Cannon 400d

Karen-Louise44

Karen-Louise44

Suspended / Banned
Messages
43
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi guys

I posted on here awhile ago my hubby bought me a Cannon 400d as I have always wanted to get into it. The problem is I had a wedding to play for which is over now, been married three months so now I am starting to really look into using the camera.

I am just lost??? I may sound really thick but I am struggling to understand it all. I am on the middle of reading the manual for the camera to work out how it all works. But when I try and put in on M and try some stuff is comes out really blurry? No matter how many times I change the ISO or other things they all come out the same.

Does anybody know of a book or a web site that could help me? It just freaks me out and makes me want to give up, which I will no do as I wont ever get anywhere with it.

Thanks for reading xx
 
Initial advice would be to not jump straight into manual mode. While you're practising, stick with 'P' and let the camera take a lot of the work out of the equation. When you understand a bit more, go for 'Tv' and 'Av', then with more confidence and understanding you'll be able to use full manual.

There's a book called 'Understanding Exposure' that this lot seem to like. Personally I found this:

http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/

an invaluable resource.
 
Quick Start Tips :)

Your lens will have an AF/M Switch, make sure it is switched to AF and try that.
Also the shutter button has two stages that after a little practice you will get used too.
Half press, this will focus the lens, full press takes the shot.
Just set the camera to auto (Green Square) till you feel comfortable enought to take the plung and either go creative or manual.

Sorry if this states the obvious but we were all beginners once :)
 
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a must (I've re-read it 3 times already!!!??). In terms of the camera (as I've recently been through the same experience, same camera, and including the wedding bit!!!), I started off using the auto modes, but then moved to P mode and got used to adjusting the settings in there. I've only recently graduated onto M mode, but I'm starting to get it a bit now. Just remembered, there is a Canon 400D specific book ( I forget the name of it), which was quite technical but may help you, which you are welcome to borrow from me if you want?? :)

What kind of shots have you been unsuccessful with so far??
 
frank said:
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a good place to start, not too techy and easy to read with some nice examples in the book. At less than £14.00 from Amazon it won't break the bank.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Camera/dp/0817463003
Click to expand...

I received my copy this week. It is an easy to read book, and my wife, who has had problems understanding the ISO/Shutter speed/aperture thing has now pinched it and I can't get it back.

Seriously, the book is good, and the other thing I would suggest is a "beginners" digital photography course with your local Adult Education Centre.

Steve
 
Thanks everybody I thought I was being really thick!!! I have actually just bought Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, the thing is I read the first few pages and then it tells you to take somebody outside into the shade which I did and then switch the camera to M and then change a few things and take a picture. I followed all of that and my picture came out a mess. It was blurry and nothing like how it was mean to look. I tried for ages reading the manual and trying again but I got upset with it in the end and put it away.

It's silly as I know I have to keep at it but I don;t know a single person who did Photography and so it's frustrating when you read the manual do as it says and then it;s wrong?

Candelstick - that would be great, thats really sweet of you :-) Thank you

Karen xx
 
Karen,

Where abouts are you ? It may be a good idea to attend one of the TP "meets" that's in your area.

Either that, or if you're local'ish to me I'd happily give you a hand through the basics - nothing too technical though.....

I have a 350D, which is the model before the 400, so both are similar.

Steve
 
Sorry to see that you're struggling with your camera at the moment.

I'm no expert and certainly not of a standard to offer advice based on sound experience, but I will put my humble thoughts down for you.

As others have said I really would stay off fully manual for the moment, I have recently started to use it and my pictures suffered terribly for a while, I'm just getting the hang of it now.

Make sure that the lens you are using is set Auto Focus (AF) and not Manual if you want the camera to focus for you.

On the camera there are 9 focus points that show up in the view finder (red dots), you can select all of them or anyone of them indivudually, make sure that your subject is covered by the focus point or the camera will pull focus on a different part of the image.

Use either TV (shutter speed) or AV(aperture) and play, the beauty of digital cameras is you can see how adjusting the settings changes the look and feel of the picture.

As you change the Aperture the speed of the shutter will change, the longer the exposure the more likely it'll be blurry (unless you use a tripod). You should also notice the depth of field (the area in front and behind the focus point) change.

In TV mode you'll see the aperture settings change as you increase and decrease shutter speed.

Sorry if this is all stuff you already know, finally if nothing you do makes any difference consider a trip to your local camera shop, it may be that the lens is duff!

Oh and as Jelster says try a local meet of TP if there is one, there's so much experience on this site and I'm sure plenty of people would be willing to help you with your camera.
 
I live in Upminster Eseex I did actaully think about trying to get on a course but it is which one to do. I find being shown something so much better than reading it, as like I said when I do everthing it says and then it does not work, it;s mad!!!

xx
 
PM me your address and I'll get it in the post. In terms of M mode, make sure you are adjusting the correct thing, ie shutter speed or aperture, which will depend on the kind of scene you are shooting. For example, if you are taking a photo of something fast moving and you want to 'freeze' the action, you would need to dial in a fast shutter speed, and then then adjust the aperture until the blinking arrow at the bottom of your viewfinder reaches middle. P mode takes some of the work out of this. I reckon I've finally got to grips with the camera, and understanding the basics, including using the in built light meter, and now I'm trying to understand how to compose a decent shot, and how to use the various filters available. Apart from the 2 books I've mentioned, and coming on here, I've had no other input from anyone, but I'm starting to feel more confident now, as I'm sure you will in next to no time.

