What Function is for what purpose ?

Xeathor · 26th March 2009

Hi guys ~ !

i need some advice or guidance from you all, i just had 400D from a very nice gentleman.

as im a very newbie in photography, hence my knowledge about the applications on 400D was darn limited, as i inspired to be a better photographer, i would need you people to briefly explain what mode should i use under what kind of situation.

hope this thread will benefit those new canon users too.

THANKS IN ADVANCE AND CHEEEEERS ~

rendition · 27th March 2009

Dude, haven't you considered opening the manuals? Before you get shot here with RTFM type of rounds, help yourself by starting on the manuals first...really

Dream Merchant · 27th March 2009

Tell you what, show me that you've read the manual, but more importantly, read up about the basics of LIGHT in photography and I'll spend an entire day sitting with you to teach you how to best use your camera. Food and drinks provided by you.

Serious.

Octarine · 27th March 2009

This thread won't be beneficial ..

Beside this: basic camera settings are not "applications of 400D" but the very basics regardless of any camera brand or model. So whatever you set on your 400D can be set on any Nikon, Olympus, Pentax or whatever camera your friends might have. Which gives you the chance to learn from them by comparing basic settings.
Also, it sounds as if you think that better gear will make you a better photographer? That's the wrong tree you're barking up. The camera is the tool, learn how to handle

Read the sticky threads in Newbies Corner. Read again, try more, ask specific questions. Attend courses. Lots of information here in the board. Don't expect spoonfeeding .. unless you are willing to pay for it

Xeathor · 27th March 2009

hmm .... looks like thing werent going too good.

anyway, i have read the manuals and look up a few books in the library regarding the basics of photography. but what im referring to is the personal experience. there are very special case whereby not one particular mode is suited in this scenario. hope my this explanation will have a clearer picture of what i trying to express.

thanks

Reportage · 27th March 2009

when you know when and why to use which, can call yourself pro already.

Dream Merchant · 27th March 2009

OOPS. Double post.

Dream Merchant · 27th March 2009

Originally Posted by Xeathor

hmm .... looks like thing werent going too good.

anyway, i have read the manuals and look up a few books in the library regarding the basics of photography. but what im referring to is the personal experience. there are very special case whereby not one particular mode is suited in this scenario. hope my this explanation will have a clearer picture of what i trying to express.

thanks

If you've read the manual and books from the library, you should have an idea of what mode to use for what situation.

Was there a specific problem that we can help you with?

Also, you didn't mention anything about reading the manual or books earlier.

Further to that then comes the individual tweaking and customisation of controls and functions, but since you're new, I would actually advise you to concentrate more on mastering the basics of LIGHT and composition while using the BASIC modes of you camera like AV or even just P. In the modern era of DSLRs, going all manual may not necessarily be the best way to learn, unlike old film days.

Along the way, if you keep on looking back into your manual and guides (highly recommended - I used to carry and read my manual with me everywhere for at least 3 months looking like a downright idiot when I got my first DSLR), and there are tons online, to refine your understanding of how your particular camera works and thinks, you will discover, for yourself, the best way to optimise your camera functions and settings.

Because modern DSLRs are so complex and every situation as well as personal preference and technique is different, we can't tell you to "use A setting for X and B setting for Y situations". It might not work for you in a particular situation that's unique to you.

If your grounding in the basics of LIGHT is established, and you already know how the camera functions, you will realise that you're in a better position to handle more complex problems.

The MAIN problem happens when people are lured into thinking that their cameras can do all the thinking for them. Believe me, even when you master your camera controls, you will keep on getting stuck in real life situations if you don't have a good foundation in light and basic photography principles. THAT is something which EVERY manufacturer's board of directors and marketing director prays that no consumer will ever find out.

Establishing those basics can take a few months to many months. Mastering them can take many years. Sorry, there are no short-cuts where foundations are concerned.

It's NOT that we don't want to help you.

Xeathor · 27th March 2009

*TOUCHED*

!!!! Dream Merchant, im impressed by what you have said !!! and it does inspires me even more ! *maybe not for the last line though =s* thanks for the precious advice nevertheless.

oooh i have a question which 'flashes' through me, while trying my 400D with 18-55mm lens, i encountered this situation, the shutter closes for very long time then recover back therefore resulted the pics to be distorted.

according to a gentleman who was with me earlier on said that it was my lens prob and the light setting around. its was kinda dark, about 8pm while i was taking the pic, but i already switched it to flash mode.

can advise,what should i do when i taking pics at night without using flash (eg. Canon 580 exII etc.), or is there any way to shorten the shutter speed ?

sorry if its sounds hilarious or even stupid.

lennyl · 27th March 2009

What book did you read? If you haven't already, read "Understanding Exposures" by Bryan Peterson.

