That was/is a good one. It looks in some respects to be akin to my A510, meaning a 3 to 4x zoom, so it doesn’t have all that much “reach” to distant objects. Still, they’re very good cameras, and could catch a hovering critter in daylight at fairly close range.
With the video out, it would make a very decent webcam, by the way. And though it’d have to be tethered to a PC with a USB cable, it can take remote captures. These point-and-shoots could help make a relatively inexpensive network of UFO watchers.
(I have an SX100 now, and am just now taking baby steps into CHDK. Some day I want to check into the time lapse and movement triggering aspects of it. Not that I want to try and catch a flying saucer, but the capability more readily exists for those who want it).
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_g2-review/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2001_reviews/g2.html
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ
IIRC . . . there is an outfit in San Diego . . . began sort of as a collection of friends interested in the topic.
They are configured now with equipment and trying to link up with others with equipment to be quick on the scene as well as to facilitate better shots of such goings on.
I think they investigated the “Phoenix Lights” and some other recent stuff including Stephenville, TX. I’ve met some of their leaders and they are solid people with skills and training of merit for the task. We shall see how long it takes for them to produce greatly improved visual images.
But one needs to keep in mind . . . it seems certain that the Chicago airport UFO and some of the Phoenix shots were excellent but have not surfaced yet. There are evidently understandable reasons for that from not wanting the hassles to having stuff taken from locked homes to intimidations from MIB sorts of characters etc. Such goings on REALLY DO HAPPEN.
I’ve also forgotten to mention . . . there have been 100’s of stories of folks who are chronic photographers with great equipment who experience a very close encounter with their loaded cameras on the seat in the car beside them . . . and they report that normally, anything interesting or unusual or pretty more or less reflexively, automatically triggers their photographing relexes. That is, they more or less unconsciously automatically reach for their camera and begin photographing regardless.
However, that with the UFO close encounter . . . some have actually started to reach for their cameras and been mentally discouraged . . . I forget the feeling or wording . . . something like—not necessary—not worth it—something that effectively prevented their normal reflex.
Most just report that strangely, they didn’t think of it—very uncharacteristically they did not think of reaching inches away and grabbing their camera at all. Some have even looked at or touched their cameras in the course of the experience and it’s been as though the camera was not a camera or had no significance to them somehow.
Now for a psychologist, THAT’S a VERY interesting phenomenon with many similar reports of it happening fairly routinely.