Looks like I'm buying the S5 IS tomorrow...Anyone else have it?

[PhotobearSam]

I found a deal on the S5 IS from Canon, it's $50 off the regular price. I was going to buy the S3 IS but have been so busy with our business, I let all of them get away.

So tell me what am I going to LOVE about the S5 IS and what is not so good...

What accessories do you recommend?

Show me some pics you have taken with it...


Thanks for all the Support...I was going to buy a Canon 30D but we decided that will have to wait till next year before we go to France.

 

[ukcatfan]

I found a deal on the S5 IS from Canon, it's $50 off the regular price. I was going to buy the S3 IS but have been so busy with our business, I let all of them get away.

Buydig is showing the S3 in stock with free shipping for $280.99. I have bought off them three times with no problems. They usually ship the same day and never do anything devious like bait and switch or forcing the purchase of overpriced add ons.

Kevin

P.S. Nevermind, I forgot you are in Canada and they will not ship there. Do you have any friends or relatives in the US that would let you ship to them and then send it to you?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

So tell me what am I going to LOVE about the S5 IS and what is not so good...

Well, I've got an S3, but the differences between the two cameras are very small and the IQ is about the same.

What you will love:
432mm zoom range! Having that much reach is fantastic!

Movies!! The S5 has the best movie mode available on a superzoom camera (and can make full use of it's zoom while recording), and the S5's got a 4G limit to files; that's about 32 min. per file!

Fold-out-rotating-LCD -- even bigger on the S5, allows for easy composition even in unusual locations like right on the ground, pointing straight up, or taking pictures/video over the heads of people standing in front of you at a Disney parade.

Speed -- the camera focuses fast and has very little shutter lag. It can take continuous pictures until the card fills up (if you've got a fast SD card).

Full manual controls -- it's got all of the settings that the DSLRs have, so what you learn on the S5 can be more easily "ported" to a DSLR like the 30D. Also, with manual controls you can take full control over your exposures and create interesting effects not possible with "scene mode"-only cameras.

What is not so good:
Low-light -- you will have to work really hard (manual settings, spot metering, noise reduction software, etc) to get good quality pictures in dim light if you can't sit the camera on a tripod and take a long exposure.

Ummmm ... that's my only complaint about the S3 -- I'm sure it would be my only complaint about the S5.

What accessories do you recommend?

In no particular order:

Some 2G (or bigger) SD/SDHC Cards; fast ones like SanDisk Ultra II's.

A lens adapter from Lensmate (52mm or 58mm) and a Polarizing filter to reduce glare (glass/water/shiny automobiles/etc) and improve color saturation (especially on sky pictures). An ND filter/graduated ND filter to use slower shutter speeds in bright light.

A macro lens like the Raynox DCR-250 or macro filters like the Hoya Closeup Set.

A teleconverter like the Raynox DCR-1540PRO -- increase your zoom range to over 600mm!

2500mAh (or higher) NiMH batteries and a "smart" charger.

A sturdy tripod or a mini tripod.

A bag to carry it in.

Show me some pics you have taken with it...

Take a look at our S3 thread ... the pics will be about the same. Also, check out this thread over on the Digital Camera Resource Page....

Have fun!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

The duty charges make it not such a good bargain even if I get it shipped to a friend in the US.

Ah, well...I just really want a better camera than my A-40 2MP... Now that's a joke...Can't beleive I have waited so long.

If you use the viewfinder instead of the LCD to frame pics, what do you think?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

If you use the viewfinder instead of the LCD to frame pics, what do you think?

I prefer to use the viewfinder, as I think it helps keep the camera more stable and it just feels more "natural" than holding the camera at arms' length.

I find it "good enough" ... it's nowhere near as clear/sharp as a DSLR (because it's just a tiny little LCD) but it gets the job done.

The best thing about the LCD is that it's there for the times when you need it!

 

[ukcatfan]

When I was using our S1, I got in the habit of flipping the screen pointing up and bracing the camera against my chest or stomach for shots that normally called for me to get lower. It saved me the pain of having to bend down to one knee and then get back up. Not that my body is falling apart or anything, but it was still more convenient. You can also go above things with it flipped down. That helps us as I am 5'5" and the tallest in my family. My DDs might eventually overtake me though.

Kevin

 

[PhotobearSam]

Is what you see in the viewfinder acurate?

With my a-40, it's not ven close to what the final pic takes...The cropping is not accurate.

 

[ukcatfan]

Is what you see in the viewfinder acurate?

With my a-40, it's not ven close to what the final pic takes...The cropping is not accurate.

It will be better.

Kevin

 

[AndrewWG]

I'm finding that problem with the Canon 30D as well. Not sure if this is common or not (could it be the lens?), but it is kind of annoying.

Andy

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm finding that problem with the Canon 30D as well. Not sure if this is common or not (could it be the lens?), but it is kind of annoying.

Andy

Your view is through the lens, so it should be pretty accurate. The viewfinder does not give a 100% view though, so there will be extra stuff all around the border compared to what you see. It should be evenly distributed though. If it is not, you might have a problem that needs to be looked at. The p&s models with an optical viewfinder has an offset because the viewfinder is physically offset from the lens. The closer the subject is, the more the offset will be. For example, on a macro shot with a p&s, you should frame it with the LCD or it will not come out right.

Kevin

 

[madge]

If you use the viewfinder instead of the LCD to frame pics, what do you think?

I prefer the viewfinder most of the time

 

[PhotobearSam]

Well, they did not have any left when I went in so I got a Raincheck Oh well, I will hopefully get it next week...I can't wait.

 

[ImaginEars]

Hi Sam, My S5 just came on Friday and it is awesome! I have not been able to put it down since I got it. The number of stuff that it can do is incredible. So far, for only having it for 1 day, ive gotten awesome pictures. Super macro is awesome and the detail of the pictures are as well. The manual controlls are very easy to get the hang of (if you know what the different settings do) and the scene modes are very cool as well (ex: color swap, color accent). The large screen is very clear and the swivel screen is awesome! The zoom is very quick and the focusing is almost instant. I havent really found anything that i dislike about this camera. I think that you will love it!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thanks...You make me even more excited about getting one.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey Sam. S2 guy here, but as said, similar.

I almost always use the LCD, rarely the viewfinder. Tall guy here, comes in very handy to get good perspective. The video mode is really great. I am sure not as good as a dedicated video, but sure is good by me. The zoom is great, as is macro and super macro. Built in flash is fairly reasonable, better than many. Battery life is incredible, 100's of shots, all with LCD on. Lots of manual controls and overrides, not all that hard to learn

Enjoy, Sam. Hope you and Richard are doing well.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Hey Dan...you are the reason I am buying this camera...

I have seen a lot of your shots with the S2 and thought WOW...I got to get me one of those.

Richard and I are doing well. We hope to go to WDW in January.

How are you doing?

 

[PhotobearSam]

Is there a remote available for the s5?