Tutorial - How to Use and how to Shoot

[spectator]

Hello again guys.. been very happy with this forum, lots of people willing to help.. thanks again..

Another help needed :oops:.. Is there any free online tutorials for a digicam dummy like me which is easy to comprehend?.. Like, how to do correct manual settings on a specific weather, how to shoot correctly, proper cam hand gripping, etc. and all the rest that a novice should know. I am thinking of a tutorial like, "Shooting with a Digicam Made Easy".

Thanks in advance guys..

[spur]

Take a look at: http://www.shortcourses.com/using/index.htm

You can also take a Free online photography course at: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

After you finish those you will be ready for anything or at least know what specific things are giving you trouble. Have fun.

[David H]

This is an excellent question, and exactly what I was looking to find on this forum!

I've just purchased my first digicam - a Canon IXUS 850IS and have only done 'point & shoot' pics in the past. Reading the Canon instructions, I feel swamped with the range of options available. I know I can just leave it on 'Auto' and forget most of them, but it would be good to try to make better use of the functionality I've paid good money for!

And the manual doesn't really help much at all. It doesn't even explain why one would want to use many of the options - just gives a basic explanation of what you can do, but not why. It seems surprising really that Canon don't do specific tutorials for each of their cameras themselves; maybe there's no money in it for them!

All suggestions gratefully received!

[spectator]

@ Spur

Wow! I initially scanned it and i think it will be very useful for us novices. I will read it and put my baby A610 into action. I can't wait to shoot like a pro :D (I hope my brain or my A610 can cope up :rolleyes:)

Thank you very very much Spur.

[ali.alhasani]

And the manual doesn't really help much at all. It doesn't even explain why one would want to use many of the options - just gives a basic explanation of what you can do, but not why. It seems surprising really that Canon don't do specific tutorials for each of their cameras themselves; maybe there's no money in it for them!

same thought here man...i can't agree with you more
i mean why canon don't make like some small book
and put in it advices on the options in the camera
i couldn't learn anything from it..it really sucks!!!

[David H]

Have now spent a bit of time looking at the tutorials as well as playing with the camera. Guess what?! Everything is not yet crystal clear!!

I wonder if anyone is familiar enough with the Ixus 850 or other similar models (don't know how much they vary) to either explain a few queries or point me to somewhere where I can find the answers. Here goes...

1. The Ixus has a feature called "Exposure Compensation". Would this be equivalent to Aperture control?

2. It has a feature called "Long Shutter Mode" which appears to adjust the shutter speed. However, it also has a function called "ISO Speed" which also seems to adjust the shutter speed. Can anyone explain the difference?

3. It has a feature called "Focus Modes" which can be set to Face Detect, On , or Off. The On setting uses up to 9 points to set focus. Would this just change the focus, or does it do something like adjusting the aperture as well based on the disparity between the different focus points. If not, what's the benefit of it?

4. Finally, it has a function called "Metering Modes". "Evaluative" is obviously used for general shots but I'm not clear when I would use "Centre Weighted Average" rather than "Spot".

I'm sure there are many other puzzles just waiting for me to stumble across, but that'll do for now.

Happy new year to anyone reading this in the next couple of days, and thanks in advance for any helpful advice!

[Aray_Of_Art]

2. It has a feature called "Long Shutter Mode" which appears to adjust the shutter speed. However, it also has a function called "ISO Speed" which also seems to adjust the shutter speed. Can anyone explain the difference?

4. Finally, it has a function called "Metering Modes". "Evaluative" is obviously used for general shots but I'm not clear when I would use "Centre Weighted Average" rather than "Spot".

I don't have your camera but I can help you with these two questions.

First; "Long Shutter Mode" is for keeping the shutter open extra long, like for shooting at night/stars/movement shots and the light. "ISO Speed" has more to do with allowing(or sensitivity to light) the amout of light in. Example; You are shooting in low light but don't need your shutter open long(so that you freeze motion, rather than let it blur), but still need more light. Just increase the ISO, this will however also increase the nosie or graininess on the image.
Second; "Metering Modes" have to do with the camera's light meter. "Evaluative" means the light meter is taking a reading of light from the whole area it's looking at. "Center Weighted" means that the reading is for the whole area you're looking at, but puts the most importance on the light in the center of the frame. And "Spot" means that it is taking a reading just from what you point the camera at. So if you are taking a picture with a band of light through it, and meter for that, all else will go dark or black. And just the band of light(and things in it) will appear exposed properly.

Hope that helps, :D I would also highly recommend this book! "Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera" It is really well written and explains the relation between ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. And how that all works to give you depth of field, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/sr=1-1/qid=1167415055/ref=sr_1_1/103-8608901-6303858?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Gerald-NC]

The S2 has a good manual with it imo. Though yes it can be a lot of info at one time, but you don't have to try everything at one time either ;) Also look up some of the buzz words like Aperture on Wikipedia and it does a good free job of explaining them and their usage.

[David H]

Thanks Aray of Art. That does help with the "Long Shutter Mode" question. I understand the principle of Metering Modes, just still not quite sure what type of situation I'd use "Centre Weighted" rather than "Spot"!

Gerald - not quite sure why the reference to the S2 manual - or maybe you were referring to an earlier post. My camera was an Ixus 850 - and I'm not that impressed by the manual!

[terriscrapper]

I'm new here and first time post...I just bought the 850 IS also...I would have thought I could have taken night pictures in Auto mode or had a specific setting for it in "Special Scenes..I found that if I set it at Manuel and pushed function set and then had to change the shutter speed, by changing to plus..... I was a little surprised that I had to do this? Before I had a Kodak and it took pics in Auto mode at dusk. Please advise.