Digital Photography - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

PowerPlayoffs06 · 04-21-2007, 10:27 PM

So I went out and picked up a new digital camera today. It was time to replace my 6 year old, floppy disk requiring, size of my head Sony camera. I've been wanting to start getting into photography as a hobby for a while and decided to start out with something cheaper before getting into a pricey SLR camera with different lenses and stuff.

I bought a Canon PowerShot S3 IS.

So I know we have some digital photography buffs around here and was wondering if anybody had any advice on books to pick up or if it's worth it to take a photography class or not. Should I bother eventually getting alternative lenses for this camera, or just hold off until when/if I get skill worthy of the investment in an SLR?

Jayems · 04-21-2007, 11:01 PM

Depends what you want to do with it. If you just want something to take around for family outings and just want the memories, a SLR is NOT for you. If you want to get deep into photography and start taking some amazing photos (well.. composition is half the battle..) then save for the DSLR.

The Canon Rebel XTi is a good choice for around ~$800, I have the Nikon D80, but the body was $1,000 and after 2 lenses (18-70mm) and a 55mm fixed 1.8f, kit and extras was about $2,000. Worth it.. (plus, it was necessary for school, so that helped).

Ive only had a DSLR for about 4 months now, and I'm still learning a lot. When I first picked it up, I thought it was hopeless and the camera sucked or something, but once you learn it (like learning guitar) you just couldn't go back to "Auto," point-and-click settings.

I know "The Camera Store" offers courses, and if you don't know about shutter speeds, f-stops, aperture, ISO, all that jazz, its very necessary to learn it if you want a DSLR and want to actually use it for how it was made.

I can't claim to be anything but an amature, but if I can help you out in any other way, let me know.

BlackArcher101 · 04-21-2007, 11:06 PM

He's already bought a S3 IS... as for lenses, it doesn't accept different ones, so you are stuck until you get a DSLR.

You have PM!

Jayems · 04-21-2007, 11:30 PM

Oh.. LOL.. misread that.. sorry, thought thats what you were looking at.

PowerPlayoffs06 · 04-21-2007, 11:52 PM

Hrm, the guy that sold me the camera said that I could switch out the lenses on it if I wanted to go for a wide-angle or something different. I haven't gotten very deep into the manual yet, cuz I was watching the Canucks get roasted, so I'll have to check in on that and make sure one way or another.

Im really just starting out as far as photography goes. I did a lot of reading on the Canon website but really have no knowledge about terms or techniques or anything like you mentioned. I'd like to get deeper into it with more artistic shots than just family vacations and backyard bbq's.

I'd really like to be able to take some extended exposure shots while camping and get the star-trails over the horizon and stuff like that, but I dont think you can do that with a digital camera and that's something for years down the road when I know what Im doing.

ah123 · 04-21-2007, 11:54 PM

Before delving into heavy duty photography websites, books or courses, I would suggest you really get to know your camera ...When I got my first digital camera five years ago (Coolpix 5000), I ended up ordering the "Short Course course in Nikon Coolpix 5000 photography" by Dennis Curtin - his book gave me a really good introduction on photography and how to use my camera (e.g. how does the camera "meter" or what is white balance bracketing and how to set my camera up for this type of bracketing). Check out the http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstor..._canons3is.htm
-- there is a table of content on what he covers in the book, I highly recommend his books...

Re photography classes, one or more photography course(s) at SAIT or UofC will definitely help...the biggest advantage is that it forces you to go out and take pictures (and get critiques from your classmates)...having said that, there are a number of very good websites out there which will teach you just as much (and perhaps even more)...Some sites I like:

http://www.silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/toc.html (Website which deals with the basics of photography, not just digital)
http://www.photo.net/learn/making-photographs/ (Website & forum with lots of info - very Canon based)
http://strobist.blogspot.com/ (Really good introduction to flash photography)

The other thing you might want to consider is posting your pictures on a website (e.g. http://www.photosig.com/go/main, http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=1481) and having others critique it -- I personally find this a very good way of learning

Hope that helps,

ah

Barnes · 04-22-2007, 01:03 AM

You can get lenses for the S3 IS. It lists the models in the manual. I would suggest picking up the lense adapter and some filters like a polarizer and a UV at least. Dont bother with the lenses. The optical zoom is pretty powerful. Although, I wish I had the wide angle sometimes.

You can do a lot of what a DSLR can do with the S3. Just be warned that shots will show quite a bit of noise when you get a little crazy with it. A tripod helps a lot. Using the high speed continous shooting mode really helps make some of those back yard BBQ pics a little more interesting. It will shoot 3 frames/sec and give you the odd surprise keeper.

BlackArcher101 · 04-22-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnes

You can get lenses for the S3 IS. It lists the models in the manual. I would suggest picking up the lense adapter and some filters like a polarizer and a UV at least. Dont bother with the lenses. The optical zoom is pretty powerful. Although, I wish I had the wide angle sometimes.

You can do a lot of what a DSLR can do with the S3. Just be warned that shots will show quite a bit of noise when you get a little crazy with it. A tripod helps a lot. Using the high speed continous shooting mode really helps make some of those back yard BBQ pics a little more interesting. It will shoot 3 frames/sec and give you the odd surprise keeper.

Thanks for clearing that up. Is it like the other powershot models that have that wide angle lens that screws overtop the existing one?

PowerPlayoffs06 · 04-22-2007, 11:25 AM

Some great stuff here, thanks guys.

Barnes · 04-22-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Thanks for clearing that up. Is it like the other powershot models that have that wide angle lens that screws overtop the existing one?

Theres a little button lower left that releases the ring around the lense. A lense adapter clips into where the ring was. Its really a threaded plastic tube. The lenses are screwed on the end. I leave mine on all the time with a UV filter to protect the lense and mechanisim. The camera works a ton better with a good circular polarizer.

FurnaceFace · 04-22-2007, 04:15 PM

I also have an S3. I have the lens adapter, polarizer, UV, and neutral density filters, a .45x wide angle lens and 2x lens. As Barnes said the lens adapter and filters are a must. I really like the wide angle as well, it allows for a bunch more freedom/options. The 2x adapter pretty much just sits in my closet as it was just part of the filters and lens package I bought off ebay. Further the image quality with the 2x isn't the best and really, with 12x optical, it's not really needed.

I also find the video capabilities of the camera to be excellent, it's a good extra feature I've used a bunch (see thread re: flames videos). Good camera with good features and options for those of us not wanting to carry around a dSLR.