Canon G Series - Here's Some Love

[RayPA]

I've always been surprised by the lack of love for the Canon G series amongst RfFers, especially the G10 and G11. I understand the high ISO issues with the G10, but the ergos, the UI, and the build quality of these cameras is really very good. It's even got a OVF, OIS, and a host of other high-end features (face detection, etc).

I've had my G10 for almost two years now, and I can't put the thing down. I know it's on the bigger side of the dp&s scale, but when I need a small digital, a dp&s, a compact digital, it's the G10 that I always seem to reach for over my other dp&s cameras like the LX3. For me, the G10 is the only digital camera that comes the closest to that 'RF feel' (I've not used a RD-1, M8, or M9).

Now that Canon has released the G11 with its improved high ISO performance and added a flip out twisty LCD, I've been seriously considering picking one up.

It seems almost fashionable right now to ignore the G series. I've read the same articles that you have about the limitations of small sensors and how m4/3 is going to kill the high-end/enthusiasts dp&s market (heck I was one of the first here to get a G1), but this is RFF, land of RF shooters, film shooters, enthusiasts, photographers who proudly shoot 50+ yr old cameras, because they feel right. This is the place where 'ergos first' was/is a code/mantra. So it's really surprising to me that the G11 has garnered so little love (searches here yield virtually nothing).

Like most of you, for me a camera has to feel right and work right or to hell with it. That's why I prefer to shoot RF cameras and why I'm addicted to the G10/G11 form factor and UI. I can deal with the small sensor. If I need improved digital image quality of a m4/3 or a APS-C, I've got that. But for dp&s and digital RF feel, it's the G series for me.

If you're searching for G series threads, this is for you. If you love the feel of RF cameras and if ergos count in a big way for you, then you'll love these cameras.

😉





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[Doug]

Well, Ray, along with being way behind the times, I've been pretty pleased at the operation, features, and output of my old Canon PowerShot G3. Nice to have that f/2 lens at the wide end. And the articulated rear screen is handy. Since we moved last year I can't locate the charger unit, so the camera is unused until I do... 🙁

 

[MV72]

My G5 still gets a lot of use, and lives in a Lowepro bag along with a Canon P or Leica IIIa. Great cam, and so light and easy. Good IQ too. At least good enough for me.

 

[gavinlg]

I agree with you on the "ergos first" thing, but unfortunately I happen to feel my e-p1 with OVF is significantly better than the G11 in ergonomics, and also in image quality. That is totally my opinion though - I've seen great work done on the G's

 

[jsrockit]

Yeah, the G series' tiny sensor is a turn off to me these days. I used to love them, but they are long in the tooth now. Hopefully we will see a larger sensor version in the near future.

 

[nightfly]

Seems like their own s90 stole some of the thunder from the G series. If you're going to buy a small sensor camera, you might as well also have a smaller form factor too.

I'm pretty agnostic as I don't shoot digital but I look into it once in awhile and it seems like an S90 would be the better the call or one of the m4/3s.

 

[kuvvy]

Ray, I had the LX3 and then added the G11 and a GRDIII, I've since sold the LX3. I got the G11 to use mainly as an alternative to a DSLR, having sold my Oly E-420 and lenses. I've found the G-series a good option when travelling light and as you say they have an RF feel about them. My previous G camera was the G7 and this had even more of an RF feel about than the G11 as it was smaller and felt even better in the hand (no swivel screen though).
I've set the G11 custom settings for hyperfocal distance and find it quick to use. The limited viewfinder is a pity and the control wheel on the rear moves a little too easy for my liking. I've placed a small peice of mousemat in the hotshoe which then avoids the flash being activated accidentally and alerting the subject.
These minor niggles apart the G11 suits me fine so far and the image quality is very good. Although my main shooter is my RD1 and the GRD is my carry everywhere camera the G11 is versatile and will be going along with me on my forthcoming cruise.

[/IMG]

 

[nightfly]

Like the tonality of this one. Did you have to do a lot of post?

 

[kuvvy]

Like the tonality of this one. Did you have to do a lot of post?

Don't think I did much on this nightfly. This was in fact a shot taken on the street where i raised the G11 and the flash fired. The flash setting can sometimes be too easily adjusted and I was't expecting the flash to fire. The good thing is that I find the flash fills in very well.

 

[nightfly]

How do you like the files the G11 puts out compared to the GRD? I had a GRD (the first one) briefly and although I'm a big fan of grain in film and of the film GR1, I found that the GRD files were just too noisy and crappy looking and I sold it. Despite what people say, they didn't look like film grain, they looked like small sensor noise, this was in black and white. The color files were useless at all but the lowest ISO and even then. The G11, at least at the size of the shots you posted, have a much different look to me.

 

[newspaperguy]

The G5 has become my go-to camera for work.
5 megs is plenty for newspaper reproduction, and
the (lack of) weight makes it an ideal and non-threatening tote.

