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Would like to learn Manual Mode
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Jan 24, 2012 18:46:24   #
Namwife Loc: Midwest
 
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....

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Jan 24, 2012 18:57:51   #
hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota
 
Namwife wrote:
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....


Just shoot on auto in a number of different conditions and then study the settings that the camera chose for each shot.

Find a good book or tutorial on exposure. I learned from the strobist website IIRC.

Once you truly understand exposure (the exposure triangle) it is a simple matter to take the settings you get from the camera in auto mode to take pictures in manual.

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Jan 24, 2012 19:11:42   #
MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy
 
Best thing I ever did when I was interested in switching to manual was pick up the book "Understand Exposure" it explained it in "normal" people talk.

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Jan 24, 2012 19:28:27   #
Namwife Loc: Midwest
 
hlmichel wrote:
Namwife wrote:
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....


Just shoot on auto in a number of different conditions and then study the settings that the camera chose for each shot.

Find a good book or tutorial on exposure. I learned from the strobist website IIRC.

Once you truly understand exposure (the exposure triangle) it is a simple matter to take the settings you get from the camera in auto mode to take pictures in manual.
quote=Namwife Does anyone know where to find the ... (show quote)


hlmichel thanx for the advice but it's the math part that drives me crazy I'm not a math person and F-Stops confuse me...

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Jan 24, 2012 19:29:14   #
randym77
 
MWAC wrote:
Best thing I ever did when I was interested in switching to manual was pick up the book "Understand Exposure" it explained it in "normal" people talk.


I second that. Great book.

Also, check out this article from the NY Times:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/five-easy-steps-to-simple-camera-mastery/

It has some tips for making the transition. One of my favorites: don't be afraid to use "training wheels." Use your camera's aperture priority and shutter priority modes, as a transition to full manual. Even pros use those modes sometimes.

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Jan 24, 2012 19:30:03   #
Namwife Loc: Midwest
 
MWAC wrote:
Best thing I ever did when I was interested in switching to manual was pick up the book "Understand Exposure" it explained it in "normal" people talk.


MWAC Thanx I'll look for that book I need plain Normal people talk I'm not a math person so all the numbers confuse me...

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Jan 24, 2012 19:33:09   #
Namwife Loc: Midwest
 
randym77 wrote:
MWAC wrote:
Best thing I ever did when I was interested in switching to manual was pick up the book "Understand Exposure" it explained it in "normal" people talk.


I second that. Great book.

Also, check out this article from the NY Times:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/five-easy-steps-to-simple-camera-mastery/

It has some tips for making the transition. One of my favorites: don't be afraid to use "training wheels." Use your camera's aperture priority and shutter priority modes, as a transition to full manual. Even pros use those modes sometimes.
quote=MWAC Best thing I ever did when I was inter... (show quote)


I've been using aperture and priority modes but I check the quilaity of the photo to see if I like it I don't understand the numbers,,,Thanx for the link I'll check it out..:)

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Jan 24, 2012 20:27:18   #
Bruce H Loc: Oregon Coast
 
you might be making it harder than it needs to be. Your camera has a light meter, you pick either the shutter or aperture, whichever is more important, turn the wheel until your light meter indicates proper exposure, no math involved. what this will do is YOU pick where the exposure readings are coming from and it won't change as you recompose your shot.

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Jan 24, 2012 20:35:02   #
chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon
 
It seems you are making manual mode harder than it needs to be. Leave Auto Focus on, set ISO to 200. Then you are adjusting only two things, shutter speed and aperture. Look at Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure" 3rd edition for more details and a better explanation.

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Jan 24, 2012 20:55:47   #
Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
 
Here's a link to Amazon that will give you the information on Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". It truly is a great book that brings everything down to a level that easily understood.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Understanding+Exposure&x=0&y=0

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Jan 24, 2012 21:08:39   #
ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona
 
Namwife wrote:
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....


Out of curiosity why do you "need" to learn to use manual mode?

What are you expecting to be different about the final result by shooting with manual settings over using the auto or semi-auto modes you are currently using.

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Jan 24, 2012 21:10:34   #
Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip
 
Namwife wrote:
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....


best teacher I know is DO it, put the damn thing on the DREDED M and go shoot, watch the exposure meter and try a shot, then bracket a shot, in less time than you think possible you will be a pro on M.

I use everything BUT M wexcept for long exposure stuff, but it is great to practice.
Word of warning, when done with the shoot, put the camera back on the auto mode, that wayu of a shot comes up- unexpectedly, you are ready. I lost a great opportunity to shoot a mama bear and THREE cubs, cause it was getting late as I lfet the waterfalls, had I prepared I couold have fired off a couple, lesson learned

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Jan 24, 2012 21:33:26   #
tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan
 
Once you have a basic understanding of aperture and shutter speed this is a link to a camera simulator, you can plug-in different combinations of f-stops and shutter speeds to see their effects on exposure.
Of course you could do the same with your camera but this is more convenient.

http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/shutteraperture.php

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Jan 24, 2012 22:35:46   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 


Wow! I wish I had this link for the photography merit badge class I teach for the Boy Scouts.
Thanks!!!

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Jan 24, 2012 23:03:25   #
MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy
 
ShakyShutter wrote:
Namwife wrote:
Does anyone know where to find the best on line tutorials on how to use manual mode? I shoot in P or S modes but I need to learn Manual....I would appreciate any help....


Out of curiosity why do you "need" to learn to use manual mode?

What are you expecting to be different about the final result by shooting with manual settings over using the auto or semi-auto modes you are currently using.


I think every photographer should learn how to use manual, doesn't mean they have to use it but they should learn how to use it and understand how ISO, SS and Aperture all come together to give you the results you are looking for.

I don't understand the use of full auto or program modes on a camera like a DSLR at all, why are you paying $500 for a camera body, $400 for a lens and then slapping that sucker on the green box? Why not spend $300 on a good P/S and call it a day, cause in reality shooting in full auto is turning that DSLR into a fancy, heavy P/S.

Learn your camera, learn to shot manual and THEN make the choice to shot in either full manual or semi-manual program (TV or AP).

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