XZ-2 and related cams: coming to the results of the story

[NarrBL]

Well, we did ourselves in, with enthusiasm so a startup here so we can follow through as comes now.

I'll message Mickey so he has this place to talk again.

Aaron, you really got me going with that note -- almost too many ways, but it was fun.

I think the most interesting part of that round videocam was the extra magnifier he'd harnessed to the heads-up display. What a monster , and would you want to get clipped into that thing??

The Johnny Depp angle is, well, what you get sometimes. I think he's met the Australian who will put him right on his ways. Really the poor dogs should just go into the quarantine; let's hope. Britain had this kind of rule when I lived there, and I think that's what they'd do.

My niece liked him when she was a teenager, and I have tried to figure such out. Maybe he is foreign enough without the need to learn another language, something like that, this bloke. I think Oz can consider itself Switzerland, with its collecting of stars, and they don't do so badly by that, it seems.

I thought there might be a 'wee' bit of tweaking to get those iPhone sports pictures, if no doubt at all about the photographer's skill, because of all the focal lengths used which that doesn't have. And indeed, I'd be sure as he probably did to have a full set of those iPro lenses, which seem rated best - at the cost nearly of a second contract-fee iPhone...but they look great.

Loading…

www.iprolens.com

Your guy with the rock concert pics via Fuji X30. Very well done indeed, and he's really got the look. Maybe there is hope for my XZ-2, and your Olympus on the shelf

As for suiting Mickey, I will just smile, as he knows what we've dug up here, and just why.

I completely agree, for most of us, so many ways to make what is visual, so many ways to see. And for Mickey too -- look where Lisetta has drawn him, for the uses of post-processed looks. I kind of think this will turn very useful to him, and also fun to have sometimes, with what might otherwise have been throw-away shots.

You take care, Aaron, and I am on my watch now, seeing how you can be a pretty sly guy

Best,
Clive

 

[NarrBL]

I was experimenting with this at the end of my walk yesterday, and it is actually pretty effective and interesting -- if you find the tweaks Olympus allows, and if you are able to manipulate them.

This wouldn't have been a thing for Mickey, as you can't memorize any of the settings, and they reset as soon as you leave iAuto mode, or power down the camera.

That makes sense for what iAuto is generally supposed to be, as it should get you some decent shot no matter what, which it does, and holding settings might disturb that.

I found out, though, as can be useful when you know you have the camera set up unusually, or aren't sure, and just need to act quickly. Live Guides, on the double-slim-arrow right side menu when in iAuto, which you can just touch to bring out:

- as we found out last week or so, the 'express motion' item can up or down your shutter speed very convincingly, according to how you want motion to show or not show. As with all of these, keeping everything else in balance automatically.

- very interestingly for those interested in color casts, there's a quite effective control for this, which you can use if you think there's trouble in certain lightings. It has good range in small steps, from quite yellow through neutral to quite pink-purple. Seemed to work particularly well on skin tones, which is where we most care.

- similarly there are good controls for contrast, saturation, and softer or sharper focus, all useful.

I'm beginning to see much more clearly how the XZ-2 offers in its way three differently presented cameras: automatic with tweaks, scene (and 'art' modifiers) where again some of these are quite effective, and fully manual but with nice background automations like the gradation control, giving those who understand how fast, easy, and effective raw developers can be these days just what they need, at the same time doing the best that can be done for those who are strong on out of camera jpegs.

It's kind of too bad Capture One hasn't included Olympus in its free limited edition. Such are contract negotiations, would seem, and what they have done probably helps their finances so that we have this great, subtle developer.

I'm also appreciating again, what we've found about the best new automations possible with sensors larger than the XZ-2s, which make those cameras so valuable one can see for many.

 

[Mickey1962]

Well, we did ourselves in, with enthusiasm so a startup here so we can follow through as comes now.

I'll message Mickey so he has this place to talk again.

Thanks Clive for letting me know the location of this thread. I went to reply on the other but forget it was maxed out.

Aaron, you really got me going with that note -- almost too many ways, but it was fun.

Aaron posted some excellent photos, as he explained about his cell phone but also a great photo may have been used by say Capture One.....

I thought there might be a 'wee' bit of tweaking to get those iPhone sports pictures, if no doubt at all about the photographer's skill, because of all the focal lengths used which that doesn't have. And indeed, I'd be sure as he probably did to have a full set of those iPro lenses, which seem rated best - at the cost nearly of a second contract-fee iPhone...but they look great.

