Digital Camera Forums, FinePix 3800

[rky60]

Can someone link me to an active forum or two for the FinePix 3800 or just an active digital camera forum.

I'm havin a terrible time using my 3800, I'm a rookie i guess. Gettin' tired of pics that end up like this or like this

Or maybe someone here might know what I'm doin' wrong..

Thanks for any help

 

[clicknext]

For the first one, you're not using flash so basically, the shutter has to open for a longer time to capture more light. If you move the camera at all while the shutter is open, then your picture blurs. So in dark situations not using the flash, you have to hold the camera extremely still or put it on a tripod.

For the second one, you're using the flash. The camera is set to make the shutter open for a shorter time when you have a flash because with it, you are able to capture more light in a shorter time. However, your flash has limited range. It only illuminates the snowflakes close to you, so you see all those bright dots. The flash doesn't reach everything in the back so it's all dark.

I'm not sure what kind of features the 3800 has, but you could either increase the F-stop (aperature), or ISO speed, or hold your camera really still to fix this.

 

[rky60]

Thanks a bunch, ya nailed my problems and i think I got it now. It's takin' the pictures much quicker than before. It always paused for a 2 or 3 seconds after snappin a shot, but since makin those changes it's alot quicker.

I guess it's alot of trial and error. Too many settings I think for Manual mode, seems almost each pic needs a different setting almost, but Auto mode just ain't cuttin it.

Thanks again for the advice

 

[radioouman]

THe 3800 is a great camera and clicknext is right.

I find it very difficult to take any pictures while snow is falling at night. It's nearly impossible. THe best that you'll do is to put the camera on a tripod, and use the timer to take the picture (so you don't bump the camera as you hit the button). Oh yeah, don't use a flash.

The camera will have some difficulty adjusting to street lights. That's the nature of the beast. I'm not sure what kind of manual settings you have on that, but if you can adjust the ISO sensitivity, try lowering it to 125. You will have an extremely long shutter speed (hence the need for hte tripod) but you will end up with a lot of light.

I took some pictures last night of Christmas lights, and found the best setting to be ISO125 with a tripod. The shutter was open for a good 2 seconds.