Intelligent Auto
Mar 27, 2015 15:48:54 #
prcb1949
Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
Mar 27, 2015 16:43:27 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
49, welcome to the Hog.
A lot of people poo-poo Auto. Truth be told, half of those do no better and many, worse in other modes.
Of course on auto you can't control anything yourself, but you can expect most of your shots to come out near perfect most of the time, and sometimes better on auto.
The camera doesn't know What you are shooting, so it averages everything. Sometimes that's good, other times not as good.
Don't be afraid to start on auto but start to experiment as soon as you are comfortable with your camera. Read about shooting birds and how it's done best. Then experiment with those settings and see if they work for you.
No one mode works best, that's why your camera has various modes.
Your goal will be to learn every mode forwards and backwards. Always shot on Raw and always carry your manual and learn when to use what, and when to use it. THAT will make you a good photographer!!!
Again, welcome and good luck!! ;-)
SS
Mar 27, 2015 16:47:34 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
Wow, you're liable to get chopped off at the knees for a question like that around here.......LOL. The image quality will not change from mode to mode if the camera gets the settings close. Probably the best thing you can do is take a few photos in Auto or IA and look at the setting the camera used since its controlling the aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This will give you a starting point. Then google beginning photography tutorials and read read read to get familiar with what the camera is doing. Then you can go from there. While you are going through the tutorials, familiarize yourself with every aspect of the camera by studying the manual, doing the beginning tutorial will give you the basics and when you study the camera manual you will have a better understanding of what each function is for. Also, if possible, read or view a few tutorials online about the camera.
Good luck
Mar 27, 2015 16:49:47 #
prcb1949
Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
sharpshooter - thank you that was most helpful - when our winter (UK) is finally over and the sun is shining strongly I shall get out and about.
Mar 27, 2015 16:55:33 #
prcb1949
Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
Thanks to you as well Larrymc I am looking forward to getting started, but as I mentioned to Sharpshooter waiting for our weather to improve. Really wish I was back in Africa with all its photo opportunity.
Mar 27, 2015 18:03:55 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Thanks to you as well Larrymc I am looking forward to getting started, but as I mentioned to Sharpshooter waiting for our weather to improve. Really wish I was back in Africa with all its photo opportunity.
1949, I was in the UK in 2012. I found it to be one of the most picturesque countries I've ever been to, which I did not expect. I'm not saying Africa is not exceptional, only that the UK is as well. And I've been out of Dodge about 35 times.
Don't be afraid to go out in the middle of the winter rain. Those shots CAN'T be gotten in the middle of summer. Just saying!! ;-)
SS
Mar 27, 2015 18:29:31 #
Mar 27, 2015 20:52:50 #
Auto or IA will give you a sharp well exposed photo most of the time. However there are times when taking control of the camera will give you a better exposure or give you control over the part of the photo you want to be sharp or prevent motion blur.
If you don't want to get deeply into the mechanics of photography and you want more control, become familiar with the camera's scene modes.
If you don't want to get deeply into the mechanics of photography and you want more control, become familiar with the camera's scene modes.
Mar 27, 2015 23:28:23 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
I am not familiar with your camera, but I would not have much luck shooting birds on iAuto with mine, unless the bird was sitting still. My camera would not know to speed up the shutter unless I told it to, because it does not know how to distinguish a stuffed bird from a bird that may flutter away. When shooting birds I either shoot on manual or shutter priority with a shutter speed of at least 1/500, and higher if needed. If I were looking for an auto mode to shoot birds, I'd choose the auto mode that has the little running man or golf club man (sports setting) which will at least try to give you a faster shutter speed.
Almost all the blurry pictures I see on UHH would have been a lot clearer with a faster shutter speed.
Mar 28, 2015 07:20:21 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon P900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
The P900 sounds like a nice camera, if only for that incredible zoom. I'm tempted. As for Auto, that's the perfect way to begin shooting with a new camera. Most of your pictures will turn out just right. My Sonys have Intelligent Auto, but I've never taken the time to investigate exactly what that means. I guess it's one step better than regular Auto.
I like shooting in Aperture priority, but start with Auto and take it from there.
Mar 28, 2015 10:00:18 #
prcb1949
Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK
To jerryc41, minniev and MarkD -thanks for the response and the advise I think it makes sense to start with the auto - discover its limitations and take it from there.
Mar 28, 2015 11:03:43 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
I suggest you use the search feature of this forum for a wealth of great info. Try searching "newbe" or "auto" or "manual" or "birds in flight." In fact your question is already entered in the "search" database under "auto". Also, under the search topic of "auto" there is a topic "auto to Manual" that you'll find very interesting. You can spend many hours, even days digesting the info you'll discover. And I'm sure members here will give you useful advice. I will tell you that in low light situations manual will give photos that are far superior to auto every time.
Mar 28, 2015 12:12:06 #
Mar 28, 2015 12:20:20 #
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
I had to go online to find this info about my Sony cameras. Intelligent Auto - iAuto - seems to be basically automatic. It decides how to set the camera. Superior Auto also sets the camera, but it takes a burst of pictures and gives you the best composite it can.
From the manual -
"What is the difference between Superior Auto mode and Intelligent Auto mode? In Superior Auto mode, the camera shoots burst images based on the recognized scene, then creates a composite of the burst images (Overlay shooting). The camera automatically corrects the backlight and reduces the noise by overlaying images, so a higher-quality image results than in Intelligent Auto mode."
Mar 28, 2015 12:35:02 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
prcb1949 wrote:
Hi there I am a newcomer to photography so please excuse my very evident ignorance. I have a question regarding intelligent Auto or Auto. What can I expect in terms of image quality in the use of this function particularly in the photography of birds? I am about to purchase the new Nikon p900 and would like some advise as I have not yet to learnt how to manually set a camera.
It's not uncommon to get uninformed advice, but you'll learn quickly which to ignore. (The P900 does not shoot RAW.)
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