Well I was finally able to try out my new camera with random shots on my layout... and was I thrilled!!! It's a Nikon CoolPix5400 in case you want one The below pics are the sized versions
I see you caught all the local cows taking a nap. Or should we be calling Art Bell about strange N scale cattle deaths? Keep the pictures coming! Boxcab E50
It's nice to be able to post pictures of things. I like the results. Can't wait to see whole layout pics. But cows are Nice....
Mike, to get even better results of the close ups, put the 5400 in Macro mode (flower icon). Zoom the lens until the icon turns green and you'll get the closest focus. You don't necessarily have to have a green flower. A white flower is also ok as it puts the focus mode of the camera into close flocus so you can position the camera closer to the subject. Also, remember that with Macro you have extremely shallow depth of field so you may want to stop down the f-stop. Of course this will give you slow shutter speed so a tripod or some stationary object will be need. I've started on the Coolpix line since the Coolpix 950 came out.
I had a Coolpix 995 until I fell and landed on the camera. The Coolpix has about the best macro of any camera of that class. Ended up replacing the Coolpix with a Canon 10D . I second the motion of using a tripod and stopping the camera down. Of course that requires more light. Someone on one of the forums suggested a couple of 500watt lamps that are used for outdoor lighting. I intend to try that when I have something to photograph. Keep those pix comming. Len
Sure fun with a new camera. Bought myself an Konica Minolta D5. This photo is from the first run of the year in the garden. Great fun without problems. Just a few leaves that had to be removed. Leif
Mike: I have a Coolpix 4300. You can also use manual mode to obtain a higher f stop to increase your depth of field. You will need a tripod as that will mean a longer exposure time. Have fun with your new Coolpix. Stay cool and run steam.....
Mike, Looks like you did pretty well to get pictures that good with a new camera! Gee, I wonder if my new camera can produce a good layout? Harold
f-stop is another word for lens opening. This in combination with your shutter speed will determine whether the picture comes out properly exposed or not. The higher the f-stop number the smaller the lens opening and the less light gets let in. Similarly, the lower the f-stop number the larger the lens opening. Typical values for mid-range point and shoot digicams can be anywhere from f2.8 to f3.5.
Hate that...lets try this post again... F-stops give you a much deeper 'depth of field' Mike. Using your first shot as an example, you'll notice that the switching box behind the car is out of focus. Wind down a couple of F-stops and that box will come into focus, without losing focus on the car itself. 'depth of field' purely means the depth of the in-focus area of the shot. So, F5.8 may mean the area from 12" to 18" from the lens is in focus. F2.8 would increase this to (say) 10" to 24". tadaaa, the switching box is now in focus. Of course, you can also use this in reverse and REDUCE the depth of field to 'blur out' that undesirable tree behind (or in front of) your nice new geep. Some people call that crap 'artistic'. I personally have 3 digital cameras. A 10 year old Kodak DC265, a 1 month old Kodak D6950 SLR, and a 2 year old Agfa Flik (40M HDD built in...battery hog!). Even though the 2 newer cameras claim all these great advances and huge resolutions, the DC265 absolutely kicks their asses in ANY situation. No wonder it cost me $2600 when I bought it....
So the lower the f stop the better depth of field???? I always get confused which gives the better depth of field
Paul: The higher the "f" stop, the better the depth of field. With a higher "f" stop", (smaller lens opening), you need increased exposure time, hence the need for a tripod. Stay cool and run steam.......
Here is my experiment with my Nikon 5000 digital camera. Aperture about 2.2. Fuzzy focus. Aperture 8.0. Better focus. As I understand it, this is more pronounced with the glass lens and the film cameras. A lot of the digital is a software difference of the camera.
How I remember To get a clear focus on life, Sharp –22 Take your time to let the sunshine in. Simplistic but functional. Non RR pics I have taken: My Web Site, No Advertising In the Gallery.
