"Naked" S2 IS?

[CamHam]

I own an SLR and I also own several lensmate adapters+lenses & filters for my A80 P&S. However, the SLR and the adapters & lenses for the P&S stay at home 99.9% of the time, because I don't want too much to carry all day on my weekend getaways & vacations. Plus, the A80 lens is automatically protected when the camera is off, and when the camera is on, the lens is so small that it seems the odds of it getting damaged are equally miniscule. However, the S2 IS I just bought is a different story.

The Canon S2 is not the smallest P&S, but it's small enought that I can carry it around daytrips without feeling like TOO much of a tourist. However, that lens scares the heck out of me. It has a large exposed surface area with the potential for damage, and no threads for a UV filter. Plus, the lens cap doesn't feel like it will stay one (although in the 2 days I've had it, it has not fallen off). I'm wondering if I should get an adapter + UV to protect the lens. This would mean a bulkier camera + bag to lug around, defeating the purpose of getting a point & shoot.

Several of you have already made your points that an adapter+UV is essential. Judging from the camera bag recommendations I've read, it seems there are lots of folks who don't see the need for the adapter. I would like to hear what you think? Why have you NOT gotten an adapter?

[TampaJim]

I do have LensMate adapters and filters (UV and Polarizing). The camera with an adapter/filter secured - fits perfectly into a Tamrac 5683. I also have a SAS medium lens case attached with another adapter and a telephoto lens.

I leave the UV filter attached to the camera, a set of batteries in the camera, a set of extra batteries, a wall charger and two additional memory cards in the main case. In the lens case I have a telephoto lens on an additional adapter, a lens cleaning cloth and the polarizing filter in a protective box.

The configuration is not bulky and has a shoulder strap which I crossover my body. I go on long, steep and challenging mountain hikes with it - no problems.

I agree, obviously, the camera is horribly exposed to damage without an adapter/filter. I also like the fact it gives me a place to hold on to for taking shots.

[kai]

i recentlly got an S2, and the first thing i did was buy a lensmate 52mm adpater and a B+W UV filter. My camera stayed inside while i was waiting for the adapter in the mail. My camera w/ adapter, plus charger, plus one filter box, a sd card, and a extra set of batteries all fit in my lowepro EX120, along with a blower

With the new adapter i feel safer using the camera. Oh i was talking to the camera store guy and the S2 lens cap is lose for a reason, when you turn on teh camera the cap comes off easily, therefore you dont damage the servo for the lens.

[Dawoofo]

I've had my S2 since September 1, 2005 and have so far taken 45,001 pictures (a few of those were movies) with it (99% of them were taken outside while hiking around a nearby lake), and I've never gotten an adapter. My lens doesn't have any scratches whatsoever, but I'm always very careful with it.

Why haven't I gotten anything for it? I'm saving up for a DSLR. :D

[roxydog]

I've had my S2 since September 1, 2005 and have so far taken 45,001 pictures :D

WOW that is sure alot of pics -your button MUST be worn out by now LOL.
I,ve had mine for over 8 months and taken about 10,000 and don't use an adapter and am also carefull with it.The reason for me is that it is bulky enough already.
Cheers Dom

[GoodAsGold]

First of all, I am amazed that your lens hasn't fallen off in two days. Mine fell off within 2 minutes! :rolleyes:

I haven't bought the adaptor because, like you said, it kind of defeats the purpose of having a somewhat compact point and shoot. Like your SLR, my Canon IIe sits unused most of the time because of the extra bulk. One of these days I might change my mind and purchase the adaptor for my S2, but not right now. :)

I own an SLR and I also own several lensmate adapters+lenses & filters for my A80 P&S. However, the SLR and the adapters & lenses for the P&S stay at home 99.9% of the time, because I don't want too much to carry all day on my weekend getaways & vacations. Plus, the A80 lens is automatically protected when the camera is off, and when the camera is on, the lens is so small that it seems the odds of it getting damaged are equally miniscule. However, the S2 IS I just bought is a different story.

