Now... let us be frank. How many of you shoot in Auto mode?

[kingonexile]

I know there are times, when creative modes give you headaches and you want to capture that scene somehow; Do you shoot in Auto mode? Be frank and let us have your opinions.

[cdifoto]

Creative modes never give me headaches but sometimes I'm just snapshooting, so P mode is good enough (with flash). Never Auto since A) it locks you out of everything and B) the 1 series doesn't have it in the first place.

[john-in-japan]

Maybe 5% - spotaneous unexpected short lived oportunity.
John

[FlyingPhotog]

Once in a very rare while I'll use "P" if I'm not getting the result I want in M, Av or Tv...

Otherwise, I tend to be mostly in M or Av

[Sven-EOS]

1% When I cannot decide and want to see what EOS450 would do.
100% when I hand my camera to my girlfriend (and take of the hood because it blocks the internal flash somewhat).

[ben4633]

Never do I shoot in auto. If you want headaches, auto will give them to you. You will never get consistant exposure, it will meter off the wrong thing and your shot look like they were taken with a point and shoot by a little kid. Even with lazy backyard messing around or family picnics I will shoot M. 98% in M, 1.5% in Av, and .5% in Tv (even though I cant think of once i used Tv).

[LBaldwin]

SSSHHH you are not supposed to ask that (we all do it sometimes) I hear if you do it too much you will go blind... lol

[1Twist]

^^^^^^perfect answer baldwin^^^^^^^^^

[TweakMDS]

Hmm, out of ~7000 clicks on this body, I've taken one shot in "green box", one shot in P, a handful in Tv, about 1000 in manual, and the rest in Av.

I just really don't like the auto modes, and I don't see any advantage (even for COMPLETE amateurs) to use them over Av. I mean... how hard is it to choose an aperture and ISO?

[kingonexile]

@Baldwin,

....blind in one eye I suppose:D

[conbu19]

No sense making fun of Baldwin, we all share in the same weeknes.
Except for myself of course! Can you hand me that white cane sonny, the one with the Canon , logo on it

[JeffreyG]

I don't think I've ever used auto mode on my cameras, and the 1D doesn't have an auto mode.

Once one realizes what auto does to you (loss of ability to select focus point, loss of ISO control, no exposure compensation, loss of ability to select focus mode, no RAW output etc etc) you start to see that auto mode is the only place the headaches come from.

I'm not going to keep slightly OOF shots, shots with motion blur, shots that are not exposed correctly etc. Auto mode is likely to give me such shots, so it is pointless. And really, shooting in the creative modes does not actually require a lot of thought.

[John_B]

I know there are times, when creative modes give you headaches and you want to capture that scene somehow; Do you shoot in Auto mode? Be frank and let us have your opinions.kingonexile,
I never use auto mode, M all the time.
I take the photo not a small little computer chip ;)

[LBaldwin]

I really do use the Av and Tv quite a bit, Studio is always manual. I do use program too for grab shots and just fun stuff, when someone else wants to use my camera. I do not see anything wrong with using all the tools at my disposal - as long as you understand what the camera is doing...

kingonexile all I have to say is AAARRRRR !

[René Damkot]

M or Av mostly. Occasionally P, although on a 1D3 P is way less usable then it was on a 1D2 with "retain program shift" enabled.
I think that cut down my usage of "P" from 30 % to 5% or so.

I have no use for Tv. Ever.
DEP occasionally on my 1Dino.
Never used one of the pictogram modes when I had a 10D: Way more difficult to get the thing to do what I want then in any other mode.

[dustyporch]

I can honestly say that I have not taken even one shot in P or Auto on my XTi... I'm not saying that it's good or bad, just the truth.

[[Hyuni]]

Glad the 1DmkII doesn't have an auto mode. There's already a P mode that I have to skip through to get to either Tv or M!

