Help with Canon Power shot a1100 is

[jessaka]

I bought my first digital camera, and I am wondering if it is possible to do a certain thing on it that i used to do with my 35 mm camera. When I took close up photos of plants the background could be made dark--out of focus. I can't figure out how to make it this way with my new digital nor can i figure out how to make everything in focus, etc. Please help. I have 15 days in which to keep this camera or take it back. Thanks

[tim11]

I don't think A1100 has any manual setting. The best thing you can do is to put it in MACRO MODE if it has one.
For camera with manual controls, if you want to blur out the background you have to set for wider aperture; and if you want everything in focur set for smaller aperture.

[jessaka]

thank you very much. i also just found a review on it after reading what you wrote, and it doesn't. i am really having a hard time finding a camera that i like. i don't want to spend over $400, but i want to do a lot of things that my old nikon fe used to do. i feel like buying 35 mm panosonic that wallie world has for sale, but i don't know if panosonics are any good. i certainly liked the light weight and how little the digital camera is. do you have any ideas for me before i just totally give up and get a 35 mm again? thanks.

[tim11]

You should be able to get a camera with Aperture, Shutter or full Manual controls for $400. In the past, Canon offered many A series with manual controls such as A610, A620, A720is. These days I'm not sure what they offer.
You can search from different brands for cameras with these controls. Normally, PnS cameras give you apertures range from somewhere F2/8 to F8.

[tim11]

There is no future in 35 mm. I doubt you can still buy a new good one. You can't reverse the digital trend. As I said, there are many good and affordable PnS. I just found out that Canon SX series do have all the commands I mentioned above. They also have very long zoom with image stabiliser. Panasonic and Sony also have similar offerings and all are very competitive.

[jessaka]

thank you. i will check into it. good to know about 35 mms.

i just ordered canon a720is on amazon from a good dealer for under $300 new. I thank you very much. it showed all the types of photos it took, and so that is what i wanted. i hope now that i can figure out how to use it. it has been over 15 years since i used my nikon fe and ended up using a cheap camera that only had auto, so i hope i can figure all this out. I hope you will help me if I can't. I moved to a town where there are no camera stores within 2 hours away, except for wallie world. but i know a few people out of town that have digital.

[tim11]

Did it give you the effect you want in macro mode? Not that it matters now, I guess.

Learning to use properly A720is will give you what you want since it has good macro ability, wide aperture and long zoom. I will surely try help anyway I can but I don't have similar camera. However, this is a friendly forum and others will help you should you have any problem.

[jessaka]

hi, i didn't see a macro mode on the other camera, just a lot of icons and auto.

i think i will like the new camera a lot better. Thanks for your help, and hopefully i will be able to figure it out on my own, but it is nice that this group exists.

[David Metsky]

Both cameras have Macro Mode - it's the icon that looks like a flower. Take a look in the manual for either of them. If you plan on having the subject close to the lens you'll need macro mode in addition to any manual controls.

[tim11]

Please do go through the user manual at least to get familiar with what buttons doing what and how to get to different modes; etc. That will make it much more easier for people to help you.