Digital cameras 101

[ShutterbugGail]

I'm wondering if you've done a firmware update. One of the improvements Kodak lists in the Find Out More section is that the update makes:

• Improvements to focusing mechanism.
  

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/downloads/dln_ekn026769.jhtml?pq-path=978

Maybe the camera isn't focusing precisely where you want it.


Also, I'm thinking you're not still using the best background to get the depth of field you're seeking, even though you're using a wide aperture. You're shooting at a slight angle which increases the distance.

Try taking a photo of hubby in front of a shrub, zoom in slightly, use a wide aperture. Don't shoot at an angle.

btw, if you're into photo editing and have software with layers, you can create depth of field:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-to-create-depth-of-field-using-layers/index.htm


Related reading - firmware upgrade:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-firmware-for-a-digital-camera/

[ShutterbugGail]

Another thing.

Your camera has two focusing modes:

Multi-zone (default)— evaluates 3 zones to give an even picture focus.

Center zone—evaluates the small area centered in the viewfinder.

If you're not using Center zone focusing, try it. It may help you get shallow depth of field.

As an aside, whenever I puchase a camera with multi-zone or similar focusing, which is typically set by default by the manufacturer, I ALWAYS switch to a center focus mode. Gives you much better control as to where focus takes palce.

[Deb]

Hi, IMHO GoGayleGo's framing is sufficient to produce the effects she's after.  

I'm wondering about distance-to-subject. GoGayleGo, how far away from your husband were you when you "shot" him in this Jan. 2 photo? (The greater the distance to subject, the less background blur you'll get using a given aperture.) If this distance was close enough, then I'd strongly suspect it's a camera issue. Perhaps the firmware update will help.

[GoGayleGo]

He was literally about 2-3 feet away!  With the fireplace another 3-4 feet behind him.

I'll check the firmware to see if I'm current.  I thought I checked this before, but I'll double check again.

Yikes.

[GoGayleGo]

I have confirmed that I have the current firmware (1.100) installed.

I may try calling Kodak again (I'll probably regret that).

[ShutterbugGail]

He was literally about 2-3 feet away!  With the fireplace another 3-4 feet behind him.

Imho, for this photo, you should be only about a foot or two from the fireplace. Also, make sure your focus is set to Center zone, otherwise your camera may very well be focusing on the background AND the foreground. If that's the case, you'll always struggle to get shallow depth of field.

If none of these recent suggestions help, do call Kodak. Let us know what they advise.

[GoGayleGo]

The last photo posted was taken after I switched from multi-zone to center-zone (per Deb's insight).

I am on the phone with Kodak now and will report back my results.

[GoGayleGo]

Not much to report.  I immediately asked to speak with a supervisor (who informed me as soon as she got on the phone that she wouldn't be able to help me with any technical problems...?!?).  She had access to someone "with a PhD in Photography", and they've concluded that there is nothing else they can say/do to help me, but that I could send the camera in and for $35 they will look at it to determine if something is wrong.

Aha, they've now changed their tune somewhat.  I've been asked to send to them directly a picture of an inanimate object, 4 feet away, with a distant background, taken with full telephoto using smallest and largest aperture.  We'll see what comes of that.

Meanwhile, I'd been looking at the Z730 (as I want a camera with more MP), but if I can't get the PAS mode to work on the current camera, I may just go with the Canon Powershot A610.  I saw a nice shot on dpreview.com taken with the A620, showing excellent shallow DOF, so I know it can truly be achieved.  I asked Kodak to provide me with an example shallow DOF picture taken with my current camera, and they don't seem to be able to come up with one.

[ShutterbugGail]

The last photo posted was taken after I switched from multi-zone to center-zone (per Deb's insight).

I somehow missed Deb's post and now see that we said the same thing. Ahh, great minds.  

I may just go with the Canon Powershot A610.  I saw a nice shot on dpreview.com taken with the A620, showing excellent shallow DOF, so I know it can truly be achieved.  

The A620 and A610 are getting rave reviews where ever you find them. They also say it produces much improved results when shooting at ISO 200 and 400 (an area that greatly needs to be improved for consumer digital cameras).

I do think it's a camera problem, or something inherent in the camera that doesn't make shallow depth of field possible. You should weigh the cost of repair vs the cost of a new one. Many digital cameras have so improved in the last two years.

[GoGayleGo]

You should weigh the cost of repair vs the cost of a new one.

My thoughts exactly.  I was planning to buy a new one anyway, so can't see spending the money to fix the old one.  I just wanted to make sure I could use the feature (A-priority) before I went charging off to buy another camera (LOL - that didn't work out so well!).  Was looking at the A620, but read carefully about going overboard with MP.  I rarely crop or zoom on photos after the fact, so don't know that I need the whopping 7.4 MP of the 620 when I can probably do OK with the 5 MP of the 610.  Or maybe I should anticipate my future needs and go with the 620...

[ShutterbugGail]

How many megapixels do you need? Here are some thoughts:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-many-megapixels/index.htm

[GoGayleGo]

5 is probably good for me.  The cameras (610 / 620) appear to be otherwise equal, and have everything I need/want.  Don't know if I'm thrilled about the swivel LCD (would have preferred a slightly larger, non-swivel LCD), but I think that's pretty minor in the scheme of things.  I also think it's bizarre that there is no internal memory with these cameras, but seeing that I'd have to buy a card anyway, it's not such a big deal either.  I absolutely had to have an auto lens cap (ruling out the Kodak DX7630, what were they thinking?), optical viewfinder, and PAS modes.  I strongly preferred a camera with a 4x optical zoom, and the only 2 in the price/feature/MP range I was looking in were the Kodak Z730 and the Canon A620/610.  So I think I've come to a decision!

[ShutterbugGail]

Don't know if I'm thrilled about the swivel LCD (would have preferred a slightly larger, non-swivel LCD), but I think that's pretty minor in the scheme of things.  

Other than an ultra small, I'd never buy a digital camera without one (or a viewfinder for that matter). The swivel is great for Macro and odd angle shots (such as in a crowd and holding the camera above your head). And wait until you see the improved video quality of some of the newer digicams, such as the A6XX. You'll often want to tilt out the LCD for easier viewing when recording video.

I couldn't give a hoot about video until I got the S2....and a grandchild. ;-) I'm still not into video enough to want to buy a dedicated video cam, but the quality of the video from the S2 is amazing.

[GoGayleGo]

OK, here we go again.  I have the A610 in hand, and have tried a few shots (Av mode) with no better luck.  This time I knew to change to center focus mode.

But there are a million settings on this camera, do you know if there's anything else I need to change to get on the right track?

User error....LOL!  What is WRONG with me?

[GoGayleGo]

OK, so while I certainly won't win any awards for these pictures, I think I'm getting closer!  (Obviously I still have a ton to learn about exposure and flash, but my objective here was to conquer shallow DOF.)  These were all taken with max telephoto, distance ~4 feet.

[ShutterbugGail]

You GOT IT! Contratulations.

Each photo has shallow depth-of-field, and you can see how the degree of it changes in each image depending on the distance the subject is from the background. The photo of the cat is lovely!

Keep practicing and keep us posted about your progress. If you have further questions let us know. Keep up the good work!

You may find this Canon resource helpful in understanding the many features on the A610.

http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/psa610/overview-e.html

[Deb]

Hi GoGayleGo! Those last two shots (shoe and cat) illustrate shallow depth-of-field beautifully! Great job!