Some questions

[~Amanda~]

I think I did my other thread in the wrong forum. Sorry!

Ok, my husband wanted to buy me a Canon Rebel, but we went with an Olympus first. It was about $400 cheaper LOL! I just wanted something manual to play with and learn. I will be getting some type of Canon this christmas. Still searching for the best one out there. In a certain price range of course.

I was looking for a forum that discussed these cameras and found you guys!:D

I would love any input you have. I will also be searching this site. I absolutely love all these perfect pictures!!!!

I just want a great camera to capture my children as they grow.

Right now I have an Olympus C-770 ultra zoom. Not the best camera out there, but it does take some pretty good pics. I figured since you guys know so much you might be able to answer a question for me about it. Figure if I learn now, it will be easier when I get a Canon. They are more hands on than this model, right?

How does this stuff work? Which options are better for clearer photos? How do I sharpen the face and not focus so much on the background? These are the specs. Hope this is enough

Adjustable resolutions

2288 x 1712 TIFF (SHQ, HQ)
2048 x 1536 TIFF (SQ1)
1600 x 1200 TIFF (SQ1)
1280 x 960 TIFF (SQ1)
1024 x 760 TIFF (SQ2)
640 x 480 TIFF (SQ2)
2288 x 1520 (SHQ, HQ)
3200 x 2400 (OIE) (SHQ, HQ)
MPEG4 Movie: 30 frames per second in 640 x 480 SHQ mode
QuickTime Movie: 15 frames per second in 320 x 240 HQ mode; 15 frames per second in 160 x 120 SQ mode

ISO
Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400 (equivalent)

Focusing ranges
Normal mode: 3.9' – 6.6' (1.2m – 2.0m)
Macro mode: 2.8" – 2.0' (7.0cm – 60cm)
Super macro mode: 0.5' (3.0cm)

Exposure control
+/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Auto bracketing: Selectable from 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV and 1 EV steps, 5 images
AE lock (exposure lock)

And what is this for exactly?
iESP auto TTL, Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent) (white balance system)

I hope I'm not asking too much.

Thanks guys!! (and girls)

[etaf]

Wow - thats a lot of to go through.
OK
Adjustable resolutions
Thats the size of the image in pixels and will have an impact on printing - in particular the size of prints
This I think would be the best setting for printing
2288 x 1712 TIFF (SHQ, HQ)
from this you will be able to get high quality images that are about 300PPI {pixels perinch}
so 2288/300 and 1712/300 gives the size of print 7.6" x 5.7"
of course you can print bigger but the quality will reduce

The ISO
this adjust the sensitivity of the camera to light - so if you are in very low light conditions then you can use 400ASA - for high quality, low noise you should use 64
but for sports shots in poor light conditions you may need to increase to get sharp pictures without camera shake

Focus
Normal - is the how far objects can be away and the camera still focus - the two numbers will be for both ends of the zoom
macro is for close ups
supermacros - super close ups

exposure control
this allows you to change the exposure - so you can allow a little more light or less light in then the camera thinks - ideal for snow scenes etc

bracketing
this will take 5 pictures at once when you push and hold th eshutter down it will go off 5 times and take different picture exposures
this is useful if you want to take pictures and not sure of best exposure
the white balance is very important - it will ensure that under different lighting conditions the whites look white
indoors under tungstun light - the camera will make th eimage look yellow - change the white balance to tungstun and it will attempt to correct the yellow light to white

keep the face sharp and background outof focus - you need to use a wide aperture so thats the smallest number on the camera with an F number
can be difficult to get that effec with compact cameras as depth of field os so large

try having a read here

http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1543
http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1533

[~Amanda~]

Again, thanks so much. I was just trying to be polite and post in the correct forums. I know how confusing it gets.