topic Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&quot in General Discussion

I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke

Trekker — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 15:55:59 GMT

Sold all my heavy professional lenses and bodies and I am now in need of a new camera:

lightweight
built-in zoom lens
bulky grip
large sensor
buttons that are not crammed-together

The trend in cameras now is to cram as much as possible into the thinnest, smallest body, but I need bigger to hold onto. Using only one hand, I find that my fingers inadvertently push buttons and change settings. (I'm open to an older model if it's "refurbished").

Any advice? THANKS!!

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L"

TCampbell — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 02:57:30 GMT

It seems like your requirements are in conflict....

I see that you had big camera bodies and lots of L series lenses. The first thing I *would* have considered would have been switching to an EOS-M body (which can use all your EOS lenese) -- but then I noticed you sold them.

Also, the EOS-M bodies aren't particularly "big".

I've got a Powershot G1 X which, for a Powershot is "big" and it's sensor is an 80% crop of an APS-C sensor (I think it's still technically the largest sensor for any point & shoot camera -- it's technically an "advanced" point & shoot because you still get all the modes you would have and know on an EOS DLSR (the G series are often used as additional cameras by those who already own a DSLR. I use mine in locations where it's either not permitted or not practical to bring the DSLR.). The G1 X II has a 1.5" sensor (80% of the size of an APS-C sensor) and is the LARGEST sensor of any advanced point & shoot. To get bigger, you would need to look for a camera with removeable lenses.

But as large as a G1 X is (and it's bigger than any other G series body), I still find the controls somewhat crammed. This makes me wonder if you wouldn't be happer with an EOS Rebel SL1 (the rumor mills are thinking it's probably time for Canon to release an SL2 since the SL1 has been out quite a number of years.). Anyway, the SL1 is the most "compact" size body of any DSLR in the industry.

I'm a bit worried that you'll find most advanced point & shoot bodies (even those with bigger sensors like the G1 X) to be a bit cramped. I would at least look at the G1 X II because if that isn't big enough then there's no point at even looking at any other Canon Powershot (nothing else will be bigger or offer a larger sensor size.)

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L"

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 15:40:50 GMT

I was/am a "pro", whatever that is, for over 40 years and counting. I got a G15 when they came out and loved it. I got a G1x a while ago, I believe they are discontinued now. Anyway I love it even more. It is large for a P&S but ti does everything your 1 series did. Metal frame. Good wieght. Flip ot LCD. Large semsor for P&S. Just about everything. The lens is great, IQ wise, but a little on the slow side as P&S's go.

I am a die hard anti-mirrorless camera guy. But I must say the Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera is pretty interesting. I will probably get one. I have played around with them and they are pretty darn good. Just not up to DSLR standards yet but close. BTW, using your EF lenses on one isn't s real good idea. I guess it works but that is about all I will say for it. You might be OK with it but not for me.

See if you can still find a G1x. I think you will like it. Personally I don't like the replacement G1x II. But you might. Otherwise check out the Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens. It's on sale right now.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

RobertTheFat — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:00:36 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
I was/am a "pro", whatever that is, for over 40 years and counting. I got a G15 when they came out and loved it. I got a G1x a while ago, I believe they are discontinued now. Anyway I love it even more. It is large for a P&S but ti does everything your 1 series did. Metal frame. Good wieght. Flip ot LCD. Large semsor for P&S. Just about everything. The lens is great, IQ wise, but a little on the slow side as P&S's go.

I am a die hard anti-mirrorless camera guy. But I must say the Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera is pretty interesting. I will probably get one. I have played around with them and they are pretty darn good. Just not up to DSLR standards yet but close. BTW, using your EF lenses on one isn't s real good idea. I guess it works but that is about all I will say for it. You might be OK with it but not for me.

See if you can still find a G1x. I think you will like it. Personally I don't like the replacement G1x II. But you might. Otherwise check out the Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens. It's on sale right now.

Other than the weight it adds to what is intended to be a lightweight camera, what is the drawback to using EF lenses on an M3?

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:02:22 GMT

AF Focus.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

RobertTheFat — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:04:33 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
AF Focus.

Slower? Less accurate?

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:05:19 GMT

SLower to not at all.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Trekker — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:30:20 GMT

Thanks for your reply! Maybe I'm looking for someting that probably doesn't exist (like a Sasquatch or a Loch Ness Monster, haha).

