Canon 60 D choosing modes....

[delko]

Hi All.

Im from South Africa.
I recently got a canon 60d.
And im battling with the different modes.

First question:Is it wise to shoot in full manual?

I recently bought a lens and the guy at the shop says i must put the cam on auto see what the cam gives for exposure and f stop and put that information in the manual mode for beter photos quality ect.

So i started shooting in manual choosing f stop and shutterspeed.
I ending up almost never getting the right exposure.ussualy took 3 shot of different exposure and none were perfect.

can i pro photographer compete against a cameras auto in good light?
I know low light is another game...

So here is my summary of what i figured out as when to use what modes.


Apperature priority- when you need to specify apperature landscare(f 22 ) backround blur (f3.5)
Shutter priority-When you know the shutterspeed like shooting at 60 when light is limited or panning .
Full auto-BAsicly basic photos .very limited.cant change to fast shopoting cant change to al servo.
Full Manual -
Sport mode-taking sport photos but limited.cant change apperature
No-flash mode - when you want to shoot low light without flash popping up shutterspeed 50.

I still need some comments.
Do i uderstand the modes corectly?
When must i use full auto?
When must i use full manual?
I just feel like such a rookie...

I triedstaying away from exposure compensationand only using it with the popup flash to limit the white bright effect....

WHAT MODES DO YOU USE?

I like playing with f stop it open the world.
wHAT DO YOU FIND WORKING THE BEST?

Please help me to learn my 60D even better.


Chao

 

[willis_927]

I use manual 100% of the time. Once you figure it out its second nature.
Keep reading and learning more about exposure. There is more to aperture and shutter speed than just depth of field and motion blur.
Learning when to use a desired shutter speed / aperture / iso is the key

Using manual gives you full control of everything.

 

[Dao]

I recently bought a lens and the guy at the shop says i must put the cam on auto see what the cam gives for exposure and f stop and put that information in the manual mode for beter photos quality ect.

That guy do not know what he is talking about. If you choose the same settings, manual or auto mode, the camera will give you the same result.(assuming other factors are the same)

It doesn't matter what mode you are shooting, the goal is getting the correct exposure. In NORMAL situation, we obtain the correct exposure based on the built-in light meter readings whether you shoot fully auto, semi-auto or manual. Of course there are times you need ignore the light meter and set the exposure settings manually. (i.e. flash photography).

So when you point your camera to the subject or scene and half press the shutter button, the camera light meter will take the reading and either set the exposure settings or recommend a exposure for you. For me, I choose Aperture priority (with spot meter mode and exposure lock sometimes) most of the time and Manual mode in situation that I don't trust the light build-in light meter.

So I typically set the aperture value based on the situation and my need and meter the scene. If needed, I may bump up the ISO so that the shutter speed is fast enough for what it need.


Read more about the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO with the exposure. Also take a look at exposure value (EV).

 

[akwildshots]

Go in steps - try auto for a while and see what your camera likes
Go into program auto (though you can skip this)
Take over aperture or shutter-speed depending on what you are shooting once you have the basic idea. Use whichever best suits your needs.
Then go into manual and never look back. The more you shoot, the more accustomed you will be.

 

[TheBiles]

Basically, I always shoot in manual unless I'm dealing with a fast-moving subject in an environment that would give varied exposures, in which case I use Aperture Priority. Never really saw a use for Shutter Priority or Program.


--
Sent from my Droid Bionic.

 

[dsquared]

You must practice with manual mode, with aperture mode,shutter mode, all modes till you find the best settings for different light, scenes etc. Everyone started like that, and you should too... Time and training is the key!

 

[TCD photography]

I have a bridge camera and I shoot in Manual 99% of the time. Sometimes I'll will put on Auto and see what the camera suggests and base my settings off the suggested exposure. What azharkhan said, if diving completely into Manual mode is too daunting, just set the dial on auto and see what the exposure the camera suggests, then go to each of the modes and set it as similarly as you can.

 

[delko]

Can i use the ELI(exposure level indicator) to help me determine the right exposure in daylight.
I know that wont work at night or in low light senarios.

Thank you

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Can i use the ELI(exposure level indicator) to help me determine the right exposure in daylight.
I know that wont work at night or in low light senarios.

Thank you

It doesn't work every time, it just tell you just about the right exposure. It depends on your subject and the scene. High key shots are normally darker and low key shots are normally brighter than the ideal exposure.

 

[delko]

Can i use the ELI(exposure level indicator) to help me determine the right exposure in daylight.
I know that wont work at night or in low light senarios.

Thank you

It doesn't work every time, it just tell you just about the right exposure. It depends on your subject and the scene. High key shots are normally darker and low key shots are normally brighter than the ideal exposure.

Can you perhaps explain high key shot and low key shots?

Thank you for the help.
I guess i just have to get out there and take shots.

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Can i use the ELI(exposure level indicator) to help me determine the right exposure in daylight.
I know that wont work at night or in low light senarios.

Thank you

It doesn't work every time, it just tell you just about the right exposure. It depends on your subject and the scene. High key shots are normally darker and low key shots are normally brighter than the ideal exposure.

Can you perhaps explain high key shot and low key shots?

Thank you for the help.
I guess i just have to get out there and take shots.

High key shots are shots with a bright background and low key shots are shots with a dark background.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-key_lighting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-key_lighting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-key_lightinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-key_lightinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-key_lighting

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Low key - http://www.sharpsphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/300_2486.jpg
Hhttp://www.sharpsphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/300_2486.jpgigh key - http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/n...ng-holding-cup-of-hot-drink-outdoor-winte.jpg

 

[rpm]

id actually start of at Aperture priortiy; go get a nifty fifty and just work with Aperture priority and Shutter priority and learn the ins and outs of exposure slowly tackling Manual the more you grasp both. going full on manual is only as useful as your understanding of the exposure triangle..