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G3 in Singapore! First impressions!!

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Dragon Spirit

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Singapore, SG
YESSS! Its finally here!!! Got mine last night from Max Photo (Centerpoint) at $1339. The same camera at Harvey Norman next door (about 10 meters away) was on the shelf for $1399, while the G2 was $1299. All in I think I got a pretty good deal - works out to about US$760.

First impressions - awesome image quality! I don't have anythink to post yet, because I was making some test shots around midnight, but what I have managed to transfer to my PC blew me away. After all the years of shooting film SLRs I've yet to see quality this good in scans from prints or negatives (color print film). I wasn't even using RAW, just shot with everything on auto!

Second thing - excellent menu! If you've got half a brain, you don't need to read the manual, the menus are so intuitive it reminds me of a basic Nokia phone. Ok, maybe not the best comparison, but Nokia fans will get the idea :)

Third - FLIMSY PLASTIC COVER for the usb/power/audio jacks. YUK!! Either me or my wife will break that thing off by tehe end of the week! Couldn't they make it rubber?? GEEZ!!

Lens cover doesnt look like it will stay on for long. Why not go for the SLR-type cover design, where it clicks in place?

AF-assist bright blue... looks funky, but blidningly bright to people you're taking shots of, especially if they happen to be in the center of the composition.

LCD has one dead pixel, the CCD seems fine (uniform black on shot with lens cover on). Otherwise LCD looks awesome - detailed, bright, and the refresh rate beats pretty much most LCDs I've seen. With this type of LCD I don't see why there's any need for a viewfinder (which sux a$$, BTW).

The shooting/replaying control feels iffy. The small button you need to press to move the control will probably break soon with hard use. Why not make the lever stiffer, so that you don't move it by accident? Or even more simple, make it lock into place depending on the mode you're using - shooting or replaying. Would make more sense, I think.

That's pretty much all I can say for now :) Doubtless many people have expressed their opions before ;) All I can say at the moment is that I love the G3 already :)
 
it needs some massive throttling down or else subjects close to the camera (i.e. under 1m away) turn out completely whitish-blue. But then again, we all new this beforehand, didnt we?

Never had this problem with built-in SLR flashes... But getting a 420EX anyway, so who cares?
 
Oh yes, the camera vibrates slightly and makes a considerable amount of whirring and buzzing (not too loud though), which is wierd after many years of SLR shooting. Turn off the continuos AF and half of the problem fades away.

Love the thumb impression beneath the LCD...perfect place for your thumb when you flip with LCD out!!
 
Hi, I bought mine last Fri from Parisilk at Holland Village. However I am a bit disappointed with noise on the blue sky here, as mentioned in this message:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=3833801

The pictures were taken at ISO100. I will try ISO50 coming weekend. Just wonder if you have the same experience. Will you be able to try some shots when the sky is clear here? Thanks.
 
Tinman said:
Second thing - excellent menu! If you've got half a brain, you
don't need to read the manual, the menus are so intuitive it
reminds me of a basic Nokia phone. Ok, maybe not the best
comparison, but Nokia fans will get the idea :)
Click to expand...
I like the menu system, too. I had no idea how detailed Canon had gotten. Have they improved this over the past couple of generations? I don't remember it being this thorough.

The only thing is that when I first started using the camera, I'd get confused as to what was in the menu and what was accessed via the Functions button. In the Sony cameras, many of the "Function" settings are contained in the menu. So it was just a small mental adjustment I needed to make. Things are fine now.
Dragon Spirit said:
Third - FLIMSY PLASTIC COVER for the usb/power/audio jacks. YUK!!
Either me or my wife will break that thing off by tehe end of the
week! Couldn't they make it rubber?? GEEZ!!
Click to expand...
I rather like this part. I'm very careful about my cameras anyway. I thought the whole point of this is that people were really tired of the rubber gromets that get deformed and dirty with use anyway.
Dragon Spirit said:
Lens cover doesnt look like it will stay on for long. Why not go
for the SLR-type cover design, where it clicks in place?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I would prefer that, too. I think that little thin felt lining is going to wear out. But maybe Canon knows better. I do like using a lens cover, personally. Your lens is the most important part of the camera system.
Dragon Spirit said:
AF-assist bright blue... looks funky, but blidningly bright to
people you're taking shots of, especially if they happen to be in
the center of the composition.
Click to expand...
Heheheh... I haven't really looked at it. This is probably going to be a funny experience. And I thought that folks had problems with the Sony laser! :-)
Dragon Spirit said:
LCD has one dead pixel, the CCD seems fine (uniform black on shot
with lens cover on).
Click to expand...
My LCD also has a "warm" pixel. In certain images, the same pixel will light up as a soft Red color. It's not all the time, and it's not super distracting. I was concerned at first, but now I'll just consider it as a "beauty mark". :-)
Dragon Spirit said:
The shooting/replaying control feels iffy. The small button you
need to press to move the control will probably break soon with
hard use. Why not make the lever stiffer, so that you don't move it
by accident? Or even more simple, make it lock into place depending
on the mode you're using - shooting or replaying. Would make more
sense, I think.
Click to expand...
I don't really have a problem here.

