Canon S3

[jfulcer]

Cheap memory cards can do this. You need to make sure that it's a fast card or it cannot support the speeds needed to record the video. I'm not sure what 'rating' or speed to look for, but this could be the issue. I get great video from my S2 with the same video specs and my Kingston card.

 

[jjod96]

Has anyone used B & H camera to purchase their camera?? They have a $50 rebate right now on the S5 and I was wondering about their service/reputation? Thanks!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Has anyone used B & H camera to purchase their camera?? They have a $50 rebate right now on the S5 and I was wondering about their service/reputation? Thanks!

They are very reputable, and lots of DISers buy from them. I purchased some accessories (an Aquapak waterproof case) from them and had no problems at all....

 

[tyedye]

Do you mean metering? Metering is; Evaluative, Center-weighted or Spot. Evaluative is probably best for outdoor sports, possibly Center-weighted to reduce blown highlights in white uniforms.

For AF, you only have a choice between Continuous and Single. Continuous uses more battery power, but the camera will focus faster because it doesn't have to wait until you press the shutter button.

Yes I meant metering but I do have a question about focus settings? Does the S5/S3 only have 9 point (AiAF face detection) or 1 point/center for focus areas and if so do you switch between them or mainly just use one of them?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Yes I meant metering but I do have a question about focus settings?

For sports I'd go with either evaluative or center-weighted metering ... spot metering will give you lots of over- or under-exposed pictures because it's only metering off a tiny spot.

Evaluative metering will give you the best results unless you're taking pictures of things under unusual lighting conditions; like concerts with a bright spotlight against a very dark stage.

Does the S5/S3 only have 9 point (AiAF face detection) or 1 point/center for focus areas and if so do you switch between them or mainly just use one of them?

The S3 doesn't have face detection ... so it probably only has a single AF point (the green/yellow box). I'm not sure how you'd switch from one mode to the other on an S5.

 

[tyedye]

I read that the S3 has this: Focusing frame: 1-point AF (fixed to center or FlexiZone AF), so do you just leave it set to fixed to center and not use the flexizone AF?

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, I ordered an S3. Thanks to all on this thread!

I was wavering heavily between it and the S5, but even though I liked the look of the S5 and wouldn't have minded having the "new" thing, the S3 fit better in my hand...and it doesn't matter how snazzy a camera is, if my hand starts cramping while taking pictures, it's not going to be used for long! (thanks to Fred Meyer grocery store for having both cameras next to each other for comparison, even if their prices were insane)

What's the best sort of SD card for this? Normal card, or ultra II, that sort of thing?

 

[jpeka65844]

Hey all! I'm getting revved up for my trip in 12 days! That S5 is going to get a workout (hopefully). I have a 2 GB SD card but Best Buy had a 4 GB SDHC card on sale today. I scooped it up but am wondering now, how does the SDHC compare to and SD? Is it worth it?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I read that the S3 has this: Focusing frame: 1-point AF (fixed to center or FlexiZone AF), so do you just leave it set to fixed to center and not use the flexizone AF?

By 'flexizone' I think all they mean is that you can move the AF frame (the green /yellow box) around. It's only useful if you're using a tripod and need to lock focus on something that isn't directly in the center of the frame.

So far, I've not needed to use it, and I stick with 'fixed to center'.

 

[klmall]

Don't flame me but.........Well, after using my S3 for a few months and reading EVERY tip and trying several in this thread as well as some from other places I have decided to go back to using my Canon G5 for our trip in a few weeks. With only a few exceptions I found the noise on most of my S3 pictures unacceptable even with noise software processing. I also really miss the power of the G5's digital zoom when I go to crop pictures for viewing and printing. The S3 special effects settings and the ease of use is tempting but I really like the overall picture quality of my old G5. When I am in a hurry, as often is the case at WDW, I know I can get a great picture on Auto or P settings on my G5 without any processing afterwards. And yes, I know that some of dissatisfaction is based on user error and a lack of patience.

We still might take the S3 along for the ride in December and let DS use it but I have decided to save up my money and buy the Canon G9.

This may be blasphemy here but has anyone else experienced some disappointment with the S3?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This may be blasphemy here but has anyone else experienced some disappointment with the S3?

