Canon S3

[not-too-old4fun]

Great pictures !!!! They turned out so nice and clear!

 

[psimon]

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

Very impressive! I assume that was all the way out at the 12X mode? Did you have any problems holding the camera steady?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[psimon]

I am new to the S3 world (5 days now ). I am trying to learn all I can in the next week before it's Mouse time.

Anyway, I am trying to understand the concept of shooting in the Auto mode vs the Sports mode. From what I gather, the Sports more is better for quick shots, moving shots, etc. Am I wrong? Is the Sports mode the preferred method of shooting when in motion, such as on the Safari, or trying to catch a shot of the yeti? I would use Auto for my posed shots or general pictures?

Any thoughts on shooting in the Sports vs Auto mode would be greatly appreciated!


thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Amy]

Hi Paul! Yes, the Sports mode is for stopping action. I've been using it a lot since both of my boys are in marching band and I'm taking pictures during the competitions. I think the sports mode uses a faster shutter speed than regular Auto would use, and adjusts the other settings around that.

The coolest thing about the sports mode (at least I think so) is that it can do continuous shooting - you just hold down the shutter and it takes a picture every 1.5 seconds or so (you can adjust how fast). It's the default setting for sports mode, because when I tried it, I didn't know what was going on when it would take 2 pictures every time I pressed the shutter!! (You CAN turn it off if you don't want it.) I don't think the continuous shooting works in Auto, but I may be wrong; you might be able to use it but you'll have to turn it on.

As for taking pictures of the Yeti......don't ask me! I'm not crazy enough to have my camera out during a wild ride like that!

 

[psimon]

Hi Paul! Yes, the Sports mode is for stopping action. I've been using it a lot since both of my boys are in marching band and I'm taking pictures during the competitions. I think the sports mode uses a faster shutter speed than regular Auto would use, and adjusts the other settings around that.

The coolest thing about the sports mode (at least I think so) is that it can do continuous shooting - you just hold down the shutter and it takes a picture every 1.5 seconds or so (you can adjust how fast). It's the default setting for sports mode, because when I tried it, I didn't know what was going on when it would take 2 pictures every time I pressed the shutter!! (You CAN turn it off if you don't want it.) I don't think the continuous shooting works in Auto, but I may be wrong; you might be able to use it but you'll have to turn it on.

As for taking pictures of the Yeti......don't ask me! I'm not crazy enough to have my camera out during a wild ride like that!

After I typed that message and let it go, I thought the same thing you mentioned.... who in their right mind woul dbe worrying about getting a picture when they are trying to hang on!

So it the Sports mode is Shutter Priority, which mode is Aperture Priority, and what is the Auto mode really giving you?

So many questions, so little time!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Amy]

I guess sports mode is the "auto" for shutter priority. Auto mode probably picks what it thinks are the best settings for whatever exposure it "sees".

There ARE manual settings on the S3, so it's like an SLR without the lenses. There's a mode to select your own shutter speed and it adjusts the aperature, another mode where you select aperature and the camera selects shutter, and yet another mode where you pick both.

I haven't been to WDW since I got my S3 (hopefully next summer), but I'd probably use Auto the most, sports for parades. If you have little kids and want to get a picture of them riding Dumbo, then probably Sports mode. There's also a special "scene" dial that has a fireworks setting; I haven't had a chance to try that out yet and I'd love to hear how it worked for you when you're in WDW.

Be sure to post your pictures when you get back! There are a couple of threads here already with pictures taken with the S3. Splash and I got our S3's around the same time; feel free to add yours!

 

[01Sweetpea]

I got my S3 about a month ago...it takes GREAT shots in sports mode. My 11yo plays soccer, and I have terrific shots of him kicking the ball, running, etc. Shots that would have been out of focus if I used my Kodak easy share.

I can't wait to take this camera to Disney next month.

 

[psimon]

I guess sports mode is the "auto" for shutter priority. Auto mode probably picks what it thinks are the best settings for whatever exposure it "sees".

There ARE manual settings on the S3, so it's like an SLR without the lenses. There's a mode to select your own shutter speed and it adjusts the aperature, another mode where you select aperature and the camera selects shutter, and yet another mode where you pick both.

I haven't been to WDW since I got my S3 (hopefully next summer), but I'd probably use Auto the most, sports for parades. If you have little kids and want to get a picture of them riding Dumbo, then probably Sports mode. There's also a special "scene" dial that has a fireworks setting; I haven't had a chance to try that out yet and I'd love to hear how it worked for you when you're in WDW.

Be sure to post your pictures when you get back! There are a couple of threads here already with pictures taken with the S3. Splash and I got our S3's around the same time; feel free to add yours!

Will do. Bought a 2Gb card, so I'm looking at possibly over 1100 pix! I end up printing about 1/2.

I was playing around with the A/V interface. I was surprised how good the videos come out on the TV. Who needs a camcorder!

Still learning...

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Jeanne B]

As for taking pictures of the Yeti......don't ask me! I'm not crazy enough to have my camera out during a wild ride like that!

I never thought I was crazy enough do such a thing but when I got on EE back in the spring, out came my camera!! I didn't have much luck getting a good picture, it was only okay but I've seen some great ones taken of the Yeti. I think I'm going to try it again during our trip next month, this time with my dSLR.

 

[Jeanne B]

Will do. Bought a 2Gb card, so I'm looking at possibly over 1100 pix!

I HIGHLY recommend getting a second card as a backup, it doesn't need to be a 2GB, maybe a 1GB or 512mb, memory is cheap these days. I'm always preaching this but you never know when something unexpected could happen to your card and if all of your WDW pictures are on a single card and something happens...you'll be kicking yourself.

Have fun with your S3, it's a great camera!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I've ridden Rock N Roller Coaster many times. Twice with a camcorder strap around my neck, hand in the camcorder strap, & camcorder hand up & back between the 2 seats - & shooting of course. NO PROBLEMS.

CM's saw my camcorder & its position both times before launch. I get into position as soon as we sit down....and then they come by & check restraint systems.

Of course though, the video is nothing but blur & screaming & laughter.

 

[Amy]

You people are brave to have your cameras/camcorders out, esp. on Rock & Roller Coaster! I'm too busy screaming and holding on for dear life to even think about filming!

 

[SplshMtn99]

You people are brave to have your cameras/camcorders out, esp. on Rock & Roller Coaster! I'm too busy screaming and holding on for dear life to even think about filming!

Well, Rock N Roller coaster is easy. The g-force holds the camera in place. No moving around at all.

But something like Tower of Terror or Everest might be a different story.

Here's a video shot on Everest with the Canon S3.

http://www.pbase.com/idhardy/image/68154126

I noticed he quit before the SCARY stuff though.

 

[dizneegirls]

Hello friends, if you were choosing a new digital camera-which would you pick from the 2 (Canon S3 IS or Canon G7)? Have heard a lot of great things about both, can you use rechargable batteries with them? Also, would I be better off to get a new digital or go for digital slr? What are some of the extra advantages of the digital slr?? Thanks in advance for your help

 

[ukcatfan]

Both are very nice cameras. I suggest that you go read some reviews of each to see which has the features you would like. I like http://www.steves-digicams.com/ and http://www.dcresource.com/. Then go out and try them in person.

As for the DSLR, they have faster response times, the ability to change lenses, better performance at low light, less image noise, etc. All have totally auto modes, so they can be as easy to use as any P&S. From that it sounds like it is a no brainer to get a DSLR, but there are downsides. Number one for most consumers is the size and weight. They will not fit in your pocket or purse. Another factor is the cost. To get around the same focal length range of the above cameras, you will easily spend $1,000. I have heard it said that yo cannot ask if you need a DSLR, you can only know that you need a DSLR. I have a Pentax K100D and I love what I can do with it.

Good luck!

Kevin

 

[jann1033]

agree with kevin...and adding what is your photographic experience and what are your goals? do you want to take nice snapshots and maybe someday get into more creative adjustments? then imo the cameras you mentioned are good( well only researched the s3 actually) but they have what you need now but you can play around with shutter speed , aperture etc and learn your way into a dslr.

if you have used a slr, i don't think you'd be happy with a p&s due to what kevin mentioned....but an IS canon lens that goes to 300mm+( think the 12x is like 400mm or so?????) starts around 600, add the xt(not xti) body for about 700 and you are 3x the price of the s3 and only have one lens, no general purpose lens ( another couple hundred- 500 with IS or the kit lens is about 60-100 but no is) ie major commitment if you really just want it to take a pic at the occasional family gathering ( jmho)

 

[dizneegirls]

I just love taking photos-not a pro but would love to take some classes. The camera I have now is a Kodak 6490 which is only a 4 megapixel. I take a lot of photos of our family and would like to get some enlargements. The 8x10's turn out really well from this camera but I had a couple of 16x20's made and they are quiet fuzzy. I found the Canon S3 IS on sale for around $320, is that a good deal? The G7 was around 600 but it is a 10 mega pixel-just trying to figure whats best for me right now. I have a Canon elon regular slr and I haven't used it that much, I really need to so I can see how I like it as compared to my digital camera. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I have a Canon 35mm SLR camera and bought a small P & S digital just for convenience. While I like the convenience of digital, I have been frustrated with the quality of the pictures. So, now I am looking at digital SLR. Personally, once you have used SLR, I found the P & S a disappointment.

 

[alan]

For non-Scots, that subject can be roughly translated as "don't rush into it".

Firstly, my background. I used to use a 35mm SLR and have been using digital cameras since 2000. I bought a dSLR in June this year (Canon 350D) and am finding it very hard to adjust to.

1) Pictures from it are not as sharp as from my previous digital camera (a Canon Pro1). There are various reasons - the lens isn't as good (I'm using the kit lens) and to get one as good would be proabbly in the thousands of $. Also, you are pretty much expected to do postprocessingon every image with a dSLR, not with a prosumer camera.

2) The colours aren't as "lively". dSLRs are intended to produce "more realistic" pictures that can be postprocessed, hence the saturation and contrast are lower than in a prosumer camera.

3) It's harder to get the pictures just right - depth of field comes back into play. Having used digicams for so long I had all but forgotten this very important factor.

You may have shot very fine pictures with your 35mm SLR, but you never had the option of zooming in to 100% with a single button click. Believe me, that certainly shows up flaws in focusing that you just don't see when you print things on 5x7 inch paper.

Anyway, that's just my set of caveats. I've got the dSLR, and I am sure that once I go and spend another £1000 or so on lenses, and spend six months re-learning the skills of getting the focus just right and adjusting aperture to get DOF just as I want it, and spend many hours in Rawshooter Essentials and Photoshop, I'll get results that meet those I got by pressing the shutter on my Pro1.

Except low-light, where the dSLR is fantastic and the Pro1 sadly lacking. That's the sole advantage the dSLR has for me.

regards,
/alan

 

[mmouse37]

I also have an H5 and for the most part I love it (upgraded from the DS8)....the only thing I am finding that I am not happy with is the shutter lag....seems I keep missing a shot by the time the camera focuses. Seems to happen more indoors than out....also when I zoom in on someone I find sometimes that it won't take the picture at all.....I keep holding down the button and nothing happens....I came to this board to start finding out what I might be doing wrong.

Took it to the Atlantis Resort last month and got some great shots!!!

Taking it on the Disney Cruise this Saturday....