Sony RX100 - Help With Indoor Pics

[bamagirl@hrt]

I bought a Sony RX100 in August after reading many, many reviews. I liked that it has a large sensor, quick shutter, and larger aperture range. I am not a complete photography newbie, but I am F-A-R from a pro. I've taken some classes, read some books, and have a pretty good understanding of the components of photography. Sometimes I have trouble putting them into practice in real life situations.

I love the RX100 for outdoors. I took it on our trip to California in October and got some great photos of people and scenery, as well as aquarium exhibits.

My problem is indoors, even when a lot of natural light is available. Without the use of flash, people almost always look "soft." Often this isn't obvious when reviewing the pic on the little camera screen, but is glaring on the computer. Using the flash corrects the focus, but is harsh. I've tried auto mode, smart auto, scene selection HI, P-mode, and A-mode. Obviously, I'm not quick on my feet to be able to choose the right setting quickly and efficiently. I felt like most of my Christmas pics weren't good because of this.

Please help me before I miss out on recording more family memories!

I would post some examples, but I can't remember how to post pictures.

Thanks,
Christy

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Here is a link to the photobucket album where I have put some examples. Ignore the Disney pictures in this album. I don't know why they are in there. They were taken with my DSLR on a different trip.

http://s1194.beta.photobucket.com/user/bamagirl71/media/DSC00450_zps70e82f14.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10#/user/bamagirl71/media/DSC00450_zps70e82f14.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9&_suid=1358881014051047663661974092736

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It doesn't look like the EXIF info uploaded to photobucket so it's a little difficult to see what settings were used in each photo - at least that I could locate.

My immediate impressions were that the one with your son opening the package the shutter speed was too slow but without seeing all the photo info couldn't say why. And in 2 of the other pictures (one with the hats and the other with your son sitting on the ottoman) it looks like the camera may have focused on another area. Do you have the smile/face detect feature turned on when taking pictures of people? Or use the flexible spot focus so that you choose where the focus is instead of the camera if you aren't using the face detect? It could still be some other settings too or some combination but the photo info with shutter speed/aperature/ISO and what mode the camera was in would help.

 

[TC09]

The ones without flash look like motion blur/camera shake due to a slower shutter speed. Although the photo of your son sitting looked like the focus was set behind him.

For example, the EXIF for the picture below shows f3.5, 1/8, ISO 800 @ 20mm.

 

[TC09]

f4, 1/15, ISO 800 @ 25mm


f1.8, 1/30, ISO 320 @ 10mm

 

[havoc315]

It would help to see the exif data, but I do agree that it appears shutter speed was too slow.
Some options:
1 -- Use the flash, but tilt it upwards to the ceiling. The "bounce" will be much less harsh.

2-- I prefer not using the flash. Zoom all the way out, so that you can use the 1.8 aperture on the lens. If you zoom in, the aperture will shrink, causing you to use a slower shutter speed. If necessary, manually select a higher ISO. At ISO of 1600 or 3200, and aperture of 1.8... you should get adequate shutter speed and exposure for indoor portraits without flash.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thanks for the help. I tend to use auto in situations like Christmas morning, where I need to get a shot quickly. I guess I expected too much out of auto. I checked to be sure I do have smile/face recognition on. I also changed the focus area from multi so that it won't focus behind my subject.

I've been a little afraid of cranking up the ISO to 3200+ for fear of the photo being too grainy. With playing around more with my camera, I'm learning that it's not bad. Definitely better than blur! I do like to avoid flash. It's just too harsh and washes out the background. Hopefully with more practice I will love this camera as much as I want to!

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks for the help. I tend to use auto in situations like Christmas morning, where I need to get a shot quickly. I guess I expected too much out of auto. I checked to be sure I do have smile/face recognition on. I also changed the focus area from multi so that it won't focus behind my subject.

I've been a little afraid of cranking up the ISO to 3200+ for fear of the photo being too grainy. With playing around more with my camera, I'm learning that it's not bad. Definitely better than blur! I do like to avoid flash. It's just too harsh and washes out the background. Hopefully with more practice I will love this camera as much as I want to!

You've figured out the secret right there. No matter how fancy the camera auto still doesn't get it done in some situations.

Don't be afraid of higher ISO settings. Like grain with film, noise is part of the medium. Limiting yourself to stay below a certain number is a lot like tying one hand behind your back. And the RX100 has pretty good noise performance for a point and shoot.

Another thing is to pay attention to how you're using the light that's there. Honestly that's probably more important than anything else. When you're using available light sometimes that means turning people to face the direction you need them to or completely moving them to a different place. It's not always ideal for snapshot shooting.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks for the help. I tend to use auto in situations like Christmas morning, where I need to get a shot quickly. I guess I expected too much out of auto. I checked to be sure I do have smile/face recognition on. I also changed the focus area from multi so that it won't focus behind my subject.

I've been a little afraid of cranking up the ISO to 3200+ for fear of the photo being too grainy. With playing around more with my camera, I'm learning that it's not bad. Definitely better than blur! I do like to avoid flash. It's just too harsh and washes out the background. Hopefully with more practice I will love this camera as much as I want to!

If you shoot raw, it will be quite noisy, and you will need to remove the noise yourself in post processing.

If you shoot jpeg, the camera will do a good job of taking out the noise at 1600 and even 3200, but you will lose some of the sharpness. Still much better than having motion blur.

I don't like harsh flashes either, but you should try tilting the flash to the ceiling. Also optimize any light you do have.

The auto setting handles some situations better than others. It doesn't seem to put a big enough priority on shutter speed, so don't love it for candids.

What I love about the rx100 -- 3 memory settings. So you can pre-set exactly what you need for candids.
Since I keep the camera in raw by default, but there are modes that require jpeg, I use the memory settings for that -- have 1 memory setting for HDR (jpeg, HDR mode), 1 for portrait defaults (a priority, skin softening, portait effect), and 1 for candids/street photography (basically a faster shutter speed)

 

[Jonasphill]

I found this ebook for Kindle " photographers guide to the Sony RX100" by Alexander White. It saved my bacon several times.