My two cents on digital cameras

[ldibo]

The SD500 was my second choice for a camera. I loved the 7.1 mp and the size. I've seen some very good shots taken with it too. I don't own one as I chose the S2IS because of the zoom and the extra features. Good Luck! You can check out sites like www.dcresource.com
www.dpreview.com
www.steves-digicams.com
www.imaging-resource.com

Lynn

 

[tn_disney_addict]

Any good tips or hints for using the Sony Cybershot at WDW? Inside/dark/fireworks...I can point and click, but other than that, don't know much about it.

 

[mello]

Any good tips or hints for using the Sony Cybershot at WDW? Inside/dark/fireworks...I can point and click, but other than that, don't know much about it.

I suppose it depends on the model - there are so many cybershots. I've got a DSC-V1 - it's an older model, but a good one, and I still like it. One helpful thing I've found with mine is that if you push the button halfway down while you're composing the shot, it will focus in better and you'll have no delay when you push it the rest of the way down to snap the pic. Also, experiment around with the different settings, like portrait, landscape, and action, etc. I've found that when I'm outside in the daytime, I usually just automatically turn the dial on mine to A (action) when I turn it on, and I like my results with the faster shutter speed better. Inside or at night though, the faster shutter speed isn't helpful - it makes the pics darker. I can also change the intensity of the flasth on my camera - you might see if you can do that and experiment around with the results. The best advice I've ever gotten is just to play around with my camera a lot to see what it can do before taking it somewhere important. Every now and again I take out the manual and try to learn one or two new things. Have fun!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

One helpful thing I've found with mine is that if you push the button halfway down while you're composing the shot, it will focus in better and you'll have no delay when you push it the rest of the way down to snap the pic.

It's called focus-lock. It's something that's available on any camera. You are supposed to focus-lock before actually snapping a picture. Check your manual on how to do focus-lock properly.

Landscape: choses the best aperture (and sometimes boosts the colour blue and green) to get the best depth of field (the camera will try to make everything in-focus)

Portrait: choses the best aperture to get the LEAST depth of field, great for close-up of a face so the face will be in-focus but the background is out-of-focus.

Action: choses the fastest shutter speed possible. Yes the pics will appear to be sharper, but only if you don't really know how to hold the camera properly (y'know, if you're one of those people who thinks that holding a camera with only with one hand at an arm's length is a good way of taking pictures). If you take a bit of care in taking your pics, this mode is only advantageous for fast-moving objects.


By clicking this link, you'll see the proper way of holding a camera and a whole bunch of other tips too.

 

[undertheseas]

Help please! I really would love to get some fantastic shots of Fantasmic (LOL) and the castle during Wishes but I can't hold my camera steady! I have the Digital Canon Rebel (not the newest one that just came out) and a zoom lens. I know I know, use a tripod but DH is already going to freak I'm taking our big 8mm camcorder, he's really not going to want to lug around a tripod too. I do have a tiny table one, maybe if I put it on a bench and sat on the ground?

And I want to try to get some cool moving lights pics. I can't think of what you call it but when the shutter speed is so slow that if I took pics of a lighted ride that you would just see the streaks, maybe with the kids in front of it?

Am I making any sense? I'm tired, forgive me! Thanks for all the helpful tips, I'm putting them into a word document to try out!

TIA!!!!

 

[MissionMouse]

undertheseas

Low level and exisiting light photos always require a tripod to ensure the stability of the camera which allows you to get sharp and clear images. Some people use monpods with good success too. You can use flat surfaces to support the camera as long as you keep the camera from moving. Bracing your body against objects coupled with breathing techniques and camera settings can allow you to take some photos under specific low light situations too. It would be recommended that you take multiple shots to ensure you might get a good photo.

The next step since you have a digital SLR is to take advantage of the primary settings of your ISO, aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation settings outlined within you cameras instruction booklet. Often when shooting low level lighting conditions the camera Auto modes can be fooled along with your automatic focus function. This is a time you switch to manual focus and setting and bracket your exposures. If lighting conditions are continually changing...this can be a hard task.

Additionally, you should shoot your photos with a lense with an aperture of f2.8 or lower which are ideal for low level lighting conditions. The zoom lense typically sold with the camera is an outdoor-daylight lenses and usually have a upward moving aperture as you extend upward in a zoom mode (i.e. 17mm-70mm, f3-f4.5, 17mm shoots with f3, 70mm shoots f4.5).

Time to read your instruction booklet and experiment prior to your trip to see what works for you and most importantly...what you feel comfortable in performing.

 

[mello]

Action: choses the fastest shutter speed possible. Yes the pics will appear to be sharper, but only if you don't really know how to hold the camera properly (y'know, if you're one of those people who thinks that holding a camera with only with one hand at an arm's length is a good way of taking pictures). If you take a bit of care in taking your pics, this mode is only advantageous for fast-moving objects.


