How to get the correct settings

[kbmkris]

Hi Everyone,

I am very new to Photography. I have bought Canon SX20 IS recently. I am using it for a while. I am trying to use the slow shutter speed (1 sec, f1/8 & ISO as 80) during the day time. But, i am not able to see anything. Everything is very white. Kindly help me whether I am missing something over here.

Also, i do not understand what is the purpose of manual focus? All the time, the focus (rectangular box) is at the center. How I can keep the focus on some side of the photo (kind for portrait)?

Expecting your kind suggestions.

Regards,
Bala

[rooby]

Try to use ND filter. That helps a lot. Smaller exposure and bigger aperture.

[OsmosisStudios]

kbmkris: what's happening is that youre letting TOO much light in, overexposing the scene. Those long shutter speeds are great at night though!

You can get around this by, as suggested, using an ND (Neutral Density) filter. You'll need some heavy-duty stuff though, to be able to use it during midday.

[kbmkris]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

You can get around this by, as suggested, using an ND (Neutral Density) filter.

Whether for SX20 IS, filter lenses are available?

[rooby]

Maybe your camera have built in ND filter. Try to search in menu settings.My Canon PowerShot G7 have bult in. Or God bless E-Bay

[Benji]

I can understand the long shutter speed, I assume you want to blur the subject, but why do you also want to use f/1.8? Usually you can use either a long shutter speed OR a wide open aperture but you usually cannot have both at the same time (especially during the day when the light is brightest.)

Benji

[kbmkris]

Originally Posted by Benji

I can understand the long shutter speed, I assume you want to blur the subject, but why do you also want to use f/1.8? Usually you can use either a long shutter speed OR a wide open aperture but you usually cannot have both at the same time (especially during the day when the light is brightest.)

Benji

Hi Benji,

I am using f/8 (lower aperture - to reduce the incoming light), but not f/1.8. I think, i need to use less aperture llike f/22... (not available in my camera) to use slow shutter speed in the morning without using any filters.

happy weekend.

[AdamR]

Do you mean SX200 IS?

The smallest apperture is f/8 for that camera, so you won't be able to do it (sorry).
Also, the manual focus magnifies the center of the image, since you couldn't resolve focus differences on the LCD if it weren't. You have to scroll using the outer wheel until the magnified box is in focus. Once you half-press the shutter, it'll demagnify, and you'll be able to recompose the image.

[inkista]

During bright daylight, it's difficult to get longer shutter speeds without completely overexposing the picture. You could use a neutral density (ND) filter to cut down the amount of light getting into the lens. It's like sunglasses for your camera. In fact, you might just be able to use a pair of sunglasses as ND filters. I used to hold my Oakleys up in front of my S30's lens when I needed an ND.

If you want to do it "right", though, you may want to consider investing in an actual ND filter and a lensmate for the SX20. That will let you buy a standard 58mm filter and just screw it on the front of the lens, like an SLR lens would. However, you do want to be aware that this is relatively delicate. Unlike some of Canon's other Powershots that allow the mounting of an adapting ring, this one clips directly onto the end of the lens, so using something heavier on the thread than a filter (like a wide angle or telephoto teleconverter) is not a good idea.