A new camera is always a joy, except for the part where you need to figure out the new features and learn how to use the new controls. What settings should you pay special attention to in order to ensure that your first shoots with the new camera bring you pleasure rather than disappointment?
Customize Buttons and Dials
Almost every camera has programmable buttons that can be assigned different functions. Factory settings (or settings left by the previous owner if you bought a used camera) might not be convenient for you.
Some people prefer to have the option to enable and disable face detection autofocus at hand, while others might never use this function. Some can’t imagine working without exposure lock, while others don’t even know what this function is for. Each of us has our own habits and work patterns, so it’s important to set up the camera in a way that suits you, not the way the manufacturer thinks is correct.
Usually, to find the option to reprogram buttons and control dials, you need to delve deep into the menu. We won’t provide specific examples since this process varies between systems, but we do recommend figuring out where to do this on your camera. It’s worth the effort.
Thoroughly Explore the Menu
The menu of your camera is often a treasure trove of functions and possibilities, some of which users might not even be aware of. Especially if you have a brand-new mirrorless camera — if you dig into the menu, you can find clever focus settings, fine-tuned white balance adjustments, a million resolution size options, the ability to pair the camera with a smartphone, and if you’re persistent enough, you might even stumble upon the meaning of life, a TV remote, a second sock, and the keys to my mailbox.
Any camera is similar to the games at cookiecasino.com/en-NZ: the more modern it is, the more interesting it is to explore its features. Let’s look, for example, at the Canon D30, released in 2000 — it had 31 menu items. The new Canon R3 has 433 menu items, sorted into 8 categories.
Such complex menus have one side effect — there’s so much that finding what you actually need can be challenging. It’s not uncommon for someone, for instance, to struggle with adjusting the burst speed, suffering for years without knowing that this can be adjusted. But you need to dive into the depths of the menu.
So, it’s better to spend a couple of hours thoroughly studying the manual and understanding the menu.
Adjust the Viewfinder to Your Vision
The viewfinder also needs adjustment — it has a diopter control that allows you to correct it according to your specific vision. Usually, the adjustment button, wheel, or lever is located next to the eyepiece. The setup is very simple: look through the viewfinder and turn the dial until everything becomes clear.
This isn’t the most critical adjustment — even if the diopters are set incorrectly, you’ll still be able to use the viewfinder normally. It just won’t be as comfortable — you might not see clearly whether the main subject is in focus, and you may have to strain your eyes. But why make things unnecessarily inconvenient? It’s better to adjust this right away.
Choose the Right File Type and Memory Card Workflow
The question of “shooting in RAW or JPEG” isn’t a trivial one. This is one of the most important settings you should definitely configure on a new camera.
Choosing a format is one of the primary decisions that greatly affects what and how you will shoot. You can try to sit on two chairs and shoot in both RAW and JPEG at the same time. Many professional cameras support this option. It’s especially convenient to work with if the camera has two card slots — RAW files can be saved on one card and JPEGs on the other. Additionally, you can set the file size for JPEG shooting — if you definitely need small images, you can shoot them at that size right away and avoid having to resize them later.
There are some rather exotic options when one slot in the camera supports CFexpress Type A (a small format card) and the other only supports SD. It’s good to figure this out before you start shooting.
It’s also important to check which types and classes of cards your camera supports. Some cameras simply won’t work with certain flashcards, and a slow, cheap card can significantly slow down and deprive an expensive camera of some of its functions.