Setting up a S3 IS

[overcated]

Just got the S3 and am bogged down in reading manuals. After studying the tons of available settings, it looks like 95% of the default settings will be good for me. My question (for S2 or S3 owners) is which shooting mode (P, M, auto, etc) do you prefer and what settings did you change from the factory defaults? So far, this is all I have changed: Set up Menu, distance units = ft/in; Audio, wind filter=off (not interested in video so I wanted the icon off the LCD); Record Menu, IS mode=shoot only. Any other suggestions?

[nwyman]

I usually shoot in Av. If the subject is moving, then I use Tv. Also have been known to try Manual when I'm feeling really serious. <g>

I use
Flash Sync 1st curtain
Slow Synch off
Flash adjust auto
red-eye on
Cont. Shooting first choice
Self timer 2 sec
Spot AE Point AF Point
MF-Point Zoom ON
Safety Shift On
Af Mode Single
AF-assist beam ON
Tally Lamp Off
Digital Zoom Off
Review 2 sec
Rev. Disp. On
IS mode shoot only

FWIW.
Good luck and enjoy

[waussie]

Well I got rid of the noises.
I don't use AWB I set it.
I use AV mode with exposure bracketing on, the exposure the camera sets does not always produce the most pleasing picture. I also find this useful for birds as they move rapidly, 1/3 of a stop under or over exposed is neither here nor there.
I did put the digital zoom off and lots of people here sugested, but it's back on just in case I need it.
I think it's a matter of personal choice, I do what seems right for me, it may not suit others.
I just read the above, I don't use the timer and I don't 'brace myself', keeping fairly relaxed seems to work for me. Test this by shooting a light a fair distance away (with a long exposure), if you get a single light, not a streak then you are fairly steady.

[NickSimcheck]

Now only if I could change mine to shoot RAW.

Cause....(see sig)

[sonnyJ]

Waussie,

Using brcketing - if 1/3 doesn't do much - What setting do you use - Especially for birding

Thanks

[RossW]

Welcome, overcated. I agree that the auto and pre-set modes work pretty well in most situations; but do spend some time noting what doesn't work consistently well, and how the so-called "creative" zone modes can be adjusted to do better, as Nancy points out. With my S2, I found some of the information and comments in reviews such as this one and this one were helpful in choosing settings and providing shooting tips.

[waussie]

Originally Posted by sonnyJ

Waussie,

Using brcketing - if 1/3 doesn't do much - What setting do you use - Especially for birding

Thanks

I meant that 1/3 of a stop plus/minus is OK as far as exposure goes, and a bird can move a lot in the time it takes to take 3 shots.
A crude example of what I mean, the camera gremlins had set the bracketing to 2/3 of a stop

[overcated]

Thanks to all who replied. Hope to have some shots to share soon but I have only done a few - I want to understand the equipment better first. I will say that the shots thus far are very clear and that was a major concern. I can already tell that I will need to change the "evaluate" metering to "spot" sometimes - did a quick shot of a cat in the window and it was slightly overexposed due to the light coming in from outside. Any additional posts regarding changes to the default settings will be appreciated.