Custom Shooting Mode - Auto Update & Setting Changes

[Waddizzle]

I had noticed my exposure settings would keep changing when I used a custom shooting mode.

I have only just recently begun using Custom Shooting modes this year.  I will use them as a shortcut to change several settings at once.  For example, I use C1 to store BBF mode, One Shot AF Mode, Silent Single Shot, and Center AF Point.  I use C2 to store No BBF mode, AI Servo AF Mode, Continuous Shooting Mode, and all AF points enabled, but with AF Assist starting from the center point.  I also set a couple of other changes, but that is the idea. 

Switching to a custom shooting mode gives me an instant starting point, and the only adjustment that I might typically make is to Shutter Speed or Aperture.  And, this is where the “problem” begins.  My initial SS is 1/1600.  Depending upon light conditions, I may move that up or down.  Sometimes, though, the SS and Aperture would change without my changing it.

Naturally, I assumed that my fingers were wandering around, and bumping buttons.  But, after a couple of outings where I paid special attention to that mistake, I was able to rule that out.  To make a long story short, I discovered that I did not understand how “Auto Update Settings” worked.

I had thought that when I selected a custom mode, my settings would change.  With “Auto Update” enabled, any changes that I made would get stored in that custom setting.  This meant that over the course of time, I might completely “lose” my initial settings, because I would make adjustments.  So, I disabled “Auto Update”, so that I could always revert back to a known state.

What I discovered is that “Auto Update” is more subtle than that.  What I found is that “Auto Update” is affected by the metering system.  I can select C2, and make exposure changes as I focus on a bird.  I get dialed in, and wait for the bird to do something besides sit quietly in place.  

I make a habit of keeping the metering system awake, so that I do not have to wait for it to “wake up” when I suddenly want to take a shot.  For example, a heron may suddenly dart its’ head to snag a fish.  What I noticed is that sometimes my exposure would be changed, when all I did was sit here.

PROBLEM:  The “problem” is that if you made changes to your camera settings, as soon as the metering system would shut down.  Those changes would get cleared out when the camera woke back up.  My assumption had been that changes would stay changed until I turned the mode dial, but that is not the case.  

When you have “Auto Update” disabled, any settings you might make will get cleared out when the metering system shuts down.  Now that I understand how and why my settings would change, I can work around it.  

I hope this helps someone.

[RobertTheFat]

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@cicopo wrote:

I'd prefer it to require turning the camera off vs turning the mode dial. I have mine set for 3 sets of shutter speeds, one for model aircraft, one for model jets (no prop blur needed) & one for model helicopters, which require slower shutter speeds than fixed wing models. In general I'll change EC throught out the day & at a mixed event I'll shoot all three & need any minor adjustments available whether it goes to sleep while I'm using another body / lens combo, or changing which C mode I need.

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I'd think that the changes to the EC would be mostly "until further notice" changes that might justify an auto-save of the custom settings. But then I suppose it could be argued that almost any change one is likely to make while using custom settings fits that description, in which case Waddizzle and I are just quibbling over when to use auto-save and when not to. I guess I still favor Waddizzle's proposal, although I don't feel very strongly about it. What I think all three of us agree on is that the survivability of ad hoc changes with auto-save turned off could be improved.

[cicopo]

In my case Tv needs to be the priority & I wouldn't likely tweak it but I would use both EC & ISO changes to suit the lighting. Because most of my scene is sky & they fly in just about any weather other than high winds or rain I may need to use more than 2 stops of EC on dull days & that may need an ISO change to keep my aperture in the f 8 to f 11 range when shooting up at the sky.