Camera Settings For Tank / Fish Pics

[Tag2008]

Hi Guys,

I have a Panasonix FZ 50 digi camera..

It takes a belting photo but when i try to take pics from my tank I loose the sharpness and the auto focus struggles to focus on fish although other objects in the tank seem to look fine?

Im wondering if any of you guys have any idea of the settings i need to look for in my camera to set it to for the optimum tank/fish pics?

Thanks again
Tag

 

[gaz gun man]

I see thats a bridge camera.

try putting it into aperture mode and keep the f number as low as possible, you'll probably find it increases the more you zoom in, so get close to the tank, boost the ISO to around 400-600 (if you go further you're pictures will suffer from noise)

If your lens has it, switch it to continous (or dynamic) autofocus, this way the lens should keep focusing on the fish as they move about.

Also if you could upload a sample pic for me I can have a go at diagnosing what settings you need to change

 

[Tag2008]

I see thats a bridge camera.

try putting it into aperture mode and keep the f number as low as possible, you'll probably find it increases the more you zoom in, so get close to the tank, boost the ISO to around 400-600 (if you go further you're pictures will suffer from noise)

If your lens has it, switch it to continous (or dynamic) autofocus, this way the lens should keep focusing on the fish as they move about.

Also if you could upload a sample pic for me I can have a go at diagnosing what settings you need to change

Ahh..
Thanks m8ty
Im not sure what a bridge camera is but its a decent camera as far as i know..
I will give this a go tommorrow and see what I come up with..

 

[gaz gun man]

cool

a bridge camera is between a point and shoot compact and a DSLR

 

[Tag2008]

Here are the specs,

I see most of the settings you mention except the dynamic lens settings? where do you think this settings would be?


DMC-FZ50 specifications

Sensor * • 1/1.8" Type CCD
• 10.4 million pixels total
• 10.1 million effective pixels
• Primary (RGB) color filter

Image ratios • 4:3 (default, CCD native)
• 3:2
• 16:9

Image sizes *
(4:3 ratio)
• 3648 x 2736
• 3264 x 2448
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200

Image sizes *
(3:2 ratio) • 3600 x 2400
• 3248 x 2160
• 2560 x 1712
• 2048 x 1360

Image sizes *
(16:9 ratio) • 3584 x 2016
• 3072 x 1728
• 1920 x 1080

Movie clips • 848 x 480 (16:9), 30 / 10 fps *
• 640 x 480 (4:3), 30 / 10 fps
• 320 x 240 (4:3), 30 / 10 fps
• With audio
• Maximum movie clip size 2 GB

File formats * • RAW
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2): Fine / Standard
• MOV (Movies, Motion JPEG codec)
Image processor Venus Engine III
Lens • 35 - 420 mm equiv. (12x zoom)
• F2.8 - F3.7 (minimum aperture F11)
• 14 elements in 10 groups (3 aspherical, 1 ED lens)
• Labeled as "LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT"
• Non-extending / internal zoom
• Mechanical linked zoom ring
• Focus-by-wire focus ring
• 55 mm lens thread

Image stabilization • Optical, "MEGA OIS"
• Modes: 1 (all the time), 2 (at shutter release only)
Conversion lenses Yes (screw on front of lens; 55 mm thread)
Digital zoom • 2x or 4x
• "Extra optical zoom" for smaller sizes (13.4x 8m, 17.1x 5m, 21.4x 3m) *
Focus • AF / AF Macro / Manual (switch on dial)
• Continuous AF On/Off
• Manual Focus (Ring)
• One-shot AF
AF area modes • 1 point
• 1 point high-speed
• 3 point
• 3 point high-speed
• 9 point
• Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 30 / 200 cm - Infinity
• Macro: 5 / 200 cm - Infinity
Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Center weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• Intelligent Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800 *
• ISO 1600 *
• ISO 3200 (High sensitivity mode) *
Exposure compensation • +/- 2.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing • 3 frames
• 0.3 to 1 EV steps
Shutter speed • Auto: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec *
• Program AE: 1 - 1/2000 sec *
• Aperture/Shutter priority: 8 - 1/2000 sec
• Manual mode: 60 - 1/2000 sec *
• Shutter speeds over 1/1000 sec not available with all apertures.
Aperture • Wide: F2.8 - F11
• Tele: F3.7 - F11
Modes • Auto
• Program (with shift)
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority
• Manual
• Scene
• Moving Image
• Playback
Scene modes * • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Panning
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Snow
• Starry Sky
• Baby 1
• Baby 2
• High sensitivity
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Halogen
• Flash
• Manual 1
• Manual 2

