Jodi .. question about your camera

[ChristineV]

Jodi, I noticed you have the same camera that I do. Do you have any tips on the settings? I love the photo of the the girl (your daughter?) and the close ups of the flowers.

When I try to do the closeups of the flowers they are so blurry even with the bacro setting. Do you do anything special with your settings?

Thank you for any help :)

[Jodi Frye]

Hi ! There isn't much to taking the pics with the camera. I use all the auto modes cause Manual is just too much work and I honestly think the auto settings do just as good as I can try to do in Manual mode :rolleyes: . As far as images that aren't so close up I use ' P ' mode... daytime 200 ISO, evening 400 ISO ( when it's a bit darker outside) Press the shutter half way down for the auto focus to kick in (double beep)and then I take the shot. For macros(flowers etc) I set it to ' A ' , set it to macro mode, don't get too close, always use LCD display, use zoom 'a bit', use auto focus the same way...press half way down for it to focus...you'll hear the double beep. Macro is tricky...use less zoom if it refuses to focus ...tripod is best...even better is tripod and use self timer...you can reset the amount of time in the settings to 2 or 3 seconds ...instead of the 15 second self timer default. Using the tripod and timer works best since there is no movement at all on your camera...so a macro will be sharper. Any shake in your hand will cause a blur. I tend to be too lazy to get out the tripod evertime tho i have learned to stay steady. Don't be afraid of being too far away...a good clear shot can be cropped. Pretty sure all the menu settings I use are the default settings except for the white balance ( WB ) I set that to the 'sun' icon and leave it there always. Am I forgetting anything ? Oh, by the way...i do enjoy playing with the other auto settings...portrait and landsape...fun mood. Let me know if you can think of something else i forgot !

[ChristineV]

Thanks so much for your input Jodi! I have been playing around quite a bit with the setting to try to find what works. I am taking note of what you do and I think a big problem I have is moving when Iclick the photo. And I may be getting in TOO close with the macro. I will play a little and see what I can come up with .. Not mush to take pictures of around here at the moment. No flowers and the boys won't be still and they ALWAYS see me coming with the camera! :cool:

[TonyW]

Jodi's answer was right on (I have a Fuji too). Only thing I'd add is if you have trouble getting the focus to lock, aim so that a sharp edge (like a petal) is in the centre when you half press the shutter then pan the camera and take the picture. Just don't change the distance when you pan. It works best when it sees a sharp edge and sometimes refuses to focus on fuzzy flower centres.

Tony

[ChristineV]

Thanks Tony, Yes I have found that sometimes I need to adjust where I am pointing to get the focus to lock. I have a feeling though that it is the operator that isn't very good.

[ChristineV]

I wanted to add that we have had this camera over 2 years. I have a hard time learning by reading manuals so I try to avoid them :cool: That is why I have attempted things like the stained glass without reading how to do it. Did you happen to read the manual or do you know about the different aspects by being a photographer or by any other means?

I am feeling out of my element at the moment

[Jodi Frye]

Tony, yup, I just knew i was forgetting something..I'm real big on panning :)

Christine, yes, I read the manual when I first got the camera...alot is quick flip paging but then there is some better info in the ' Advanced ' section. You know what they say " if all else fails, read the directions ' :)

I honestly just 'played' alot when i first got the camera just to see which settings worked best for certain types of images. I do plan on upgrading to a newer Fuji when the timing is right. I ' almost' suckered myself into the S9000 a couple of weeks ago...go check B&H Photo for good price and Fuji $100 mail in rebate..steal. BUT, I opted to wait t'il the 'new' stuff comes in the spring ( or sooner,maybe February ) I have a feeling Fuji has something mighty fine waititng for me :) a 'better than the rest' 12 mp perhaps ? :D