View Full Version : Learning from S2 casual photos
C-Digital
06-07-2005, 06:03 AM
:) This noontime photo of a lily may be rather common as a subject yet it suggests that the S2 can do rather well in bright light with subjects which frequently reflect so much light as to obscure colors and detail.
As a result I have often resorted to later afternoon or early morning photos to obtain more difused light and less sharply defined shadows. Last part remains but was pleased to see this impulse shot provided reasonably good color and detail.
C-Digital
06-07-2005, 06:25 AM
This image is a section of the previous red lily image posted to show detail captured by S2. No photo enhancements were made beyond the croping and resaving in Adobe Elements.
Perhaps user with access to other S2 competitive camera models can provide similar posts, i.e., non staged taken as one often does while moving about. Purpose is to show results which camera yields without a lengthy planning cycle and tweaking between images.
C-Digital
06-07-2005, 06:41 AM
;) Too early to tell for sure but the S2 shows potential for copying slide easily. Old mill slide was held up to light using a slide viewer in one hand while managing the camera with the other. That last said to reduce faulting the camera for user caused skews.
Note people in center window are visible even in reduced version here. Thiis has been a long sought goal for quick copies of less critical family slides and is a welcomed plus.
Zero distance from subject permits cropping of slide and light from the front is not a concern since the slide is lit from the rear and the camera does not block light.
C-Digital
06-07-2005, 06:56 AM
Wanted to take a brightly colored butterfly photo. This brown skipper was the only willing subject.
S2 was hand held about 4 feet from subject in P-mode and zoomed to tightly frame the butterfly. Program reports 72mm zoom but I thought I saw 30x pop up in the viewfinder.
Photo original was accidently enhanced. Two results were reduced details in whilte highlight areas and darker browns in the butterfly. Should have "saved as" a copy of the original before doing the enhancement test. Lesson re-learned.
Positive points are that the image is clear with generally good detail. No prize winner, but shows promise that camera can produce once user gets up to speed. Each camera seems to take practice using various settings before one is comfortable that results will be what is expected given one's level of ability.
C-Digital
06-07-2005, 07:14 AM
;) This is a common subject which reveals some more about S2 images.
Ants about 1/8 inch in length were dining on the nectar in this dandelion. Section here is non-enhanced part of the original. Camera was hand held and in super-macro mode.
Once again the goal is to purchase a camera within the S2 price range which meets a broad range of goals. Given passable results in these casual photos then more formal tri-pod and contolled setups should yield even better results, meaning camera purchase is worth making and keeping.
If competitive camera models show even more promise then sharing that information will help guide purchase decisions.
Montana
06-07-2005, 07:50 AM
interesting. You would think you should still be able to capture better color, contrast and highlights regardless of the bright conditions.
van_city
06-07-2005, 08:27 AM
Good photos, but either my eyes are hooped or there is a significant amount of blur in these photos...the one thing I didn't like about the S2 when comparing to the others was that its focus/stabilization wasn't as good as the Panasonic, and I hear the H1's stabilization/zoom is better then the pana...
vancouverislander
06-07-2005, 08:39 AM
interesting. You would think you should still be able to capture better color, contrast and highlights regardless of the bright conditions.
Correct me if I'm wrong but with my Nikon 995 I had to get a polarizer filter for exactly those bright conditions because the reflections blew out the color. I too have found like the original poster the S2 handles these situations much better than expected.
Akysten
06-07-2005, 09:10 AM
My experience is quite different.. the S2 does a great job of IS and focusing on the telephoto lens. It's a big plus from the s1 to s2.
