richraf
07-28-2008, 11:22 PM
Hi All, Here is my warning to many of you thinking of purchasing the Canon G9 camera and using it for shooting RAW mode images. If you didn't know, RAW is the best way to obtain nicely composed pictures; i.e., since many of us are amateurs and cannot compose nicely in the field, RAW allows you to tweak the image in the "LAB" on your PC to produce a very good to excellent shot from a bad to average one. If you are into nature and sports photography, you often don't have time to nicely compose (even as an expert), so RAW helps in that scenario too.
I own a Rebel XTI, and use DPP (Digital Photo Professional 3.4.1.1 as of this writing). In general, I was very happy with my XTI + RAW + DPP 3.4 solution. DPP is Canon’s software that comes with EOS cameras for processing RAW images. My Rebel XTI problem was weight on long backpacking and climbing trips--carrying 5# worth of camera is a bit rough with a 50# pack. It’s also kind of dangerous to have a large camera readily exposed when you are exposed on a face or steep slope. So I bought a Canon G9, thinking G9 + RAW + DPP 3.4 = excellent compromise between weight and quality, since G9 can shoot in Raw mode and weighs < 1#.
Well, that didn’t quite result in image happiness, and here’s why: First Canon G9 can only shoot to F8. I like high F-stop for nice crisp pictures of leaves, rock details, people’s faces, etc. F8 seemed a bit low for this. In other words, my sharpness levels with camera were not quit there. Secondly, I like to bracket shoot. (3 exposures at a time with different lighting level). This helps me, especially as an amateur. With the G9, bracketing is possible, but takes like 3-4 seconds to complete the 3 image cycle, compared to <1 with the Rebel XTI. So I get a lot less chance of nice image since bracketing for 3 seconds is a pain and often results in too much blur (shake).
Well, ok for my poor ability. The RAW conversion software will handle that, right? Wrong. First off, you cannot use DPP 3.4.1.1 to edit Canon G9 images. Seems like a poor marketing decision by some bozo who didn’t want to let the el-cheapie camera users have access to a nice quality image editing software. I did verify this with Canon tech support today though, so it’s a fact.
Well, Ok… Thought I: “I’ll just use the Raw Image Task (RIT) to process my photos.” RIT = Canon’s budget software for point-and-shoots that can actually shoot RAW. The problem with this is that RIT is seriously deficient in many regards, as summarized below. NOTE: These lacking features are found in DPP 3.4.1.1 (but you need an EOS Raw image for that). In other words G9 Raw images are stuck to RIT for processing*.
1. RIT clunkiness: RIT requires ZoomBrowser (ZB is an OK viewer by the way) to start. You launch RIT from ZB. Once in RIT, to edit, your view features are substantially limited. Its generally clunky, as described below. For example, to use the tools palette, I must scroll the tools palette window slider up and down to access all the features controls. So I set exposure for example and then scroll down to adjust the sharpness slider. Way too much work to process photos quickly!
2. RIT doesn’t allow you to adjust color spectrum in Histogram. This is nice sometimes for creativity, but not possible in RIT.
3. RIT Redraws are very slow: When scrolling from one image to the next, RIT presents a blurred image and then redraws it to a sharper level while you wait. The wait is annoying.
4. RIT cannot do linear contrast. I like linear contrast setting for creativity. I have gotten some of my best snow shots by setting linear contrast.
5. RIT JPG production is time-intensive. Conversion of images to JPG output takes about 2-3x longer than with DPP. So, take a shower, make some breakfast… and read some news during a big conversion batch. ;)
6. RIT cannot do cropping: You feel the camel’s back getting heavier? In order to crop, you have to go back to ZB or another program after converting the image to JPG. This is an extra time-consuming confusing step. This sucks bigtime!
7. RIT (or Canon CODEC bug) with sharpness (I tried CODEC’s 1.2 and 1.3 by the way): As mentioned earlier, I like high F-stop shots. Since G9 goes only to F8, it’s a bit lacking, so I thought I could count on sharpness control in RIT to make me happy. Well, in RIT, I can adjust the sharpness and get a nicely composed, crisp picture. But when I convert to JPG, I get a dull, unsharp picture. To make matters worse, when I close RIT and go back to ZB, I see the original picture, not my edited one. . This was the straw that broke the camels back for me.
