The quickest way to hate the G1 X

[toomanycanons]

I can picture where the G1X would be the one camera to walk out the door with...but that wasn't today. I shot a St. Patrick's Day parade downtown and had to be ready for anything. Nikon D5000, wide angle (my Sigma 10-20), telephoto (my 55-200 VR) or in-between (my 18-105 VR). Turns out I used the 18-105 VR mostly but I had the other two "just in case" and did use them a lot.

Actually, the G1X would have gotten 40% of the shots and I'm sure well.

But...and this is a big but...actually shooting with a G1X is the only way I'll ever know if it fits into my shooting workflow. As it is, any $$ I would spend on one could just as easily go for another lens for my DSLRs. Priorities.

And for all the posters who lament the weight of their kit and how they have to downsize for health reasons? I don't have that problem. Lucky me, right?

Why am I telling you this on a Canon forum? Check my username, that was me for the longest time.

 

[c.hammett]

I eliminated the conflict buy selling my 60D and lenses last week. My bad back has been straining my use of the DSLR.

I'm down to the G1X, SX40, and S95 ...

Whatever "others" here may say with some assurance, because THEY have not been crippled by a bad back (like wilerty) , or joint replacement in both wrists, (like me), sometimes we just can't handle the big gear. And going to the gym isn't always the answer.

So grow up friends.....insensitivity can bite you back! "....as you are, we once were. As we are, you soon may be !" * (paraphrased from a tomb in S.M Novella in Florence).

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[mcshan]

Thank you Howard for "getting it". To me it is about having a camera with you that will cover a wide range of shooting situations. A big sensor point and shoot. Fantastic. Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens. The snarkey get in shape posts are silly because it is about convenience. It is liberating.

 

[Chris Lofty]

I quite agree Carolyn, I'm a reasonably fit over 65 who cycles and hikes every day but after years of lugging round my DSLR and attachments I too suffer with back problems.

We are not all built the same way and all have different requirements, I purchased the G1X so that I can hopefully continue to take decent (Microstock) shots whilst continuing my hobbies.

--
Chrislofotos
http://www.chrislofotos.com

 

[toomanycanons]

I used to build houses. I go to the gym every day and lift weights. The only time I haven't lifted is when I've been injured: badly broken right wrist that took me 1 1/2 years to come back from. Three shoulder injuries that took one year apiece but thank god no surgery. I come from a physical background and do my utmost to stay in shape. So far handling a DSLR has been akin to handling a point and shoot, no difference.

Like I say, lucky me I guess. I realize there are those out there (on these forums) that have it "worse". I just say keep on keeping on.

 

[c.hammett]

I used to build houses. I go to the gym every day and lift weights. The only time I haven't lifted is when I've been injured: badly broken right wrist that took me 1 1/2 years to come back from. Three shoulder injuries that took one year apiece but thank god no surgery. I come from a physical background and do my utmost to stay in shape. So far handling a DSLR has been akin to handling a point and shoot, no difference.

Like I say, lucky me I guess. I realize there are those out there (on these forums) that have it "worse". I just say keep on keeping on.

You are exactly right that we are "lucky" that we are still able to do most of the things we want to do. Every time I whine about how long it is taking from my wrist surgery to heal, I have to think of all the service men and women who are coming home from Iraq or Afghanistan with no hands. That puts things in perspective.

Not only age, but sometimes accidents or overuse of our joints can take a toll at any age. I see very young people with overuse injuries every time I go to Physical Therapy. Until someone has experienced one of these "challenges", it is rather insensitive to be critical of those of us who are doing our best and are grateful for smaller gear, even if it means making some compromises ! Besides... it's fun to have a new learning experience !

Cheers !

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[Polyglot92]

Oh, I know what you were getting at. I don't think you realized that I intentionally paid for that redundancy. My point was I LIKE having options that were previously not possible. I have my 7D that I can put many lenses on and use in almost any situation in which I don't mind carrying it around, and then I have my G1 X that is also good in low light, produces great image quality, and is small enough to carry just about anywhere. I almost bought the S100 for convenience but I knew there would be so many situations that I wouldn't care how convenient it was, the image quality would discourage me. Suffice it to say my 7D has spoiled me in this regard. The real irony is that I was still perfectly willing to use my D10 in casual situations that would have otherwise been covered by the S100. Since already had a camera that was for use in outdoors situations (rain, shine, sailing, or whatever) I didn't see the need to spend a lot of money on a compact that STILL wouldn't do what I wanted it to do.

The G1 X isn't cheap, but it will do exactly what I want a smaller camera to do. It just so happens I want my point and shoot to do a lot of the things my DSLR does.

Thanks for clarifying. Are you referring to the G1 X as a "point and shoot"?
--

D5000 - Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR - Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G - Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm VR - Canon PowerShot S95 - Canon PowerShot S3

 

[wilerty306414]

You show lots of class ... I'm 65 and don't think I need to discuss my back problems other than to say that to me ... a 60d with an 15-85 or the 70-300 was not fun to carry around for any period of time.

You found carrying a 60D and a short zoom too much weight? Bad back or not, man, you got to get to the gym.

I eliminated the conflict buy selling my 60D and lenses last week. My bad back has been straining my use of the DSLR.

I'm down to the G1X, SX40, and S95 ...

 

[mcslsk]

There's no need to explain why lighter gear makes sense - regardless of age. My first laptop was as heavy as my PC, yet I have been lugging it around because there was nothing smaller and lighter. My first mobile phone had the size of a brick, it was the smallest at the time. The only gear that was able to take images at the quality I desire was a DSLR - now there is an alternative for many situations in the from of the G1X. It is not about muscles and joints, it is about brain

 

[paratom]

If I am not sure if I need the "big camera" or the small might work then I usually bring the bigger one.

Sometimes I even bring both. (Even though my cameras are not Canon I think its the same "problem")

But there are some occasions when it is just clear that a smaller camera does a better job.

And it is so great that we have g1x, m4/3, Nex/x1/dp1 cameras today which are small but dont mean a compromise in IQ.

 

[c.hammett]

There's no need to explain why lighter gear makes sense - regardless of age. My first laptop was as heavy as my PC, yet I have been lugging it around because there was nothing smaller and lighter. My first mobile phone had the size of a brick, it was the smallest at the time. The only gear that was able to take images at the quality I desire was a DSLR - now there is an alternative for many situations in the from of the G1X. It is not about muscles and joints, it is about brain

You are right about "brain". Good thinking !

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[justmeMN]

Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens.

According to Canon's web site, the lens of the G1X is "(35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)".

You can get the same coverage, or more, with one DSLR lens.

According to Canon, their 17-85mm DSLR lens is "equivalent to a 28-135mm lens".

And numerous longer standard zooms are available.

 

[toomanycanons]

Exactly. "Lugging around a bag of gear" and "having to change lenses" are often quoted as a negatives. "Lugging around" to me describes maybe moving a sack of concrete from your truck to where you're working, not a two pound camera kit. "Having to change lenses" to me is more like "having the opportunity to change lenses as needed".

Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens.

According to Canon's web site, the lens of the G1X is "(35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)".

You can get the same coverage, or more, with one DSLR lens.

According to Canon, their 17-85mm DSLR lens is "equivalent to a 28-135mm lens".

And numerous longer standard zooms are available.

 

[davel33]

Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens.

According to Canon's web site, the lens of the G1X is "(35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)".

You can get the same coverage, or more, with one DSLR lens.

According to Canon, their 17-85mm DSLR lens is "equivalent to a 28-135mm lens".

And numerous longer standard zooms are available.

justmeMN Thanks for proving our point I have a 7D with the 17-85 and its 2.5 times the weight and many times bigger. So unless you needed what the 7D can do that the G1X cant why in the world would you take it with the 17-85/15-85 over a G1X ?????

