Newbie with 40D learning the modes.

Hi all,

First of all, i had hell of a time registering with this forum as the "Image Verification" shown some digits/letters normal human beings cannot decifer! Anyway, i was glad that i was sober enough to get through after 6 tries

I am learning all the different advanced modes with my newly aquried 40D with
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens

I am shooting with AV today and noticed that when i chose the lowest Aperture the camera automatically chose the Shutter Speed, needless to say the shutter speed is quiet slow at 1/5 sec. and i could not hold a razor sharp picture since i don't have a tripod and i guess that is required for something like this?

Yes, a tripod is required for slower shutter speeds. But in Av mode, the camera was doing exactly what it's supposed to do. You can alway increase ISO, though, to bring shutter speed up.

A good book to read is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petersen. It will really help you in understanding the different parameters of exposure and their effect on your image. The best book to read about your camera is the manual.

Welcome to POTN.

I shoot everything in M now. I learned that lesson a couple of years ago during my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. What I shoot mostly is family events/gatherings where the lighting can change dramatically with just a matter of a couple of steps.

Leaving it in Av mode, I could end up going through what you went through... long shutter speeds leading to camera shake and blurred photos. Tv could leave me with some very shallow depth of field.

Usually I take a few "setup" shots before everything starts to get a feel for the area I'll be shooting. Then, after each non-setup photo, I take a quick glance at the Histogram. If I don't like what I see, rather than having the camera choose for me and possibly ending up with a result I really don't like, I can choose to give up some shutter speed. Or if the shutter speed is as low as it can go to shoot handheld, I decide whether to widen the aperture and decrease the depth of field or chance more noise and shoot at a higher ISO.

These quick, on the fly type changes allow me to get the results I want without having to be concerned that the camera might pick the wrong setting to change

Of course, that all changes when I get into a studio. At a studio, I can set the camera up exactly for the given backdrop and lighting setup. From there, no decision needs to be made. I just snap away... well, until the backdrop or lighting setup changes.

Thanks guys for the good advice.

I thought about doing M mode but it's just a little overwhelming for me coming from a pure P&S Background ( i use SD800 before buying the 40d)

I will also add Understanding Exposure as one more book to study I am currently reading Digital Photography by Scott Kelby (funny guy by the way!), and of course reading the user manual

I have one more questions that puzzles me which is how does one shoot in silent mode? I read one can do so by using Live View , i have disabled beeping from the menu but apparently the lens is making the clicking noise.

Also, how is this kit lens that i have, would it be sufficient for traveling, portraits and some light macro shooting?

Thanks again!!

There is no real "Silent Mode" on a DSLR. The 40D does have Live View, but that has it's limitations, as you can imaging. Since there is an actual mechanical shutter and reflex mirror involved in shooting, there is going to be some noise involved with each shutter release. The lens isn't making the clicking noise, it's the camera.

The kit lens is good for a starter lens, but not really a macro lens.

post some pics up =)

Fangster wrote in post #4892873
First of all, i had hell of a time registering with this forum as the "Image Verification" shown some digits/letters normal human beings cannot decifer! Anyway, i was glad that i was sober enough to get through after 6 tries

Tell me about it. It took me three tries to get the characters right. Might as well be in Greek it's so hard to read.

i know the lens isn't really suited for macro...but i was able to take this shot about 15 minutes ago...i think it actually came out o.k....and think i can make it even better once i learn more about the camera/use a better set-up(need to get rid of some of the noise, had to do some pp)...just got this camera kit on friday and so far i'm loving it...i'm sure you'll have a great time with yours as well

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Congrats on your new camera... I hear this is a very good book and is actually better than the manual... Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography
by David D. Busch

http://www.amazon.com …91JRF&colid=24R​3EBBQZRR7V

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #4893359
There is no real "Silent Mode" on a DSLR.

Some of them do have it.

Which is when automatic exposure is so good. It will fix things for you automatically. It only takes that you keep an eye on the values it comes up with. If you forget, you still get correct exposure, which usually is better than keeping a certain depth of field. The advantage is that you don't have to look at the exposure all the time, as soon as you get experienced enough to see for yourself when it may be necessary.

check out feature here on 40D silent shooting mode:

http://cpn.canon-europe.com …nt/masterclass/​eos_40d.do

Fangster wrote in post #4893312
I thought about doing M mode but it's just a little overwhelming for me coming from a pure P&S Background ( i use SD800 before buying the 40d)

I completely understand, and I didn't mean to overwhelm. I apologize. Manual can be a bit scary at first, but once I started using it, I found it to be the setting for me. It's definitely the most versatile of them all, but understanding exposure should definitely come first. I apologize for jumping the gun.

I think using Manual mode is the best way to get used to using a SLR camera. But for sure understanding exposure and the different options by reading books and/or online articles is the best place to start - but there's only so much that reading will do, you then need to go out with the camera, armed with your newly acquired knowledge and put it into practice - experement. this is the only way you will really get a feel for all the different settins - Aperture, shutter speed, ISO.

It sounds obvious, and can be daunting, but I learned the basics on an old fully manual SLR (as did many others before the advent of digital photography) so I had no choice, and I honestly think it was the best way to learn.

Most of all, just remember to enjoy the learning process - it's all about having fun!

good luck.

Here is a picture i took with AP mode.

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I usually stick with M mode when I have the luxury of time. On quick paced shooting where lighting conditions will change quickly and often, then I might opt for Av mode. Really they are just different ways to get at the same place.

If maintaining a certain shutter speed is a must (especially when stopping subject motion, etc.) then I may opt for Tv mode.

Yes, when in Av mode, it's important to pay attention to the shutter speed. If it's not enough and you have the aperture maxed out, then you need to raise the ISO. Each stop(100->200->400->800->1600->3200) will double your shutter speed, but also introduce more noise in your pics. Generally speaking, you should be fine using ISO 800-1600 on your 40D. Use ISO 3200 as need to use basis.

Blaming for bad images because Av mode was used doesn't hold water. It's operator error. You always need to pay attention to Aperture/Shutter Speed/ISO used...