G9 reviews mention some problems.

I am curious as to why no-one has complained. OVF is only 80%, at wide angle there is barrel distortion and at telephoto one can see the lens in the viewfinder. Please tell me why these aren't problems as I would like to buy one but can't see before I buy nor return it overseas because of the cost. I remember the G3 which I had but I had the moveable LCD so didn't use the viewfinder as often.
Thanks in advance.
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fredyr

I can't comment on all of your questions because I don't own a G9 but I can tell you that 80% viewfinder coverage is very good for a compact camera and you'd be hard pressed to find one better.

Even in the 35mm days, compacts (point & shoots) didn't have anything better than 80% on an OVF.

Most DSLR's are only a little better (maybe 85-90%). Only very expensive SLRs/DSLRs will have a viewfinder that is or is close to 100%.

If you didn't used viewfinder in G3 you will probably not use it with G9.

The G7 LCD is much better than G3s (I have seen only G7 but G9 is at least the same quality). OK not moveable but also viewfinder is not moveable )
I use viewfinder only in very bright sun and when my battery is at limit.

Are you in such a remote area that you can't go and see one in person?
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5D and G9
Hope they'll be happy together.

Fredy Ross said:

I am curious as to why no-one has complained. OVF is only 80%, at
wide angle there is barrel distortion and at telephoto one can see
the lens in the viewfinder. Please tell me why these aren't problems
as I would like to buy one but can't see before I buy nor return it
overseas because of the cost. I remember the G3 which I had but I had
the moveable LCD so didn't use the viewfinder as often.
Thanks in advance.
--
fredyr

Click to expand...

I see it rarely seems mentioned on Forum but as far as my own G7 is concerned I was very surprised but delighted to find that the LCD is actually far more than "just about" useful if used either really low down such as waist-level , or high up such as overhead with outstretched arms. It most definitely is NOT just a straight-ahead view requirement.

Now this I first encountered with the Panny TZ3 and LX2 and thought it just one of their features .. but G7 (and I hope G9) owners have this very helpful facility also.

I just don't think a lot of users quite appreciate all the very good qualities of this camera and worry too much about why it can't be such as a dSLR or something !!

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eric-UK

Thanks for the replies and it will be some time before they will be in Israel so I may get one from Australia from where I come as a friend is visiting. Good to know about the LCD as I have been spoilt by my pro1 which is great in the sunny weather we have here. My DSLR covers 95% so hence my curiosity about the 80% as I like to use a viewfinder to keep the camera still. I made a mistake about seeing the lens in the tele mode, it is in the wide mode and what about the barrel distortion in wide if I get a wide converter?

I guess I will get it for its speed and smallness as all the cameras are good on the market, just none perfect unfortunately. Seems like a good travel lens and I have a small mini tripod for low light photos from my A620 which I couldn't see in the sun and the viewfinder was 80% too but never the same at different focal lengths.
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fredyr

Freddy - you might like the Ricoh GX 100. The optional viewfinder gives you 100% of the view, including information on settings and exposure. The camera costs more, but many photographers like that camera.
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5D and G9
Hope they'll be happy together.

--Thanks but only 3x zoom. I think I will get the G9 as it seems like an ideal travel camera and small enough to go into my bag which is a big advantage.
fredyr

Yes, you can see the lens in wide mode but I have already gotten used to it. It occupies about 10% of the view in the bottom left of and disappears at about 25% zoom. I use the ovf quite a bit since tracking a bird and trying to find something quickly in the lcd is just impossible. Mine shoots slightly low so I have ajusted to that also. I recently took some pictures of tall churches with the wide angle adapter and for the first time I noticed if the straight vertical was close to the side of the picture it now tilted inwards. Photoshop elements easily corrected that. I love the G7 for its portability and good pictures. My only complaint is the blocking of the ovf when you use any of the adapters, otherwise I am happy.

James

GX-100 is smaller and lighter and gives you 24mm wide. Some consider the wide and fast 2.5 lens to be the holy grail, though image quality is reported to be less than that of the G9. All of the point and shoots present compromises - we all have to choose what compromises we can live with.
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5D and G9
Hope they'll be happy together.

It is not a perfect system by any measure. In addition, to the issues you mention the OVF on most G9s is centered a little off at either the wide or zoomed end.

However, none of these issues prevent the OVF from being completely usable. The OVF is nice and bright and is the image is clearer than any EVF. Also, shooting while viewing through the OVF is a more stable position than holding the camera with arms extended.

While it is nowhere near the image I see with my 5D's viewfinder, I have been very happy with the OVF on the G9.

jerry

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jerryk.smugmug.com

Fredy Ross said:

I am curious as to why no-one has complained. OVF is only 80%, at
wide angle there is barrel distortion and at telephoto one can see
the lens in the viewfinder. Please tell me why these aren't problems
as I would like to buy one but can't see before I buy nor return it
overseas because of the cost. I remember the G3 which I had but I had
the moveable LCD so didn't use the viewfinder as often.
Thanks in advance.
--
fredyr

Click to expand...

