Canon S3

[Pea-n-Me]

Does this help?

Your posts are always helpful. :

I can explain all the terms you listed; I understand them. I guess where my "mental block" comes in is in getting that information from my brain to the camera in making the settings correct. I'm a lot better in understanding the info in the EVF than I was when I first got the camera. When I try to change it, though, I can never seem to find the exact adjustment I'm looking for. I suppose it doesn't help that I'm usually with my kids or dog or someone's waiting for me, etc what I should do is get out by myself so I'm not rushed. Then I can adjust the settings slowly and figure out what I'm doing.

I'm trying to think of an example. OK, say I am in a field and I want to get some nice shots. I would probably use Av mode since I'm not too concerned about shutter speed unless it's low light, right? What if I want to adjust the ISO not with the back button, but using the arrow button? I find it difficult to know exactly what value on the EVF I'm looking for. And say I wanted to make the f-stop even lower than what it gave me. I can't easily change it. Just tried it again, in fact.

Now, in P mode. Same thing. I can adjust the ISO pretty easily, but not the aperture. I see along the bottom there are numbers but manipulating those doesn't seem to change the aperture. I know that those numbers are relative to eachother and I thought were aperture and shutter correlation. But if so, they're given in a different value and as I said, changing them doesn't seem to affect the aperture listed.

Sometimes I look at the EXIF data on my shots and I'm like how did that happen, LOL.

So this seems to be where I'm having the problem. And it's not a huge problem, I AM learning. But I'm not where I want to be yet. I appreciate input and I know what I really need to do is more studying and use of the camera. I hope by our late summer trip I'll know what I'm doing.

Please if you're finding this as well, I'd love to feel I'm not alone here!

Thank you for everyone's help and support. We'll get there - together!!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

It seems like most of the stuff I want to take pics of the camera isn't good at, indoor basketball shots, nighttime sports shots.

Unfortunately, if your *primary* use of the camera was for the subjects above, and you didn't want to go the DSLR route, you'd probably be much better served with a Fuji F30. When it comes to low-light/high ISO, the Fuji is the best P&S you can get, now.

For my family, we were really looking for a good "Disney" camera. 95% of what I take pictures of with it will be lit by bright Florida sunshine! The really important features for us was the long zoom, IS.

However, getting familiar with the Manual mode and learning to take full control of your exposure will go a long way to getting you good* pics under the conditions you usually shoot under.

Also, investing in some noise-reduction software (NoiseNinja, NeatImange, Noiseware etc) will help you get good (or at least decent) pics even at the very noisy ISO 800 from the S3.

Noise Ninja seems to be a very popular one on a lot of the forums I read. You can get a 30-free trial and it's only $34 for the "home edition"....

* you may even occasionally get a "great" pic ... but, that's often less a quality of the camera than it is of the photographer....

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm usually with my kids or dog or someone's waiting for me, etc what I should do is get out by myself so I'm not rushed. Then I can adjust the settings slowly and figure out what I'm doing.

Speed comes with familiarity ... there's a LOT to understand, and it takes some getting used to all the buttons.

I'm trying to think of an example. OK, say I am in a field and I want to get some nice shots. I would probably use Av mode since I'm not too concerned about shutter speed unless it's low light, right? What if I want to adjust the ISO not with the back button, but using the arrow button? I find it difficult to know exactly what value on the EVF I'm looking for. And say I wanted to make the f-stop even lower than what it gave me. I can't easily change it. Just tried it again, in fact.

What mode to use has more to do with what effect you're going for than lighting condition.

You'd use Av mode if controlling the DOF is important; pics of flowers or stationary things. You'd use Tv mode if stopping motion was important; birds, animals or kids.

Use P when you don't really care and just want the "best pic quick."

The ONLY way to adjust the ISO that I know of is using the ISO button. The currently set ISO is always in the upper right(ish) side of the EVF.

Now, in P mode. Same thing. I can adjust the ISO pretty easily, but not the aperture.

Exactly. In P mode, the only things you can adjust are the things under FUNC (MyColors, White Balance etc) and ISO. The camera is picking your Av and Tv as it sees fit.

I see along the bottom there are numbers but manipulating those doesn't seem to change the aperture. I know that those numbers are relative to each other and I thought were aperture and shutter correlation. But if so, they're given in a different value and as I said, changing them doesn't seem to affect the aperture listed.

