Enjoying Manual Modes: I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking...

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

How about posting some examples?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Manual focus: are you shooting moving subjects or solidly anchored only?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

No way.
I get the camera for the technology.
Waste of energy and effort taking away from the actual creativity of the photo worrying about if it is in focus or properly exposed or a myriad of other things.
Yes, I understand the basics and know what the camera is doing, but do not waste time making the same settings manually as the camera would do automatically including focus which is far better than I can do.
I hope you do not use the exposure meter either as that is automatic.
If I want manual I will get out my F-1 and some film and work manually except for the meter which I do match needle system.

BebuLamar

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

I don't need to give it a try. I do it all the time.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Architect1776 wrote:

No way. br I get the camera for the technology. br... (show quote)

In my experience, I can often get more precise focus manually than using the animal or human autofocus modes. As to exposure? Why do you hope I'm not using a light meter?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Urnst wrote:

In my experience, I can often get more precise focus manually than using the animal or human autofocus modes. As to exposure? Why do you hope I'm not using a light meter?

Because you are in MANUAL

You for focus must take a huge inordinate amount of time trying to focus manually while the subject grows old waiting.
I also bet that AF if used as intended is far more accurate and worlds faster.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

I meant to add that using manual modes is like using a clutch and shifter on a sports car; its a lot more fun than an automatic.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Linda From Maine wrote:

Manual focus: are you shooting moving subjects or solidly anchored only?

No sports or moving animals.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

PS what you do I do not care at all.
Just no need to make it look holier than thou because you choose a difficult path that is more laborious and counter to creativity than others who choose to use ALL the tools now amazingly available to us to pursue the joy of taking photos rather than fiddle with the tool.

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

Urnst wrote:

I've been using manual focus and exposure modes on my mirrorless camera lately and not only am I getting much more enjoyment out of the process of taking pictures but I am also getting better pictures. Give this a try!

:
In ME and MF you are a photographer.
In AE and AF you are a computer operator.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Mac wrote:

:
In ME and MF you are a photographer.
In AE and AF you are a computer operator.

I quit using pencils and straight edges years ago.
Now use Auto Cad and REVIT.
Guess the computer is doing the designing?
That is your definition.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Architect1776 wrote:

PS what you do I do not care at all.
Just no need to make it look holier than thou because you choose a difficult path that is more laborious and counter to creativity than others who choose to use ALL the tools now amazingly available to us to pursue the joy of taking photos rather than fiddle with the tool.

All I did was suggest trying it. "Holier than thou"? Not so sir. What's the matter with you?

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Architect1776 wrote:

PS what you do I do not care at all.
Just no need to make it look holier than thou because you choose a difficult path that is more laborious and counter to creativity than others who choose to use ALL the tools now amazingly available to us to pursue the joy of taking photos rather than fiddle with the tool.

There is no justification to make a statement like you just made. If you don't want to shoot using manual focus, I'm OK with it. But don't belittle someone else getting joy out of shooting manual and wanting to share that with us.

I have many legacy manual lenses and I enjoy using them too. And I have auto focus lenses. And I use them when manual focus doesn't make sense.

What I really like about manual focus lenses with the use of focus magnification is that feel of precision focusing that I don't find with more modern lenses. Some have just a horrible short rotational travel and are so difficult to find that best focus point, and others have focus-by-wire which just takes all the joy out of manual focusing.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Urnst wrote:

I meant to add that using manual modes is like using a clutch and shifter on a sports car; its a lot more fun than an automatic.

Like others, the proof is in the pudding, not in the talking about it.