When use manual setting? always?

[lspec]

The other day i was thinking, when is the best moment to use my camera on manual... I am still learning and everyday i find that i can improve my pictures.

I tried to take sports action with my camera set on manual, but its hard, because all the changes during the action (but you already know that ).

When I have to use manual setting? everytime? I know some of the advantages like DOF, aperture time, etc. But sometimes you dont have time to adjust your camera for the next shot

Can someone give me advice?, or maybe tell me when or for what reason you use it?

thank you.

[WVCoalMiner]

Mine never leaves the manual setting.

[RichardTaylor]

I only use manual when shooting in difficult lighting conditions, or sometimes when shooting with flash.

For sports/action it is usually shutter priority.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by WVCoalMiner

Mine never leaves the manual setting.

Pretty much same. On occasion I'll use Shutter Speed Priority or Aperture Priority, but those are VERY few and far between.

[Henry Wilt]

It's simple, there is no rule that says you must use manual mode.
If you are trying to use manual mode and missing shots of the event you are there to shoot because you are not yet familiar enough with changing settings on the fly, then (to me) it is wrong to be using manual mode. It takes time and a lot of practise to be that confident and quick with changing things on the fly.
If you are shooting a sports event, try using shutter priority mode to make sure that you are getting the shutter speed you need. You can still set the ISO manually or adjust EV+/- if you chose to.
If you are shooting a subject and you want to control the DoF, use aperture priority mode and again you can still control ISO and EV+/- manually.
Remember to look at the EXIF data afterwards and make a mental note of the settings that have been used for shots that you like as this will help you get a feel for what you're aiming for and help you get quicker.
Keep practising with manual mode and changing the settings on the fly to help you get quicker, but don't miss shots that want because you feel you have to use manual all the time.

I hope that helps some.

[ravncat]

When you want to set your exposure in a different manner than the meter on your camera says - or when you disagree with the programmed modes.

[mrdale]

Here is a thread from a few weeks ago on this topic.

The Secret Cult of M-Manual Mode

[CheaperKings]

Full manual, full time...

[Jim Bryant]

Only time when I use manual is when the lighting is consistent and doesn't change. Such as inside a gym, under the lights out on the football field. But outside, where the light constantly changing and I'm in my photojournalist mode I normally set the camera on either AV or TV, where I either set the desired f-stop or shutter speed. When shooting non-moving subject (landscapes) I do, however set the camera on Manual.

[dcclark]

I only use manual mode when I absolutely need full control, and the camera can't get it right. For example: long exposure waterfall photos, or long exposure star trail photos.

There is no magic about manual mode. It's just a tool. The camera's meter is also a tool -- I like to use it, because it works well in almost every situation! I'm usually in aperture-priority mode, which lets me control the one aspect which is usually most important to me, except in relatively few special situations.