White balance fine tune Yes (except Auto)
Self timer 2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting • Full resolution: 2 or 1 fps *
• Full resolution: max 5 images (standard mode), 3 images (fine mode) *
• Infinite consecutive (unlimited but slower shooting rate)
Image parameters • Contrast (Low, Standard, High)
• Sharpness (Low, Standard, High)
• Saturation (Low, Standard, High)
• Noise reduction (Low, Standard, High)
Color Effect • Cool
• Warm
• Black & White
• Sepia
Flash • Built-in (manual pop-up)
• Modes: Auto, Auto red-eye reduction, Slow sync, On/Off
• Range: 0.3 - 7.0 m (W), 0.3 - 5.3 m (T)
• External flash via hot-shoe
• Flash exposure compensation (+/-2 EV in 0.3 EV steps)
Flash hot-shoe * • New TTL hot-shoe
• Compatible with: DMW-FL500 (GN50), DMW-FL360 (GN36) external flash
Orientation sensor Yes
Viewfinder • 0.44" EVF (electronic viewfinder)
• 230,000 pixels
LCD monitor • 2.0" TFT LCD
• 207,000 pixels *
• Flip down and twist
Record review 1 sec / 3 sec / Zoom
Playback • 2x / 4x / 8x / 16x magnification
• 9 / 16 / 25 thumbnail index
• Image rotation
• Slideshow
• Resizing
• Trimming
• Protection
• DPOF setting
Connectivity • USB 1.1
• A/V out
• DC-IN
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • Secure Digital card, SDHC card *, MMC card
• 32 MB SD card supplied
Power • 710 mAh, 7.2V Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Charger included
Weight (No batt) 668 g (1.5 lb) *
Weight (with batt) 734 g (1.6 lb) *
Dimensions 141 x 86 x 142 mm (5.5 x 3.4 x 5.6 in)
Supplied software * LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio -viewer-, SILKPIX DEVELOPER STUDIO, ArcSoft Camera Suite (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker), Adobe Reader, Quick Time, USB Driver

 

[gaz gun man]

Here are the specs,

I see most of the settings you mention except the dynamic lens settings? where do you think this settings would be?


DMC-FZ50 specifications

Sensor * • 1/1.8" Type CCD
• 10.4 million pixels total
• 10.1 million effective pixels
• Primary (RGB) color filter

Image ratios • 4:3 (default, CCD native)
• 3:2
• 16:9

Image sizes *
(4:3 ratio)
• 3648 x 2736
• 3264 x 2448
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200

Image sizes *
(3:2 ratio) • 3600 x 2400
• 3248 x 2160
• 2560 x 1712
• 2048 x 1360

Image sizes *
(16:9 ratio) • 3584 x 2016
• 3072 x 1728
• 1920 x 1080

Movie clips • 848 x 480 (16:9), 30 / 10 fps *
• 640 x 480 (4:3), 30 / 10 fps
• 320 x 240 (4:3), 30 / 10 fps
• With audio
• Maximum movie clip size 2 GB

File formats * • RAW
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2): Fine / Standard
• MOV (Movies, Motion JPEG codec)
Image processor Venus Engine III
Lens • 35 - 420 mm equiv. (12x zoom)
• F2.8 - F3.7 (minimum aperture F11)
• 14 elements in 10 groups (3 aspherical, 1 ED lens)
• Labeled as "LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT"
• Non-extending / internal zoom
• Mechanical linked zoom ring
• Focus-by-wire focus ring
• 55 mm lens thread

Image stabilization • Optical, "MEGA OIS"
• Modes: 1 (all the time), 2 (at shutter release only)
Conversion lenses Yes (screw on front of lens; 55 mm thread)
Digital zoom • 2x or 4x
• "Extra optical zoom" for smaller sizes (13.4x 8m, 17.1x 5m, 21.4x 3m) *
Focus • AF / AF Macro / Manual (switch on dial)
• Continuous AF On/Off
• Manual Focus (Ring)
• One-shot AF
AF area modes • 1 point
• 1 point high-speed
• 3 point
• 3 point high-speed
• 9 point
• Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 30 / 200 cm - Infinity
• Macro: 5 / 200 cm - Infinity
Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Center weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• Intelligent Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800 *
• ISO 1600 *
• ISO 3200 (High sensitivity mode) *
Exposure compensation • +/- 2.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing • 3 frames
• 0.3 to 1 EV steps
Shutter speed • Auto: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec *
• Program AE: 1 - 1/2000 sec *
• Aperture/Shutter priority: 8 - 1/2000 sec
• Manual mode: 60 - 1/2000 sec *
• Shutter speeds over 1/1000 sec not available with all apertures.
Aperture • Wide: F2.8 - F11
• Tele: F3.7 - F11
Modes • Auto
• Program (with shift)
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority
• Manual
• Scene
• Moving Image
• Playback
Scene modes * • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Panning
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Snow
• Starry Sky
• Baby 1
• Baby 2
• High sensitivity
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Halogen
• Flash
• Manual 1
• Manual 2

