Still Photos: Anyone really use this feature?

Jim OMalley · December 22nd, 2004, 04:13 PM

If stills are your main objective, don't forget that the GL2 only shoots stills at 1.7 megapixel resolution. That's fine if you're shooting mostly for the web, but otherwise (in these days of 6 megapixels and better), it's a compromise. You might need to keep your 35mm (or get a digital back that works with your 500mm lens). However, you could still leave the spotting scope and small digicam at home.

Paul Abat · December 22nd, 2004, 08:57 PM

Jim, I realize that you are correct re the SLR picture quality. I have considered getting the Canon D20 digital to replace my current Canon, but the idea of one tool replacing 3 has just about sold me on the GL2. My current Sony digicam stills are of acceptable quality except that the zoom is not adequate. Assuming that the GL2 would be superior and be 20X, I think it might fill the bill for my website uses.

I look forward to any other information or comments that any reader might have.

Val Rodriguez · December 23rd, 2004, 06:14 PM

The GL2's still picture performance exceeded my expectations and I suspect it will pleasently surprise anyone who looks at the 1.7 megapixel specs and then tries it.
Here is one of my favorite GL2 stills.
http//members.cox.net/vrworld

Paul Abat · December 23rd, 2004, 08:27 PM

Val, I could not get that address to work. Can you try again since I'd like to see it.

Val Rodriguez · December 23rd, 2004, 08:43 PM

Paul,
I'm sorry, just noticed a typo in the url. This will work for sure:

http://members.cox.net/vrworld

Terry Lyons · December 23rd, 2004, 08:56 PM

Val thats awesome!! Would it print that way also or is it only for ntsc. Is it captured to a memory card or on tape? How different is a video frame grab of the same subject?

Paul Abat · December 25th, 2004, 08:12 PM

Val, the only thing I can say is that those morning glories are truly "glorious". I'll agree that the capture was what I needed to see to convince me that the GL2 is more than adequate at the close-up for my needs.

Now, can anyone supply a GL2 still photo taken of a person or deer sized animal about 100 yards away at 20X in early morning or late afternoon light..?

All posts have been so helpful.

Jim OMalley · December 26th, 2004, 11:58 AM

Hi Paul

I've posted two images that may help you evaluate the zoom and still capabilities of the GL2 in low daylight conditions. They were taken on an overcast day in early morning. Here's the link:

http://www.arrowleaf.net/samples/

Val Rodriguez · December 26th, 2004, 12:52 PM

>Val thats awesome!! Would it print that way also or is it only for ntsc. Is it captured to a memory card or on tape? How different is a video frame grab of the same subject?<

Terry,
Picture was captured to memory card in fine setting 1488x1128, it would print to an 8x10 (150 dpi). video frame frame grab would be at standard ntsc res 640x480.

Paul Abat · December 26th, 2004, 07:34 PM

Jim, thanks again for your help. That 20X really does the job doesn't it? It is neat how the background colors blend like a watercolor. What would you guess the range was from the camara to the eagle?

Out of curiosity, can you take a picture like that handheld under those conditions. In my wildlife uses I will not be able to use a tripod very often but will be able to either rest the camera on something solid or will be able to brace my body against something solid. I've used a "wood paddle" like board on my SLR that I can use to rest on a surface like a limb, bolder or blind window and put the handle on top of my shoulder and can get reasonably steady even when using 1000mm.

Jim OMalley · December 26th, 2004, 07:47 PM

Hi Paul --

I'm terrible at estimating distances, so I don't want to guess at the range. It was certainly much more than 100 feet. I'll ask one of the people I was with -- maybe they'll have some idea.

Those two shots were taken on a tripod. Due to a slight breeze and the difficulty in holding the camera perfectly still at 20X zoom, I believe that the "full zoom" shot would have been blurry if I had done it handheld, no matter what shutter speed I used.

Later note: One of my camping companions says he guesses the distance to be 500 - 600 yards -- but points out that distances over water can be difficult to estimate.

Paul Abat · December 27th, 2004, 04:30 PM

Jim, thanks for the distance update. BTW, no matter what it actually is, it appears that it "was a long way". In the wide view I can't even see the eagle..!

Terry Lyons · December 30th, 2004, 11:30 AM

Val, thanks again, and guess what I got for Christmas..........thats right a nice bright shiny GL-2! Im EXCITED!!!!!!

Val Rodriguez · December 30th, 2004, 01:01 PM

Terry, great to hear that congratulations!!. I look forward to reading about your new GL2 as you put it thru its paces :).