When I saw that picture Aaron posted and said he took it with his iphone, I was floored a little, so glad to know it was PP with software. Like he said, goes to show what can be done.........

http://www.iprolens.com/#!aboutipro/c6vi

As for suiting Mickey, I will just smile, as he knows what we've dug up here, and just why.

You've helped me more than I can say thanks for. I used to think to get the best shot you use no zoom and keep the aperture at it's largest, why else wouldn't you. And while I don't know the sweet spot and still use no zoom on my selfies or family shots, maybe I'll get others to try. It was posted I love wide angle but this isn't true, I have to get someone to get so close to get a head shot..why I thought 28mm would be better but 24mm will be great for family, reunion, yard, etc shots...

I completely agree, for most of us, so many ways to make what is visual, so many ways to see. And for Mickey too -- look where Lisetta has drawn him, for the uses of post-processed looks. I kind of think this will turn very useful to him, and also fun to have sometimes, with what might otherwise have been throw-away shots.

You take care, Aaron, and I am on my watch now, seeing how you can be a pretty sly guy

Best,
Clive

Keep an eye on Aaron, Clive His capture one offer was very nice!

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

Clive, hopefully Andrea, Lisetta, Aaron, etc find this thread? Opps they know DPR and will..ok a few replies to the old thread.

Lisetta, if you haven't called Canon yet please at first act like a novice about the 500 HS and g7x in Auto I will start out with the free trial of and if I like, for the $39 version. Just because you're recommending it and you all are the g7x, please I feel no pressure to buy it, know this but I am getting the g7x, just a matter of when now. I'm glad you liked the flower photos, I'm sure it's so dry out there Mom works hard in the hard, wishing you some rain out there in Cali. The agency is looking for me a new aide, who knows she might know some photography

Clive, thanks for totally ruling that a6000 out, one thing I will miss about Sony is the sweep panorama as my old Sony hx-5v has it. Canon is missing the boat not adding it, you have to use their software. But I'm all in on the g7x, you read the manual on the a6000 to know the WB in face detect isn't as good. I can use the dell gift card, just not on the a6000. I looked at the EPL-7, big lens, lower priced but ruled out.........thanks for the digging. I notice the tunnel of darkness you mentioned in my portraits, my room is dimly lit really, guess it focuses just on me. You mentioned this Clive.........." Well, this is where I think the big advantage of the g7x's much better sensor plus its lens having much more consistently good aperture at telephoto is going to show. "

As i mentioned I always thought using the widest aperture, be it f1.7 as in the g7x, would always give the best portrait. That is why there is aperture priority, i'll try some zoom in some of mine later.

I have looked on Amazon, some different prices on the g7x, some with bundles but I'll be sure to get one sold by Amazon if I am unable to get by Best Buy. As it stands now, with my nurse aide quitting I'm not sure of when but as mentioned, Mom maybe can get used to it. But I'll need more help so I'll wait.

Aaron thanks for the posts and Capture One offer, your photos look great. Have a great weekend all and take some photos........

Mickey

 

[Lisetta1]

Hi Mickey,

You are so kind to reply to the posts on the other thread! I really appreciate that. Not really adding anything much here except to say that. Oh, and that I'll definitely approach the Canon people as a novice/newcomer to the 500HS and the G7X (this role will be made easier by the fact I've never seen or used either of them! lol. I tend to forget that after my "education" here on your threads!

Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend, too, Mickey --I'll let you know what the Canon folks say--

Best to all,

Lisetta

 

[NarrBL]

Hi Mickey, glad to see you found the place, and that old friends are reappearing. By the way, we really had rain out here, overnight, and then there was an actually good discussion on public radio when I was tuned in, going over some interesting specifics of California water. We'll get through it, but there will be changes, and already are. More xericulture (dry) gardens instead of lawns, for sure.

I'm glad you're confident, and I've spent some more time to see that I am. You know, looking around, at factors and possible alternatives. I do think this camera has the best shot at getting what you want and need, of all we have in view today, and this looking around confirmed it.

Here's a link to the g7x owners manual, which is actually pretty nicely set up as a kind of slideshow or pages, if you view it through the latest Adobe Reader. You'll see the page controls at the bottom right, and can also use your keyboard arrows to go back and forth.

Loading…

gdlp01.c-wss.com

psg7x-cu-en.pdf

I'd suggest starting with page 34, where it shows just how easy it is to get those automatic pictures. Point, half-click to watch it pick up on faces, where it's going to get all the focus, exposure, and white balance to set. Finish framing, and click. That's it

So, I think your mom won't find this harder than her garden tools to use. The rest, as we're talking about, is trying different shots in the rooms, seeing results to guide you.

