Keepin' my G3 (over a 300D)

Tempted by a $100-off coupon, I checked out the 300D (Digital Rebel) last night (Body + 18-55 lens kit $900.) Nice camera, with a solid plastic feel. The soft grip is comfortable and the camera sits well in the hand. Light with the EF-S lens on it.
But, I didn't buy it...
Because, it's just too big! I spent too many years lugging SLRs around on photo trips, and too many years missing great photos because my camera was at home in its bag. My G3 sucks in nearly every dimension compared to the 300D, except for what I tell my photo students is my "First Rule of Photography" : you can't make a photo if you don't have a camera with you! And my G3 goes with me everywhere. Yes, I get lots of photos out of focus (especially of my fast moving daughters.) But in the end the solution is to just take more.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Thanks for listening.

It's funny Philip, I was having the same thoughts the past few days.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I have been considering upgrading to the 10D or the 300D early next year when I get my company bonus. I want the faster autofocus, faster shot-to-shot and the longer lens capability. I miss using my 35mm SLR, but I'm hooked on digital.

But I just got back from a business trip in Toronto and was able to spend a Sunday at the CN Tower and Niagara Falls. Being able to use the flip out screen to compose the shots was so useful! If I had to peer through a viewfinder I wouldn't have been able to make many of the shots. I agree about portability, yes, but for me it's also flexability.

If the 10D had a flip out LCD and you could get a live preview, then I could have the best of both worlds. Canon could do it, if they incorporated a smaller, low resolution CCD in the camera as a preview-only CCD. It could be incorporated into the viewfinder cap or the penta-prism. You could still see a real image projected onto the ground glass viewfinder, but you would also have a preview with the LCD.

Maybe in the 20D. I think I'll wait.

Philip,
It appears you aren't the only 300D buyer who feels this way:
http://forums.dpreview​.com …orum=1010&messa​ge=6181626

The advantages of a DSLR over a camera like the G3 are enormous and I don't think anyone would argue that. However, the fact remains that a lot of 300D buyers are looking for that fast AF capability to capture their kids or pets at home and would think twice about lugging the camera and accesories on a vacation.
In contrast, it seems the G3 appeals to a whole lot of photographers specifically because of its portability and ability to take great shots.
I talked to a guy last night who agreed with me that when he carries around a (D)SLR on vacation it makes him stick out as a tourist. Okay, so a G3 in a hip bag could be construed as giving off the same impression but certainly a little more discrete.
I agree with you about the fast focusing limitation. But like you said, this is at the same time an advantage ushered in by the digital revolution; you can shoot as many shots as you like and pick the best of the litter!

Regards,

Mike

Dave, and Mike: Your comments are spot-on. This *is* so much a personal decision, based on many factors that vary between people. A friend of mine just bought a 10D, after many years with Nikon 900-series and then Canon G-series cameras. He'd been a Canon SLR-film guy so had lots of lenses. He also used a high resolution film scanner. He loves the high-tech, and really the 10D suits him perfectly. He even put a 17-40 L lens on it, so it's a sweet outfit. He also has lots of time to go out on photo shoots, specifically to take photos. He's about the opposite of me. I carry my G3 in my backpack to and from work every day while commuting on my bike. I have it at work, and home, 24/7. It's my "handbag" when I go shopping, and of course a constant presence at parties or events. The focusing speed frustrates me no end, and last night I almost bought the 300D just for that! Whack, and all the little red dots lit up!! Whoohoo.
Now I have a dream: A G3 with nice CMOS sensor, the 7 point AF from the 300D. I won't even be greedy and ask for interchangable lenses...

cheers,

One idea is to get both. Have the G3 as your "carry around everywhere for fun" camera and keep your 300D/10D as your serious camera. This was the same setup I had when I was with film. I had an ElanIIe witha 28-105 and a 70-300 IS setup for all the times I knew I would be called upon to take great pictures and had a Stylus Epic f/2.8 gem that I carried around everywhere else. Compared to the Stylus Epic, the G3 is a real photographic tool, not just a point-and-shoot.

I figure with both cameras, I can give the G3 in auto mode to my wife and carry the 10D with me on trips and then just play it by ear as to what we can expect to shoot that day.

During the past four trips I've taken, I have a G3 with me and really did not miss a lot of the shots I would have gotten with a SLR. It's weird. Limiting myself to the G3 and working within those limitations, I have made some of my most interesting pictures....even of fast moving things...like bees.

