oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Lets see if he starts a thread suggesting "Mirrorless cameras are just a passing fad" and should not be addressed.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I feel offended. The OP asks what seems to be a reasonable question, then spends the rest of the thread arguing with the answers he has been given. If he's going to be this close-minded about the subject, he's not going to be objective about it in his book, and I'll make a note to avoid anything written by him. Now if he had simply said something like, "I don't agree, but I appreciate the input and will cover some of the rationale in the revision", I would not feel like such a sucker for rising to his bait. Not only have his motives been deceitful, but his use (or lack thereof) of the honest input he has received indefensible as an author.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

Depth of field and when using hyperfocal distance.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You mention repeatedly that the A mode creates 'severe' problems from light leakage inside your camera and alluding to other issues as well.

Please illustrate what you mean.

I do not see any leakage regardless of any mode simply because the mirror when up blocks the light from the viewer prism. The only reason one may want to block light from the said prism is when measuring the exposure but then again these instances are few but do exist when using a tripod and using a remote (source light from behind, by example). This has nothing to do with the A mode thought.

What does the A mode do? Simple it creates a specific dof used in specialized situation (HDR, stacking, time lapse among others) or when the need of exposing a scene or situation so that the dof is always covering a subject the same way.

I will agree that the A mode is a bitch because you if do not control at least the S or ISO, the results are unpredictable even if still exposed correctly. If you control A and S using manual and auto ISO you still have a variation but that one is in light quality ~ raw DR recording suffers. (Note that in my opinion using S on auto and controlling A and ISO is crazy, using a tripod or not.)

Personally I use manual with the A set and adjust the S as needed while trying to keep the manual ISO to the base setting. This can lead to underexposed images if I do not manually adjust the ISO but then again since I have one of the new (invariant sensor) camera I just do not care about being underexposed -3. I use a S setting for effect (freeze/blur, panning) that's it.

buddingfatographer Loc: Nashville

Wow! The entire problem with this thread summed up in one post. Terrific job! I'm going to use some quotes here and also ask a question of my own. You say the OP has raised a question and then "spent the rest of the thread arguing with answers he's been given." PROVE IT! I say he has defended his stance when challenged, and challenged for whatever reason. Claiming that the OP has spent an entire thread arguing is a strong claim and again I ask you to prove that. Now my quotes,

#1 "anyone who thinks any auto exposure mode is ALWAYS the best needs to reconsider And thanks to your answers, I may have a couple situations where AP may be an excellent solution." (An excellent solution? Right John! What do you have up your sleeve, you sneaky devil)

#2 "But should clouds float by, and the ambient light keeps changing, the auto modes do have the advantage of changing for ambient. Since shutter speed is critical for image sharpness, using aperture priority with a big aperture - such as f/4 - does let the camera adjust for changing ambient while maintaining shutter speed." (Arguing like crazy here for sure)

#3 "And I just thought of another situation where aperture works well. Photograph white dome geyser erupting at dusk with the red sky behind it. The sky is gradually darkening so aperture-priority adjusts for that once the ambient exposure is set for the sky. The geyser and mound are dark, so I could use 3 or 4 filtered speedlights on manual to lighten the dark foreground. Food for thought folks, thanks." (Thanking people for eating up his brainwashing I guess?!)

#4 "I agree that aperture is often critical. So how does manual exposure not give you the same control? Just set the aperture you want, and adjust the exposure with the shutter, or even the ISO. One advantage of manual is you have shutter, aperture, and ISO available to adjust the exposure." (Agreeing that there's a use... he just doesn't understand because he has done it different and doesn't see a need?)

#5 "I completely agree. There is (usually) an exception or situation where this is a better way. Notice my weasel word "usually." There are lots of ways to get a fine result, but some ways do work easier than others. Most of the time, I could get a fine exposure with any of the exposure modes, but some require much less fussung than others for the situation." (He completely agrees? Sure he does! Arguing!)

#6 "When shooting HDR brackets, I find manual exposure works fine. But if in a hurry, aperture-priority does make sense since you don't want the DOF to change from shot to shot. I will be sure to mention this use of AP - thanks for the reminder." (Sure it makes sense John... sure you'll mention it John... what do you mean by that? Arguing again?)

#7 "I am just looking for situations where aperture priority is a fine way to go." (Sure you are John, you know all the situations don't ya? You arguing John?)

#8 "That is exactly what I am doing. I seldom find a use for AP, but I do want to promote its use for situations where it works really well. I have a few now, so I won't abandon it." (John arguing with me here)

#9 "I don't mind people not agreeing with me because then I have a chance to learn something." (FOR SURE ARGUING HERE... ARGUING THE WHOLE THREAD? NO DOUBT!)

... and then John is in full on defend mode... defending himself from the onslaught of grenades lobbed his direction... 11 pages into the thread and I dont blame him! Spends the entire thread arguing? PROVE IT! THAT'S A STRONG CLAIM! Deceitful? What EXACTLY did he lie about? You claim deceit? Prove it! What EXACTLY did he lie about? And hasn't or not using the input he's received being indefensible? PROVE IT! See examples 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8! If you're gonna throw those grenades you better be able to back that up! Making a note to avoid his books should be fine, I'd say you've got plenty of open file space.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Just like you have chosen shutter priority, there are times for aperture priority if you are not shooting manual. The first, and in my opinion, the most important, is when you want to control the ISO setting and you want to control the depth of field, ie you want the background out of focus (Bokeh) for effect.

That's my reason. Hope it helps!

buddingfatographer Loc: Nashville

And then Jeff wanders in with the most middle of the road, likeable avatar headshot ever and a perfect, what everyone has been looking for answer. Thank you Jeff! Don't read backwards and spoil your innocence Jeff!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Well said, Sir.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Well said, Ron.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Wow, we sure have got your Nikkors in a twist, haven't we! Perhaps we don't feel the same affection for John as you do. Some people here have a very large amount of professional experience in many fields, and some have a sense that something is less than legitimate here.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

So now you start becoming insulting and offensive? With no real justification? Where are you coming from? What is your motivation?

Hmmm! Curious minds want to know...

buddingfatographer Loc: Nashville

I have zero affection for John, none whatsoever and don't even agree totally with him as I shoot in AP almost exclusively, no reason why other than it looks cool when somethings blurry which is why I got a dslr in the first place. But I do have an affection for anyone asking a question about anything and make no excuse for that. If you don't want to answer the question... don't answer! Simple...

buddingfatographer Loc: Nashville

Prove it! Insulting how?... by observing that we, all of us, have been battling for 14 pages and a completely normal, regular looking, right down the middle of the road, anytown USA guy just legit answers the question and then that's it! And I've insulted him? And offended whom? Did he tell you I offended him... or did you just guess? Am I part of the resistance now? A rebel? You and the rest of thugs are doing good to stay afloat... use your arms for treading water, not reaching for more conspiracy theories!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I did answer his question, informatively, politely and concisely. On page 1. As did many others, but my 'spidey senses' tell me that there is something else going on here.

Perhaps you don't get that, but apparently others do. This was certainly not a simple 'innocent' question in the way that it was posed, nor in the way it has been responded to by the OP.

What I think doesn't really matter, but I'm not left with a positive impression, and would not spend any time or money on his advice or books. From a marketing perspective I would say that this thread has not been favorable to the OP.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Read your own words. QED!