need help with zoom close-ups?

[illxpanda]

I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix P80(didn't think I was ready for a DSLR). I like it very much and tried to take some shots of birds and squirrels in my backyard. The problem, is I'm not sure what setting to use to get a clear picture. I tried close-up(uses macro and other things set to auto)and zoomed in about 14x(no birds in my yard so shot birds in my neighbor's)but the pictures were always coming out blurry. I then tried sport continuous because the birds were eating from a bird feeder but being jittery. This didn't work very well also. I got a few ok pictures but not what I was looking for. Can anyone give me any input on what setting to use to get clear pictures from semi-far away?

By the way, I do not own a tripod. Will pick one up in the coming weeks which I know will help with shots.

Thanks

[Dylan8i]

it sounds like, at 14x, its probbably just camera shake, which a tripod shoudl fix. but its hard to know for sure with out a picture to see. it could also just be to slow of a shuter speed or a few other common problems.

[illxpanda]

thanks. I'll post a picture up later today. I'll adjust the shutter speed and try a few more.

[drg]

Start with shooting something stationary and see what results you get. Then you can tell if the moving subject is the problem or if your ability to hold the camera still is affecting the photograph.

If you have a self timer on the camera, then set the camera on a fence, chair, something and let it shoot off the timer. Then you will also get an idea of the best that can be acheived with a tripod.

It has often been said that 'all' photographs should be taken using a tripod. Of course that won't always happen.

One other major factor. 14x zoom most likely includes a digital zooming component that will negatively affect the photograph. Stick with optical only zoom. Digital zooming will make any photo look worse than it really is.

Look forward to seeing samples.

[illxpanda]

it was at optical lol. The nikon p80 goes to 18x optical, and then uses digital.

I have to upload the pictures and will get them as soon as I can (:

[drg]

I viewed some of you photos that you linked in another post, and as was mentioned there, they look technically fine. They need as much as anything a more clearly defined subject. The Newspaper machines come as close for me as any to having some impact. But they aren't tied to anything to make the photograph 'relevant'.

If you are going to take flower or wildlife or nature shots, either get in real close with your macro, or compose the scene to make a visual 'setting' or 'treat' that sucks in the eye. Let a creek flow through the picture or a tree line move up a mountain side.

The various suggestions for compositional books are good starts.

It looks like you may be seeing things you wish to capture, but haven't yet quite figured out how to make the camera do what you need it to do. This game is about repetition, practice, and a lot of expermentation to translate all the 'wonderful advice' into something that works for you.

There are lots of folks here who can guide you if let them.

Best wishes.