Pro in 10 days?
Discussion
Well not quite a pro but in ten days I will be traveling to Iceland and NYC.
After months of deliberating, I’ve finally ordered a new camera. It’s the Sony RX100 III. I’ve managed to avoid digital cameras all my life, choosing to use my iPhone to take pictures. As a result my knowledge is very limited.
I’ve been looking at videos on YouTube around ISO, f stop, shutter speed etc but it’s struggling to sink in. Once I have the camera and I can run through some test shots I’d imagine it’ll become a lot clearer.
However, specifically f stop and shutter speed I am struggling with.
I’ve ordered the Kindle guide on how to use the RX100 and at 500 or so pages it’s quite in depth. I feel that it will give me a good grounding of the features and what they mean / do however putting it into practice is another thing.
I really want to understand a few things
- How to capture the Northern Lights. Is there a base setting to use and work from?
- Could I set up my camera, in Times Square for example, focus on the buildings whilst the cars create a sweep in light? I assume a longer shutter speed is required but how long?
In both cases what do I need to be aware of? I’ve ordered a tripod too.
If anyone has this camera it would be great to hear which setting you default to for certain pictures such as; close up, buildings, scenery and low light.
Can I understand enough to capture some great pictures or is it best to stick it in auto mode and let the camera figure it out?
After months of deliberating, I’ve finally ordered a new camera. It’s the Sony RX100 III. I’ve managed to avoid digital cameras all my life, choosing to use my iPhone to take pictures. As a result my knowledge is very limited.
I’ve been looking at videos on YouTube around ISO, f stop, shutter speed etc but it’s struggling to sink in. Once I have the camera and I can run through some test shots I’d imagine it’ll become a lot clearer.
However, specifically f stop and shutter speed I am struggling with.
I’ve ordered the Kindle guide on how to use the RX100 and at 500 or so pages it’s quite in depth. I feel that it will give me a good grounding of the features and what they mean / do however putting it into practice is another thing.
I really want to understand a few things
- How to capture the Northern Lights. Is there a base setting to use and work from?
- Could I set up my camera, in Times Square for example, focus on the buildings whilst the cars create a sweep in light? I assume a longer shutter speed is required but how long?
In both cases what do I need to be aware of? I’ve ordered a tripod too.
If anyone has this camera it would be great to hear which setting you default to for certain pictures such as; close up, buildings, scenery and low light.
Can I understand enough to capture some great pictures or is it best to stick it in auto mode and let the camera figure it out?
Thanks everyone. I agree, might all come together a little easier with the camera in my hand. It arrives on Thursday so I have a little time to figure it out and many years to master it!
Steve, it was your pictures on the RX100 which helped me decide :-) Do you ever shoot with the intelligent modes?
We're in Iceland for 4 nights so if we go get to experience the lights, it will be a big bonus. There has been heavy cloud cover recently so a lot of the tours have been cancelled.
Simpo Two, that'll be great. I shall send you a PM now. Thanks.
Steve, it was your pictures on the RX100 which helped me decide :-) Do you ever shoot with the intelligent modes?
We're in Iceland for 4 nights so if we go get to experience the lights, it will be a big bonus. There has been heavy cloud cover recently so a lot of the tours have been cancelled.
Simpo Two, that'll be great. I shall send you a PM now. Thanks.
sgrimshaw said:
Which book did you buy?
For Sony cameras the books by Gary Friedman are excellent, I have his RX100M3 book (among others)
https://www.friedmanarchives.com/RX-100MK3/index.h...
There's a section in his books which give you guidance on settings for specific situations.
Another source of "settings" for specific situations are the Scott Kelby "Digital Photography" books.
I've downloaded the following; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photographers-Guide-Sony-... but I'll take a look at the Gary Friedman book too. For Sony cameras the books by Gary Friedman are excellent, I have his RX100M3 book (among others)
https://www.friedmanarchives.com/RX-100MK3/index.h...
There's a section in his books which give you guidance on settings for specific situations.
Another source of "settings" for specific situations are the Scott Kelby "Digital Photography" books.
Thanks for the tips, will keep reading and learning.
Yeah i've been using it daily to watch a variety of tutorials. Good place to start :-)
What's the best mode to shoot video in?
I have AVCHD and XAVC S formats.
AVCHD give the following settings; 50i, 50p, 25p (FX.FH) whilst XAVC S gives; 50p, 25p and 100p 50M. I've seen a lot of American reviews and they recommend 120p, I assume this is a different format to what we have here?
I've got a 64GB SDXC class 10 card. I recorded a little earlier in XAVC S 100p 50M and I wasn't blown away.
Thanks.
What's the best mode to shoot video in?
I have AVCHD and XAVC S formats.
AVCHD give the following settings; 50i, 50p, 25p (FX.FH) whilst XAVC S gives; 50p, 25p and 100p 50M. I've seen a lot of American reviews and they recommend 120p, I assume this is a different format to what we have here?
I've got a 64GB SDXC class 10 card. I recorded a little earlier in XAVC S 100p 50M and I wasn't blown away.
Thanks.
Wow, thanks for the post, very useful.
I've been playing around with the camera as much as I can. Even managed to get up to the Lakes on Saturday for some test shots.
Initially impressions are good. If required, the RX100 can shoot amazing quality photos (to my eyes) straight out of the box. Aperture control is a useful way of learning the settings as I go along and the help here along with the information in the G.Friedman guide, it will help me to become more familiar with the camera over time.
Still trying to figure out the best setting for HD video, my improved SDXC card should arrive tomorrow so I can give it a test.
satans worm, would be great if you could share the location of the photos in NYC please?
Thanks
I've been playing around with the camera as much as I can. Even managed to get up to the Lakes on Saturday for some test shots.
Initially impressions are good. If required, the RX100 can shoot amazing quality photos (to my eyes) straight out of the box. Aperture control is a useful way of learning the settings as I go along and the help here along with the information in the G.Friedman guide, it will help me to become more familiar with the camera over time.
Still trying to figure out the best setting for HD video, my improved SDXC card should arrive tomorrow so I can give it a test.
satans worm, would be great if you could share the location of the photos in NYC please?
Thanks
Edited by cheshiredj7 on Wednesday 30th November 16:44
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