I had considered the G1X Mark II, but was concerned about the reviews that claim:

Image quality is not commensurate with sensor size.
Poor low light performance and poor dynamic range.
Noise at high ISOs
Banding at low ISOs
Slow AF.
Cluttered rear controls.
Menus are slow and unresponsive.
Continuous shooting is poor.
Only single-point AF is available in continuous shooting.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

THANKS!!

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Trekker — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:32:21 GMT

Thanks for your reply! Maybe I'm looking for someting that probably doesn't exist (like a Sasquatch or a Loch Ness Monster, haha).

I had considered the G1X Mark II, but was concerned about the reviews that claim:

Image quality is not commensurate with sensor size
Poor low light performance and poor dynamic range.
Noise at high ISOs.
Banding at low ISOs.
Slow AF.
Cluttered rear controls.
Menus are slow and unresponsive.
Continuous shooting is poor.
Only single-point AF is available in continuous shooting.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

THANKS!!

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:36:50 GMT

Sorry, I don't have the Mk II. But as to the original, yeah, it probably has all that. It isn't a 1 series after all. It is a P&S. If you want top drawer performance stick with your 1 series. You want excellent photos from a smaller package get the G1x or Mk II.

Want better get the Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens. (But it still won't be a 1 series camera.)

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 17:18:49 GMT

I've been considered buying a "G" Series camera, but have run into one major stumbling block, at least for me. Most of the "G" Series cameras do not have a viewfinder. None of them do, or have, "everything" that I want.

I wanted a more compact camera for reasons that have already been cited, I have found need for a small compact camera to take places where a DSLR cannot go. Some good examples of places with camera restrictions is Madison Square Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and most museums and zoos..

The G5 and G16 have a viewfinder built into the camera. The G1 and G3 cameras have an optional viewfinder. So far my choice has been the G3 (24-600mm) over the G1X Mark II (24-120mm). And, then there is the sensor size differences. I am far, far from being decided.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:14:15 GMT

The problem with folks going 'back' from a a good DSLR to a G is they want the same thing in that P&S. It ain't gonna happen. At least not right now, maybe in the future.

BTW all, at least most all, the Canon G's back from the G1x have a viewfinder. Somewhat useless but never-the-less they do.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:29:54 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
The problem with folks going 'back' from a a good DSLR to a G is they want the same thing in that P&S. It ain't gonna happen. At least not right now, maybe in the future.

BTW all, at least most all, the Canon G's back from the G1x have a viewfinder. Somewhat useless but never-the-less they do.

Here's the back of a G9 and the G5.

Unless you mean the LCD screen, the G9 has no viewfinder, and neither is their an option to add one.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:39:02 GMT

"... all, at least most all, the Canon G's ..."

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

RobertTheFat — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:47:04 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
The problem with folks going 'back' from a a good DSLR to a G is they want the same thing in that P&S. It ain't gonna happen. At least not right now, maybe in the future.

BTW all, at least most all, the Canon G's back from the G1x have a viewfinder. Somewhat useless but never-the-less they do.
Here's the back of a G9 and the G5.

Unless you mean the LCD screen, the G9 has no viewfinder, and neither is their an option to add one.

That's a G5?? I don't think so. Maybe a G5X. I once had a G5. and it sure didn't look much like that.

It did have a viewfinder, BTW.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Waddizzle — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:30:44 GMT

Yes, that is the G5 X, not a G5.

All i wanted to point out that many point and shoots have no viewfinder, and that could be deal breaker for someone used to professional grade DSLR cameras. Both the G3 X and the G1 X Mark II have an optional viewfinder, at a significant cost relative to the cost of the camera.

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

ebiggs1 — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 13:57:14 GMT

"... for someone used to professional grade DSLR cameras."

That is why I assumed you would be looking for a P&S like the G12, G15, G16, G1x, etc and not the obviously rejected ones. Perhaps I assume too much?

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Trekker — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 16:12:34 GMT

Thanks for your input! My dilemma is that, lthough many cameras have the sensor and/or features that I want, they are too small for me to grip 😞

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

RobertTheFat — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 17:28:44 GMT

@Trekker wrote:
Thanks for your input! My dilemma is that, lthough many cameras have the sensor and/or features that I want, they are too small for me to grip 😞

How about a 7D (or 7D Mark II) with a battery grip?

Re: I was "pro" photographer for 20+ years, but had stroke. Sold all my heavy "L&

Trekker — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 01:12:58 GMT

Sold my 7Ds because the lenses are too heavy and awkward to hold with my stroke-affected hands...an ideal camera would be something like a SX60 HS, but with a BIGGER sensor. A sensor that's a tiny 1/2.3" just can't do the job.