Have you ever started shooting pictures only to discover that you’re using the wrong settings – settings that are left-over from your previous session?

When you’ve finished a shooting situation that required changing a camera setting, make certain to reset your camera back to the previous or default setting before your next photo opportunity.

For example, you might have switched the lens from autofocus (A) to manual focus (M) when you were doing some close up photography. When the photo shoot was finished, however, you forgot to switch the lens back to the autofocus (A) setting you usually use.

If you don’t remember to switch it back to autofocus, you might miss a great opportunity the next time you’re ready to shoot because you’re fumbling around trying to figure out why the camera isn’t focusing the scene automatically.

Resetting the A (Autofocus) on a Canon camera

Resetting the A (Autofocus) on a Nikon camera

The same is true for other custom settings you make in the camera. One that I’ve done more than once is to leave the self-timer setting turned on. It was an embarrassing situation the next time I pressed the shutter button because nothing seems to be happening until I heard the “beep-beep-beep” of the self timer winding down. I then remembered that I forgot to check the camera settings before taking the shot.

Check your owner’s manual for information on restoring the default settings. On the Canon XSi, for example, I reset the ISO, exposure, etc., to the original settings with these steps:

Press the MENU button.
Press the right cross key to highlight the third Tool icon and press the SET button.
Press the cross key to select “Clear settings” and press the SET button.
Press the up cross key to select “Clear all camera settings” and press the SET button
Press the right cross key to confirm and and press the SET button.

You have two ways to reset the Nikon. One way is through the menu system (image here is the Nikon D5000). Another way is simply to press and hold down the [I] button and the [info] button at the same time. If you cannot find these buttons, look for a green dot on top of the camera and a green dot on the back of the camera. Keep in mind you will not receive a confirmation message if you use this method.

Press the MENU button.
Press the down Multi selector to highlight CUSTOM SETTING MENU and press the SET button.
Press the Multi selector to select “RESET CUSTOM SETTINGS” and press the OK button.
Press the up or down Multi selector to confirm.

Clearing the custom settings on a Canon camera

Clearing the custom settings on a Nikon camera

So it’s always a good idea to double-check the settings both for the camera and for any lenses you might use before beginning your next photo shoot.

Written by Scott Slaughter