G6 - first impressions

Here are the settings i use

Mode: Manual
Focal lenght: 7.2mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Focus distance set manually to 5 feet

I set the focal distance manually. Setting iy to 5 feet with an aperture of f/5.6 will give you a depth of field ranging from 2.5 to 724 feet. This covers most of my needs.

Note you must be fully zoomed out ie 7.2mm focal length for the depth of field above. Note if you zoom in your depth of field will reduce.

As I mentioned in my first post, having all sounds off didn't quite work out, especially taking pictures outside, so I had to give in and turn on the AF and the shutter sounds... oh well, life is full of compromises

However, last night was spent testing how different image size/compression settings effect the print outs using 5x7 print size.

• Setting image size to SMALL is totaly useless for anything other then e-mail and web; even with the minimal compression.
  
• By examining images at the close range (w/o magnufying glass) I could not see any quality differences between the largest image size (L) with minimal compression setting (SUPER-FINE) and M3 (next size up from SMALL) with maximum compression setting (NORMAL) print outs.
  

I always shoot at Large/fine, i found (and others too like Phil in dpreview.com) that theres not much diffrence between fine and superfine settings, but it saves me a lot of CF space, this way i have the full image resolution, but i get around 600 images on one GB card.

The only reason why i don´t use RAW at the moment is that on my old slow computer, converting and processing a RAW picture takes about 5 minutes ...

Kusie

My digitals are all set at the highest resolution and lowest compression they will support. It's much easier to remove image quality later for specific uses than it is to put it back when it wasn't there in the first place. And using the general recommendation for printing of 240 ppi, the 1600 x 1200 of M3 would yield a 5 x 6.67" print, so you're operating at the edge in M3. Excessive compression will be most noticeable when you shoot a large area with a gentle colour gradient; you'll get banding from higher levels of compression. But memory cards are cheap. Don't skimp on resolution and you'll be much happier with your camera's results.

OBTW, you can assign a sound just to the shutter release, and with Zoom Browser, under the "My Camera" submenu you can even download a custom sound for it.

My main concern is not to run out of "film" while in Israel where we are going in a couple of weeks. I got two 512 MB SD ULTRA II cards for the trip. I know they can fill up quick, so my only hope is that I can find a Camera store that can burn my CF to CD's

- Awesome. very usefull; good to know. Thanks!

- Good point, thanks again!

- Did it. I went with one of the defaults; it remotly resembles the shutter sound of the SLR. I call it "nastalgia"

What is your preferences for the image size/compression settings when you planning to print sizes larger than 5x7?[/QUOTE]

RAW, RAW, RAW, and a little bit more RAW......

999 times out of 1000, a smaller size / compression will be perfectly acceptable. The problem arises when you (by cunning and craftsmanship or by luck) take the most beautiful picture anyone has ever seen. After all, that is our goal, isn't it? Then you will be totally sick because all you can ever do is print it at 5 X 7 or whatever. Let me ask in the most gentle way possible - If you are not going to take full advantage of the G6, why didn't you just buy an A75? Then you could put THOUSANDS of little bitty pictures on your cards. Sorry if that sounds rude, but that's my opinion for whatever it's worth.

Just crank it up and take the biggest pix possible.

Well said!

Hi everyone,

A place to scream. This is the only camera, G6, that I swear at. I purchased is for the smaller size and the fact it had raw. Also uses the same battery as my 20D.

How many ways can I hate a camera? It takes great pictures but try to get to anything on a menu is a pain in the ----,

I am a woman and I can't find where to hold it. The strap is always in the way. The control wheel in the back for type of exposure is easy to accidentally turn and I am somewhere I don't want to be. The finger adjustments are not intuitive. The viewfinder tells you nothing and is no slr. I turned the sounds on because I could never tell when I am taking a picture. It took me a long time just to figure out where center focus is so I could set it up and not take a focus behind the object. This camera has a tinney feel. The knobs are?

I am sorry I am **** so much, I am sure you people out there are much more talented then I and not as frustrated. I have owned a D30, 10D and now the 20D. Your probably wondering why I purchased this camera. I figured I could leave it in my purse and capture that unexpected shot.

