new camera

[da SLUG man]

i got a new camera for my hols and it's got a setting for ISO 400, ISO 800 or ISO 1600...

what difference does that actually make?... and what should i have it set to normally???

all i can find is film speed, but it dowsn't have a film, just some new fangled computer chip!... i have no idea!!!

[Apache]

Same thing really.

A faster speed just means the sensitivity is greater, meaning you can use a faster shutter speed in lower light. You will lose quality the higher in ISO you go though.

[Brummie]

If you stick to iso400 you should do ok.
Take some photo,s of your back yard on different settings on a sunny day and see which come out best. The great thing about a digital camera is that you can experiment with the settings and just delete the crap. No expence about getting them printed and then finding only two are worth keeping.

P.S. dont forget to get an SD or whatever size card your camera takes. The cameras own memory wont hold many photos

[da SLUG man]

cushtie!... cheers!...

it's the first camera i've had for a while... just made do with my phone camera...

it had a sticker with something like "camera of the year 2008" on it and £30 off in argos, so can't be all bad!

[Brummie]

Get clicking and have fun!!! Dont forget to post a few of the good ones.

[nero279]

it's the setting for the sensitivity/response of the chip, exactly the same as using a faster or slower film. Higher numbers for action shots with bright vivid colours, eg) sporting events. Lower numbers for slower film speeds, landscapes and lower light conditions etc. Or something like that anyway.

400 is about the equivalent to a standard 35mm film. Play with it when it really doesn't matter if it comes out crap and you'll get a better idea of whatr works in different situations..

[sv1000spilot]

Or just leave it set to AUTO if you're not sure.

Don't be tempted to play too much while on holiday, you don't want to screw up pics you'll never get again.

Play before you go and when you get back.

Also make sure you take plenty of memory cards with you, be suprised how quick they can fill up.

ps what make & model is it?

[da SLUG man]

it's a Fujifilm finepix F60fd 12mp

the settings are actually 400 auto 800 auto and 1600 auto... so i guess if i leave it at 1600 it will automatically go lower anyway??

got a 4Gb card, so 800 odd pics at maximum quality should be enough...


the fashion these days seems to be taking "arty" pics of random objects at jaunty angles... so i took a pic of the old barrel in my yard!

[That Ruddy Squirrel]

Very good Matt,

Now go and post it here - http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=49


Trev

[da SLUG man]

Going away the weekend, so will try and get you all a nice pic of Mrs Slugs FF's... although i won't be alowed to post it here, so you'll all have to imagine!!

[da SLUG man]

Very good Matt,

Now go and post it here - http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=49


Trev

oh, ok.

[That Ruddy Squirrel]

And keep an eye open in early May when we have the chance to vote on your pic


Trev

[jaky cakes]

without getting too scientific...
the sensor in the camera (in place of film in an old film camera) has millions of little light sensitive cells.these cells are attatched to an "amplifier"- more later..
when the shutter is open, light floods through the lens on the front of the camera and is focused onto these little cells.
if the subject (sunny day portrait eg) the cells receive lots of light and the amplifier circuit doesn't really need to do too much work and therefore doesn't produce too much "noise" or grain" akin to the hiss from a home stereo amplifier.
if the subject is quite dark - (say a monk in full dress inside a cave with black walls during a blackout eg) very little light will reach the cells - so the amplifier circuit will have to work very hard to achieve an image thus producing lots of grain or noise, again akin to a home stereo amplifier producing lots of hiss or distortion when cranked right up.
the iso rating is just a guide to the old film iso/asa rating. the higher the number the more sensitive to light and vice versa.
My digi camera has a range from something like 50 to 32,000 but then it's a prosumer dslr.
have a play around in the garden in differing light conditions to see whats best for what situation.
Whilst on holiday - if you are unsure, and really want to capture a great once ina lifetime shot - you could take one picture of the same subject at each of the iso settings - this way you're sure to get one of the shots spot on. - a technique called bracketing - all the pros do a similar thing (altering shutter speed) just be sure of correct exposure.
go play and have fun -best way to learn - an post up your favourites.

[Apache]

Hope you dont mind Matt, but I saw something in your pic and had a play.

Ever seen those radio-telescope pics of distant galaxies or nebula? I give you... The Oildrum Nebula

[Hazzo]

without getting too scientific...
the sensor in the camera (in place of film in an old film camera) has millions of little light sensitive cells.these cells are attatched to an "amplifier"- more later..
when the shutter is open, light floods through the lens on the front of the camera and is focused onto these little cells.
if the subject (sunny day portrait eg) the cells receive lots of light and the amplifier circuit doesn't really need to do too much work and therefore doesn't produce too much "noise" or grain" akin to the hiss from a home stereo amplifier.
if the subject is quite dark - (say a monk in full dress inside a cave with black walls during a blackout eg) very little light will reach the cells - so the amplifier circuit will have to work very hard to achieve an image thus producing lots of grain or noise, again akin to a home stereo amplifier producing lots of hiss or distortion when cranked right up.
the iso rating is just a guide to the old film iso/asa rating. the higher the number the more sensitive to light and vice versa.
My digi camera has a range from something like 50 to 32,000 but then it's a prosumer dslr.
have a play around in the garden in differing light conditions to see whats best for what situation.
Whilst on holiday - if you are unsure, and really want to capture a great once ina lifetime shot - you could take one picture of the same subject at each of the iso settings - this way you're sure to get one of the shots spot on. - a technique called bracketing - all the pros do a similar thing (altering shutter speed) just be sure of correct exposure.
go play and have fun -best way to learn - an post up your favourites.

Bracketing= same iso, alter shutter or aperture to overexpose/underexpose in 1/3's of a stop and one shot at recommended (by camera meter) setting, or use the exposure compensation dial on "prosumer" models.

ISO= Sensitivity to light, high number more sensitive, downsides are usually noise/grain in pictures, can be used for artistic effects.

Your "prosumer" camera will have an higher iso capability but its 3200 not 32000. My advice is to use the lowest iso possible for a given lighting situation for "clean" images, use flash for harsh sunlight to clear those sunken eye shadows and if its a point n shoot and your shooting in a dark area/or night, keep the subject within 12 feet as those tiny on camera flashes are useless at greater distances. just my 2p worth. H