I have a couple of questions....sorry its long!

I took my camera out this afternoon and tried out the continuous setting. Definitely more frames per second than the last one which is good but they all seem a bit blurry, then as I went on, really grainy.

Is this because the ISO had gone up to 1600?

I know I said I would work on composition in auto...but I wanted to test it out. Although I didn't get as many fps with my little compact I definitely got clearer images (even in low light) on the sport setting on continuous. (I was taking photos of the dog running) Maybe thats because I have had the other one for years and my timings better with it or something?

Also, when its on Auto, I just don't like the photos, they always look under/overexposed to me. I changed that focus/metering thingy to centre...but still didnt like them somehow....and that's on auto settings.

Did it take you ages to get used to a new camera?

Also, when you use the flash and the ISO goes lower that way, the background looks dark and the subject 'lit up'...is that where a flash gun helps? (so it lights up more..not such a contrast/softer?)

And yet again another question for you; When its on Auto, the camera blur icon comes on A LOT, is that just because I'm zooming in a little without a tripod? (Just seems to be there too much to me :-? )
Think I need to go back to the manual....

I have absolutely no idea how many photos I took but I think I have one out of the lot that I like (I was hoping for two!)

The one that I like isnt even what I was meant to be taking photos of

It can take a while to get used to a new camera, but I'm not a fan of running before you can walk - you'll end up disappointed with shots you've taken if you use auto and they're not coming out right. I would slow down, try taking one shot at a time of dogs in action rather than bursting as many as you can fire off The shots may not be great, but it gives you a chance to slow down and assess what's going on with the camera

xx

Don't tell anyone, but, we all do that

Ok lets have a go at answering your questions, I might not be spot on but anyway here goes

Quote " I took my camera out this afternoon and tried out the continuous setting. Definitely more frames per second than the last one which is good but they all seem a bit blurry, then as I went on, really grainy."

Think you may have half answered your own question when you say " (I was taking photos of the dog running).

There are two way to take this kind of photo Static or Panning. Static will give you a sharp background with the dog blurred whilst panning will give you the running dog in focus and a blurred background. In the latter its mainly a question of shutter speed,your Fugi only goes up to 1/2000 sec and there may well lie the problem. The faster the shutter speed the more you "freeze" the movement. Most DLSR cameras can work at up to 1/8000 sec.

Try the camera on shutter speed priority (sports setting) instead and the ISO and Aperture will adjust accordingly

Even with continuous focus the camera may not work fast enough to refocus for this kind of shot

Next

Quote " Also, when you use the flash and the ISO goes lower that way, the background looks dark and the subject 'lit up'...is that where a flash gun helps? (so it lights up more..not such a contrast/softer?)


This is a different kettle of fish, flash only has a certain range and works only up to a set shutter speed (1/15 sec) which is really slow and I can't find the workable flash range.

Ok now for what I think you have come across

I started out with a compact camera and everything was great at the start. However there comes a time when believe it or not you actually outgrow compacts, by this I mean your are trying to get more out ouf a P/S camera than it is really designed for. Typical symptoms as you have noticed - camera not fast enough for fast moving subjects- slow focus - night shots with flash etc etc.

So what can you do option wise?

Well you can stick with the point and shoot camera (great for ease of carrying) and accept its limitations, nothing wrong with that, just keep using the camera to the limit of capability.

Or option 2

Seriously think about going with a DLSR camera that can achieve a lot more which to be honest is the route I would advise.

Link to your camera features

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10zoom/

The end of the first paragraph says it all quote " but this is essentially a 'point-and-shoot' camera with little in the way of real manual control." unquote

if you go to introductions "white box at the top" click on the down pointing at tthe top there is a load more on it to read




Bazza

There are a lot of questions there and I won't try answering all of them.

Running dogs are quicker than you think. it also makes a difference if they are running toward you or across you,

If they are running across you then panning is an option but takes LOTS of practice to get right. Basically one sets a relatively slow shutter speed perhaps 1/60 second and set the camera to shutter priority. Then you have to follow the dog in the viewfinder as it crosses in front of you keeping it it the same position all the time. Then when ready press the shutter button ensuring you keep moving the camera as you were before. Difficult not not impossible.

The result should be a blurred background yet sharp subject




If the subject is running toward you then I set a shutter speed of 1/500 second, predictive focusing and continuous drive. Try to get the focus point on the eyes and take more than two frames. The reason for that most cameras take the distance traveled by the subject between frame 1 & frame 2 to calculate the speed of the subject and predict the distance the subject will be from the camera for the third shot.




Hope this helps a little.

I do think you are trying run before you can walk and would slow down a bit and practice, practice, practice

Steve

good point, now that you have mentioned it, I took a photo on the settings mentioned, of him 'speaking' and it was all blurry. I took ONE (not cont) and it was sharp and very 'frozen'

So in future, slow down, think, plan, do it is then.
Skyline, how on earth do I forget about that focus tracking thingy and you know about it I saved the link on my phone I think but I will look it out on here...yeah, maybe should have remembered about that!

Aw, no, its the 'frozen dog' ones I wanted So maybe the camera cant really do that then? But then if I get better maybe...I'll find a way I'll use the movie mode maybe....or something, not venturing there yet though!

I will defo try upping the shutter speed, though I think it would have been high anyway on the sport mode.

Oh so SORRY, I have a HS20 now, thats the one I was using today sorry. I better update. That info is still helpful to me though.

Thanks Steve, that is really helpful.

Actually reading that I think a big problem might have been that he was faster than me, when he was running by I wasnt as fast as the dog at moving the camera, hence blur...as I remember now thinking at the time, I have a few of a back end here....(light-bulb moment going on here lol)


Thanks everyone, you are all so helpful, I really appreciate it

Edit;yes, its getting really annoying now! I think I should practice more before taking it to the shop but I have thought about asking them in-store, the service on the phone line isnt good anyway! (Jessops)