Sarah725, Please tell us how to control fstop and shutter speed on sd700

We are struggling to figure out a way to override the automatic fstop setting the sd700 uses in the manual mode. Tell me how can I get an fstop of, say, f 7 with focal length of 35mm (35mm converted) in a landscape scene. It appears to me that it uses f2.8 as much as possible to get a faster shutter speed and reduce the camera shake problem. I want more depth of field.

Bruce,

The minimum aperture of this camera is f/5.5 at max telephoto. Your depth of field won't improve much at that setting. To get it to that setting at the 35mm equivalent focal length, you can allow the least amount of light in through the exposure compensation (closing the aperture as much as possible) while at the wide angle. I would recommend using the highest ISO possible (800) to let the light you want in, as well as setting a longer shutter speed to allow more light in. To avoid camera shake, I would use a tripod. If you don't have a tripod, you can set the camera on self timer and put it on a steady surface with your subject in the viewfinder. This will work too. I hope this helps. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew

Andrew

Thank you for your answer all of which is quite right, but now you get to the problem. How do you force the camera use the smallest lens opening at 35mm? I think the answer is you can't but I was hoping I am wrong.

If someone knows an answer please help. Otherwise we should let this thread die.

Bruce,

The only way you can do that it by "tricking" the camera. Use your highest ISO and leave the shutter open as long as you can. It will force the aperture closed through the auto settings. If this doesn't work, you're out of luck. Sorry.

Andrew