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tbd123

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Previously, I posted a thread about how my indoor pics with my FZ8 are grainy-looking. I've tried different ISO settings, but it didn't help. I'm usually on ISO 200 or 400. Before, I had an FZ3 and even the indoor pics were great (even though I'm a novice). But, the FZ8 has given me grainy indoor shots ever since I got it.....sometimes even when it seems like there is enough light in the room. I uploaded four snapshots to show examples. Hopefully, I did it right and you can see them.















 
They don't look as grainy when I just look at them at the small size. But, if you expand them, you can tell what I'm referring to, I think. When I print 4x6, they look grainy.
 
I did try having them printed at other places and they are still grainy. They also look that way on my monitor.
 
This is a long-shot but what image size setting are you using? These look like the camera is set for less than max resolution setting. This camera can be set as low as 640 x 480 which would have the effect your shots display when enlarged.
--
Regards, Paul

Lili's Dad
 
Hmmm? I'll have to check that when I get home today. I'm not sure what it's set to.
 
Forgive my ignorance, but where would I look on the camera for 640 x 480. I have "quality" set to the symbol that looks like 2 rows of boxes. The other option are one row of boxes or RAW. I also have it set to 2.5 mp. I also have the option of 6 mp and I remember last year changing it from 6 to 2.5 because of something I read. I honestly can't remember now if it was something I read here or online somewhere else.
 
The 2.5mp setting is fine for the moment. That will hopefully keep your hosting site from shrinking them.

I noticed that the two iso 100-125 images from December have a very high contrast/saturation/sharpness. I'd suggest that you start with setting those to zero (it's in the setup menu with the little wrench) and try some more at that ISO.

Images at iso 400 are always a bit noisy with small-sensor cameras. Yours actually look pretty decent. Nothing you can do to beat that - If you'd had the iso at 100, the shutter speed would have been much slower.

Finally, all of these have been post processed. Better to post what's "right out of the camera" for this sort of issue

Sherm
tbd123 said:
Forgive my ignorance, but where would I look on the camera for 640 x 480. I have "quality" set to the symbol that looks like 2 rows of boxes. The other option are one row of boxes or RAW. I also have it set to 2.5 mp. I also have the option of 6 mp and I remember last year changing it from 6 to 2.5 because of something I read. I honestly can't remember now if it was something I read here or online somewhere else.
Click to expand...
 
tbd123 said:
Forgive my ignorance, but where would I look on the camera for 640 x 480. I have "quality" set to the symbol that looks like 2 rows of boxes. The other option are one row of boxes or RAW. I also have it set to 2.5 mp. I also have the option of 6 mp and I remember last year changing it from 6 to 2.5 because of something I read. I honestly can't remember now if it was something I read here or online somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Why aren't you shooting at the highest possible quality and maximum MP? Memory cards are cheap and you can always downsize for the web but if you want to make prints you can never get back the resolution if you don't start with it in the first place. 2.5 MP was state of the art 8 years ago!
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Regards, Paul

Lili's Dad
 
If you're shooting at 2.5M and your only other choice is 6M, as you say, that means you're shooting in 3:2.

Your problem shots appear to be those in the higher ISO reaches, so the suggestion to up your MP is a good one.
Especially in low light, shoot at 6M in 3:2 or even better, 7M in 4:3.

My wife's FZ8 is set at 5M in 4:3, not to go higher than ISO 200 and that's fine for her because everything she shoots is done in good light, without flash. Anything at 200 she wants to print gets a quick run through Neat Image.

Sherman's thoughts re picture adjustment settings are also good. Default saturation and contrast are more than enough.

Up your MP and you'll see an immediate difference.

mike (FZ50)
 
1. 2.5 MP?... not good.... set it to highest possible for details....
2. Try to stay @ low ISO levels....
3. Check ur cam settings to see if the Noise Reduction(NR) is set to too low....
4. Try using Topaz Denoise or Noiseware....
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Have Fun :)
 
I will change it to 6mp. My only choices are 2.5 or 6. I don't see any way to go in between. I have it set to 3:2 because I print 4x6 photos and 4:3 ends up cutting some off the image. Contrast, sharpness, saturation ande noise reduction are all set to High. My choices are high, standard, or low. I'm assuming standard is where I should set it?
 
Standard is fine.

I had suggested the 2.5mp size so that you could post the without your hosting site cropping the image.
Sherm
tbd123 said:
I will change it to 6mp. My only choices are 2.5 or 6. I don't see any way to go in between. I have it set to 3:2 because I print 4x6 photos and 4:3 ends up cutting some off the image. Contrast, sharpness, saturation ande noise reduction are all set to High. My choices are high, standard, or low. I'm assuming standard is where I should set it?
Click to expand...
 
From the FZ8 user manual, page 126:

"7: The recorded picture looks rough.
Noise appears on the picture.
• Is the ISO sensitivity high or the shutter
speed slow?
(ISO sensitivity is set to [AUTO] when
the camera is shipped. Therefore, when
taking pictures indoors etc. the ISO
sensitivity increases.)
– Decrease the ISO sensitivity. (P78)
– Set [NOISE REDUCTION] in
[PICT.ADJ.] to [HIGH] or set every
item except [NOISE REDUCTION] to
[LOW]. (P85)
– Take pictures in bright places"

I would try these settings as a starting point, then take some test photos changing the settings until you find the best combination for you.

Definitely leave the camera at Maximum resolution - ie 6/7 MP

Lastly, have you checked that the lens is clean?
tbd123 said:
I will change it to 6mp. My only choices are 2.5 or 6. I don't see any way to go in between. I have it set to 3:2 because I print 4x6 photos and 4:3 ends up cutting some off the image. Contrast, sharpness, saturation ande noise reduction are all set to High. My choices are high, standard, or low. I'm assuming standard is where I should set it?
Click to expand...
--



He who cannot laugh at himself need not worry - others will do it for him
 
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