I received an E-mail from my grandson, Andy (16). He told me that he was looking at upgrading his digital camera. He asked me what I though of the Cannon Power Shot S2 IS. Since I am a Fuji shooter I know nothing about Canon equipment. I need some help with this answer. Do I sell him on the idea of a Fuji 7000S or suggest a Cannon Power Shot S2 IS to him. What do I tell Andy?
fotobob

~(*snip*)~

Tell him the chicks dig a caricature artist

The kind of camera you use might be in a different price bracket Bob, anyway have a look here Bob.

Thank for the information Rob. I will pass this web site on to Andy. American teens never seem to have a price bracket that they shop in. Oh to be young and spoiled again.
fotobob

Bob you are so right... i didnt have a price bracket for mine, i worked hard for it so i got whatever i wanted the 4 numbers were just there. I have used a few canons and considering i didnt know how to use it was fairly nice, though if you have larger hards i found it a bit small almost where my nikon fits perfectly in my hand

Jeff,
Thank you for the informaton. I agreewith you, if you work hard then you should have what you want. Andy does have a good command of photography and desire to make it his career. My concen about the Canon is that; will it handle likel a professional camrea? I am not to sure that it will and I know that the Fuji 7000s will as this is what Cameraannie (my wife) uses as well as my son. Both seem to enjoy their cameras.
Fotobob

g'day Mr/Mrs CF,

i have the S1 IS and am pleased with it, the S2 is improved. My brother is a fuji fan, just a matter of whether he wants the extra zoom 12x versus 6x?

Thank you BB I think this is the answer that will help me give him some sound advice. Between Trisbert and your input I think he will have enough information to make his decision. Or is this just a ploy to let Gramp know what he wants for Christmas ... Hummmmmm,
fotoob

Just a thought Bob. You say Andy has professional leanings. Why not steer him towards the Canon 350D. It’s a sweet handling camera, has an optical viewfinder and takes the whole range of Canon accessories so it can grow in whatever direction he desires.

Thanks Rob,
Super idea. I never gave that choice a thought. I will see how he feels about that idea.
fotobob

WOW, bob, the price of poker just doubled..can i be your grandson for xmas?

Mr. BB
Sorry but that position is filled. I do have one opening for a RICH Uncle. Would you be interested?

Ah the 350D eh? I'm 15 and I have one. My gallery here is screwed up and all my pictures are being constantly removed, but if you look here you can see some of the photos I have been able to take, with very little manipulation. It's such an awesome camera. So yeah if he can get it, then he should. If he's that into photography...

Bob i just read you comment to mine from a while ago and although they are very good cameras (canon) and have clearly proven to be, i personally think that they feel cheap just how they are layed out and how they feel in your hand but thats me(clearly they must not be built poorly because they are one of the top companies).

Jeff,
Thanks for the update. I gaveall of this information to Andy. He will make the final decision. At 17 years of age and standing 6 feet 4 inches, (1.9 meters), I am sure that he will take your advice and check out the all of the features before he makes his final choice.
fotobob

well if he's a big guy he may want to consider adding an optional battery grip to his DSLR - as well as adding more battery life - they make handling the relatively small camera bodies easier if you have larger hands and make taking portrait aspect shots much easier as they have duplicate controls on the bottom of them.

Thanks philcUK.That is a great ides. I have added an optiional battery grip to my Fuji S2. The camera is noted for eating up batteries (series 123's). I am now using AA batteries in the had grip and I have inceased my shooting (with flash) ability five times
fotobob.

Canon = Great digital processing
Nikon = Best glass on the market

I went with the glass.
Bob Get him a used Fuji S2 and get him on the right path.

hmm thats all a bit subjective really, each manufacturer appears to dominate different segments (despite what their respective marketing machines would have you believe) certainly in the pro market - Nikon seams to hold the high gound with nature and wildlife photographers whilst Canon dominates the sports and photo journalist markets. Since the launch of the 1DS Mk2 however, Canon have made serious market share inroads into Nikon's territory inclding studio work. Having used both Nikon and Canon lenses I'd agree that the nikon glass beats the canon in its regular incarnation but all the L Series lenses I have tried eclipse the Nikon quality as well.

In the regular user field Canon faire better holding a much stronget market share with Nikon training in behind Sony,Canon, Fuji & Olympus.