And toomany "a two pound camera kit" come on my Kata 3n1-20 is 2 lbs empty my 7D kit in the 3n1 is 12 lbs

my name is Dave, I have a G1X and proud of it

 

[howardroark]

For lack of a better term. I don't think that really fits any more, but there's nothing in the lexicon yet that really describes this camera. Large Sensor Compact? LSC is a good acronym and similar to Compact System Camera and Digital Single Lens Reflex. I don't really like the specific stuff like Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeabl Lens....do we really need to get THAT specific? What about the CSC's that have an optional electronic viewfinder? It's compact, it's a system because of the optional accessories and interchangeable lenses, and it's a camera. MILC? Why define a camera by what it doens't have? SLR actually says something about the camera. Anyways.....

 

[toomanycanons]

My D5100 with 18-105 VR is just over two pounds. It's combined weight is negligible.

Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens.

According to Canon's web site, the lens of the G1X is "(35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)".

You can get the same coverage, or more, with one DSLR lens.

According to Canon, their 17-85mm DSLR lens is "equivalent to a 28-135mm lens".

And numerous longer standard zooms are available.

justmeMN Thanks for proving our point I have a 7D with the 17-85 and its 2.5 times the weight and many times bigger. So unless you needed what the 7D can do that the G1X cant why in the world would you take it with the 17-85/15-85 over a G1X ?????

And toomany "a two pound camera kit" come on my Kata 3n1-20 is 2 lbs empty my 7D kit in the 3n1 is 12 lbs

my name is Dave, I have a G1X and proud of it

 

[toomanycanons]

I wish it was never ever described as a "compact". That's a legacy term used by film holdouts for the "little silver toys that people are using these days, aren't they cute". I hate the term "compact". That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

For lack of a better term. I don't think that really fits any more, but there's nothing in the lexicon yet that really describes this camera. Large Sensor Compact? LSC is a good acronym and similar to Compact System Camera and Digital Single Lens Reflex. I don't really like the specific stuff like Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeabl Lens....do we really need to get THAT specific? What about the CSC's that have an optional electronic viewfinder? It's compact, it's a system because of the optional accessories and interchangeable lenses, and it's a camera. MILC? Why define a camera by what it doens't have? SLR actually says something about the camera. Anyways.....

 

[jonrobertp]

34-35 oz. is negligible ?? yikes. Wanna carry some stuff for me on my next outing ? lol. So a 75% increase in wt. doesn't count ? sheesh, it does to many of us... Agree there are heavier units/combos. But...that wt. aroung the neck..or pocket, grows rapidly with heat, time, age. However, glad you don't mind.

My D5100 with 18-105 VR is just over two pounds. It's combined weight is negligible.

Many people just don't want to lug a bag of gear around with them and have to change a lens.

According to Canon's web site, the lens of the G1X is "(35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)".

You can get the same coverage, or more, with one DSLR lens.

According to Canon, their 17-85mm DSLR lens is "equivalent to a 28-135mm lens".

And numerous longer standard zooms are available.

justmeMN Thanks for proving our point I have a 7D with the 17-85 and its 2.5 times the weight and many times bigger. So unless you needed what the 7D can do that the G1X cant why in the world would you take it with the 17-85/15-85 over a G1X ?????

And toomany "a two pound camera kit" come on my Kata 3n1-20 is 2 lbs empty my 7D kit in the 3n1 is 12 lbs

my name is Dave, I have a G1X and proud of it

 

[justmeMN]

34-35 oz. is negligible ?? yikes. Wanna carry some stuff for me on my next outing ? lol

Most people are at least a little overweight, so for the able bodied, just make up for it by losing 35 oz. of body fat.

 

[toomanycanons]

34-35 oz. is negligible ?? yikes. Wanna carry some stuff for me on my next outing ? lol. So a 75% increase in wt. doesn't count ? sheesh, it does to many of us... Agree there are heavier units/combos. But...that wt. aroung the neck..or pocket, grows rapidly with heat, time, age. However, glad you don't mind."

I'm serious, I don't even notice it. I have an Opteka neck strap that's really wide. My camera hanging on neck, it not hanging on my neck, feels the same. I was out today on a two hour hike taking 200 shots of mountain bikers. I never once felt like I was carrying anything but my hands.

But I bet you don't go to the gym every morning at 6:30 am, without fail, and lift weights like I do. Be truthful now.