Firstly thanks to those on this section of the forum for the advice on me moving into my 1st Digi SLR. I eventually went for a Canon 350D, with its standard 18-55 lens.
I also purchased a 2nd hand Canon Zoom EF 75-300 lens which i have taken the following pictures with. Whilst its a great improvment to what i have had in the past, i was not 100% happy with the 1st results. Can anyone give any advice? I think i am talking about exposure etc, both the following are using the auto ( Green Square setting on the rotary dial ) on the 350D. The 707 pic at Southend was a poor lighting day, but the Easy 737 was a better day at Luton.
Feel free to pick as many holes in them as you like ! After all i am just learning :p
Jamie
By: PMN - 21st December 2006 at 09:26
The shots actually contain the EXIF data and reveal that matrix metering and some mode of auto-everything was used, including auto whitebalance. However, exposures like 1/500 at f13 at ISO 200 under the given circumstances seem to be a bit too optimistic. One more tip: use the histogram to check the exposures!
I thought they would, but it’s easier to read the data when posted with the original shot. Yes, I am lazy!
Paul
By: Jur - 21st December 2006 at 09:12
What would be really handy is if you could post the EXIF data for your shots so we can have an idea exactly what your camera was doing when you pressed the shutter release.
For most aviation purposes you’re almost certainly better off not using auto. In auto the camera adjusts itself to expose correctly under the lighting conditions it sees, but not necessarily to create the best shot for your subject.
The shots actually contain the EXIF data and reveal that matrix metering and some mode of auto-everything was used, including auto whitebalance. However, exposures like 1/500 at f13 at ISO 200 under the given circumstances seem to be a bit too optimistic. One more tip: use the histogram to check the exposures!
By: Exdigger - 20th December 2006 at 20:36
I too got myself a 350D earlier this year and am looking at getting a 75-200 lens early in ’07.
In the meantime I have been trying to use the camera’s features a bit more in the creative zone of the dial (mainly Tv and AP).
What helped me was a little book by Michael Guncheon in the magic Lantern Guides titled:
“Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT EOS350D” It is a more comprehensive guide than the cameras own manual. I can’t remeber the price, but I got it through Amazon with no problems.
This guide really helped me to get to grips with the creative zone functions, and the digital format certainly helps with practising shots (no more film to waste!).
By: PMN - 20th December 2006 at 18:15
Hi Jamie,
Firstly welcome to the wonderful world of the DSLR! You have a superb tool with the 350D and I’m sure it’ll give you (and others) plenty of enjoyment.
What would be really handy is if you could post the EXIF data for your shots so we can have an idea exactly what your camera was doing when you pressed the shutter release.
For most aviation purposes you’re almost certainly better off not using auto. In auto the camera adjusts itself to expose correctly under the lighting conditions it sees, but not necessarily to create the best shot for your subject. Aperture and shutter priority both have their own merits and uses (as does manual), and you’ll find the more you investigate these settings, the more you’ll be able to tailor your camera to produce the shot you want to create.
Feel free to PM me if you’d like any further explanation or examples of how to use these modes.
Have fun with your new toy!
Paul
By: adamdowley - 15th December 2006 at 16:33
Jamie, could you post larger versions of the two photos please? The originals would be even better – perhaps email would be better. If you don’t mind, I would quite like to have a go at editing them. 🙂
By: Jur - 15th December 2006 at 14:28
Jamie,
To start with, your pictures don’t seem bad at all for unprocessed out of camera files. Maybe a tad underexposed. Most D-SLR files require some postprocessing, especially if you’re shooting RAW as I do. I took the liberty to do a little post-processing in photoshop. Nothing very special, just auto levels/autocolor, some lightening of the shadows and a little unsharp mask. What do you think?
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December 11, 2006 at 10:16 pm