[andymac]

Seen as mine got knicked in my recent burglary I want to know what to replace it with,

I did have a Finepix s602, I liked the size of it but sould want
something slightly smaller, however I till want the ability for it to
use aa batteries and compact flash memory

I know there is the S7000, but I feel like a change so would like
something different My criteria are Sub 200 pound, aa batterys and
compact flash memory.

 

[andymac]

Anyone have any views...... what about the konica minolta

 

[RayBanUK]

Andy, go for a Canon A95 or A85. Both use 4 x AA and CF and I can vouch for the A85. OK yes its one model old, but the new A520 which has replaced it (uses 2 x AA and SD) has not had great reviews due to the flash recharge times. Should be able to pick up the A85 for around ?150 now (or less) but the A95 still commands a premium as the replacement isn't out just yet.

 

[Craig_C]

Yeah, canon. I'm still using a 2mp A60. Not sure what the later variants cost but mines was about ?170 just over 2 years ago I think.

Great little cameras.

 

[Vwwwwwing]

This is the one I bought, good reviews apparently.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7533941806&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN

 

[andymac]

Bought Myself one of thees babies http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s1is.html

a canon powershot s1 I know its a bit old now and the s2 is out, but I
got a steal, the camera, 1gb of 40x CF memory for 250 quid delivered

 

[spanner]

The S1 and S2 are damn good cameras and the movie mode combine with Image Stabilisation is simply amazing.

I bought an S2 about a month ago and was toying with buying the S1 because you could pick it up with huge discounts. The only thing I could see that might be a problem with the S1 was it's lack of an auto-focus assist light - therefore making photos in the dark or in pubs, clubs, etc a bit hit and miss. However you can get around it by manually setting up the focus.

My S2 has seen some serious action at a couple of trackdays and also a visit to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The fast shutter, 12x zoom and Image Stabiliser helped me take some fantastic photos and I haven't even begun to learn how to use the camera properly ! I was toying with the idea of buying a dSLR such as the Canon 350D but couln't justify spending twice the price of the S2 and then having to try and get a telephoto lens. The S2 is the next best thing IMHO.

All that said, ?250 for an S1 with 1GB is superb and unfortunately, an offer I never saw !

 

[shiuming]

Let's see some car pics!

Hint: If your camera has trouble with low-light focus and/or doesn't have AF-assist lamp, you can use a laser pointer pen, to create a contrast for the camera to reference. My Sony Cyber-shot F717 already has a laser in the lens barrel for this purpose and it works really well. Someone at a party once famously said, "All it needs now is a laser sight..." []

 

[Cat1.4]

My S2 has seen some serious action at a couple of
trackdays and also a visit to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The fast
shutter, 12x zoom and Image Stabiliser helped me take some fantastic
photos and I haven't even begun to learn how to use the camera properly
! I was toying with the idea of buying a dSLR such as the Canon 350D
but couln't justify spending twice the price of the S2 and then having
to try and get a telephoto lens. The S2 is the next best thing
IMHO.

I've been experimenting for the past couple of weeks with one, &
have found the shutter speed pretty slow tbh. At night it was essential
to use a tripod to get any pics at all. Or have you worked out how to
alter the shutter speeds? I don't know how to do much as the manual
came in French.

Were you using the telephoto lens for the S2?

 

[shiuming]

It's probably in Auto mode, so will slow down the shutter at night, which is what you want otherwise it won't capture enough light. On the mode dial there should be a mode called "S" which is shutter priority, this is standard for all cameras with manual control. Once in this mode, you should be able to tweak the shutter using whatever control is used for +/-, nowadays it's commonly some form of context-sensitive wheel or dial.

Failing that do you want to buy my GCSE French books which I forgot to give back to school when I left?

 

[shiuming]

Here are some night pics I took with shutter priority mode. Didn't have my tripod so had to make do with leaning on things or standing very still!

http://www.lais.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/London%20from%20midnight%20till%20dawn%202005/index.html

 

[Cat1.4]

It's probably in Auto mode, so will slow down
the shutter at night, which is what you want otherwise it won't capture
enough light. On the mode dial there should be a mode called "S" which
is shutter priority, this is standard for all cameras with manual
control. Once in this mode, you should be able to tweak the shutter
using whatever control is used for +/-, nowadays it's commonly
some form of context-sensitive wheel or dial.

Failing that do you want to buy my GCSE French books which I forgot to give back to school when I left?

Yeah, but this seems excessively slow - like 5 seconds (I may be
exaggerating, but it doesn't feel like it). And yeah, there's no
priority mode that I can see, hence the problem.

Now where did I put my French dictionary? [:|]

Btw, really like some of those night shots Shiuming... I should put
some of the ones I got up for a laugh. Although the slow shutter does
make for some good effects in them, especially where there is a lot of
light or movement.

 

[GaryM]

Here are some night pics I took with shutter
priority mode. Didn't have my tripod so had to make do with leaning on
things or standing very still!

http://www.lais.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/London%20from%20midnight%20till%20dawn%202005/index.html

Superb pictures.

 

[NikB]

Some good pics in that lot.

 

[vedhead]

Tables are my fave. Superb stuff!

 

[shiuming]

Thanks for the feedback guys [] Anyone fancy coming along with me next time I go out shooting night photos?

Cat, the S2 does have shutter and aperture priority, but Canon labels them Tv and Av respectively </eats words> see the table half-way down this page http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s2-review/index.shtml

 

[spanner]

With the Auto mode I have found it reasonably good but it does tend to over-expose. Haven't used it that much in the dark. However, when I am "pointing and shooting" I generally switch the camera to the mode labelled "P" on the dial. In this mode, if you press the "FUNC" button, a menu will appear. The first item in the list is the exposure. I generally turn it down to around minus 1 if it's really sunny or just below 0 if it's cloudy. The second menu item lets you adjust the white balance. I tend to s elect it manually rather than leave it on AUTO - i.e. pick Sunny, Cloudy, Flourescent, etc depending on the conditions. This way you should get much better pictures.

On the DCResource forum there is a whole topic dedicated to tips for using the Canon S2 IS:

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10364

I'm currently trying to fix my website after a server crash. Once I'm done I'll put a s election of photos from Castle Combe and Goodwood to show you that the shutter can be quick. I've discovered that the aperture and shutter priority modes are very useful.

 

[spanner]

Now where did I put my French dictionary? [:|]

Cat, I have a PDF version of the S2 IS manual. You may be able to find it on the Canon USA website but if you can't just PM me and I can always email it to you.

 

[Cat1.4]

Cat, I have a PDF version of the S2 IS manual. You may be able
to find it on the Canon USA website but if you can't just PM me and I
can always email it to you.

That would be superb... I found the manual on the Canon site
previously, but they make you pay for it?! So thought I'd have a go
first to see if I could figure it out first. Have got the basics, but
not been able to play with it too much... will PM you with my email
address

Cheers for the tips & links guys [Y] Have got a few reference points, but it's all about time...