Digital Camera Question

[Jessika]

Oh no, I didn't mean it's old and you should buy a new one, it just seems like a model that came out a few years back or so.

Then again technology for digi cams has SKYROCKETED in the last few years so if you bought a camera today it would be outdated tomorrow.

[Giselle]

What about the ISO setting? I know the really high ISO settings will give you super quick pictures, but I guess the higher the setting the grainier the picture. Bad compromise, in my experience Other than that, I think anticipating is the only remedy!

Also, lighting seems to affect shutter speed, too. The worse the lighting, the longer it takes to focus and take a picture. The brighter the lighting, the quicker it is. I think that's all automated, though.

[kitten645]

Thanks for the info. Any ideas how I change an ISO setting? I'll have to look in the manual now that know what I'm looking for! I'd compromise a bit of quality for the backs of heads! Especially since most of them aren't really "archival" printed sort of pics. Just to share on the web with friends. Thanks again for your time and kind responses. Hopefully I'll get more pics posted!

[kittycats_delight]

if you have a sport setting your shutter speed will be much faster as well. I use this setting a lot when trying to get pictures of the kittens cause they shoot off like race cars. LOL the setting works well if you don't know how to change your ISO or if you don't want to use manual mode and set it up yourself for each shot. When you are dealing with animals (especially cats & ferrets) there isn't enough time for full manual so sport setting it is.

[catnapper]

Ashley has this one and its is a slower camera. I found the key is to play with the settings. I much preferred the manual setting over the auto. She prefers auto and you can tell an definite difference between my photos and hers.... even if they are taken on the same camera. Play with the "P" mode and make little adjustments. A few minutes playing and reading the manual will yield surprising differences. I wish I could walk you through what I do but I don't realize what little things I do to tweak it.

Oh, and always try using natural light whenever possible. The more light, the faster the camera will take pictures.

[Freedom]

Oh, and always try using natural light whenever possible. The more light, the faster the camera will take pictures.

Yup, I noticed that as well.

I think the pet setting has to do with moving subjects.

You can read the manual and you can also find helps here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a520.html

Scroll down and look at Features and Controls. Maybe you will find something in there.

Craftlady gave me that link when I bought my camera. It has stuff which does not appear anywhere in the Owner Manual! Good luck.

[Catlady711]

Thanks for the info. Any ideas how I change an ISO setting? I'll have to look in the manual now that know what I'm looking for! I'd compromise a bit of quality for the backs of heads! Especially since most of them aren't really "archival" printed sort of pics. Just to share on the web with friends. Thanks again for your time and kind responses. Hopefully I'll get more pics posted!

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a520.html

Since I'm quite a fan of Canon's for their ease of use and similarity from model to model I think I can help you find your ISO setting.

If you don't see the current ISO setting on your camera press the DISP. button, it should show along the left side of your screen with a bunch of other icons and say something like ISO 100 or something along that line. Higher numbers is faster but grainier. Your model camera will go up to an ISO of 400.

Try pressing the FUNC. button, according to that website it should be located just below your viewing screen and on the right side. Scroll through the options on the left until you get to the ISO then you should be able to hit the SET button (that's the button in the center of the large circle on the back of the camera on the right side. Once you access that you should be able to change the ISO setting to whatever you want.

Hope that helps, that website is a great tool for learning about your camera. I've found for mine it sometimes has features listed that aren't even in my manuals.

[Freedom]

UGH, maybe it was CATlady who gave me that link!!!

[ChrisH]

I have that Canon Powershot 520 camera and although I've briefly looked at Steve's Digicams site (I already had the link), having just taken another look at I have to say this page http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_.../a520_pg3.html is so excellent in explaining the why's & hows of the settings that I'm going back there right now to do some learning!

[Catlady711]

UGH, maybe it was CATlady who gave me that link!!!

ROFL, some names around here are so similar, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who gets people mixed up. LOL

[kitten645]

Thanks for the links and replies. Looks like I gots some learning to do! I've tried the manual setting and everything came out blurry. Guess the subject were too fast! I'll try the links and playing and see what happens. When I get something decent, I'll post it!