can't figure out "M" mode on 60d.?

Question

hey guys, just bought a Canon 60d and i'm having some issues. i've been playing around and all the settings work great, but when i use M mode all i manage to get is a black screen, i have checked on my computer to make sure its not just not displaying on the screen but it is only taking pure black pictures, i have tried messing around with the ISO, shutter speed, etc. but nothing changes anything?

thanks.
ps. im a DSLR camera noob

Answer 1

The problem is that you obviously have no idea how to control exposure manually. The solution is to read the instructions that came with your camera, and then read a book called "Understanding Exposure."

Answer 2

The black screen is because you are massively under-exposing; you may have adjusted the shutter speed but either not enough, or the wrong way.

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in the viewfinder is the exposure indicator that looks a bit like this

-2 | | -1 | | 0 | | +1 | | +2 with a pointer underneath

Adjust shutter speed and/or aperture until the pointer is under the zero. It will stay under the -2 for a while until you get somewhere near



To get a start point set the camera to "p" mode and note the exposure, switch to M mode and dial that exposure in.



To be honest, as a "DSLR Camera noob" I would leave M alone until you get to grips with it a little better

Answer 3

"M" is for Manual and that means that you must use the camera's light meter and Manually set the correct aperture (aka f-stop) and shutter speed based on the ISO you've selected. These 3 elements - shutter speed, aperture and ISO make up what's called the Exposure Triangle.



ISO - A measurement of the sensitivity to light of a light sensitive surface, either film or digital sensor. A low ISO (50, 100) is very insensitive and requires a lot of light. A high ISO (200, 400, 800, 1600) is more sensitive and requires less light. A low ISO will give the best image quality while a high ISO can allow us to make pictures in lower light situations.



Aperture - An opening formed by the movable blades of the diaphragm inside the lens. It controls how much light is admitted by the lens. The smaller the f-number (f1.4, f2) the LARGER the opening and the more light admitted. The larger the f-number (f11, f16) the SMALLER the opening and the less light admitted.



Shutter Speed - The shutter speed controls how long the light admitted by the f-stop we've chosen is allowed to expose our film or digital sensor based on the ISO we're using. At f16 and ISO 100 our shutter speed will be slower than it will be at ISO 100 and f8. If we use ISO 400 our shutter speed at f16 will be faster that it was at ISO 100 and f16.



The shutter speed is also used to prevent blur when photographing sports or other action. The faster the shutter speed the less possibility of experiencing motion blur.



The Owner's Manual for your 60D has a section on shooting in Manual which you need to read. In fact, time spent actually reading & studying the Owner's Manual will be time well spent. When you have no idea what you are doing "... messing around with the ISO, shutter speed, etc. ..." expect totally messed up results.



The 3 elements of the Exposure Triangle are inter-related and interdependent. Changing one requires changing at least one of the other 2. The venerable "Sunny 16 Rule" demonstrates the relationship of shutter speed, ISO and aperture. It states: "On a sunny day set your aperture to f16 and your shutter speed to 1/ISO." So if its a sunny day and we're using ISO 100 here is what an exposure chart would look like.



ISO 100

f16 @ 1/100 sec.

f11 @ 1/200 sec.

f8 @ 1/400 sec.

f5.6 @ 1/800 sec.

f4 @ 1/1600 sec.

f2.8 @ 1/3200 sec.

f2 @ 1/6400 sec.



Remember what was said about the function of the aperture? The smaller the number the more light admitted and the larger the number the less light admitted. Remember what was said about the shutter speed being dependent on the f-stop and ISO? The more light admitted by the lens the faster the shutter speed at a given ISO.



As the above chart shows at f16 very little light is being admitted so our shutter speed is a relatively slow 1/100 sec. When we "open up" our lens to f11 the opening gets bigger and our shutter speed increases (gets faster) to compensate. By the time we've "opened up" to f4 our shutter speed is more than fast enough to stop action.



These sites will help you learn how to use your 60D:



http://www.ehow.com/how_8018449_use-eos-60d-dlsr-camera.html

http://dojoklo.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/canon-60d-users-guide-and-tutorial



Spend time at these sites if you really want to learn about photography:



http://www.digital-photography-school.com

http://www.kamerasimulator.se/eng/?page_id=2

http://www.illustratedphotography.com/photography-tips/basic



As you've probably begun to realize there is much, much more is involved in achieving good results than just buying a DSLR and expecting it to magically make you into a good photographer. Always remember this: "It isn't the camera its the photographer."



Historical footnote: The "Sunny 16 Rule" was invented back when few cameras had built-in light meters and even fewer amateur photographers owned hand-held light meters. Film used for prints had more exposure latitude so if the exposure was off by 1/2 stop or even 1 stop the amateur photographer would still get acceptable results. Today "Sunny 16" is useful to show the Exposure Triangle relationships.

Answer 4

If the camera works in all other modes then it's you who's not working properly. Manual mode is exactly that. You have to correctly make the adjustments "yourself" to get a properly exposed picture. Since you have no idea about the basic principles of photography, you can't get a decent shot if left alone in manual mode. Solution? Avoid M mode like the plague. Stick to Auto and suffer from the consequences of taking pictures exactly like the ones you got with a point-and-shoot camera. You have just discovered that having a dSLR doesn't automatically give you great shots consistently. You have to work hard on it. Study photography or sell your camera. That's the bottomline.

Answer 5

By the way if you don't have an owner's manual you can download a dpf version at the Canon site.