What I said in the book years ago is likely true. I do believe most photographers probably prefer aperture-priority (perhaps as they do today), and so did Barbar back then. I tried it years ago when I first went to digital in 2003, but the problems it created were so serious I soon abandoned it. And I have rarely used it for any reason since. Prior to 2003, I only used manual with film, so I did not find out how often light in the viewfinder caused underexposure. I avoided that problem accidently by just using manual exposure with film, but digital made the pitfalls readily evident. So back to manual, especially for landscapes for many reasons. If you don't think you have a light through the viewfinder problem with your system, try this test. Put the camera on any auto mode and a polarizer over the lens. Point the camera at a dark area in the shade, but arrange the camera so sun can shine into the uncovered viewfinder. Look at the auto exposure that is set by the camera. Now cover the viewfinder with your hand or close the curtain. If there is a difference, that is the problem. If the unblocked viewfinder says 1/8 second at f/16, and the covered viewfinder says 1/30 at f/16, that means the image will be seriously too dark with auto exposure due to ambient passing into the viewfinder.

Hi Hogs,

I am about to begin the second revision of my landscape photography book by Focal Press.? Exposure and metering are important skills to master. Over 40 years of photographing close-ups, wildlife. and countless landscapes for fun and to earn a living, I have never found a situation where aperture-priority works better than the other choices I prefer that include shutter-priority, manual, shutter-priority and Auto ISO, or just manually setting a known exposure for stuff too small to meter like stars. Can any one think of a situation where aperture-priority really works best in case it should be in the updated book. I never have found a reason to use aperture-priority, but that doesn't mean there aren't any! Thanks for considering this question.

So what's the big conspiracy here? Are you insinuating that the OP is trying to pretend like he doesn't know what AP is? What's the motive? There has to be a motive! And basing your prosecution on the limited quotes you've provided, that "AP is probably the most widely used exposure mode for serious photographers" proves his "spoof?" He stated that it is widely used... not that he personally uses it or that he understands or sees a purpose for others using it. And on to exibit 2 of your evidence... "Barbara prefers AP." Well... Barbara isn't asking the question in the post... and asking on a forum to obtain a wide variety of responses would appear to me to be an obvious approach if you were wanting to mention a mode that you don't often use in a book. The word research comes to mind. You don't survey one person, not Barbara or anyone else. You cast the net wide and see what you come up with. It's funny to me that you guys are putting John on the cross because you believe that he's trying to make it appear that he doesn't know what AP is. He hasn't said that once... and hasn't claimed at all, in whole or in part that he has no clue what it is... never heard of it. He simply asked who uses it and why. Your evidence is baseless. When I'm a professional, and after 40 years experience (in 40 years), I can guarantee I'll never ask a question if this is the result... you guys are something else. Why buy a book in the first place... does anyone here not know how to expose a photograph with a camera? Anyone? Oh... there are other ways to do it? Maybe a way you aren't used to? Good grief! Like editing... if you send a raw file to 100 different people and ask them to edit it, you think you'll get 2 that are identical? Asking how others use a tool and why and gets pounded by "fellow" photographers? SHAMEFUL!

Although Kymarto has posted in the thread already, I think his post in the thread "Full Manual Mode" is even more succinct. Kymarto is an active professional photographer and his opinions carry extra weight with me, as I think they do with others:

"Personally I don't see the point of doing more work than necessary. I shoot with scores of vintage lenses in aperture priority mode. I let the camera decide the shutter speed--it gets me in the ballpark quick and easy, and I adjust using exposure compensation if necessary. Once I have that set up for a given scene, there is never a question of having to reset stuff if the light changes, for instance. As a pro, what counts for me is to get the shot, period. Manual is simply slower than letting the technology do what it is designed to do.

If you really want to go old school, then learn the sunny sixteen rule and don't use a meter at all. If you use a meter anyway, why not let the camera set the exposure--saves time. Then there is the AE lock button if you want to keep the exposure and move the camera. I can think of no good productive reason to use manual mode anymore."

Although Kymarto has posted in the thread already, I think his post in the thread "Full Manual Mode" is even more succinct. Kymarto is an active professional photographer and his opinions carry extra weight with me, as I think they do with others:

"Personally I don't see the point of doing more work than necessary. I shoot with scores of vintage lenses in aperture priority mode. I let the camera decide the shutter speed--it gets me in the ballpark quick and easy, and I adjust using exposure compensation if necessary. Once I have that set up for a given scene, there is never a question of having to reset stuff if the light changes, for instance. As a pro, what counts for me is to get the shot, period. Manual is simply slower than letting the technology do what it is designed to do.

If you really want to go old school, then learn the sunny sixteen rule and don't use a meter at all. If you use a meter anyway, why not let the camera set the exposure--saves time. Then there is the AE lock button if you want to keep the exposure and move the camera. I can think of no good productive reason to use manual mode anymore."