DSLRUsers.com

I decided to muck around with the manual setings on the D70s with my 80-400mm VR... This is what I got!



Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec

F-Stop: f/5.6

Aperture Value: f/5.6

Max Aperture Value: f/5.7

ISO: 200

Focal Length: 400mm

Metering mode: Spot

VR on

Cropped closer aswell

Any comments and criticism welcome!
This is the first time I have only used the manual settings!

Cheers

Scott

Ah, the old Woodside aeroplane. I take it you live near Jandakot?

Under the conditions and considering you used the camera in manual, i think you have done quite well getting that shot.

Killakoala wrote:Ah, the old Woodside aeroplane. I take it you live near Jandakot?

Under the conditions and considering you used the camera in manual, i think you have done quite well getting that shot.

Yeah I live in willetton so these guys fly over all the time!

I tried a few without VR and you definately can tell the difference.
might try more often in manual that way I get the f-stop that I am after...

Cheers

Scott

Scott
if you want to use a particular aperture setting, why not use "aperture-priority" mode ?

Shooting in manual, you get the best of both worlds because you can control both aperture & shutter. As long as you understand what the EV meter inside the viewfinder is telling you, and adjust your settings accordingly, you should be fine.

Once you get to know how the D70 will meter particular scenes (either with large bright or large dark areas, you learn to accomodate for this whilst watching the EV meter inside the viewfinder. When the meter is "centred", the camera is metering the scene the way it thinks works best. To control your Exposure Compensation "manually", adjust your shutter, aperture OR both slightly to either over-expose or under-expose to the amount you feel will give you the best exposure (for what you are trying to achieve). By taking note of which way the meter is moving (from the centre), you will know what is going on.

From here, try taking some shots, then making some minor adjustments and take a few more. When you get them on the PC, have a look at what settings worked best and what didn't. You'll soon begin to notice what is working for you and from there, you'll be happy and at ease to stick the D70 into M mode.

Of course, sometimes A or S mode is handy or makes life easier (if you don't have time to reshoot or need to make very fast changes "on the fly"....although shooting in manual is still possible...it just becomes more of an artform to nail it "every time".

Muzza22au wrote:... might try more often in manual that way I get the f-stop that I am after...
Scott

G'day Scott,

This might be a dumb question (I'm good at those ) but if you're just after a specific f-stop, why not try Aperture priority?

As mentioned this might be a dumb question...

Cheers.

mudder wrote:

Muzza22au wrote:... might try more often in manual that way I get the f-stop that I am after...
Scott

G'day Scott,

This might be a dumb question (I'm good at those ) but if you're just after a specific f-stop, why not try Aperture priority?

As mentioned this might be a dumb question...

Cheers.

I guess I should have included that now I am after clearer shots with the VR as my shots have been plagued with blurry movements from the subject and am setting the aperture at f/5.6 (at full zoom) and also fast shutter speed to freeze the subject like a bird or plane! I am finding that the brighter the day the faster the shutter speed I can go, occasionally I have to adjust the exposure +0.5, but I am still learning the "Art'" of photography and the more I muck around with the D70 in manual the more I am liking it, actually makes you think alittle harder about what you are doing...
I hope that makes sense! PS there is never a stupid Question, just a stupid answer! LOL

Cheers

Scott

Ah, I think I know what you mean... I tend to use aperture priority for animal stuff as the light can change so quickly when they critters are moving around and I can't keep up with the changing light, but always use plain ol' manual when I'm doing any landscape stuff where the subject isn't running away

Cheers.