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Mass storage
 |  | | While the PowerShot G2 ships with a 32MB compact flash card, you may want to consider expanding your storage capability. The PowerShot G2 even accepts the IBM Microdrive. |
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The Canon PowerShot G2 uses a compact flash card as its storage device. The unit ships with a 32Mb card that will capture around fourteen images (JPEG format) at the largest resolution (2272 x 1704 least compression) and approximately 335 images at the lowest resolution (640 x 480 heavy compression). For some, the lowest resolution may seem like a lot, and it is if you are capturing images for the web. But if you plan on shooting for desktop publishing, or even wanting to print your images out on nice photopaper, then you will want to use the higher resolutions. Since you can only get fourteen images out of the highest resolution, you will probably want to buy a larger compact flash card. I decided that I wanted to take as many pictures as I possibly could at the highest resolution. The meant purchasing a 256Mb compact flash card which gives me 125 at the highest resolution, 245 at the medium resolution least compression (1600 x 1200), and 950 images at the smallest image size- more than enough for any work I might be doing, for now. The camera also let’s the user capture images in RAW format (2272 x 1704 approximately 80 images at 256Mb), as well as capturing movie files at 320 x 240 (1000 seconds with the 256Mb card) or 160 x 120 (3600 seconds with the same card). If the 256Mb card is still not enough storage, the Canon PowerShot G2 will also work with an IBM Microdrive that will push your storage capacity up to 1GB.
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Accessories
 |  | | An external flash can help reduce the harshness that sometimes comes with using a built in flash (photo by Paulo de Andrade) |
|  | | Purchasing a lens adapter will let you add filters or macro lens adapters for product shots (photo by Paulo de Andrade). |
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If the base unit and storage isn’t enough, then the Canon PowerShot G2 has a lot of accessories to make a really great camera become a fantastic camera. Besides investing in larger storage, you will probably want to purchase an externally mounted flash that will greatly enhance your shots. The G2 has a hot shoe mount that will accept the Canon Speedlite 220EX, 380EX, 420EX, and the 550EX units. The Speedlite EX series are flash units that have adjustable intensities -- useful when a little fill is needed. The flash heads can also swivel to bounce light off of a ceiling or white card to soften the harshness that often occurs with flash photography. The manual suggests that other external flashes may work (without the adjustable intensity), but I have not tested that out.
If the focal range is not enough for the types of shots you will be taking, telephoto and wide-angle converters are also available. These require you to also purchase a conversion lens adapter (58mm), but the good thing is you will then be able to use any 58mm lens filter to enhance your images. I personally like the pro-mist filters to soften a digital image to look more like film. A few neutral density and color filters also do wonders when shooting sunsets of specialty shots.
You can also purchase a macro lens adapter and macro lens flash for taking product shots or still life. Both of these also require the lens adapter, but allow you to get in ultra close and have precise control over macro shots.
Since the lens retracts when powered down, and if you feel nervous about having your adapters and lens "exposed" for possible damage, you can also buy a lens hood, which is nothing more than a threaded tube of metal that will protect your lens if it is retracted or not. This mount will let you attach your filters and adapters directly to it, and it can also act as another way for you to firmly grasp your camera for more stability. It also makes the unit look more like a true 35mm camera instead of a point and shoot. The LensMate runs for around $25 and can be purchased from LensMate Online.
 | | The LensMate will not only protect the servo zoom lens, it will also give you more stability when shooting. |
The G2 does ship with a BP-511 Lithium-Ion battery which lasts for about five hours of use. If you are doing a lot of shooting, you may want to pick up an extra battery and a dedicated charger.
Source: Digital Media Online
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