Canon S3

[EpcotKilterFan]

Very nice! I am considering this camera. Is there anything about it that you don't like?

I need something more than a point and shoot... but less than a DSLR. (I barely understand ISO and such, not sure I could handle lenses!) Currently I have a Sony Mavica CD-500.

Beautiful pictures

Debbie

 

[Caitsmama]

Debbie, I also traded up from the Sony Mavica! And believe me, you will LOVE this camera.. the LCD screen is huge, and clear.. the optical zoom is AMAZING.. There really isn't anything i have found that i don't like about it.. I don't regret my decision to trade up at all.. I looked at the Sony H2, but for the 100.00 or so extra, it was worth it to me to get the H5.
It's pretty much the best you can get before a digital SLR in my opinion..

 

[shirleyb]

I'm interested in the Canon S3 IS. Is there some reason you chose this one instead? I don't have my mind made up on the Canon, so I'm looking for opinions.

 

[Caitsmama]

Personally, i tried them both, after hearing so much about the cannon here. However, when i actually held them both, i knew i liked the Sony hands down.. Just the overall body style, and location of the buttons i guess.. Plus, i didn't care for the swing out LCD at all!
JMO... Besides that, i had a sony already, so i was use to them, and very happy with the Carl Zeiss Lens..

 

[Master Mason]

So I got my wife an S3, because she didn't like it when I took the XT and left here without a camera. Figured it would be a good learning camera for her. Got that great Dell deal.

She tried it out and told me, after using your camera, I would rather have one like yours.

So now to decide do I sell it or send it back?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You could make money on it if you sell it on craigslist. What didn't she like about it?

 

[DueyDooDah]

I see an opportunity here. Sell you S3, give her your XT and get yourself a [fill in blank].

 

[Master Mason]

You could make money on it if you sell it on craigslist. What didn't she like about it?

2 things, the first was that she couldn't change lenses.... her first experience really using lenses is with L glass.... I think she got spoiled.

the second is it isn't a true view finder, it is like a mini lcd you look at... and she didn't care for that.

 

[graeme1299]

h2 user here and if you add the dh1758 teleconversion lens, the 12x zoom goes 20.4 . Excellent camera.

 

[Caitsmama]

Hmmmmmmmmm.. do i sense an add on before my next wdw vacation?? Do you mind telling me where a good place to get the lens would be?

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I had not realized that it would accept lenses! Last night was reading a review and stumbled upon that tidbit!

Went to the store today to touch one and drool..... gotta wait a bit before I can get one.

Thanks for the review

Debbie

 

[lovesdumbo]

I bought a Sony H5 just before Thanksgiving and the only negative I've come across so far is how long it takes the flash to recharge. I was worried what I would think about "dragging" this camera around when I was used to my Sony W70 that fit in my pocket but the camera is light enough not to be a "burden". I will however purchase a more padded strap before my next trip.

 

[graeme1299]

Hmmmmmmmmm.. do i sense an add on before my next wdw vacation?? Do you mind telling me where a good place to get the lens would be?

I ordered mine from Red Orbit. They were the cheapest on an online search.
A quick check shows they have the lens for $94.23 right now. I love mine.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Oh boy.... do I need a book like that!

I received my Canon S3 before Christmas. My plan was to purchase this camera long before the trip so I could learn how to use it properly on the trip.

Well.... aside from using it on "Auto" I'm completely useless. And this is AFTER I read the manual! *cries* to me... it's all chinese. There has to be an easier way to understand this camera. My husband is laughing at me and I really need to prove him wrong. He thinks I should have just bought a simple, cheap digital camera and I told him I wanted to spend the extra money and buy something of quality so the pictures could be perfect.

As of right now... I'm afraid I won't know how to use it to it's full capacity by April.

I've tried taking some outdoor pictures (with Christmas lights) like the ones I've seen here but mine turn out blurry. And forget about the 'sports' mode option. That didn't work out quite right either.

Something has to give. I'm hoping that one day I'll pick up the camera and it'll all make sense. My past cameras were not this complicated (or so it seemed to me).

Another option would be if one of you could meet me at Disney when we arrive and give me a crash course. Any takers? *sigh*

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've posted similarly here over the last couple of months since I got my own S3.

Are you familiar with basic photography terms and knowledge? If not, try starting there - it helps you understand what settings to choose and how to get the best shots under certain circumstances. Then it's just a matter of playing with the various settings and learning as you go.

I'm still in the process of playing with the settings and learning what works. I keep the manual with me in case I need to reference something, which happens pretty frequently. It's beginning to come together, and I think it will only get better.

There are lots of people here who've had good luck just getting out and using the camera. It seems like it's a good camera for either type of user.

Good luck. You can always post some of your shots here to ask for feedback on what settings might have worked better, etc. Let me know if I can be of any assistance!

 

[not-too-old4fun]

I've posted similarly here over the last couple of months since I got my own S3.

I'll have to look for your thread. I'm sure I'll probably get some good tips then too!

Thanks for your advice. I'll post a few pics and see what feedback I get.

I certainly thought I was camera savy till I got this camera. :lol:

Heck.... I couldn't even find the flash at first!

 

[Jeanne B]

Like Pea-n-Me said, you can pick up a lot of good tips just by reading these boards. And probably one of the best tools is to just practice, practice, practice with different settings. Sometimes using a tripod and/or the 2-second shutter delay (pg 43 of the manual) helps for certain situations such as fireworks. I have the S3 and honestly I leave it on auto a lot but I've had some luck with different settings. I also haven't thoroughly read through the manual which really should be a must do!! Here's a link to a Short Course book for the S3, I haven't bought this myself but I've heard about it on other photography forums.

http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canons3is.htm

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks for posting that link Jeanne. I'd bookmarked it when you posted it before, but couldn't find it. I have to laugh at the title "Short Course" when it says inside it contains 144 pages. I might end up ordering it myself at some point.

not too old 4fun, if you run a search for Canon S3/S2 IS (on the blue bar above), you can pull up a lot of old threads that contain information that others have posted.

I couldn't even find the flash at first!

Neither could I!! We're bad!

 

[dad2t&e]

I used the book that came with my S3 and kept playing with the settings. I'm getting much better with it each time I use it.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Ok. I tried out a bunch of different settings and succeeded in getting a few really good pictures and a few really bad ones. I don't understand the blurriness. No matter what button I choose, it's blurry. I have to go through the manual again. Obviously I'm reading but it's not registering.

I did find a few threads here. I'll have to keep looking.

Jeanne ~ thank you for that link! I may check it out. It does say that this book assumes you understand the mechanics of your camera though and I'm not so sure I do. BUT... I love this part:

You’ll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

That's my goal!

Anyways.... here are a few of my attempts tonight. Unfortunately, I can't even tell you what the camera was set on because I was just selecting random options.

the blurry one...

I like this one. It's part of my centerpiece.

My little guys profile. This camera really is amazing! He appears so angelic!


OMG! Am I ever relieved to read that I am not the only one who couldn't find the flash!!!

I guess if I just keep at it, I may end up being ok but I never dreamed that cameras could have so many different options!