Noob with P&S camera

[bradley01]

Hello all,

I just wanted to start out by explaining "Noob". I am not only new to sophisticated photography, I am also new to marine aquatics and I would like to learn how to take decent pictures of my new aquarium. I just recently purchased the 29 gallon BioCube nano reef aquarium by Oceanic. It has been in operation for about a week now, and I would like to learn how to take some pictures of it to document my progress.

For a camera, I have a Casio Exilim EX-S100. It is most definately a beginners camera as I do not take many pictures. It seems to have a few advanced options, but I have no idea how they work or how to adjust them to make my tank pictures better. Now, I know that some, if not most, of you will tell me that I cannot take good pictures with a camera of such low quality. I kind of understood that. But, after laying down the cash for the tank, I do not have the funds to go out and buy a $500+ camera, so I was hoping this one would "work" with the proper education.

If anyone has this camera, or one like it, and could tell me what settings to use to get good tank shots, I would be most greatful!

Here are some of my sample work for you all to "grade". Be gentle!

Thanks in advance!

 

[91yota]

try turning off the flash

im not familiar with this camera but if you have and manual settings, try setting the ISO to 400, shutter speed to 1/125, f2.8

if those settings dont get you want you want, experiment by trying other settings

also, the less zoom you use, the easier it will be to get in focus... try getting as close as you can to the subject while still retaining good focus and cropping to get close ups... generally speaking, the higher the MP, the better the results you can achieve

also, you can use photoshop or similar to adjust color levels if it's not quite right straight out of the camera

here's an example of a picture i took with the above settings with my Samsung bl103

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

He does not have manual settings. Unfortunately this means you cannot control the camera and make it do your bidding. Instead you aim at what you want to see in the picture, press a button, and let the camera call all the shots...hoping they are the right ones. You do have a +/- 2 stop exposure compensations (the needle likely at the bottom of the LCD screen). If your pictures are too bright, turn it down. If the pictures are too dark, turn it up. Otherwise...you can't really do much with it.

 

[bradley01]

I CAN adjust the ISO value, but I cannot adjust the shutter speed or the aperture value. I have tried adjusting the ISO to a higher sensitivity, but it just makes the pictures look blurry. I can adjust the exposure and also adjust for flourescent lighting. I guess I will have to tinker with that.

Lets say that my tax returns come in quickly...what camera would you all recommend for the beginner that is not going to be too radically expensive? Or, is anyone looking to upgrade, and would like to get rid of their introductory level camera? And if so, what price? I guess what it all boils down to is that my camera is just not going to cut it.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

This one, $400

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html

 

[bradley01]

Wow! Nice camera, but I think $400 is still out of my price range for now. I am going to have to save up for a while. I guess I can check ebay or craigslist to try and find a used one. Thanks for the suggestion, TitusvileSurfer! Your help is much appreciated!!!

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

The G5 G6 and G9 are all good. The G7 doesn't have RAW so its out and the G8 doesn't exist.

 

[bradley01]

Good bits of info! Thanks again!