manual vs auto: I am relatively new to photography and have had this long argument with a friend of mine. I am beginning to doubt myself. If the DSLR is set on Apeture priority, should...

hobby62670

I am relatively new to photography and have had this long argument with a friend of mine. I am beginning to doubt myself. If the DSLR is set on Apeture priority, should the camera be set to auto or manual?

heltonjkv96 Loc: southwest Virginia

Do you mean auto or manual focus...!

snowbear

Aperture priority is a semi-auto mode - you pick aperture & the camera sets the shutter speed. The other "auto" settings (focus, white balance, ISO) don't matter - they are independent of each other.

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

I use auto focus because I can never find the clutch pedal for manual...

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

hobby62670 wrote:

I am relatively new to photography and have had this long argument with a friend of mine. I am beginning to doubt myself. If the DSLR is set on Apeture priority, should the camera be set to auto or manual?

Auto or Manual ..... "focus" has nothing to do with exposure.

If the control knob is set to A (aperture) the camera picks a appropriate Shutter speed. You can still choose to focus manually or use auto focus.

If the control knob is set to M (manual) you will have to choose a shutter speed and a aperture for a acceptable exposure, the camera will not do it for you. In this mode you still get to choose manual focus or auto focus.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

RocketScientist wrote:

I use auto focus because I can never find the clutch pedal for manual...

Good Grief.....

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

hobby62670 wrote:

I am relatively new to photography and have had this long argument with a friend of mine. I am beginning to doubt myself. If the DSLR is set on Apeture priority, should the camera be set to auto or manual?

the answer is neither. When you set your camera to aperture priority or shutter priority you are in what i would call semi-automatic. in one you will set the aperture priority and the camera will set the shutter speed, and vice-versa for shutter priority.

Does this make sense to you?

hobby62670

I understand that Apeture is a semi auto mode. On the side of the camera there is a button that must be switched to AF or M. On the side of the 18-105 lens there is a switch that must be moved to either A or M. These selections must be agree with the shooting mode I choose, either Manual or semi. when apeture priority or shutter priority is selected, which way do I go with the AF or M?

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

hobby62670 wrote:

I understand that Apeture is a semi auto mode. On the side of the camera there is a button that must be switched to AF or M. On the side of the 18-105 lens there is a switch that must be moved to either A or M. These selections must be agree with the shooting mode I choose, either Manual or semi. when apeture priority or shutter priority is selected, which way do I go with the AF or M?

the a and m on the lens is for autofocus or manual you can do either it will not matter about which mode you shoot in camera as for the a and m on the camera i am not sure what that is maybe someone else can explain.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I use auto focus because my subjects are move quick and if I tried to use manual focus I would miss so many shots. I do shot manual for my settings (aperture, SS and ISO).

You can use auto focus with manual settings just as you can use manual focus with a pre-programed mode. As pointed out the AF/M on the lens is to set you Focus mode. I am unsure of what the A/M on your camera stands for?

What camera are you using? Is it possible the AF/M you are talking about is the AF-On button?

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I think the AF/M focuses auto and then you can tweek it manualy. - Dave

hobby62670

I have a Nikon D7000

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

normanhall wrote:

quote=hobby62670 I am relatively new to photograp... (show quote)

good grief doubled

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

hobby62670 wrote:

I understand that Apeture is a semi auto mode. On the side of the camera there is a button that must be switched to AF or M. On the side of the 18-105 lens there is a switch that must be moved to either A or M. These selections must be agree with the shooting mode I choose, either Manual or semi. when apeture priority or shutter priority is selected, which way do I go with the AF or M?

you understand incorrectly - silly rabbit - you are confusing focus with exposure - time to get out the manual again only this time, have the camera handy

debbyg Loc: Nebraska

hobby62670 wrote:

I am relatively new to photography and have had this long argument with a friend of mine. I am beginning to doubt myself. If the DSLR is set on Apeture priority, should the camera be set to auto or manual?

My suggestion is read read read, and play with the settings till you "get it"....I am pretty new to all this too and understand your frustration...I promise if you do this it will all come together for you :)...take it slow and really learn what your camera can do..I am envious of what you are working with...lucky person you are! PATIENCE is the key with yourself and the camera. Don't forget to have some fun along the way and get ready to laugh at yourself - beats the alternative. I am still amazed at some of the things I come up with and scratch my head when it does not work like I thought it would...alot of variables...remember this is something NOT learned overnight takes alot of practice. There are alot of great people on this site that will guide you along the way.