Canon S3

[SplshMtn99]

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

And Wishblade will be next? You need that too. (Sorry others. Wishblade is a scrapbooking thingy. Not camera related. lol)

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

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.

According to what I've read, formatting your card in the camera will generally speed up the saving-to-card functions. You probably should format the card once in a while; after dumping the pics to your hard-drive would be a good time ... but you don't "have" to do it.

There have been some reports, on other sites, of S3's corrupting an SD card. However, nothing has definitively pointed at the camera over a poorly made SD card.

I'd play it better safe than sorry ... transfer pics as soon as you have the time and reformat the card before taking a new batch of important pics.

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?

Recording pixels relates to the overall size of the pic (p37 in the manual):
L = 2816 x 2112
M1 = 2272 x 1704
M2 = 1600 x 1200
S = 640 x 480
W = widescreen = 2816x1584

Large is good for printing up to 11.7"x16.5" prints. M1 is good for up to 8.3"x11.7" prints. M2 is good for 6"x4". S is good for sharing through e-mail or otherwise online.

M1 is a good size for vacation pics ... I've never made 11x16 print from any vacation pic!

Compression is a JPG thing ... it's usually called "quality" in graphics programs (like Photoshop). The higher the compression, the smaller the file will be but the less detail it will preserve (especially when zooming into the picture).

Compression works by combining colors that are "close" into bigger blocks. This is often called "lossy" meaning that some detail gets lost.

In terms of image quality:
Normal is the "worst" ... higher compression, small files, but less detail.
Fine is middle of the road....
Superfine is the best ... lowest compression, large files, lots of detail.

There is supposed to be a way to get RAW images (meaning no compression at all and split into three channels R/G/B) out of an S3, but I've not found out how to do it. RAW image processing is more "professional," and you need to have good programs (Photoshop, etc) to take advantage of this.

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?

You can switch back and forth without worry ... it's one of the best reasons to get a camera that uses AA's instead of proprietary rechargable batteries.

Not only are AA's (even a set of 4) cheaper, but if you ever find yourself with dead batteries (say after a long day at Disney!) you can just buy some standard AA's from any shop and be back in business. With a proprietary rechargeable battery, you'd be out of luck. Any kind of AA you can buy at a store will work.

Just don't mix battery types; always alkalines with alkalines, and Ni-NH with Ni-MH....

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

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

Welcome to the growing DISer Canon S3 IS family!!

I think we need to get ourselves some sort of badge for our signatures!!

I'll work on it....

 

[Soupermom]

Just wanted to stop in and say thanks again to LPZ Stitch for your quick and informative response! This board rocks!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I spent a few minutes fooling around with my image editing software and put together the "DIS S3 IS Family Member" logo for my signature.

If any other DIS S3 IS user wants it, feel free to add it to your signature!

All you have to do is right-click on the image and 'Save Images As' to your HD, and then add it to your signature with the Upload Signature Picture function on the Edit Signature page in the User CP....

 

[Amy]

Thanks for the signature, LPZ Stitch!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Cool siggy. I've been meaning to work on replacing mine. I plan on including it in whatever I come up with.

 

[jenr812]

And Wishblade will be next? You need that too. (Sorry others. Wishblade is a scrapbooking thingy. Not camera related. lol)

Shhh! That's what I'm working on next
Though I think I'll wait til at least my bday (August!).

Thanks for happy dancing with me

Welcome to the growing DISer Canon S3 IS family!!

I think we need to get ourselves some sort of badge for our signatures!!

I'll work on it....

Thank you for the hearty welcome Love the siggy! I've got to add that!

 

[Granite State Heidi]

HI! I'm so glad I found this forum. I got my S3 about 3 weeks ago. I wasn't "loving it" in the beginning. ALL of my shots were grainy. I learned that the ISO was too high, and made adjustments. I am still just kind of stumbling along. I think that as I learn more, I'll love it.

I look forward to learnin' and sharin'. I've got less than 6 months to master the S3--I want to capture some stunning shots when we go on our Disney Vacation.

BIRD ON A RAIL This was cropped and enlarged in PhotoShop.

AFTER THE STORM This was taken after a wet, heavy snow--through the windshield of a moving vehicle.

BIRD WATCHIN' This is one of my cats, intently watching the birds. The color is amazing...so true to life.

 

[HLAuburn]

One more question...how is the S3 on battery life? What kind have you all had good luck with?

