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04/22/2014 08:00:38 AM · #1 |
Good Morning
I am playing with my camera this morning outside with the birds, however, I am trying so hard to "train" and "wean" myself from using auto mode on my DLSR... ( dang point and shoots) especially at the last minute when I want a photo like instant right away kind of thing without having to fiddle with the settings all the time..
When I am not in auto mode, I love manual mode but I have rarely shot in A or P mode, never shot in S mode at all or the quick settings with the icons on the dials.
I am trying to figure out a very quick way that I can turn on my camera, find a subject and just shoot it without having to be in auto, but I am not sure what mode that needs to be on or what settings to use.. Isn't there just a general all in one setting to use to make sure the shots come out clear as possible? I think those little ICONS with the dial would provide a quick auto setting as well, but I think that is "cheating" as well because you might as well use AUTO mode ... I would really love to learn to set it outside of these perimeters.
I am thinking it would be in the program mode, auto focus.. usually my ISO is been at 100, 200 or 400.. usually 800 for my wildlife action shots..
Others say it would be the shutter speed, but I am not thinking that is such a big deal for a quick now setting.
I know I am babbling and I know I am prob. talking backwards, however, I hope too I am making some sort of sense.. LOL
I have done some reading and searches, but they all contradict each other..
Message edited by author 2014-04-22 08:03:05. |
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04/22/2014 08:18:29 AM · #2 |
Start with aperture priority, and auto ISO. This lets you set the DOF you want, and t automatically pick an ISO and shutter speed. Many DSLRs allow you to pick a range for auto ISO, which is helpful to ensure to doesn't to too high.
As you get comfortable with that, change the auto ISO to manual ISO. This gives you control OCR the DOF and the noise in the image, while the camera figures out a shutter speed. This is the mode I use 98% of the time (the remainder is using fully manual for off camera flash situations). |
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04/22/2014 08:23:47 AM · #3 |
For wildlife photography, I use Av (aperture mode) 99% of the time. In general, you want a fairly fast shutter speed because birds and animals move a lot, so set your aperture setting to wide open aperture. That will allow the most light to enter the lens producing the fastest shutter speed. And, this will also give you a narrow depth-of-field with a good bokeh background. If your camera doesn't generate a fast enough shutter speed due to low light conditions, then you will need to set your ISO speed to a higher level, being always conscious of how well your camera sensor handles electronic noise at higher ISO speeds. Typically, I start at ISO 400 for wildlife photography. But, in low light situations you may need to bump to ISO 800 or ISO 1600. Bird photography is most successful at shutter speeds of 1/500s or faster. For hummingbirds, 1/4000s is good. For birds-in-flight, use 1/2000s, or faster.
So, that's it. Av with auto focus. Suggest you set your focusing points to one or a few so you can nail the correct focus on the key subject.
eta:  giantmike answered well, while I was typing.
Message edited by author 2014-04-22 08:29:27. |
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04/22/2014 08:25:11 AM · #4 |
| I'm with Mike. My camera lives in aperture priority mode. I don't have auto-ISO, so generally keep it set at 200. |
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04/22/2014 08:29:37 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by hahn23:
For wildlife photography, I use Av (aperture mode) 99% of the time. In general, you want a fairly fast shutter speed because birds and animals move a lot, so set your aperture setting to wide open aperture. That will allow the most light to enter the lens producing the fastest shutter speed. And, this will also give you a narrow depth-of-field with a good bokeh background. If your camera doesn't generate a fast enough shutter speed due to low light conditions, then you will need to set your ISO speed to a higher level, being always conscious of how well your camera sensor handles electronic noise at higher ISO speeds. Typically, I start at ISO 400 for wildlife photography. But, in low light situations you may need to bump to ISO 800 or ISO 1600. Bird photography is most successful at shutter speeds of 1/500s or faster. For hummingbirds, 1/4000s is good. For birds-in-flight, use 1/2000s.
So, that's it. Av with auto focus. Suggest you set your focusing points to one or a few so you can nail the correct focus on the key subject. |
Hahn said exactly what I'd say -- extremely good advice.
