Canon S3

[Amy]

Is there any huge difference between the S3 and the S5, other than money. I don't want to spend the extra $$$ if the S3 is good enough.

Kim - the S5 has a hot shoe for an external flash, more mp's, and a larger viewing screen. I think it also has an extra setting or two under the SCN mode - aquarium and something else. If those things are important to you, then go for the S5.

Welcome to the S3/S5 family, desiab! You're off to a great start - nice pix!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I was just wondering how much a memory card is for this camera...I want one that will be like a 2gb (I want like 2,000 pictures or more) Thanks for the help, I know that a lot of people love this camera on the Dis.

 

[ukcatfan]

If you want to do video, go for a high speed card, which will run around $30, but can be found cheaper. Radio Shack had the Ultra II 2GB for $19.99 about a month ago. If you do not need high speed, then you can find one for $20 or less.

Kevin

 

[Minnie824]

So, our trip to Disney is approaching and I have another question on the Canon S3. This will be our first trip using this camera, and also our first MNSSHP. So, for fireworks, I would assume to use the fireworks setting on the camera? What about other nighttime shots? Such as the parade, and the castle and lights on main street? What is the easiest setting you recommend for night shots that will get me the best pictures? Thanks!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Using Fireworks mode requires a tripod, because it sets the shutter speed to 2 sec. and there's no way to hold a camera still for that long. You can also get nice hand-held fireworks shots in manual mode with the Aperture wide open (2.8), shutter speed of 1/4 to 1/10 sec and ISO200 or ISO400 (if you can live with a little more noise to get "the shot").

Try practicing taking pictures of some Christmas lights in your backyard and play around with the settings until you can get some that look good. Always take more than one shot because you'll increase your chances of getting a "good one." I've had some good luck at night shots by using Av mode (2.8), minimum zoom and Spot metering ... this allows the camera to pick the highest shutter speed it can. You can find out what settings the camera is picking and transfer these to manual mode to adjust them incrementally, too.

If you have some sort of noise reduction software (I use the free "Community version" of Noiseware) you can use ISO400 to get shutter speeds that are fast enough to hand-hold.

Night parade shots (especially Spectromagic) are going to be the hardest shots to get with an S3 ... but you can be successful.

Here's a couple more examples of what an S3 is capable of at night (and handheld, too!).

 

[NowaSki]

I am by no means a camera expert, but I've had an S3 for about a year now and love it. We were in WDW in August, and I got some great night time shots, especially fireworks. I did not use the Fireworks setting, but I don't remember what setting I used.

Here is a sample of the fireworks shots:

The camera is very easy to use. My favorite is the sports feature. I got some great shots at my kid's soccer games.

Mark

 

[kimluvswdw]

The whole nightime picture thing is a great concern to me also. I need another camera to get the parade and fireworks (mine makes them blurry). I was at the store looking at the S3 and the S5, but I don't want to spend the $$$ on it if I am going to have the same problem.

 

[Nikel]

The whole nightime picture thing is a great concern to me also. I need another camera to get the parade and fireworks (mine makes them blurry). I was at the store looking at the S3 and the S5, but I don't want to spend the $$$ on it if I am going to have the same problem.

It depends on if you have the time and the desire to learn how to use the various camera functions. If not, then no, buying a new camera isn't worth it. If you are, first learn everything yours can do. You may not even need a new camera. The s3 is a very capable camera though, and if you learn it, you can take good low light shots with it.

 

[Minnie824]

It depends on if you have the time and the desire to learn how to use the various camera functions. If not, then no, buying a new camera isn't worth it. If you are, first learn everything yours can do. You may not even need a new camera. The s3 is a very capable camera though, and if you learn it, you can take good low light shots with it.

Do you have any specific settings to use for this? I have been playing around w/different features and reading thru my user guide, but I want to hear from the experts.

 

[Nikel]

You'll find that this answer will vary from photog to photog. I personally am not to familar with any of the programed modes (action, sports, portrait, fireworks, etc) because they don't give me enough control.

Some are hardcore manual only. I was for a while. Now I prefer to stick with Av or Tv when the situation allows for it.

For low light, I generally move over to Tv. (I'm a portrait photog, so most of my time is spent in Av.) First, I set my ISO. I keep it as low as I can. How high I'll go depends on the camera (My s3 I prefer really low, 200 or maybe 400, my 20d I try to keep around 800 but if I get the exposure right it can handle 1600, my 40d will be tested this weekend at an event I'm doing but from others Ive seen it's good all the way up to 3200) How steady you are and how much motion is going on that you want to stop will determine what shutter speed you need to choose. Before the parade starts, fire off some test shots of the crowds to help determine what ss you want. In Tv, the camera will then set your aperture for you. Hopefully with your ISO, ss, and lens, there will be an acceptable aperture available to get a proper exposure. If not, you'll have to see if you can lower your ss any or bump up the ISO any. (Or in the case of a dslr, switch to a faster lens.)

Understanding Exposure is a fab book to help with understanding the ss/ap/ISO relationship, how to determine which is most important, and what setting to choose when.

 

[Amy]

By no means do I consider myself an expert on the Canon S3 IS; I am a total amateur. My S3 experience comes from "let's see how it looks when I use *this* setting."

I didn't like the results of using the Fireworks mode on the S3, even when using a tripod. That 2 sec. shutter was just too long and my pics were all blown out.

This is during our 4th of July fireworks - I used the Night Snapshot mode (which is the one under SCN on the dial) and a tripod. In this mode, the camera chooses everything, including the ISO speed. But I think it turned out pretty nice:

And I took this one during our trip in June. I used Sports Mode, once again the camera chooses everything, and really bumps up the ISO. I ran this one thru noiseware to clear up the noise on the castle:

Another thing I did when taking fireworks shots: I set my shutter to continuous shutter. My timing is horrible and I just knew that I'd miss the perfect shot. You end up taking a gazillion shots, but you increase your chances of getting a good shot.

Good luck!

 

[kimluvswdw]

I am by no means a camera expert, but I've had an S3 for about a year now and love it. We were in WDW in August, and I got some great night time shots, especially fireworks. I did not use the Fireworks setting, but I don't remember what setting I used.

Here is a sample of the fireworks shots:

The camera is very easy to use. My favorite is the sports feature. I got some great shots at my kid's soccer games.

Mark

Can you try to repost those shots.

Thanks

 

[twoeeyy]

These are some more shots from my almost 15yr old. She really likes B&W

 

[kimluvswdw]

Kim - the S5 has a hot shoe for an external flash, more mp's, and a larger viewing screen. I think it also has an extra setting or two under the SCN mode - aquarium and something else. If those things are important to you, then go for the S5.

Welcome to the S3/S5 family, desiab! You're off to a great start - nice pix!

I got my new S5 this evening and wow! It seems to do so much. It is going to take me forever to learn to use it. I can't wait.

 

[NowaSki]

Can you try to repost those shots.

Thanks

Sorry about that, here is the Album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/NowaSki69/WDWS3Nightshots/photo#s5109100012061318674

I left in all pictures, so you can see if you don't hold the camera still it will come out blurry, but if you hold it steady the shots come out pretty good.


Also, here are some action shots I took at my son's soccer game with my S3 using the Sports setting:

http://picasaweb.google.com/NowaSki69/ThePride982007/photo#s5108379810470288738

 

[madge]

my brain hurts. LOL. I started taking a beginner's photography class, and last week was just basic get-to-know the camera stuff. I got that. This week? All about f-stop and shutters... setting them manually. Ack! I kept wanting to go back to the Av and Tv buttons on my trusty s3, but the teacher wouldn't let me, LOL. And this week? I have homework! I'll have to share my test shots here first. LOL

The teacher was impressed with my s3, especially when I mentioned the firmware hack that I know about only from here. I just threw it out there like I knew allll about it.

 

[kimluvswdw]

i really really want this camera!!! ours is dying and i tried this at the store.(we have a canon powershot a520)
im going to italy with school next summer and i need this camera, my dad just bought the power shot A570 (i think) but we were thinking about getting the S3IS. grrrrr.

The S5 is on sale at circuitcity.com for 354.00. You can buy online and run to the nearest store and pick it up. I just did this tonight.

 

[webshark3]

With a point and click, I would use the following (assuming you don't have the time/effort to try manual):

1) Sports mode: Fast Shutter, and you'll get some nice shots like posted above.
2) Night mode: This is a long exposure, so be creative as to where you can "stabilze" your camera; against a rail, on a beanbag, mini-tripod. Here's a couple examples from my Pentax WP in night mode. The first was propped again a mailbox in London. The second, propped in the grove of a palm tree at POFQ.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/webshark3/IMGP8017.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/webshark3/Disney/IMGP6121.jpg

 

[schaery]

Eastern Swallowtail taken with my S3

Cardinal taken with my S3.

 

[PrincessPatty]

I just bought the S3 today at Target on clearance for 297$

I am so excited, and plan on reading through this thread over the weekend, as I am leaving for Disney on Monday and hoping to get some great shots!