Camera Hacker

Canon EOS Rebel G

Anyone who knows me for any time at all knows how much I love my Rebel G. It is small, light, and loaded with features. Canon markets this camera to beginners, but includes full automatic functionalities, full manual functionalities, and every combination of manual and automatic modes in between. It is my first camera and has always been adequate.

This camera is an excellent learning tool for beginners because it allows the photographer to set from fully automatic mode to fully manual mode. When I started learning photography, I started in full-auto mode; snap-shooting at everything that caught my eyes. Over time, as I try to gain control of my photographic results, I would turn off one automatic feature at a time. When I learned about aperture and depth-of-field I sat the camera to aperture-priority, which means I manually control aperture while the camera controls everything else automatically. When I learned about shutter speed and its effect on my pictures, I sat the camera to shutter-priority, which means I manually control shutter speed while the camera controls everything else automatically. When I learned to selective-focus manually, I turned off the auto-focus feature, but kept all other control automatic. As my education progressed, I was able to turn off all automatic features and set aperture, shutter speed, and focus manually. The Canon Rebel G has been a great learning tool for me.

The camera is made out of plastic, which contributed greatly to its lightweight. Although I have mounted many lenses on it, including my heavy Canon EF 300mm f/4 L, the lens mount has not yet been worn down or broken. I am actually quite surprised that the lens mount can withstand the weight of the big, white Canon EF 300mm f/4 L lens. However, I strongly suggest that you do not carry heavy lens by the camera body, rather, carry the combination by the lens. The same suggestion goes for the professional 1N camera with metal lens mount.

The design of the camera body is excellent. It is ergonomic and looks very stylish. I don't have any problems holding the grip for long periods of time. And its rounded shape allows me to carry it along with groups of people without feeling awkward.

I seriously suggest to anyone with this camera to get the battery pack. The battery pack allows regular AA batteries to be used with the camera, rather than the expensive lithium batteries. The battery pack will pay for itself very quickly. It also includes a hand-strap, which secures the camera to your hand. I am less paranoid about dropping the camera when I use the hand-strap. It's especially handy for situations where using the neck strap is inconvenient.

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