I know I'm in the dark ages & shoot w/a 20D , but am wondering if any of you have that camera & can tell a girl what you set your custom functions at? Do you use any, which ones, for what, etc. What about setting the parameters? I know, I know read the manual , I have but still am unsure if I should use some/any & what they should be set at. I've tried messing around a few times, but no setting/s have really struck me. I am not a newie, I've had this camera for 3 years.

Thanks !

The dark ages? I still shoot with the 20D, Kayla, as do many other photogs. I see no real compelling reason to change right now.

I think many shooters get really bad GAS ... Gear Acquisition Syndrome, and feel the uncontrollable urge to always have the latest and "greatest" stuff. I resist that urge, realizing that great photography (or even good, acceptable imaging) isn't a result of the top ($$$) gear.

Having spouted off my opinion about that, as far as Custom Functions, mine are all still at the defaults. I shoot completely manual, so lots of those features don't concern me. And some of them will only affect jpegs. Since I shoot RAW only, the one feature I care about is AWB.

I know that doesn't help, but as you already mentioned, you should look at the Custom Function sections of the 20D manual, be aware of your options, and set the ones that best enhance your shooting.

Thanks Bruce. I neglected to mention that I do shoot in RAW exclusively.

I try to get my white balance right in camera, but to be honest I don't really pay close attention as I know I can edit that in post.

What/how do you do your white balance?

I use 2 20d's and am unashamed. The camera is a tool, not a status symbol (unless you can afford and justify it)

I suggest using no custom functions at all...go manual, shoot RAW, fo what the custom functions can do in POST.
As for color balance, balance to the main light sour ce if you have no tool to balance this by.
I use an expo disk and love it.

I shoot both Raw and Jpeg with my 20D. I don't have my cam here with me but I believe I have...

#4 set to focus with * , which changes your exposure lock to the shutter.

Red Eye enable

And, If I'm shooting Jpeg I use parameter set 1 with everything in the middle.

I must be beyond the Dark ages, I'm still shooting and loving my AE-1 and her name is Lili.

For most situations I leave it as Auto White Balance and make adjustments in ACR. Sometimes, when necessary, I'll read off a white card and set a Custom WB. Rarely will I switch to one of the pre-defined WB modes, but I have on occasion when it helped.


I was just reading about this last night and am curious. Can you describe it's effectiveness and limitations (if any)? It looks like a great tool.


Haha! I'm still playing with my Leicaflex SL and Leica R4 and will be bringing them to my next wedding for some film work. Took my Voigtlander Bessa R3M RF to my last wedding. I've even been thinking of picking up an early Canon F-1 or even the FTb. Gotta' love the old gear!!

Hey thanks a lot guys! I'm not ashamed at all about my beloved 20D, I just don't know too many others that still use it. Most people I know are upgrading to get the next bigger & best. Not saying that I won't upgrade sometime in the future, its just that this camera is working great for me now .

I also have heard great things about the expo disc. I'll have to check it out.

I do shoot in raw & use awb so I'll think I'll continue with what I'm doing .

Although your probably just as well-off in using AWB when shooting RAW, since using the Expo Disk i have become addicted to seeing a well balanced image in the viewfinder and having the image already perfectly balanced and exposed right out of the camera. This saves me alot of post time. I'm shooting my 1st wedding with it tonite if you'd like me to provide an update as to my results.
Limitations? to make this work your camera acts as an incident light meter. Meaning you must run the exposure from your subject's position, pointed at the main light source. This is not so practical in on-the-go sitautions, but if you are proactive and can run tests prior to shooting, such as befor the action begins at the reception or ceremony, then your in good shape.

I still use a 20d as my backup with a 70-200 2.8 IS on it.

I have 2 custom functions set. 1st is #4 I think that moves the focus buttion to the * button on the back as I've had a ton of problems locking focus then recomposing shots. If your's is fine with the shutter button then no need to do this.

The other function i have is expanded ISO so I can use it in lower light with no flash.. I hate flash unless it's to do something cool with a lighting effect. I think thats #14 but not positive without the camera in front of me.

Ooh, I forgot about that one, which I do have set also.

+ 1!
I'm dating myself here (talk about the dark ages), but I changed to the rear focus option on my EOS 1 film camera. Once you get used to it, you'll never again want to use your shutter release to focus.

Thanks again all for your input!

Kayla,

If your gonna use the * to focus, be carefully, you can easily under and over exposure because you'll have the habit of holding the shutter down half way to focus, but now you'll be locking exposure and not focus on the shutter.

Just to let ya know.

I had once used that method (*), but it's been so long ago that I'd have to read even how to set it up. Yes, I would have to get used to not holding the shutter half ways again.