Canon S3

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I am headed down to Disney in 18 days - but who's counting- and I am looking for a couple tips. I haev only had my S3 for about 3 months so I am still learning about all that it does, and about photography in general. There are a couple rides/attractions that I would really like to get some pics of if I can- Spectromagic, Small World, various daytime parades, in particular. Does anyone have any specific tips for any settings? Thanks

Spectromagic is VERY hard to photograph. I took dozens of pics of it, just last week, and the best pictures I got look about like this:

I used Av mode set to 2.7 (no zoom), Center-Weighted metering, and ISO 400 to get it. I'd run this pic through Noiseware before getting it printed....

Small World is not quite as hard, but the lighting is still quite low. You'll probably want similar settings for IASW as for Spectro.

For outdoor parades, you don't need anything but P mode and ISO set to 80. Just focus on zooming in to frame the shot the way you want it and use the High-speed Continuous so you don't miss a character (the "face" characters, at least) making eye-contact or waving right at you. Most of the time, I've noticed, when they see a camera pointed right at them they'll smile or wave so you get a nicer pic.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Not to hijack the thread - but I just got the TZ3 after a month of debating, reseach and reading lots and lots of threads/boards on cameras. Now - I've not taken it out of the box yet (just got is Wed night and yesterday was a day from heck) but I'll be playing with it this weekend!

hows that T3 zipuzee? do you miss the viewfinder?

 

[figment52]

I haben't been on this thread in a while. I was at WDW 8/17-8/25 and took 800+ pictures. I have to say I was disappointed in most of them, I think I played around too much with the settings ror was snapping to quickly but either way, I still ended up with a few good shots and alot of denet ones.

Here are a few:

I had slot of difficulty taking low light pics,as noticed in the dusk shot above. I know I am doing something wrong, I just don't know what.

I would love the last one blown up and on the wall of my office. Great Photo.

Sandy

 

[zipuzee]

I never used the viewfinder on my other camera, so no, I don't miss it. So far, I'm very happy with it. I'm still playing with the settings and trying different ones, but I think I'm gonna be very happy with it. I'll upload some photos this weekend and post them.

 

[alloyd1170]

I have a blue TZ3 and love it! My fav parts are the high zoom in such a small camera, image stabilizer, large display, and wide angle. I carry it around in my purse so I dont miss those cute kid shots. My not so fav-not too great in low light.

The other night I took some shots of the harvest moon. I used the TZ3 and a Sony DSC-H1. The detail from the TZ3 was far better than the H1.

I dont have any problem with the screen in daylight. I leave it set to the regular brightness. I prefer it over a viewfinder anyways.

 

[denise5374]

Thanks for your comments. I keep learning!

Denise

 

[korzmom]

just started looking at this thread again..havent posted anything since probably page 1--well i was playing around today looking at the leaves and got this shot

[/IMG]and then looking through my old photos came across this weird but interesting photo i took in the summer,its not good but for some reason i like it!

[/IMG]

 

[hjd0411]

Afternoon everyone! I was having a bit of a play with the SuperMacro setting in the garden. Here are a couple of the better ones - not that fabulous, but I'm trying!!!

Grevillea

Brunsfelsia

New Zealand Christmas Bush

The last Camelia

All straight from the camera - no editing or anything!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Heather

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Afternoon everyone! I was having a bit of a play with the SuperMacro setting in the garden. Here are a couple of the better ones - not that fabulous, but I'm trying!!!

Grevillea

All straight from the camera - no editing or anything!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Heather

I LOVE this pic!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a flock of flamingos! Please share what settings (in stupid terms) you used

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Spectromagic is VERY hard to photograph. I took dozens of pics of it, just last week, and the best pictures I got look about like this:

I used Av mode set to 2.7 (no zoom), Center-Weighted metering, and ISO 400 to get it. I'd run this pic through Noiseware before getting it printed....

Small World is not quite as hard, but the lighting is still quite low. You'll probably want similar settings for IASW as for Spectro.

For outdoor parades, you don't need anything but P mode and ISO set to 80. Just focus on zooming in to frame the shot the way you want it and use the High-speed Continuous so you don't miss a character (the "face" characters, at least) making eye-contact or waving right at you. Most of the time, I've noticed, when they see a camera pointed right at them they'll smile or wave so you get a nicer pic.

