Can anyone help a frustrated photographer?

[*Susan*]

I am having trouble taking good indoor photos and want opinions on whether it’s my camera or me (or both!). I am a novice photographer, but love to scrapbook and I have a 2.5 year old DD so I take a lot of pictures.

We used to have a Canon A95 Power Shot, it was OK but the screen was too small for my taste and it didn’t take good indoor photos unless you used the flash, even when there was (in my opinion) enough light to not need a flash. When I used the flash it made the subject too washed out and the background too dark. DH won a Sony DSC-T10 last fall so that is what we are now using.

I like the Sony’s small size (it fit in my pocket during our last WDW trip) and the large screen. It takes great outdoor pictures provided there is enough light but the indoor pictures are mostly awful. As with my Canon, I feel you either have to use the flash or you’ll have a blurry image (even if your subject is still). The pictures I took of DD’s indoor Easter egg hunt on Sunday are not so great. I used the flash even though it was a sunny morning and – in my opinion – there was plenty of good natural light in the house. Every one that I took w/out the flash came out blurry (she was moving at lot though) so I switched to the flash.

The other issue with the flash on the Sony is that I get small sun-spot looking things in a lot of the pictures – my instruction book says it’s because the flash is so powerful that it magnifies dust in the air and that is what the spots are (?). The Sony does have a setting where you can adjust the flash (lower or higher) and I have it on lower but it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

So – my question is, am I doing something wrong or do I just have a bad camera? I checked out some digital camera books from the library but can’t seem to figure out how to solve my problems. Since we didn’t pay anything for the Sony I am ok with buying a new camera (we bought our Canon back in 2004 so I can justify a new camera now).

I am thinking of going with a digital SLR. The other problem I have is the slow pace at which I can snap pictures – with a quick toddler that can be a problem – and I know the SLR would help there, right? Would an SLR also help with the indoor shot problem?

Then the question becomes which digital SLR? I can’t see me ever wanting/needing any extra lenses, etc., I just want a good basic camera where I can get good shots (I know there are a ton of posts on this, so I can and will do some research on that aspect once I figure out if I do in fact want to go with a digital).

If you’ve read this far thank you!

All help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Anewman]

The other problem I have is the slow pace at which I can snap pictures – with a quick toddler that can be a problem – and I know the SLR would help there, right? Would an SLR also help with the indoor shot problem?

Yes an SLR would "help", add a fast lens and it helps a bit more. BUT it might not help as much as you might be wishing. I would hate for you to spend hundreds(if not more) and still not be happy.


Here Is a tip you should try when using your SONY. Try to shoot without using any zoom and get as close as possible to the subject, this helps for two reasons.

1) the lens on the sony allows 2 stops more light when shooting at full WIDE ANGLE vs FULL ZOOM.

2) the flash has limited range, the closer you are the less intense it has to fire(which may help with those spots).

 

[photo_chick]

I had a SOny DSC-H1 and found that even when I turned the flash to it's lowest setting, it was too harsh as well. One of the reasons I did not care for that camera.

 

[Groucho]

Dust orbs are very common with digital photography - and the cause of "woo-woo" people to be convinced that aliens were visiting us. If there's any dust in the air (like if you've been doing sanding, etc), you'll almost definitely get them. I think if your flash is close to the lens, you're more likely to get them, just like you're more likely to get red-eye.

The usual problem with most PnS digital cameras in taking indoor photos is the amount of noise in the image. The blurriness you describe is caused by too slow of a shutter speed - in order to get the proper exposure, you can make sure that the camera is using the widest aperture (which is probably is already, as it will do that before slowing down the shutter), add more light to the shot via the flash, or increase the sensitivity of the sensor by raising the ISO level. Raising the ISO will increase the amount of noise in the picture, though. That's where the big problems are, because a point-n-shoot has a very small sensor, most are about 15x smaller than the usual DSLR sensor.

In terms of responsiveness, many PnSs are very quick nowadays, not terribly slower than most DSLRs. That's probably not as strong of a reason to go for a DSLR as it used to be.

Now, if you're considering a DSLR, the reasons to go that way are that you get both the much larger sensor (which will be sharper all the time, but also can do to a higher ISO level without suffering the severe noise issues of a point-n-shoot) and that you can get a lens for a specific purpose - like a "fast" lens that will let in a lot more light, so that it will work more effectively in low-light situations.

The downsides are that they are a little more expensive off the bat (but not necessarily significantly so, a Pentax K110D can be had for around $400), they're larger (to fit that bigger sensor and to hold a mount for standard 35mm film lenses), and they are a slippery slope - you'll probably find yourself wanting a few more lenses and other accessories. Mainly, it's cost and inconvenience in exchange for more control and the potential for much better quality photos, on a technical level at least!

