Do you shoot manual?

[BorisMD]

Hi all,

I just started reading Brian Peterson's book, "Understanding Exposure", and really like the way he explains the concept. He also encourages the use of manual exposure to get the best creative exposure for a picture.

I've started playing around with manual (for the first time since I've owned my Rebel XT), and am finding it to be not nearly as daunting as I thought it would be.

My concern is the additional time it takes to check the exposure. I was so used to just keeping the dial on "P".

So, when you shoot your vacation shots, do you use manual, and if so, does it slow down your picture taking?

Also, as an aside, I just took delivery of my 24-70 2.8 L lens. Very solid. Also very heavy. I'm planning to use this as my walk around lens for the foreseeable future. If I don't tire from the weight, this should be my main lens. I did demo a friends EF-S 17-85 USM IS before getting this lens, and that was a tempting choice as well. Way lighter, but not as fast.

Regards,

Boris

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There was a thread on shooting modes a while back. You can find it here.

I, and most DSLR users that I know, shoot primarily in AV (aperture priority) mode. I prefer it to manual because the camera handles the overall exposure and I can focus on controlling DOF.

If I'm in a situation where the light is constantly changing, sometimes I switch to P (program) mode. At that point, I've given up creative control for the exposure settings but I also don't have to think about it either. I do this less and less as I get more experience and get pickier about how I shoot.

I rarely use Tv (shutter priority). Even when I'm after a fast shutter speed, I usually use AV. In those cases, I usually set the widest acceptable aperture given the lens and situation and let the camera pick the shutter speed anyway. I do sometimes use Tv when I really want a particular shutter speed - usually when I'm panning or looking for particular motion effect.

I find myself increasingly using manual exposure, but still not nearly as often as Av. First, I use it when I plan to shoot a lot of shots in the same place with the same lighting and want the shots to look similar. For example, if I'm shooting my son's soccer game on a sunny day, I know that once I set my exposure, the light isn't going to change materially during the game. Rather than have the camera pick different exposure levels for different shots, I set it to one exposure setting so that it is constant for all shots.

Another case where I use manual is for flash work. With studio flashes, it's a must. With on camera flash, I still prefer manual a lot of the time. I just find it easier to work with that way - I set the exposure controls the way I want them and let camera make up for any light gaps with the flash.

 

[boBQuincy]

I very rarely use "M", only when I know the camera is not likely to get a good exposure. My main use for "M" is for fireworks. I use Tv for getting a certain amount of blur from moving objects, and Av for a certain depth of field.

I use "P" maybe 99% of the time, with program shift and exposure compensation it can deliver almost any exposure setting desired but still with the option of automatic metering so we don't miss a fast breaking shot.

I am one of the few who do not like Peterson's book, among other things it pushes too many beginners into using "M" with the idea that if they don't they are not real photographers. What a silly idea! For most of us using "M" will slow down our photography and cause a lot of missed or incorrectly exposed images.

ymmv...

 

[ukcatfan]

I probably use aperture priority about 50% of the time, manual about 40%, shutter priority 9%, and program 1%. For manual, I have my exposure lock button set to keep the aperture and set the shutter when pressed. I can then quickly adjust the shutter a few clicks (set on 1/3 stop increments) if I feel the shot needs to be over or under exposed. I find this method easier than using exposure compensation in Tv or Av. I also always manually set the ISO. On the rare occasion that I use P, I might set the ISO to a 200-800 range instead of manually setting it.

Kevin

 

[gruZ]

Like others above, I use aperture priority most of the time. The exception to this is when I am using flash - either on or off camera. In these cases I usually use Manual to fine tune the lighting.

 

[handicap18]

I use aperture priority the vast majority of the time. I probably use Manual an shutter priority about the same amount of time. I'll put it on AUTO when I hand the camera to DW. When using a flash I'll many times use Program depending on what I'm photographing.

The majority of the time when I use Manual if for night shots.

 

[MICKEY88]

I am one of the few who do not like Peterson's book, among other things it pushes too many beginners into using "M" with the idea that if they don't they are not real photographers. What a silly idea! For most of us using "M" will slow down our photography and cause a lot of missed or incorrectly exposed images.

ymmv...

I agree with this thought, I have seen a few people on here and other photo boards, buy new dslrs, and immediately think they have to learn to shoot in full manual to get the best pics and that is untrue in most shooting situations

I use Aperture or shutter priority for 80-90% of my shooting,

as mark said Studio flash is one time, the other is when doing night shots of architecture, I like to go manual and try lots of different exposures, generally setting aperture for max depth of field, then shooting at different shutter speeds including bulb, just to see what different looks I get

 

[Shutterbug]

I am pretty much in the same boat as the others, using Av for most of the time.

 

[DVC Jen]

95% manual. The only times I don't is when I NEED a fast shutter speed like for dance competitions or recitals.

I used to shoot in aperture priority most of the time - but since switching to manual - I think I honestly have more control and better exposures.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Av here, also. I never use Auto or P and seldom go M. I'll switch to Tv only if I want a timed shot, such as waterfalls and fireworks. The control you get with Av mode makes it ideal for most shots. I don't shoot flash right now so don't need M as much. I don't care for the onboard flash of any camera and refuse to use it. Once I start my portraiture lessons, I'll have to break down and get a set of lights, then I'll work in M, most likely.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I shot my son's basketball game today in full manual. I have typically used aperture priority which wasn't getting the shutter fast enough, usually between 1/80 and 1/125. In full manual, I set the shutter to 1/400 and aperture to f/2.8 with ISO at 1600. Although a bit underexposed, the photos were sharp. Since I shoot in RAW, a quick increase in PP exp compenstion finished the photos off for great shots.

 

[MICKEY88]

95% manual. The only times I don't is when I NEED a fast shutter speed like for dance competitions or recitals.

I used to shoot in aperture priority most of the time - but since switching to manual - I think I honestly have more control and better exposures.

for dance stuff couldn't you just set a faster shutter speed if you normally shoot manual

 

[Gdad]

I rarely use full manual unless doing something unusual like night shots with a tripod, fireworks, lunar eclipse, etc. Typically I am in Aperature Priority 90% of the time. If shooting hand held in low light and want to maintain a minimum Shutter Speed even at the cost of underexposure is about the only reason I will switch over to Shutter Priority.

Although I must say since I got the D300 I find I do not even do that- instead I stay in A-Mode and switch to Auto ISO which allows me to set a minimum shutter speed, preferred ISO, and maximum ISO- and it will maintain the preferred ISO until it reaches the Shutter threashold- then raise the ISO as required.

 

[brack]

Like most of the others here I rarely use manual settings unless there is a particular shot that I want to make.

 

[DVC Jen]

for dance stuff couldn't you just set a faster shutter speed if you normally shoot manual

Yes I am sure I could - but then I also have to set the aperture to get a correct exposure and when lighting changes or she moves to a better lit area of the stage it takes time to change my exposure. Shooting in shutter priority is faster for me. I only have to set my shutter speed and let the camera do that rest as I am trying to frantically keep HER in the frame and not some other persons kid.

 

[Groucho]

I rarely use manual, which I'm actually kind of surprised by since I spent many years shooting full manual with my K1000, so I'm very comfortable with it.

Most of the time I still use Program unless going for a specific effect (which is often). I'm really, really looking forward to Hyperprogram mode on the K20D (the K10D has the same mode) - it's like regular Program mode (though you customize it to lean towards DoF, shutter speed, etc), but if you turn one dial, it instantly switched to Av mode, and if you turn the other dial, it instantly switched to Tv mode. Press the "green button" to return to regular Program mode. That sounds pretty cool to me.

I may move towards manual some more, especially as the new camera has a slider to show you exposure, rather than a number (-2, +1.5, etc) to show you how the exposure is. I prefer an analog-type slider to just changing numbers.

I do like the way the Nikons can be set to change ISO at specific shutter speeds. That seems like it would help relieve some of the need for shutter priority.

 

[MICKEY88]

I rarely use manual, which I'm actually kind of surprised by since I spent many years shooting full manual with my K1000, so I'm very comfortable with it.

Most of the time I still use Program unless going for a specific effect (which is often). I'm really, really looking forward to Hyperprogram mode on the K20D (the K10D has the same mode) - it's like regular Program mode (though you customize it to lean towards DoF, shutter speed, etc), but if you turn one dial, it instantly switched to Av mode, and if you turn the other dial, it instantly switched to Tv mode. Press the "green button" to return to regular Program mode. That sounds pretty cool to me. sounds like what Minolta used for years, they called it program shift, in program mode turning one dial controlled shutter speed, the other controlled aperture, when you changed one the other changed accordingly to give an accurate exposure

I may move towards manual some more, especially as the new camera has a slider to show you exposure, rather than a number (-2, +1.5, etc) to show you how the exposure is. I prefer an analog-type slider to just changing numbers.

I do like the way the Nikons can be set to change ISO at specific shutter speeds. That seems like it would help relieve some of the need for shutter priority.

that sounds like using auto ISO, that's one control I don't want to give up

 

[DragonSlyr]

Depends on what I am shooting. For my DD’s gymnastics I shoot manual 100%. It provides me the most versatility for indoor, fast paced, no flash pictures.

Tom

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Depends on what I am shooting. For my DD’s gymnastics I shoot manual 100%. It provides me the most versatility for indoor, fast paced, no flash pictures.

Tom

Just curious...what advantage does shooting manual give you in these situations? When I'm shooting "fast paced", I usually opt for some form of auto or semi-auto exposure to reduce the number of variables I have to juggle. How are you using manual to help you?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Forget shooting in manual, what I want to know is if anyone reads the manual?