You're right to have picked up that the more mild telephoto end of things is best for portraits. An 85mm lens is considered ideal, and gets the feel in perspective, and blur of background persons like. Your lens anywhere in that range including full 100mm telephoto will do well.

I found something else interesting and useful in that g7x manual. Starting on page 120, it describes things you can do _after_ the shot, but still in the camera, to improve on ones where you think it might be needed. A fresh copy is made with your changes, so you don't ever lose the original, and some very straightforward choices can be made about size, framing, improving a contrast look, and affecting color in various ways: My Colors for that.

So you can take a garden shot, and afterwards try it also in Vivid, just for one example. It's easy enough that it ought to save you quite a few trips to Photoshop.

All these things as well as just viewing and so forth can be done using the touch screen, which I think is going to turn out to be very handy for those who help you take pictures. You can blow up and move around in viewing a shot this way, and even use it to focus and take a picture, which I've found fun and useful sometimes on the XZ-2.

So, smooth operation, I think, and that is going to help your situation well. And then we just have to see that the camera is doing what we hope for you, and help smooth out any wrinkles.

Sounds you've got the new assistant finding going well, and that's a great thing for this Friday.

Best, Mickey,
Clive

 

[Mickey1962]

Hi Mickey,

You are so kind to reply to the posts on the other thread! I really appreciate that. Not really adding anything much here except to say that. Oh, and that I'll definitely approach the Canon people as a novice/newcomer to the 500HS and the G7X (this role will be made easier by the fact I've never seen or used either of them! lol. I tend to forget that after my "education" here on your threads!

Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend, too, Mickey --I'll let you know what the Canon folks say--

Best to all,

Lisetta

No Lisetta, you are the very kind one. I can't wait to hear what they'll tell you, Auto mode only......you have a great weekend as well. I'm excited to hear your response..........

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

Hi Mickey, glad to see you found the place, and that old friends are reappearing. By the way, we really had rain out here, overnight, and then there was an actually good discussion on public radio when I was tuned in, going over some interesting specifics of California water. We'll get through it, but there will be changes, and already are. More xericulture (dry) gardens instead of lawns, for sure.

Clive are you in Cali as well? If so I'm glad you got rain!

I'm glad you're confident, and I've spent some more time to see that I am. You know, looking around, at factors and possible alternatives. I do think this camera has the best shot at getting what you want and need, of all we have in view today, and this looking around confirmed it.

Yes, I am confident this is the camera I want, I would like to wait until I know more about my new assistant first, but I'm set. Your personal opinion only here.I bought the accidental drop/spill coverage from SquareTrade for my elph 500hs, never had to use it but in your opinion is the $134 worth it? That is a lot but I don't have to worry about it being dropped and broken. They get mixed reviews on their warranty.

Loading…

www.squaretrade.com

Here's a link to the g7x owners manual, which is actually pretty nicely set up as a kind of slideshow or pages, if you view it through the latest Adobe Reader. You'll see the page controls at the bottom right, and can also use your keyboard arrows to go back and forth.

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300016123/01/psg7x-cu-en.pdf

Link doesn't work my friend. I can look it up, but looks like Canon hasn't gone green and includes a manual, very rare.

I'd suggest starting with page 34, where it shows just how easy it is to get those automatic pictures. Point, half-click to watch it pick up on faces, where it's going to get all the focus, exposure, and white balance to set. Finish framing, and click. That's it

Here is one think I have a problem with, telling whomever to press the shutter half way to focus, then fully to take. They simply push the shutter

So, I think your mom won't find this harder than her garden tools to use. The rest, as we're talking about, is trying different shots in the rooms, seeing results to guide you.

You're right to have picked up that the more mild telephoto end of things is best for portraits. An 85mm lens is considered ideal, and gets the feel in perspective, and blur of background persons like. Your lens anywhere in that range including full 100mm telephoto will do well.

I really had no clue more telephoto was better for portraits, no clue so thanks!

I found something else interesting and useful in that g7x manual. Starting on page 120, it describes things you can do _after_ the shot, but still in the camera, to improve on ones where you think it might be needed. A fresh copy is made with your changes, so you don't ever lose the original, and some very straightforward choices can be made about size, framing, improving a contrast look, and affecting color in various ways: My Colors for that.

So you can take a garden shot, and afterwards try it also in Vivid, just for one example. It's easy enough that it ought to save you quite a few trips to Photoshop.

Yes, I'm not sure my 500 HS has this but I've some this featured in many videos/presentations but having someone to do this might prevent a challenge but I know it'll be there if need it.

