Canon S3

[Master Mason]

I think that I saw that there were a couple of night settings for the S3. The lady talking about it said that one worked better than the others. If I remember right it was in the first pics with the new s3 thread.

 

[makinorlando]

I have the S2, so I'm not sure if the settings are identical on the S3, but I have been using the "SCN" on the dial, and then selecting Night Snapshot the past few days at Disney for night time shots - Osborne Lights, etc. On occasion if I am in a hurry (or bumped at the Osborne Lights!), I get a little blur, but overall I have been happy. These were all hand held, no tripod or resting spot.

This was just about dusk at the Contemporary

EPCOT

Osborne Lights

This one is a bit blurry, but I took it in a hurry, trying to get the shot between people and still keep up with my family!

 

[budbeerlady]

I have the S2, so I'm not sure if the settings are identical on the S3, but I have been using the "SCN" on the dial, and then selecting Night Snapshot the past few days at Disney for night time shots - Osborne Lights, etc. On occasion if I am in a hurry (or bumped at the Osborne Lights!), I get a little blur, but overall I have been happy. These were all hand held, no tripod or resting spot.

This was just about dusk at the Contemporary

EPCOT

Osborne Lights

This one is a bit blurry, but I took it in a hurry, trying to get the shot between people and still keep up with my family!

I will check if mine has those settings, I love your pictures and those are the results I am looking for!!!!!

 

[Amy]

My former camera was the Canon A70, and I used to have a 50/50 shot at getting decent night pictures that weren't blurry. I got the S3 a couple of months ago, and my first attempts at photographing our Christmas lights were horrible! EVERY SINGLE ONE came out blurry, no matter whether I used the Night Scene (on the dial) or Night Snapshot (under the SCN mode on the dial). I finally realized that the S3 is much heavier than the A70, so it was a lot harder to hold it steady without a tripod. Using a tripod, it doesn't matter which Night mode you use, they'll come out good.

Here's our house, taken using Night Snapshot on a tripod:

And here's a close-up of the snowmen, taken using aperture priority:

The snowman with the green hat moves, so that's why there are streaks for his hat.

Maybe if you can rest your elbows on something solid (like a trash can) you can get away without using a tripod for the nighttime parade. Or use a table-top tripod on a trash can. I'd hesitate to use a full-size tripod in a crowd like you'll have at the parade.

 

[budbeerlady]

Thanks for the wonderful thread!!!!

 

[budbeerlady]

I think the auto looks alright given what my skills are and how the picture came out.

 

[robertchance]

budbeerlady,,please explain your technique of holding your camera when shooting pics ,, there is a correct and incorrect way to do it.

 

[budbeerlady]

budbeerlady,,please explain your technique of holding your camera when shooting pics ,, there is a correct and incorrect way to do it.

I just hold it with both hands, thumbs on the bottom, fingers on top with elbows in.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Budbeerlday, I was just coming to look for this thread to send you the link as a reply to your Xmas pic question. But looks like you already found it.

Enjoy your s3.

 

[robertchance]

do you also put the camera against your head and use the viewfinder?

 

[budbeerlady]

I hate trying to find my picture in the LCD frame, so always the view finder.

 

[handicap18]

Good way to work. Also try to keep your left hand under the lens and right hand on the right side of the camera and finger on shutter.

With the IS you should be able to get decent shots as low as about 1/15th of a second or so. Another few tips, if a tripod is not available try to brace yourself against something, ie: tree, fence, lamp post, etc. And right before you press the shutter button hold your breath until the picture has been taken. Also don't be fast with the shutter, press it slowly.

Just a few things that might help.

 

[budbeerlady]

Good way to work. Also try to keep your left hand under the lens and right hand on the right side of the camera and finger on shutter.

With the IS you should be able to get decent shots as low as about 1/15th of a second or so. Another few tips, if a tripod is not available try to brace yourself against something, ie: tree, fence, lamp post, etc. And right before you press the shutter button hold your breath until the picture has been taken. Also don't be fast with the shutter, press it slowly.

Just a few things that might help.

Thanks, I will give this a try!!!

 

[robinb]

UPDATE!!!

I bought the camera at Best Buy using the Sunday ad from Office Depot. All Canon cameras, including the S3 were 20% off. My local OD was out except for the display model. I went to Circuit City and they wouldn't price match because the OD camera was considered an "open item". OK, I'll take my $$ somewhere else. I drove across to Best Buy and they didn't even bother to call OD. They just price matched me . I bought the camera for $320 plus taxes and it ended up to be about $5 more than the Dell deal. Plus, when I went to cancel the camera at Dell I told them I wanted to return the thumb drive and they gave me my $$ back for everything and they told me to keep the drive.



I was able to get a Canon S3 for only $305 plus tax!

* Dell currently has a special that if you order $400 or more you get 15% off your order.
* The S3 is $399, so I need to add something to my cart to bring it up over $400 so I chose a 256 MB BonzaiXpress USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $12.99.
* My subtotal was $411.99. 15% was automatically deducted in the cart due to the Dell promotion, bringing it down to $350.20.
* There is a stackable coupon for 10% off at Dell.com that may be purchased on eBay. I think I paid about $4 including "shipping and handling" by email . That coupon saved me 10% on my subtotal bringing my total for both items to $315.
* Dell charged me tax on my order but shipping was free .

256 MB BonzaiXpress USB 2.0 Flash Drive $9.94
PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera $305.23

Sub-Total : $315.17
Shipping : $.00
Tax : $17.34

Order Total : $332.51

 

[robinb]

*bump* for my edits!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I just LOVE smart shoppers Nice job!

AND don't forget about www.ebates.com. If you get to the Dell site by clicking thru ebates site....you qualify for a rebate too!!!! (% will depend on what section of Dell's site you are shopping from. I was sure, so I didn't post the percentage.)

I just love the "checks" ebates sends me quarterly via paypal, which I then move back to my checking account.

 

[robinb]

D'oh! I made my order through ebates last night before I had the coupon, but that was $379 shipped. I was so excited when the eBay seller get back to me with another coupon that I forgot to order through ebates. Darn! I could have saved another $3!

 

[ndelaware]

$305 is an incredible price fro a new S3! Well done!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Excellent, Robin!!

And I like ebates too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good deal. I also got an S3 for $305 plus tax last week on Amazon.com, free shipping.

Now if I can just figure out how to use it. Have fallen asleep reading the manual for the past 5 nights.