Canon G1X a user complains

First off, let me say that the image quality, ergonomics, and build quality of this camera are superb but for some reason the engineers forgot to talk with the photographers that would be using this camera (pro photographers and advanced amateurs). Don't get me wrong I love the results it's just how I get there that kind of rubs me the wrong way.

Let's start with the good things. The CMOS image sensor is really big, almost aps-C size. So the images are really spectacular. The downside, macro is unusable. The camera fits perfectly in my hand and the knurled control nobs are great and don't get knocked off their setting easily. The addition of the control wheel on the hand grip makes it feel like my Canon SLR's - nice touch. This camera is a small tank - it feels like a real camera not the advanced point-and-shoot that it is. The menu system is just like the rest of Canon's P&S cameras and works well.

I love setting C1 and C2 on the camera, it lets me shoot smaller jpg images and 720 video for our newspapers on one setting then switch to another setting for higher video and raw files.

Now for the stuff that drives me nuts. Where do I start?

The camera comes with a small (lose it now) lens cap. The only way to attach any kind of filter is with an 58 mm adapter. I opted to buy an off market delrin adapter (it came out before Canon's plastic did) which works great. The lens actually got a tiny little chip out of it because it was not protected right away. I now have a 58 mm B+W filter on it and a 58 mm Canon lens cover. So big you can't lose it. For some reason Canon decided not to put a screw mount for 44 mm? filter - beyond me. I would have really liked to be able to attach a filter AND a hood at the same time but alas no.

Now Canon, what's with the useless 75% viewfinder. What a piece of crap. Nothing like getting 25% more image than you thought you were getting. Why not use a EVF. Problem solved. Or how about someone out there creating one that sticks on the hot shoe - we know Canon won't.

The lens is of nice quality but for crying out load f5.6 at the max. Come on Canon wake up and make it f4.5 so we can live with it in low light. Of course the macro sucks beyond belief. I know the larger sensor creates a problem but please fix it some how with the next one, G2X?

Now for the nitty gritty while using the camera. This camera loves to shoot wide open all the time in the auto settings. Canon, why can't I change this or maybe I can and can't find it in the manual. Auto ISO - I love it, but why can't I set this to the highest setting 12,800 if I want, why just 1600?

Now for video, or should I say auto everything video. You can fool it of course as long as you have it on the video setting and not on the fly in some other setting. The shutter speed is still 30, 60 or whatever Canon sets it for and the camera automatically sets the f stop according to how you zoom the lens. You can use the exposure lock button to lock the exposure when you are in video mode but when the camera is in any other mode the exposure is up and down when you reposition the camera.

Finally Canon, wake up and put a microphone plug on the camera so I can attach an external microphone. What an oversight you knuckleheads. As much as I dislike Nikon at least they figured that out.

Overall there are some things to like about this camera and the images are really stunning. That's the bottom line

A couple of years ago we were down in Bradenton FL for a hockey tournament and went to one of the theme parks down there for the day. I had my Canon 1D Mkll with me and my 70-200 f2.8 and a 1.4 mm extender. Both the lens and the extender are about 25 years old but are perfectly matched to each other. I had a great time shooting birds around the place and this is one of the best ones. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f7.1 at ISO 200. 

Looking over his gift for the Christ Child This past Sunday the young folks at our church were practicing for the Christmas play. This young boy who is playing one of the wise men looks over the gift he will give to the Christ Child. This image was made with the Canon G1 X with lens zoomed all the way out.  The exposure was 1/20 of sec at f 5.6  at ISO 400. Antishake was on and did an incredible job. The camera focused on the package and not his face so it's just a little out but still nice.                           

Waves crash along the backshore in Gloucester, MA

Summer surf along the back shore of Gloucester. A summer storm had come through the area earlier and I found the perfect spot along Atlantic Rd. in Gloucester. The wind going the opposite way really makes this shot. I used the Canon 7D and the Canon 300 mm f2.8 lens. 

Eric Ronnberg Inspects the Model Yacht America

Eric Ronnberg closely looks over his model "America" at the Yachting Museum in Newport RI recently. Ronnberg worked for eight months on this project and created this stunning historically accurate model for the William Koch Collection.