Major help with 350D ... thankyou please!

[too_many_buttons]

Hey
I'm new here and I had a look around for any answers i'm looking for and didn't really seem to come across anything, so i'm about to unleash all my queries right here...

Ok; I've been into photography for a few years now, have done it seriously and otherwise. I've had my 350D for bout a year now, i've never been a tech head and it never makes sense to me, i'm more bout doing...and don't really read manuals either. I had a flick through the one that came with my camera and thought I was ready. So far i've been using simple mode's never really using it manually either... I suppose that's what I use my film version for.

Anyway, I've recently been getting really fustrated with it because as I'm moving forward and wanting to experiment more i'm finding that I really have no clue how this camera works.

I find the flash wont go off when it's darker or inside and maybe this is stupid but that's what I thought the flash was for. So I switch to manual mode and attempt to do it like that. But of course it's too dark so the picture is black. I mess with the dials and buttons and my knowledge of aperture and all that is seriously lacking. And I can't figure it out at all. I'm really hating my camera right now and need some help, like baby-steps help. So if anyone's up for it, it would be really appreciated :D

Thanks

S.

[nicksan]

When in one of the creative modes like Tv, Av, M, you need to pop-up the flash yourself. It won't automatically pop up like in Auto mode.

For indoors, such as normal house lighting, you would need reasonably fast glass, you would need to open up the aperture and raise your ISO until you get shutter speed that you need. To stop action you need even faster speed, therefore you might need to use a flash depending on the lighting conditions.

What kind of lens are you using?

I would try Tv or Av mode first.

In Av mode, dial in the aperture you desire, for now perhaps use the max aperture. The camera will figure out the shutter speed for you. If it is too slow, then begin to boost the ISO. If that is not enough, then use a tripod or the flash.

In Tv mode, everything is kinda reverse. Set the shutter speed that you desire. (Rule here is in order to hand hold, you need at least 1/(Focal Length x 1.6). So at 50mm, you need 1/80. Your mileage may vary obviously. If you have an IS lens, you can slow it down a couple of stops. The camera will figure out the aperture...well at least as much as the lens will allow! Raise the ISO to help things out.

Raising the ISO will introduce ISO...so keep that in mind.


M mode controls both aperture and shutter speed. Set it so that the meter is at the center...or slightly to the right.

Tripod and/or external flash will help out in indoor shooting.



I find the flash wont go off when it's darker or inside and maybe this is stupid but that's what I thought the flash was for. So I switch to manual mode and attempt to do it like that. But of course it's too dark so the picture is black. I mess with the dials and buttons and my knowledge of aperture and all that is seriously lacking. And I can't figure it out at all. I'm really hating my camera right now and need some help, like baby-steps help. So if anyone's up for it, it would be really appreciated :D

Thanks

S.

[gjl711]

Boy, I hate to sound flippant, but you really do need to read through the manual and maybe a book such as “Understanding Exposure”. As soon as you move off of the green box, that is full auto mode, the camera surrenders its auto functions to you and will do exactly what you tell it to do. For example, you’re flash. When off of auto, you are responsible for engaging the flash as the camera will not. The farther too full manual you go, the less and less the camera does for you. There will be no easy answer to your queries, but can I suggest that you break it into smaller pieces instead of trying to do everything at once. Pick one topic in the manual and experiment with it. Peruse around this forum and you’ll start picking up some got tips and such. Read the stickies at the top of each forum. There is a treasure trove of info buried there. See if there is a class nearby or maybe join a users group.

BTW, Welcome to the forum.

[nicksan]

I would second the "Understanding Exposure" book. Great book...

[too_many_buttons]

Thanx... I just tried some of these things and i'm still confused. By open up your aperture you mean higher, so like 22 or abouts? And the ISO is the 100 to like 100 and higher bit?

My lens - it says on it, Canon EFS 18-55mm.

I put it in Av mode and put the aperture the highest it goes which was 29. I took a picture and there's a delay of a couple of seconds, should it be like that? And i raised the ISO to the highest, 1600. The picture turns out alright. If I pop the flash up the picture's slightly better.

In Tv mode I turned the dial (is that also aperture cuz the numbers are different?) to 0"3 and the ISO was 1600.

With the flash the picture was better.

Now with the M mode I don't know what you mean by set the meter to the middle?

S.

[Hermeto]

too_many_buttons, please take a look HERE (http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/).
Go all the way through the site and you’ll learn a lot.

[Mark_Cohran]

Hey
i'm more bout doing...and don't really read manuals either. I had a flick through the one that came with my camera and thought I was ready. ..... I really have no clue how this camera works.


I'm not trying to be harsh, but it's difficult to help someone who is not willing to help themselves. I understand that you may not be technically inclined, but you MUST read the manual and you MUST learn the basics of exposure and exposure control to take full advantage of your camera's capability.

We can throw all kinds of advice at you but it will mean nothing to you unless you know and understand the terminology involved with the craft of photography. I applaud your desire to learn, but you need to do some of the work yourself. Read the manual, read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petersen or failing that, just go get a good decent starter book on photography.

