Officially saying hello: I've been here for a month, and I've commented a few times, so it seems like it's time for me to officially say hello. :-) I'm a science and computers person...

amehta Loc: Boston

I've been here for a month, and I've commented a few times, so it seems like it's time for me to officially say hello. :-)

I'm a science and computers person at heart, and photography is my one "artistic" interest. Naturally, I like the technical side of it, as well as researching all the cool equipment, but I do hope to occasionally create some art.

I like photographing things that are alive: animals, flowers, people (including, but not limited to, sports and portraits).

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

Hi amehta, nice to meet you again. We talked on my post about the coolpix s6200. Isn't this a great place to talk photography? Welcome and thanks for your help.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

Hi amehta, nice to meet you again. We talked on my post about the coolpix s6200. Isn't this a great place to talk photography? Welcome and thanks for your help.

Hi Margo!
Yes, it's a fun place. Hope you can find happiness with your S6200.
I've added my name to my signature, since people were starting to call me "Amehta" like it was my name. :-)
--Anand

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

amehta wrote:

Hi Margo!
Yes, it's a fun place. Hope you can find happiness with your S6200.
I've added my name to my signature, since people were starting to call me "Amehta" like it was my name. :-)
--Anand

Thanks Anand (nice name, by the way), I think it's going to be very frustrating. I just posted a picture from it. I center focused on my dog's nose and that's not even in focus. And I also used the portrait scene!

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

Thanks Anand (nice name, by the way), I think it's going to be very frustrating. I just posted a picture from it. I center focused on my dog's nose and that's not even in focus. And I also used the portrait scene!

That post isn't the place for an image critique, so I'll continue that discussion here.

This shot was a 1/2 second exposure, hand held (I assume you didn't set up a tripod while trying not to disturb her). And it's ISO 800 and 150mm (equivalent). This is an incredibly good picture technically.

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

amehta wrote:

That post isn't the place for an image critique, so I'll continue that discussion here.

This shot was a 1/2 second exposure, hand held (I assume you didn't set up a tripod while trying not to disturb her). And it's ISO 800 and 150mm (equivalent). This is an incredibly good picture technically.

This camera is starting to freak me out! How can a camera shoot at 1/2 sec. when using a flash?? I would think there would be a sync value in there somewhere. Usually cameras sync at 1/30th or 1/60th sec. for flash. But thanks for the technical approval. And I don't mind image critiques, no matter where they're posted.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

welcome.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

This camera is starting to freak me out! How can a camera shoot at 1/2 sec. when using a flash?? I would think there would be a sync value in there somewhere. Usually cameras sync at 1/30th or 1/60th sec. for flash. But thanks for the technical approval. And I don't mind image critiques, no matter where they're posted.

I don't think the flash fired. But saying that will probably get you even more frustrated. ;-)

The sync speed is the fastest shutter speed you can use with a flash, not the slowest. Some cameras/flashes have a special "slow sync" mode to do balanced nighttime exposures. You're right, most cameras default to 1/30 or 1/60 for flash exposures, I don't know why this didn't. I would suggest not using any of the scene modes, just use the simple auto mode, and use exposure compensation to adjust your light output. You can also select the flash mode in auto.

amehta Loc: Boston

ebrunner wrote:

welcome.

Thanks!

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

amehta wrote:

I don't think the flash fired. But saying that wi... (show quote)

Yes, auto mode will automatically select flash when needed but the red-eye reduction is off. Very frustrating, to say the least.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

Yes, auto mode will automatically select flash when needed but the red-eye reduction is off. Very frustrating, to say the least.

You have five flash modes to pick from in auto:
* Auto, where the camera decides if the flash will fire
* Auto + Red-eye reduction
* Off
* Fill flash, where you insist the flash fires
* Slow sync
These are the standard options, your camera is right in line with everyone else.

If I'm wrong, and misreading the manual, and the auto mode does not allow you to change the flash mode then I would suggest selling the camera.

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

amehta wrote:

You have five flash modes to pick from in auto:
* Auto, where the camera decides if the flash will fire
* Auto + Red-eye reduction
* Off
* Fill flash, where you insist the flash fires
* Slow sync
These are the standard options, your camera is right in line with everyone else.

If I'm wrong, and misreading the manual, and the auto mode does not allow you to change the flash mode then I would suggest selling the camera.

When I select 'auto scene', auto flash is automatically selected, but there is no 'red eye reduction' selection. I selected 'party scene' and have 'red eye reduction'. It is already set to 'auto' mode and doesn't appear to have any other alternative. Well I guess 'party' mode isn't the answer. It gave my dog a red nose! Anyone want to buy a camera??? I did change it back to auto scene and reshot the dog - no red eye. So I guess I'll leave it there as you suggested.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

When I select 'auto scene', auto flash is automatically selected, but there is no 'red eye reduction' selection. I selected 'party scene' and have 'red eye reduction'. It is already set to 'auto' mode and doesn't appear to have any other alternative. Well I guess 'party' mode isn't the answer. It gave my dog a red nose! Anyone want to buy a camera??? I did change it back to auto scene and reshot the dog - no red eye. So I guess I'll leave it there as you suggested.

If you select "Auto", then press the top of the multi-selector dial, you should get the option to use one of 5 flash modes, and turning the dial should change which one is selected. The default in auto mode is the auto flash mode, but I believe you can change that.

Photo Girl Loc: SE Pasco County, FL

amehta wrote:

If you select "Auto", then press the top of the multi-selector dial, you should get the option to use one of 5 flash modes, and turning the dial should change which one is selected. The default in auto mode is the auto flash mode, but I believe you can change that.

The change is 'off'. Go figure! I'm getting more and more ready to check out the lumix. And that's the last time I buy a camera without holding it in my hands and checking out all the options first and doing on line research. I find now, that most camera models have their manuals on line.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo Girl wrote:

The change is 'off'. Go figure! I'm getting more and more ready to check out the lumix. And that's the last time I buy a camera without holding it in my hands and checking out all the options first and doing on line research. I find now, that most camera models have their manuals on line.

By 'the change is "off"', you mean that pressing the top of the multi-select does nothing? That seems inconsistent with p 55 of the manual, and that's a problem.