MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Hi again, all,
These are shots I took yesterday with my new Canon SX50 HS. I know that both the camera and I can do better. I am trying to figure the thing out. Mostly I shoot with my D5200 with the 55-300 kit zoom and shoot on aperture or shutter speed mode. I am not having these sorts of issues with my DSLR; so I have to believe it is either due to my learning curve on the camera or something is not quite right with the camera. My honest opinion is that it is a steep learning curve for me for some reason.

Constructive advice will be much appreciated.
Basic info: shot in Av mode at f6.5, shaded area, WB manually set to either cloudy or shade (I cannot tell which, but my intention would have been shade), standing about 50 feet away on a raised walkway, IS on, center weighted average metering mode, EV zeroed out except for the one dark looking shot which is at -1, JPEG, SOOC, digital zoom off. ISOs showing on my laptop are all 1600. Shooting speeds run from 1/60-1/125. I was not concerned with composition.
Thanks in advance for your help, fellow members,
Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Shutter speeds a bit slow for just getting used to this lightweight camera and its focusing quirks. Tough to focus in heavy shade.

This camera is very different from an SLR and yes, there is a learning curve. Don't be so impatient :) And please take some shots in the sunshine before you return the camera :)

For aperture priority, I use:
AF frame flexizone
AF-Point Zoom ON
servo AF off
continuous AF on
spot AE point center
display area SMALL

From a pro's recommendation, I recently went to center-weighted average metering mode (accessed with the Func key on back), but not sure I like as much as evaluative.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=MadMikeOne]Even though you included some of the camera data, it is always better to click on "store original" Better download and all the camera data is there to check out. David

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

[quote=Meives]

Thank you. I was leery of doing that because of the "warning" about using that option only if you need to attach images that require high resolution versions to be kept. I will do this in future when I yell for help.
I am still learning my way around the UHH site, so I am really appreciative of the guidance and advice of those of you who have been around here longer or who just have a better handle on certain things.
Thank you,
Mike

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Linda
Don't worry - I am not sending this camera back. We are getting along quite nicely since I have become aware of its shortcomings and how to work around them. This camera will be mostly used in conditions with lots of sun and good light. I wanted to put it through its paces in mixed conditions. The zoo was perfect for that. I was rather happy with my giraffe and zebra shots.
I am definitely making note of the settings you recommend. I think I already have a couple of them in but did not note them. Also, I agree with you on the center-weighted average vs evaluative. I used center weighted average in these shots on, I believe, the advice of that same expert.
As soon as this heat lifts, I will go hunt down those egrets, swans, and oyster catchers. Wish me luck on those.
Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Looking forward to seeing!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

I have advise hundreds of members to click on "store original" and have never heard of "warning". Warning of what? That you picture will be stolen? You can protect copywright by incliuding copywrite in your camera exif file. I am very interested in what the negative is? If any member can tell me about the "bad things to happen, I will never recogmend this again. Thanks David

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

David, you have completely misunderstood my meaning! Your response to my thank you to you is difficult to understand given my thoughtful and thankful response to what I considered to be your very helpful guidance. As a matter of fact, I can actually hear you screaming at me very angrily in the wording of your absolutely uncalled for attack on me as quoted above.
Please read what is noted right under where you attach your photos. I put warning in quotation marks because of the wording right next to "Store Original" in bold. It states "Please only enable this option if you need to attach images that require high resolution versions to be kept." Clearly I understood that to mean something along the lines of "do it only if you have to".
I suggest you calm down a bit and read that over from the viewpoint of someone quite new to the forum. I certainly had no way of knowing that it was OK to go ahead and use the "store original" box whenever you post a photo if you so wish.
Mike

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=MadMikeOne]Sorry Mike. If you view the hundreds of posts that I do I see about half of them are marked as "store original". Much more enjoyable download and with the camera exif file data we can discuss specific help. I think this site is for photographers of every level that want to teach or learn or both. I was not attacking you, but the thought of loosing that tool. Good luck and you can PM me anytime. Thanks again. David