All these things as well as just viewing and so forth can be done using the touch screen, which I think is going to turn out to be very handy for those who help you take pictures. You can blow up and move around in viewing a shot this way, and even use it to focus and take a picture, which I've found fun and useful sometimes on the XZ-2.

Yes the touch screen on my elph 500 hs is handy for my shooting help, much easier than buttons.

So, smooth operation, I think, and that is going to help your situation well. And then we just have to see that the camera is doing what we hope for you, and help smooth out any wrinkles.

Now you're talking

Sounds you've got the new assistant finding going well, and that's a great thing for this Friday.

Best, Mickey,
Clive

The agency is working on it, but I'd really like to go to best buy but a big thanks to Andrea for looking and handleing these. Have a great weekend Clive.

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

 

[NarrBL]

Just a quick one, Mickey, as going out. If your Mom just pushes down, the g7x will still work properly and do the automatic things we want in the instants before it takes the shot - it's designed to make things smooth for everyone.

The advantages in the half press might be several, though.

• you get a chance to 'take a breath' and see that everything's in the frame where you want it.
• Taking the breath likely means the camera will be steadier, though motion stabilization will take care of most of it.
• With the pause, you can see what faces the Auto Face Detect is going to use, as it will draw boxes around them. This might even be distracting at first, but once used to it, can help assure what you are going to get as far as focus, exposure, and white balance. So either way.
• with the pause, you'll be that much closer to getting the shot at the exact moment you want, for faces in their expressions and so forth, as there will be no delay when you actually click.

I kind of think that if your mom can take such nice photos as she does in those garden scenes, that she wouldn't have trouble to expand her horizons this way - but you and she'll be the judge of that

Best,
Clive

 

[Andrea Georgia]

Dear Mickey and all,

It's nice to see everyone back here, focusing again on the proper tools for the job!

I really like your garden photos, Mickey, thank you so much for posting them. They remind me of our garden in North Carolina when I started growing flowers and roses (while in grad school, go figure), mostly "David Austin Roses." They grew like crazy there. Let's see if I can find some pics of them taken with my old Canon G5 and its 5(!) MP sensor. I always enjoyed shooting it.

Capture One (Pro 8) is an excellent photo editing software with superb colour and contrast rendition. I use it too, but its user interface may be a bit challenging, especially when coming from Photoshop or Lightroom. But Capture One has a much better Raw converter than PS/LR (i.e. it is sharper, has better colours and esp. skin tones, and better contrast right off the bat), and also works very well for jpegs. I didn't see the offer that was mentioned, but it may be worth trying out. Any of these editing programs also have free trials to download and try out for a month or longer: Capture One Pro 8, Lightroom, DxO, and of course Photoshop.

I definitely second Lisetta on the plug-ins.

I never bought this kind of insurance for my cams, Mickey, but maybe others here can chime in on that. It's quite a chunk of money, I think, and then you may find out that the company will try and weasel its way out when you ask them to pay for a repair. And a need for repair is unlikely, unless you take the cam to extreme places or have it with you on the go all the time. Btw, if you take it to the beach, be careful about the sand not getting onto and into the cam/lens. The only problems I've ever had with Canon compacts was my last one whose lens cover is so closely situated to the lens and so thin that it bends very easily and has scratched the lens quite badly by now (SX230 HS). I should have taken it back to Canon as long as it was still under warranty, as they have acknowledged problems with the lens cap on that line of cams. I'm sure the G7X will be better, as I didn't notice anything flimsy about it. It's a pretty solid build quality from what I could tell, worthy of its G lineage, and clearly meant to withstand a good deal of use. I wouldn't get insurance, but let's see what others think.

I'm curious to hear what Lisetta reports back on those knowledgeable Canon techs!



Best to all,

Andrea

 

[NarrBL]

Hi Mickey, still haven't made it out, and so had a look over this warranty business. You know, this is pretty much a personal judgement call you have to make, but here are some things to think about.

- first of all, if you do want one, I think you're right to look at Square Trade. Some of the other outfits Amazon advertises do not seem good, and they have as good a reputation as a warranty (insurance) company probably can have.

- I thought the cost looked high, but it''s clear that's because the warranty where you are looking it up includes drop damage, and so forth - not just internal failures. On this, it is straight insurance, which they price according to average risks.

- Consumer Reports doesn't like any add-on warranties, says they are a rip-off. Maybe one could soften that in thinking about drop damage.

