Canon S3

[makinorlando]

I also have the S2 (Thanks to Dan's photos and some extra money in my bank account while I was DISing one night back in February)... I really love the camera. I especially love the ZOOM!

I always use an lens adapter tube and clear filter on the camera when I am out to protect the lens (this was suggested when I purchased it.) I also bought a snap on lens cover as on the S2 the lens cap had a tendancy to slip off (not tight enough) - not sure if this has been fixed with the S3.

I recently also purchased a wide anle converter and a teleconverter - neither of which I have used too much... I have noticed when I use the wide angle with the flash - I get a shadow in the picture - so I am not sure what I did wrong (I was trying to take a picture of a room in the Titanic Exhibit with it).

I am not accustomed to changing lenses, so for the most part, it does not even occur to me when I am carrying them around - totally FORGOT to take them to the MNSSHP on Friday!

If you would like to see what I have been able to do with the camera check out the photo links in my signature. (I was a novice when it comes to being off AUTO prior to this camera and have learned so much in the few months I have had it- I still have a long way to go, but I sure am having fun learning)

I use different bags depending on what I am taking and where we are going - we are local so some visits to Disney are quick and some are for a whole day - I have a small bag Lowpro (is that that right name) that it fits in nicely wth extra batteries & memory as well as my wallet in a front pocket, and I have another largers - actually video camera bag that I use when I am going to need extra space for stuff - including the converters.

 

[Amy]

WHOOPEE!!!! My S3 wasn't supposed to be delivered until tomorrow, but the UPS guy just dropped it off! Time to play........I'll let you know what I think of it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

And I just bought mine online at Circuit City $359.95 (thru ebates.com so take another 2% off)...and I'm on the way to the store to pick it up now. LOL Guess we'll both be playing tonight!!

 

[ukcatfan]

Congrats!!! Do not forget that when you get a new camera, this board requires that some sample shots be posted

 

[grover]

I bought the S3 from Blacks a few weeks ago..it was 599.00, but it dropped to 529.00 2 weeks after i bought it--they gave me a price adjustment. Blacks has 60 day return period--if you don't like it for any reason-take it back for a refund.

I don't have any accessories. I do want to get a wrist strap--not fond of the neck strap.

I purchased the 1 million Dollar Home for my camera bag ( www.crumpler.ca ) I could not find a camera bag here that i liked. The 1 million fits the camera perfect-and there is room for camera cars/batteries/room keys/cash (perfect for disney!)..

I did take a digi camera seminar a couple weeks ago..just to learn a bit more about the manual features--there are many and i didn't want to be learning while at wdw in Nov!

Yesterday I pulled out my Kodak CX7430..it feels so tiny now! And the LCD seems so small..lol!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I'm playing right now. And i LIKE it!!!!
My Epson online album is full, so I guess I'll go create a photobucket acct.

I'm taken about 20 asst pics so far.....and very NICE.
Sun will be going down in next couple of hours, so I can get some more...and I'm going to the overpass to shoot cars whizzing by to try the sports mode.

 

[SplshMtn99]

ETA: This has turned into a GREAT thread of everyone posting their first shots in general, then their shots of experimenting with modes & settings..... Feel free to contribute your successes & failures.

Original post: OK, picked it up less than 2 hrs ago. Popped batteries in & SD card & started shooting in AUTO mostly. Haven't even unsealed the manual or software yet. lol

This is my first photobucket account, so I hope I set this up all correctly. No touching up of photos. But I did resize smaller before uploading. Is that what you guys do?

Here's 10 shots from the first 21 I took. Pleased so far.

Auto mode. Flash on in room with only indirect sunlight. No red-eye.

Same. Auto mode. Flash on. Indirect sunlight. No red-eye.

Auto mode. Flash on. Plant under deck on shady side of house.

Auto mode. Sun starting to set.

Taken from same spot as previous shot. Zoomed & focused on butterfly. Auto mode. I like the soft background.

Same as previous.

Auto mode with flash. Pitch black room with room darkening shades & no lights on. Colors came out very true.

Color accent (scene) mode with flash. Very cool!!

Auto mode with flash. Only indirect sunlight in room. Colors came out very nice!

