Canon S3

[Soupermom]

THANK YOU! I spent an hour looking for the original thread, but I am subscribed to so many S3 threads now that it is mind-boggling! I enjoyed seeing all of their photos/modes, too. Only made it through a few pages though; now I'll be able to continue on...

 

[Soupermom]

Can anyone suggest a good brand of batteries for my new S3? Cheapest place to get them? Thanks!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I've had good results with these Powerizer Ni-MH's ordered from Battery Space.

Go for the 2500mAh. I read on one of the other sites from a user who got 8 hours of continuous shooting and video from one set of 2500mAh's. As always, YMMV....

12 or 24 batteries at just over $1.66/each in convenient plastic 4-packs. Perfect for your S3!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you, Amy. I'm going to order.

And thanks, LPZ Stitch, for taking the time to post and answer my questions. The links were helpful, too. I printed some of the guides up. I hope you're going to be posting often - you're very informative and the technical data is great for us S3 users in particular.

P.S. Any commentary here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1404629&referrerid=70088

 

[ukcatfan]

The batteries themselves are not the thing that varies in price so much, it is the charger. Some of the best around are Maha and the main place online to get them is Thomas Distributing. The most important thing IMO is to get a charger that has an individual charging circuit for each cell. This prevents any from getting over charged or under charged. Under charging just leads to less juice, but over charging can ruin the cell.

I personally went with a Duracell charger from Walmart that came with four cells for $18. It has the individual charging circuits. So far so good after about five months. I use Energizer 2500 mAh cells. The higher this number, the more it holds. One last thing to look at. If you can see in the packaging well enough, try to get ones that were made in Japan instead of China. I have no proff that they are better, but I have heard this many times.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

One more thing I almost forgot. The quick chargers are nice for convenience, but end up wearing out the cells much earlier than a standard charger that is 4-8 hours.

Kevin

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

And thanks, LPZ Stitch, for taking the time to post and answer my questions. The links were helpful, too. I printed some of the guides up. I hope you're going to be posting often - you're very informative and the technical data is great for us S3 users in particular.

Oh, I intend to hang around!

I plan to share anything I learn from other sites with my fellow DISers! Taking great Disney pictures is the *main* reason we got our S3!

BTW, here's another useful thread I just started reading: DCRP Canon S2 IS Tip List. It's "specific" to the S2, but most of the settings that worked for the S2 should work for the S3 ... we just have several more options with the S3.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Stitch, I added a link to my last post, don't know if you saw it.

 

[makinorlando]

The batteries themselves are not the thing that varies in price so much, it is the charger. Some of the best around are Maha and the main place online to get them is Thomas Distributing. The most important thing IMO is to get a charger that has an individual charging circuit for each cell. This prevents any from getting over charged or under charged. Under charging just leads to less juice, but over charging can ruin the cell.

I personally went with a Duracell charger from Walmart that came with four cells for $18. It has the individual charging circuits. So far so good after about five months. I use Energizer 2500 mAh cells. The higher this number, the more it holds. One last thing to look at. If you can see in the packaging well enough, try to get ones that were made in Japan instead of China. I have no proff that they are better, but I have heard this many times.

Kevin

I have an S2, and I use the Duracells as well, and have had very good performance from them. I have had mine a year now, and they are still going strong! I have three sets that I rotate.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Stitch, I added a link to my last post, don't know if you saw it.

I didn't until you mentioned it here. I checked out the thread, and I think photo_chick explained it pretty well.

One of the most important things I've discovered is to make sure you check out the histogram (to be sure what the camera is "seeing") and make use of the half-press of the shutter which will show you pretty much how the shot is going to come out. Especially in the "creative modes" never just click the shutter all the way without checking what the camera is going to do ... you can then take those settings and move over to manual to tweak them if you want to/need to.

One thing I noticed that I don't remember seeing anyone mention is that you're at ISO 800 in both of the washed out pics ... ISO 800 is the most sensitive to light that the S3 IS can get, it's also the nosiest. That probably played a major factor, too. Avoid high ISO unless you absolutely need it (low-light or very fast shutter speed); I don't think 1/125 required ISO 800. You might have hit the ISO button and not known it.

I'd be suspicious if the camera picked that on it's own ... The S3 IS is known for picking incorrectly-high ISOs in low-light conditions, not high ones....

 

[SplshMtn99]

You all just have my wanting to go take some pics. I went outside because its sunny. But I can't bring myself to take one more pic of dead brown grass & leafless trees. I WANT COLOR!!!!! I WANT SPRING!!!!! Its going to snow again tomorrow.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I use the Energizer 2500 mAh's in everything we own (cameras, GPSs,.....). But STAY AWAY FROM THE 15 minute rapid chargers. I had to replace about 12 batteries after just one years use because of the rapid charger. We are back to the regular Energizer charger.

The batteries in the S3 last a LONG LONG LONG time compared to any other camera I've owned.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone! I'll be checking out the Duracells and Energizers when I head to wal-mart. Is there any reason why DS could not use these in his little Canon Powershot 530 (or is it 540???) ?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Is there any reason why DS could not use these in his little Canon Powershot 530 (or is it 540???) ?

Assuming it takes the same size (AA), yes.

There's no reason why these couldn't be used in *anything* (cameras, toys, MP3 players...) that takes AA batteries.

 

[makinorlando]

Thanks everyone! I'll be checking out the Duracells and Energizers when I head to wal-mart. Is there any reason why DS could not use these in his little Canon Powershot 530 (or is it 540???) ?

Oops - what LPZ Stitch said!

 

[Soupermom]

Yes, his camera takes 2 AA batteries. He just discovered he can take videos with the thing, and now he's like a little director running around making productions. Uses up LOTS of batteries!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Get more than one set...We have 3. We carry 2 with us and always have a backup at the hotel on the charger.

We take a lot of photos. The 1245 in my tag was on our first trip and all on FILM. Now I take about 7000 per trip.

 

[ukcatfan]

Assuming it takes the same size (AA), yes.

There's no reason why these couldn't be used in *anything* (cameras, toys, MP3 players...) that takes AA batteries.

The Canon "A" series all take AAs. That is actually why the called it the "A" from what I heard.

Kevin

 

[Soupermom]

Hello! Sorry, still no pictures to post. Our cold rain has turned to snow and wind. YUCK. Anyway, I've been trying to read all of the manuals that came with my new S3 adn have a few more questions I'm hoping you nice folks can answer for me...

Do you need to format your memory card every time you "empty" it (burn a cd)? I've never formatted one before, unless of course my old PowerShot did it automatically when I deleted all of the pictures.

Now, I'm trying to figure out the "recording pixels" and "compression". From what was said earlier by LPZ Stitch, I think I should have the compression on SuperFine, right? That would be a better quality photo, but less photos on the card? I have two, 2GB cards now so I think I'll be fine storage wise. I really don't understand the pixels though. From what you said, Large would be a good choice? Does this also mean better quality?

Also, I have the panasonic alkaline batteries in the S3 at the moment--the ones it came with. Is it okay to switch back and forth to the rechargables once I buy them, or should I stick with one or the other?

I guess that's it for now. I really appreciate everyone's help!

You may be hearing from me again though...

 

[jenr812]

Thanks in part to this thread and the countless others I've forced upon him, DH has agreed that I *need* the Canon S3 IS Happy Graduation to me!! I am ordering it RIGHT NOW!!! I can't wait to add pics to this thread