[cdifoto]

;8486400']Glad the 1DmkII doesn't have an auto mode. There's already a P mode that I have to skip through to get to either Tv or M!
If you're that pretentious, just hook the camera up to your computer and disable the modes you're too good to use.

[Radtech1]

I know there are times, when creative modes give you headaches and you want to capture that scene somehow; Do you shoot in Auto mode? Be frank and let us have your opinions.

By accident once, then I couldn't find the RAW files, only the JPGs. Never did THAT again.

50% AV - with a check of the DOF preview button.
25% TV - when after a specific amount of motion blur.
25% Full Manual - when others do not give me what I want.

Rad

[[Hyuni]]

whoa way to be on the attack, cdi
Who said anything about being pretentious? I use Av, Tv, and M mode because it gives me more control to get the type of photo I want.
I guess P mode has it's time and place, but I haven't found it yet.

[k_wakasugi]

Never? No auto mode on the 1D :p

Majority of the time I'm in Av, occasionally in M, rarely in Tv.


EDIT: Wait, I lied. I also sometimes use "Program" on my AE-1P. :p :p

[René Damkot]

;8486650']I guess P mode has it's time and place, but I haven't found it yet.

The "have to skip through" part sounded pretentious to me ;)

On the time and place: 1D(Mk2(n)) (Not Mk3 sadly)

Set the PFn (or was it CFn?): Retain program shift.

In dark circumstances with changing light (Performance on stage), you could use Av, wide open, to get an as fast as possible shutterspeed.
But ideally, you might want to stop down a bit instead of shooting everything at f/1.4 all the time ;)

In comes P mode. By default it'll start to stop down when you hit 1/60s or so. You don't want that, so you program shift.
Now the lens will be wide open, until light levels are high enough for (say) f/2 at 1/250s.

Could do the same with Av, but then you'd have to check exposure, stop down if you can, and remember to open up again if light levels drop...

That's the way I've used P mode. Very, very useful and a shame it's impossible on a Mk3 (which won't retain program shift)

[grphx]

Never in auto
Never in "P" mode, not even when I hand the camera to others to take a picture
95% of the time it's in AV or TV mode, depending on what I"m shooting
5% is manual, when I want to achieve a certain look.

[captainpenguin]

Tend to do all my sport in Shutter Priority and everything else in Aperture Priority,only when the light gets really iffy do I shoot in manual

[Hot Bob]

90% Av
8% Tv
2% M

If I hand my camera to anyone else in my family, I will switch it to auto.

Bob

[jdlloyd67]

90% Av
8% Tv
2% M

If I hand my camera to anyone else in my family, I will switch it to auto.

Bob
I do the same...switch the camera to auto when I give it to anyone other then my wife. She's finally learned enough to shoot in Av or Tv.

[bjyoder]

On my 40D, I've taken a few shots myself in auto, and my girlfriend has taken all her shots in auto. I spend most of my time in M, as I'm normally shooting in some odd lighting conditions. I do use Av a lot when I'm just walking around the city or some such thing.

On my little Fuji F40fd (before I killed it), I shot everything in one auto mode or another. ;)

[carshop]

Im new here and in the beginning it was auto.
Now after reading and learning from a lot of good people on this site, I find myself shooting more in Av.
Thanks guys.

[JWitmer]

My 20D has hardly been out of M. I just prefer having the control is all.

[nicksan]

Never used Auto mode.
Usually on M, and sometimes on Av if the situation calls for it.

[[shingo]]

I can't shoot in auto because auto shoot in jpeg and I can't shoot in jpeg it's blasphemous.

[Duff]

I didn't know my dial had anything other than 'M' on it... seems like a waste of options to me. :p

OK, so I have taken a few shots in other modes... mostly when my dial was bumped by accident. I shot for about a month with my first DSLR in 'A' (green mode). Once I went manual, I never came back.

I need to learn how to use some of the other modes. I know there are good uses for them and they don't take all my control away. I guess I'm just a creature of habbit.

