loss of colour when doing close-ups

[beastman]

whats happening here? Im using a nikon coolpix 8700. Whenever I zoom in to do close up stuff all the colour goes. The first picture is about right, but the second one looks all washed out, all I have done is zoomed in, notice the change in background colour for example.

I do a lot of this sort of photography for my business, so any help or tips appreciated. Is it just a case of my camera is rubbish and I need to upgrade to a more professional one?

I usually work in auto mode, as i need to take a lot of photos of different objects in one session, and when in manual mode it can get VERY time consuming. Especially with my limited skills.

 

[Ins3rtNam3H3r3]

I think that its because when you zoom in, the maximum f-stop is decreased, making the picture darker, although I'm not 100% sure that that's the reason.

 

[Big Mike]

I think the problem has to do with metering and exposure. When you are backed out, the camera probably reads the whole scene and used that to make it's exposure....this probably underexposes the subject a little bit...which does tend to give you deeper color.

When you zoom in, the camera still uses what it sees to give you the exposure, but because there is less background, it uses more of the subject for metering. This probably gives you a more accurate exposure...but that may not be what you are looking for.

So you could adjust the exposure when you are zoomed it. Or maybe adjust your in-camera settings.

Personally, I'd just adjust it with software when I get it on the computer.

 

[TwoRails]

It could also be the camera's attempt(s) at controlling white balance... and / or a combo with the above.

 

[Kcc]

It could also be the camera's attempt(s) at controlling white balance... and / or a combo with the above.

That's what I see too, white balanced...

 

[LarryD]

I'm not familiar with your camera, but you should be able to do both white balance bracketing, and also exposure bracketing...in-camera.

Do a test for yourself using these techniques, then you will know how to adjust your settings each time you move in for those close-ups.......