Just reading a forum on a photo bbs and someone is going on about their priority of shoot mode.

I just use manual, bracketing when i need to and just adjusting when bracketing doesn't cover it.

What do you all use in the most part on your DSLR?

Auto?
Aperture and Shutter priority?
Programme?
Manual?

Why use manual when you probably have one of the most sophisticated metering system devised? The key IMO is to be able to read your meter & adjust for different shooting situations. Manual has it's place, I can use it quite comfortably but I'm quite happy using my D70's meter as most of the time it delivers the results I want. Little tweek here, little tweek there.

I generally use Apature Priority to control DOF & even when shooting sports I control the Shutter Speed by the apature.

Still want a D2x meter though :)

Aperture mainly, unless I'm at a speed event then its Shutter priority. This is going to sound like daft, but i've only used the camera in fully manual once :rolleyes:

I use mine in manual almost all the time now. I only ever use the auto modes if I'm not sure what setting to use. I let the camera decide, make a note of the settings it used, and then switch to manual again using those settings "tweaked" a little bit. Most of the time I can get a better result from manual mode than by letting the camera do it all by itself.

Iain, why don't you use a program shift or exposure compensation? Just not sure why you would want to use the camera's meter then switch to Manual with the same settings when 1/500 at F8 is 1/500 at F8 whether in manual or a priority program. Granted when your in full Auto you probably can't shift or compensate but you can in A/S Priority.

Or am I missing something?

Aperture priority mostly, sometimes manual, occasionally shutter if I'm at a rally or summit.

Geezer

I find that the built in camera light meter etc doesn't actually do a very good job in some situations (especially in bright light). I use the auto mode to see what settings it thinks I should use (i.e. to get rough ballpark values), feed these into the manual mode, and then tweak the settings till it looks right.

This is especially useful if you intend to stitch some photos together, as it ensures you use the same settings for each image, (thus reducing the amount of work required in photoshop :)).

Yep agree on pano's, need to get the exposure of the individule images as close together as possible.

Just seems like a bit of a fudge way round having to switch between exposure modes when using compensation is the same only quicker. Each to their own though :)

Dave

To be honest, I hadn't even thought about doing it any other way :D

Mostly manual these days or aperture priority for snapshots when I don't want to have to think too hard :)

If I'm taking a few of the same thing, then usually aperture-priority with maybe some exposure compensation, then forget about it. With manual, you have to keep an eye on things, clouds etc, and have to make adjustments.

But my camera is faulty, I think, as it often gets stuck on P :D

Richard.

AP mode normally for landscapes, but occasionally SP or manual for waterfalls (long ex) or sport (short).

I use exposure comensation to account for sky, water, car colours etc. and usually meter off a grey or mid range colour object to see how that compares with the main subject. I check the histograms to check I've not blown the highlilghts too much. If in doubt I bracket the exposures, but as I now work in RAW that isn't too important.

I very often switch to 'Landscape' or even 'Full Auto' mode for just one shot, to force the camera to take a jpeg image, as it helps to interpret the colour balance when you are processing the shots 3 months later :rolleyes: ;)

Uhmm, I shall give the programmes another chance i think. i think for me it was a case of being able to get the shot i wanted in manual easier than with the programmes.

hopefully, i'll get the 70-200vr out again this weekend - maybe a trip to the zoo :)
i'll post some comments

apeture normally, shutter occasionally. manual very rarely, compensate frequently.

Mostly in focus priority, occasionally in release priority.. but it's too easy to get poorly focussed pics.

Full manual in the studio and then Av or occasional Tv outside. My camera has no noddy modes. :)

Cheers

Ian

My camera has no noddy modes. :)

Cheers

Ian

Oh such snobbery! Obviously a Canon user ;)

Geezer

Oh such snobbery! Obviously a Canon user ;)

Geezer

Or, more accurately a snobby 1D user, us neophytes have the Noddy modes :D

Oh such snobbery! Obviously a Canon user ;)

Geezer

:) :) :)

I was actually quite upset when I bought my Canon 1D MkII (Good spot Daryl ;)). It is over twice the price of the 10D it replaces but has no noddy modes, no pop-up flash etc. Bit of a rip off if you ask me. :)

Cheers

Ian

:) :) :)
it... has no noddy modes, no pop-up flash etc. Bit of a rip off if you ask me. :)

That's why I'm not upgrading my 20D to the 5D :lol1:

I find that it's 50/50 apperture priority/manual, mostly AP for snaps.

Funny that! My 1D also has no built in flash or noddy modes, perhaps i should take it back and get something more suitable for the job;) Manual for me most of the time!

Paul:)