How to I change the shutter and aperture?

MBM · 12-03-2014, 01:01 PM

I have always taken simple photos with this camera but when I tried to take a picture in the dark the photo came out unfocused. I need help with changing the camera's aperture and shutter.

Na Horuk · 12-03-2014, 01:16 PM

Hey, welcome! You can choose P mode and move the e-dial, which will shift the shutter and aperture, without affecting the brightness. Tv mode lets you choose the shutter speed, and the camera will do everything else. It is good to keep a shutter speed of at least 1/(2*focal length). So 50mm lens should be around 1/(2*50), which is 1/100. Shake reduction (SR) helps with that.
The other problem with dark scenes is Depth of Field. In dark photos, the aperture must be wide, but this causes the depth of field to be more shallow. If you shoot at f8, the depth of field will be very wide. But in darkness you need a smaller fnumber, like f2.8, which will cause the depth of field to be really shallow, perhaps only a couple centimeters. This means most of the photo will be unsharp.
So for dark photos it is best to raise the ISO (sensitivity), but this increases digital noise. Night time photography is a balancing act! With modern cameras, even very high ISO can be used.

Oh, one more thing. The camera will automatically keep a certain brightness of frames (automatic metering). You can affect this by the EV +/- button. But when there is not enough light, there is only so much you can do!

This is why people use tripod (to keep photo still) and flash (to add light)

Steve.Ledger · 12-03-2014, 01:17 PM

I think folks here would find it useful knowing which camera "this camera" is!?
You could also try reading the manual?

stevebrot · 12-03-2014, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

You could also try reading the manual?

Indeed, the manual is a great place to start.

The short answer to the question is that the two dials (rear and front) that fall under the thumb and forefinger are used to change aperture and shutter speed, respectively. (At least in the default configuration.)

Steve

aleonx3 · 12-03-2014, 01:35 PM

Ever try to convince a 5D MKIII user that he is missing a rear dial on his camera, and watch the expression on his/her face?
Ask also how to change ISO while keeping the eye in the viewfinder?

(kind of awkward, have the use the same index finger to press and then, turn the front dial).

Imp · 12-03-2014, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Ever try to convince a 5D MKIII user that he is missing a rear dial on his camera, and watch the expression on his/her face?

wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial???

aleonx3 · 12-03-2014, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Imp

wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial???

Don't think so, unless one can turn the wheel on the back of the camera to change value. I don't have the 5DmkIIIs, can someone confirm?

SpecialK · 12-03-2014, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Imp

wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial???

There's a mkIII?

Adam_T4 · 12-03-2014, 07:53 PM

I printed out the online manual for my K20 and read it about 3 times before I even got the camera delivered!

aleonx3 · 12-03-2014, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

There's a mkIII?

I think they are up to MK III now... costs around 3k.

**clackers** · 12-03-2014, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Don't think so, unless one can turn the wheel on the back of the camera to change value.

You can.

aleonx3 · 12-03-2014, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by clackers

You can.

So, the wheel (vertical position on the back of the camera) is similar to the function of the rear dial? Rather awkward movement of the thumb reaching down to the wheel, but I guess once you get used to it, then it should be fine.

SpecialK · 12-03-2014, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

I think they are up to MK III now... costs around 3k.

Actually, rumors of a mkIV are starting...but I'll stick with the original for awhile :-)

aleonx3 · 12-03-2014, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Actually, rumors of a mkIV are starting...but I'll stick with the original for awhile :-)

Since you have the 5D (original), so the big wheel on the back acts like a rear dial on the k-5, correct?

**clackers** · 12-03-2014, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

So, the wheel (vertical position on the back of the camera) is similar to the function of the rear dial? Rather awkward movement of the thumb reaching down to the wheel, but I guess once you get used to it, then it should be fine.

Well, you see the guys turn it while looking down at the LCD on the top of the camera

Not my idea of ergononics, but there you go.

My NEX7 has three dials. The third is like the second Canon one, but it's only for ISO.

The K-S1 has the single dial and you hit the Exposure Comp button to toggle it between aperture and shutter.

