Jump to content

Manual settings


Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

:cool:I have had my M8.2 for a few months now and have mostly been using the auto mode.

 

I would like to start using it fully manual.

 

What way do you guys do this i.e keep a set shutter speed and adjust the aperture or a combination of both?

 

Also, do you think there are any advantages to under exposing by a small margin?

 

Thanks all.

Link to post
Share on other sites

:cool:I have had my M8.2 for a few months now and have mostly been using the auto mode.

 

I would like to start using it fully manual.

 

What way do you guys do this i.e keep a set shutter speed and adjust the aperture or a combination of both?

 

Also, do you think there are any advantages to under exposing by a small margin?

 

Thanks all.

 

The aperture gives you control over the depth of field and the shutter speed gives you control of movments. Take it from there, it's a starting point.

Link to post
Share on other sites

What way do you guys do this i.e keep a set shutter speed and adjust the aperture or a combination of both? Thanks all.

 

Terence, if you're new to going "all manual" (I'm inferring a bit here), IMO getting your light down is going to be the trickiest thing. (And the M8's spot meter isn't all that helpful until you understand a bit more about the light. Yes, yes, it's not the meter but the operator. But it's tricky, to start. More on that below.)

 

I use an incident light meter to pick up my settings as a starting point--so I can understand what's happening with the light.

 

I recommend the DigiSix because it is **straightforward to use** (they make very complicated light meters--overkill for this application, IMO) and shows your speed/aperture options in an easy-to-modify analog form (white dial). You click to meter the light, spin the white dial to match the EV reading on the LCD, and all of your aperture/speed combos are shown. You can then just read the rings to determine other speed/aperture combos off of the dial at a glance.

 

Once you have the correct settings, you just dial them on the M8 and shoot. That's it.

 

As a side-benefit, you'll really learn more about the relationship between aperture/speed at a glance:

Amazon.com: Gossen Digisix GO 4006 Digital / Analog Exposure Meter: Camera & Photo

 

IMO, using an incident meter properly is the starting point for eliminating most light/exposure concerns on a consistent basis--it mostly "idiot proofs" the process of selecting exposure with only a few exceptions. And graphically demonstrates the speed/aperture relationships right in your hand. I find this to be very valuable, you might also.

 

Advice on the forum will vary widely--as a beginner asking a question like yours I was kindly steered in this direction by forum members. (Thank goodness.) I can say this path has worked for me.

 

Thanks,

Will

Flickr: willstotler's Photostream

Link to post
Share on other sites

Terence, if you're new to going "all manual" (I'm inferring a bit here), IMO getting your light down is going to be the trickiest thing. (And the M8's spot meter isn't all that helpful until you understand a bit more about the light. Yes, yes, it's not the meter but the operator. But it's tricky, to start. More on that below.)

 

I use an incident light meter to pick up my settings as a starting point--so I can understand what's happening with the light.

 

I recommend the DigiSix because it is **straightforward to use** (they make very complicated light meters--overkill for this application, IMO) and shows your speed/aperture options in an easy-to-modify analog form (white dial). You click to meter the light, spin the white dial to match the EV reading on the LCD, and all of your aperture/speed combos are shown. You can then just read the rings to determine other speed/aperture combos off of the dial at a glance.

 

Once you have the correct settings, you just dial them on the M8 and shoot. That's it.

 

As a side-benefit, you'll really learn more about the relationship between aperture/speed at a glance:

Amazon.com: Gossen Digisix GO 4006 Digital / Analog Exposure Meter: Camera & Photo

 

IMO, using an incident meter properly is the starting point for eliminating most light/exposure concerns on a consistent basis--it mostly "idiot proofs" the process of selecting exposure with only a few exceptions. And graphically demonstrates the speed/aperture relationships right in your hand. I find this to be very valuable, you might also.

 

Advice on the forum will vary widely--as a beginner asking a question like yours I was kindly steered in this direction by forum members. (Thank goodness.) I can say this path has worked for me.

 

Thanks,

Will

Flickr: willstotler's Photostream

 

Thanks Will,

 

I much appreciate your help and all advice from forum members.

 

Thank You.

 

Terry.

Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are new to using a camera in manual mode then you need to understand the relationship between aperture, speed and ISO. Also you need to understand how a lightmeter "sees" and how to adjust exposure accordingly. Go on to Amazon and get a few books on understanding exposure, light, metering etc. Maybe others can recommend some current books as I learnt all this 35 years ago.

 

You will find much greater satisfaction from this approach, its more about you seeing and making images than being a camera operator (auto). Have fun.

 

Paul

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...