I'm sorry you're disappointed. I admit I was a bit disappointed, too, at first, and I think I posted something to that effect early on in this thread. I found it very complicated to use - compared to what I was used to - and knew I was lacking in some basic understanding of photography as well. But in looking at others' pictures I knew the camera was capable of good things. So I launched an all-out campaign to get better both a) as a photographer and b) with the camera itself. Now granted, I'm lucky I had time to do so. A few years ago I wouldn't have. It's been fun and a great learning experience, something I've always wanted to do. I'm still not great at using all the features of the camera, especially under pressure, LOL, but I've definitely gotten better at it and am pretty happy with most of the shots I get now. For a while, I wasn't. On our first trip to WDW using it, I messed up a lot - but I understand my mistakes and am looking forward to giving it another shot next time - I know I can do better now. Low light remains a definite challenge, but even under those conditions I'm finally able to get some good shots. At some point I'll probably purchase a DSLR, but I'll keep my S3 in my purse (as I do now) and let my kids learn on it (we have an S2 also).

I think you have to go with what works, and if you're more comfortable with your other camera, then that's ok. If you want, you can hang onto your S3 and keep plugging away at it, or you could sell it somewhere like Craigslist, now's a good time. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[DueyDooDah]

...I have decided to go back to using my Canon G5 for our trip in a few weeks. With only a few exceptions I found the noise on most of my S3 pictures unacceptable...

This is most likely due to the fact that the G5 had a larger sensor than the S3 and is not trying to pack as many pixels into the available space. Before going with the G9, you may want to compare output. Although its sensor is bigger still, they are packing alot more pixels onto that sensor and you may see some loss of quality (read, increased noise).

 

[klmall]

Thanks Pea-n-Me - Much of what your mentioned is true and DueyDooDah - I will definitely research the G9 more before purchase. I really wanted to like the S3 and I gave it a good chance to be a replacement for my G5 but it's not the one!

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I have a question...I still have yet to purchase the camera (either the S3 or S5) I'm going to wait till Friday hopefully there is a GREAT deal out there somewhere. But anyhow, if I don't take my laptop down-I didn't last time & came home w/close to 2,000 pictures but can't I get 2 large memory cards?? I don't want to lose the pictures-is there a benefit to downloading them down there or can I just wait till I get home??

 

[klmall]

Being a real worry-wart I don't want to risk cards failing or becoming corrupt. I take my laptop to download pictures and view so I can see if I need to do re-takes etc. but also to be my temporary back-up. If I have enough memory cards with me I don't erase/overwrite until I get home and copy to a back-up device. You can buy more cards (big capacity does risk more loss if a card goes bad or is misplaced) and/or bring a laptop or another storage device to transfer pictures to.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

klmall, show us some of the pictures you're unhappy with. Maybe we can brainstorm.

 

[tiff13]

 

[DisneyMom14]

Beautiful rose pic!!!

 

[schaery]

Help me, Stitch.....or anybody!! My DH is buying the Raynox 1520 lens for my S3 for Christmas and the 52mm adapter. (from Lensmate). I am also going to get a UV filter but website was unclear as to whether I need a 52mm or 67mm filter so I sent Lensmate an email. They emailed back and said I need a 67 linear polarizer for the lens, a 52mm polarizer for the adapter w/o the lens, and then a 52mm UV filter. Do I really need 3 filters? I just wanted one. I understand the difference between the 2 types of filters but didn't think I needed both. Are they just trying to sell me more accessories?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Help me, Stitch.....or anybody!! My DH is buying the Raynox 1520 lens for my S3 for Christmas and the 52mm adapter. (from Lensmate). I am also going to get a UV filter but website was unclear as to whether I need a 52mm or 67mm filter so I sent Lensmate an email. They emailed back and said I need a 67 linear polarizer for the lens, a 52mm polarizer for the adapter w/o the lens, and then a 52mm UV filter. Do I really need 3 filters? I just wanted one. I understand the difference between the 2 types of filters but didn't think I needed both. Are they just trying to sell me more accessories?

Do you mean the Raynox DCR-1540PRO (the teleconverter)? If so, the reason they're saying you need multiple filters is because you aren't supposed to put a filter between the 1540 and the adapter ... it's quite heavy and can damage a delicate filter housing or simply break clean off and shatter on the ground .

The 1540 needs to be mounted directly to the adapter tube and the filters need to be attached to the end of the 1540 (67mm, which makes them a little more pricey).

If you only get the 67mm, that will mean that you won't have the option of using a polarizer when you aren't using the 1540; thus, their recommendation that you get a 52mm one as well. And, having a 52mm UV for protection, when not using the 1540, isn't a bad idea. There's no need for a UV filter on the end of the 1540 that I can think of; it's a big sturdy lens that's easy to clean with a microfiber lens cloth.

The only thing I use my UV filter for is to keep dust and dirt out of the lens extension mechanism....

I don't have a 67mm polarizer for my 1540, but I would like to get one because I use the 52mm polarizer a lot....