Why does many shooters use Aperture priority?
Oct 31, 2017 09:49:37 #
I shoot mostly in manual mode, occasionally in shutter speed mode, but would only use aperture priority when doing desktop shots or close-ups. As the largest Killer of most images we take is “blurred” photos and not lack of DOF, why use Av most or all of the time? Shutter speed priority keeps your speed from getting into the “blurred” area without knowing it when shooting other than Landscapes. At medium and long distances, usually your DOF is not an issue. I travel internationally 3 or 4 times a year for enjoyment and take tons of photos and can’t think of any time I need to control my shoots with an Av mode setting. Hope someone can enlighten me. Thanks in advance...
Oct 31, 2017 09:54:55 #
stuparr935 wrote:
I shoot mostly in manual mode, occasionally in shu... (show quote)
I shoot mostly sports and use the Av mode so that the "star" is in focus and slightly separated from the rest of the field and it's distractions. Of course when doing this ISO has to be set high enough to assure the floating shutter speed never drops too low. My other choice is manual.
Oct 31, 2017 09:56:27 #
Oct 31, 2017 10:01:27 #
You obviously know what you are doing so I'm not going to insult you by explaining anything technical about exposure.
I use Aperture Priority mode when I want to control the background and have ample light to either pick a specific ISO or let the camera do it, and I know the camera is not going to give me a shutter speed that will result in a blurred image. This way I can concentrate more on what I'm doing and spend less time turning dials on the camera. If timing is not an issue I usually shoot manual but, to be honest, I didn't spend thousands of dollars on top shelf cameras just to show them off. I bought high end gear because I can trust them to work, and that they do...
I use Aperture Priority mode when I want to control the background and have ample light to either pick a specific ISO or let the camera do it, and I know the camera is not going to give me a shutter speed that will result in a blurred image. This way I can concentrate more on what I'm doing and spend less time turning dials on the camera. If timing is not an issue I usually shoot manual but, to be honest, I didn't spend thousands of dollars on top shelf cameras just to show them off. I bought high end gear because I can trust them to work, and that they do...
Oct 31, 2017 10:02:52 #
'cause I cut my teeth with auto on a Nikon FE?
Seriously, I usually want as much DOF as I can get for my images so aperture is what I first want control of. Depending on the conditions, if speed and ISO aren't acceptable then I may modify the ap setting. However when using a tripod that seldom is necessary.
Seriously, I usually want as much DOF as I can get for my images so aperture is what I first want control of. Depending on the conditions, if speed and ISO aren't acceptable then I may modify the ap setting. However when using a tripod that seldom is necessary.
Oct 31, 2017 10:16:13 #
stuparr935 wrote:
These days photographers seem to focus on "subject isolation", so they intentionally spend "extra" for lenses with very wide apertures, and then they get their money's worth by using these lenses at/near their widest aperture.I shoot mostly in manual mode, occasionally in shu... (show quote)
Oct 31, 2017 10:18:53 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
stuparr935 wrote:
I shoot mostly in manual mode, occasionally in shu... (show quote)
Those who think for themselves don't fuss over what method others use.
Oct 31, 2017 10:21:21 #
If you shoot Aperture Priority with Exposure Compensation, you are essentially shooting in manual using different assignments to various camera control dials. You can argue too that Aperture and Shutter priorities simplify the shooting process with one manual control and the other settings dynamically calculated by the camera or 'fixed' by the photographer such as a fixed ISO. Your comments seem dismissive of artistic depth of field where this is my primary artistic emphasis. I use single point autofocus followed by shutterspeed and / or IS to assure a sharp image that are secondary technical attributes of achieving my artistic vision.
You say you shoot in manual and also say selecting an aperture is too complicated and would detract from your shooting style ... What aperture do you select in manual? Why would I own f/1.2 lenses and leave them at f/8 and stay there? The widest aperture is typically not the best choice either. As the primary driver, I think aperture first and everything else from there.
You say you shoot in manual and also say selecting an aperture is too complicated and would detract from your shooting style ... What aperture do you select in manual? Why would I own f/1.2 lenses and leave them at f/8 and stay there? The widest aperture is typically not the best choice either. As the primary driver, I think aperture first and everything else from there.
