Lenses for the G11

[CreativeUsername]

Hi! I am new here, obviously.

In a couple of weeks I will be purchasing a Canon G11. I currently have a cheap GE A735, so I am very excited to finally be getting a nice camera. I wanted to get a DSLR, however, my budget is not big enough, and I am pretty sure I will be happy with the G11, especially since there is the option to put lenses on it.

My question is, what do I need to know regarding lenses for this camera? I know nothing about lenses, so I am hesitant to purchase any before getting schooled in this. :confused:

I would definitely like a lens for macro shots, and perhaps a polarizing filter?

What kind of lenses are available, and how do I know that they are compatible with the G11? Do I need a separate adapter before I can even put any lenses/filters on it?


Please share all that you know!

[GSeries1]

Hi! I am new here, obviously.

In a couple of weeks I will be purchasing a Canon G11. I currently have a cheap GE A735, so I am very excited to finally be getting a nice camera. I wanted to get a DSLR, however, my budget is not big enough, and I am pretty sure I will be happy with the G11, especially since there is the option to put lenses on it.

My question is, what do I need to know regarding lenses for this camera? I know nothing about lenses, so I am hesitant to purchase any before getting schooled in this. :confused:

I would definitely like a lens for macro shots, and perhaps a polarizing filter?

What kind of lenses are available, and how do I know that they are compatible with the G11? Do I need a separate adapter before I can even put any lenses/filters on it?


Please share all that you know!

The G11 will do Macro right out of the box... There are ways to get even closer Macro shots but you'll have to decide on that. In order to use a polarizer you will need a lens adapter. try http://www.lensmateonline.com/ ; theirs is made of aluminum and you will be able to screw on filters with it attached.

[tmwag]

No really good options on a G11 or any G series. It is what it is. You can buy adaptors and such but you'll be degrading image quality...

[GSeries1]

No really good options on a G11 or any G series. It is what it is. You can buy adaptors and such but you'll be degrading image quality...

Agree,,, you're better off putting a nice flash on it... and maybe a lensmate with a polarizer for contrasty shots, which can really help a lot... but as far as wide angle or telephoto options I just don't think it's worth it personally.

[monk3y]

how much is a G11? why not buy a DSLR 1000D / EOS REBEL XS - i think they are priced almost the same...

[CreativeUsername]

how much is a G11? why not buy a DSLR 1000D / EOS REBEL XS - i think they are priced almost the same...

Because it costs quite a bit more to get decent lenses for a dslr...or at least I feel like I wouldn't be satisfied with just a kit lens. I am under the impression that for dslrs you need separate lenses for zooming and macro and action shots, etc. I just don't have that big of a budget for that.

[tmwag]

Creative, the G11 is a great camera..I have one and love it. Like GSeries1 said a good flash would be a great addition...hint

[BobsYourUncle]

The G series is one of the best P&S cameras on the market. However, it remains a P&S and is priced accordingly.

When I bought my G9 I had similar thoughts about lenses and the fancy stuff but I had to come to grips with the fact that it is - a P&S, albiet a nice one.

You can hang the fanciest glass off the front of it but you will still be subject to the limitations of the internal workings of a small sensor and all the rest of what makes up a simple P&S camera. They can software all kinds of neat things into it but it remains a P&S.

Think of it as buying a car. If you want a nice fancy Porche, you go to the Porche dealer. If you go to the VW dealer, you can buy one and doll it it up with all the bells and whistles, but under all that chrome and doo-dads lies a VW. Same principle applies to a DSLR vs a P&S. We are comparing apples to oranges.

Bottom line is you get what you pay for.

I am very happy with my G9 and was also happy with my G2. Prior to that I had a 35mm SLR with a ton of accessories. Thousands of dollars worth of things. I had to accept the fact that if I wanted a small, all encomassing camera I would have to accept its limitations. I got really tired of lugging around a suitcase full of gear for my old SLR.

[tware]

For my G10 (which would be identical to the G11 in this regard), I got this
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Adapter-Two-part-Powershot-Digital/dp/B001MRZM80/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263501334&sr=8-1
Regardless of the pic, like the comments mention, you will get 2 parts like the lensmate. And the price was great. Arrived quickly. Pretty happy with it. Yes, with both parts on, it will vignette at the widest settings. thats why it separates. When shooting wide with only one adapter, you would have to be very careful not to contact your filter.

I have a Canon 500D closeup lens for my XSI w/55-250 lens, and this fits just fine. The closeup lens is *thick* but does not contact at full zoom... was worried about that.

However, a 500D doesnt really do much until youre at 100mm or more. The G10/G11 will give the same results or better in the macro setting instead of zoom+closeup filter. Of course that means nearly no working distance whatsoever, the 500D will give you that. At the cost of going into manual focus and moving the camera. A bit tricky but thats how I shoot all macro anyway. the 500D is a great piece of glass. But, it doesnt make the G double awesome at macro shots. It just changes your distance. If I can get some time, I'll try to shoot you some compro shots with the 500D on the G.