LCD viewers - how do you cope?

Maybe I've lost the plot with this conversation, but I can see perfectly well with my LCD screen (on my year 2000 camera) and can focus perfectly on it ... in fact, I have a problem with the manual one now. I think my Country Life and Algarve Garden photos prove my point.

... and remember, I'm one of the best technophobes on this site. :rolleyes:

The only problem I have is that using the LCD screen constantly wears the battery down quickly and I keep it on charge constantly when not in use and have two spare batteries. T'other half did buy me a battery charger from e-Bay (from the States) the other week and it's duff. Win some, lose some.

I couldn't go back to film again.

 

Niether did I until I read your post Peter.
Being not really that well up on photography and a bit of spare cash at the time, I went from a cheapish compact digi to an SLR.
Sometimes you know, (and especially when I get all the settings wrong), I still get a clearer pic from the old cheapy. Its just that with the SLR you get more chance to experiment, change lenses etc.

 

Pete, my camera is virtually an SLR, but with a poor viewer and without interchangeable lenses. I should have made the jump to an SLR for the same reasons as you - but they do cost more.

Lol - I have just been looking back at your pictures - you have some lovely shots there. Perhaps it's time for me to shut up an accept that I am out of step and that the rest of the world must be in step. :D

I promise to go and practice with my camera until I am so good I can do it blindfold - come to think of it that's what I feel I am doing now. :D Well - a good moan always cheers me up. :D

 

Marley - thanks for your comments. They are particularly appropriate from someone with the same camera. I am sure that the camera is potentially very good, and you are right I must just keep using it until I get used to it. I am encouraged by your comment that you quickly got used to it.

I have got a tripod and am happy to use it if it results in nice pictures.

 

so PeterS will you please send a photo of a flower for me, im dying to see how it turns out, thankyou... DEE

 

I will DEE - but I may be a little while.....

 

:D :D :D

 

Marley - I love those two pictures - especially the second one.

I have also enjoyed looking at your Jamaican photos, which I missed first time round. Must have been a wonderful holiday, and so nice to see such lovely pictures from the same camera. ... I will practice...

 

Hi Peter
Just one or two comments to encourage you to persist with your Fuji. I've had one since January and have taken around 2700 photos (just as well I'm not paying for film!!)

1. You'll easily match the macro photos posted on the site. However it takes a bit of practise and experimentation. To get the best out of the camera, particularly in macro mode, you'll get better results using manual control and reducing aperture to increase the depth of field. Though as has been pointed out you may need a tripod to allow for the slower speed needed.

2. I've found that manual focus does work, though it is a bit of a fiddle at times. Using the "one touch AF" facility (page 49 in the manual) works pretty well for me.

3. The flip-out screen, which you'll not get with most DSLR cameras is great for ground level macro shots. (You need to be a contortionist with eyes in the top of your head to look a frog in the eye at ground level.)

4. I was at the back of the queue when the eyeballs were handed out and have dreadful eyesight. I've found that flipping my specs up onto my head allows me to use the eyepiece viewfinder suitably adjusted using the diopter adjustment. However if you post on the Fuji site mentioned earlier you may find a source of extension rubber eyepieces - these are available for some SLRs and should help with your problem.

5. I've not found the screen to be any great problem. In fact it's the best I've had in the last 4 digital cameras.(Kodak, Nikon and Fuji).In general I just use it to compose shots without looking for detail as I trust the camera software to take care of focus and exposure either on auto or with manual control. About the only time I need to see detail is in macro shots and then I often use the steps in "2" above.

6. "Bridge Cameras" v DSLRs is a swings and roundabouts debate. I really fancy a DSLR as there are a few things it would do that I'd love to have available (shooting at 3fps for a start). However a DSLR plus lenses that would give me 28mm to 300mm plus macro would cost a fair bit and would entail lugging heavier equipment around which I would often be disinclined to do with a result of less photos taken!

Stick with it Peter. Get out and get shooting and you'll be posting photos as good as anyone's

 

Thanks Dave and all of you for your helpful comments.

 

If you want any advice on using manual with your camera to get great plant photos,feel free to give me a shout.I'm not a professional by any means,but i have done photo courses and could maybe help you out.
Joe.

 

This is an example of using Depth of Field,without a macro lens,and without using the macro setting on the camera.Everything was manual on a DSLR.You can do the same with your camera though.Just need a bit of practice,and a reletavly cheap filter....



Let me know.
Joe