If you're referring to the different modes, it's all pretty straightforward. Ignore all the "basic" modes (running man, flower, mountain, face, etc). They don't do anything magical that you can't do in the other modes.

Use Av if you need to control the aperture. Use Tv when you need to control the shutter speed. Use M when situations are tricky, or you're using flash in full auto (ETTL) mode. Use P if you don't care but want to determine if the flash comes on or not. As for when to use what aperture or shutter speed, the book I mentioned above will tell you.

Edit : one thing to note about Canon's system, Av / Tv mode and flash - in those two mode, the camera meters WITHOUT taking flash into consideration. If you have flash on full power, you'll likely end up with a horribly exposed subject.

lennyl · 27th March 2009

Originally Posted by Xeathor

can advise,what should i do when i taking pics at night without using flash (eg. Canon 580 exII etc.), or is there any way to shorten the shutter speed ?

Dude, really, read the book I suggested in the earlier post. It will answer your question. But the short answer is : boost ISO, open up aperture, use a tripod.

Xeathor · 27th March 2009

thanks lennyl !!! understood what you trying to say le.

it helps me alot, anyway, where can i get this book ? is it available in libraries ?

Dream Merchant · 27th March 2009

Originally Posted by Xeathor

thanks lennyl !!! understood what you trying to say le.

it helps me alot, anyway, where can i get this book ? is it available in libraries ?

Sigh...

http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/cgi-bin/...n+28653+1+10+0

jeremyteocx · 27th March 2009

the last i check, i loaned out the last available one from central library

.... still many sets in other libs

anyway, regarding the functions of your camera, it really is based on practice and trial shots. the advice is to read first of course, but when you're done with it (or bored with it), then take your camera out to shoot and practice. different conditions require different functions and settings, and diff ppl have different styles ...

night86mare · 27th March 2009

Originally Posted by Dream Merchant

Sigh...

http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg/cgi-bin/...n+28653+1+10+0

charlesleong · 27th March 2009

hm. like this might as well shoot everything on "green box"...

Sivakis · 27th March 2009

Zplus · 27th March 2009

Ok I will be kind:

Green Blank Rectangle = When your mind is blank, use this. The camera decide everything for you

P = Professional Mode. The camera will suddenly activate all the Canon Professional AI to help you. Since too many professionals, you are allowed to choose which one is right.

TV = Time veryfast / veryslow

AV = Aperture (it means hole) verybig / verysmall

A-DEP = All Der Electronicfocus Perfect!

M = Master Mode. When you are the master... even the camera will listen to you.

Girl's Head = When you want to take photo of girl's head

MOuntain = When you want to take photo of mountain range

Flower = When you want to take photo of flower

Running man = When you want to take photo of running man

Man with star = When you want to take a photo of a man at night

Xeathor · 27th March 2009

LOL ... wassup with all the spoonfeeding babies, its very cute anyway ! LOL ~

Zplus : your information definitely comes in handy and quick to understand ! thanks !

Dream Merchant : would seriously interested to meet up with you, so that you can impart me of your skills ! =D

Going Central library to grab the book !!!~ WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

localhost · 27th March 2009

Originally Posted by Xeathor

oooh i have a question which 'flashes' through me, while trying my 400D with 18-55mm lens, i encountered this situation, the shutter closes for very long time then recover back therefore resulted the pics to be distorted.

according to a gentleman who was with me earlier on said that it was my lens prob and the light setting around. its was kinda dark, about 8pm while i was taking the pic, but i already switched it to flash mode.

i am noob like u too bro. but maybe i know a little more then u for now. I haven got my DSLR, but based on my past experience with Canon A40 (non DSLR) and my current panasonic lumix fx01. I believe that gentleman gave you the wrong answers... i believe its a setting that you did, probably with shutter speed and some modes. The distortion is cause by the shutter speed you set and you are not using a tripod, hence everything distorts when your hand shakes. I am assuming this since u mention you are taking a pic at 8pm when its dark.

any experience bros can correct me if i am wrong.

