Reading mode: Light Dark

Canon Powershot S3 IS and the basic essentials

Go to last post
S

S2kDriver_usa_cz

Active member
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
Location
Long Island,,USA / Jihomoravský kraj, Czech Rep, N
I'm looking to purchase the S3 and the necessary accessories in a few days. I probably won't need any additional lenses or adapters for the foreseeable future - just the essentials. Hopefully, this thread will be helpful to other future potential S3 buyers. Any feedback and recommendations are appreciated - thanks.

1. S3 IS - $384.99
Seems like people here are satisfied with BSP and the price is right.
http://www.bluestripephoto.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3700

2. AA batteries and charger - Maha MH-C204W - $51.95

Imaging Resource highly regards thie charger for completeness of charge, worldwide use, trickling, and reviving old batteries. Plus this set comes with 8 2700 AA batteries.
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=402

3. Storage - haven't decided

I've heard some good things about Sandisk SD cards - how do you guys feel about them? Does the S3 take advantage of the faster writing Extreme III cards? Or does the Extreme II suffice? Any limitation on size of storage the S3 can handle?

4. Case - haven't decided

I'm not going to be carrying converter lenses or adapters or chargers in the case. Just the camera, an extra 4 AAs and 1 or 2 SD cards. What's the smallest case I should get to fit my use? I'm deciding between the "large bundle" and the "1 million dollar home" on http://www.crumplerbags.com and also the D-Res 25 AW on http://www.lowepro.com . Any other candidates?

5. Protective front glass

This is my first time with an ultra-zoom so please forgive the ignorance. I'm assuming the barrel of the lens mechanism is threaded. If so, is there a thin piece of glass that can screw on to the front of the lens element for protection? I'm looking for something that doesn't make the S3 even more thicker than it is, something that's barely noticeable. Also, nothing that will degrade the image quality or introduce glare into the photo.

6. Protective LCD film

Is there protective film available for the LCD or even the EVF? I've used the Martin Fields overlay static protectors for my RAZR V3i and they are very high quality. They have pre-cut film for some Canon digicams, but not for the S3 unfortunately.
http://www.overlayplus.com/US/modeldevice.asp?category=Canon%20Digital%20Camera

I think I've covered the bases, are there any essentials I've left out? TIA. :)

--
  • Paul
 
Aside from the camera itself, get yourself some 2500mah rechargable batteries then the highest speed SD card you can afford as it helps specially whne shooting videos. The LCD screen protector is a must if you intend to keep your S3is' LCD flipped out most of the time. As for the bag, if you don't plan to get any other accessories, then the Crumpler 1 million Dollar Home will fit nicely indeed. Its well padded and does't look like a traditional camera bag, on the other hand the Lowepre does offer slight "more" protection ina sense because of its zippered top flap compared to the velcro of the Crumpler.

That said, I have a lens adapter permanently attached on my S3is, and I am using a Crumpler 6 Million dollar home when I carry my S3is with extra lens, filetera, an Ipod Video, desktop tripod, and batteries. But if I am to carry just the S3is with the lens adapter attached and extra batteries then I use my Crumpler 3 Million dollar home. It fits perfectly!
 
(S2 owner, but they are largely the same)
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
2. AA batteries and charger - Maha MH-C204W - $51.95
Click to expand...
You won't go wrong with that. I've got 2300 batteries and never had to change them on the road yet. But you do want two sets, just in case.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
3. Storage - haven't decided
Click to expand...
With cards, the slowest ones will probably give you buffer overrun for longer vids or continuous shooting - but 60x is fast enough. Anything faster will probably only be noticable uploading to computer.

I've been quite happy with non-brand names.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
4. Case - haven't decided
Click to expand...
as stated, the one millon dollar home is just about perfect. Camera, spare set of batteries, cards. Coins and cash and a small phone or ipod.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
5. Protective front glass
Click to expand...
there is a thread, but i haven't found anything to thread into it.

