Auto. Bad rap??

[Tzetsin]

ok, nobody jump me for this ok? please?

Now I'm no professional, but i'm not a complete newb either, but I have to ask... Is using Auto or P rally so bad????

I've got a 60D and a 5Dmk2. The 60D was the first DSLR i've ever owned, though I've been taking pictures for about 12 years now. When all I had was the 60D I really didnt like the way it took pictures in auto or P mode so I spent about 99% of the time in full manual. I dont think i've ever taken a shot with that camera in ap or tv mode, so I can safely say that i'm fully aware of how my camera works.

Enter the 5Dmk2.

The 5D actually takes a pretty good picture in A/P modes and it makes things run a little smoother for me. It lets me focus more on composition and light, and less on turning knobbies and dials. When I'm using off camera flash, or have a specific look or effect I switch it over to full manual.

Im I crazy? the only one? does anyone else pro, or semi pro use Auto or P "Sometimes?" Or is it just so taboo now that one just cannot fathom the Idea of using it?

[graciousness]

I'm a newbie, but I'm also a parent like you. There are times when you don't have any time at all to set up for candid shots, esp with children, and all you have time for is to turn on your camera, point, shoot. If you have to worry about camera settings, then there goes that special candid moment, gone.

This just doesn't apply to family shots, of course, but to any particular candid moment where your camera is available nearby.

As a photographer, one has to use the best available option on the camera to get the most out of an image. If the option is the quickest and easiest way, in whatever mode that is, what's important is to have captured any given moment that the camera is called for action.

[Niresangwa]

it's only taboo for photo-snobs who care about how people perceive their skills. This was briefly discussed in another thread a few days ago. It's one thing to be fluent in manual, it's another to know when it's to your advantage to use Av, Tv or even Auto... and in my experience, there's a time and a place for everything.

So, yes, I use Auto sometimes. Sometimes, it's when someone is paying me too! Shock, Horror! The bottom line is, they don't hire me to turn dials, they hire me to produce images. If, in my opinion, Auto is the mode that will allow me to execute the shot I'm going for, so be it.

[faeriegodess612]

I'm no Pro,..but,....

I use Auto when I'm talking snap shots of our cats being cute. It's faster and easier that way. If I'm fussing with my camera settings instead of pointing and clicking, then the whole moment is lost. About the only thing that I've been doing manually lately is my focusing. And thats cuz my Auto Focus is acting screwy, but I don't care because I dont have to wait on my camera to decide what to focus on if I go Manual Focus.

I've been playing more in Manual, there's a lot that's clicked lately in my photographic mind. I'm still mainly in Program, but I switch around depending on what I'm going for.

[nickbedford]

Our current (band) producer has a 5D Mark II and isn't a photographer, just likes having a decent camera, which is an understatement. He doesn't know how to use it beyond Auto and using lenses but he takes a lot of fantastic looking shots when he's out on trips to America and such on Auto/JPEG.

He's pretty well off I might add.

That being said, it's a rare occurrence for me to use auto. If I need some automation of settings, I'll typically just use aperture priority.

[Tzetsin]

I guess it comes down to the types of picture you are hoping to get. If your looking for something specific, then Auto / P isnt the one for you, but if your looking to snap something off quick, AKA paparazi, photo journalist, mother/father then A/P is your buddy.

[tyasa81]

i wonder why so many ppl say auto is for candid, photojournalist style... for there you still need to control your focus point (not sure about canon, but from my experience with nikon, auto gives me auto everything)... and to some extent dof which means aperture... i do a lot of these for my family and auto always gives me something more to be desired... either more or less dof or it's focusing on the wrong parts... i just can't trust auto when using a fast lens... but my experience with kit lens, then auto is acceptable since aperture and focus point isn't so critical unless you are really close to the person till you can get the blurred background... make sense?

auto is good when you want to give your camera to someone else for a long time so they can have fun with your camera... otherwise for 1 shot thingy... just set the setting, and just tell them... press here...

[gturner]

I find that I look at every image I am about to take with a specific plan in place. I know my kit well enough to be able to push 2 buttons and turn a dial or 2 within 3-5 seconds to make sure I get the correctly framed, correctly focussed shot.
my hit rate is very high. sure not every one is a keeper, but there is very little junk.

I find that auto, whilst been able to take lots of very usable images, rarely matches my eye or desired outcome and the junk number sky rockets.

That said, my wife who knows zip about cameras can pick up the big camera, stick it on the green square and take a snap shot, so I am glad that function has remained.

[Chip]

If you can consistently get the results you want, what difference does it make what mode you select? Use whatever mode works for you.

[Woody]

The classic example of when pros use AUTO is when backing out of a church snapping away at the georgeous bride and hansome groom, when bang, bright sunshine. All those settings for inside the church gone. No time to mess with resetting the camera(s). Auto, click click click.
You could, of course, carry two cameras, one set up for indoors and the other for bright sunshine. But I'm flat out with one.

So yes sometimes we need to use auto. But I mostly shoot in AV or M, while with flash on in P.

Cheers,

John W