Cameras and photography

[reptileparadise]

Nice picture
Sharp where it needs to be sharp

But damn you and your exif data!

[Stefan-A]

You don't need to see my exif data.

[reptileparadise]

Yes I do...

[Stefan-A]

What for?

[reptileparadise]

I always check EXIF data. If the picture is good, you can learn things about it!
I cant check your exif data, but my guess would be ISO 1600...f4,5 or maybe a bit less...1/50 shutterspeed ???

[Stefan-A]

I always check EXIF data. If the picture is good, you can learn things about it!
I cant check your exif data, but my guess would be ISO 1600...f4,5 or maybe a bit less...1/50 shutterspeed ???

Can't do anything to the picture without losing the exif information, so here it is:

File: - E:\ALBUM\IMG_0176.JPG

Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 450D
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
DateTime - 2008:11:06 21:52:22
YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited
ExifOffset - 196
ExposureTime - 1/160 seconds
FNumber - 2.80
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2008:11:06 21:52:22
DateTimeDigitized - 2008:11:06 21:52:22
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/166 seconds
ApertureValue - F 2.83
ExposureBiasValue - 0
MeteringMode - Center weighted average
Flash - Not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 60 mm
UserComment -
SubsecTime - 30
SubsecTimeOriginal - 30
SubsecTimeDigitized - 30
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 4272
ExifImageHeight - 2848
InteroperabilityOffset - 9506
FocalPlaneXResolution - 4865.60
FocalPlaneYResolution - 4876.71
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit - Inch
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Macro mode - Normal
Self timer - Off
Quality - Fine
Flash mode - Not fired
Sequence mode - Continous
Focus mode - One-Shot
Image size - Large
Easy shooting mode - Manual
Digital zoom - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Low , -32769
ISO Value - 32767
Metering mode - Center weighted

[reptileparadise]

Wow, I was way of at the ISO

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, you didn't really get anything right.

I still need to learn how to use it properly. Any words of wisdom regarding what ISO to use in what situation, how the shutter speed and aperture size is used best etc. I can of course learn it through trial and error, or by reading all the tutorials on the net.

But I was under the impression that you're supposed to use a low ISO under these conditions.

[reptileparadise]

Well, lets see.
Low ISO means less light sensitivity of the film. In other words, you'll mostly use low ISO (64/100/200) in very bright conditions.

Shutter speed depend on what you want to shoot. Tongue action? High shutterspeeds (1/200 or higher)
Do you have an tripod and you want as much natural light as you can...then the lower shutter speeds are good.
I use 3 seconds for fireworks (just an example)

aperture
The bigger the aperture (big aperture = low number= lots of light coming thru)
the less depth sharpness. So, a small focussed spot in the picture.
A small aperture (higer number=less light coming thru) means more sharpness in the picture. It does require more light (in other words, longer shutter opening or higher ISO)

This is it actually...Very short and stubby, but thats just about the basics you'll need.
For macro, I try to use f8 or higher and with a 60mm I would keep 1/60 as a minimum.
I would use ISO200 mostly and maybe ISO400 is noise apears at ISO 200 (its commonly thought that higer ISO induces more noise, but even low ISO with long shutterspeeds van induce noise)
You'll probably have to flash with these settings...But flashing doesnt always ruin the colors. Play with the aperture, shuterspeed, ISO and whitebalance to correct the influence of the flash

[Stefan-A]

Thanks a lot, that was really all I needed. A short and simple explanation. I did already know the basics, but things like how the aperture affects the sharpness.. Well, I did know that it would have some effect.

I bought a good tripod for my spotting scope years ago, and I have a pocket-sized one that's not going to be of much use, I suspect. I guess I won't be shooting any of my snakes freehand anymore. In fact, I don't think I'll need to, with this camera and this lens.

I don't use flash unless I absolutely have to. Even if it doesn't completely ruin the colours, it does tend to ruin the shadows.