The numbers that appear when you half-press the shutter? Yes, they're shutter speed (on the left) and aperture (on the right). You can't change them in P mode (except by using the Exposure Compensation).

They are related, but not directly. Each one controls a different aspect of how the light is getting into your camera. Speeding up the shutter generally means you need to open up the aperture. But the shutter has far more effect over how much light gets into the camera than the aperture and it's got a more settings (called stops), too.

Sometimes I look at the EXIF data on my shots and I'm like how did that happen, LOL.

So this seems to be where I'm having the problem. And it's not a huge problem, I AM learning. But I'm not where I want to be yet. I appreciate input and I know what I really need to do is more studying and use of the camera. I hope by our late summer trip I'll know what I'm doing.

Please if you're finding this as well, I'd love to feel I'm not alone here!

Thank you for everyone's help and support. We'll get there - together!!

I'm still learning, too ... I think even the pros are still learning!

The best way to do it is really to explore each mode (Tv and Av) one-at-a-time. It might help to think of Manual as simply Tv and Av at the same time! The camera is really a good teacher in itself.

Start with Tv and watch how the camera picks aperture values as you change the shutter speed from fast to slow. Notice how much of a difference there is, even in bright light, between a low shutter speed and a fast one. In bright sun, you might be shooting at 1/1000 or faster ... try that with some clouds overhead and you'll get a dark, dark pic.

Play around with Av mode and see what differences you get between the lowest and highest settings (remember that the further you zoom, the higher the bottom threshold is. At full zoom, I think, you can only get an Av or 3.5 ... at full wide-angle, it's 2.7)....

If you can't get a decent exposure with the shutter speed or aperture, it's time to start bumping up the ISO. It's the balance of the three settings that determine how your pic will look and there's really no better teacher than experience (one you understand what's actually happening).

ALWAYS half-press the shutter button in all of the creative modes to see what the camera "thinks" of your settings ... any setting that comes up red is a problem.

 

[denise5374]

"Unfortunately, if your *primary* use of the camera was for the subjects above, and you didn't want to go the DSLR route, you'd probably be much better served with a Fuji F30. When it comes to low-light/high ISO, the Fuji is the best P&S you can get, now."


I misspoke here, those are the kinds of pics I have been taking since I got teh camera in the winter during basketball season. I take all kinds of shots , alot of them on vacation and outside of the kids playing baseball/sfotball....I need to figure ou all the manual stuff to get good shots. My problem is,that I don't really have alot of time to sit around a play with it. I want to learn how because I want to upgrade to s DSLR next year or so.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I misspoke here, those are the kinds of pics I have been taking since I got teh camera in the winter during basketball season. I take all kinds of shots , alot of them on vacation and outside of the kids playing baseball/sfotball....I need to figure ou all the manual stuff to get good shots. My problem is,that I don't really have alot of time to sit around a play with it. I want to learn how because I want to upgrade to s DSLR next year or so.

You didn't misspeak ... I was just trying to get clarification.

But, I'm glad to hear that you will be able to be in a position to take the pictures that this camera is best at in the near future. You're going to get awesome outdoor baseball/softball pics -- the long zoom and IS will get you right into the action!

Also, more good news, everything you learn about using the manual modes of the S3 are transferable to a DSLR. Most of them even have Av and Tv Priority modes!

 

[jenr812]

I need to come back and read all the great discussion that's been going on here, but I wanted to finally post some of my first shots.

I love this - I was playing with the color accent on a pouty DS4.

The baseball shots of my DS4 were between 9-10am and the ones of DS8 were between 11am-12pm.

This one looks so grainy but I like the composition.

This is so shadowy but I like it anyway.

The best shot out of about 50 from this weekend. I think it was because we were sitting pretty far away and there was quite a bit of light near us, so it confused the lens KWIM?

Just playin' DH was playing with my old camera.

I am actually impressed with this one because I shot it while driving, holding the camera over my shoulder without focusing or anything LOL

Supermacro. I am really not pleased with these and I hate the reflection of the overhead lights, but I forgot to take the pics during the day and DH wanted to list the watches last night. So these will have to do. I used my OTT Lite Vision Saver lamp but it wasn't strong enough alone, so I had to keep the overheads on. And I tried the mirror tip - thanks to whoever mentioned that. It helped.

OK that's all for now. Sorry for posting so many.

 

[eznunzit]

Happy Friday All!!!

