Manual vs. Aperture Priority mode

[batmura]

I have a question about shooting manual versus A mode. I'm fairly new to photography and when I first started out I did a lot of reading and asking about shooting in manual mode. I learned a little about fiddling with the shutter speed to get the meter to indicate a 'correct' reading and managed to get some decent images. However, lately, I've been shooting mostly in A mode because once I select the f-number the camera will set everything else for me, which is basically the same thing as selecting M mode and then playing with the wheel on the camera. So I'd like to know what other reasons people have for choosing manual mode when A mode effectively can do the same thing.

 

[Overread]

Aperture priority mode is great when you are setting the aperture for the shot and then basing the shutter speed on what the camera meters for the light present in the scene - adjusting ISO as needed to ensure a suitable shutter speed of course. For situations where you're basically just following the built in meter its a very versatile and easy mode to use, plus you've got exposure compensation for if you want to bias the setting to over or under expose what the meter is reading.


Manual mode is there for those times when the cameras built in meter won't give you the right answer. This can vary based upon a few situations:

1) You're using flash as the dominant light source for all or part of the scene. Because the camera meter can only read the constant light present in the scene it can't take into account what the flash light would add. As such when flash light is dominant manual mode is often preferred because the camera meter just isn't any good for the situation.*

2) When your subject is going to move under varying lighting, but you want to retain the same constant exposure through the whole series of shots.

3) When you are using an external light meter to read the light and then using the settings suggested by its reading and not the cameras own light meter.


In general manual mode is there for when you want something very specific, when you need the direct control because the camera's own meter won't perform to give you the results you want. Otherwise aperture priority will do much of what many need and indeed many photographers often shoot the most in aperture priority.

Myself I tend to use aperture priority when doing most shooting - however for my macro where I'm shooting with the flash light dominant to the scene I'm always in manual mode

The key is to learn how to use each of the modes and be able to shift between them; then you can choose which mode will work best for you in a given situation.


*note you might shoot, check the histogram and shoot again when doing this or you could use an external handheld light meter to read the flash light effect at the point on the subject; or you could be working on prior experiences and using standard settings - depends on the situation and your experiences

 

[pgriz]

^^^ What he said. Excellent explanation, Overread.

I'd add that if the scene you're shooting pretty much averages to 18% grey, you can go with the meter. If, it is at least 1 stop darker or lighter, then you'll be fiddling with the exposure compensation if you're shooting Aperture priority. If the scene is consistent in its tonality and lighting, then you can dial it in, check the histogram, and you're good to go. If you're facing rather large differences (say, sun-dappled forest floor, or the sun playing peek-a-boo behind clouds), you may have to go to spot meter mode to be sure you're getting the right reading.

#2 in Overread's list is very important. When you're shooting a series that will be looked at together, it can be disconcerting to see large differences in exposure within the same series, and in this situation, it may be better to have a single exposure for the whole set. For instance, one of my uses of photography is to document external house inspections and wherever possible, I use a single exposure so that as we move from image to image in viewing with the clients, we see consistent tones in the same objects. In setting this single exposure, I do take an incident meter reading, as well as checking specific spots with a spot-meter. This gives me an exposure value where everything I want to be able to see will have some detail in it.

In deciding between the two modes, I use manual in situations where I have the time to get the exposure right, and when I need consistency of exposure. I use Aperture-priority when things are fast-moving, or light is changing , or the scene tonality varies all over the place, and getting "a" shot is more important than getting the "perfect" exposure.

 

[EIngerson]

Great advice from everyone above. As stated above, there are times when manual is the only way to go. Learning what works for you in any given situation is where the difference comes in. Multiple images combined in a pano will be another one of those times where manual will be a must. You'll see visible difference in how your camera metered each shot.

 

[Rick58]

The examples you guys gave are excellent. I just kind'a sit back and smile regarding how some things make a full circle.
I remember shooting B&W with a handheld meter and fully mechanical gear when "electronic" cameras came on the scene.

There was no frame by frame adjustable ASA (ISO) unless you were shooting sheet film. There was no "Exposure Compensation" other then the photographers calculations and input.

Then came electronics. "Automatic" was the thing and people were paying top dollar for it.