You say your best was this as if they aren't simply gorgeous and they are! Great job! I love peacocks though

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have a blue TZ3 and love it! My fav parts are the high zoom in such a small camera, image stabilizer, large display, and wide angle. I carry it around in my purse so I dont miss those cute kid shots. My not so fav-not too great in low light.

The other night I took some shots of the harvest moon. I used the TZ3 and a Sony DSC-H1. The detail from the TZ3 was far better than the H1.

I dont have any problem with the screen in daylight. I leave it set to the regular brightness. I prefer it over a viewfinder anyways.

Did you try one of the scene modes (night) or adjusting the ISO for low light? I have to say that I LOVE the OIS in the TZ3 too, along with wide angle and ease of use. For what it is, it's a great little camera.

 

[fla4fun]

I just got back from 2 1/2 weeks at WDW, and I'm now the proud owner of an S5. My trusty old S1, which has traveled half way around the world with me, decided it wasn't going to work any more (on the day I checked in, no less!). I was able to pick up an S5 for around $350 (which I didn't think was too bad, seeing as I needed one NOW - if you know what I mean). I'm still working my way through the manual to figure out some of the settings, but overall, I'm happy. I'm hoping to get enough practice in on night shots before I head back to Disney in December for the Christmas lights.

Anyone know of a good fitted/semi-fitted case for the S5?

 

[zipuzee]

here are some of the first pics I took - pretty basic - but better than what my old camera got.

 

[hjd0411]

I LOVE this pic!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a flock of flamingos! Please share what settings (in stupid terms) you used

Thanks SharkyGoddess!! Settings, ummmmm, SuperMacro is about it!!! ISO 200, and other than that it might as well be in Martian, 'cause I'm not too sure about any of it!!! But I am trying to learn!!

Thanks for your kind words - they are beautiful flowers and the birds absolutely adore them. Lots of nectar for them.

Heather

PS Enjoy your vacation - will we be seeing any of your photos when you get back?? I hope so!!!

 

[hellokitty86]

Hi everyone!!

I'm looking to buy this camera sometime soon- what are the general opinions about it??? I have a Panasonic Lumix right now- I overall like the daytime pics but don't like the zoom & night time pics. I'm not looking for anything fancy- just something that takes good pics when I actually want to take them with a couple good settings! I'm not a photography fanatic by any means, although I'd like to take more pics than I do....I also had a problem with the camera BEFORE the one I have now- it took like 30 seconds to go off after I pressed the button to take the pic!! So I don't want to go back to that...

Any suggestions?? Think this camera is a good fit???

 

[Taqwus]

I will be going to Disney in Febuary and I plan on bringing my S3. Is there any accesories that I should bring like lenses or a gorrila pod.
Also what is a great bag for this camera

 

[wdwmom2]

I will be going to Disney in Febuary and I plan on bringing my S3. Is there any accesories that I should bring like lenses or a gorrila pod.
Also what is a great bag for this camera

I personally like this line of bags
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/designed_digital/ . I have the 120 AW and it works well. I have a Lensmate 52mm adaptor tube and UV lens on my camera and it JUST fits inside. I have also purchased a WA lens, now this DOESN'T fit in the bag. Unfortunately, I bought the bag long before I bought the lens or I would have purchased a larger bag!

A Gorilla Pod would be great to take along if you are planning to shoot any fireworks.

Don't forget spare batteries and a battery charger!!

Oh, and plenty of memory for the gazillion pics that you will inevitably take !

 

[AshleyMWC]

I headed out to our local gardens today adn shot about 100 pics. Most were less than great, but here are a few I liked. With a little touching up they might turn our decent, but these are straight off the camera. I am trying to get as much practice as posisble before Disney, but as you can see by my ticker time is running out. I am thinking about hitting up our local zoo next Saturday is the weather is nice. Hope you enjoy these pics- suggestions are welcome as always!!!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Hope you enjoy these pics- suggestions are welcome as always!!!

Lovely pictures!!

I love that windy staircase one, and the perspective in the vines and columns is nice! Also, very nice capture of the light and shadows on that marble sculpture, too!

 

[tidoublegger]

HELP! I am now seriously considering the canon powershot s3 is but am leaving for our Disney cruise in 10 days!!! If I order this online by tomorrow, will I have enough time to get the basics under my belt before we leave??? What else will I need to buy besides a case? A bigger memory card...better batteries?? Any help would be appreciated as this will be our first digital camera!