Canon S3

[AndrewWG]

Those are great! Definately worth the wait! Both of those cameras did well in low light. I didn't attempt much of low light stuff when I went last time with the S2. When I go in November, I will try to take photos with both the S2IS and the 30D to do a comparison. Of course, I fully expect the 30D to dominate the low light, but I am interested in how it does compared to the S2 in good lighting. I guess I don't have to wait for Disney to do that though, now do I? Duh.

Andy

 

[jfap]

I've been searching thru the different threads trying to come up with a list of what I should get when I purchase the Canon S3. Wondered if ya all could help me on what to buy and where to buy it?

I'll be buying the body from Beach or BuyDig but then I'll need advice on a bag, filters, adapters and such. What should I get and Where should I get them???

I really appreciate all the help you could give me. I'm just sooo Clueless.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I'll be buying the body from Beach or BuyDig but then I'll need advice on a bag, filters, adapters and such. What should I get and Where should I get them???

As far as a bag goes, I've had good luck with a Samsonite bag from Wal*Mart; all of $15!

Before buying extra filters/lenses/etc. you should really get a feel for what your S3 can do right out of the box. It's easier to know what to get once you know what type of photography you like best.

However, since you asked, here are my recommendations for some good S3/S5 accessories!

1) Lensmate 52mm lens adapter ... super-high quality, the best available!
2) Polarizing filter (PL) -- increase saturation of colors in sky/foliage shots, reduces glare reflecting off vehicles, glass and water and for general protection.
3) UV filter -- used for protection, such as in dusty/sandy environments or where things (like branches/children) might come in contact with your S3's lens.
4) Teleconverter -- Raynox DCR-1540PRO; increase the zoom to 665mm!
5) Macro -- Raynox DCR-250; 8x magnification makes the tiniest details of the tiniest subjects beautifully apparent.

I just got the two Raynox lenses for my b-day and I'm loving them!

There are also wide-angle lenses (Raynox and Canon both make good ones) but I don't know much about them as they don't really interest me.

Unless you plan to buy multiple adapter tubes, it pays to make some decisions about what size you're going to need. I decided that I would eventually want the DCR-1540PRO and was able to save a little money on the filters by going 52mm. If you like the Canon lenses better, you'll need the 58mm.

Good luck and welcome to "the family"

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I did think that the S3 shot of Mickey was more clear/sharp than the S2 one. Just seemed like the S2 focus wasn't totally there.

Funny, Marge. I liked the color better on the S2 shot.

what show was that with Mickey and Minnie in yellow, with Woody on stage too and other Dancers?

Disney Cruise Line's Golden Mickeys stage show.

you mentioned you didn't use your tripods. May I ask why? Was it just too much bother? Just curious, as I am hoping to take a tripod with me (only a little one - Gorillapod, maybe) and am wondering why you didn't use yours..!!

I'll answer your question with a quote from myself in the first post.

being the organizer of a trip for 30 people had me hopping most of the time and also it rained several nights so I wasn't always able to take pictures the way I would have liked to.

We had 3 tripods including a large one with us so we had good intentions. But between rushing around and difficult weather (rain with lightening and really hot and sticky, everyone was uncomfortable and just wanted to "keep moving"), it just didn't happen this time. I'm sure when we're by ourselves next time and in hopefully less extreme weather, it'll be more conducive to leisurely photography.

Scratches to Charlotte from us.

Both of those cameras did well in low light.

I thought so too, Andy. Of course there were plenty of misses, but lots of good shots too.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Oh, Pea-n-me!! As if I wasn't already going nuts in anticipation of our trip later this month, I now see your awesome Disney photos and I just can't wait to get my S3 down there!!

I LOVE the pic of the Yeti's shadow!!

Nice work on the GMR and Fantasmic, too!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Oh sorry , I fogot to say that I have the S3

Shots and video time remaining should be in the lower right corner of the LCD/EVF.

You might need to use the DISP button to bring up the more detailed display. There should be two different views for both the LCD/EVF; one with more information and one with less. You can set what gets displayed in the menu under (I think) Custom Display.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In case anyone's interested, I posted a "first trip" using S3/S2 thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570685&referrerid=70088

 

[hjd0411]

this one was with manual settings and manual focus to infinity

this one was on Night Snapshot and manual focus to infinity

Hi Marge - thanks for these photos - they look good to me!! I have a question, though. How do you get your manual focus to infinity on Night Snapshot??? I have just been looking at my camera and can't for the life of me work that one out! I'm looking for ways of getting good firework shots when I go away!!

Thanks for your help, and your lovely photos!!

Heather

 

[hjd0411]

I'll answer your question with a quote from myself in the first post.

We had 3 tripods including a large one with us so we had good intentions. But between rushing around and difficult weather (rain with lightening and really hot and sticky, everyone was uncomfortable and just wanted to "keep moving"), it just didn't happen this time. I'm sure when we're by ourselves next time and in hopefully less extreme weather, it'll be more conducive to leisurely photography.

Scratches to Charlotte from us.

Thanks for that - I did read that but didn't put 2 and 2 together!!
You did well even so! So I will be tripod shopping in the next few weeks, and taking it with me too!!
Charlotte says "thanks" too!! Scratches back to your pooches.


(and with this post I become a DIS veteran!!! I knew I felt old!!!)

 

[AndrewWG]

Wow! I'm a Dis Veteran too and I didn't even notice!

Andy

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations, Heather and Andy!

Stitch, I can't wait to see your pictures! I can definitely understand your excitement!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Hello -- I am sooooo happy
I have been lurking here forever and took the plunge and bought the S3 this weekend to take on an Anniversary trip with my hubby.

I had about 10 minutes to read the booklet before we were out the door. I am soo new at this - never done any digital. Thanks to LPZ_Stitch - I PM'd just to ask what memory card to buy right before I left. Great instructions on Photobucket too!

Here are three of my shots! I love it so far, and can't wait to learn how to really use it. Wish my mountain shots were a bit more green.

Red Mountain Pass

Telluride

Flowers in Telluride

 

[Amy]

Welcome to the S3 family, ColoradoMom! You're going to LOVE this camera. My advice: get out there and practice! Venture out of "Auto" and try some of the other settings. It's a great camera; I've had mine for just about a year now and I'm still learning new things it can do.

And be sure to post more of your pictures - you're off to a great shot with your mountain shots.

 

[LMarge]

Hi Marge - thanks for these photos - they look good to me!! I have a question, though. How do you get your manual focus to infinity on Night Snapshot??? I have just been looking at my camera and can't for the life of me work that one out! I'm looking for ways of getting good firework shots when I go away!!

Thanks for your help, and your lovely photos!!

Heather

Heather,
I think that all I did was hit the MF button on the side of the lens, and then toggle out to infinite with the left/right/up/down toggle. You have to be careful, because if you toggle to far, it takes you back to the closest focus setting (does that make sence?) And I think the key is not to zoom at all, it was on nomal/wide setting for depth. I hope this helps - I'll double check tomorrow to see if there was anything else I may have done, but I'm pretty sure that was all. It was dark so it couldn't have been that hard!!

 

[LMarge]

Hi Marge - thanks for these photos - they look good to me!! I have a question, though. How do you get your manual focus to infinity on Night Snapshot??? I have just been looking at my camera and can't for the life of me work that one out! I'm looking for ways of getting good firework shots when I go away!!

Thanks for your help, and your lovely photos!!

Heather

Heather - I had meant to thank you as well for your very nice comments!! (I hit the post button before I was finished!)

 

[schaery]

Hey ColoradoMom. Love the pics of the Black-eyed Susans. My dad used to always pick these for my mom, and after he passed away, I found a beautiful field of these similar to yours. I took a great pic with my S3 and gave it to my mom "from my dad".

 

[hjd0411]

Marge, thanks for your reply - yes it did make sense! After a bit of "twiddling" and reading the relevant section in the Short Course book it all came together. Now I have to find time to practice!!!

Many thanks for your help.

Heather

And Welcome to the Family ColoradoMom!! - your photos are lovely. Especially the flowers.
Thanks

Heather

 

[wdwmom2]

You took some really nice pics .

What noise reduction do you use? I use the Noiseware community free edition and don't really find that it is a pain, just an extra step. It sure does save alot of photos that I would otherwise delete!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Welcome to "the family", ColoradoMom!!

Great pictures! I love the one of Telluride!!

 

[jfap]

Thanks LPZ_Stitch for your advice.

You're right........I was getting a little too excited and getting the cart before the horse so am holding off on the accessories for now

I've order the camera along with a bag and memory card from Beach so that will get me started. Already have a card reader and rechargeable batteries along with a huge package of Lithium batteries that I bought a Sam's.

Can't wait for my S3 to arrive so I can start paracticing.
Want to get somewhat proficient before flying to L.A. later this month to visit my 4 month old granddaughter.

I'm sure I'll be getting lots of practice taking shots of her!!!!