erick_kyogoku

Oops, the link above is incorrect.

<p>

Please use <a href="http://www.lawrenceripsher.com/blog/2008/08/panasonic-lx3-review.html/">this link</a> instead.

If you're considering the G9, which has recently been discontinued, it's worth taking a look at the Panasonic LX3, <a

href="http://www.lawrenceripsher.com/blog/2008/08/panasonic-lx3-review.html2">reviewed here</a>. I too am in the

market for a compact camera, though I normally use a Canon 5D and will probably get the Mark II as soon as it's available.

<p>

Still, there is use for a good quality compact, and with Photokina this month we can expect Canon to release a G10 to

replace the G9. While researching high-end compacts I learned that Panasonic's compact offers several key advantages:<p>

It has a f/2.0 lens -- much faster than the G9. (Let's hope Canon introduces a faster lens)

It has cleaner high ISO performance. Canon G9s are clean up to 100 ISO, Panasonic LX3 is clean up to 400 ISO. For

low light photography, the combination of a faster lens and cleaner high ISO performance gives it a <i>huge</i> advantage.

<p>

Of course, this comes at a compromise: the zoom covers a 24-60mm range rather than Canon's 35-210. I find the 24-

35 range more useful than the 60-210, but that's just how I intend to use my compact. After all I have a 5D with 70-200L

for telephoto.

<p>

Panasonic has taken the path of less megapixels yet cleaner image quality. I'll reserve judgment until I see the G10, but

unless Canon surprises us and offers a wider lens and cleaner ISO 400 images, I think the Panasonic LX3 might

win my decision.

Permit me to invite anyone whose interest is piqued by video in DSLR to read an insightful and prescient article published 4

months ago at <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/convergence.shtmll">Luminous Landscape</a>.<p>

I may not have an immediate need for it, but if my next DSLR has built-in high quality video then I'll gingerly learn a new

form of motion art, probably learn Final Cut, and find within an inchoate creativity that I'd never tapped before. Remember

that this is just a 1.0 video convergence: in time there will be auto focus, and storage costs have become vanishingly thin.

This thread was originally posted in the EOS forum, hence the note ...

<p>

It's now been moved to the P/S forum.<p>

Interestingly, the Canon Rumors web site received a cease and desist order from Canon, so perhaps he is right about the

G10 and 5D Mark II.

Mai Le, if the 5D successor is released, you'll be able to find many 5Ds used at a good price (including mine). Hopefully it'll

be sooner rather than later.

Why does it *have* to be a hoax? (Hint: it might not be a hoax) The "current" G9 has been discontinued, and Photokina is fast arriving.

PopPhoto seems to have slipped, posting the 50D and G10 announcements on the same day. Perhaps Canon wants to stagger their

announcements to maximize the news cycle?

<p>

Here's a link to the original <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/images/G10.jpg">announcement slip</a>. We'll just have to wait and

see ...

<p>

If it is released I'll be the first to buy one.

I am in the market for a good quality P/S, and am hoping that the G10 rumor will come true. I use a Canon 5D, with L or

prime lenses. I don't mind the 5D's weight or size (I wouldn't want a 1Dsx class), but I am about to move to Brazil and

with its high crime rate I don't want to carry my 5D around unless I already know where I'm going and that it's relatively

safe. For dangerous places, a P/S is smarter than a conspicuous DSLR.

<p>

Hence, a G9 class compact would serve me really well. I guess a compact is good to have when you're abroad yet not

going out to take photos every day. While living in Paris I always carried a Pentax Optio S5i -120g (4.2 oz)! The photos

weren't great, but memorable. A good quality P/S that you can tuck into the corner of a bag is useful ... for the

situations where you wouldn't otherwise carry a DSLR. But for taking artistic photos or photos to be published ... DSLR

is the way to go.

If I may add one more thing:

<p>

Peripheral Illumination Correction<p>

Per-lens vignetting correction programmed with a large database of Canon lenses.

<p>

A good feature to include on future full frame bodies. Something I could really use that isn't so necessary for APS-C

sized sensors. I get vignetting with my 24-105L + 5D, but if it could be corrected before I do so manually in Lightroom,

then it's something worth looking forward to.

>"Is there even one 5D owner that is excited about this release?"<

As a 5D owner looking to snap up a 5D Mark II I am rather enthused about the new 50D.

