Believe me Rob, I use it to the fullest, but sometimes I can do that in the Program mode. As I said, I can adjust the speed with the turn of a dial and if the aperture is not what I want I can adjust the ISO. In a sense, I'm using manual yet within the Program mode. By doing this, I've set basic paramaters, yet allow the camera to make adjustments as individual shots change in a moving environment. So, I am using the capabilities of the camera to the fullest. Don't get so bloated, or is that full of yourself? Same diff.

So, Mister Stever, your are either a newbie or you are not a newbie, or, as you wave that D800 around at every opportunity, you are not a newbie.

If you are a newbie then congratulations, you are already doing the best thing for yourself.

This thread was clearly headed to be advice for newbies.

If you are a newbie then you might well find this advice to be helpful as many others have reported to me to that extent.

If you are not a newbie then my advice was clearly not meant for you.

If you are not a newbie and you disagree with me then kindly wander off and start your own thread and provide your own advice.

If you are not a newbie then what in the blazes are you doing criticizing me for proposing the very same way of using a camera that you do?

Yesterday you said that my attitude was "obtuse".

Today it's "bloated" and "full of yourself".

Am I to understand that you are following me around just to attempt to insult me at your every opportunity?

If that is indeed the case I have a special name for you and it isn't "newbie".

Cheerio, Rob.

P.S. I found a place that will do a nice D80 T shirt for you. I know it's not quite right but if you get a black texta......

In full auto it's a bit like the boss of a workshop sitting in his office with feet up and a cigar. Things go along pretty well most of the time. A better boss would shoot in "P" and put up a notice telling everyone what he wants then looks down and oversees as he lets everyone on the shop floor get on with the job and do what they are trained to do. The most inefficient and unproductive alternative is where the boss thinks he knows more than everyone in his employ and insists on doing everything himself while all his valuable workers idly look on.

I find it interesting, this learning thing. I never have looked at M as the end all and in fact with five yrs of shooting and now on my 4th camera body, I am still not a full fan of M. When shooting wildlife I find shutter speed to be key, I use AP priority most of time. I've found leaving iso in auto works best for me. I do use M, but not as much as some that post here claim it to be necessary. I don't feel I am missing anything. I do what works for me. Some day I might look back and wonder what I was doing, but for today this is what I do. Never have used P, but after reading, I am think I am going to give it a try and see what I get from it. Thank Rob, great thread.