S2 IS: Please see these images and suggest how to correct!

[cameratroubles]

Last night we had a party and I took pictures using my new S2 IS camera. Looks like not a single photo came alright! :( i took all of them in auto mode with little or no zoom. The IS has been set to 'shoot only' mode too. AF mode was set to 'single.AF assist beam was on. So is tally lamp. Digital zoom was off. (last, I wasn't drunk and dancing!)

I always have this problem shooting in 'lamp lights' in interiors. the images come blurry like this. (this doesnt happen outside though.)

whats wrong with my settings? is this is a defective piece? please let me know. I am embarassed to share these images and say I have a new camera!! :confused:

Thanks.

here are the images:

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~uk5q/tmppics/1.JPG
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~uk5q/tmppics/2.JPG
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~uk5q/tmppics/3.JPG
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~uk5q/tmppics/4.JPG


Thanks,
cameratroubles!

[coldrain]

Well, as you can see the door posts are nice and "sharp", but the moving subjects are blurry. This means you use too long an exposure time, and you see the actual movement of the people. What would help is setting ISO higher, but this will increase noise too (I did not check what ISO you were using). To make the exposure time shorter, more light is needed, and that is what the flash unit is for. Pop it up with your hands and then it will flash, making the photos nice and not blurred by movement.

[Dawoofo]

That exactly what the problem is. The flash will increase your shutter speed and will also reduce the noise on objects that are within its range.

[JTL]

Since when do people believe that you can take indoor, low-light pictures without flash? In those lighting conditions, even the F10 would be challenged! Frankly, I'm astounded! Don't people read any more? Don't they arm themselves with knowledge? Or was the world always like this and was just wasn't paying attention? Really...sometimes I am just amazed...really...I'm speechless...am I alone in this amazement? Seriously...I'm sorry, this probably sounds really bad...but...I am totally beside myself. How can someone spend $500. on a camera and not know to use the flash? I mean, even to just try it in the course of learning the camera...am I being too harsh? Really? I mean...it's sooooooo basic. It's not like someone could say "....uh, what's a flash?" I know, I know...but seriously...am I wrong or what? I mean, really...it's like one of the first things you would try if you were shooting indoors, right? I mean you would try it at least...right? If somene's pictures were blurry, then maybe it might occur to them, right. No? That's too much to expect? Then why not start out with a very basic camera instead of getting arguably one of the hardest to master diogicams on the market? And then having too ask why pictures are blurry in low light when the flash isn't used? I'm curious to how this happens. What is the process by which these things happen? How can this be? Maybe I have to re-evalate life on Earth itself. Maybe there is a great mystery here that is yet to be uncovered. Maybe the fate of humankind actually hangs in the balance............

Nah...

Oh, yeah...and why post pics sooooooooolarge that they take up two screens worth of real estate and force everyone to scroll for ten minutes just to read the post!? "Why, helen, why?" (Quick, guess/tell me where that reference is from to win a prize!)

[ktixx]

Since when do people believe that you can take indoor, low-light pictures without flash? In those lighting conditions, even the F10 would be challenged! Frankly, I'm astounded! Don't people read any more? Don't they arm themselves with knowledge? Or was the world always like this and was just wasn't paying attention? Really...sometimes I am just amazed...really...I'm speechless...am I alone in this amazement? Seriously...I'm sorry, this probably sounds really bad...but...I am totally beside myself. How can someone spend $500. on a camera and not know to use the flash? I mean, even to just try it in the course of learning the camera...am I being too harsh? Really? I mean...it's sooooooo basic. It's not like someone could say "....uh, what's a flash?" I know, I know...but seriously...am I wrong or what? I mean, really...it's like one of the first things you would try if you were shooting indoors, right? I mean you would try it at least...right? If somene's pictures were blurry, then maybe it might occur to them, right. No? That's too much to expect? Then why not start out with a very basic camera instead of getting arguably one of the hardest to master diogicams on the market? And then having too ask why pictures are blurry in low light when the flash isn't used? I'm curious to how this happens. What is the process by which these things happen? How can this be? Maybe I have to re-evalate life on Earth itself. Maybe there is a great mystery here that is yet to be uncovered. Maybe the fate of humankind actually hangs in the balance............

Nah...

