Instant Photo (dont know the propoer term) S2 IS

[Brandon James]

I am very new at this and dont know the proper term or way of explaining this... but, on my Canon Powershot S2 IS, the photos always take a few seconds to snap, and half th time, its too late, and what I wanted to photograph is wrong I guess you could say... Basically, how do I make the photo snap right when I snap the photo? Sorry for the incorrect termonology again ;)

[liza]

It's called shutter lag, and I don't think there's much you can do about it.

[cool_dude07]

There is something you can do about it...hold the shutter release half way, this will get the camera 'ready' for the shot...then press all the way when you're ready.

It works quite well...motion pictures are taken very well with this camera. Practice your technique by panning across a room and capturing an object in the centre of the frame..takes practise!

Ty

[casaaviocar]

The lag you are experiencing is due to the camera having to focus before it will allow you to take a shot. You can pre focus by choosing a spot at about the same distance the action will be and focus on that spot by half pressing the shutter release and holding it, while continuing to hold the half press point at the "action" and then full press to take the photo. I point at the action and continuously half press(beep, green box)release, half press(beep, green box)release so when something cool happens I just press all of the way and the photo is taken, the focus is always very close when I use that method and there is virtually no delay when I trip the shutter. Another thing that will help avoid blurry photos is to use a little smaller aperture than wide open to give yourself a margin of DOF.
Even with a DSLR there is a little focus lag, but you don't really see it as a delay because you are watching the focusing happening in the viewfinder.

[Brandon James]

Awesome, it does work. Thank you so much... especially for understanding my question, haha. Also, how do you change the aperture?

[liza]

Sorry for my response. I guess I didn't fully understand your question.

[Brandon James]

No reason to be sorry :D I tried to look at your website, but it wasnt working for me. Where can I view some of your pics?

[casaaviocar]

Also, how do you change the aperture?
That's getting into the realm of photo 101, and I will give the answer I give everyone: Purchase "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It's an excellent tutorial on basic photography and the relationships between aperture, shutter speed and sensor(or film)sensitivity.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817437126/102-1984025-7815307?v=glance&n=283155
This is the older version, everything still applies, it's just written toward film. The priciples are all the same, and it's quite a bit cheaper than the new version.
The next link is for the updated digital version, I actually haven't read this one, it is quite a few pages longer.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817463003/102-1984025-7815307?v=glance&n=283155
In the mean time the answer to your question is in your manual. Hint, get away from the scene modes and green square and start experimenting with the P mode, and after some reading start using the TV, AV, and M modes. Some research into photo 101 and Bryan's book will go a long way toward understanding what each mode does. This site leans toward SLR specifically the Reb XT but the lessons apply to all cameras, aperture/shutter speed/ISO all provide the same results on every camera. http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/

[liza]

No reason to be sorry :D I tried to look at your website, but it wasnt working for me. Where can I view some of your pics?

The Smugmug site link is working. I just checked it. They've been having some server problems, so it might not have been up previously.

[sando]

I think you'd best read the manual, or download it from the canon site. the types of questions you're asking are all covered there. :)

[Roddie]

Actually the manual that ships with the camera sucks. That's probably what happens when the thing is translated from Cantonese to English LOL. Try this link, it is the manual that should have come with your S2 (complete with animated gifs)
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/pss2is/index-e.html

[Cindi]

That's a great link Roddie, thanks for sharing!

[Brandon James]

Awesome, thanks! Yea, it's hard for me, especially beig a beginner, understanding the manual that came with it... Or maybe its my lack of commen sense ;)