Canon S3

[awoltoday]

They really are amazing. The next time I encounter one, I will try to get some frozen shots.

It looks like you should be able to find some hummingbirds just about anywhere:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

WRT CHDK: Which build(s) have you been using? I only tried the original build so far as I was mostly concerned with the OSD settings. But, I'm a little intrigued by some of the bracketing functions (even though I'm not quite sure why I want them).

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

WRT CHDK: Which build(s) have you been using? I only tried the original build so far as I was mostly concerned with the OSD settings. But, I'm a little intrigued by some of the bracketing functions (even though I'm not quite sure why I want them).

I've always used GrAnd's latest builds, but I've been looking forward to trying out Allbest's ... it's the Allbest builds that have the super-high shutter speeds.

 

[Frantasmic]

I missed the easy instructions on loading the CHDK file onto the camera; could someone please link to an easier to understand version of the process?

 

[Frantasmic]

I second the tripod or monopod suggestions, as well as the lensmate adapters.

I'd also suggest the UV lens filter.

Plus, plenty of patience and the willingness to take a ton of pictures. Some will be what you wanted, some will exceed your expectations and quite a few will be ones you didn't really want, but will be learning experiences.

If you are there for several nights and really want a fireworks exploding over the castle shot, go there one night and practice with different modes, settings, etc (and write them down if you can ) and then go another night to get your take home shots.

Know your controls.

Also, get a good lens brush and lens cloths for cleaning your stuff.

Practice your Aperture and Exposure controls. You can do a lot with those. Take some shots in Auto, Sports, and a SCN mode or two and then research the settings for those pictures you like but think you can tweak some and then go to M to set up the same shot but with slightly different settings (different ISO or different flash exposure, etc.)

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I missed the easy instructions on loading the CHDK file onto the camera; could someone please link to an easier to understand version of the process?

Have you tried this: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._How_can_I_make_the_CHDK_program_load_automatically_at_startup.3F

 

[awoltoday]

Have you tried this: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._How_can_I_make_the_CHDK_program_load_automatically_at_startup.3F

I did. I got stuck for a while at "Enter <ALT> mode." LOL

But, I think you meant this link (it's on the same page, though):
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._How_do_I_get_CHDK_onto_my_camera.27s_SD_memory_card.3F

I loaded up the Allbest build last night. Holy cow, there are a LOT more options! When I started it up there were at least 3 or 4 things on my display telling me how much space was left on my SD card. lol. That was a little much.

Frantasmic - What part of the process isn't making sense?

 

[awoltoday]

I've always used GrAnd's latest builds, but I've been looking forward to trying out Allbest's ... it's the Allbest builds that have the super-high shutter speeds.

Holy cow. Instead of doing the dishes, I thought it would be a better idea to play with the S3 & the AllBest build! So, I set the faucet to drip a little, set the shutter to 1/10000 (tehe) and aperature to 8.0 and start pushing the magic button.... I am just amazed. Sorry about dinner left over floaties

 

[JR6ooo4]

May I add an S2 pic taken by my DW?

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago. Baby tiger cub...

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Holy cow. Instead of doing the dishes, I thought it would be a better idea to play with the S3 & the AllBest build! So, I set the faucet to drip a little, set the shutter to 1/10000 (tehe) and aperature to 8.0 and start pushing the magic button.... I am just amazed. Sorry about dinner left over floaties

We did some water drop pictures earlier in this thread.

I love that second one!

I've got to get some time together to start playing with Allbest's version!!

 

[Frantasmic]

Thanks for the wiki reference. I had only seen the reference from a bulletin board and it seemed to skip some steps or assume you had done this before. I haven't. The wiki page fills in the needed information I was missing.

 

[awoltoday]

LPZ_Stitch! -
I did see the water droplet pictures earlier in the thread. Everybody did a great job with that exercise. My pictures are seriously lacking in the artistic department and have a little too much dinner in them At some point, I will revisit the exercise and TRY to do it right. Last nights foray was a speedy technical experiment between dinner and trying to get the kids ready for bed

I've been trying to verify that I did the shutter override correctly. If you checked the EXIF data on my pictures, it shows 1/3200 (which is the max w/o CHDK). It appears that if you want to see these overrides in the EXIF data, you'll need to covert the CHDK EXIF data to standard EXIF. Luckily, you can do it on an entire folder at a time, so it won't be too hard to deal with! Here's the link on how to do it:

http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,921.msg7698.html#msg7698

and here's the CHDK2EXIF output of the read-only run against my drip photo:

[Composite] ISO: 233
[] ISO: -
[MakerNotes] CameraISO: Auto
[MakerNotes] ExposureTime: 1/10173
[MakerNotes] FNumber: 8
[EXIF] UserComment:
[] caption-abstract: -

JR6ooo4 - Great shot! Was there a flurry of sports mode pictures that followed?

Frantasmic - Let us know how it goes!

I'm trying to round up some parts to build a remote now! I'm having way too much fun with this. I hope my boss doesn't notice...

 

[Choc_marg]

I hope my boss doesn't notice...

Which boss??

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

and here's the CHDK2EXIF output of the read-only run against my drip photo:

Heh, heh, heh ... how awesome is that ... 1/10,000th sec. shutter speeds from a $350 P&S camera!

These CHDK programmers are amazing!

 

[denise5374]

Hey all!

I haven't posted on this thread in a long while, life got in the way LOL

I have a question about my S3. I have noticed recently that the camera is getting slower, it takes a long time to reset in between shots, especially if using the flash. The camera ia a little over a year old, I bought it Christmas Eve 2006. Is it my rechargeable betteries or soemthing else??