- one thing you have to realize with any but Canon warranties or repairs is that it's going to be contracted-out shops doing the work, and/or refurbished used replacements that do not have Canon's hand in restoring them. For me this is a big factor.

- I think the best is to prevent drop etc. problems before they happen. This is why you find me mentioning neck straps so often -- here I am thinking if any of the kids around might use the camera. They can be trained that they have to use the neck strap, and then you prevent a lot. They can still swing the camera into something, but even then much less shock. I use a wrist strap always, a nice comfortable one, but thinking of kids or distracted adults in your environment, I think this would not be so effective.

- Now, what if the worst happens? First, you have the Canon warranty, I think a year. This will cover anything which is not an accident, and you can extend it I believe, as I did the one with Olympus on my XZ-2. Shop around for prices when you do that.

- What if it is an accidental damage, or if the camera is out of warranty when it fails? In that case what I can find is that Canon flat-rates repairs, as does Olympus. The flat rate depends on the 'range' of damage - here's an old link explaining, but probably like this still in structure:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/26288637

- Canon's flat rates seem a bit high to me scanning a few stories, but probably something around the price of the Square Trade - or more if the camera was really smashed. Except you wouldn't have to pay, unless something actually happened. Thus you are self-insuring, and saving the money.

- How likely are you to have the camera broken? Well, I am looking at that 500 ES your mom took the garden pictures with. It's apparently running strong. Might indicate your risk is lower than I might have guessed, at least until kids grow up more

- if the camera lasts a while, and then breaks or is broken, really tech will have moved on, and you'd want the newer advantages, it seems likely.

I think you see where I am heading, and you have Andrea's take, but again, it's something you need to figure yourself, kind of figure you'd agree, Mickey.

Oh, and on that manual link, it looks like the problem may be that the forum split it up. Let me give the whole thing again here, and maybe you can copy it to paste directly in your browser if it still doesn't work directly. Look out for any spaces in it from posting problems - you can just click and backspace them out if so, before you hit return. When it works, it should directly download the pdf. Not a smart way for them to have done it, but there you are. When it's downloaded, then you can open it as usual in Acrobat Reader.

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300016123/01/psg7x-cu-en.pdf

Oh, and it would definitely be a nice thing if the coming new assistant knows something about photography. But really I keep thinking of how nice it would be if your mom could get started on it, which I suspect she could. Then you'd have a backstop, especially while the assistant gets used to everything else, as well as someone to help teach.

This camera is much like the one she's using now - just a lot nicer in results. I liked those garden shots a lot, and even found the good luck horseshoe in the shed. If I look a little closely though, it's very clear where improvements are coming that you will see...

The extra the touchscreen on the g7x can give is that you can actually touch a person or a thing on screen, and take their picture. But let's get into that if and when - first thing is to get the 'normal' advantages working for you, and let them help as you try approaches to framing and using lighting for the best shots.

Best,
Clive

 

[NarrBL]

Good of you to do this, Lisetta, and sounds you have a great approach in mind.

I keep imaging scriptings, what to say if they try to buffalo you too, 'Oh, you mean you don't think the new big 1in sensor will look a lot better?' or 'What about those features you advertise like fine-tuning white balance from faces [face recognition]?'

Actually just looking at details in Mickey's mom's otherwise very nice garden shots is enough am sure.

Anyway, it'll be fun to see what happens, that's sure.

Regards,
Clive

 

[Mickey1962]

Just a quick one, Mickey, as going out. If your Mom just pushes down, the g7x will still work properly and do the automatic things we want in the instants before it takes the shot - it's designed to make things smooth for everyone.

Thanks Clive, seldom have I noticed blurred photos or many severely OOF so I will advice whoever to do this but not stress it.

The advantages in the half press might be several, though.

• you get a chance to 'take a breath' and see that everything's in the frame where you want it
• Taking the breath likely means the camera will be steadier, though motion stabilization will take care of most of it.
• With the pause, you can see what faces the Auto Face Detect is going to use, as it will draw boxes around them. This might even be distracting at first, but once used to it, can help assure what you are going to get as far as focus, exposure, and white balance. So either way.
• with the pause, you'll be that much closer to getting the shot at the exact moment you want, for faces in their expressions and so forth, as there will be no delay when you actually click.

I kind of think that if your mom can take such nice photos as she does in those garden scenes, that she wouldn't have trouble to expand her horizons this way - but you and she'll be the judge of that

Best,
Clive

Clive in my mind the steadier shot would be the most important, no one will really know how the shot will look when the camera focuses on the subject, except that the subject is in the fame and in focus......so thanks for letting me know the half press isn't a must.....but an advantage

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

Hi Mickey, still haven't made it out, and so had a look over this warranty business. You know, this is pretty much a personal judgement call you have to make, but here are some things to think about.