 

[jenr812]

Beautiful shots, Heidi!! TFS!

As an aside, I had to come share my excitement and I knew no one else would appreciate it but my fellow S3 peeps

I searched and searched to find the best deal for my S3. Finally decided to go with staples.com. Well I found two coupon codes and got $30 off for that, plus free shipping. I used ebates, so I earned 3% back ($12.57). And they were giving a free Canon PIXMA iP6310D photo printer after $80 MIR. So I'm getting the camera and printer for $331.41 with tax, shipped. Now I just have to wait til it gets here

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

One more question...how is the S3 on battery life? What kind have you all had good luck with?

Very good. On another forum a user reported getting 8 continuous hours (video and stills) out of a set of 2500mAh batteries.

 

[denise5374]

Juat wanted to join you all! I got my S3 around Christmas time. I hade taken alot of pics with it but I am still learning. I took alot of basketball game pics and non of them turned out great, most are very grainy. I think it has something to fdo with low light emitted from flourescent gym lights and distance or somrhting like that.

Now it is baseball season so I should be OK with otside pics. One problem I have had is gettting pics in focus through a fence. I end uo witht he fence in focus instead of the person. How can I fix this?

Thanks!!!

Denise

 

[jenr812]

What kind of batteries/charger do you all use with your S3?

 

[denise5374]

Oops double post

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Juat wanted to join you all! I got my S3 around Christmas time. I hade taken alot of pics with it but I am still learning. I took alot of basketball game pics and non of them turned out great, most are very grainy. I think it has something to fdo with low light emitted from flourescent gym lights and distance or somrhting like that.

Low-light indoor flashless shooting is, unfortunately, one of the S3's (and most digital camera's) weakest areas.

Were you using Auto or Sports mode?

In any case, the graininess comes from the camera switching to a higher ISO value. You might get better results going with Tv mode and setting a shutter speed just fast enough to freeze the players (you'll have to experiment, but nothing slower than 1/30 I'd think).

Make sure to keep the ISO 200 or less for less graininess or invest in a product like NoiseNinja or Noiseware which are specifically designed to remove high ISO (400 or 800) noise from photos before printing.

Another thing to try is to use Av mode and set a large aperture (low number) ... you'll get a shallower depth of field (only the subject will be solidly in focus) but a large aperture lets in more light -- depending on the lighting, though, the camera could have trouble picking a shutter speed.

You can also play with the Exposure Compensation or the White Balance to brighten a darker pic at lower ISO.

Now it is baseball season so I should be OK with otside pics. One problem I have had is gettting pics in focus through a fence. I end uo witht he fence in focus instead of the person. How can I fix this?

Almost all AF cameras will focus on the first thing they see (usually a fence of the back of the guy in front of you).

The best way to shoot through a fence is by using the manual focus. In any mode other than Auto or Sport just hold in the MF button on the side of the lens housing and use the 4-way-button (up and down) to focus. When you've got it close, tap the Set button and it will Autofocus near to where you set it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I had some fun the other night with my S3. It was the first time using it at Fenway Park. And a good night because, well, you'll see below. I got to try out a lot of the settings - I'm paying more attention to them as I'm shooting. I was pretty happy with the zoom at quite a distance (I was way up behind the grandstand between Home and 3rd.) At one point I did have the ISO accidentally set for "high" (button on back) but I fixed it. Will post some more pics and thoughts later but have to get ready for work. I posted these on another thread so thought I'd share them here.

We are a baseball loving family, too. There's nothing like Opening Day (except it's usually really cold here, too!)

Well we didn't make it to Opening Day this year, but we made it to the second game yesterday, which arguably this year was even more fun. It was Daisuke Matsuzaka's - aka Dice K - debut at Fenway Park! Thought I'd share (pardon the imperfections.)

 

[Soupermom]

Well, I finally had a chance to go out and use my new camera today at DD's track meet. Took some great photos. However, I noticed that there is a "fuzz" inside the lens. You can't see it through the viewfind or on the screen, or in pictures; but when you look at the front of the camera, you can see it--about 1/2 inch long. It actually looks like a sliver of plastic or something, kind of curled. What should I do? Does this have the potential to "fall" and cause problems? UGH!

 

[jenr812]

Thanks for the input.

 

[ukcatfan]

I would report it as defective as it is new.

Kevin