Camera Gear Review News (Page 25)
With a Canon EOS M200 in hand, it is time to set up the camera for use. Following are the 29 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box M200 ready for use.
- Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger and plug it in.
- While the battery is charging, unpack the other items you want from the box. This is a good time to install the neck strap.
- Download and install the Canon Solution Disk software on your computer to get support for the latest camera(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP), EOS Utility, Photostitch and Lens Registration Utility are the options I manually include in the install.
- Insert the battery (after charging completes) and power the camera on.
- The date, time and time zone setup screen will show at the first startup. Use the Rear Control dial and Set button to update this information.
- Insert a memory card (don't forget to format the card via the tools menu option before taking pictures).
- If the lens being used retracts beyond a usable focal length (the EF-M 15-45 for example), unlock and extend the lens.
- Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv or M (some modes provide only a small subset of available menu options). Use the middle switch setting (Creative Assist by default) and scroll up to the advanced modes.
- Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Use top dial to set RAW to "RAW" and Rear Control arrow (press left or right) to set JPEG to "-"
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image review: Off (without a review display being shown and cleared, the viewfinder becomes ready-for-shooting faster)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Lens aberration correction: disable all (I correct lens aberrations during post processing if warranted, though enabling CA correction is usually a good idea and if shooting in JPG mode, consider enabling other options as well.)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 2: Auto Lighting Optimizer: Off (again, those shooting in JPG mode might want to explore the results of this option)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram on the back of the camera that most-accurately shows me blown highlights and blocked shadows on the camera LCD. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture. If shooting in JPG mode, selecting "Standard" is probably a better option.)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 5: High speed NR: Off (or Low) (Noise reduction is destructive to images details - I prefer to add NR sparingly in post. Select "Low" if shooting in JPG format).
- Shooting Menu, Tab 5: Touch Shutter: Disable
- Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Continuous AF: Disable (increases battery life)
- Playback Menu, Tab 4: AF point disp.: Disable
- Playback Menu, Tab 4: View from last seen: Disable
- Wireless Menu, Tab 1: Airplane mode: On (unless using the wireless features)
- Set Up Menu, Tab 1: Auto rotate: On, computer only (if I'm shooting vertically, I want the image to also display vertically on the camera, optimally using the full screen)
- Set Up Menu, Tab 3: Beep: Disable (no one else wants to hear your camera)
- Set Up Menu, Tab 4: Shooting information display: Grid display: 3x3, Histogram: RGB
- Set Up Menu, Tab 5: Custom Functions(C.Fn): ISO expansion: On
- Set Up Menu, Tab 5: Custom Functions(C.Fn): Shutter release w/o lens (Disable)
- Set Up Menu, Tab 5: Copyright information: Enter author's name
- Display Level Menu, Tab 1: Menu display: Standard
- Display Level Menu, Tab 1: Feature guide: Disable (beginners will want this feature enabled)
- My Menu: Set up
To copy this configuration would mean that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot - including shooting in RAW-only format. While my setup works great for me, your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.
If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. Anytime your camera is reset-to-factory state for some reason, such as when being serviced, you will be ready to restore your setup quickly while ensuring that you do not miss an important setting. If you purchase another same or similar camera, you will be able to quickly set it up.
More Information
The Canon EOS M200 is in stock at B&H.
Just posted: Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens Review.
Learn how this lens differs from the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens.
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens from Lensrentals.
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Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results along with specs and measurements have been added to the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens page.
I'll get you started on the comparisons:
Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens compared to the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens
The economically-priced Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens from Lensrentals.
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I'm currently working on the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens review and an important attribute of this lens to evaluate is the amount of light transmission being lost at the widest apertures due to the Defocused Smoothing feature.
In the example shared in this post, the exposures were determined by an EOS R in Av mode and all appear similar in brightness.
Looking at the shutter speed changes relative to the aperture starting with the bottom right image captured at f/5.6, we see the camera selecting a one-full-stop faster shutter speed at f/2.8 than f/4, indicating that the DS technology is no longer having an impact (though in some testing scenarios, only a 2/3-stop-faster shutter speed was selected for f/4, showing a 1/3-stop impact remaining).
In a normal lens, f/2 should have required a 1/1600 shutter speed with this example illustrating a 1/3-stop loss in light transmission. At f/1.4, the shutter speed should have been 1/3200, indicating that 1-full-stop of light transmission has been lost.
The f/1.2 aperture is about 1/2-stop wider than f/1.4 and the exposure was given the same shutter speed as at f/1.4, showing a total of about 1.5-stops of reduced light transmission, the amount Canon indicated we should expect.
