Maunual mode help

[funkychunkymonkey]

so I have a quick question. I broke the autofocus on my sony dslr, but can still shoot in manual mode. What is a good basic set up for taking outdoor photos? Like what should I set it to?

 

[Shutterbug]

so I have a quick question. I broke the autofocus on my sony dslr,

Do you mean the lens doesnt auto focus anymore?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm sure there is a formula somewhere, but if you are going to shoot totally in manual then its liable to be trial and error. Everything is dependent on conditions, your light, the subject your shooting (stationary vs movement), the depth of field your require, etc. Just remember your photographic triangle of shutter speed, aperture and ISO. If you adjust one, you may have to adjust another. Prior to your camera breaking, if you were shooting in the semi-automatic mode now you will have to make the adjustment the camera was making for you. If you look at the EXIF from your past photos that may help to give you a starting point.

 

[photo_chick]

If you broke the auto focus you just focus manually. You shouldn't have to put the camera in manual mode to do that. If you do something else may be wrong.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Ok, It keeps telling me no lens attached when I put it on autofocus or any mode other manual. Its frustrating.

 

[photo_chick]

Is this with just one lens or with all your lenses?

 

[AndrewWG]

I'm not sure if your problem is manual mode or auto focus only issues but anyways, if you are shooting outdoors in manual mode and are in a sunny situation, use the sunny f16 rule. Set it to ISO 100, shutter speed of 100 and f16. Works like a charm most of the time.

More info is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The A230 has the ability to release without lens attached but it can only be done in M mode which is why you are getting those messages. (I recall you previously reported that you had dropped the camera or something like that and it wasn't working with any lenses - correct?). If the metering is still working you should be able to work around the problem and I do believe metering normally functions with non-chipped (ie, non-registering) lenses.

Here's a link to one of the many articles describing the "sunny 16 rule" of exposure that used to be used back in the olden days. lol It may help you determine some setting to use.

http://cameradojo.com/2011/06/29/the-sunny-16-rule-in-photography/

If the metering is still working you should be able to verify in the view finder if you are getting a proper exposure with the settings you are choosing.

I see while I was typing Andy got to the same info!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

yep. it wont register any lenses but when I put it in maual mode I can take photos so I guess someones trying to teach me to use maual mode. Both lenses look fine now if i use manual mode. Thanks for all the infromation. I was messing around with it but needed somewere to start. Whats metering (i cant find my photographers dictonary)

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Whats metering (i cant find my photographers dictonary)

I meant exposure metering. I think the indicator is on the bottom of the frame when you look in the viewfinder. When it's at 0 or in the middle the camera feels it's a proper exposure, ie, not too bright or too dark. If it's left then it's underexposed and if it's right then it's overexposed.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I meant exposure metering. I think the indicator is on the bottom of the frame when you look in the viewfinder. When it's at 0 or in the middle the camera feels it's a proper exposure, ie, not too bright or too dark. If it's left then it's underexposed and if it's right then it's overexposed.

Thats what that is for? I never knew that!