Oct 31, 2017 10:35:09 #
Why does it matter how others shoot? What works for me, likely won't work for someone else.
I shoot primarily in aperture priority, with my ISO set as low as possible. That said I keep an eye on my shutter speed, and if my subject is moving too fast then I switch over to shutter priority or manual. Shooting with a smaller sensor, I have to be aware of my ISO, however, most of my glass is f2.8 or faster, and are all relatively sharp wide open, or stopped down one notch.
I shoot primarily in aperture priority, with my ISO set as low as possible. That said I keep an eye on my shutter speed, and if my subject is moving too fast then I switch over to shutter priority or manual. Shooting with a smaller sensor, I have to be aware of my ISO, however, most of my glass is f2.8 or faster, and are all relatively sharp wide open, or stopped down one notch.
Oct 31, 2017 11:23:30 #
I shoot mostly HDR and use aperture priority to keep my lens at its sweet spot. Also to control DOF. Occasionally I use shutter priority for HDR to get a desired water effect.
Oct 31, 2017 11:28:38 #
vma
Loc: Idaho
Leitz
So for subject isolation do you use manual or Aperature setting with your f/2 lens?
I'm more interested in indoor sports & portrait shots. I have been trying to stick with manual just so I'm aware of my settings. I'm still learning & thought learning manual would help me learn from my mistakes plus be more actively aware. Lightroom has been helpful too.
So for subject isolation do you use manual or Aperature setting with your f/2 lens?
I'm more interested in indoor sports & portrait shots. I have been trying to stick with manual just so I'm aware of my settings. I'm still learning & thought learning manual would help me learn from my mistakes plus be more actively aware. Lightroom has been helpful too.
Oct 31, 2017 11:33:04 #
stuparr935 wrote:
I shoot mostly in manual mode, occasionally in shu... (show quote)
Different people do different things. I use whatever Mode (S, A, M) that i need for the shot. Aperture priority is good for controlling Depth of Field, Shutter priority is good for showing movement or freezing motion, Manual is good for doing both at the same time.
Oct 31, 2017 11:34:24 #
vma wrote:
Leitz
So for subject isolation do you use manual or Aperature setting with your f/2 lens?
I'm more interested in indoor sports & portrait shots. I have been trying to stick with manual just so I'm aware of my settings. I'm still learning & thought learning manual would help me learn from my mistakes plus be more actively aware. Lightroom has been helpful too.
So for subject isolation do you use manual or Aperature setting with your f/2 lens?
I'm more interested in indoor sports & portrait shots. I have been trying to stick with manual just so I'm aware of my settings. I'm still learning & thought learning manual would help me learn from my mistakes plus be more actively aware. Lightroom has been helpful too.
I'm not Leitz, but for me, I'll gladly shoot wide open at f1.4, 1.8, 2, or 2.8...just depending on which lens I'm shooting (and how close I am to the subject). There's a lot of factors that go into choosing the appropriate settings, but for me it mostly boils down to how much light is available, since I don't generally care to use a flash (mostly because I don't usually carry one with me).
Oct 31, 2017 11:40:52 #
One reason I think many older folks use aperture priority is because it was the most common type of automation for SLRs, in the early years. Since the body controlled the shutter, there was no need to do anything to the lenses. Also, even when shutter priority came out you had to remove your finger from the shutter button to turn the shutter speed dial. Aperture was adjusted with the ring which was always in the grasp of your left hand. We learned it was easy to get the shutter speed we wanted by adjusting the aperture ring and watching the shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder.
Old habits die hard.
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Old habits die hard.
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Oct 31, 2017 13:01:19 #
When traveling abroad most of your shots are when you are moving around seeing different things. Not that you are in constant motion, but I choose a fairly wide open f-stop (5.6 or 8) to allow some of the background to be in focus... this provides the best possibilities of more detail when on the Great Wall or in Barcelona at Guadi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral when you don’t have the time to spend several hours finding your best shots. My technic has got me many images that sell online (my retirement effort to spend on equipment I NEED!)... As a freelance photographer and college instructor, I was just curious so many shooters use the Av mode. Less than 10% of my shooting requires that mode.... thanks for all your responses... Stu Parr
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