Lets wait for the pro reviews before we take heresay of those who may or may not know what they're testing(I'm included in that.. )
jimmy380
06-07-2005, 08:19 PM
to Van City
Why Don't You Post Some Pictures For Comparison To Back Up Your Claim? We Need Substance Not Just Talking. The Pictures Post By C-digital Are Fantastic.
jamdr
06-07-2005, 09:33 PM
If you want an example of how bad the purple fringing is on the Canon S2, check out this picture by JTL (I found it in his gallery here (http://jtl.smugmug.com/gallery/574095/1/23990992)). This was obvious to me in an 800x600 picture. Imagine how this would look printed at 8x10"
http://img299.echo.cx/img299/5676/s2purple5dd.jpg
van_city
06-08-2005, 06:42 AM
to Van City
Why Don't You Post Some Pictures For Comparison To Back Up Your Claim? We Need Substance Not Just Talking. The Pictures Post By C-digital Are Fantastic.
Why don't you STFU...I posted a comment based on my personal experience of testing the S2, KM Z5, and the Panasonic...All of the cameras mentioned are good cameras and you can't go wrong with either purchase, however, each invidividual has their personal preference...
Montana
06-08-2005, 09:04 AM
Jamdr - which camera was that photo from?
thanks!
jamdr
06-08-2005, 11:30 AM
Jamdr - which camera was that photo from?
thanks!
I edited the post, sorry it was unclear. It was taken with the Canon S2. The CA on this camera looks to be as bad as the H1, if not worse.
Samegapiz
06-08-2005, 12:11 PM
[QUOTE=jamdr]If you want an example of how bad the purple fringing is on the Canon S2, check out this picture by JTL (I found it in his gallery here (http://jtl.smugmug.com/gallery/574095/1/23990992)). This was obvious to me in an 800x600 picture. Imagine how this would look printed at 8x10"
QUOTE]
I only see a faint thin line of reddy purple in that crop of the picture which doesn't look bad at all to me. Am I missing something?
Montana
06-08-2005, 02:42 PM
I edited the post, sorry it was unclear. It was taken with the Canon S2. The CA on this camera looks to be as bad as the H1, if not worse.
thx for the example, jamdr. I cant wait for more S2 and H1 reviews.
C-Digital
06-08-2005, 03:44 PM
:) Still testing over this way. Seems like a good discussion.
Suggestion about function button (FUNC) on the camera and some of the custom settings in the effects menu lead to a number of test images being taken of a watch using various setting combinations.
Four examples are being added to this thread in sequence to permit the maximum size per image.
Custom option on the effect menu has three features which can be adjusted to minus, zero or plus settings. Other effect menu options include effect off, vivid, neutral, low sharpening, sepia, B&W, and Custom.
Watch 1 setting shown here and in the previous images uploaded in this thread was one in effect from factory
C-Digital
06-08-2005, 03:49 PM
Watch 2 shows Vivid mode selection with no other changes to camera settings. Camera is on vertical copy stand mount with sunlight from an open door for illumination.
C-Digital
06-08-2005, 03:56 PM
Watch 3 image uses the Custom menu to set sharpness, saturation and contrast to the plus setting.
C-Digital
06-08-2005, 04:05 PM
Watch 4 image is with both the three custom settings above left at the plus option while moving back to the vivid menu selection to show both at once.
Oviously there are many combinations for color alone plus the black and white. Within the ten color images taken, these four seem to represent the range of image variations when computer monitor comparisons are made.
Look forward to Jeff's formal review.
Sharpening note. Read comment by reviewer that after images are reduced they benefit from slight sharpening to compensate for loss of sharpness caused by the reduction step. Thus images were sharpened.
Montana
06-08-2005, 05:19 PM
Good photos, but either my eyes are hooped or there is a significant amount of blur in these photos...the one thing I didn't like about the S2 when comparing to the others was that its focus/stabilization wasn't as good as the Panasonic, and I hear the H1's stabilization/zoom is better then the pana...
Van you noticed this too? Most of the S2 pics I have seen have had a slight blurry/focus issue. I know it's not my eyes as I have very good vision.
