what settings would you use on very dull days

[darrenm]

have been out most of the day with my 7D and 400mm lens trying to get some decent pics but the light was very dull, overcast and with a lot of moisture in the air and tried various settings but most of my results were very poor and most shots were far from sharp.

Has anyone got any tips or settings which they use in such conditions

or is it worth trying to get good sharp shots in such poor light?

[glsammy]

Depending on what your trying to get shots of.
If it's birds, my thoughts are simply not bother. I certainly wouldn't. By the time you've got enough shutter speed to get a sharp image the chances are you'll be shooting with such a high ISO there will be no detail left to get sharp and the bird will likely look like a lovely black silhouette.
My basic principal is simple. No sunshine, no shooting. It becomes too depressing binning so many shots!
Now if your after moody atmosphere that's a different matter entirely. Bad weather can produce spectacular results.

[johnf3f]

When shooting in poor light I open up the lens to just short of max apeture (eg F4.5 on an F4 lens) and bang up the iso as high as good IQ will allow (this will vary with your camera and subject). If the above is not enough, then go shoot some moody landscapes!

[darrenm]

Thanks for the info and advice

Suppose i will have to get used to taking pics of moody landscapes while the light is like this

..........bring on good light and spring all is forgiven

[johnf3f]

The other option is to buy a 300mm F2.8 IS - but it's lots of pennies!

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by johnf3f

The other option is to buy a 300mm F2.8 IS - but it's lots of pennies!

I very nearly did!
Until today I was the leading bidder on a good second hand one. I've decided not to get it as the price is so close to the new price it just doesn't make sense. Of course, soon the older one will not be available and I reckon they could end up being almost an investment..(That was the argument I put to my Mrs. anyway!)

[PMG]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I very nearly did!
Until today I was the leading bidder on a good second hand one. I've decided not to get it as the price is so close to the new price it just doesn't make sense. Of course, soon the older one will not be available and I reckon they could end up being almost an investment..(That was the argument I put to my Mrs. anyway!)

I think you're right - the 500's don't seem to come up all that often second hand either and get snapped up when they do - hope Mrs Gls swallows your argument as for flight work I couldn't think of anything better

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by darrenm

Suppose i will have to get used to taking pics of moody landscapes while the light is like this

Or switch to subjects where you can use a tripod and longish exposures - wildflowers and fungi, maybe, or spring buds and catkins. One thing's for sure - you can't fight the light!

Dave P.

[darrenm]

had thought about the 300mm F2.8 IS but at present funds do not stretch that far but will wait to see what happens with the 2nd hand market when Canon release their new lenses later this year and imagine a few will want to trade up to the new lenses with built in converters.....fingers crossed

[johnf3f]

Originally Posted by darrenm

had thought about the 300mm F2.8 IS but at present funds do not stretch that far but will wait to see what happens with the 2nd hand market when Canon release their new lenses later this year and imagine a few will want to trade up to the new lenses with built in converters.....fingers crossed

We live in hope! Though I have the 300 F4 IS and it has lovely IQ, I can't see how the 300 F2.8 can be worth 3 times the price - but I still want one (and will probably get one before too long), though I think I will probably keep the F4 as I like it that much!