Some G6 Samples and Comments (Large Post)

[sdommin]

(Sorry about the large post, I have dialup, too!)

I took my new G6 out for a walk in some marshland near my house, to take some pictures and get a feel for the camera. I wanted to try the various modes and see how well the camera does at reducing CA (Canon says they have reduced it by using new lens coatings).

First - file sizes. I always shoot my JPGs at maximum resolution. Each shot in that mode will run about 4 - 5mb (depending on the amount of detail in your composition). RAW files are 10 - 11mb, and when converted to TIF by Zoombrowser, they'll run at about 21mb. When you use the Super Macro mode, the camera defaults to "M2" resolution (you can set it even lower if you want). Those files are about 1.5 - 2mb each.

Focusing compared to the G3: it seems better and faster. That's all I can say. There are plenty of review sites on the web that measure these things exactly, so we'll wait for them. There seems to be less "hunting" for focus, and it seems to lock on quicker. Evidently, Canon has been working on this and it seems they did OK.



Some samples (all in JPG, AWB, auto focus, AV mode):

Super Macro mode. A good example of why I like the swivel LCD. You would have to lay down on the damp, dirty ground to get this with a DSLR.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_mushroom.jpg

Another Super Macro shot. The leaves are already starting to change here in southern NH!
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_leaves.jpg

140mm telephoto shot, looking into the sun. Sure, the LCD doesn't work at it's best in those conditions, but you can work around it. This shot gave me a scare because there was some flying particles in the air (seeds?) that looked like stuck pixels when I was reviewing the shot here on my monitor.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_grass.jpg

A 100% blowup of the detail (no sharpening). Not bad for 10 - 12 feet away, handheld, telephoto.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_grass100pc.jpg

Testing for CA. Here's a marsh scene.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_marsh.jpg

When you go looking for trouble, you will always find it. This is a 400% blowup of some detail of the log in the lower center. It's there all right, but not too bad. Hard to notice unless you're looking for it.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_marsh400pc.jpg

Here's curious example of CA. This is a 400% blowup from a different picture. Notice the 2 colors of CA, one on each side of a stick.
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_stick400pc.jpg

I like the detail and sharpness of the camera. I'm keeping it! :)
http://home.att.net/~sdommin/G6_trees.jpg

[Superbaldguy]

Nice work! Just getting ready to order my own G6. It seems this new digicam is a big hit..........

[MegaTrixel]

Yes, the swivel lcd is a must. Why don't the digital slr's have them? They're great for on the ground macros and other awkward positions. And they help prevent the lcd from dirt and scratches.

I'm still using the G3. Were you tempted to get a digital slr? I'd like an slr in order to use some of my canon lenses.

[dbump]

What's the scoop on the super macro mode in the G6? From the specs, it doesn't appear to allow you to focus closer (range of 5 - 20cm, instead of 5 - 50cm in normal macro). What is the practical benefit? I'm keen on this feature, but have been able to find very little info on it.


Yes, the swivel lcd is a must. Why don't the digital slr's have them? They're great for on the ground macros and other awkward positions.

I agree completely! I asked the same question in this thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40929&highlight=


Andy answered:
They just work differently. The shutter covers the CCD all the time and only opens when the picture is exposed.

I wonder if this is a paradigm issue? Part of the image in a DSLR is already diverted to auto-focus sensors without the shutter being opened, why not also divert to a mini sensor that feeds a swivel LCD? However, it doesn't seem like SLR/DSLR owners are interested in that option, from the few interactions I've had/read. I know some of them have a G series and love it, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't feel cheated losing that flexibility on their DSLR. Maybe I'm missing something?

[FlyingPete]

On the macro thing, have you tried the extra super (mega giga etc) macro that the G3/5 support, the one where you zoom right in, flick the camera to manual focus and twist the end of the lens?

I ahve focused on my daughters fingerprints she often leave on the end of the lens doing this!

On the flip screen thing, completely sold on it, great for crowd shots too, lets you get over everyones head, much like a periscope. On the SLR thing though, many years ago with my Olympus OM1 you could get a angle finder that cliped on the back of the view finder, great for sitting the camera on the ground and shooting. I woulder if anything exisits for modern SLR's? Perhaps you could fit a small camera to the view finder, and hook it up to a screen???

[Superbaldguy]

It seems that digicams have a few legs up on their DSLR counterparts. I clearly remember one had to purchase special finders for pro 35mm SLR's if you wanted to be able to work at waist-level or even simply look at the groundglass and focus (gulp!) manually.......