I got to this point because my car was broken into and all my camera gear was stolen while in transit to Florida. I had an old Nikon 950, easy to use, but not very large files. I now have a new 20D with all the things I had before, the 10D and the D30 are gone. The home owners insurance is State Farm and I have a policy that replaces as what it would be now. So, new updated stuff. Great company, for the unprofessional only.

I purchased the 220 speedlite, just the best size for this camera. I have a 420 and the 580. It's pretty funny to use a flash larger then the camera. The on board flash works pretty good so far. The 220 does also.
All is said and done, I have enough dog ears in the manual that the book will fall apart soon. I still want to make cheat cards.

I bless the person who said hold it at the waist. This might make it worth while. Supposedly the best perspective for taking people which is what I love to do.

Thanks for letting me rant and rave. I am sure it will grow on me, please hear me up there in camera heaven.

Bunnyz

I feel your pain!

I went from SLR to G6 muself. However, having reservations at the begining, I am beginning to like it (purchased it a week ago). No, it's NOT SLR, so we have to listen to the artificial shutter sound - this alone cracks me up! The good part is that its features are customizable and all other sounds CAN be turned off (except the AF, of course!)

Camera takes great outdoors and indoors shots; battery life is outstanding (took about 250 shots on the first churge; 75% included flash).

It takes a little time to get used to the controls, but it's not that difficult. I was able to spent saturday morning playing with it; I think I feel MUCH more comfortable now.

I wish it had a bit wider lens! 35mm does not cut it for me anymore. I am seriously considerring getting an adapter with .7X converter lens.

Anyway, keep posting!

I got nothing better to do than quote myself!

Anyway, it's been two weeks (give or take) using my new G6. Most of the time was spent expirimenting and learning the camera.

To sum it all up - what a great camera. It's conciderably smaller than SLR, but it's not a draw back either since I was looking for something smaller.

Even the "most-heard-of-complain" - the shutter lag - is not a big deal once you get used to it.

I will not coment on picture/print quality because it's been said enough and coments would be useless. It's simply great.

For academic purposes I took some in-door shots using 420EX, image size was set to M2 (3MP I believe) .

The 8x10 prints (Epson R300, Epson's Glossy Photo paper) are absolutely breathtaking! Making short videos is quite amusing, but there is nothing fancy.

It's own flesh is quite powerfull but I am glad I got the external unit.

Bottom line - very well worth it and it has a great set of features, excellent camera to take along without draging an entire bag. It's a keeper!

I've had my G6 for two weeks now and love it. I used film SLRs for years. For a very brief period of time I had a Nikon 995 digital and then a little Canon A80. The A80 simply was not powerful enough but I enjoyed it immensely. It's a great light camera to take places where you want close up people shots, though it takes great nature shots as well. 4.1 mega- pixels is just not enough, however.

I have found the G6 to be easy to learn. I've simply had to do things to find what works. Exposure with the digital has been different but I'm getting to know the camera now. The bigger LCD is a boon and I'm now just becoming comfortable with using the swivel LCD. I find the G6 shoots in low light quite well, unlike some of the comments I've read concerning this here. I prefer not to use flash. Available light is always the best option for me.

I had to buy a zoom teleconverter. The initial lens length just wasn't enough. The teleconverter vignettes at the lower lengths but once you know that you can work around it. The teleconverter is a relatively cheap but useful addition to your kit. It's Canon and good quality. Gives great results.

So I am still learning. Simply could not afford a DSLR but this is really enjoyable and gives great results, My photography is definitely getting better with digital. The capacity to see a shot right after you've done it really helps get the best composition too. A light but strong tripod is essential.

4 years ago I switched from my 4 Leicas to G1. A month ago to G6. I use it mostly in the mountains (rock climbing, sking), always with lens hood on.
I like:
- Its handling is much faster than G1
- The 4x lens together with L superfine gives astonishing possibilities in cropping details.
- 420EX is wonderful to use
-I like the programs, especially Tv which I put to 1/2000 due to my trembling hands while climbing
- battery life

I dislike (or did not find out how to handle)
- No easy way to set distance to infinity. Even with MF the properties tell me something like 20 meters, although the mountain is a kilometer away. Therefor not as sharp as with the Leica.
- G6 does not operate in cold weather. I must carry it on my breast
- LCD is absolutely useless in the mountains.