Canon SX-50 HS settings: I just got a Canon SX-50. Just starting to read the manual. Can anyone recommend an initial setup to help me get started? I shoot RAW. Thanks...

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

I just got a Canon SX-50. Just starting to read the manual.
Can anyone recommend an initial setup to help me get started?
I shoot RAW.
Thanks

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

nikonlad wrote:

I just got a Canon SX-50. Just starting to read the manual.
Can anyone recommend an initial setup to help me get started?
I shoot RAW.
Thanks

Put it on Auto. Go out and play. Worry about RAW when you learn the camera.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

RicknJude wrote:

Put it on Auto. Go out and play. Worry about RAW when you learn the camera.

I would tend to disagree with putting it on Auto. The SX50 has so many limitations when in the Auto mode- no RAW and Large JPEG being the best output. Switch to another mode, even the Programmed Auto mode and you will have RAW and super fine large JPEG if you desire.

I would at least try the Programmed Auto mode to start. The Av and Tv modes are also good to start with. The Manual mode is really not that daunting to try.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

haroldross wrote:

I would tend to disagree with putting it on Auto. The SX50 has so many limitations when in the Auto mode- no RAW and Large JPEG being the best output. Switch to another mode, even the Programmed Auto mode and you will have RAW and super fine large JPEG if you desire.

I would at least try the Programmed Auto mode to start. The Av and Tv modes are also good to start with. The Manual mode is really not that daunting to try.

I think the 'best' starting point would be to set it for "RAW+JPG-Fine" if you are wanting to work with RAW files. Then put it into "P" (program) mode since that allows you to adjust to your desire. Once in a while I use the "scene" modes for special situations, etc, but I keep it on Program mode for the quickest method of shooting while still being able to make "my" adjustments.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

These are good suggestions. Thanks a lot.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Your best image quality will also be if you don't go beyond the 50x optical zoom. If you want more power, try the in-camera teleconverter at 1.5x and 2x. These seem to give slightly better results than the labeled "digital zoom" though sometimes it becomes more of a focus and motion issue than lens.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

nikonlad wrote:

I just got a Canon SX-50. Just starting to read the manual.
Can anyone recommend an initial setup to help me get started?
I shoot RAW.
Thanks

[OFF TOPIC] Great avatar. Is it a Townsend, Ozark or other species of large eared bat?

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

RicknJude wrote:

Put it on Auto. Go out and play. Worry about RAW when you learn the camera.

Amen! :thumbup:

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

Mogul wrote:

[OFF TOPIC] Great avatar. Is it a Townsend, Ozark or other species of large eared bat?

I call it a house bat, because I caught it in the house :-)

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

RicknJude wrote:

Put it on Auto. Go out and play. Worry about RAW when you learn the camera.

Auto is not the way to learn any camera. My wife is not interested in the technical or fine points of photography, so AUTO is what she will use. I asked for settings that experienced owners have found work best. Most
of the other responders have given me useful information. Also, I have done all my processing in RAW for about 25 years; so I don't have to "worry" about it.

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

nikonlad wrote:

Auto is not the way to learn any camera. My wife is not interested in the technical or fine points of photography, so AUTO is what she will use. I asked for settings that experienced owners have found work best. Most
of the other responders have given me useful information. Also, I have done all my processing in RAW for about 25 years; so I don't have to "worry" about it.

Just read that entire 284 page manual, and at least do everything on it once, you learn the camera. Just asking, why did you get an SX50? From reading all the posts here? What are your other cameras that you normally use? Just wondering.
There is no normal setting,and you got to figure it out yourself. On my moon pictures,I have about 100 varied settings. My bird shots have another hundred Settings. Ask a specific question and then maybe we can answer that. Happy shooting though, as it's a great camera. Consider a normal setting as the green zone!

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

I purchased the SX-50 for my wife, and as a back-up/quick grab for me. I am curious to see what kind of quality I can get from the long end portion of the lens. Linda from Maine offered a tip I will try. Wahawk suggested RAW + JPEG fine. I'll start there.
I use a Nikon D7000. When I had a 50-500 OS, I tried to use Manual, f8 1/500-1/1500 sec min, auto ISO(800 max) for BIF. I can't imagine 100 different settings except to adjust only a few for the lighting.
I have seen many posts on the internet that list optimum settings for the cameras I have owned such as D90,D100,D200, D300, and D2, because of the too long and tedious, confusing manuals, but none for the SX50. There seems to be a lot of SX-50 users on UHH, hence the post. I will struggle through the 250 pages of the manual, eventually. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
My bird photos are on mohrphotos.smugmug.com

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

nikonlad wrote:

I call it a house bat, because I caught it in the house :-)

Well, you have a lot of bats there, so you could call it a Townsend and ship it to Washington, D.C. I'm sure some senator, representative, judge or commander-in-chief has plenty of room in his/her belfry!

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

nikonlad wrote:

I purchased the SX-50 for my wife, and as a back-u... (show quote)

Hi, here are a couple of moon shots, at the long end portion of the lens.
Regards, Alfie.

moon through clouds

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

alf85 wrote:

Hi, here are a couple of moon shots, at the long end portion of the lens.
Regards, Alfie.

Great shots, Alfie!