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Archive 2009 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

molson
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p.1 #1 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I currently have a 5D Mark II, with a 40D for back-up. It's pretty rare that I'm shooting in a paid situation where it's critical to have a second DSLR, and I find the 40D never sees the light of day now that I have the 5D Mark II.

I'm seriously tempted to get a G10 for casual travel, skiing, and hiking photos, and I'm thinking of selling the 40D to pay for it. I believe the G10 has E-TTL flash compatibility, so I think it may just be possible to use it as a backup to my DSLR. Am I crazy, or has anyone else considered doing the same thing?

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:27 PM

PShizzy
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p.1 #2 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

the only benefit I see is that of size. Otherwise, the high ISO noise, compatibility with EOS lenses, and overall speed of the 40D would convince me to keep the 40D

Now if you are just having fun, but are worried about size and weight, then why take the 5D II in the first place... I don't get it. You either do or don't want a full slr setup.

Just my opinion.

Oh and one last thought: Have you considered something like the XSi. It's smaller than the 40D, maintains most of the features, except ISO going to 1600 only.

Max

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:37 PM

Daan B
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p.1 #3 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

Is the 5D2 really that big

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:43 PM

patriot
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p.1 #4 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I have a G9 that I rarely use ... it's fine for daylight and other well lighted places ... 100 iso ... and indoors with the flash its fine for snapshots at 200 iso. But the noise at 400 iso is IMHO poor and does not clean up well.

I've actually decided to go the other way and pick up a 40 or 50D for a travel cam. With a less expensive tamron 17-50 ish f2.8, it's a pretty light weight set up that won't attract attention. I'd rather carry that around and have the ability to use 1600, 3200, even 6400 in a pinch in natural light than have a G series and not be able to use natural light hand held on the street, in a museum, etc. And I can always slap on another lens.

I used to carry my 5D everywhere all day long with a 24-70 f2.8 lens ... no problem. I traded up to a 1DmkIII, sold the 5D, and have found that there are times and places I don't want have that hanging off my shoulder.

I'll probably sell the g9 ...

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:51 PM

Gary Petersen
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p.1 #5 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I think it was on LL they couldn't see a difference on a 13" x 19" print taken with the G-10 and the $40K Hassy. Seems like it would be a good camera for just bumming around.

The link.

Edited on Jan 18, 2009 at 05:13 PM · View previous versions

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:52 PM

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p.1 #6 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Jan 18, 2009 at 04:54 PM

molson
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p.1 #7 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:03 PM

molson
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p.1 #8 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

Daan B wrote:
Is the 5D2 really that big

Well, it doesn't fit in a jacket pocket or a briefcase - unless you don't bring any lenses.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:04 PM

molson
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p.1 #9 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

patriot wrote:
I've actually decided to go the other way and pick up a 40 or 50D for a travel cam. With a less expensive tamron 17-50 ish f2.8, it's a pretty light weight set up that won't attract attention. I'd rather carry that around and have the ability to use 1600, 3200, even 6400 in a pinch in natural light than have a G series and not be able to use natural light hand held on the street, in a museum, etc. And I can always slap on another lens.

I'm not sure what the point of that would be? I already have a 5D Mark II, which is about the same size and weight as a 40D or 50D.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:07 PM

gabimaster
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p.1 #10 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

A sensor with such a small pixel pitch it can't be good enouth for a backup;maybe for family shooting or for using in a trip.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:08 PM

Daan B
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p.1 #11 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

molson wrote:
Daan B wrote:
Is the 5D2 really that big

Well, it doesn't fit in a jacket pocket or a briefcase - unless you don't bring any lenses.

Sure, if you want to put it in your jacket pocket... In that case maybe even a G10 will be too big

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:08 PM

molson
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p.1 #12 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

PShizzy wrote:

Now if you are just having fun, but are worried about size and weight, then why take the 5D II in the first place... I don't get it. You either do or don't want a full slr setup.

I guess I didn't explain myself well enough, judging by all the posts so far... I already have a full SLR setup... I'm questioning whether I really need TWO full SLR setups, or if I can replace the 40D setup (with its incompatible batteries, chargers and EF-S lenses) with a smaller, pocketable, high-quality camera, and still cover myself should my primary SLR fail.

There's absolutely no reason I can think of for carrying my 40D now that I have the 5D Mark II, so it's only purpose in life is to sit in a camera bag until the 5D Mark II fails. On the other hand, a G10 can be tucked in a pocket if you're out for a stroll, fits in a briefcase for an overnight business trip, can be carried in the glovebox of my car, or can be carried in a bum-bag for cross-country skiing, rollerblading, or mountain biking. By all accounts, it provides excellent image quality when the light is good; I'm just curious how it would perform if pressed into service with a 580EX, shooting in low light.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:19 PM

molson
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p.1 #13 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

gabimaster wrote:
A sensor with such a small pixel pitch it can't be good enouth for a backup;maybe for family shooting or for using in a trip.

How would you know? Do you use a G10?

