S3 IS Beginners toolkit

[GarethP]

Hi,

I'm just starting to get back into photography and recently bought an S3 IS.

What I am now looking for is to extend what I can do with it and improve my photos without spending silly money (I have a wife to persuade!).

Generally I'm happy with what I can shoot but looking at some others photos I can see there are improvements to be made.

Mostly shooting sports (field hockey) and holiday snaps.

I guess I need a tripod and some filters as well as the adapter, but which would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance

G

[downtrodden]

Hey, Don't bother buying a UV filter. The S3 lens is already UV coated. Most people get one as a "protector" which is a wise idea for you for the family (kids love touching lenses) so instead buy a clear lens protector. It works just like a filter, screws onto the adapter. And since it's not tinted like a UV filter, it won't affect the shutter speed/ aperture you can use indoors.

I would highly recommend a quality Circular Polarizer filter. To save money you can get a Linear Polarizer but make sure the brand is NOT a generic brand like Sunpak. I highly recommend Hoya. I keep my C-PL on my camera as a lens protector at almost all times- except when i'm doing macros (because i put a macro lens on) and indorrs (clear filter). The C-PL will help cut reflections and will make your skies blue and saturate your colors a little better. This will helps lots outdoors or shooting through glass.

both the above can be purchased at 2filter.com for very nice prices that won't break the bank.

Lensmateonline sells an adapter for ya. and your options are pretty much 52mm or 58mm. I'd go 52mm because this means the filters will be 52mm and so they will be slightly cheaper than 58mm filters.

As for other lenses, it doesn't sound like you need a telephoto lens- but if you're interested, remember this rule- buy QUALITY glass. don't get the cheap stuff because you do get what you pay for. Also, don't go over 1.7x because anything stronger will start distorting your images.

If you're interested in Macro work, most people here use the Raynox DCR250 macro lens. It's a clip in lens (it clips into your lens adapter) and a lot of people here get very superb results from it. I opted for the Hoya Close up set for two reasons- Space in my gear bag (a non issue now because my new bag is HUGE) and because it comes with three different filters. +1 +2 and +4 for different magnification. the DCR250 is fixed at +7. the Hoya set you can stack all three to get +7 or any number between! The trade off is when you stake three panes of glass over your lens, you can get distortions if you're not careful and you're more likely to see flares or ghosting. (but the hoya set is cheaper :X )

you need a good set of rechargeables with a charger at least 1 hour. anything faster than 1 hour charge eats your batteries' life span.

Aside from that, i can't think of any must have goodies, obviously a nice memory card... you mentioned tripod...

Other than that, you may want to look into a good divorce lawyer when you decide you want to get an SLR. :X

Hope that helps and/or answers the questions you may have had if not, ask some more. Everyone here is pretty nice and helpful!

~Cory

[berniej]

If you are considering any filters and/or add on lens then you will need an adapter. The Canon one is 58mm and comes with a lens hood and is made of a sturdy plastic. There are metal adapters from places like lensmateonline and camerafilters.com. You will need to choose between 52mm or 58mm if not buying Canon brand.

I have both the 52 and 58mm from LM. I leave the 52 on all the time with my UV or polarizer filter attached and use my 58mm for my Sony 1.7x tele and my cheap ND filter which I will replace with something better as soon as I see if I really am going to use it very much.

Now my debate is between the Canon 500D or the Raynox DCR 250 close up lens. You may find like many of us that the cost of the camera was just the beginning!! :eek:

[GarethP]

Thanks all,

I'm lucky at the moment - with the exchange rate as it is buying things States-side and shipping over is much, much cheaper than buying in the UK!

Adapter, hood and lens cap ordered from Lensmatonline :)

Am watching some circular polarizing filters on ebay at the moment

Are HAMA any good? I seem to recall them being about 20 years ago when I last really looked into photography...

Also, how much better is the HOYA Pro-1 series over their standard? worth the 3x price hike?

[downtrodden]

I'm not familiar with the name HAMA so I don't know.

And as for the Hoya Pro 1, yes the price hike is worht it. the lower end allow less light to come through- the Pro 1 are coated better and allow more light to come through. This means if your settings are say... 1/25 and F3.5 and you put the C-PL on, your image will get darker.. so you have to set a slower shutter speed... the pro 1 may lower your needed shutter speed to 1/20 or 1/15- whereas the darker, cheaper filter may slow you down to 1/10 or 1/8 to get a proper exposure. This could lead to motion blur and handshake.. These numbers aren't exact and scientific- but you should get the idea.

So to me, the price is worth it- it may not be worth it to you. that's up to you.

~Cory

[Turn]

I wouldn't even bother with a filter until you've learnt how to use the camera

I need a ND filters curse the S3 IS F8..