Oh, yeah...and why post pics sooooooooolarge that they take up two screens worth of real estate and force everyone to scroll for ten minutes just to read the post!? "Why, helen, why?" (Quick, guess/tell me where that reference is from to win a prize!)

I think someone is tired :) :D JK, In all honesty I do agree, but we all have to remember at one point we were new to this hobby, we didn't know the difference between an f/stop and a hole-in-the wall and we certainly didn't know how to use our camera's. It is annoying when something is so simple and basic, but hold off your anger until the 2nd time they complain, the first is a freebee.

Cameratroubles -- PLEASE resize your pictures, you can do so by editing your post and re-posting the downsized pictures. and use the damn flash before you give JTL a coronary ;) :D

Ken

[kai]

Well i just pulled teh exif data off one of your shot and this is what i got

[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/8"
F Number = F2.7
Shutter Speed Value = 3 TV
Aperture Value = 2.88 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.71
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 6mm

looks like the s2 tried to do as much as it can to increase the amount of light getting taken in. Exposure time, f-stop, shutter speed are all set to take in alot of light.

Like everyone has so far said, you need to bump up the iso and pop the flash, then the picture should come out better.

[JTL]

I think someone is tired :) :D JK, In all honesty I do agree, but we all have to remember at one point we were new to this hobby, we didn't know the difference between an f/stop and a hole-in-the wall and we certainly didn't know how to use our camera's. It is annoying when something is so simple and basic, but hold off your anger until the 2nd time they complain, the first is a freebee.

Cameratroubles -- PLEASE resize your pictures, you can do so by editing your post and re-posting the downsized pictures. and use the damn flash before you give JTL a coronary ;) :D

KenKen:

You're right...tired and cranky. I apologize to the OP, you, and everyone else! :) But, if I didn't act out every now and then, people would start to think there's something wrong with me. Look, there I go again! I'm sorry...really...:D

[cat]

As others have said - the flash is your friend!!!! I do remember when I first purchased this camera that I was very hesitant to use the flash - poor experiences with a flash in the past! But the S2 seems very good - light always seems to come out very natural. Couple of shots from early chrimbo morning - so my focus wasn't brilliant although camera compensated nicely! :D

http://www.snappycat.co.uk/photos/christmas1.JPG

http://www.snappycat.co.uk/photos/christmas2.JPG

[Severin]

as others have said, just use the flash. Some professional type photographers will say that they try to avoid the flash at all costs, but they are normally also using professional lighting systems and when they are not they are using extremely high speed film, much higher than the S2's ISO 400 capability. Most digital cameras that have ISO 1600 capabilities cannot actually match a film camera with good ISO 1600 speed film. That being said, if you use the flash the quality of your pictures should be comparable to those of just about any P&S camera under the same conditions, the S2 has an advantage over most P&S cameras in that the flash raises above the camera instead of being attached in the top corner, distributing the light better and moving the flash away from the lens.

[cameratroubles]

oh...:eek: so its the flash uhhh.. so its the flash that spoiled my pictures.. how bltantly ignorant of me to have overestimated the brains of our camera companies whom i thought would put an autoflash on when shooting in the auto mode.. oh.. i get it.. this isnt wallgreens, is it? :rolleyes: ?? so we are not living in a perfect world huh? sorry, then its my fault. but wait.. i thought my previous camera, a mere $60 digi cam with a $50 mir even had an automatic flash "on" for an 'auto' setting!! huh..maybe i was dreaming then .. :cool:

sorry people, is there a way I can put sanity in my camera?

hey, is somebody offended? :( I was just joking.. please dont remove me from the forums! this camera needs me to be in contact with you all for its well being! :)

that said, I really appreciate all your suggestions.

Thanks,
cameratroubles.

