P, S, A, and M Modes

CBGCAT9 · Apr 29, 2011

I have a Nikon D3100. I'm new to DSLR cameras. I have a basic understanding of how to use the camera. When in one of the P,S,A,M modes and you make a change to shutter speed, aperture, exposure, ISO, etc. then I've read you must return the settings back to where they were or the camera will keep those changed settings (in that particular mode) and continue to take pictures at those settings even if you turn the camera off and back on. So, do you change back "manually" by turning dials, etc. or is there a menu setting to return to the settings you started with? If you can't remember what the settings were can you change to fully automatic point in the same place you took the picture and then check what settings the camera chooses and change to that? I can't imagine writing down the settings in every situation.
How do people do this? Thanks, Carolyn

tirediron · Apr 29, 2011

The camera will display the settings which you have dialed on in each mode. I suggest you spend some more time reading through your manual and gaining a better understanding of how Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes work.

kundalini · Apr 29, 2011

(I'm guessing without reading your manual) the D3100 will display all your triad settings in the viewfinder (ISO, aperture, shutter speed). Not much to remember since it is already there. Adjust as necessary, rinse and repeat.

On a further note, in the begining (ELP just popped in my brain....... some of you will get the reference) it is a good practice to actually write down in a journal/notebook what settings give you what results in what situations. This will burn into your brain the foundations of exposure, especially if you get crappy results. The purpose of this excercise it to reduce the number of crappy results.

Add a plus one to what John said. :thumbsup:

analog.universe · Apr 29, 2011

Also check your histograms! Sort of a boring task, but worth doing when you're unsure. Read up in your manual about how to view the histogram in review mode. This will give you the most concrete data on what kind of results your exposure settings are actually getting you, beyond the subjective "looks a little bright / looks a little dark" you can guess from the lcd.

+1 to what everyone else said as well

Lens Lenders · Apr 29, 2011

CBGCAT9 said:
I have a Nikon D3100. I'm new to DSLR cameras. I have a basic understanding of how to use the camera. When in one of the P,S,A,M modes and you make a change to shutter speed, aperture, exposure, ISO, etc. then I've read you must return the settings back to where they were or the camera will keep those changed settings (in that particular mode) and continue to take pictures at those settings even if you turn the camera off and back on.

That's an interesting question. It's true that the camera will remember your previous settings and return to them when you dial to one of the P, S, A, M modes. I would hate a camera that didn't do this. I never thought that it could cause worry to someone new to SLR cameras.

Each of the 4 modes (P, Tv, Av and M on Canon cameras) gives you control over specific functions and gives automatic control to the camera for others. Which mode you choose depends on your subject and what kind of photo you want to make. It's sensible for the camera to remember your settings in each mode since you'll likely develop personal preferences and style for each. Knowing what mode to choose and what settings to make comes with practice!

Digital photography is extraordinary for learning. When I learned on film, even if you went to the darkroom right after a shoot, it was hours after you clicked the shutter before you saw your results. Learning what worked well took days. Today, with digital, a push of a button instantly shows your results on the back of the camera, along with the settings used to do it! You can delete and try again as much as you want! In an hour, you can gain as much as experience as a film photographer took a month to learn.

KmH · Apr 29, 2011

CBGCAT9 said:
I have a Nikon D3100. I'm new to DSLR cameras. I have a basic understanding of how to use the camera. When in one of the P,S,A,M modes and you make a change to shutter speed, aperture, exposure, ISO, etc. then I've read you must return the settings back to where they were or the camera will keep those changed settings (in that particular mode) and continue to take pictures at those settings even if you turn the camera off and back on. So, do you change back "manually" by turning dials, etc.

Long ago I developed the habit of always putting my cameras away with the same settings every time. That way, the next time I pick the camera up to shoot, I know exactly how the camera is set up.

CBGCAT9 · Apr 29, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I may not have made myself clear. Let's say you take your first picture ever with the camera. You set it to A Mode. There are settings choosen by the camera, let's say 1/60 and F4. You decide to change the aperture to something else and maybe change the exposure. Take a few pictures. Maybe change the settings again to improve your photo. Now, according to all I've read you have to put the settings BACK to what they were before you CHANGED them. That would be 1/60 and F4. But you can't remember what the settings were. According to what I've read if you don't put them back everytime you go to A Mode it will be what you had changed it to the last time you were in that mode even if you turn the camera off. So, is there a way to change it back? Or do you have to remember the settings and manually turn the dial to the original settings? And how do you "rinse" them? I think that is what I don't know how to do except by manually turning the dial to get them back to where it started. Thanks!!

kundalini · Apr 29, 2011

Look in your manual for "Reset to Factory Defaults". That'll get you back to square one every time.

CBGCAT9 · Apr 29, 2011

OK - I am a beginner. (when I bought the camera the guy said - this is not for amateurs but took my money anyway). Now, when you go to one of the A, S, etc modes the camera will choose settings for you based on what you point the camera at and then you can change them in that semi-automatic or manual mode. As a beginner, I try to make changes to get a better photo, however, my changes are based on what I see with my eyes, with the camera and partially what the camera chooses. The photo is over exposed - ok don't like what the camera chose so change it. Don't like the DOF? change it. So, as a BEGINNER

I have to start from what the camera chooses and go from there until I get to the point in time where I can decide for myself before I even turn the camera on!! Make sense??? So, if the settings are at what I had done the last time I took photos - that does not help this beginner if I am taking a completely different photo under different lighting, etc. Previous settings would just confuse me at that point. Sigh!!

