Kezza
newbie
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 8
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Hello
I'm a newbie here so just finding my way around.
I just wondered if anyone else had problems with the FZ8?
Ive had it since just before christmas and noticed it was not at all good in low light, but as im new to proper photography i thought i needed to learn to use it properly.
the main problem i notice is when trying to take photo inside with poor light, the photo is completely blurry. I obviously use flash but that can give an un natural effect.
I tend to use it on programme and tried to up the ISO but that adds noticable noise.
Is this sort of thing just me being a beginner or is it a well known thing with the FZ8?
any advice will be greatfully received.
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alanS
Dr Dust
Reged: 30/09/2005
Posts: 3653
Loc: Up North, England.
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Hello.
You'll get a blurred result when taking a shot in low light because the camera shutter will be open for longer than it would be in good light, the subject or the camera (or both) move whilst the shot is being taken and a blurred shot is the result. You could try using a wide aperture (a low f number, if your camera allows you to set the aperture size) and a higher ISO setting. I appreciate that using a higher ISO setting will give more noise but unfortunately that's just the way it is, and not just with your camera. You could try using a noise reduction package on your pc, if you are not doing so already.
If the flash gives an unnatural effect you could try changing the white balance setting (again, if this is possible with your camera.)
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Alan's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."
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Kezza
newbie
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 8
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Thank u Alan for replying.
Im doing a photography course so understand all about slower shutter speeds/camera shake and stuff. It just seems to be a bigger problem on this camera that it is on my DMC-LS2 point and shoot.
If i open the aperture it will slow the shutter speed so i will get camera shake again.
i didnt know about noise reduction software so will have to look into that.
I tend to use the auto white balance, but will see if i adjust it myself if it will help.
Thank u again for your reply. its all just a learning curve i suppose!
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dangie
Puff Pastry Connoisseur
Reged: 04/08/2006
Posts: 439
Loc: Mayrhofen Austria (I Wish..)
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Kezza
I think you've got it back to front. If you open the aperture, eg more light, it will give you a faster shutter speed not a slower one.
Even with the FZ8's OIS shake reduction system, unless you have an extra steady hand, camera shake will occur at anything slower than 1/30 or 1/15 of a second. As you increase the zoom, then a faster shuuter speed will be required to avoid shake.
Regarding OIS, make sure it's switched in, it does help.
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My Brain's five feet eight inches from the ground
But my mind's still in the gutter....
Dangies Flickr
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alanS
Dr Dust
Reged: 30/09/2005
Posts: 3653
Loc: Up North, England.
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Hi again.
Just to stress the point one more time, a larger aperture (a small f number, like f2.8 for example) may allow you to take a picture more quickly than a smaller aperture (a larger f number, like f 5.6 for example.)
Therefore, you may wish to try and take a picture at f2.8 with ISO 800. Assuming that the aperture and ISO settings can be adjusted.
I don't know what package you are using to process your shots on your pc but if you aren't using anything have a look at some of the free packages that are available. A popular one is GIMP but I can't remember if this has a noise reduction option, but if it doesn't I'm sure that you'll be able to Google your way to some other free photo processing and noise reduction software.
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Alan's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."
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Kezza
newbie
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 8
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Thank u both for your replies.Please excuse my stupidity. Replying when tired and brain not in gear is not a good idea!
of course when you open the aperture the shutter speed will lessen.
I will have to play around with it more and have a go with the aperture priority function.
I will have a look at GIMP. thank you for your advice.
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dangie
Puff Pastry Connoisseur
Reged: 04/08/2006
Posts: 439
Loc: Mayrhofen Austria (I Wish..)
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Kezza
Don't forget to switch the OIS Shake Reduction mode on, and leave it on. Mine is never switched off. It does work. Panasonics system is supposed to be one of the best. However it can't perform miricles, so watch your shutter speed.
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My Brain's five feet eight inches from the ground
But my mind's still in the gutter....
Dangies Flickr
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Kezza
newbie
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 8
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thank u! yes i do always have that on.it works well with good lighting.
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pottyesq
newbie
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 12
Loc: Greymouth,Westland,New Zealand
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Ok ... this is my field so I'll put in my 2 cents worth (NZ cents,worth bugger all,but still)
I take a lot of shots in very dark locations,mainly the rainforest.
One thing you must have for these shots is a tripod.
I take a lot of macros of fungi and orchids,and I can only really achieve total success using the camera in manual mode.
I'm beginning to find the aperture is best set to F8 which is the cameras highest and gives best DOF
In low light conditions you're looking at anything from a 1 second to 4 second exposure,so unless you've got rocksteady hands you're going to get a blurred image.You'll need to use the timer too,because even pressing the shutter button will move the camera enough to blur the image at slower shutter speeds.
Setting the camera on program (P) is pretty much a waste of time for this kind of shot.
Using aperture priority (A) will work for some shots,but manual (M) will definitely give you the most control.
It does take practice though.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Steve
Edited by pottyesq (21/06/2008 06:39)
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pottyesq
newbie
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 12
Loc: Greymouth,Westland,New Zealand
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.... Just a quick addition to my reply.
If you want to take indoor 'snaps' in a hurry and with flash,you can do so on program (P) mode but it helps to have some other light source shine on the subject just for focussing. If it is too dark and you are too far away from your subject,the cameras sensors cannot 'see' and therefore cannot focus.
Even a wee LED light or torch will do,but remember to move it off the subject after focussing and before shooting as you might end up with a yellow patch of light in the middle of your photo.I've found this technique very useful in cave photography.
Cheers
Steve
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How can I shoot this tiny thing in the dark ?
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Kezza
newbie
Reged: 12/09/2007
Posts: 8
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thank u for your advice steve. I will certainly have a go at what you have said. I will need to practise a lot more to use the manual settings all the time as i have only ever used P setting.
I have got a tripod, and use that when i have the time too.
The problem i have is when taking general shots at family get togethers and stuff when people don't want to sit still for me taking photos all the time!
i think for those i'll use my trusty lumix DMC LS2 as its much better in lower light.
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numanoid
I'm 'Special'...
Reged: 27/01/2002
Posts: 10346
Loc: Co.Durham
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I'm not 100% up on the FZ8 but i have the FZ7 and i'd imagine they would have similar lenses. The lens is a fast f2.8 and very good,and its quite capable in low light,even at ISO 80,which is how I have mine set all the time(noise is just too bad past 100 unless its in B/W mode). I also find the flash gives good results for snaps,makes the photo come alive and look really sharp! The only niggle with this camera is its poor macro ability. Having to use the lens at its widest when going up close really kills macro,unless you put a close up lens on the front. A great camera,just not suited to macro.
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An artist must have the freedom to express himself - Edward Weston
~Larry~
BSRIPN
http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/numanoid27/
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