Manual metering mode
Sep 14, 2012 13:09:21 #
papakatz45 wrote:
Does anyone shoot in complete manual mode and why? Not shutter or aperture priority, or automatic.
I have been doing it some and amazed how much I am learning.
I have been doing it some and amazed how much I am learning.
I soot in manual for 100% of my landscapes. It gives me great control to precisely set exposure and DOF. On the other hand when shooting wildlife, fast action, and street scenes I shoot in aperture priority with exposure compensation as needed.
Sep 14, 2012 13:29:12 #
From 1947 to 1999 i shot exclusively in manual mode...even after alterntives became available. With an essentially seamless switch to digital by 2000 I began to appreciate the occassional merits of aperture or shutter priorities, but usually...and always on those occasions when " Now THERE's a Shot" rears its head, I immediately fall back upon my virtual Exakta days of Manual Exposure and reliance on the appropriate reflectance, spot-reading, or incidence meter and rational use of pre-visualization, the Gray Card and the Zone System. I like, nay, demand, at the moment of exposure, knowing just what the final print or screen image will be.
Dave Graham
Estelline, SD
Dave Graham
Estelline, SD
Sep 14, 2012 13:32:00 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Only problem with your statement is that if the in... (show quote)
Your statement that the entire system is likely to fail if the on-board metering fails is true to some extent, but I don't believe it's automatically true.
Think about it; when you are shooting in full manual, you are allowing the rest of the electronics in the camera to ignore the built-in metering and function like one of the cameras of the 70's and 80's.
Final point: I like your statement to the effect that today's wiz-bang cameras are more computer than optical device. For good of ill, this is the present and future of photography and, for the most part, a good thing. I don't know about you, but I will gladly take todays on-board electronics over reliance on "sunny 16". :)
Sep 14, 2012 13:45:39 #
To denigrate "sunny f/16" merely indicates lack of practice with the system and developing a discerning and discriminating eye for the five levels of ambient illumination embodied therein. It's not hard. Use the gray card and reading the clear sky (when available)opposite the sun at 45 degrees above horizontal and you'll find your "sunny f/16" exposure coinciding to an admirable and reliable and replicable degree with competent metering. As with all in photography....practice...practice...practice!
Dave Graham
East River, SD
Dave Graham
East River, SD
Sep 14, 2012 13:51:17 #
Uuglypher wrote:
To denigrate "sunny f/16" merely indicat... (show quote)
There's an old down home expression to the effect that you shouldn't try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
I will turn 71 this year, and have been active in photography, both as an amatuer and pro since age ten. My first 35mm was an Exacta, and "Sunny 16" was the only metering method at that time. I am somewhat familiar with this system.
Sep 14, 2012 13:58:23 #
I've found that most times, I don't even look at the meter reading the camera is giving me. I'll set it for what I think is the best shutter & aperture setting and I then find that most times, when checking the exposure on the bottom of the viewfinder, it's normally very close to what the camera says anyway. Plus I shoot in Raw, so any erroneous exposure is easily corrected...I guess the old rule is just too firmly implanted in my brain that I don't have to think about it...
Sep 14, 2012 14:01:51 #
Hi, Chuck,
We seem to be almost of an age. i was taught Sunny f/16 by my dad in 1947 and my first " meter" was a German Kilffit extinction meter brought back as a "spoil of war" , the variability of the results of which confirmed even more my reliance on sunny f/16. Of course, when I first got my hands on my old bakelite Weston Master in '48 I was further reinforced with utility of the practiced accuracy of Sunny f/16. Yes, I now use reflectance, spot-reading, and incidence meters, but often check them against sunny f/16, sky readings, and gray card readings. Old ain't bad, especially when it can be a check on utility of the new...it applies to people as well as technology!
Best regards,
Dave G.
We seem to be almost of an age. i was taught Sunny f/16 by my dad in 1947 and my first " meter" was a German Kilffit extinction meter brought back as a "spoil of war" , the variability of the results of which confirmed even more my reliance on sunny f/16. Of course, when I first got my hands on my old bakelite Weston Master in '48 I was further reinforced with utility of the practiced accuracy of Sunny f/16. Yes, I now use reflectance, spot-reading, and incidence meters, but often check them against sunny f/16, sky readings, and gray card readings. Old ain't bad, especially when it can be a check on utility of the new...it applies to people as well as technology!
Best regards,
Dave G.
Sep 14, 2012 14:37:21 #
Uuglypher wrote:
Hi, Chuck, br We seem to be almost of an age. i wa... (show quote)
I find nothing to argue with in your remarks. What you say about the virtues of age are especially on point. All things considered, though, I'd rather be 25 again, but with perhaps some of the experience of the last fifty years "pre-loaded". :-)
Sep 14, 2012 14:44:43 #
I shoot all manual...and the time..not even AF...can't stand it...and use the camera metering system as a guide only.
Sep 14, 2012 15:07:56 #
Thank you all for your comments. Some interesting observations.
Sep 14, 2012 15:49:56 #
Sep 14, 2012 15:58:37 #
I almost always shoot in manual mode, because I like to have control over the results. The only exception is with bird photography. I use TV mode for most of my bird shots.
Sep 14, 2012 16:58:11 #
FilmFanatic
Loc: Waikato, New Zealand
I use manual mode when shooting airshows so the bright sky does not fool the meter and affect the exposure. Also with my main camera (Olympus OM2) it does not have AE lock so it's easier just to put it in manual when the lighting is tricky. And my RB67 metering prism is on the fritz so I use my trusty Gossen Lunapro
Sep 14, 2012 17:43:02 #
Except for panoramas with fairly even lighting I shoot manual and RAW. I manually focus also. My exposures are based on histogram and I ETTR.
Why would I pay $3000 for a camera and let it shoot automatic. That is why they they make cheap point and shoots.
I don't worry about Nikon focus points. I pick my spot visually, no matter where it is and that is the way I focus. I do it for macro and I do it for telephoto and I do it with a normal lens.
Why would I pay $3000 for a camera and let it shoot automatic. That is why they they make cheap point and shoots.
I don't worry about Nikon focus points. I pick my spot visually, no matter where it is and that is the way I focus. I do it for macro and I do it for telephoto and I do it with a normal lens.
Sep 14, 2012 20:02:30 #
treehugger
Loc: Eastern Idaho Highlands
Think about what your objective is. If you are only interested in taking consistently presentable snap shots of friends, family, and vacations, any of the programed options will meet your needs. If you really want to learn photography, and with that knowledge, increase your skills as a photographer, go manual. I remember instructors in various photo classes I have take insisting that we only used slide film and manual cameras. That was the best way to learn how to control exposure, and by controlling exposure get the very best photos you can produce.
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