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Why shoot in manual mode?
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Jun 16, 2012 10:36:51   #
Audwulf Loc: Golden State
 
Picture this: You are at your grandsons graduation. You are shooting in "Auto". Your grandson is at the podium, receiving his diploma. You have a beautiful frame of him turning, with a brilliant smile. Just as you press the shutter release, some )&*%^$# stands up between you and your grandson, and you have a wonderful shot of the back of some )&*%^$# bald head, because of "Autofocus". Nuf said.

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Jun 16, 2012 10:36:54   #
DougW Loc: SoCal
 
I shoot in manual because it slows me down and makes me think through
what I am trying to accomplish with my image.

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Jun 16, 2012 10:41:09   #
CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon
 
Julian wrote:
Croce wrote:
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really isn't manual. They pick manual mode then proceed to select a shutter or aperture setting and use the opposite to null (center) the meter setting in the viewfinder. Those same people are probably, although not always, also using auto white balance. I have tried that method but find that although the results can be quite good, aperture priority is what I find most useful for my type of shooting. If I were a sports shooter I would probably use shutter priority. If I were a studio shooter I would always use manual because my lighting would be set up, controlled and constant.
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really i... (show quote)


You are generalizing! Anytime you elect to set the aperture and shutter speed manually, you are in "manual" mode. This is so, whether you decide to use the camera's internal light meter or an external hand-held device. It is perhaps more convenient to "null" the settings in the camera's viewfinder rather than transferring the hand-held redings to the camera... but you are still in "manual" mode.
quote=Croce A lot of shooters today use manual bu... (show quote)


My understanding of manual mode is that you must separate change both the aperture and shutter independently and in this mode the metering system is turned off. You might want to do this if you were using an independent light meter or you just felt that you needed to use different settings from what your camera was giving you. In Av or Tv, as you manually change one or the other, the matching setting automatically adjust to maintain the metering system exposure recomendation.

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Jun 16, 2012 10:46:26   #
lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland
 
Audwulf wrote:
Picture this: You are at your grandsons graduation. You are shooting in "Auto". Your grandson is at the podium, receiving his diploma. You have a beautiful frame of him turning, with a brilliant smile. Just as you press the shutter release, some )&*%^$# stands up between you and your grandson, and you have a wonderful shot of the back of some )&*%^$# bald head, because of "Autofocus". Nuf said.


How would this have been any different if you were shooting manual? You would still have someone blocking your view. Perhaps you do not understand that you can lock autofocus, either by holding the shutter button half-way down, or using a lock button. Either way the subject remains in focus regardless of what intervenes. Essentially at the moment of exposure the camera is in manual focus mode. The advantage of autofocus is that if your grandson moves the autofocus is more likely to capture a sharp image.

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Jun 16, 2012 10:52:06   #
twowindsbear
 
wilsondl2 wrote:
I have always wondered why too. I never use the presets. Shoot mostly in "A" aperture prioraty so I can control depth of field. Always look at screen of the first shot in differant lighting to make sure it's OK. The last time I shot M was at the moon. Sometimes you need to but I think they come up once in a Blue Moon. I notice that most who say they shoot M also shoot in RAW. Is that so they can fix the exposure. (sometimes I can't resist being caty) I too started before there were in Camera Meters. I lusted for a Nikon F with a meter. I had a Minolta SR 1 and thought I was in heaven when I got my SRT 101 with in camera metering. You folks that line up the dots to 0 in your camera are setting it just like it would set it's self. If you are using A or P and then lining up the dots. - Dave
I have always wondered why too. I never use the p... (show quote)


Just curious - but what are the 'presets' that you refer to?

Thanks

Reply
Jun 16, 2012 10:58:53   #
twowindsbear
 
nikonshooter wrote:
donrent wrote:
As far as I'm concerned, its "bragging rights".... "Oh, I ONLY shoot in Manual mode".. IMO, its a snobbish type thinggie.... Means deddly squate to me how a person shoots... Composition in my opinion is more important that that... You might know how to set up every camera settings perfectly, but if you don't know HOW to set up composition, you're lost...


You gotta be kidding - bragging rights - on me!?

I use good equipment - but as good as it is, exposure is something even the best of the high end cameras fail at miserably. Because these cameras meter the ENTIRE scene, many times, the entire scene fools the camera. Try to shoot snow in P, A, S, mode. Try to shoot people with bright background......these cameras view the light that will strike the sensor and begin adjusting the shutter/aperture/ISO if on auto, as if the scene is between 10 and 12 percent grey (not 18 percent as many believe). That works much of the time....but if you make your living in photography, "much of the time" is not good enough.

When you add to the fact that manual shooting gives control back to the photographer - it's a great way to learn light, where it is and where it isn't.

