Help with G1 settings

[julian]

Please could you help a novice with the manual settings on the G1. I'm not quite sure which one's to use (P, M,TV etc). Can some explain how to use each one and which ones are best used for different shots - portrait, landscape etc.

Thanks

[rimealbatross]

I'm not the expert nor the teacher your looking for, but I looked at the posting date for your question, and my guess is that your question, although one even I'd like to read the answer too, is probably a huge volume for somebody who really knows the answer.

Hers the URL for a book that I'm thinking of getting that probably has the answer (I hope) :

http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canong1.htm

Good luck!

[Chad Bell]

I am new here, but I will try to help out.

There are 12 settings. One is for shooting "movies" so that leaves 11 photo modes.

4 of the 11 are used when you want precise control over the settings of the camera when you take your picture. They are the M, Tv, Av, and P modes.

M: Is manual mode. You can set the aperture and shutter speed independently.

Av: Is aperture priority mode. You set the aperture (the f-stop) and the camera utilizes its built in metering to figure out what shutter speed to use in order to have the correct exposure.

Tv: Is shutter priority mode. It is the opposite of Av mode. You set the shutter speed, and the camera uses the built-in metering to figure out the aperture.

P: Is Program mode. Shutter speed and aperture are set automatically, but you have more control over how to meter, when to use the flash, and a few other options. It is very similar to Auto mode.

That leaves the 7 other modes. They are represented by the icons on the mode switch, and represent pre-arranged settings for certain specific pictures.

They include:

The Full auto mode. The camera does EVERYTHING for you. Just hit the shutter button.

Pan Focus mode: Sets the focus and everything else ahead of time so that you can quickly take pictures. Useful for sports photography.

Portrait mode: This mode is used when taking pictures of people. It will set a large aperture and quick shutter speed. It will also use the flash.

Landscape mode: Uses a small aperture and slow shutter speed. Use a tripod. The flash will not fire.

Night Scene mode: Similar to portrait mode. Uses a large aperture and a slow shutter speed. It also uses the flash. This will allow the background to be correctly exposed and the subject also.

Black and White mode: Same as Auto mode, but it gets rid of all the color information and leaves a B&W photography.

Stitch-assist mode: Use this mode when you want to make a panoramic picture. It will allow you to take 2-4 shots, then the photostitch software included will pieces the photos together to make a larger one.

I hope this helps out some. If you are not familar with terms like aperture, f-stop, shutter speed, exposure, metering and the like, I suggest getting an introductory book on photography. I got Photography for Dummies, and it helps me to get a grasp of the fundamentals. Once you have the base, the rest will come in time with shooting...

Good Luck!

[wlumm]

Has anyone noticed a benefit (aside from smaller files) to shooting in B&W mode as apposed to converting the picture to B&W in PS?

Bill Lumm

[Mike K]

The shourtcourses book mentioned previously is good for the novice. It explains some basic photography principles and relates those to the G-1 camera controls. A G-2 version of the same book is now available too.
As for reccomended settings, not many are happy with Full Auto. Everyone is much happier with the P setting and it allows you to use almost all of the adjustments like exposure compensation, bracketing, shooting in RAW, etc. none of which are allowed in auto. If it gets too dark you will have to turn on the flash manually in P.
Regards, Mike K

[oops]

Good job, Chad! You really worked your fingers to answer this one. Mike K- Always right on and willing to help. Want to join my Volunteer fire dept.? You have always jumped when I needed help.

In this time of unrest it is really good to see you guys respond to a cry of help.

Have you noticed how "more important" this seems now? Anyway, I have made it my job to do the "pats on the back". Good job.

[Glen S.]

Thanks to all of you . Had it not been for this group I wouldn't have known about the short course book on G1 cameras. Ordered mine today !!

Glen S.

[TulsaRod]

The short course books are really good. I bought one for a Canon S100 I started with. It applys the book to the camera when it can, but mostly its good general info. I really liked the explanation of "middle" gray and how and why the camera will try to adjust itself to middle gray when possible, and why some photos turn out good and some bad. If I sell my S100 I think I'll still keep the book. Money well spent.