Canon S3

[handicap18]

Get the dSLR. The sensor is bigger, you will have more shooting options (lens wise). If you get the dSLR and the sigma 18-125mm lens, its not a whole lot bigger than the S3 IS. From what I've seen, I think the S3 is going to have to go around your neck (opposed to in a small pouch that fits on your belt) anyway. When we went last Nov with the 2 kids I had my Nikon film SLR, Canon digital P&S and a Sony video camera. So I think having just 1 dSLR with 1 kid might be ok (at least for me it would, but I'm me and your you, I think,,, ).

So in the end only you can decide. But if I were to have a vote, I'd vote dSLR. (but I usually don't even get a vote for what to have for dinner, so take my vote for what its worth )

 

[Anewman]

From what I've seen, I think the S3 is going to have to go around your neck (opposed to in a small pouch that fits on your belt) anyway.

I always carry my 20D and an extra lens in a belt bag, I even get on most rides with it there. But I am over 6 feet and 230.

 

[Sonno]

1. it only takes SD
2. you CAN get an SD to CF adapter
3. the price of an SD to CF adapter is about the same as a 2 Gb CF card



seriously, though. Keep your money, save it to buy a dSLR.

I can't go back to point and shoot. I really wish I can.

Maybe I'll get a Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd. Pending my personal test and other sites' reviews, of course.

Well, that's a deal breaker for me. Oh well, back to the drawing board with this one.

Thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

bumped to answer another poster's question.

 

[ChipNDale]

I Just got my Canon S3 IS ~$425 YEAH!!!! DSLR was too much!
Now my Trip to the WOLD is coming up in about 30 days, so what i need to do is just use the camera and learn, but i would like some help from the many Canon S3/S2 owners on the board, (Other's OK Too), to post some good and bad shots how to take the good, and how not to get the bad, I want to shot Fireworks, People, Characters, and Rides, How safe(crazy) would it be to ride on my neck for say splash mountian?, Would the water kill my new camera?, I also want to shoot some ok video too using the Canon S3, Any tips, Idea, help would be great. I will have 3 Sets of 2500mah Battiers, and 3 1GB SanDisk SD Cards, Need to get a Tripod(hints?), and a Bag(hints?). So post away your photos, help, tips, ideas and how tos that me and mabey other s3 owners can learn to get the most from our camers. Thank you all in advance and to the many who sugested the S2/S3.

 

[makinorlando]

I have an S2, and as a real amateur other than strictly point and shoot digital, I think I have been doing pretty well with the S2. We live near WDW, so I get to practice there a lot, knowing that in most cases, I can go back and recapture the moment if I mess up!

Except for low light setting which are taking me a bit more practice, I have not had any really bad shots.... I've had shots I didn't like. You can visit my photobucket album (link below) and most of the pics are with the S2 - If they are dated in the description- anything after Feb 5th.

For me I needed practice on being able change settings quickly when necessary - getting comfortable with the menus, etc. Sometimes the lighting in low, or I would need to to change something quickly, and then I fumble! I am practicing taking non flash photos so when no flash is allowed, I might be able to get some good shots!

My tidbits of "wisdom" for what they are worth would be to practice as much as you can before you go to get really comfy with the camera, and something that you will see from the awesome photos other folks post here - think "outside the box" for a different perspective on our subject!

My favorites are BTMR below (I used a mini tripod on a fence post)

 

[ChipNDale]

think "outside the box" for a different perspective on our subject!

Wow Great shot, How did you take it(position) and how did you set up the camera(settings)

BTW the Tea cups were a neat shot too.
I am going to look at the album now.
other than the S2 what other equipment did you use.
and How wet have you goten the s2. Mist, light rain, None, High Humidity,...
Thank you this is the start of post that i hope will help me and others as well.

 

[makinorlando]

Wow Great shot, How did you take it(position) and how did you set up the camera(settings)

BTW the Tea cups were a neat shot too.
I am going to look at the album now.
other than the S2 what other equipment did you use.
and How wet have you goten the s2. Mist, light rain, None, High Humidity,...
Thank you this is the start of post that i hope will help me and others as well.

