Evaluate My Photo

[astral]

Canon 10D with 28-200 Tamron set at 40mm

180th sec F9.5 ISO 400

A spur of the moment shot, just over the border in Cambodia.

[Kan Win]

Great shot for the "Spur of the moment".

Was your camera set like that or did you have to set it for that shot?

Kan Win

[astral]

The camera was probably on Aperture priority.

I find that the best for general shots,

adjusting the aperture if required, to get a faster shutter speed or if bokah is needed.

[mikethevigoman]

Canon 10D with 28-200 Tamron set at 40mm

180th sec F9.5 ISO 400

A spur of the moment shot, just over the border in Cambodia.

What a coincidence, mine was taken in pattaya in a market, they were trying to keep cool while mum was working ,.

[Kan Win]

As you know "Astral" I am always on the look out for "That shot" and I do take some whilst driving my car as well

(NOT recommened if you do not know how to do it).

My question is this:-

What are the most useful settings on a camera in a car?

Meaning before one gets in their car? Sure sunny day, overcast etc... that is always in mind, will change the settings from my pervious shoot.

Sorry to ask so many questions, but with a new camera all will help me.

Maybe I misunderstood reading this post as a real "Spur of the moment" whilst on the road shot.

Kan Win

[astral]

Well, I can only tell you what I do.

I have used an SLR for almost 40 years. My first was an Exacta with 35,50 and 135 primes.

I traded that in for an OM10 and later a second OM4 body, again with primes of 50, 135 and 21.

That set up was stolen from my car. My fault for leaving it in view.

I moved to the Canon EOS range 20 years ago and my technique has not changed a great deal

though I am digital now.

I used to have 28-200 zoom as the main lens on the EOS600 film camera.

I now have a 17-85 zoom on the 40D.

That gives reasonable flexibility for framing.

I also have 28-75 and 75-210 zooms, but I use those less.

I have never liked the full auto setting of Canon.

I like to retain control, after all that is the point of having a good camera.

So I choose Aperture Priority and select around f6.5 or F8 with an ISO setting of 400.

This means that I can point and shoot in most daylight situations and capture images

like this one without worrying about exposure or depth of field.

In my book the Sports, Portrait, Landscape, etc settings are gimics. If you own an SLR you should

know what you are doing.

If time permits then I may go to full aperture to reduce the depth of field

or go to shutter priority where there is motion involved.

At one time I did some shots for a professional and his comment was,

"Leave the settings alone and concentrate on the shot"

I choose the high ISO setting to keep the exposures flexible and noise is not a problem

on the SLR, but it may well be on a point and shoot camera.

In the real old days, my father's rule of thumb was 1/125th at F8 on a cloudy day and F11 if sunny.

That was based on the UK climate and BW 120 roll film, 100ASA I think.

Out would come the Weston III meter for more complicated shots.

I am not sure I would recommend keeping a camera in the car all the time.

Sitting in the sun the car can get VERY hot.

At one stage I had to have my old EOS600 rebuilt as all the rubber seals round the shutter

had either melted or perished. It was not a cheap repair and I thought I was lucky to

find a technician who could and would do the job.

For this reason I do see, but miss some potentially good shots.

Lastly. No Photography whilst behind the wheel!!!!!!!

Get out, walk round talk to people. Then take your shots, after asking their permission.

For your new camera I suggest you try out ALL the possible setting before going to take serious shots.

See which suits your needs and gives the best results.

Much easier now in the digital domain, as you can delete the ones you do not want or do not work.

Good luck