December 23rd, 2004, 06:14 PM	#18
Val Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 35	The GL2's still picture performance exceeded my expectations and I suspect it will pleasently surprise anyone who looks at the 1.7 megapixel specs and then tries it. Here is one of my favorite GL2 stills. http//members.cox.net/vrworld __________________ Val Rod

December 23rd, 2004, 08:43 PM	#20
Val Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 35	Paul, I'm sorry, just noticed a typo in the url. This will work for sure: http://members.cox.net/vrworld __________________ Val Rod

December 23rd, 2004, 08:56 PM	#21
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Val thats awesome!! Would it print that way also or is it only for ntsc. Is it captured to a memory card or on tape? How different is a video frame grab of the same subject? __________________ TAG

December 26th, 2004, 12:52 PM	#24
Val Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 35	>Val thats awesome!! Would it print that way also or is it only for ntsc. Is it captured to a memory card or on tape? How different is a video frame grab of the same subject?< Terry, Picture was captured to memory card in fine setting 1488x1128, it would print to an 8x10 (150 dpi). video frame frame grab would be at standard ntsc res 640x480. __________________ Val Rod

December 30th, 2004, 11:30 AM	#28
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Val, thanks again, and guess what I got for Christmas..........thats right a nice bright shiny GL-2! Im EXCITED!!!!!! __________________ TAG

December 22nd, 2004, 04:13 PM	#16
Jim OMalley Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 81	If stills are your main objective, don't forget that the GL2 only shoots stills at 1.7 megapixel resolution. That's fine if you're shooting mostly for the web, but otherwise (in these days of 6 megapixels and better), it's a compromise. You might need to keep your 35mm (or get a digital back that works with your 500mm lens). However, you could still leave the spotting scope and small digicam at home.

December 22nd, 2004, 08:57 PM	#17
Paul Abat New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seguin, Texas Posts: 8	Jim, I realize that you are correct re the SLR picture quality. I have considered getting the Canon D20 digital to replace my current Canon, but the idea of one tool replacing 3 has just about sold me on the GL2. My current Sony digicam stills are of acceptable quality except that the zoom is not adequate. Assuming that the GL2 would be superior and be 20X, I think it might fill the bill for my website uses. I look forward to any other information or comments that any reader might have.

December 23rd, 2004, 08:27 PM	#19
Paul Abat New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seguin, Texas Posts: 8	Val, I could not get that address to work. Can you try again since I'd like to see it.

December 25th, 2004, 08:12 PM	#22
Paul Abat New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seguin, Texas Posts: 8	Val, the only thing I can say is that those morning glories are truly "glorious". I'll agree that the capture was what I needed to see to convince me that the GL2 is more than adequate at the close-up for my needs. Now, can anyone supply a GL2 still photo taken of a person or deer sized animal about 100 yards away at 20X in early morning or late afternoon light..? All posts have been so helpful.

December 26th, 2004, 11:58 AM	#23
Jim OMalley Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 81	Hi Paul I've posted two images that may help you evaluate the zoom and still capabilities of the GL2 in low daylight conditions. They were taken on an overcast day in early morning. Here's the link: http://www.arrowleaf.net/samples/

December 26th, 2004, 07:34 PM	#25
Paul Abat New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seguin, Texas Posts: 8	Jim, thanks again for your help. That 20X really does the job doesn't it? It is neat how the background colors blend like a watercolor. What would you guess the range was from the camara to the eagle? Out of curiosity, can you take a picture like that handheld under those conditions. In my wildlife uses I will not be able to use a tripod very often but will be able to either rest the camera on something solid or will be able to brace my body against something solid. I've used a "wood paddle" like board on my SLR that I can use to rest on a surface like a limb, bolder or blind window and put the handle on top of my shoulder and can get reasonably steady even when using 1000mm.

December 26th, 2004, 07:47 PM	#26
Jim OMalley Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 81	Hi Paul -- I'm terrible at estimating distances, so I don't want to guess at the range. It was certainly much more than 100 feet. I'll ask one of the people I was with -- maybe they'll have some idea. Those two shots were taken on a tripod. Due to a slight breeze and the difficulty in holding the camera perfectly still at 20X zoom, I believe that the "full zoom" shot would have been blurry if I had done it handheld, no matter what shutter speed I used. Later note: One of my camping companions says he guesses the distance to be 500 - 600 yards -- but points out that distances over water can be difficult to estimate.

December 27th, 2004, 04:30 PM	#27
Paul Abat New Boot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seguin, Texas Posts: 8	Jim, thanks for the distance update. BTW, no matter what it actually is, it appears that it "was a long way". In the wide view I can't even see the eagle..!

December 30th, 2004, 01:01 PM	#29
Val Rodriguez Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 35	Terry, great to hear that congratulations!!. I look forward to reading about your new GL2 as you put it thru its paces :). __________________ Val Rod