T2i Strange photography question

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston

Veteran
Canon T2i and a nifty fifty 1.8

Going to the beach tomorrow to shoot some stills only.

VERY white florida sand. Very hot sun. NO ND filter.

I would like to shoot some stuff at 1.8 with this 50mm (for some extreme DOF stuff) and like the iso at 100-400.

If I'm just shooting stills with no ND filter is it OK to shoot with the shutter very fast? (1/640 or more) ie using the shutter speed to get the right exposure vs a fader ND?

I know thats a basic question but I just realised I've never shot any thing at that kind of shutter before. (video, it's always set at 1/60)

Does shooting at that speed introduce anything different into the picture quality?
 
Using a fast shutter speed is absolutely fine for photography. Just set your T2i to Aperture Priority with your f-stop at f1.8 and let the camera set the shutter speed for you based on it's own internal metering.


A polarizer filter wouldn't be a bad idea, by the way.
 
Thanks for the quick reply Stephan.
Just did a quick check in apeture priority but was wondering, how does it set the shutter?

I mean, does it set it based on the brightness of the entire frame or just what's in the little focus box, or a combo of those?
i.e. if I have a bright pic that is 75% white sand and then my kid is in the focus box, is it gonna get blown out?

I'll reread the manual tonight but I know I probably won't be able to judge pictures off the LCD during daylight at the beach. (yes , I know I need a zucato) just don't want to get home tomorrow night and find out everything is blown out.
 
i can get a good filter for about $19. i just got he 50mm yeaterday and i got a filter. it just has to be the 52mm filter
 
videohog said:
[...]I mean, does it set it based on the brightness of the entire frame or just what's in the little focus box, or a combo of those?
i.e. if I have a bright pic that is 75% white sand and then my kid is in the focus box, is it gonna get blown out?[...]
Click to expand...

I'm a 7d owner but I'm pretty sure the metering choices are the same or at least similar on the t2i. You have four choices: evaluative, partial, spot, and center-weighted. Read the manual, as you said you would. Then take the same photo with different metering modes so you'll quickly grasp what you need to know. Shooting a bright outdoor scene from a darkened interior is one effective way. I'm usually in partial or spot mode, but change it as needs (or results) dictate.

I don't know if the t2i has highlight tone priority. If it does, use it at the beach.

Depending on the amount of light, it's possible your camera's shutter speed will not be able to keep up with an aperture of 1.8. It will refuse to take the shot if you're in aperture priority mode. If you insist on taking the shot, switch over to manual.

Because you'll be using a very fast shutter speed, all action will freeze. So, if you like creamy, blurry waves in the ocean, it will not be possible. Instead, the ocean and any drops in the air will be frozen.
 
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