What setting on a digital camera simulates "wide lens" if any?

[Inchworm]

I'm headed to NYC this weekend and wanted to play with settings for scenic shots. Daytime.

I may be shooting from the Circle Line Ferry that circles the city.

Any tips are welcome. Remember that I'm a newb :)

:hi:

[MajorChode]

1. I'm not sure what effect you're aiming

If you want a wide lens shot, you're going to need a wide lens. This is true for digital or film. I'm assuming you're after the difference in perspective that a wide angle lens creates.

There might be some stuff you can play around with in digital darkroom software such as Photoshop if you want the extreme barrel distortion that a fisheye lens gives you.

[Inchworm]

5. Ahh, for some reason I thought my camera "faked" lenses

:dunce:

[ManiacJoe]

2. If you are using an SLR

then you need a wide-angle lens (zoom or fixed) to get the wide perspective.

If you are using something like a point-n-shoot with a zoom lens, you will need to move the lever/switch/button toward the "wide" setting.

[Inchworm]

6. Its not a SLR I don't think

It's a fuji S700.

I'm just trying to get tips before I go. For some silly reason I avoid the "auto" feature hehe.

:hi:

[ManiacJoe]

10. If I am looking at the correct camera,

it is a point-n-shoot shaped like an SLR with a built-in 38-380mm zoom lens.

On the top, near the shutter release button, is a rotating switch labled "T - W". This is your zoom switch, Tele and Wide. The wide end stops at 38mm which is not that wide.

[Trocadero]

3. I think you want a focal length less than 50mm

[dbmk]

4. And if on an entry level DSLR

preferrably less, due to the cropping factor of the smaller sensors.

[Inchworm]

7. I think the focal length is determined by other settings

Well, according to pictures I've taken I can for sure say that. I just don't know the advantages to a smaller focal length or what I change to achieve it.

It is probably that I asked the wrong question to begin with, but thats how I learn hehe :P

:hi:

EDIT: spelin

[Trocadero]

9. there are two types of lenses - zoom and fixed

fixed means it does not move, and are generally thought to be superior in quality to a zoom lens

zoom means you can adjust the focal length - "zoom" - between two numbers, such as 18mm-200mm

zoom is for convenience if you are going to be shooting all kinds of subjects and you don't want to change lenses in between

The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view

Aperture, on the other hand, determines the depth of focus. A larger aperture (smaller number, like f2.8, compared to f11) means a shorter depth of focus.

Here is a helpful site:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm

[Stevenmarc]

8. If it's a fuji S700 then you should pick up one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Angle-FinePix-Digital-Camera/dp/B000TH51EY