Canon S3

[schaery]

The 1540 needs to be mounted directly to the adapter tube and the filters need to be attached to the end of the 1540 (67mm, which makes them a little more pricey).

If you only get the 67mm, that will mean that you won't have the option of using a polarizer when you aren't using the 1540; thus, their recommendation that you get a 52mm one as well. And, having a 52mm UV for protection, when not using the 1540, isn't a bad idea. There's no need for a UV filter on the end of the 1540 that I can think of; it's a big sturdy lens that's easy to clean with a microfiber lens cloth.

The only thing I use my UV filter for is to keep dust and dirt out of the lens extension mechanism....

I don't have a 67mm polarizer for my 1540, but I would like to get one because I use the 52mm polarizer a lot....[/QUOTE]


So, (dumb question) do I leave the adapter ring on even when not using the 1540 thus the need for a 52mm polarizer? Can I just leave the 1540 on for all shots or do I have to put it on/take it off only when needing a telephoto shot more than what the S3 is capable of. (Doesn't leave much room for spontaneous shots with or without it if that's the case).

Thanks for your help.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

So, (dumb question) do I leave the adapter ring on even when not using the 1540 thus the need for a 52mm polarizer?

You can. I leave my adapter tube on all the time to protect the delicate lens extension mechanism. I don't want my trusty S3 to die a premature E18 death....

Can I just leave the 1540 on for all shots or do I have to put it on/take it off only when needing a telephoto shot more than what the S3 is capable of. (Doesn't leave much room for spontaneous shots with or without it if that's the case).

You won't want to leave it on for all shots, it causes significant vignetting at anything close to the WA end. You basically cannot get a wide angle shot with it on, and some users complain that the S3 doesn't have enough WA to begin with....

I use mine specifically when I know I'm going to need the reach (wildlife, etc), and you can remove it in an instant by taking the whole adapter off the bayonet mount; push the release button and it's off in less than a third of a turn ... *much* quicker than unscrewing it from the adapter when you're in a hurry.

 

[schaery]

Thanx, Stitch. I'm unconfused for the moment! I'm leaving for "The World" in 11 days. Wish I'd have my 1540 for that trip but there's always next year. I'm looking forward to taking lots of WDW Christmas pics with my S3. Do you have any quick suggestions for some great shots there (besides the obvious like the Castle, and Spaceship Earth - although it's not as interesting without the wand)?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Thanx, Stitch. I'm unconfused for the moment! I'm leaving for "The World" in 11 days.

Glad to help, and congrats ... have a great time!!

Wish I'd have my 1540 for that trip but there's always next year.

You know, I took mine expecting to get great animal pictures at AK and the day we were there was so overcast I couldn't get anything close to the shutter speed you need to guarantee sharp pics at that long a focal distance (at 665mm you should be aiming for 1/600th shutter speeds and I was getting 1/125, at best. ).

I'm looking forward to taking lots of WDW Christmas pics with my S3. Do you have any quick suggestions for some great shots there (besides the obvious like the Castle, and Spaceship Earth - although it's not as interesting without the wand)?

I'd recommend looking through the winners of the weekly photo contest to see some interesting shots that people have taken and see if you can't get something similar or put your own spin on it. Make sure that in addition to standard vacation snapshots you take some interesting/artsy ones; unusual angles or focused in on small details instead of always the "big picture".

There's just so much to photograph at Disney!

 

[schaery]

Glad to help, and congrats ... have a great time!!

I'd recommend looking through the winners of the weekly photo contest to see some interesting shots that people have taken and see if you can't get something similar or put your own spin on it. Make sure that in addition to standard vacation snapshots you take some interesting/artsy ones; unusual angles or focused in on small details instead of always the "big picture".

There's just so much to photograph at Disney!

Of course, I look at the S3 forum every day. There are so many great pics. Sometimes I think I need an extra week or two at WDW just to take pictures. We'll be there 6 days and will barely have time to do all that I have planned so there won't be alot of extra time just for the pleasure of taking pictures. I haven't told my DH that this is going to be a "commando raid" vacation. He'll need another week off by the time we get back home. I haven't had much time to get to know and practice all the little details of my S3 so I'm thankful I've had this forum to read.

