What settings do I need to use..

**Linda1** · 03-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Last night we had a bear right outside our kitchen window. I grabbed my camera and it had the 70-200L f2.8 IS lens on. I could not get it to take a picture. It was jet black outside and i had the kitchen lights off. I tried several setting and nothing. I guess it wasn't finding any contrast to focus on? I was very nervous, and upset. Jake had been outside and barking at the bear and by the time I got him in I wasn't thinking straight enough to use manual and set things up.

I quickly put my 17-55 2.8 IS on and I was able to get a few pictures. Now why did this lens focus? I had the external flash on for both lens.

On the last two pictures shutter speed was 2 sec./f2.8/iso400

**112deadpool** · 03-11-2008, 08:31 AM

Not that I am an expert or anything but I would suggest opening your aperture up and bumping up your ISO. This may also help you to increase your shutter speed. I do agree your camera would not focus because it had a hard time finding something to focus on in the dark. What setting was your camera on? Program? Shutter Priority? Aperture Priority? When I am shooting a "portrait" I either put it to manual or aperture priority.

**imported_Jimbo** · 03-11-2008, 10:47 AM

This is what I would have used...

**imported_Jimbo** · 03-11-2008, 10:51 AM

My 70-200 f/4L IS tends to hunt in low light, especially when I try to zoom in on something, so I end up switching to manual focus.

**Buddysmom** · 03-11-2008, 07:15 PM

The longer telephoto lens will have a hard time unless you open it to it's shortest focal length. You might try turning on an outside light. I would use aperture priority set at 2.8, ISO at 800 and let the camera set the shutterspeed. You might need a tripod, if the SS is too long.

**Linda1** · 03-11-2008, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I just don't understand why I could get a picture with the one lens and not the other. The only difference would have been focal length. I have to say it was so dark that I couldn't even tell if I was aiming at the bear! I hope I don't have another opportunity to try again!!

**lab-junkie** · 03-11-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jimbo

This is what I would have used...

I'm with you! Loaded with a tranquilizer of course!

**harleydog1** · 03-23-2008, 01:50 PM

Wow!!! those are some cool pics....

**Kwinon** · 03-29-2008, 02:16 PM

Your photos are amazing!

If it had been me, perfect camera settings wouldn't have mattered. My hands would've been shaking too much to get a good photo . . .

**SurferMom** · 06-01-2008, 12:02 AM

EEEKKKK

With something like that you need to be in Manual and I would put the ISO up to at least 800 like a few other people said. I would of shot it in RAW too so I could mess with the editing too.