New here - Just a little help - A630

I discovered this forum over the weekend. It is very helpful and informative. I am far from a professional photographer and would like some suggestions. I have purchased a Powershot A630 recently. So far I have been very impressed. However, I do not want to just use the auto setting. I do not really understand all the settings yet. If you were going to do alot of outdoor shots in relatively clear weather what setting would you use? Remember I am new so keep it simple. Any other hints from other users of this camera?

I can only speak from my experiences with the A610 but people at that time suggested keeping the camera in P mode and setting the ISO to 50 from "Auto". Other than that, why not try the scene modes. I know lots of people will give you lots of suggestions but I find that the scene modes will do the thinking for you initially until you get the hang of it.

My A620 spends most of its time on P and ISO 100.

agree fully. Use P mode until you feel comfortable and then try some in M mode.
M mode can be trying, but satisfying when you accomplish what you intended to.

I hate to sound too stupid but is the "P" setting and ISO 100 good for outdoors and indoors? I know I have alot to learn. Thanks for the replies.

P's good for most conditions. Indoors you'll need to use flash and ba fairly close to get away with ISO 100. There, you'll probably want ISO 400 or above if you can't use flash.

Indoors, you're going to want to change the ISO to more like 400/800. The 'trouble' you'll encounter at that level of ISO is noise (coloured pixellation) to your photos.

-Fellow A630 user

Edit: looks like Jon responded at the same time

Don't be afraid to start flipping switches to see what happens, I took my a620 deer hunting and basically went through every function on the camera, it's a great way to learn how the different functions change the pics. Also, read the manual a few times or at least keep it handy.

I bought a A630 recently too. Auto mode simply sucks for most pictures! These web sites may help you choose other modes
http://web.canon.jp …/mode/camera/in​dex-e.html
http://web.canon.jp …ng/enjoydslr/p_​3_003.html
http://cp.c-ij.com …ing/techniques/​index.html

To learn about Pros & Cons
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A63​0/A630A7.HTM

Thanks for everyones suggestions. I do like the camera so far. The last post was very helpful. I do have one more question that I cannot find an answer for. I notice when I download the photos that the size is much larger than any previous photo's - were talking much larger. I notice one of the functions on the camera you can change the size. If I change to the smaller 1600 x 1200 size do I loose any resolution. I am printing mostly 4x6 - maybe an 8x10 once in a while.

dbalone wrote in post #2943424
Thanks for everyones suggestions. I do like the camera so far. The last post was very helpful. I do have one more question that I cannot find an answer for. I notice when I download the photos that the size is much larger than any previous photo's - were talking much larger. I notice one of the functions on the camera you can change the size. If I change to the smaller 1600 x 1200 size do I loose any resolution. I am printing mostly 4x6 - maybe an 8x10 once in a while.

If you shoot in 1600*1200 this is a smaller resolution ... fine for what you're printing but....

I'd suggest always shootin in super-fine mode with maximum resolution. This is because you can always crop afterwards in-case you didn't frame the shot right. I got a 2 gig SD Extreme card that works real nice, don't often come close to filling in. Safer to shoot with the best, then downsize if you need.

I also shoot only at the best quality and resolution possible. Once you throw away the pixels, you can never get them back, and a 2 GB card costs less than $40 these days. Even at 10 MP, that's a lot of photos.

Jon wrote in post #2943604
I also shoot only at the best quality and resolution possible. Once you throw away the pixels, you can never get them back, and a 2 GB card costs less than $40 these days. Even at 10 MP, that's a lot of photos.

Exactly what I do, feel, think and suggest
Storage is cheap, pictures are priceless.