8 replies to this topic

[katiedid]

Taken today in Belle Chasse, LA

Sorry it is not a good pic. I have a Canon Power Shot SX30IS and I cannot get a good clear shot using the zoom. I really don't know which settings to use. The manual is not much help either. Any ideas as to what settings I can try?

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[Melissa :)]

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Well, I think it's a great shot!!

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Seconded. Nice pic!

[katiedid]

Thank you for the ID and the compliment on the pic!

[Cobal]

I have the same camera and I love it. It is tricky to get clear pics in poor lighting sometimes. I don't know much about cameras, but I found that I have to try to take pictures from slightly different angles to get the camera to focus when it is zoomed way out. A slight change in the background can clear the picture up a lot.

[Bird Brain]

Taken today in Belle Chasse, LA

Sorry it is not a good pic. I have a Canon Power Shot SX30IS and I cannot get a good clear shot using the zoom. I really don't know which settings to use. The manual is not much help either. Any ideas as to what settings I can try?

I used the XS30IS for a year until I upgraded to a Canon EOS T2i about three months ago, and I was frustrated with it at first also. I wasn't getting clear photos with it, and the only manuel I got with it was an online manuel...I had to go online to view it. What a hassle!!
After some practice I began getting better results with it. I tried different settings on it, but ended up using it in AF (auto function) all the time. Not having a printed manuel out in the field made it almost impossible to try different settings in real life situations.
I got to where I was able to get some good shots with it, and I still use it as my backup camera. You didn't say how long you've had it, but practice helps improve what you get from it.
BTW, your photo above of the YC Night Heron is a good photo! Good luck, and practice, practice, practice......

EDIT: The advice from Cobal is good advice! Try different angles and different zoom on a subject when you can.

[Liam]

I've had a preceding model, the SX20 for over two years now and I've found one of the best ways to get good photos is to use a low ISO (ISO80 up to 200 will produce fairly good results) and avoid digital zoom. Of course, if you don't have good lighting, a higher ISO will be necessary. But if you don't have to use an ISO higher than 200, don't. I use this camera as a back up, but I've still taken some decent photos with it.

http://www.panoramio...S?photo_page=10

[JimBob]

Really like a lot of those pictures Liam.

[jamesm008]

I use the sx30 and have had some great pics, especially with good light. I recommend staying in iso80 whenever possible (you'll need to put the camera in one of the manual modes to do that.) Iso 200 will be fine as long as you get close enough to your bird. I have had a lot of trouble when I put it in auto mode, but if you are able to figure out manual mode you can get some really good stuff. Here are a couple of examples.