Check out my G3 picture portfolio on photo.net:

http://www.photo.net …b/folder?folder​_id=329507


Regards,

Pradeep

This is a long story to get to a point, but if you have the time, stick with me.
I bought the G3 in March and loved it. It was my third digital camera, and it is the first one that actually let me do photography. But when the Digital Rebel was announced (for under $1000), I knew it was time to go SLR. And I decided to keep the G3 as well.
I am one of those 'film guys' who has the load of film bodies and lenses, but couldn't give them up. I felt that when DSLRs became reasonable it would be time to convert.
'Back in the day' I used to bring my camera to work with me each day, and I would go out at lunch time to see what I could find. I found lots, and got a lot of good images. And I would carry the camera almost wherever I went - weekends, car races, family gatherings. Even after I got married, I took it with me. Then my wife bought a Canon Sure Shot (I've owned a lot of Canons over the years), and she (or I) could get 95% of the family stuff with the Sure Shot. Well, once the first kid came along, the 20 pound camera bag was replaced by the 30 pounds of kid accessories, and photography fell by the wayside. A camcorder appeared, but I can't quite get excited about creating movies - document my life and family, okay, but not much more.
So, 15 years later - the G3 makes for a terrific rangefinder that I can carry in addition to everything else, it has the lens range and the capability to get the shot in difficult situations. Another bonus is that (to Canon's credit) I can get one set of extras (battery, flash, etc) that will work on both the G3 and the DSLR. And the G3 fills a (temporary) gap in my DSLR lens coverage - I bought the Digital Rebel with the 18-55 and then got the 75-300 IS. That leaves a gap that the
G3 can fit right into until I get the 28-135 IS.
Bottom line - if you can afford it, the G3 can serve as a valuable addition to your camera inventory that multiple SLRs can't provide.
By the way, I now have a Canon F1, A1, 35-105 (the good one), 100-300, 135 f2.5, 24 f2.8, etc., etc. for sale.
Have Fun,
CoolToolGuy

cooltoolguy,
Excellent post and excellent story. I think a lot of us are "stair-stepping" our way up to a DSLR and the G3 is an excellent transitionary (if not ultimately portable) tool.
For me the kicker is the certain knowledge that the DSLR field is beginning to get extremely competitive and competition breeds quality and price wars. Wait till the Sony F828 comes out and witness the wars between it and the 300D at dpreview.com. This next two to three years is going to be really interesting for digital photography.
I'll bide my time (saving my coins) and wait for the right time to get a DSLR. But in the meantime I have an excellent camera I can take with me just about anywhere.
You really demonstrated the utility of the G3 in your post. I wouldn't doubt it if many 300D purchasers will follow your strategy.

Regards,

G

It is tempting to get the Rebel 300D, but I'd have to keep my G3. I like the movie mode and flip out LCD.

I think the 300D has longer exposure capability, so that is great for astrophotography.

I am finding it hard to sell my film cameras-especially my F1, my first serious 35mm, first Canon. It's not that I can't, just can't bring myself to do so for now. My Rebel G, 35-135IS, and the F1 and lenses are barely getting used, yet I still haven't brought myself to part with the film cameras.

I have Microtek's 35mm 4000T 35mm film scanner, and honestly wonder if/when will I continue shooting/pick up the film cameras and start shooting again. Miss using film & scanning, but am saving money from the film & processing, digital is faster, easier on the environment as far as chemicals go.

It is like losing a generation...

Kerry

I find my G2 a little big to have it with me all the time. Still try to, if possible. However, if you plan to go to a party at night, the Digital Ixus/Elph might be the better carry-on.

I deliberately selected the G2 over the S45 (similar features in smaller packaging) for two features that the S45 does not offer:
- possibility to use external flash
- possibility to add conversion lenses

Now, with my external flash and Olympus WCON-08 fitted, the G2 is a lot bigger than the Digital Rebel .

So when I decide it's time to get the Digital Rebel (or 10D, as I haven't made up my mind yet), I won't care much for its size if I want to take 'serious' photos.

For taking it with me all the time, I'll just keep my G2.

Regards,
Andy

never interested to have both 10D or 300D

with a gorgeous flip twist LCD, u just have to add some SLR lens and filter... G3 will be a perfect camera kicking 10D n 300D`s ass

are those of you which use the G3 (and also have analog SLR setups or even DSLRs) happy with the G3 overall? any major gripes? ik lens selection is limited, etc., but for what it provides, has it proven satisfactory (i would think so based on much of what i have read here)? i think being able to use other canon accessories (such as 420ex) is great.

thanks.