You'll get there, stick with it!!! :D
 
It really sounds to me like you are not shooting using auto focus or as above not depressing the shutter halfway and allowing the lens to focus. If everything is blurred after AF is turned on then your camera may be faulty???
 
if ever you are around brentwood way let me know as I live there and have the samecamera. Can give you a hand if you like.

Its a fine camera for a beginner so keep at it.

take a look at my flickr page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23064358@N02/


as this will give you some idea of what the camera is capable of....and i have only had it for 4 months.

PM me and I will send you my work/private email. Will be out and about this weekend. Walking the dog over south weald park etc.
 
Karen-Louise44 said:
I live in Upminster Eseex I did actaully think about trying to get on a course but it is which one to do. I find being shown something so much better than reading it, as like I said when I do everthing it says and then it does not work, it;s mad!!!

xx
Click to expand...

If you can wait a while I'll try and take some shots of the critical things you need to do and put them into a tutorial for you. It'll be basic but should help you identify the problem. Won't be till tomorrow though.

Mark
 
GPC1 - I really like your work it's really good I love the Splash one :-) I have PM'd you.

Maddog.mark - that would be fab!!! Are you sure you don't mind? All of you have been so helpful :-) It makes it a whole lot less scary thats for sure. I am going to keep playing about with it. I also need to learn how to use PS. I have loads of pictures I have taken but I have to play about with them and see if I can enhance them more.

Sorry I think I confused some people, when I was shooting on M I also have the lens focus on M and not AF. Maybe I should try it with AF first. I might just stick with Auto right now anyway then try P and work my way up like you have said. I think I am trying to run before I can walk!!!

Karen xx
 
Karen-Louise44 said:
GPC1 - I really like your work it's really good I love the Splash one :-) I have PM'd you.

Maddog.mark - that would be fab!!! Are you sure you don't mind? All of you have been so helpful :-) It makes it a whole lot less scary thats for sure. I am going to keep playing about with it. I also need to learn how to use PS. I have loads of pictures I have taken but I have to play about with them and see if I can enhance them more.

Sorry I think I confused some people, when I was shooting on M I also have the lens focus on M and not AF. Maybe I should try it with AF first. I might just stick with Auto right now anyway then try P and work my way up like you have said. I think I am trying to run before I can walk!!!

Karen xx
Click to expand...

Not a problem, get the lens on AF and you'll be fine.
 
Hi Karen

Im not far from you either!! I was new to this about a year ago, and I cant believe how much I have learnt in that time!

First off, put your lens back on AF!! I dont think you will find many togs use mf on their lens (unless its for something specific that may fox the AF system).

Second, the way I learnt was to master Av (aperture priority) and Tv mode (shutter priority) first. If you have the Understanding Exposure book, then you should have a feel of how these work, so pick the one you are most comfortable with to start. Shutter priority is the easiest to understand I suppose - 1/3000 is a VERY fast speed, used to capture an action shot in motion, whereas 1 sec is quite slow and you would need a tripod or other support to make this shot work! Learn as much as you can in this mode first - watch what the camera does to the aperture and ISO (which will be done for you in both of these modes).

When you have Tv sussed, then switch to Av - I found this the most interesting mode and to be honest, its probably still the most used dial on my camera!! You'll soon find by looking at what the camera does and your results that it will suddenly "click" and you will find yourself able to set the appropriate settings yourself.

HAving said that, I find no shame in using the priority modes over full manual - for many situations, they handle everything fine, allowing me to spend more time composing the shot and getting that part of it right!!

Good luck - keep going you will get there in the end!!

Allie
 
Hi Allie

Thank you very much :-) I am so pleased I posted on here now. I will go home and try the different settings TV and AV and P and work on using them first. I know if I keep trying at it then it will work and I will get it. Just really scary when you first start as I am sure you all know ;-)

Karen xx
 
Hi Karen
Seems a lot of good helpful advice coming your way.
A thought from me nobody has mentioned yet, you say your have your lens is on M and camera on M, do you have the dioptric adjustment knob set for your eyes? If you have been manual focusing and the dioptric is not set for you eye site what you think is in focus may be out of focus to the camera. See the bottom of page 31 of the manual and when you look through the view finder make sure you look at the square AF points and make sure they are sharp and not what your looking at.
You should set this to your eyes even when using the lens on AF mode its very easy.

Stick with it you will get there
 
I Think Youll Find The Photos Will Get Loads Better If You Leave Af On The Lens, You Were Probably Slightly Out Of Focus:thumbs:
 
Zeb - Hi there, yeah I have done this only saw how to do this last night. I wearing contacts so it does make it much better for me now to take pictures.

I think what people have said about keeping the lens on AF is a good idea for now I will go home and try take some shots like that and see where it takes me.

xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top