As I've the same hardware and probably similar questions as jimsolt, I might contribute some considerations. One year ago, I worked hard about Hyperfocal Distance and Depth of Field (DOF), and I wrote an epical paper
about it.
I feel that infinity is not the issue, but DOF. By focussing on infinity (the hard stop of the lens), we would definitely waste most of the DOF out in space.
To calculate DOF we need aperture, focal length and focal distance. But with the G's, only the aperture is ready at hand. The distance indicator is very questionable. If AF and distance fixing with MF fails - how many hands do you have? -, we depend entirely on distance estimation and the makeshift indicator. If so, I never set it to infinity, but a little or more short of it.
The distance we can guess, but we have no means to know the focal length. Therefore only the standard rules of thumb remain, such as: 1/3 of DOF lies from the focal distance towards us and 2/3 beyond it, and: more DOF with the shorter lens and the smaller aperture. For eg. street photography and the like, there are guidelines for best DOF with wide angle. And that's it.
It is generally agreed on that these cameras have a big DOF - whatever that is -, although I can't see the physical reasons, since the overall end magnification remains the same for everybody.
The focus issue does not trouble me - apart from the AF occasionally picking a blade of grass I didn't see. But mostly I go manual and painstakingly take all measures to avoid camera shake. Sharpening is a crucial issue: in-camera custom sharpening set at minus (jpeg, not raw) and considerate sharpening in editing lead to superior sharpness and counteract possible focal shortcomings. More about all that at the above link.
In spite of several disadvantages - the major one is ergonomics -, I'm really very happy with the G6 acquired by the end of 2004. And the G3 files I often work on are ever again highly surprising too. I think the G6 is an very felicitous compromise to stay with for a very long time.
Sorry to be that long – HTH.
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flowe
