My G9 Kit

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From time to time, it is a good idea to clean out the old camera bag, take inventory and try squeeze in a few more accessories. While at it, I grabbed a quick shot of my G9 kit using my old G3. Actually, the G9 kit began life as the G3 kit. So here’s what I’m packing and how I’m packing it.




There’s really nothing particularly special about my G9 kit. I do prefer to keep all the G9 accessories together so that the kit can be scooped up on a moments notice. I almost always have this kit with me.

The bag is a Lowepro Nova Mini that I bought for the G3 about five years ago. It really does hold all the stuff shown. Notice the strips of gaffer tape across the inside of the top; gaffer tape is reusable (sort of). Sticking out of the front pocket are the connecting cables that came with the G9 as well as the G9 neck strap. I prefer to use a wrist strap (in front of the G9) adapted from a Canon camcorder.

My G9 is dressed up with Richard Franiec’s grip, thumb rest, hot shoe cover and black ring. To the left of the G9 is the Lensmate adapter with cover, a polarizing filter, graduated neutral density filter and a lens coupler.

Just barely noticeable, looping around the bag is a mechanical cable release and Richard Franiec’s cable release adapter. I use this adapter and cable quite a bit, especially when the G9 is mounted on a flimsy tripod like the little one in my kit. Just to the left of the tripod is the end of a small flashlight; it sure has come in handy on occasion.

To the right of the G9 is the charger and a stack of G9 batteries. More batteries, AA rechargeables for the flashes, are on the right hand side.

I’m studying Strobist techniques for off-camera flash so my G9 kit includes three strobes: A Nikon SB-28 , an old Quantaray MS-1 slave flash and a Holga 120. I don’t mount the Holga on the G9; it is triggered by the Cactus PT-04 wireless remote trigger. There are two Cactus receivers in front of the SB-28; the transmitter is in front of the G9 on top of the packing pouch that protects the G9 inside the bag. To the right of the Holga are two Nikon flash stands. To the right of the SB-28 is a diffuser with a bounce card propped inside. Just in front of the diffuser is a bag containing a slave trigger and connecting cord – just in case.

So that’s my G9 kit and, yes, all those goodies did go back into the bag.

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Cable Release for the G9

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My Canon G3 (yes, G3) came with a wireless remote and even though it was not used a lot, it sometimes came in handy. The remote was useful enough that when it broke, I bought a generic substitute. The G9 has no such remote – wireless or otherwise. That is, the G9 had nothing until Richard Franiec took on the challenge of making a mechanical cable release adapter. Right, a mechanical cable release!

Richard’s design is amazing simple. His adapter, precision machined of black Delrin, simply snaps onto the shutter release of the G9 (and G7). Well, actually there is no “snap” -- more like a push. Screw in that old cable release (you did keep it, didn’t you?) and you’re ready to trigger the G9 without touching it.

If you’ve lost your old release (or never had one), you can get a new one for about $15 to $25 depending on length. Typically, cable lengths are about 10 to 20 inches but some are up to 60 inches. There are even pneumatic versions up to 20 feet long!

Before getting Richard’s “Custom Mechanical Cable Release Adapter” (no wonder he calls it CMCRA), I used the two second delay to trigger the G9 when it was fixed on a tripod. The two second delay works very well but the cable release just feels more natural.

Richard has other products for the G9; I use them all.

For more information about Richard’s accessories for the Canon G7 and G9, check MyCanonG7, Kleptography or contact Richard directly at tecsol@comcast.net
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