For long I’ve been dreaming about merging my passions to scuba diving and photography. Those beautiful underwater sights have got to be documented!
Before the Canon G11 I was carrying a Canon S3 which is too big to handle underwater. Seeing the quality of the G11, as well as its relatively small size, I couldn’t resist buying its affordable waterproof case companion for my occasional scuba trips. I did not buy the G11 for its underwater abilities, although it did cross my mind. That said, for some the Canon S90 might be more convenient for scuba photography because of its smaller size and similar abilities. Canon offers the WP-DC34, an affordable waterproof case, capable of going down to 130ft or 40 meters.
For quite some time now I’ve been messing with the newest version of CHDK for Canon G11. CHDK is a firmware add-on which brings advanced features to Canon cameras. It is model specific, meaning that you must get a specific CHDK version for your Canon model.
Not every Canon camera was privileged enough to get a CHDK version. The Canon G10, for example doesn’t have one! Fortunately, my initial request (back in November 2009) was accepted by some talented developers. The Canon G11 today is much more advanced and feature-rich than its predecessor, the Canon G10. CHDK makes a big difference.
Highlights
Longer exposure times than 15 seconds, shoot video with optical zoom, Super-Fine, live over-exposure view, live edge view, file manager, advanced scripting.
A few words about installation
I will not discuss the process of CHDK installation in this article. I have not mastered this process yet. I can say that it is not a straight-forward process. There are certain limitations to using CHDK such as the requirement of using memory cards sized 4GB or smaller. As far as I can tell, using memory cards bigger than 4GB requires a complex procedure which I have not looked into as of yet.
Even when using a 4GB card, you need to mess with the memory card lock switch. These limitation are due to the fact that “The G11 CHDK DOES NOT support the manual loading method through the firmware update mechanism!” (stated on the CHDK G11 web page). It means that you cannot use the firmware update option to load CHDK into memory. I hope it will be changed in the future.
The Canon PowerShot G11 allows you to attach filters and lenses using a special method which involves an adapter. I’ve already discussed this adapter in a previous article (Canon G11 58mm Aluminum Adapter Tube Review).
There are two problems with that two-parts adapter:
1. Blocked Zoom – using only one part of the adapter you can get perfect pictures but you cannot use the zoom feature as the camera’s lens gets stuck in the filter or extra lens, thus making the camera to shut down.
2. Vignetted Images – using both parts of the adapter you can use the zoom, but when the zoom is not used, the camera gets vignetted images. That means you see a black circle over the edges of the photographs.
The Canon G11, just like its predecessor the Canon G10 has the ability to add lenses or filters. The process is not that simple as you have to acquire a lens adapter for this task.
The main problem is that Canon sells a cheap plastic adapter which is not considered having as high quality as the camera itself.
However, it is possible to get an even better replacement for this adapter, made out of aluminum instead of plastic.
Keep reading to get more information.
This is a great video compilation of scuba dive underwater clips taken mostly with the Canon G11 and Canon G10. They are mixed together so you can’t tell which is which.
Click HQ to watch in High Quality
“Some great deep dive video and photos taken on seperate dives on the Zen. Camera used was mostly a Canon G11 or G10. This video is compiled over many dives so please bear this in mind if you are planning a dive trip to the Zen.” (MrDiveman1971)
Dougste posted two lovely panoramic images taken with the Canon G11.
“I have almost always used Canon P&S and the G11 is the very best I have used. Only had it two days, but love the shots and how it handles.” (dougste)
A few image samples showing the abilities of the Canon G11 at night. These are taken with ISO 80, 200 & 800.
“These are a few night shots taken on a recent trip to Ghent. All are handheld straight out of camera JPEGS. The only PP is straightening & cropping.” (Stephenbw)
Planning to take your Canon G11 to the pool? Wonder how your videos turn out?
Check these three video samples. Click HQ to watch in High Quality.
AUTiger published some amazing shots taken with the Canon PowerShot G11. Yet another record for this camera in underwater conditions. These are extremely sharp and detailed photographs.
“Exactly two months surgery on my collarbone where I got an extra piece of hardware, I returned to the sea. The LDS chartered the Great Escape out of Long Beach to Catalina. We went to the far west and and started diving on Johnson’s Rock. It was a great dive site – a rocky spire in about 105 feet of water. The top of the larger pinnacle was about 60 feet deep and there was a shallower pinnacle that topped out at about 45 feet.” (AUTiger)
See them full-size by clicking here.
This fly’s macro shot was taken as a test to check Macro Mode of the G11. Lighting conditions were not great. Shaded stairway outside. The G11 suggested ISO500 1/60 f2.8 for other shots at that spot.
That shot was taken using these settings: Focal Length: 15.673mm. Exposure time: 1/30 s. Aperture: F/3.5 ISO200. Camera was handheld, no tripod, no flash.
First photo is 50% crop of the original. As you go towards the 100% you see more defects.
Next is the 100% crop, and lastly the full frame.
Canon G11 dipped into the water to take a video of some blacktip sharks swimming around the boat.
Click HQ to watch in High Quality.
“Holding my Canon G11 underwater from the boat, filming the sharks while they were feasting on the bait.” (ieising)
The Canon G11 is equipped with hotshoe, which means you can attach an external flash to get more illumination for your photographs.
This comparison was made by Jerrich taking the same photograph with and without the Canon 270EX flash. The other photograph was taken under window light.
Can you guess which is which?
Daimaou from Akihabara News Japan published a quick review accompanied with an image sample gallery.
“Already quite impressive the G10 was highly recommended, but now we would even push things on saying that the G11 is a “Must Have” for any serious photographer who want to carry something “light” along with them… Capable to offer great picture in a compact body the G11 is really impressive, but if the G11 is still too “bulky” for you, you should then consider another camera the S90 from Canon that happen to features the G11 sensor and many of its new and improved features.” (daimaou)
Ever wondered what happens when you mount a Canon G11 on a garden mini-train and start shooting in video mode? Probably not.
Someone obviously did. What’s interesting here is how the G11 handles video in motion so well.
This is the Canon PowerShot G11 on a LGB V52 mini-train.
