jim bob Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 The full review of the Canon G5 as presented in dpreview.com shows it to be a significant step backwards from the G3 and G2. I am disappointed with the review because I felt that the G5 would be a good candidate for me, but I am encouraged that Phil, the reviewer, is not in the Canon/Nikon pocket, since the Nikon 5400 also received a less than glowing review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_mann3 Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 I see so many anxious inquiries on this forum about the best camera to buy, and what is better than what. I love equipment as much as the next guy, but as a collector of fine art photography and avid reader about the medium and its heros, I am struck constantly by how unimportant to good picture taking the actual camera and lens are. I sure reccommend that for the true photographer, he or she forget the camera, buy almost anything and think about the picture while learning the fundamentals of exposure and lighting. Equipment hounds of course, should shop out the "best", what will turn them on for looking and fondling and discussion with friends, but just not confuse that with the making of fine pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcg Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 Odd, James. I just finished reading the same review an hour ago. Nowhere does he characterize the G5 as "a significant step backwards." There are several very picky things he's irritated by, but to leap to such a conclusion is to have misread the review. A more careful summary of the review is to say that he says it's essentially a G3 with a 5 MEG image capture, better software and a few problems, particularly with 3 minute + night time exposures. No where does he compare the camera to a Leica M7. Geez, talk about tossing oil on a fire... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfdncithekxlbn8kaglf33 Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 Since I view the 'reviews' at dpreview.com as orthodox and literal readings of the specs and instruction manual (and little else), I would not place too much faith in them as actual commentaries of the functionality of the camera when in actual use for photographic purposes. If you are concerned about the purchase, wait a couple weeks nad some field-based reviews will come out and you can make a more informed decision. That said, it is jst a camera, and you will get used to any quicks, assuming that the 5mp is the file size you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim bob Posted July 3, 2003 Author Share Posted July 3, 2003 The Canon G3 received an "absolutely highly recommeded" rating while the G5 got a lukewarm "recommended". I would call that a step backward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 So buy the G3 if all you go on is Phil's review... Or get new Sony that he raves about. Or make up your own mind. I did. And bought a 10D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwilburn Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 <i>Since I view the 'reviews' at dpreview.com as orthodox and literal readings of the specs and instruction manual (and little else), I would not place too much faith in them as actual commentaries of the functionality of the camera when in actual use for photographic purposes.</i> <p>You comments make me wonder if we're looking at the same reviews. Phil Askey not only provides the specs, but also controlled sample images, and also direct comparisons to other cameras in the class. He also makes conclusions based on his considerable reviewing experience. I've never read better or more comprehensive camera reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 <<Canon G5 - equivalent to Argus C3 or Leica M7?>> More like equivalent to a Sure-Shot Zoom. <<I sure reccommend that for the true photographer, he or she forget the camera, buy almost anything >> I guess you must've missed the word "Leica" in the title of this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjarke_vejby Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 I don't understand why the G5 is the subject of so much interest. IMO the Minolta Dimage 7, now 1 1/2 year old, still is the best proconsumer digital camera. I had it for more than 1 year and its sublime. Never the less i can spot the differences from the M in a nanosecond: (to sharp and plastic colours in some kind of a digital way/meaning, and without PS one is f......). My favorit "photo.net-uploader" at the moment is BTW shooting with that camera: Robert Ottohall: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=303069 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl smith Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 I'm not sure I'd call it a step back but it's not a monumental step forward either. Considering the fact that many reviews I've see say its image quality is better than that new Sony, I'm certainly not one to complain about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl smith Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 Somehow this got chopped off that last post. Usually I find dpreview to have good reviews of cameras once you get to the conclusion part and see what it boils down to, but occaisionally once I get to use one of them I've disagreed with their conclusions. I look forward to getting to try some of these and if I get to I'll post back with my reactions to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim bob Posted July 3, 2003 Author Share Posted July 3, 2003 Yes, I am aware that the name Leica is attached to this forum. My entry was inspired (but don't blame him) by one of my favorite posters, Todd Fredrick. About a week ago, he asked why people why were selling their cameras, and his message generated a lot of interesting responses on the economy and digital cameras. I thought he was using a Canon G5, but now I think it was an Olympic c5050, which also did NOT get rave reviews on dpreview.com. One of the joys of the Leica forum, which seems to be much more vigorous than the other forums, is we occasionally go off topic. So lighten up, and don't be so quick to flame people for straying. Those that do get upset seem to resemble the absolutist ultra-fundamentalists that pollute all of the major religions. I own several cherished Leica threadmounts, quite a few Canon FD bodies and lenses, several Voigtlander and Kodak Retina's, and a Fuji S602 digital (which truly is the best prosumer camera). I love them all. I hope Leica continues to thrive, because I want someone out there to pushing the quality envelope to the max. Thanks to the poster of the HCB item at NPR.ORG -- very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurent_berta Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 How could you compare a G5 with an M7 ? the G5 is surely excellent (despite I find the body is a little bit to "canon like" (sure...) in construction) and a good complement to an M7, but I think that a digital P&S cam (it's a high end cam, sure, but it's still a P&S cam) can't be compared to a rangefinder "roots" camera, even if it has auto exposure capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 The reminder about it being the Leica forum wasn't for you it was for the guy who spouted the old 'it's not the camera that matters' platitude with condescention toward all of us who talk about gear instead of just photography--on the *Leica* Photography forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_erker Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 I think Phil's recommendations apply to when they were made(and the camera's available then). So the G3 was highly recommended because it was one of the best available. TheG5 is more mid-pack: good but not vastly better than currentcameras. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop_vc Posted July 3, 2003 Share Posted July 3, 2003 James, I'm a Fuji S602 owner as well. I completely agree with your assessment. It's a great camera that's terribly underrated. Regards, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirk_thompson Posted July 4, 2003 Share Posted July 4, 2003 I think what's relevant about digital cameras to the Leica forum is that if you're accustomed to Leica image quality, you won't be happy with a digital camera other than a 10D or D100. Unless you're just looking for a digital point-and-shoot, which is pretty far OT. Kirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted July 4, 2003 Share Posted July 4, 2003 <I> ...Leica image quality, you won't be happy with a digital camera other than a 10D or D100. Unless you're just looking for a digital point-and-shoot, which is pretty far OT.</I><P> That's odd - every once in awhile I get a nice email from a member (after seeing one of my pix online) who wants to know what film and developer I use. Sony digicam - I'm happy.<BR><P> <center><IMG SRC= "http://pages.sbcglobal.net/b-evans/SF2-9-03/image/friends.jpg"></center> www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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