The Canon S2 is not the smallest P&S, but it's small enought that I can carry it around daytrips without feeling like TOO much of a tourist. However, that lens scares the heck out of me. It has a large exposed surface area with the potential for damage, and no threads for a UV filter. Plus, the lens cap doesn't feel like it will stay one (although in the 2 days I've had it, it has not fallen off). I'm wondering if I should get an adapter + UV to protect the lens. This would mean a bulkier camera + bag to lug around, defeating the purpose of getting a point & shoot.

Several of you have already made your points that an adapter+UV is essential. Judging from the camera bag recommendations I've read, it seems there are lots of folks who don't see the need for the adapter. I would like to hear what you think? Why have you NOT gotten an adapter?

[Remko]

I have mixed feelings on the S2 with lens adapter. I own 2 Canon LA-DC58E adapters, one dedicated for the Wide Angle conversion lens another for filters. That way you don't have to unscrew the filters to attach the Wide Angle lens, the canon lens adapters are fully plastic so this way I don't have to worry that the plastic screwthread gets damaged (also the Wide angle conv lens has a plastic thread).

Have my S2 for half a year now and use the lens adapter on and off. When I'm traveling and want the camera as compact as possible I leave the filter off the camera. My lens is then somewhat less protected however not damaged yet.

When I go out hiking I have kept the lens on during my last holiday in the US, UV on all the time, polarizer frequently. However since that I more often prefer the camera as compact as possible (without the adapter). I would now use it only for the Wide angle lens or a polarizer filter.

My advise would be to buy a lens adapter with a UV filter (start with a cheap one) and a Circular Polarizer. The circular polarizer is for me the most valuable lens, nice dark skies. Then you can find out yourself. The Polarizer is always of value. When you don't like to have the UV filter on all the time for protection you have not wasted a lot of money on the UV filter.

I've not noticed any improvements of the UV filter itself in reducing haze etc. Most digital cameras are hardly sensitive to UV light. Also the S2 seems to fall into that segment. I have taken pictures in the heights of the Rocky Mountain National Park without noticeable difference when the filter is on or off.

Regards Remko

[Severin]

I have been thinking about an adapter. I don't like the idea much, it seems to me the camera is already bigger than I would like, but a UV filter would be nice, so would a polarizer. When I was looking at cameras, I actually bought a panasonic FZ30 before I bought the S2 and I returned it primarily due to its size. It seems to me that the S2 with the adapter makes the S2 about the same size as the FZ30. I don't like carrying a big camera around, especially in the city and the S2 is plenty big for me, so I might end up getting the adapter and filters but I am not sure how excited I am about it as it is a double edged sword. I would like the filters, but I don't want the extra bulk. I already almost bought an FZ5 over the S2 because it is smaller, but I also wanted AA batteries and some features that the S2 had over the FZ5. I guess there is no perfect camera for me yet, but I like my S2 and it takes good pictures even without any filters and when there is a little washout from the sun generally my software will correct it.

[CamHam]

Okay, I've decided I would like an adapter, UV filter (for protection of the lens), and polarizer for my S2 IS.

I already own a 58mm UV Protector filter and a 58mm Circular Polarizer, but they're both Tiffen brand. I heard that Tiffen filters are inferior to Hoya and B+W filters, and that they degrade the sharpness of images through the lens. It doesn't make sense to pay all this money for a great camera, then ruin the pictures by slapping a crappy filter in front of it. If this is the case, then I will opt for the 52mm adapter and Hoya filters from Lensmate. If the Tiffen filters I have are fine, then I would only need to get a 58mm adapter from Lensmate or Canon.

So, what are your opinions on Tiffen filters? :confused:

[ReF]

I've had my S2 since September 1, 2005 and have so far taken 45,001 pictures (a few of those were movies) with it (99% of them were taken outside while hiking around a nearby lake), and I've never gotten an adapter. My lens doesn't have any scratches whatsoever, but I'm always very careful with it.

