Question to those who've done this for years: I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of...

BIGRO Loc: NYC

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

TheDman Loc: USA

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

Edit: I shoot sports in one of the priority modes, and with landscapes I usually use manual but if I'm still in Av, I don't really care. I still dial in whatever settings I want either way. I don't ever use automatic, as aperture or shutter priority are 'automatic' enough for me.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

I have not done this for a living; but for my purposes, auto is not an option.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I use whatever mode will get the shot. Most of the time on AV. Only those who only shoot landscapes, buildings or portraits will use manual all the time. A static subject allows time to change settings for manual. ANY action, especially an animal or bird, people in motion, etc. needs something that will be faster to set up.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

When I am in situations where the light or the camera position will be changing, I usually shoot either aperture or shutter priority. Or if you want to control both of those, you can use Auto ISO but watch it doesn't go too high.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use manual mode for almost all of my work, or at least 98% of what I do. This allows me the ultimate control for the initial exposure. The remaining 2% is usually group activities photos that involve flash. For those, I set the camera to Program mode and let the camera and flash talk and work together. Ultimately, these are not intended to be artwork.
--Bob

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Actually, I doubt that most of us shoot manual (exposure) The only option other than Auto is not Manual.
I would expect that Aperture and/or Shutter priority are more popular.
Having said that I shot 90%-95% of the time in manual but it is because it lends itself to what I do, mixing flash and natural light for macro.
I also use manual focus for macro, but that's another story.
When I'm not shooting macro a use Aperture priority mostly.
Shooting manual just for the sake of shooting manual doesn't make any sense to me.
If it helps you get better exposures, then by all means use it but don't bypass the Aperture or Shutter options just because a bunch of the folks tell you to shoot manual.

Kuzano

For very many shooting manual is just an ego trip. "I can say it, but can I do it?".

If one spends the time to learn AND practice manual so successfully why would one also have to spend so much time and energy on Post Processing.

35 years of film and much worthy images have been closely matched by shooting my digital camera's on A, and knowing the results of the automation.

Exortations of manual handling of the equipment is ego talking while A often gets the picture. Which do you want?

If you really want to master manual capture, get a film camera, with NO program modes and turn off the computer. Or, spend a hell of a lot more time practicing manual only without the easy fallback crutches of Auto camera features AND Post Processing!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Half the people here, are just Novice. And many do not even post photos. If you want to get advice from experts at least view their photos and make sure they are a whole lot better than yours. I shoot all kinds of things, macro, landscape, wildlife, portraiture, to name a few and I only use full manual for macro. The rest are either aperture priority or shutter priority. Only you know how to capture the shot your after. If it works, don't change just because you read it here. If you just don't quite understand photography get the book Understanding Exposure III edition by Bryan Peterson. If you fully understand the exposure triangle, you'll be able to choose the proper setting and know how to shoot Anything that comes your way.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

I try to choose the most appropriate mode for the subject and conditions. I hardly every use full auto mode unless somebody else needs to use my camera.
I seldom use auto ISO, but there are occasions...
Primarily I use either shutter priority or aperture priority depending upon the circumstance, but check the acceptability of the automated values.
I sometimes use full manual.
Very occasionally I use P mode.
I sometimes use converted manual lenses
I sometimes use exposure compensation
The camera gives me choices, and I try to understand what they are so that I can get what I want. I often do, but sometimes not.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

Big, welcome to the Hog.
Now that's a BIG assumption!
I shoot portraits/studio in manual, otherwise I rarely shoot manual. If the camera is set up correctly, the camera can choose the correct setting more accurately and a hundred times faster than I can.
I'm not talking about landscape or bugs, I'm talking very fast action like sports in every different direction and light imaginable, or other genres that are equally difficult to shoot and move as quickly!
There is a right time to use every mode in your camera, and pros know from experience when those times are and which of those modes will INCREASE their keeper rate.
Anybody that shoots on manual ALL the time either ONLY shoots one type of photography or doesn't know how to use their camera!!!
Big, again, welcome to the Hog!!!
SS

TheDman Loc: USA

Kuzano wrote:

If one spends the time to learn AND practice manual so successfully why would one also have to spend so much time and energy on Post Processing.

Because post processing isn't about getting the exposure correct?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Kuzano wrote:

For very many shooting manual is just an ego trip. "I can say it, but can I do it?".

Excuse me? Using Manual mode give the photographer full control, no ego involved.

I will occasionally shot in Program if the lighting is iffy, just to get an idea what Nikon thinks is the perfect automatic exposure, but that is all. Unless I am recording Video, that is always in Program mode.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

BIGRO wrote:

I've been reading and learning from this forum for years before joining. From what I've read, seen and had conversations about, most of you shoot in manual mode. Just entering this foray I understand why. The question is, even though you prefer to shoot in manual for complete control, do you still use automatic, perhaps for that one good shot? Trying to get the settings right I completely missed the shot I wanted. Timing is everything

I only shoot manual exposure when I feel the in-camera light meter may be fooled (and exposure compensation is not enough to correct) and when using on lens filters such as ND grads.
Normally it will be aperture priority or shutter priority (depending on what I am shooting).

whwiden

My first option is to use manual. If there is generally decent light and I want to move more quickly, I will use auto ISO (when I am not worried it will get too high) as a second option. I like to set the shutter speed and f/stop myself. I am a film shooter by background so this is what I find most natural. With digital, I find that if I am a bit under exposed, the digital files usually allow me to bring up the shadows. With film I did the opposite, and found that there was pretty good latitude. I do try to get it right in camera to limit or avoid post-processing.