I wanted to share a picture I took last night. It was a low lit room so I used night scene and set it to p mode.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Aww, cute enunzit!

Jen, your pics came out nice too!

 

[love~disney]

Just purchased the camera!! Thanks for all of your knowledge and pictures. It really helps when looking for a camera.
Incase anyone else is looking for one....the best price I found online was through ButterflyPhoto. Free shipping and no tax for $298

 

[AndrewWG]

Ok, so this picture is not cool (or is it?). Well, it might be cool if it isn't in your house, but it WAS in mine.

I used some supermacro today to get this little (2 inch) guy. I thought the photos came out good but the most impressive thing was the detail of all 8 of it's eyes. 4 in front (in a row) and 2 sets of 2 behind that. I also like the spines on it's legs.

Andy

 

[HarambeGuy]

DW ordered one for me as a congratulations gift for my new job. It's supposed to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday and I can't wait!!

We leave for WDW in 3 weeks, so I'll have to get busy learning to use the thing (I'm moving up from an old Powershot A75) before we go.

Got any WDW specific tips? I especially hope to get some good shots at Festival of the Lion King.

 

[AndrewWG]

Congrats! I don't think it will be hard to get used to at all. I moved up to the S2IS from an A85 and just went right to shooting. Many of the controls are similar if not the same. Much better overall camera though! Be sure to post some shots!

Andy

 

[SplshMtn99]

That was IN your house in MA? That's it. I'm MOVING!!!!!! What the heck is that? Nevermind. I don't want to know.

And nevermind that you got close enough to use SUPERMACRO. It's furry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AndrewWG]

That was IN your house in MA? That's it. I'm MOVING!!!!!! What the heck is that? Nevermind. I don't want to know.

And nevermind that you got close enough to use SUPERMACRO. It's furry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I scooted him into the garage to get the pics. Notice there are none from directly in front of it though. I'm not that stupid. Needless to say, he won't be causing any danger to anyone anymore...

By the way, that is a wolf spider, they bite and it hurts. Usually, they stay outside thankfully. I imagine my wife probably brought him inside on a plant or something.

I DON'T want to see another one inside.

Andy

 

[eznunzit]

Andy,

Now that you have me freaked out I thought I would share our lil' guest that recently stopped in to say hi.

 

[AndrewWG]

Ok, so at one point in the past few months, I read on TheDis that you can put your name in your EXIF data on your camera. Does anyone here know how to do this on the S2 IS?

Andy

 

[Master Mason]

Ok, so at one point in the past few months, I read on TheDis that you can put your name in your EXIF data on your camera. Does anyone here know how to do this on the S2 IS?

Andy

Andy,

You do it post processing on your computer, I am not aware of any camera that does it in camera. I use CS2, so the Bridge program has a batch setting where I can update a whole batch at one time. I think most of the editing programs will do this though.

 

[Granite State Heidi]

With my new camera, I have been getting some great candid shots. This one definately shows the child's reaction to something funny! I just love the zoom and the gorgeous colors that this camera captures...

(I have blacked out the ball team name and logo, can't be too careful nowadays....)

 

[Granite State Heidi]

Ok, so this picture is not cool (or is it?). Well, it might be cool if it isn't in your house, but it WAS in mine.

I used some supermacro today to get this little (2 inch) guy. I thought the photos came out good but the most impressive thing was the detail of all 8 of it's eyes. 4 in front (in a row) and 2 sets of 2 behind that. I also like the spines on it's legs.

Andy

EWWWWW! I usually don't mind spiders much, but that one is absolutely gnarly. Gross!

 

[Amy]

Ok, so this picture is not cool (or is it?). Well, it might be cool if it isn't in your house, but it WAS in mine.

I used some supermacro today to get this little (2 inch) guy. I thought the photos came out good but the most impressive thing was the detail of all 8 of it's eyes. 4 in front (in a row) and 2 sets of 2 behind that. I also like the spines on it's legs.

Andy

EWWWW!!!!!! And you got closer enough to use super marco?? Andy, you need some serious therapy! (But it IS a nice shot.)

With my new camera, I have been getting some great candid shots. This one definately shows the child's reaction to something funny! I just love the zoom and the gorgeous colors that this camera captures...

(I have blacked out the ball team name and logo, can't be too careful nowadays....)

Good pic Heidi! I love it when you can see emotion like that.