If you want an example of how bad the purple fringing is on the Canon S2, check out this picture by JTL (I found it in his gallery here (http://jtl.smugmug.com/gallery/574095/1/23990992)). This was obvious to me in an 800x600 picture. Imagine how this would look printed at 8x10"Lets leave it at we have very different definitions of horrendous. Making a comment like that out of context and not compared to other cameras could be considered horrendous. How do you know that every other camera on the market would not have produced the same, or worse results for that shot. The answer is you don't know and neither does anyone else. Go and buy your Sony or Panasonic and let the rest of us buy whatever we feel like. :p Maybe you can get a summer intern job with those other companies! They could use your help! :D
ajay67
06-09-2005, 01:45 AM
i think those high level photo experts/critique should only consider DSLR photos. at consumer level, nothing can satisfy these type of "pro". my "consumer" eyes says all samples photos by S2 are good looking & nothing to criticize, except may be those at ISO400. but even those are expected anyway...
i guess i'm lucky not to have those "perfect" eyes!! i can live happily in the real world without having to worry about those imperfect photos
Van you noticed this too? Most of the S2 pics I have seen have had a slight blurry/focus issue. I know it's not my eyes as I have very good vision.Do my photos look blurry to you? Yes or no?
Montana
06-09-2005, 04:11 PM
Do my photos look blurry to you? Yes or no?
where are they?
where are they?I've only posted samples in half a dozen threads, some of which you were a participant in. Here are some more plus some previously posted since you can't seem to find any of the others for yourself. Do you think these are blurry? Yes or no? Because if you think they are, then I think you need glasses or a better monitor!
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24130254-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24132587-L.jpg
http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/24533812-L.jpg
http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/24533807-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24235014-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24341042-L.jpg
Now, you do of course realize that I purposely blurred the background in the following shots, right?
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24153027-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24153021-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24341050-L.jpg
jamdr
06-09-2005, 10:55 PM
I've only posted samples in half a dozen threads, some of which you were a participant in. Here are some more plus some previously posted since you can't seem to find any of the others for yourself. Do you think these are blurry? Yes or no? Because if you think they are, then I think you need glasses or a better monitor!
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24130254-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24132587-L.jpg
http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/24533812-L.jpg
http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/24533807-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24235014-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24341042-L.jpg
Now, you do of course realize that I purposely blurred the background in the following shots, right?
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24153027-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24153021-L.jpg
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24341050-L.jpg
Sharpness is not really an issue for me, as that can be corrected. I don't find your pictures blurry but I'd probably apply an unsharp mask to a few of them. I do see a ton of purple fringing, which the Panasonics don't have.
Sharpness is not really an issue for me, as that can be corrected. I don't find your pictures blurry but I'd probably apply an unsharp mask to a few of them. I do see a ton of purple fringing, which the Panasonics don't have.I wouldn't call it a "ton" of purple fringing. That's just a silly and gross exageration obviously made for melodramtic effect. Because I only noticed it in one of the pictures. But granted, there is more purple fringing with the Canon (and Sony) than the Panasonics. Oh, by the way, purple frinigng is not an issue for me as that too can be corrected...And, while your critcizing my photos, let's see some of yours. At least I have the common decency to back up my statements. How about it? Let's see you back up yours! Do you even own a Panasonic FZ?
And really, if you're happy with Panasonic, good for you...there's nothing wrong with that. I could sit here and slam Panasonic for some nosensical reasons...but what's the point? Who cares? They make fine cameras. So does Canon. To each their own. What do you care what anyone else buys anyway? You're just being silly...which is your right, of course...but I do think you could be of more use advising people on the Panasonic forum since you seem to have a passion for that brand...I don't seem to remember you attempting to help anyone over there with advice. I just see you sitting over here making negative comments and criticizing other peoples' choices...am I wrong?
To be fair, you did post your images so people could review and critic. While I don't agree with the "enthusiasm" he uses to describe said pictures, I do agree with some of what he says...there is a noticible amount of purple fringing when compared to the FZs. That's not saying the S2 has a lot of purple fringing in general, just that there seems to be more in comparision to the FZ's ;) That said, without truly comparing apples to apples (i.e. the exact same pic done on both the S2 and a FZ), it's a little much to use the terms such as "significant", "huge", "large", etc. when comparing differences in cameras.
