thinking of getting an S5 IS

guys, I have a canon S1 IS which is pretty much getting beat up. Loved the camera for its ease of use, great pictures, and flip out LCD. Ive been debating on getting a SLR though such as the rebel XT or the XTI but to get a decent camera and lens combo its roughly 600-1000 bucks just for one lense that will do a little of everything. So its getting sorta out of my budgit. I also like zoom since I love taking pics of wildlife. Picture quality is always #1 with me and ive always been happy with my S1. Some even thought my pics with it were taken with an SLR. I like to think its 75% shooter and 25% camera LOL. Anyway, the S5 seems to be a good camera as always. Im still debating getting a SLR with a 18-55mm IS lens but it just doesnt give me a long shooting range. Those with the S5, have you been happy with it? I saw some photos taken on here with it and they seem pretty impressive for a point and shoot. I really like the new 2.5inch LCD compared to the old 1.8 also! If you have some photos, please post a link or attachment.

also, what good accessories can you pick up? Is the added flash/hot shoe worth it for indoors photos? If so, what model works best with the camera.

anything else to really fine tune the S5 and make is somewhat close to beating a SLR in picture quality Im very picky about my photos. I take 30 to get maybe 1 I really like, even though the others are good to LOL.

again, im leaning towards the S5 since it can be had for 305bucks new now.. I can get a XT for 380(body) and a 55mm IS lens for 169 but again.. no reach and out and touch zoom unless I spend 300-600 bucks on a 300mm lens.

quick recap..

whatcha think of the S5 overall as far as picture quality?

what extras can help this camera accel more in picture quality?

oh and post some photos you might have handy..

HDD,

I had the S2 (still have it) and I loved it. I moved to the S5 and it added the hotshoe which I filled with a 430EX. Added a lensmate adapter, UV, ND Grad and Linear PL. IMHO, this is as good as a P&S kit will get. In addition, the Digital TC is actually usable out to 24x (although the 48X digital Zoom is still horrible). Lastly, face detection, which I thought was a gimmick, actually helps.

Take a look at my Pbase site. Except for Alaska it's pretty much S5. Take a particular look at S5 TEST SHOTS; CANADA (gallery, not the blog) and ANIMALS/EVENING HOWL. All S5 and pretty good idea of range.

I'm toying with DSLR itis right now but matching 36-432mm at f2.7/3.5 would cost well over $2,000 so the S5 is staying no matter what I do..

Hope this helps.

I just saw your other post and looks at the photos.. top notch for a P&S camera! Check your PM's also

like you said, im use to the zoom of my S1 and to get that out of a SLR will NOT BE CHEAP!

do you have any photos of your camera with all the above on it? Just trying to see how bulky it gets....

I like it...still wish I could have gotten the SLR but it works for me. Here are a few photos I took. They have been resized for web but still look pretty good I think

Nice photos. I like your Anhinga, but you ain't the only one with an Anhinga bird.

Taken with S2 and Canon 1.5 teleconverter

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Hey, I also have the S5 IS and I love it. It takes very clear pictures as well as being very compact. I especially love the flip out LCD screen. I think that you should stick with the
S5 IS. I was also thinking of switching to the SLR but I think I might stay with what I've got, also keep in mind that I am a beginner. Also....if anyone has a website that would give me lens to put onto the S5 IS I would truly be greatful. Thanks, Victoria

Victoria

For telephoto, wide or macro lenses, take a look at www.lensmateonline.com

They are really good people and there's a ton of info on the site. Be aware you'll need to buy an adapter to use any lens.

Good luck.

I have an S5 and love it. I am new to photography and have just recently started shooting in M so I'm sure this camera is capable of much more that I have been able to get so far. I'll second the comments about Lensmate. They are great to deal with. I got my adapter and filters from them and had no problems at all. I mostly take pictures of people and my dog so I dont have any wildlife pics for you but will post some of my favorites. Hopefully you get all the answers you need, there are some great people in this forum who are very helpful!

The "wildest" wildlife I have yet to take a picture of.

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melissa, what did you use to edit the 1st and last photo? Those look like SLR photos.. awesome work!

Whats involved in putting a UV filter on this camera? I guess you need a adapter? With kids, a filter is a must since finger seem to go everywhere when you arent looking!

Thanks! The first was just sharpening with PSP. It was taken directly in front of my door that was open with lots of natural light coming in. I had her a few feet from my white backdrop. The last also lots of natural light and converted to b&w with PSPX2 and ran an action (soft procelain I think).

All you need is an adapter to use filters. I think an adapter is a must have for lens protection. I got a 58 mm lensmate (they have a great reputation-just search the forum and you'll probably get lots of great responses for them). With that you can get a snap on cap, MUCH better than the one that comes with it. And your right a UV filter goes a long way to keep little fingers off the lens. I also got their flexible hood. This caused some pretty major shadows when used with the flash but its great for outdoor shots.

I've only had my S5is for a few months now, but it is great camera for the cost. Definitely a step up from a P+S. I also got a Lensmate 58mm (cause I had so many 58mm filters) and I would recomend it. Be besides protecting the lens with a UV filter, I like the way it helps me get a comfortable grip on the camera.
...Terry
ps. Lensmate adapter is well made of aluminum, the Canon adapter is made of plastic (just say NO to plastic!!)

Overkill-F1 wrote in post #5112050
ps. Lensmate adapter is well made of aluminum, the Canon adapter is made of plastic (just say NO to plastic!!)

If you do that, you won't have much to work with. The Canon camera you're attching the adapter to is sho-nuf plastic.

Gary

JustShootin', I just meant I don't like the idea of threading filters in and out, possibly hundreds of times into the plastic threads in the Canon adapter. I've heard a few people have cross-threaded a filter into the Canon adaptor and screwed up the plastic threads. You're right about the plastic camera of course, almost everyone is made out of plastic these days.
...Terry

Hi,

I'm new to the group - I too, was debating over whether going for a DSLR or P&S - but due to limited budget, decided on the S5. The main thing I wanted in a new camera was a good reaching telephoto zoom.
So far, the pictures have been good - indoor shots on Auto are very nice - however, I'm finding quite a bit of noise, even in low ISO shots. It could be that I'm just accustomed to the superior quality images from the Nikon DSLRs (I can sign them out at work, along with lenses), but I am not really impressed with the sharpness of images, when zoomed in full (not digital zoomed). Here is a shot:
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/leace/234265621​3/

this is a 100% crop and I was horrified with the result:
http://www.flickr.com …343484430/in/ph​otostream/

Unfortunately the transfer program I have here at work has stripped the ISO setting so it's possible that it was high (I was in P mode with Auto ISO).

If anyone can offer any suggestions as to what I can change to get better results, I'd be more than happy to hear them.

Thanks,
Lissa in Kingston

I took this one with full zoom, but still cropped it a bunch. I was able to use ISO 80, as to where you used 200. Did you not have enough light for using a lower ISO? It would have helped for sure. I was also wondering if you used center weighted metering.

Gary

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