Sharper Images

[mbimages]

I am trying to achieve sharp images; the method I have investigated is to use the Tv Shutter- Priority mode.

I then worked out the best shutter speeds when hand held using the following formula
Focal Length X Crop Factor
Example 200mm X 1.6 = 1/320 then I doubled it 1/640 just to be sure

The problem I am having is the Aperture display Blinks so I then have to adjust the Shutter Speed down to 1/30 to stop the Aperture value blinking (Shot would be to dark), this then undermines the settings for getting a sharp shot (1/640)

Any advice would be appreciated

Weather
Grey and Miserable

Equipment and Settings
Camera 450D
Lens Canon efs 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6IS
ISO set to 800 (Tried Auto also)
WB - Cloudy

[sandrodz]

only solution is to increase ISO.

for that shutter speed, light is too low and ur camera cannot expose properly, this is why it blinks... u can deal with this either by increasing ISO, or decreasing f number. that is if u have fast lens like f/1.8 50mm, first try to shoot at f/1.8 if it still doesn't help, bump up ISO>

[mbimages]

Thanks for the quick reply, will try higher ISO Settings. Maybe I need to invest in a faster lens, for low light photography and then get better exposure values.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by mbimages

Thanks for the quick reply, will try higher ISO Settings. Maybe I need to invest in a faster lens, for low light photography and then get better exposure values.

You should probably learn to use the equipment you have first, before investing in anything new.

[Samanax]

Use a tripod.

[dcclark]

You definitely need to learn your equipment better. Play around in Program mode, or maybe some of the other semi-auto modes, and get a sense for what settings your camera will choose for you. This will help you develop an intuition for what kind of settings are possible in a given lighting situation.

For example, indoors under normal house lighting, 1/30 sec. at f/4 is pretty fast -- because house lights tend to be very dim, even if you think they're turned way up. At that point, getting 1/320 (much less 1/640) for a shutter speed is nigh impossible, even with a high ISO.

Plus, having a high ISO will make your images much less sharp, due to the large amount of noise which the high ISO will add in.

Sharpness comes first and foremost from having a combination of good focus (focus at the right place!), and a good shutter speed, without a high ISO. That may require a tripod, but not always. I have taken very sharp photos at 1/10 sec. and ISO 200 -- it's more a matter of knowing your equipment and holding your camera right.