bdery wrote:
> Most people posting images so far have done so in auto mode, after
> popping batteries in the camera without reading the manual.
>
> Ever heard of learning curve? Of taking your time?
>
> People seem to want instant gratification with their new cameras,
> but with such a beast as the S2, it's not possible. You have to be
> PATIENT, to TRY and EXPERIMENT. Then you'll really be able to
> deliver results like what the camera can do.
You got that right. I can't believe that some have stated that they're returning the S2 after one day or trying it! That's fine but, imho, they really should be looking at a basic point and shoot camera, not an advanced digital camera such as the S2.
I've had the S2 for two and a half days now. It is my 6th digital camera (the first two were great basic, point and shooters) and it is the best one I've ever owned or used!
I continue to be amazed at the photo quality. The feature set just blows me away. The more I read the manual (I'm on the third read and I always read it with camera next to me to try out things as I'm reading), the more amazed I am at the level of user control. It has features and settings I've never heard about. One which comes quickly to mind is the incredible Focus Lock feature, used in conjunction with the M (manual) button, which measures the distance of an object. The manual slide even changes to reflect the distance of the object.
The noise it produces at ISO 400 sucks, but so does just about every other digital camera in it's class. If I want better ISO from a digital camera that is so feature laden, I should buy a dslr...at double the price just to begin with. Sure I wish the S@ were a few ounces lighter, but I can live with that since the features and quality images are so compelling. Besides, the weight doesn't faze me at all when I'm acutallly taking photos.
Anyway, what's important is for everyone to look for a camera that they are satisified with, though I doubt anyone will find a digicam yet that they consider "perfect." Each has strong and weak points; pick a camera that has the strong points you need.
If you're considering the S2, know that you'll get great photos when you take time to learn it's many features...and practice, practice, practice until they become second nature. I still have a humongous amount to learn about the S2, but in the mean time, I'm very happy with the photos I've taken thus far. Here' are a few of my test photos, taken with little thought to settings such as exposure. Close-ups, where I'd normally use a tripod, were hand-held. All images were post processed except where indicated.
http://www.pbase.com/gailb/s2
--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Canon S2 IS & A510, Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm
