thank God for digital these days, huh? I had rolls of undevelopes I finally got done last year.
And I did note reading about IR conversion the mod's involved. I wasn't sure how expensive it was, but thought I might convert an older camera if doable. I noted Lensmate has a 'simulated' IR lens? Anything to consider? I will of course explore the options openspace indicated.

As to my Chrismas present, since my wife dropped our P&S in the sand and it's not back from Canon repairs yet, she announced I may use my G9 for one of our girls Christmas pageant tonight.

I've just noted the battery has finished charging and I'm scrambling here at work to get time to look through the owners manual. Anyone have a quick and dirty, set this or that for some initial no flash shots in an auditorium tonight?

I just hope this G9 lets you turn off or way down the LCD as well.

Dennis

[tedln]

Dennis,

If you just want some good photos of your daughters activity, I would just leave everything on auto (both settings are on the top of the camera). If the scene has pretty good lighting, I would turn off the flash. With the image stailization built into the camera, it takes really good shots in low light situations. The built in flash doesn't have much reach and seems to wash out the scene leaving the background pretty dark.

You can reduce the brightness of the LCD screen in the settings.

Good luck!

Ted

[openspace]

You can turn off the LCD by hitting the DISPLAY button (it cycles through the 3 LCD settings - which you can customize by the way). AUTO should work okay. If you're concerned about image noise, set the ISO dial to 200, and use P (program) mode instead. If the lighting is pretty dim, set ISO to 400. ISO 800 is okay for family snapshots, but nothing over 4x6 prints unless you take the time to reduce noise in a program like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

If your in an auditorium you might also want to mute all sounds. You can do this in the MENU under the 2nd tab (setup).

[millsde]

Thank you gentlemen.
I've got a bit of reading on the manual done over lunch and have found most of those settings. Guess I'll have to attach a result or two. I told my secretary I was practicing on her before the day's out. She was 'thrilled'. I'll do a combination of what you both had to say.

[millsde]

Guess I'll wear this out a bit. Two questions.

1. Noticed on lens retract there is a small catch/vibration I can feel. Normal? Just a light little something caught or engaged enough to feel very slightly.

2. I'm still trying to figure out these forums. How to navigate or post to. So many threads started. If I find a thread posted 4 weeks or 2 months ago that sounds relavant, and there are current postings, just post there? I seem to struggle with which one to use that might have someone reading that thread that could answer a question. Quite by accident I picked this one. I guess it's browsing possible hundreds just to narrow the thread topic to what your wanting to discuss?

[miguelmarcos]

Re No. 2: Yes.

[miguelmarcos]

This is a re-post I wrote on another private forum.

Just got my G9 an hour ago. Haven't taken any snaps yet, been going through the manual and menu settings and such. I like it so far (!) but I do have a beef with the viewfinder, small, it's only a part of the captured image (about 80%), it's offset (see figure 6 in this review:
http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/26221.html?cprose=daily).
and you can see the lens barrel at the wide angle end. I kinda understand the last characteristic and could live with it, everything is a tight fit on the camera but I wish they'd fix the size and coverage. I'll just get used to it or I may try one of those hot shoe mounted viewfinders like a Voigtlander. I've read a couple of posts about success with these. Depends on how annoyed I am with the viewfinder.

I love the functionality, menu system is great, interface and buttons great, having raw is great, iso dial is great. Gotta try it out now. The LCD really is magnificent but I could easily live with a smaller one to improve the viewfinder issues. The finish and build is top notch. (Also, gotta love the fact that the battery is identical to my 400D!)

[millsde]

I hope I don't get shot cross posting. (my first time I promise)
My search for the optimal G9 camera bag goes on. I can't make myself oversize a bag so I have room for future/maybe accessories The Apex 60 I initially bought was very suitably sized for the camera itself. I'm taking my third bag back and have exhausted my search in local stores.

Mrock has something that seems doable, a Cascade bag (H- 5.25 x D- 4 x W- 7.75 inches) and add on Ozark and Niagara for lenses/flash. I was really impressed with the Apex 60 internal and overall construction. Too many bags are not quick acccess, but I guess that is the trade off for adequate weather protection.

Anyone had their hands on a Mrock bag. Opinions?
Kiesler DX330/320? I've yet to see an open view as they do larger bags.
Adorama Slinger Bag, Single Strap Backpack / Shoulder Bag
Naneu Pro, some nice features, but have'nt worked through their web site.