Why haven't I gotten anything for it? I'm saving up for a DSLR. :D

HOLY CRAP!!!!! 45,000 pics in 4 1/2 months?!?! it took almost a year for me to shoot even 30,000 with my dslrs, and my a80's shutter broke at about 9500 shots (serviced under warranty :D ). you haven't run into any shutter durability issues yet with a fixed lens camera?

CAMHAM: i haven't heard great things about tiffen filters either. i'd go for the hoya.

[bluejive]

I would say it all depends on your preferences.

To me the S2 isn't all that big considering the amount of zoom it has. In my situation, I will only feel okay once I have the Lensmate adapter, polarizer, and/or UV because I do a lot of canoe camping in North Florida and bumps are GOING to happen. I got the S2 because of it's zoom and macro abilities and I just can't afford a DSLR right now.

I've heard that the 58mm adapter with a filter causes reflections when pointed at a bright source. Can anyone confirm that? I'm not sure which adapter size to go with, if it even matters.

Thanks and check out our website for Florida River articles, photos, maps, and GPS data...www.bluewolfproject.com (http://www.bluewolfproject.com)

[Remko]

I don't think 58mm or 52mm differ that much. I own the Canon 58mm Adapter haven't seen any particulary bad reflections in bright light. I purchased the Canon adapter simply because availability of the Canon stuff is better available over here in Europe.

Decide what you want:
only for filters, then it won't really matter; buy the cheaper one (you might find the lensmate a better combo because of the aluminium color, the Canon is Black)
if you also want the Wide Angle/Tele convertors then decide if you want Canon convertor lenses or Raynox. Canon is only avail in 58mm, Raynox in both 58 and 52mm (as far as I know)

Regards Remko

[XaiLo]

Frist off I would like to say I consider myself a rather cautious individual. Yet I managed to have my S2 inexplicably slip out of my hands. Funny I never thought I could see in slow motion, but that is exactly how it seemed as it made it's way to the pavement. Ironically it landed or rather the impact point was at the top front of the lens shaft. Yes, and you guessed it it cracked and jammed in the lens shaft and not a scratch on the lens. Now the funny part is if an adapter had been attached I doubt very much that I would be buying an S3.

So how do I feel about adapters well first off I am estatic that you can add a variety of lenses to such a wonderful little camera. With that in mind it maybe compact but a pocket camera it definately is not. I like taking outdoor shots so a circular polarizer is going to make it's way to the camera on a semi permanant basis along with a good wrist strap which I would have much prefered over the neck strap. I have read many post on whether or not to protect the lens using an adapter and filter. First time I can remember people debating on the byproduct rather than the principle. Be that as it may, it's going to boil down to personal preferences and needs. Personally my needs dictate an adapter and lens. Will a aluminun adapter protect a plastic lens shaft you bet. ;)

[vince0501]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll go for it anyway.:) If I buy a lensmate adaptor, do I need to buy either the wide angle or tele lens? Can I use the adapter with the standard lens that came with the S2?

[BowerR64]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll go for it anyway.:) If I buy a lensmate adaptor, do I need to buy either the wide angle or tele lens? Can I use the adapter with the standard lens that came with the S2?

The lens on the S2 does not come off. The adapters fit around the stock lens. The stock lens just extends like it does normaly but inside the tube adapter. Then the tube is threaded for attachments. So in order to put filters on or other attachments you need the adapter tube first. This was confusing for me at the start also, because when you look at the camera in pictures you dont see how anything can fit ont he camera. Canon hides the little connector really slick on their cameras.

What i do and i use my camera every day with somthing attached to it. I keep the camera stock like it is out of the box but when i put on a lens i just push the little button on the front and i untwist the cap and the little ring for the adapter comes off inside the cap. I normaly leave it where the camera sits on my table. When its on it has a tube on it wether it has a lens on it or a filter.