Speaking for myself, if I wanted to complain I could find a host of things to complain about any camera. I have a few and they all have issues and limitations.

Only you can judge if an attribute is a problem for you. I can only tell you I can work around the issues and limitations of this camera. I'm not sure I can answer that for you. I'd suggest you try one and see if it works for you.

jerryk said:

It is not a perfect system by any measure. In addition, to the issues
you mention the OVF on most G9s is centered a little off at either
the wide or zoomed end.

However, none of these issues prevent the OVF from being completely
usable. The OVF is nice and bright and is the image is clearer than
any EVF. Also, shooting while viewing through the OVF is a more
stable position than holding the camera with arms extended.

While it is nowhere near the image I see with my 5D's viewfinder, I
have been very happy with the OVF on the G9.

jerry

--
jerryk.smugmug.com

Click to expand...

I find myself counting on more of the scene being captured so I take pictures where some important features appears to be cropped in the viewfinder, knowing that it will be fine in the actual captured image.

I am still not used to no sharpness/focus feedback in the OVF (compared to my DSLR). I half-press and wait for the image to get in focus in the OVF, and it does not happen I guess I have to try and glance at the green light on the side, or maybe enable a sound if there is one (my camera is on mute usually).

Guy

guyv said:

I am still not used to no sharpness/focus feedback in the OVF
(compared to my DSLR). I half-press and wait for the image to get in
focus in the OVF, and it does not happen I guess I have to try and
glance at the green light on the side, or maybe enable a sound if
there is one (my camera is on mute usually).

Guy

Click to expand...

I think the reason they put the focus confirmation lights where they did was so they would flash in the corner of your eye. I can percieve the green or orange flash while still looking through the OVF.

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jerryk.smugmug.com

jerryk said:

jerryk said:

I think the reason they put the focus confirmation lights where they

Click to expand...

did was so they would flash in the corner of your eye. I can
percieve the green or orange flash while still looking through the
OVF.

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jerryk.smugmug.com

Click to expand...

I agree--I used the OVF a lot SAturday in bright overhead sun, glare off the river (not the conditions I usually choose to shoot in) and I'm getting used to the 80%. Seeing the lens in the VF doesn't bother me at all.

The one thing I would love is if they could somehow (in all that other detail on the screen LOL) give an indication of the focal length--I'd love that. Of course I can sort of guess--and its in the EXIF. But the zoom is one of the weakest links I think--its really herky jerky to adjust--but not different, and probably better than other small cams. Sometimes I just use foot zooming when I can't get it as I want (if possible).

Diane
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Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

--Now that is really interesting Diane as so was the zoom on the A620 and it irritated me a lot if people were on the move.
fredyr

Fred,

While 80% OVF coverage isn't ideal, its not bad either for a pocket cam. Personally I think they all suck compared to a SLR OVF. But there are times the OVF is crucial to getting a shot off. For me a bigger concern is proper alignment of the OVF. This was a problem for some G7 owners. I'm hoping Canon has sorted this out with the G9

Having the lens extend into the OVF view at times was a complete non issue for me when I tested the G7. I saw the lens barrel and proceeded just to ignore it. I advise you to do the same. It doesn't affect the IQ, so who cares?

The barrel distortion may or may not be a concern depending on the shots you are taking. For me it's not a big issue, but if you are taking lots of building pics with straight lines it may be a concern. Look around the web for pic samples to see what you think. My bigger beef is that Canon has yet to embrace 28mm wide in their top-o-the line P&S/Prosumer camera. I still get the itch to buy a G9, but the lack of 28mm wide has so far kept me from pulling the trigger. (Sorry, I won't schlep around a wide angle adapter for a pocket cam).

Bottom line, I don't see the three issues you mention as being show stoppers. If you like the camera, buy it and start having fun.

Cheers, TR

That is the problem as I have the pro1 with 28-200mm and a 400D with a few lenses so I am having fun. Just hankering for a small camera with raw for travel, so the G9 is tempting. Hopefully more issues will be discussed so I can make an informed decision. I am tired of the prosumer Canons with flaws that no-one mentions in the reviews such as a jerky zoom lever just mentioned by Diane. That was a big fault in the A series so thought the G9 would be better
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fredyr

I notice no issues with the zoom. I think many are overly conscious of minutiae. Good golly, buy a camera and take pictures. It isn't like you are considering a $30,000 Hassy.
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Russ

Fredy, its not any different than any of the small cams--that zoom on the switch thingie---but it and the lack of a wider angle are really all I wish different (other than what we all wish for ---less noise at higher ISOs--but having shot with a G1, fixed lens SLR OLY E10, D30 and 60---the noise is not really an issue. If I want no noise--and its really important--then I carry the 5D. This camera is very good for what it is IMO. The addition of RAW was what finally made me buy a small cam again for those times I wouldn't carry a camera at all--social things, events like the Riverfest I shot for our group Saturday, friends and family events.

I don't know how much I will use it in the scheme of things since I love my 5D, but I find I'm just sticking it in my handbag and carrying it with me now. You can't take photos with a camera you don't have with you LOL.

Diane
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Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries