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Author Topic: Alain Briot's G9 Review  (Read 28236 times)

Gordon Buck

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« on: February 15, 2008, 12:55:56 pm »

Alain Briot has gone from large format film to full frame digital and now to a digicam!  Check his article on the Canon G9 at Digital Outback:

http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_0...lain_briot.html

(Sorry, Alain but I couldn't resist!  Thanks for the review and welcome to the G9 club.)
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Gordon
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alainbriot

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2008, 01:52:07 pm »

Quote
Alain Briot has gone from large format film to full frame digital and now to a digicam!  Check his article on the Canon G9 at Digital Outback:

http://www.outbackphoto.com/CONTENT_2007_0...lain_briot.html

(Sorry, Alain but I couldn't resist!  Thanks for the review and welcome to the G9 club.)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175078\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi Gordon,

No problem.  I appreciate the joke :-)  Actually I think it's funny.  I should have photographed the G9 next to the 4x5 and not the 1DsMk2 !

Just for the record, I do not have a tripod plate on the G9 ;-)

Alain
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Alain Briot
Author of Mastering Landscape Photography
http://www.beautiful-landscape.com

Gordon Buck

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2008, 04:28:07 pm »

Quote
Hi Gordon,

No problem.  I appreciate the joke :-)  Actually I think it's funny.  I should have photographed the G9 next to the 4x5 and not the 1DsMk2 !

Just for the record, I do not have a tripod plate on the G9 ;-)

Alain
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175084\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I liked the photo of the G9 next to the 1DsMk2 but you're right -- it would really be funny next to your 4x5.

Another funny thing is, I actually use the G9 on a tripod quite a bit.  In fact, I'll be doing just that in a few minutes as I photograph some industrial parts.  But I've used the G9 on a tripod for scenics and HDR as well.  I've even added the Franiec cable release!
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Mike Louw

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2008, 05:28:30 pm »

Thanks for the review, Alain.

I've just bought one and I really like it. By far the nicest P&S I've used.

By the way, it takes 8 Gb SD cards.
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alainbriot

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2008, 07:49:54 pm »

Quote
Thanks for the review, Alain.

I've just bought one and I really like it. By far the nicest P&S I've used.

By the way, it takes 8 Gb SD cards.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175131\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Hi Mike,

You are welcome.  I didn't try to use 8GB cards in it, only 4GB, but it's good to know it can take them.  The cost of cards has gone down to the point where buying the largest ones your camera can use makes a lot of sense.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2008, 07:50:28 pm by alainbriot »
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Alain Briot
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http://www.beautiful-landscape.com

djgarcia

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2008, 07:40:53 pm »

Quote
Just for the record, I do not have a tripod plate on the G9 ;-)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175084\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Alain, you don't need a tripod plate for the G9 - just duct-tape it to the 4x5 .
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Ken Bennett

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2008, 08:15:17 pm »

Really Right Stuff makes a nice L-bracket for the G7/G9.

http://tinyurl.com/3yfkos

Sure, it's 88 bucks, but it works -- and doesn't block the battery door.

A couple of thoughts on your review:

1. The G7/G9 lens is the equivalent of a 35-200mm zoom, so not quite as wide as you might think, but longer reach in the telephoto end.

2. IMHO the thing that makes this shootable at 1/8 sec is the image stabilizer, not the short focal length. The 1/FL "rule" really only works with 35mm film cameras and 8x10 inch prints. Taking it to include a 7.5mm lens and a 1/8 sec shot with that tiny sensor doesn't work, because you are enlarging the final image so much more. It's better to think of the "equivalent" lens when deciding on a slow shutter speed, and even then the whole I.S. thing changes the game completely.

Try shooting the same shot at 1/8 sec with and w/o IS.

3.I have gone back and forth on the wrist strap/ neck strap thing. I finally decided on the neck strap because I often want a camera with me at times when I don't have a pocket large enough to carry it. If it's over my shoulder, then I have it with me when I need it.
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Thomas Krüger

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2008, 01:09:50 am »

Time to reduce gear and getting rid of this ugly zoom lens and the small sensor, time to switch to a Sigma DP-1.  

Oh, I can't wait to see the quality of an image in raw format from the new Sigma dp-1 together with an image of the Canon G9!
« Last Edit: February 17, 2008, 01:18:14 am by ThomasK »
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Gordon Buck

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2008, 09:56:12 am »

Quote
Time to reduce gear and getting rid of this ugly zoom lens and the small sensor, time to switch to a Sigma DP-1.   

