Reviewers Recommend
Loaded (Doghouse Digital)Loaded (Doghouse Digital) - review by Danielmayu33216
Starring: Codey Steele, Ava Amira. Read review
All Forums > Tech Talk > Tech Talk Forum Page 29 > Question about a Panasonic digital camera.
AuthorPost
conquistador
Deactivated User

Hellhamster.
2947 Posts
10/03
Posted - Feb 3 2008 : 2:53PM
A family member gave me a Panasonic DMC-FX3 camera. He said that he was having problems with it because the the pictures it was taking were overly blue.
I haven't messed around with it yet but I am wondering if anyone has any insight about this. I am used to Canon stuff so I am struggling with learning a new menu system.
So what I am wondering about from you folks is before I start fussing around with the camera do any of you know of a similar issue and if you do how have you dealt with it? Is the camera broken or is there an issue with firmware or something else?
Many of you know that I am pretty much only into taking pictures of my hamsters and this Panasonic (if it works properly) ought to be better at close up stuff then my Canon A95.
I hope this question isn't too vague and someone has heard of this blue shifting problem before. I have looked at camera forums and it doesn't seem like an inherent problem with this camera model which leads me to believe it is an issue with the settings or something else.

RandomPrecision
Senior Member

Enjoy!
8175 Posts
3/06
Posted - Feb 3 2008 : 11:12PM
I'm not familiar with that camera so unless someone else is, I guess you'll have to fumble around with the menu until you figure that part out.
Once you do, first thing you should check is the white balance. It could be that something is actually wrong with the camera but it sounds to me like the white balance control might be on the wrong setting. I looked that camera up and it said it has something like 5 presets for the white balance and a custom setting. It shouldn't be hard to find once you figure out how to navigate the menu but some of these manufacturers put the controls in goofy locations. If you have a manual, that should help you go right to the white balance control. If you don't want to mess with custom white balance (and most people don't), just set it to auto and that should give you reasonably accurate colors in most conditions.
jayo All-Star Supporter
All-Star Member

2117 Posts
7/04
Posted - Feb 4 2008 : 12:14AM
White balance.
The short version: color (in general) is a balance of red and blue. Your brain makes corrections so that things appear normal despite changes in balance. It's why you can be outdoors in the early evening and look inside a house and everything looks red, then go indoors, and after a few minutes everything looks normal but when you look out the window, everything outside is deep blue.
Color balance is measured as a temperature in degrees Kelvin, expressed as "K" without a degree symbol. The lower the temp, the redder it is. The higher the temp, the blue.
Noonday sun is typically measured at around 5500K. If you consider that "normal," then anything less is progressively red, and anything higher is progressively blue. Standard old light bulbs are around 2000K. Tungsten bulbs (like photographers used) are 3200K. Noon sun is 5500K. Sky light (open shadow, where the scene is illuminated by reflection from the sky, not the sun itself) is 10000K or more.
Nearly all decent digital cameras automatically white balance. Some have manual overrides. My guess is your friend manually set his camera to something higher, like outdoor sun.
Find the white balance control on the menu and set it back to automatic.
jayo All-Star Supporter
All-Star Member

2117 Posts
7/04
Posted - Feb 4 2008 : 12:14AM
Sorry. Didn't see RP's answer before I posted.
dhay
Member

14 Posts
2/04
Posted - Feb 4 2008 : 12:44AM
There may be more to it than that, but not likely. There is such a thing as a "blue fringe" effect that can happen sometimes to some cameras, although I've never heard of it in the FX3. Click here for a great look at the camera from a professional's point of view with the casual user in mind.
 
conquistador
Deactivated User

Hellhamster.
2947 Posts
10/03
Posted - Feb 4 2008 : 10:31AM
Thanks everyone. I plan on taking some pictures today and testing everything out. I appreciate your help.
conquistador
Deactivated User

Hellhamster.
2947 Posts
10/03
Posted - Feb 4 2008 : 12:22PM
I forgot to thank jayo. I sent a copy of your post to my dad and he found it useful as well. You explained that very well.
Thanks jayo.
jayo All-Star Supporter
All-Star Member

2117 Posts
7/04
Posted - Feb 5 2008 : 7:49PM
Glad to help.
One of the neat benefits of digital is the auto white balance, or at least the opportunity to change the white balance in-camera. I've got a couple color-temperature meters because with film, you have to correct it using optical filters.
dhay
Member

14 Posts
2/04
Posted - Feb 9 2008 : 12:10PM
So, have you solved the problem? Inquiring minds want to know...
conquistador
Deactivated User

Hellhamster.
2947 Posts
10/03
Posted - Feb 9 2008 : 7:10PM
Not Yet
All Forums > Tech Talk > Tech Talk Forum Page 29Question about a Panasonic digital camera.

Previous topic: Best Porno Computer
Next topic: if i want to upload an audio cilp...



Jump To: