Problems with Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3

Steffano2002

Hi guys!

I'm not very good at photography (even though I have a Nikon D50 with a few lenses and a Speedlight SB-800...) and I got my GF a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 because she didn't have a camera.

Now, there's nothing wrong with the actual camera but for some reason, we're having the following problems (user issues I guess):

- when we take pictures indoors or at night in "Auto" Mode (i.e. when the flash is required) the pictures come out quite dark and red for some reason. So I try using different scenery modes like "Party" or "Candle Light" but it doesn't do anything really...

- when we take pictures during the day, even on a great day like today, the pictures come out quite dark as if it was overcast instead of being nice and bright (again, this happens in "Auto" Mode)...

TBH, I think we're just doing something wrong because this camera comes highly recommended and people are usually very happy with the Lumix cameras!

Could someone please shed some light on this?

Thank you in advance!

projectmayhem

Steffano2002 wrote: »

Could someone please shed some light on this?

Badum-tishhh!

If you print off the photos or view them on a PC are they dark, or are they just dark when looking at them on the screen? It could be an issue with the backlight on the screen rather then the lens.

My other guess is that the firmware is gone fuzzy, so try updating that if possible. Failing those, try getting it repaired if you're still within warranty

Steffano2002

projectmayhem wrote: »

Badum-tishhh!

Was wondering if somebody would spot that!

projectmayhem wrote: »

If you print off the photos or view them on a PC are they dark, or are they just dark when looking at them on the screen? It could be an issue with the backlight on the screen rather then the lens.

My other guess is that the firmware is gone fuzzy, so try updating that if possible. Failing those, try getting it repaired if you're still within warranty

No they're dark when we view them on the PC or get them printed... And I don't think there's anything wrong with the camera itself... Although it could be that, I don't know for sure... I just hope not!

Here I'll post 2 pics taken from 2 different cameras in the same conditions to give you an idea.

Steffano2002

As you can see in these pics, the Lumix is much darker than the much cheaper compact camera!

Does anybody know if we can do some kind of factory reset? I'll play around with it to see...

Steffano2002

managed to do a factory reset!

And now it's all in Japanese!

pixbyjohn

Is there a manual setting on the ISO ? and White Balance ? check those settings:o

Steffano2002

pixbyjohn wrote: »

Is there a manual setting on the ISO ? and White Balance ? check those settings:o

Indeed there is! Playing around with these and it helps! The factory reset also helped! Will have to play around with it more in different conditions then show th GF how to get the best results.

Ideally I'd like to compare some pics with somebody who also has the Lumix DMC-TZ3 to rule out a potential hardware issue! Anybody got one of these by any chance?

ThOnda

Well, try it on complete AUTO. That should do the job. Of course with exposure compensation reset to zero (Ev +/-).

Steffano2002

ThOnda wrote: »

Well, try it on complete AUTO. That should do the job. Of course with exposure compensation reset to zero (Ev +/-).

Thanks for that ThOnda! After the factory reset I have to say the pictures were no longer red when using the flash so I think the GF messed with the settings a little too much...

I'll see if I can find that Exposure Compensation setting and mess around with it to see the impact it has on the picture quality...

Thanks again!