Equipment Advice

[Strathias]

Hi there everyone!

I'm getting into the hobby of photography after many years of just taking snapshots on a point and shoot in fully automatic mode. However, I don't want to spend too much money at the beginning until I know what I want and don't want, what types of photos I want to concentrate on, etc. I want to get as much as I can out of my current gear before upgrading.

That said, I'm currently using a Canon Powershot S2 IS as my camera, and iPhoto '11 as my organizer/post processor. The S2 has the ability to purchase a lens adapter for the fitting of 58mm filters and converter lenses.

The adapter is $30 from Amazon, and it looks like filters range from $10 for something like a UV filter to $20 or $30 for polarizing filters. The converter lenses are $100+, so I'm not considering that at this time.

Here's my question. Is it worth it to get the adapter for the S2, and a filter or two, or should I concentrate on learning as much as I can without buying anything else, and putting that money toward my DSLR fund? Will the filters make that much of a difference in the learning process?

Thanks for the help!

John

[milosh]

Hello and welcome!

If I was in you position I wouldn't spend money on cheap filters and adapters for a point and shoot camera. If you're really into photography, you'll eventually (soon) want a dSLR camera because of all the benefits it brings, and putting cheap filters on your lens will not be an option due to poor image quality. My advice is, focus on learning the basics of photography (exposure and composition) and post-processing and save for a dSLR (if you want one). That way when you do buy it you will already have basics under your belt and you'll be able to take your photography to a next level.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

I was under a different version but pertains to equipment. When my DSLR arrived, I immediately went to gear fever. Asking about lenses here and there (the fact that I already have 3 generic lenses, a bag, a tripod, and some filters, that came along with my unit).

"Better to discover every capability of your current lenses first. Learn how to work with them including their limitations. When in time you'd think 'I could do these if only I had...' is when you could start to consider that particular addition." One of the best advises I've ever taken.

Now I'm far from good. But keeping that thought in mind, no matter how frustrating, and along with the help of the good people here in DPS, I have improved a lot very fast. I still have the strong urge of getting a 10-20mm. But with all the thinking, reading, analyzing, imagining, and contorting, I don't have time to spare to check ebay.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Strathias

The adapter is $30 from Amazon, and it looks like filters range from $10 for something like a UV filter to $20 or $30 for polarizing filters. The converter lenses are $100+, so I'm not considering that at this time.

Here's my question. Is it worth it to get the adapter for the S2, and a filter or two, or should I concentrate on learning as much as I can without buying anything else, and putting that money toward my DSLR fund? Will the filters make that much of a difference in the learning process? ...

First off, if you are going to get the filter adapter, don't ever buy a $10 filter. Really. Cheap bad filters just make for flare and worse images. And $100 for a filter can be cheap, depending on the kind. dSLR photography gear prices are one of those things that take a bit of getting used to, but essentially everything is going to be more expensive than you think. A "cheap" lens in dSLR terms is one that's $300 or less. An "expensive" lens is one that's $1000 or more.

Personally, I think that as long as you get 58mm or larger filters, it might be worth it to get a circular polarizer, a very dark ND filter, or an infrared filter, since you can eventually share those with some of your dSLR lenses. (The 18-55 kit lens on a Canon dSLR, for example, also takes a 58mm filter). I would NOT get a UV filter, as your camera already protects the front element of the lens.

If you can find a used S2IS Lensmate (I don't think they make them for the S2 any more), you might want to go with that over the Canon adapter tube, because it will be aluminum, rather than plastic, and you won't run the danger of stripping threads.

Honestly, I don't think the filters will make that much difference, unless you were specifically interested in landscape, infrared, or long-exposure photography. Getting a little plastic travel tripod is probably a better way to spend your cash.

I have a lensmate for my G9, and I sometimes pull out a Hoya R72 infrared and slap it on the front and use a little plastic tripod. It can be a lot of fun.


Canon G9, lensmate, Hoya R72 filter. @7.4mm (35mm) iso 100, f/5, 10s. Ultrapod, timer.

[Strathias]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Based on the input, I think I'll wait and learn as much as I can with what I have, and get a dslr once I outgrow my current equipment.