How to take pics please?

[James_Death]

Hi all i have a panasonic FZ20 i think it is.
Anypointers on taking pics please especially settings for indoor shooting.
Would like to have a run to cosford this weekend if possible and would appreciate not having underexposed pics.
Thank you all in advance and all the best,
james

[Darren Harbar]

James,

The FZ20 is quite a versatile compact, so you should be OK. The only downside is that the low light performance is rather poor. I would normally sugest setting an ISO number of 200-400 for museums (depending on available light), but at 400ISO, the Panasonic is very noisy (grainy).

For best results, you should use a tripod and aperture priority (Av) mode. Set an aperture like F22 to get the best front to back focus (depth of field).

Hope this helps

Cheers

Darren

[James_Death]

Very helpfull Darren,
Thank you, the Fz is poor in poor light. Suppose better under exposed gives option to lighten in photo shop. The pain.
As you say stability is the problem with aperture priority.
Oh well I'm just starting out and it will be a big learning curve I'm sure.
Thanks again and all the best,
james

[MattHunt]

Hi

If you're underexposing, if you actually 'black' out an area, then there will be no 'information' for PS to show detail when it is lightened. Correspondingly the same will occurr for bright areas unless you use the option to lighten shadows only.

You may have problems using a tripod in some places since it is taken as being an indication you'll sell the pictures and that you're blocking the walkways. You could phone ahead and ask to stop overzealous staff interrupting you.

Hope you enjoy the results from your trips.

Matt

[James_Death]

Thanks Matt,
I have asked Cosford about tripod as the Hendon wont let you period they say.
Over exposing will have no info there but underexposing can still have detail there ive seen some prety black pics resurected of birds.
Can but see.
All the bets,
James