L840 - How to set up shots?

Hi All,

I am somewhat new to photography as a whole and a total Nikon L840 newbie. I have a few questions, specifically about how to set the camera up and how to adjust certain settings. I'm not sure what some of the settings do as a whole.

1. When you zoom in (lets say your on the on top of a building and your shot is 4-6 blocks away or another scenario would be let say your shooting distance is a few hundred feet away, for argument sake lets say your shooting the side of the bluffs up at one of the higher points and your shooting a tree), Once you reach the desired zoom (I think what according to photography sites, is called the focal length), how do your clear the image up (being as in if your shooting at an angle which has a lot more light (or shooting towards an angle dealing with sunlight or lack of light, how do you adjust for that.

Also when you zoom all the way to wide, there is another section past to another "T" on the far right of the zoom bar on the LCD screen but once you get passed the W, the images just blur - what's the deal with that, is there a secret to it?

2. I know the L840 is capable of it, but how do you set it up to shoot stars or moon images? I went out last night to get an image of the moon (as right now I am just trying to get the basics and then learning from there) but when I went out, all I had was a blank dark screen - I was pointed in the general direction so I know I should have been able to see it.

3. Any beginner setup guys for cameras for beginner photographers? I have found sites but all are for high end cameras (not the mid-level) - I bought the best I could afford. I know this Nikon L840 is capable of a LOT more than what I have been able to do with it. I decided after another round of serious health issues to get into photography because when I am taking pictures and out in nature, I am a little less stressed and calm which with what I have helps greatly.

I am a hobbyist storm chaser and an Atmospheric Sciences student in mid-2016. Always just used my phone but wanted something that would greatly enhance that aspect of my photography but also wanted to do more photography.

I apologize for all the beginner questions, the instruction manual isn't the greatest at explaining so, I just need some hints and tips.

Thanks, Zac.

EDIT: I have my own Flickr account I have been adding pictures too, feel free to take a look and maybe that would help with advise with the questions I put above.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136941446@N05/albums
 
W=Wide T=Tele Wide will get all the scene in and Tele will zoom into a distance object and make it look closer.

Stars and moon. Two totally different types of shooting. A wide shot of the moon will just give you a dark sky and a overexposed white thing. If you zoom into the moon close enough what you are looking at is reflected sunlight. It is very bright so exposing for that is a lot more difficult with one of the bridge cameras.

The camera has scene modes that might help you to get better photos overall. I suggest you find the manual and read up on using those modes. If you lost it or just threw it away because you said "Oh, I don't need this" here is where you can download it

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19389/~/nikon-coolpix-l840---reference-manual

I am actually looking at buying this very camera for my wife. She shoots the D7000 most of the time but is going on a trip to New York city and does not want to be carrying around a big camera. In a week or so I should be able to answer all your questions on this camera better.
 

Wes

New member
Zac, we're pretty much on a similar level and I've got the L830. Moon shots are difficult but far from impossible. Besides not having remote control or manual controls these cameras only remain at high zoom and focus for a limited time. Tripod is a must. Doesn't have to be high dollar. My best have been at ISO 200, sometimes 125 but generally 200.You have to hit AUTO prior to hitting menu to select ISO. The 2 second timer and repeated shots keep the camera happy and zoomed. Too much delay between shots spoils the fun and you have to start over. I'm sure you're aware of that by now.

Looking at the B series, 700 in particular for more control.
 
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