G3 info please

[doho47]

I'm brand new to digital photography and just purchased (but have not recieved yet) a used Canon G3. I hope it will be adequate to initiate me into the world of digital photography.

Being a newbie at this, and somewhat awed by the sheer diversity of choices, I could really use some input on the following:

1. Memory. I'm looking at the Sandisk Ultra II 512MB CF card. After reading some other posts, I'm now wondering if this is maybe a little overkill. What are the real-world benefits of this card over a "standard" card?

2. Card reader. I will need one of these. Once again I an subject to "choice overload". I've read that the Lexar firewire (1394) is a good one. Anyone have a favorite?

3. Battery. I need a spare. I've seen aftermarket ones with greater capacity than the factory supplied one. Size and/or brand recommendations?

4. Any quirks, flaws, things I need to get/avoid getting? Firmware updates? Other things I will need?

Thanks in advance to all who respond. I HATE being so ignorant so I hope you all can "smarten me up".

[MrSleep]

your concern is trivial.. congratulations for purchasing a classic camera. :)

[Jredtugboat]

I'm brand new to digital photography and just purchased (but have not recieved yet) a used Canon G3. I hope it will be adequate to initiate me into the world of digital photography.

Being a newbie at this, and somewhat awed by the sheer diversity of choices, I could really use some input on the following:

1. Memory. I'm looking at the Sandisk Ultra II 512MB CF card. After reading some other posts, I'm now wondering if this is maybe a little overkill. What are the real-world benefits of this card over a "standard" card?

2. Card reader. I will need one of these. Once again I an subject to "choice overload". I've read that the Lexar firewire (1394) is a good one. Anyone have a favorite?

3. Battery. I need a spare. I've seen aftermarket ones with greater capacity than the factory supplied one. Size and/or brand recommendations?

4. Any quirks, flaws, things I need to get/avoid getting? Firmware updates? Other things I will need?

Thanks in advance to all who respond. I HATE being so ignorant so I hope you all can "smarten me up".

Hi,

I hope you like your new camera. I own the G3's sibling, the G2. I'm pleased as punch about it and its performance. Additionally, the G3 seems to have (most important to me) a better set of controls.

Memory cards: I'd go with the Sandisk. I have a Lexar professional 80x 512mb card. Will my camera take advantage of this? No. I bought it as preparation for when I'm going to buy my dSLR. It was ten bucks more than the 40x, so I figured, what the hell.

Sandisk is a reputable name. I don't use my generic card at all anymore.

I don't use a card reader, because I don't mind waiting for the download and I always empty the card as soon as I get home...my reader doesn't work anymore so I'm going to get one that's integrated into the next PC I buy this summer.

Canon's website has been pretty good about updates for the G3, but I don't know specifically about firmware. Just check out what version you have in yours so you'll know what you need.

Oh! And batteries--I bought an extra, off-brand. It doesn't seem to last as long as the Canon, but I haven't the means to do a real test. For $40 less it was a good deal. My advice: don't use the flip-out LCD viewer for composing your shots unless you're going for the advantages it can provide exclusively. It EATS BATTERIES alive. Serious, man. Never seen anything like it.

Hope this helps some.