Canon Powershot S2 IS - DPChallenge Forums

08/18/2005 09:23:41 AM · #1

I was wondering if anyone else had noticed the same issues that I have been experiencing with my S2.

I notice that I have a maximum effective range of around 80-100 Meters.

Maybe 300 feet ish.

I have tried every trick in the book including using the Landscape preset mode and have taken tripod mounted shots using all apertures at all focal lengths. The camera is very sharp under almost all circumstances on all subjects within the magical distance, but under no circumstances is ANYThing out of range ever sharp. Not even a little.

Most notable is probably cloud formations. I have seen some spectacular cloud formations through three typhoons in about a month and been utterly unable to take anything that is close to good. I have checked to make sure that my highlights are not blown.

I am aware that no lens is at its best wide open and at maximum telephoto. I usually limit myself to a max of around 3/4 full telephoto. The camera itself is heavily weighted to f3.5 and 4.0. I have noticed that a few reviews have mentioned that at f7+, this camera tends to be fairly soft. I agree and find the pictures quite soft even beyond f6...

Is this my camera or is it a general limitation of the S2 IS?

This camera is really great for mid focal lengths. It does gorgeous candid portraits indoors. It seems to have much shallower depth of field than is usual to P&S digicams. (I have read that digital cameras typically have anywhere from 2-4 stops more depth of field than film)

My downstairs roommate is an ex-pro photographer who shot Medium format and still has an EOS 1n, and he seems to think this is normal.

He hasn't really used it though, just taken a couple of test shots.

Any comments from S2 owners?

notonline

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/18/2005 09:27:08 AM · #2

I actually tested one this past weekend at a friend of mine request. I thought it wasn't worth the money he spent and told him to return it. I found it very tricky to use in certain lighting and all in all not a very good camera quality wise. I do have some photo's if you'd like to compare and will upload them at your request.

08/18/2005 09:41:04 AM · #3

I have also recommended friends to not get it, but I have bought it now, and I really didn't get it as a final buy. I bought it with a view to the really nice movie mode included with the other features. I'm a big fan of the flip-out LCD and the AA batteries...

I am using it as a learning camera one step up from the A95 which I now recommend over the S2.

If opportunity arises to do so without spending more than an additional hundred bucks US or so, I will sell it and get an FZ-30.

On the other hand, it can take some really good pictures and I have taken some really nice pics of friends in really crummy lighting really far away that I couldn't have with the A95. I also shot 350 pics of a snowboarding contest of which about 30 turned out pretty well and at least 6 or 7 turned out quite decent, while the 3 other photographers I was with pulled respectively 3 good shots and 0 shots and 0 shots total. It was hell to manually focus in bright daylight, but persistence WAS able to pay off and the camera held up its end of the bargain too.

For quality photographic work, I will move to a 20d when I have A) the skill B) the money C) the money for the lenses which is going to be up around $1000US for a starter kit of 4 lenses.

notonline

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/18/2005 09:49:06 AM · #4

Originally posted by eschelar:

I bought it with a view to the really nice movie mode included with the other features. I'm a big fan of the flip-out LCD and the AA batteries...

These are the same reasons my friend wanted it. Gotta ask yourself. Do you want a camera or a camcorder???

08/18/2005 09:58:49 AM · #5

Did. Had insufficient information to make any other decisions. Had insufficient money to make the plunge to DSLR. Opted to get my laser surgery on my eyes instead. Needed a camera and it was the best option at the time. FZ-30 is still unavailable.

Returning the camera does not appear to be an option as I got it grey market (only way to go in Taiwan... Warranty is only valid in this country anyhow regardless of where you buy it and the Canon dealership boosts price by 35% over the American price... They wanted $660US - I paid 480). I posted this thread to find out if the problem was common to all of these cameras or particular to mine.

Also, most of the problems with this camera are common to all other big zoom/teenytinysensor cams.

Again, when I get a camera, I will get a camera. For now, I'm trying to be happy with and trying to better understand a cheaper learning model that has some unique features that I was able to afford on top of getting Lasered corneas.

08/18/2005 10:09:48 AM · #6

I haven't had any problems taking good photos with it. Remember that it is not a DSLR with L glass and you won't be dissapointed. And... DPreview and Steves really seemed to like it.

Also, this is a much better camera then the A95, you just have to learn how to take advantage of the features it has that the A95 does not have (yes I have used both cameras and felt very limited when using the A95).

08/18/2005 10:29:36 AM · #7

Thanks louddog, I was really hoping you would contribute something. You take awesome shots and really know your equipment.

What kind of results have you been getting with landscapes and clouds? How does it compare to your S1 IS that you had before? I really am quite happy with the camera overall, it does what I want it to do.

I understand that every setup has it's limitations, and I am too inexperienced to know where these limitations should and do lie. I want to know if not being able to capture things clearly at higher ranges is normal. Above that, I will do as I have always intended to do with this camera - learn to deal with a new set of limitations.

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

08/18/2005 10:48:24 AM · #8

i love mine, the only thing i dont like are the batteries..i'd rather have one instead of four, sometimes i lose things :(

08/18/2005 11:07:29 AM · #9

Thanks!

I haven't done much with clouds in it yet, but from what I have done, be sure you are not using the vivid colors mode when shooting clouds because it blows out all the detail. I ruined a day of shooting at the grand canyon because I left the camera in vivid colors mode by mistake. Note that using a polarizer when shooting clouds is a must too (with any camera).

Compared to the S1, so far it's better in every way except there is no remote. I still haven't put the camera through it's paces though, I do most of my shooting fall through spring and I've only used it on a few outings.

Some of my photos with it so far...
Macros
//www.pbase.com/darylf/image/46170482
//www.pbase.com/darylf/image/46646566

Landscape (haven't done much yet)
//www.pbase.com/darylf/image/46647073
//www.pbase.com/darylf/image/46646555

Portrait
//www.pbase.com/darylf/image/46644404

08/18/2005 11:08:37 AM · #10

and action.