Canon S3

[mom2LLN]

My husband just purchased the S3 for our Disney trip (we leave this weekend). I've been reading over the manual and looking at this thread and I have a lot to learn in a short time . Would anyone be willing to share a few "secrets" or quick help tips? Is there a special technique to getting good inside pictures (i.e. character meals), night shots/fireworks, etc.

The cameral I'm using now is a point and shoot and I only have an automatic setting. Therefore, I'm having a hard time understanding about setting the ISO and anything else that deals with using anything other than auto setting.

I would appreciate any and all help!! I hope to be able to take great pictures of my little ones (5, 2.5, 4 months) enjoying Disney, but feel that there is more to this camera than I'm use to and I really need a quick crash course on using this camera.

Thanks again

 

[quidam373]

I also just got this camera as a gift. will be posting shots here soon!

 

[schaery]

Hi! Just recently took a camera class with my S3. Here are a few tips that might help you. 1). Turn off digital zoom: Push menu button, and under 1st tab push the down arrow until you come to digital zoom, then right arrow to turn it off. In digital zoom, the camera software only magnifies the picture that you're taking and makes lower quality pics. 2). If you want the background of a night shot to show up, use night mode with flash up. However, camera and subject must be very still as shutter speed slows down. 3). Focus lock: camera focuses on what is in center of frame. If your subject (a person for instance) is not in the center the camera will focus on what is in the center and your subject may be blurry. To prevent this, place center of viewfinder on subject then push the button 1/2way down and while you're still holding the button down (it will beep), reposition the viewfinder to the way you want to the shot to look, then push button the rest of the way. 4): Macro and supermacro - great for taking really close-up shots. Put dial on P (for Program) and push and hold the "flower" button on the left side of the lens. Hope you may find some use for these tips - and if all else fails - Picassa is a great free photo editing tool on the web.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I would appreciate any and all help!! I hope to be able to take great pictures of my little ones (5, 2.5, 4 months) enjoying Disney, but feel that there is more to this camera than I'm use to and I really need a quick crash course on using this camera.

For 95% of your vacation shots, you can leave the camera in P mode. P is just like Auto, except that you have access to things like Exposure Compensation (make a scene a little lighter or darker as necessary), White Balance (makes sure that colors look good -- settings for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, etc.), MyColors (for neat features like B/W, Sepia, Vivid, etc ... I like Positive Film; it gives the colors a "pop" but doesn't overdo it), ISO (sets the sensitivity of the sensor; more sensitive = more noise so keep it as low as you can get away with) and several other features available by pressing the FUNC button.

I use Av mode most ... going with wide apertures (2.8) when the light isn't very bright and narrow apertures (up to 8.0) when it's very bright. I only raise the ISO above 100 when I cannot get a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the scene the way I want ... I'd only got to 800 if I absolutely NEEDED the shot and you need noise reduction software for anything over ISO200.

Use the half-press of the shutter button to investigate the settings the camera will be picking ... it will display them in the EVF/LCD.

Hope this helps.

If you've got any specific questions, feel free to post 'em here or PM.

 

[Amy]

Welcome to the S3 family, Mom2LLN! I'll second what LPZ_Stitch and schaery said. P Mode is essentially Auto, but you can control some settings if you want to. So if you're a little scared of the camera, put it in P and set the ISO to 100 or 200 (just keep pushing the ISO button on the back until it reads what you want) and then let the camera choose the other settings.

If you want to take pictures of Spectromagic or fireworks, you'll need to switch to either Sports Mode or Night Snapshot (this is under the SCN mode on the dial). Several of us on this thread tried using the Fireworks mode for fireworks, but we didn't like the way they turned out. These modes are also "auto" and you can't change any settings. Beware: the camera WILL bump up the ISO and you'll get noisy pictures, but they can be cleaned with Noiseware (a free download).

And if you're used to a point & shoot where the flash comes on automatically unless you turn it off, remember that on the S3 you have to raise the flash or it won't fire. I don't know how long it took me to get used to this when I first got my S3! For the life of me, I just couldn't figure out why my indoor flash pictures turned out so lousy! Boy, did I feel stupid when I realized what I was doing! Just remember to pull up the flash when you're taking pictures of your kids at the character meals, etc.

 

[kimluvswdw]

I have only had my S5 for a couple of days and I took this of my cat. I think it came out ok.

