G6 Newbie needs recommendations

Hey everyone!

I'm new to the forum and purchased my first digital camera: Canon Powershot G6!! I spent a lot of time researching which one to buy so I feel confident I made a good choice.

I need some help with recommendations for accessories. Unfortunately, that info is not easy to find. I'm not a big aficionado (yet) but I really want to get into photography as (another) hobby.

From what I've gathered so far, I need to buy some lenses to protect my camera, for which I will need an adapter. Also, some polarizers and UV filters. Eventually, an external flash may be necessary but I will forego for the near future. Oh, someone suggested I pick up a book on photography as well.

Any recommendations?

Thanks a bunch!

Just a thought but you might want to hold off a bit before buying lots of accessories. Snap, snap, snap with the G6 in its different modes and configurations for a while, then see what you will really use. I have a G3, bought a 2X teleconverter, polarizer, etc. but probably should have waited a while. I seldom use the 2X, but it is nice when I want it, and I think I've had the polarizer on once.

Were I you, I would definitely purchase an adapter (personally I prefer lensmate http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/g6.html ), a UV filter for the adapter to protect your lens and 1 or 2 CF cards. If you are going to shoot RAW you might prefer the 1GB CF cards. I understand they hold about 140 RAW shots. The flash will definitely be a bonus if you take indoor shots of people and/or pets. Everyone I see recommends at least the 420EX if not the 580EX however, you can get by with the on board flash until you see what is best for you.

I suppose I'm merely saying you might want to play with the camera as is for a while before you buy some things you really won't use that much. Either way, enjoy your camera and shoot, shoot and shoot some more. Oh, another handy thing is a spare battery or 2. SterlingTek gets a lot of good feed-back (me included).
http://www.sterlingtek​.com/candigcamac.html

Happy hunting,
Gil

Gil (Paladin),

Thanks for the input. Before and after I posted the original message, I was looking at the lensmate site (adapter & UV). I believe 58mm is the way to go.

I already bought a 2GB CF card & spare battery.

I will start playing a little during the week and a LOT this weekend. The weather should be great so I'll get a chance to try some outdoor shots.

I've also had time to poke around the forum some more. It would be a great idea to make a "best recommended" list for the different G-series versions.

-Anton

Anton,

You might quiz some other people about the adapter size. I use the 52mm. Don't remember why I chose the 52mm but know 52mm filters are less expensive than 58mm filters. But, I'm sure other users can guide you better on this than me. Also, when it comes time to consider converters, you may want to take into consideration some converters don't have front threads which means you can't attach a filter. Canon converters don't have threads.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, a "best recommended" list would depend on your particular camera usage!

Gil

Great advice from Paladin about holding off a bit to 1st see what type of photography you will endup doing the most.

I've had my G5 for a year and some, and purchased a telephoto (52mm Lensmate here )once but returned it as its size was protruding so much with the view finder that it was nearly impossible to shoot in burst mode at the race track...I just couldn't see the cars coming. And since the screen goes black in burst mode, it was just useless for what I wanted to do.

I'm considering a 420EX since I do a lot of flash phography inside, plus I intend on staying with the Canon family in the future, and it would still work great with a D Rebel.

I do have a Circular polarizer that I use a lot, and a UV filter that I don't use a lot.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your G6 and welcome to these great forums

I'm using a G6 with the Canon 58mm adapter and a UV filter on all the time for protection. If you use the adapter with the on board flash, you need to pop off the adapter for flash pics or it will cause a shadow as it blocks some of the flash. I use a 420EX and that works great. John

I agree with the notion of playing with the camera first. The G6 will take awesome shots outdoors without much effort. Inside is where the learning curve is (common to most cameras - not just the G6). Get a good tripod and if you go on walking trips where a tripod is clumsy, a monopod. In low light, you have to keep the camera still.

Experiment with JPEG and Raw. Download Rawshooter Essentials to convert RAW shots. It's free and easy.
http://www.pixmantec.c​om …awshooter_essen​tials.html

Use the bracketing feature and study the
results. Download an EXIF reader and study the settings on both good and bad shots.

And take LOTS of pictures. The bad pix are as valuable as the good, because you can learn from them.

Good Luck. You've got a great camera (I say that because I've got one).

Thanks for the heads up! I decided to go with the 52mm adapter. Lenses/filters are cheaper and most of the lenses w/ front threads I've found have a thread mount size of 52mm (no step ring needed, less money to spend).

Tonight, I plan on getting some shots of kids in Tae Kwon Do class. The school has huge windows so it's an opportunity for indoor shots in natural light & indoor light (adult class). If the weekend is as beautiful as today, I'll try some outdoor shots if my adapter & filter come in by then. I ordered a lensmate 52mm and a UV (multi-coat) filter. That's all I'll need for a few weeks until I get a good feel for the camera.

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I'll post up some pics when I get some (decent ones anyway ).

- Anton

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Enjoying life one picture at a time...
G6