Qs for those with G3

As most on this forum know (especially those who've benn here longer than a year), I have a G1. I'm thinking of upgrading to a G3 (no DSLR for me yet). I have some questions for those with a G3 already:

1. Does the G3 focus faster, and more definitely, than the G1?

2. Is there any support for the G3-RAW format other than DoomBrowser? I currently use BreezeBrowser to convert.

3. Has anyone explored the 12 bit linear images and post-processing?

4. What is the image capture-store-next image time in RAW mode? For G1 this takes a month (slight exaggeration).

5. Any "hot" or "dead" pixel issues with G3? I have had many with G1.

Any and all answers much appreciated. Thanks,

philip

For those of you viewing this thread (65 views to date), here are some of the answers to my questions. I can provide answers since I bought a G3 yesterday.

gandini wrote:

As yet, jury's still out on "more definitely" but it seems to focus slightly faster than the G1. Never had a G2 to compare...

The file transfer utility does this, but it doesnt seem to work fully (for me). All the adjustments like contrast and sharpness, etc are unavailable, even though the help file says they should be available. If someone wants to debug this with me, email. It does have a linear TIFF option, but image appears almost black (?is this right?)

Bundled software will generate 16 bit linear TIFF file, but as yet I don't know what to do with it...

Seems a little faster, but still very long using RAW mode. You focus, trip the shutter, the LCD goes blank, the LCD shows the 2 second review image, then the LCD returns to show the scene in real time. Still takes about 4-5 seconds.

I was able to test the camera before purchase, and there does not appear to be any (fingers crossed)

Shouldn't "hot" or "dead" pixel issues be grounds for replacement? How obvious is it when there are such problems? Are there good ways to automatically test for such problems (Take a test shot and scan the image with some kind of software?)

[QUOTE]gandini wrote:
For those of you viewing this thread (65 views to date), here are some of the answers to my questions. I can provide answers since I bought a G3 yesterday.

gandini wrote:

[Snip]

Gandini, thanks for the "first take" review. I'd like your thoughts on red and blue channel noise in the G3 vs. the G1. The G1 gained some infamy because of splotchy magenta appearing in blue skies; hopefully the G3 doesn't have the same problem.

Hope you enjoy your new toy!

Of course these are warrantable problems, but back then (2 years ago), many of us got G1s with dead pixels and decided to live with them rather than "risk" some of the problems being reported with Canon's repair facility (cameras coming back in worse condition than when sent, being without a new camera for 5 to 6 weeks, etc).
Either people do the same with G2/3 or these problems are not as great as quality control on the CCDs improves (my guess).

cheers,

Some (more) answers to my questions, from me.

Canon's Doombrowser is clearly in need of some work, but it does convert RAW with all the controls available (access is just not intuitive!).
Linear 16 bit is available, but have not played with it yet.
Chris Breeze will produce a BB with G3 RAW conversion, but don't hold your breath, as he's waiting on Canon to release the SDK, and he can't get a firm date.
Lensmate is producing the G3 lensmate, maybe in 3 weeks we'll get a delivery date. The Canon adapter *SUCKS*. More on this later, must dash home, the sun sets on this Monday for me...

cheers,

Hot pixels - I made a black shot in RAW and could not find any bad pixels. After much searching I found one on the LCD though, but most of the time its not noticeable.

Viewfinder - why bother?

Slej:
I did a comparison test to address your concern about the blue skies. The results are on dpreview:

dpreview link

(make sure the link is connected to make it work!)

cheers

Thanks Gandini.

Based on your posts, we can see that the G3 does a great job with chroma noise but still suffers from noise in the luminosity channel.

I dnloaded both of your test shots into Photoshop. The G1 pic has obvious magenta splotches even at small size. As further evidence, at 100% magnfication or larger, there is much noise in the red channel (and some in the blue.) This is very typical of sky shots taken by the G1.

Colors in the G3 pic looked more natural, and there is very little noise in any of the color channels. So far so good.

HOWEVER, at 100%+ magnification, the sky does show significant noise. Where is it coming from? Converting to LAB mode and looking at the lightness channel shows that the noise is there. Luma, not chroma.

A good Photoshop noise-reduction plug-in should eliminate luma noise as well as chroma. I think Kevin Dobson's "Smart" plug-in, the basic version of which is now part of Breezebrowser, will tackle the problem, as will others.

Sad that this 3rd-generation "G" model still has some real problems, but the first-generation's chroma noise seems to have been eradicated.

Best of luck with your other G3 issues, Philip.

Regards,

MItch: Great post, thanks for the technical information. Do you have any links for these luminosity filters? Are they PS plugins, or actions, or the like? I'd like to try them out...

thanks again,
philip g

Philip,

If I were you I would first try despeckling the luminance channel. (LAB mode, channels, select lightness, filters > noise > despeckle.) You will need to sharpen the image afterwards, but that's easy enough. ( Ha! )

If you use Breezebrowser you can try the basic Smart Noise Reduction filter as part of the RAW conversion process. A stand-alone PS/PSP plug-in version, which also works on non-RAW files, is available at: http://knm.webhop.org/​SmarterNR I'm 99% sure it handles both luma and chroma noise, and there should be a free trial available.

Next alternative would be the "Yarc Plus" RAW converter with "ARF" (artifact reduction filter, I believe.) I haven't tried it; but it has been reviewed here: http://www.photography​-on-the.net …owthread.php?t=​4790#21155 Given the "clumpiness" of your noise it is possible that it is jpeg artifacting, in which case ARF could be a good fix.

If you want to spend many $$$s then there is a program called Quantum Mechanics Pro, which tackles luma and chroma noise.

An inexpensive but highly regarded action is Fred Miranda's high-ISO noise reducer, at http://www.fredmiranda​.com/CanonG1_G2_pro90/
I do not know how effective it is at luma noise.

For my G1 pix, if the SNR filter in Breezebrowser doesn't do the trick, then I will apply the despeckle filter in the luma channel and I may also use a very good freeware color-grain action that I found here:
http://www.dpreview.co​m …orum=1019&messa​ge=1256932

I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I've had time to explore.

Cheers,

Thanks so much Mitch! Just to keep you, and others who are following this thread up to date, the only converter currently available for G3 RAW files is Canon's own (read: Crap) Chris Breeze is waiting on Canon's release of the SDK as I presume are others. Until then, there is no way to employ filters at the conversion stage, so post processing in PS or PSP is the only option.

cheers,

philip g

I did not know that! Forget everything I wrote before! I thought all Canon RAW files were equal; apparently some are more equal than others.

I think I will pass on the G3. By the time the extended warranty on my G1 expires I should be able to find a used digital SLR for cheap. No prime "L" lenses at a similarly low price, but we beggars can't be too choosy...

Cheers,