IMO if the adapter will protect the lens or not if i dont have somthing over the lens there is dust, cat hair, fingerprints or somthing on the lens and ide much rather clean a filter then to be scrubbing on the actual S2 lens. You can always replace a cheap UV filter but the stock lens you cant replace as cheap. You dont need to leave it on in the bag but if my camera is in my hands its got a tube on it.

Like SLR cameras, the lens comes off and then its just a small body. The S2 sits well like this with the cap on and its just as easy to twist the cap and ring off as it is for an SLR camera. When i got my S2 i got it as a step between an SLR and a P&S so i use it this way. I think im still in the between stages of the 2 camera types.

[XaiLo]

"do I need to buy either the wide angle or tele lens? Can I use the adapter with the standard lens that came with the S2?"

No, the adapter basically acts like a sleeve that is just a tad bit too long that you can at your discretion add a filter , add on lens, or nothing at all to. Just make sure you also order the lens cap.

[Legion]

I've had my S2 since last September and only just bought a Lensmate 52mm adapter and Hoya polarizer and skylight filters off eBay. Basically I only use the adapter and skylight when I think my camera's going to come in for a bit of punishment, like at the beach last weekend – I'd like to avoid this E-18 error everyone's been making such a fuss about. The skylight filter isn't really good for anything other than protecting the lens though – I've noticed absolutely no difference to the pictures. The polarizer I basically got for the fun of playing around with it.

Agreed that the S2 is a kind of half-way house between a compact and an SLR. I will take the adapter off and stuff it in my (admittedly large :)) pocket when around town, but enjoy being able to fiddle around with the settings enough and slap on filters to take near-SLR quality shots. I use a Case Logic TBC-4 Large Digital Camera Case (http://www.caselogic.com/large_digital_camera_case/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=57066) by the way – it was rather on the large side but now I have the adapter it fits perfectly (spare batteries & lens cloth in the front pocket, filter cases in the side netting, USB cable in the lid pocket).

[vince0501]

The lens on the S2 does not come off. The adapters fit around the stock lens.


Like SLR cameras, the lens comes off and then its just a small body. The S2 sits well like this with the cap on and its just as easy to twist the cap and ring off as it is for an SLR camera.


OK, again I may be missing something, but aren't those two statements contradictory?
Also is there an adaptor I need to order for the lensmate 52MM to fit on the camera? Do the instructions on installing the adaptor come with the tube, or are they in the S2 manual?

Sorry to be so dense, but this is the first camera I have had with more than P&S capability. I want to be able to get the most out of it.

[XaiLo]

OK, again I may be missing something, but aren't those two statements contradictory?

No they are not, without trying to break the whole thing down let me try to explain it this way. The adapter lenses for the S2 compliment the S2 lens they "do not replace it." Any lens or filter you want to use with the S2 will have to be first mounted on an addtional extension adapter, then that extension adapter replaces the outer ring of the S2.

The S2 has a fixed lens if you are looking at the front of the camera and the lens is retracted (look at the "5.0 mega pixels" decal just to the right of the decal you will notice a semi-cicular button, holding the camera with your left hand depress it using your left thumb) now if you look on top of the lens area you will see the "image stabilizer" decal right before the decal closest to you you'll notice a small grove about a 1/4 inch from the outer edge of the lens shaft. Just take your fingertips of your right hand and place them between the grove and the outer edge of the lens shaft and gently twist counterclockwise until it stops and lift off the ring. Now all you have to do is replace it with whatever you want. In this sense it follows the principle of SLR lens exchange. hth ;)

[vince0501]

thank you. Now I think I have it. :)

[my00wrx1]

Has anyone tried this, which I got from http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10364&highlight=polarizer

And this one from JamesD:
I like to use a circular polarizer with my camera but can't be bothered carrying around the lens adapter. I cut two thin strips of adhesive back velcro (loop side, about 1" by 1/8 ") and put them on the inside edge of a 52mm filter adapter attached to my filter. This slides snugly over the extended barrel of the S2.

What's a filter adapter, which is mentioned as being attached to the filter?

[XaiLo]

An adapter that attaches to a filter or lens and then the adapter attaches to the camera.;)