I shoot AV 98% of the time. I shoot manual if I'm playing with flash in a studio. Otherwise, I shoot AV, aperture wide open for wildlife (I know that if I stop down a bit, it's better, but I'm going for the maximum amount of light in case my subject moves.
I control my depth of field by changing the aperture, but I start out wide open.
I set my ISO to 200 or 400, and adjust if I don't have enough shutter speed for what I'm after (Hahn pegged that, although I have a tendency to go for 1/1200 or so (is that even a real shutter speed?)
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04/22/2014 09:01:31 AM · #6 |
Thank you all, I am practicing now just by shutting off the camera, turnign it on and just pointing and trying to shoot something.. right now the birds are hungry and are invading my neighbors bird feeder, so the action is pretty fun right now..
It is really hard to wean myself from a bad habit of auto LOLOL
right now my ISO is at 400 and I also am playing at F7.1...
This helps and so far the pictures are turning out pretty good! I think I have found my new favorite mode LOL |
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04/22/2014 09:26:51 AM · #7 |
don't rely on one mode, you need to understand how to use the modes to accomplish what it is you want. don't use Av or Tv just because they are there, don't use M just because you feel like you will be a better photographer.
use Av when you have to control DOF, Use Tv when shutter speed is the priority, Use M when you have to set all aspects of your exposure or can control your lighting.
P lets you control ISO
Tv lets you control ISO and shutter
Av lets you control ISO and aperture
M lets you control it all
its your job as a photog to understand what you want to get the results you wish. |
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04/22/2014 09:33:17 AM · #8 |
| Not sure if D60 has it or not but you can set ISO on auto with a high limit so it will adjust but top out at the limit. We had a really good birder do a presentation at our club one time and he said he would rather have noise than miss a shot because the shutter speed was too slow. I started letting my ISO go higher than I used to and it works, shutter speed is more important with a long lens and fast subject. |
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04/22/2014 10:25:48 AM · #9 |
Was going to reply without reading all the others, but giantmike & the others have answered well.
My default settings are ISO 400, Av mode, single-point (center) autofocus, high speed shutter (not single shot). Aperature (8.0 - 10.0 as a starting point) allows enough DOF to get most of the subject in focus (probably my biggest struggle in moving from P&S - the DSLR defaults to an EXTREMELY narrow DOF). With the Canon 60D, 400 ISO gives fairly low grain with good color, and allows a bit faster shutter speed or lower light.
Like I said, that's my "default" setting. Those settings allow me to basically turn on the camera, zoom (if needed), and shoot. I adjust from there depending on what I'm trying to do / get.
I use the high speed multi-frame shutter setting, and have just taught myself not to lean on the shutter release unless I want multiple shots. But for birds / wildlife, when you often have so little warning before the subject is gone...
I switch to M (full manual) when the camera is making unsatisfactory choices on shutter speed or use the exposure adjustment to brighten or darken the shot.
I use 1600 to 3200 ISO for low light quick-moving subjects (especially indoors; like when I'm shooting a dance number) - a bit grainy, but it allows fast enough shutter to freeze most non-extreme motion with good brightness. I find a grainy in-focus picture is preferable to a blurry one with less grain / noise.
Experiment. What works for you?
Don't be afraid of the higher ISO values on the newer DSLRs - even 3200 gives a decent shot with a higher shutter speed. If you combine high ISO and slow shutter, the grain (and noise) goes up a lot.
The more I experiment with my 60D, the more I like it.
Message edited by author 2014-04-22 10:27:57. |
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04/22/2014 10:34:35 AM · #10 |
| Don't forget that you can set "custom modes", or at least I assume you can on your camera. On my 5D2, I have C1, C2, and C3 available. I have set C1 to aperture priority, 3-image bracket, RAW capture, f/8, ISO 200. That's what I leave my cam,era set at. C2 is the same except it shoots RAW+JPG, so if we have a minimal challenge OR if I am doing some silly thing like shooting people and promising them files, then I have an easy JPG to send them. C3 is currently unassigned. I rarely shoot in anything but aperture priority or bulb (for very long exposures). |
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04/22/2014 11:01:00 AM · #11 |
Don,t forget it is not a crime to shoot in Auto.