 

[Amy]

Great pix! My S3 came today, and I've been playing with it. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra SD card, so I'm limited to that puny 16m that came with the camera. I've been taking and deleting, what fun! And I have rehearsal tonight and work tomorrow, so I won't get to REALLY play with it until tomorrow night. Dang!

Hey, the zoom on that thing is great, isn't it?!

 

[amid chaos]

Great pictures!!!! I am very impressed. Have fun!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Amy, I've been using the 16mb card that came with it too. Shoot, download & delete & repeat. I didn't want to crack open the 1 GB card I bought just yet incase I wanted to return the camera, then I could return the card too.

I've got 2 more 16mb cards & an 8 mb card from old camera around here somewhere....but that won't get me very far will it. lol

 

[makinorlando]

They look great - it is a fun camera (well the S2 in my case!)

I let photobucket resize my photos when I upload them.

Don't forget however to keep your originals backed up since Photobucket resizes them! I back up everything on an external hard drive and to CD.

 

[makinorlando]

Amy, I've been using the 16mb card that came with it too. Shoot, download & delete & repeat. I didn't want to crack open the 1 GB card I bought just yet incase I wanted to return the camera, then I could return the card too.

I've got 2 more 16mb cards & an 8 mb card from old camera around here somewhere....but that won't get me very far will it. lol

8mb three pics your DONE!

 

[makinorlando]

Great pix! My S3 came today, and I've been playing with it. Unfortunately, I don't have an extra SD card, so I'm limited to that puny 16m that came with the camera. I've been taking and deleting, what fun! And I have rehearsal tonight and work tomorrow, so I won't get to REALLY play with it until tomorrow night. Dang!

Hey, the zoom on that thing is great, isn't it?!

Check out this photo.. I took this picture of the mirror on the castle(may it rest in peace) from the Flagpole on Main Street.

 

[LMarge]

Check out this photo.. I took this (may it rest in peace) from the Flagpole on Main Street.

Martha, what happened to the flag pole? is it not there anymore? that is totally going to bum me out!

 

[makinorlando]

Martha, what happened to the flag pole? is it not there anymore? that is totally going to bum me out!

Sorry - I guess that is a bit confusing - the mirror is gone, not the flag pole!!! I will edit to make that clearer!

 

[LMarge]

Actually, now that I re-read it - it makes total sense!! I should get my reading glasses on before I try this after 9pm!!! I take it the mirror is down due to the 50th celebration being over? Glad we got to see it last year, it was really cool!! - and as I've said before, that's a great shot!!

 

[Amy]

Ok, I have to show the zoom on this thing.

Taken from my deck:

Here's the same shot at 12x - I can't believe the detail - you can see all the individual leaves! The book said the 12x zoom is the equivalent of 400+ in 35mm:

 

[makinorlando]

Actually, now that I re-read it - it makes total sense!! I should get my reading glasses on before I try this after 9pm!!! I take it the mirror is down due to the 50th celebration being over? Glad we got to see it last year, it was really cool!! - and as I've said before, that's a great shot!!

I edited so there was no confusion! My hands go faster than my mind some times!

I liked it while it was there, and it was so odd to see it "naked" on Friday. I think if we counted our visits to MK -we made many many more in the 18 months it was up then we did in the 17-18 months prior when it was down after we first moved here - so it was almost "normal" for us to see it there!!!

 

[makinorlando]

Ok, I have to show the zoom on this thing.

Taken from my deck:

Here's the same shot at 12x - I can't believe the detail - you can see all the individual leaves! The book said the 12x zoom is the equivalent of 400+ in 35mm:

Amazing isn't it! It is by far my favorite feature of the camera!!

 

[Amy]

I can't wait until the band competition on Saturday - I'm going to try to zoom in on both my boys while they're performing. I'll get to try the "sports" mode to stop the action. Hopefully I'll have some neat pix to post when we get back.

Ok, here's a question for you all: our computer doesn't have a card reader built into it. I have one for my Compact Flash card that connects via USB and I've used that for my old Canon A70 and DH's A95. Should I get an SD card reader for my S3, or just go use the USB cable and connect the camera all the time? I'm used to the card reader. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to camera vs. card reader?