As for equipment, other than the mini tripod for the Thunder Mtn shot, I don't have any. As an accessory I have a lens adapter/hood . It was suggested when I purchased the camera particulary as a way to protect the lens. It also reduces lens flare, and allows for better viewing in bright light situations. I almost always shot with the lens hood and a UV filter.

As for wetness - I have not gotten it really wet, but live in FL - so high humidity is pretty much a given. I have not been in a situation where it has gotten wet - been out in the rain, but kept it protected.

The picture above was taken late morning, and the bed where the flowers were was raised, so I knelt down and rested my arms on the ledge and shot up a bit. I didn't think too much about it - it was one of the first times I had been able to go "solo" to EPCOT without my nine year old, so I was just stopping and taking pics every where! Here is the EXIF data for the pic - I am pretty sure it was an auto -

Focal length: 6.0mm (35mm equivalent: 38mm)
CCD width: 5.72mm
Exposure time: 0.0016 s (1/640)
Aperture: f/4.0
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix

I took this fireworks photo (from Big Thunder Mtn area, so not the greatest vantage point... ) hand held resting against the fence, using Fireworks mode, and the timer so I did not have to keep pressing the shutter release.

Flash used: No
Focal length: 19.1mm (35mm equivalent: 120mm)
CCD width: 5.72mm
Exposure time: 2.000 s
Aperture: f/8.0
Whitebalance: Manual
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I have an S2, no where near a professional, but I love playing with pictures and the settings. I got the camera right before we left, so I had basically no time to play before we left. I had no luck with the fireworks setting. I felt rushed and didn't take the time to play because I didn't want to miss any shots.
makinorlando, that came out great!! I used the night setting for mine. They didn't turn out so bad but not as beautiful as others I have seen.
The night setting worked really good for obviously the night shots and the rides with no flash. I also liked using the vivid color setting. I played with the setting of specific colors like blue etc. It really is a great camera.
I don't have a tripod, but I had gotten a lens coupler and three filters on ebay. The one is for everyday and uv, the second is for water and thru glass, and the third (haven't used it yet) for flourescent lighting. I like using them. I've used the water one at home and like the results.
Luckily you have plenty of time. Play as much as you can. I take pictures of the kids constantly, flowers in my yard...I take my camera out with me and go to the beach etc. Play with the zoom and macro and all the different settings!! Congrats and enjoy!!
I'm still learning all the settings.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Buy this, http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canons2is.htm great book to learn from. Make sure to read your manual, slow and often, with the camera so you can do waht it is telling you. For video, make sure your SD card is high speed.

Use the swivel LCD to get many great perspective shots, looking up from down low, looking down from high up. Take lots and lots of practice shots, they're free.

Enjoy.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

And I LOVE it! Went to Best Buy on Saturday looking to upgrade my Canon Powershot S30 - wanted a better zoom, and to tell you the truth, the past year the canon was not working correctly - lots of problems that couldn't be resolved. I wanted to get another Canon - always had them in the past, but the Sony was too good to pass up. I orginally was going to go with the Pentax *ist after reading all the reviews, but when I went to look at it, it was soooo heavy and hurt my wrist after taking a few practice shots (I've got permanent nerve damage in my left arm from a blood draw gone bad). I really wanted the Canon Rebel XT (?) priced at $800 was too expensive - especially when I would have to buy a nice zoom lens, so the Sony H5 was perfect for me. The LCD screen and zoom is what sold me - plus the camera was so comfy in my hands. I also got a great deal - $403 after taxes. Now all I need is some advice on how to use it. I tried a bunch of shots and am reading through the manual, but hope you guys can answer my questions quicker and in better layman terms than the manual. A few questions are:

1) Fireworks at WDW - what is the best setting?
2) Is it better to shoot in color and transfer to BW/Sepia, or do it when I shoot original pic?
3) Do you all use the lens hood, and if you do, do you ever take it off or use it only on sunny days?

I hope to learn as much about this camera and photography so one day I can get a DSLR.

Thanks!!

 

[EeyoreFan5]

I got this camera in November and I'm still learning about it. I wish I could help.

I agree..... Disney & Aerosmith. There is nothing more! I have seen "Smith" 5 times. LOOOOOVE them.