(must look again before going on safari)
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
6. Protective LCD film
Click to expand...
I don't think this is necessary. I keep the lcd turned towards the camera so it's undamaged. Though I wouldn't get a screen protector for a flip phone either, for the same reason, so YMMV.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
I think I've covered the bases, are there any essentials I've left
out? TIA. :)
Click to expand...
As i don't have any lens protection, i keep a lensmen with my camera at all times.

hth

joan
--
Agfa 128*0, Pentax IE 200*0, Canon S*2
 
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
3. Storage - haven't decided
I've heard some good things about Sandisk SD cards - how do you
guys feel about them? Does the S3 take advantage of the faster
writing Extreme III cards? Or does the Extreme II suffice? Any
limitation on size of storage the S3 can handle?
Click to expand...
Memory cards: Transcend 80x any size - I have two of them and no complaints at all. Capacity-wise: up to 4 GB the S3 handles well.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
4. Case - haven't decided
I'm not going to be carrying converter lenses or adapters or
chargers in the case. Just the camera, an extra 4 AAs and 1 or 2 SD
cards. What's the smallest case I should get to fit my use? I'm
deciding between the "large bundle" and the "1 million dollar home"
on http://www.crumplerbags.com and also the D-Res 25 AW on
http://www.lowepro.com . Any other candidates?
Click to expand...
Case: Tamrac Digital 3 (5693) if you want just a small one (check at Tamrac.com). For a more complete set I use the LowePro Edit 110.
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
I think I've covered the bases, are there any essentials I've left
out? TIA. :)

--
  • Paul
Click to expand...
---------------------------

:::: A good photographer with an average camera can produce spectacular photos, while even a super dooper machine won't deal with all possible bloopers. ::::
Regards from Brazil (still some good photo motives left around here),
Rattlesnake
 
I would think the considerably less money spent on media advertising would be one factor.

I've also been pleased with the Transcend 2GB card that I got from Newegg which was considerably less expensive than the one offered by Lensmate. Lensmate was my choice for their adapter for my S3 and that's been great.

****
 
Bluestripephoto.com ...?reputable?

Are you familiar with this company? Is it reputable? It seems much cheaper than others that I've purchased from that I know are honest such as B & H and Adorama
 
S2kDriver_usa_cz said:
I'm not doubting that you vouch for them, but what would be the
reason they charge about half of what Sandisk charges for cards of
the same size? Forgive my newbie ignorance lol.
--
Click to expand...
In my opinion, the reason is - HYPE. Memory cards must comply with certain manufacturing standards or they can not be licensed to be made.
--
****
http://www.pbase.com/dickh/

 
I have delt with Thomas Distributing in the past and received excellent service. Unfortunitly they are currently out of this BC-900 charger. I would order one now but it won't accept any orders.
 
kd6ire said:
I have delt with Thomas Distributing in the past and received
excellent service. Unfortunitly they are currently out of this
BC-900 charger. I would order one now but it won't accept any
orders.
Click to expand...
Try Amazon.com. Last time I looked (a while back) they had some in stock. Price was a little better also, IIRC.

--mamallama
 
I'll vouch for Blue Stripe. Got my S3 from them 3 weeks ago for $100 less than elsewhere. Today they're even cheaper by about 10 or 20 bucks... Delivery in a short time and all is well. Retail review sites like Bizrate rate them highly.

Camera bag? I got the LowePro Edit 110. Great size, zipper for security but also a velcro flap (if you keep the case unzipped) you can get your camera out in a hurry if need be. But it won't be quiet!

I got a PQI card from Ithink it was medialine, 2G for cheap. Lensmate sent my converter and UV filter in short order.

The battery barn sent me 2700 (advertised, the baterries display 2900) Power2000 AA's and a charger for about $40. BTW- the charger was defective. After just one phone call, the guy sent me a replacement and an envelope with postage to send the defective one back to him in! Great customer service.
-----------------------------------------------------
Jim

My photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/januaryman
 
mamallama said:
Try Amazon.com. Last time I looked (a while back) they had some in
stock. Price was a little better also, IIRC.

--mamallama
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update on amazon.com. They do have it in stock for about $5 more than Thomas-distributing. I'll wait a couple of days and see if they get a resupply.

Don
 
Suepete said:
http://www.resellerratings.com

Looks like they only have ratings for 3 months in 2006...

:-)
--
Sue
Click to expand...
Sue,

I checked the resellerratings site and Thomas- Dist. has a rating of 9.9 out of 10 while Amazon.com has only 6.2. They both have ratings going back more than a year. I have done business with both without an problem.

Thomas-dist. has been one of the leaders in plotting the performance of AA batteries and showing the truth about what a 2500 mah AA really puts out. You will find lots of good information on theire site.

Don
 
The reason I like the one I mentioned is that it has four individual charging circuits, one for each battery. That means you are never over-discharging or over-charging any one batter since each is treated individually.

--
Lee Jay
(see profile for equipment)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top