Help new G3 user with software probs

Hi

As a reasonably experienced Cannon snapper, and after studying the forum for several weeks, I've just taken the plunge and bought a G3 which I'm thrilled with. Unfortunately, most of the first day playing with this lovely piece of kit was trying to sort out the software:
1 I couldn't get the software on the disk to install in Windows 2000 - message "1608 unable to create installdriver instance". The only thing that would install properly was powerstitch.
2 I managed to download the TWAIN driver from Canon , so at least I have got the camera talking to the PC
3 Although I got the message in 1 above when trying to install Zoombrowser , something has installed, it's just when I open it it says there is no camera to access.
4 A silly question, but should I be able to see the camera connected in Explorer without installing all the software.
5 Do I really need this Canon software ? The only thing that bothers me at present is I can't open a RAW image which I've taken as an experiment. Photoshop/Photosuite don't seem to want to know direct from the camera.

Sorry this is a bit long-winded, and this may not be the best forum but ANY help would be gratefully received here in not so sunny England (on a Public Holiday)

Many thanks

Dave - a 49 year old digital novice (with a family who wants results soon!)

Davebee,

I believe you just need the driver and photoshop or window's itself can upload the image files, there are also a plug-in (which cost money) to do RAW images in photshop or third party softwares.

Hope that helps

satnitefever wrote:
Davebee,

I believe you just need the driver and photoshop or window's itself can upload the image files, there are also a plug-in (which cost money) to do RAW images in photshop or third party softwares.

Hope that helps

Thanks for you prompt reply, but what do you mean exactly? The message I get is "Although RAW images exist in the camera, this software only displays JPEG images". Does this mean I have to get some working Canon or other software from somewhere else? Any suggestions that won't require an hour's download?

Regards

Dave

Hi Dave,

Being older and wiser (at least in this narrow context), I can help by telling you to forget Zoombrowser.

Go to http://www.breezesys.c​om and download the free Breeze Downloader version 1.5 (there's new new Pro model which costs a bit and is probably worth it, but let's get you up and running before you worry about upgrading). This program ONLY downloads files from your camera to the computer.

Then download the trial version of BreezeBrowser 2.6b which makes working with RAW files as much of a pleasure as it's ever going to be. I believe it will work forever on as many as 12 images in a folder. Once you know you like it, you can buy it -- and it's worth every penny. I've used it for two years and tested everything else that has appeared and it's still my number one choice.

That should be all you need, except an image enhancement program like one of the Photoshop variants, or Paint Shop Pro, or Corel Paint, or... etc., etc.

There's a "workflow" on my website at http://www.kleptograph​y.com/notes-workflow.htm

Good luck and let us know if you need more help.

Don

P.S. I'm a G1/G2 user but I've read that there is still a problem with G3 conversions in Linear Mode. Frankly, you don't want to use linear anyway -- but once Canon sorts it all out, they (Canon) and BreezeBrowser and everyone else will incorporate the fix. Which is fine, because you'll always have the original RAW "negative" that can be reconverted in the future using more advanced tools.

Don Ellis wrote:
Hi Dave,

Being older and wiser (at least in this narrow context), I can help by telling you to forget Zoombrowser.

Go to http://www.breezesys.c​om and download the free Breeze Downloader version 1.5 (there's new new Pro model which costs a bit and is probably worth it, but let's get you up and running before you worry about upgrading). This program ONLY downloads files from your camera to the computer.

Then download the trial version of BreezeBrowser 2.6b which makes working with RAW files as much of a pleasure as it's ever going to be. I believe it will work forever on as many as 12 images in a folder. Once you know you like it, you can buy it -- and it's worth every penny. I've used it for two years and tested everything else that has appeared and it's still my number one choice.

That should be all you need, except an image enhancement program like one of the Photoshop variants, or Paint Shop Pro, or Corel Paint, or... etc., etc.

There's a "workflow" on my website at http://www.kleptograph​y.com/notes-workflow.htm

Good luck and let us know if you need more help.

Don

P.S. I'm a G1/G2 user but I've read that there is still a problem with G3 conversions in Linear Mode. Frankly, you don't want to use linear anyway -- but once Canon sorts it all out, they (Canon) and BreezeBrowser and everyone else will incorporate the fix. Which is fine, because you'll always have the original RAW "negative" that can be reconverted in the future using more advanced tools.