26th March 2009	#1
Xeathor Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 53	What Function is for what purpose ? Hi guys ~ ! i need some advice or guidance from you all, i just had 400D from a very nice gentleman. as im a very newbie in photography, hence my knowledge about the applications on 400D was darn limited, as i inspired to be a better photographer, i would need you people to briefly explain what mode should i use under what kind of situation. hope this thread will benefit those new canon users too. THANKS IN ADVANCE AND CHEEEEERS ~

27th March 2009	#2
rendition Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,381	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? Dude, haven't you considered opening the manuals? Before you get shot here with RTFM type of rounds, help yourself by starting on the manuals first...really __________________ // visualverve // gear / visuals Last edited by rendition; 27th March 2009 at 12:14 AM.

27th March 2009	#3
Dream Merchant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,137	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? Tell you what, show me that you've read the manual, but more importantly, read up about the basics of LIGHT in photography and I'll spend an entire day sitting with you to teach you how to best use your camera. Food and drinks provided by you. Serious.

27th March 2009	#4
Octarine Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasir Ris Posts: 3,558	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? This thread won't be beneficial .. Beside this: basic camera settings are not "applications of 400D" but the very basics regardless of any camera brand or model. So whatever you set on your 400D can be set on any Nikon, Olympus, Pentax or whatever camera your friends might have. Which gives you the chance to learn from them by comparing basic settings. Also, it sounds as if you think that better gear will make you a better photographer? That's the wrong tree you're barking up. The camera is the tool, learn how to handle Read the sticky threads in Newbies Corner. Read again, try more, ask specific questions. Attend courses. Lots of information here in the board. Don't expect spoonfeeding .. unless you are willing to pay for it

27th March 2009	#5
Xeathor Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 53	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? hmm .... looks like thing werent going too good. anyway, i have read the manuals and look up a few books in the library regarding the basics of photography. but what im referring to is the personal experience. there are very special case whereby not one particular mode is suited in this scenario. hope my this explanation will have a clearer picture of what i trying to express. thanks

27th March 2009	#6
Reportage Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,368	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? when you know when and why to use which, can call yourself pro already. __________________ My Blog/Video/Photo Archive. Photography\|\|Videography\|\|Post services available with quotation.

27th March 2009	#10
lennyl Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,522	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? What book did you read? If you haven't already, read "Understanding Exposures" by Bryan Peterson. If you're referring to the different modes, it's all pretty straightforward. Ignore all the "basic" modes (running man, flower, mountain, face, etc). They don't do anything magical that you can't do in the other modes. Use Av if you need to control the aperture. Use Tv when you need to control the shutter speed. Use M when situations are tricky, or you're using flash in full auto (ETTL) mode. Use P if you don't care but want to determine if the flash comes on or not. As for when to use what aperture or shutter speed, the book I mentioned above will tell you. Edit : one thing to note about Canon's system, Av / Tv mode and flash - in those two mode, the camera meters WITHOUT taking flash into consideration. If you have flash on full power, you'll likely end up with a horribly exposed subject. Last edited by lennyl; 27th March 2009 at 01:56 AM.

27th March 2009	#14
jeremyteocx Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 356	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? the last i check, i loaned out the last available one from central library .... still many sets in other libs anyway, regarding the functions of your camera, it really is based on practice and trial shots. the advice is to read first of course, but when you're done with it (or bored with it), then take your camera out to shoot and practice. different conditions require different functions and settings, and diff ppl have different styles ...

27th March 2009	#16
charlesleong Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,073	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? hm. like this might as well shoot everything on "green box"... __________________ 5D+BG+580EX2\|35f2\|50f1.4\|85f1.8\|135L\|17-200Lf4

27th March 2009	#17
Sivakis Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 176	Re: What Function is for what purpose ?

27th March 2009	#18
Zplus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Some equitorial, tropical isla Posts: 2,353	Re: What Function is for what purpose ? Ok I will be kind: Green Blank Rectangle = When your mind is blank, use this. The camera decide everything for you P = Professional Mode. The camera will suddenly activate all the Canon Professional AI to help you. Since too many professionals, you are allowed to choose which one is right. TV = Time veryfast / veryslow AV = Aperture (it means hole) verybig / verysmall A-DEP = All Der Electronicfocus Perfect! M = Master Mode. When you are the master... even the camera will listen to you. Girl's Head = When you want to take photo of girl's head MOuntain = When you want to take photo of mountain range Flower = When you want to take photo of flower Running man = When you want to take photo of running man Man with star = When you want to take a photo of a man at night Last edited by Zplus; 27th March 2009 at 11:09 AM.