Really stupid question/observation.

[Soulz3urn3lack]

I must admit, I shoot manual mode because all my friends do. It's a peer pressure sort of thing... Otherwise I'd be a hipster and just shoot auto because it's totally against the mainstream. /end sarcasm

 

[480sparky]

I don't consider manual to be a status symbol. I consider it just one of the tools available to me and one which I bring to bear when it's appropriate.

 

[Bamps]

I have no clue what a Linux is but I pretty much only use manual for night photography.

 

[snowbear]

I have no clue what a Linux is

A computer operating system. The logo is a penguin.

 

[Josh66]

So, if shooting in manual makes you cool, how cool are you if your camera doesn't even have an automatic mode to choose from?

I shoot manual all the time because it works. I don't have to change any settings every time I move my camera slightly. I know you can get the same results in any of the other modes, but not without pressing a bunch of buttons or going into a menu. I hate using exposure compensation (the only time I use it is when I'm using a filter that requires it on a non-TTL metering camera) - I'd rather just look at the meter and put the needle where I want it.

 

[syaudi]

My greatest work I ever shot was in manual mode on manual focus. It was, actually, a blind shot, where all I did was set the hyper focal distance, gauge the distance from lens to subject, adjusted zoom where I thought appropriate, and hit the shutter button. All without looking in the OVF. Is this really cool? Yeah, it was, and I spend every minute bragging about it to someone. But did I do it to look cool? Well, I was all alone in my backyard, taking pictures of a flower while being eaten alive by mosquitoes, so I suppose the only thing I was attracting with my coolness were bloodsuckers. But the fact is, I consider it my greatest achievement not because it was focused perfectly on the flower, not because I had metered correctly, nor was my exposure spot on, but I did it because in that moment, I thought I could. So I adjusted, and went for it. Since then I haven't shot in manual mode again because I haven't been in a situation where I felt the need to use it. Admittedly, I haven't shot anything nearly as good up until now, so hopefully I'll get another chance to try my luck again sometime soon. If you have the space or the time for thoughts about how cool you look in manual, obviously your thoughts aren't on subject interaction, leading to rather decidedly subpar photos.
Also, standard exposure, like some other people have said here, looks the same in every mode. The difference is in convenience. Do you have the time to consider something artsy like overexposing? Hit that manual switch. Need to take a quick shot before moving on? Keep your finger off the mode switch. Points have been made that once a change is made, it's there to stay. In my experience, this is pure gold, as sometimes there are settings I absolutely do not want tampered with, but in anything not manual these get changed without my say-so. Sometimes I can't have this, but other times I get lucky and my picture, while turning out different from what I had imagined, actually came out looking extraordinary, because what had changed had also changed something in the picture. Sometimes I like that randomness. Sometimes. Mostly I'm just extremely unlucky. :meh:
At the end of the day, however, manual is just a mode. If that's how people roll, let them roll. You'll see later whether they have the skills to avoid the muddy ditch approaching in the distance.

 

[minicoop1985]

I rarely shoot in manual anymore. I use it when I need it, but aperture priority is where all the cool kids are hanging out these days. I'm still trying to figure out what that little green rectangle is for, but I'm afraid to try it.

 

[TammyCampbell]

I shoot A priority mostly. But sometimes due to light conditions or other reasons that confound the camera.I will shoot in m because it would be the only way to get the shot. Still learning everything..but by no means do I think I'm cool or not cool for using manual if I get the result I want that is most important I think.. Everyone has a style that they are more comfortable with.. We all have our own ways of learning..:meh:

 

[bluestreaks78]

I shoot in manual because I like to be in complete control of the camera. For example, one of my hobbies is photographing trains. With their bright headlights, the camera meter is often thrown off when in any mode other than manual, leading to an underexposed image. Additionally, I find that my D7000's meter tends to under or over expose in most situations, so by zeroing in manual mode then adjusting from there I can ensure it is where I want it until the light changes.

 

[cynicaster]

There are definitely wannabes out there who use M just to say they use M.

But any post-novice shooter who is worth a darn should know how all of the "variables" affect the result, and always be mentally aware of how each of the variables is set, regardless of whether they're being set by a microprocessor or a thumb wheel. So, then, what's really the difference between Av/Tv/M? No more than the difference between right-click->copy and CTRL-C in Windows. It's just that, as in the latter example, one method or the other may be more logical/appropriate/convenient for the specific situation at hand.

 

[Soulz3urn3lack]

Honestly I didn't even know this was a "Thing" I thought everyone aspired to be able to shoot manual. I had no idea is was just a cool factor thing...

 

[Derrel]

I shot 420 exposures this Memorial Day with my Nikon using Matrix Metering mode, kmostly using aperture priority at f/5.6 for the majority, and f/7,.1 for a few, and f/10 for some. I was using AUTO ISO, 24,35,and 70-300mm lenses. I programmed the Auto ISO to 1/200 second minimum speeds, and a maximum ISO of 1600 at the very start of the day. Of the 420 shots I fired, I had three slightly too-bright exposures, and on the third too-bright shot, when that one came up on the LCD, I IMMEDIATELY hit the +/- EC button and I spun the command wheel too many clicks and ended up at ay Minus 2.0 instead of Minus 1.3.

 

[clickwell]

Hi,
just to add to what other nice photographers have already mentioned, normally, manual mode is used by mostly advance photographers just so to have more control over their exposures and photo results. This is similar in saying, to allow room for creativity for most experienced photographers. Proper exposure can be subjective depending on what
mood a particular photographer would like to express in his/her photos. Be reminded though that it is ok to explore manual mode provided you have good understanding of the basics. Usually, experts would suggest that for beginners, it's better to start off in Semi auto mode such as aperture or shutter modes. just my 2 cents, hope it helps

Regards,

 

[greybeard]

Just practice shooting everything in manual. After a while you will start to realize when it is better to shoot in manual and when auto is fine. AE lock will work as well as manual in most but not all situations. As far as shooting in manual being a status symbol, that is a new one.

 

[ConradM]

Hi,
just to add to what other nice photographers have already mentioned, normally, manual mode is used by mostly advance photographers just so to have more control over their exposures and photo results. This is similar in saying, to allow room for creativity for most experienced photographers. Proper exposure can be subjective depending on what
mood a particular photographer would like to express in his/her photos. Be reminded though that it is ok to explore manual mode provided you have good understanding of the basics. Usually, experts would suggest that for beginners, it's better to start off in Semi auto mode such as aperture or shutter modes. just my 2 cents, hope it helps

Regards,

That can't be right. It seemed like a no-brainer to learn how to use my DSLR when I first got it. I was shooting in M within about an hour of some googling and reading the manual.