What’s Your Preference?

Kilvik · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 02:03 AM

So I took the plunge after spending 20 plus years with my Yachima I made the comitment to a new Canon 7D

However, as much time as I am spending reading I dont feel l will have enough time to learn and practice before it is time.

I was hoping someone can help with two things

1) Setting for taking pictures of X-mas lights on houses and outside. X-mas trees and such.

2) Settings for indoor pictures with the family and such. Now I know ideally a point and shoot would be more versatile. However, what are some of the setting you would use for indoor photography with low lighting but with LED type decorative lights as well.

autofocus · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilvik

So I took the plunge after spending 20 plus years with my Yachima I made the comitment to a new Canon 7D

However, as much time as I am spending reading I dont feel l will have enough time to learn and practice before it is time.

I was hoping someone can help with two things

1) Setting for taking pictures of X-mas lights on houses and outside. X-mas trees and such.

2) Settings for indoor pictures with the family and such. Now I know ideally a point and shoot would be more versatile. However, what are some of the setting you would use for indoor photography with low lighting but with LED type decorative lights as well.

You left out a key component...what lens will you be using?

Kilvik · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 03:55 AM

Sorry I fairly new to the forum world but i will catch up.

I will be using the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Thanks again any tips will be much appreciated.

autofocus · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 04:12 AM

OK, you don't have a particularly fast lens, and slow shutter speeds without support, or IS can be pretty tricky..especially if you have subjects that may move. My best advice may be to shoot in the Auto or P mode until you get the hang of things. I really can't tell you what to set your camera to..that's what meters are for. I would also suggest using your flash for those misc.family shots. As far as shooting the tree lights and if you can brace the camera some way, try aperture priority (A) set around F/8, ISO ~ 400-800, and the camera will automatically pick the shutter speed..but once again, brace the camera because you'll probably have a slow shutter speed.

inkista · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 04:41 AM

You regretting going upscale and not getting a dRebel with "scene" modes on the dial, now?

Just a few things to add to what was posted above:

The flash-with-night-scene mode? That's just using flash with a shutter speed long enough for the background to "burn into" the shot (aka "dragging the shutter"). This may be what you want to use with the family shots indoors. Just make sure the family knows not to move for a second or two after the flash has popped.

The night scenes with lights outside? Turn on the IS if you're handholding. You may want to turn the IS off if you're using a tripod and stuff doesn't look sharp. Use the exposure compensation to underexpose. The Auto exposure system is likely to bias towards overexposure in a night scene, because most of the frame is black, and it assumes you want all of the frame to average out as gray. Just keep trying and adjusting settings 'til you get what you want. Dress warm. Carry a small flashlight so you can see what you're doing.

Use a smaller aperture (say, f/16) if you're on a tripod and you want to get some star-shaped highlights.

RichardTaylor · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 05:38 AM

Always shoot RAW and be prepared to use noise reduction especially when using high ISO.
Bracket you exposures.

(a)
If shooting with a tripod outdoors in the blue hour.

Try ISO 100, 8 seconds @ F11 for starters and take it from there.

(a1) Example.

Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 8
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 28 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

(b) If shooting hand held out doors in the blue hour
Lens wide open (preferable around F4 at the wide end)
Have IS on.
Try ISO 3200 1/20 @ F4

(b1) Example (hand held) and PP'd in Topaz adjust

Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

(b2) Hand held

Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

+1 inkista advice.

Michael_2010 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 12:15 PM

I don’t have a 7D, but I think the principle would be the same, plus you should have more flexibility with the higher ISO speeds. Here are a couple of handheld Christmas shots I took with their camera settings. One is a nightscape with Christmas lights. The other is through a storefront window. Composition may leave something to be desired, but I think they turned out pretty clear for low-light/handheld shots.

Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 12 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias 0 EV

Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 22 mm
ISO Speed 800
Exposure Bias -1 EV

Michael_2010 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 01:35 PM

Another thing people new to digital photography tend to ignore is White Balance and it can have a huge impact on your final results. If you shoot in RAW, you can play around with that while processing the file and decide what best suits you. If not, Tungsten will make all those Christmas lights sparkle and look a little more natural.