Now I sit here and read how people shoot manual all the time. Many times producing a blown out or blocked stylish B&W

 

[EIngerson]

Rick, I have to admit, if digital never came about, I would not have gotten involved with photography. I have much respect for anyone that learned with film.

 

[Rick58]

Rick, I have to admit, if digital never came about, I would not have gotten involved with photography. I have much respect for anyone that learned with film.

I wouldn't say that. There wasn't anything else so you wouldn't know any difference.

Unless you were shooting with a Kodak Instamatic, you HAD to learn the basics and how one setting would affect the others.

 

[SCraig]

The examples you guys gave are excellent. I just kind'a sit back and smile regarding how some things make a full circle.
I remember shooting B&W with a handheld meter and fully mechanical gear when "electronic" cameras came on the scene.

There was no frame by frame adjustable ASA (ISO) unless you were shooting sheet film. There was no "Exposure Compensation" other then the photographers calculations and input.

Then came electronics. "Automatic" was the thing and people were paying top dollar for it.

Now I sit here and read how people shoot manual all the time. Many times producing a blown out or blocked stylish B&W

I remember those days well I still have an Olympus OM-2N from the 70's. In its day that camera was the cat's meow. I also remember the arguments that arose from having to buy a camera that was EITHER aperture priority OR shutter priority. No single camera had both.

OP, don't get hung up on a shooting mode. So many people go through this "I only shoot MANUAL mode!" as if it's a badge of honor or something. All it really means is that you can look at the light meter display in the view finder and adjust the needle so it's centered as opposed to letting the camera do it for you. EVERY mode on your camera (except maybe the "Scene" modes) has a purpose, and there are times when it will work better than any other mode.

The important thing to learn is WHEN and WHY to use one mode over the others to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Many times, such as when depth of field is the important consideration, aperture priority is by far the best mode to use. At other times, such as when shooting sports, shutter priority works best. And there are also times, such as when shot to shot consistency is important or when a background will cause metering issues, that manual is the way to go.

Always using one mode to the exclusion of the others that your camera provides makes about as much sense as always using one f-stop or shutter speed or ISO to the exclusion of all others, you aren't using your camera to its fullest abilities. They are adjustments, just as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Learn to use them in conjunction with your other settings.

 

[Rick58]

Had a sassy pair of OM-1's here

 

[SCraig]

Had a sassy pair of OM-1's here

Olympus was coming out with some really innovative stuff in those days. I never shot with an OM-1 but they paved the way for some really "Smart" cameras for their day.

The OM-2N was touted as being the first camera to read the exposure from the film as opposed to through the lens. The difference, of course, being that it could continue to meter while the mirror was up. I remember testing that right after I got mine by setting it up in my darkroom on a tripod and focused on the end of a film box. I turned off all the lights, opened the shutter, and sat there for several minutes with the shutter open. As expected, nothing happened since there was effectively no light there, not even a safelight on. After a few minutes I struck a cigarette lighter near the subject and the shutter closed after a couple of seconds. I processed the film and the exposure was dead on the money. I was amazed since in that day something that "Smart" was unheard of.

 

[480sparky]

I shoot in Aperture mode to get the fastest shutter speed possible for the aperture and ISO I've chosen.

 

[EIngerson]

Rick, I have to admit, if digital never came about, I would not have gotten involved with photography. I have much respect for anyone that learned with film.

I wouldn't say that. There wasn't anything else so you wouldn't know any difference.

Unless you were shooting with a Kodak Instamatic, you HAD to learn the basics and how one setting would affect the others.

It was the developing that turned me off. It was always a hassle to me and I hated waiting to see what I got.

 

[SCraig]

It was the developing that turned me off. It was always a hassle to me and I hated waiting to see what I got.

That did turn into a chore sometimes. Especially after coming home tired from shooting all day, but I still had to see what I got. The instant gratification of digital is a wonderful thing

 

[goodguy]

Tried few times A mode and somehow it doesnt work for me, dont know why but either the shutter gets too slow or ISO too high.
I found I work much better in M mode, my cameras and I like it that way, both of them.

 

[480sparky]

Tried few times A mode and somehow it doesnt work for me, dont know why but either the shutter gets too slow or ISO too high.
............

I can set a maximum ISO and minimum shutter speed.