By clicking this link, you'll see the proper way of holding a camera and a whole bunch of other tips too.

LOL, if your main subject is a 2 year old like mine is - you're always aiming for a fast moving object!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Fantascmi: The only thing you can do is by going to Tv mode (shutter priority) set to 1/60 sec and setting the ISO to 1600. Tripod it's not going to help because it's a moving object that you want to 'freeze'. This is considering your zoom is around 100mm. My personal rule of thumb is whatever the focal length I use, that's the minimum shutter speed I can have. So, say, at 200mm zoom, I use 1/200 shutter speed.

Castle and/or streaks: well, you will really need a tripod, there is no two ways about it. You will need at least a full second shutter to pull that off.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

LOL, if your main subject is a 2 year old like mine is - you're always aiming for a fast moving object!

That is correct. Sometimes, as a gimmick, a camera manufacturere will call this mode "children" mode. It's just like action mode but with an added boost in skin tone (so the skin will look more 'pink')

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks Mission Mouse and Kelly! Last year DH got some pretty good shots without a tripod but they weren't spectacular so I guess I'll have to bring it this time. I'll have to play around with the settings the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[grimgrningghost]

dznefreek, what kind of camera do you have? I have a digital SLR but I don't think it has a backlit option.

 

[babynursedawn]

Ok, so I broke down and bought a new digital camera for Disney. I bought a Canon S2 IS. My critera was a good zoom (12x), able to do fireworks pictures and indoor sports pictures (my daughter does Tae Kwon Do). Well I tried it on fireworks the other night. Check them out here http://www.picturetrail.com/ldibo under the Summer 2005 album. Tonight I'll be trying it out on the Tae Kwon Do pictures. What do you think? Does it pass the test to take fireworks pictures at Disney? Oh yeah, I was about 2 miles away from the fireworks.

Lynn

I also have the S2IS. what were your settings for the fireworks shots? Full optical zoom im guessing? Did you have I.S. on and if so, which mode?
SO far I am totally in love with this camera

 

[ldibo]

babynursedawn
I just used the Fireworks setting in the scene modes and I zoomed in some but not all the way. If I zoomed in all the way I ended up in the middle of the burst! So far I really like this camera. Right now I'm playing with the settings to take pictures of my kids sports events. Have you tried the movie mode? I used it the other night at Tae Kwon Do and it came out wonderful! I love that you can zoom in while taking the movie and take pictures at the same time! Thanks for looking!

Lynn

 

[mommi97]

Another thing you can try, and this is a tip from a photo expert in my office. Use another person shoulder. Of course they have to be very still like a tripod but he said if you rest the camera on their shoulder and tell them to freeze you should be able to get a pretty good shot at night of the fireworks. I am debating whether to bring a tripod too, I technically could but I am already lugging 2 strollers and not looking forward to bringing more.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Another thing you can try, and this is a tip from a photo expert in my office. Use another person shoulder. Of course they have to be very still like a tripod but he said if you rest the camera on their shoulder and tell them to freeze you should be able to get a pretty good shot at night of the fireworks.

 

[Jobie]

Hey ya'll, I have posted a ton of info on digital cameras, but not on this post. I have posted a lot so I do not fell like typing it all again LOL To see it, it may have some of the info that you are looking for, go to this thread : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=888967&page=1&pp=15Have a good one!
Jobie

 

[MissionMouse]

"Tripod it's not going to help because it's a moving object that you want to 'freeze'"

I take photos weekly within low level lighting and...

A tripod in low level light always assist in obtain a quality photo and its only through properly utlizing camera features and equipment do you obtain a quality photo with sharp crisp lines.

I have never been to Fantasmic but shoot lots of stage shows with their variable lighting conditions and moving objects and would agree with shooting no lower than 1/60 shutter speed depending on your lense focal length too. Some individuals may be able to hold a camera down to 1/20 sec with practice.

A easy way to improve your results is to sit as close as you can to the stage since you will be able to use the stage lighting to your advantage allowing more light to enter your lense. You should also look to gauge the performers actions and snap the shot at the height of their action. An example would be someone raising their hand over their head...you want to take the photo only when it is at the top...not going down or up since their movement will be blurred since you are shooting at a low shutter speed. Other times you can use this movement to your advantage if you have a creative-artistic talent.

 

[purplern]

I did buy a great book I want to recommend on here. It's called How to Do Everything with Digital Photography by Dave Huss.

It's really overwhelming for a novice like me, but he talks a lot about how to use the different features on your camera. It is a terrific book and it's not the author's fault I'm confused

I got this book too and love it! Very helpful.