[sdommin]

Yes, the swivel lcd is a must. Why don't the digital slr's have them? They're great for on the ground macros and other awkward positions. And they help prevent the lcd from dirt and scratches.

It would be technically possible to have a DSLR with a swivel LCD for reviewing images, but without the "live preview", it wouldn't be worth the extra cost. It's also technically possible to have a live preview on a DSLR (maybe using a second CCD), but there doesn't seem to be much interest in that. Too bad. The live preview is one of the best features on a compact digicam like the G3, G5, G6, etc.

I'm still using the G3. Were you tempted to get a digital slr? I'd like an slr in order to use some of my canon lenses.

I have a Canon 10D and some nice lenses, but I keep coming back to the smaller digicams because of their portability and ease of use.

[sdommin]

On the macro thing, have you tried the extra super (mega giga etc) macro that the G3/5 support, the one where you zoom right in, flick the camera to manual focus and twist the end of the lens?

I've never tried that, Pete, but I hear you can get some really good results. I'm too chicken to twist my lens like that! :oops:

[Andy_T]

Very nice pictures :D

If colour rendition is as good, then it looks like you've found your lens for this year's New Hampshire Autumn shoot :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[MegaTrixel]

Ok, I had to do a google search to figure out what CA is. I finally found it: chromatic aberration.

So are you referring to the slight purple color around some of the highlights in your examples? Do you only notice CA under super magnification?

I wonder, would lens flare also be considered a case of CA?

Ooops, too many questions.

[Superbaldguy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but CA and purple fringing are different problems.......Both can be overcome, somewhat, but using a smaller aperture.

[sdommin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but CA and purple fringing are different problems.......Both can be overcome, somewhat, but using a smaller aperture.

You're absolutely right, they are different problems, but these days it has become common to lump them together as one.

Chromatic aberration has to do with the lens not focusing all the colors at the exact same place. It used to be much more common in the days before fancy lens coatings.

Fringing is a new problem with digital cameras. It has to do with too much light hitting the CCD receptors, and "spiiling" over into the adjacent receptors.

You can reduce the effects by using an aperture of f4 or higher.

[Superbaldguy]

So, even apochromatic glass can't totally fix this purple fringing issue? I'll
be very careful when shooting against the light when I get my G6.......

[sdommin]

So, even apochromatic glass can't totally fix this purple fringing issue? I'll
be very careful when shooting against the light when I get my G6.......

That's right - apochromatic glass will reduce or eliminate CA, but you can still have a problem with fringing (with any digicam). Fringing has to do with the CCD itself, not the lens.

[crazylilgimp]

Nice shots. How much editing did you have to do on the photos? The colors look great! I'm really impressed with how clear and crisp they came out.

-rydel

[4walls]

It would be technically possible to have a DSLR with a swivel LCD for reviewing images, but without the "live preview", it wouldn't be worth the extra cost. It's also technically possible to have a live preview on a DSLR (maybe using a second CCD), but there doesn't seem to be much interest in that. Too bad. The live preview is one of the best features on a compact digicam like the G3, G5, G6, etc.

The new Fuji S3Pro has a live preview... albeit of limited use, read the following from DPReview (http://www.dpreview.com/articles/fujifilms3pro/page8.asp):

Record: Live Image mode

No other digital SLR has ever been able to provide a live view on the LCD monitor, until now. The S3 Pro has a unique (if slightly pointless) feature. You can switch to a 'Live Image' mode which provides a video-like B&W live view feed direct from the sensor to the LCD monitor (just like a consumer digital camera). In this mode you can also magnify the center portion of the frame. The important limitations however are: (a) its for display only, you can not trigger the shutter release in this mode, (b) the viewfinder is blacked out because the mirror must swing up and shutter open, (c) the display is in black and white, (d) the display can only be provided for a maximum of 30 seconds. All in all this mode seems to be more of a technology stunt than a useful feature.

[elmimmo]

Have you tried the bundled Canon software. Can you please read this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41546) and tell me if you know the application depicted in the screenshots attached? (you can see them if you scroll down)

[Alnath]

What's the scoop on the super macro mode in the G6?

It is a load of rubbish, it is basicaly a digital crop.

[Alnath]

So, even apochromatic glass can't totally fix this purple fringing issue? I'll
be very careful when shooting against the light when I get my G6.......

I have taken around 2000 with my G6 and have yet to find a situation where PF is a problem, i am not saying it doesnt the G6 wont do it but i am saying it is very hard to get it to do it.