for the 300D users - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/25/2003 08:54:09 AM · #1

I'm asking this for a friend who recently bought a 300D.

She's having a couple of issues and I was hoping someone could
provide some pointers.

How are using the metering on the camera ? She is finding the lack
of control dissappointing and finding that having to be in manual
mode to use spot metering really reduces the spontanaity of the camera -

so the question is - what meter modes are you using, or which shooting modes would you recommend ?

Her second issue was that the shutter lag was quite severe compared to
film cameras - is this something that you've experienced with the 300D ?

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

11/25/2003 11:03:20 AM · #2

I've never used a film camera but there is basically no shutter lag on the 300D from what I can tell, but thats after being used to a G2 which is the slowest thing on the planet.

I havent really figured out the metering modes yet either...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/25/2003 11:07:53 AM · #3

Rob suggested that in the creative modes, that it normally defaults to matrix/ evaluative (for P, Av, and Tv mode) but you can use AELock (*) to override and get partial/spot metering.

In (M)anual mode, the default is center weighted average, but the AELock can also be used to force partial/spot mode.

mariomel

Canon EOS-5D

11/25/2003 11:26:07 AM · #4

I agree with Ben. In my opinion, there is no shutter lag on the DRebel. I will attempt some tests later and let you know if I can detect any noticable lag.

As for the metering, I tend to use the AE lock when I dont get it straight out from the P, AV or Tv modes. I agree, using full Manual, does often take the spontinaety out of the photography.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

11/25/2003 11:44:17 AM · #5

Originally posted by mariomel:

Thinking about it some more, she might well be complaining about the write to card delays or something - although a 2.5 frame per second rate is resonably slow compared to the sort of film gear she's been working with I guess. Not sure what the issue is.

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

11/25/2003 11:49:36 AM · #6

my suggestions:

1. Return the camera.

2. Get a 10D

Because what she really wants is a 10D not a 300D.

Originally posted by Gordon:

11/25/2003 12:04:20 PM · #7

Originally posted by paganini:

my suggestions:

1. Return the camera.

2. Get a 10D

Because what she really wants is a 10D not a 300D.

Unfortunately reality precludes that being an option.

11/25/2003 12:19:44 PM · #8

using manual mode requires more work to snap a shot
i have a hard time believing its ruining the ability to take photos
unless the only camera she has used was fully auto - and in my mind that takes the photographer out of the process.

i am curious of the AE lock and spot metering though.
i'll have to mess with that.

i would say the camera takes shots pretty quickly
set on the consecutive shot mode - hasnt been an issue for me.. but maybe depends on what she is shooting

11/25/2003 12:41:17 PM · #9

No, she normally works with large and medium format cameras, and 35mm film - so she has some experience with other systems :)

Her comment was that having to use manual to get decent exposure control ruined the spontaneity - but the AE Lock trick might well be enough to address that issue. It isn't that unreasonable to want to be able to select metering mode independently from exposure mode.

Message edited by author 2003-11-25 12:45:40.

11/25/2003 12:45:08 PM · #10

i think you get a grasp of how the camera exposes ( no matter how it meters ) over time.

i took 4 roles of film on my old canon AL1 with a broken meter ( after years of using the meter )
and most were exposed fine.

she could also buy an external spot meter for the thing - and solve it like that

11/25/2003 12:50:49 PM · #11

Originally posted by soup:

Yes - like I said - using an external meter and manual mode is the problem that she was complaining about having to do...

But if there is a workable way to at least get the partial meter in most modes, that will probably help her out. For any sort of careful exposure, evaluative/matrix modes are just a stab in dark.

Message edited by author 2003-11-25 12:51:57.

11/25/2003 12:53:15 PM · #12

i was a bit disappointed with the way the metering was set up - but knew ahead of time - assumed it was one of the things that cheapened up the camera.

i didnt notice the comment about the external meter....

11/25/2003 02:42:19 PM · #13

Originally posted by soup:

Well - the comment was about manual mode slowing things down - you can't really use an external meter in any other mode, very usefully, can you ?

11/25/2003 03:17:03 PM · #14

the question was about metering options
and shutter lag. two different questions

if there is shutter lag - its there for good
metering on the other hand is work-with-able

and i too wish this was available

Originally posted by gordon:

It isn't that unreasonable to want to be able to select metering mode independently from exposure mode.

Message edited by author 2003-11-25 15:19:21.

11/25/2003 03:20:45 PM · #15

Originally posted by soup:

the question was about metering options
and shutter lag. two different questions

if there is shutter lag - its there for good
metering on the other hand is work-with-able

Yes there were two different questions. The metering issue sounds like there are some partial solutions, though it seems that Canon just decided to cripple the camera needlessly to make a product distinction for the higher end SLRs. It would be good if they'd get a decent spot metering system in one of their mid or low end DSLRs some time soon though. Its making me want to buy a hand held meter for some of the more careful work that I do.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

11/25/2003 03:45:16 PM · #16

Getting to grips with the 300d can be quite a challenge. I had used 35mm slr's for years and then went digital, my fuji s602z really spoiled me, it was soooo easy to use. There is lag on the shutter compared to 35mm slr's but unless you spend even more money and get a 10D then you will have to live with it. If your friend has come straight from a 35mm slr to the 300d it will take time and practice to get to grips with this beast.

Message edited by author 2003-11-25 15:45:58.