Is manual mode overrated?

[Drake]

Is manual overrated? I think it depends on one's attitude. Some shoot in manual mode and are right to say that this mode yields the best results, at least for them. Others treat the M letter like some kind of a religion, trying to spread the message that if it's not done in manual, it's wrong.

I shoot most of my photos in Av, because basically that way I've got the same control over the camera I do in M mode. The thing I think about first is usually the aperture. After I set it the way I want it to be, what's the point for me to go through the shutter speed scale and set it manually to be somewhere around the middle of the exposure indicator in OVF? In Av mode, whenever I want to take a shot, I get my camera out of the bag, set the desired aperture, meter, and the camera is already set to a roughly correct exposure. I can always fine tune it if I feel the need to. Aperture priority mode in combination with exposure compensation and exposure lock is just my way of shooting. I often use manual when the camera is on a tripod though.

I am not saying Av is the only way to go. It's only a way of shooting. It gets exactly the same results as manual mode. What's the reason of arguing which one's better? I am faster and more comfortable in Av, others are in M. Is it really that much of a difference?

 

[usayit]

Oh gods

lol... you watch battlestar galactica?

 

[ann]

Manual, because that is how i was taught 63 years ago and it is just habit at this point. However, there are times when I will use whatever the situation calls for; including (on my goodness She didn't do that) program mode.

For instances I was in New York last weekend and was using my iphone and my Olympus E-pen and put the Olympus in program mode as it was faster and the light was changing from minute to minute.

 

[Ken Rockwell Fan]

I only use manual mode when I absolutely have to. Most of the time I shoot in P or A mode and chimp the histograms and highlights.

 

[Overread]

Oh gods

lol... you watch battlestar galactica?

Yeps! The original though I never got to liking that new one they made (ok I kind of liked it ish, but they should have called it something else cause it wasn't Battlestar)

 

[BKMOOD]

Manual Mode is a needed and valuable tool in the photographer's toolbox. Cameras, even the best of them, are only so smart and can be fooled in certain situations. Those are the times you have to tell your camera what to do instead of the other way around.

 

[3bayjunkie]

What's the point of shooting manual? I understand lighting is one key element, but other than a couple other fine circumstances I don't see the need personally.

It's how you learned so it's what you're used to?
Control freak?
Just to say you shoot in manual?

Discuss.

Sorry if I am repeating someone I didn't read all the posts in here.

Manual mode is best for shooting portraits with controlled lighting. This is because you will be able to control your exposure to your liking when using strobes or whatever your lighting may be.

most times other than portrait you would probably use Aperture priority mode so you can control your depth of field.

However when photography a lot of action, sports for example, you would use Shutter priority so you can keep it at around 1/1000 SS.

Then again when you are doing travel photography type stuff I always use Program mode so it does everything automatically (no flash) when walking around a city or wherever I am and don't have a lot of time to react to a good shot.

 

[pgriz]

What's the point of shooting manual? I understand lighting is one key element, but other than a couple other fine circumstances I don't see the need personally.

It's how you learned so it's what you're used to?
Control freak?
Just to say you shoot in manual?

Discuss.

Depends on whether I’m “creating” or “recording”. If the former, then I’ve got a clear objective, and I want to control the light and the camera settings, so I shoot in manual mode. If the latter, then I’m effectively shooting snapshots, so I delegate some of the decisions to the camera. Mostly Av mode, some Tv mode, and very rarely, P mode. However, if I’m in an area where the incident light is constant, then I will switch to manual mode (once I’ve decided on a basic exposure), as it will avoid having variation in exposure due to different tones of subject matter.

Pretty much what every one else said before me.

 

[table1349]

Are manual transmissions needed in vehicles these days or are they just toys for those that want to feel like they are hot drivers?

Well if you are driving to work in your little urban setting or going to and from the store, well that automatic transmission is probably all you need.

But lets say you want to get that large load of dirt up that steep hill to your home for some big project you want to do.

If all you learned to drive was something with an automatic transmission pick a good company to do the job for you because you do not have the skills to get the job done yourself. Me, I will get behind the wheel of that stick shift and do it my self because I have driven everything from a 3 on the tree to and 18 wheeler.
Is manual overrated? Are you a picture taker or a photographer? If you can successfully shoot in manual then you don't just understand the basics, you can control the basics and get from them what you want.

Kind of like that stick shift, understanding that you push down that far left peddle then move that little stick thingy into different places is a lot different from being able to do it smoothly and properly drive a manual transmission vehicle. I drive an automatic, but I can drive anything still made. I use Av, TV and Manuel, depending on what it called for, but I not only understand the basics of exposure I can put them to use in the way I want and envision.

 

[PASM]

Using manual-mode allows maximum creative control. That may not be necessary/practical for what you are doing, but it's good to have the options.

 

[KmH]

Today's digital cameras are like Swiss Army knives.

You have the really simple, inexpensive ones that come with 2 or 3 tools. (P&S)

You have the ones that come with every automatic tool known to man, and 1/2 of 'em you never discover are there. (entry -level).

And then you have the ones that only have the tools a knowledgeable photographer needs. (prosumer and pro)

:lmao:

 

[usayit]

Oh gods

lol... you watch battlestar galactica?

Yeps! The original though I never got to liking that new one they made (ok I kind of liked it ish, but they should have called it something else cause it wasn't Battlestar)

Frakkin cool...

I loved BSG.... but you have to free your mind from any connections from the original series. Its the first thought that came to mind when I saw the word Gods.


I also got a laugh when I figured out the background explanation for all the corners cut from the books and paper in the shows.

 

[swimswithtrout]

Over rated ? No, if it works for you, fine.

Under used ? Yes

I shoot Ap about 75% of the time, but there are always situations that demand an over-ride.

You could just do it by using an exposure compensation, but at that point I just switch to M.

For the first 10 yrs I was shooting a 35mm cam back in the mid 60's/70's, that's what I did. There was no Auto anything on my cameras.

After enough wasted film you started getting a pretty good idea of exposure. If you wanted more info and had the money, you carried a light meter.

 

[dxqcanada]

Manual exposure should only be used when you know the in-camera meter is going to give you the wrong exposure ... otherwise use Aperture or Shutter priority to have your own control over either property.

I think the biggest misconception is that Manual exposure gives you the most control ... if you set exposure manually to what the in-camera meter tells you is correct, then it is no different then using any automatic setting ... Manual exposure gives you the most control when you deviate from the norm.

 

[Dominantly]

I find it more difficult to use the automatic modes, manual seems to be the easiest of the bunch.
Now this may differ depending on the body you are using, and the ease in which you can manipulate your settings (IE D90 with two command dials).