Puzzled: Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new technical wizardry. We have gone though advances such as TTL metering, TTL flash, auto focus, follow focus, vibration reduction...

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new technical wizardry. We have gone though advances such as TTL metering,

TTL flash, auto focus, follow focus, vibration reduction, Blue Tooth, GPS data...........and so on....too many to list and still coming!

Very clever and talented people have developed camera and lens technology to previously unimaginable heights.

BUT if someone mentions using some of the program modes built into our wonderful cameras by these same gifted technocrats he

is immediately jumped on and drummed out of the Brownies.And mention "Auto Mode" and become excommunicated and join the Living Dead

Seems that we will accept some technology but reject "loosing control"

Is this reflected in the real world outside photography?

Have we rejected automatic gearboxes, automatic brake systems,power brakes, power steering, and where did the hand operated

advance/retard get to?. Electric washing machines, microwaves........the list is endless. Hell! they even land passenger planes in Auto-Mode !

Are we being a bit too precious?

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Instead of, "different strokes...", "whatever floats your boat", or, "if it feels good, do it"; some - very small minority, thank God - only know "my way or the highway"
Just my tuppeny's worth

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

chippy65 wrote:

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new tec... (show quote)

I think you have over-reacted. There are plenty of people using the auto features. Some just won’t admit it.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Auto mode may be a place to start, but it will not meet all the needs of particular shooting situations. If all you want is a fancy point and shoot camera, a dslr in auto mode will do that for you. If you want to expand your photographic horizons, a dslr will allow you to do that as well. One instance in which auto mode will not work so well for you.....sports. You'll end up with blur.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Some on this site just like to engage in spirited discussion, some like to take a more judgmental approach. I don't care what camera or settings or pp software (if any) you use. Is the photo memorable, does it move me, is it fun and engaging, is it inspiring for its creativity and vision so that I want to go out and try similar, would I buy it if my walls weren't already full of my own pics (wink)?

What's Important in a Photograph and What Isn't

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jcboy3

chippy65 wrote:

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new tec... (show quote)

It's the difference between being a photographer and snapshooter.

An artist and dilettante.

Journeyman and apprentice.

Computer programmer and computer user.

Driver and rider.

Take control of your gear, or your gear will take control of you.

Bill_de Loc: US

The people who are usually more vocal are those that are stuck in their ways.

Those who shout you have to shoot manual to have control have never mastered all the auto settings that are available. Except for 'full auto' you can easily duplicate any setting in any mode. You just need to know which direction to turn which dial.

There are many who will tell you if you don't use PhotoShop you aren't getting the most out of their cameras. If you look at the photos some of these folks post (many don't share any) they are barely getting the least out of their cameras.

The folks whose opinions I am more likely to respect are those that explain why they do things a certain way, or why they use certain gear, without preaching that it is the best option for everyone.

It's the internet where you can regurgitate anything you hear or read, trying to look smart, without understanding a thing you said.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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steve36

Two words: Spell check!

jcboy3

chippy65 wrote:

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new tec... (show quote)

Simple answer. The camera doesn’t usually know anything about the subject or what you are trying to achieve photographically. I say usually, because some cameras have “art” modes that describe the subject. But the general auto modes don’t.

BebuLamar

chippy65 wrote:

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new tec... (show quote)

All the stuff that you listed are to do our mundane task so we want them to be as automated as much as possible. People who drive car for fun often have manual transmission in the car. Most of us here taking pictures for fun so we want manual controls. If I am a pro I would use auto mode just to get the job done so I can go home doing something else.

Bill_de Loc: US

BebuLamar wrote:

All the stuff that you listed are to do our mundane task so we want them to be as automated as much as possible. People who drive car for fun often have manual transmission in the car. Most of us here taking pictures for fun so we want manual controls. If I am a pro I would use auto mode just to get the job done so I can go home doing something else.

Do most people here really use manual? I would love to see data behind that statement.

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AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

BebuLamar wrote:

All the stuff that you listed are to do our mundane task so we want them to be as automated as much as possible. People who drive car for fun often have manual transmission in the car. Most of us here taking pictures for fun so we want manual controls. If I am a pro I would use auto mode just to get the job done so I can go home doing something else.

I don’t notice Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel switching to manual transmissions or ignoring their other automatic controls.

Just sayin’

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

chippy65 wrote:

Every week Nikon,Canon,Sony bring out some new tec... (show quote)

Do what you want to do, don't worry about what other people think or say.

jcboy3

Bill_de wrote:

Do most people here really use manual? I would love to see data behind that statement.

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I shoot manual frequently.

What kind of data are you looking for.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I often work in Aperture priority mode, sometimes in Shutter.

I also leave Nikon d-lighting active, choose my metering and focus modes shot by shot, and adjust exposure and flash compensation the same way.

They’re just tools, and you can use whatever ones you think will be helpful in getting the shot you want.

But ceding full control to auto, program, or one of the scene modes is inherently a compromise, intended for those who are unsure of what to do. I don’t look down on those who use them to make things a little simpler if it achieves the intended result.