Canon PowerShot A540

[mabelevelyn]

Hallo, I don't know how I found this site but it seems as if the gods were looking down on me as I have just bought my first camera since (I won't say when). I'm not a photographer but learning. I am so pleased with the beautiful photographs from A540. However if anyone can tell me how to get a real good close-up I'd be very pleased. I press the little flower button but I get blurry pictures. I can't see anything on the forums re this camera. - Thanks a mil. MabelEvelyn

[Max@Home]

Hi mabelevelyn,

First, Welcome to the PhotoCamel!

And: we have a 'Compact Camera Forum' especially for your type of camera, to which the Moderator (oops, that's me! ) can move your post so you get more replies (hopefully )...

Your problem:

When shooting Macro or very close-up pictures, the chance that you 'blurr' the picture due to cameramovement is very large.

So my first suggestion would be use a tripod or mini-tripod, or steady the camera if possible.

Second advise would be to shoot in Tv mode and choose a fast shutterspeed (1/125 or faster), or shoot in Av mode and set the aperture to the largest size (F2.6 at the wide end, F5.5 at the tele end), by doing so the camera will seek a fast(er) shutterspeed.

Also, as you get closer, the AF system sometimes has more trouble to 'see' a good contrast to focus on, so it is also important to make sure you get a confirmed (beep-beep! ) focuslock (by first halfpressing the shutter release button), and only then press deeper and take the picture.

Also, make sure that you are not too close, the closest focussing distance in MacroMode (that's how the mode is called that you activate by pressing the little flower ) is 5cm...

Sometimes it is also more usefull to zoom in and step a small step back, this sometimes helps the AF system...

Hope this is not too techical for you... and hope it helps you some to get sharper Macro-pics.

...*my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[dc2]

Welcome aboard

[mabelevelyn]

Hi Max,
Thanks very much indeed for the welcome and all the very detailed information. Yep it sure is technical to me but I'm certain I'll be able to follow your instructions by reading the instruction book as well to see how to do what you say - and get a tripod too.
Regards,
MabelEvelyn