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Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation

Started Dec 4, 2014 | Discussions
Nick1999 New Member • Posts: 1
Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation

Hello:
I have to start with the disclaimer that I don't have the faintest clue about photography.  I'm just an "AUTO" feature guy (horrible I know).

I'm currently looking into 2 options:

1: Buying a new lens for my Canon G11.  It just has what it came with from Canon and I'm not even sure if I can change it yet

2. Buying a Mid-Range Priced SLR

All I do with my camera take family pictures during holidays and travel.  I've been extremely disappointed with the brightness and sharpness of the pictures(scenes and portraits) so my friend said I should buy a lens as it will greatly improve the quality of the pictures.

My question is what lens would you recommend for the G11?  My budget for a lense is $500 to $1000.  I'm not even sure if I should invest in a lense or if I should just buy a mid-range priced SLR which would probably cost me about $800 and it comes with a better lens already.

Any recommendations?

Canon PowerShot G11
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Olga Johnson Forum Pro • Posts: 24,360
Re: Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation
1

The G11 has a fixed lens.  You cannot exchange lenses with that camera.  You could use an adapter for wide angle or a tele, but those work with the existing lens.

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Olga

yooperguy Senior Member • Posts: 1,870
Re: Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation

I would recommend adding a Canon 270EX II flash and a Stofen omni-bounce diffuser for the flash. I still own an G9 and G11, and the little-flash-that-could makes a world of difference, especially for adding light outdoors (fill flash) and indoors. The little diffuser cuts the light output some, but it eliminates the harsh lighting of the built in flash, as well as being more powerful. It works very well in full Auto too.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-270EX-Speedlite-Flash-Cameras/dp/B004M8SWBK

Dennis

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Canon PowerShot G15 Samsung NX100 Samsung NX20 +1 more
Bas Hamstra Senior Member • Posts: 2,070
Re: Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation

Hi Nick,

1. You can't change the lens on the G11

2. Yes, byuing even a low end dlsr will open up a new world. With it you end up with a) more shots b) better shots. Even the cheapest Canon or Nikon dlsr will be better than G11 in many ways. Also havier and clumsier of course, but still: my best shots are > 90% dslr. By all means, try one!

Bas

Nick1999 wrote:

Hello:
I have to start with the disclaimer that I don't have the faintest clue about photography. I'm just an "AUTO" feature guy (horrible I know).

I'm currently looking into 2 options:

1: Buying a new lens for my Canon G11. It just has what it came with from Canon and I'm not even sure if I can change it yet

2. Buying a Mid-Range Priced SLR

All I do with my camera take family pictures during holidays and travel. I've been extremely disappointed with the brightness and sharpness of the pictures(scenes and portraits) so my friend said I should buy a lens as it will greatly improve the quality of the pictures.

My question is what lens would you recommend for the G11? My budget for a lense is $500 to $1000. I'm not even sure if I should invest in a lense or if I should just buy a mid-range priced SLR which would probably cost me about $800 and it comes with a better lens already.

Any recommendations?

 Bas Hamstra's gear list:Bas Hamstra's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Canon EOS 6D Olympus OM-D E-M10 Olympus E-M1 II Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM +11 more
racollins Contributing Member • Posts: 600
Re: Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation
1

My recommendation is to get to know your camera before you even consider doing anything else. Even though the G11 is a 4-year old camera, it's still a very good photographic tool and will help you make great photos. My significant other still uses one to take newspaper shots and achieves most impressive results with hers because she knows the camera's strengths and weaknesses. I'm a huge fan of David Busch's guide books and his "Guide to the Canon PowerShot G11" is an excellent handbook to use to get the most out of the G11. Learn how to set the i-contrast feature (among may other useful features and settings) and how that can greatly improve your photos. The fact that you don't know that the G11 is a fixed-lens camera tells me that you haven't spent any significant time with it, and doing so will help you create some very nice photos. Work with it. A lot! Once you have gotten to a point that you feel it's not doing what you need it to do, then consider getting or doing something different, but until then use the camera and learn how it suits you. Don't worry about what anyone else says; see how you like it and ascertain what it can or cannot do for you. It's a really nice camera that I think you'll find that you can really grow with and grow into.

Andy

 racollins's gear list:racollins's gear list
Canon PowerShot G11 Canon G7 X II Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Dr Windmill Regular Member • Posts: 172
Re: Canon G11 - Lens Recommendation

Racollins offers excellent advice. The more you learn, the more you will surprise yourself with remarkable results. Don't rush into the latest and greatest. It will be outdated next year anyway. Have fun with what you have and then make an informed decision based on your new experience level. ☺

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Regards,
Lawrence Culbertson
Erie, Colorado

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