Need Some Tips

[zhenya]

I think an entry-level DSLR is a bit like an entry-level Mercedes.

I do OK taking pictures of corals, but fish are almost impossible. My camera lets me fiddle with shutter speeds, ISO, and aperture settings in manual mode, but I can't find a combination that eliminates blurring and is not too dark to fix on the computer. I guess that is beyond the capabilities of my camera.

I'm not sure if I agree with that first statement or not, Doug.
DSLR's are great cameras but pictures taken with them require more PP in photo editing and the biggest difference is that they have more controls and an abvious apportunity to change lenses. Point and shoot cams build with a bundled technology in mind, I think.Like making camera do most of the work for the user.

As far as fish pictures, Doug, have you tried using flash and maybe bumping ISO a bit?

[Poseidon]

Doug, have you tried Apeture priority? Set your camera to MAXIMUM apeture (hopefully that is 2.8), and the ISO to at least 400, higher if you can. With a 400W halide that should get you a useable shutter speed faster then 1/125th, which should be fast enough to stop fish movement...