I just purchased a Canon Rebel XT about two months ago. I have a pretty solid grasp on most functions and settings, but the Manual Exposure ("M" mode) has me totally stumped!
In this mode, you're supposed to be able to adjust the shutter and aperture value; however, all my tries at it have failed. Each time, the shot comes out very dark/black.
It's really beginning to irritate me LOL and I'm worrying if it's something wrong with my camera! I've tried opening all the way to F32, with various shutter speeds and get the same results. :/
Is flash required for this setting? I just thought of this now lol but in most cases I hate using flash! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
ETA: It does this with both the main Canon lens, as well as my 70-300mm lens.
Yeah, like srdanz said, you're going the wrong way in regard to aperture.
Try this, setup a shot and put the camera in "P" mode, look at the shutter/aperture settings the camera tries to use. This should give you an idea of what to try in "M" mode.
Yeah, like srdanz said, you're going the wrong way in regard to aperture.
Try this, setup a shot and put the camera in "P" mode, look at the shutter/aperture settings the camera tries to use. This should give you an idea of what to try in "M" mode.
I have tried that, and it still didn't work.
Hang on LMAO I think I screwed up somewhere. Let me go try something!
Try setting the shutter to 60, then adjust the aperture until your exposure meter indicates 0. That should give a good exposure.
I think you have "aperture" settings reversed. As mentioned, f/32 is REALLY small and would result in dark pictures unless you have a really LONG shutter. Even in basic sunlight, f/32 would require a really long shutter, probably several seconds.
In "M" mode, do the following:
* Set your ISO.
* Set your metering mode (I use [ ] for the center 9%)
* Look through your viewfinder, press the shutter 1/2 way.
* Scan the scene, watching your bargraph on the bottom of the scale.
* Determine and set your f/stop, using the wheel behind the shutter release (read in viewfinder)
* Scan the scene again for the brightest areas, again watching the bargraph.
* Now adjust your shutter speed by using your thumb on the Av button
above the self-timer button and rolling the wheel behind the shutter
release until the bargraph needle is near center, to the right means
more exposure and to teh left means less exposure (I opt always for less
rather than blow-out highlights)
*If after your exposure reading is in the center, and your shutter speed
was too low, open up the f/stop (like go from f/6.3 to f/5.6 or f/4) or
if the exposure reading is way off to the right
(indicating over-exposure) close down the aperature (f/stop) by rolling
the wheel behind the sutter release to go to a higher f/stop, like f/11 or f/16 or higher.
using the wheel behind the shutter release (read in viewfinder)
* If you can't get the needed shutter speed, adjust your ISO up or down.
When you use the M mode, you need to look at the metering information at the bottom of the screen when you are looking through the viewfinder. You want the green dot (i think it is a dot) to be in the middle...select the desired shutter speed and look at the meter to help you select the appropriate aperture. Or you can select the aperture you want and the meter will help you choose the correct shutter speed for the aperture you picked. The key is looking at the meter at the bottom...
lol, i cannot keep up with you guys and posting...i keep getting interrupted and when i come back to finish my post, someone has already answered the questions..
An easy way to think about aperture size is to visualize "1/" instead of F. For example, F4 imagine it as 1/4; F8 imagine it as 1/8. 1/4 is larger in size than 1/8.
An easy way to think about aperture size is to visualize "1/" instead of F. For example, F4 imagine it as 1/4; F8 imagine it as 1/8. 1/4 is larger in size than 1/8.
That's a really good tip/trick! Thanks muchly! :-)
Yeah, it is not f-32, it is f/32 where 'f' is 'focal length' and '/' means 'divided by'. Hence, the bigger the number, the smaller the aperture.
oh really? Never understood why the numbers go up while the opening gets smaller.. ;-)
Yes you could say it was backwards. If they made it too easy any fool who bought a DSLR would think they could charge $10,000 for shooting a wedding, LOL.
I noticed we're talking about a Rebel XT. I have need of the software for that camera, and haven't been able to find it (not even on the canon website). Oh they have a place it used to be, but no content in the download. Can someone please help me find this software so I can get my photo's off my camera again?
I noticed we're talking about a Rebel XT. I have need of the software for that camera, and haven't been able to find it (not even on the canon website). Oh they have a place it used to be, but no content in the download. Can someone please help me find this software so I can get my photo's off my camera again?
Antique thread alert : )
If you are using a Mac, you can plug your camera in with a USB cord, and open "Finder"-"Applications" - "Image Capture", and it will find the camera and download the photos for you.
Windows "Media Center" should have something that will do the same for you. The best thing is to get a card reader, and drag & drop them from the card into a file.
