what camera set up do you normally use?

[Jonni]

I searched the archives, but could not find a thread to answer my question. If there is a thread, please direct me for further reading.

How do you normally set up your camera for shooting indoor shows with stage lighting?

I set my 10D and 30D most of the time this way:

Mode: Manual
Metering: Partial (but does not matter on manual)
ISO: 1600
AF mode: AI Focus AF
Drive: Single frame shooting
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Tone: Normal
Quality: large fine, recently started shooting RAW

Usually as wide open as possible, I don't have any really fast lenses (see list below). I have gotten pretty good at looking at the subject, and knowing what shutter speed will expose them the best for the lighting. Often shoot a couple, look at them, and adjust as needed. BUT, I'd love to get away from that, and just shoot. I have tried spot meter, and meter the singers face, and have had mixed results. Last night, the camera was all over the place, and in frustration, I flipped it back on manual and was happy. So, can y'all share your most common set up?

[narlus]

Metering: Partial (but does not matter on manual)

er, it does matter...if you are shooting manual, you are using the camera's metering system to set aperture and shutter speed, right?

if i were you, i'd go to One Shot or Servo; Focus seems to be a poor choice for AF.

for spot metering, i find that it only works well if you've got a lens on where you can really zoom in and get a good meter read off the face. check those numbers, set to manual, and then shoot away (as long as the light doesn't vary too much; if it does, wait until the cycle comes back to how it was when you first metered, or readjust your settings).

[Jonni]

er, it does matter...if you are shooting manual, you are using the camera's metering system to set aperture and shutter speed, right?


I don't think so, but I have been known to have totally blonde momments. I tell it manually the apature, and shutter speed,(and ISO) and adjust by what I see in the LCD after I take a shot. I don't "think" I am metering anything.

Am I confused?

[narlus]

well in that case, i would just say you are ignoring the camera's metering system. it's still metering. check the viewfinder and see where the needle is lining up; then change metering modes to evaluative or spot, and keep the camera in manual. the needle position will change, depending on where you are pointing your camera.

[Curtis N]

Metering: Partial (but does not matter on manual)Yes it does, as Narlus explained.
AF mode: AI Focus AFThis is a worthless mode in my opinion. AI Servo with C.Fn. 4-3 is my approach.Drive: Single frame shootingI'm usually in single frame for theatre and burst mode for dance.White balance: AutoYou'll get colors all over the place under colored stage lighting. Either use tungsten or syncronize everything with your RAW converter later.Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Tone: NormalThese things don't matter if you're shooting RAW.Quality: large fine, recently started shooting RAWSee above. ;)

Everyone has their own approach to metering. I have gotten pretty good at CW Average with exposure comp. Often I can't get the faces big enough to fill the partial metering circle. I also generally use Tv mode with safety shift. This allows the lens to stop down when the light allows.

[Jonni]

This is a worthless mode in my opinion. AI Servo with C.Fn. 4-3 is my approach..

OK, "why" is AI Focus AF worthless? Can you expand on that?

And yes, my camera does keep metering when in manual, but I have no need to look at it how I an usually shooting.

And thanks for thoughts so far. I know we will all do things different, just as we all "see" photography different. Hoping to find better ways to do some things.

[Valerie S]

OK, "why" is AI Focus AF worthless? Can you expand on that?


On my 30D it doesn't engage in Servo very cleanly. It's a bit lazy and would rather not move so much ;)

And yes, my camera does keep metering when in manual, but I have no need to look at it how I an usually shooting.

Are you chimping then to set your exposures?

[Jonni]

Ooo, I even know what chimping is.(I thought that was a sports photo term only??) lol Yes, usually take one shot, and I can go from there. But I shoot at some of the same venues over and over, so I know the basic set up for most, depending on how hard the lighting is for the night. I had started doing it this way some time ago,when my metering was giving me horrible results, and now find it hard to break the habit. But, the cool thing was, when my 10D got sick, and had to take a trip to Canon, I got out my 1D and shot film, set it up on manual,knew what exposures to set the camera on and only had a couple shots that the exposure was bad...

[Steve Parr]

When I shoot, I basically worry about four things:

Manual Mode (I'll shoot a couple of shots in Auto Mode just to get a "baseline" exposure)

White Balance to Tungsten (pretty sure it's tungsten; bottom right on the menu)

Auto Focus

ISO at 1600

[René Damkot]

These things don't matter if you're shooting RAW

In camera settings will affect the histogram and preview. Contrast, WB, saturation, whatever, will all cause the preview to look more or less what the Raw will look like after your 'default' processing. (whatever that is).
IMO it's best to get the preview / histogram to display as much info as you need: WB as close as possible (Tungsten when indoors, AWB or daylight for an outdoors festival).
Contrast -1 or so. (Since you can adjust exposure a bit when developing a CR2)

Another thread here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=349125&highlight=settings)

[Curtis N]

OK, "why" is AI Focus AF worthless? Can you expand on that?Sorry I missed this a few days ago.

AI Focus will act like One-shot focus initially, then if your subject moves it will switch to AI Servo. The problem is, Servo mode won't kick in until your subject is already out of focus. If you're shooting things that move, there's no reason not to use AI Servo unless you're using flash and need the AF assist light.In camera settings will affect the histogram and preview.True. Thanks for pointing that out.

[gacon1]

Mode: Manual

Metering: Spot

ISO: 400 - 640

AF mode: Manual Focus

Drive: Single frame shooting

White balance: Tungsteng

Saturation: Normal

Sharpness: Normal

Contrast: -2

Quality: shooting RAW