When do you....

[Optikal iLLusion]

How many of you shoot in Manual mode the majority of the time you shoot. If you're using other modes such as Av and Tv, why are you picking them over Manual mode? (i.e. the situation you're in vs. convenience)

I have been shooting in Manual since the day I got my camera. Trying different settings to see how things work. Once i became acquainted with the basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO it obviously became much easier to decide what setting i should use in a given situation.

I've been watching and reading tutorials lately where people say things referring to Av and Tv mode when doing certain shots. The thought that went through my mind was, "Why use either of those if you are comfortable in Manual?"

[Bruce A]

I always shoot in manual mode. However, should I have reason to use aperture or shutter priority I wouldn't hesitate for a moment.

[Optikal iLLusion]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

I always shoot in manual mode. However, should I have reason to use aperture or shutter priority I wouldn't hesitate for a moment.

My question is why would you feel the need to change to Av or Tv? What would make you "feel the need" to use either of those over Manual?

[Barry Jackson]

I shot manual from 1970 until the mid-80's when I got a Nikon 8008s with automatic exposure and matrix metering.

The day I shot a back lit scene and the exposure turned out perfect I decided to let the camera do the initial deciding and I would over ride it if necessary.

Since then and to this day I shoot Program with a +/- correction as needed.

Having digital instant review has even made me more confident of my method.

If I am doing portraits and want a shallow depth of field then I may pick Av.

If I am doing sports and I want to keep a certain ability to stop motion I may pick S(Tv).

In both cases I may add auto ISO.

I understand why others may do it differently but I use what works for me.

I went for seven years and shot without a light meter and relied on the sunny 16 rule, negative film(as long as you got detail in the shadows you could print in the highlights), and experience.

if you are shooting in a situation with constant changing light, such as quickly moving clouds, or even scenes that change quickly in their orientation to the light, it is difficult to keep adjusting the light settings to match.

I had rather the camera do as much thinking for me as possible so I can concentrate on capturing the moments I want.

I may use manual in some night situations, shooting HDR, and some flash situations.

[RichardTaylor]

Manual for when lighting conditions are difficult, or the subject itself may cause exposure problems.

Some example using manual, aperture and shutter priority.

#1 The head lights of the cars play havoc with the metering system causing severe under exposure if used on an "auto" mode.


Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 235 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Exposure Program Manual

Aperture or shutter priority when it will do the job especially when there is no time to twiddle knobs.

#2 With sun behind me and around dawn. So really no metering problems.
You don't have time to twiddle knobs when these guys decide to take off.



Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/8
Focal Length 350 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Exposure Program Aperture priority

#3 Easy exposure conditions. This is Shot 3 of a sequence that started less than 1 second ago. No time to twiddle knobs and check histograms..



Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/10
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 1/3 EV
Exposure Program Shutter priority


(edit)
A couple of other scenarios when shooting action when you do not want to be shooting manual..
The light is constantly changing due to puffy when clouds floating around (you have two problems - exposure and white balance).
When shooting in pouring rain you may not have easy access to all the controls and histogram due to the wet weather protection for the camera.

[Bruce A]

Originally Posted by Optikal iLLusion

My question is why would you feel the need to change to Av or Tv? What would make you "feel the need" to use either of those over Manual?

If I was in a stuation where the light was constantly changing and I wanted to retain a specific DOF or image sharpness I may use Aperture preferred. Whereas if I needed to freeze action where DOF was no real concern I may use shutter priority in order to keep my eye on the event without worrying about settings and lighting.

[Optikal iLLusion]

Ok. These examples are the best I've had yet. RichardTaylor, you always have good examples and explanations behind your decision. Just trying to understand

[doctorjames]

Originally Posted by Optikal iLLusion

I have been shooting in Manual since the day I got my camera. Trying different settings to see how things work. Once i became acquainted with the basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO it obviously became much easier to decide what setting i should use in a given situation.

The thought that went through my mind was, "Why use either of those if you are comfortable in Manual?"

When you say comfortable in Manual, what are you using for metering?....

If you have a look at the conditions and then say, well at this focal length I need f5.6 and 1/50th to do what I need, then fine, use manual.

If you are using your camera's metering system to determine that you are in the right ball park, then I would say "Why on earth are you using Manual?..."

If you are using in camera metering, then whether you have the dial set to M, A, S, P , the camera is determining your exposure. If you think its got it wrong, or going to get it wrong, and you apply +/- correction in A S or P modes then thats exactly the same as choosing to open the aperture, or slow the shutterspeed, its just the camera is doing it for you.

There are some situations where I use my camera in manual mode. These are:

using multiple off camera strobes

long exposure/night/low light photography

The rest of the time I shoot in A mode 95% of the time, as not much of what I shoot moves, or moves quickly at least.

If you are using your cameras metering, you have to set at least two parameters, to my one, basically wasting valueable shooting time IMO.

Sometimes things are happening so fast in front of me, that if I want a chance of capturing it, clicking to P mode, or even AUTO is the best option... and I hate people who use AUTO, even me when I do it, but sometimes, needs must....

[Biomech]

I use the minimum required. It's usually A so I have more control over the DOP and sharpness of the image. If it's action or fast moving I'll use S. If it's still life / portraiture I'll use manual

[Doug Sundseth]

In studio, it's all manual, all the time. Out in the wild, shooting wildlife and landscapes, especially right around dawn and sunset, when the light is changing fast but your eye doesn't notice quickly, it's either A or S, depending on the subject. (With frequent changes to ISO, to boot.)