Canon S3

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't know where it is in the thread but to get that effect, you need to use a tripod and set to a long shutter speed using shutter priority. Fool around with the speed until you get the effect you want, and either use a remote shutter release or set the self-timer for delay so the camera doesn't shake when you push the shutter button.

Have fun, and be sure to post your results!

 

[red1der1]

I don't know where it is in the thread but to get that effect, you need to use a tripod and set to a long shutter speed using shutter priority. Fool around with the speed until you get the effect you want, and either use a remote shutter release or set the self-timer for delay so the camera doesn't shake when you push the shutter button.

Have fun, and be sure to post your results!

Thanks so much!! I will play around and see if I can get it to work. I will try with the faucet running and see how that works to test.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Somewhere around here I have a thread that has lots of examples of running water, I'm trying to find it. Will post if I can find it. Here it is http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1841177&referrerid=70088

 

[bob100]

I don't know where it is in the thread but to get that effect, you need to use a tripod and set to a long shutter speed using shutter priority. Fool around with the speed until you get the effect you want, and either use a remote shutter release or set the self-timer for delay so the camera doesn't shake when you push the shutter button.
Have fun, and be sure to post your results!

you will probably also need an "ND filter" - neutral density filter to get a longer shutter speed for that effect

www.s5users.com/forum

 

[red1der1]

you will probably also need an "ND filter" - neutral density filter to get a longer shutter speed for that effect

www.s5users.com/forum

Wow, thanks for the link to the S5 MB. I will check it all out!

 

[tyedye]

I was wondering what users of the S3/S5 think about the latest announcement of the new SX10 IS that has 10 mp and 20x optical zoom. I currently own a 5 mp, 12x zoom panasonic FZ20 and am thinking of upgrading to the new canon superzoom or maybe a dSLR. I like the portability of the superzoom but am not sure if I need to go the dSLR to get the action shots of youth sports that I'm seeking.

My camera (4 yrs old) has enough shutter lag that at times it drives me crazy but I have been able to anticipate the action and still get some good pics but with lots of throw aways.

How fast are these current models, S3/S5?

 

[bob100]

I was wondering what users of the S3/S5 think about the latest announcement of the new SX10 IS that has 10 mp and 20x optical zoom. I currently own a 5 mp, 12x zoom panasonic FZ20 and am thinking of upgrading to the new canon superzoom or maybe a dSLR. I like the portability of the superzoom but am not sure if I need to go the dSLR to get the action shots of youth sports that I'm seeking.

My camera (4 yrs old) has enough shutter lag that at times it drives me crazy but I have been able to anticipate the action and still get some good pics but with lots of throw aways.

How fast are these current models, S3/S5?

the shutter lag on a S5 with continuous mode and the proper settings can shoot every 1/2 second, fast enough for most daytime sports to get a good shot (but with throw aways!) I don't know if it's worth it for you to get another superzoom, even the newest Canon SX1 / SX10 sounds similar to other current cameras (but with a better sensor?) your next step might be an entry level dSLR

 

[luvthemouse71]

I lost my instruction manual for my S5..the camera takes nice pics during the day but sometimes I get blurriness especially at night and when I zoom. I know it's not the S5, it's user error, but why is this happening? Also, the shutter lag when on Fireworks setting is making me frustrated.

 

[schaery]

With the S5, if I am remembering correctly, in the Menu (while viewing pics, not recording), there is an "Auto Rotate" feature you can turn on or off.

Well, that didn't quite solve the problem, although it helped. When I turn the camera on to view pictures, the picture will flip in the LCD. Then if I turn the LCD to look at the way the picture flipped, it will flip back the other way, and on and on. I clicked on the rotate button in the menu and it will let me rotate just the picture I'm looking at but when i go one to the next picture, the same thing happens again.

 

[schaery]

I lost my instruction manual for my S5..the camera takes nice pics during the day but sometimes I get blurriness especially at night and when I zoom. I know it's not the S5, it's user error, but why is this happening? Also, the shutter lag when on Fireworks setting is making me frustrated.

I have an S3 but have the same problems. If you're actually taking pics of fireworks, I've found that the sports mode works much better for that. I've not yet had much luck getting good low light pictures, especially indoors, that aren't blurry, and camera takes forever to focus.

 

[bob100]

I lost my instruction manual for my S5..the camera takes nice pics during the day but sometimes I get blurriness especially at night and when I zoom. I know it's not the S5, it's user error, but why is this happening? Also, the shutter lag when on Fireworks setting is making me frustrated.

the night pics - are you using the flash? the flash output is adjustable !
If you are NOT using the flash then it requires other settings with Av/Tv/Manual mode and you will need a tripod or something to set the camera on to get sharp pics.