Definitely a judgement call, I just wanted to throw it out there. I bought the SquareTrade warranty with the Canon 500 HS but never needed it, but it is a much smaller camera... oh, it was dropped just the other day, but user faulty as my aide was in a mood "

- first of all, if you do want one, I think you're right to look at Square Trade. Some of the other outfits Amazon advertises do not seem good, and they have as good a reputation as a warranty (insurance) company probably can have.

Yes, I added a camera once in my cart just to have it remembered as my choice and some weird warranty was offered......terrible reviews.

- I thought the cost looked high, but it''s clear that's because the warranty where you are looking it up includes drop damage, and so forth - not just internal failures. On this, it is straight insurance, which they price according to average risks.

- Consumer Reports doesn't like any add-on warranties, says they are a rip-off. Maybe one could soften that in thinking about drop damage.

The cost is high, for my 500 HS it wasn't that much.......I'm pretty sure I will not buy the extra warranty......

- one thing you have to realize with any but Canon warranties or repairs is that it's going to be contracted-out shops doing the work, and/or refurbished used replacements that do not have Canon's hand in restoring them. For me this is a big factor.

Thanks for that tidbit, big factor for another Canon plus.......

- I think the best is to prevent drop etc. problems before they happen. This is why you find me mentioning neck straps so often -- here I am thinking if any of the kids around might use the camera. They can be trained that they have to use the neck strap, and then you prevent a lot. They can still swing the camera into something, but even then much less shock. I use a wrist strap always, a nice comfortable one, but thinking of kids or distracted adults in your environment, I think this would not be so effective.

Neck strap for the G7X is a must, very inexpensive for possible saving the camera from being dropped.

- Now, what if the worst happens? First, you have the Canon warranty, I think a year. This will cover anything which is not an accident, and you can extend it I believe, as I did the one with Olympus on my XZ-2. Shop around for prices when you do that.

Yes, I read about lens error from 1 g7x user but every camera brand will have faulty problems, which the standard warranty will cover.......drops no

- What if it is an accidental damage, or if the camera is out of warranty when it fails? In that case what I can find is that Canon flat-rates repairs, as does Olympus. The flat rate depends on the 'range' of damage - here's an old link explaining, but probably like this still in structure:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/26288637

- Canon's flat rates seem a bit high to me scanning a few stories, but probably something around the price of the Square Trade - or more if the camera was really smashed. Except you wouldn't have to pay, unless something actually happened. Thus you are self-insuring, and saving the money.

- How likely are you to have the camera broken? Well, I am looking at that 500 ES your mom took the garden pictures with. It's apparently running strong. Might indicate your risk is lower than I might have guessed, at least until kids grow up more

lol........yes the 500 hs is tiny but the Canon g7x has a solid feel and grip to it and by no means a larger cam.

- if the camera lasts a while, and then breaks or is broken, really tech will have moved on, and you'd want the newer advantages, it seems likely.

I think you see where I am heading, and you have Andrea's take, but again, it's something you need to figure yourself, kind of figure you'd agree, Mickey.

Totally agree, with the 500 hs I was that worried with people handeling it, with the g7x I'll tell them to be gentle with my baby.

Oh, and on that manual link, it looks like the problem may be that the forum split it up. Let me give the whole thing again here, and maybe you can copy it to paste directly in your browser if it still doesn't work directly. Look out for any spaces in it from posting problems - you can just click and backspace them out if so, before you hit return. When it works, it should directly download the pdf. Not a smart way for them to have done it, but there you are. When it's downloaded, then you can open it as usual in Acrobat Reader.

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300016123/01/psg7x-cu-en.pdf

Will open the manual up and save it, thanks for resending it!

Oh, and it would definitely be a nice thing if the coming new assistant knows something about photography. But really I keep thinking of how nice it would be if your mom could get started on it, which I suspect she could. Then you'd have a backstop, especially while the assistant gets used to everything else, as well as someone to help teach.

This camera is much like the one she's using now - just a lot nicer in results. I liked those garden shots a lot, and even found the good luck horseshoe in the shed. If I look a little closely though, it's very clear where improvements are coming that you will see...

Awesome that you spotted that, I too blew the pic up past full viewing and it turned blurry.........

The extra the touchscreen on the g7x can give is that you can actually touch a person or a thing on screen, and take their picture. But let's get into that if and when - first thing is to get the 'normal' advantages working for you, and let them help as you try approaches to framing and using lighting for the best shots.