Buy a meter, shoot manual and your photography will expand to new levels.

The only time, I shoot in Aperture priority is when doing bracketet shots for HDR.....the only time using shutter prior is when setting a sekonic profile.
quote=donrent As far as I'm concerned, its "... (show quote)


You say " . . . Because these cameras meter the ENTIRE scene, . . . " Does your camera not have various metering modes? Such as 'spot,' 'center weighted,' 'matrix,' etc. Or, do you just choose not to use them?

Just curious - thanks

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Jun 16, 2012 11:01:21   #
Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada
 
Many, many years ago . . . I heard this whole debate . . . but it was about automatic transmissions and power steering. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

The end result then, was as it will be on this one . . . whatever floats your boat!

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Jun 16, 2012 11:02:53   #
Croce Loc: Earth
 
CAM1017 wrote:
Julian wrote:
Croce wrote:
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really isn't manual. They pick manual mode then proceed to select a shutter or aperture setting and use the opposite to null (center) the meter setting in the viewfinder. Those same people are probably, although not always, also using auto white balance. I have tried that method but find that although the results can be quite good, aperture priority is what I find most useful for my type of shooting. If I were a sports shooter I would probably use shutter priority. If I were a studio shooter I would always use manual because my lighting would be set up, controlled and constant.
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really i... (show quote)


You are generalizing! Anytime you elect to set the aperture and shutter speed manually, you are in "manual" mode. This is so, whether you decide to use the camera's internal light meter or an external hand-held device. It is perhaps more convenient to "null" the settings in the camera's viewfinder rather than transferring the hand-held redings to the camera... but you are still in "manual" mode.
quote=Croce A lot of shooters today use manual bu... (show quote)


My understanding of manual mode is that you must separate change both the aperture and shutter independently and in this mode the metering system is turned off. You might want to do this if you were using an independent light meter or you just felt that you needed to use different settings from what your camera was giving you. In Av or Tv, as you manually change one or the other, the matching setting automatically adjust to maintain the metering system exposure recomendation.
quote=Julian quote=Croce A lot of shooters today... (show quote)


No Cam, going into manual mode does not disable the meter. The meter will still function but the camera will make no decisions based on it as to ISO, shutter speed, aperture etc. Because the meter is still functioning one can use it to help make a decision as to what shutter speed and aperture and ISO they may care to choose. Hope this clarifies.

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Jun 16, 2012 11:04:33   #
wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska
 
twowindsbear wrote:
wilsondl2 wrote:
I have always wondered why too. I never use the presets. Shoot mostly in "A" aperture prioraty so I can control depth of field. Always look at screen of the first shot in differant lighting to make sure it's OK. The last time I shot M was at the moon. Sometimes you need to but I think they come up once in a Blue Moon. I notice that most who say they shoot M also shoot in RAW. Is that so they can fix the exposure. (sometimes I can't resist being caty) I too started before there were in Camera Meters. I lusted for a Nikon F with a meter. I had a Minolta SR 1 and thought I was in heaven when I got my SRT 101 with in camera metering. You folks that line up the dots to 0 in your camera are setting it just like it would set it's self. If you are using A or P and then lining up the dots. - Dave
I have always wondered why too. I never use the p... (show quote)


Just curious - but what are the 'presets' that you refer to?

Thanks
quote=wilsondl2 I have always wondered why too. ... (show quote)


The presets are the portrait (ladies head) landscape (mountians) and other icons that you pick for the type of picture you are taking and then it picks the a&p it thinks best. - Dave

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Jun 16, 2012 11:06:54   #
twowindsbear
 
CAM1017 wrote:
Julian wrote:
Croce wrote:
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really isn't manual. They pick manual mode then proceed to select a shutter or aperture setting and use the opposite to null (center) the meter setting in the viewfinder. Those same people are probably, although not always, also using auto white balance. I have tried that method but find that although the results can be quite good, aperture priority is what I find most useful for my type of shooting. If I were a sports shooter I would probably use shutter priority. If I were a studio shooter I would always use manual because my lighting would be set up, controlled and constant.
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really i... (show quote)


You are generalizing! Anytime you elect to set the aperture and shutter speed manually, you are in "manual" mode. This is so, whether you decide to use the camera's internal light meter or an external hand-held device. It is perhaps more convenient to "null" the settings in the camera's viewfinder rather than transferring the hand-held redings to the camera... but you are still in "manual" mode.
quote=Croce A lot of shooters today use manual bu... (show quote)


My understanding of manual mode is that you must separate change both the aperture and shutter independently and in this mode the metering system is turned off. You might want to do this if you were using an independent light meter or you just felt that you needed to use different settings from what your camera was giving you. In Av or Tv, as you manually change one or the other, the matching setting automatically adjust to maintain the metering system exposure recomendation.
quote=Julian quote=Croce A lot of shooters today... (show quote)


REALLLY???? " . . . the metering system is turned off . . . " What camera allows you to turn OFF the meter? I'm really curious. Thanks

Reply
Jun 16, 2012 11:07:56   #
photeach Loc: beautiful Kansas
 
I shoot in manual mode in repeated situations. The basketball layup looks overexposed? I can tick the aperture down a notch and wait for the players to bring the ball down again. I don't just have to say, "Darn this gym! The lighting sucks."
I do think a lot of people shoot manual for the snob appeal, just like the photogs who swear the D800 is SOOO much better than the D700.