[cat]

I know a few people have complained that the camera doesn't auto flash - that you need to manually flick it up first. I love that feature though! Used to really annoy me when a flash went off when I didn't want it to - I like to be in control!!! If I don't tell it to do something I darn well don't want it to presume it knows better :D

[JTL]

oh...:eek: so its the flash uhhh.. so its the flash that spoiled my pictures.. how bltantly ignorant of me to have overestimated the brains of our camera companies whom i thought would put an autoflash on when shooting in the auto mode.. oh.. i get it.. this isnt wallgreens, is it? :rolleyes: ?? so we are not living in a perfect world huh? sorry, then its my fault. but wait.. i thought my previous camera, a mere $60 digi cam with a $50 mir even had an automatic flash "on" for an 'auto' setting!! huh..maybe i was dreaming then .. :cool:

sorry people, is there a way I can put sanity in my camera?

hey, is somebody offended? :( I was just joking.. please dont remove me from the forums! this camera needs me to be in contact with you all for its well being! :)

that said, I really appreciate all your suggestions.

Thanks,
cameratroubles.There is no "auto" flash on the S2...you have to engage it by manually poping it up. This is a feature, not a fault....which allows total user control over the flash. Whch means you have to "think" about using it. Now, the manual pop-up flash is really something you should have been familiar with BEFORE you bought the camera. After you bought the camera, it's all clearly stated in the manual. Hey, dSLRS have an auto flash setting too. Guess what? You have to turn on the flash. So, it has nothing to do with the cost of the camera, etc. Now, I agree, this manual pop-up flash thing is a point of discussion...some people hate it, some people love it...but it's certainly no secret. So, don't blame the camera...or the company. Personally, I HATE auto pop-up flashes! The manual flash was one of the deciding features of why I bought this camera! I NEVER have to worry about the flash accidently going off in a place where it's not supposed to (museums, churches, office building lobbies, concerts, airports, subway stations, etc.).

And no one will remove you from the forum...your discussion points on the merits of the auto pop-up are very valid...

If the flash implementation really annoys you, there are other very good UZ cameras out there a well...you don't have to live with a feature you don't like. Whatever you decide, good luck with it. And remember...shoot first and ask questions later! The best way to learn to use this, or any complex camera, is to do test shots. Read, shoot, practice...but if that's not your thing, you'd better served by a true piont-and-shoot-camera, which the S2...regardless of "auto mode"...is not...

[cameratroubles]

coming to think of it, I think its a desirable feature too. I also used to hate my previous camera for unnecessary flashes. I think I just got pissed off for losing those shots and got restless within a few days of its purchase. (I just got it 4 days back)

you guys gave me my confidence back on this camera. :)

thanks,

[cat]

natural to have a few teething problems - after a while you start doing these things automatically. Took one flukey 'perfect' shot to restore my confidence... then I started reading the manual so that I could reproduce it!!!! :D

[sHanzek]

JTL,
Is the prize still available for your quote "Why, Helen, Why?".
I believe that was from episode 8 of the Twilight Zone, with Burgess Meredith as Henry, and his Wife Helen. Also known as "Time enough at last".
Steve

[JTL]

JTL,
Is the prize still available for your quote "Why, Helen, Why?".
I believe that was from episode 8 of the Twilight Zone, with Burgess Meredith as Henry, and his Wife Helen. Also known as "Time enough at last".
SteveHa, ha, ha! You are correct! It's my favorite story of all time because of it's abjectly horrible twist of fate. Rod Serling proved he had no mercy or pity with that one. I don't think it's been topped since. And, of course, it provided some of the best lines ever to grace the TV screen. "Why, because I'm married to a fool, that's why!" :D :D :D I could watch it over and over and over..."this year, and the next next year, and the year after that and the year after that..." :D :D :D


I have a 58mm multicoated UV filter to give away as "the prize" if you want/need it (I think it's a Heliopan or Hoya...both top quality...but I'll check later). If not, I have other substitute "prizes" as well...

[tim11]

oh...:eek: so its the flash uhhh.. so its the flash that spoiled my pictures.. how bltantly ignorant of me to have overestimated the brains of our camera companies whom i thought would put an autoflash on when shooting in the auto mode.. oh.. i get it.. this isnt wallgreens, is it? :rolleyes: ?? so we are not living in a perfect world huh? sorry, then its my fault. but wait.. i thought my previous camera, a mere $60 digi cam with a $50 mir even had an automatic flash "on" for an 'auto' setting!! huh..maybe i was dreaming then .. :cool:

sorry people, is there a way I can put sanity in my camera?
No prosumer cameras have auto flash. You just have to pop it up. Manufacturers expect prosumer buyers to have basic knowledge of photography; and that's a fair expectation.