Mark

[too_many_buttons]

I am helping myself otherwise I wouldn't be on here. And I can't afford to buy books or take classes, so that's why I came here in the hope that someone wouldn't mind helping me. I have read the manual, I didn't study it cover to cover becuase frankly I don't understand most of what it said. I got what most of what 'nicksan' said and I am really grateful. I took it all in and there are still things I don't get. I've looked online at some sites with how to do info and such and i'm still not geting it. I'm not stupid either. I feel I learn better by just doing and trying it out, which I have done and that hasnt worked for me so I came here. And someone explaining it to me in simple terms helps.

[Stump]

First off, If you can afford film for a camera, and to have it developed and also own a 350d... You CAN afford books.

You've been into photography for two years. You don't understand aperture, it's because you don't try. In a few months time, anyone should be able to understand and know anything about how the camera works.

Your 350d doesn't pop the flash on its own, because it's not an automatic type camera. You need something that was meant to just be turned on and used, those will fire the flash when needed without you telling it too.

[Jon]

You've got the most important book for helping with understanding your camera already. It's the manual that came with it, but you "don't really read manuals either." We can only do so much in explaining things to you; you have to make an effort to learn in order for someone to be able to teach you. It's a joint effort. As for books - visit your local library. That'll help, a lot. But you can't just punch lots of buttons or spin lots of dials at random and hope to learn; you really do need to learn some of the theory.

When we say "open up" that's a larger f-stop, but the f-stop's a ratio of the lens' focal length and diameter of its opening, so a "larger f-stop" or "opening up your aperture" means a smaller number. f/2.8 means the opening of the lens is equal to the focal length of the lens divided by 2.8; f/22 means it's the focal length divided by 22, so f/22 is a smaller opening than f/2.8. Make any sense?

[gjl711]

Here are a few web sites that will help you along.
Photo basic terminology "over here (http://photo.box.sk/tip.php3?id=88)"

More info "over here (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understandexposure.shtml)"

These two give you some of the basics. You can grow from there.

[Mark_Cohran]

Here are some articles I've written for glamour photography. They contain information on tips, exposure and composition. They might help (if you read your manual first):

http://www.mac-photo.net/journal/photoarticles.shtml

Mark

[led hed]

Ok; I've been into photography for a few years now, have done it seriously and otherwise.

how many years? you should know the 'basics' then. i ask this because you say 'open up the aperture' so you thought of a larger number, which is wrong.

rtfm!

[too_many_buttons]

Thank you for all the replies. The camera was a present. I am a student and have absolutely no income, so I can't afford books. I've read the manual and i'm not getting it. And I am helping myself and trying to learn. I'll visit the links people have gave and go the library, but I was looking for some people of experience to help me also.

I don't understand aperture because I don't understand aperture. So thanks for that.
I'm seeing how this wasn't a good idea becuase some people just want to jump on you. I'm obviously looking for help and it's not nice realising that after 2 years maybe I just don't know my camera as well as I thought and has nocked my confidence big time in this field. I'm trying to find people who can help me. If you don't want to then why do you have to say anything at all.

[Mark_Cohran]

We are trying to help you, but much of the information you are looking for is right in your manual and is available from your library and even in the sticky threads at the top of the various forums. We're not telling you that we won't help you, but we are saying that there is more effort that you can expend on your part to learn the materials. We don't want you to leave the forum, we want you to stay and learn. You are not, however, going to learn all about photography in a single thread on an online forum.

Start small. Go learn what aperture means. If you have any questions, come back and ask and we'll help you understand. What it seems you're currently asking is for us to teach you all about your camera. Frankly, that's not going to happen.

Mark

[too_many_buttons]

That's not what I want, I just wanted to ask a few questions, I know some people are trying to help me and I am thankful. But some people are just being harsh for no reason. I am trying. I am going to learn about aperture and get books and so on but like I said I wanted to talk to somebody bout it and I don't currently have anyone to do that with.

I'm gonna go away and try some new things to help me and we'll see.
Thanks

[Hermeto]

--->CLICK HERE (http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/)<---

--->ALSO HERE (http://images.photoworkshop.com/rebelxtlessons/interface.html)<---

[nicksan]

By max aperture I mean lowest f-stop value. So on your kit lens, it is f/3.5 @18mm, or f/5.6@55mm.

Try this in Av mode:
1) Set aperture to f/3.5
2) Set Focal Length to 18mm
3) Set shutter speed to 1/30
4) See where the exposure meter is. Probably to the left of center.
5) If left of center, boost ISO until it gets closer.

If the exposure meter isn't close to center, and it is way to the left, then you still don't have enough light. You have a few options.

1) Use a tripod or rest the camera on a steady surface.
2) Use a flash.

The important thing is to get the exposure right. (Usually in the middle)
If you are handholding, then you also need to pay attention to the shutter speed to prevent handshake.

