Simviation Forums

Finally bought a new camera. These are the first pictures. I am by no means 100% happy, jumping from my old Nikon F2 to a digital camera is not as easy as I though it could be as Kriss can testify by a couple of PM's he has got from me. Still it is a start. Once I have finished the novel instruction manual that came with it, things should get better. I seem to be quite good at chopping of bits of aircraft at the moment.

Matt

You'll be taking sharp shots in no time.  It just take a little getting use to.

Those aren't bad at all.

Depending on the resolution available, it's often better to not try to zoom in so close... you can crop the unwanted expanse of sky out of the picture, even enlarge the remaining portion a little, and still have a sharp image of the whole airplane.

Aviation photography is a bit like a round of golf, you may take well over a hundred shots but if one, and only one, is perfect you get an enormous feeling of satisfaction and will want to go again.. then it's two perfect shots, then three and so on..

A good start Matt  8-)

Thanks for the input everyone. Night shift this week so lets see what a few timed exposures produce.

Matt

Now I can see what you meant...  ;D

Well, practice makes perfect. It takes some time before you know the best settings to capture the planes sharp and nice.

Think lots of light and fast shuttertimes.

Out of interest Matt, which camera did you buy?

Out of interest Matt, which camera did you buy?

I bought a Fuji Fine pix S5700 mainly because I borrowed one and impressed by what it could do.  Not exactly the one I wanted (a digital SLR ), but cost (Mrs. Expat) and ease of use (Mrs.Expat) had to play a (big) part. It is about as close to an SLR without actually being one. Fully automatic, 300mm optical zoom (plus digital zoom, but I imagine a big quality drop if it is used)  also  modes for shutter priority, aperture priority or fully manual. It can also be set for a ASA between 64 no 1600. Shutter from B to 1000th. F3.5 to F16. So many preprogrammed settings that I lost count. 7.1 megapixel.

Matt

That's a good bridge camera Matt. eno, and i believe Nemo too, have the very same camera and both have posted excellent pictures here using it.
I have a Fuji (s9600), pretty much the same as yours (save for a few extra Megapixels) and I guarantee you'll be happy with it... given time!
I'm still learning with mine and I've had it for almost a year now but don't let that put you off though, I learn slowly.. mainly because I put it down for a few months at a time then catch the bug again.  ::)
Make sure you register your camera at the Fuji website, it gives some good hints and tips, and also has a monthly contest which even if you don't enter has some excellent examples of the results which can be got from your camera.
Have fun mate  :)

You made a good choice Matt, try the natural light setting (N) for aviation, it always seemed a good balance on my s5600  8-)

Well a couple of points come to mind now.

1. Good to know I have not bought a donkey.
2. Having seen some of the photos you guys have posted, I know what to    
   aim for.
3. Good that I did not try and BS about my new investment

I wanted to try out some night shots tonight, but I am up to my armpits in Air Bus APU right now (except right now, a cup of well earned coffee and a five minute break). Maybe tomorrow. And 6, I will bear that in mind the next time I see day light. Nights for the next week

Matt        

Take a trypod for those low-light shots...  ;)

You'll certainly enjoy yourself with this fine camera Matt. I still play with my FZ5 too, far more convenient at times.