Canon Powershot S2 IS 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Have itall in one ultra-compact camera. 5.0 Megapixels of imaging power deliver stunning detail and clarity, even to oversized prints and the closest crop-ins. The impressively long 12x Optical Zoom is a feat of engineering, with Image Stabilizer (IS) technology that eliminates camera shake and a UD lens that provides brilliant color accuracy across the entire zoom range. Auto, Pre-set (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash), Custom Operation Modes - Auto, Red-Eye Reduction ON/OFF Auto; Creative zone - P, Av, Tv, M, C; Image zone - Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor, Night Snapshot), Stitch Assist, Movie, My Colors Photo Effects - Off, Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black&White, Custom Self-Timer - Activates shutter after an approx. 2 sec., approx. 10 sec. delay, Custom Image StorageMedia - SD Memory Card Normal, Fine, SuperFine Still Image - Exif 2.2 (JPEG) Movie - AVI (Image data - Motion JPEG; Audio data - WAVE (Stereo)) Power - AA-size Alkaline Battery (x4), AA-size NiMH Battery (x4), Compact Power Adapter CA-PS700 Dimensions - Width 4.45 x Height 3.07 x Depth 2.97 inches Weight - Approx. 14.3 ounces, 405 gram (camera body only)
Customer Review: I think the S2 has a serious reliability issue
I think the S2 has a serious reliability issue I purchased this camera the Canon S2 from Amazon on April 6, 2006 for $. Upon my recommendation my son-in-law purchased his about 1 month later but from Costco. We both were amazed at the performance of this camera. It was all that we expected and more. About 14 months of use I started to have a strange "black screen" at start up. This problem would come and go and at times it would only happen at start up and the camera would perform perfectly for hours of shooting. About two months after my problem started my son -in law's camera also started to exhibit the "exact" same problem He had purchased his camera from Costco. As time went on it became apparent that a serious flaw in this camera was starting to creep in and after researching this issue I decided to check with Canon. There service department said that they knew of no serious flaw in the S2 and offered to repair it for $127 since it was out of warranty by 8 months. My son -in-laws cameras also started to go down hill and he also notified Canon and received the same response. Canon's attitude is that this "black screen" problem at start up is just one of those product failures that happen with all brands of cameras. I agreed that since there warranty is for one year that any product that fails after that would not be covered unless there "failure" rate on a particular model is was above industry levels but to have TWO cameras failing at almost the same time with the EXACT same problem is pretty coincidental. Plus research on the net indicates many of these S2's failing with almost the EXACT same issue "black screen" at start up. Before any one buys the Canon S2 they better research the forums and decide if they want to chance buying this camera. I give it 5 stars for performance and 0 stars for reliability. I am sure that there are many S2's that do not have this problem but I also believe that there is an "abnormally high" fail rate for this camera. I worked in Aerospace Quality Control for 12 years and it is my guess that the failure rate on this camera is way to high for the price and brand name (Canon). For those of you that have had the same problem tell Amazon & Canon what you feel and maybe down the road there will be a recall.
Customer Review: Dreaded E18 Error
After 16 months, my camera stopped working. The lens does not retract and I am getting the E18 error. Canon wants me to pay to repair because I am outside the 12 month warranty period. I am extremely disappointed.

Isn't great when you find that one of your photographs has been absolutely outstanding and everyone comments on it. It can be frustrating when that happens but you don't know how you did it. Learning some techniques can help change all that and almost ensure that almost all your future shots are amazing and good on a regular basis.

Photography Lighting Techniques

Lighting can be either your best friend or worst enemy. Photography lighting techniques can be as simple or as complex as you want. It will depend on what you are shooting. Maybe you want to take photos of cityscapes at night or photos in full sunlight - for good results you will need to understand good photography lighting techniques. Once you understand the basics of photography lighting techniques you will transform your photos into works of art.

Indoor Lighting Photography Techniques

There are different types of lighting you can use for indoor shots. Try using natural lighting that comes from windows, ceiling lights, candles, log fires, and any other indoor lighting. Many photographers use this to give a natural feel to their work. Often, though, there may not be enough natural light indoors. If this is the case, take a tip from portrait photography lighting techniques. Portrait photographers use big lights to flood their subject for the best results. The good thing is you can experiment with the light you have indoors.

Try taking a photo of your subject in different parts of the room using different types of lighting. This will give you an idea of what works. Experiment with the early morning sun streaming through the window then try backlighting the same subject and see the different effects. Indoor lighting subjects include a whole host of techniques and methods. It will become a natural instinct the more you play around with different effects.

Black and White Photography Techniques

Black and white photography techniques can produce some really nice results. If you are using a digital SLR camera, you will most likely have the option to capture your photos in black and white mode. Don't use this mode. Use full colour so you get the full depth of light and shade. Use a photo manipulation program like Adobe Photoshop to transform your image into black and white. If you were just using black and white, you would not have the flexibility to manipulate and play with the output that you now can.

Side lighting is a great way to include fabulous outcomes and effects to black and white photographs. Side lighting will create shadows on ordinary objects and give them a different perspective. This is an effective black and white photography technique that has great results on objects that are highly textured. Experiment by changing the camera angle and different lighting techniques. Use side lighting to enhance your black and white landscapes, people and buildings.

Street Photography Techniques

Street photography can produce some amazing results. They are shots of day to day occurrences; moments in time captured outdoors. A good technique is to sit, watch and listen; focus on what is happening around you. See the world differently. There is nothing more interesting than a candid shot of a moment in time. Here are some street photography techniques that may help you when out on the street:

- Tune into your surroundings. Learn to sense moments of climax such as laughter or loud voices.

- Be relaxed and enjoy your surroundings.

- Use crowded places you can walk in and out of to get your candid street shots.

- Don't be invasive of people's personal space, try using a zoom lens. This will not always work and you can lose some of the emotion you are trying to capture.

- Practice taking shots spontaneously or without raising the camera up to face. Practice taking photos from any position.

There is so much to learn about photography and, the more you learn the more addictive photography becomes.

Roy Barker has provided this site which he commonly refers to for tips on photography techniques.

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