Your default camera settings (AF focal and metering)
Discussion
Just a very broad question really, something I'm sitting here curious about.
Is it just me or does everyone has a preferred setting they like to leave their camera in, so when you pull it out for a quick shot you know what's under you?
I generally leave it in Av (aperture priority) with the lens wide open, but what about the more intricate settings like
1) AF
2) Metering type
I used to leave my AF in multipoint, but I'm sick of the camera getting it wrong so it's now firmly left in centre spot. Now I've asked the question I can't even remember what my metering is, I'm not quite advanced enough to worry about it yet.
Is it just me or does everyone has a preferred setting they like to leave their camera in, so when you pull it out for a quick shot you know what's under you?
I generally leave it in Av (aperture priority) with the lens wide open, but what about the more intricate settings like
1) AF
2) Metering type
I used to leave my AF in multipoint, but I'm sick of the camera getting it wrong so it's now firmly left in centre spot. Now I've asked the question I can't even remember what my metering is, I'm not quite advanced enough to worry about it yet.
Auto with the lens zoomed right out to 55mm. (awaits flaming) Only do this as I may need the camera out quick with a fast moving 3 year old and I'm not competent enough to set up quickly.
All other times I try and think my way through the process.
I had the same problem with the AF point and mine is in the centre. If needed then I'll focus on the subject and recompose with the shutter 1/2 pressed.
All other times I try and think my way through the process.
I had the same problem with the AF point and mine is in the centre. If needed then I'll focus on the subject and recompose with the shutter 1/2 pressed.
Edited by Tycho on Monday 11th May 17:53
I don't have such a thing as default settings - the camera gets put away with whatever settings were used on the last photo.
Whenever taking the camera out of the bag it makes me actively think about what settings I want to use for the shot I am about to take, rather than relying on a setting that I may, or may not, have remembered to set the camera to prior to putting it away.
Whenever taking the camera out of the bag it makes me actively think about what settings I want to use for the shot I am about to take, rather than relying on a setting that I may, or may not, have remembered to set the camera to prior to putting it away.
When the camera goes away at the end of the day it always gets reset as follows
1. Aperture priority at f8
2. Single frame advance
3. ISO 200
4. Single shot autofocus
5. Matrix metering
6. Cloudy white balance (my preferred setting as I like a slightly warmer image)
I reckon that takes me about 15 seconds to do and protects me from myself. I have been out at night shooting at ISO 1600 and not reset, or manual focus and then puzzling why no AF etc.
Chris
1. Aperture priority at f8
2. Single frame advance
3. ISO 200
4. Single shot autofocus
5. Matrix metering
6. Cloudy white balance (my preferred setting as I like a slightly warmer image)
I reckon that takes me about 15 seconds to do and protects me from myself. I have been out at night shooting at ISO 1600 and not reset, or manual focus and then puzzling why no AF etc.
Chris
Each shot will be set manually depending on subject & conditions.I work slightly differently in that most of my "serious" photography is either travel or weddings - both of which are fairly unpredictable. Therefore I find I constantly chance settings on the camera (and the lenses) according to what I expect to find next, even if I don't take any pictures. That way, say if I'm about to walk into a temple I'll have already slotted on a nifty fifty, cranked up the iso and opened up the apperture. Gives the best hope of getting a shot if there's something I need to shoot quickly (of course it maynot be worth punching the shutter). Likewise at the end of a wedding I'll stick a wide angle lens on and lower the ISO ready to get shots of the couple as they leave the church. Quite often get it horribly wrong though and miss shots when I'm changing lenses in advance of actually needing too!
However, usually I'm in matrix metering (though you have to be careful with that one!), cont. AF using a load of points and Ap. priority.
However, usually I'm in matrix metering (though you have to be careful with that one!), cont. AF using a load of points and Ap. priority.
I hit the ground with a Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 on the front and the following settings:
RAW
Aperture priority metering set to f3.5.
ISO 320
Single point AF-S with focus priority
Centre-weighted exposure
Auto WB (as I process every image individually and there's no time to use white cards).
3 fps (CL)
Speedlight SB-800 set to TTL-BL (fill flash) and SC-29 synch cord for extra AF-assist
That's the start point, but aperture and ISO will vary greatly throughout the day, and I sometimes use spot metering with the 70-200mm f2.8.
RAW
Aperture priority metering set to f3.5.
ISO 320
Single point AF-S with focus priority
Centre-weighted exposure
Auto WB (as I process every image individually and there's no time to use white cards).
3 fps (CL)
Speedlight SB-800 set to TTL-BL (fill flash) and SC-29 synch cord for extra AF-assist
That's the start point, but aperture and ISO will vary greatly throughout the day, and I sometimes use spot metering with the 70-200mm f2.8.
I woud only reply in saying that I've always set my digital Nikons in the way that the rear wheel is for aperture and the front for speed. From that you can deduct that I prefer to work from aperture rather than shutter priority. The ISO will depend on the day and weather since most of my work is sports photography but on the D3 I leave the WB on automatic and it hasn't failed me. Centre weighted is a favourite, but again that depends on the lens and the occasion. Oh, and I don't back up one card onto the other - I have never had a card failure that can't be recovered so I have available 3,000 photos on tap. Sportswise I set the camera at 9fps.
CVP said:
When the camera goes away at the end of the day it always gets reset as follows
1. Aperture priority at f8
2. Single frame advance
3. ISO 200
4. Single shot autofocus
5. Matrix metering
6. Cloudy white balance (my preferred setting as I like a slightly warmer image)
I reckon that takes me about 15 seconds to do and protects me from myself. I have been out at night shooting at ISO 1600 and not reset, or manual focus and then puzzling why no AF etc.
Chris
I forgot about ISO. Accidentally shooting on 1600 is one of my favourites too! I try and leave it on 200.1. Aperture priority at f8
2. Single frame advance
3. ISO 200
4. Single shot autofocus
5. Matrix metering
6. Cloudy white balance (my preferred setting as I like a slightly warmer image)
I reckon that takes me about 15 seconds to do and protects me from myself. I have been out at night shooting at ISO 1600 and not reset, or manual focus and then puzzling why no AF etc.
Chris
jon- said:
I forgot about ISO. Accidentally shooting on 1600 is one of my favourites too! I try and leave it on 200.
Yep, that's why however much I have altered the settings for each particular shoot / day I always go back to these defaults when putting the camera away overnight. I even do it if I'm going out to shoot the same kind of thing tomorrow, it's habit nowChris
AF @ 11 point, RAW, WB = flash, spot metering, ISO 100, F11, 1/125 is how I'd expect to find it. Depends what I'd been doing previously though, I am guilty of test firing and muttering something about it not being quite right
Memory check is more important than anything, mine will let you take a photo without a card in it
Memory check is more important than anything, mine will let you take a photo without a card in it
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