I like the way that once in Play mode, all I have to do is half-press the shutter again, and I'm brought quickly back into Record mode. Very cool!

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

 
Tinman said:
Love the thumb impression beneath the LCD...perfect place for your
thumb when you flip with LCD out!!
Click to expand...
Yeah. I thought I was the only one who "discovered" this.

When I showed my wife, I had a goofy grin on, and I was trying to explain to her as intelligently as I could that this little impression on the back is for your thumb. And she just didn't get it, saying, "Well, my thumb doesn't fall there. I'm not putting it in there."

Heheheh... women. :-)

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

 
Tinman said:
YESSS! Its finally here!!! Got mine last night from Max Photo
(Centerpoint) at $1339. The same camera at Harvey Norman next door
(about 10 meters away) was on the shelf for $1399, while the G2 was
$1299. All in I think I got a pretty good deal - works out to about
US$760.
Click to expand...
I bought mine at Cathay Photo at Marina Square at Singapore dollars $1230, and that is inclusive of GST ! That works out to be approx USD 698 !!!. They are selling the G2 cheap at Sing $1050 !. and S45 at Sing $970. The conversion rate for USD vs Sing $ is approxly 1 USD = 1.76 S$, so u can do your maths.

Cathay Photo is supposed to be very reliable and trustworthy camera shop, most serious photographers know about it (I don't work there!). I hope mine is a gunuinely good buy, not one of those "exports sets" for the tourist. Anyway, they gave me a 1 week no hassle exchange policy should there be any defects with the camera. Touch wood, so far, so good

I am having fun with the G3. Seems like a nice camera. I am a first time digital cam owner. I am slightly annoyed by the noticeable shutter lag, but I tried to rectify that by snapping more photos. A bit of hit and miss here. The lens cap I believe is deliberately made "loose" so that when u power on, it slips off effortlessly, instead of jamming the lens extension. I am having some slight problem with the Tv mode. Always seems to be giving me very underexposed pics. But I must admit I still haven't looked thru the manual yet. I believe it is my lack of understanding.

Other than that, the pictures look superb. I tried to shake the camera a bit. No audible noise heard so far.

webguys
 
BTW, are any of you previous owners of a G2 and did you have a chance to compare the output of the 2 cameras. I'm considering an upgrade to G3 but most people suggest that I hold off until the next model. That's an awful long wait given Canon's history which took them one full year before they launched a replacement model.
webguys said:
Tinman said:
YESSS! Its finally here!!! Got mine last night from Max Photo
(Centerpoint) at $1339. The same camera at Harvey Norman next door
(about 10 meters away) was on the shelf for $1399, while the G2 was
$1299. All in I think I got a pretty good deal - works out to about
US$760.
Click to expand...
I bought mine at Cathay Photo at Marina Square at Singapore dollars
$1230, and that is inclusive of GST ! That works out to be approx
USD 698 !!!. They are selling the G2 cheap at Sing $1050 !. and S45
at Sing $970. The conversion rate for USD vs Sing $ is approxly 1
USD = 1.76 S$, so u can do your maths.

Cathay Photo is supposed to be very reliable and trustworthy camera
shop, most serious photographers know about it (I don't work
there!). I hope mine is a gunuinely good buy, not one of those
"exports sets" for the tourist. Anyway, they gave me a 1 week no
hassle exchange policy should there be any defects with the camera.
Touch wood, so far, so good

I am having fun with the G3. Seems like a nice camera. I am a first
time digital cam owner. I am slightly annoyed by the noticeable
shutter lag, but I tried to rectify that by snapping more photos. A
bit of hit and miss here. The lens cap I believe is deliberately
made "loose" so that when u power on, it slips off effortlessly,
instead of jamming the lens extension. I am having some slight
problem with the Tv mode. Always seems to be giving me very
underexposed pics. But I must admit I still haven't looked thru the
manual yet. I believe it is my lack of understanding.

