I did it! (S3)

[madge]

I did it! I bought an S3 this afternoon! I'll be picking it up on the way to my DD's dress rehearsal for her recital... nothing like waiting until the last minute.

I'm going to look at some online user guides right now, and hope to have some time to look at the controls before her class comes on stage

I can't wait to come back here with my first S3 picture to share!

 

[jann1033]

congrats! looking forward to your photos

 

[Zeagle]

Congrats! I have heard that is a fun camera.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What about batteries? I think I had to charge my camera's battery overnight before using it. If it takes AA or AAA, you're OK. If not, you may have a power problem.

 

[ukcatfan]

What about batteries? I think I had to charge my camera's battery overnight before using it. If it takes AA or AAA, you're OK. If not, you may have a power problem.

The S3 uses AAs.

Kevin

 

[GrumpyOne]

What about batteries? I think I had to charge my camera's battery overnight before using it.

You need to stop buying low-end cameras.

 

[madge]

What about batteries? I think I had to charge my camera's battery overnight before using it. If it takes AA or AAA, you're OK. If not, you may have a power problem.

it takes AA batteries - I was all set as soon as I got to the van opened the box! I didn't take very many pictures tonight (uploading to ImageStation right now) and I'm not sure how good they're going to be... I was a little farther back in the audience than I would have liked. But, so far, I find the camera pretty easy to use, in its most basic functions, right out of the box. I can't wait to start learning how to use it tomorrow!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You need to stop buying low-end cameras.

Yeah. Can you believe mine even came with a NIMH battery. What a dinosaur.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Welcome to the "family"!!

Depending on the lighting in the auditorium/stage, and if you took your pics in Auto mode, don't be to surprised or dismayed that they look grainy or noisy ... that's what happens when you let the camera handle the settings.

Like almost every P&S in the world, they struggle without proper light (that's the compromise for having a small sensor). S3's can take nice low-light pictures, but you've got to really get a handle on the camera settings and make sure that you're using the widest aperture and slowest shutter speed you can get away with (to prevent motion blur).

Also, get yourself the Noiseware Community edition (it's free!, just Google it) and you'll easily save many pics that would be otherwise too noisy for printing! In most cases, even a noisy picture is better than no picture.

Most of all, have fun with your new S3!!

 

[madge]

Welcome to the "family"!!

Depending on the lighting in the auditorium/stage, and if you took your pics in Auto mode, don't be to surprised or dismayed that they look grainy or noisy ... that's what happens when you let the camera handle the settings.

Like almost every P&S in the world, they struggle without proper light (that's the compromise for having a small sensor). S3's can take nice low-light pictures, but you've got to really get a handle on the camera settings and make sure that you're using the widest aperture and slowest shutter speed you can get away with (to prevent motion blur).

Also, get yourself the Noiseware Community edition (it's free!, just Google it) and you'll easily save many pics that would be otherwise too noisy for printing! In most cases, even a noisy picture is better than no picture.

Most of all, have fun with your new S3!!

bingo - there's no way my little canon powershot would have been able to take a picture in the theater. The pics I took were a little noisy, but overall I was pleased. I haven't done any editing to them yet, I'm going to send the files to a friend that does semi-professional photography and see if he can get some of the noise out.

I need to check on that noiseware - I use an older version of Microsoft Picture It, so I don't know if it's compatible with that.

The pictures I took yesterday? I love them. It's a fun camera to learn with, and I'm glad I took the plunge

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I need to check on that noiseware - I use an older version of Microsoft Picture It, so I don't know if it's compatible with that.

Although they make Photoshop plug-in version, the Community version is also standalone, so it doesn't really need to work with any other software. It processes images independently from other PP tools, so it's essentially compatible with anything!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great news and best wishes, good choice.

 

[S. C.]

To the S3 family, looking forward to seeing your pictures. I love my canon S3. I wanted to take some pics today but it has been raining all day my only day off of work.

 

[madge]

Although they make Photoshop plug-in version, the Community version is also standalone, so it doesn't really need to work with any other software. It processes images independently from other PP tools, so it's essentially compatible with anything!

oh, that's great to hear! thanks!!

edited to add: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I used the noiseware on some of the recital pics, and I know I have a LONG way to go in my picture taking, but OMG... I am SO happy with the pictures I took!
before:

after: