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Want to think "Shooting Manual" is Old School !!
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May 22, 2023 14:05:05   #
kfcam Loc: Fort Myers Florida
 
I do have a few questions to ask of all you knowledgeable guys here, but before I do, let me say this. We were always told to learn how to shoot Manual and stay there for most of our shooting. With today's Cameras, the technology is so good, why not allow the Camera to do most of the work for you? Once I have gotten my head around "how to use my D810", I always Float my ISO, and use A priority most of the time. This allows me quickly to change my aperture, and exclusively use the exposure compensation to change my exposure if needed. I also float my ISO in Manual by setting my High and Low ISO points in camera. This way, I have more time to think of composition and what is in the foreground and background of my image. I am not knocking Manual, most newer photographer needs to learn about the "Exposure Triangle" and manual is a must for this purpose.
Now my questions. I will be in Rome for 3 days. With so much to shoot there. How will you set up your camera to be this most efficient? Will you shoot most of the time with wide angle or medium telephoto? I know the D810 is a bit heavy based on today's standards, but that is all I have. I am also taking 50mm 1.4, 24 - 70mm 2.8, and 70-200mm 2.8. Any comments, and/or recommendations will be appreciated.

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May 22, 2023 14:20:03   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
F8 and be there is my motto so, A priority, Auto ISO, probably 24-70 unless light is low.

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May 22, 2023 14:24:57   #
tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio
 
For my 850, I am always in manual but for the little P&S cameras, I usually are in some auto mode.

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May 22, 2023 14:27:57   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
kfcam wrote:
I do have a few questions to ask of all you knowledgeable guys here, but before I do, let me say this. We were always told to learn how to shoot Manual and stay there for most of our shooting. With today's Cameras, the technology is so good, why not allow the Camera to do most of the work for you? Once I have gotten my head around "how to use my D810", I always Float my ISO, and use A priority most of the time. This allows me quickly to change my aperture, and exclusively use the exposure compensation to change my exposure if needed. I also float my ISO in Manual by setting my High and Low ISO points in camera. This way, I have more time to think of composition and what is in the foreground and background of my image. I am not knocking Manual, most newer photographer needs to learn about the "Exposure Triangle" and manual is a must for this purpose.
Now my questions. I will be in Rome for 3 days. With so much to shoot there. How will you set up your camera to be this most efficient? Will you shoot most of the time with wide angle or medium telephoto? I know the D810 is a bit heavy based on today's standards, but that is all I have. I am also taking 50mm 1.4, 24 - 70mm 2.8, and 70-200mm 2.8. Any comments, and/or recommendations will be appreciated.
I do have a few questions to ask of all you knowle... (show quote)


I agree that there is no point in buying a highly functional camera if you have no intention of using those functions. I have a D810 among my cameras and have found that it is quite capable of making good exposure determinations if set up properly. I use mine differently from you. I use Program mode, but never Auto ISO. Just my choice. I also choose very carefully between Matrix and Center Weighted metering. And I use Exposure Compensation. Frequently.

Modern camerss have very good metering systems. Use them. Even let them actually set the dials and rings.

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May 22, 2023 14:47:08   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
kfcam wrote:
......why not allow the Camera to do most of the work for you?....


Why not have a method that's at least as simple as what you're describing but still gives you direct control over shutter speed and ISO? In A mode with floating ISO you're allowing the camera to choose the mix of shutter speed and ISO. You can't assume that shutter speed is never going to be critical.

With M mode plus auto ISO you select aperture at the outset (which will be the widest aperture that you can use that will still give you sufficient depth of field). Then you simply play off shutter speed against ISO. You should have a rough idea what the lowest safe shutter speed is for the situation that you're in, and by choosing that (and the widest suitable aperture) you'll automatically end up with the lowest ISO for that particular situation. If the ISO bottoms out (you have to watch out for that) you simply increase the shutter speed to the point where ISO starts floating again.

If you think the camera's metering will give you a wrong exposure, use exposure compensation to correct it. If your DOF requirements change, go back and re-select the aperture value and then proceed as before. M+AutoISO+EC gives you complete control over the exposure, it's quick, simple and intuitive and it's easy to see exactly what's happening at all times.

Allowing the camera to help you is one thing, giving it control over some of the exposure values is another thing altogether. The camera's metering works well in most situations and with a bit of understanding you can predict when the camera's metering will be caught out, so using the camera's metering is an acceptable way to allow the camera to "work for you", but leaving the camera to decide the shutter speed/ISO mix is leaving yourself vulnerable to the camera making inappropriate choices. M+AutoISO+EC allows you to think about one exposure variable at a time and you have control over the exposure at all times. If the situation changes you can react quickly and to do so you don't have to do a total re-think.

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May 22, 2023 14:56:32   #
Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona
 
In todays digital world Manual has different meanings to different people. I, like many on the Hog, grew up with film cameras. Manual on my Nikon F meant: Chose the film for the days shooting and set the light meter hanging around my neck. When it came time to shoot, meter the scene, set aperture and shutter speed, focus using a split screen viewer. By the time I got that done and tripped the shutter the bird was somewhere in the next county. My success rate was about 1:100.