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:21 PM

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p.1 #14 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

My choice here would be to keep both the 5D Mk II and 40 D and buy a new G9 or G10 as the compact camera. I use my G9 quite often and almost never leave the house without it. I have my 40D I use for wildlife and event photography as well as low light situations. You mention casual travel, skiing and hiking as your reason for wanting the compact. I see this G9 or G10 working well for you in most instances during those activities. But if you need to sell one of your DSLRs because you are set on wanting this compact, then I see why you would keep the 5D Mk II.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:40 PM

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p.1 #15 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

You were so anxious to be snarky that you didn't even read the advice correctly.
The suggestion was to read the "review" not the user comments.

molson wrote:
gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:52 PM

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p.1 #16 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

molson wrote:
gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

The reviews are done by the DPReview staff, not the posters.

And that sweeping statement was entirely uncalled for.

Jan 18, 2009 at 05:56 PM

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p.1 #17 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

camera break and fail. Eventually. Will it be while sitting in your bag in teh car? No, it will be in the middle of shooting something.

Now if you shoot as a hobby it's usually not a big deal, unless of course it's in the middle of your once in a lifetime trip to hawaii or something.
Now if you get paid and it fails in the middle of a shoot and you have no backup able to give the same quality of images, then it's bad - financially and reputation wise.

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:09 PM

molson
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p.1 #18 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

rvdw wrote:
molson wrote:
gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

And that sweeping statement was entirely uncalled for.

You obviously haven't read many posts on the DPReview forums...

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:09 PM

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p.1 #19 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

Sounds like the G10 might be just the ticket. That series really does take some excellent photos and you can take it with you places you'd never take a DSLR anyway.

You say it's "rare" that you'd need a backup SLR for a paid gig, but if you do that G10 won't cut it. Really, it depends on how comfortable you feel that you'll never need a backup SLR.

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:16 PM

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p.1 #20 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

What does that have to do with reading the review of the G10 written by DPReview's stall?

molson wrote:
rvdw wrote:
molson wrote:
gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

And that sweeping statement was entirely uncalled for.

You obviously haven't read many posts on the DPReview forums...

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:18 PM

molson
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p.1 #21 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

James_N wrote:
What does that have to do with reading the review of the G10 written by DPReview's stall?

Sorry... I guess I'm just too automatically dismissive (or "snarky", if you like) when it comes to posts by the regular forum trolls.

I did read the review on DPReview, which had some interesting comments on the G10:

"Here you can see how astonishingly good the G10 can be in some situations. With good lighting, and on a tripod, the G10 is out resolving the 1000D. While the G10 may have more pixels, the 1000D has a much larger sensor. It is really impressive for a compact..."

This is consistent with my own experience with the Nikon Coolpix P6000. I bought it to replace an Olympus E-520 and kit lens for hiking, and at ISO 64-200, there was no comparison - the Coolpix produced clearly superior images (although the problem with the Olympus was more likely the quality of the kit lens, and not necessarily of the camera itself). The Coolpix is even more pocketable than the G10, but the G10 seems to have the edge in image quality, a slightly longer zoom, and is compatible with the Speedlights I already own.

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:26 PM

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p.1 #22 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I guess it depends on the nature of the shoots where you must have a backup. The G10, good as it is, wouldn't be my first choice to shoot an indoor event.

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:34 PM

rvdw
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p.1 #23 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

molson wrote:
rvdw wrote:
molson wrote:
gabimaster wrote:
Yes,a backup for another G10.Watch the review on "Dpreview".

Sorry, but most of the posters on that site are idiots who, judging by their comments, have probably never even seen a camera, let alone use one.

And that sweeping statement was entirely uncalled for.

You obviously haven't read many posts on the DPReview forums...

Obviously not. The 2400+ messages I posted since I signed up there more than 8 years ago were all done blindfolded.

Jan 18, 2009 at 06:59 PM

John_T
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p.1 #24 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I'd put it this way.

- Consider using your DSLRs as skating on relatively thick ice.

- Consider using the G10 as skating on reasonably good ice until conditions become less favorable from which point on you rapidly find yourself on very thin ice crackling under your blades.

Post processing G10 jpeg images has very limited leeway as in camera processing is already close to the limit of what the image will take

Post processing G10 RAW images will allow you to process images perhaps more to your liking, but don't expect near the leeway you are used to with your DSLR images.

Backup is a term relative to your uses and expectations. Using the G10 is quite a different experience compared to using a DSLR, and the connection between you and your subject may seem awkward and more remote. If your expectation is capturing a decent image under decent conditions and getting an image you would otherwise not have had, the G10 may work for you.

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good,
But when she was bad,
She was horrid!

Jan 18, 2009 at 07:39 PM

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p.1 #25 · G10 as backup - crazy idea?

I have been using the g10 as a supplement and a backup of sorts.

2 galleries of real life images

g10 firstlight

g10 creative freedom

and a sample of it's true power. it's obviously heavily processed and from one of those in-camera-jpegs everyone loves to rage against

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

and a crop for quality assurance

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

the camera has a boatload of power and way more than enough image quality for usage. Capture textures, capture life's little moments, capture images for publication . . . it can do it all with ease.

Jan 18, 2009 at 08:03 PM


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