All of your cases and backpacks are labeled with your name and contact information, right? If not, correct that problem ASAP.
Shacke's Mini Luggage Tags at Amazon have become my choice. They are available in 4 colors (including black) and $9.99 gets you four durable/bendable rubber tags.
If you are not sure that you need to label your cases, here is a story I shared nearly 7 years ago:
The title was something like "Why My Rebel T4i is in British Columbia — and How I Know That".
Upon arriving at our rental house in Maui, Hawaii, after being up/traveling for nearly 24 hours, my daughter asked me if I had her camera — a relatively new at the time Canon EOS Rebel T4i. With a sinking feeling, I replied that I did not.
My mind immediately began plotting a course of action to take but sleep had to come first. We had been in four airports and on three planes that day. Locating the camera seemed a daunting challenge — if not an impossibility.
I woke up the next morning to a voice mail from Janet at the United ticket counter in the Vancouver International Airport. The camera had been left on a plane and went at least one stop beyond our time on that particular aircraft. Janet knew how to reach me because: my contact information was on the camera case, despite the case being a very small one.
If you were to lose your camera and the case you are carrying it in, would someone know how to get in touch with you? This does not apply only to airline travel — a camera can be lost at a restaurant, hotel, wedding, park ... or anywhere. Labeling counts on the finder to have the integrity to track down the owner and return the lost item, but the odds are good that will happen and my story eventually had a happy ending.
Another option to consider is entering your contact information into the camera's copywrite information. Not all finders may know enough to look for this information, but at least the information is there for discovery — perhaps when someone is reviewing images captured by the camera.
Following is a relevant (and entertaining) infographic Mike shared with us at that time:
Just posted: Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens Review.
Tamron is on a roll with their Di III lenses.
The Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens from Lensrentals.
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Just posted: Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens Review.
Ultra-light and ultra-tiny has big value.
The Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
B&H has this lens available in used condition for an up to $214.00 savings.
Rent the Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens from Lensrentals.
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Just posted: Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens Review.
This is a very nice little lens.
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens from Lensrentals.
Please share!
Just posted: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens Review.
Find out how this ultra-wide aperture Sony lens stacks up!
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
B&H also has multiple copies of this lens available in used condition.
Rent the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens from Lensrentals.
Please share this review!
Image quality test results have been added to the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens page.
We were told that this lens could be slightly sharper than the excellent Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens and it is that.
Check out the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens vs. Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens comparison to see that impressive performance.
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA (1 in stock!) | WEX
Rent the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens from Lensrentals.
Please share!
Just posted: Really Right Stuff MC-34 Monopod Review.
The leg locks are awesome and contribute heavily to making this the best monopod I've used.
The Really Right Stuff MC-34 Monopod is available for order (in stock soon) at B&H.
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Just posted: MindShift Gear BackLight 18L Review.
This is a great little backpack for a mirrorless or a small DSLR kit.
The MindShift Gear BackLight 18L is in stock at B&H | Think Tank Photo / MindShit Gear | Adorama | Amazon USA
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Just posted: Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Review.
This lens is a great addition to Sony's lineup.
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens from Lensrentals.
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Image quality test results have been added to the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 Lens page.
The image quality to price ratio of this lens is attention grabbing. Here are some comparisons:
Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens compared to Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens
Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens compared to Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens
Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens compared to Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens
The Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Lens from Lensrentals.
Share these results with your friends!
Just posted: Sony a7R IV Review.
It's an awesome little camera.
The Sony a7R IV is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Sony a7R IV from Lensrentals.
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Canon has made white papers available for the new EOS-1D X Mark III:
EOS-1D X Mark III – Still Imaging
EOS-1D X Mark III – Video Recording
EOS-1D X Mark III – Networking: Coming Soon
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III Review page is filled with details about this awesome new camera.
Please share this page with your friends!
Get in the preorder line now!
If you change your mind later, it is far easier to step out of line than it is to get back to the front. Another reason to preorder now is that, for a limited time and while supplies last, a free CF Express Card and card reader are included.
The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is available for preorder at: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA Store | Amazon USA | WEX
You might also find the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III compared to the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II interesting.
Just posted: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens Review.
It's a game-changer.
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.
Image quality test results have been added to the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8G S Lens page.
I think you are going to like this lens. Go make some comparisons.
The Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8G S Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8G S Lens from Lensrentals.
Sorry - I broke the previous post sometime today - here is the correction
Image quality test results have been added to the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S Lens page.
Go make some comparisons.
The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
Rent the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S Lens from Lensrentals.
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