I have had this camera for a few weeks and I love it. The images are extremely detailed and the ISO 50 setting gives 99.9% noise free shots. By using the ultra-wide f 2.0 aperature, I was able to avoid using the flash on almost all of my indoor shots.
As for the AF problems that many users have complained about...I have found nothing wrong with the AF. It does occasionally have trouble in low-light, but the manual focus is easy to use (although it can be a bit jumpy-takes some getting used to).
I leave my camera in Program Auto for about 75% of my shots, and it does a pretty good job. The only problem is it sometimes selects slower shutter speeds (1/4, 1/3, even 1 sec.), but you can always switch to Shutter Priority and fix it at 1/25 or so and knock the ISO up to 100 if you really need to.
Accessories that I bought for the G2:
128 MB LEXAR 12x COMPACT FLASH CARD -
Definately need this...much faster than the Sandisk-made one that comes with camera. Lets you not worry about whether the shot was good --> save review for after you connect to the PC
KENKO 46.5mm-58mm lens mount tube(www.camerafilters.com) -
Great for keeping the lens clean (put a UV filter on the tube...). Blocks the bottom of viewfinder at wide-engle end of zoom range. Provides a nice SLR-like feel to the camera.
HOYA 58mm UV filter and Polarizer-
The UV is a definate buy --> Keeps lens clean...also you never have to worry about the lens cap again...just buy a cheap one to put over the filter (also good because 58mm lens cap can be used while camera is on).
The Polarizer was a must for me because I take a ton of outdoor shots. Beware though, you must use the LCD to determine the proper rotation of the polarizer, its really not a big deal, the lens mount tube provides plenty of left-hand support to hold the camera away from your face comfortably and still-ly(if you can't handle that, buy a camera with an EVF)
SUNPAK 2001UT tripod -
Great, cheap tripod ($15 at www.sweetronics.com, $20-$30 most other places). Would definately reccomend so that you can make full use of the 15 sec. shutter speed.
Finally, if you want to spend $500-$700 ($550 at www.bhphotovideo.com) for camera, the G2 can't be beat (except possibly by the G3).
Problems:
Weaknesses:
Shutter lag a little slow (as with all digital cameras)
ISO 400 is too noisy to be used in most cases
1/1000 sec. shutter only available with f8.0 (forces use
of ISO 400)
NO OTHER REAL PROBLEMS
As for the AF problems that many users have complained about...I have found nothing wrong with the AF. It does occasionally have trouble in low-light, but the manual focus is easy to use (although it can be a bit jumpy-takes some getting used to).
I leave my camera in Program Auto for about 75% of my shots, and it does a pretty good job. The only problem is it sometimes selects slower shutter speeds (1/4, 1/3, even 1 sec.), but you can always switch to Shutter Priority and fix it at 1/25 or so and knock the ISO up to 100 if you really need to.
Accessories that I bought for the G2:
128 MB LEXAR 12x COMPACT FLASH CARD -
Definately need this...much faster than the Sandisk-made one that comes with camera. Lets you not worry about whether the shot was good --> save review for after you connect to the PC
KENKO 46.5mm-58mm lens mount tube(www.camerafilters.com) -
Great for keeping the lens clean (put a UV filter on the tube...). Blocks the bottom of viewfinder at wide-engle end of zoom range. Provides a nice SLR-like feel to the camera.
HOYA 58mm UV filter and Polarizer-
The UV is a definate buy --> Keeps lens clean...also you never have to worry about the lens cap again...just buy a cheap one to put over the filter (also good because 58mm lens cap can be used while camera is on).
The Polarizer was a must for me because I take a ton of outdoor shots. Beware though, you must use the LCD to determine the proper rotation of the polarizer, its really not a big deal, the lens mount tube provides plenty of left-hand support to hold the camera away from your face comfortably and still-ly(if you can't handle that, buy a camera with an EVF)
SUNPAK 2001UT tripod -
Great, cheap tripod ($15 at www.sweetronics.com, $20-$30 most other places). Would definately reccomend so that you can make full use of the 15 sec. shutter speed.
Finally, if you want to spend $500-$700 ($550 at www.bhphotovideo.com) for camera, the G2 can't be beat (except possibly by the G3).
Problems:
Weaknesses:
Shutter lag a little slow (as with all digital cameras)
ISO 400 is too noisy to be used in most cases
1/1000 sec. shutter only available with f8.0 (forces use
of ISO 400)
NO OTHER REAL PROBLEMS