I need some help with my new 5d - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/04/2007 10:44:50 AM · #1

This is the first time I've owned a Canon so it's totally unfamiliar. Can anyone guide me to a tutorial in cusomizing my settings? I'm sure there is one out there. Thanks,
Louisa

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

01/04/2007 11:02:32 AM · #2

What system are you coming from? Canon can be a bit different, but you'll find it rapidly becomes familiar.
The Canon "Custom Functions" can be a bit cryptic, but I recommend just going through them one by one with the manual close at hand and noting how they work. The custom functions are the in-depth customization settings. you prolly want to start with the main menu. Again I recommend just playing, referring to the manual as you go. A few hours and you'll feel very comfortable with it.
FWIW, here are a few recommendations:
- The Canon default "Picture Style" is kinda hyper-red and high contrast. Easy to oversaturate reds and sometimes other bright primaries. I recommend setting to "Faithful" or "Neutral" and tweaking in post. Ultimately, shooting in RAW will give you the greatest flexibility.
- There are some fun changes you can make with the exposure lock/focus lock scenarios. They are documented in the custom functions section of the manual. Many users find changing these settings to match their style very useful
- 5D files require very little sharpening when good glass is used. Be conservative at first, or you'll wind up with oversharp results. Most especially, keep the in-camera sharpening low if shooting JPEG.

Edit for typos

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 11:04:09.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/04/2007 11:09:25 AM · #3

Send it my way. I'll help you out. I have a long track record of taking good care of Canon 5Ds....

fotomann_forever

01/04/2007 11:11:29 AM · #4

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Send it my way. I'll help you out. I have a long track record of taking good care of Canon 5Ds....

With your track record, she'd probably be better off not even talking to you :-P

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

01/04/2007 11:51:10 AM · #5

Customised settings are configured through the main menu and then custom functions sub menu. What are you trying to achieve?

95% of my shots are simply AV mode using RAW capture. For landscapes I use mirror lockup. Apart from that everything else is standard, no need for 'picture effect or any other jpeg preconfig settings.

pineapple

01/04/2007 12:18:32 PM · #6

I thought all females read the manual and that it was the male prerogative (as shown by Achoo) not to read manuals.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/04/2007 12:32:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by pineapple:

I thought all females read the manual and that it was the male prerogative (as shown by Achoo) not to read manuals.

I must have missed the page that said not to fall into a pond by accident... ;)

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

01/04/2007 12:38:40 PM · #8

Yes I suggest reading the manual at least twice. Even after that you'll probably end up going back and checking things once in awhile.

fotomann_forever

01/04/2007 12:41:21 PM · #9

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by pineapple:
I thought all females read the manual and that it was the male prerogative (as shown by Achoo) not to read manuals.

I must have missed the page that said not to fall into a pond by accident... ;)

From page 10 --- This camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater..

scarbrd

Leica M10

01/04/2007 12:43:42 PM · #10

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by pineapple:
I thought all females read the manual and that it was the male prerogative (as shown by Achoo) not to read manuals.

I must have missed the page that said not to fall into a pond by accident... ;)

From page 10 --- This camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater..

Leaving Doc in charge of your 5D would be like leaving Col Sanders in charge of your chickens.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/04/2007 12:50:28 PM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

From page 10 --- This camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater..

You can go under water with it. You just need to buy this

Under water housing kit

01/04/2007 01:20:23 PM · #12

Hey, when I was a ski bum, my old Rossies had the rock gouges to prove I was serious. I only wore old, beat up outfits because I didn't need the matching parka to give me street cred. ;)

My 5D is a weather-worn, battle ready, instrument of power.

...just as soon as I get it back from the shop.

hankk

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/04/2007 02:14:06 PM · #13

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Hey, when I was a ski bum, my old Rossies had the rock gouges to prove I was serious. I only wore old, beat up outfits because I didn't need the matching parka to give me street cred. ;)

Serious skiers filled in the gouges -- they knew how to fix their own skis.

So if you want street cred, lets see you take a screwdriver to your 5D ;-)

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/04/2007 02:17:24 PM · #14

Originally posted by hankk:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Hey, when I was a ski bum, my old Rossies had the rock gouges to prove I was serious. I only wore old, beat up outfits because I didn't need the matching parka to give me street cred. ;)

Serious skiers filled in the gouges -- they knew how to fix their own skis.

So if you want street cred, lets see you take a screwdriver to your 5D ;-)

Don't encourage him. He almost did that when he broke the CF card slot on the 5D.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/04/2007 02:19:10 PM · #15

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Don't encourage him. He almost did that when he broke the CF card slot on the 5D.

Well to be fair his wife bent the pin but it was the Doc that took it swimming.

glassy16

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

01/04/2007 04:37:01 PM · #16

thanks guys....ummm...mostly!
I did read the manual, well I when I start reading it and playing with the camera I end up getting distracted and go off on a shooting spree never to return to the manual. I guess what I was getting at - is there a preferred setting for all those custom settings? I am a portrait photographer and wondered what people used. Good to know about the sharpening/over sharpening feature and the color saturation. I guess I'll just have to seriously sit down and play. Did I just say seriously and play in one sentence, how fun is that?!

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

01/04/2007 04:45:36 PM · #17

Originally posted by glassy16:

Convert to a RAW shooter and forget about setting that stuff.

LalliSig

01/04/2007 04:46:59 PM · #18

Originally posted by glassy16:

I guess what I was getting at - is there a preferred setting for all those custom settings?

Well hate to point out the obvious but thatÂ´s why they are called custom settings, my guess is that no two people like them set the same way so if I were you I wouldnÂ´t worry too much about it and just keep experimenting, going back to the manual regularly and find it out as you go along.

Congratulations with your new camera :)

Message edited by author 2007-01-04 16:47:41.

fotomann_forever

01/04/2007 04:47:40 PM · #19

Originally posted by kyebosh:

Convert to a RAW shooter and forget about setting that stuff.

I agree. Why waste that 5D's awesomeness on JPEG.

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/04/2007 05:16:32 PM · #20

The only custom features I believe I have used are mirror lockup (occasional, I tend to do exposures that are too long to have the mirror shake matter), auto noise reduction for long exposures (very necessary), and the one that lets me use the "set" button to change the resolution of my pictures.

scarbrd

Leica M10

01/04/2007 05:22:37 PM · #21

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Don't encourage him. He almost did that when he broke the CF card slot on the 5D.

Well to be fair his wife bent the pin but it was the Doc that took it swimming.

True, (Doc SAYS his wife broke it) but he still considered taking a screw driver to it to fix it. My 2 word response was, "crazy talk"

glassy16

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/04/2007 05:22:39 PM · #22

OK. Thanks. I rarely shoot raw as I do not have a raw converter that I am happy with. Currently I use Raw Essentials free program. Hopefully I'll be getting PS Cs2 soon which I understand has a converter built in. I know that shooting raw is something I need to get into the habit of doing.
L.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

01/04/2007 05:25:45 PM · #23

Originally posted by scarbrd:

True, (Doc SAYS his wife broke it) but he still considered taking a screw driver to it to fix it. My 2 word response was, "crazy talk"

Tru Dat!