Pentax/Leica/Mamiya owner goes...Canon

I'm new to Canon and this forum, but not to photography.

A little history.

I've been a avid photographer for about 43 years. I started when I was very young and working for a publishing company as an editorial assistant.

The publisher, in the late 60's, told me that I would also have to be prepared to take photographs...fit for publishing in their series of business magazines, etc.

He gave me a choice of buying ( yes I had to buy my own 35 mm equipment) either Nikon or Pentax SLR, as the company primarily used these brands of equipment.

The company also used Hassleblad, Mamiya, Rollei and Linhof medium format.

I've been with Pentax SLR's and lenses, ever since...as they've been reliable, quality is excellent, pictures are great. I have 3 film bodies and 2 DSLR's (K10D, KM/2000) and an array of lenses.

I've also got a Mamiya medium duty (film) camera with three Mamiya-Sekor lenses and an old Leica Rangefinder (film) camera....among quite bit of cameras and lenses accumulated over the years.

I always like to have a camera with me in my daily routine.

I'm retired now, so besides the usual every day errands that we all have in daily life, I also spend a lot of time down forest trails in some of the Riverine, Boreal and Canadian Shield forests not too far away.

I always carry a DSLR on these walks (with, normally a 55-300mm)...now I'll also have the G12....that macro feature will come in handy in these areas.

In the film days, I used to carry an Olympus Clam shell 35mm or my '52 Leica 11f Rangefinder with collapsible 50mm Leica Elmar lens, as daily carry around cameras. A DSLR is too bulky to carry...even though my small Pentax was, when introduced...the smallest DSLR.

So, a week ago I decided to buy a Canon G12. So far really like it, like the fact that it has external controls...just like a DSLR and the picture quality for a small camera seems really good so far.

I've bought a Kata DHP 485 bag...small, fits the G12 like it was made for it and I carry it on my belt. I'm a fan of Kata....bags are well designed, well built...I also have a large three in one Kata..carry my K10D, sometimes my KM and lenses in it.

Only one beef with Canon and not a huge one.

I do wish the G12 came with a printed, full manual. I go on the computer for the full manual, but with all my other cameras I carry around the owner's manual for the first few months, for reference.

It's not a simple P+S...there's lot's of features,stuff to learn....I like ready access...Canon please print out a compact sized manual.

No I don't want to print out 200 odd pages of 8.5 X 11 sheets and staple them.

Any hints about the use of the G12 would be much appreciated.

Also...no filter...but I see that Canon sells a 58 mm filter and I think attachment to fit the filter....what do you think ? Should I get one ? On my DSLR lenses I always have B+W filters to protect the glass.

Don't know how a filter fits on a small camera like this ? If someone could explain, would be much appreciated.

Although I've bought small Canon digitals for our kids...this is my first Canon .

I like it very much so far.

Canon IMO, has hit one out of the park with the G series.

Les

Les I just bought a G12. I'd suggest as a start print out on a small sheet the 'Components' pages - 42 & 43 of manual.
Maybe look through those pages and read up on what takes your fancy just now.
I found that a good way to get started.
I was disappointed at lack of manual and at least those 2 pages should have been part of the get started sheets that were given.
I'm still getting used to the G12. Its a different experience coming from my S3IS which became almost an extension of my hand.

avondale87 wrote in post #11643334
Les I just bought a G12. I'd suggest as a start print out on a small sheet the 'Components' pages - 42 & 43 of manual.Will do.
Maybe look through those pages and read up on what takes your fancy just now.
I found that a good way to get started.I've been going through the manual, while going through the camera menu...it's much like a DSLR...so that makes it easier for me
I was disappointed at lack of manual and at least those 2 pages should have been part of the get started sheets that were given.Yes the 'mini manual.'
I'm still getting used to the G12. Its a different experience coming from my S3IS which became almost an extension of my hand.

I'm a fairly big guy and I find my hands seem to be pressing buttons, inadvertently, when I'm handling the camera. My K10D with battery grip really fills my mitt...but it's built like a tank, weighs as much as a tank and isn't portable like the little G12....which of course is the reason I got the G12...quality with portability.

The button issue is a much publicised issue and I too am a big bloke, big hands etc.
I'm still working on how best to grip it but read some of the posts here.
I agree with some of posts that suggest holding at thigh height and using the tiltable screen. Coming from a viewfinder preferred way I find that a compromise one can live with.
Despite the accolades about the screen I find it not the best in our bright Aussie sun.

If you are interested in filters on the G12, then you will need an adapter. Here's the most popular third party source;

http://www.lensmateonl​ine.com/store/ (click on the link to the G12)

Most folks don't want to add size and bulk when carrying the G series around, so they generally don't add the tube(s) and filters for an always-carry mode.

Another source for the filter adapter is the new Canon model;

http://www.adorama.com​/ICAFADC58B.html

Dennis

Start doing searches here under the G series forum on the topics you raised and you'll find that most have been already covered in great detail.