Other than that, the pictures look superb. I tried to shake the
camera a bit. No audible noise heard so far.

webguys
Click to expand...
 
Hi Tinman, can u advise me on how to check for dead/warm pixels on the LCD or CCD? tHANKS. What other things should i look out for when i check the G3?

An amateur
Tinman said:
YESSS! Its finally here!!! Got mine last night from Max Photo
(Centerpoint) at $1339. The same camera at Harvey Norman next door
(about 10 meters away) was on the shelf for $1399, while the G2 was
$1299. All in I think I got a pretty good deal - works out to about
US$760.

First impressions - awesome image quality! I don't have anythink to
post yet, because I was making some test shots around midnight, but
what I have managed to transfer to my PC blew me away. After all
the years of shooting film SLRs I've yet to see quality this good
in scans from prints or negatives (color print film). I wasn't even
using RAW, just shot with everything on auto!

Second thing - excellent menu! If you've got half a brain, you
don't need to read the manual, the menus are so intuitive it
reminds me of a basic Nokia phone. Ok, maybe not the best
comparison, but Nokia fans will get the idea :)

Third - FLIMSY PLASTIC COVER for the usb/power/audio jacks. YUK!!
Either me or my wife will break that thing off by tehe end of the
week! Couldn't they make it rubber?? GEEZ!!

Lens cover doesnt look like it will stay on for long. Why not go
for the SLR-type cover design, where it clicks in place?

AF-assist bright blue... looks funky, but blidningly bright to
people you're taking shots of, especially if they happen to be in
the center of the composition.

LCD has one dead pixel, the CCD seems fine (uniform black on shot
with lens cover on). Otherwise LCD looks awesome - detailed,
bright, and the refresh rate beats pretty much most LCDs I've seen.
With this type of LCD I don't see why there's any need for a
viewfinder (which sux a$$, BTW).

The shooting/replaying control feels iffy. The small button you
need to press to move the control will probably break soon with
hard use. Why not make the lever stiffer, so that you don't move it
by accident? Or even more simple, make it lock into place depending
on the mode you're using - shooting or replaying. Would make more
sense, I think.

That's pretty much all I can say for now :) Doubtless many people
have expressed their opions before ;) All I can say at the moment
is that I love the G3 already :)
Click to expand...
 
Hi all,

I bought my G3 from Alan Photo Trading in Sim Lim Square for S$1215 inc GST. I have posted some pictures I took with the G3.

http://www.pbase.com/trevoran

I have unsharped mask and auto levels some of the pictures (my habit), but not all, some are just as it is. Don't ask me which one.. I forgot already... :P
Tinman said:
YESSS! Its finally here!!! Got mine last night from Max Photo
(Centerpoint) at $1339. The same camera at Harvey Norman next door
(about 10 meters away) was on the shelf for $1399, while the G2 was
$1299. All in I think I got a pretty good deal - works out to about
US$760.

First impressions - awesome image quality! I don't have anythink to
post yet, because I was making some test shots around midnight, but
what I have managed to transfer to my PC blew me away. After all
the years of shooting film SLRs I've yet to see quality this good
in scans from prints or negatives (color print film). I wasn't even
using RAW, just shot with everything on auto!

Second thing - excellent menu! If you've got half a brain, you
don't need to read the manual, the menus are so intuitive it
reminds me of a basic Nokia phone. Ok, maybe not the best
comparison, but Nokia fans will get the idea :)

Third - FLIMSY PLASTIC COVER for the usb/power/audio jacks. YUK!!
Either me or my wife will break that thing off by tehe end of the
week! Couldn't they make it rubber?? GEEZ!!

Lens cover doesnt look like it will stay on for long. Why not go
for the SLR-type cover design, where it clicks in place?

AF-assist bright blue... looks funky, but blidningly bright to
people you're taking shots of, especially if they happen to be in
the center of the composition.

LCD has one dead pixel, the CCD seems fine (uniform black on shot
with lens cover on). Otherwise LCD looks awesome - detailed,
bright, and the refresh rate beats pretty much most LCDs I've seen.
With this type of LCD I don't see why there's any need for a
viewfinder (which sux a$$, BTW).

The shooting/replaying control feels iffy. The small button you
need to press to move the control will probably break soon with
hard use. Why not make the lever stiffer, so that you don't move it
by accident? Or even more simple, make it lock into place depending
on the mode you're using - shooting or replaying. Would make more
sense, I think.

That's pretty much all I can say for now :) Doubtless many people
have expressed their opions before ;) All I can say at the moment
is that I love the G3 already :)
Click to expand...
 
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