Would like to buy a beginner-level DSLR - need help

**Drwyd** · 10 June 2012, 08:40 PM

The specs on your camera show only "auto" for the white balance settings. As natural light will always have a variable colour cast this will cause problems. You are trying to hit a moving target

**Drwyd** · 10 June 2012, 08:56 PM

I've used a Fuji Finepix F47fd for quite a while (currently on Ebay for as little as £5) lovely little camera. That should be all you need for web work.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/specs/fuji-finepix-f47fd.cfm

**mvssysprog** · 10 June 2012, 10:42 PM

Hi....

I am definitely not having a good day.... I have the DSC-W80 not the W60 (sorry... should have checked my spelling). It does have 7 white balance modes (Taken from http://www.ehow.com/list_7637522_tips-sony-dscw80.html: "The Sony DSC-W80 has seven manual white balance settings, plus a default "Auto White Balance" mode. From According to its test results, the website Digital Photography Review determined that it's better to set the white balance using the manual presets versus using the auto mode. In both the "Fluorescent" and "Incandescent" settings, the camera's color reproduction was more accurate using those settings versus the "Auto" setting. In the "Auto" setting, the images had a very noticeable yellow tinge to them.")

I know that some of this is me... but when the gentleman in the booth couldn't get my camera to show representative color of the woodturnings, I felt that some of this was due to the camera.

I'll continue to play with the camera and the settings, but if you look at the photos on my website, I had to modify them via Corel photo shop to get their color close to what it actually was. My major concern is when I eventually am able to set up a store on my website, the color of the wood needs to be pretty exact. If I have to spend a lot of time on multiple photos to get them looking proper, I wonder if a better camera would cut down on the time I always have to spend.

Thanks for everyone's patience with me...

Dave

Read more: Tips on the Sony DSC-W80 | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7637522_tip...#ixzz1xQtDOqSo

**pauland** · 10 June 2012, 10:52 PM

I'd stick with the camera awhile. Never use the flash and get some daylight coloured bulbs/LEDs. Turn off other lights.

**mvssysprog** · 10 June 2012, 11:10 PM

Thanks for everyone's responses. I am going to continue to mess around with the current camera and hope I can figure out the right settings to get the photographs looking more accurate, colorwise.

Dave

**steve.ledger** · 10 June 2012, 11:11 PM

You might need to calibrate your monitor, you'll rarely see the same colours on your computer screen as you see in real life without proper calibration.
Then, after you have done that you will need to understand that everyone else in the world looking at your website photos may not be seeing the true colours, but then - they would not be the wiser.

I was a wood turner/wood crafter for many years before the time of digital cameras, I always photographed my work outside in natural light or under a window.
► https://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Phot...us_bowl1x1.jpg

**Drwyd** · 10 June 2012, 11:24 PM

The FinePix F660EXR would probably do a good job.

The HS20EXR is also tempting

**pauland** · 11 June 2012, 12:35 AM

I think Dave's existing camera is as equal to the job as any other point and shoot, and certainly overkill for the intended use - web page imagery.

**pauland** · 11 June 2012, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by sledger

You might need to calibrate your monitor, you'll rarely see the same colours on your computer screen as you see in real life without proper calibration.
Then, after you have done that you will need to understand that everyone else in the world looking at your website photos may not be seeing the true colours, but then - they would not be the wiser.

I was a wood turner/wood crafter for many years before the time of digital cameras, I always photographed my work outside in natural light or under a window.
► https://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Phot...us_bowl1x1.jpg

That doesn't look like an unlit piece to me Steve - you sure?

**steve.ledger** · 11 June 2012, 01:48 AM

Yes it is lit, by the sun of course

► https://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/trike1x1.jpg

My camera in those days was a cheapo Russian Zenit 35mm. No built-in flash (not even a battery inside, anywhere!)
If digital cameras were around in those days I would have photographed everything I produced, the cost and time involved with processing mean't I didn't and sadly I only have a handful of printed photos left now due to the slides I preferred at the time having since gone blue and mouldy.

But that's enough about me, this is Dave's thread