telephoto lens for canon powershot S5 IS

[fac]

Hi,
I have never posted on the photography board...I am sorry if it were a wrong question here...
I have a canon PowerShot S5 IS which I bought a few years ago and I will be going for a cruise to Alaska, I think I will need a telephoto lens but I am not sure what I should buy for the Canon Powershot...or should I just buy another camera??

 

[Frantasmic]

The S5 is a point and shoot with a 12x lens already attached to it. To gain even greater reach with that lens, you basically have three options:

1. Go digital zoom. This isn't too bad if you are taking pictures in daylight, but your images, especially when blown up, will be blurry.

2. Companies, at least they used to, make a 2x magnifier for this camera. It is basically just a large magnifying glass, but it works. However, you run the same risk of blurry pictures.

3. If this is a once in a lifetime event for you and you really want to capture zoomed pictures beyond the 12x zoom capability of this camera, you should look at newer point and shoots with great inherent zoom or think of going to a dslr and at least renting a nice telezoom lens.

 

[photo_chick]

The zoom lens on the S5 has is about equivalent as far as field of view goes to a 36-432mm lens on a 35mm or full frame DSLR. Considering most of us with DSLR's don't have telephoto zooms longer than 300mm... well, you've already got a lot of reach with that camera. You could get auxiliary add on lenses that will make it even longer, but they're going to really degrade your image quality.

 

[Habfan888]

Hi,
I have never posted on the photography board...I am sorry if it were a wrong question here...
I have a canon PowerShot S5 IS which I bought a few years ago and I will be going for a cruise to Alaska, I think I will need a telephoto lens but I am not sure what I should buy for the Canon Powershot...or should I just buy another camera??

May I ask why you think you need a longer lens? 12x is plenty for most if not all folks. what are you planning on taking photos of?

If you're looking to spend the money, go for it. otherwise really ask yourself if you "need" it.

 

[fac]

I also contact Canon, the following is their response

The S5 IS uses the TC-DC58B Tele Converter. You will also need to
purchase the LAH-DC20 Lens Adapter to attach the Tele Converter to the
camera. Without the Tele Converter, the camera has a focal length of
36-432mm (when calculated in reference to the 35mm full-frame format).
This focal length increases to 648mm when the Tele Converter is added,
so you can get much closer to your subject.

I didn't realize my S5IS can go over 400mm, just never think it can go that far. I am thinking to replace it with a T3i, will it be a better option? my kid will be doing ice skating, hence I am hoping to get better picture for her.

Thoughts? Comments?

thanks

 

[photo_chick]

If reach is all you're after, you're better off with your super zoom. The standard beginner setup for a camera like the T3i is either a pair of lenses, the 18-55 and the 55-250, or an all in one, like the 18-135 or 18-200. None of these will zoom out as far as the camera you have.

However, for shooting ice skating a DLSR like the T3i with a fast zoom like the 70-200 f/2.8L can't be beat. You could get decent shots with your current point and shoot, the lens is actually fast enough, but the DSLR and fast lens will make it easier to get great shots.