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macca734 wrote:I use a Nikon Coolpix 7600 ...................... If someone can show me how to upload them somewhere you'll see what I mean.
Local Hero wrote:Just ordered myself a digital camera last night so I can perhaps join in things like the Past/Present shenanigans
Oh it's a Kodak Z740 (10x Optical zoom 5megapix 5x Dig Zoom). PC World had it online for just over £150 (Jessops and Argos both have it at £199). The reviews looked good and I am looking forward to getting me grubby mitts on it
Will let you know how I get on.
Apollo wrote:Apologies if I'm preaching to the coverted, but you need to learn the peculiarities of the metering/exposure system fitted to digitals. They're much more sophisticated than those on most film cameras, and are expected to perfom miracles (that they can't ).
The Z700 appears to have 3 modes, Multi-segment, Center weighted, Spot.
I've yet to handle a digital compact camera that had satisfactory multi-segment metereing. It tries to do the impossible by setting an exposure based on the whole scene - unless it's very uniformally illuminated, then you will have area of over and under exposure you have no control over, as the program tries to integrate the overall scene and determine an average exposure setting to meet it. Personally, I wouldn't even waste my time trying to use multi-segement, it's that bad.
Centre weighted does what is says on the box, and sets the exposure value with the setting determined largely by the illumination of the centre of the scene, and the surrounding area contributes little to the final value. The manual should give a diagram indicating the actual area covered. This is the setting of choice, as you then know what part of the scene will be measured for correct exposure. If the part you want to have correctly exposed in not in the centre, then there should be an automatic exposure lock that comes in to action if you hold the shutter release for a second or two. Use this to point at the area you want to expose for, activate the exposure lock, and then re-frame the scence (you'll have to deal with the focus youself though).
Spot-metering is best reserved for special situations. Does what is says on the box too, and meters only the central few % of the scene - there should be indicator to show the exact spot in the viewfinder when it's active. Can give odd results if you forget it's on, but you can, for example, shoot and expose correctly when standing in a bright exterior and looking inside a dark room - the camera will ignore the surroundings and espose only for the targeted spot in the room. It can't work miracles of course, and any of the exterior that appears in the shot will be very overexposed.
Give centre weighting a try over a number of shots - it saved me ditching cameres I thought produced such variable results (with multi-segment metering on) I wanted my money back too.
Modern Fossil wrote:Can anyone recommend a shop in Glasgow for a digital camera service, with a quick turnaround.
(B 4 Saturday)
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