 

[madge]

For 95% of your vacation shots, you can leave the camera in P mode. P is just like Auto, except that you have access to things like Exposure Compensation (make a scene a little lighter or darker as necessary), White Balance (makes sure that colors look good -- settings for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, etc.), MyColors (for neat features like B/W, Sepia, Vivid, etc ... I like Positive Film; it gives the colors a "pop" but doesn't overdo it), ISO (sets the sensitivity of the sensor; more sensitive = more noise so keep it as low as you can get away with) and several other features available by pressing the FUNC button.

I use Av mode most ... going with wide apertures (2.8) when the light isn't very bright and narrow apertures (up to 8.0) when it's very bright. I only raise the ISO above 100 when I cannot get a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the scene the way I want ... I'd only got to 800 if I absolutely NEEDED the shot and you need noise reduction software for anything over ISO200.

Use the half-press of the shutter button to investigate the settings the camera will be picking ... it will display them in the EVF/LCD.

Hope this helps.

If you've got any specific questions, feel free to post 'em here or PM.

some day I will be able to rattle off tips with ease like other people. LOL.

I keep hoping, between the advice here and my class, I'm going to take a decent picture on vacation. A girl can dream, right?!

 

[DMickey28]

Hi

I wanted to pop in and ask you guys a question. I have read through a lot of this thread and am enjoying learning about the S3. I hope you don't mind. You guys have a lot more knowledge than anyone I know!

I LOVE to take pictures. I have a Canon 35mm SLR that I bought years ago. I enjoy playing with it but I am learning about manual picture taking and printing the pictures seems like such a waste now with digital.

I also have a Canon Powershot A50, it's about 3.5 years old (when I got one). It's been around for a while before that. It's 5mp and at the time, the leader in it's class.

I want a new camera. My main reasons are that the Powershots shutter speed is waayy to slow. I have a lot of blurred pictures of DS. He is on the verge of becoming mobile and I don't want to miss those firsts because of slow shutter speed. I also want to learn more about photography in general. My Powershot has a lot of manual features that I have tooled around with. I am wondering what the S3 has to offer above that. I also would like to be able to get better pictures of DS at night in our living room. Lamp lighting ... I get very bright shots of his face but nothing else.

I toyed around with getting a Canon Rebel XT or XTi, I actually bought one a few weeks ago but returned it because I just wasn't 100% sure. I think it might be too much camera for me. I barely know anything about f-stops etc. I have a few books and have tried to read but with my new mommy brain, it lasts in there about as long as it takes to read it. I want something that I can put in the diaper bag when we go out. I don't need another bag to carry in additional to the baby.

Do you think the S3 is a good option for me? What is the difference in the S3 and S5? It appears to be about $100 price wise, is it worth it?

Thanks!

 

[AndrewWG]

Hi DMickey28!

Welcome to this thread! I stop by here once in awhile to see the great shots that people continue to get with their S2, S3 and S5 IS cameras. I have moved on from the S2 to the 30D but I can tell you that you shouldn't be disappointed with either a S3 or a S5. I don't know all the differences as I haven't really been keeping up but I think it is worth it to save the $100 and get the S3. The S5, from what I understand, isn't that much of an upgrade.

Good luck with your decision!

What part of Cape Cod were you from? Seems like you jump around all over! We are from the mainland side of the Bourne Bridge.

Andy

 

[jpeka65844]

Hey gang! I'm still learning about my S5 and thank goodness it's digital, b/c I've wasted a lot of shots! Does anyone here have any recommendations for a good how-to book about photography? I don't really have time to take a class but would like to know more about shutter speed, apertures, etc....THANKS!



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[jpeka65844]

BTW..... in response to the post about the unnecessary upgrade to the S5 to the S3.....We were going to get an S3 and not a single dealer in the Kansas City area had one. It seems that all you can buy here now is the S5.

Just a heads up that the S3 might be hard to find......



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[DMickey28]

Denice - I am finding the best price for the S3 on amazon. Now I haven't looked too hard but I haven't been disappointed with them in the past. $280.00.

Thanks Andy ... I think I may go with the S3. It seems to be the happy medium of what I want. I don't want to spend the $600 for the Rebel XT and I am not in the position right now with a new baby and another in a year or so to really invest the time, money and energy into learning and growing with the REbel. I think the S3 will suit me great for the next year or two until I am ready to move up. I just wonder if it's enough of a difference from my S50? I am from Centerville!! Nice to see you ... I miss it. My parents are still there so we go home a lot.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Does anyone here have any recommendations for a good how-to book about photography? I don't really have time to take a class but would like to know more about shutter speed, apertures, etc....THANKS

Understanding Exposure. I picked up my copy on Amazon.

