Quick! Grab The Camera!

[Mike-DT6]

I've just been wondering how many of you set your camera up so that it can be grabbed quickly, turned on and be shooting at short notice if you see a photo opportunity. If so, what is your preferred setting?

I suppose the obvious choice would be fully automatic, but then I suppose because you can't shoot in RAW it will limit your post processing choices. What's a good alternative? Manual, ISO100, 1/125th at f/8 maybe?

Mike

:-)

[shannyD]

it will take me a while to be at that point. i still fumble with it a lot.

[gjl711]

Well, how quickly? My bag is easily accessible and I can get it out, open it, grab the camera and if I don't need a lens change, adjust the settings and start shooting in under a minute. If I need a lens change, add 15 seconds or so.

If I need to take something in just a few seconds, I usually grab my Nikon 8700. It can be ready to shoot in auto in just a few seconds.

[Mike-DT6]

Yes, I was thinking of the few seconds scenario! Like Shanny says, I'm currently at the fumbling around stage!

I've got a compact camera, but that takes ages to boot up and I wouldn't want to waste the quality available from my 20D if I did capture something worthwhile!

Mike

[gjl711]

Hmm.. Seconds would almost mean that the camera has been prestaged for the shot. I usually leave on the last lens I was shooting with as I do the last shots settings. As I almost always shoot manual, there is no way I could get everything just right in just a few seconds.

Now sometimes, like if there is a specific bird that's been hanging around and I want to get it, I will prestage the camera and leave it ready to go. Then I can get the shot in just a few seconds.

[Skip Souza]

With me it is an either/or lens selection, usually the 17-85 IS. When I had the 20D it was set at ISO 400 ( my camera really liked that ISO for some reason) TV at 1/320 of a second. I could easily dial up the shutter speed to bring down the aperture if need be.
No that I have the 40D (love it) I set the ISO on auto and shutter speed on the same 1/320 .
If I have the 70-300 DO on then the only change is to set the shutter speed at 1/500

[JeffreyG]

My camera sits in a cabinet on my desk with the 17-55 or 35L mounted. If I remember I often leave it at ISO400, Av mode, f/4, One shot focus and one shot capture. I shoot RAW purposely so I can leave WB set to auto forever.

OTOH I have picked up my camera on more than one occasion and found it in M, f/11 and 1/4 with MLU enabled.....which is not too ready to go.

[PhotosGuy]

I usually format the card & set up the cam just before I go out the door & start with ISO 200 1/200, f/11 if the sun is shining. Seldom use them, but just in case I bump the dial, I'll set a max aperture for Av & a max shutter speed for Tv.
From there, it's only a few seconds to refine the exposure when I actually see something to shoot.
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

[john dm]

If i'm out driving, usually the 28-70 is on, the cap is off and the camera is set at Av, 200 ISO and 1/250th. The camera is in 'sleep' and wakes in no time. That'll usually get the first shot and settings can be adjusted from there. Except for sports, i'm always shooting in RAW, too, and that provides extra latitude.

[JAcosta]

24-70 f/2.8
f/4
iso 400
1d Mark II
AV mode

Ready to rock in most situations at any given moment.

[Randy Cornhole]

All set on auto. What a philistine I am....lol

[Mum2J&M]

Not my camera that was the issue here - had to put my flash batteries in my kid's new toy guitar - then had to make due without for the pics. Didn't come out very well, but really wanted it documented. Man, he adores this thing.

http://Priors.smugmug.com/photos/220006490-M.jpg

http://Priors.smugmug.com/photos/220006503-M.jpg

http://Priors.smugmug.com/photos/220006481-M.jpg

http://Priors.smugmug.com/photos/220008055-M.jpg

[EWek11]

Mine is usually put in the bag "on" set at 200iso and I'll leave it in P mode so it's lens cap off and ready to shoot. Resetting it to a "known" setup before putting it back in the bag is a huge help, you just need to get into the habit.

[liquidhands]

Usually have it iso 200, or 400 AV mode F1.4 to 2.8.... iso is usually the biggest problem, cuz its a pain to change on my xt... I forget and leave it on iso 1600 sometimes..=(

[Mike-DT6]

Thanks for the replies everyone :-D Interesting to read how you set things up.

Mum2J&M, photo 3 is great! Now, fast-forward 10 years when he will be turning you deaf with a Fender Stratocaster and Marshall amplifier on full volume! :-D

Mike

:-)

[deadpass]

i can't do a few seconds because my camera is in a locked closet, but as I'm getting it unlocked and out of the bag i'll be thinking of what settings are going to be needed.

[Geelong]

Vexed question isn't it. I guess the crux of question of how to set things up is about capturing the moment, and that moment might not wait so much as the shutter lag on some cameras.

People: Somehow, the idea of bringing out a behomoth, with big white lens and battery pack attatched is at odds with rapid deployment, let alone being inconspicuous and not corrupting the scene by the very presence of such impressive equipment. That said. professional photographers at corporate functions tend to introduce themselves and take a few staged shots and then magically become far less conspicuous, which I guess is how they get some of the great corporate shots. Wife carries a credit card size camera in her hand bag. It always seems to be there when needed and rarely attracts attention.

Cars, planes and trains: Holy cow, your about to see the inevitable crash or calamity! That is why it is still OK to carry a Fuji disposable film camera in the glove box (so long as it doesn't get fried in the sun). Phone cameras - unless its got an instant picture taking button, not a lot of use.

Wildlife: That speck in the distance is a wedge tailed eagle. Like fishing, most of those amazing shots are not about the camera, or what rod and reel, but about knowing the environment and creatures; patience, and being in the right place at the right time.

Light, dark and eerie fog, adn maybe erupting volcanoes: Likely that you will have a minute or two to set things up. What usually stuffs this up that you have everything in the great big bag except for the CF card, which is still in the card reader at home.

Fun to think about!

Cheers

[Mike-DT6]

Great answer Geelong! :-D

Deadpass, that's some excellent work you've got published on your site. Some very unusual people you know over there! :-D I liked the Vampire Don set in particular, and the first Sheila set. Stunning eye colour.

Mike

[SuzyView]

I have so many bags to negotiate, but I always have CF cards in the camera or else I don't close the bag. That way I don't leave home empty handed. My cameras always have full battery power before I shoot, but in a rush, I will take the bag with the 5D, 24-70 and grab my 430 on the way out. It's always good to know where your gear is resting. And I shoot Tv most days, sports and all. So, it's easy to decide how fast you need the shutter. The 5D is amazing in low light, I really don't need to think too much.

[notapro]

My 50 is on my camera all the time when it's packed away because it's the only way I can fit everything into my tiny little camera bag. other than that, most the time i don't even switch it to off let alone change any settings before I put it away. the upside is that I now have a firmly established habit of checking my settings early and often.