Canon settings

[oltenius]

Hello!
I have a Canon digital photo and I used only automatic settings. I want to learn more about manual settings because it is a different mode to shot the best photos than auto mode, I think. Also, what is the best method, manual or digital zoom? I want to know how to correct in manual mode the light of landscape, buildings, portrait... for the day or night shot. Thanks in advance. Sorry for my english!
Regards

[Verywierd]

Not specific to Canon, but here is site with a whole load of information that you might find useful.

http://dpfwiw.com/exposure.htm

[Janet Petty]

You don't say which camera you have. Canon makes several cameras.

In addition to online learning, of which there are several places you might find helpful, I'd suggest a hand-on program at a community college or a camera club in your area. With those you have the benefit of camaraderie and critique all in one.

The site mentioned above is a good one. Be aware, however, that photography has its own terminology just like any other hobby or profession. Once you get the terminology down, you will understand more.

Good luck,

Janet

[oltenius]

VeryWierd and Janet Petty, thanks for informations. I don't specified the model of my camera because I have requested general informations for manual settings. In fact, I have a Canon PowerShot A70, 3,2 Mp ( my documentation is in german language) and I want to buy a superior model of Canon. I know that every model of camera has distinct settings but through comparison, I could see the general mode of parameters setting.
Regards.=

[pavel123]

Oltenius,

A camera in fully automatic mode will do more or less decent job if you need to shoot a reasonable size object in 5-10 meters in front of you (daylight). Landscapes are usually not too bad, assuming the camera focus on a distant object (by default autofocus will target the centre of your picture). I believe you can do manual focus in PowerShot, but this probably is the least user friendly feature of Canon cameras. In high end cameras (not sure about PowerShot) there are programs that will set the parameters correctly for a given type of photo (landscape, candlelight etc). I would not use digital zoom as it magnifies the image by reducing resolution (basically works the same way as zoom tool in Photoshop).

I would think there must be mountains of info on the photography techniques available online. I have a few links that were in my bookmark folder for some time (not entirely sure how useful they are). As Janet pointed out, beware of lingo.

http://www.photo.net/learn/making-photographs/ (and other tutorials on the cite).
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/AutoManual.html
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Camera.html

If you are looking at high end Canon, they make excellent cameras starting from EOS series (EOS Rebel (North America), E350D (Europe)). Price-wise (unfortunately) you are looking at completely different ballpark.

Pavel

[skydog]

This is a site that discusses Canon and other cameras

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1010

[oltenius]

Pavel & Skydog, Thanks for the interesting informations. I know that my camera hasn't a professional quality but... it's mine! I found an english documentation with many infos about manual settings. Hope to buy another model but my check has every day 1/2 of total money
Regards,
Dan

[pavel123]

Originally Posted by oltenius

Pavel & Skydog, Thanks for the interesting informations. I know that my camera hasn't a professional quality but... it's mine! I found an english documentation with many infos about manual settings. Hope to buy another model but my check has every day 1/2 of total money
Regards,
Dan

Dan,
My apologies. I have no intention whatsoever to imply anything negative.... It's always a question on how much you want to spend vs what you expect to get. And no matter how much you spend, there is always something better... I was looking at Canon EOS for some time, finally I had to settle for something less expensive...

I was about to suggest to check Canon cite for English manual....

Pavel

[oltenius]

Pavel, I appreciated your informations, anything negative!!! It's my joke with ...but it's mine
Regards,
Dan

[Pam]

Canon also has a very nice learning center:

http://photoworkshop.com/canon/

--
Pam
http://www.pbase.com/pam_r
'art is working on something 'til you like it...then leaving it that way'

[oltenius]

Pam, Thank you! Interesting site about digital photo and printing techniques.
Regards,
Dan

[i.ilievski]

HI Dan...
A lot of digital cameras have passed through my hands... I don't want to repeat what others has already said, but e70 is and older model, which doesn't have the technology build in to make pro photos.. as you can notice your self the photos aren't exactly perfect, even if taken in perfect condition, there always something missing... there is one thing that can be done to improve the shots, but I'm not sure if it will give satisfactory result, try manual white balance, before taking the photo...

I recommend to resell your A70 buy some other model... the best model for a reasonable price is Canon e350 (around 500euro last time I've checked), it has the same equipment that is build in d10, the only difference is in the body (it's not so durable like d10), so must be careful not to make any damage, it's very fragile...

Or you can allways try all the manual settings... but actually they arent manual at all, just software that simulate manual setings... HOpe you can get better result with manualy adjusting the white balance..

Regards

[oltenius]

Ilievski, Thank you for the comment!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
... but e70 is and older model,
(I agree that...)
(I took somethimes many quality photos, depends of climatic conditions)
I recommend to resell your A70...
(the price is too small for selling my A70, so I'll keep it for my unforgettable moments)
the best model for a reasonable price is Canon e350
(e350 or eos350? e350 is a camcorder as I know!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll posting a photo, 800x600 with my camera and say something about... In 2048x1536 the quality is almost perfect. The test, I think, must to be in a large resolution printing. I know the size of images with other cameras is more big and maby in a raw format. As I saw on the net and you said, must to buy a digital camera which offers results of personal pretentions.
Best wishes, Dan

[i.ilievski]

(e350 or eos350? e350 is a camcorder as I know!)


EOS 350D...

[oltenius]

Originally Posted by i.ilievski

(e350 or eos350? e350 is a camcorder as I know!)


EOS 350D...

Yes, I know that you know!
Another interesting site : http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/index.html

[jasperfink]

It seems this question of manual is getting passed on.

All camera have simalarities!

Theres a hole in the front (lens) which can be made larger or smaller ( apature ) this will effect your depth of field.There is a curtain, which can be controled to let in more or less light (shutter speed).this can effect how fast you stop motion.
Theres an image plane (the chip or 'film' in the long, long ago) this is what is being exposed to the light when the shutter opens it can be set to various sensitivities (ISO).

it's a hole in a box (see pin hole photography)

Now granted this is a very simple overview of working a camera manually. But what is maybe one of the greatest things about Digital Cameras is that when you paid for the thing you also paid for a lifetime of film and processing. Just go out and shoot with these things in mind and keep notes on the settings you were using. If you can take good notes and stay with a single objective each outting, say depth of field for instance, you will, before long unlock the mystery's to the box with a hole in it.

And then the quality of your life and maybe even the quality of your friends will improve ten-fold! ...well maybe you will just make better pictures?

chio

[oltenius]

Thanks chio for your ample comment!
I know that all camera have similarities but their technologies are different, other lens fabricants, electronique properties... I think the secret is between ISO, shutter speed, aperture, quality lens... as you know. Only old photographs have this secret in mind and one like me, must learn many years to develop the art of photography. And with a great camera, of course! I wish to get a good site that make me happy demonstrating all the relations between the functions of camera with concret examples, not a loose explanation! I know that I'm a dreamer
Best wishes,
Dan