Don

Thanks a lot for the hints and the link to your site which has some very relevant items for me - I'll certainly look at it carefully. I have already downloaded BreezeBrowser 2.6b as a trial, but I still can't access the camera from this or ZoomBrowser (which I don't think is fully installed). I can only get at the cameras images via Photoshop and Photosuite. I guess I'll try re-installing the TWAIN driver.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply. I already feel part of the "family".

Regards

Dave

Dave,

BreezeBrowser doesn't access the camera -- it works on images that have already been transferred to your hard disk by Breeze Downloader (or some other method; a lot of people use card readers. I don't because I don't like the idea of constantly removing and reinserting my Microdrive or CF card).

If you use Downloader, here are some installation tips... http://www.kleptograph​y.com/notes-breeze-downloader.htm

Cheers,

Don

Don

Thanks once again. I followed all your instructions, but:

1 Downloader won't start on its own. I thought it should do this at the very least as I've put the command line for the exe file as per you instructions. A mystery!
2 I can get downloader to detect the camera manually, but at the next step, the message is "unable to connect to camera" even though it is- the device is working.
3 I'm beginning to think there is a problem with Windows 2000 and the USB port, although everything seems to be working.

Dave

I'm new to this whole digital thing myself Dave. My home PC is 5 years old with Win95 so I installed the software that came with the camera on my IBM Thinkpad from work. It is running Win2000 NT Pro and I didn't experience any of what you're going through. Hope you get it all sorted out.

John

Hi Dave,

I'm afraid I've imparted all my knowledge... you might try the BreezeBrowser forum at http://groups.yahoo.co​m/group/breezebrowser/

Good luck.

Don

Dave,

I use Breezebrowser thanks to advice from Don Ellis also-I have the latest version. I had done a restore on my PC, then after re-installed WinME because of problems using programs, so had to re-download, re-install BB & DL. I wound up buying Downloader Pro, figuring it would be a matter of time before the purchase version would come out. The 1.5 version did not work for me after the system restore/reinstall.

When the camera is installed properly, Downloader should recognize it with no problems.

I would try uninstalling/re-installing the camera driver from CD again or going to Canon's site & download the driver. Zoombrowser's folder window is just too narrow to be usable for me-very aggravating, I can't seem to widen it. I do not bother with Canon Fileviewer utility, but have looked at it.

Hope you are up and running soon.

Kerry

Dave,
I have experienced the exact same problems as you.
However I have used the latest win2000 repair kit (SR3) from the microsoft website and now the whole canon disk installs. But!! the TWAIN does not access the camera and I am now completely out of ideas!

Andy

Don Ellis wrote:
Hi Dave,

I'm afraid I've imparted all my knowledge... you might try the BreezeBrowser forum at http://groups.yahoo.co​m/group/breezebrowser/

Good luck.

Don

Don

Much obliged. I'll try the forum. I've just been trying to sort it with an IT specialist and he is mystified ! I think I may have 2 problems: use of a root hub USB port ('shared' with a printer, although I'm told that this shouldn't be a problem) - this is why my camera doesn't show up in Explorer as a separate drive; Win 2000 software - I'm still trying to get SR 2 downloaded (I've been warned off SR 3).

I also found something in the Software forum 'Can't install software and download image with G3' (sorry, not clever enough to insert a link here). This points to the InstallShield causing the problem (sounds complicated to me). Unfortunately, I can't carry out all the steps to fix the problem as my Win 2000 seems to be configured differently.

Watch this space (I even managed to take some pics this evening in sunny Manchester - it sure beats messing with this PC)

Cheers

Dave

Kerry

Thanks for the info and moral support! I have installed the driver from Canon 'cause I couldn't get the CD to install it. I'll take your (and Don's) advice and stick with BreezeBrowser when I get the camera connection sorted out (see my last reply to Don). I've got version 1.5 installed OK (I think) but I note your comments. I just need it to talk to the camera!

Many thanks

Dave

Andy

I'm the same. See my latest reply to Don for the latest in this sorry saga. The TWAIN is the only bit that works for me - but I had to download it from Canon as the CD wouldn't install properly. Between the two of us we'd have a fully functional system - talk about 'plug and pray' !!

Let me know how you get on and v v.

Thanks

Dave

I'm now fully operational!! Thanks to everyone who provided support (particularly Don).

I don't know exactly how I've done it, but perhaps installing SP 2 and then Downloader Pro did it - I don't think Downloader 1.5 supports the G3. I've got ZoomBrowser to work, but I'll take everyone's advice and buy BreezeBrowser I think.

I'll post a pic on the forum as celebration when I can figure out the easiest way to do it (any suggestions)

(A mightily relieved) Dave