basic settings

Hi ... I am just learning how to use my new 400d and am really impressed but also a little swamped with the numerous settings. If I'm just wandering around with the camera and want to take a quick shot are there any recommended basic settings or should I just switch to the 'full auto' - eg I read somewhere that someone likes to leave their's on WB setting for 'cloudy' and get that slightly richer colour balance. I know I will learn more as I go along but at the moment I seem to spend half an hour going through my 'check-list' before I get near to shooting. many thanks for your time (again) Roger

Stick it on P and auto white balance, tweak it later in photoshop or whatever program you use

rogertb wrote in post #3988908
Hi ... I am just learning how to use my new 400d and am really impressed but also a little swamped with the numerous settings. If I'm just wandering around with the camera and want to take a quick shot are there any recommended basic settings or should I just switch to the 'full auto' - eg I read somewhere that someone likes to leave their's on WB setting for 'cloudy' and get that slightly richer colour balance. I know I will learn more as I go along but at the moment I seem to spend half an hour going through my 'check-list' before I get near to shooting. many thanks for your time (again) Roger

P is probably a good medium - automatic, but with options.

Keep in mind, I've had my camera for a while, and I still take ages going through the settings before taking a shot - people hate me - but it's the only way you learn. You don't learn as much using automatic. Don't get me wrong, automatic has its uses, but if you do have the time, I suggest going through that half hour. You'll appreciate it.

Thanks Tim and mrkgoo ... sounds like sound advice. P does give me the opportunity to get the quick shot and do a bit of tweaking as well. Regards Roger

P gives you the ability to change nearly everything. White balance, Metering mode, ISO speed, Flash or no flash, all the picture style settings (if you shoot JPEG, allthough I believe that RAW uses picture style for the embedded JPEG preview).

Its a good way to learn the more advanced camera features and still get a shot that has a strong chance of being usable.

Go here and play around. http://www.photonhead.​com/simcam/
You can see how each setting changes exposure and depth of field on the sample photo.