topic Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time? in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:22:47 GMT

Every digital camera I've ever previously owned has has some kind of dedicated user forum, somewhere on the worldwide web. But not the SX740HS. from which I include, word of mouth has been so bad and general user interest so low that it has little in the way of a following. I'm not surprised: I find its capacity for frustration and infuriation in inverse proportion to its size.

The camera has been a disappointment to me from the get-go, not surprising as the first one had to be returned to Canon and replaced three days after purchase (lens refused to retract when camera was switched off) and since then I've pottered around with the replacement here and there, belatedly realising the extra-long zoom is of practically no value without having the camera on a tripod, an ancillary I always tuck in my pocket (!) whenever I'm out and about. Yeah. Right.

However, sticking with my purchase I'd be really grateful to hear from any other SX740 owners as to how they've fared with the camera in P mode (and any other mode away from AUTO) and what hints 'n tips they might have for changing to new settings so as to extract the best possible performance from this camera. Thanks.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

cicopo — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 20:04:39 GMT

Start by taking a good look at this simple tutorial. Canon produced it but it applies to photography and is not brand related.

Canon Explains Exposure

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 21:38:44 GMT

The issue for me with the SX740 is the combination of a long telephoto reach without a viewfinder. The design of the camera means that it has to be held like a cell phone - held away from the face with two points of support, when a long telephoto lens really needs a third anchor point that is usually gained by placing the viewfinder to the eye. Trying to stablize it on two points and get decent shots is challenging. I would suggest getting a mini tripod that collapses to a handle and use that against your chest for longer shots.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Waddizzle — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 23:59:08 GMT

@Craggy wrote:

The camera has been a disappointment to me from the get-go, not surprising as the first one had to be returned to Canon and replaced three days after purchase (lens refused to retract when camera was switched off) and since then I've pottered around with the replacement here and there, belatedly realising the extra-long zoom is of practically no value without having the camera on a tripod, an ancillary I always tuck in my pocket (!) whenever I'm out and about.

Yeah. Right..

Yeah, that's correct. At the longer focal lengths a tripod may be necessary. A lot has to do with your technique for holding the camera. The camera lacks a viewfinder, so you have to hold it out like a cell phone, which is naturally unstable.

The camera is capable of 24-960mm range of equivalent focal lengths. Anytime I use my DSLR with 600mm of focal length I always use a tripod or monopod. In fact, I use a monopod or tripod with my 100-400mm lens whenever I want the sharpest photos.

At 960mm on just about any camera, some means of support is highly recommended.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:40:23 GMT

Thanks for that, cicopo. A great link to a really well presented mini-tutorial, something that's a credit to Canon. (It's now bookmarked in My Favorites toolbar). I admire the company's restraint in not seeking to hype its own wares but to deal simply and succinctly with the (illustrated) facts. I should've remembered all that stuff from years ago and long before buying my Canon AE1, but it's surprising how time dulls the mind. Well, mine at any rate.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:51:53 GMT

Couldn't agree more, Waddizzle. Holding the SX740 like it's a cellphone is inevitable and more instinctive than practical and the end result shows the folly of that. Quite how the mountain- hopping bloke manages who sub -edits on a Scottish newspaper and walks across mountain ranges at night, as featured in the Canon SX740 promo, is beyond me.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:52:40 GMT

Thanks, Tronhard. 'Tis the same for me. I should've anticipated it before purchase but trusted to luck (never advisable.) Presumably the vogue fora longer and longer telephoto range has come to an end now as it's obvious that pocketability rules out viewfinders and viewfinder absence rules out stability. I actually do have a small pocketable tripod but rarely remember to take it out with me.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 17:55:13 GMT

just a quick addition: I wanted to thank everyone for responding so quickly to my post. The thoughtfulness is appreciated.

I'm still wondering, though. . . any folks on here who don't actually use AUTO all or most of the time, do you prefer P instead? And, if so, what are your favorite camera settings in that mode? Thanks.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

cicopo — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 18:47:07 GMT

I never ever use auto an a camera offering it. Program makes better decisions & allows Exposure Compensation & Flash Exposure compensation. Both of those options mean I can quickly adjust to the unusual comditions quickly & get a more accurate shot which can be tweaked with software. About the only use I have for Auto is when handing a camera to someone with zero understanding about photography to take my photo. Even then I doubt I'd have it set to Auto.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 19:34:36 GMT

@Craggy wrote:
just a quick addition: I wanted to thank everyone for responding so quickly to my post. The thoughtfulness is appreciated.

I'm still wondering, though. . . any folks on here who don't actually use AUTO all or most of the time, do you prefer P instead? And, if so, what are your favorite camera settings in that mode? Thanks.

