Shutter Speed aka. Why are all my pictures blurry now?

number six wrote in post #4266680
Flash is the answer - using flash WB, as mentioned above.

Ah... completely forgot there was a flash WB - duh!

Or shoot in Tv mode (you pick the shutter and the camera picks the aperture).

With a f/2.8 lens and ISO 1600, you should be able to get a shot in a reasonably well lit room at night. With my IS 17/55, I use 800, and set the aperture to 2.8, and the IS ensures that my shaky hands aren't at play.

mai_lin wrote in post #4266695
Ah... completely forgot there was a flash WB - duh!

I've found AWB works well with flash, too.

-js

mai_lin wrote in post #4266582
Ok, here's the stats for this one:

Shootimg Mode: P

TADA!
I think that's your problem! I don't use "P" (program) mode but if I recall, the camera does all the thinking and only requires you to point and shoot. Get it out of "P"!!!

Try it in "M" mode and play around until you get what you like, if you can.

By the way Mai Lin, where in Rhode Island? North Kingstown here.

Hermeto wrote in post #4266690
Don’t take me wrong mai_lin, but I believe that you need some basic understanding of the elements of exposure.
Take a look at this site, it might give you the answers to some of your questions.

http://web.canon.jp/im​aging/enjoydslr/

Also, do not underestimate the Instruction Manual.
Everything is written there, everything!

Oh trust me, I know close to nothing but am trying to learn. I've reserved "understanding exposure" from the library but don't expect it to come in for a few more days... So as of right now the manual is all I have and under Program AE it tells you about the program shift for shutter speed but lacks in telling you it will change it anyway

I think you gave me that link before and I didn't get to finish reading it all, so thank you

johneo wrote in post #4266711
TADA!
I think that's your problem! I don't use "P" (program) mode but if I recall, the camera does all the thinking and only requires you to point and shoot. Get it out of "P"!!!

Try it in "M" mode and play around until you get what you like, if you can.

By the way Mai Lin, where in Rhode Island? North Kingstown here.

Hey johneo - I'm in Cumberland, so a bit far from you (in RI terms anyway). But I'm looking for a local camera store - I know Ritz in Warwick... do you know any others with good customer service (patience? )

I think I'll try playing M mode more...


Jen

mai_lin wrote in post #4266724
Hey johneo - I'm in Cumberland, so a bit far from you (in RI terms anyway). But I'm looking for a local camera store - I know Ritz in Warwick... do you know any others with good customer service (patience? )

I think I'll try playing M mode more...


Jen

Try "M", "Tv" & "Av" ... it'll come to you, just be patient!

There was a camera store in Warwick by the airport and one in Wakefield. Bought a lot of 35mm stuff from them but they both closed up when the digital age struck. Not sure of anything "ALL THE WAY" up your end of the state (you're a native RIer?? LOL!) and I do not go to Ritz, unless I know exactly what I'm getting ... can't stand the place!
Trying to remember the name of the place in Providence ... Hunts? maybe? Only been there once and parking was awful (near the IWay)

If you find the harsh on-camera flash unacceptable, you need to invest in a hot-shoe flash. For indoor shots, being able to bounce the flash off the ceiling is a real blessing. It gives a much more natural appearance to the shots.
Depending on your budget, I'd suggest:
Canon 430EX
Sigma 530 DG Super
Canon 580EX II (on sale now for ~$340)

A hotshoe flash will help your indoor toddler shots immensely.

johneo wrote in post #4266775
Try "M", "Tv" & "Av" ... it'll come to you, just be patient!

There was a camera store in Warwick by the airport and one in Wakefield. Bought a lot of 35mm stuff from them but they both closed up when the digital age struck. Not sure of anything "ALL THE WAY" up your end of the state (you're a native RIer?? LOL!) and I do not go to Ritz, unless I know exactly what I'm getting ... can't stand the place!
Trying to remember the name of the place in Providence ... Hunts? maybe? Only been there once and parking was awful (near the IWay)

ha! People actually call it 'the IWay'... I thought it was just the news folks
I used to work at RI Hospital so I know exactly which store you're talking about. Its not hunt's its J& 'something' photo... can't find them in the yellow pages but its next to Chesnuts Day Spa and near Olga's Coffee House - I should go over there.

