Canon S2

[Kelly Grannell]

I'm seriously considering buying a pocket camera (like the Sony T series cameras) for those nights on the town when I don't want to bring a bag.

But you'll encounter high ISO noise problem with a smaller camera (which has the tendency of having even smaller image sensor).

These pictures were taken at ISO 400.

Kodak Z760 - very high noise

Canon S2IS - very low noise

 

[Deedee]

what if i could get the D50 (on offer) at the same price as the S2 IS? I must admit the pics taken with the S2 are really good. I would like to be able to do more with a camera i just don't know which one to go for.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

To be "comparable", your D50 SHOULD come with a Nikon lens with VR (Vibration Reduction). Therefore, if you can get a D50 with a Nikon 18-200 VR lens at the same price as (or even $200 more than) the S2 IS... go for it! You'll love the pics better.

I'm saying this because I love taking pictures at high ISO (400, 800, 1600). Now with VR (or IS) you'll get another (at least) 2-stop advantage as if you're using ISO (800, 1600 and 3200 respectively).

note: what I mentioned above is not absolutely correct, it's just a figurative explanation of what an IS/VR can do.

PS: The high ISO performance on the D50 is MUCH better than the S2 IS. Please note that this comment is from a Canon lover.

 

[Deedee]

Thanks for your help Kelly. For the price, i think i may go for the D50, i will sleep on it knowing me i will change my mind again tomorrow!!!!!

 

[RadioNate]

But you'll encounter high ISO noise problem with a smaller camera (which has the tendency of having even smaller image sensor).

These pictures were taken at ISO 400.

Kodak Z760 - very high noise

Canon S2IS - very low noise

Oh I know but I can't see toting the S2 IS to the bar with me to take snapshots of my friends.

I will say another downside is I think 400 is it's highest ISO. At least on auto settings it is, I haven't played around enough to know 100%. That has been fine for my casual photography needs but you may need more.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

IIRC, S2 IS maxed out at 400 ISO. Doesn't matter, because anything higher will make the picture unuseable. Put it this way. D50's ISO1600 is about as 'bad' as S2 IS ISO400. (note: Canon Rebel XT dSLR, also yield a very clean ISO1600)

Also being able to use a clean 1600 ISO will allow you to do nightshots (almost) without a tripod. In most cases, just use the P mode, set ISO to 1600, flash on and you'll get a nice clean picture of your subject and the night lights behind the subject.

 

[ndelaware]

what if i could get the D50 (on offer) at the same price as the S2 IS? I must admit the pics taken with the S2 are really good. I would like to be able to do more with a camera i just don't know which one to go for.

If you can get a D50 for $450 USD you should buy it!!!

Sorry, I don't know the current exchange rate.

 

[handicap18]

You can't get a D50 with a lens and SD card for $450, but you can for about $680 (at amazon.com). Then of course once you get into photography more you can get a bigger zoom lens and better flash and have even more fun.

 

[RadioNate]

Ok I put some S2 IS shots from last nights Spurs game here
http://homepage.mac.com/najlundy/PhotoAlbum7.html

again no retouching etc.

I agree if you want a higher ISO than the D50 is the way to go.

In situations like last night I wish I would have had the D50 or RebelXT but they wouldn't let me in the arena with it anyway so it is kinda a moot point.

I had one I took on either Tv or Av that was really clean and crisp but terribly overexposed. Of course I can't remember which setting. I played with it a bit in photoshop and while better I still wasn't happy with it. I would need to fix the white balance on the camera. I need to go to a boring game so I can just play with camera settings.

 

[Deedee]

I have done it i have bought the D50 i saved about $240 on the listed price so i am feeling pretty excited now. Just waiting for the batteries to charge up to get started. I have got the 1GB memory card how many photos do you think i will get out of it. Thanks again for all your input. We have still got our nikon coolpix to fall back on if i fail LOL

 

[handicap18]

I have taken an SLR into Fenway Park, TD Bank North Garden, the old Boston Garden, Giants Stadium, Sky Dome, Camden Yards at Oriole Park, Yankee Stadium and Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only stadium I wouldn't take it is Gillette Stadium because I know they have a very strict stated policy about camera's with changeable lenses. Though I do have a friend who took one in a few years ago and didn't get tossed. But did see someone get spoken to at the old Foxboro Stadium about it. He wasn't tossed but was given a warning.

