Canon S2

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a picture to maybe give you some help. And I must say, I am still learning too, LOL. This is not sized down at all, I just uploaded to post here. It is VERY big. And I am very open to suggestions for improvement.

The main settings were:

shutter speed 1.6 seconds
f/8

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Tripod for anything slower than 1/8 second is a must. You'll need SLOWER shutter speed for fireworks to show the bloom or the willow-y effect. Therefore you'll need at least 1 second shutter speed. Since you're going to use tripod anyway (it's a must), then you might as well use ISO 100. Set it to landscape. Or set you camera to fireworks mode if available.

 

[sheridac]

Can you use a 2gb card?

 

[denanbob]

All of my night pictures I used the Night scene mode and just tried to hold the camera steady. You can see them here. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ldibo2002/album?.dir=/62c4&.src=ph&.tok=phuofnEB2X2veFwF . If I had a tripod with me then I would use the fireworks setting for fireworks. I didn't have one with me so I used the night scene mode. Not the best however my Spectro pictures came out pretty well using that. HTH

Lynn

Do you also have the Canon S2 IS camera? I thought your pictures were good. So you didn't use the fireworks setting for the fireworks then? Just the night scene mode? Maybe I will try that, then instead of programming it myself. I most definitely will not have a tripod. Thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Night scene mode still activates the flash, which is essentially pointless in fireworks situation. Use Fireworks or landscape setting (with flash being forced to OFF, if you're using landscape mode)

 

[ldibo]

Do you also have the Canon S2 IS camera? I thought your pictures were good. So you didn't use the fireworks setting for the fireworks then? Just the night scene mode? Maybe I will try that, then instead of programming it myself. I most definitely will not have a tripod. Thanks!

Yes, I used my S2 IS for these. I have used my fireworks setting and it's great, but not without a tripod or something to balance on. I took a few with it and decided the Night Scene pictures were coming out better. Just shut the flash off. HTH

Lynn

 

[ldibo]

Night scene mode still activates the flash, which is essentially pointless in fireworks situation. Use Fireworks or landscape setting (with flash being forced to OFF, if you're using landscape mode)

No you can shut the flash off for Night Scene. That's how I did my pictures.

Lynn

 

[Kelly Grannell]

No you can shut the flash off for Night Scene. That's how I did my pictures.

Lynn

That is essentially landscape mode by not using landscape mode.

 

[Daisy57b]

Sorry I'm not really sure. You can use a 1G card though. And actually it's better to have multiple cards...if the card somehow gets corrupted then you lose all your pictures. I like to have several 516mb cards, or you could get several 1G cards...

 

[T. Lynn]

Yes, keep extra cards. We were in Florida and I got a new 512mb card for my Pentax. Needless to say that it somehow got corrupted and I couldn't take any more pictures. I didn't loose what I had but still couldn't take anymore. I had to buy a disposable one at Animal Kingdom. You can imagine that cost.

I now use that 512 card to store my computer files on. I tried fixing it but it will only take so many pictures and then I get an error message.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have an S1 and it works with a 2GB CF card, so it should. I would imagine that Canon would never downgrade the capacity on an upgraded camera. I think I read that a 4GB card will work in mine also, but that was more than I wanted to spend.

Having multiple cards is a good idea, but I can completely understand wanting a 2GB card if you shoot video. That is only about 18 mins. I keep my 2GB in the camera so I have quick access to video if needed. I then carry two smaller cards as backups. I always backup to disk every day while at WDW.

 

[sheridac]

I have an S1 and it works with a 2GB CF card, so it should. I would imagine that Canon would never downgrade the capacity on an upgraded camera. I think I read that a 4GB card will work in mine also, but that was more than I wanted to spend.

Having multiple cards is a good idea, but I can completely understand wanting a 2GB card if you shoot video. That is only about 18 mins. I keep my 2GB in the camera so I have quick access to video if needed. I then carry two smaller cards as backups. I always backup to disk every day while at WDW.

Thanks for that. I was thinking about the 2 gb for video purposes. I was trying to figure out how much video time a 2 gb card would give me.

Thanks also to all who replied.

 

[Mom2Em]

I am so excited!! I got my dream camera!! I love the color accent setting!!!

 

[T. Lynn]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new camera...

 

[pmcf]

I have seen some excellent pics from the S2 - you will enjoy it!!!

 

[maliboomer]

I had never really looked at this camera before.. now it looks awesome! *seriously considering it*
Have fun photographing!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Welcome to the Canon Family!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Enjoy your new toy, Jan, it's a good one. Best wishes.

 

[korzmom]

i was just wondering , is this camera a fixed lens or can you interchange lenses on this camera...i have a 35mm canon eos rebel and i have a 70-300mm lense and was wondering what digital is compatible with that lense? I really love all the pictures I've seen with the s2IS..

 

[RadioNate]

The S2IS is a point and shoot so you can not change lenses.

In your situation I'd buy a Rebel XT body only and use your existing lenses.