Canon S2 Camera Shake Indicator

[keitaro]

I recently got a S2, and i have been taking some shots of stuff around my house, and i have noticed that i always get the camera shake indicator come up in red, and always teh windfilter comes up even though i am in auto, manual, Ap or Tv. Is this a normal indicaton or is there something wrong with the camera?

[edit]ok i just noticed when i put it into auto and pop the flash and under good lighting the indicator is gone. but if i try full manual mode, the indicator comes back? how should i compensate to pull the indicator out? longer shutter, smaller apature?

[nwyman]

I recently got a S2, and i have been taking some shots of stuff around my house, and i have noticed that i always get the camera shake indicator come up in red, and always teh windfilter comes up even though i am in auto, manual, Ap or Tv. Is this a normal indicaton or is there something wrong with the camera?

[edit]ok i just noticed when i put it into auto and pop the flash and under good lighting the indicator is gone. but if i try full manual mode, the indicator comes back? how should i compensate to pull the indicator out? longer shutter, smaller apature?

longer shutter speed, smallest aperture, and try bumping the ISO level up. But usually, the S2 wants you to use the flash in an effort to avoid the camera shake. You can take successful shots, even with the camera shake indicator showing and no flash in use, but you should try to brace the camera against something, or use a tripod to avoid focus problems. You can also try using spot or center metering.
Low light situations seem to be somewhat of a problem for most digicams of this level.

Nancy

Nancy

[nwyman]

forgot to mention - you can also adjust your white balance settings to help with indoor shots.
Nancy

[keitaro]

^ great thanks,

trying to learn all the bits and tricks to this camera to get the most potential out of it.

[Jon, The Elder]

Don't hold the camera away from you to use the lcd as a viewfinder. Hold it like a 'real' shooter and use the viewfinder - having your arms in close and your eye on the camera will steady things up a BIG BUNCH !!!

[nwyman]

and don't hold your breath! Instead, let your breath out as you get ready to shoot.

Nancy

[keitaro]

Don't hold the camera away from you to use the lcd as a viewfinder. Hold it like a 'real' shooter and use the viewfinder - having your arms in close and your eye on the camera will steady things up a BIG BUNCH !!!

i usually use the view finder, never liked using lcd.. because battery life and such, as nacy said sometime the indicator goes off but the picture is still fine.

[Shag On A Rock]

Thank you. I just bought my first digital camera two days ago - a Canon S2 IS. I was having all sorts of issues with soft images. If I use the flash inside the house, the images are much sharper. Not as nice but sharper. Progress! Thank again.

[keitaro]

play around with the settings and read the manual a couple times then u can get some pretty good shots. It took me awhile, but i am getting more used to the camera... only if batteries did die that fast on me..

I am still waiting on my lensmate adapter + uv filter and some good weather before i take my s2 out

[nwyman]

play around with the settings and read the manual a couple times then u can get some pretty good shots. It took me awhile, but i am getting more used to the camera... only if batteries did die that fast on me..

I am still waiting on my lensmate adapter + uv filter and some good weather before i take my s2 out

What kind of batteries are you using? Regular AA's will only last about twenty minutes (or less, if using the flash), but if you get a set of AA Nimh cells (at least 2100 mah - I am currently using 2300 mah) you will be able to go much longer without changing batteries. Most of us use two sets of these interchangeably - when one set dies, they go into the recharger and we use the second set. Regular AA's come in handy in a pinch, but are otherwise pretty much a waste of time.
I went traveling back in October - took lots of photos (but no flash) and the one set of rechargeables lasted for over 500 shots.

Nancy