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04/22/2014 11:05:32 AM · #12 |
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04/22/2014 11:09:47 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Tiny:
Don,t forget it is not a crime to shoot in Auto. |
But you can be issued a citation.
: - ) |
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04/22/2014 11:10:38 AM · #14 |
| Photo-journalists will often use the "auto" setting because news happens fast and you don't want to be fiddling with controls and trying to create art . |
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04/22/2014 11:15:13 AM · #15 |
I wil have to figure out what TV mode is.. I don't have that on my Nikon so I am wondering if that is just a Canon setting?
I know AV = A in the Nikon.. (sorry, just learning what all these mean LOL)
I have went to a local park to play and had a blast I did have to change the speed for the ducks just a bit higher, but for the most part I do like the settings..
TinyLOLOl..
I don't feel like its not a crime, however, its all been shooting the past 2-3 yrs on my point and shoot, having this DLSR has been awesome because I had no clue the different things you can do with pictures to achieve awesome pics.. so I am forcing myself outside of my comfort zone and bubble sort of sake.. Usually, if I see something I wanna shoot it now in auto then taking the time to try to get un-confused on what mode I need to be in..
I have read the manual umpteen million times, but reading does not soak it in for me, I learn best by hands on and doing, but these techinal things is what I want to master outside of auto...
Custom modes settings just seems out of my realm and way overwhelming to me at the moment LOL I think I will learn that after I learn these basics of different modes first.
I think with my eagle shots my Shutter speed has been 2000 and 3200...I rarely found my shutter speed to be below 800
Here is my link of the pictures I took today which I thought were my favorites, any thoughts about settings would be great,
ISO was 400
Shutter speed on the ducks were 1/640 at F4.5
On the Robin I used 1/320- f/5.6
On the fountain I played with it being 1/40 and f/22
my flower which was in my garden 1/320 - f/5.6
https://plus.google.com/photos/101254283767804839237/albums/6005133187043731281?authkey=CKKGje_J1aeL6QE
Message edited by author 2014-04-22 11:20:59. |
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04/22/2014 11:15:53 AM · #16 |
| hahah LN and thank you Caba! |
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04/22/2014 11:19:06 AM · #17 |
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04/22/2014 11:22:11 AM · #18 |
So that would be like S mode on my Nikon LOL
I am learning heheheh! I feel like there will be some sort of quiz at the end of this :-)) |
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04/22/2014 11:24:36 AM · #19 |
| I recognize Vander Veer Park in Davenport. A nice place with many good photo subjects. |
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04/22/2014 11:32:55 AM · #20 |
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04/22/2014 11:38:03 AM · #21 |
hahaahh That cardinal family lives in our backyard tree and was molting or something..... she was using the feathers in the nest..
I am not sure but I tried to get a picture of her today but she looks much much better now :-))
Message edited by author 2014-04-22 11:39:37. |
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04/22/2014 11:38:31 AM · #22 |
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04/22/2014 11:41:06 AM · #23 |
| Yes it was Vandeveer! I go walking when its warm there every morning when I go to exercise there :-)) |
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04/22/2014 12:12:39 PM · #24 |
| The only way to get to know your camera is just go manual. I too had the fear of pushing a button that would cause the camera to self-destruct, and didn't understand all the knobs, and levers. It's a little like trying to learn to ride a bike while still having the training wheels on. I even struggled with questions like "why is a bigger aperture number actually a smaller aperture size". The learning curve was GREATLY accelerated when I just went for broke. Yes, I may have missed some shots, but I got the hang of it really quickly. Now I shoot M (manual) almost exclusively. I can eyeball a scene and know what my settings need to be, or pretty close to it. But I also visualize what I want my image to look like before I shoot, so I set the camera up to obtain that "look". Granted, I shoot a lot of studio, and rarely any action situations, so my subjects aren't going anywhere :) |
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04/22/2014 02:27:31 PM · #25 |
I think that is what I have.. a phobia of buttons
I started to fall in love with manual mode with my eagle shots.. but after they left, I found myself right back in auto because I don't know how to shoot anything else differently,
I wonder if I should start to focus on "still" things before moving on to things that move? I find myself chasing those things that move all the time hahah!
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