My digital age started out with the Canon 10D as a means to “test the strobes” instead of using Polaroid film. Whether this was an ‘approved technique’ or a ‘sweet shortcut’ it was also an introduction into Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras (DSLR). You could also say this was the beginning of the end for my film processing days (it took another three or four years to go completely digital).

The 10D was funky to say the least…lens conversion, tiny viewfinder, minimal megapixels (compared to today’s standards) and batteries that didn’t last very long. I say ‘funky’ because I had a camera in my hand that couldn’t utilize the full range of my lenses, the view finder reminded me of those old 16mm Arri film cameras and batteries that wouldn’t make it through a whole day of shooting. I thought to myself: why the hype ?

What I did like about this camera was the ability to check flashes before shooting the image to film, the compactness and relatively inexpensive purchase price. Another great feature of this camera was all my existing lenses, flashes, transmitters and cables were good to go, the 10D accepted all of my previous investments.

The 10D deserved the hype because it was a good addition to my arsenal, even with its shortcomings. What I knew from my prior experiences with Canon products is they would evolve their DSLR line quickly and they would soon be outperforming my best 35mm film bodies.

Over the years I utilized five other Canon DSLR models…20D, 5D, 1D Mark II, 1D Mark II N, 1D Mark III. These were all great cameras, but I knew something would suit me better and that was answered with the 1Ds Mark III.

Finally I had a full frame sensor camera body that was rugged (like the 1V), huge file size (21 megapixels), powerful/light batteries, much needed menu improvements plus a boatload of other features sure to please. 

I spent the winter season of 2009 testing the camera, utilizing the features and finally having a digital camera body I can always count on to capture the image I envision.

The purchase price isn’t exactly cheap, but every penny you work up saving for this machine will benefit you every time the shutter clicks.

Blotto

The 1Ds sits next to the 1D. They look exactly the same sitting side by side, but the outstanding differences are resolution (21.1 - 10.1) and max shutter rate (5 FPS - 10 FPS).

When Canon released the Mark III series of cameras, a major upgrade was the battery system. The batteries themselves were 30% smaller and 40% lighter, along with a new charger that didn't require you to 'drain' the battery of any existing charge before rejuicing. Another improvement was the menu option on the camera that tells you exactly how much life is remaning in the battery...so important when you're shooting snowboarding. 

The 1Ds with the Canon EF 24-70 2.8L Lens

© Dean Blotto Gray / Blotto Photto 2009

My point and shoot camera is one of the hardest working digital products I own. It’s a really convenient ‘tool of the trade’ that always finds itself in the jacket pocket, the backpack or the camera bag.

The Canon G9 was a great addition to the toolbox, as I hadn’t been using many digital point and shoot cameras before this model (the Yashica T4 was my ‘go-to’ during the film days). Once the G9 dropped and included the following list of features, I was sold:

1.    Hot Shoe
2.    Raw File Image (with or without jpeg)
3.    Time Lapse Mode
4.    High Resolution Filming Mode
5.    Macro Focus
6.    Manual Shutter Speed/Aperture adjustment
7.    Lens attachment ring

These were the items I needed in a point and shoot to feel comfortable with making the investment and subsequent lugging around of another work item.

Durability is always a question to be asked of your photography equipment…the G9 has done really well. The little guy gets punished in the line of duty and has withstood every mission to date. I don’t run a case with this camera because I have yet to find one that’s super quick to break into when you need to snap a photo immediately (and isn’t bulky).

Canon has since released the G10 with some much-needed improvements:
1.    Larger Raw File image size (15.1 as compared to 12.1)
2.    Improved sensor
3.    Additional noise reduction

For some reason the engineers designing the G10 decided to remove the Time Lapse Feature and High Resolution Filming Mode. These are the two reasons why I’m still shooting with the G9. Having the ability to film, record time lapses and take photos is too good to be true…but the proof is in this little camera.

Check out the photos below for the ease of installing a wide angle lens, remote and flashes on the hot shoe.

Hit me up with any other questions about the G9.

Peace, blotto

The Canon G9 measures 2.75 x 4 x 1.5 inches

The Canon G9 with Conversion Lens Adaptor LA-DC58H, 58 to 55 step down ring & a Sony .5 Video Wide Angle Lens. Also pictured is a Canon Speedlite 580EX.

Every year the Burton snowboard team travels south chasing snow. 28 Day Winter: A Snowboarding Narrative documents a specific moment in time: August 2006. That month unequaled conditions blanketed the southern island of New Zealand. In Methven, a small crew of Burton's team posted up to access the incredible Southern Alps via helicopter. Simultaneously, a creative crew took to the slopes of Cardrona, Snowpark and Treble Cone to use any and every obstacle in site.

Meanwhile, on the distant continent of South America, the Burton Women's team was pushing into the pristine backcountry of Termas De Chillan, Chile.

28 Day Winter is a photographic narrative that captures the 28 days of freestyle, freeride and environment shot by Jeff Curtes, Dean Blotto Gray and Adam Moran. Produced by Rene Hansen, assembled by Eric Peet and Denis Kegler in Portland, Oregon on recycled paper in a hard cover format, published under the Powerhouse Books Company in New York City.

The book is currently available through Amazon.com (search word: 28 Day Winter) with overnight delivery available.