What MODE are you shooting?

[MohaimenK]

I have always shot in M since day one but what's everyone's fav mode?

The reason I like M mode is just because I have control over it all and I also like the fact I like looking at the light meter in the bottom of the screen to show exposure.

I know a lot of people just swear by AV and P mode. What's your thoughts?

[Ads]

[mwcfarms]

I bounce back between A and M. Or S & M. If I don't like the look I get I switch to M and adjust to get the tone/feel I want.

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

This subject is getting old. It doesnt matter. Each setting has its pros and cons, one just needs to know when its beneficial to use them. In most cases the only time manual is needed is when using flash, or going for artistic flair like blurred motion. In most any other case you are just wasting your time as well as possibly your clients.

We get it, you have a 5D and shoot manual, let it go already. relax, I'm just kidding with you.

[Dao]

Aperture priority most of the time and manual if needed. For example, flash(es) shots and consistency.

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Also, dont forget that in Av and Tv modes you have exposure comp which can in most cases, make a switch manual mode all the more pointless.

[MohaimenK]

Nothing to do w/ my camera. I am speaking in general. I wanted to know if I should shoot in a different mode for weddings or just stick to what I've been doing so I don't ahve to learn new things? With M mode, I can set the apature to a certain spot and the ISO but it gives me the control to change shutter speed and my exposure changes which shows in the bottom of my screen allowing me to know what to shoot to get it to perfect 0 exposure

[Geaux]

Aperture Mode 90% of time. Manual for the times I want to overexpose/underexpose a certain image to get the shot I want.

[Vinny]

I shoot mostly aperture priority then manual next.

[reznap]

Tv when panning, Av when lazy, M when using off-camera flash (since my flashes don't TTL)

But there are exceptions.

I wanted to know if I should shoot in a different mode for weddings or just stick to what I've been doing so I don't ahve to learn new things?

I'd use Av for weddings.. maybe change the exposure compensation depending on your result. This way you can focus on 'getting the shot' rather than getting the settings right. Your camera handles high ISO well (you've bragged about and demonstrated that to us enough) so you could leave it up around 800, that way you'll have a nice quick shutter speed when using Av with a telephoto lens.

[Dao]

With M mode, I can set the apature to a certain spot and the ISO but it gives me the control to change shutter speed and my exposure changes which shows in the bottom of my screen allowing me to know what to shoot to get it to perfect 0 exposure

You know you can do the same thing with Av mode. i.e. Set the aperture and the ISO and have the camera choose the correct shutter speed based on metered EV value.

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I was just kidding with you. Everything you just said can be done in Av mode. If you want to control DOF use Av, if shooting action use Tv to control the amount of stopaction or blur you want. The camera sets the other parameter which saves you time. If you cant go fast enough, bump up the ISO. If you need 1/250 of a second for sports, your aperture for proper exposure is what it is, whether you set it or your camera sets it, unless you want a jacked exposure.

[MohaimenK]

Yeah that makes sense. I guess I could put center weight and shoot that way and if I use flash, it won't matter much anyway since AV will mostly focus on background

[Neil S.]

Manual is mostly good for shots where you have plenty of setup time, like landscapes or studio portraits. To try and use it for changing lighting conditions in sports for example is far from ideal.

That being said, if your camera has auto-Iso Manual is given additional flexibility and can be used effectively for almost all types of shooting.

Recently I have found that using Manual and setting a shutter of 1/200th or 1/250th along with the desired aperture (for a given lens) works well for keeping up with my 2yr old son.

I can set f/2.8 + 1/250th for example and then let auto Iso take over from there to ensure the proper exposure. This ensures that I am not getting changing shutter speeds that might result in subject blur.

For this to work though the shots have to be on the side of underexposure, because the Iso can only go up and not down from 100. One way to quickly fix this while staying in manual though is to increase shutter speed as needed.

So this is my preferred method for low light, and its not that ideal for outside bright daylight...

For bright daylight I would normally use Ap and set for the desired aperture for the attached lens (2.8, 1.8, etc.) and set manual Iso-100.

This way the shutter speed can scale to what is needed for the proper exposure, while ensuring that I get the DOF and subject isolation that I desire.

Av mode has its uses as well no doubt; I just don’t use it that often.

Basically its best to use the ideal mode for a given situation, they are all good in their own ways and have their specific uses.

- Neil

[Blake.Oney]

I use AP most of the time. Like most others, I only use manual when I need something specific. For weddings I would for sure use Av or Tv if I were you. There's no point in missing moments and shots while you're fiddling with the your setting to get the exposure right when there is a mode that will do it for you with no problems in those conditions.

[PerfectlyFlawed]

Aperture Priority most of the time, then Manual .