newbie question

[Allie1]

Hi there!

I just got a new digital camera and I like it a lot. It is a Panasonic DMC FZ5. I am used to using my 35 mm and I am trying to get it to do things I could do with my old camera but I am having some trouble.

I want to be able to focus on a subject and have the background blurred. This camera is auto focus and I need to know if it is an option or not. If I can do this, how do I do this? It is driving me crazy Thanks for any advise.

[mjs1973]

Welcome to the Forum Allie, and congrats on the new camera. What settings are you using? Does your camera have manual controls? If so, set your aperture to a larger opening (smaller number). This will give you a shallower depth of field and blur your background. From the specs on this camera, your max aperture is f/2.5-3.3 depending on your focal length. Try those settings and you should get the results your looking for.

[Allie1]

Thanks so much Michael O'Canon I will give this a try!

[Lionheart]

Hi there!

I just got a new digital camera and I like it a lot. It is a Panasonic DMC FZ5. I am used to using my 35 mm and I am trying to get it to do things I could do with my old camera but I am having some trouble.

I want to be able to focus on a subject and have the background blurred. This camera is auto focus and I need to know if it is an option or not. If I can do this, how do I do this? It is driving me crazy Thanks for any advise.

I'm glad you're enjoying yours. I'm still not sure about mine.
Shoot in aperture priority, set the aperture wide open and make sure your iso settings are low enough to stay within the camera's shutter range and you should get reasonable bokeh.