Since SLRs are cameras that require cars to be driven around, I thought I should go for something that won’t be cutting into the back of my neck with its strap, or leaving my chest blue from pouncing on it when I walk around.
So soon I had a shortlist of super compact cameras that need proper looking into.
First in line for small size, high performance cameras was the “four thirds” cameras that promised near SLR performance, but turned out to be a fucking joke in terms of the prices. Average of £600 for the body with some average joe lens. The fuck.
Next I looked at called Panasonic LX-3. It’s a £300 clone of a £700 Leica D-Lux 4, but it can’t zoom for shit. 2.6 zoom, what were they thinking?
Then this beauty came into my sights. And after reading pretty much every respectable blog about the Canon G11 on the internet, where camera lovers were cuming in their pants globaly, I added it to my shopping list.
Canon G11 was a bit pricey even at its lowest ebay price (round £360), but then this lady from work was going to USA and I got it for £280. It didn’t come with worldwide warranty, but as all bloggers swore that it carried the built quality of a flagship model, I decided I should classify it as a calculated risk and prep myself for some crying when it doesn’t work first time I try to switch it on.
By the way, whatever you read about the viewfinder, it is not useless. It cuts the view to 70% of the original photo. You loose a bit what you can see trough it, but you loose nothing from the photo.
It’s possible that people who say it’s useless don’t realise that a regular point-and-shoot-sometimes-arty photographer cares about this viewfinder issue in a same way your grandmother cares what version of windows she is on.
Accessories that will make it rule
Carry case
Bought on ebay for about £12. Looks genuine Canon. Once the camera is in, it’ll keep it away from damage. Easy to remove top, no obstruction when shooting. It’s ability to be invisible under even a light jacket should prevent you looking like a self-involved quarter aged person that’s got no game.
Polariser lens
It ads colours and vibrance to any watery landscape shots, and gives depth to the sky. Apparently it also does wonders when shooting glossy cars at motor shows.
Don’t buy cheap generic, get the cheaperst brand name.
- I bought a Hoya filter for £22 on ebay (uk seller).
You will need an adaptor to put it on camera.
- Mine was about £6, from ebay, some nice chap in Singapore took 3 weeks to post it.
External flash
It can also take flash, on which you can stick a home made diffuser on. I saw some finkelroy having it made out of a pint milk canister. His pics looked dramatic with this dark grain over them, like it was the 1920ties jazz cabaret, but yet very well lit, with all detail there. So if you feel like moonlighting at a budget wedding (it’s the ones with a buffet and a hip-hop dj), or would like to go to free gigs under a false pre tense your fanzine will get them exposure, having an external flash should be a part of your kit.
Wired remote
This should costs under £5 on ebay, and it should remove judder and camera shake you cause when pressing the shutter. I’m talking about night shot’s with no flash, or close up macro.(both from a tripod)
And people might even mistake you for some kind of a pro.
By the way, I know the title says “best compact” – compact it ain’t. Considering what else is in the general compact camera category, like this sony camera. If you want something that would fit into your skinny jeans ass pocket, and would make great facebook picures in style of “this-party-was-hmmaazing (we actually sat around all night coz no one was fit and just posed for the pics)” , Sony DSC-TX9 is it.
