No aperture setting, Panasonic TZ2

[Lucyhelen]

I have a Panasonic Lumix TZ2.
I have been reading up on aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings and what they mean to DoF and exposure. Now I am looking to experiment with them, particularly due to this weeks assignment, but I dont seem to have the option to adust my aperture.
I can change my ISO and shutter speed, I can also adjust the exposure, but I dont understand how to use these settings to change the aperture and DoF.
I cant seem to find any information apart from using Portrait mode, which I want to avoid.

Can any one help?

thanks.
Lucy

[inkista]

Nope, not really, unless you buy a camera that lets you set the aperture directly. Most P&S cameras these days do not come with these controls, and most snapshot shooters really don't want them, because a P&S is mostly about convenience and not having to know about things like aperture and shutter speed.

But aside form that problem, getting a narrow depth of field with a wide aperture is difficult on a P&S digicam anyway. Most of what you read about aperture controlling the depth of field is true, but is geared for someone shooting with a 35mm format dSLR that has a "full-frame" or APS-C sized sensor. The sensor in a P&S camera is roughly one sixth the size of an APS-C sensor, and, proportionately, will have six times the depth of field at the same aperture. On top of that, most P&S cameras have a maximum aperture limit on the lens of f/2.8.

Again, this is actually a feature not a bug for most snapshot shooters--getting things out of focus is the last thing you want to do.

You really probably only have a few options if you want to increase the amount of background blurring: shoot in portrait mode which will (hopefully) try to maximize your aperture; zoom in; increase the distance between your subject and the background; and/or decrease the distance between the camera and the subject (i.e., shoot macro).

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by inkista

Nope, not really, unless you buy a camera that lets you set the aperture directly. Most P&S cameras these days do not come with these controls, and most snapshot shooters really don't want them, because a P&S is mostly about convenience and not having to know about things like aperture and shutter speed.

But aside form that problem, getting a narrow depth of field with a wide aperture is difficult on a P&S digicam anyway. Most of what you read about aperture controlling the depth of field is true, but is geared for someone shooting with a 35mm format dSLR that has a "full-frame" or APS-C sized sensor. The sensor in a P&S camera is roughly one sixth the size of an APS-C sensor, and, proportionately, will have six times the depth of field at the same aperture. On top of that, most P&S cameras have a maximum aperture limit on the lens of f/2.8.

Again, this is actually a feature not a bug for most snapshot shooters--getting things out of focus is the last thing you want to do.

You really probably only have a few options if you want to increase the amount of background blurring: shoot in portrait mode which will (hopefully) try to maximize your aperture; zoom in; increase the distance between your subject and the background; and/or decrease the distance between the camera and the subject (i.e., shoot macro).

And F 2.8 on a compact camera is equal to f 8 on a full frame or crop camera,which is why you have a greater depth of field. (F8 on compact = F22 on full frame /crop) regards, Ken

[Lucyhelen]

thanks guys.

I'll give the macro/portrait a try. In the mean time, I think I may start looking for a more advanced camera.

hugs...L

[Palladius]

I think I may start looking for a more advanced camera

There it is!

In a couple of months, when you're looking back wondering where most of your money and all of your time disappeared to, you'll mark this moment as the time where it all started getting expensive!


It's an interesting little journey we all seem to be on... there's always the vague idea that with one more, just one more bit of kit, you'll definitely be able to take the photos you want and that'll be the end of it....

Case in point: I've just bought some light stands and am seriously considering some brollies... after promising myself that the second flash and new lens would definitely be all I needed.

[oxfordy]

Originally Posted by Palladius

There it is!
...
It's an interesting little journey we all seem to be on... there's always the vague idea that with one more, just one more bit of kit, you'll definitely be able to take the photos you want and that'll be the end of it....

Oh yes, and don't forget the retail therapy aspect (yes guys, even us). You set out to take that wonderful, award winning shot, only to get back to the computer and realise that it isn't as well lit / sharp / clean / well composed as you thought. You despair of ever making it as a photographer, get depressed and start doing something less chalenging - like browsing photographic equipment reviews. Then you spot the exact thing that will fix your problem ...

At least if you are broke, you have no option but to learn to make use of what you have got

[kencaleno]

Master what gear you have before you upgrade-it will make the cross-over smoother - if you can't get a good image from a P&S,what makes you think you'll get better images from a dslr? These were shot today on a Samsung S760 compact P&S .Regards, Ken

[LyndaDi]

Originally Posted by oxfordy

Oh yes, and don't forget the retail therapy aspect (yes guys, even us). You set out to take that wonderful, award winning shot, only to get back to the computer and realise that it isn't as well lit / sharp / clean / well composed as you thought. You despair of ever making it as a photographer, get depressed and start doing something less chalenging - like browsing photographic equipment reviews. Then you spot the exact thing that will fix your problem ...

At least if you are broke, you have no option but to learn to make use of what you have got

Well, I'm glad I'm not is this boat by myself. Maybe there is some hope as I can't afford anymore equipment at the moment so I'll have to take advantage of the second option and learn to use what I have.

[LyndaDi]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Master what gear you have before you upgrade-it will make the cross-over smoother - if you can't get a good image from a P&S,what makes you think you'll get better images from a dslr? These were shot today on a Samsung S760 compact P&S .Regards, Ken

What is that on the red siding, the first water faucet ?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by LyndaDi

What is that on the red siding, the first water faucet ?

An old colonial New Zealand water pump. Regards, Ken