Why do folks insist that Manual is Better?
Oct 13, 2013 13:27:22 #
Nightski wrote:
I didn't buy the weekend or more thing either :D
Well some people are fast learners <G>
I have never said manual is better , But for me it is a damn site easier than trying to get the camera to do what I want on auto, two little wheels and advice from Jim Richardson
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/jim-richardson-photography/
Shoot and peek, while this may not work in all cases it works when time allows. I do however use auto focus for everything but macro.
Oct 13, 2013 13:28:34 #
If you shoot auto you will get good images. However if you set your camera to A you control the dept of field and if you set your camera to T your will control motion. In either of these settings the camera will set the other. If you control the iso depending upon the amount of light or lack of you will get what you want.
If you want no control over anything then have fun and shoot in Auto.
Just have fun.
If you want no control over anything then have fun and shoot in Auto.
Just have fun.
Oct 13, 2013 13:29:56 #
DDR wrote:
I have been a UHH reader for awhile now and I value the opinions. Thanks for the epistle. I understand my Nikon as well but while I am out and about I am shooting mostly from Auto or the scene modes only because I usually don't have the time for setup. My question to you is what does P do that auto doesn't? Thanx, Dave from Va Beach....
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Which Nikon? Modes differ from model to model....... (show quote)
What P_Program does that straight-up Auto doesn't is afford some control of either depth-of-field or shutter speed, but it does it just a little differently than either A_Aperture or S_Shutter priorities.
Straight S_Shutter Priority lets you set the shutter speed you want; the camera picks the /stop consistent with the "correct" exposure as the camera meter sees it (which of course can be wrong, but that's another story). Straight A_Aperture Priority lets you set the aperture you want; the camera picks the shutter speed consistent with the "correct" exposure as the camera meter sees it (which of course can be wrong, but that's still another story). In either of those two modes it is possible, depending on the lighting conditions, to what-I-call "run off the end;" the camera runs out of either /stops or shutters. Most cameras will give you some kind of warning that you are about to get an exposure error, but maybe you don't see it (and that, incidentally, is where a strong grounding in MANUAL mode helps because YOU know when you need to step in and correct something.
Straight Auto picks the shutter and the aperture but does not give you a choice for either action-stopping or depth of field.
What P_Program does that A_Aperture and S_Shutter do not is offer YOU your choice of action stopping OR depth of field, and what I like is that it is "self-limiting;" if there are no /stops left the camera automatically adjusts the shutter to keep the same exposure. If there are no shutter speeds left, the camera automatically adjusts the aperture. Either way it cannot "run off the end" and spoil an exposure, which can be catastrophic in certain situations (see under Hara Kiri at the bride's feet). :hunf: Depending on the camera, there's a wheel or a knob or a thingy on the touch screen or something that lets you shift things toward either a high shutter or a small /stop, and the camera automatically compensates the exposure by shifting the other parameter the other way. I like it because it is fast and pretty foolproof. :shock:
If I want to solidly limit either shutter or aperture I use either S or A (I think it's Av or Tv on a Canon), but most of the time I like P. :thumbup:
Oct 13, 2013 13:31:56 #
Chuck_893 wrote:
I am trepidatiously about to open an ancient can o... (show quote)
Manual is simply another wench in the tool box. When I want M nuttin else will do. Most shooters I see use all modes depending on what the situation requires.
Some old farts ( my age ) use manual because we grew up shooting manual cameras. Personally I use different modes to accommodate different circumstances. I realize some folks shoot manual exclusively. That's fair as well as folks that shoot any mode.
Personal preference , easy as that
Oct 13, 2013 13:33:19 #
steady27 wrote:
.....That's why I admire a great shot taken with a point and shoot......it shows me that something much more vital than camera technology/variable choices, - one's ability to creatively see !
A brave and commendable statement! Lets not forget the main advantage of most P&S cameras - their portability. I've taken umpteen shots with my P&S that were possible only because I had it with me at the time.
Oct 13, 2013 13:37:14 #
UP-2-IT wrote:
Real simple, depends on what your trying to achieve with your photography. If as you imply you want it ALL automatic then simply ditch everything you have and get a good point & shoot, the quality will be the same.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Oct 13, 2013 13:44:32 #
Wabbit
Loc: Arizona Desert
Chuck_893 wrote:
I am trepidatiously about to open an ancient can o... (show quote)
Which folks Doc .....
Oct 13, 2013 13:47:26 #
philb
Loc: Benton, KY
As for myself I really do not think any method of getting an image is better than the next. If one is looking for the best quality barring nothing else then it is the image and nothing but the image that counts.
