View Full Version : Need Help DSC-P9
Gr0uChYKiD
04-27-2004, 7:04 PM
Hey, I need some help, I've tried so many different settings on my camera and can't seem to get ANY good pics, they all come out a blurry mess! The picture attached is the best i have been able to do and it is still a bit blurry and is very dark...
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/redhumpmale.jpg
Gr0uChYKiD
04-27-2004, 7:30 PM
Here's another pic I've taken...
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Galaxy.jpg
Do you still remember the settings of the tow pics? What were the distance between fish and camera? What's the size of the fish? How many watts of light do you have in the tank? These information would be useful on solving the prob.
Gr0uChYKiD
04-27-2004, 9:43 PM
I took the pictures about 1/2" away from the glass. The first pic the fish is about 3 inches...the 2nd is about 6 inches. I have 220 watts of light on my tank. Pictures taken with no flash. I really haven't changed any other settings because I wasn't sure exactly what to change.
The software you use to download pics from the camera might tell you the EXIF (information of those settings). Anyway, the 1st prob from the pics is those were underexpoesed. Make sure your tank light is 220 watts, coz 220 watts is pretty good to take bright pics without trading off the shutter speed. Anyway, in your case you might want to encrease the "exposuring compensation" up 1eV to make the pic brighter. The 2nd prob is the focus. That black pleco is already out of the autofocus ability of the camera. The camera sends a beam of light forward while the lens set is moving back/forth and detect the reflected light to determine the rite focus. Since the pleco is black, there's no light reflected from the pleco (even the infrare focus light), that's the reason. However, since there probably is no manual focus mode of your camera, you can try prefocus on some brighter subject heside the goal (about the same distance to the camera as the main subject. And, move the camera to the rite spot to take shot then while keeping the focus (half press the shutter knob). This might give you some chance to get clear pics. Fortunately, the pleco is less moving.
Gr0uChYKiD
04-28-2004, 5:18 PM
I don't think I'm going to be able to take the kind of pics I want with this camera. I'm in the market for something new and am willing to spend up to $600. I need to see what my options are. Any Reccomendations?
I think for that amount a Sony 717 (it's come down to this price level as 828 came out) is one of the best deals. It has small problems like shutter lag and some ISO problems but it has a great capability to take low light pics, and FULL manual options (though no ISO 50).
re: light, what kind is it? Compact flourescent, incandescent or reg. flourescent (unlikely with 200w). And what kind of bulbs (actinic blue, daylight, 10k...)
Gr0uChYKiD
04-28-2004, 10:04 PM
I think for that amount a Sony 717 (it's come down to this price level as 828 came out) is one of the best deals. It has small problems like shutter lag and some ISO problems but it has a great capability to take low light pics, and FULL manual options (though no ISO 50).
re: light, what kind is it? Compact flourescent, incandescent or reg. flourescent (unlikely with 200w). And what kind of bulbs (actinic blue, daylight, 10k...)
I came very close to buying an 828 today for an excellent price of $625 plus tax. The guy told me it wouldn't be in stock for 3 weeks so I'm not sure what I am going to do yet.
As for light.....it's compact flourescent....220w (55w X4)...2 actinic blue 2 daylight....each bulb 10k.
Gr0uChYKiD
04-29-2004, 12:26 AM
purchased a 717 today, can't wait to get it!
Superb!!! Congrats!!! [smilie=c: Can't wait to see [smilie=an9.gif] [smilie=an9.gif]
Gr0uChYKiD
05-03-2004, 5:15 PM
YAY! [smilie=mf_laughbounce.gif] I got my new camera today!! Now I just need to figure out what I'm doing! So many new buttons to play with!
WOW, looks like you are all set up with good lighting and a very descent camera (I am biased though).
Here are a couple of hints that I use on my shots.
Set up a very dark room where you are filming. No outside lighting sources at all. Clean the tank glass and water very well on the inside and out, inspect it to make sure there is no dried water spots.
Put your lighting on full blast, add more if you have them. Give your fish about 15 min. to adjust to the increased lighting. Sit down in front of the camera and just point to the fish, they will be scared and run first then after 15 min. or so they get curious and start coming to you.
I usually use the M setting. With a lot of light, I put the focus on [x] setting, then leave the aperature at 2.0, and play with the shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure. Remember, the pics will be always a bit darker than your viewfinder. Pre-focus on a stationary object that is within the same distance as the fish is from your lens, press half-way then point to the fish. Wait for it to hold still (they move in spurts, try to catch the end of one where it stops before continuing). Shutter with that much light will be somewhere around 1/60 - 1/80. I dont think you will be able to get anything quicker than that. Oh, and set your white balance to the flourescent setting. And make sure to have the Macro (flower) on and flash OFF!!!! FLASH IS EVIL!!! DONT USE IT!!!
Let's see those pics.
Tony7683
05-04-2004, 12:45 AM
A brain picking session..................exxxxxcellent. (mr burns lol) Thanks for the info Paradise, methinks it indirectly helped me too :)
Gr0uChYKiD
05-08-2004, 4:41 AM
Well, I can see this is going to take some getting used to. Here's the best I have been able to do so far.....
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Uaru.jpg
Gr0uChYKiD
05-08-2004, 4:48 AM
Still Blurry!!
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Geo2.jpg
Gr0uChYKiD
05-08-2004, 4:51 AM
Another...seems like the sand has more detail then the fish!
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Geo.jpg
Gr0uChYKiD
05-08-2004, 5:05 AM
One more...
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Geo3.jpg
ccplim
05-08-2004, 10:18 PM
Another...seems like the sand has more detail then the fish!
http://members.aol.com/gr0uchykid/Geo.jpg
I would be great if you can provide the EXIF info so that we can better understand the picture and point out what went wrong. From my guess by this picture, I suspect it may be due to wrong focusing or the DOF that is causing the blurish fish.
By the way, what is that thick white bar on the rock.