Kodak DC-280 Can't take pictures of black amps


I rebuilt Dyna amps and put "RETRO" black front panels on them, I can't get a picture of the front that is in focus. So it would make sense to call Kodak and see what they say. Guess what they say? Give us your credit card number and we will tell you what we think is the problem . If Albert Porter is out there I'll bet you can solve the problem...Or someone that takes pictures for Audiogon of black amps???
autospec
Autospec,

I hope my post didn't confuse the issue when I stated that I love Kodak film. I realize you are dealing with a digital camera and my advice was tailored to that application. When I stated that I love Nikon cameras that love is based on experience.

I began doing virtual tour photography in its infancy and luckily for me the vendor of the software (Ipix) had already evaluated the cameras, tripods and tripod heads. I purchased a Nikon Coolpix at the time based on this analysis and have considered myself lucky. At one time I was taking over 2000 images per week. Other web photographers complaining of exposure and/or focusing problems commented on the superiority of my shots.

Initially I wasn't a big fan of digital because of a lack of detail in the darker areas of a photograph but learned to adjust my exposures to compensate as recommeded by Albert. I rarely take a 35mm image any longer because I love my camera so much having become proficient with Photoshop and Photopaint. I've had the opportunity to compare cameras along the way and appreciate the metering of the Nikon and the Nikkor glass used in the lens.

Although I've made a fair amount of money taking photos for web use I do not consider myself a professional photographer like Albert. Where I use a Coolpix, he likely would use a D-1. And, I'm not saying that any other camera won't do the job. It's just that, in my experience, I have very few problems producing a usable image with my gear.

One last thought, since the photo is of a black amp. You may wish to try a B/W setting. I did that for one of my photos I used in an ad here in Audiogon. I was having a color problem and didn't want to invest the time in setting up lights, etc.

You may need to change the metering settings if they are selectable. If not, you probably can set up the shot, focus on another object that is the same distance from the lens, hold the shutter down where the camera is ready to fire, and then move the lens to the amp you want to photograph and take the image.

Good luck.
You need more light on the subject, this will allow the camera to focus and set the aperture/shutter speed properly...

-RW-
One of the things I have noticed is that when this black panel has a white faced meter in it, the picture seems to get all washed out looking and you can't read the numbers on it after you take the pictures. I'm going to try different exposures tomorrow and see what happens. I can take a picture of a tube and it looks great; but, when I take a picture of my beautiful amp it's all out of focus. Thanks for your help.