Your default settings?

[Conor D]

I'm trying to get the hang of Manual, and Manual with flash. I don't like the flash to be too overpowering, so I've been toying with the settings..

Do you have a default setting that you use, like a starting point you'll use for outdoors, indoors, night etc. Then tweek it slightly depending on what the specific conditions are?

[Simpo Two]

Yep; I start with Aperture Priority exposure, ISO 320, CW metering, AF-C, EV +0.5. Then I adjust EV (camera and flash), ISO, focus point and aperture as required.

[AndWhyNot]

I only ever think about aperture and ISO in direct relation to flash. Shutter speed only matters for ambient light and the effect you're trying to achieve for the non-flashed frame (frozen or blurred for example).

For actual flash settings, on manual it's down to experience. For instance, there's a scenario I shoot frequently at ISO200 f/9 and 1/8 power on the flash so when things differ from that I mentally calculate the difference in flash>subject distance/ ISO/ aperture and adjust accordingly.

[Simpo Two]

They were just my normal starting settings, with fill-flash for most wedding photos. I usually know when the camera is going to get it wrong and tweak accordingly. I normally only use manual exposure in the studio.

[tinman0]

Conor D said:

Do you have a default setting that you use, like a starting point you'll use for outdoors, indoors, night etc. Then tweek it slightly depending on what the specific conditions are?

P mode for most things.

Green idiot mode for indoors.

If I'm feeling adventurous I'll use RAW indoors.

If I'm leaning out of a car on a motorway (quite often) then I'll use Av and set something like f4. This ensures I get the fastest shutter speed possible.

But generally, i'll be on P mode for the most.

Very rarely use M though. Can't see the point unless I'm doing a bit of night photography and need something totally custom.

[RobDickinson]

Canons go into fill flash mode in Av or Tv mode.

I've found it easier to switch to manual mode.

Remember tho every flash shot is 2 exposures in one.

So in manual mode take a non flahs shot to get the background exposed how you want it then add on the flash on top and adjust that with FEC.

[xrrr]

Start here:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101....

I set my camera to either:

a) Manual - The synch speed (1/250) and the aperture that I want based on what I am shooting (f/8 for people, f/16 to small objects) - ISO100

b) AV - Meter for the ambient background and use the flash for fill.

In both cases I will pop a few shots with the flash on manual and tweaking the flash power until my LCD histogram looks about right (i.e. a bias to the right and the blinkies are on for the highlights).

BTW, I was in a cafe yesterday having an experimental play with my off camera flash at my table and some bloke moaned at me for using my flash bouncing off the ceiling! "That's a big flash for such a small room" he said grumpily.