Only you can decide which is right for you. Good luck, let us know if you have more questions.

 

[ukcatfan]

Dust orbs are very common with digital photography - and the cause of "woo-woo" people to be convinced that aliens were visiting us.

Now come on... those orbs are so obviously not aliens. We all know that they are ghosts DUH!!!

 

[ukcatfan]

There is a Sigma p&s that is supposed to be coming out soon that has a large sensor in it. It is the same one that they put in their DSLR. I am excited about the move, but the results are not out on how well it will actually do. The other thing with it is that it has a fixed 28mm lens. I like wide shots, but personally would not want to be limited to all of them that wide.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

My understanding The problem with the Foveon sensor as used in the Sigma DSLRs is that it has a lot more noise than comparable DSLR sensors.

On the positive side, it has unparalleled sharpness. It's certainly very intriguing...

 

[deletedpenguin]

So I have recently upgraded from a point and shoot to a DSLR (Canon 30D) and was very pleased with the results even with the kit lens that accompanied it. Once I started feeling comfortable with the camera I started looking into larger aperture lenses (ie. f/2.8) and found that made a huge difference. Often times, through bumping up the ISO (speed of film) I don't even need to use a flash indoors to keep the shutter speed fast. Here's an example of indoor shooting with a large aperture lens (keep in mind, a larger aperture will shrink your depth of field, resulting in blurred backgrounds and such)

This was inside a museum, with very dimly lit rooms...

With all that said about upgrading the lenses, here's a shot over at the Monterey Bay Aquarium with the kit lens. People actually told me that my flash didn't go off, as to think my picture wouldn't come out. You don't necessarily NEED to upgrade the lenses, but I would say it helps, and gives you more versatility.

Hope this helps, and clears all the jargon up a bit.

 

[*Susan*]

Wow - you all sure know your stuff I have learned a lot so far (keep any additional advice coming please)!

I so appreciate the help.

Deletedpenguin: Your pictures are great, we were just at the aquarium last weekend. Of course few of my indoor shots came out but I got some nice ones of the family outside overlooking the bay.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[ukcatfan]

deletedpenguin,

I like the reflection on the sunglasses in the museum shot.

Kevin

 

[YEKCIM]

If you are seriously considering moving to a DSLR, I would suggest you think, "big picture" (pun intended), in terms of a system. A point and shoot is a self-contained tool. You put batteries and memory card in, and away you go. A DSLR, by definition, is a much more flexible piece of gear, which also means greater cost and complexity. I suggest you think about how much your budget is, and look at competing models, based on what kinds of uses you plan to put the *system* to. For example, you will face a dizzying array of accessory choices, mainly lenses. Your "mix" of equipment might be very different from mine, for example, depending on what and how you shoot, and that will affect which lens(es) you might opt for, as well as the camera body that best suits your needs and budget. As has been suggested here and elsewhere, if you have a limited budget, you may want to start out with a more modestly priced body (don't get caught up in the megapixel marketing wars), allowing you to invest more of your budget in good quality lenses, if that makes sense.

Two review sites that you might want to peruse are www.steves-digicams.com and www.dpreview.com.

Holler if you need anything else. There are plenty of people here who are happy (anxious?) to weigh in with their views on the subject.

~YEKCIM

 

[deletedpenguin]

Deletedpenguin: Your pictures are great, we were just at the aquarium last weekend. Of course few of my indoor shots came out but I got some nice ones of the family outside overlooking the bay.

Thanks! Hit me up if you have anymore questions!

deletedpenguin,

I like the reflection on the sunglasses in the museum shot.

Kevin

Thanks! Ya, I was particularly pleased with that shot, even with the shallow depth of field.

If you are seriously considering moving to a DSLR, I would suggest you think, "big picture" (pun intended), in terms of a system. A point and shoot is a self-contained tool. You put batteries and memory card in, and away you go. A DSLR, by definition, is a much more flexible piece of gear, which also means greater cost and complexity. I suggest you think about how much your budget is, and look at competing models, based on what kinds of uses you plan to put the *system* to. For example, you will face a dizzying array of accessory choices, mainly lenses. Your "mix" of equipment might be very different from mine, for example, depending on what and how you shoot, and that will affect which lens(es) you might opt for, as well as the camera body that best suits your needs and budget. As has been suggested here and elsewhere, if you have a limited budget, you may want to start out with a more modestly priced body (don't get caught up in the megapixel marketing wars), allowing you to invest more of your budget in good quality lenses, if that makes sense.

Two review sites that you might want to peruse are www.steves-digicams.com and www.dpreview.com.

Holler if you need anything else. There are plenty of people here who are happy (anxious?) to weigh in with their views on the subject.

~YEKCIM

Well said! You've got some great tips there.