New with Sony 717 Questions

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gutlass

Feeder Fish
Feb 16, 2004
4
0
0
I have the Infamous Sony DSC f717 digital camera. I having problems taking pics of my fish with it. I know that I have to get more light in the top of the tank. I was wondering if i should ues an external flash to set at the top of the tank. Do you guys use this method and if so what parts do you use. Thanks Chris
 
the FOUNDER is here !!!! Just kidding.

Hey man, it's a great camera you got there (I like it). It has some serious shortcomings (shutter lag is a drag, and dont even try to take pics at any ISO more than 100), but if used right it's pretty good.

YES, you need A LOT of light to make this work. I have about 300W of PURE DAYLIGHT bulbs on top of my tank when I shoot, so results are good. You gotta get the right conditions to be able to use a somewhat high shutter speed while keeping ISO low, and not using the flash. The built in flash on the camera is TERRIBLE, and unfortunately sony does not produce a good external flash. I am trying right now to get a decent 3rd party external flash, to no avail so far. BUT honestly, I prefer to use NO flash at all. If you want natural colors, that is what you need.

I usually use either the Manual mode (M), or the Shutter priority mode (S). Many people here will list their settings when taking pics, and that is a good way to emulate. When you post yours, (in Photography 101 to get help), please list your settings. Remember them when you take pics. If you dont, you can always get the EXIF info (settings) from photo-editing software like Photoshop. Usually we need to help you the following: ISO, shutter speed, Fstop, and lighting conditions.

LMK if this helps and feel free to continue asking questions in this thread, I will make sure to watch it.
Ed
 
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How do you adjust the ISO. I tried putting it in Manual foucus and it said it was INvaild
 
on top of the viewfinder there are 3 buttons, the right one is the Menu button, press it. It will show a bar at the bottom of the viewfinder, the first option is ISO, goes from 100 to 800 plus Auto.
ed
 
Thanks Inkfish, I changed the iso to 100, but the manual focus wont work. I also Put a small light at the top of the tank. Here's the best pic i took.
f99526ee.jpg


Let me know what you think.
 
OK, let the camera focus, dont do manual. 717 is actually very good at auto focusing. The pic you took looks nice but is slightly out of focus. If auto focus was on, you would get a better shot.

Also take off the small light and add a bunch of BIG ones. The more light you have the quicker your shutter can be the cleaner pics you will take without flash.

Here is a suggestion for a nice light setup: w/flash, 1/500 shutter, 3.5 aperature in M mode. w/out flash with REALLY good lighting setup, I use 1/100 shutter with 2.0 aperature, but you need some serious daylight bulbs. I use 300 watts of daylight bulbs for that setup, and totally dark room.
 
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