Favorite tricks and tips compiled part 1

Lynn C said:

tom314 said:

richard, thanks very much.. and I followed your advice with the
cu&paste..

and I made it yet a bit more easier for everyone:
http://www.fuguforce.com/dbm/fuji6900z-tips&tricks-dpreview-fujitalk.zip

inside is the word-document with all the 8 parts

--
ToM.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Lynn C said:

tom314 said:

richard, thanks very much.. and I followed your advice with the
cu&paste..

and I made it yet a bit more easier for everyone:
http://www.fuguforce.com/dbm/fuji6900z-tips&tricks-dpreview-fujitalk.zip

inside is the word-document with all the 8 parts

--
ToM.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Bob S said:

Thanks...this is a big help for a newby to the 6900 like me...Bob

--
http://www.pbase.com/mofongo

This post is packaged by intellectual weight, not volume. Some
settling of contents may have occurred during transmission.

Click to expand...

Richard Dunn said:

Portraits
My favorite tip is also my favorite reminder...when taking pictures
of children-
1. get down to their level and shoot from their perspective
2. if possible, have the children in bright, red, blue, greens, yellow
attire. Color spices up the picture!
see for yourself at: http://www.pbase.com/image/919795/medium
Regards! AndyH

If you're using the external flash in manual and taking portraits,
try the 'spot' photometry setting. The skin will be exposed
correctly even if the background is a bit under exposed.
This is particularly useful if the subject is close to then lens. Ian

Start up
Unless you're a 100% auto-mode pilot, you will occasionally change
some settings, not least the white balance for use with your
external flash.
Tip: As soon as you turn on the camera for shooting, turn the dial
to M, A, S or P and press the "Info" button on the left of the lens
barrell, and check the current settings, especially for WB, ISO and
Photometry.
This has prevented many a dreadful mistake since I began to use it!
(Page 64 in the manual)
Robin [Redbreast]
--
Richard Dunn

Click to expand...

tek404 said:

Thanks Richard, thought I better add my name
to the list and request the next page of tips !

looks like a book in the making.
Tek404

--
Patience can be bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Click to expand...

Seth B said:

Bump to the top for new users. Thanks again Richard.
Seth

Click to expand...

Seth B said:

Regular bump for the new folks amongst us ;-)
--
Seth
'Momma don't take my Kodachrome away'
http://www.pbase.com/seth

Click to expand...

Jack G Heckler said:

I have been compiling a WORD document of tricks and tips for about
6 months. I believe all of the above are included and many, many
more...
about 70 pages worth! If anyone would like a copy, just send me an
email and I will attach it to my reply. It is pretty free-form,
but I have been adding BOLD headings to the pastes for the last few
months.

Jack

Click to expand...

Richard Dunn said:

I found this thread so interesting that I thought it might be
useful to compile into one posting. I have tried my best to keep
the chronology but not done so for in cases of convenient grouping.
Hope none of the contributors mind and thanks again to IanR for
starting it off.
Just cut and paste this post to a word document and keep as a
reference.
Cheers
Richard Dunn

Favorite tricks and tips compiled
There's a wealth of knowledge and good advice on this forum but a
lot of it is fairly well buried in unrelated threads. Let's put
together a list of your favourite tips or tricks so that everyone
can get the best out of their camera. Best wishes ianR

UV filters
re the 4900/6900, get a lens adapter and fit a UV filter a.s.a.p.
I have always done this with my SLRs to protect the (very
expensive) camera lens itself; and in any case the 4900/6900 appear
to be prone to dust incursion as mentioned in other posts in this
forum.
Regards, Robin [Redbreast

Yep. This also gives you more to get hold of, which must help
reduce camera shake.

Camera shake
To avoid "movement blur" while making teleshots without tripod.
I use the selftimer at "2 secs". The I breath out and wait...2 secs.

Continuous shooting also will do this job. One of the five pictures
usualy is good.
Regards Skitch http://www.digitalfriends.cc

Composition
I always have the (tic-tac-toe) display up when taking shots.
Really helps for composition (rules of 3rds).

My composition is usually OKish, but I find the grid great for
getting horizons level.

White balance
I think one very important thing to do right away is to set up a
custom white balance for all your flash shots. If you shoot your
flash shots on auto white balance, they will undoubtedly come out
with a reddish cast.You can read my post on it at
http://www.dpreview.com/ ...
...12&message=1476816&query=white+balance regarding how to set it
up. http://pbase.com/galleries/ronhep

Sorry, I am of course no expert whatsoever, but in my dad's camera,
all flash shots come out in perfect balance (whether in Auto or
SP). The beauty of flash shots was amazing from the very beginning.

Auto exposure lock
Don't forget to make use of the AE lock button and/or the half
press of the shutter button (which also sets focus) to help set
exposure. Hunt around in your subject frame for the best exposure
and press the AE lock, and then recenter on your subject for the
shot.
Not happy with the exposure? It's digital - try several until you
get it! David

great idea.
as an old slr user i have to remember that there is no film to waste!
shoot a lot, delete what you don't like, and try bracketing.
manual exposures give much different and sometimes much better pics
than auto.

Flash
Always use your flash outdoors with portraits or where the light is
variable. Eric Noack

Eric,I see your pics with kind of photoart inserts ,so that I would
prefair rather soft fill-in available light in your portraiture
(looks more natural,pastel and of course romantic-french?) Chris
from Florida

Taking indoor pictures or night shots outdoor with external flash,
go early and take some practice shots and detemine what setting is
good for that situation ahead of time. Remember to focus on the
object then frame. Hand steady. This might prevent some grief.
Since, you do not have to worry about cost of developing films,
take a lot of pictures (this is the only way you know how your
camera will perform, experiment and read helpful magazine or
website.
Dragon

Chris, I think maybe that I was using auto white balance has
something to do with this.

Although not a really a favorite tip this saved me about $25 to $35
plus shipping and time delay for shipping. I found my 12 year old
flash bracket's rubber mounting surface had become very smooth even
polished and the camera would not stay positioned even when
tightened.
I tried roughing the rubber without much success. so at the local
"Lowes" hardware store I bought a can of spray "rubber" [it also
comes in a liquid form] used some sand paper on the surface and
cleaned off the residue. It took 3 coats to get the thickness
(about 20 minutes apart) I wanted and a few hours to dry but the
bracket now "grabs" the camera better than when new.
This "spray rubber" can be used on tripod mounts, tools, other
slippery surfaces etc to pad or decrease "slipperyness" and costs
less than $5.

--
Richard Dunn

Click to expand...

Richard Dunn said:

I found this thread so interesting that I thought it might be
useful to compile into one posting.

Click to expand...

Bob S said:

Thanks...this is a big help for a newby to the 6900 like me...Bob

--
http://www.pbase.com/mofongo

This post is packaged by intellectual weight, not volume. Some
settling of contents may have occurred during transmission.

Click to expand...

Richard Dunn said:

I found this thread so interesting that I thought it might be
useful to compile into one posting. I have tried my best to keep
the chronology but not done so for in cases of convenient grouping.
Hope none of the contributors mind and thanks again to IanR for
starting it off.
Just cut and paste this post to a word document and keep as a
reference.
Cheers
Richard Dunn

Favorite tricks and tips compiled
There's a wealth of knowledge and good advice on this forum but a
lot of it is fairly well buried in unrelated threads. Let's put
together a list of your favourite tips or tricks so that everyone
can get the best out of their camera. Best wishes ianR

UV filters
re the 4900/6900, get a lens adapter and fit a UV filter a.s.a.p.
I have always done this with my SLRs to protect the (very
expensive) camera lens itself; and in any case the 4900/6900 appear
to be prone to dust incursion as mentioned in other posts in this
forum.
Regards, Robin [Redbreast

Yep. This also gives you more to get hold of, which must help
reduce camera shake.

Camera shake
To avoid "movement blur" while making teleshots without tripod.
I use the selftimer at "2 secs". The I breath out and wait...2 secs.

Continuous shooting also will do this job. One of the five pictures
usualy is good.
Regards Skitch http://www.digitalfriends.cc

Composition
I always have the (tic-tac-toe) display up when taking shots.
Really helps for composition (rules of 3rds).

My composition is usually OKish, but I find the grid great for
getting horizons level.

White balance
I think one very important thing to do right away is to set up a
custom white balance for all your flash shots. If you shoot your
flash shots on auto white balance, they will undoubtedly come out
with a reddish cast.You can read my post on it at
http://www.dpreview.com/ ...
...12&message=1476816&query=white+balance regarding how to set it
up. http://pbase.com/galleries/ronhep

Sorry, I am of course no expert whatsoever, but in my dad's camera,
all flash shots come out in perfect balance (whether in Auto or
SP). The beauty of flash shots was amazing from the very beginning.

Auto exposure lock
Don't forget to make use of the AE lock button and/or the half
press of the shutter button (which also sets focus) to help set
exposure. Hunt around in your subject frame for the best exposure
and press the AE lock, and then recenter on your subject for the
shot.
Not happy with the exposure? It's digital - try several until you
get it! David

great idea.
as an old slr user i have to remember that there is no film to waste!
shoot a lot, delete what you don't like, and try bracketing.
manual exposures give much different and sometimes much better pics
than auto.

Flash
Always use your flash outdoors with portraits or where the light is
variable. Eric Noack

Eric,I see your pics with kind of photoart inserts ,so that I would
prefair rather soft fill-in available light in your portraiture
(looks more natural,pastel and of course romantic-french?) Chris
from Florida

Taking indoor pictures or night shots outdoor with external flash,
go early and take some practice shots and detemine what setting is
good for that situation ahead of time. Remember to focus on the
object then frame. Hand steady. This might prevent some grief.
Since, you do not have to worry about cost of developing films,
take a lot of pictures (this is the only way you know how your
camera will perform, experiment and read helpful magazine or
website.
Dragon

Chris, I think maybe that I was using auto white balance has
something to do with this.

