SX 50- HS: Some of you may know that last month I managed to purchase this camera refurbished from Canon for $149. I have not had much of a chance to see how well it performs until...

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

Some of you may know that last month I managed to purchase this camera refurbished from Canon for $149. I have not had much of a chance to see how well it performs until last night. I was going to really test it out over the weekend during the eclipse but we could see nothing due to total cloud cover. Coming home last night after church and then dinner out I noticed the moon as clear as could be so I ran inside, got the camera, set it to shutter priority of 1/30 sec and took the first shot handheld just to see what I could get full zoom. I was blown away because I have terrible tremors and expected nothing. I fired off a couple more. Very seldom will I be using any of my cameras handheld but this impressed me a lot.

(Download)

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Good captures George.

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

ebbote wrote:

Good captures George.

Thank you very much, with my hand shake I was expecting nothing usable at all.

:-D :thumbup:

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

It seems to have very good IS and it works very well on mine. I am 73 with the same camera and I really like it.

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

Thank you very much, with my hand shake I was expecting nothing usable at all.

:-D :thumbup:

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

It now has me intrigued to where I want to set up the tripod and really see what it can provide. I have not tried any manual mode shots so that will be the test, trying to learn where I need to be with all three settings. I am not sure how sharp focus will be with camera at full extension. Anyone out there with some recommendations for a starting point?

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Here is one that I posted a few days ago, I shot it at 1200mm hand held, it's pretty sharp.

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

It now has me intrigued to where I want to set up the tripod and really see what it can provide. I have not tried any manual mode shots so that will be the test, trying to learn where I need to be with all three settings. I am not sure how sharp focus will be with camera at full extension. Anyone out there with some recommendations for a starting point?

(Download)

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

Some of you may know that last month I managed to ... (show quote)

:-D :thumbup:

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

ebbote wrote:

Here is one that I posted a few days ago, I shot it at 1200mm hand held, it's pretty sharp.

Ebbote, I would be mighty comfortable with something like that by any platform. You got right down to the nicks and dings.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

joe west wrote:

:-D :thumbup:

Thanks joe west for taking the time to check it out and the acknowledgement.

:thumbup:

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

It now has me intrigued to where I want to set up the tripod and really see what it can provide. I have not tried any manual mode shots so that will be the test, trying to learn where I need to be with all three settings. I am not sure how sharp focus will be with camera at full extension. Anyone out there with some recommendations for a starting point?

don't forget to turn off the IS when you put it on the tripod.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Thanks George, I am pleasantly surprised as to how good
this little camera is. I think if I had known the physical size
of this camera I would not have bought it, I have large hands.

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

Ebbote, I would be mighty comfortable with something like that by any platform. You got right down to the nicks and dings.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

Doowopa wrote:

don't forget to turn off the IS when you put it on the tripod.

Thanks Doowopa, I have shot full size DSLR's for the last 10 years so that practice is ingrained from time.

:thumbup: :-D

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

ebbote wrote:

Thanks George, I am pleasantly surprised as to how good
this little camera is. I think if I had known the physical size
of this camera I would not have bought it, I have large hands.

ebbote, my only complaint so far is what seems like a very sensitive shutter button. I try to half/press to focus and end up with a shot before fully depressing the shutter. Not sure if this is an inherent problem or one solely related to my camera body. I do have a cable release which I bought for portrait work but I would prefer not to use it all the time.

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

2daysoldrndirt wrote:

ebbote, my only complaint so far is what seems like a very sensitive shutter button. I try to half/press to focus and end up with a shot before fully depressing the shutter. Not sure if this is an inherent problem or on solely related to my camera body. I do have a cable release which I bought for portrait work which, but I would prefer not to use it all the time.

Mine is very sensitive also.
annoying but no harm.

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

Glad to know I am not the only one swimming in this pool then. :thumbup: