I’m not sure I understand the question. If you do not understand how to use the camera read the user manual, or go to YouTube and search for your model of camera and find a video to help you. I’m not sure what settings you mean. As I do not have a Sony I can’t really help more than that, sorry.

No problem, you mean shooting at midday?

I’m glad!

Thanks for the info 🙂 I’ll go into a camera shop so I can hold them and see. I have a Canon EOS 450D which I bought off a friend to get me started, but, Xmas is coming up soon!!

Hi Lynne the 70-200 f/4 or f/2.8? The latter is a really big and heavy lens, the other isn’t much smaller. Holding for that long could cause you some discomfort. I’d recommend getting a monopod to help support it. You might want to look at this one too: 200 f/2.8 or something similar if you have Nikon. It’s faster and smaller and less $$$. Weighs the same at the 70-200 f/4 but you get 2.8 out of it. I’d look at Sigma options as well.

Thanks for the settings, I think the penny just dropped 🙂 I’ve also been looking a the 70-200 lens, would this be a good lens to have? I go to game parks quite a bit and only have my 18-135. I’ve taken some decent shots but would love to get in closer. My problem is I have carpal tunnel in both hands so I need a lens I will be able to hold for a couple of hours.

Likely fairly wide open on my 70-200 which is f/4. But they are both in focus because:

1 – it’s not low light it’s bright sun so a very fast shutter speed. I just checked: ISO 400, f/4.5 at 1/2000th

2 – they are side by side so same distance from each of them to the camera. You run into trouble when one is behind the other.

If you mean the one right below it of the same girls they are in the shade but it’s still fairly bright. ISO 400 f/4 at 1/640th

Yes kids are tricky with a tripod so the f/1.8 will help in low light but getting two, both in focus, in low light – near impossible.

What would your settings have been for the girls in item 8 above…. they were both beautifully exposed with no blur!

Thanks Darlene, I do have a nifty 50 and will definitely use it more, especially in low light conditions! I think my problem comes in with hand holding vs tripod but as I like to be mobile, perhaps I need to seriously look into my equipment. I mainly take pics of the children in my family and there is no way I can run after them with a tripod and make them stay still! Focusing on on one is not problem but when I want two of them in the same frame I have a problem!

I think you are confusing two things: the aperture and metering. The aperture is the opening in the lens and the size of it controls depth of field. How you meter just controls how the camera measures the light. It’s hard to tell if you have blur from really shallow depth of field, or a slow shutter speed without seeing the image and your settings.

That is a big limitation on the ISO range. Do you have a nifty 50, a 50mm f/1.8 lens? If not that will help but if you shoot wide opened you really have to be precise with where you focus and you cannot get groups all sharp at f/1.8. If you’re doing a portrait it is essential to use a tripod and I’d suggest f.5/6 or even f/8 for groups.

Agree with you on this. I need to start using these modes. That’s a learning n reminder for me. Wil work towards adding this as a habbit

Thanks, that’s an interesting way to do it. If you have time it can work. But what often happens is in a hurried situation beginners can miss the shot playing with settings. I suggest use Auto,Program, Aperture priority – do what you have to do to get the shot. Then gradually as you become more familiar with the camera and settings it will make more sense and get quicker.

Coming soon! Have you signed up on the teaser page to get early notice?

Thanks Joey glad to have you here!

That is correct. Where did I say to choose a large aperture for more in focus? I’m not sure what you’re commenting on if there is a typo please tell me where and I’ll correct it.

You can download them, just print or save as a PDF. Sorry I can’t make every article a downloadable file it is too much work, expense for a designer, and space to save the files on my server.