Disappointed in Canon Rebel T6: I purchased a Canon Rebel T6 in August not knowing much about DSLR's. I am now not happy with it. I have been shooting in manual mode and I hate the...

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

I purchased a Canon Rebel T6 in August not knowing much about DSLR's. I am now not happy with it. I have been shooting in manual mode and I hate the fact that the meter information disappears 4 seconds after depressing the shutter half way when trying to adjust shutter, aperture and iso. I am constantly having to press the shutter halfway everytime I pick up my camera or need to adjust settings. Do you have a recommendation for an upgrade camera body? I would still like to be able to use my Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lenses.

I like to shoot macro (flowers, bugs). I like to shoot family pictures. I was considering buying a Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro and a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens for the Rebel T6 cause of the limitations of the kit lens. I am holding off doing this because I am unhappy with the Rebel T6.

Problem solved -- I have to HOLD DOWN the shutter button half way and not release it for the information to stay visible! Thank you everyone!

pbradin Loc: Florida

You will find that most digital cameras do what you describe. It is a way to increase battery life.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Every Canon camera does that in around 4 seconds after depressing the shutter half way if you let go of the shutter. What are you doing in those four seconds? The view finder won't turn off while you are modifying any of the controls and there no reason you can't keep the shutter button depressed which keeps the viewfinder active. I've been using Canon DSLR's for over 10 years and what you describe has never been an issue for me.

Haydon

Use your quick button to set your F-Stop and ISO with the display visible on the back LCD. Setup your camera up for back button focus and as long as you have your AF depressed, the display will remain visible in the viewfinder. This will allow you to adjust shutter speed without interruption by turning your front dial. It might require a little adjustment with the back button focus enabled to learn but in no time you will learn to appreciate it. I just tried this on my first Canon (T2i) and it works without problems.

If you want to learn how to setup your camera for back button focus, this YouTube video will show you easily how it's done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grd87vczzlc

Getting a new camera will not SOLVE your problem.

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm a newbie and trying to set my aperture, iso, and shutter all through the viewfinder while manipulating my fingers over the controls! So, it looks like I need to learn to keep the shutter depressed half way till I have all my settings done. I'll need to use my middle finger to keep the shutter depressed halfway (I've just been depressing and releasing with my index finger.). Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

Haydon wrote:

Use your quick button to set your F-Stop and ISO w... (show quote)

I'm trying to set everything through the viewfinder to streamline shooting and want to avoid using the quick button. I am using back button focus and love it. My biggest problem was when I was also in manual focus, I couldn't use the AF to keep the display visible in the viewfinder. I'm learning, learning, learning and glad to discover this forum has helped me fix my problem and I don't need a new camera body. Just need to use my fingers properly to keep the shutter depressed halfway continually while I am adjusting my settings!

Haydon

Pysanka Artist wrote:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I'm a newbie and trying to set my aperture, iso, and shutter all through the viewfinder while manipulating my fingers over the controls! So, it looks like I need to learn to keep the shutter depressed half way till I have all my settings done. I'll need to use my middle finger to keep the shutter depressed halfway (I've just been depressing and releasing with my index finger.). Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my suggestion.

Determine what aperture you wish to accomplish for DOF. Push the quick button and move over the F-Stop highlight and move the front wheel and adjust.
Determine your ISO and use the quick button to move over until highlighted and adjust using the front wheel.
Finally make your adjustment for the appropriate Shutter speed by using the quick dial and use the front wheel.

You may have to fine tune your exposure by increasing your shutter speed to account for motion blur and adjust ISO.

I just find it's much easier using the viewfinder for shutter speed only as a final adjustment. Set your other two adjustments with the LCD first. You can do this all through the viewfinder, but it will take some time to learn.

twowindsbear

Are you attempting to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and f-stop for each & every pic?

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

Haydon wrote:

Here's my suggestion. br br Determine what apertu... (show quote)

I'm finding it takes me longer to go back and forth between viewfinder and LCD. Being a newbie with everything on manual I end up doing a lot of adjusting. I have my flash button set to ISO so I can do everything through the viewfinder. I just need some finger memory!! The one thing I hate with the kit lens is the aperture changes when I change focal distance. Can't wait to get a prime and a macro lens.

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

twowindsbear wrote:

Are you attempting to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and f-stop for each & every pic?

Yes, I've been practicing setting everything manually.

twowindsbear

Pysanka Artist wrote:

Yes, I've been practicing setting everything manually.

Well, don't! Choose your ISO for the general light level that you have for your shooting - perhaps 100 or 200, outdoors in the sunshine. Choose a shutter speed for the action you'll be shooting - flowers & trees & landscape that'll 'hold still' for you - 1/100 or 1/200 will be fine. THEN simply adjust the f-stop until you camera indicates proper exposure. If your light level is less, adjust your ISO upward. If you're shooting more 'action'-type pix, use a shorter shutter speed. Or, if you want razor thin DOF - use a large f-stop f2, perhaps & adjust the shutter speed for correct exposure. Set, set & adjust - don't try to adjust adjust & adjust. . . you'll drive yourself crazy! To say noting that by the time ya get done 'fiddling' with your camera, what you wanted to photograph will be over & done with & something else will be happening.

Good luck & keep practicing.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Pysanka Artist wrote:

I purchased a Canon Rebel T6 in August not knowing... (show quote)

That’s pretty true of just about every DSLR--can’t say about mirrorless versions.

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

M

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

twowindsbear wrote:

Well, don't! Choose your ISO for the general ligh... (show quote)

Well, yes, that's pretty much what I have been doing!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Haydon wrote:

Here's my suggestion. br br Determine what apertu... (show quote)

Yes, predetermine most settings looking through the viewfinder as you do. You know as I do there is NO screen on top of the camera that allows this. Most consumers buying this camera use it in an auto mode even though it works great in manual.
ISO is preset by lighting conditions. Then is shutter or aperture the priority? Set either then and from there choose the one to be variable in those 4 seconds or as you are doing hold the shutter and adjust.
I am glad you are experimenting with the camera and exploring it's use as there are so many people who just don't play around to see what does what and how it is done.
Good luck, you have an excellent camera that will provide professional level photos easily if you do your part.