12-03-2014, 01:01 PM	#1
MBM Guest	How to I change the shutter and aperture? I have always taken simple photos with this camera but when I tried to take a picture in the dark the photo came out unfocused. I need help with changing the camera's aperture and shutter.

12-03-2014, 01:35 PM	#5
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Ever try to convince a 5D MKIII user that he is missing a rear dial on his camera, and watch the expression on his/her face? Ask also how to change ISO while keeping the eye in the viewfinder? (kind of awkward, have the use the same index finger to press and then, turn the front dial). Last edited by aleonx3; 12-03-2014 at 05:26 PM.

12-03-2014, 07:53 PM	#9
Adam_T4 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 51	Manual I printed out the online manual for my K20 and read it about 3 times before I even got the camera delivered!

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12-03-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Hey, welcome! You can choose P mode and move the e-dial, which will shift the shutter and aperture, without affecting the brightness. Tv mode lets you choose the shutter speed, and the camera will do everything else. It is good to keep a shutter speed of at least 1/(2focal length). So 50mm lens should be around 1/(250), which is 1/100. Shake reduction (SR) helps with that. The other problem with dark scenes is Depth of Field. In dark photos, the aperture must be wide, but this causes the depth of field to be more shallow. If you shoot at f8, the depth of field will be very wide. But in darkness you need a smaller fnumber, like f2.8, which will cause the depth of field to be really shallow, perhaps only a couple centimeters. This means most of the photo will be unsharp. So for dark photos it is best to raise the ISO (sensitivity), but this increases digital noise. Night time photography is a balancing act! With modern cameras, even very high ISO can be used. Oh, one more thing. The camera will automatically keep a certain brightness of frames (automatic metering). You can affect this by the EV +/- button. But when there is not enough light, there is only so much you can do! This is why people use tripod (to keep photo still) and flash (to add light)

12-03-2014, 01:17 PM	#3
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	I think folks here would find it useful knowing which camera "this camera" is!? You could also try reading the manual?

12-03-2014, 01:26 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger You could also try reading the manual? Indeed, the manual is a great place to start. The short answer to the question is that the two dials (rear and front) that fall under the thumb and forefinger are used to change aperture and shutter speed, respectively. (At least in the default configuration.) Steve

12-03-2014, 04:35 PM	#6
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Originally posted by aleonx3 Ever try to convince a 5D MKIII user that he is missing a rear dial on his camera, and watch the expression on his/her face? wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial???

12-03-2014, 05:28 PM	#7
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Imp wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial??? Don't think so, unless one can turn the wheel on the back of the camera to change value. I don't have the 5DmkIIIs, can someone confirm?

12-03-2014, 05:33 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by Imp wait... 5dmkIIIs only have one dial??? There's a mkIII?

12-03-2014, 08:50 PM	#10
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by SpecialK There's a mkIII? I think they are up to MK III now... costs around 3k.

12-03-2014, 09:02 PM	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by aleonx3 Don't think so, unless one can turn the wheel on the back of the camera to change value. You can.

12-03-2014, 09:14 PM	#12
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by clackers You can. So, the wheel (vertical position on the back of the camera) is similar to the function of the rear dial? Rather awkward movement of the thumb reaching down to the wheel, but I guess once you get used to it, then it should be fine.

12-03-2014, 09:28 PM	#13
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by aleonx3 I think they are up to MK III now... costs around 3k. Actually, rumors of a mkIV are starting...but I'll stick with the original for awhile :-)

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12-03-2014, 09:34 PM	#14
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by SpecialK Actually, rumors of a mkIV are starting...but I'll stick with the original for awhile :-) Since you have the 5D (original), so the big wheel on the back acts like a rear dial on the k-5, correct?

12-03-2014, 10:15 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by aleonx3 So, the wheel (vertical position on the back of the camera) is similar to the function of the rear dial? Rather awkward movement of the thumb reaching down to the wheel, but I guess once you get used to it, then it should be fine. Well, you see the guys turn it while looking down at the LCD on the top of the camera Not my idea of ergononics, but there you go. My NEX7 has three dials. The third is like the second Canon one, but it's only for ISO. The K-S1 has the single dial and you hit the Exposure Comp button to toggle it between aperture and shutter.