"P" vs manual
Jun 11, 2018 07:28:30 #
Jun 11, 2018 07:32:37 #
Jun 11, 2018 07:34:52 #
I like "Program" mode as an auto mode because I can still manually adjust my ISO and also generally leave the camera set in this mode for a quick shot when needed. I also frequently use shutter and aperture priority modes when I want to control depth of field and motion capture. However, I do use manual mode when I'm trying to get creative and/or have time to make adjustments to get things just right. Unfortunately, many on this site see manual as some sort of badge or ego booster. I think they're just jealous that many of us can and do use the auto modes with great results. Frankly, there's a place and time for each mode and I think knowing how and when to use one mode over another is a key to successful photography and I shot for years with a fully manual Pentax K-1000, so it's not like I can't make good use of manual mode when needed. Good luck and good shooting to all.
Jun 11, 2018 08:07:19 #
selmslie wrote:
The problem with P and all other forms of Auto is that they all rely on the camera's meter...
And on the technicians and engineers who programmed the setting. Sometimes, it works well; sometimes, the situation doesn't fall within the parameters of their 'photographic vision.'
Myself, I mostly work in aperture-priority mode, sometimes in manual mode (say, landscape stuff), and sometimes in Program mode.
I just try to use what fits the occasion.
Jun 11, 2018 08:41:07 #
Depends on the subject. Shooting Nature, where your subject may not wait around for you to adjust your settings, your P formula sounds good. Doing Landscape or Portrait, etc, where you have time to adjust your settings, you may be happier with your results by doing so.
Either way, good luck. Something positive to be said for staying with what works for you.
Either way, good luck. Something positive to be said for staying with what works for you.
Jun 11, 2018 08:41:54 #
dreamon wrote:
And on the technicians and engineers who programmed the setting. Sometimes, it works well; sometimes, the situation doesn't fall within the parameters of their 'photographic vision.'
Myself, I mostly work in aperture-priority mode, sometimes in manual mode (say, landscape stuff), and sometimes in Program mode.
I just try to use what fits the occasion.
Myself, I mostly work in aperture-priority mode, sometimes in manual mode (say, landscape stuff), and sometimes in Program mode.
I just try to use what fits the occasion.
I use Manual nearly all of the time, especially with landscapes, because I have the luxury of reviewing the results and time to decide which variable to change.
But under most circumstances it's not the light that changes. It's the reflective properties of the subject. I can still get away with Manual by avoiding blown highlights and recovering shadow information in post processing. An incident reading or even Sunny 16 is more reliable than the camera's meter.
Jun 11, 2018 10:00:16 #
frjack wrote:
I don't trust the program modes as a result of unhappy experiences the first time I tried Aperture priority. I generally know what I want and most of the time how to get it. Shoot manual. Single focus. Auto focus sometimes and manual at others. Shoot RAW and never worry about WB. Download and process. Perhaps six or seven per batch are worth working on. Edit heavily and discard even more heavily.
Everything you just said, especially the last part.
Jun 11, 2018 10:46:00 #
The shutter speed and aperture chosen by the camera in P mode often is not what I want. I can make it changes while leaving the camera in P but it's not easy. If I use the same exposure as the meter suggests I often use A mode as it's easier for me to choose the shutter speed/aperture combination in A than in P mode. If I want exposure different from the meter suggests then it's easiest for me to do it in M.
Jun 11, 2018 10:52:35 #
selmslie wrote:
I use Manual nearly all of the time, especially with landscapes, because I have the luxury of reviewing the results and time to decide which variable to change.
But under most circumstances it's not the light that changes. It's the reflective properties of the subject. I can still get away with Manual by avoiding blown highlights and recovering shadow information in post processing. An incident reading or even Sunny 16 is more reliable than the camera's meter.
But under most circumstances it's not the light that changes. It's the reflective properties of the subject. I can still get away with Manual by avoiding blown highlights and recovering shadow information in post processing. An incident reading or even Sunny 16 is more reliable than the camera's meter.
Jun 11, 2018 11:46:27 #
BebuLamar wrote:
That’s why I don’t use P.
Professionals don't fiddle around with the settings and miss the shot
as our OP has identified ....
Jun 11, 2018 12:13:44 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Professionals don't fiddle around with the settings and miss the shot
as our OP has identified ....
as our OP has identified ....
Besides pros want to work as little as possible. There is no joy in the work. Get it done and get paid.
Jun 11, 2018 12:27:00 #
If you are shooting Nikon (or other brand) where P is the flexible program mode it can be very useful. But it's not like a rotisserie, you can't "Set it and forget". You need to be aware of your shutter speed and aperture even after assuring the exposure is correct.
An advantage over manual is at times you only need to make one adjustment instead of two. If you are at f/11 @ 1/250 and decide you need to stop action, a turn of one dial instead of two can have you at F/8 at 1/500. It's a minor point, but knowing the advantages and disadvantages of every mode can be helpful.
--
An advantage over manual is at times you only need to make one adjustment instead of two. If you are at f/11 @ 1/250 and decide you need to stop action, a turn of one dial instead of two can have you at F/8 at 1/500. It's a minor point, but knowing the advantages and disadvantages of every mode can be helpful.
--
Jun 11, 2018 13:07:15 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.
Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?
Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?
I use P only when actively participating in some event and can't, or don't want to, give my full attention to the camera but still want to capture acceptable images. As a result, I use P mode at most 5% of the time, and probably less.
Jun 11, 2018 13:11:18 #
Jun 11, 2018 13:26:21 #
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.
Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?
Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?
Hi when I do weddings or special events, I have an assistant, but she is not experienced enough to use any mode but "P". She backs me up and I would say she gets about 1 out of every 10 shots she takes... I know, others here will say its not the Program mode but her in experience, which to some small degree I do agree... Low light shooting especially weddings does call for experience.. It is more like a "point and shoot " for her... "P" mode is not fully automatic in that you can tweak the exposure compensation wheel or bracket... It is just a matter of learning how your camera works and Manual will easy...
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