Post what settings you use the most?

[Diminished29]

If you've read any of my other threads, my first show is tomarrow night, and yeah I'm a little nervous about my settings, but from reading a few threads here I think I might have it figured out. I'm using the kit lens unfornately, so I might just shoot in manual mode so I can get a desired shutter speed, but I'm not sure if you guys would post what you all use mainly I'd find it VERY helpful.

Thank you....oh and here is what I'm going to go with as of now:

Manual Mode
WB - Tungsten
AF - AI Focus (unless AI Servo is better)
ISO - 3200 (would like to use 1600, but can't with the kit lens)
Drive - Continous
Metering - Partial
Focus Point - Set at Center
Aperture - F/3.5
Shutter - 1/50

*Note* - Bands don't really like flash too much at these concerts, so I'm not gonna use it, besides it draws too much unwanted attention anyways in the dark.

[Screamer]

I would use AI Servo..why are you limiting yourself on shutter speed? The aperture I can understand given the limitation of the kit lens.

My Settings (MkIIn's for live shows)
Mode = M
Focus = AI Servo (Position variable...usually to eyes, based on camera orientation)
Shutter = variable
Aperture = variable
Metering = spot
ISO = variable between ISO 800-1600
Drive = continuous
WB= AWB

[cdifoto]

You can't sit there at home and predetermine your settings if you've never shot the exact conditions before...

Just chimp until you get it right.

[René Damkot]

I'ld go with Tungsten for WB, other then that, I pretty much use Screamers settings. Either that or I'm on Av using Evaluative metering.
(Focus - recompose with) center AF point I only use if other points fail to AF. That would mean in pretty lousy conditions ;)

[simonSE15]

ISO - 3200 (would like to use 1600, but can't with the kit lens)

Aperture - F/3.5
Shutter - 1/50


How do you know you cant use iso 1600 until you've seen what the lighting is like? Likewise for setting your aperture & shutter speed?

Why not take a couple of shots on Program to see what readings you're getting, then switch to manual and dial in your settings with the fastest shutter speed you can get away with?

[alan_potter]

Probably a stupid question, but why Manual exposure mode, as compared to Av?

Surely light will change through a show. Do you feel more able to set the appropriate shutter speed than the camera? Or would you prefer to have a manageable minimum shutter speed, and correct exposure later in PP?

Intrigued because I'm going to be photographing a show on Thursday and want to do a decent job...

regards,
/alan

[cdifoto]

Probably a stupid question, but why Manual exposure mode, as compared to Av?

Surely light will change through a show. Do you feel more able to set the appropriate shutter speed than the camera? Or would you prefer to have a manageable minimum shutter speed, and correct exposure later in PP?

Intrigued because I'm going to be photographing a show on Thursday and want to do a decent job...

regards,
/alan

Manual for consistency. The lighting changes direction and color but rarely intensity until you start to move around to different angles, where the exposure may change, or may even stay the same. M prevents erroneous metering.

[alan_potter]

Okay, that makes sense.

Now, if we're talking about stage photography rather than gig photography, my guess is that that doesn't hold true so much. I believe that the lighting levels change to match moods being portrayed in the show.

OTOH, I know that my eyes can easily be deceived by changes in colour...

Many thanks,

regards,
/alan

[narlus]

good thread...

this is what i usually shoot:

Av mode (as wide as necessary to get a decent shutter speed; if i can get to faster than ~1/100 i'd consider stopping down partially).
ISO1600
metering is partial (though i tend to play around sometimes)
AF is center point typically
focus is AI Servo
drive is continuous
WB is irrelevant (i shoot RAW)

[cdifoto]

Okay, that makes sense.

Now, if we're talking about stage photography rather than gig photography, my guess is that that doesn't hold true so much. I believe that the lighting levels change to match moods being portrayed in the show.

OTOH, I know that my eyes can easily be deceived by changes in colour...

Many thanks,

regards,
/alan

I suppose it depends on who's in charge of lighting. :)