Too hard to make a good photo @ NIGHT (with people in motion) using a Nikon coolpix 5700?

Question

Im an amateur who can take good pix. Recently got this cam, which seems rather complicated, as a present. I know several will say: read the manual. Sure, but these r meant 4 people with already some knowledge....and Im not 1 of them. Also, its in a language I cant read. Have tried several settings, but either, shutter takes 2 long 2 record (cant always use a tripod), and the image appears blurred, or its 2 bright, or colors not right. This cam has A LOT of settings...could someone explain what these refer 2? Here I list them:
1. Metering (with options MATRIX - SPOT - CENTER WEIGHTED - SPOT AF AREA)
2.Lens (NORMAL - WIDE ADAPTER - TELEPHOTO)
3. Exposure options (AE LOCK - MAXIMUM BULB DURATION)
4. Focus - (AF AREA MODE: MANUAL/AUTO - AUTO FOCUS: SINGLE AF/CONTINUOUS)
5. Image sharpening (AUTO - HIGH - LOW)
6. Noise reduction (on/off?)
7. Auto Bracketing (OFF - ON - WB BRACKETING)
8. Control: MEMORIZE - FUNC. - AE-L & AF-L (What do these mean?

Thanx 4 helping, I know its a lot.

This is a very nice cam, and during the day, it gives no trouble at all, portrait, macro, panorama, you name it. As long as there is enough light, it is great, I must say....it just makes me suffer at night!!! And I cannot still decypher the manual....it is in Dutch, and...well, at least I managed to set the cam in English!! So....thats why, I would appreciate your help. I had such a bad time tonight, as I had to make some pix, and couldnt do more than one or two (not so good) ones.....HELP ME PLEASE!!!

Hmmm....I think I mentioned I'm not familiar with certain terms....asa? whatever. As for the manual...once again, how can I read it when it is in a language which, apart from technical, is DUTCH??!! I dont speak Dutch........
Thanx for the suggestions, about the website, and the similar models.

Regarding the ISO, yes, I have tried the different ones....not much success......in any case....how can I speed up/slow down the shutter speed??

And believe me....last night I spent almost an hour, with an elimination process....took about 200 pix with poor or mediocre result.....And as for asking people stand still....hahaha....that you can do with friends....last night I was trying to get some shots of Madonna getting to her hotel....see if she will freeze for your shot. Hehehehe........Thanx guys.

Answer 1

trial and error! We can get all scientific about this but you need to get the basic understanding of exposure and then just try different settings, it takes time to learn photography and you will always be learning photography that's the beauty of it, one day you think you know everything about it and then a challenging situation comes up and you have to try different things. For a good basic knowledge of photography look no further than John Hedgecoe, he has some great books for beginners. Go into your local waterstones and just flick through them, get a coffee and think about the one you think will benefit you the most and then buy it.

Answer 2

I know it sounds strange but, take the time to read the manual and practice. Anytime you get new equipment, especially today's electronics, it will pay to read. You can own the camera for years but only use 10% of it's features. You cheat yourself in the long run.
Night photos are best used with a Spot meter, with a normal lens setting, and auto focus. If you can change the asa to the highest setting that will help. Lastly, try to keep your subject from moving during the photo.

Answer 3

The 5700, 8700 and 8800 are all remarkably similar. If you can find a manual for any of those models, you should be good.
As for night shots - I had an 8700 myself and they're useless in poor light. You can only crank the ISO up to 400 (and only up to 200 with decent image quality).
The ISO is one of those buttons on the side of the lens in combination with the scroll wheel.

Answer 4

I have a new coolpix also...and there are times....when I love it. Then there are times....when I want to throw it...but refrain cuz I know how expensive it was. Haha. I can never seem to find a good setting to just leave it on and go....for instance....I was at Disney World and it refused to take clear shots of the castle lit up at night. I am going to watch this board like a hawk....because this camera confuses me to death as well. I've had it since January and everytime I think I've finally figured it out....it decides to be difficult again. Good Luck!

Answer 5

check the Nikon website for tips and tricks. play with the settings and just try different ones ....process of elimination. at night you need to slow the film speed down and open up the f-stop. That's why you usually need a tripod at night.

Answer 6

Call/email the company that made the cam and ask for an instruction manual in English...