Crossed the threshold.....

feriso · 29 Sep 2010 at 13:07

Well with my camera at least. Had my 500d for a few months and being playing/learning more about it and looking how to style/compose shots.

So roll on last Sat when I was at a 60th birthday bash at the Didsbury with my nifty50 and after a while the only way I could get the shots I wanted without coming out blurred (didn't want to use flash) was to go to 'full' manual, not Av or Tv but the whole hog (and tail).

Whilst I was doing it I didn't think about it I just did it and twiddle the settings knowing what I was looking for, looking back now I'm thinking "crickey, did I just do that!".

Ok, so you're all thinking "so what?" but I feel like its a big step in taking control

I'll post some up later to show what I took.

edit: well my next step is thinking about getting a hot-shoe flash and maybe next time I can bounce flash off the ceiling as direct flash piccs were a bit poo.....

ScarySquirrel · 29 Sep 2010 at 14:08

Why could you not get the shots you were after using Av mode?

Stupot_ · 29 Sep 2010 at 14:11

Bounce flash is your friend. I think a decent flashgun was probably the best thing I've bought for my camera.

feriso · 29 Sep 2010 at 15:45

ScarySquirrel said:
Why could you not get the shots you were after using Av mode?

I had shutter and ISO on auto as well so it was setting a shutter speed too slow so I was getting motion blur; OK so I had to sacrifice a little noise in but it wasn't too bad and it was a night shot anyway.

I feel flash is the way to go, but it's a compromise between price and performance; looking at getting a 430EX (not bothered about the mkII I think) for around £100), the 5xxEX are a bit out of my price range at the moment and I can't justify the expenditure - maybe when I get the 430 and find it's limit.

Rojin · 29 Sep 2010 at 15:55

You should've been able to use TV mode with the shutter speed set as you want (within reason!). The aperture would've been set as wide as it would go automatically and ISO increased as needed?

It is good to use manual, although it does catch me out in varying conditions. I'm not experienced enough to know what setting to use when moving from dark to sunny areas so I normally have a couple of test shots to get where I need. I tend to use av or tv when it is like that. I'd be rubbish at a wedding!

feriso · 29 Sep 2010 at 16:23

Suppose I could have used Tv but I was feeling a bit irritated at crap shots so thought "sod it, these are the settings I want you to use"

Some of the shots wouldn't have worked in Tv as I needed some DoF

Schizophonic · 29 Sep 2010 at 17:31

No flash, stick to AV. Go as low as F1/.8 Stick ISO up to 800 or more. No need to go to TV mode as its directed at sports mode. Unless you were taking shots for an indoor speed boat championship.
If you get a flashgun, thats when you would use manual

Rojin · 29 Sep 2010 at 17:45

Schizophonic said:
No flash, stick to AV. Go as low as F1/.8 Stick ISO up to 800 or more. No need to go to TV mode as its directed at sports mode. Unless you were taking shots for an indoor speed boat championship.
If you get a flashgun, thats when you would use manual

The kit lens doesn't do f1.8. TV is not "sports mode", it is shutter piority mode. If the user is having trouble with too low a shutter speed, the you either use TV or manual mode to ensure it is at the speed required. This could be 1/30 for handheld and static subjects, or arond 1/80 for "people" subjects. Other bodies allow for setting the shutter speed to a minimum value that is used when in AV mode. I don't think the 500D has this though.

Schizophonic · 29 Sep 2010 at 18:01

Rojin said:
The kit lens doesn't do f1.8. TV is not "sports mode", it is shutter piority mode. If the user is having trouble with too low a shutter speed, the you either use TV or manual mode to ensure it is at the speed required. This could be 1/30 for handheld and static subjects, or arond 1/80 for "people" subjects. Other bodies allow for setting the shutter speed to a minimum value that is used when in AV mode. I don't think the 500D has this though.

When did he mention the kit lens?

feriso said:
So roll on last Sat when I was at a 60th birthday bash at the Didsbury with my nifty50 and after a while the only way I could get the shots I wanted without coming out blurred (didn't want to use flash) was to go to 'full' manual, not Av or Tv but the whole hog (and tail).
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With your definition about what the TV mode does, your right in saying but having a 50mm F/1.8 lens. You might as well use it at that aperture and then the shutter speed will take care of itself. The wider the aperture the best shutter (fastes) speeds the camera will reach.

Rojin · 29 Sep 2010 at 18:09

Oops, old age showing. Confused this with a lens query thread

Apologies.

We had already covered the wide open angle, he needed more dof for some shots.

feriso · 29 Sep 2010 at 20:46

Schizophonic said:
With your definition about what the TV mode does, your right in saying but having a 50mm F/1.8 lens. You might as well use it at that aperture and then the shutter speed will take care of itself. The wider the aperture the best shutter (fastes) speeds the camera will reach.

Like Rojin said I did need the dof for some of the shots so it wasn't was simple as just turning to Tv

Anyway I felt quite chuffed at doing nearly all night on manual (!!!)