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Just took a few shots earlier with the Auto/Mode to start off and checked out the zoom. I think my A630 pics come out better in the Auto/Mode though. Have alot to learn with this camera. It aint gonna be easy!
So far I am liking it though. The 20X zoom is incredible! I think this is alot of camera for the price.
Thanx Redbird....I have seen some pretty amazing shots on the Canon Forum taken with this camera. Hope I can find my way to those amazing photo's too someday.
Location: San Francisco & Fort Worth & Now, Back to IRAQ
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Blondie,,, this is SO COOL! You've been waiting forever and really did your research to find the best camera for you! Good Choice! No worries about the 'learning curve' for the camera functions, that will come with time & usage! Your fantastic EYE for the shot is what counts most, and you never disappoint! I know you must be so excited & I'll bet you haven't taken your finger off the shutter since the day you picked it up! Can't wait to see what magic you make happen with your new best friend!
Congrats on the new cam, Blondie! Although the shots look great, I'll give you some hints how you could improve that first one. That is a classic case of letting the camera choosing the exposure for the scene. It correctly exposed the bright sky, but not the darker bird. I'm assuming you want the bird exposed properly, yes? In that case, you need to expose for the bird, not the sky. When done properly, most likely the sky will turn white, which means it's blown out. That's fine, because the bird would look great, and nobody will be looking at the sky. The question is how do you do that with your new camera, and unfortunately I don't know the answer to that. DSLRs have a setting called Exposure Compensation (EC). An EC of somewhere around +1.5 would have been about right there. Essentially you're telling the camera that you want an exposure 1.5 stops brighter than the camera would have normally selected for the scene. How you do that with that camera, I have no idea. Maybe somebody can chime in with the answer? Or maybe it's buried in the instruction manual somewhere. Anyway, I'll shut up now. Happy shooting!
As kdog pointed out, EV compensation would be a good idea. You could also try spot metering set on the bird.
Having said that, every lens system will have a sweet spot when it comes to focal length and even f-stop, and especially with a lens that covers a huge range of zoom, there will be a few compromises.
I have that camera and agree that the bird shot would have been helped by Exposure Compensation. The button is one of the black buttons on the right side, second one up. After you've set it for the shot, you must remember that it doesn't automatically go back to zero. You have to reset it manually. Otherwise, it will stay on whatever you set it on even if you turn your camera off and on again. Do know, however, that it doesn't work in Auto mode!
Also, I don't always do it myself, but I've read that when you photograph animals, you should make sure their eyes are in focus. So you might want to use spot metering (which you can read about in the manual) and focus on the bird's eyes, which are dark like his body.
Glad you're out practicing already and not afraid to wait until you've learned everything. Look forward to more of your practice shots!
Congrats on the new cam, Blondie! Although the shots look great, I'll give you some hints how you could improve that first one. That is a classic case of letting the camera choosing the exposure for the scene. It correctly exposed the bright sky, but not the darker bird. I'm assuming you want the bird exposed properly, yes? In that case, you need to expose for the bird, not the sky. When done properly, most likely the sky will turn white, which means it's blown out. That's fine, because the bird would look great, and nobody will be looking at the sky. The question is how do you do that with your new camera, and unfortunately I don't know the answer to that. DSLRs have a setting called Exposure Compensation (EC). An EC of somewhere around +1.5 would have been about right there. Essentially you're telling the camera that you want an exposure 1.5 stops brighter than the camera would have normally selected for the scene. How you do that with that camera, I have no idea. Maybe somebody can chime in with the answer? Or maybe it's buried in the instruction manual somewhere. Anyway, I'll shut up now. Happy shooting!
My goodness! Exposure compensation...dunno what that is!
Quote:
Originally Posted by EinsteinsGhost
As kdog pointed out, EV compensation would be a good idea. You could also try spot metering set on the bird.
My goodness, spot metering! Do not know what that is either!
Having said that, every lens system will have a sweet spot when it comes to focal length and even f-stop, and especially with a lens that covers a huge range of zoom, there will be a few compromises.
Thanx for the help.....kdog and E.G. I sure do appreciate it!
Now I will read PhotogGals response....this is all greek to me!
I have that camera and agree that the bird shot would have been helped by Exposure Compensation. The button is one of the black buttons on the right side, second one up. After you've set it for the shot, you must remember that it doesn't automatically go back to zero. You have to reset it manually. Otherwise, it will stay on whatever you set it on even if you turn your camera off and on again. Do know, however, that it doesn't work in Auto mode!
Also, I don't always do it myself, but I've read that when you photograph animals, you should make sure their eyes are in focus. So you might want to use spot metering (which you can read about in the manual) and focus on the bird's eyes, which are dark like his body.
Glad you're out practicing already and not afraid to wait until you've learned everything. Look forward to more of your practice shots!
Thanx PhotogGal, I was up till almost 4am reading the manual. That is how excited I am about this camera. I will read more tonight. The manual is pretty easily understood...well so far! I know I am in for deep caca soon when I get further into the manual! Thanx for your help also.....
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I know you must be so excited & I'll bet you haven't taken your finger off the shutter since the day you picked it up! 
