Calling FZ20 owners - post ur shooting/camera tips here

[herc182]

Just wanted to see if there are things i dont know about the camera that might really help me.

Just thought this it be interesting to see how you use the FZ20 in different settings (such as night shots, sunsets, people shots etc).

I have recently noticed that that if you half press the shutter button and use the manual focus then the "manual focus assist" (the enlarged central part) disappears (which is handy in some instances). when realeased, the assist appears again.

Hope this makes sense, and look forward to reading your tips!

[Riddick51]

i've only had my fz20 for about a month now, so i won't have much expert advice for you.

i will suggest this: it is generally good to have the operators manual committed to memory. this will assist you in dialing in the necessary settings given the conditions.

above all, have fun!

[herc182]

unfortunately i dont have an english version since i got it from pixmania.
i downloaded it from the net, but only have it on my pda meaning that i would have to take that around with me also! dont really want to carry around about £600 of electronics to be honest. but might do when i get a dedicated bag for it.

[Riddick51]

ah, let me see, i didn't communicate clearly what i wanted to say. i will now try again.

before you leave the house with your camera, you should have the manual committed to memory (brain memory, not pda memory). this will allow you to leave the pda at home and recall settings for your camera on the fly.

happy photo hunting! :D

[behr655]

ah, let me see, i didn't communicate clearly what i wanted to say. i will now try again.

before you leave the house with your camera, you should have the manual committed to memory (brain memory, not pda memory). this will allow you to leave the pda at home and recall settings for your camera on the fly.

happy photo hunting! :D

Some of us just don't have a memory like that.

Bear

[herc182]

other things that would be useful to know, is when to use the different auto focus options and the metering options (there are three of them and i only ever use the top one (with a spot and brackets!)).

thanks

[genece]

other things that would be useful to know, is when to use the different auto focus options and the metering options (there are three of them and i only ever use the top one (with a spot and brackets!)).

If your pictures are exposed properly and most are in focus then I would keep the settings your using.
But I kind of learned on cameras that spot meter and focus did a better job so that is what I am use to and is what I use.
The best thing is to try different modes and see what works for you.
I do not think there is a best setting although there may be a best setting for different types of photos.
But a lot has to do with how you frame and meter your shots.
Just experiment after all its free now.


.

[Riddick51]

Some of us just don't have a memory like that.

Bear
how unfortunate, school must have been challenging for you? :(

[behr655]

how unfortunate, school must have been challenging for you? :(

No, but I never memorized my text books. :rolleyes:

Bear

[g00ber]

I noted that when taking pictures in door, that although the photos looked good on the LCD, that unless I used a flash, I would get a bad resulting photo. (Dark, washed out look, noisy)

You will notice once you review pictures on the PC that you certainly can tell the difference between a flash photo, and a non-flash photo indoors.

My advice -- if you are in a low lighting condition setting indoors, use the flash everytime. I think you'll agree that the results will be much better.

Red-eye: I found that 9 times out of 10 that a picture that involved someone looking at the camera indoors, that redeye (slight, or moderate) would result. Definately use the software that came with the camera to repair your photos, and use the redeye reduction setting for your flash to reduce the effect.

Panoramic Photos: Do some test shots of your house or whatever to get a feel for how it works. And make sure that the light level for all photos is the same, otherwise the resulting photo will be a blended nightmare of a photo.

Good luck!

[gary_hendricks]

I've a set of photography tips and tricks (http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/shooting-photos.html) that you'll find useful, whether you're using the FZ20 or any other camera.

[genece]

I noted that when taking pictures in door, that although the photos looked good on the LCD, that unless I used a flash, I would get a bad resulting photo. (Dark, washed out look, noisy)

Sounds like those photos are underexposed and that results in noise among other undesirable effects ...use an external flash

You will notice once you review pictures on the PC that you certainly can tell the difference between a flash photo, and a non-flash photo indoors.

Same as above

My advice -- if you are in a low lighting condition setting indoors, use the flash everytime. I think you'll agree that the results will be much better.
Same as above

Red-eye: I found that 9 times out of 10 that a picture that involved someone looking at the camera indoors, that redeye (slight, or moderate) would result. Definately use the software that came with the camera to repair your photos, and use the redeye reduction setting for your flash to reduce the effect.

Once again an external flash helps redeye immensely as redeye is caused by the angle between the flash and the lens. The more you zoom the less the angle = more redeye.
also the more light you can add in the room the less chance for redeye

Panoramic Photos: Do some test shots of your house or whatever to get a feel for how it works. And make sure that the light level for all photos is the same, otherwise the resulting photo will be a blended nightmare of a photo.

Good luck!

There really is a great need to get photos properly exposed ...learn to use the histogram feature
It can be better to use ISO 400 and get a well exposed photo than to use ISO100 and have an underexposed shot.
The noise will be less in the well exposed shot