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SX30 IS camera setting overwhelming -- tips to make it easier?

Started Dec 14, 2011 | Discussions
fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
SX30 IS camera setting overwhelming -- tips to make it easier?

The number of ON/OFF settings, among others seem enormous. Is there some comprehensive list of these where one could compile a spreadsheet of their own on the desktop for reference?

I've downloaded the 196 page manual and it's been a great help. I bought a laminated "cheat sheet" for some $10, but that seems a waste.

I am aware of the registering of shooting sessions, modes, and menus. Where can I learn examples of how this capability can be put to good use?

What are the defaults of all the settings?

Is there way to reset all to their defaults?

Is there a more comprehensive user guide for $ale? No hard copy came with the camera that I bought from Amazon.

Is there some application where one could change and store settings on the PC, then upload them to the camera?

Len

 fatfreek's gear list:fatfreek's gear list
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
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Maxybaby New Member • Posts: 6
Re: SX30 IS camera setting overwhelming -- tips to make it easier?

There is a full User Guide on the DVD that came with the camera, or you can download it from Canon Support.

I am expecting my SX230 to arrive today and plan to learn the settings 'bit by bit'. Well worth searching this forum too, much good advice on this camera has been posted here.

(unknown member) Forum Pro • Posts: 14,097
Possible settings

fatfreek wrote:

The number of ON/OFF settings, among others seem enormous. Is there some comprehensive list of these where one could compile a spreadsheet of their own on the desktop for reference?

Through the past decade, I've owned a large number of Canon (as well as other) digital cameras of all shapes and sizes and zoom ranges. Here's what I've found to be the most worthwhile settings for general photo-taking:

  • shoot in P Mode, a fully automatic mode that lets you tweak important settings when needed

  • switch from multi to single area focus; use shoot-only rather than continuous autofocus (except when shooting video);

  • understand and learn to use Exposure Compensation

  • learn when to keep the camera set to Auto White Balance, and when to use one of the preset white balances (or, more rarely, custom white balance, which is easy to set on Canon cameras).

These are the settings I use for my Canon S100 but they are pretty much the same that I use for other Canon digital cameras I've owned including the S90 and SD4000.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-s100/my-canon-s100-camera-settings/

Charlie Tramp Regular Member • Posts: 281
Re: Possible settings

Add to that list - ISO. When you CAN, keep the ISO to 100; unless you are trying to do sports or indoor without a flash (or any other motion that may give blurred results when shutter speed is too slow).

Actually, that's a big learning curve for many - the relationship between ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The knowledge carries over well from the film days, but for those that had always just used AUTO on digital cameras, it's the hurdle to really getting better pictures.

(unknown member) Forum Pro • Posts: 14,097
DUH!

Charlie Tramp wrote:

Add to that list - ISO.

Thank you!

You are absolutely right. I can't believe I forgot to mention ISO.

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: SX30 IS camera setting overwhelming -- tips to make it easier?

I'm a believer in studying the manual and taking personal notes as opposed to buying more books. Your question inspired a quick search at my public library, which does offer online books about using the G11/G12 - I may have a look myself. There are concepts and terms in the manual that need explanation to be applied to real in the field situations, but I've found selective Google searches and various Powershot user forums to be a better use of time, than searching for the single encyclopedia that will explain it all. And some things are simply best learnt by doing a series of test shots.

At this point I have a couple of pages of small print notes on specs and settings for my S5 and SX10, that I fold and save in a sandwich bag and keep with each camera - I update and reprint these notes when I learn something new, and don't pack the manual any more. I also use the CHDK hack (which requires more notes), and a handy feature with CHDK is a "documents" folder that allows the user to call up and read text files on the camera LCD. I have my field notes formatted in narrow columns to read it that way, if need be.

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