White balance fine tune Yes (except Auto)
Self timer 2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting • Full resolution: 2 or 1 fps *
• Full resolution: max 5 images (standard mode), 3 images (fine mode) *
• Infinite consecutive (unlimited but slower shooting rate)
Image parameters • Contrast (Low, Standard, High)
• Sharpness (Low, Standard, High)
• Saturation (Low, Standard, High)
• Noise reduction (Low, Standard, High)
Color Effect • Cool
• Warm
• Black & White
• Sepia
Flash • Built-in (manual pop-up)
• Modes: Auto, Auto red-eye reduction, Slow sync, On/Off
• Range: 0.3 - 7.0 m (W), 0.3 - 5.3 m (T)
• External flash via hot-shoe
• Flash exposure compensation (+/-2 EV in 0.3 EV steps)
Flash hot-shoe * • New TTL hot-shoe
• Compatible with: DMW-FL500 (GN50), DMW-FL360 (GN36) external flash
Orientation sensor Yes
Viewfinder • 0.44" EVF (electronic viewfinder)
• 230,000 pixels
LCD monitor • 2.0" TFT LCD
• 207,000 pixels *
• Flip down and twist
Record review 1 sec / 3 sec / Zoom
Playback • 2x / 4x / 8x / 16x magnification
• 9 / 16 / 25 thumbnail index
• Image rotation
• Slideshow
• Resizing
• Trimming
• Protection
• DPOF setting
Connectivity • USB 1.1
• A/V out
• DC-IN
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • Secure Digital card, SDHC card *, MMC card
• 32 MB SD card supplied
Power • 710 mAh, 7.2V Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Charger included
Weight (No batt) 668 g (1.5 lb) *
Weight (with batt) 734 g (1.6 lb) *
Dimensions 141 x 86 x 142 mm (5.5 x 3.4 x 5.6 in)
Supplied software * LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio -viewer-, SILKPIX DEVELOPER STUDIO, ArcSoft Camera Suite (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker), Adobe Reader, Quick Time, USB Driver

I've bold and underlined it in your post

 

[Tag2008]

Ahh I see it cheers.. Now to find it on the camera...lol

 

[gaz gun man]

from looking at pictures of the camera, i'm guessing its listed as AF macro on the lens body

 

[Tag2008]

from looking at pictures of the camera, i'm guessing its listed as AF macro on the lens body

Hi, Ok found the AF Macro the manual says its for close up shots.. So I have AF or AF Macro or MF

I can change the ISO I found that but cant seem to see the "f number" ? where am I looking for this? I do see f4.0 on the screen but cant see how to lower it? tried twiddling everything lol

Thanks again
Tag

 

[gaz gun man]

have you tied zooming out? that normally lowers the f number, you might need to stick it into aprture priority though and change it

 

[Tag2008]

Hi Gun,
Ive given it a go but encountered one difference I cant see an Aperature mode only I seem to have the apperatire priority ??

The F number is at 4.0 and I cant seem to get it down even when i zoom...

So set the zoom to the lowest and sat the camers on the tripod as close to the tank as i could..
Ive set the ISO to 400

The pic was taken at 10 MP but I resized it for here as it was over 5 meg in size.. so its now at a res of 800 x 600

Here is what I got and is typical of most of my tank shots...The things in the tank seem ok but the fish just wont focus properly even when they sit still.

Thoughts very welcome..

 

[gaz gun man]

hello mate

aperture mode/priority are the same thing, when in this mode you can set the f number manually, there is usually a dial somewhere on the camera that adjusts the aperture when in this mode.

if the fish still look blurred then you can set the f number to a smaller number so the camera can use a quicker shutter speed and freeze the action.

however you must focus on the fish, because the rest of the picture will look soft, a small aperture number gives a shallow depth of field, so its worth a try, and just experiment with it.

alternatively, try upping the ISO, which will also increase the shutter speed and freeze the action, however if you go too high you'll get noise problems.

I wouldnt go any further than 600 though, but again, just try and see.

you can see in these two pics how the aperture controls the depth of field

 

[Tag2008]

hello mate

aperture mode/priority are the same thing, when in this mode you can set the f number manually, there is usually a dial somewhere on the camera that adjusts the aperture when in this mode.

if the fish still look blurred then you can set the f number to a smaller number so the camera can use a quicker shutter speed and freeze the action.

however you must focus on the fish, because the rest of the picture will look soft, a small aperture number gives a shallow depth of field, so its worth a try, and just experiment with it.

alternatively, try upping the ISO, which will also increase the shutter speed and freeze the action, however if you go too high you'll get noise problems.

I wouldnt go any further than 600 though, but again, just try and see.

you can see in these two pics how the aperture controls the depth of field

Thanks for that m8,

I wonder why you tell me to try and get a low F number and I see in your pic the better result is from the higher number?

Thanks again
Tag

 

[gaz gun man]

because a higher f number uses a slower shutter speed, so you wont get the fish as sharp as you would like.

The aperture is basically like an eye, the higher the f number, the smaller the eye and the slower the shutter speed.

for example this pic;

was taken at f2.8 and I focused on the eyes to draw attention to the fishes 'face' and blur the background so the cory stands out.


this one was taken at f3.2

this one was taken at f14 on a tripod

the exposure time (shutter speed) was 2 seconds, hence why all the fish and the bubbles are blurry, but if I had chosen a smaller number, the depth of field would blur everything.