Questions about camera

H@rry

H@rry

In Memoriam
I just got new halides and while I like the look, I can't get the camera to produce a picture that looks like it should. The new bulbs are ReefLux 10K. They look bluer than any 10K I have ever used, almost like a 13K or 14K. The pictures come out looking too purple. I have tried every white balance setting on the camera and some look a lot better than others but none look exactly right.

The camera is a Nikon Coolpix E880. On the front of the build in lens are the markings "1:2.8 - 4.2" and "8 - 20 mm". What do these numbers mean?

I know I have a simple P&S camera but I think I should be able to get better pics than I do.

I'd appreciate any help I can get.

Thanx
H@rry
 
That means the maximum aperture is f/2.8 @ 8mm and f/4.2 @ 20mm. f/2.8 lets in a little over double the light f/4.2 would, but to get this obviously useful advantage, you have to zoom your camera all the way out. As a point and shoot with a small sensor, I don't think DOF is much of a factor. Your camera was not meant to take pictures of this kind of light. It sees your tank with all these weird, unnatural lights you have put over it, but the camera thinks it's looking at your dog chasing a frisbee in the park.

I just gave you advice yesterday in your twin thread on this subject "Help for actinic shots". Did you follow it? I don't think your E880 will ever be able to get tank colors exactly right, that is the nature of the beast. Do the best you can and finish the rest with tone curves in post processing. For better colors you will need a better camera. Close enough will have to be good enough.
 
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I think you're right about needing a better camera. Any suggestions on a camera/lens combo? (Without having to sell a reef tank to finance it)
 
You may not need a new camera per say, just a lot more post processing. Post that purple coral picture on Photobucket or like website. I can't access it from the stock page where it was posted. I'll try to edit it and see what happens.
You could pull respectable shots with a Canon Powershot G9 or equivalent Coolpix for around $500. The 880 simply wasn't designed to shoot these kind of lighting conditions.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518209-REG/Canon_2082B001_PowerShot_G9_Digital_Camera.html
 
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I'm not sure what the original "correct" colors are even supposed to be, but this is what I ended up with after playing for a bit:
actinic.jpg


actiniccopy2.jpg
 
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Yeah, that's about what I got too. It definitely helps a lot but it not what it looks like. I'll just have to accept that my camera just freaks out under actinics.

On another note (while you're being so helpful), I've got some other photography questions.

I've seen mention of camera RAW format and found a download that is supposed to put my camera in that format (although it warns that it will probably void the warranty, which is not an issue since it's about 7 years old). I think it puts it in diagnostics mode. What do you know about that? Could it damage the camera? Would post processing do any better in this mode?

If I get a better camera with removable lens, do I have to buy the lens to fit the specific camera or are they all interchangeable?

Thanx for you patience.

:)
 
I don't think you can just download a firmware upgrade onto your camera and have it all of a sudden be able to shoot RAW. I just don't see how that is possible.
If you buy the Canon G9 I mentioned earlier, it will allow you to shoot RAW and get your white balance spot on. The G9 is about 1/4 the price (if not less) than a DSLR camera with removable lenses.
I think the G9 is a very realistic camera for you. It can take *great* shots and will serve you well with fish, friends, and fun outings. If you want a camera with removable lenses, it will likely take better pictures though you just may have to sell your tank to finance it.
 
IF it's a true Raw format that would be great. Raw bypasses all the settings of WB your camera is applying and would allow you to do those in the photo editor, there are many more advantages also. I always shoot in RAW. But what format is the RAW data? Because each manufacture is different so you need to make sure that your editor can read it. So if it is standard Nikon RAW then great but if it's a special diags RAW you might not be able to find an editor for it.

Some of the specialty P&S that have interchangeable lens are specific to the camera. When you look at SLR types like Nikon or Canon then the lens is specific to the manufacturer and fits many of their cameras. That's why the choice of SLR camera is really a choice of lens systems. Many third parties also makes lenses for the major brands.
 
Titisvilesurfer,

The firmware would be bypassing jpg conversion. Since raw is really just direct sensor data all digitals do it. The big question though is, is it saved in standard Nikon RAW format or is it a special diags format.
 
Normally you can always go back to a standard firmware. However if something goes wrong during the flashing of the firmware and it does not complete it can leave the device completely useless.
 
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