Canon S2 manual focus

[Graz]

Hi guys! I'm a new memeber and I want to say "HELLO" to all you!

I'm from italy and a I want to make my first steps in semipro photography! I had a kodak dx6340, I made some good photos and learnt basics of this art!

Now i'm looking to a better camera, with more creative opportunities! I think the S2IS is the right one..what do you think?

The main thing I need is a good MANUAL FOCUS system..I want to use is to make artistic photos with focus very limited to the subject! (with the kodak it was possible only in macro mode).

Is it this function good on the S2IS? I ask you if the LCD and the selection of focus via buttons is "enought professional" and let produce good and various results!

Thanx a lot to anybody who'll reply me!

[Remko]

Not only with the S2 but with every EVF (Electronic View Finder) camera manual focus is hardly precise, unlike a DSLR. The resolution of the LCD viewer is simply not sufficient to judge the acuracy of the focus (even with the focus magnification active). The S2 has a little trick for improved manual focus that is given in the S2 tips list:

When using manual focus it’s easier to see if you use the viewfinder. Just remember to adjust the diopter for your vision and it helps to turn MF-Point Focus OFF. When you think you’ve got the focus spot-on, press the SET button and the camera will re-focus precisely.

This helps but is not as precise and convenient as a dSLR.

However if you want to get close to your subject then there is no real need to switch on manual focus. The Autofocus will work upto centimeters from the lens (in Macro or Super Macro mode).

Regards Remko

[Graz]

ok, thanx!

So the is not a big difference between the S2is and another compatc with focus ring as panasonic fz20/30?

the only cameres that have a serious manual focus seems to be the dSRL..right??

I'm asking that just because I thought to take the fz20 instead the S2is just for the focus ring..but I don't like the panasonic as the canon!

[wisely_foolish]

Hi Remko,

I was wondering, why do we turn the MF-Point focus off? I thought it was better if we have that magnified area in the middle to work with.

Also, is there a bulb mode on the s2?

Thanks for your help

[JTL]

Hi Remko,

I was wondering, why do we turn the MF-Point focus off? I thought it was better if we have that magnified area in the middle to work with.

Also, is there a bulb mode on the s2?

Thanks for your helpI find it easier to compose with MF-Point off...it's very annoying. They should have assigned a button to it so you could easily toggle it on and off. I agree, sometimes it's better to use it...when you're tightly zoomed for example...but...honestly...it just gives me a headache. Now, if the EVF had another 100 thousand pixels...well...:D

There is no bulb mode on the S2. You can keep the shutter open as long as 15-seconds. There's also a time-lapse mode...

[Remko]

ok, thanx!

So the is not a big difference between the S2is and another compatc with focus ring as panasonic fz20/30?

the only cameres that have a serious manual focus seems to be the dSRL..right??

I'm asking that just because I thought to take the fz20 instead the S2is just for the focus ring..but I don't like the panasonic as the canon!

Yes tend to agree. Manual focus on an LCD (Electronic View Finder or LCD screen) is only so so. Even in enlarged format. When you look at the LCD you think you got it, but then you transfer it to the PC to find out it is still out of focus.

You can compare it to the cases that you think you have a beautiful sharp picture made when you view it on the LCD screen of the camera, but it turns out to be out of focus when you look at it on your PC. That's precisely how accurate you can judge is from the LCD.

And yes a manual focus ring will make it easier to operate the manual focus but that won't make the judgment on it's accuracy any better. To be frank I've almost never used manual focus on my S2 because its hard, on my dSLR 350D I use it more often.

Turning the MF-point on or off (that's the enlargement/zoom on the focus point) is a matter of personal preference. I do leave it on myself. But I was quoting the S2 Tips thread.

Regards Remko

[JTL]

Interesting enough, the Panys let you toggle MF point on/off while viewing...

[Darth_furious]

On my S2, I found that manual focus is much easier when I zoom in, focus manually, then zoom out. The subject becomes much easier to focus that way and the lens remains focused on that distance. try it out. I have gotten near dSLR sharpness by doing it, downside is don't let the subject move.

[RONiN of Hillbillies]

honestly, i find the manual focus on the S2 a nightmare! i had very limited success. i did find the auto focus to be stellar.

[AaronBBrown]

I use manual focus most of the time, but I had to learn how to hold the thing to be able to contort my hands in such a way that I can hold the MF button down while simultaneously looking thru the viewfinder and using the arrow keys. It's not a great UI design, but it is functional. I do the zoom in trick, too.