PowerShot A75

[R4p70r]

I recently purchased a PowerShot A75. I want to learn more about photography and that camera looked interesting because it accepts manual settings at a reasonable price.

The movie recording mode is quite acceptable for a photo camera. The only thing that bother me is that I can't play with the zoom and record at the same time.

The still image quality is also very good although dark pictures often look a little noisy.

I was able to get quite intersting effects by tweaking the exposure and ISO settings manualy. The focus however didn't work as expected. The depth of field seams alway too great unless the subject is very very close to the camera. So it's impossible to get a blurry background even with the aparture fully open. The optional tele-converter lens may helps to acheive that kind of effects but I don't know if I should buy it.

The A75 can only accept three converter lens. If consider buying one I may be better off with another camera. (store satisfaction warranty)

Can I produce interesting depth of field effects with this camera or one within the same price range?

There's little info about the tele-converter on the web but from what I gathered so far: it's heavy, it obstructs the flash and adjusting the zoom is only done in clumsy motor step. True?

Two other problems I'm having are making adjstments with the digital controls and the short battery life. But I think thoses are common with digital camera.

Anyway. What do you think?

[stopbath]

Congratulations on the A75 purchase. It's a great little camera. (I have the step down (A70)

Yes, I too would like the Zoom and movie record at the same time or even Zoom while taking a photo... But, an SLR or real movie camera will suffice for that need...

The small size of the CCD contributes to the noise. A larger CCD (and hence a larger camera) would keep the noise at bay at 400ISO

A lot of folks (myself included) just use the middle focus area.

As the lens is really small, the depth of field is large. You'll need a larger lens and larger aperture to gain less depth of field than what you have. Did you try telephoto mode? That setting has the least depth of field you can obtain on the camera...

Yes, zoom the zoom motor can be a pain. Expecially when you want to crop only "a little more"...

The short battery life is addressed by charging your Nickel Hydrate batteries and using them a few times. It takes a while for them to perform well. Don't wast Alkaline batteries in the A75. They just can't survive well.

There are trade offs for having such a small compact camera, but I think the A70/75 performs well for size and cost.

[Terry_G]

Try this free noise removing programs for those high ISO shots:

http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?id=347

Generally you would only use a tele-converter outdoors, so the flash blockage is not a real problem. With the wide angle converter there may be some occasions to use inside, but mostly it is for outdoors use too.

The real problem is with close-up lenses where the flash causes a shadow.

Here is my solution: a reflector made with silvered paper:

http://www.pbase.com/pericsope/inbox

[R4p70r]

Here is my solution: a reflector made with silvered paper:

http://www.pbase.com/pericsope/inbox

Wow. That's quite ingenious