I know bags have been kicked around here, but I don't see one to snugly hold a G9 with an adaptor mounted with telephoto/wide, flash, charger etc. stored separately. If you've seen one with add ons like Mrock, possible belt mounted, yell back. I guess that Adorama above might not be bad because it's slim and tall.
The ThinkTank site does have some very nice looking stuff. Anyone have any experience with holster type bags? Who has a couple lenses/flash, etc. and a bag not oversized and can snugly store a G9 body with the adapter mounted. Here is what I am considering for a configuration in a holster type.

[openspace]

...can snugly store a G9 body with the adapter mounted.

I've said it before, I'll say it again - LowePro Apex 100AW. Snughly fits my G9 with Lensmate + filter + lenscap installed, plus 2 extra batteries, an extra filter in its case, extra memory card, and a small cleaning kit. Belt mounts, quick access with the single flap opening (I leave the neck strap hanging out so I can quickly grab it and pull the camera out of the partially unzipped bag).

As for any other accessories, I'd just toss them in the fanny pack or backpack my Apex 100 is belt mounted on. :0)

Other than that I hear people like the MountainSmith Reflex II (small) as a shoulder bag, and have heard a lot of people refer to Domke bags.

[millsde]

Uggghh, there lies the problem Openspace. You spend too much time looking for a thing until you are so focused you can't see the forest due to the trees.

I originally thought to get a bag suitable for leaving the adapter and filter on, started looking for a gear bag large enough, but slimmed down to hold lenses and filter and got sidetracked. I ended up out of frustration ordering a OPtech Zippeez neoprene? case just big enough to hold the G9 body. I want my lenses and flash in hand before buying the larger bag. Due to looks and suitable arrangement, I will probably get a Tamrac Express 6. I wanted a 5, but don't think any flash I get will allow the creative pack job I had in mind. I really like their two tone suede bag with the olive and tan.
And besides a few Tamrac's and Lowepro bags its one of the few I've been able to put my hands on.
I liked Domke's canvas messanger bag, but have no use for that metal snap buckle.
The Crumpler 5 million dollar bags seemed quite suitable and I really liked the wide open very soft looking access, no zipper velcro closing flap.
But it just took a couple comments in forums about guys getting their hands on one and commenting, 'it looks like a purse' to turn a guy off.

Here that Crumpler?? Everyone in the world ain't a Metro-sexual whatchamacallit.
Well enough of this, time to get to work so I can actually pay for some of this stuff.

[SilverShadow]

Add me to the list of newbie G9 owners. I sold my Sony A100 without any regrets, mainly because I always shoot RAW and use CS3 postprocessing, so the switch was not traumatic. I've already noticed that the G9's edge in MP's produces pics that not only rival, but are superior to those from the A100 (which in my opinion is nothing more than a P&S that thinks it's a dSLR).

Re: equipment/camera bags - My G9 has the full set of Richard Franiec's excellent accessories, an external flash bracket and cord for a 430EX, three LensMate adapters (one with just a UV filter, one with a Raynox HD-7000 0.7x wide angle lens, and one with a Raynox DCR-2020 2.2x telephoto lens).

Together, these give an optical zoom range of 24.5mm > 462mm in 35mm film equivalents and they both offer better resolution than their Canon (heresy!) counterparts.

I was fortunate enough to find Giotto's outstanding 3" LCD protector - nothing else even comes close to its durability, and the original Canon neckstrap has been replaced with a LowePro Speedster.

Add in the usual assortment of spare batteries for both the G9 and 430EX, (with chargers), lens caps and hoods, an 8 SD card case, a Sto-Fen diffuser, and an Ultrapod II.

Whew! This brings us back to the "What is the best bag/case for the G9?" question.

There is no one answer. It depends on the amount of equipment/accessories (toys) that you have and can't leave home without.

In my case (pun intended), the perfect choice was the Canon 10EG. I'm still finding storage areas in it that I didn't know it had. Highly recommended. In fact, that also applies to everything above. (except the A100)

[millsde]

[quote=SilverShadow;4613844]


Nice feedback SilverShadow.

