Help with settings on Canon s2 IS PLEASE????

Question

I have a canon s2 IS and we bought it before my son was born 8 months ago. I still don't know how to use it and the pics always come out blurry. The manual is way over my head and I feel really bad that I have this great camera and my pics come out so bad. Anyone have a way that they can give me the canon s2 is for dummies version? What should the settings be?!?!?

Answer 1

I really don't know why all your photos are blurry, because if you are using AUTO, then most of your photos should generally be fine. Plus your camera has an image stabilizer, which means less likelihood of blurred photos.

Some reasons why your photos might be blurred...
You are not giving the camera time to pre-focus. Always make sure you half press the shutter button till the little square turns green...then press the shutter button down fully, always making sure you keep the camera still.

Make sure the image stabilizer is turned on...and make sure it's in SHOOT ONLY MODE, for best results.

If you are trying to take photos of your young son (who is obviously not staying still for very long) then you need to use a faster shutter speed (Tv on the mode dial). Remember that your camera isn't smart enough to know that your subject is moving, so you have to 'tell' it to use a faster shutter speed to try to capture any action or movement. e.g. 1/250 sec to a much faster shutter speed.

You can select where you want your camera to auto focus(AF). I generally prefer to have my AF frame in the centre, so I can focus more accurately on my subject.
And you can also select how your camera focuses (continuous or single). I much prefer Single, so you should try both settings. Continuous focusing will consume more battery power.

Don't forget to raise the flash when the lighting is low.

I suggest you try and spend some time going through the user guide step by step, because it will help you understand your camera more. I really like Canon's user guides, because they are very user friendly (mostly).

good luck and check out the two links below, which might be helpful...

Answer 2

Try to find a Magic Lantern Guide for your camera. These guides usually have more (and better) illustrated step by step instructions. If you bought from a local camera shop you should get help there.

You can also check your local high school or community college for adult continuing education classes.

Answer 3

to remove blur you have the following options:


use a tripod
increase the level of light you shot in
use flash
use fast iso like 400 or faster
use a faster shutter speed

outside it shouldn't be a problem if its sunny,

inside turn on as many lights as you can, hes proberly not running around much yet so get some lights or lamps and get them as close to him as you can, the more light you have the less chance of blur

play with some lights and take heaps of shots till you get a result you like.

good first answer to


a