I am helping myself otherwise I wouldn't be on here. And I can't afford to buy books or take classes, so that's why I came here in the hope that someone wouldn't mind helping me. I have read the manual, I didn't study it cover to cover becuase frankly I don't understand most of what it said. I got what most of what 'nicksan' said and I am really grateful. I took it all in and there are still things I don't get. I've looked online at some sites with how to do info and such and i'm still not geting it. I'm not stupid either. I feel I learn better by just doing and trying it out, which I have done and that hasnt worked for me so I came here. And someone explaining it to me in simple terms helps.

[too_many_buttons]

Thanks... I'll try it out :)

[nicksan]

I'll do a brain dump for you here...yes I agree, read the manual, buy books, etc...but I also understand how you feel. You just want to get it done asap. That's OK...but take the advice seriously. These are all great advice.

OK...I'm just going to randomly write.

You do underestand that the "bigger the opening" (meaning bigger the aperture) the more light is able to get in right? OK.

In the same way, the slower the shutter speed, the more time there is for light to come in. Makes sense?

So a combination of aperture and shutter speed is used (plus ISO adjustments when needed) to achieve proper exposure...which according to the camera is when the meter is in the middle or center. (Just remember this is always not the case...and at times you need to shoot to the left or right of center for proper exposure)

When someone says "stop it down" that means to make the aperture smaller, which also means raise the f-stop value. Just remember there is an inverse relationship! The bigger the aperture, the lower the f-stop value! Simple right?!?

You also need to be mindful of Depth of Field. Just in case you don't know, simply, this is the area where things will be in focus.

The bigger the aperture (lower the f-stop value) the thinner the Depth of Field is. The smaller the aperture (higher the f-stop value) the wider the DoF. The wider the DoF the easier it is to get things in focus. Well...at least that's the basic explanation!!!

Give a aperture/shutter speed combination that gives you proper exposure, if you use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop value) this means that less light is coming through, so you need to slow down the shutter speed to make up for the loss of light. Makes sense right?

When someone says "you need faster lens or speed" that means lenses with bigger max aperture (lower possible f-stop value). So f/1.8 lens would be "faster" than f/2.8 or f/4 lens...etc.

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 means that max aperture (biggest opening) is f/3.5 @18mm and f/5.6 @55mm...and in between there is a correlation between Focal Length and f-stop value.

17-55mm f/2.8 means that regardless of the focal length the lens can do f/2.8.

I'm just throwing out things here...I hope it's helping!





That's not what I want, I just wanted to ask a few questions, I know some people are trying to help me and I am thankful. But some people are just being harsh for no reason. I am trying. I am going to learn about aperture and get books and so on but like I said I wanted to talk to somebody bout it and I don't currently have anyone to do that with.

I'm gonna go away and try some new things to help me and we'll see.
Thanks

[gjl711]

(plus ISO adjustments when needed)
A great way to think about ISO is that it is the sensitivity of sensor. The higher the number the more sensitive. But there is a trade off. The higher the sensitivity, the more likely that noise will be amplified along with the real signal. These make the colored specks most visible in dark areas of the pic.

[nicksan]

No problem.
Don't take all this the wrong way.
Most of the people here are helpful.
I have gotten TONS of info from these guys.
I am simply returning the favor!

Don't get discouraged. When I started out, I dived right in Av mode. My previous experience was with a P&S so I didn't know left from right you know?

Took me a week or so to get a hang of things. I think it comes down to basic understanding of things.

Just keep these things in mind and you'll be fine.

1) For now, try to get the meter to the center.
2) Stick with Av mode for now.
3) If handholding, then remeber the shutter speed formula. 1/(Focal Length x 1.6). So @50mm, you should be using 1/(50 x 1.6) = 1/80
4) If all else fails, boost the ISO to raise shutter speed.
5) If that's not enough, use a tripod or hard surface, then user slower shutter speed until meter is at center.
5a) Or use a flash!

A tripod will certainly help you out because then you can be pretty liberal with the shutter speed, using slower speeds. Just remember the slower the shutter speed, the less you will be able to stop action...like running kids, cats, etc.

A flash is also a good investment. I would recommend getting an external one instead of the pop-up. With the external flash you can point it to the ceiling and bounce the light off of it, allowing you to create a much better looking image. Pop-up flash is directional (to the subject) and it is harsh. It washed out the color on the subjects...looks much like a P&S with flash.

You can certainly experiment with the pop-up flash. Try doing research on FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation). This just means adjusting the power of the flash to meet your needs. You can also fabricate a cheap bounce card from a index card or photo paper, try to attach it to the pop-up flash, and bounce it off the ceiling. But nothing beats a good quality external flash, like the 430EX or 580EX.

Another option is to get faster glass. Glass with I.S. is very helpful as well...

Just experiment. Shoot, fail, adjust, fail again, re-adjust...until you get it right!

Anyways, do pick up "Understanding Exposure"...it's an easy read. Lots of pics. I definitely recommend it. It helped me out a lot as well.


Thanks... I'll try it out :)

[Ephemeral]

That's not what I want, I just wanted to ask a few questions, I know some people are trying to help me and I am thankful.

You want to learn which is a good thing. If it's the case that you have tried to read the manual but still don't understand, then that's not too bad. Asking questions is a good thing too, just try to have an idea about what you are asking about.

+1