Automatic vs. Manual?

MLeeK · Jan 4, 2012

I have to say... I am rather impressed with this discussion. It's the first of the controversial posts that I've seen in here not go south in a hell of a hurry.
It's kind of refreshing to see that we can agree that there is no one perfect way for everyone!

unpopular · Jan 4, 2012

Yeah, because we all know that if you use AE you're either lazy or a noob.

(sorry. my grandmother on my father's side was a troll)

GreatPhotoRace · Jan 4, 2012

Learning to shoot in manual helped me become a more confident photographer since I knew how to get the shot that I wanted with out having to cross my fingers and pray it turns out how I want it to. It's worth it for that alone, in my opinion. But I agree that it depends on the situation. Sometimes it's not absolutely necessary.

ld3davis · Jan 5, 2012

Both. I'm a hobbyist. From my point of view there are times when it's super fun being crazy creative and setting up props and creating exposures as I see fit and trying to create the perfect photo and doing portraits of the kids and friends blah blah blah. Then there are times when putting the camera on cruise controls works best to capture the moments. Either way we love viewing the photos later and reliving those moments. Again, that's just from my hobbyist point of view. It is amazing seeing what and how something can be creatively captured however.

BZSPhotography · Jan 5, 2012

The best way, in my opinion, to describe this is relating it to automobiles. Automatic gear cars give you relief and do everything for you, all you have to do is brake and drive. On the other hand, Manual gives you more control over the photo. Its more work on your side, but if you do it correctly, you'll have a perfect outcome that you will like and enjoy. So, if you are proficient in using Manual mode I say you'll have better outcomes than automatic.

Hope this helps.

usayit · Jan 5, 2012

Bulb... and let my finger decide the exposure. Somehow its dead on each and every time..... well sometimes I am a little too far to the right once my finger gets to about 1/8000 of a sec. I am getting a bit old and my reaction time isnt what it used to be.

I have never owned a slushmatic car in my life. I cant stand driving a vehicle without a manual stick. Yes.. even in my daily bumper to bumper commute. Ok... maybe I would make one exception to a Porsche which I dont think I would ever own.

nickzou · Jan 7, 2012

I find myself using aperture priority mode a lot on my GF2. It's just easier. And since I don't auto ISO most of the time I would probably choose the same shutter speed as the meter anyways. At most it is 1/3 of a stop off the exposure I want. But most of the time it's perfect.

As for my D7k I usually go full manual because Nikons front and rear dials are just so fun.

12sndsgood · Jan 7, 2012

I have been using manual just to force me into thinking more about where my setting are and what i need to do to get the photo's I want. it was awkward and i forgot things at first. but now im starting to just adjust things without really thinking about them. it's nice once you get over that curve.

zcar21 · Jan 7, 2012

I use Av + evaluative mode most of the time. If the evaluative if off, I know when to expect it, I use exposure compensation.

MarkCSmith · Jan 8, 2012

I personally think all photographers shooting SLRs should learn how to get proper exposure in Manual mode, simply to educate themselves how different settings affect the exposure. Other than that, whatever gets you the exposure you want is what you should use. I am quite often shooting in Aperture priority because I've become accustomed to it and most of my work I find the aperture to be the only thing I want or need to set myself.

unpopular · Jan 8, 2012

^^ to use AE effectively, one should learn manual exposure to better understand how, when and most importantly why it may not behave as expected.

thinkricky · Jan 10, 2012

Is using aperture priority a bad thing? One of my posts I was insulted for using it. Referred to it as me using it like a point and shoot. But many people say they use it too to capture the quick moments. So... I don't get it.

unpopular · Jan 10, 2012

There is nothing wrong with AE so long as you know how to use it. The problem is that it's hard to know how to use it without first learning manual.

MarkCSmith · Jan 10, 2012

thinkricky said:
Is using aperture priority a bad thing? One of my posts I was insulted for using it. Referred to it as me using it like a point and shoot. But many people say they use it too to capture the quick moments. So... I don't get it.

Anybody who said that is an idiot and probably doesn't understand the mechanics of their camera themselves. So no, it's not a bad thing. Use whatever you need to get the image you want to capture.