jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Share #1 Posted June 12, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) This thread is meant to help those new to the CL or even to digital to get good results right from the beginning and to add simple tips , shooting techniques and workarounds that are not easily found in the manual. It is not a discussion thread, nor meant for technical explanations. Such posts will be deleted without notice 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 12, 2021 Posted June 12, 2021 Hi jaapv, Take a look here CL - Simple tips for beginners, the confused and the lazy - please add yours.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted June 12, 2021 First take your time before you go out with the camera to create a basic profile to make the camera work for your personal preferences and save as "profile 1" and rename "basic". That gives you a base line to quickly return to whilst shooting. My suggestions: Files: DNG+JPG fine AF : AFS and face recognition Exposure mode: A ISO: Auto-ISO max 1600 LCD-EVF: Auto EV compensation: Right wheel P-A-S-M 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted June 12, 2021 If you are not quite happy with the AF, half depress the shutter button and use the focus ring to tweak. Don't let go, but push fully to take the shot. The camera reverts to AF when you lift your finger. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 12, 2021 Share #4 Posted June 12, 2021 My first tip for a novice is to master one operating mode fully, before becoming adventurous and confused by changing the functions of ‘soft’ controls. Transitioning from analogue or hybrid camera controls to multi-role unnamed ‘soft’ dials has many traps for the unwary. This, and several other tips, are discussed more fully in this article: https://david2008.photium.com/my-way-with-the-leica published recently on my website. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted June 12, 2021 When you have set one wheel (preferably the right) to EV compensation, display the histogram on your EVF. You can then adjust your exposure perfectly with the camera at your eye. A simple explanation how to read the histogram for exposure can be found HERE. Don't trust the way the image looks in the EVF to judge the exposure of your image. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted June 12, 2021 If your images are softer than you expect especially with the longer focal lengths set your shutter to Electronic Shutter to avoid shutter shock. Also with O.I.S. lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 12, 2021 Share #7 Posted June 12, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 minutes ago, jaapv said: Yes It reverts to AF when you let go. So keep half depressed whilst waiting. Ì refer to this highly useful feature as 'hybrid' focusing. A controlled blending of auto-focus and manual focusing. It is an unusual but highly effective procedure. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pocholin Posted June 12, 2021 Share #8 Posted June 12, 2021 Took me a while to figure and appreciate this: The FN button is programmable in two ways: Single quick press to access one action, for example Timer Single long press to access 8 programmable options that, once chosen, will become your single press quick FN action. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 12, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted June 12, 2021 2 hours ago, pocholin said: Took me a while to figure and appreciate this: The FN button is programmable in two ways: Single quick press to access one action, for example Timer Single long press to access 8 programmable options that, once chosen, will become your single press quick FN action. Yes but the short press will activate the action you last used. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camaro5 Posted June 13, 2021 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2021 Turn off the auto-review to conserve the battery. You can always use the play button to see your shots. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted June 13, 2021 Do not use an SD card from a previous camera without formatting it in the CL. Better still to buy a new card with your new camera. Get a spare battery (does not have to be Leica, Panasonic is the same and cheaper.) at the same time. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted June 14, 2021 Share #12 Posted June 14, 2021 Hmm. I've had the CL long enough that I no longer remember what issues arose in learning it. But my biggest advice to the new owner of any modern camera is, before going out to make photographs, to sit down with the owner's manual and walk through all of it with the camera in your hands, trying out all the controls and features. Make tons of junk photographs with it that way, learn all the ins and outs of menus, controls, settings and so forth. You won't really know why some of them exist for a while yet, but at least you'll know a- what exists in the camera, and b- where to find it in the manual. BTW: Expect that you'll have to recharge a battery or two in the process of doing that. It's perhaps the most inefficient use of battery power for the camera. Then reset the camera to factory defaults, make a few changes to suit your desires, and save that as your first user profile. Then go out and make a lot of photos. Oh yes: Buy at least two extra batteries for the CL. That way you can always have one in the camera, working, another fully charged in your bag, and another on a charger getting ready. I usually see somewhere on the order of 600 exposures per full charge when I'm out shooting (as opposed to exercising the menus and functions) so two batteries on hand for shooting is usually enough. I didn't buy any new SD cards when I bought the CL. I just used the nice, fast Sandisk and Lexar 32, 64, and 128 G SD cards I had lying about. As with all my cards in all my cameras, I formatted all the ones I was going to use with the SDFormatter utility software (available for most platforms from https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/). I've never had a problem with the CL that could be attributable to the SD card. G 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffreyg Posted June 14, 2021 Share #13 Posted June 14, 2021 On 6/12/2021 at 5:42 AM, jaapv said: First take your time before you go out with the camera to create a basic profile to make the camera work for your personal preferences and save as "profile 1" and rename "basic". That gives you a base line to quickly return to whilst shooting. My suggestions: Files: DNG+JPG fine AF : AFS and face recognition Exposure mode: A ISO: Auto-ISO max 1600 LCD-EVF: Auto EV compensation: Right wheel P-A-S-M A next suggestion: once you have modified this and have a handle on a customized set up... then stay with that for some time (months) until its like second nature. That way you have a base condition that is yours, before starting to go more customized or particular. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted June 14, 2021 Share #14 Posted June 14, 2021 Another minor hint to the use of the user profiles: Once you have the first one set up, and assuming it's how you usually use the camera most of the time, you can fiddle with any controls you want in a given shooting situation and then return all the settings to your normal basic set by just re-choosing that user profile. This is one of the handiest reasons for having a self-defined default user profile. G 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrydog Posted June 22, 2021 Share #15 Posted June 22, 2021 Get a small bag, using my backpack camera bag means I have to make an effort to take it! Quite fancy the Billingham pro… Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boojay Posted June 23, 2021 Share #16 Posted June 23, 2021 (edited) No beginner here, but quick shout out and reminder before you start bellyaching about poor IQ to have a look at the front of your lens... think I may get done for lens abuse, thank goodness for a filter, should have remembered our very wet dog shaking all over me and the camera at the start of the day😄. Dent to the hood happened earlier this trip. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 23, 2021 by Boojay 7 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/321761-cl-simple-tips-for-beginners-the-confused-and-the-lazy-please-add-yours/?do=findComment&comment=4224933'>More sharing options...
Taki8888 Posted July 29, 2021 Share #17 Posted July 29, 2021 Hi, When I go to the FN Customization menu and try to turn ‘Set Timer’ Off, it shows an error message, forgot what it said, something you cannot remove it while in use. For Single Press FN, does it let you select like User Profile and cycle through them with multiple FN press? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 29, 2021 Share #18 Posted July 29, 2021 Long press gains access to available menu items. Short press actuates sèt choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 29, 2021 Author Share #19 Posted July 29, 2021 And the button will remember which item you used last. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBird Posted August 1, 2021 Share #20 Posted August 1, 2021 When the camera is set to manual exposure, "T" is an option for long exposures. I am assuming greater than 30 seconds. I cannot find anything in my manual about this. How does it work? Do I need to determine the exposure with a handheld light meter? Then set the aperture? Do I need to press the trigger button on the app twice, once to start the exposure and again to end it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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