Best,
Clive

Thanks Clive, actually my canon 500hs, you can use the screen I think to take the picture.........Not sure but I think so....

Regards

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

Dear Mickey and all,

It's nice to see everyone back here, focusing again on the proper tools for the job!

Amen my friend......

I really like your garden photos, Mickey, thank you so much for posting them. They remind me of our garden in North Carolina when I started growing flowers and roses (while in grad school, go figure), mostly "David Austin Roses." They grew like crazy there. Let's see if I can find some pics of them taken with my old Canon G5 and its 5(!) MP sensor. I always enjoyed shooting it.

My short term memory isn't sharp like my long term, so I don't remember you living in North Carolina....wait you went to Duke. Mom loves her yard, I need to upload her full yard when in full bloom.

Capture One (Pro 8) is an excellent photo editing software with superb colour and contrast rendition. I use it too, but its user interface may be a bit challenging, especially when coming from Photoshop or Lightroom. But Capture One has a much better Raw converter than PS/LR (i.e. it is sharper, has better colours and esp. skin tones, and better contrast right off the bat), and also works very well for jpegs. I didn't see the offer that was mentioned, but it may be worth trying out. Any of these editing programs also have free trials to download and try out for a month or longer: Capture One Pro 8, Lightroom, DxO, and of course Photoshop.'

If down the road I decide to try some RAW shots I'll remember this, love free trials

I definitely second Lisetta on the plug-ins.

Ok I have either missed these or forgot, PLEASE which plug-ins? They are one click fix.....sure nothing like really using PS but they work well for my needs.

I never bought this kind of insurance for my cams, Mickey, but maybe others here can chime in on that. It's quite a chunk of money, I think, and then you may find out that the company will try and weasel its way out when you ask them to pay for a repair. And a need for repair is unlikely, unless you take the cam to extreme places or have it with you on the go all the time. Btw, if you take it to the beach, be careful about the sand not getting onto and into the cam/lens. The only problems I've ever had with Canon compacts was my last one whose lens cover is so closely situated to the lens and so thin that it bends very easily and has scratched the lens quite badly by now (SX230 HS). I should have taken it back to Canon as long as it was still under warranty, as they have acknowledged problems with the lens cap on that line of cams. I'm sure the G7X will be better, as I didn't notice anything flimsy about it. It's a pretty solid build quality from what I could tell, worthy of its G lineage, and clearly meant to withstand a good deal of use. I wouldn't get insurance, but let's see what others think.

I'm not, as I mentioned to Clive I never used it on my Canon 500 hs so who knows how their service actually is.

I'm curious to hear what Lisetta reports back on those knowledgeable Canon techs!

You and me both! If they tell her yes, the g7x will be a great improvement to the 500 hs I'll be shocked. The sales rep/customer support said no as did Tech. I don't think I'll have the g7x in time for the beach.........my next post about that

Best to all,

Andrea

Same to you and all.........

Mickey

 

[Mickey1962]

If DPR finds this too off topic, or if you guys do please delete:

if you had a Dell $100 gift card with nothing to spend it on and it expires May 23rd, use it or lose it...which really low end camera would you pick? From this list? I have looked at every category and I need nothing, no camera accessories, definitely no external hard drive, software, etc.......I received the gift card for buying this Dell monitor I have. Sure I'll pay the extra $20-$50 on any of these, some will have extra zoom if I need it. With my aide leaving and us heading to the beach June 7th, I might not be able to order the G7X until after our trip as I want to set it up and excrement plus as Andrea mentioned beach sand in the lens is possible. Yes the Sony RX10O III is on the list, but my mind is now on the Canon G7X. So if "you" had a Dell $100 gift card and it expires on May 23rd and you needed nothing on their website, which camera would you buy? Shame they don't have the Canon G7X Not really interested in paying more than $2000..Dell $100 gift card plus $100 cast. I'll call tomorrow and ask if they can add the Canon g7x but already know the answer...any suggestions on the list below is , appreciate. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 Samsung SMART Camera WB50F Nikon Coolpix S3700 just a few I see............

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6056&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Regards

Mickey

 

[NarrBL]

You know, Mickey, I think you must have had Scots ancestors...getting every little bit of value out

Ok, try this. You want a camera that will stand beaches - and other rough to cameras outings that will come, and kids.

How about one of the waterproof ones Dell has on offer?

I found 3 that looked interesting, but the larger NIkon is too expensive for this it seems, and while I thought the Sony might be best value, then I read the horror stories about Sony warranty refusals on Amazon.