 

[bumbershoot]

FedEx just delivered my new S3 (from Beach Camera through Amazon "merchants" to be specific).

I must pull myself away from posting about it to actually looking at it and playing with it!

I am also going to ask again (it never was addressed though two of us asked versions of the question!) what kind of memory cards are best? Regular SDs? The ones that say "Ultra II"? HDSC cards? I read elsewhere that at first they thought the HDSCs wouldn't work, but then they did.

Do you guys like several smaller cards, or fewer bigger capacity cards? I bought an extra-big camera bag (a Crumpler through REI) so storage space isn't an issue, lol.

I'm going to Disneyland in 8 days and I know it's ridiculous to have to rely on such a new camera, but I LOST my Olympus p&s (it had bad karma, anyway) and have no other choice!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I use SanDisk Ultra II sd cards. No problems with any of them. I have several - all different sizes. I've picked them up over time on sale. I also prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket. Minimum risk of card failure & losing ALL the photos OR losing your one & only card.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks!

Are the ultra IIs just faster to save than the regular SD cards, or is there something else going on with them?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Are the ultra IIs just faster to save than the regular SD cards, or is there something else going on with them?

They're just faster.

If you are going to use the High-speed Continuous shooting option, you should have cards as fast as UltraII's ... anything slower will impact on the overall frames per second. Anything faster won't make a difference (except in downloading to your PC through a card reader).

And, I think, the name brand cards have a better warranty....

SDHC cards go higher than 2G, which is the actual limit for SD; even though you can find no-name brands that go higher, they don't meet the current SD specifications). They come in different speed classes which; Class 4 is as fast as you need to serve the S3's needed (about the same as an UltraII).

Personally, I used a set of 3 2G cards (2 UltraII's, 1 "standard") and two 1G cards (1 UltraIIw/USB, 1 "standard"), and downloaded all of my pictures from all of them, each night, to my laptop. I'm not sure if I ever had pictures on ALL of the cards in any one given day, but I might have. I was juggling them around, at bit, in case I wanted to shoot video which is a SD card hog.

If you're planning to shoot a lot of video, SDHC is the way to go. But, I certainly wouldn't have been able to relax knowing *all* of my Disney pics were on one huge card with no sort or backup.

If I hadn't had my laptop, I would have just made sure to spread my shooting out over my three cards so one bad/lost card wouldn't wipe out an entire day's shooting, but only a little bit from each of several days.

That said, I've never had a problem with any of my SD cards, and they've had about 3000-4000 pics put on them and taken off....

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you!

This is sooo not worthy of this thread or board, so I'll just put the link up, but as I was toodling around with the camera yesterday, I snapped a shot off the cuff, not focusing, not even looking at the camera or where I was snapping. This sort of thing would NEVER have worked with my old cameras (wherever they are, sigh), let alone capture the proper light, the image on the TV, and be somewhere close to in focus. Amazing.

unworthy but exciting all the same to me

 

[ghost1000]

You guys are bad on the pocketbook. I just ordered an S3 IS all because of this thread. Here's hoping it gets here in time I decided to order it from B&H since I've done business with them before and they listed it as "in stock." A lot of the online camera stores seem a bit shady so it was worth the few bucks difference.

Now to start reading through for tips!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I have to tell you guys this. My S3 has totally spoiled me. We were looking for a pocket size camera for DH to take on his business trips & one I can keep in my pocketbook.

We picked up a Canon Powershot A570IS & a Canon Powershot SD1000 digital elph for comparison & we'll return one. The shutter lag & time to recycle the flash on both of them is killing me. I completely forgot what shutterlag is like using the S3. Not to mention going back to less zoom.

Too bad they can't make a super mini S3.

 

[jpeka65844]

Hey all! I'm leaving in approx 37 hours for 5 days/4 nights! The memory card has been formatted and the S5's batteries are charging as we speak!

