Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Managed to sneak out at lunchtime to a little site near where I work that I've just discovered.
In a bit of a rush as I don't get long for lunch, and this was just a recce trip really.
Took loads of pictures before I realised I still had the ISO set very high from doing night shots a week ago.
Does anyone have any special methods for remembering to check settings before taking pictures?
I'm a bit of a numpty anyway 
Mark
Quote: Took loads of pictures before I realised I still had the ISO set very high from doing night shots a week ago.
Just keep shooting 
Especially for those of us without custom settings buttons, its just a case of shooting more - making mistakes, kicking yourself for making them and then remembering not to make that mistake again next time!
Most annoying thing for me is that (least on my 400D) my ISO stays fixed even when I change modes on the dail - a real pain when you setup two or more modes for different shooting (like wildlife in aperture priority mode and shutter priority for some frozen action shots) only to find that after turning the dial you also have to adjust ISO! 
Quote: loads of pictures before I realised I still had the ISO set very high
You are not the first person to do that. There was at least one person before you, but I expect we're members of a very big club.
I expect a simple check list or mnemonic would do, but as it sounds like you remembered both the camera and the lens, and had a battery and a ram card, you're doing pretty well already.
Sometimes it's the ones taken when you've not checked, that turn out best
I always have a quick look at the ones i have taken before carrying on - i try to use manual settings as much as possible, and so always check to see if i've got the settings right, and adjust accordingly. Maybe use the image review function (if your camera has it) so the image automatically is displayed after shooting
I like the idea of a mnemonic. Does anyone use one for their camera settings?
Been trying to come up with one - not doing very well. This is the best I can do.......
WIFE
White balance
ISO
File format
Exposure
Feel like I'm being nagged already
Can you do better?
Use the same ISO for every frame
With one or two exceptions I've used the same ISO for the last 20 years so using the wrong one is not an issue for me.
What I have done, occasionally, is to forget to check the aperture when changing the lens and end up with an over / under exposed frame.
But I may only waste one / two frames at most as I check the meter reading / aperture / shutter speed regularly.
I generally reset my camera to the same settings immediately after use when I have finished work for the day.
ISO 800, evaluative metering, aperture priority, f4, cloudy WB, exposure compensation off, fine jpeg quality mode, AF on AI servo mode.
Then you know where you are when you pick it up.
I'm a press photographer so I don't really consider ISO 800 to be high, plus on the MKIII 800 is like 400 on the old MKII ( it used to be ISO 400 but in the British climate I find these settings to be quite good to just grab the camera out of the bag and shoot).
I just realised the mnemonic depends on individual work style, I suppose with a DSLR we all need to remember the camera body, the (right) lens, the battery and the ram, but then I often use the mirror lock and timer delay together - if they're still on when you try an action snap, dismay and swearing ensue.
Thus far all my personal mnemonic attempts have been very rude.
Yes, I have gone out with lenses and no body.
I never went with no lens, but I did go with the wrong lens.
Thankfully the camera tells me if the battery is no good or the card is missing - but I have to remember to carry the spares.
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
