Lens Speed

congo_90

Ok, So most people here are probably sick of me posting every so often with questions but hey i need some help... Basically i was trying to get some shots of the stars last night only to realise my cam only allows 4 poxy seconds of open shutter.

Anyhow its a Fuji Film S5800, Anybody know a way to change the software etc to allow a LONGER shutter speed? i got some pics but the quality is crap using 1600ISO and all

Borderfox

Are you using it in manual mode?

pete4130

I usd to have a Fuji 602Z a few years ago, it could open the shutter for up to 30 seconds on manual mode....so like borderfox mentioned, try it on Manual mode and see how you get on.

congo_90

it was manual mode lads full manual. i jus wish i cud go further but it stops at 4"

FX Meister

get a better camera yo

congo_90

@FX Meister: Thank you Captain obvious. gee why didn i think of that oh wait because i only started this as a small hobby at xmas and i only just forked out nearly 300euro for my cam!!!!

Borderfox

Just seen here that 4 seconds is the max you can use

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/s/finepix_s5800/specifications/index.html

FX Meister

congo_90 wrote: »

@FX Meister: Thank you Captain obvious. gee why didn i think of that oh wait because i only started this as a small hobby at xmas and i only just forked out nearly 300euro for my cam!!!!

Good time to trade it in then before it loses too much value yo.

Thirdfox

congo_90 wrote: »

@FX Meister: Thank you Captain obvious. gee why didn i think of that oh wait because i only started this as a small hobby at xmas and i only just forked out nearly 300euro for my cam!!!!

While FX could probably have phrased it better he does make a valid point that this is why people pay extra for the flexibility of a dSLR. Something like the Nikon D40 would only be 450 euro new (and probably around 350 2nd hand) now...

However, working within the constraints of your current setup it is still possible to simulate long exposures (just a LOT of work). You can take multiple pictures at 4 second exposures and piece them together (assuming you have a very stable tripod) in software like photoshop (which costs around 300? euro) or maybe the free GIMP software. This would technically result in better pictures anyway as there would be less hotspots developing but standing beside your camera for 20 minutes taking a picture every 4 seconds wouldn't be much fun at all.

I'm just here to give you an option you can take if you must do star trails with a max 4 second exposure...

helios

If you can add a filter to it, add a neutral density filter. That should bring it down a few stops...

Mellor

helios wrote: »

If you can add a filter to it, add a neutral density filter. That should bring it down a few stops...

lol, read again,

its not because of the exposure that it is going to 4 seconds, the camera is phyiscally capable of 4 secs shutter max

Anouilh

Why not use film for these kind of shots? Digitalcameratracker.com has a review of your camera that might help see it's strengths and weaknesses, especially in the area of image stabilization.

snellers

from a positive persepective there is a lot of pictures that can be taken without the need for extended exposures - have fun with the cam and find out all it's limitations in every possible situation - at least you will be in a position when upgrading your cam to know exactly what you need it to do and therefore won;t be 'caught out' as you can ensure the spec lives up to your requirements

probably a fair few people here on boards that went straight from compact to DSLR and find the particular model they have still limits them in certain ways - having a bridge style cam at least gives you an insight into the DSLR world and will better prepare you for full DSLR purchase in the future

**be prepared to lose a lot of cash when selling it 2nd hand - looking at the average price for most bridge cams on adverts.ie over the past 6 months or so indicates you won;t get as much as you think it;s worth unless you are very lucky**

Anouilh

As it turns out, this is a much discussed topic:


http://www.robertreeves.com/startrails.htm