I use 'P' or 'Auto' when I hand my camera to someone to take our picture - eliminates any confusion if that person is a novice or not familiar with my camera
My view is that Manual mode works well when you have a static scene like a landscape with consistent predictable lighting. Everything else, the other modes are better. There’s a pro in our camera club who does all of his landscapes in Aperture mode, F8 for his lens sweet spot, tripod, ISO 100, and lets the shutter speed float to whatever. Lots of opinions out there.
Green "A" will never be used on my Nikons! I saw my friend set his D80 on green "A" once, and the flash kept popping up, trying to take over his lighting. I default to "P" (Program), most often, when the lighting is balanced, and the camera knows the right balance between aperture and shutter speed. In "P", if the situation to my eye needs some over/under management, I quickly modify the exposure compensation accordingly. When aperture is critical, I choose white "A" and set the aperture. When shutter speed is critical, I choose "S", and set the shutter speed to where it needs to be. When I know the metering will be fooled, I go to "M", set my prediction, take a shot, look at the screen, and adjust accordingly. Every auto-mode has its purpose, (except the horrid green "A"!)
cjc2
Loc: Hellertown PA
Most of my shooting is done in Aperture (A, NOT AUTO) mode so that I have complete control on my depth of field. From there I normally use AUTO ISO while setting both a minimum shutter speed and a maximum ISO. In that manner, I can shoot a sporting event (or a bird) and let the camera fine tune the exposure for the light. Upon occasion, when shooting sports, I shoot on full manual based upon personally taken light readings, particularly indoors. In those situations, I might also set White Balance based upon further readings. I shoot a lot of different ways, almost never letting the camera have full control of everything (AUTO mode). Best of luck.
You're not an insecure rookie. I do the same thing when shooting wildlife photography (though we don't have elk in Connecticut).
photoman022 wrote:
You're not an insecure rookie. I do the same thing when shooting wildlife photography (though we don't have elk in Connecticut).
Who - what?
"Quote Reply" didn't work for you for some reason.
I only use full AUTO if I hand my camera to someone else for a quick snapshot. It’s easier than trying to explain back button focus.
cjc2
Loc: Hellertown PA
gvarner wrote:
I only use full AUTO if I hand my camera to someone else for a quick snapshot. It’s easier than trying to explain back button focus.
What does AUTO have to do with Back Button Focus????
Jerry Bruzek wrote:
I have enjoyed this forum for about a year now and value the experience and advice shared by its contributors.
I shoot in RAW and mostly in Manual mode to capture wildlife images but my first impulse is to shoot in Automatic mode so I don't miss the shot.
My concern is that the Elk might run or the Eagle might fly before a get a shot of it. Once I get a shot, I switch to Manual mode to refine my shutter speed, aperture or ISO knowing that, since I shoot in RAW, I can fine tune it in post.
Many of my final "keepers" are shots I took in Auto.
Does anyone else use this practice or am I just being an insecure "rookie"?
I have enjoyed this forum for about a year now and... (
show quote)
I have been loving photography since I started in 1966 with complete manual shooting. I now do complete automatic shooting with my Cannon EOS 7D and my NikonD7100. I do have several apps like ON1 that I could use to enhance my shots, but I actually like the natural unenhanced photos
cjc2 wrote:
What does AUTO have to do with Back Button Focus????
Auto will typically override the BBF customization, putting AF back to half-pressing the shutter, something that might be better for the novice to understand when you hand them your customized DSLR for a pic.
I grew up shooting film both as a hobby and for work so manual is natural to me
However, many times I have kicked my self for not using a simpler more direct mode. P and S especially
cjc2
Loc: Hellertown PA
CHG_CANON wrote:
Auto will typically override the BBF customization, putting AF back to half-pressing the shutter, something that might be better for the novice to understand when you hand them your customized DSLR for a pic.
You learn something every day. Since I do not use BBF, I didn't realize that. Some day, I will see if that's applicable to my Nikon's. Not today as it's too nice and I have a PJ job to take some spring scenes and a Borough (government) job for some Borough scenes. Tried any film??
cjc2 wrote:
What does AUTO have to do with Back Button Focus????
Many people don't want to explain BBF when the hand a camera off to someone else to take a picture,
like when the photographer wants to be IN the picture.
AUTO on my Canon, negates BBF, the camera reverts to a PHD camera in AUTO, so I don't have to explain how to use it to a stranger or a traveling cohort.
Nikons, not so lucky I hear.
My wife does not want a dissertation how to take a picture using BBF.
AUTO works great for her.
Birding with the Nikon From Jason Odell
Sorry I don’t know what camera you have but this was an eye opener for me
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