I am cosidering buying a waterproof housing for it so I can take it on vacation this year but don't want to invest the $300 if the camera is dying. Plus I am seriously contemplating upgrading to the XTi(sshh, don't tell my DH LOL)

You guys have all be taking beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing.

Denise

 

[awoltoday]

Which boss??

The other one!

Hey all!

I haven't posted on this thread in a long while, life got in the way LOL

I have a question about my S3. I have noticed recently that the camera is getting slower, it takes a long time to reset in between shots, especially if using the flash. The camera ia a little over a year old, I bought it Christmas Eve 2006. Is it my rechargeable betteries or soemthing else??

I am cosidering buying a waterproof housing for it so I can take it on vacation this year but don't want to invest the $300 if the camera is dying. Plus I am seriously contemplating upgrading to the XTi(sshh, don't tell my DH LOL)

You guys have all be taking beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing.

Denise

I hope your DH doesn't read the Dis. As you can see, those spouses can find us here! lol

How is it in the time it takes to get the first shot? If that doesn't seem too slow, it's probably the file system.

Have you been using the same SD cards as you always have?

If they are the same cards you've always been using, do you format your SD cards on a regular basis? If you haven't, I would try that first.

 

[denise5374]

I hope your DH doesn't read the Dis. As you can see, those spouses can find us here! lol

How is it in the time it takes to get the first shot? If that doesn't seem too slow, it's probably the file system.

Have you been using the same SD cards as you always have?

If they are the same cards you've always been using, do you format your SD cards on a regular basis? If you haven't, I would try that first.

Nope, DH doesn't reead the DIS

The first shot doesn't seem to bad it is recovery from one shot to the next and not in sports mode either, that is fine.

I have the smae SD cards and the only hting I do is erase all the pics from them after I have uploaded to my PC.

What do you mean by the "file system"?

How do I format a card?? (Yup its a stupid question I know LOL)

Any thoughts on the waterproof housing??

Thanks for your help!

Denise

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

May I add an S2 pic taken by my DW?

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago. Baby tiger cub...

OK - I am worrying about the bird - did it get away?

Tell your daughter that is an awesome shot!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Hi everyone, hope all is well….I will be leaving for Disney tomorrow and plan on purchasing my camera tonight S5 life got in the way so I wasn’t able to purchase sooner. I was wondering if anyone could help………..because this will be a new camera and I’m not sure how to set it up (I will read the manual on the plane and tonight if I have time need to finish packing) can anyone help in giving me some quick tips to set the camera up. HELP PLEASE!!! I appreciate it. And is there any accessories I should make sure I have with me for the trip, the camera I have now is really not that reliable and I want to make sure I have good pics for this trip, AM I MAKING A MISTAKE?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

The first shot doesn't seem to bad it is recovery from one shot to the next and not in sports mode either, that is fine.

This doesn't sound like a problem with the camera, itself; if the shot-to-shot recovery time is bad only when using flash (and, of course, it will be much slower when recharging the flash) it might just be time for some new batteries. New batteries can often handle the sudden drain of flash-charging better than old ones.

If you can still fire off about 2.5 pics/sec in HighSpeed continuous mode; there's nothing wrong with the camera.

How do I format a card??

Here's a link to the S3 Online Manual: Setup Menu/Format

There are two options regular and low-level ... you should do a low-level format on new cards and any time you think your card is running slowly. It's kinda like defragging a hard drive.

Any thoughts on the waterproof housing??

Unless you're going scuba diving (i.e. going deeper than 15') one of these ( Aquapac Waterproof Case for Large Point & Shoot Digital and Film Cameras - Rated up to 15') might work for a lot less money. I have one and it seems to work out fine. However, so far I've only used mine in heavy rain. However, it *is* rate to 15'....

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Hi everyone, hope all is well….I will be leaving for Disney tomorrow and plan on purchasing my camera tonight S5 life got in the way so I wasn’t able to purchase sooner. I was wondering if anyone could help………..because this will be a new camera and I’m not sure how to set it up (I will read the manual on the plane and tonight if I have time need to finish packing) can anyone help in giving me some quick tips to set the camera up. HELP PLEASE!!! I appreciate it. And is there any accessories I should make sure I have with me for the trip, the camera I have now is really not that reliable and I want to make sure I have good pics for this trip, AM I MAKING A MISTAKE?

First off ... take a couple of deep breaths!

Don't worry, although the S5 has a host of complicated features, it does just fine using any of its Auto modes (including "green box" Auto -- the one which says Auto right on the selector dial).

These are the most important things to have: rechargeable batteries (at least three sets, that is, 12 batteries) and at least an "overnight" charger (quick chargers are OK, and convenient, but they drastically reduce the lifetime of a set of batteries -- but, it's just a convenience vs. cost thing), a couple of 2G or 4G SD cards* and a bag.

* I prefer having a larger number of smaller cards so that in the unlikely event of a lost or corrupted card you wont lose ALL of you precious vacation pics in one go. You'll want more and bigger cards if you're planning to take video -- which you should, 'cause the S3/S5 is GREAT at video!

Oh, and a mini-tripod can be useful for taking slow-shutter speed pics at night (like the castle or fireworks) -- the DSLR version of the GorillaPod is very popular here on the DIS and with other S3 forum posters....

All of the other accessories can wait until you get back and really decide what type of photography you might be getting into as a hobby. You don't need any extra lenses or filter or anything like that to take GREAT pics.

Start out shooting in Auto and Scene modes and drift into the "Creative Modes" P, Av, Tv and M as you gain a better understanding of what a good exposure means and how aperture/shutter speed and ISO all work together in your camera.

Good luck! Have a great vacation!!