I have both brands, have been a Canon user for years. I've played with a test copy of the S2, I definitely prefer my FZ20. People harp about its size as though it's just huge...if my 4'10, 100 lb soaking wet wife can use it and never complain, then I sure as heck don't see the problem - though I'd probably would've prefered to see it at the same size of the S2 or FZ5.
Anyways, just thought I'd chime in and throw a little salt on the JTL/Jamdr debate :p
To be fair, you did post your images so people could review and critic. While I don't agree with the "enthusiasm" he uses to describe said pictures, I do agree with some of what he says...there is a noticible amount of purple fringing when compared to the FZs. That's not saying the S2 has a lot of purple fringing in general, just that there seems to be more in comparision to the FZ's ;) That said, without truly comparing apples to apples (i.e. the exact same pic done on both the S2 and a FZ), it's a little much to use the terms such as "significant", "huge", "large", etc. when comparing differences in cameras.
I have both brands, have been a Canon user for years. I've played with a test copy of the S2, I definitely prefer my FZ20. People harp about its size as though it's just huge...if my 4'10, 100 lb soaking wet wife can use it and never complain, then I sure as heck don't see the problem - though I'd probably would've prefered to see it at the same size of the S2 or FZ5.
Anyways, just thought I'd chime in and throw a little salt on the JTL/Jamdr debate :pI put the pics out there for those looking for examples of S2 shots...something that a lot of people are interested in. And also to help counter some misinformation. In case you didn't notice...this is the Canon forum...
And also, you'll never hear/see me knock the FZ20...I used a friends for a little more than a week and no doubt, it's a great camera...and like I said...I agree...I don't think I've ever noticed any purple fringing from the Panny...but it is present in some S2 pictures...but not to the extent that it stopped me or many others from deciding it was the right camera for us...and that's what it's all about...personal preference in spite of what others may think. :)
Oh...and I don't think it qualifies as a "debate". :D
oh yeah, no doubt. While I would like to see more test shots, what I've seen so far is nothing to be concerned with, all great pics. I'm just waiting for Jeff's review and a couple others before making my decision - I'm getting either the S2 or the FZ5 for my parents...anniversary present. I've been heavily leaning towards the S2, have been ever since it was announced they were working on it, so unless something extremely bad is described in the reviews, I'll most likely get it.
You may ask, at that price, why not just get another FZ20. Well, while size is not a care for me, I know my mother's preference is for something smaller while my step-fathers is for something rich in features - the S2 seems to provide them the best in both worlds.
abhinav
06-10-2005, 02:52 PM
twelfth will be the night ...
jimmy380
06-10-2005, 09:43 PM
TO ANEX:
I assume all your pictures posted in your site are taken with the FZ20. I have reviewed some of pictures, it's not that sharp and the color is not that great.
There is no comparison to the pictures posted by JTL. His pictures are sharp
(look at those watch shots) and shows good color. I can't see how you can praised yourself and the FZ20 so highly.
TO ANEX:
I assume all your pictures posted in your site are taken with the FZ20. I have reviewed some of pictures, it's not that sharp and the color is not that great.
There is no comparison to the pictures posted by JTL. His pictures are sharp
(look at those watch shots) and shows good color. I can't see how you can praised yourself and the FZ20 so highly.We don't need this kind of thing here. This is a place where people help each other...not attack each other. He's allowed to like his camera...and we're allowed to like ours. I only get mad when some people out-and-out lie or try to mislead mislead people...he never did that although others on this thread have. So let's all cut each other a little slack. Thanks! :)
jimmy380
06-10-2005, 10:37 PM
to JTL:
HAVE YOU SEEN THE PICTURES IN HIS SITE?
to JTL:
HAVE YOU SEEN THE PICTURES IN HIS SITE?I know...but you don't have to be mean...
I'm going to just keep posting great pictures (and I hope everyone with an S2 does the same) because there are a lot of people out there talkin' trash and the best way to counter it is by showing everyone S2 examples that in reality blow everything else away...