Now about manual, I strive to shoot manual not because I think it is better but because this is my main hobby and I want to have as much input and fun per click of the shutter as I can. I love to set things up then hopefully I did it correctly and click then a great image comes out. This is always done when I am doing it strictly for a hobby purpose.
At other times, say a child's Birthday Party, not a manual situation at all, as are many other types of situations.
What I really like to say is if this is your hobby and passion who am I to tell you or anyone how they should be doing thier hobby. Each of us controls the way we want to do it.
Heck even if I don't get as good of an image I love it because I am doing all of it ..... often that is the case.
Have fun taking images and don't sweat the small stuff.
phil b
benton, ky
Now about manual, I strive to shoot manual not because I think it is better but because this is my main hobby and I want to have as much input and fun per click of the shutter as I can. I love to set things up then hopefully I did it correctly and click then a great image comes out. This is always done when I am doing it strictly for a hobby purpose.
At other times, say a child's Birthday Party, not a manual situation at all, as are many other types of situations.
What I really like to say is if this is your hobby and passion who am I to tell you or anyone how they should be doing thier hobby. Each of us controls the way we want to do it.
Heck even if I don't get as good of an image I love it because I am doing all of it ..... often that is the case.
Have fun taking images and don't sweat the small stuff.
phil b
benton, ky
Oct 13, 2013 13:54:21 #
Oct 13, 2013 13:59:31 #
Chuck, you have one very valid opinion/question ... however the answer fall upon what the photographer is photographing. I'll give one, but only one, reason for using the Manual Exposure Mode. I enjoy photographing birds. So here I am waiting for a Northern Harrier Hawk to come past the field he has been visiting often. I take a reading on the field and lock my exposure at the correct setting using "MANUAL EXPOSURE" ... because when the bird flies past, the background may be the field (wheat colored) or it may be the trees (dark green) or it may be the sky (blue, I hope). In each of those three examples, the cameras exposure meter would give a different reading even though the light illuminating the bird has not changed, if the mode were in any position other than manual. So Chuck, can you see why manual mode setting is appropriate for this example I just gave. It's important to remember that there are always more than one way to accomplish your desired end product. Some ways are easier than others, but they all may work. Best to you and all the other HOGS out there, J. Goffe
Oct 13, 2013 14:06:54 #
Chuck_893 wrote:
Thanks, John, but Nightski already hammered me: i... (show quote)
:thumbup: :thumbup: Well, I will take back my 2 thumbs up as I read all 15pages, and Nightski, did indeed, apologize for her attack on you. Shouldn't have worried about it, as you're a big boy:-}
Oct 13, 2013 14:08:38 #
Nightski wrote:
I think we did touch on that Bultaco. I think Mdorn brought it up and I replied to him on that subject.
You can call me Mark! :-)
It's hard to see, but name and location are not private.
Oct 13, 2013 14:11:50 #
mdorn wrote:
You can call me Mark! :-)
It's hard to see, but name and location are not private.
It's hard to see, but name and location are not private.
Gotcha, Mark :thumbup:
Oct 13, 2013 14:20:51 #
Chuck, you just have a lot of confidence and enjoy a good discussion with some really valid points. I am relatively new to UHH and the people are as interesting as the photography.
I enjoy taking primarily wildlife shots and a lot of other action type stuff. The PA setting and auto focus are the greatest thing I know of for this type of photography. Like you said, it just allows me to concentrate on composure or even just being able to get a shot off. With all that said, when your are trying to get the very best photo of a single flower, a portrait, or a fantastic landscape shot, it is easy to understand how someone would really enjoy adding their own personal touches to the shot. They can slow down a little and think the process over before making the shot.
I guess a lot boils down to point of view like several have said before.
Nice subject to get things rolling.
G. McAbee
I enjoy taking primarily wildlife shots and a lot of other action type stuff. The PA setting and auto focus are the greatest thing I know of for this type of photography. Like you said, it just allows me to concentrate on composure or even just being able to get a shot off. With all that said, when your are trying to get the very best photo of a single flower, a portrait, or a fantastic landscape shot, it is easy to understand how someone would really enjoy adding their own personal touches to the shot. They can slow down a little and think the process over before making the shot.
I guess a lot boils down to point of view like several have said before.
Nice subject to get things rolling.
G. McAbee
Oct 13, 2013 14:21:31 #
Well duh, of course if there is no change in exposures auto would be fine, but not always true, I still feel you are better off shooting manual, taking an average reading and shooting the same exposure across the multiple images. Not doing that, you run the risk of finding the problem when you look at the images at home and it is too late then.
Guess I should not have used the term always, never etc. Of course you can take the chance to shoot auto, I just do not.
Guess I should not have used the term always, never etc. Of course you can take the chance to shoot auto, I just do not.
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