Urgent G9 Questions

I’m putting in an order asap with my school district for cameras to be used as part of classes offered on digital photography and possibly even landscape photography. Because the budget is tight, I’m hoping to get about a dozen small point and shoots, and I’m also trying to get three or four more cameras where the manual controls are useful. That is why I have questions about the G9. I know many of you have used the camera to great effect (I’ve seen some of the posts), but I’m wondering about the instructional usefulness of the G9 when compared to the most basic SLR.

What are the aperture settings? Can you really achieve a good depth of field using the highest setting? Can you actually achieve selective focus with the lowest setting? Will it be a good tool for teaching various camera functions? Any input in the next few hours would be highly appreciated.

Kent, I think you'll be better off with an entry-level DSLR. A Rebel XT with kit lens is only $50 more than a G9, and is a much better teaching tool.

Note that the G9 is now marked as "discontinued" on some sites and rumors are it will be replaced in the next month or so.

Guy

Kent - I have an S2 IS, which actually has a slightly smaller sensor, but comparable to the G9. As far as DOF goes, it's has it by the boat load. Unless I'm focused on something nearby with the BG a fair distance away, I don't get smooth BGs. For instance, in this shot the animal was probably ~50-60 yards away, with the BG another 50 behind it, and at f/3.5 (max. aperture) that was all the smoother the BG got. Of course, by the same token, I can shoot landscapes at f/4 or f/5.6 and get terrific DOF easily. In fact, I rarely worry about aperture because the DOF just doesn't get all that narrow.

As far as what's a better teaching tool, I would think an SLR would be somewhat better. You avoid tiny viewfinders that are hard to use, parallax error in framing, and a wider array of apertures, shutter speeds, and DOF choices, which will really serve to highlight what these options do in a photo.

Kent, I agree with Guy and David. An SLR would be a better choice. With the SLR you could purchase additional lenses as funding becomes available. You might also consider tripods, if your budget can afford it.

-P

Kent,
I use the G9 as a teaching tool for my beginning digital photography class. Of course, a SLR is a better teaching tool, but unfortunatly, most people, especially kids and teenagers, don't want to carry a slr, no matter how small. The G9 has all manual controls and I have found the live histogram to be a great teaching aid. I think it is important to teach using a tool that the students would want to use, instead of what we want them to learn with (a 8x10 view camera would be my preference). If a student really falls in love with photography, they will see the limitations and purchase a SLR (or view camera) on their own. Just a thought.
Carl

David brings up a very good point. On a small-sensor camera you always get large DOF, and differences in aperture may be very hard to spot. Also, SLR controls are more universal. If you know how to operate one you can figure out others pretty quickly. If you learn to operate a G9, you won't necessarily be able to transfer this knowledge to other cameras very easily.

Another option may be something like a Nikon D40 which, with kit lens, is even cheaper than a G9.

Guy

I think an SLR would be a much better learning tool. When you use the G9 fully manual, it is not as simple and clear as an SLR. If the D40 is cheaper, I would go that route. Or an older model Rebel if you can find them. Either would be better to teach the fundamentals.

I love my G9, but I agree with Guy, you'll be better off with an entry level DSLR.

Even the original rebel would work. Any old used slr would be best on a budget. I don't have a backup body for my 5D but if I did I would just donate my D70. If the dslr's are too expensive I would suggest you buy half the amount and have the kids partner up or group up.

Thanks everyone!

Hey Kent, no fair! Tell us what you bought.

I'm a little late to the party. I also recommend a dSLR. Interchangeable parts make it easy to replace or upgrade individual pieces as dollars permit or necessity demands. The dSLR will teach students the difference between the P&S they have at home and the dSLR they use in school, why the dSLR produces better images, what control they have with a dSLR that they don't have with their P&S, the relationship between the different controls, etc. I believe the degree of control of manual focus is far better with a dSLR than with a G9 as well. The dSLR really is "manual" focus where as manual focus on most compacts is really electronic steps via a button or lever. A dSLR system also lets you buy a few specialty lenses that can be shared (i.e. a short telephoto for portrait studies or wide angle for landscape studies).

The entry fee to the dSLR may be slightly higher, but the long term costs may be cheaper because of its interchangeable nature.

I ended up going with a few D40 kits to start with. I might also get a couple D60s at some point. Nikon only because that's what I'm more familiar with. Thanks again.