New Cam...

[Fish_Freak]

Hey all...
I got a new Digi Cam, a Kodak DX4530, 5 MP, and my pics aren't coming out very good....
Most of them are pretty blurry, or dark.

This is probably the best one I got:
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/2248273/47151900.jpg

Any Ideas, suggestions, or thoughts to make these pics come out better?
Ryan

A couple of things:

1. from what I read online about this camera, I can tell you that you will have a difficult time taking pics, as it lacks most manual controls, and auto mode on any camera is not made for shooting through the glass and water, under inadequate (for most part) lighting at objects that keep moving. I am not telling you that you got a bad camera, just that it may be more difficult.

2. from a quick look at your photo, it is very obvious that your lighting is very inadequate for photography. It looks like the tank is quite dark and the only light you see is the one from the flash. Lighting, as most people will tell you, is one of the MOST important aspects of Aquatic Photography. Access to manual features such as aperature and shutter speed control are some of the other MUSTs of this hobby.

Hopefully you take these comments as suggestions and not as criticism. I hope also that others can give you more help. Please give us more pics to look at including more closeup shots, as those really show off the range of the camera and the equipment and lighting used. Also, tell us more about the setup.

[Fish_Freak]

Ok... Hmmmmmm....
I'll get some pics later tonight....
How would it work to put a couple 75 watts over the tank while I take pics?
Do you think I should trade the camera in for another (the other one they had in the same price range with 5.3 MP was an HP)
Ryan

hey Ryan

Wattage is important but also the type of light. Ideally, you should use some type of DAYLIGHT bulbs, they are more white than the usual Yellow light bulbs. The colors come off more naturally and it's easier to shoot (specially w/out flash).

If you can trade your camera for another, look online at www.dpreview.com they have a lot of reviews, look for a camera with manual features and a good macro lens. You NEED to be able to Manually adjust Shutter Speed, Aperature, White Balance, and have a Macro setting on the camera (usually a flower symbol).

I dont know your budget but I would urge you to spend a bit extra on a better camera, in the long term you will really love that decision. Take some time and review before you buy. If you can, I would return the camera you bought and then shop around online, you can usually save enough on the price to be able to buy the next level camera at the same price level.

LMK if you need more help
ed

[Fish_Freak]

Ok....
I'm pretty sure I'll beable to trade-in the camera I have...

This is what I'm looking at:
Sony DSC-P10 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dscp10.asp)
Sony DSC-V1
Any thoughts on this cam? Other Suggestions? I'm looking for something less than $450, with all of the 'requirements' for good aqua pics...


Here are some shots I got today:
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/3814459/47245357.jpg
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/3814459/47245303.jpg
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/3814459/47242615.jpg
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/3814459/47242086.jpg
http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL207/1186868/3814459/47242317.jpg
This last one is how almost all of my closer pics came out
I couldn't find a way to turn the flash off either? I think I searched the camera up and inside-out with nothing to turn it off (it uses auto flash....)
Sorry about the 'not perfectly clean glass' [smilie=oops2.gif]

[Molino]

In some of those pictures it appears that the flash is reflecting off the glass back at the camera a little. Most obvious in the last one. Were you shooting strait on or close to? or at more of an angle?

I haven't tried to take pics of Bala sharks but I could imagine it'd be tough with or without a flash. With flash: because of their shiny scales reflecting the flash too much. Without flash: Fast moving fish so you would need a lot of light to allow for a fast enough shutter speed.

[CDM]

1. I checked its spec. and guess it can turn off the flash.
2. Some pics were focused on the background, guess you didn't use macro mode while taking closer shot. According to the spec., you should use macro mode when subject is within 7~60 cm.
3. Agree with paradise that the tank light is pretty low. Low light condition would make the auto focus tough, not to mention the consequence of large aperture size, low shutter speed, high ISO noise.

from the new pics, it is easy to tell that you have very enadequate lighting conditions. 75 W should give you a lot of light . What kind of light is it, what type of bulbs and what is the wattage on each. Is it an aquatic light or a shop light? Does it cover the whole tank? how wide is the tank, how deep? Give us more info.