newbie in the house


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dohcvtec

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Dec 23, 2007
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Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to using DSLR, recently purchase a 100m macro (non-L) and canon 5D to play. I was testing it out on how to set the aperture etc and it seems that I was unable to get the correct aperture I set. Was hoping if anyone of you can give some advice. This is the sshot/ that I have taken, the aperture and exposure is something that I am not familiar with. I clearly remember I did not input this particular settings, the aperture shows up as f/6.3 while i remember putting it as f/2.8, therefore it will be great if anyone can give some tips. Thanks in advance!
 

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Your exposure program is Program AE. Change it to Manual or Av (Aperture priority) mode. Please correct me if I am wrong.. cause i am a sony user.. :)
 

I'm relatively new to using DSLR, recently purchase a 100m macro (non-L) and canon 5D to play. I was testing it out on how to set the aperture etc and it seems that I was unable to get the correct aperture I set. Was hoping if anyone of you can give some advice. This is the sshot/ that I have taken, the aperture and exposure is something that I am not familiar with. I clearly remember I did not input this particular settings, the aperture shows up as f/6.3 while i remember putting it as f/2.8, therefore it will be great if anyone can give some tips. Thanks in advance!

It will be very beneficial for you to read up about the very basics of cameras, equipment and exposure before you start a wild and random trial & error with guessing. Chances of getting "keepers" will increase tremendously. There are some sticky threads with plenty of tips here, just read.
If you have set f/2.8 then the camera might have overwritten this, since you use Program AE. A simple half-pressing of shutter button overwrites all previous settings. Try using Av mode for full control over aperture.
You are using Matrix Metering for a bright subject in front of dark background. What do you expect? Using Matrix will let the camera use something in the middle - which blows off the details of the flower. Spot metering will help but you might need to adjust additional (=> exposure compensation).
 

Hello, dohcvtech.
Firstly, don't despair. What our experienced Octarine said is the absolute truth. Listen to him. He is the expert.
If I may just add in a few more small little points, when you are on P mode and Evaluative metering (Matrix), each time you half press your shutter button, the camera will meter the centre and average the exposure with the rest of the frame. And also, P mode will set the widest possible aperture to do that work. May not be the widest f/2.8 that you set, but what it perceives to be the most ideal and widest possible aperture of f/6.3.
Keeping your shutter half pressed with your middle finger, gingerly use your index finger to roll the top dial outwards (clockwise) and this will change the aperture to a wider one - back to f/2.8. Once you confirms this in your view finder, then just depress the shutter button lor.
 

Thanks to those who have replied. I was using C mode instead of P mode... I though I would be able to fully customized the shooting mode. Didn't know that if a half press would overwrites everything. aright, will give it a go and see how it goes. Thanks! :)
 

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