Mine sports a CV 35 finder, and is locked in the w/a position.
A Kenko adapter tube (for protection), filter and rubber lens hood complete the package.

 

[twopointeight]

G11 for magazine repro

G11 for magazine repro

Can the G11 files hold up to double page spreads assuming good exposure, light, and post skills? Any examples? I work for an in-flight mag for the past 25 years and am tired of lugging the the big system. Don't say M9.

 

[ebolton]

I have a G2 I like using and have got some good results with. I'm saving cash for a G11 to replace it, since I've handled the G11 and I like the size and controls much better than the G2. I hope to get there before the G14 is out...

 

[easyrider]

G2 bis great!

G2 bis great!

I used a black Canon G2 for years and had some great results with it. Gave it to the wife who shoots great stuff of the grandkids and I still occasionally borrow it. It's built like a tank. I have made great 8x10s with it but most of our pix go into albums in 4x6 size.

I think the G series is one of the most under-rated on boards like these.

My main camera is a Nikon D70s, also now considered obsolete. I am giving some thought to ditching it in favor of a G11 or an s90.

I find the G series cameras don't scare people when shooting candids or on the street. A DSLR gets too much attention.

My Rollei and two Barnacks and my Rollei 35 only see action at RFF meets 😀

And, once in a while I sneak a few shot on my 1975 Canon EF that works just fine and is indestructible.

 

[peterm1]

I agree. I recently bought a G11 as a walk around camera for those days when I am shooting digital but not able or willing to carry my heavy SLR for some reason. I am very pleasantly surprised with the quality of image it produces, especially for a small sensor camera. Two small niggles - the viewfinder parallax error at closer ranges and the sometimes quite long shutter lag which restricts its utility for street shooting. But otherwise fab!

Some samples, admittedly with a little help from Mr. Photoshop

 

[RayPA]

Nice shots guys!

I knew that there were some early G series fans. I think when Canon moved away from fast(er) lenses, which seemed to be one of the signature features of the series, they lost a lot of users. I like the OVF and the zoom range.

I went to a concert recently, and figuring that the venue would not allow "pro-style" cameras, the only camera I had was the one I always carry, the G10. When the show starts suddenly all these cameras come out. So I start shooting with my G10 (I was about 9-10 rows back). The OVF came in very handy as I could be more "personal" about what I shot and not bother the people around me with LCD light. I was shooting at 400 and 800 ISO, and while I'm not excited about the results (typical G10 high-ISO noise), I was very happy with the shooting experience.

I had a blast shooting with it and ended up taking about 80 shots that night. I had the camera the next night where I was about 12 rows back at a different venue, and the same thing happened (although, I only took about 30 shots):

Anyway, not high-end results, but you get the idea, a handy and versatile camera.


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[Doug]

I mainly use my G3 for documentary shots...

 

[semilog]

...the ergos, the UI, and the build quality of these cameras is really very good.

I was right there with you until "build quality." My G9 died suddenly and without warning at month 13 after purchase, of what I later learned was the exhaustively-documented E18 error disease.

After sending me an e-mail saying that they would repair the camera under warranty (I'd made it clear that the warranty had just expired), Canon then attempted to charge me $170 to repair the camera -- and offered to sell me a refurbed A520 instead.

And, lo and behold, Canon has - according to at least one source - the worst reliability of any vendor of premium point-and-shoots.

It was a nice camera while it worked, but that G9 is the last Canon product that I will purchase for a looooooooong time. When the time came to buy my wife a new P&S, it was a Panasonic.

 

[gavinlg]

I was right there with you until "build quality." My G9 died suddenly and without warning at month 13 after purchase, of what I later learned was the exhaustively-documented E18 error disease.

After sending me an e-mail saying that they would repair the camera under warranty (I'd made it clear that the warranty had just expired), Canon then attempted to charge me $170 to repair the camera -- and offered to sell me a refurbed A520 instead.

And, lo and behold, Canon has - according to at least one source - the worst reliability of any vendor of premium point-and-shoots.

It was a nice camera while it worked, but that G9 is the last Canon product that I will purchase for a looooooooong time. When the time came to buy my wife a new P&S, it was a Panasonic.

There's only .2 or .3 percent separating the 3 of the top 4 - I don't think thats really enough to condemn canon. My little canon point and shoot is still going about 4-5 years on, even after being dropped into a bucket of water.

 

[xwhatsit]

I saw a friend of my girlfriend's holding a G11 -- she just bought it as a cool-looking P&S, but I saw it and thought `rangefinder' as soon as I saw it. Lovely camera to hold. The only thing that stood out to me was the appalling squinty viewfinder, you'd have to stick an external finder on it (or use the LCD, but that doesn't feel right after getting used to shooting through the VF on my Yashicas). Neat camera!