G9... Why did I wait so long?

I just received my new, gently used, pimped out G9 yesterday. Came with all the goodies; Franiec grip, thumb rest and black ring - along with a LowePro Apex 60 AW. I'm in the process of getting some extra batteries (got two 1700mAh batteries enroute) and cards (picking up two Transcend 8GB Class 6 SDHC). All I need now is a super barebones case for *just* the camera (looking at a couple, possibly Canon PSC-85).

Of course I had to go out at lunch and give 'er a spin. The camera, plain and simple - is a lot of FUN to shoot. Handling is good, especially with the Franiec accessories. What I wasn't prepared for was just how good the images are for "just a P&S." I shot RAW, mostly "P" mode, with and without macro mode as needed - converted in ACR and PP'ed in Photoshop CS3 (in a hurry) and came up with the following... Click for larger/info:

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,0

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,1

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,2

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,3

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,4

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,5

IMAGE LINK: http://litpixel.com …n=37&ee_lang=en​g&u=1848,6

Forgot to mention, I haven't used a P&S since I picked up an original APS-C ELPH back in the late 90's... The quality sucked but the form factor was awesome. This was during a "lull" in my photography; I got back into 35mm again which eventually lead to digital with the D30 and the 1D2N. Now I've come full circle back to a digital P&S! LOL.

:p

Grats on the G9

It is an awesome camera - I love mine

Peace
Mark

I couldn't agree more with your findings DN - big emphasis on the fun factor and very usable IQ.

I love mine too, but I havent figured out how to get correct color calibration with mine yet. I have a G5 and the colors come out right with it, so I figure its some adjustments I havent found yet. Mine was slightly used when I got it also, so maybe the prior owner set color controls in it I havent discovered yet. Im very slow about reading the manual.

Congrats on your aquisition!

I also recommend the franiec cable release adaptor. I have very unsteady hands it really helps in low light or closeup photography.

Thanks, gang!

Had another little romp at lunch today. Shooting macro, normal and even a movie.

Here's a NICE touch... Everyone's ooohing-and-aaahing over the iPhone when it does this, but the G9 has it as well - when you're in playback mode, the images will rotate on the screen depending on if you're holding the camera vertically or horizontally using the built-in orientation sensor! Schweeeet.

My brother has one, and loves it. He sold off his 40D and lenses, and now, just has this, for those times when he's on vacation, etc. He said the 30D and 40D were just sitting there, doing nothing...

I did get a chance to hold the G9, and it looked interesting. Though, no go on the move to a P&S, as the wife has an A610 that works just fine.

^ Yeah, I'm not looking to replace my normal gear - just add to it. Can't get into baseball games or concerts with the usual kit and sometimes, honestly, I don't feel like schlepping it either.

I wanted something small yet something that a photographer could really enjoy/use - and the G9 certainly delivers. It obviously won't compare to a DSLR (though many do) but gets the job done, portably. I looked at a LOT of models out there, not just Canon, and kept coming back to the G9. The Leica/Panasonic LX series are nice and so is the Sigma DP-1, but the G9 won overall, IMO.

I'd love a Leica M8 but it's not much more portable than a DSLR and forget the price. The ol' Epson RD-1 is also very nice at half the price - but again, not very portable. So here we are...

Yeah, I hear that. Portability is key, and as such, it's a nice cam. from that aspect. Pictures aren't bad at all...especially with the RAW option. I might have to go the A610 hack, to allow her to shoot RAW as well. Nothing too complicated.

^ True, while the G9 is portable, it's not exactly a pocket camera. I would still love to have something smaller... But I guess we can't have everything, LOL. You've heard of that CHKDK firmware hack I take it?

Yeapo. My other brother (not the one with the G9) successfully implemented on his A620, and claims it works well. No hiccups.

^ Nice! I'm glad that project exists, along with the 300D hack. Limiting features via software like Canon does (and Nikon doesn't) is just stupid. I wonder when/if a G9 version will ever show up...

Sure it can't be too far along...though, what features, if any, do you find 'missing?'

have u tried anything on the hot shoe yet?

inthedeck wrote in post #5969919
Sure it can't be too far along...though, what features, if any, do you find 'missing?'

That's just it; I don't!

Here's the relevant discussion re:CHKDK and G9...

Rogan wrote in post #5969931
have u tried anything on the hot shoe yet?

Not yet, though I plan to play with the 580EX and ST-E2 soon - as well as my radio trigger for the studio strobes. More out of curiosity than anything as I don't plan to use the G9 in the studio. The 580EX I can see using, though... When you need a flash, you need a flash - and the extra power plus bounce capability of the 580EX over the built-in is a good thing. More often than not though it'll just be me and the G9 - nothing else.