 

[Anewman]

1. Manual(or shutter priority) settings and a tripod for fireworks
2. I always shoot color and adjust in post, you cant go the other way around.
3. Shoot with the hood at all times if possible.


Congrats on the great camera.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I just got this camera about a month ago, and I LOVE it. I've taken about 700 pictures so far I think- and I've only had a few days free to actually go out and use it!

I took fireworks pics on the fourth- I just put it on landscape mode (the little mountain picture) and set it to no flash and used a tripod. I bought my tripod for $30 at Walmart and really love it. It collapses down and has a bag with it too.

Shoot in color, adjust later. The software that comes with the H5 has a few different things you can play around with if you don't have photoshop-like software yet. You can't do sepia but you can unsaturate.

I have only been using the lens hood on sunny days. On some indoor shots and a few low-light outdoor shots I've played around with and without it- I haven't found a difference.

How did you get such a deal?? I remember looking at Best Buy and they had it for $499!

Enjoy the camera- it's absolutely great. Definitely try the twilight mode, it really brings out great colors in the sky after sunset. The two pictures below are a comparison. They were taken within seconds of eachother- the first is with regular auto mode and the second is in twilight mode- both without a flash.

Auto

Twilight

 

[EeyoreFan5]

I took 919 picts while at disney in May/June. I was still learning to use the camera. I had trouble with the Spectromagic parade. Nothing is the same as being there.

I used the hood all the time unless I was inside hotel, etc.

I always shoot in color then I can change the photos when I get home. I also make a copy of the pict and change the copy. That way you will still have the original incase you want to go back later to the color or change from B&W to Sepia etc.

I went from a Sony cybershot (unsure of exact model) to the H5. LOVE it. I missed holding onto a camera. The small cameras just didn't feel natural in the hand like this does.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Thanks! Those pics are great. I love a good twilight shot. I appreciate the advice - the more the better.

KarenAylwood - RE: the price, I belong to the rewards program at Best Buy. They had the camera for $499, but was on sale for $479, I had a Best Buy Rewards Coupon for 12% off (special sale that weekend on top of normal sales) and about $25 in Reward Dollars. Also used another 10% rewards coupon and got a 1G memory card for about $54. They were out of Sony's, but had the Sandisk along with a card reader for my printer and substituted that one (sony was on sale for $59.99) The bargains were just too good to pass up.

I was practicing last night and got some great shots of our cat - now I just have to learn how to download to computer and transfer.

Eeyorefan5 - Doesn't Aerosmith Rock! Been a fan since they started out. I have tickets to their upcoming show here in NY for September. I have seen everyshow they have done here (I have lost count) except the last one in MSG b/c I was in the hospital having surgery . I can't WAIT for this show

 

[Kelly Grannell]

fireworks? see sticky.

 

[Pugrpooh]

I bought the H5 too about a month and a half ago. I am still learning about the different features, but I really think I'm going to like it. I have to learn about all the manual controls which I've never used before. This board is great for tips and looking at the different pics posted on here has given me a lot of ideas for our trip in 3 weeks. I mean, how many different pics of the castle and Epcot ball can you take? I got mine from Circuit City for $475, but I've got 18 months to pay for it, no interest. Good luck with yours!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I have had this camera for 2 weeks now and love it. I play with it alot and am trying to learn as much as I can before purchasing a DSLR in the future (right now my budget couldn't afford it). To make the most out of my camera/pictures, I would like to get another lens. This camera comes with these lens options: a wide conversion lens (VCL-DH0758), a tele-end conversion lens (VCL-DH1758), a close-up lens (VCL-M3358. My birthday is coming up and my parents are always asking what I want (besides disney dollars for upcoming trip LOL) and they thought this might be just the thing for them to get. Which lens would I get the most use out of? If anyone out there has these, what are your experiences with them? As usual, once I go on to a higher end camera, these will be passed down to my daughter (10) who is now the proud owner of my canon powershot s30. Thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

it really depends on your shooting style. For me, if I only can choose one, I'll always choose the wide conversion before tele and close-up being the last.

Don't forget to choose one the menu an option that tells the camera that you're using a lens adapter (the camera compensates AF and colour rendition for it... it's kinda cool to think of it)