Q about 'macro' camera settings

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

There are no sophisticated settings; this is a dumb cam...Best, Better, Bestest type of settings. No shutter speeds, no f stop, only 4 ISO settings, and I'm still trying to find the setting for what export file type and size...a 2304 x 1728 .JPG seems to be the default...Possibly the only export size/type...

Seems like you don't have many options, but you could try the highest ISO and then experiment with the light options. I struggled with a pocket camera for many years, and I found that the best way to control an uncontrollable camera is to use a photo tent and experiment with the lighting, instead of struggling with the limited range of settings.

I finally broke down and bought a Canon Power Shot G3, and it has all the settings you need to take good pictures. This model is a few years old now, so you can find them used and dirt cheap on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CANON-POWERS...item35ecf0a813 . This particular model is said to be the back-up camera of choice for many professional reporters and other photographers, and I have been very happy with mine.

I know that you're a tinkerer by heart, but you would save yourself a lot of headache and time by getting a better camera. A camera is just a tool, and cheap tools do have their limitations.

[sheepherder]

I took a dozen or more pics today, using various 'settings' on this camera. It is quite dumb; only icons for settings [no proper names]; some settings remain, others change back to default when switching modes/power on/off; values are Best/Better/etc.

Anyway, I found that 'Exposure Compensation' plus values get a lighter pic without losing detail, minus values turn darker. 'Exposure Metering' Center-Weight setting is same as default; Center Spot gives a much better pic [lighter]. 'Focus Zone' Center Zone gives what seems to be the best picture for my morning vertical beige/cream background shots (pic below).

I was only interested today in lightening the picture, not concerned with the 'bends'.

Olle, if I spend time & money on cameras & picture taking, then that takes time & money away from activities that I am really interested in. Maybe I'll be more interested in photography in the years to come, but for now this is about the best I'll get.

I'll look for some gray pasteboard next time I go out.

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Olle, if I spend time & money on cameras & picture taking, then that takes time & money away from activities that I am really interested in. Maybe I'll be more interested in photography in the years to come, but for now this is about the best I'll get.

You're already spending a lot of time on what seems to be a fruitless effort. It's all a matter of how much time you want to spend and what kind of result you want. Struggling with that pocket camera is like threading with a Chinese carbon steel die: It takes time, it's very aggravating and the end result will be mediocre at best, no matter how hard you try

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

You're already spending a lot of time on what seems to be a fruitless effort.

It's time I usually spend standing around with a shovel & bag waiting for Bonnie Blue to find a good spot...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

I finally broke down and bought a Canon Power Shot G3, and it has all the settings you need to take good pictures.

What's this turquoise square on the top???

[Olle]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

What's this turquoise square on the top???

It seems to be an LCD display. I don't have one on mine so I don't know what it's for. I think there's a few different generations of this camera, so you may want to do a little homework before you buy.

Edit: I just looked at my camera, and it's actually a G11 (my previous "good camera" was a G3). Same difference, they can still be had for next to nothing on eBay.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

It seems to be an LCD display. I don't have one on mine...Edit: I just looked at my camera, and it's actually a G11...

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

That's a good one!!! You're extolling the virtues of a camera and you forgot it's not the one you have!!!

I guess that pretty much wraps this thread up. Anyone think of any reason not to delete this thread??? Anyone???

OK! Going once...Going twice...

[Olle]

Ok, I'm an idiot then, but my point is still the same: You're trying to play Call of Duty on a 486 that doesn't even have a mouse.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

Ok, I'm an idiot then...

Mary Lou hasn't told you that???

And I do still have a Compaq Contura 410C laptop; I read the Walkthroughs on it while I play Quake 4 and Doom 3 on my PIII 1.4GhZ 'game' PC...with a trackball...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

It's a wall charger (the prongs flip out in the back) and a battery [in the pic of the eBay link]. I don't know if it will charge through the USB port (haven't even tried), I always take the battery out and put it in the charger. $40 for a camera like that is a steal, a new camera with similar features will set you back at least $600-$700.

Olle -

The G3 does have an in-camera battery charger; the CA-560 [not USB; uses a mini-DIN cable]. The CR-560 is the off-camera battery charger, with optional 12v car adapter.

I did a little browsing this morning, Canon seems to want a lot for batteries. There's other companies make batteries they say will work, but the reviews on them aren't very encouraging. 150 charges seems to be the average, then they're junk.

I'm still wishy-washy about digital cameras.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

That's a good one!!! You're extolling the virtues of a camera and you forgot it's not the one you have!!!

I guess that pretty much wraps this thread up. Anyone think of any reason not to delete this thread??? Anyone???

OK! Going once...Going twice...

No, don't delete!
Someone else may want to learn how to do better photos and what camera(s) are cheap and good!