I want to ask really quickly how you all carry your camera in the parks? I normally carry a Baggallini messenger (you know, the nerdy lime green one??) but I'm a little nervous putting my S5 in it w/out extra protection. My only other option at the moment is my (fairly) small Lowepro camera bag that will hold plenty but is a little awkward to carry.

Opinions?

 

[ghost1000]

I've been looking for a bag that isn't too "camera bag" looking and I've been eyeing at the Crumpler Million dollar home bags.

On past trips I had a small camera bag that I put on my belt with a main compartment just big enough for my camcorder and a smaller compartment in the front for the camera. So I'm looking for something that will hold both for easy access. I was looking into backpack camera bags but they all look way too serious.

Anyone else have suggestions on ones to check out?

 

[madge]

I carried mine in my regular park bag - and I can't, for the life of me, remember what that bag is called. It's very popular on the budget board and it's a messenger style bag. It's not a baggalini, either. I don't think.

I had enough other stuff in my bag to cushion the camera, although I mostly carried it around my neck

 

[SplshMtn99]

We always seem to have a sweatshirt, jacket, or change of shirt in our bag. I wrap the clothes around the camera since we usually carry a backpack.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have to tell you guys this. My S3 has totally spoiled me. We were looking for a pocket size camera for DH to take on his business trips & one I can keep in my pocketbook.

We picked up a Canon Powershot A570IS & a Canon Powershot SD1000 digital elph for comparison & we'll return one. The shutter lag & time to recycle the flash on both of them is killing me. I completely forgot what shutterlag is like using the S3. Not to mention going back to less zoom.

Too bad they can't make a super mini S3.

I actually do keep the S3 in my pocketbook now so I have it with me at all times. (Never fails I always miss a great photo op when I don't have it.) I debated buying a smaller camera for that purpose, but decided against it. I really want to be able to just get good at using this one.

I bought one of these bags for our last trip and just kept it as my everyday bag. It's pretty handy for what I need. (Fashionable? No. Functional? Yes. ) My DH got one of their medium sized waist bags for his S2 and he really likes it, too.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I want to ask really quickly how you all carry your camera in the parks?

My S3 spent 90% of the trip hanging around my neck (I think I could have used one of those more-comfy straps, but it was OK)!

I took it into every show and on just about every ride and just held it (either to get pics or just to keep it safe). However, I'm a "coaster guy" and there aren't any Disney rides that I need to hold on for. Most rides, I had one arm around DS11 and the camera in the other hand!

I just set it on the table when we were eating, 'cause I ended up taking pictures of a lot of our lunches and dinners, too!

The rest of the time, it was in a Samsonite mid-sized camera-bag from Wal-Mart ($15!) hung on the back of DS11's wheelchair (along with all of the other stuff we need for him).

 

[hjd0411]

Hi everyone - I have been back about a week now from 2 weeks at WDW and a week in Las Vegas! I am suffering from "withdrawal" from WDW, but going through my photos is helping! I managed to take over 2000 photos - a lot of which are not worth it. I thought I would share a few with you.
I am really pleased with the results from my S3is - the photos on the whole are crisp and clear. I wimped out for the most part and used the Auto setting - I didn't have the time to "experiment" (my nickname for this trip became "Snapper"!! ) For the fireworks and some of the shows I used the sports mode - whoever told me that I offer my complete and utter thanks!! I hope you enjoy the photos, and I haven't posted too many!!!

This is self explanatory - but it is a good view from above the clouds! Good on full zoom, too!

This is the view flying into Sydney from the north. A bit cloudy, but the waterways make an interesting pattern.

Thanks for looking!
Heather

 

[alan]

Hi Heather (great Scottish name, BTW!),

Sounds as if you had a great time!

Please don't think me rude, but I tried a little editing of some of your photographs in Photoshop Elements 4.0 and wonder if you might be able to use some similar techniques to "recover" some of the photographs that you dont think you'll get to keep?

Noise reduction, curves (using "SuperCurve" plugin) and slight sharpening for local contrast enhancement

Curves

Auto smart fix

Auto smart fix

I'll be happy to remove them if you don't want these copies on line.

regards,
/alan