 

[madge]

Understanding Exposure. I picked up my copy on Amazon.

I second that suggestion!

I also think that the Short Courses book is good, too. I have found it to be a little more useful to me now that I have a hard copy to look at.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am not in the position right now with a new baby and another in a year or so to really invest the time, money and energy into learning and growing with the REbel. I think the S3 will suit me great for the next year or two until I am ready to move up. I just wonder if it's enough of a difference from my S50?

and welcome to the PB.

I understand where you're coming from. Having a new baby - in my eyes, anyway - makes it kind of difficult to take on such a challenge. God kows I wasn't able to do it. It's only now that my kids are older that I have time to learn things the way I've always wanted to. And I'm still working on it, big time.

I bought an S3 last fall and have been happy with the purchase (DH just picked up an S2 too). There was still a pretty steep learning curve, but not nearly as big as the one I would have had on an SLR (though some day I'm sure I'll be making the jump as well).

I think you just have to keep your expectations realistic since it is at heart a point and shoot (bridge camera, actually, but non-SLR) and the quality will never be that of an SLR. However, it doesn't mean you can't get some great shots as evidenced in this thread and all around this PB and others. The key, though, is putting the time and effort into learning some basic skills and how to use all the settings the camera has. This thread has been great for help in the latter. Someone posts something new and we all try it out.

I looked up your old camera and see that it does have some of the same features as these, but did you use them? These are quite a bit bigger, too, but not so big that you couldn't cram it in your diaper bag, LOL. And best of all, there's nothing to futz with while you're trying to get a few shots while still managing the little one. If I were buying now I'm not sure whether I'd go for the S3 or the S5. I think if I could find a really good price on the S5 I might go that route as I like the bigger LCD screen and use the camera a lot for video and it can take longer video clips.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Amy]

I have only had my S5 for a couple of days and I took this of my cat. I think it came out ok.

Whoa! Is that cat saying "don't mess with me!" or what??! Great shot!

 

[tiff13]

 

[LMarge]

tiff13,
great water shots, I especailly liked the color in the second one. Have you tried a polorizer filter on your camera yet? I was wondering how it would affect shots like the first one? Anyone?
TIA!
Marge

 

[tiff13]

LMarge, no I haven't. I'm also wondering how it affect the "glare", as I had a lot of water shots yesterday and it was just so sunny out.
Anyone else played with one? And how much do they cost?

 

[chrismartinique]

almost pulling out my hair.... almost.....
Every one of these camera has something I like

I have read a lot good about the Lumix TZ3, but I'm worried I will miss the viewfinder especially outside. I know you can make the LCD extra bright - will that beat the bright sun? This camera looks fun & easy (probably more my level of learning.) Anyone have experience with it? My shots will be vacation, some outside daylight sports, a little outside evening sports and plenty of indoor basketball. I would call indoor basketball "moderate" light - not quite low light. Can this camera pull it off? This camera really appeals to me in writing becuz it looks easy & it does a lot. People seem to like it. I want the high zoom too.

I know there are a lot of Canon die hards here.... but the S3 & S5 both just overwhelm me with buttons. They seem so complicated. I've handled them a couple times, and it just doesn't look easy. And, being the level photographer that I am & probably will stay, do I need to be able to adjust all those things??

The Kodak interests me becuz I am familiar with Kodak dig camera & the Easyshare format. The whole battery thing though -not so sure about that. I don't read as much about Kodak as Canon here though.

The Lumix FZ8 looks comparable to the S3 & the Kodak, but may be a little deep for me too.

Anyone...... lay it on me. I asked about Fuji Vs Canon a few days ago - I started to get wet feet there thinking ooh, may be these cameras are a little above my head. So, I dove back into researching & reviewing & now my head is spinning again. Today I drug my 3 year old to about 4 different stores that had digital cameras - just wanting to practice & become familiar with how some of these cameras worked. Do you know (you probably do) how many times I found a non-working battery on the display model. Ummm, can't really try too much that way. How can they expect a person to pick out a camera? I live very rural - no actual camera store around. The best I can do is Best Buy or Office Max.