Auto, or Not?

[mrodgers]

I'm only 4 weeks into a camera that has more than a set ISO100 and only having a couple of clicks +/- on exposure as settings. I think I am/was confused on what ISO settings are and just assumed you always wanted low outside/lot of light and higher inside/lower light. Thus, I have been setting in P and forcing ISO high for inside and low outside. Occasionally, I specifically set the shutter speed faster because anything slower than 1/10000000000000 and my 4 year old is just a blur going by . Seems my camera, since it is an inexpensive non-dSLR but with manual control, only likes to keep the largest aperture (f/3.5).

I think ISO and what you want to set is starting to click in my head for me now. It's not as simple as low for good light and high for low light. I think the correct ISO will allow me to make more adjustment on aperture and shutter speed, so I'm going to start paying attention to the histogram and play more with manual mode.

As far as focus, it's complete auto for me. I have to remove my camera from my eye to either use both hands holding one button while working the zoom control to manual focus or cramp my right hand up to be able to hold the button with one finger while working the focus control with another. Both "techniques" pull the camera away from it's shooting position and would mess it up anyways. Fine maybe for using a tripod, but since I'm looking into the viewfinder, it makes it difficult to see what I'm focusing on when it's away from my face to be able to hit the controls.

[eternalhope]

I one day hope that I'd be able to use the full manual mode...at the moment, my shots tell me I have a looooong way to go ( So I am easing myself towards the Manual mode by starting with the Av setting. I am now doubting my manual focus skills as the images appear to have fuzzy lines (I am not on digital yet, just having the negs developed and scanning them into my computer for any post-processing requirements). So...this week I'm trialling AF with the P settings again....just to compare results. I think it's really all about trial and error and trying not to get frustrated in the process! I just love using the MF though, it makes me feel like a "photographer"!! Sad, eh??!!

[neilwood]

Auto focus - just cant be bothered trying to guesstimate the focus so unless the camera is really struggling (not much now with a constant f2.8 lens on it), i let the camera do the work.

Manual settings - i like to be in control so letting the software try to guess what im thinking about when shooting is a little alien to me. Ive now got a fairly good idea of what the various settings will give me so i stick with manual and chimp (check the LCD) as required.

[wulf]

I think manual shooting is probably much easier with digital. I can afford to take a test shot and then check the results to get a good idea of things like focus and exposure. Sometimes it turns out that my first shot is the best but often there is an obvious error like being too light or too dark, which is easily corrected.

On film I wouldn't be able to get the immediate feedback and so, if I had to shoot in that medium, I would be force to make careful calculations and grateful for the tools that helped. Shooting digital, I want to make the decisions about how to get a suitable exposure myself because the combination of side effects (eg. shallow DoF, motion blur, noise) are as much part of the art of picture making as the balance of light and dark.

Therefore manual mode and plenty of use of the LCD review screen for me.

Wulf

[kirbinster]

I'm a strong believer in auto everything, unless there is some unique situation. Years ago you had to shoot manual, but with the computer in most cameras these days it is better able to pick things than the average person. Now I always check the histogram afterwards and reshoot if needed, but the camera usually gets it right. Obviously this does not work if you want to freeze motion or get specific DOF.

[porterd2nz]

I'd love to do manual everything but I find the focusing to be near impossible with my dSLR. On my old film SLR it was a breeze with its split prism setup.

Now if only the autofocus wasn't so dumb...

[Liz Caldwell]

Very interesting results! Thanks guys

[Peach]

I shoot everything in Manual (so far) as it's helping me learn. Plus, most of my pictures are taken indoors and it's just easier to fiddle until I get the picture the way I want it than have to try and rely on other settings and not getting what I really wanted.

Outside, I haven't done much photography yet - hopefully this Spring/Summer. Then, I'm not sure what I'll use.

[michaelest]

I grew up with an Argus C5 and a K1000. Manual is the way to go.

I've started picking up inexpensive but still high quality old Nikkor lenses that mount fine on my D40 but force all manual settings. I love it. Having the LCD preview and histogram help with quickly adjusting settings to obtain a good shot. Focusing is a breeze, and manual focusing is ideal for shallow DOF shots - allowing me to play with various planes of focus quickly without having to set/lock focus and pan l/r or lean into or out of the z-axis.