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Jun 16, 2012 11:08:12   #
Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert
 
twowindsbear wrote:
Flash Falasca wrote:
I have a semi automatic rifle but I chamber the rounds manualy ,I'm not going let the weapon decide when it's time to load another round ! I have an automatic ice maker but I'm not letting the freezer decide when to have ice ready ,when i want a cold drink I just put a little water in my glass and put in it in the freezer until it change state ! come on if as someone said your taking Iso out of the mix and your in A priority and you want faster shutter the open your aperture or vice versa and what do you think the comp dial is for .
I have a semi automatic rifle but I chamber the ro... (show quote)


I am REALLY curious - Would you please explain how to override a semi-auto rifle and manually load a round, from the clip or magazine, after a shot? How do you 'turn off' the semi-auto function of, say, a M14?
quote=Flash Falasca I have a semi automatic rifle... (show quote)


Hey Doc ..... don't use the clip Doc ..... one at a time into the breach .....

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Jun 16, 2012 11:09:53   #
twowindsbear
 
wilsondl2 wrote:
twowindsbear wrote:
wilsondl2 wrote:
I have always wondered why too. I never use the presets. Shoot mostly in "A" aperture prioraty so I can control depth of field. Always look at screen of the first shot in differant lighting to make sure it's OK. The last time I shot M was at the moon. Sometimes you need to but I think they come up once in a Blue Moon. I notice that most who say they shoot M also shoot in RAW. Is that so they can fix the exposure. (sometimes I can't resist being caty) I too started before there were in Camera Meters. I lusted for a Nikon F with a meter. I had a Minolta SR 1 and thought I was in heaven when I got my SRT 101 with in camera metering. You folks that line up the dots to 0 in your camera are setting it just like it would set it's self. If you are using A or P and then lining up the dots. - Dave
I have always wondered why too. I never use the p... (show quote)


Just curious - but what are the 'presets' that you refer to?

Thanks
quote=wilsondl2 I have always wondered why too. ... (show quote)


The presets are the portrait (ladies head) landscape (mountians) and other icons that you pick for the type of picture you are taking and then it picks the a&p it thinks best. - Dave
quote=twowindsbear quote=wilsondl2 I have always... (show quote)


Ah, OK - of course. Thanks

Reply
Jun 16, 2012 11:14:33   #
Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert
 
twowindsbear wrote:
CAM1017 wrote:
Julian wrote:
Croce wrote:
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really isn't manual. They pick manual mode then proceed to select a shutter or aperture setting and use the opposite to null (center) the meter setting in the viewfinder. Those same people are probably, although not always, also using auto white balance. I have tried that method but find that although the results can be quite good, aperture priority is what I find most useful for my type of shooting. If I were a sports shooter I would probably use shutter priority. If I were a studio shooter I would always use manual because my lighting would be set up, controlled and constant.
A lot of shooters today use manual but it really i... (show quote)


You are generalizing! Anytime you elect to set the aperture and shutter speed manually, you are in "manual" mode. This is so, whether you decide to use the camera's internal light meter or an external hand-held device. It is perhaps more convenient to "null" the settings in the camera's viewfinder rather than transferring the hand-held redings to the camera... but you are still in "manual" mode.
quote=Croce A lot of shooters today use manual bu... (show quote)


My understanding of manual mode is that you must separate change both the aperture and shutter independently and in this mode the metering system is turned off. You might want to do this if you were using an independent light meter or you just felt that you needed to use different settings from what your camera was giving you. In Av or Tv, as you manually change one or the other, the matching setting automatically adjust to maintain the metering system exposure recomendation.
quote=Julian quote=Croce A lot of shooters today... (show quote)


REALLLY???? " . . . the metering system is turned off . . . " What camera allows you to turn OFF the meter? I'm really curious. Thanks
quote=CAM1017 quote=Julian quote=Croce A lot of... (show quote)


Hey Doc ..... he's mistaken and Croce has already clarified that .....

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Jun 16, 2012 11:24:16   #
Croce Loc: Earth
 
Hey Wabbit, some cameras have a separate battery for the meter. If one really wants to be a purist maybe they could take that battery out and throw it away. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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