Oh, I can't wait to see the quality of an image in raw format from the new Sigma dp-1 together with an image of the Canon G9!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=175401\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Do you think the images should be compared at 28mme or 210mme?
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mzsupa5

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2008, 01:29:08 pm »

http://blipfoto.com/view.php?id=98411&month=1&year=2008

Yes, 28mm would not have caught this cheeky little chap. All the blipfoto pics post 23 December are from the G9.

Tony
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Thomas Krüger

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2008, 05:05:24 am »

The G9 is nice camera, but the sensor is too small to deliver good quality pictures - so I'm curious to see the first raw files from the Sigma DP-1. For me this is one step in the right direction to have the raw format and a bigger sensor.
The last thing are changeable lenses with a good quality, let's say 28mm/50mm/135mm.
Something like the Mamyia 7 II converted to digital....
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Jim Pascoe

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2008, 05:41:28 am »

Seeing this post I quickly had a look at the linked review of the G9, which was interesting. I am considering buying a G9, but must take issue with one of Alain's assertions.
  The G9 is not the smallest camera that shoots in RAW.  Over a year ago I bought a Panasonic LX2, which I think you will find is a bit smaller than the G9 and also has RAW capability.

In addition it has a 16:9 sensor and LCD screen, which can be cropped to 3:2 or 4:3, though at the expense of some pixels.  Plus it has a wider lens, equivalent of 28mm.  This all makes it very suitable for landscape type photography. Incidentally the lens is a Leica!

I have found that combined with a very lightweight Manfrotto tripod and using the fiddly Cokin compact camera filter holder for grads, it is possible to get some really great pictures.

The LX2 has no optical viewfinder.  However, as noted, most of them are not good anyway.  Also, the noise at higher ISO settings is awful, so I tend to always use it at ISO 100.

Why am I considering buying a G9?  Can one have too many cameras?  

By the way Alain, I am currently enjoying your book - 'Mastering Landscape Photography'.

Jim
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HiltonP

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2008, 07:37:16 am »

Quote
. . . the G9 is not the smallest camera that shoots in RAW.  Over a year ago I bought a Panasonic LX2, which I think you will find is a bit smaller than the G9 and also has RAW capability . . .
Let's also not forget the Ricoh GRD, GRD2, and GX100, all of whom have RAW capability and 28mm wide angle lenses . . .

And the little Leica DLux-3, the expensive cousin of the LX2 . . .

And the fact that the G7, and newer A-Series and S-Series Canon's have RAW capability via the CHDK software.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2008, 07:42:36 am by HiltonP »
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Regards, HILTON

lbalbinot

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2008, 10:23:22 pm »

Hi.

Following Mr. Briot's advice I got myself a G9 in Japan for about 48,000 Yen (about US$ 460 according to Google). It is certainly the best camera that will fit my pocket (and I'm not talking about money!)

You have all the manual settings that we love on DSLRs without any "lame" translations. And what about that ND filter that drops inside the lens elements? That's a great idea!

The built in flash is ok and you can change several settings (curtain timing, slow sync, etc).

So far I love the camera.

Regards,
Luis
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Bill in WV

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2008, 02:44:21 am »

One, not insigificant, point for keeping the strap on the camera.

I have both the G-7 and the G-9, the G-7 is for sale and will be on eBay soon, and I still prefer to look through my cameras, not at them. Or in other words, I still wish it had a better optical view finder. I truly admire anyone who can really hold that little beast steady while holding it from 12 inches to a full arm length from one's face and away from the stabilizing effect of the forehead. However, all is not lost if you still have the strap on the camera.

With the strap around your neck, hold the camera in such a way as you are actually pushing on it, restrained by the tension of the strap around your neck. Not so hard that you are shaking but firmly and I think you will see sharper images. Admittedly, it is not real convenient for the portrait orientation but it can still be done.

I have convinced myself that it works for me, and I'm getting some very nice images with mine. I wil admit to a tremor in my hands that makes holding the camera out in front of me, without the additional tension of the strap around my neck, to compose using the LCD more difficult than it might be for some, but it makes it very difficult for me to execute that often necessary half press for focusing and metering without actally triggering the shutter.

As we often say here, your milage may vary.

Bill in WV
G-9; KM-A2; D60 (Canon) and 30D
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BernardLanguillier

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2008, 04:18:06 am »

I would advice all those interested in the G9 to also consider the Ricoh GX100.

It is siginficantly more compact, has an excellent lens that goes down to 24 mm and does also have RAW capability based on Adobe DNG.

Noise is also an issue with the Ricoh and 80 ISO is the recommendation most of the time here as well.

Regards,
Bernard

mrleonard

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #16 on: May 05, 2008, 05:47:44 pm »

The LX2 is SO clearly the leader. I just don't understand why people don't recognise that.
The LEICA branded version  cost more and is THE SAME camera.
It is cheaper as well as smaller than all the others.