Here's another that I shot in macro mode. I gave it a little soft focus for effect. That's one of the beauties of the S2...absolute, precise control just waiting to be exploited...and unmatched color, of course...
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24133729-L.jpg
Montana
06-10-2005, 11:59 PM
""and unmatched color, of course...""
My S2 will be here next week, but I still say Fuji has the edge in color.
but I still say Fuji has the edge in color.You know what I always say...show me an example...back it up, baby...
jamdr
06-11-2005, 12:39 AM
That's one of the beauties of the S2...absolute, precise control just waiting to be exploited...and unmatched color, of course...
http://jtl.smugmug.com/photos/24133729-L.jpg
At least color can be corrected...
TO ANEX:
I assume all your pictures posted in your site are taken with the FZ20. I have reviewed some of pictures, it's not that sharp and the color is not that great.
There is no comparison to the pictures posted by JTL. His pictures are sharp
(look at those watch shots) and shows good color. I can't see how you can praised yourself and the FZ20 so highly.
Actually no, none of the pictures on my family site are taken from my FZ20. I've been in NY on business for the past year and have not been able to upload any pictures from it yet -- well they are uploaded but are in compressed WinRAR files...have over 2GB of compressed files to sift through whenever I get home. The ones there now are a combination of our old s50 (got stolen our first time in China town in NY) and Olympus film camera (can't remember the model), as well as some stills from our Sonal digital video camera (sonagrams and birth pics). This site is for all my family who live a long way from us. Those who have internet only have dial-up so all of the images have been significantly downgraded in quality to lessen the wait time in viewing them. When they want pictures printed, they just tell me the file names and I produce "proper" pictures at that time.
** I wondered whether someone would say something about that :rolleyes:
Oh, by the way, I purchased the S2 for my parents over the weekend (before reading Jeff's review). While I don't think consider it good enough to want to switch from my FZ20 (nothing against the S2, it's just that I'll be going dSLR for my next camera), it is definitely good enough to choose over the FZ5 - just can't ignore the speed, awesome battery life, and of course the video mode. It's by far the best of both worlds camera, perfect for my parents. If I were buying a ultra-zoom for the first time, I'd most likely choose it over the FZ series as well...just something about having that movie quality and picture quality in the same item is almost irresistable...definitely qualifies as a best bang for your buck.
jimmy380
06-13-2005, 08:09 PM
I appreciated your explanations regarding those pictures posted in YOUR FAMILY WEBSITE, but I am surprised to learn that there is not one picture taken by your favour camera FZ20. What are your reasons continued to praised the FZ20, don't you think it's time for you to post some pictures taken by your favour camera FZ20 to prove the point?
Dude, just relax, take a deep breath, humm a little...do whatever you need to calm yourself down. This isn't some camera war here. I know you're new to these forums so I'll remind you we like to keep things civil.
Now, as was already pointed out to you, I didn't bash any camera. I just said I noticed some purple fringing, nothing specatular, nothing really bad, and certainly nothing that I think should deter anyone from buying the camera, just simply that I've seen it. This is, after all, part of the point of these forums, to discuss what we see. I also said that it's not fair to compare camera to camera unless you're comparing apples to apples...meaning, the same pictures taken in the same situations by the same class of cameras.
After having purchased the S2, playing with it, and reading more reviews, I think the S2 is actually a better camera over all...though the FZ20 does have the better piece of glass - no one who know's anything can deny that. That said, if I didn't already have the FZ20, I would definitely choose the S2 over it. Not just because I personally think it's a better camera but because it has the features that make it a better camera for my family's needs (i.e. preference) - it's quite simple, great pictures + great movie mode + good size + relatively simple to use = perfect family camera...exactly why I chose it over the FZ5/FZ20 as an anniversary gift for my parents.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm sure everyone here would like to get this thread back on topic and not continue to be your apparent war with me. If this is a problem for you, then click on the New Thread (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=10) button and title it specific to what you want.