So I emailed Canon tech-support, and after 1 erroneous suggestion, my tech support case went into a blackhole. The answer given to me was like an auto-responder reading my problem and spitting out a canned suggestion as a “while you wait for a real person’s reply, please try this.” The initial advice (coming from a real live tech support staff) was to upgrade software—even though I initially opened the case with a list of detailed and documented software versions, which were the most current before I even thought about opening the case. ;) I kind of new I was in for trouble after getting his “upgrade-your-software” reply. I emailed him back this fact and waited about 1-2 weeks for another answer, but got none. When worked settled down, I decided I need to solve this problem, so called Canon phone support. They had no way of looking up my tech support case opened via website since they were operating on two different support databases. I thought this was weird, but no biggy, and just provided all my details over the phone again.
After providing details, the lady on the phone was unable to answer my question adequately and didn’t seem to give me any alternatives. Although she was nice and tried, I just think Canon didn’t provide her with adequate training to solve a complex, geek-based question. She talked to a colleague after putting me on hold and found out DPP couldn’t process G9 Raw images. She also recommended converting to TIFF for better quality output. Unfortunately, I had already tried that with similar bad results. “Can you notate this as a bug for the developers to investigate,” I asked? I told her I think it’s a RIT/CODEC bug with the sharpness feature that needs investigating. She said “Canon doesn’t think that there is a bug and all the developers are in Japan.” Well that told me she wasn’t connected enough in Canon to actually solve my problem. Japan or USA, you can enter data into a bug tracking program if you have one. So I asked her for any other options and she mentioned just waiting for further software updates. I ended the call politely, with the words Nikon thrown in there a few times and decided I would write this review.
In summary, I have taken some excellent shots with my Rebel XTI. I like it a lot. I also like DPP. I am just not happy with the ability to produce professional results with the Canon G9. I think the G9 is an excellent camera for many individuals. For me though, the above should indicate I am seeking a bit more. If you are like me, and take amateur pictures, but want high-grade output, perhaps, you should think twice about using the G9. I hope this review helps you. ;)
* CAVEAT: You may be able to find photo-editor software (such as Adobe) to solve many of these RIT problems. But you will also pay more, probably $200-$500, for this software. For that price difference, you could upgrade to a Rebel XTI camera and get DPP. If any of you have experience with good-quality RAW software, please email me.
I own a Rebel XTI, and use DPP (Digital Photo Professional 3.4.1.1 as of this writing). In general, I was very happy with my XTI + RAW + DPP 3.4 solution. DPP is Canon’s software that comes with EOS cameras for processing RAW images. My Rebel XTI problem was weight on long backpacking and climbing trips--carrying 5# worth of camera is a bit rough with a 50# pack. It’s also kind of dangerous to have a large camera readily exposed when you are exposed on a face or steep slope. So I bought a Canon G9, thinking G9 + RAW + DPP 3.4 = excellent compromise between weight and quality, since G9 can shoot in Raw mode and weighs < 1#.
Well, that didn’t quite result in image happiness, and here’s why: First Canon G9 can only shoot to F8. I like high F-stop for nice crisp pictures of leaves, rock details, people’s faces, etc. F8 seemed a bit low for this. In other words, my sharpness levels with camera were not quit there. Secondly, I like to bracket shoot. (3 exposures at a time with different lighting level). This helps me, especially as an amateur. With the G9, bracketing is possible, but takes like 3-4 seconds to complete the 3 image cycle, compared to <1 with the Rebel XTI. So I get a lot less chance of nice image since bracketing for 3 seconds is a pain and often results in too much blur (shake).
Well, ok for my poor ability. The RAW conversion software will handle that, right? Wrong. First off, you cannot use DPP 3.4.1.1 to edit Canon G9 images. Seems like a poor marketing decision by some bozo who didn’t want to let the el-cheapie camera users have access to a nice quality image editing software. I did verify this with Canon tech support today though, so it’s a fact.
Well, Ok… Thought I: “I’ll just use the Raw Image Task (RIT) to process my photos.” RIT = Canon’s budget software for point-and-shoots that can actually shoot RAW. The problem with this is that RIT is seriously deficient in many regards, as summarized below. NOTE: These lacking features are found in DPP 3.4.1.1 (but you need an EOS Raw image for that). In other words G9 Raw images are stuck to RIT for processing*.
