An operation question for 30D

Hi all,

I've got somthing that annoys me with my 30D that I think should be fixable, but I don't know how to do it. When I shoot in Av mode and I want a more narrow aperture I turn the adjuster thing (can't remember the proper name) with my right forefinger in a clockwise direction. This results in a slower shutter speed. When I switch to Manual mode the same action changes the speed to make it faster. If I'm moving between Av and Manual modes I can no longer instinctly know which way to rotate this adjuster knob as it has an opposite effect on shutter speed depending on the mode.

Does this frustrate others out there? Is this something that can be changed, and if so, how do I do it? I couldn't find anything in the custom menu but I may have missed it.

Cheers guys.

Short answer - nothing is to be done; it's an example of a clunky user interface that may not get fixed until Apple makes a dSLR.

In Tv, that wheel changes the main exposure parameter under user control: the shutter speed.
In Av, it does the same thing in a sense, by changing the main exposure parameter under user control, in this case, the aperture.
In M, it's shutter speed, while aperture is controlled by the wheel on the back. That's just the way it is, sorry.

The best you can do is write to Canon.

Note that the other wheel in Av and Tv mode (the one on the rear) adjusts the exposure compensation.

I suppose they figure you're more likely to want the exposure compensation dial to be in a consistent location (it would have to change depending on whether you're in Av or Tv if the aperture/shutter control is to be consistent between those modes and manual). And they may have a point there.

I suppose this is what custom functions are for.

kcbrown wrote in post #4163239
Note that the other wheel in Av and Tv mode (the one on the rear) adjusts the exposure compensation.

I suppose they figure you're more likely to want the exposure compensation dial to be in a consistent location (it would have to change depending on whether you're in Av or Tv if the aperture/shutter control is to be consistent between those modes and manual). And they may have a point there.

I suppose this is what custom functions are for.

Good points. One more is that the silly 3 position power switch has to be "extra-on" for the rear wheel to work in any mode. Grrrrr. C'mon Apple - make me a camera!

The Apple Camera would probably only have one button on it, and maybe one dial.

But it would be the ultimate in usability.

On 40D C.Fn. IV-4 (Dial direction during Tv/Av) deals with that problem.
No such thing on 30D though.

Hermeto wrote in post #4165055
On 40D C.Fn. IV-4 (Dial direction during Tv/Av) deals with that problem.
No such thing on 30D though.

Good to see Canon's addressed the problem, shame it's not on the model I have. I would have thought it was a pretty fundamental thing and easy to get right, could they not fix it with a firmware update?

Hopefully the update to the 5D also has this option when it's time for me to upgrade next year!

xarqi wrote in post #4163345
Good points. One more is that the silly 3 position power switch has to be "extra-on" for the rear wheel to work in any mode. Grrrrr. C'mon Apple - make me a camera!

Agreed, that 3 way "extra on" thing is absurd. Why would you ever have it on the "half way on" setting? Has anyone ever accidently knocked that wheel on the back?

The more I play around with it the more frustrating I find the system to be. The forefinger wheel on Av effectively slows down the shutter speed while on Tv and Manual it speed it up. Would surely not be difficult to make these 3 consistant.

The wheel on the back of the camera adjusts exposure the same way on Tv and Av but in Manual the effective result is the opposite.

Grrrr......

Might have to pen a letter to Canon explaining the error of their ways.

Yes, I've accidentally altered the Quick control dial on my Eos-3 in the past and not realised for several days. I'd shot 6 films in Paris and all were ruined. I was advised by a professional to gaffer tape the dial, because he'd had similar problems and that was his own solution. So I always leave the switch off unless I'm actually using the dial.

Richard

kcbrown wrote in post #4165025
The Apple Camera would probably only have one button on it, and maybe one dial.

But it would be the ultimate in usability.

You mean like the SD1000 has?

To OP - the reason the Control Wheel makes the shutter speed slower, as you've described, in Av is because when you're in Av, the Control Wheel is directly controlling the aperture, not the shutter speed. Turning the Control Wheel clockwise gives you a smaller aperture (less light); the shutter speed has to slow down to give you a correct exposure with the smaller aperture. The shutter speed used is dependent on the aperture used, the ISO setting and the available light. You're only indirectly controlling it in Av mode.

When you're in Tv, the shutter speed is controlled directly. Turning the dial clockwise gives you a faster shutter speed (less light, just like with the aperture in Av). This causes the camera to respond by opening up the aperture, to keep the exposure "correct". So the operation of the Control Wheelis consistent. The thing to remember is that the Control Wheel isn't always controlling the same thing. In Program mode, it shifts both shutter speed and aperture; in Av, it controls the Aperture; in Tv, it controls the shutter speed, and in M it controls shutter speed. In any of the automated modes the Quick Dial provides exposure compensation; in M, that controls the aperture.

Billo78 wrote in post #4165380
The more I play around with it the more frustrating I find the system to be. The forefinger wheel on Av effectively slows down the shutter speed while on Tv and Manual it speed it up. Would surely not be difficult to make these 3 consistant.

Actually I see it a different way - in both Av and Tv you're making the controlled variable let less light in - either closing the aperture or increasing shutter speed. The camera then alters the other variable to match the exposure meter. It happens that the result is that if you take one variable (either aperture or shutter speed) it goes one way in Tv and the other in Av.

It's interesting that with the 40D you can decide for yourself which way you want it.

It is not anti-user friendly, it is just user preference. As has been pointed out, it makes sense the way it is and probably makes sense the way it is not, it comes down to user preference.

Also, the 3 position Power switch does make sense, some do not want the wheel to be able to be adjusted while shooting and as I remember it was a complaint way back when that back controls could be adjusted no matter what (not 100% sure on that though, but I think I remember reading it somewhere). In anycase it is just a flick of a switch, you get used to it in about 2 seconds and just flip it all the way up each time. In fact it is easier to flip it all the way IMO vs. trying to do it half way.

I think the controls on the Canon cameras are setup very well. Try a Nikon for once...wow it is like an alien planet. The canon setup is very logical at least to me.

Also as Jon said, the SD class has a very perfected and nice UI. It is really nice, works very well, and is one finger control. But prosumer and pros demand more..thus the controls on the XXD and XD classes.