Fast forward to now. I shoot a D7200, an antique by most standards. In manual, you've got to be kidding me. I shoot in S because my hands shake now, and ISO 1000. The camera does the rest of the work. Now my success rate is about 1:10. If I could afford a Z9 a Z8 or even a D810 would I shoot in manual? Not on your life. I would use EVERY applicable bell and whistle I paid all those dollars for.

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May 22, 2023 14:57:19   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
"f/8 and be there" assumes you couldn't afford better equipment.

To the Rome question, in the old parts, wide is the only way to capture something other than the smallest details. There's ZERO wrong with shooting aperture priority, especially if you understand to push the meter to the right of the 0-mark with EC. Bring your VR-enabled lenses, and you rarely have to consider the shutter speed.

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May 22, 2023 15:03:38   #
BebuLamar
 
larryepage wrote:
I agree that there is no point in buying a highly functional camera if you have no intention of using those functions. I have a D810 among my cameras and have found that it is quite capable of making good exposure determinations if set up properly. I use mine differently from you. I use Program mode, but never Auto ISO. Just my choice. I also choose very carefully between Matrix and Center Weighted metering. And I use Exposure Compensation. Frequently.

Modern camerss have very good metering systems. Use them. Even let them actually set the dials and rings.
I agree that there is no point in buying a highly ... (show quote)


Some time you have to buy cameras with a lot of automation because you can't afford camera that is only manual.

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May 22, 2023 15:19:19   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
kfcam wrote:
I do have a few questions to ask of all you knowledgeable guys here, but before I do, let me say this. We were always told to learn how to shoot Manual and stay there for most of our shooting. With today's Cameras, the technology is so good, why not allow the Camera to do most of the work for you? Once I have gotten my head around "how to use my D810", I always Float my ISO, and use A priority most of the time. This allows me quickly to change my aperture, and exclusively use the exposure compensation to change my exposure if needed. I also float my ISO in Manual by setting my High and Low ISO points in camera. This way, I have more time to think of composition and what is in the foreground and background of my image. I am not knocking Manual, most newer photographer needs to learn about the "Exposure Triangle" and manual is a must for this purpose.
Now my questions. I will be in Rome for 3 days. With so much to shoot there. How will you set up your camera to be this most efficient? Will you shoot most of the time with wide angle or medium telephoto? I know the D810 is a bit heavy based on today's standards, but that is all I have. I am also taking 50mm 1.4, 24 - 70mm 2.8, and 70-200mm 2.8. Any comments, and/or recommendations will be appreciated.
I do have a few questions to ask of all you knowle... (show quote)


We were taught to signal our left and right turns manually with our arms. I seriously doubt anyone ever does that anymore with those newfangled turnsignal lights on our horse less carriages.
If you understand your camera and read the manual you will find in almost every circumstance the auto options are always quicker and much better. Especially under changing conditions.
Most efficient is the auto mode I want rather than stressing over an exposure triangle. Understanding principles is fine as one should but the new cameras in most cases are right on in auto if you know how your camera works and use it enough to be second nature.

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May 22, 2023 15:53:21   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Some people get stuck in a deep rut, refusing to use various methods available to them.
Get too close to the rut and they'll try to drag you in with them.

I don't do ruts or blinders... or cults.
I use the available tools as desired.

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May 22, 2023 15:54:58   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
You are what your exposure mode says you are.

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May 22, 2023 16:02:43   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
You are what your exposure mode says you are.

Minimal... I mean manual.

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May 22, 2023 16:13:01   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Longshadow wrote:
Some people get stuck in a deep rut, refusing to use various methods available to them.
Get too close to the rut and they'll try to drag you in with them.

I don't do ruts or blinders... or cults.
I use the available tools as desired.



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May 22, 2023 16:43:40   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
kfcam wrote:
...
...
Now my questions. I will be in Rome for 3 days. With so much to shoot there. How will you set up your camera to be this most efficient? Will you shoot most of the time with wide angle or medium telephoto?...
...

- Learn the modes, what they do and how they react. Then you can choose a mode for the conditions at hand.

- I shoot for composition, so wide, medium, or telephoto will depend on my desired composition of the subject at hand. Learn what your lenses cover, or not... (I love my 18-200 zoom)

I have no "most efficient setup". It all depends on the subject matter and effect desired.

Knowing all aspects of your camera will allow you to use it most efficiently.

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May 22, 2023 18:06:52   #
Hip Coyote
 
Only Rome? The magnificence of it begs for wide angle photography. As mentioned shooting in aperture priority seems to be the best way to go. It also may depend on if you’re shooting the static scenes or doing street. Or both. My latest is shooting static scenes while traveling but hoping for people to walk thru the scene to get movement. This is difficult because people, being polite, often stop or do not walk thru the scene. There I use long exposures. And in churches having good stabilization and shooting techniques are a plus.

As always you are balancing the exposure triangle to get what you want. How you get there really is your choice.

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