CANON PS SI 1S INFO

[JTF]

I am looking at buying my first camera for outdoor zoom shots for birds mainly. I have it narrowed down to just two at this point. The Canon PS SI 1S & the Panasonic FZ-3, both which have an image stabilizer. The reviews have the main problem areas as trouble focusing in low lights for the Canon, and for the FZ-3 occasional vignetting. The prices are about the same but a nother nice feature for the Canon is the ability to add an adapter & lense extension for a zoom of around 600mm. Does anyone have any extended usage comments on either model that you have owned or own at this time. Thanks for any help.

[nwyman]

Probably not the right person to answer this, as I am a rank amateur to photography and took the plunge with the S1 1s, about a month ago.
I opted for the S1 because a friend of mine, who has some experience, has gotten some good backyard bird shots, and that 's what I wanted it for as well.
Despite the image stabilizer, I'm still having camera shake problems, with lots of blurry pics in all settings. Occasionally I get a keeper, but nothing to write home about as yet.

I also treated myself to the teleconverter that Canon makes for the S1. I recommend it if you're after birds.

I know I need to use a tripod, but have resisted it so far, especially for those bird shots, as I really don't see where anyone gets the time to set everything up for that kind of shot, unless you're in a blind, and I'm more the "on the road -impulse"
type of shooter.

Must say, even with the teleconverter, I don't have quite enough power to get a detailed shot of a pair of nesting ospreys that are fairly close to my house.
I have read that the S1 is not the best choice for this sort of photography, but I am nowhere near ready for SLR, so I will continue experimenting.

In the meantime, I have a trip planned for autumn, and will have to decide if I am taking the S1 or the A95 along. Life is always a compromise, it seems.
Nancy

[Geeeyejo]

I have taken some nice nature tele shots with my S1 - the 10x zoom and image stab does work - just play with settings to ensure adequate shutter spped. Focus is slow but pre-focus by 1/2 depressing shutter to speed the process - still use my 10D for action /sports shots even with my meager 28-70 zoom - just crop and get great results!

[Bodryn]

I've been using my S1 IS for almost a year now, over 2300 photos, plus nearly 7000 on my older Canon A70 and have had nothing but good luck with BOTH of them. I recently have been working with the Photo Effect adjustment and recommend using the Vivid setting for flowers, but probably not for landscapes. However the S1 IS even has CUSTOM settings for contrast, saturation, etc., and, well, even after a year I am still thrilled with the capabilities of the S1 IS which I am still exploring. Image stabilization has worked absolutely miraculously. If there is a shortcoming it is that occasionally I've been disappointed with the autofocus in certain situations. However, duplicate pictures are free and if I take several of everything, I'm likely to have the one I want. I can't imagine wanting another brand, but when the S1 IS successor comes out, I might have a look at it.

[JTF]

Thanks for the info & post backs Bodryn; Geeeyejo, & nwyman.

[Price Anderson]

I've had my PS SI 1S for just over a month now and have had very good luck (the harder you work the luckier you get). For the type of shots you want I would use some of the manual settings and the focus lock feature (page 94 in user manual) if the birds ie: nesting ospreys, are in one spot.

You can set the focus and then just shoot away. The Focus Bracketing feature can also help. (page 84) In this mode combined with the maual focus the camera changes the focus slightly (you can adjust the amount of change) and takes three shots in succession.

[dlifesjrny]

I am loving my S1 IS!!!
Check out my recent pics from my trip to Italy, all taken with the S1 IS: http://www.gourmetfortheday.com/photos/italy/