Need some help with S3 IS please. :)

[ExpectingToFly]

Hey everyone.
I got a Canon S3 for Christmas and have been playing around with it. Until now I've just been taking random pictures and kinda goofing around, but it's time to get serious. :p I plan to start taking some pictures at local equestrian events for some friends, and as my stables' personal show photographer.

Unfortunately when I went out last weekend for some practice shots, they turned out pretty bad. :confused: They looked pretty good on the LCD screen but when I got home, well...

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2303/41/79/507852972/n507852972_1318030_5599.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2303/41/79/507852972/n507852972_1318066_9325.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2193/41/79/507852972/n507852972_1318507_3600.jpg

Any advice? I've been reading through my booklet again and fiddling with my camera. The low light and lack of flash (the horses spook and riders fly when I use it :p) make it kinda difficult.

Any suggestions appreciated!

[ExpectingToFly]

***Really sorry if I put this in the wrong thread/forum area***

[M_ark]

seems like the best solution to this would be to go full manual, and find the settings that work in the environment before you start shooting (ie, what ISO you are happy to tolerate before noise is a problem, what TV and AV values to use etc.)
I would set the ISO to 400 as a base line and set TV to 1/160, shooting Tv mode and let camera decide your apeture. There is always the problem of available light to the sensor i recall when i had my S3 I always expected more of it (and less noise in the shots) than it could reasonably deliver. Which is why i sold it and went to the XTI

[ValS]

Looks like High ISO noise to me, but impossible to tell for sure w/o full EXIF info - I am not able to see it in your photos.

Excellent advice on practicing beforehand in the available light in manual or shutter priority, but I think even 1/160 may be too short to get anything decent.

Accept that you will not be able to produce a masterpiece regardless of what you do, but there's always room for improvement. Start with posting your shooting info.

[chd dad]

I have the S3 IS and have used it since it came out years ago. Most of what you are seeing there is just high ISO noise. ISO 400 (highest it can go) on this camera is pretty bad. On small prints it is usable, but blown up it gets pretty unusable.

For low light, it can also be slow to focus which could be an issue with those fast moving horses! I agree with above to set it shutter priority and practice in low light situations. Unfortunately in the available light you have, that may be the best you can get.

[ValS]

The S3 actually goes to ISO 800, btw, and 400 it is still VERY usable.
I think yours, chd dad, might be S2 IS.

[pjs2]

Might be wise to whack a monopod under it as well when you shoot in the manual modes.

[stan the man]

Can i just add that it may help to keep the image stabilisation on panning when shooting moving images, that's of course if you can't get away with using a fast shutter speed due to light.I've got an S3 and i find i can use 400 iso as long as there isn't too much lowlight in the picture,200 iso doesn't pose a problem for me on this camera.You could also clean the photo's up a little with PP/NR.What i done with mine was use it in P mode and take some shots,then look at the EXIF to see what TV and AV the camera is setting them at,that way you will an idea of what to set it up on when going manual.I try to keep all my photo's around 80-100 iso for best results,i've read on other forums that you get more dynamic pictures if you keep the iso at 100,but i can't honestly say that i've noticed any difference myself but it may just be my monitor.

[ct1co2]

I think Expecting To Fly is in a tough spot with this camera in this situation. Looks like a combination of high ISO noise and a shutter speed to slow to freeze the action. Panning and capturing action is a challenge, so keep at it and you'll get some good results. I would also ask what do you intend to use the images for, ie, do you intend to print them at a particular size?

I've had the S3is for a couple years, and it now serves as a trusty backup. Although it goes to ISO 800, I never found 800 useful due to the high level of noise. I've also found that it struggles a bit in low light, even at lower ISO. At outdoor/daytime events, you can expect some really good quality images at 80-100-200 ISO. Indoors, you may want to zoom out just a touch and try to leverage whatever light you have to get a good shot at a higher shutter speed, and then crop it in PP. As others mentioned, definitely keep the IS on for the action shots. Also agree you should go full manual or AV, and shoot shoot shoot.

[ExpectingToFly]

Thanks everyone!
I will be doing outdoor shows in the spring/summer/fall but wanted to grab a few for my friends at their indoor shows.

I'm not really printing anything yet. Just emailing them to my friends.