Buying Canon G6 - anygood ?

[wryka]

I've got an older Fuji MX 2700. Pleased with the results but now with the advancement of technology it think it's time to upgrade.
I was looking for something a little more compact but I would still like to have a play etc. rather than point and click. This is due to seeing and reading some of the threads here.
Just been into Jessops and they recommended the Canon G6 as it can have extra lenses added if that is the way I want to go, but not having the expense or complications of a DSLR.( I am still a novice at this)
I was also looking to buy the Photo Shop Elements to edit pictures with, would this be a good buy or would anybody recommend anything else to suit my needs ie. not a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

Thanks for the help

Wryka

[simpo two]

I would go the PS route because it's the industry standard and most digital photographers talk that language. I haven't used Elements but hear it's good.

[wryka]

PS route ? Excuse my ignorance ?

PS how's the Griff
Are EAPH meeting between Xmas and New Year?

[trooperiziz]

Does the G6 not come with a copy of elements?

I was having a play with my dads G6 over the weekend and comparing it to my 300D. The G6 was very good and has pretty much all the functions of the DSLR, if a little more complex layout.
It seemed a very nice camera.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

I wouldn't bother with compact add on lenses. They're not usually very good. I tried using a Coolpix with the equivelant of 350mm of add on lense. Handheld was almost impossible so a mini tripod had to be used. Not so compact any more...

The G6 gets good press but it's not very small and in that uncomfortable price range nearing D-SLR's. I'd not go much over £300 for a compact.

Oh, and don't be scared of SLR's. I think they're easier to use than compacts in many ways. You can get great results buy just switching it to Auto and letting it get on with it.

[wryka]

Elements is not provided.
So I was just looking to see what else is out there for picture editing.

[simpo two]

wryka said:

PS route ? Excuse my ignorance ? PS how's the Griff Are EAPH meeting between Xmas and New Year?

Sorry, PS = PhotoShop!

Griff is fine (well, picked up a scratch on the Coltishall Run but that's life...)

Ian tried to organise a Christmas scoff but I understand there wasn't sufficient interest - however, do look at the EA forum for any latest ideas! There may be something early in the New Year. Anyway, see you somewhere, someday

[wryka]

Thanks Phil !

Nicely confused now, I thought I'd got away with choosing something and you guys would say - go for it great camera.

That Noble still a dirty then

Wryka

[simpo two]

I think Phil's right. If you're keen on photography and want to learn more, an SLR gives you infinite 'growing room'. You can keep to Auto and the kit lens for starters, but all the extra power is waiting for when you need it. Add on extra capabilities when you're ready. To my mind a high-spec compact, good though it doubtless is, is a developmental dead end.

[wryka]

The reason for a good compact is that I do a fair amount of hill and mountain walking. Weight and size of a DSLR might mean I have to leave half the essential walking kit behind like map and compass.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

wryka said:

That Noble still a dirty then

I've washed it! It's uncovered a rather nice collection of stone chips....ah well.

The biggest problem with compacts is focusing. If they've got an electronic view finder (like camcorders) it's even worse. With an SLR you can flick the lense to manual (or just twist the focus ring, it depends on the lense) and focus on what YOU want, not what the camera seems fixated on. You can still let it get on with the light metering etc.

The £300 limit, btw, is were I believe you don't get much improvement above in compacts.

[simpo two]

wryka said:

The reason for a good compact is that I do a fair amount of hill and mountain walking. Weight and size of a DSLR might mean I have to leave half the essential walking kit behind like map and compass.

Aha, now the rest of the brief emerges!
I put photos ahead of walking up mountains, but you do it the other way round

[ehasler]

I've got the G3 which is a previous incarnation of the G6.

It's a good camera, and smaller and lighter than my SLR. The G6 is even smaller I believe, although it's still not a shirt pocket sized camera.

It's also more functional than the cheaper P&S compacts, as you have full manual control over exposure settings, plus it also has a flash hot shoe. The twist out LCD is very handy as well, plus the lens is very good so the image quality will be better than the smaller P&S cameras.

You're always going to lose out to SLRs in terms of lens size and expandability, but if they are too big then the G6 is a good compromise. Saying that, if you're going to be doing landscape stuff then it may be an issue that the widest lens size is only 35mm which isn't that wide really.

[robertuk]

There is also the excellent Gimp
(www.gimp.org)

its a FREE DOWNLOAD !!

IT will open and save photoshop files (.PSD) and can do most of the things photoshop can.

useful for those on a budget but the learning curve can be a bit steep.

check out cooltext.com which is running it.

if you just want to adjust your photos then its great.

In th elong run if your career/job depends on it
I'd buy photoshop - it rocks and is the industry standard.

Good Luck

Ramesh

[whittaker52]

I too have a G3 (older and lower res version of the G6) and its a great camera. i chose it over the competition because of the flexability that it offers and its fantastic performance. the rotating screen really helps sometimes too. also the fact that you have fully manual modes helps greatly too, it means you get a lot of control over how the image comes out. also with the removable bayonet, it means you can fit a raynox (or other) wide angle or telephoto lens. i use a lens mate bayonet on my camera, which is machined aluminium, unlike the offical canon product which is plastic.

Id highly recommend any of the canon G series cameras! and have done to many people.