Can you help me learn my FZ7?

[Kellie]

I recently upgraded from a Sony Cybershot DSC-W1 to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. I wanted more zoom, the option to take pictures without flash, more manual control, etc. I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to photography, but I am learning a lot reading these forums and digi cam books. However, it is taking a long time and I'm missing some great shots in the meantime.

I have a 5 year old, 3 year old and almost 3 month old. The baby is a good subject because he holds fairly still, but the other two are a different story. :rolleyes:

Most of the shots are taken indoors with decent light on sunny days (we have big windows that let in a lot of light), but low light on cloudy days. I will be taking more outdoor/zoom shots in the warmer weather because we are avid campers/hikers.

I need help figuring out how to set the camera to get good shots of my children. I have been told to avoid the flash, but then the pictures can be blurry. I have read a lot about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. but am having a hard time relating it to my situation and camera. The pictures without flash tend to be more grainy, but natural looking. When I play with the settings to try to fix this, I don't notice much difference.

Does anyone have this camera and use it for indoor family shots? If so, can you help me with the settings until I get a chance to fully understand everything? Remember, I am very new to manual controls. I've always been a auto focus/flash user. ;)

[JLV]

Use the flash. It better to get the photo you want with the flash rather than a blurry photo.

[genece]

I bet you will love the camera in the outdoors, but I really do not see why you can not get some satisfactory results indoors...especially if the light is as you say pretty good........I have taken many photos of my grandkids indoors at their house. (A huge picture window)
But at my home when using a FZ ,I must use the flash....do not zoom for the flash photos.

But if you wish to post a photo with the exif so we can see where the problem is, perhaps we can be of more help.
I have seen some very nice photos from the FZ7 at higher ISOs especially if you only need to print at no more than 5 X 7 or to view at 1200 X 900 or less on your monitor.
I am wondering if your use of manual controls may be causing the problem.

Now I am getting off topic but Dell was selling the Fuji F20 for 140 dollars last week...that could work very well for the indoor shots.

[tim11]

Our eyes might think the light is pretty good but the camera might not agree. The reason is that the eyes are connected to a brain and they can adjust automatically. No such thing for the lens.
You will need no less than 1/60s Shutter for a sharp image. An image with exif intact will tell us more about light condition in your house.

My very first post was similar to OP: The first thing I learnt after getting my FZ20 was it coudn't be very useful indoors without a flash. And that was how I found this website... LoL.

[Kellie]

Here are some examples: They were taken inside with all the lights on. It was evening so there was no sunlight coming through the windows. I can't remember what modes I was using. I was just testing different settings. I noticed that when the flash fired the exposure time was still 1/30s. I believe that was in program AE mode.

[jcon]

Kellie, you did VERY well with those pictures, I really did not expect such good results after reading your previous question. I would suggest tryin to use the manaul control to see what you can get. I noticed you were in the 1/30 range for shutter. If you set it faster, you wont get the motion blur from your children moving. Try something like 1/60 or maybe even higher, set your Aperture(F stop) to 2.8 and your ISO to 200 and I think you will get very satisfactory results, but with that said, the ones you posted look just fine to me! I hope you dont mind me posting one here.... this was my favorite from the link you provided....

[tim11]

That's not bad at all, giving the light you have.
Most shutter speeds the camera could manage were about 1/6sec to 1/8sec - not enough light for a pin sharp image. The only thing you can do is to invest in some lighting system.
I wonder why your camera fired flash and still had only 1/30sec. Maybe you put it in SLOW SYNC? I suggest you try Forced Flash or Auto Flash to get 1/60s.

[genece]

If the FZ7 is like the FZ30 the default for the flash is 1/30 second.....you need to use manual on the FZ30 to raise the Flash SS or dial in -2/3 exposure comp that will raise the SS to 1/60 without affecting the photo.
I also think those photos are nice, they could use a levels adjustment if there are some you want to print, but they are nice.

And I can see why you want to take lots of indoor photos (beautiful Family)
Maybe you should look into some type of slave flash or flash handle.

[Kellie]

Thank you for the advice (and compliments :)). I think the FZ7 is similar to the FZ30 in that I need to use manual to raise the SS. I can use the joystick to up the speed in Program AE, but it only goes to 1/30. I read the camera's manual, but it was a lot to process in one sitting so I will go back and study it a bit more. My first goal is to get a great shot of the kids in front of the Christmas tree to send to family.

Thanks again!

[genece]

A way to change the flash on the FZ30 is with the toggle switch, find exposure comp (not the flash comp) and move it to the minus side -2/3 will give you 1/50 sec. and minus 1 will give you 1/60 second exposure without effecting the photo as the flash is actually a much shorter duration.
My guess is the FZ7 would work the same.

The shorter ss can be beneficial if there is some light(stops subject movement) ..if its pretty dark the 1/30 will work fine.

And you should be able to get the Xmas tree photo with no problem....as you already have some nice shots.

