Canon G1 X vs. iPhone 4

The title is actually a joke. I am still trying to get my opinion on the G1 X. Although I was warned this was NOT a MACRO camera, the hopes were for the advantages to prevail over the shortcomings.

Still as any Canon G user I'd like to take a macro shot here and there. Especially now, when everything is blooming north of 49 parallel.

This is the shot of the lilacs in my backyard. There is a MACRO mode in the camera, although it does not provide the results one might be used to while playing with the G's. It's just not so much MACRO in my opinion. Although I like the sharpness of the central part and the abrupt softness all-around. There is some aesthetics in it.

For those who are into the technical details, please check the info sheet.

For I wanted to take a MACRO shot, there was no reason not to try it with the iPhone. No need for MACRO button. Everything happens pretty much by itself.

I will let you to come to conclusion. Feel free to share in the comments below.

Canon G1 X First Impression

After trading in Canon G11 for Canon G1 X my expectations were a bit high. I have read about slow focusing, which was the case for G11 anyway. Macro capabilities were significantly reduced. Well, other features were so promising - I gave it a chance.

The following is first impressions. Double click to see the image in full.

Above: Ottawa River on a sunny afternoon. ISO 100, f5.6, 1/320, 15.1 mm (full wide).

The photo taken RAW, resized to 640 pix and saved as JPG in DPP, contrast +1, saturation +1, sharpness +4.

Above: 100% crop from the very center of the previous photo.

Above: 100% crop from the top left part of the frame.

Not bad, but can't say I was overwhelmed. 

Look at another photo of Canada Goose.

Above: same sunny afternoon. ISO 100, f5.8, 1/800, 60.4 mm (full zoom in).

The photo taken RAW, resized to 640 pix and saved as JPG in DPP, saturation +1, sharpness +6.

And again, 100% crops, above and below. The droplets of water are kind of impressing.

Overall impression - confusion. The strength is reportedly lower noise at high ISO. We'll see.

Canon 5D Mark II

As Canon EOS 5D Mark II has acquired status of the discontinued but not of the collectible yet, I decided to jump on leaving train. There is few pictures for you.

One is a rustic bird feeder on foggy day. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens on the long end adds softness to the background.

Sliced tomatoes on the wooden cutting board with fairly scarce available light camera opposite. Taken with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens.

Three Lowel Rifa Boxes

 This is what can be done with two small 250W Lowel Rifa boxes pushed into the far corners of the room used as key/rim lights and one large 500W Lowel Rifa box set opposite dead center to fill the room.

Three Lowel Lights

 This is what one can do with two diffused Lowel OMNI lights shooting across, one Lowel PRO shooting up in the ceiling and two table-lamps dimmed down with the double layer of the diffuser paper wrapped around the light bulbs.