Sony DSC-H5 ::Help required

[Foo]

Hi,

I don't really know much about Photography, but have recently been given a Sony DSC-H5 to use. There is no manual with it and I am finding all the options daunting.. no doubt it's all on the wrong settings.

All I really want to do Is take nice close up (macro?) photographs, but when I try the zoom in it just gets all blurry.. I don't know how people get these perfect close up pictures.

It only has the standard lens on it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Foo

[sabdfh]

visit Sony web site - they put manuals on there

[Foo]

I actually are looking at a manual from the sony website, trying to understand this from a complete novice' point of view is confusing.

Hopefully someone has this camera and can run through the basics of setting it up for in focus macro photography. XD

[Foo]

Found some useful information online and have been playing around.. here is an example shot:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04396.jpg

How can I improve on this? It seems it loses focus on the water on the outside, it's quite centered. Also, what picture size do people use for close up shots? This was on 16:9 (because I have a 24" monitor), 7M was massive.

Thanks

[MrFish]

Look up Depth of Field (DOF) its the distance that is captured in focus between front and back.

A higher F number will increase the DOF but to do it you will need a slower shutter speed or/and increase the ISO speed (which brings noise)

Set the camera to manual and have a play.

PS - I don't know the camera you are using.

[Foo]

Hi mate, cheers. Been playing around! Some pictures i took (all 16:9) with ISO 80, f/2.8, exposure 1/80 sec and manual focus:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04559.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04663.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04679.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04680.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04681.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04689.jpg

Can i improve at all, re: camera settings, focus anything? (don't have any nice pure 1 ton cardboard or anything so used what i could! lol)

[Foo]

lol i like this one of my westie, you can see the detail of her nose and the hair around it!

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04713-1.jpg

original size:
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/westthirtysix/DSC04713.jpg

[wookie7062]

Most compacts have a button with a flower symbol. That is the macro button and will let you get a bit closer. As said go to manual and get as high an aperture number as you can whilst keeping a decent shutter speed. You will be limited as anything above iso 200 on that camera is pretty hopeless so try to get outside where there is more light to work with.

[Foo]

The macro option (flower symbol button) doesn't work when in manual settings. But thanks for the advice, will keep at it! Having fun :) ..can't wait to get my tank setup so I can take photos of that.

[cardiff_gareth]

I have the DSC-H2. I think you have the same as me - 10x optical zoom lens, non interchangable lens - SLR style hadling & features.

The macro is the flower symbol thats on the rear of the camera body. The H2 can focus down to 2cm when not zoomed out.
If you want to use the zoom with macro then you can only zoom to 3x
any more zooming than that and it'll not function correctly and not be able to focus !

Hope this helps !

Gareth

[Reef bloke]

Sorry dont know the camera but in manual all the basic photography rules should apply.The pic of the dogs nose is very good.