Custom Functions
Dec 23, 2017 06:44:08 #
ToBoldlyGo
Loc: London U.K.
I partially agree. While trying to keep on topic, consider that one may use their camera for both a hobby and for professional use. Having a bank of settings can make it easier to switch from one type of photography and back again. For example, between birds in flight with a 200-500mm lens, to closer animals that don't move so fast and with a 50mm lens. That being said, I believe with Nikon that only the shooting settings are affected, not image settings, sharpening settings or colour settings etc.
Larz wrote:
I think I see your point but it seems like it would be easier to learn the proper manual settings and use that knowledge while evaluating the scene than to try to remember what settings you have saved in custom functions.
Dec 23, 2017 08:58:10 #
Dec 23, 2017 13:09:23 #
Larz wrote:
Sorry Dave, I have a Canon 7D. My question is not so much about equipment as to why someone would use custom functions. What would one save there and why given the ever changing shooting conditions. Are they primarily for studio work or am I missing out by not understanding their usefulness?
As I am relatively new to the world of manual shooting, I went to a lecture at a Canon Learning Center to get ideas on how to setup and capture the last solar eclipse. I learned that the Custom function sets for my 7D II would allow me to merely switch to the manual settings that I had saved in either c1, c2 or c3 so that I could easily capture the moment when I pulled the solar filter and could get a decent shot of Bailey Beads and the Diamond Ring effect. As I am still learning how to use the settings correctly, my images came out fairly well, but could have been better. But if not for that ability to quickly change, I never would have gotten this image. There’s a small white dot lower left in the frame that I thought was a dirt speck, but it is actually the ISS. If I had set c3 to the right settings, I probably could have captured that better.
Dec 23, 2017 13:14:05 #
Dec 23, 2017 13:14:12 #
When I'm out shooting something specific for the day I often save the settings from time to time. If I run into a different situation I make adjustments, but I can hop back to ground-zero when the time comes.
Dec 23, 2017 13:15:29 #
pmorin wrote:
would allow me to merely switch to the manual settings that I had saved in either c1, c2 or c3 so that I could easily capture the momentr.
Great example... thanks!
Dec 23, 2017 13:32:38 #
Larz wrote:
Because I shoot almost exclusively in manual, I never really looked into custom functions. As virtually every scene is different, for what would one use custom functions?
And if you are shooting raw with a good editor, even less use for custom. Never found the need to set one.
Dec 23, 2017 13:46:40 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
I will often do events. What that means in English is there are settings for shots with no flash. That requires an accurate white balance and often a high ISO. At the same time depending on the subject, I find myself with a subject illuminated by sunlight through a window. To use that initial setting doesn't work, the result is very blue. I ne3ed a different white balance and a much lower ISO. So that's my second setting, adjusting for that. The third is flash, often I find myself in a place after the event where I could use flash. Now my ISO has to go even lower and I need white balance for flash.
I set up all three and this way I am able to switch rapidly from one to another and thereby not miss any shots. When I'm in the bush I use other settings but again often three for a given shoot.
I set up all three and this way I am able to switch rapidly from one to another and thereby not miss any shots. When I'm in the bush I use other settings but again often three for a given shoot.
Dec 23, 2017 13:49:37 #
Interesting. I thought of CF as saving settings for different days shooting but it never occurred to me that cfs would be helpful as you describe. Thanks everyone for the great education.
Dec 23, 2017 15:11:44 #
ToBoldlyGo
Loc: London U.K.
Editing doesn't come into it. It's about getting the shot with a bank of custom settings. So that might be iso setting, exposure mode, maximum shutter speed, aperture setting, multiple exposures. All sorts of eventualities.
pithydoug wrote:
And if you are shooting raw with a good editor, even less use for custom. Never found the need to set one.
Dec 23, 2017 15:23:08 #
Dec 23, 2017 15:40:38 #
I just discovered the IGNORE tab... That was easier than a light saber.
Dec 23, 2017 18:49:49 #
Custom Menu Settings are handy for shooting action and HDRs. Plus anything else that you don't shoot very often.
Dec 23, 2017 19:55:18 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Larz wrote:
Because I shoot almost exclusively in manual, I never really looked into custom functions. As virtually every scene is different, for what would one use custom functions?
That depends on the camera you're using. I shoot manual almost 100% of the time on my Canon 7D Mark II and use custom functions extensively.
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