Canon advice for a novice...

gavinmls · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 01:36 PM

Hi all - just found this site - superb collection of information! really hope someone can provide me with a little direction...

I've recently bought a Canon Powershot S5 IS as an upgrade from my point/click which im hoping will allow me to develop my basic photography skills and play with manual features before purchasing a DSLR next year..

I've looked around on ebay/amazon/canon websites and there seems a plethora of filter/lens info thats begun to confuse me! Basically I'm keen to get outdoors, into some hides, around some lakes etc and take some interesting scenic and wildlife pictures. Whilst I realise this is not a top end camera and as a result im not after all singing-all dancing lens' but if anyone had any recommendations on kit for this camera to aid my macro/bird/landscape photography I'd be hugely grateful!

Thanks

Gavin

MeadsMan · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 05:37 PM

Not sure you should need to use any further lenses or filters on your camera,I feel most of these will only degrade the quality of your cameras built in lens.You should allready have plenty more scope,if your other camera was a point and click,your new one seems to have a 12 x zoom,that`s a pretty good telephoto lens on it`s own.

wrogers · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 06:22 PM

Your camera has a 432mm equivalent in 35mm

most photo's are taken with a 300-500 on an APS sensor

which is 450-750mm so you may find sometimes that you cant zoom in enough

but in a hide, wildlife generally comes closer, so you may get some good shots and you can probably trim the photo down anyway.

I hope this helps a little

Will

Words · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 06:57 PM

It's a good strategy. I used an S2 to learn on before moving up to a DSLR. It really helped the transition because after about a year with the S2 I was aware of the things I wanted the camera to do, but had also been able to concentrate on learning more about the practical side of photographing wildlife (getting up close) and finding out that it was something I really wanted to pursue.

The S5 will be excellent. The zoom is good, plus it has decent macro (and video... which I do miss). I used it last week when I trashed by 40D in sea water. Here's a sample shot, taken at distance from a boat.

gavinmls · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 08:56 AM

Thanks guys - appreciate your thoughts. I've bought a few random filters, such as 8 star, CPL, and some ND ones....will be having a play around this weekend. Heading to a Hide next weekend so will attempt some decent bird shots!

Thanks

gavinmls · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 09:13 AM

just a quick one - im thinking of buying the 2x tele lens TC-DC58B for this camera - anyone know if this is worth the £££?

Thanks

Gavin

Simon_P · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 02:11 PM

Gavin, I've found that with these cameras the add on tele-lenses reduce image quality quite a bit and can often darken (vignette) in the corners. That said, with a bit of cropping and sharpening of the final image they would probably give an acceptable result. Pricey but that extra range will help.

One item I would recommend is a lightweight monopod. Even though you have IS on that camera it will be very helpful for longer range work and macro images as you will need everything to be as steady as possible.

Simon