People were refused flat when the camera got water in it in the shallows (!) and when they broke the battery door trying to open it, which apparently has happened to several, destroying the waterproof etc.. Not for me, nor you either, would guess.

This leaves me with the camera I looked at first, and liked for this purpose: the little Nikon Coolpix S33. Family friendly, they say, and specs look it, also people's good experiences on Hawaii trips etc. on Amazon.

This is a tiny sensor, which will not do much indoors or at night, just get something; but in the daylight and for purpose it should be fine.

It looks like it would cost you 27 bucks plus shipping (sorry, had that wrong first time), with your gift card.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A8216665

What do you think?

Clive

 

[Andrea Georgia]

Hi Mickey,

If you can't get useful software, a little tripod, fitting memory cards, extra batteries or a camera bag from Dell, then how about a power zoom, something decisively different from a RX100 III or G7X:

Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Point & Shoot Camera 30x Optical Zoom 16 Megapixel.

It will set you back an extra $49.

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

Specs aren't that great, but it does have that 720 mm telephoto! That could be a lot of fun and will definitely give you some blurred background (for portraits) at the longer telephoto settings, even with that small sensor.

You could of course get any of the small compacts Dell offers, but they will replicate to some degree with a much lower IQ what you may get later on. Unless of course you decide to stay with small and cheap for now. These two at least have 25-200 mm zooms:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830

Nikon Coolpix S3700

I've never been a big fan of Nikon small compacts for their IQ and menu, so between these two I'd perhaps go with the Sony (especially as you liked your initial Sony's pics). You could do a bit of research on the web about these cams.

My pick would be the Canon Sx400 IS because of the 720 mm telephoto, especially good for outdoor use.

Alternatively, buy the Sony RX100 III from Dell if it is significantly cheaper than elsewhere with that rebate (my guess is that this may not be the case, though).

BEACH TRIP: I wouldn't worry about taking the G7X (or RX100 III) to the beach, as long as you and your friends and family are a bit careful and put it back into a bag (free of sand) after use. Compacts are definitely much better for the beach than DSLRs or mirrorless system cams. And you can take great images at the beach, nice memories with friends and family! So if I were you, I'd definitely take the G7X (or RX100 III) along if it arrives in time. I'm confident your mother and others can handle it without a problem, it's an easy cam and can be used like any P&S.



All best,

Andrea

 

[Andrea Georgia]

Hi Clive and Mickey,

Let me just chime in on those lowest-end Nikons S33 if you don't mind. They have some pretty horrendously rock bottom IQ - I looked at them last year for our little son and decided against them because of that, despite the kiddie friendly colours they come in. I may have made a weird decision, but I just couldn't bear the thought of having to deal with those super low IQ pics. Instead, my son now gets to use one of my old Canon compacts when he wants to play and take some pics. He's very happy with that and me too. But that's just my way. ;-) Anyway, I honestly wouldn't recommend them to Mickey.

If Mickey or anyone else here is interested in a decent water- and sandproof cam, well, you know, then my tip would be the Olympus TG-3 or TG-4. Their IQ is not as good as that of a good standard compact, yet it is acceptable and imo better than that of most of the others rugged cams I've tried out lately. The Oly has very good saturated colours and contrast and a great microscopic mode. I played with it at Photokina 2014 in Cologne (and at some photo stores afterwards), and liked it quite a bit, it's a great toy. The Sony tough cam Clive mentioned actually has less smudging at 100% enlargement than the Oly, and arguably a better IQ because of that, but I didn't like its handling (way too slippery and thin, no grip) nor its menu when I tried it out (the usual story with me and Sony), and judging from people's reviews there seems to be some agreement about these issues. Moreover, fwiw, the Sony's touchscreen is near-useless under water from what I've read, but there is no other way to operate the cam. It's not a popular cam.

Inside condensation actually proves to be one of the biggest problems with all waterproof compact cams as moisture, e.g. moist air, can get into the cam just by changing the battery or memory card in humid air. This moisture cannot escape through the seals once the cam is closed again, and in a cold enviroment (e.g. under water) the humidity of this enclosed air condensates on the inner metal and glass parts of the cam and shows as water droplets inside the cam: you get water in the camera that way! Thus, contrary to what one may think, these rugged cams need some extra care like regular opening and drying out in dry air, as well as rinsing and drying especially after use in salt water to maintain the seals. Many people don't seem to be aware of this. I guess "rugged" goes only so far ...

Hope this helps a little.

Andrea