Canon Power Shot S2 IS

[Hope]

As most of you know, I have a Nikon SLR D50 which I love. The only problem with this camera is I am limited on where I can take it. I love music and going to concerts. Many artists allow you to bring a camera into the venue and take all the pictures you want. The only rules are no SLR and no video. This of course causes some issues for me since I have an SLR.

I broke down and bought a second camera. A canon PowerShot S2 IS. I think it is worth every penny. I can take it into the concerts since this is not an SLR camera. The pictures are amazing for bing only a 5 megapixel camera. It has a 12X optical zoom and a 4X digital zoom.

I went to see Michael McDonald and Steely Dan a couple weeks back. The concert was OK. I don't care for Steely Dan, but the BF does. Michael McDonald was OK, but he was too close to the microphone. Of course I took my new camera. Here are some pictures from the concert. I was sitting about 350 meters from the stage.

[SensoVision]

very nice shots especially if take into consideration that they were made on non SLR camera which doesn't have so wide ISO range. Actually I was coosing between ancestor of this camera and my current one, but since I traditionally keep with Minolta I've choose it once again. Canon seems to have better Image stabilization.

BTW what's the reason for not allowing SLR to concerts? They afraid that you're professional photographer or ask for extra money for such camera in order you make some shots and sell them later?

[Hope]

SLR is considered a professional camera. This means that the quality is usually much better. It also means you can get some great lenses. The artist are not keen on people selling these images.

[Andy]

Most of the pictures are very good quality. You seemed to have a good viewpoint and nobody waving arms around or getting their heads in the way.

I think I would have to use a tripod with my camera (Canon A620) to keep it steady in this kind of dark environment since it doesn't have image stabilization.

[Hope]

This has a great stabilization. The one thing I don't like about it is the focus isn't as good as my SLR. I took about 100 pictures, of them, maybe 20 were out of focus. I realize this has to do with the darkness and the distance, but it is frustrating. Overall I am happy with the camera. It is only for times when a SLR is not permitted or I don't want to carry something that large with me.

The concert venue was half empty. They booked a place larger than they could fill. This resulted in us having a lot of space around us.  We were also right in front of a walkway, so there was a 15 ft space between our seating area and the one in front of us. That really helped with no hands or heads in the pictures.

[Andy]

I nearly bought that model of camera. I just suspected the 12x optical zoom was a kind of gimmick. But with the image stabilization, I guess it's useable at full zoom. My A620 shows boxes in the display where it is analysing the scene and when you partially press the shoot button the camera locks on the focus giving you a green light before you completely depress the button to take the shot. Is it possible you were pressing the shoot button too quickly?

[SensoVision]

I nearly bought that model of camera. I just suspected the 12x optical zoom was a kind of gimmick. But with the image stabilization, I guess it's useable at full zoom.

yes, image stabilization really could help you use telephoto lens with slower shutter speeds, so it's not gimmick of any kind IMHO.

My A620 shows boxes in the display where it is analysing the scene and when you partially press the shoot button the camera locks on the focus giving you a green light before you completely depress the button to take the shot. Is it possible you were pressing the shoot button too quickly?

I believe that Heidi do this all on her camera and she just get focusing error which is common thing for such long zoom cameras especially in low light situations...

[carpmad]

verry nice pix Heidi and a verry nice camera by the sounds of it too
youl be able to start doing the stock photo`s now?

[Hope]

Andy, this has a similar feature. It just seems that sometimes at the full zoom it doesn't work all the time. It appeared focused until I removed the SD card and actually looked at the full size images. Other times I didn't wait for it to focus. I just think this is a limitation of such a camera and zoom. This was also the first time I had used the camera, so it might take a bit of time to learn the "temperment" of it.

This camera is able to change lenses to some degree. It isn't like an SLR, but it does support some of the bigger lenses with a correct mount. I have ordered some filters, a wide angle and a 2x zoom, and a couple of macro lense caps. Once they arrive, I will play around some and show you the results. Getting accessories for this is a lot less expensive than the SLR.

Carmad, I have an SLR which I will use for stock photos. It is a higher pixel size and much better quality. I first have to find something worth submitting to a stock company.

[Andy]

It is a higher pixel size and much better quality.

I haven't experienced this great boost in quality. I would like to see a comparison some time.

[Hope]

One day I will take both cameras out and take identical pictures. We can compare the qaulity and features of both.

[SensoVision]

One day I will take both cameras out and take identical pictures. We can compare the qaulity and features of both.

will be interested to see such pictures too.