AboutDave Nyce Expertise I have used SLR cameras for 30 years and have taught classes on photography at work for my co-workers. I had a darkroom for 20 years, but now am using mostly digital cameras. I can answer questions on equipment and techniques for photography, but am not an expert on specific model numbers of cameras or accessories.
Expert: Dave Nyce Date: 7/5/2005 Subject: Need Help...Please!
Question Hi, I own a Canon AE-1 Program and have been using it off and on for wildlife photographs. I am relatively new to photography but like to do it while I'm out camping or hiking. I recently came upon a bull moose and I got close enough for a good picture, it was the middle of the day and no clouds in the sky, so it was very bright out, the problem I have been having is that many of my pictures are coming out blurred and/or dark. I recently purchased a 500 mm lens and was told that it may be relatively cheap and that is why there is not a lot of light being captured. I have always just left the camera on Program mode, letting it dictate which shutter speed to use for the lack of understanding on my part, Should I manually set this or what should I do? Do you have any insight that could possibly help me? Thanks for your time, I appreciate it!
Kyle
Answer A "cheap" lens will not cause that. If the lens is in good working condition and is compatible with your camera, it should give good photos. A more expensive lens can show slight advantages when looking very closely at a photo, but will not have the gross errors you describe.
If the print is blurred, either the lens is smudged, the subject is not in focus, or you didn't hold the camera still. It is nearly impossible to hold the camera still with a 500mm lens unless you use a tripod. You should also use a release cable so you don't move the camera during shutter release.
Photo too dark: If the sun is behind you, sometimes light can come into the meter through the viewfinder (if your eye is not covering the viewfinder very well). In this case, you can get a viewfinder cover from the manufacturer, or tape a piece of opaque card so it can fall over the viewfinder after you compose the picture. Alternatively, you can set the exposure up a little. Your camera probably has a setting for this, even if you use auto exposure (+1ev). If the sun was in front of you, the meter could be fooled and not allow enough light for the subject. For this, also set the exposure up a little (+1ev)
It is also fun to set the camera manually, but you'll need a lot of practice. You can get initial settings from a Kodak pocket photoguide book.
