Macro with Cannon Powershot S2 IS

[CameraDan]

Curious if anyone has done used the Cannon Powershot S2 in marco mode. I've had the camera for about a year and absolutley love almost everything about it. The only thing I can't seem to get good shots from is the Macro mode. I admit, that I don't know a lot about shooting in macro mode. The only other experience I've had is with a manual focus 35mm camera.

My main problem is getting the camera to automaticly focus on my subject. Any suggestions? Would it be worth my wild to buy a macro lens for my camera?

Thanks,

Danny

[icarus4586]

The S2 IS has 2 macro modes - one is called supermacro, and it's activated by holding the macro button for a second or two. You can get ridiculously close up using this. I've found that it can focus between 0cm and about a foot. It doesn't work as well in low light situations, because it has trouble focusing, and the focus lamp doesn't work at distances that close. However, there is a manual focus mode (the button is right above the macro button) that lets you pick a focal length.

[parthoslg@gmail.com]

I Have Bought A Canon Powershot S3 Is Recently.......but Don't Know How To Use The Macro & Supermacro Mode. Can Somebody Provide Me A Step By Step Guide For Using The Same.

[pkd14u]

When using the macro mode on my powershot, I have learned that I can't be zoomed at all. I simply have to be very close to my subject. So, if you are using your zoom with your macro function, that may be the problem.

pkd14u

[Potr8]

CameraDan and parthoslg,

Let me share with you my experience using Super Macro facility in Powershot S3 IS. Here are the steps you may follow:
a. Put your camera mode in P (or Av/Tv/M).

b. Press and hold Macro button until 'Flower with S letter' icon appear in you LCD. Now you are in Super Maco mode. If you just quick press the botton than camera is Macro mode. To disable, just press the button again. (Macro button locates at the left side of the lens. There two buttons there, use lower botton is for Macro, the upper button is for Manual Focus).

c. Aim your camera to the subject, close enough between 0-10 cm.

d. Press shutter button half-way to get focus.

e. If you got the focus then shoot. If it's blur/not-focus, adjust the distance as close as possible (should be in 0-10 cm range), then do step d again.

Note:
- To shoot in Macro mode use similar way with Super Macro, but the distance can not go closer than 10 cm. Shooting distance for Macro mode is 10-50 cm.
- The step above assumes that the subject has enough light. You can adjust the exposure using Av,Tv or Manual mode.
- You can not use Super Macro in Auto Mode.
- You can not use Zoom in Super Macro (fair enough...)

Attached is photo that I took using Super Macro.
Hope this helps you using Macro.
Looking forward to see your great shot in Macro/SuperMacro.

Regards,

[jiminyClickit]

potr8,

Best colors for a money shot I've ever seen.

[amiripz]

Just follow the steps that Potr8 mentioned using S2 IS and S3 IS.


I have got the latter version for 10 days now and here is a macro i managed to take: