Those with DSLR's

[DisneyGirl4188]

Do you use the picture/scene modes or do you prefer manual settings?

I am still getting familiar with my Pentax k100d and have only used the preset modes. This is my first DSLR; on all my other cameras I only used the auto modes.

 

[Master Mason]

I mostly use Av mode, I set the apeture, camera does the rest.

 

[tinksdad]

For me, it depends! If I'm shooting simple scenes with normal exposure conditions, I'll use the program or auto mode.

If I'm looking to control the depth of field, the Aperture mode is my choice. Fast action shots call for Shutter priority mode.

If I'm working with low light, high exposure difference or shooting studio shots I'm all manual.

Get to know your camera and play with all the settings, they ALL are usefull in different situations. But use the camera so you feel comfortable changing settings even with the camera up to your eye. The better you know your gear, the faster you'll be getting the special shot!

 

[YEKCIM]

I use Program or Aperture Priority, almost exclusively, on my D50, and did so with my Fuji S5200, as well. I like more control over the camera parameters than Auto or Scene modes provide.

~YEKCIM

 

[Geoff_M]

"Scene" modes are marketing gimmicks, be they on SLRs or dSLRs. Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual are the only meter settings you need to use.

 

[handicap18]

I use mostly Program or Aperture priority. I will use Shutter priority when I know I need a specific shutter speed and will use Manual when I know the camera wont give me the settings I want, usually for night shots. In all these settings I also have control over ISO and the focus area. In AUTO and any of the preset settings you have no control over anything. The only time I put the camera in AUTO is when I give the camera to someone else to take a picture for me. This way they don't have to worry about where to set the focus or anything else.

 

[Master Mason]

Another big negative to the scene modes on the XT is no RAW with them.

 

[Groucho]

I'm pretty sure that the K100D will do RAW in any of the modes, so that's shouldn't be a concern.

I usually use Program mode, switching to Aperture as the need requires.

I do wonder if we're not unnecessarily prejudiced against scene modes - there is certainly value to the concept. I'm pretty sure that future DSLRs will allow you to create your own, probably a variety. The K10D has something like this. From the DPReview review:

"Note that you can change the program-line from a 'standard' one to hi-speed (favors higher shutter speeds), depth-of-field (favors smaller apertures) or MTF (selects the optimum aperture for the lens used)."

Those sound like scene modes for those who don't like scenes modes. The K10D also lets you store your favorite settings in a "user" mode.

I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years, most DSLRs have a few different user modes available, or settings right on the dial for high speed, DoF, and MTF.

One big downside to the scene modes is that you don't get control over some of the picture settings (like bright vs natural, etc), but if you shoot in RAW, you can always change those later.

Anyway, don't feel bad. I shot with a full-manual 35mm for years, then a couple PnS digicams, and when I first got my DSLR, I did the auto mode and JPG most of the time. As time went on and I got more familiar with the camera, I started using the more advanced features and shooting in RAW, and I can't imagine going back now. It just takes time and practice to learn the camera and what to expect from it.

 

[mabas9395]

I have never used a scene mode on my dSLR and probably never will, they're too limiting.

If anyone really wants to learn how to use their dSLR, then put in on M and go out and shoot until you can get good pictures. When I had my old fully manual Pentax K1000 (non-digital), that was an expensive lesson to learn. But now, anyone with a dSLR, some basic instructions and an afternoon to kill can go out and learn how to take "technically correct" pictures by adjusting the ISO, shutter speed and aperture, and it won't cost them a dime in film.

Once you get the technicall side down, you can spend the rest of your life working on the creative side.

 

[Ratpack]

The only prest mode I used was Auto. Now I am learning more about photography, I try to only use Aperture, Shutter, Program or Manual with the majority being on Aperture.

 

[Lachesis00]

This is exactly what I would have said:

I use mostly Program or Aperture priority. I will use Shutter priority when I know I need a specific shutter speed and will use Manual when I know the camera wont give me the settings I want, usually for night shots. In all these settings I also have control over ISO and the focus area. In AUTO and any of the preset settings you have no control over anything. The only time I put the camera in AUTO is when I give the camera to someone else to take a picture for me. This way they don't have to worry about where to set the focus or anything else.

I started by using the "P" mode. Even now, when I shoot manual or A mode, I might be in the "P" mode and just see what settings the camera sees and then I will play from there.

I tried using the macro setting two days ago. SHAME on me. They did not come out anywhere near like using the P, A or M modes AND on those auto modes, RAW does not work. Not with the 20d

 

[jann1033]

this came up on another thread not to long ago so may be a rehash. when i first got my dslr i used tv almost all the time cause i felt like i was going nuts as it was, just never was a p kind of gal i guess, but now 95% i use av with a very occasional p, tv, or m thrown in but i used to use the auto macro mode all the time on my film slr and got great macro shots ( like people always praised them and i had a really awful macro lens at the time) so i think i agree with groucho...i just have kind of forgotten about the auto modes but really what difference is there in using the p mode vs the auto as in auto macro mode ( except raw with my camera and flash)not really much, it sets the shutter aperture and maybe iso( not sure if it does the iso on all auto settings) . i think you should know how to use the manual modes for sure and can't see using the auto much or why not buy a $100 p & s but i might try out the macro one next time i am doing macro shots and see how it goes. it would be nice just to worry about compositon etc and not how good is the dof going to be etc since those things will be great if this macro mode is like my slr macro mode was.

however after reading rachel's comments above after i initially posted this... my hopes for macro auto mode have been somewhat dashed so i may retract everything i said about auto

 

[tinksdad]

Another big negative to the scene modes on the XT is no RAW with them.

REALLY? That's interesting.....

Is there RAW available under more other modes? As you can tell, I use another camera.

 

[jann1033]

REALLY? That's interesting.....

Is there RAW available under more other modes? As you can tell, I use another camera.

there is raw under all what canon calls the creative modes, shutter, aperture priority, program which sets the shutter and aper. for you but you can control if you want flash or not ,manual progam and i think one called adep which is for a bunch of people in a row or something( don't recall ever using it ) but the auto( ie macro, night time landscape sport and something else( looking on my camera and not sure what the little pictures mean) can only use jpg

 

[Groucho]

That seems like good fodder for the Nikon vs Canon wars (assuming the Canon isn't the same way).

Nikon fan: "Canons aren't made for serious photographers, they can't even do RAW in a scene mode!"
Canon fan: "Well, at least Canon didn't come out with the D40!"



Back on topic, I will add that aperture priority is usually what I'm in if I have the time to think about the picture. If I'm just running from place to place, program is the way I go (which is basically "auto" with more controls and no auto-flash.)

 

[tinksdad]

I didn't say a word.........

 

[handicap18]

Nikon fan: "Canons aren't made for serious photographers, they can't even do RAW in a scene mode!"
Canon fan: "Well, at least Canon didn't come out with the D40!"

 

[ndelaware]

I use M almost exclusively but I will flip it to "Night Potrait" mode from time to time. I use this especially at Christmas or at night in WDW if I want to take a quick shot and don't have time to get the camera set up. Other than those instances it all M and all RAW.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Now that I'm working In Studio, I use Manual. Other times, I use Av or Tv.

 

[KrazyPete]

I'm trying to force myself to use manual mode if the picture is important at all. It's helping me a lot to learn how the aperture, shutter, ISO, etc. interact. I switch back to program mode for quick snaps.