Need some pointers on user settings to get the best image quality?

[systemlord]

I have a FujiFilm F100FD and went to the LA County Fair on Saturday and some of my pictures were overexposed, while some were great looking except in the shadows under trees. I used manual ISO setting 100-200 @640x480 thinking 100 ISO was best for brightly lit sunny area's, but some pictures were dirty and overexposed. Today I switch to ISO Auto (400) mode (100 up to 400 ISO) for settings and not only did the pictures look more focused, but the pictures were very clean.

My question is why did 100 ISO look overexposed in sunny weather? Auto Focus mode was set to (center), other options were (multi) and (continuous). I'm new to cameras, what is the cause for the overexposed dirty images shot at 100 ISO in sunny California? If I can get better quality pictures from manual mode, then I have to understand how and why images turn out the way that they do. Thanks for your helpful reply!

 

[rexter]

What you said does not make sense ISO 100 is pretty much the best setting. I don't know what causes your images come out the way you describe. Is there’s away to see the shots in question?

However on fully manual mode, Shutter speed set too fast and aperture open wider than it should. Proper settings should be between 5.6 - 8.0 F-stop and let the other settings to adjust by itself.

 

[systemlord]

What you said does not make sense ISO 100 is pretty much the best setting. I don't know what causes your images come out the way you describe. Is there’s away to see the shots in question?

However on fully manual mode, Shutter speed set too fast and aperture open wider than it should. Proper settings should be between 5.6 - 8.0 F-stop and let the other settings to adjust by itself.

I shot in Manual mode at 100-200 ISO, I like to use (Light Metering) to = average instead of (Center). I wish I could use Auto setting and be able to keep (Light Metering) to = average, but (Light Metering) in Auto mode defaults back to (Center). When set to Manual mode with 100-200 ISO my pictures seem overly bloomed or way to much light in the picture like a nuke just went off in the back ground!

I would like to learn all I can so I can take advantage of manual mode! When you start talking about Proper settings should be between 5.6 - 8.0 F-stop, thats way over my head. I understand what shutter is and the longer it remains open for determines how much light is absorbed. The difference between Manual and Auto mode is night and day for focus, sharpness.

I'm also looking to buy a little lamp (for photo shooting 24/7) set where I can take pictures of my hobby stuff anytime of the day without having to wait for the right lighting conditions. Thanks for all your help rexter.

 

[rexter]

I would like to learn all I can so I can take advantage of manual mode! When you start talking about Proper settings should be between 5.6 - 8.0 F-stop, thats way over my head. I understand what shutter is and the longer it remains open for determines how much light is absorbed. The difference between Manual and Auto mode is night and day for focus, sharpness.

One thing is that the Digital Camera works pretty much like the old film cameras. Where film is been replace with Sensors and Memory Cards, where ISO settings is built-in.


http/www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php
http/www.photonhead.com/beginners/exposureinro.php
http/www.photonhead.com/beginners/stops.php
http/www.photonhead.com/beginners/filmspeed.php

I'm also looking to buy a little lamp (for photo shooting 24/7) set where I can take pictures of my hobby stuff anytime of the day without having to wait for the right lighting conditions.

Pro lightings are quite expensive. You should get something like this:
http/www.ottlite.com/cms/vsp.aspx#printcompare1
http/www.save-on-crafts.com/ottrucolbrsa.html
http/www.ottlite.com/Cms/tc.aspx

You might be able to find something similar and more likely are cheaper.

http/www.nrgsaver.com/mall/true-lite-fluorescent-lights.asp
http/www.truesun.com/proddetail.php?prod=TrueLite_full_spectrum_light

Neat thing about your camera is that it handles high ISO better than most if not, all point and shoot camera.

Experiment taking pictures at night and set the shutter speed set on 1 to 4 seconds with and without a tripod. And if you know anyone have other P/S camera try them and compare.

Have fun shooting...

 

[systemlord]

I am also looking for a SDHC 2-4GB memory card for my FujiFilm F100FD thats compatible, with fast read/writes speed. I can't find any information about what brands that are compatible on FujiFilm's website. I was thinking about Scandisk Ultra III, but I don't know if its compatible.

 

[rexter]

Scandisk Ultra III SDHC ( http/canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016178&cid=990.218.675 ) is compatible but it's too expensive. If you own a Digital Semi Pro or Pro SLR Camera then I would recomend then maybe it's worth the extra dollars because of the speed reliability from shooting RAW. The P/S camera does not take shot that fast.

If you can find any SDHC Class 6 at reasonable price then it's better. A-Data like this one http/canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016683&cid=990.218.675 is a good card at very good price.