cons of g2 other than crack?

I've had my G2 for nearly 3 months, and I have found little to complain about. Some may not like the design, but I have nothing against it - it's relatively easy to hold and much like my old P&S film camera (also a Canon) in terms of design, although it's a little larger. My only complaint would be the AF problem - but it's only bothered me when I've tried to take pictures of very distant objects in relatively low light, so it isn't a big issue to me. I almost never use the viewfinder - the battery life even with the LCD on is excellent, so there is no point in using the viewfinder, and again it's no worse than was on my old film camera. I don't have the crack, and wouldn't care even if I did - it's a non-issue to me. There is so much to like about the G2, regardless of a few little issues - I highly recommend it.

The G2 is my first digital camera and I am very pleased with it. I would not hesitate to buy it again if I were shopping for a digi-cam.

Poor IR capability as compared to the G1. The G1 was super for IR

No remote sensor on the back of the camera. I find it annoying that when I want to take tripod shots with long shutter speeds, I need to hold the remote out in front of the camera to trip the shutter without touching the camera.

No bulb mode.

No ISO speed shown in the top display window.

Autofocus assist lamp cannot be disabled. The lamp attracts attention during low light/night shots. As it is now, the only way to disable it is to select manual focus and physically press the shutter button which can induce motion blur on those longer night shot exposures. Instead, I have to use the remote control, and I get that flashing strobe effect from the assist lamp prior to the shutter firing every single time.

I also would like to have seen a better focus zoom view for manual focusing. The current version is too small and blurry looking to be very useful.

I still wouldn't trade the G2 for any other camera under $1K.

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

Wow! we are fussy aren't we.

Reading all our little niggles and Idiosyncrasies you would think this camera is only worth scrap value.

It is actually a superb camera. I have the champagne model and my opinion is that it looks very classy. The picture taken abilities of this camera are magnificent. The ease of use is first class and it has the most controllable and accurate built in flash that I have used.
All in All brilliant at todays standards!

Vincent,

A recent trip to Scotland put the G2 in perspective for me. Out of more than 1600 images taken in conditions from broad daylight to almost complete darkness, I found three where the focus was wrong. Out of the three, one was clearly my fault. Remember the camera focuses on what you tell it to focus on. I didn't lock focus on an off center subject, then recompose. The percentage of "keepers" with digital was far higher than I would have achieved using film. Instant feedback via the LCD is wonderful, although it removes the excuse of having to return to Scotland to retake that missed photo ;-).

I have several film cameras, including Canon and Leica 35mm, Mamiya medium format and Sinar 4x5. Each medium and camera comes with its own idiosyncrasies, including the G2. The trick is to be aware of them and know the workarounds. It's also important to understand the expected use of the camera. Most of the G2 bashing I read is analogous to fussing about a Honda Civic not performing like a Honda S2000. If you want to replace your Hassy with a G2, I think you'll be disappointed. If you want to do a lot of sports photography, you might be frustrated, although I've seen some pretty amazing motorcycle photos on the forum. If you want a good all around camera for vacation, family photos, some macro and a little "creative" photography, I think you'll love the G2.

Doug

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

i hear you on the viewfinder. i use mine in the same fashion, finding that almost every instance where i would have used my old m4, i'm now using the g2. sure do miss the leica, but at the point in my life when i sold it (i thought) i needed the money. in retrospect, i should have kept it, but the advances in 35mm AF-SLR's and now these digitals have kept me out of the 'm' game. once you've used one, nothing truly compares, but i have to be honest with myself now that i'm 'digital.' i just don't think i'd use it often enough to warrant the expense. i'm looking forward to seeing how the new leica digital fares, with its viewfinder, then i may make my move over there.

i think the g2 is a fine camera and most of its issues are shared with other cameras of this type. i feel my major complaints would be more indicative of this camera type, at this stage in the evolution of the technology and would not be a direct issue with the canon. i came over to the g2 after using various cameras from olympus, nikon and sony; what won me was the raw image file format, the cf memory and the overall feel of the camera. focus does not seem that different from the others to me.

Robert Hoffman said:

Robert Hoffman said:

Robert Hoffman said:

For an $800 camera, I think the veiwfinder is a joke. My $85,
12-year old
Canonet GIII is far superior. Other than that, the G2 is a great
camera.

Click to expand...

How's the swivel LCD on that Canonet G3?

Click to expand...

I use my G2 like most people would use a Leica, or one of the older
Nikon or Canon rangefinders. I like to hold the camera tight against
my face, which allows me to minimize camera shake and use slower
shutter speeds. So, for me, viewfinder quality is more important than
LCD quality. However, for tripod-oriented work, or for situations re-
quiring unusual camera angles, a swiveling LCD is a great tool.

RH

Click to expand...

Although some G2 users on this forum have found the auto focus (AF) unreliable I've found mine to be about the same as my other 2 older digital cameras. My Agfa 1680, Sony F505V and the G2 take perhaps 1 or 2 poorly focused pictures out of a 100. I really haven't found any problems with my G2. In general, the colors are accurate and the images are well exposed with no observable artifacts. In the under $1,000 price range it can't be beat for quality, value, functionality, and versatility. My G2 was bought in December and so far I haven't observed the crack problem.

Tony

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

I am using a Nikon SB24 in manual mode with no problems.
You can use many other brands like Metz Viitar etc.

vincentnyus said:

simon Beal said:

Otherwise I find it an excellent camera.

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Bring on the Digi SLR.

vincentnyus said:

other than the crack problem, limited aperature and shutter speed
(combination of relation), is there any other??

Click to expand...

I would have preferred the view finder to reflect more what the picture will be framed like. I find for close up photos or photos that have something bordering the frame, I have to either take into account where the lens is and compensate, or use the LCD. (I use the LCD more than I would like)

Apart from that, the camera is very good.

By the way, I tried to return the camera for an exchange (11 days old) and the shop won't do it, even though they offer a 45 day exchange guarrantee. (the case has the Crack and 2 - 5 pixels on the LCD screen are burnt out) The shop is an Australian chain. So much for service! (sorry had to get that off my chest)

Bernie Wiemers said:

By the way, I tried to return the camera for an exchange (11 days
old) and the shop won't do it, even though they offer a 45 day
exchange guarrantee. (the case has the Crack and 2 - 5 pixels on
the LCD screen are burnt out) The shop is an Australian chain. So
much for service! (sorry had to get that off my chest)

Click to expand...

Hi Bernie
I'm in Brisbane OZ
Where are you and what store gave you problems?
John http://www.pbase.com/jonlg