WORK WITH USER-DEFINED CAMERA SETTINGS
Be prepared when a photo opportunity presents itself, and increase your shot success rate with camera customisations
Be prepared whenever a photo opportunity presents itself with these camera customisation options
Sometimes, even when a change in lighting can be predicted and a requirement to alter camera settings planned for, it can be difficult to adapt your camera setup in time to capture your desired images. For example, when shooting a wedding, you might find yourself shooting outside in bright sunshine using a diffused fill flash, then, minutes later, be inside a dark church, requiring essentially inverse settings. By the time you make the alterations, shots may have been missed and now you have to re-enter the previous shutter speed, f-stop and ISO when outside again. So, it is useful to have pre-defined camera setups ready for simultaneous setting changes when the need arises. The majority of DSLRs offer mode dial positions that can be customised with these setting presets, so that specific combinations can be called up on command. Some provide buttons with unfixed functionality, which can be assigned roles as desired by the user. This creates a more tailored shooting experience, with the photographer having the power to redesign the camera handling for their most common assignments. Here we provide an example of how these personalisations can make your camera work for you.
1 NOTE FREQUENTLY USED SETTINGS Review the File Info from images previously shot at your location or in a similar situation, to form an idea of the settings needed under expected lighting conditions.
2 CHOOSE YOUR SETTINGS Input either the predicted settings gained from reviewing similar images, or by taking a test shot under each lighting situation. Ensure all the camera parameters are correct before saving a preset.
3 ENTER YOUR PRESET In the menu, save the current settings as a user-defined camera mode. Each manufacturer has a different menu system, but all use a similar process to that found on this Nikon model.
4 REPEAT FOR DIFFERENT CONDITIONS Switch back to Manual and enter the camera settings for another environment – in this case, a wide aperture, high ISO and fast shutter speed for rapid action shooting.
5 ACCESS FROM MODE DIAL When you need the saved settings, you can access them ‘on-the-fly’ by choosing the appropriate userdefined mode from the mode dial. Switch to a PASM mode if conditions are changeable.
6 CUSTOMISE FUNCTION BUTTONS Consider customising any function buttons on your camera body – assign functions appropriate to the conditions you made dial presets for, such as AF mode for the action preset.