My new G3X, some initial observations and questions...

[Chaplain Mark]

Greetings from one happy Chaplain..!!

Been fiddling with my new camera, and can offer a couple of first impressions and questions:

1. Gonna take me some time to figure out which functions I will re-assign to which buttons and rings. It seems to assign a non-default function to a button, for example, the zoom-back assist, one would lose the default function, no?

2. I'm finding the neck strap is way to short to allow me to see the viewscreen, even with my reading glasses, (old age, hello...) I'm fixing to attach a wrist strap to the camera in addition to the neck strap, to allow me to hold the camera far enough from my mug to be able to see the screen, yet not drop the camera. Has anyone else here done something like this, or perhaps some other suggestions?

Very much looking forward to your input, folks!

 

[DonA2]

Mark, I have found that the best strap is a wrist type. I always slip my hand through the strap when picking a camera up. Never a problem and never dropped a camera. Also a lens hood is a good investment. I always slip the lens cap on when not actively using the camera. Never had to reverse the hood even when stored in a camera bag. Just my preferences for what it's worth.

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Mark, I have found that the best strap is a wrist type. I always slip my hand through the strap when picking a camera up. Never a problem and never dropped a camera. Also a lens hood is a good investment. I always slip the lens cap on when not actively using the camera. Never had to reverse the hood even when stored in a camera bag. Just my preferences for what it's worth.

Hi, DonA2,

I agree completely about the wrist strap. A long time ago my itty-bitty Nikon pocket camera bailed out of my slippery hand and hit the ground...the one and only time I ever got lazy enough to not loop my hand thru the wrist strap before picking the poor camera up...

Also the lens cap, I absolutely do not allow the lens to be uncovered unless and until the camera is actually being used. Call me a bit obsessively overprotective of my camera, that's okay..!!

The camera bag (LowePro) which shipped with the camera for sure is too small to fit an installed lens hood, but that's easily addressed.

Gonna go out and purchase a wrist strap, forthwith..!

Thanks, DonA2, for your reply!

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Did a little shooting this evening, just as the moon was rising.....







--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[HugoS316]

I recommend the Peak Design "Cuff" wrist strap. I use it all the time on my RX10 II which is similar in size to the G3X, and it's perfect.

http://www.peakdesign.com/cuff

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Does anyone else see the baboon face in this photo??




It's the moon behind some clouds, looking like a baboon's face....



--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[TonyBologna]

1. Yes, if you re-assign functions, the original function is replaced. Likely have to go into the menu to access it again..

2. Like most photographers, camera bags, tripods and straps seem to multiply by themselves in my house. I learned long ago that, for me at least, the straps that come with cameras are useless - too short and with garish advertising. Unfortunately, only you will be able to tell what you like. I used a neckstrap for a while with my G3x until I got frustrated and threw a wrist strap on. I am currently looking for the perfect wrist strap.

 

[DUTCH van Atlanta]

The camera bag (LowePro) which shipped with the camera for sure is too small to fit an installed lens hood, but that's easily addressed.

Definitely very easily addressed, as it stows very nicely attached to the mounting ring while reversed on the lens.

For a strap, I like the Op/Tech USA. It is longer, so you can view the screen easier. The neoprene around the back of the neck has comfort and elasticity; and it does not scream "steal me, I'm a Canon" like the Canon strap does.


G3X

 

[Hinder]

I have these on my cameras, they're just right for me.

JOBY Wrist Strap

 

[InkedMarie]

Chaplain Mark, if you use your new camerain low light, let me know how it performs.

Marie

 

[panamforeman]

1. Yes, if you re-assign functions, the original function is replaced. Likely have to go into the menu to access it again..

2. Like most photographers, camera bags, tripods and straps seem to multiply by themselves in my house. I learned long ago that, for me at least, the straps that come with cameras are useless - too short and with garish advertising. Unfortunately, only you will be able to tell what you like. I used a neckstrap for a while with my G3x until I got frustrated and threw a wrist strap on. I am currently looking for the perfect wrist strap.

--
Tony A.

E-Bay has thousands of 'em.

 

[Dale Buhanan]

The settings on mine that I most frequently use for jpg are:

3:2 ratio (better fits my monitor), jpg only with superfine, auto ISO, small sized focus box, single point center. My colors set as follows, (since I like a bit more punch in my photos): My colors > custom color --(last one on the bottom row labeled Beta-C. ) Contrast +1, Sharpness +1, Saturation +1, Red -1, skin tone -1. All the others at default.

This gives the photos more punch and better colors, but keeps good natural skin tones and avoids the too red "boiled baby" look. Works out very good for the jpgs. On a bright sunny day with lots of contrast, I reduce the contrast setting back to 0., the default.

You really can get better IQ and more fine detail from shooting RAW. I have had very good results from Canon DPP 4,5, so use that when I want a photo to be the best that the camera can deliver. But it takes more work and time, so most of the time I use jpg.

Have fun! Oh, and I am happy with all the default button programming and do not intend to reprogram anything. Good the way it came.

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Chaplain Mark, if you use your new camerain low light, let me know how it performs.

Marie

Hi, Marie,

Almost all the shots I have taken with my G3X have been in low light and available light.

There is a shot from just after dusk, which I shot last night, a couple posts earlier on this thread, btw....

The camera is extremely powerful in its low-light performance, which is one of the main reasons I chose to begin saving up to buy this exact model.

The other reasons for choosing the G3X were its compact form factor, light weight and 24 to 600mm telephoto zoom lens.

Those features, in the camera's price-point, made it the camera of choice for me.

I love my new camera..!!!

--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Straight outta the camera, no processing except for a crop....

The shady portion is cloud cover passing by at the time of the capture.




Shot last night around 8:00 PM, Pacific time.

Canon Powershot G3X



--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[DUTCH van Atlanta]

Chaplain Mark, if you use your new camerain low light, let me know how it performs.

Marie

I'm not CM, but have used my G3X in low light many times; and it performs superbly.

 

[Hinder]

Straight outta the camera, no processing except for a crop....

The shady portion is cloud cover passing by at the time of the capture.


Canon Powershot G3X

--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

Nice CM, Try a faster shutter, lowest f stop that you can get and don't be afraid of higher ISO with the big ball of light, it'll have more detail although it is difficult with a full moon to get detail. I went out last night and it was clear as a bell, I came in to get my camera and went out about ten minutes later and it was raining. :-(. I had to wait a while before I could get a picture.

This was as much detail as my camera could muster.

 

[Chaplain Mark]

Straight outta the camera, no processing except for a crop....

The shady portion is cloud cover passing by at the time of the capture.


Canon Powershot G3X

--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

Nice CM, Try a faster shutter, lowest f stop that you can get and don't be afraid of higher ISO with the big ball of light, it'll have more detail although it is difficult with a full moon to get detail. I went out last night and it was clear as a bell, I came in to get my camera and went out about ten minutes later and it was raining. :-(. I had to wait a while before I could get a picture.

This was as much detail as my camera could muster.

Hinder,

Thanks for the tech tips, I really appreciate it!

Gonna try to get out there tonight and shoot again, using your suggested exposure settings.

(uh, I like your moon capture a lot better, lol...)

--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[InkedMarie]

how about low light inside, such as a tavern type of setting?

Marie

 

[Chaplain Mark]

how about low light inside, such as a tavern type of setting?

Marie

Marie,

Based on what I've experienced so far, no doubt in my mind the G3X can handle dim interior lighting with no problem.

I expect Dutch could offer more insight about which settings to use, however...

--
Thank You,
Chaplain Mark

 

[InkedMarie]

how about low light inside, such as a tavern type of setting?

Marie

Marie,

Based on what I've experienced so far, no doubt in my mind the G3X can handle dim interior lighting with no problem.

I expect Dutch could offer more insight about which settings to use, however...