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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> A510 - how to start ?
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11/29/2005 05:49:24 PM · #1
Hi!
i have a new A510 camera.
i want to learn to take nice pictures with nice effects like panning & depth of field & a lot of other great stuff.
any good guides that let you take the max out of this tiny-cool-cam? :-)
thx
11/29/2005 05:52:15 PM · #2
1st read the instruction booklet, then experiment. Shoot something with different settings and compare them. Easiest way to learn a new camera.
11/29/2005 05:54:39 PM · #3
i read the entire thing :-)
also did some shooting...

11/29/2005 05:59:16 PM · #4
Originally posted by koko:

i read the entire thing :-)
also did some shooting...


Post them up and we can let you know what we think.
11/29/2005 05:59:39 PM · #5
Hi Koko,
the A510 is a great camera, I just recently abandonded mine for a D50. If you want some cool effects I would suggest that you try some long exposures of a street or a highway. The best way to do this is to use a tripod, but alternatively you can also place the camera on something steady, like a wall. And remember to always use the self-timer function so that you don't blur the pictures by pressing the shutter release button.

Since you mention depth of field (I suppose, you are talking about shallow depth of field): You will probably be disappointed by the results. Although the background will be blurred a little if you use F2.6 at the widest focal length, the effect isn't anywhere near as strong as on a digital SLR.

Another thing that might even be easier than long exposures are very short exposures to freeze the motion of water.

Have fun with your new camera,
Henning
11/29/2005 06:02:58 PM · #6
It's a dandy little camera. I wish I had one like it to carry around with me in my pocket when I don't have the big gun with me. May I suggest you start by laying down a yardstick and shooting it from above at a 45 degree angle, moving closer and closer, so you can see just how close you can get with that camera and still be sharp?

Then I suggest you do a series of shots of a single scene, adjusting your in-camera parameters differently for each shot; more/less saturation, more/less contrast, higher/lower ISO, more/less sharpness, whatever you have that you can adjust. So you can lay these similar images out side-by-side and SEE with your own eyes what effect the camera settings have on the finished result.

That will work for starters. Don't worry about "good" pictures here, just spend a week on the TECHNICAL stuff, learn how to use your tool. Once you know that, you are better able to adapt to changing conditions.

Have fun!

Robt.

Message edited by author 2005-11-29 18:04:02.
11/30/2005 04:43:22 AM · #7
yes,
i did some testing shots...
but i can't really see it in that small LCD screen, & when i get to the computer to download it all, i can't remember what is what :-)
11/30/2005 04:53:46 AM · #8
Originally posted by koko:

yes,
i did some testing shots...
but i can't really see it in that small LCD screen, & when i get to the computer to download it all, i can't remember what is what :-)

A pencil and paper work wonders here -- but the camera is also helping you out. The camera is storing an extra bit of information attached to each image you take called an 'Exif tag' -- think of it like an identification tag attached to bag at the airport. It is where the camera stores the settings used when taking that particular image.

Under the 'Help' menu at the top of this page is a menu item 'FAQ' -- this includes a section of Exif, including how to look at it. With this information you can easily see what settings used produced what results.

David
11/30/2005 05:14:37 AM · #9
Right click on your original image, go to Properties then hit the second tab and activate Advanced. U will see your EXIF also :)

11/30/2005 09:11:01 AM · #10
ok thanks.
but i'm looking for a nice guide or something that will have some kind of a checklist (???) of things that i can do with my A510. & not just testing shots with all possible shutter speeds & exposures...
thx
11/30/2005 10:02:56 AM · #11
Originally posted by koko:

but i'm looking for a nice guide or something that will have some kind of a checklist (???) of things that i can do with my A510.

I've made a checklist for you.

Checklist
1) Put charged batteries into camera
2) Put blank memory card into camera
3) Put camera into pocket
4) Open front door
5) Start walking, using eyes and camera on an ad-hoc basis

Hope this helps. :-)
11/30/2005 03:27:45 PM · #12
LOL :-)))
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