Anyways, to that effect, any new photos to see? I was planning to go to Central Park this weekend to play around with the camera before sending it off to my parents. If I do, I'll try to post a few shots. Given that I work long hours, weekends are wholly devoted to spending time with my son so it's rare I go anywhere by myself, but if I get the chance, I'll bring the FZ20 with me too and do some comparison shots.
van_city
06-14-2005, 06:29 AM
""and unmatched color, of course...""
My S2 will be here next week, but I still say Fuji has the edge in color.
Interesting that you decided to go with the S2...
Montana
06-14-2005, 10:02 PM
Interesting that you decided to go with the S2...
in all honesty Van it was between the S2, H1 , the Olympus c770 and the fUji S5100.
What made me finally decide was the deal at Dell for 350$ for the S2. That made up my mind instantly.
I really wanted the Oly because of the pic quality, zooming in video mode, 50 minutes of video per one gig, etc. But the proprietary battery was very weak, so a car charger + 5-6 backups would of made the 285$ Oly really 370$(not to mention worrying about charing, etc while being in remote national park and forest campgrounds). The Fuji s5100 was a good deal at 220$ until the price got majorly jacked up by the reatilers as soon as the 50$ mail in rebate took effect. Plus I was leary of the vignetting. The H1 was my other choice and I like that one alot. But the 350$ deal for a 5mp, 12x IS, zoom in video mode, flip out lcd made it to hard to pass up.
My S2 arrived today and I am really enjoying it! The images I am getting are really superb. The auto mode stinks, but putting it in P mode seems to help.
I plan to get a 5-1 card reader, a 1 gig sd ultra 2, a 512 regular SD, and the cintrex 30 gig image storer(80$).
cvicisso
06-16-2005, 04:55 PM
What made me finally decide was the deal at Dell for 350$ for the S2. That made up my mind instantly.Me too! :D
My S2 arrived today and I am really enjoying it! :mad: :mad: Hey Montana!! You got your S2 already?? Mine still shows a ship date of July25!!! Didn't yours originally have an expected ship date of July 11? Did you notice if they modified the expected ship date before it showed up at your house? I'm still hoping that mine shows up before my July 4 vacation!!
Montana
06-16-2005, 08:52 PM
I ordered mine at 8:30 CST, about a half hour after the special started. I had gotten the 7/11 estimated ship date. A day or so later I checked the "my account" area on Dell's webpage and it said my camera had shipped, and I was given a tracking number.
Keep checking your My Account status. It's bound to ship soon.
pMarcig
06-17-2005, 09:39 AM
I got mine from Dell on the 14th too. I ordered mine between 9 and 9:30 EST on that day. My ship date was July 11 as well, but it never changed...even after it was actually shipped.
C-Digital
06-19-2005, 04:15 PM
The ability to get very close allowed a test to be made using an LED flashlight to see if a more focused light beam would reveal wording detail on a necklace.
Necklace is 33mm by 23mm with dark brown coloration. LED light caused the blue cast seen in the photos. As with most of these casual tests the goal was to learn some factors relating to what happens when...
Necklace is curved with mid section about 3mm above the surface. Image was cropped and then reduced to upload. Lady on necklace was wearing a bit less than general audience rated photos so some fabric was moved to maintain the G rating.
Small wording turned out to be Tiffany Foundry and a web search found a belt buckle with the same unaltered content which confirmed what was present on the smaller sized necklace.
C-Digital
06-19-2005, 05:05 PM
This photo is a crop of the 4mm wide wording which turned out to read Tiffany Foundry. The bottom insert is a how the letters appeared in normal non-focused lighting. Letters were difficult to read with a 10 power glass until the LED flashlight was used.
Question of would S2 camera also see more detail with focused light versus general lighting is answered in this test.
Before ending this reply to this thread a couple of notes on video. 15 second short-takes videos are proving to be popular with my friends. The added sound increases realism. A video being taken of rhododendren along with mountain vistas included a still image. Unexpected was the sound of the shutter clicking sound, another learning experience.
Happy photo shooting and thanks for sharing in this thread.
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