If you are taking pics of fireworks then there are a number of things you can do such as turning off the review, using "continuous" shutter speed (little button next to the shutter), set manual focus on infinity & use Av mode - all of which shortens shutter lag.

for tips and techniques -
www.s5users.com/forum
www.flickr.com/groups/canonpowershots5is

 

[wdwmom2]

I know someone posted how to get this effect somewhere in this thread. I tried to search and gave up after about 50 pages. Sorry if it's been asked before. Does anyone have the instructions for getting shots like this on the S5??

I'll tell you what I did for those pics. I googled photographing waterfalls and went from there. There are many great sites out there to help you out. I use an ND8 (neural density) filter, tripod, and self timer. I think I used the AV mode, set around 8. I take numerous pics at different shutter speeds, anywhere from alittle under a second to alittle over a second. I took MANY pics to get a good one. Do this on an overcast day, otherwise the pic will be overexposed. This is one I took this summer of the same waterfall. Much more water due to a rainy year, and the sun was out. NO GOOD!!!!

 

[wdwmom2]

Anyone try to photograph jewelry??? I think it would probably be easier to photograph an angry rattlesnake in Supermacro mode !!!

I started making jewelry. Here are 2 pics. The second one is wirewrapping. My first ever attempt. I named it "One hot mess"!!!! The bail is terrible (understatement), but the rest came out nice.

 

[bob100]

Civil War soldier still on active duty - amazing

 

[twoeeyy]

MY DD camera lens is stuck out. It says lens error re-start camera. We have tried to turn it on and off, change batteries, conect to computer nothing will work. What do we do ?

 

[ukcatfan]

I have had this problem on two different Canon p&s cameras. Unfortunately, about the only thing that will help is to send it to Canon for a repair. There is likely a broken gear or something jamming it. Being a S3, you are probably out of warranty and the basic repair is likely around $125-150. They also usually offer upgrade options for a decent price, but they will be refurb models.

 

[bob100]

MY DD camera lens is stuck out. It says lens error re-start camera. We have tried to turn it on and off, change batteries, conect to computer nothing will work. What do we do ?

I don't know but you could ask in an S3 forum
http://www.s3users.com/forum

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I lost my instruction manual for my S5..the camera takes nice pics during the day but sometimes I get blurriness especially at night and when I zoom. I know it's not the S5, it's user error, but why is this happening? Also, the shutter lag when on Fireworks setting is making me frustrated.

Actually, it probably IS the camera. The S3/S5's a great camera, but its weakness is definitely hand-held night shots. The sensor is really too small for good night performance ... unfortunately, if the sensor was bigger you'd need a huge and expensive lens like the DSLR users do....

There are some tricks for getting "better" performance at night, but nothing makes the S3/S5 *good* at it.

Generally speaking, try this: switch to Av mode and set the largest aperture you can (smallest number) for the zoom your at (2.7 at wide angle - 3.5 at tele), bump the ISO up as high as necessary to get the speed you want (400 is "good-enough" with Noiseware, and 800/1600 is tolerable with Noiseware but it will be VERY grainy when you first see it).

If your subject is spot lit, you can get a bit of an edge by switching to spot metering and aiming at the brightest spot on the subject; the camera will use only that reading and will usually pick a much-faster shutter speed ... your backgrounds will be underexposed, but that's usually OK as they're usually just darkness, anyway.

Also, that's not *shutter lag* on the Fireworks setting ... it's exactly a 2 second shutter speed.

Shutter lag is the time between when you press the button and the camera *starts* taking the picture ... the S3/S5 has very low shutter lag, it's almost instantaneous ... however, in Fireworks mode, *every* shot is 2 seconds long. If you time it, 2 seconds is about the right length of time from initial burst to "flowering" (if you will) of most fireworks.

However, you NEED a tripod if you're going to take shots with such long shutter speeds.

If you want faster shutter speeds for fireworks, you have to set them in Manual mode so you can set Av, Tv and ISO exactly like you want them. I've had decent luck with Av=2.7, Tv=1/10 or 1/20 and ISO 200. The pics are usually pretty sharp, but they lack the fully-realized beauty that only comes from a long shutter speed....

It's the difference between this, one of mine with settings set similar to above:

And, this, a long shutter speed pic by someone else (a Photobucket user named BabyBubbleBoo):

 

[luvthemouse71]

Thanks...I noticed that the camera takes beautiful pics in daylight..I'll try what you suggested..

I love my S5 but I think I may upgrade someday to a digital Canon Rebel.

 

[Frantasmic]

Turn your camera on its side and lightly tap it against a hard surface. This worked for a camera I had that had its lens stuck out. It might realign the camera lens or get the dust that may be making the lens stick out.

Hope this low tech, inexpensive tap works.