S2 IS with Raynox 1540pro.

[Funkbomb]

If you follow my saga, all my photos were coming out blurry.

It was suggested that I use my tripod and try setting the timer and just backing away.

So I tried this and it does work a lot better but I hate the idea of having to lug the tripod around if I want to use the lens.

Is it ever possible to use this lens and camera in your hand? I guess maybe I just shake too much?

I shoot primarily on auto because I still can't grasp Fstops and shutter speeds fast enough, that's an ongoing project though.

[Sintares]

Umm, well haven't heard much about the DCR-1540, perhaps others have used it ?

Assuming its reasonable, then the x1.54 takes you to 665mm equivalent.

Normally assuming you are holding it correctly that would mean you should to avoid shake at full zoom make sure the shutter speed is 1/focal length ie 1/665 s.

The IS should give you at least 2 stops of help meaning you should be okay shake wise at 1/166s , say 1/150 or faster if you are careful.

You should check the photos where you see too much blur and see what the shutter speed and focal length was to see if you are within the correct range.

Assuming you are then either, you are shaking too much for the IS to help (are you holding the camera 2 handed, arms tucked into the chest, eye pressed to the viewfinder ?), the lens might be garbage, the IS is not working properly or perhaps the camera is simply faulty ?

Does it work and focus properly and take sharp pics at full zoom without the tcon ?

[swgod98]

Set the camera to P mode and up the ISO one step at a time until you get a clear image, or you're unhappy with the noise.

[BowerR64]

Yeah i was just going to sugest to go to P mode and then try 100-200 ISO. If your images look dark move the EV up a few clicks. Are you sure your IS is on? and do you have the telephoto adapter selected in the menu?

P mode is like auto but you can tell it to do better things then you can with auto. I have to say that auto is probobly the worst mode on the S2 IMO. i never use it now. I used it alot when i first got the camera, and i just about sold it after that. Once i tried the other modes i was alot more happy with the camera.

[Funkbomb]

Here's what I'm going to do...

Tomorrow, I am going to set up my tripod and an object some distance away.

I am going to take pictures with the Teleconverter, without it, with the filter and without the filters. All on Auto.

Then, I am going to move to another mode. Do you suggest that I try the P mode next? I'll do the same exact thing as the auto mode.

Then onto the next mode, etc, etc. I'll post the pictures somewhere and then maybe you can tell me which one look good and which ones don't. We'll narrow it down to operator error or if something is wrong with my camera.

[BowerR64]

How many shots have you taken with the camera so far?

[Funkbomb]

Almost 2500. Some of them turn out great. Others just fuzzy. It's gotta be user error.

Just in case it is a broken camera, how hard is it to have it fixed by canon?

[BowerR64]

Its hard with zoom to get a perfect shot every time. For 1 when you are zoomed in that far any movment you make with the camera seems multiplied by 12X then you add the extension and that just makes the camera even more unbalanced and harder to keep still. The camera is already strugeling to auto focus and with it shaking it makes it harder. With some of the larger extension lenses like the raynox it blocks the AiAf beam and then its lost on what to focus on. Sometimes you have to back out the zoom a tad to get it to focus. Sometimes you have to focus on somthing else that has the same distance as your subject.

You just need to work with it a little more till you find out how it works. Ive found another thing that people dont realize is. The camera is designed to work with no extension so it has a really wide focus area, when you add the extension you reduce its focal point. With the extension on it cant focus on anything closer then like 6 feet. There is a sweet spot with each extension and you have to find out what it is.

I have never used the 1540 pro but ive used other raynox lenses and they make some really good quality glass. Just keep messing with it, you will get it.

[Funkbomb]

Okay these pictures were taken on auto.

The box pictured is 21 inches x 17 inches. It bulges a little because I had to put bricks in there to weigh it down. Also, the football field I was shooting on was astroturf and that's why all the grass is so shiny. All shots were from a tripod. All of these were shot at the highest zoom.

I'll post a link to the picture and then all the data I can give you. These images are un-resized unless said otherwise so dial up people beware.

Photo 1 (http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9731/img2499zi6.jpg)

This was shot at 100 yards with the Raynox 1540pro and quantaray circular polarizer and UV haze filter. Auto chose 1/60 shutter speed and F3.5 stop

Photo 2 (http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2235/img2500vd3.jpg)
This was shot at 100 yards with the Raynox 1540pro and no filters. 1/80 shutter speed F4.0 stop.

Photo 3 (http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4517/img2502qp0.jpg)
100 yards out, no teleconverter, circular polarizer and uvhaze filter. 1/60 F3.5

Picture 4 (http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/7336/img2503uj7.jpg)
100 yards out, no teleconverter, no filters. 1/100, F4.0

That's it for now. I have pictures from 75 yards out, 50 yards, and 25 yards.

What do you think I'm doing wrong?

[XaiLo]

A few things come to mind first off even though your shooting at a low resolution those pictures still look bad. your still shooting using auto try uping the resolution. What quality of filter are you using. Were you shooting on a day with haze? Something just seems unnatural about them have you cleaned your lens with anything?

[Funkbomb]

It was really hot out yesterday and kind of humid.

I don't know how to up the resolution :( back to the manual I guess.

The filters I am using are quantaray. I don't know if they're good or not.