It signals a nontrivial increase in total megapixels. In the past I heard that the 5D Mk II or whatever you want to call it

might be 16 MP, but if a 50D is already 15+ MP, I think one can be optimistic that the next prosumer D-SLR will have

generous enough resolution to distinguish itself from a 50D at less than half the price.

If there is a new G10 released (which I'd buy immediately), while the G9 is already 12MP and recently discontinued, then the

present 5D's relative age will be even more glaringly obvious. It wouldn't be compelling for a person to spend more on a new 5D for

inferior resolution / picture quality. Granted there are other benefits to having full frame, but I imagine a 50D will

cannibalize 5D sales and hasten the 5D's successor.

Has anyone calculated how many megapixels a full frame body, using the 50D's 4.7µm pixels, would make?

Supposing the 5D's successor has a sensor with similar density, we might be able to get a ballpark idea what final MP the

next prosumer D-SLR might have. I'm impressed with the 50D, but will upgrade my 5D when its successor comes around.

Though my 5D takes good photos, it would still benefit me to have more pixels to use or crop from. (After using a full frame body I

wouldn't be able to return to 1.6x)

Cheers

Hi Tamandra,

<p>

The same thing happened with my 10D. At first I could take a few photos before the

Err99 message, then after a while the camera became unusable, requiring a power

off/on cycle for each shot. Canon replaced the shutter mechanism under warranty and

it worked perfectly after that.

Interesting thread Radu, I too would be interested in your DIY disassembly photos.

<p>

I dropped my lens from over one meter in height onto a hard floor, and it seemed to

have become misthreaded. Basically I was getting uneven focus as, I believe, the

lens plane was uneven. I would not expect such a fall to go without damage, but

insurance covered it and it was repaired to perfect working order by Canon. I imagine

they just reassembled it properly.

Thanks Geoff and Colin for the feedback.

<p>

I suppose the Heliopan will replace my B+W when it gets dirty. I take it the Heliopan is

well built, made of brass, and handles like a B+W? (Must be as it's $212 rather than

the B+W's $165) But so far with my standard B+W Circ Polarizer I haven't had

vignetting problems on a 5D, at least not caused by the filter. (I've had vignetting from

the 24-105L at its widest, but even with no filter whatsoever)

Colin, can the Heliopan SH-PMC Slim filter accept regular Canon lens caps? Would be

convenient if it did.

<p>

My B+W slim polarizer ships with its own rubber cap. Canon caps fall right off.

Thanks.

Tommy I have the 28/1.8 and it's one of my favorite lenses. I have three other L

zooms. I often leave them at home yet always carry the 28/1.8.

<p>

It doesn't matter so much that the corners are soft wide open. If you are focused on a

subject at f/1.8, the corners are going to be out of focus anyhow (unless you're taking a

photo of a flat brick wall). Some of my best photos have been taken with the f/1.8.

When I was living in Paris, I'd often go out with just my 28/1.8 and my 1.6x crop 10D.

Compact, light, and fast -- I couldn't live without it. I now use it on my 5D.

I use a 17-40 on my 5D, using a regular B+W circular polarizer. Haven't seen any

vignetting on it.

Chinmaya, I started a "personal effects" insurance policy for my photo gear two years

ago. I didn't think that I really needed it, but my photo gear was reaching $8000-10000,

including my tripod/ballhead, CF cards, digital photo wallet, and my Mac notebook

computer. Losing it all would be difficult to replace, so I dropped by my old State Farm

agent from whom I once bought auto insurance.

<p>

They explained to me that I could cover everything in an itemized list, with each item

and serial number stored in their database. For $8000+ of coverage I pay roughly

$150/year. $0 deductible . When I first started coverage I brought in all my gear and

showed them, then we started entering it into their computer, with their corresponding

replacement value. You can choose the value up to the maximum, or choose less.

The personal effects policy works in the same way as jewelry insurance. Nothing that

isn't listed will be covered, and everything that is listed is fully covered for any reason:

damage, theft, etc.

<p>

I never imagined that I would actually use it, but it gave me a nice peace of mind. Then

in March, on a trip to Mexico, I had a large bag stolen. My camera and lenses were

fine, but my tripod, ballhead, and accessories were stolen. I got a police report in

Mexico, though in the end with this policy I didn't need one. Since everything is listed

they don't need documentation. In less than a week I received a check for $1200, no

questions asked, for which I could buy the replacement equipment of my choosing. (I

ended up buying a different model tripod, a Gitzo carbon fiber instead of Bogen -- the

difference paid out of my pocket) I had a lot of non-insured items stolen as well, but

the insurance took half the sting out of being robbed. I strongly recommend having it.

For $1500 in equipment your annual premium will be a lot less than mine. While making

my claim I also asked about a lens that I had dropped while cleaning my sensor. It

needed repair for $~150 and they wrote me a check for that amount.

<p>

For the peace of mind and for the actual coverage, a personal effects policy has

proven to be a good investment. Any insurance agent should be able to offer this. You

can change your policy to reflect changes in your equipment, adding or removing items

of your choosing over time. There is a difference in price between whether you make

a living off of photography or practice it as a hobby. Since it isn't my profession the

rate is low, but it increases for pros.

<p>

So I have coverage for all of my equipment, with the exception of small accessories

worth less than $50. It works for theft, mugging, loss, damage, *anything.*

<p>

Coverage via regular home insurance is different from what I described above, you'll

have to check with your homeowner's insurance, and will likely have to catalog and

show proof for the items before they're stolen. Perhaps someone else who has

experience with this policy can share their experience.

<p>

I think the personal effects policy is perfect for camera gear. Good luck.

I sympathize with you too. I hope that despite this headache your problem will soon be

resolved.

<p>

I've only had good experiences with Canon service in Japan, Italy, and California.

<p>

In Italy the girls on customer service were helpful, sympathetic, and patient with my less-

than-perfect Italian. They repaired under warranty a 10D purchased in America. Received

a hand-written Christmas card from them with the return of my camera.

<p>

Last week I sent my busted (I dropped it) 50/1.4 lens to the Irvine center. 6 days later (4

business days later) the lens arrived at my house. The only delay was caused by my not

expecting it so soon and not being around to sign for it.

<p>

One way to make things easier is to place an Online Repair Booking before sending your

Canon photo gear in. Doing so will keep you updated electronically. They won't have to

look up your phone number or problem description on a paper letter -- or run the risk of

misplacing the paper. Through the Canon support site, select your model then choose

"Repair Request" or "Repair Tracking & Approval". Best of luck to you.

<p>

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=SupportIndexAct&fcategoryid=201

Nice call Peter! I too read the thread on price increases. I had been hoping for a cash in

with Canon rebate, but upon hearing that prices would go up I placed an order on Sunday

for a 70-200 f/4L IS lens. I paid $1059, it's now $1100. And the lens hasn't even

shipped from B&H yet.

<p>

My thanks to Mark U for the heads up.

<p>

Admittedly $41 of $1000+ is inconsequential, but the price news was just the impetus I

needed to sway me off the fence. Japanese and European manufacturers have been taking

a revenue hit with the declining dollar. I can understand why they chose to increase

prices. (I also dumped my Canon stock as the yen began to appreciate.)

<p>

The price increase makes me wonder: should those of us with personal effects insurance

policies revise the coverage on our photo gear, given that if stolen it will cost that much

more to replace?

Woops, it does the right thing but at the moment only supports SD cards.

Let's hope they develop a CF card version in the near future.

PS Remove the space from the above nytimes url, after "?" and before "pagewanted"

Ralph, take a look at the ATP Electronics photofinder.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/technology/personaltech/10pogue.html?pagewanted=2

http://photofinder.atpinc.com/

I bought my Canon 10D from a mailorder company in America, a few weeks before moving

to Italy. When the shutter broke in Firenze, Canon Italia fixed my USA warranty camera for

free, even paying shipping. I think the only requirement in my case was that the camera

purchased from an American retailer had to be delivered in America, but I was pleasantly

surprised that Canon offered me free service in Italy. Just FYI.

Interesting Jim ... well I have a personal effects insurance policy on all my camera gear, the

50/1.4 included, so if it's costly I'm covered. If it's a minor repair I don't mind paying for it

out of pocket. Does one send lenses directly to Canon or first call them up to arrange it?

Thanks.

Hi folks,

I have a Canon 50/1.4 lens that I dropped from a few feet -- the damage seems to be minor, as though

it's been misthreaded and just needs to be disassembled then reassembled (though I'm not certain, it

looks like a straightforward job). What would you recommend I do: use a local repair shop, or send it

back to Canon?

I'm leaving on a trip in two weeks, it'd be nice to have the lens along the trip, but I'm not in dire need of it.

I've heard sending into Canon service (Irvine) is slow and can take weeks or months. I live in Los Angeles,

could anyone recommend Canon repair shops in the area? Or should I still send it to Canon?

Thanks for any helpful recommendations.