Newbie questions for S1-IS

[trippinbillies40]

I see that Canon has a few optional conversion lenses for the S1-IS. do any other reputable companies have lenses available?

I'm just getting into photography. I know I'm probably going to get grilled for this and not searching, BUT:

Can you guys explain what a telephoto lens does? Is that what helps take macros? Or do I need a "macro" lens for that?

Are there any lenses that let me zoom more?

Any suggestions for taking marching band pictures in the evening? I'd like to sit in the seats of a high school stadium and take photos of the band. I would guess shooting with a high iso, f/8, and short shutter speed would be best. Any ideas?

Thanks so much guys!!!!

[Jon]

A telephoto lens works like a telescope ("tele" - get it?). A macro lens lets you take exceptionally close-up shots.
"Zoom more" - do you mean increase the range of your zoom? You can add a tele-adapter to reach out further and a wide adapter to cover a wider angle (at the short end), but nothing's going to make your 3X zoom into a 6X zoom (without turning the pictures into something Picasso would be proud of).
For the evening marching band - shoot wide open, so you can use as fast a shutter speed as possible. High ISO will give you a lot of noise, but will let you use a faster shutter speed. You probably want to stay at least 1/60 sec., and faster with a longish zoom.

[CoolWalker]

Canon makes the best lens on the market. Stick with Canon...they spend the big $ on research like Zies use to do. :D

[StrongBad]

The S1 IS can use many different lenses with the optional LAH-DC10 adaptor. The LAH-DC10 is actually 2 item package that contains the Canon conversion lens adaptor LA-DC52E and a lens hood LH-DC20 to control lens flare in bright outdoor conditions.

The LA-DC52E allows you to use any aftermarket 52mm lens or filter (such as a polarizing, UV, or IR filter) Both Raynox and Tiffen are aftermarket manufaturers that produce 52mm lenses. I have seen test shots from both and have drawn the conclusion that the Raynox's are a bit higher quality, or at least work better with the S1. A macro lens is for taking extreme close ups of objects, a telephoto lens will allow you to photograph from a distance for objects like birds or wildlife you might otherwise scare off. And there are also lenses like wideangle for squeezing in objects you cannot distance yourself from such as cars at a crowded car show or highrise buildings from the ground. There are also lenses like fisheye lenses which produce distortion effects (animals are fun to shoot with this lens.)

I have not been completely satisfied with the S1's night abilities. The autofocus hunts alot and fails to lock properly (just switch to manual focus then) also even with a wide open apeture f2.8 and an ISO of 400 I wind up with alot of bad photos (due to the slow shutter speed and film grain) the film grain effect you can easily edit out with programs such as Noise Ninja , however, motion blur you cannot. If you want a competent low light camera save your pennies for an EOS, they go up to ISO 1600 or 3200 and take great low light shots. I myself am saving for a 20D (or whatever the equivalent is by the time I save that much :D)

Hope that helps you out. I've had my S1 for about 3 weeks now and have taken roughly 3000 photos to aquaint myself with it. I have taken everything from nudes, macro, event, vacation, landscapes, portraits, anything I could think of and it performs nicely all around. I have been very pleased with it. I am purchasing a wide angle lens before the Detroit Auto Show and a macro lens in the spring for an annual butterfly exibit the local botanical gardens host.

[Jon]

CW - you might want to put your professional affiliation (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=39) on your sig.