At Fenway Park, Sky Dome and the Garden (new one) I took pictures in full view of the ushers and security people and they didn't say anything. At the Garden I was 10 rows behind the visitors bench and got some great shots

I guess it really depends on how much each place enforces the policy. The New England Patriots are the toughest in my neck of the woods for sure.

RadioNate:
I know what you mean about going out with a big camera. If the convenience of getting a cheep camera that will take those few pics works, I say go for it. Your only taking snapshots to remember a small occassion, not looking to win the pulitizer. Sometimes need and convience is better than noise reduction and image stabilization.

 

[ndelaware]

Congratulations!! It may take a little time to get used to it but I am sure you won't fail. Pretty soon The Coolpix will be gathering dust. Depending on which jpeg setting you set the camera to to you should be able to get at least 300 pictures on a 1 GIG card. Unless you set the camera to RAW which should cut that in half. The RAW setting is for those who want to do all their post processing on their computer instead of having the camera do it for them. Good luck with it!

 

[handicap18]

I have done it i have bought the D50 i saved about $240 on the listed price so i am feeling pretty excited now. Just waiting for the batteries to charge up to get started. I have got the 1GB memory card how many photos do you think i will get out of it. Thanks again for all your input. We have still got our nikon coolpix to fall back on if i fail LOL

It depends on your settings. In RAW mode you'll get about 140, in JPG Fine you'll get about 290 and in JPG Normal you'll about 570. I wouldn't use anything lower than JPG Normal.

If you plan on doing a lot of croping or enlarging then use at least the JPG Fine.

I'm only 2 weeks with my D50 and am loving it. Then again I've been a Nikon SLR user for 15+ years. Luckily my older telephoto zoom lens works great with the D50.

 

[RadioNate]

I have taken an SLR into Fenway Park, TD Bank North Garden, the old Boston Garden, Giants Stadium, Sky Dome, Camden Yards at Oriole Park, Yankee Stadium and Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only stadium I wouldn't take it is Gillette Stadium because I know they have a very strict stated policy about camera's with changeable lenses.

I guess it really depends on how much each place enforces the policy. The New England Patriots are the toughest in my neck of the woods for sure.

RadioNate:
I know what you mean about going out with a big camera. If the convenience of getting a cheep camera that will take those few pics works, I say go for it. Your only taking snapshots to remember a small occassion, not looking to win the pulitizer. Sometimes need and convience is better than noise reduction and image stabilization.

The SBC/AT&T CENTER is usually pretty strict. Of course they didn't check my camera bag last night but then again I'm pretty well known in the arena because my DH works for the hockey team that shares the arena. Since we always enter/exit through the same door we always see the same bag checkers/ushers.

I've seen people get away with it and I've seen people be turned away at the door. I'm actually quite sure that I could have gotten away with it but I already get enough special treatment.

Last night was the 1st time that I've taken the S2 IS in and I was happy with the results. All I really want is a few good shots to scrapbook. I'm not looking to be a sports photographer.

 

[Deedee]

I have just taken a photo of my cats lying on the bed i turned all the lights out so i couldn't even see them and it has come out brilliant i had couple of attempts not knowing where they were was hit and miss!!!!! I am impressed with the D50 so far

 

[Ratpack]

With a 1 Gig card on the D50, you will get 284 with jpeg fine mode. In RAW, which is what I use, the max is 135. I wouldn't even bother with anything set lower han these two settings unless it is website or email work.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Also at higher ISO, you'll get fewer pics (high ISO means higher noise, means more data needs to be compressed, means larger file size hence the fewer pics per card).

Do I sound convoluted enough?

 

[Ronda93]

Toughest thing about buying a new toy is waiting for the first battery charge. I've always been impressed with the battery life on my Nikon dSLRs. They last forever.

Good shooting.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Same goes with most dSLR, actually. I can get about 200+ shots (about 50% with flash) on my 10D, Rebel and 20D.

 

[hemispheredancer]

I am learning the ins and outs of this camera. One question though...how do I take pics of DD skating show? It is a no-flash event with a lot of movement. What settings do I use? Is there any "scenes" to set on?