"P" vs manual (Page 3): :sm24:...

canon Lee

BebuLamar wrote:

Besides pros want to work as little as possible. There is no joy in the work. Get it done and get paid.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

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.

Rather than using ISO setting to force a particular shutter speed, why not simply use dial wheel in conjunction with P mode, which then allows you select the aperture/shutter speed combination? P mode can be a powerful tool if used with the wheel to select the combination... like Aperture and Shutter Priority modes rolled into one.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

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?

Quite similar. My camera changes exposure compensation on one dial and aperture on the other. The only other setting for "P" for me would be exposure compensation on one dial and shutter on the other.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

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?

Not a chance. For me "P" = "park". And "Auto ISO" = "I don't have a clue how much light there is", but I do.

Note, back during the Eighties my photo exposure skills got to the point I could shoot B&W film in a camera with no batteries in it, meaning the light meter was not operable and I was not carrying a handheld meter either. I just saw the light, kind of a Zen thing. I would not try that with Kodachrome 25 though.

I use Av about 80%, M about 15%, and Tv about 5%. That's it other than figuring in X and Flash.

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

I agree with frjack. I spent a small fortune on a series of ever more complex DSLRs, for the sole purpose of gaining better control over exposure. If I wanted to turn over control to the camera I could have saved a bunch of money and bought a decent point-and-shoot. Shoot manual and shoot RAW. Practice (practice, practice, practice!) shooting in all light conditions and learn how to balance shutter, aperture and ISO to capture images in the way you want others to experience what you see. After a while, and a bit of practice, you will find yourself thinking less about settings and more about composition. At the end of the day, photography is so much more than "taking pictures", it is about creating images that capture a feeling, move a viewer, or tell a story.

Kencamera

I shoot mostly wildlife and use Manual a great deal of the time. However, when shooting birds in flight I use a fast shutter priority (a saved setting). In low light situations I use aperture priority (also a saved setting). I always use auto ISO. My gear is a 7D Mark II with the Canon 100-400mm version II, and the 1.4 X extender.

canadaboy

allanwalls wrote:

I agree with frjack. I spent a small fortune on a ... (show quote)

Why spend a small fortune on a series of ever more complex DSLRs, for the sole purpose of gaining better control over exposure if you never use any of the technology that make these cameras so much more complex and expensive?

Doesn't make much sense to me.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?"

I do not for sure. Buying and expensive camera to set it to shoot always in P only makes your camera an expensive point and shoot. Learn basic photography and you will find many uses for other Auto settings and the Manual mode.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Manual is great for the studio and other static situations other than those forgetabout

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Manual everything. Spot metering and pretty much the same for focus.
--Bob

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?

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

You make a perfectly valid point and I obviously failed to explain clearly why I don't use "P" or "auto".
I spend money on the advanced technology so that I can take full advantage of the better metering, more focus points, a larger/better sensor, a higher max ISO, etc., etc.. All of which give me more flexibility and allow me to record an image the way I see it. Sure, the camera may sometimes nail the shot exactly the way I see it, but usually it doesn't. I didn't buy a D850 hoping that all that amazing tech would replace me as the photographer - I bought it to expand my creative options. If I saw my DSLR as a copying machine, I might use "P", but I see it as a paintbrush, and I can do much more in "M".

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

yes we use P a lot,depends on what I need.Interesting answers here.

mgoldfield

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?

"P" is really just a step up from full "Auto."

Why spend lots of cash on a fine dSLR and high quality lenses and then let a
computer become the photographer?

Choosing "Auto" or "P" is probably a good choice when one is unschooled
in exposure. Admittedly, these modes will provide acceptable results about
95% of the time. Unless time is of the essence why "shoot crap?"

Real photography is about composition, exposure and focus choices.

mgoldfield

allanwalls wrote:

You make a perfectly valid point and I obviously f... (show quote)

Exactly!

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

That's what it's there for. In fact, having a DSLR point n' shoot works best most of the time for most of us most of the time as well. If you have time and a set up shot is what you're going for I can see using manual or one of the priority settings, otherwise, program works for me as well.

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?