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Why I think this works
- Able to shoot anything
- Simple and Fast
- Tracks motion and manual focus
The Setup
When I get a new camera I go through and set it up the way that I’ve found works best for me. The goal for me is to be able to switch quick from one type of shooting to another. For example, I generally shoot action photos but I occasionally get the wild hair and wanna shoot astrophotography. So, I need my camera to be set up so I only have to make minor adjustments to switch to a new genre.
I like to start with the basics and build on that. That way I have a very stable foundation to create from. I’m not worried about my gear. I know what it’s going to do and why. The first thing I’ll do is adjust the eye piece, also called the using the Dioptic adjustment knob. It is a small dial on most cameras that adjusts the focus of the eye piece so you can shoot with out without glasses or to correct for your vision. That way your photos look as sharp as they are through the viewfinder. This doesn’t effect the actual photo, just what you see when you look through the viewfinder.
I then move on to the menu system. Since I shoot Canon it’s going to be a little different for other manufacturers but they all have similarities. The order of the menu items are different even in different Canon bodies but I’ll go through my 1DX2 menu and you can adapt this to your camera.
Red Menu 1:
Red Menu 2:
Red Menu 3
Red Menu 4
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Live View Shoot
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AF Method
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Face Tracking is my favorite, especially for video.
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FlexiZone is great if someone’s face isn’t large or visible in the shot.
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Grid Display
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Expo. Simulation
Red Menu 5:
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Live View Shoot
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Metering Timer
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LV Touch Control
Pink Menu 1:
Pink Menu 2:
Pink Menu 3:
Pink Menu 4:
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Auto AF pt sel: EOS iTR AF
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Lens Drive when AF impossible
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Selectable AF Point
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Select AF Area Select Mode
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I only use three but 90% of the time it’s the single point AF Point
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The others are use are Spot AF, and Expand AF Area
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AF Area Selection Method
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Orientation linked AF point
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Separate AF pts: Pt only
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This is best for me because I’m often switching between vertical and horizontal shots for photo shoots of people and objects.
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This allows me to set different AF points for horizontal and vertical shots.
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Initial AFpt, { } AI Servo AF
Pink Menu 5:
Blue Menu 1:
Blue Menu 2:
Blue Menu 3:
Yellow Menu 1:
Yellow Menu 2:
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Auto Power Off: 8 Minutes is right for me.
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Date/Time/Zone
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Language: English for me. LOL
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Viewfinder Display
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Electronic Level: Show
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Grid Display: Show
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Show/hide in viewfinder
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Info Button Display options
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Custom Quick Control
Yellow Menu 3:
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Video System: NTSC
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Battery Info
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Sensor cleaning.
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Communication Settings
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GPS Settings
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HDMI Framerate
Yellow Menu 5:
Orange Menu 1:
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Exposure Level Increments: 1/3
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ISO Speed setting Increments: 1/3
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Bracketing Auto Cancel: On
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Bracketing Sequence: +,0,-
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I prefer this because Speed is king.
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I’m kinda lazy sometimes and want to shoot bracketed handheld. I’m usually using AV mode. This the camera is figuring out the Shutter Speed for me. If the first photo is the brightest one (+), then it will be using the slowest shutter speed to get it. If I half press the shutter button to start the meter my camera will show me what shutter speed it’s going to use for that shot. If it’s below what I think I could safely hand hold, then I bump up the ISO until it’s where I’m safe. I know the rest of the shots in the sequence will be faster so I’m good.
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Number of bracketed
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Spot meter linked to AF point
Orange Menu 2:
Orange Menu 3:
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Restrict Shooting Modes
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I kinda hate Program Mode
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I also don’t find myself needing the custom modes
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I only use Manual 90% of the time.
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AV Mode: 7%
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TV Mode: 2%
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Bulb Mode: 1%
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I do not restrict metering modes though I most often use Spot Metering because it’s linked to my AF Point.
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Metering Used in Manual Exposure
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Set Shutter Speed Range
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Set Aperture Range
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AE and FE microadjustments are both off for me. Just don’t see the point.
Orange Menu 4:
Orange Menu 5:
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Viewfinder Info during Exposure
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LCD Panel Illuminated during bulb
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Record Card, Image Size Setting
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Rear LCD Panel
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LCD Monitor
Orange Menu 6
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Warnings in Viewfinder
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Dial direction
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AV setting without lens
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Multi-Function lock.
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Custom Controls
Orange Menu 7:
That’s all for the menu settings. I’m sure that not all cameras have that many menu options. But you’ll hopefully have gained some insight into how my system works with my Canon 1DX2.
This system pretty much is unchanged for years. The point is to try to get your camera setup so it’s a point and shoot camera. That way you can focus on getting great shots, not fiddling with menu settings.
Typically, I’m shooting in Manual. So, I’ve locked in the Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. All my other menu items stay the same. White Balance has been set. I’m ready for the action to unfold. Now, I can sit back and relax until someone nods their head or heads towards a barrel. Then I grab my camera, fold the back button while holding the AF point on the subject. Then, when the right time comes, I pull the trigger. It’s just a matter of repeating that every time. All I worry about is timing and framing. I’m following the subject around the arena while zooming in and out to keep them in frame. Then taking the shot every time I feel its going to be a peak action moment. There’s a little timing to it because it’s not instant. Though, with a 1DX2, it sure feels like it.