REALLY dumb question about Auto

[daft_biker]

Originally Posted by sk66

I use auto frequently. It's Program mode on a nikon. Program mode also has the ability to be "modified".

Program mode is a "creative auto" mode on a Canon - the green box on the mode dial is fully auto. Dunno about other brands.

Both start off with the same settings but you can change the exposure values (aperture, shutter, ISO) and you can change the AF mode aswell as the metering pattern in P mode. Auto is fully automatic in those respects - you can't change the exposure even if you wanted to.

....or at least that's what the manual says. I've never wanted to use them myself as I don't mind getting it wrong and learning something. Auto isn't capable of learning.

[chl0e]

I used Auto for about a month and I also wondered what the big deal was about coming off to the other modes. I also thought if I did, I would mess it up and it would take too long and I'd be fiddling about. Also whenever people tried to explain to me how the other modes worked, I was totally confused and kept getting it all muddled up! I found it really intimidating

I ordered a book (Sony DSLR-A200 Digital Field Guide by Alan Hess if you're interested xD) and it was invaluable in explaining what everything on my camera did - I finally understood how it all worked! I thought I would never, ever, ever understand, and I thought it was all really complicated but actually it's not that difficult at all, and the more you do it the quicker you get, and the more control you have over the photos you take.

When I first came off Auto to manual mode I was thinking it would just be a recipe for diaster, but now it gives me the total control and it's much more fun being able to do this. I also use Aperture priority quite a lot. I never use Auto now, even in moments that I probably won't get again, I'm pretty confident in my settings - and when I do mess it up, I can learn from what I did rather than never having had that learning experience.

I still have a lot to learn about settings with lighting and other lenses etc, but it was so worth learning how it all worked because it's a million times more fun and I really enjoy knowing what everything on my camera does, rather than staring at it blankly!

I would recommend buying a book which is written about your camera, so it will explain everything as it relates to your camera. It's so much fun!! Haha good luck ;D

[kencaleno]

Always do your own thinking,don't let a silicon chip do your thinking for you. Ken

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

I stopped using auto about 10 minutes after getting my first DSLR because it wouldn't do what effect I wanted it to.

Simple as that.

You always have to be 10% smarter that the machine your using.

I didn't even take 1 shot with it.. probably still haven't. If I'm feeling up for a bit of auto, I'll only go as far as Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority.

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Always do your own thinking,don't let a silicon chip do your thinking for you. Ken

Thanks for saying it simply put, Ken.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by daft_biker

Program mode is a "creative auto" mode on a Canon - the green box on the mode dial is fully auto.
Auto is fully automatic in those respects - you can't change the exposure even if you wanted to.

Then my Nikons didn't/don't have an "automatic only" mode. But then again I've only used upper end "pro" grade Nikons. (D200,300,3) Maybe Nikons like the D40 etc do have "automatic only".

[BEGM83]

Cheers for the comments guys!

BTW My D60 has a few variables on auto (portrait, night, landscape etc etc) i have tried to force myself into manual but its confidence i guess. As already said im afraid of taking crap shots again. Daft really! lol

Ahh well...new years resolution...(Want to get christmas out the way first )

Thanks again guys.