New DSLR owner (70D), need some pointers

[nwolfe88]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and am trying to learn as much as possible about my new 70D. I just have a few questions I was hoping I could get answered.

1. Should I always be shooting in RAW mode? I want the best possible images...

2. Should I always try to be using the lowest ISO possible?

3. What lense would you recommend as a prime? I have two kit lenses but am looking for something that would be good at everything (landscapes, portraits, etc.)

I'm sure I'll think of more but if I could get any responses on these I'd surely appreciate it!

Thanks

[Skirball]

1) Absolutely.

2) In general, use the lowest ISO that you can get away with and get proper exposure and sharpness.  The most important thing is that you use the aperture you want for the DoF you want, and that you're obtaining a fast enough shutter speed to freeze motion (if that’s what you want).  If so, then use the lowest possible (don’t go below ISO 100 if the 70D has the option, you gain nothing).  But you shouldn’t worry about going up a couple stops in ISO, if you correctly expose the noise is more than acceptable on modern dSLRs.  I will frequently use ISO 200 or 400 when using off-camera flash because it allows me to use less power and the increased noise is negligible in my opinion.

3) Which prime is totally subjective.  But a 50mm prime is a very useful lens, IMO.

[hsbn]

1) Yes, but then you have to learn post processing and need a bigger HDD to store your images.

2) Yes, whenever possible. But don't be afraid to pump up ISO in lower light situation to keep desired shutter speed or aperture. Newer camera is pretty good with high ISO.

3)There is no such thing. Generally, people use Wide angle lens for landscapes and mid-tele for Portrait. You don't have to get Prime, you can settle for zoom L-lens. They're much better then the kit lens and may fit your requirement better than prime.

[nwolfe88]

Thanks so much for the replies! On #1, why do I need to learn post processing when shooting in RAW?

On 2, when shooting landscapes, wouldn't I always want to use the highest F stop possible? Like 22 or 26? What are the disadvantages of using such a high F setting?

I'd like to start shooting in manual and setting all the settings myself so I can start to learn what each one does and how they affect each other.

Will the Magic Lantern guide book for the 60D be relevant for the 70D as well? I looked and they don't have a 70D one yet.

[cicopo]

'll say it a little differently since hard drives & memory cards are much cheaper now than when I made the switch. Shoot in RAW + large fine jpg until you learn to rework the RAW files you feel need to be worked on. Once you have files you want to perfect try your best to get what you thought the scene looked like on screen & save that as a jpg but use something in the file number to let you know later on whether it was a first attempt or the third etc. I number my files by using the original number IMG 1234v1. or IMG 1234v2 etc so I have an idea of changes good or bad as I progress through the editing process.

[nwolfe88]

On 2, when shooting landscapes, wouldn't I always want to use the highest F stop possible? Like 22 or 26? What are the disadvantages of using such a high F setting?

I'd like to start shooting in manual and setting all the settings myself so I can start to learn what each one does and how they affect each other.

Will the Magic Lantern guide book for the 60D be relevant for the 70D as well? I looked and they don't have a 70D one yet.

[cicopo]

A RAW file is just a file filled with computer language relating to the scene. It NEEDS to be converted to a jpg to be a photo. Many of see the very same scene differently & that's where working from RAW gives us the latitude to create what we saw or hope to create. The benefit is that each & every brand of camera that produces jpg's does so because the manufacturer had a team write software to do the conversion "their" way. Some favor richer reds, others favor richer greens ets. YOU get to do that to suit YOUR tastes.

[hsbn]

You don't want to use small aperture such as F22 because it will degrade your image quality due to diffraction. Diffraction will cause your image to be blurry and not clear.

[nwolfe88]

But I thought the higher the F number the more of the image that's in focus, which is perfect for landscapes.

Sorry - I'm a newb.

[hsbn]

You don't need a book really, just read your manual. Canon has a really cool site you can learn about photography. They let you play with Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and see the effect of each.
Here: http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca/play/