So i just ordered the canon s3.....

[GarrisonCarter]

and first off i wanna say i cant wait to get the camera. This is my first camera, so i bought just the camera to fool around with until i get a feel and get use to it. But i was wondering if there are any immediate accesories or upgrades that i should worry about at the moment.

[royv]

It's a great compact camera that shoots quite sharp images. good choice.
Apart from a bag and some extra rechargeable batteries, there aren't any real accesories you should have from the start..
Expect of some memory cards!!!

Congrats!

[mes448]

I think you should consider getting a lens adapter and uv filter. I say this because the lens, as you know, is mechanical, extending every time you start the camera. The adapter keeps the extended lens safe from being bumped or hit accidently and keeps dust from getting into it, if you get a lensmate one you can put a uv filter on the end and you don't have to take it off and on, the lens extends inside the adapter and stops before the lens filter. Get a clip on cap and you don't have to be bothered by the cap falling off all the time and the lens being exposed to scratching.

I recommend Lensmate as I have one with the uv and its so convenient and safe.

Great camera choice.

[283CID]

Can you spell E N E L O O P batteries ? [grin]... and a 2 GB memory. **GREAT** little 'picture-taker'... Luv It ...

[JustShootin']

I think everything you need is listed above. I also think you will love your S3, 'cause it takes just down right great pictures!

Gary

[Canon Guy]

Just wait til you get bitten by the bug. Then you'll start buying things like high speed SD cards, wide angle lenses, polarizing filters....

But to start, like others have said - a bag, couple of sets of rechargeable batteries, and an SD card or two. I think other Sx IS owners would agree, a Lensmate adapter would be good to have at least to protect the zoom mechanism and give your left hand something more to hold on to. Whether or not you want to pop a UV filter on is up to you. There are some here that will use them to protect the lens, there are others who don't.

[N/A]

Welcome to the forums, Garrison. I'm a newbie here too. I agree with the previous posters. Soon after I got my S3 IS I purchased a 52 mm lens adapter, uv filter, and an inexpensive snap-on lens cap from lensmateonline.com. Then recently I picked up a circular polarizer filter. A 2 gig Sandisk card, batteries, charger, and basic case came bundled with my S3.

If you're planning on eventually buying wide angle and/or tele-converter lenses, I believe (at least I think I've read that) you'll need a 58mm adapter though; at least for Canon brand lenses. Maybe someone else here knows the facts about that? I'd suggest researching that before investing money in the 52mm.

[Aldwyn]

Here is a little S3 shot to get your excitement going. This was done in "landscape mode" from the balcony of my hotel room a few weeks ago...

[alucaaaaaa]

Sanyo eneloop is a must I think. I got an eneloop recharge kit(4 batteries and a recharger) which costs me A$29, quite a good deal.

[whuband]

Garrison,

In order to avoid frustration, I would not try to learn all the functions at once since this is your first camera. Read through the manual so you know what is there. Then go shoot some photos on auto or P.

If you can learn something new each time you use the camera, soon you'll have it mastered. Now, as for photography, getting that mastered may take a little longer.

Good luck

[CincyShooter]

this was my first camera that was a "higher end" model. Anyways...I never even knew there were various modes under SCN lol

[volivier]

i'm ordering a s3 right now myself. Trying to figure out which memory card to purchase. I read that the sdhc card work, (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/ca...ew/index.shtml) is that what you'd recommend? I'm a newby at this stuff, and do you buy the 4Gb?

[Jon]

What are you planning to do with the camera? Unless you're planning on using it for a lot of videos a regular 2 GB SD card's plenty (you get about 9 min. of TV-quality video per GB of card, so 17-18 on a 2 GB, in 9 min. clips which is a camera limitation). You should be able to get around 450-500 Large Superfine (best resolution) stills on a 2 GB card.

[volivier]

don't want to hijack this thread... i plan on taking photo's of my kids at 4-H/FFA cattle shows and other normal family stuff. we live in the country on a farm so outdoor, kids, animals, school graduations. I have a reef aquarium I want to photo too.

[Jon]

So a 2 GB card or two should be plenty.