I'm starting to think I need to listen to others concerning premounting lenses on their own adaptor. Sure don't want to bulk up any more than I have to. Do you see this as needed to protect threads and just to darn much hassle?
For a amatuer/causal photographer, is this needed? I suspect with a bag on your shoulder, standing somewhere trying to manipulate lenses, I know the answer already.
Nice to hear your comments on the Lensmates since that is what I am ordering.
I do have a Giotto's LCD protect on the way.

I am at this point wanting to pick up a 430EX to save a bit. Do you or have you used it mounted on your G9 much? Any problems?

Oh, as to shooting RAW, which I will endeavor to do, I currently have a 2 g and 4 g card. Already tapped out the 2 gig once with just Jpegs and a couple movie clips over Christmas between downloading and deleting.

I haven't gotten around to checking how much memory the movies took. How much memory are you carrying? Guess it all comes down to how disipline one is for managing photo's on and off their memory cards.
Oh, just noticed. 8 SD card case. I guess more than I currently have.

Charger for your 430? I guess you went with rechargable AA's? I've had horrible luck with them in work cameras and since I don't pay for them just use disposables now.
I guess only time will tell how much flash photo I do will dictake my desire to buy disposables.

Let's see, what else can I ramble on about? Oh, middle age eyesight. I've noticed myself struggling to get the alignment right to mount the adaptor. If I go to individual adaptor/lense combo's, this could get annoying. I was even thinking about getting some of my gunsight paint out and highlighting the alignment dots.

Anyone tried this? Or am I just needing more practice? Been quite a few years since I've had to change out lenses and I don't remember those being so hard.

[SilverShadow]

Nice feedback SilverShadow.

I'm starting to think I need to listen to others concerning premounting lenses on their own adaptor. Sure don't want to bulk up any more than I have to. Do you see this as needed to protect threads and just to darn much hassle?
For a amatuer/causal photographer, is this needed?

I am at this point wanting to pick up a 430EX to save a bit. Do you or have you used it mounted on your G9 much? Any problems?

Oh, as to shooting RAW, which I will endeavor to do, I currently have a 2 g and 4 g card. Already tapped out the 2 gig once with just Jpegs and a couple movie clips over Christmas between downloading and deleting.

Oh, just noticed. 8 SD card case.

Charger for your 430? I guess you went with rechargable AA's?


Thanks!

Using separate LensMate adapters is just a holdover from my dSLR days and their lens interchangability. It is faster and you won't ever crossthread. I forgot to mention that both Raynox lenses have screw mounts for 82mm filters and that I keep a Hoya HMC UV(0) on them as well. The Raynox HD-7000 comes with 58mm mounting threads but the Raynox DCR-2020 has 62mm mounting threads requiring the use of a 58-62mm stepup adapter. I got the one from Kenko because it's the only one available that isn't plastic. With the 2020 mounted the G9 takes on the appearance of a postage stamp. At full optical zoom (~462mm) a tripod is mandatory and the results are stunning.

When I use the 430EX it's always on a flash bracket using a hotshoe cord. As far as using rechargables in it, Duracell has a new 2650mAh NiMH AA that lasts as long as any alkaline AA.

As far as SD cards, I'm hooked on the SanDisk 4 and 8GB SDHC Extreme III. These are Class 6 cards and I wouldn't use anything else. Your average 4GB SD card might take 15 seconds to low-level format in the G9 - the 8GB SDHC Extreme III low-level formats in 2-3 seconds! I carry 4 of each flavor (4x4GB and 4x8GB). Running out of room is not an issue. I believe that the more pics you can take (without being obnoxious) the better your chances are of getting the shot(s) that you would have otherwise missed.

[millsde]

I've got to quit asking questions. But thanks for the informative feed back. Again. Level 6 huh?? Well, until my wife pulls our her gun, I'll keep reading and asking questions.
I have an Extreme III 2Gb and a Transcend 4Gb 150x SDC.? Something from Lensmate. I haven't even opened that one yet.
AS to flash brackets, well, maybe after I take a Digi Photo class at the local college, I'll gain some insight.
Thanks for the tip on the Duracells. I'm sure I will end up trying them.
I was aware of the front thread mounts on the Raynox lenses.
I need to get my accessories done and done for a bit or I'm going to end up with a Walmart bag for a gear bag like I saw touted on another Thread.
Man, as cold as it is tonight in Pensacola, you guys should be having a bit of frost up in B'ham!