Canon S3

[Papa Deuce]

If your PC recognizes the camera without needing to install (just treats it as a USB storage device) you're good to go.

However, you might want to install the software to get the CameraWindow transfer program; it's pretty nice, and also allows you to remote operate your camera from your PC as well as upload more settings/configurations.

I don't know if CameraWindow runs independently of the ZoomBrowser ... I don't think so....

Thanks....

 

[Papa Deuce]

I had my wife's S3 in Auto. I did the half button push to set focus. I got the green box. Many of the shots have very soft edges.

I can't upload right now to show you, but it is as i sated.

 

[AndrewWG]

At some point since I have owned the S2, the Canon software was taken off of my computer and the Windows software took over. It is real basic and just lets you upload the photos to a folder, but that was all I really needed anyways. So my answer is you don't have to install the software if you don't want to, I would guess.

Andy

 

[Groucho]

As long as it's recognized as an external USB drive, you're all set. However, I think most Canons are set to not behave like that, but apparently some have an option to behave that way.

You can pick up a cheap USB card reader, the one I have is probably around $10 shipped, I got it for free after rebate on a sale. It's $4 last time I checked, from SuperMediaStore. It's a small Philips SD-only reader, and works great, much faster than copying from the camera, and no need to worry about batteries.

 

[Papa Deuce]

LOL... I am an idiot! the computer is really new. It DOES have an SD card reader... but I actually couldn't see it. It is barely marked, and labelled in black, and the whole computer is black. It was almost too hard to see.

 

[MICKEY88]

I had my wife's S3 in Auto. I did the half button push to set focus. I got the green box. Many of the shots have very soft edges.

I can't upload right now to show you, but it is as i sated.

are the objects at the edges farther away...shallow depth of field perhaps..

 

[MICKEY88]

LOL... I am an idiot! the computer is really new. It DOES have an SD card reader... but I actually couldn't see it. It is barely marked, and labelled in black, and the whole computer is black. It was almost too hard to see.

let me guess down along the edge towards the front,, I had the same problem trying to show my brother in law how to upload pics to his new laptop.

 

[Papa Deuce]

let me guess down along the edge towards the front,, I had the same problem trying to show my brother in law how to upload pics to his new laptop.

Yep, that's it.

 

[AndrewWG]

Are you using a lensmate barrel with a filter on the end? I was getting "soft" photos when I was using a UV filter.

It shouldn't be a depth of field issue as these cameras have great DOF and it is actually hard to get the image background out of focus. The aperture doesn't go down far enough to get a nice shallow DOF. That is one thing that slightly annoys me about these cameras, otherwise they are great.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Are you using a lensmate barrel with a filter on the end? I was getting "soft" photos when I was using a UV filter.

It shouldn't be a depth of field issue as these cameras have great DOF and it is actually hard to get the image background out of focus. The aperture doesn't go down far enough to get a nice shallow DOF. That is one thing that slightly annoys me about these cameras, otherwise they are great.

Nope. I just unboxed it. Turned it on, and shot a few pictures. I will post a picture when I am able.

 

[MICKEY88]

Are you using a lensmate barrel with a filter on the end? I was getting "soft" photos when I was using a UV filter.

It shouldn't be a depth of field issue as these cameras have great DOF and it is actually hard to get the image background out of focus. The aperture doesn't go down far enough to get a nice shallow DOF. That is one thing that slightly annoys me about these cameras, otherwise they are great.

you don;t have to get the background out of focus to have it go a little soft..

 

[JR6ooo4]

Did the flash fire?
Chances are if you are sitting in the living room trying it out then it is a low light situation and you may have camera shake due to a longer shutter speed. But if it is in full auto the flash should have fired if it is dark.

Best to see the unedited pic to see what the problem may be.

MIkeeee

 

[Papa Deuce]

Did the flash fire?
Chances are if you are sitting in the living room trying it out then it is a low light situation and you may have camera shake due to a longer shutter speed. But if it is in full auto the flash should have fired if it is dark.

Best to see the unedited pic to see what the problem may be.

MIkeeee

All outdoors. 5PM. Very overcast day.

 

[JR6ooo4]

All outdoors. 5PM. Very overcast day.

Were you chasing kids around?

Need to see the pics. Wil you be able to upload soon? Maybe tomorrow?
If not you can mail a few to me and I will host them temporarily.

MIkeeee

 

[Papa Deuce]

Were you chasing kids around?

Need to see the pics. Wil you be able to upload soon? Maybe tomorrow?
If not you can mail a few to me and I will host them temporarily.

MIkeeee

I hope so. My card reader in my desktop is kinda acting screwy.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I hope so. My card reader in my desktop is kinda acting screwy.

You know what? I keep a piece of scotchtape over my card reader slots at work. I use it very little and when I did the memory card contacts would come out covered in dust and dirt. I have no idea how to clean them though.

Mikeeee

 

[HarambeGuy]

Going in a week and got my S3 recently. I've been trying out the various settings but I wondered what would be best for Spaceship Earth, since we'll get to see it one last time before the remodel/rehab (I still haven't seen a definitive description on just what they plan to do to it).

Is flash permitted on SSE? I can't remember. If not, I was thinking shutter priority since we'll be moving (albeit slowly). In any event, I have a pair of 2 gig memory cards to use for the week at WDW so I'll try a few different ways of capturing the scenes, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[jann1033]

if this helps i use only the pse5 to organize, download etc the only canon software i use is the raw converter( rebel xt camera) so i would guess you don't have to with the s3 since i don't

 

[boBQuincy]

Absolutely no flash on SSE, or almost any other dark ride at WDW. Even if it were allowed, the images would look nothing like what we see since the lighting effects that Disney carefully arranged would be ruined by the flash.

That's part of the fun of photographing these rides, the challenge of the chase! I would use Av and set the camera to the widest aperture, guaranteeing the fastest shutter speed available for the conditions.

Have fun!

 

[ukcatfan]

Keep it all the way to the widest focal length. You might also have to resort to the highest ISO to keep the shutter speed fast enough. I would personally use Tv mode in order to ensure the shutter speed needed is met. The camera will most likely pick the widest aperture in that much low light anyway. I would rather have an underexposed shot that is not blurred as opposed to a properly exposed blurry shot. SSE is much darker than you realize b/c your eyes adjust to it. Another thing to consider is trying to take the shot as you are approaching the scene so the motion is towards the subject instead of across it. You can also try to do a panning shot, but that is really tough.

Kevin