Powershot G3X

[beaujest4]

Looks an interesting (little) camera, BJ.

It is a bit like the story of Goldilocks and three cameras (bears). The Bride has arthritis issues in the hands and finds the DSLRs are too big and heavy to comfortably use. The little point and shoots while light enough are too small and fiddly to comfortably use, while the 'Bridge Cameras' suit the balancing act. It has then been the mission to find one that ticked the most boxes.

The larger diameter barrel of the lens gave her the ability to comfortably hold and balance the camera and be able to use it. I know it doesn't sound much but it wasn't until we went out on the weekend to 'use' both our new cameras that the Bride found something else out. She found herself becoming very anxious, in a bad way, brought on by all the issues she has had before trying to use her previous cameras and having unpleasant experiences with them. Sometime it is the little things that have the biggest impact.

We went bush on Sunday and parked down on a little creek bed in one of the local State Forests and left her with it while I walked of down stream to see what I could find. Returned maybe half an hour later and she seemed happy with the camera. After a picnic lunch we went to another location, this time I left my camera in the vehicle and stayed with the Bride and we talked about a few things with the camera, how to use it, what was going to be the easiest way for her to use it etc. This location was on one of the rivers in the area which had a large body of water and a road bridge and rail bridge further up stream. We went through a lot of settings etc on the camera to find the easiest way for her to use it and got a few images she was happy with.

Third location was about 20kms up stream to some a shallow section with the water flowing through some reeds/weeds. Again left my camera in the vehicle and set the Bride up with the tripod aiming for a slower shutter with the moving water and the reeds. The last location was the local lookout over Coffs Harbour. This time, as there was people around, I left the Bride to it and took the dog for a walk with him on the leash. After people had left the Sky Pier I joined the Bride and she was playing with the zoom, 28 - 600, plus whatever the digital zoom offered. Crazy zoom really with the Bride astonished there were people down on the beach.

At these locations the camera was on her tripod and was the first time I had used her tripod. When looking for a tripod we went with a lightweight one that the Bride felt comfortable using. Using the tripod myself I did not think much of it at all. My thoughts of the tripod were supported when I loaded her photos onto the laptop. That annoying shutter release camera shake. Not being used to Canon out in the field I couldn't find the self timer which was not helping. Really though the tripod was just too light and really too fiddly, painful to use. The Bride now has a new Benro Itrip tripod with large clips for the legs and a 'lever' style knob for the ball head and a tripod that actually stays still.

Anyhow after the Sunday shoot the Brides anxiety stopped and she is now happy again to take photos. Will see how she goes net tie we go out.