Gaerek · Apr 29, 2011

KmH said:
Long ago I developed the habit of always putting my cameras away with the same settings every time. That way, the next time I pick the camera up to shoot, I know exactly how the camera is set up.

This is GREAT advice for everyone.

CBGCAT9 said:
Thanks for the replies. I may not have made myself clear. Let's say you take your first picture ever with the camera. You set it to A Mode. There are settings choosen by the camera, let's say 1/60 and F4. You decide to change the aperture to something else and maybe change the exposure. Take a few pictures. Maybe change the settings again to improve your photo. Now, according to all I've read you have to put the settings BACK to what they were before you CHANGED them. That would be 1/60 and F4. But you can't remember what the settings were. According to what I've read if you don't put them back everytime you go to A Mode it will be what you had changed it to the last time you were in that mode even if you turn the camera off. So, is there a way to change it back? Or do you have to remember the settings and manually turn the dial to the original settings? And how do you "rinse" them? I think that is what I don't know how to do except by manually turning the dial to get them back to where it started. Thanks!!

By A do you mean Aperture Priority? Or automatic? If it's automatic, the settings are chosen by the camera and will continually change, no matter what you do, based on the lighting conditions you encounter. Setting will not ever be saved in Automatic. If you're in aperture priority mode, you set your aperture and ISO, the camera decides your shutter. If you switch to say M, the settings you just had will be gone, and will now be whatever they are the last time you were in M. If you go back to Aperture Priority, your ISO and Aperture will be the same, but your shutter will most likely change (because of new lighting conditions).

There are no "Original Settings" on your camera. They will either be decided by the camera when you push the shutter button, or you will partly, or fully control them. If by original, you mean factory default? If that's the case, is there a reason why you'd want it to go back to some default setting? It only takes a second or two to adjust your settings, so having a default setting while you're out shooting won't really make much difference.

analog.universe · Apr 29, 2011

The camera will remember where you've left your manual settings in those modes, but that doesn't necessarily imply that you need to change them back... Do you just want to reset them so you start at the same place every time? or is there some other reason? I always just adjust the settings and then take the shot, I never "reset" anything afterwards. If you're choosing manual control over anything, you're going to need to make adjustments to those settings every time you pick up the camera anyway... doesn't matter if you pick it up with the settings from your last shoot, or from some default, they still won't be what you need.

Gaerek · Apr 29, 2011

CBGCAT9 said:
OK - I am a beginner. (when I bought the camera the guy said - this is not for amateurs but took my money anyway). Now, when you go to one of the A, S, etc modes the camera will choose settings for you based on what you point the camera at and then you can change them in that semi-automatic or manual mode. As a beginner, I try to make changes to get a better photo, however, my changes are based on what I see with my eyes, with the camera and partially what the camera chooses. The photo is over exposed - ok don't like what the camera chose so change it. Don't like the DOF? change it. So, as a BEGINNER I have to start from what the camera chooses and go from there until I get to the point in time where I can decide for myself before I even turn the camera on!! Make sense??? So, if the settings are at what I had done the last time I took photos - that does not help this beginner if I am taking a completely different photo under different lighting, etc. Previous settings would just confuse me at that point. Sigh!!

Dude, slow down. I think you're making this WAY harder than it has to be. Don't worry about what settings are default, or whatever. The settings you use will depend on the current lighting conditions, and the photo you're trying to take. Use your light meter. Check your exposure in your preview and histogram. Make exposure compensation adjustments (look in your manual for this) if you need to. Really, it seems to me you need to read your manual, and possibly read about exposure. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is the default book most TPF members recommend, and it's a good one. I would highly recommend picking it up, and reading through your manual several times.

CBGCAT9 · Apr 29, 2011

By A I meant Aperture Mode.
By "original" - in this case - I mean the original settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure) the the camera chose when you turned the camera on and pointed and pressed the shutter release half-way.
I'm not talking about "defaults".
I have been reading the manual and a book I bought and an on-line course I bought. All say, "note - when making changes in A, S, M modes you must put the settings back or your changes will stay even if you turn the camera off." The settings I am talking about are shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure.
Sorry I haven't been clear. Learning the lingo may be harder than learning the camera!!!

kundalini · Apr 29, 2011

CBGCAT9 said:
...... So, as a BEGINNER I have to start from what the camera chooses and go from there until I get to the point in time where I can decide for myself before I even turn the camera on!! Make sense??? So, if the settings are at what I had done the last time I took photos - that does not help this beginner if I am taking a completely different photo under different lighting, etc. Previous settings would just confuse me at that point. Sigh!!

I guess you missed the part of my previous reply about taking notes. Make sense now???

Gaerek · Apr 29, 2011

CBGCAT9 said:
By A I meant Aperture Mode.
By "original" - in this case - I mean the original settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure) the the camera chose when you turned the camera on and pointed and pressed the shutter release half-way.
I'm not talking about "defaults".
I have been reading the manual and a book I bought and an on-line course I bought. All say, "note - when making changes in A, S, M modes you must put the settings back or your changes will stay even if you turn the camera off." The settings I am talking about are shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure.
Sorry I haven't been clear. Learning the lingo may be harder than learning the camera!!!

I think that quote is referring to what KmH recommended. When you're done shooting, or when you have a break in your shooting, it might be worth while to put your camera into your own sort of default mode. Settings that you (and you alone, for the most part) recognize as sort of base settings. That way, when you start shooting, you automatically know where your camera is, and how to get it where you want to go.