Welcome to POTN, digital photography and the joy of using the versatile EOS 40D.
After playing around with the "auto-everything" mode we suggest learning a little about the Creative Zone modes. Here is a short guide about these modes that I hope will help:
The Creative Zone modes are represented as P, Tv, Av, M and A-DEP.
· P = Program AE Mode
· Tv = Shutter-Priority AE Mode
· Av = Aperture-Priority AE Mode
· M = Manual Exposure Mode
· A-DEP = Automatic Depth-of-Field AE Mode
Users who are new to DSLR cameras and who want better photographs often want to know which creative mode they should use. Let's look at each Creative Zone mode and consider when its best to use each.
P: Program AE
In this mode the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture. You do have creative control over such things as AF mode, drive mode, ISO, white balance and file size. However, for beginners it is recommended that you leave these at the default settings.
If you have a limited understanding of when to use slow/fast shutter speeds and small/large apertures, start by using the P mode. While using this mode try to remember the following:
· Slow shutter speeds e.g. 15, 20, 30 can cause camera shake and blurry images; use a faster speed, an IS lens or a tripod
· Large apertures e.g. f2.8, f3.5, f4.0 are generally used when you want the background (behind your subject) to be out of focus. Here is an Example
· Small apertures e.g. f11, f13, f16 are best used for landscapes, crowds or whenever you want most of your scene to be in sharp focus.
A creative tool that you can use in "P" mode is called Program Shift. Lets say that the recommended exposure for a scene is 80 4.0 (1/80 sec at f4). You decide to use a faster shutter speed to prevent the effects of camera shake. You turn the main dial and the camera now recommends 125 3.5 (1/125 sec at f3.5). Basically, the camera shifted the exposure values while still allowing the same amount of light to expose the sensor.
Tv: Shutter-Priority AE
In this mode you manually set the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the aperture to ensure an accurate exposure.
A creative use of shutter speed is using slow shutter speeds to blur an image and give a sense of motion. Conversely, fast shutter speeds can be used to freeze motion.
Here are 3 images of a portable fan that show the effects of varying shutter speeds:
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Here are some situations where using Tv is recommended:
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Waterfall: use slow shutter speed like 1/15, 1/20, 1/30 sec with a tripod or IS lens
·
Photo finish: use fast shutter speed (e.g. 1/1000 sec) to freeze motion of cars/bikes
·
Air show: try various shutter speeds and panning to create different effects
·
Speeding boat or jet ski: use fast shutter speed to freeze motion and water droplets
Av: Aperture-Priority AEIn this mode you manually set the aperture and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed to ensure an accurate exposure.
The "standard" sequence of aperture values (f) is:
1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22
You may have noticed that your Canon EOS 40D displays additional aperture values such as 7.1 and 9. The most important thing to remember about these numbers is that the smaller numbers (1.4, 2, 2.8, 4) represent large openings (apertures) in the lens and the larger numbers (11, 16, 22) represent smaller openings (apertures) in the lens.
When smaller f numbers are used, less of the foreground and background are in acceptable focus. When larger f numbers are used more of the foreground and background are in acceptable focus.
The term
depth of field is closely related to aperture values (f numbers). Depth of field is defined as the area of acceptable focus that stretches from foreground to background. When photographing a person or a single flower you want that area to be narrow. Use small f numbers such as f1.4, f2.8, f4. When photographing a beach or a city/town the depth of field should be as wide as possible. This is achieved by using large f numbers such as f11, f13, f16.
Here are 3 images that show the effects of varying apertures:
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M: Manual ExposureThis mode is best suited for professionals and persons who have a very good knowledge of when to use small and large apertures and slow and fast shutter speeds.
In this mode you manually set the shutter speed and the aperture to suit the lighting condition. One of the best way to determine the correct exposure is to use a commercially-available handheld lightmeter such as this Gossen Flash and Ambient Lightmeter.
Alternatively, you can use the exposure level indicator in the viewfinder to help you get the correct exposure.
A-DEP: Automatic Depth-of-Field AEWhen using this mode, objects in the foreground and background will be in focus automatically. All the AF points will function to detect the subject, and the aperture required to achieve the necessary depth of field will be set automatically.