And funny you should ask, no I'm not a native RI - I'm from the Boston area and my husband is from CA. We lived in Cranston (reluctantly) for a few years until we bought our house in Cumberland. We like it here better

prime80 wrote in post #4266830
If you find the harsh on-camera flash unacceptable, you need to invest in a hot-shoe flash. For indoor shots, being able to bounce the flash off the ceiling is a real blessing. It gives a much more natural appearance to the shots.
Depending on your budget, I'd suggest:
Canon 430EX
Sigma 530 DG Super
Canon 580EX II (on sale now for ~$340)

A hotshoe flash will help your indoor toddler shots immensely.

Funny you should mention that - I was looking at the 430EX today. Hubby balked, big time. Considering I just got this camera over the weekend, asking to invest another $220 in a flash is pushing the limit, but I will put it on my 'must buy' list for my christmas money.

Most of my shots will be indoor for a while (winter coming up) and I'll want to invest in a good flash for that reason, at least.

I'm learning so much from all of you thanks!

With the kit you have, an external flash will make all the difference in the world. Definitely push it for Christmas.

prime80 wrote in post #4266910
With the kit you have, an external flash will make all the difference in the world. Definitely push it for Christmas.

Throw in EF 50mm f/1.8 too, you’ll not regret.

Hermeto wrote in post #4266962
Throw in EF 50mm f/1.8 too, you’ll not regret.

That was on the list before the camera arrived

I've got under $200 to 'wish for' for xmas - so that lens another 4 GB CF card, radio remote and maybe another battery... of course, I'd love a tripod for including myself in some pictures... but I guess I'll have to let hubby actually touch the camera instead

Christmas money will hopefully buy the flash... we'll see

mai_lin wrote in post #4266865
Funny you should mention that - I was looking at the 430EX today. Hubby balked, big time. Considering I just got this camera over the weekend, asking to invest another $220 in a flash is pushing the limit, but I will put it on my 'must buy' list for my christmas money.

Most of my shots will be indoor for a while (winter coming up) and I'll want to invest in a good flash for that reason, at least.

I'm learning so much from all of you thanks!

Mail-in, I think most of us feel for you out of our own painful memories!

I agree that you need flash! Be aware, though, that you'll still need to pay attention to your aperture and shutter settings. When I use flash I'll use either Manual or Tv mode and set the shutter speed myself, according to what I want to accomplish. A faster (200) shutter speed will freeze action but make for a darker background. You might, for an indoor room, set it for something slower and start from there. Sometimes the camera will choose a shutter speed in Av or P mode that won't be right for you. Experiment!

Until you can get an external light there are a couple things you can try (with built-in or external). One is flash compensation: look it up in your manual to find out how your camera sets it, then try it out with some test shots. When I'm using flash with close-up subjects I frequently use flash compensation.

The second trick is physically muting or diffusing the flash. Some people put a translucent adhesive material on the lens of the flash (probably not advised for the flip-up type) but I've seen (and bought) little diffuser hoods for these cameras with both a flip-up flash and a hot shoe. The make is LumiQuest Soft Screen. Both these methods soften the light somewhat. You could even try adding material to the soft screen to mess with the light even more!

One more thing you need to know is that when using P mode, trying to change the shutter or aperture doesn't quite work the same. If you want to change (or "shift" the pair of values, maintaining equivalent exposure, you use what's called Program Shift, or to lighten or darken your exposure, you use exposure compensation and/or flash compensation. You can use them all together in P, but at some point, especially using flash, you will gain by learning how this all works and moving to a more manual mode. Anyway, look in your manual for Program Shift and Exposure Compensation and play with them!

I really hope you're getting help with all this!

mai_lin wrote in post #4266865
Most of my shots will be indoor for a while (winter coming up) and I'll want to invest in a good flash for that reason, at least.

I'm learning so much from all of you thanks!

What is this "winter" of which you speak?

-js