Why I use 'M'.......
Mar 25, 2015 18:07:43 #
On several occasions I have had folks ask me why I prefer to use the manual setting on my camera. (I actually lean more toward 'Aperture' mode these days) I try to explain that more often than not I'm looking for an image that the auto settings don't provide. The following is a pretty good example. The auto settings in 'Portrait' mode were 1/30 sec., f3.5, ISO 800 & auto flash fired. I looked at the shot, Flipped to 'M' and dialed back the ISO to 100 and increased the f-stop to 4.5... The 2nd shot was a bit dark but that's easily corrected.... Just curious how many UHH'ers out their prefer to use one of the manual settings, what their favorite is and why.....
Mar 25, 2015 18:14:19 #
One of the main purposes of having a DSLR is to get more IQ - Image Quality, and to make subjects "pop" from the background with shallow DOF. I like to keep the ISO down to 200 (or less), and the aperture as small as I can go with available light. I've been using some Aperture Priority, but for alandscape or poetrait, I might go to M. (But I'm still learning a new camera, too)
Mar 25, 2015 18:33:36 #
Ugly Jake wrote:
One of the main purposes of having a DSLR is to get more IQ - Image Quality, and to make subjects "pop" from the background with shallow DOF. I like to keep the ISO down to 200 (or less), and the aperture as small as I can go with available light. I've been using some Aperture Priority, but for a landscape or portrait, I might go to M. (But I'm still learning a new camera, too)
I'm with you on the ISO thing. I know the new cameras do a great job with the higher ISO's but when you really zoom in to an image on the computer you can really start to see the difference. One of my goals is to create images that can be printed in larger formats. With the higher ISO's the artifacts really start to make that more difficult. The more I use 'A', the more I prefer it.....
Mar 25, 2015 18:57:45 #
ajohnston3 wrote:
one of the manual settings, what their favorite is and why.....
one of the manual settings, what their favorite is and why.....
aj, I'm confused!! Just HOW many manual modes are there?? I'm only familiar with one.
Some consider the camera on M with auto ISO as manual. That's NOT manual!!
But to answer your question, I don't have any favorite mode. Pretty much every genre has its set of modes that lend themselves best for that kind of shooting.
I tweak my modes to the shot, not the shot to the mode.
The other night I did a set shot at night shooting straight into some headlights. I used manual everything including manual focus. I think THAT was manual?? :lol:
It's either manual, or a form of Auto-manual. No??
Or did I completely miss your point?!
SS
Mar 25, 2015 19:26:33 #
SharpShooter wrote:
aj, I'm confused!! Just HOW many manual modes are ... (show quote)
Not really... all your considerations are valid. What I was referring to was the difference between the almost totally auto modes, Portrait, Landscape, Action, Macro, ect. & the settings that allow a higher degree of control. IEO, Manual, Aperture, Program & Shutter. (on my D5100... although I believe all modern DSLR's are similar) I agree with you on using the mode to fit the shot. I.E., using Aperture Priority mode for architecture or landscapes or Shutter Priority mode for sports or kids, ect.. (I think that's what you were referring to) I like to shoot what I call 'Cityscapes' at night with an old 28mm Vivitar wide angle lens. That's what I really call 'manual'. ALL the settings have to be dialed in......
Mar 25, 2015 19:38:00 #
ajohnston3 wrote:
On several occasions I have had folks ask me why I... (show quote)
Chalk up another for manual mode.... like you, it is aperture priority or manual 100% for me, mostly manual.
Mar 25, 2015 19:58:00 #
ajohnston3 wrote:
On several occasions I have had folks ask me why I... (show quote)
Are you using a manual transmission behind that engine?
Mar 25, 2015 20:06:49 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
If my aim is to get to ISO 100, F/11, 1/1200th sec, I don't really care how I get there.
I can get there with manual, I can get there with aperture priority, I can get there with shutter priority, unless of course I need exposure compensation to get there and those readings are off the scale of where compensation will take me to.
Then I have no choice but to use manual.
Having said that, I take 95% of my shots in aperture priority or manual. Sometimes I might be 95% manual, sometimes I might be 95% aperture priority, but overall, its usually one of those two.
I can get there with manual, I can get there with aperture priority, I can get there with shutter priority, unless of course I need exposure compensation to get there and those readings are off the scale of where compensation will take me to.
Then I have no choice but to use manual.
Having said that, I take 95% of my shots in aperture priority or manual. Sometimes I might be 95% manual, sometimes I might be 95% aperture priority, but overall, its usually one of those two.
Mar 25, 2015 20:14:42 #
n3eg wrote:
Are you using a manual transmission behind that engine?
Only in my Jeep (& my old Minolta SLR)... My Nissan is like my Nikon... it thinks it's smarter than me... :)
Mar 25, 2015 20:15:29 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Chalk up another for manual mode.... like you, it is aperture priority or manual 100% for me, mostly manual.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 25, 2015 20:17:42 #
lighthouse wrote:
If my aim is to get to ISO 100, F/11, 1/1200th sec... (show quote)
You mean the MFMM.... (magic fairy manual mode!!) a tough but worthy goal! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 25, 2015 20:38:06 #
lighthouse wrote:
If my aim is to get to ISO 100, F/11, 1/1200th sec... (show quote)
Your shots are always underexposed. In the brightest condition you still need ISO100, f/11 and 1/200 sec to have proper exposure.
Mar 25, 2015 20:51:34 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
BebuLamar wrote:
Your shots are always underexposed. In the brightest condition you still need ISO100, f/11 and 1/200 sec to have proper exposure.
Not necessarily true, you do not know what i am shooting, I may be shooting sunspots.
But thats irrelevant anyway, the numbers were just plucked out of the ether.
Please feel free to substitute whatever numbers make you happy.
It doesn't change the context of my post.
Mar 25, 2015 22:41:38 #
I use manual mode a lot because with most of my cameras it is the only mode that they have.
Mar 26, 2015 00:07:02 #
Darkroom317 wrote:
I use manual mode a lot because with most of my cameras it is the only mode that they have.
Ah, the joys of getting your hands in a chemical bath. (& the smells!) I learned the basics of photography (inc. developing & printing) when I took Photojournalism classes at NTSU. I spent a lot of time w/ a Yashica Mat TLR & pretty much wore out a Minolta SLR. I bought Tri-X in the bulk rolls and re-loaded my old cartridges. Probably why I'm more comfortable using my own settings.... That being said, it does make me appreciate the capabilities of todays DSLR's. I'm currently lusting after a D-810
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