smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

What is using your camera on manual?

My first camera was a Nikon F with automatic nothing. The FTN finder did have center weighted TTL semi-automatic metering but I still had to dial it in. Learning the zone system was mandatory if I wanted to be able to get a good exposure every time. I did a lot of street & event photography back then so there really weren’t any do overs. The FTN meter was great but limited. So I got my first hand held meter - selenium cell with incident, averaging, and a snoot based spot meter (used). Over time I traded up light meters to good one with averaging, optical spot, and incident metering (when I could afford it).

The focusing was manual, all manual, and nothing but manual. Neat collection of focusing screens to aid in getting the focus right - including a micro-prism tailored screens tailored for specific focal length lenses. A simple ground glass field was great for landscapes (and anywhere else that you could take your time on focusing); the H series was great for fast focusing close in (with the matching lens) - both of these were good in that I could compose then focus. I also had a collection of other more typical screens with a central focusing aid so I had to focus and re-compose. Still I had to select the focus point and focus on it - manually.

That’s the point I want to make. Manual is just that. To claim “all manual’” means no auto-focus and no auto-metering. Which leads to a question - the automatic stuff on the latest generation of camera’s really works. I lived all manual for about 35+ years. I could still be all manual if I wanted. The modern stuff simply works to well. Do I use the spot meter capability? Yes - extensively. The matrix meter really works nicely in nearly all circumstances and it gets a lot of use. I also know when its not going to give me the right results. Point is - I use everything as the tools they are. I don’t care how I get there. Same thing with focusing - I use all of the modes and decide how I want the camera to find focus. Do I use pin-point focusing? Yes when I think its needed.

What are the results? That’s the only thing that matters. Back in the manual days I know people who could look at a scene, no meter, and then set exposure for their Kodachrome slides and get it right every time. They also knew when they couldn’t see it and didn’t hesitate to to pull out a meter. That’s the point. If I get good results I get good results - doesn’t matter how I get them.

anotherview Loc: California

If circumstances allow, I like to shoot in manual mode. Doing so requires more thought and adjustment of settings to suit conditions. Sometimes I will set the shutter speed and the aperture on manual but let the metering system determine the ISO setting.

If a novice happens to read this post, please understand that learning the Exposure Triangle takes awhile. Stick with it.

Know that other factors also determine a worthy photograph. I put image composition at the top. Study it. Apply it. Effective image composition will produce more satisfying results.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Curiously, you posted this topic to The Attic. In main discussion forum you would be guaranteed 15 pages of comments - some actually relating to photography 😁

Your point, "If I get good results, I get good results," ignores the fact that we are on an internet forum. Logic and self-evident facts don't apply. Many are here simply for fellowship...or free entertainment.

smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

It's in the attic because this was intended to be much more of a rant than it actually became.

Entertainment - yes. Especially the dynamite kind (after M. Twain) - throw some dynamite in and see what floats up.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You mellowed out while composing the thread? Cool 🤗

I find that by my second glass of wine, I care far more about photography than rants (of my own or someone else's).

smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

A long time ago I was taught how to mellow out at will by a WWII veteran who was UXB. As in UneXploded Bombs - big ones. In particular naval mines that floated into places where they couldn't be detonated in situ. Honestly, it's almost automatic now. Over the years I've gotten a reputation as someone who doesn't lose his cool. It's proven invaluable.

I'm considering cooling it further then sticking it in the General Photography section.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

I typically see manual mode in my super program.
But probably real manual was even before range finders back in the day of “sunny 16”.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

I typically s**t manual mode in my super program.
But probably real manual was even before range finders back in the day of “sunny 16”.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Well, lucky me, I have never used a light meter other than that in the camera, I shoot modern manual a lot even though it is nothing like the manual of old, I sometimes get close when I mount a vintage lens, but because I shoot mirrorless I am fortunate enough to see an exposure preview which goes a long way to getting correct exposure, on a DSLR it is not so simple with the vintage lenses.

smf85 Loc: Freeport, IL

Focusing a manual lens in a modern DSLR is a bit tricky - Just needed to remember that the rangefinder is just that - like a rangefinder camera one and only one spot is in focus. Once I was used to that it was like using a rangefinder camera with TTL viewing/metering.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

The new mirrorless cameras have plenty of focusing aids, I have been a collector of vintage lenses for about 15 years now, I have about 40 or 50 of them lying around. The mirrorless cameras highlight areas in focus but if you really want exact focus you can use a 5X, 10X, or 15X magnification in the view finder, hard to miss with that.

I do agree that it takes some time to learn to focus an old manual ground glass lens on a DSLR but with time you get the hang of it, but the mirrorless cameras have taken into consideration the shear amount of old lenses out there and have made some accommodation for using them.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

What? Do you maybe want to restate that?

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

I MANUALLY raise the camera to my eye after I have MANUALLY selected the shooting mode, which may be any of the modes available on the camera. I then MANUALLY select the zoom level as I MANUALLY compose the photo. Finally, I MANUALLY press the shutter button.

So I guess I shoot MANUALLY.

Or does the title of the thread refer to taking photos of manuals (camera manuals, car manuals, ...)



Hey, gimme a break. Four years of political crap... it's time for some photographic levity!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use manual mode 99% of the time. It grants me better control of the initial exposure so I can process it to render the scene as I envisioned it. I don't use manual focus a lot of the time, but carefully pick the spot on which I want to focus then lock it at that point.
--Bob

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Automatic modes are fast and great for getting you in the ballpark. After that if you have time, it's always good to check manual settings and fine tune it that way.

Boy, what a relief that I don't have to do verbal battle over here for once.