Getting depth of field on an S20

[Jane]

I've just had to send my G3 away to be mended, which means I'm relying on my S20 for my forthcoming trip. Having got used to the G3, and the power of the manual settings, I wondered if anyone had any hints and tips for me using the S20 and getting both narrow and wide depth of field from it?

Cheers
Jane

[Jane]

I'm going to answer my own questions - http://www.shortcourses.com/guides/canon/S20guide.htm#Increasing%20Depth%20of%20Field%20in% 20Auto%20Mode

[PeterS45]

Great answer!!!

[Jane]

And another answer to my own question. I decided to experiment with the Image Modes on the S20. The results can be found at http://www.janeandrichard.co.uk/gadgets/review/s20/index.html

Jane

[tommy_t]

Hello Jane,

This might be a stupid newb question :D, but is there a difference between all those???

[Jane]

tommy_t wrote:
Hello Jane,

This might be a stupid newb question :D, but is there a difference between all those???

Sorry, I can't have made it obvious enough. They look the same, but if you click on each of the images, you'll get the different settings that the camera chose in each mode.

Standard (base-line shot):
# Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/45
# Av( Aperture Value ) - 5.0

Fast Shutter:
# Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/500
# Av( Aperture Value ) - 2.9

Night scene:
# Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/45
# Av( Aperture Value ) - 5.0

Landscape:
# Tv( Shutter Speed )- 1/30
# Av( Aperture Value )- 5.6

Slow Shutter:
# Tv( Shutter Speed ) - 1/15
# Av( Aperture Value ) - 8.0

So, if you're looking to get an aperture close to F/8 - then choose the slow shutter mode, but if you're looking to get an aperture closer to F/4 then chose the Fast Shutter mode.

I was just trying to work out what the modes actually did. Intend to do a similar experiement in the dark between Slow Shutter, Night Scene and Standard when focussed on something bright and something dark.