I don't have that model but I have never used Auto. I use Av most of the time, or Manual mode, but I am an old school ex-film user. Frankly, I think the mode depends on the type of images you are taking and under what conditions.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 09:41:08 GMT

Thanks cicopo. Am reassured! I'll keep on with Program mode, maybe experiment more and more with the settings available in that mode.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Craggy — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 09:46:25 GMT

Thanks Tronhard. I, too, am a survivor from the pre-digital era, one who got into 35mm picture taking via a Russian-made Zenit camera t(hey were hugely popular in the UK in the late 60s / early 70s) which lasted me until Canon brought out the AE-1. Cicopo's lovely reminder of things done & times past, in the form of a link to that excellent Canon tutorial, has certainly got me thinking about going Manual a lot more than I have done of late.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 17:42:23 GMT

There is a site, lynda.com, that has great tutorials on almost any aspect of digital phtography. From first principles to advanced post-production techniques. You can go to the site directly and get a subscription-free month, or try your local library's on-line catalogue. If it is listed then you have free, permanent access using your library credentials. I got the link from my library site and put it on my favorites bar so I could log on quickly.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

cicopo — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 17:52:52 GMT

I'm another film shooter & I took a good basic photography course when I got serious about getting better results. I had a pair of A 1's back then so I could either have print film in one & slide film in the other OR ASA 64 in one and FAST FILM (ASA 400) in the other. Oh have things got easier today when it comes to FAST FILM. I also learned how to process & print roll film from start to finish & had a colour darkroom until I sold just about anything I wasn't using to buy my first DSLR, the 20D. Never regreted the move & have shot well over 500, 000 photos since then. Can you just imagine the cost of buying & just basic processing of all the film necessary to do that.

As for Lynda.com great place to learn. I tore my Achilles tendon off of my heel bone in 2009 & spent several hours a day taking their photoshop courses during my recovery from the operation needed to re attach it.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 18:04:16 GMT

I used to shoot a pair each of Canon A-1s, Nkon F-3's, and an Olympus AX back in the day. I still have one of each body, but very few lenses. I shot with transparency film mostly Kodak Ektachrom (that's what sold), but occasionally reversal film too.

I made the break to digital with the Canon Powershot G1 back around 2001, and then the EOS400D in 2004. Since then I have amassed a formidable collection of (mostly Canon) gear (see my profile!). I actually put some Ilford XP2 film in a couple of my Canon film bodies recently and did some shooting. It reminded me of the many advantages of digital!

That said, I am glad I learnt on film. It gave me a discipline not to use the camera like a machine-gun, but more like a sniper. I choose my shots with care and it saves a lot of time in PP. Not to say I will not put on burst speed when required, but I usually come away with at least the same number of keepers compared to my digitally-native associates who have expended 20 times as many images - and had to process them afterwards.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

cicopo — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 19:38:22 GMT

In late 97 I started researching digital camera to hopefully get better auto appraisal photos. I restored muscle cars & as part of my business did insurance appraisals. At the time most of us used Polaroids which I felt wasn't good enough for the quality of cars I was seeing. After a lot of research I had decided on a Kodak model & fortunately a local camera store was hosting a seminar in early 98 with an emphasis on the move to digital. I attended & spent a lot of time between the Olympus rep & the Kodak rep & ultimately bought an Olympus C 3030 which was so new they weren't yet in stores. I paid a lot of money for it & a lot to buy a good photo printer (HP P 1000) but they made a lot of money for me. The word got out pretty fast I could assess & share photos of cars for sale locally using the internet which had me very busy for at least the first 2 years after buying everything. It didn't take long to realize I wasn't using my film cameras at all except at car races where I needed my longer zoom lens. DSLR's were VERY expensive then but it got me started on researching them & I was finally ready to buy the Rebel when the 20D was announced. I was happy I had waited a bit longer because photos from it still look great when compared to my newest bodies.

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 20:57:35 GMT

I agree. I was researching the technical history of photography and had a book by Tom Ang "A Pictorial History of Photography" that had a picture of the Canon EOS D30. Released in late 2000, it was the first APS-C CMOS sensor camera built from the ground up - until then digital cameras had Kodak inside their adapted film camera bodies. The D30 was so-called for its 3.3MP sensor (leter replaced in 2003 by the D60 @ 6.5MP and the 10D).

Intrigued, I found one on Ebay that had not been used - it had been slashed across the back and was unsaleable. I got another for parts and had Canon put the best bits together to make me a good working unit. It produces excellent images with very little grain. I have posted these before so forgive the repitition: both were taken in a rather dimly lit pump room, in available light, hand-held, using the EF 17-40mm lens.

I got the D60 as well and have enjoyed pairing them with contemporary lenses: EF 28-105 USM and EF 28-135 IS USM. They take amazingly good photos.

For viewing on social media, on screen or small prints they would do fine and they cost about $70 each (plus lenses).

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

cicopo — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 23:43:10 GMT

Those look great. When I ordered my 20D I ordered the 28-135 with it. didn't take long to realize I needed something wider so i bought a kit lens from an Ebay seller very cheaply. That lens served me nicely but was eventually replaced by the 17-40 which after several years of use was replaced by the 16-35 F 4 L

Re: SX740: any hints 'n tips for novice user who doesn't want AUTO all the time?

Tronhard — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:19:48 GMT

Yep. The challenge with the Dxx series was that while they were APS-C sensors, they did not take EF-S lenses. Those had not been developed at that time otherwaise I could have used my 15-85 or 10-22 lenses. The 17-40 works fine for me though.
There are more of an interesting project to demonstrate that "you can still play a good tune on an old fiddle"