Originally posted by bymy141
Hi,
1) Exposure: shutterspeed / aperture / ISO value [[[[[[[Ev compensation, AE Lock--last thing to learn about here]]]]]]]]
2) Focus: aperture & depth of field, AF settings.
I always advise people to first shoot a bunch in P mode (fully automatic), but with it set to manual ISO, not auto ISO. So if you're outside on a sunny day, set it at 200. If it's overcast, 400. I strongly suggest that to start, you do your first shots outside in sunny conditions, (And bring your manual!)
Then, after P mode. go the #1 and #2 quoted above, and again, in manual ISO mode.
1) Select Av mode, aperture property. Select an aperture of say F8. Note the shutter speed the camera has selected for you. (Mind you, as you point the camera to different parts of the same scene, the shutter speed may change, as you are metering various lighter and darker parts of the scene as you move the camera, so be aware of this.)
2) Change your aperture to F5.6. Notice how your shutter speed is now twice as fast? That's because the lens is now letting in twice as much light than at F8, so it's shortening the time the shutter stays open by half. Change it F11. You'll notice how the shutter speed is now twice as LONG as your original exposure at F8, because F11 lets in half as much light as F8.
3) Changing your ISO settings, sensitivity of the sensor to light, will have a similar effect. The higher the number, the more sensitive the sensor is, and you need less light, but quality can suffer when you get real high. So these three elements are ALWAYS related--ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed.
4) Do this same exercise in Tv mode, Shutter Priority, where you'll now select the shutter speeds of your choice, and the camera will select the appropriate aperture.
5) Note that depending on your selections for both exercises, you may be outside acceptable limits. For example, your ISO may be too low, combined with too small an aperture, with not enough light at dusk. The camera will warn you to change SOMETHING to make an acceptable photo under these conditions. (I forget how the k-x warns you--I think something just keeps flashing in there.)
Anyway, get out there and have some fun when you get it! And remember to update your firmware if necessary.
Last edited by Ira; 08-02-2010 at 02:44 PM.