How good are manual controls on G6

[4nR]

Hi, i was considering buying a canon g6, but i dont know how the manual controls are. although i do like auto sometimes, i'd like alot more control over shots, though i dont know if i can handle a dslr (never used one before). how is the manual mode on it?

[mikecr]

Hello just to let you know the manual controls are almost SLR type.If you get a G6 what it will let you do is experiment and there is no harm other than space on a memory card.You really won't be dissapointed I just had a 16x20 done from my G6 controls all done manually and shot in raw of a frozen waterfall.The picture is beautifull and I am not a pro I just like taking pictures.It is a very good camera to learn on for me my G3 taught me more than I ever learned with my film SLR.Buy one and read alot.This forum and there is alot of great magazines and books for information.Happy Shooting

[4nR]

would i be able to manually focus on a g6?

[Raj]

Yes, thats correct. You will be able to. I would suggest you to read the comprehensive review on G6 at www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/). If you need more info prior to buying than you can just download G6's manual from internet & have a look at all available features
(I say this because there may be limitations - for example you will be able to focus manually, but there will be min/max distance you can focus in various modes, such questions usually dont strike )
:-)

In nutshell, G6 is a "SLR like" camera & though with some limitations, it will allow you to use a host of manual functions. Any camera in canon G series is fantastic if you want to learn manul controls or just do casual snapshots. You will never go wrong with them. It will be excellent tool to start with & a good step to build expertise for handling DSLR's.

:-)

[vkalia]

would i be able to manually focus on a g6?

Yes, you would, but why would you want to? Trying to judge focus from the LCD screen is pretty much impossible. Trying to focus based on guesstimating distance is too imprecise. This is a camera designed to be used in AF mode. IF you want precision, select your AF sensor manually and/or do the "lock focus and recompose" dance.

Vandit

[Raj]

vkalia, I found manual focus on my G3 especially handy for macro's ....

[xdjoynerx]

mf blows on g series... you press a little button and try to judge by the image on the screen if your focused right.

if your coming from a p&s, get a g series, use it till it no longer does what you need it to, and then move up to a slr. making a big jump is asking for disaster.

[S45_fornow...]

Hi, i was considering buying a canon g6, but i dont know how the manual controls are. although i do like auto sometimes, i'd like alot more control over shots, though i dont know if i can handle a dslr (never used one before). how is the manual mode on it?


You can download the G6 user's manual from www.powershot.com (http://www.powershot.com/).

That will give you a thorough overview of the G6's functions and button layout.

[Alnath]

mf blows on g series....

Depends on how you use it. because the G6 had manual focus i am able to set it to infinity (or in the G6's case anything past 10 foot) and therefore bypass the AF and greatly speed the camera up. using this method i was able to get shots like this http://alnath.fotopic.net/p12010641.html

[S45_fornow...]

Depends on how you use it. because the G6 had manual focus i am able to set it to infinity (or in the G6's case anything past 10 foot) and therefore bypass the AF and greatly speed the camera up. using this method i was able to get shots like this http://alnath.fotopic.net/p12010641.html

I agree. If you plan on using hyperfocal technique, then MF can be very useful.

[4nR]

thanks. im going to try to stay away from slr's for the time being until i get more experience. its just that until then i want to have a camera that can be flexible enough to prepare me for an slr. does the viewfinder adjust with zoom at all? (i use the lcd more often though).

[S45_fornow...]

thanks. im going to try to stay away from slr's for the time being until i get more experience. its just that until then i want to have a camera that can be flexible enough to prepare me for an slr. does the viewfinder adjust with zoom at all? (i use the lcd more often though).

Yes, the viewfinder adjusts with zoom, but the viewfinder only gives you like 85% coverage of the image's framing with bad parallax the closer your subject is. The LCD however gives you 100% coverage.

I only use the viewfinder in low-light occasionally or if I feel I need the extra stability to prevent a blurred shot.

[Raj]

thanks. im going to try to stay away from slr's for the time being until i get more experience. its just that until then i want to have a camera that can be flexible enough to prepare me for an slr. does the viewfinder adjust with zoom at all? (i use the lcd more often though).

Good decision & the way to go :-)

[vkalia]

thanks. im going to try to stay away from slr's for the time being until i get more experience. its just that until then i want to have a camera that can be flexible enough to prepare me for an slr. does the viewfinder adjust with zoom at all? (i use the lcd more often though).

The decision is, of course, yours. But I have to admit I dont understand the rationale behind it.

As with the G6, you can also use an SLR in the auto mode and slowly add in more and more manual controls as and when you feel comfortable. The concept is the same in both cases. So I am not sure what you gain by going this route - in both cases, you have auto modes available to you and in both cases, you have manual over-rides available to you. In both cases, you can choose when you want to be in auto mode and when you want to be in manual mode.

If you want to migrate to an SLR eventually, you are better of buying an SLR to start with.

To me, the G6 is an "SLR substitute" for times when I am willing to sacrifice the flexibility of my SLR in order to get something lighter and easier to lug around.

Vandit
vkalia at photosafariindia dot com
www.photosafariindia.com

[Raj]

A DSLR provides much more fucntions than a prosumer I guess, is usually bulkier & requires specific accessories for particular scenerio, for example with G6 you can so macro to infinity with built in lens, however with DSLR you need to change lenses.

What my point is that in the learning phase, DSLR may be a overkill & my actually dampen the spirit to learn or carry a camera around.

This is the usual impression, however ppl may have different beleifs :-)

[vkalia]

Raj, I definitely agree with you that there are very good reasons to get a G6 *instead* of a DSLR/SLR - the very same reasons that you describe.

However, I think that if your ultimate goal is move to a SLR and use it, then you probably want to start there. Things like shooting macro, etc. all come later - ideally, a 50mm prime or a standard zoom (28-70 or 28-105) and an SLR are all that you need.

But as you say, there are different views on the subject, and ultimately, all that matters is whether your camera lets you take the photo that you want.

Cheers,
Vandit