Got the G5

Jason, Thank you for your quick reply!
I'm sure you will keep us abreast of your findings.
Good shooting

Mixed news

Hi folks,

just back from a long day. I have good and bad news for you.


The good
=======

1] Overall, image quality is excellent and I am pleased with it.

2] One exposure at 10 seconds has remarkably low noise.

3] The focus bug seems less prominent here. I couldn't get it to focus wrong in two series of 3-4 shots. However, macro mode still has a few hiccups.


The bad
======

1] Noise levels are slightly higher than the G3, but not terribly. Evident in a 2 second ISO400 shot.

2] The G5 has the same purple reproduction problem. The LCD displyed it as blue even as I was framing the picture.

3] I tested the 420EX with the G5. If I understand the issue correctly, its focus assist beam should fire and not the G5's. Sadly, only the G5's beam worked.

Now to sign up with shutterfly.com and upload the pics. Thanks Bobthib for the tip.

- Jason

P.S.: I am on measly dialup so I'll upload the lo-res versions first.

Pictures uploaded

I tried Shutterfly.com but they don't let you view images at full resolution. What a shame. So I'm uploading them to my ISP's web space [to be deleted soon due to space issues.]

All images resized to ~1024x768 with EXIF data intact.

Here are the links with brief notes:

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​sign1_sm.jpg

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​sign2_sm.jpg

Testing the autofocus issue. Seems fine here, but still errs in macro mode.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …o/tmp/deep_purp​le1_sm.jpg

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …o/tmp/deep_purp​le2_sm.jpg

Sadly, the G5 sees purple as blue too First shot with flash, the other fluorescent tungsten [WB adjusted for.]

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …nderino/tmp/ISO​400_sm.jpg

Measuring noise at 400 ISO, shutter opened for 2 seconds.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …nderino/tmp/10s​ecs_sm.jpg

Same objective but for Lai Lai. ISO50, ten seconds, handheld while on a shiny round rail so please forgive the blurriness.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …derino/tmp/bura​nda_sm.jpg

Part of Brisbane's overhyped, homogenised Busway, this is Buranda station. Every new building in Brisbane has the same theme. Annoying!

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​dots_sm.jpg

Finding beauty in patterns and not quite succeeding.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​tilt1_sm.jpg

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​tilt2_sm.jpg

Queensland Rail's pride and joy, the Tilt Train in both wide angle and tele perspectives.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …erino/tmp/fount​ain_sm.jpg

Your standard fuzzy fountain shot. Handheld for four seconds whilst leaning on a pole. ND filter cme in handy.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au/alexanderino/tmp/​zoing_sm.jpg

Found near the fountain, didn't note its details. Near Roma Street Parklands.

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …derino/tmp/rose​tta_sm.jpg

Corporate building at night. Taken lying down on the steps. Why didn't the G3/G5 come with a wider lens, I wonder...?

==

http://home.iprimus.co​m.au …erino/tmp/cityh​all_sm.jpg

Brisbane's City Hall at dusk. Handheld [as always] for a second or so. The original does not contain the artifacts where the tower and the sky meet.

Hope you found this useful/fun/entertaing

- Jason

About AF assist on 420EX
As fas as i understand 420 uses IR assist lamp which wouldn't help even if it worked.

strat666, would be interesting to know does G5 display focus distance in MF/AF modes? i mean something more precise than that vague distance bar in MF mode on G3.

And how's Control Dial now? got more response when rotated quick?

Thank you for taking your time to take those shots and show us all what we would or wouldn't be missing with the upgrade. Some of your shots are truelly excellent. I also must comment on your rock solid hands! I know if I were to ever hand-hold a long exposure shot, we wouldn't see anything of detail! The one shot at Iso 400 in my opinion wasn't very good. The noise level is terrible! However the Iso 50 was a lot better. Quite similar to the G3. Have you changed the sharpness settings within the camera? Once again, thank you for your time....enjoy!

Shannon

Thanks Jason!

This is VERY informative So nice of you to take the time to do these tests!

I must admit I am both dissapointed and relieved by the purples test. Dissapointed that it's not fixed, and relieved that now I don't have to upgrade to a G5

You haven't told us the most important thing of all though - how does it feel to be walking around with a brand new slick black bodied G5 ? 8)

I'd imagine he wish there were clear camera bags with silver chrome just to show it off when he's not using it

jason,
once again thank you for your speedy response. nice shots! hand held long exposure is a real challenge, and you did nicely.
Enjoy the G5

Thanks

A big thanks to everyone for their kind words. It's truly been my pleasure to bring you this info [Believe me ]

@Leftover: The G5 has the same MF bar display as the G3, IIRC. One white bar with figures in metres/cms and infinity at the top, in two steps.

The control dial seems to have lost some of its death-grip. More fluid action than before. Perhaps it needs a bit of time to loosen up

@LaiLai: Yes, the ISO 400 was a shocker. About the sharpness/contrast/bri​ghtness camera settings: they are all untouched. Neither are these pics.

@taltalita: I could tell you, but then it might get a bit too graphic It's very very good I feel like I'm dating a supermodel cos I get all these envious stares...


About the steady hands: it comes from necessity. When I was a kid and got into photography, I was intrigued by these night shots with yellow and red neons hovering over the roads. Then I discovered the magic of time exposures but couldn't afford a tripod. So I had to improvise, think out of the box.

I give myself 10-30 seconds to calm down my arms/body before a long shot and stop breathing while the shutter's open. I press the shutter release gently and hold it down until it's over - never take off your finger until it's finished.

- Jason

All I can say Jason.....You rock man!

Thanks Again,
Shannon

Damn ! i felt the G5 for the first time and I have to say, the texture for the coating is seriously nice..