P1 Tips

[ChrisG]

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of combating it.

a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.

b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.
--- Chris

 

[Artem38464]

Although taking into consideration that it's good for traveling (size matter!) it'll be great to have a car charger for this camera (that charges battery INSIDE the camera just like with AC adaptor). However Sony offer only 12V DC charger for S batteries, that costs $100+. Somebody have to start producing such chargers (actually DC converter from 12V to 4,2 with 1,5 ampers rate) - for $10-$15 every P1 user will buy it (I don't care if it'll be an OEM - not a SONY brand stuff).
Artem.

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[Freddy Besson]

Thanks for the tips ChrisG,

I just received my P1 this morning, and after reading your tip I went to the city to make some test and you tips where very usefull.

I have posted some pic in the gallerie forum.

Does someone nows if there are more tips for this P1? or something like a FAQ?

greetz

Freddy

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[ruexp67]

I was in the Sony store and asked their parts depot how much a replacement AC Adapter for the P1 would be. The guy looked it up and said: "$76." I was stunned. He asked if I needed just the cable that goes from the wall to the "brick" or the part with the brick and the connector to the camera. I said I wanted both. He said that the brick/camera connector as $76 and the other cable was an additonal $10.

That is INSANITY! I LOVE my P1, it takes great pix, is easy to use, and has the best form factor around, but how can Sony expect to stay competative when their accessories are priced so high?

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[Stan37940]

As posted in another thread, here's a charger that can be used at home and in the car... $39.90 in stock.

http://www.shabria.com/battery/BC-SL30.htm

Stan

That is INSANITY! I LOVE my P1, it takes great pix, is easy to
use, and has the best form factor around, but how can Sony expect
to stay competative when their accessories are priced so high?

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[Artem38663]

Stan, you probably found "the best deal in town", however, I strongly believe that the car charger should look different - see the picture at



- it's not for P1, but looks very similar "to my dream".

If the unit supposed to be used in the car, it should be as small as possible, and, that should affect the price, be JUST THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER from 12V to 4,2. Why to pay extra for the CHARGER, when the charger already exist inside the camera. You just need a 4,2V plug, and it should cost no more than $15, including S&H - just like the car cellular phone cord. Am I right?

Artem

http://www.shabria.com/battery/BC-SL30.htm

Stan

That is INSANITY! I LOVE my P1, it takes great pix, is easy to
use, and has the best form factor around, but how can Sony expect
to stay competative when their accessories are priced so high?

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[ruexp67]

I agree about the car charger. I also agree, I should be able to buy a replacement AC cable for less than $86! (Like $70 less!) However, we all have Sony camera and are therefore out of luck. Thank you to Stan for re-posting a link I missed from another forum! I ordered immediatly.

- it's not
for P1, but looks very similar "to my dream".
If the unit supposed to be used in the car, it should be as small
as possible, and, that should affect the price, be JUST THE VOLTAGE
CONVERTER from 12V to 4,2. Why to pay extra for the CHARGER, when
the charger already exist inside the camera. You just need a 4,2V
plug, and it should cost no more than $15, including S&H - just
like the car cellular phone cord. Am I right?

Artem

http://www.shabria.com/battery/BC-SL30.htm

Stan

That is INSANITY! I LOVE my P1, it takes great pix, is easy to
use, and has the best form factor around, but how can Sony expect
to stay competative when their accessories are priced so high?

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris

 

[Stan37940]

I completely agree with that ideal look on the charger. It does make a lot of sense. Simple and easy to work with.

But also think of the link that I posted...and what that one can do. Since these little S batteries holds a little over an hour or so of juice in them, I figure that if you get that charger, and have a spare battery, you can run around town with the P1 and have the other being charged and ready to go if you need it. From there, all you'd have to do is swap out the battery and you're good to go without having to put the camera down to wait for it to charge up.

Anyway, that was what I was thinking when I bought it. Of course, I might not use it as much as I think but as someone mentioned prior to this post, it'll sure come in handy when I go on that long road trip. I'm actually planning on one this summer (which should give me plenty of time to learn about my P1). heheh...

Stan

- it's not
for P1, but looks very similar "to my dream".
If the unit supposed to be used in the car, it should be as small
as possible, and, that should affect the price, be JUST THE VOLTAGE
CONVERTER from 12V to 4,2. Why to pay extra for the CHARGER, when
the charger already exist inside the camera. You just need a 4,2V
plug, and it should cost no more than $15, including S&H - just
like the car cellular phone cord. Am I right?

Artem

http://www.shabria.com/battery/BC-SL30.htm

Stan

That is INSANITY! I LOVE my P1, it takes great pix, is easy to
use, and has the best form factor around, but how can Sony expect
to stay competative when their accessories are priced so high?

Hi,

I have had my P1 for a while and I just thought I would post a
couple of tips in its use that have I have discovered that have
really helped me.

1. Don't use digital zoom. It makes for blurred, low quality
images. Maybe you can use it with a tripod, but otherwise just turn
it off.

2. If you are fed up with the slow speed then you have some ways of
combating it.
a) When taking a picture of a moving (or changing) target, press
the shutter button in half-way to let it focus etc. on the
background/place that you want to take the photo and then press the
shutter button in fully when the subject comes into frame. It isn't
the picture taking that takes a long time, it is the focus and
light adjustments that the camera makes beforehand.
b) Use 5 seconds of 320HQ mode movie to capture action shots rather
than a still photo. It is SO much easier to frame the subject, SO
much faster to start the shot and SO much cooler to watch
afterwards.

3. Experiment with the quality of the movie modes before you need
to use them. 320HQ vs. 320 vs. 160. It will allow you to keep your
file sizes down and hence conserve memory sticks.

4. If you are shooting subjects from a distance in low light, turn
off the flash since leaving the flash on causes darker photos.

5. Buy a 64Mb stick

The P1 really is the best camera on the market if you want your
camera for the movies just as much as the still photos.

--

• Chris