Although not a really a favorite tip this saved me about $25 to $35
plus shipping and time delay for shipping. I found my 12 year old
flash bracket's rubber mounting surface had become very smooth even
polished and the camera would not stay positioned even when
tightened.
I tried roughing the rubber without much success. so at the local
"Lowes" hardware store I bought a can of spray "rubber" [it also
comes in a liquid form] used some sand paper on the surface and
cleaned off the residue. It took 3 coats to get the thickness
(about 20 minutes apart) I wanted and a few hours to dry but the
bracket now "grabs" the camera better than when new.
This "spray rubber" can be used on tripod mounts, tools, other
slippery surfaces etc to pad or decrease "slipperyness" and costs
less than $5.

--
Richard Dunn

Click to expand...

Richard Dunn said:

I found this thread so interesting that I thought it might be
useful to compile into one posting. I have tried my best to keep
the chronology but not done so for in cases of convenient grouping.
Hope none of the contributors mind and thanks again to IanR for
starting it off.
Just cut and paste this post to a word document and keep as a
reference.
Cheers
Richard Dunn

Favorite tricks and tips compiled
There's a wealth of knowledge and good advice on this forum but a
lot of it is fairly well buried in unrelated threads. Let's put
together a list of your favourite tips or tricks so that everyone
can get the best out of their camera. Best wishes ianR

UV filters
re the 4900/6900, get a lens adapter and fit a UV filter a.s.a.p.
I have always done this with my SLRs to protect the (very
expensive) camera lens itself; and in any case the 4900/6900 appear
to be prone to dust incursion as mentioned in other posts in this
forum.
Regards, Robin [Redbreast

Yep. This also gives you more to get hold of, which must help
reduce camera shake.

Camera shake
To avoid "movement blur" while making teleshots without tripod.
I use the selftimer at "2 secs". The I breath out and wait...2 secs.

Continuous shooting also will do this job. One of the five pictures
usualy is good.
Regards Skitch http://www.digitalfriends.cc

Composition
I always have the (tic-tac-toe) display up when taking shots.
Really helps for composition (rules of 3rds).

My composition is usually OKish, but I find the grid great for
getting horizons level.

White balance
I think one very important thing to do right away is to set up a
custom white balance for all your flash shots. If you shoot your
flash shots on auto white balance, they will undoubtedly come out
with a reddish cast.You can read my post on it at
http://www.dpreview.com/ ...
...12&message=1476816&query=white+balance regarding how to set it
up. http://pbase.com/galleries/ronhep

Sorry, I am of course no expert whatsoever, but in my dad's camera,
all flash shots come out in perfect balance (whether in Auto or
SP). The beauty of flash shots was amazing from the very beginning.

Auto exposure lock
Don't forget to make use of the AE lock button and/or the half
press of the shutter button (which also sets focus) to help set
exposure. Hunt around in your subject frame for the best exposure
and press the AE lock, and then recenter on your subject for the
shot.
Not happy with the exposure? It's digital - try several until you
get it! David

great idea.
as an old slr user i have to remember that there is no film to waste!
shoot a lot, delete what you don't like, and try bracketing.
manual exposures give much different and sometimes much better pics
than auto.

Flash
Always use your flash outdoors with portraits or where the light is
variable. Eric Noack

Eric,I see your pics with kind of photoart inserts ,so that I would
prefair rather soft fill-in available light in your portraiture
(looks more natural,pastel and of course romantic-french?) Chris
from Florida

Taking indoor pictures or night shots outdoor with external flash,
go early and take some practice shots and detemine what setting is
good for that situation ahead of time. Remember to focus on the
object then frame. Hand steady. This might prevent some grief.
Since, you do not have to worry about cost of developing films,
take a lot of pictures (this is the only way you know how your
camera will perform, experiment and read helpful magazine or
website.
Dragon

Chris, I think maybe that I was using auto white balance has
something to do with this.

Although not a really a favorite tip this saved me about $25 to $35
plus shipping and time delay for shipping. I found my 12 year old
flash bracket's rubber mounting surface had become very smooth even
polished and the camera would not stay positioned even when
tightened.
I tried roughing the rubber without much success. so at the local
"Lowes" hardware store I bought a can of spray "rubber" [it also
comes in a liquid form] used some sand paper on the surface and
cleaned off the residue. It took 3 coats to get the thickness
(about 20 minutes apart) I wanted and a few hours to dry but the
bracket now "grabs" the camera better than when new.
This "spray rubber" can be used on tripod mounts, tools, other
slippery surfaces etc to pad or decrease "slipperyness" and costs
less than $5.

--
Richard Dunn

Click to expand...