1. RIT clunkiness: RIT requires ZoomBrowser (ZB is an OK viewer by the way) to start. You launch RIT from ZB. Once in RIT, to edit, your view features are substantially limited. Its generally clunky, as described below. For example, to use the tools palette, I must scroll the tools palette window slider up and down to access all the features controls. So I set exposure for example and then scroll down to adjust the sharpness slider. Way too much work to process photos quickly!
2. RIT doesn’t allow you to adjust color spectrum in Histogram. This is nice sometimes for creativity, but not possible in RIT.
3. RIT Redraws are very slow: When scrolling from one image to the next, RIT presents a blurred image and then redraws it to a sharper level while you wait. The wait is annoying.
4. RIT cannot do linear contrast. I like linear contrast setting for creativity. I have gotten some of my best snow shots by setting linear contrast.
5. RIT JPG production is time-intensive. Conversion of images to JPG output takes about 2-3x longer than with DPP. So, take a shower, make some breakfast… and read some news during a big conversion batch. ;)
6. RIT cannot do cropping: You feel the camel’s back getting heavier? In order to crop, you have to go back to ZB or another program after converting the image to JPG. This is an extra time-consuming confusing step. This sucks bigtime!
7. RIT (or Canon CODEC bug) with sharpness (I tried CODEC’s 1.2 and 1.3 by the way): As mentioned earlier, I like high F-stop shots. Since G9 goes only to F8, it’s a bit lacking, so I thought I could count on sharpness control in RIT to make me happy. Well, in RIT, I can adjust the sharpness and get a nicely composed, crisp picture. But when I convert to JPG, I get a dull, unsharp picture. To make matters worse, when I close RIT and go back to ZB, I see the original picture, not my edited one. . This was the straw that broke the camels back for me.
So I emailed Canon tech-support, and after 1 erroneous suggestion, my tech support case went into a blackhole. The answer given to me was like an auto-responder reading my problem and spitting out a canned suggestion as a “while you wait for a real person’s reply, please try this.” The initial advice (coming from a real live tech support staff) was to upgrade software—even though I initially opened the case with a list of detailed and documented software versions, which were the most current before I even thought about opening the case. ;) I kind of new I was in for trouble after getting his “upgrade-your-software” reply. I emailed him back this fact and waited about 1-2 weeks for another answer, but got none. When worked settled down, I decided I need to solve this problem, so called Canon phone support. They had no way of looking up my tech support case opened via website since they were operating on two different support databases. I thought this was weird, but no biggy, and just provided all my details over the phone again.
After providing details, the lady on the phone was unable to answer my question adequately and didn’t seem to give me any alternatives. Although she was nice and tried, I just think Canon didn’t provide her with adequate training to solve a complex, geek-based question. She talked to a colleague after putting me on hold and found out DPP couldn’t process G9 Raw images. She also recommended converting to TIFF for better quality output. Unfortunately, I had already tried that with similar bad results. “Can you notate this as a bug for the developers to investigate,” I asked? I told her I think it’s a RIT/CODEC bug with the sharpness feature that needs investigating. She said “Canon doesn’t think that there is a bug and all the developers are in Japan.” Well that told me she wasn’t connected enough in Canon to actually solve my problem. Japan or USA, you can enter data into a bug tracking program if you have one. So I asked her for any other options and she mentioned just waiting for further software updates. I ended the call politely, with the words Nikon thrown in there a few times and decided I would write this review.
In summary, I have taken some excellent shots with my Rebel XTI. I like it a lot. I also like DPP. I am just not happy with the ability to produce professional results with the Canon G9. I think the G9 is an excellent camera for many individuals. For me though, the above should indicate I am seeking a bit more. If you are like me, and take amateur pictures, but want high-grade output, perhaps, you should think twice about using the G9. I hope this review helps you. ;)
* CAVEAT: You may be able to find photo-editor software (such as Adobe) to solve many of these RIT problems. But you will also pay more, probably $200-$500, for this software. For that price difference, you could upgrade to a Rebel XTI camera and get DPP. If any of you have experience with good-quality RAW software, please email me.