ALL small sensor cams have issues with noise...the comment that they cant take high quality pics is nonsense though. I have taken award winning pics with my LX2.

They can be had for like $300..buy 2.

The STIGMA dp-1..Yes..large sensor...but EVRY other thing about it is crap AND it is expensive.

Didnt they make a similarily bad 'early-adopter' camera? The digital rangefinder...was it RD 1?
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JohnKoerner

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #17 on: May 06, 2008, 11:28:04 am »

Quote
The LX2 is SO clearly the leader. I just don't understand why people don't recognise that.
The LEICA branded version  cost more and is THE SAME camera.
It is cheaper as well as smaller than all the others.
ALL small sensor cams have issues with noise...the comment that they cant take high quality pics is nonsense though. I have taken award winning pics with my LX2.
They can be had for like $300..buy 2.
The STIGMA dp-1..Yes..large sensor...but EVRY other thing about it is crap AND it is expensive.
Didnt they make a similarily bad 'early-adopter' camera? The digital rangefinder...was it RD 1?



Why do you feel that the LX2 is "so" clearly the leader, when the G9 has more features, is more versatile, is used more often by more people, and has had more rave reviews written about it?

It would thus appear that the LX2 is in fact the follower, not the leader.

Jack
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mrleonard

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2008, 12:24:38 pm »

Quote
Why do you feel that the LX2 is "so" clearly the leader, when the G9 has more features, is more versatile, is used more often by more people, and has had more rave reviews written about it?

It would thus appear that the LX2 is in fact the follower, not the leader.

Jack
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=193834\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Well gee John, you don't suppose the 'Canon' brand has anything to do with it? Rave reviews aside....the image quality is the same or negligable..so why spend more for the Canon? It has LESS of some features the LX2 has. The LX2 also shoots 16:9 aspect ratio. It shoots 28mm wide. The LX2 is small/pocketable. THey are two different cameras.
The only point  of yours I agree on is that it is used more by more people.I think your other points are nonsense.

My point is that it is the better camera by sheer virtue that it is cheaper to buy...
As far as it being a follower...ahem..it was released over a year ago.
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JohnKoerner

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Alain Briot's G9 Review
« Reply #19 on: May 06, 2008, 07:15:59 pm »

Quote
Well gee John, you don't suppose the 'Canon' brand has anything to do with it?

Well golly Lenny, you don't suppose the quality might have something to do with that 'brand name' carrying weight, do you?




Quote
Rave reviews aside....the image quality is the same or negligable..so why spend more for the Canon?

Rave reviews aside? Why would I push the rave reviews aside? That's like saying, "Let's push all of the facts aside, because facts don't matter to me; I'd still like to continue arguing." (LOL)

Why spend more for the Canon? Because the build quality is better, the reviews have been better, and it is more versatile.




Quote
It has LESS of some features the LX2 has.

What does that mean, "it has less of some features?" The G9 has MORE features, period. What you're trying to say is that the LX2 has features the G9 doesn't, and while those features may be more important to your individual needs, they are not to mine.


Quote
The LX2 also shoots 16:9 aspect ratio. It shoots 28mm wide. The LX2 is small/pocketable. THey are two different cameras.

No kidding? The LX2 and the G9 are "two different cameras?" Wow, the logic of my universe just crumbled. All along I was thinking they were the same camera

Um, anyway, the features you just mentioned might very well be important to you, and they may well justify your gravitating toward the LX2, but this does not make the LX2 the "better" overall camera, or the leader of anything; it just makes the LX2 better for you.




Quote
The only point  of yours I agree on is that it is used more by more people.I think your other points are nonsense.

The G9 is used my more people, because it appeals to more people, and has more features than the LX2 ... which means your points are what pan-out to nonsense. I mean, wasn't it you who originally said, "The LX2 is SO clearly the leader," and yet you just conceded right here the fact that the G9 is used by more people and gets more rave reviews? So who, really, is full of (nonsense) in this discussion?




Quote
My point is that it is the better camera by sheer virtue that it is cheaper to buy...

So "cheapness to buy" is now the bottom line of determining camera quality, eh? So I guess, by your logic, disposable cameras are the best to be had  

I'm sorry, who is full of (nonsense) again?




Quote
As far as it being a follower...ahem..it was released over a year ago.

Ahem, but the Canon G9 succeeded the G7, which in turn succeeded the G6, which itself was the first P&S to offer RAW capability ...

So again I ask you WHO is the leader here ... and who is the follower?  

Jack
« Last Edit: May 06, 2008, 07:21:23 pm by JohnKoerner »
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