[John_Reed]

Thank you for the advice (and compliments :)). I think the FZ7 is similar to the FZ30 in that I need to use manual to raise the SS. I can use the joystick to up the speed in Program AE, but it only goes to 1/30. I read the camera's manual, but it was a lot to process in one sitting so I will go back and study it a bit more. My first goal is to get a great shot of the kids in front of the Christmas tree to send to family.

Thanks again!Personally, I don't mind a little motion blur. You got the faces beautifully, and if someone was moving her hand during the 1/30 second, so what? Kids move, no question about it. Sometimes a flash can "freeze" a scene and sort of de-animate it. Your pictures have a lot of life!

[Kellie]

Personally, I don't mind a little motion blur. You got the faces beautifully, and if someone was moving her hand during the 1/30 second, so what? Kids move, no question about it. Sometimes a flash can "freeze" a scene and sort of de-animate it. Your pictures have a lot of life!

Thanks. I agree that a motion isn't a big deal. Anyone with kids knows that they can't sit still for even 1/30 second. ;)

I'll share the Christmas picture when I have a chance to take it. :)

[tim11]

Personally, I think human portrait is the hardest to do in photography. And with just in-buit flash you can't ask for much more than what you have already done.
If you want sharper image, you should try Shutter Priority mode. Set to 1/100s, flash on and make sure you are withing flash range. FZ20 is about 5 meters at ISO200. FZ7 can't be much difference.

[mel.binks]

Hi,

I've recently purchased the fz7, and was going quite well with learning how to use it, until I became stumped on how to activate the flash. I'm normally very good with things like this, so feel a little dumb that I can't figure out something so simple. It doesn't matter what setting it's on, whether manual, program or simple mode, it shows the flash is always off, and I'm unable to figure out how to change it. The right arrow (which should toggle between the flash settings) does nothing to change whether the flash it set to automatic or manual on...it's permenantly off. I tried all the settings i could think of with the flash open and closed, lens hood off, low light and outdoors...but I can't for the life of me get it to flash! I'm on a world trip at the moment, and as you can imagine the flash is a little important. So if anyone knows what I'm doing wrong, please help me!

Thanks,
Mel

[JLV]

Hi,

I've recently purchased the fz7, and was going quite well with learning how to use it, until I became stumped on how to activate the flash. I'm normally very good with things like this, so feel a little dumb that I can't figure out something so simple. It doesn't matter what setting it's on, whether manual, program or simple mode, it shows the flash is always off, and I'm unable to figure out how to change it. The right arrow (which should toggle between the flash settings) does nothing to change whether the flash it set to automatic or manual on...it's permenantly off. I tried all the settings i could think of with the flash open and closed, lens hood off, low light and outdoors...but I can't for the life of me get it to flash! I'm on a world trip at the moment, and as you can imagine the flash is a little important. So if anyone knows what I'm doing wrong, please help me!

Thanks,
Mel

There is a button to the left of the view finder that opens the flash. When open the flash is active.

For more details see page 42 of the instruction book.
Here is a link: http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ7.pdf

Have fun.

[mel.binks]

Unfortunately i've already tried that :( The camera registers the flash is open, because when i turn it off it reminds me to close the flash. But even when the flash is open (on any setting) it is still set to "always off" and cannot be changed by the flash toggle button.

Thanks anyway...if you have any more ideas, please let me know.

Mel

[John_Reed]

Unfortunately i've already tried that :( The camera registers the flash is open, because when i turn it off it reminds me to close the flash. But even when the flash is open (on any setting) it is still set to "always off" and cannot be changed by the flash toggle button.

Thanks anyway...if you have any more ideas, please let me know.

MelBut what you're describing sounds like a flaw in your camera, because I don't think it should be (not) working that way. The way Panasonic cameras work, when you pop up the flash, you choose its function by the right-most rocker switch, and it should do whatever you ask. If it's not flashing, there's gotta be something wrong, sad to say. I know you're on a world trip, but sadly, it seems like you'll have to stick to available light.:(

[mel.binks]

Uh oh! I was hoping it wasn't a fault, but was beginning to consider it, because I figured if the flash was up, and it was on simple mode in low light...it should use the flash. Simple mode is supposed to be automatic everything, so it shouldn't matter if I've changed a setting somewhere. I think i'll try and find a servicing place and see if they can help, and I'll post how I went. However, if anyone has any ideas in the meantime, please post away!

Thanks everyone :o

[John_Reed]

Uh oh! I was hoping it wasn't a fault, but was beginning to consider it, because I figured if the flash was up, and it was on simple mode in low light...it should use the flash. Simple mode is supposed to be automatic everything, so it shouldn't matter if I've changed a setting somewhere. I think i'll try and find a servicing place and see if they can help, and I'll post how I went. However, if anyone has any ideas in the meantime, please post away!

Thanks everyone :oIn the P mode, select "Forced Flash on", and shoot. If the flash is popped up, and it doesn't flash, it's cooked. "Simple" mode may "think" there's enough light to not flash.

[Mike63]

I do not know about this camera but could there be something in the menu that forces the flash off?

[Elisha82]

i set my Conversion in the menu to the "C" and it would not activate flash. had to turn it off.