[DragonSpeed]

I shoot most of the time in Tv (animals/birds)
I use P when using flash because I still don't "get it"
I use ADep because I foolishly keep believing it WILL work as advertised, for memory portraits at landmarks.
I use "M" for shooting indoor sports when the lighting will be constant, for panoramas, or when I KNOW what I want from my picture despite what the the camera maker thinks.

Also, now that I have the 50D, I pretty much live in AutoISO... it's quite intelligent - WAY more than the 40D version.

I hate [Auto] because it won't even let me choose to use the flash.

[_Sim]

Never for me either. Same goes for P. But then I don't photograph events or any real action.

[andrepaul]

Never shot in Auto or P mode.

[neilwood32]

My new camera (50d) has never been turned to Auto mode and unless i give it to myfamily to use, i doubt it ever will.

My previous camera (400d) was in Auto for about 6 weeks until I saw the light and went manual.

[mike_d]

I've been using mostly Av and some Tv since I got the camera. I turn it to P when handing it to someone else. I've been getting more in the M mode lately but need much more practice before I get to the point where my hands automatically know which dial or wheel to turn which direction to what effect.

[lecatpuke]

I replaced the green square with WIFE.

[jgrussell]

Do you shoot in Auto mode? Be frankNope. Not even once. Have never had the dSLR on any of the auto modes.

[krb]

I know there are times, when creative modes give you headaches and you want to capture that scene somehow; Do you shoot in Auto mode? Be frank and let us have your opinions.

Being frank and giving my honest opinion, I think you need to leave off the 'training wheels' and learn to use the camera as something more than an oversized and over priced point and shoot. Seriously, M mode is as easy as riding a bike and you don't even have to worry about falling off and getting hurt.

[nphsbuckeye]

Once. To see what happens.

[reddyroc007]

mine doesnt come out of manual mode. i'm in the same boat as Duff.

[Tiberius47]

I am in Av most of the time. If I am shooting portraits or anything where I have a bit of time to set the exposure, I shoot manual. If I need to control shutter speed, then I use Tv (for panning, silky water etc). I used to use P as my default, but then I read the advice "f8 and be there", so I switched to aperture priority, leaving it between 5.6 and 8 for most things.

[DStanic]

I use Av most of the time, Tv occationally for sports or when I don't care about the aperture but need a shutter speed. P mode is fine but it's not much different then Av mode to me so I don't really use it. Manual mostly in indoor lighting conditions with flash.

Never ever do I use Auto. I shoot in RAW most of the time and it just gets rid of my options. P mode is the closest thing I'd use to auto..

[nemo man]

It simply isn't a cool thing to do.

[neilwood32]

Its like buying a ferrari and then paying someone to drive you!

The best thing about a DSLR is the control (apart from the IQ, Speed, etc) and to hand control over to the camera - no thanks!

No peice of software will ever know whats going on in my head (which is probably a good thing :p ) so I will just keep it manual.

[bjyoder]

Its like buying a ferrari and then paying someone to drive you!

The best thing about a DSLR is the control (apart from the IQ, Speed, etc) and to hand control over to the camera - no thanks!

No peice of software will ever know whats going on in my head (which is probably a good thing :p ) so I will just keep it manual.

I don't know; if I did have a Ferrari, I'd love to have Michael Schumacher as a driver... ;)

[nemo man]

I don't know; if I did have a Ferrari, I'd love to have Michael Schumacher as a driver... ;)

Oh, no you wouldn't. He'd want to 'nudge' someone else and trash your car.:) That's another 5,000 posts generated...

[jacobsen1]

I use green box mode when I hand the camera to someone else or do arms length facebook style self portraits. Otherwise it's in either Av or Tv the other 99% of the time.

[OdiN1701]

I shoot exclusively in M mode.

[SanDiegoPhotographer]

I don't even have Auto Mode on my camera. The closest thing I have is P mode and I only use that when I am really lazy and just taking pictures for what ever reason

[aebrown]

Every once in a blue moon, meaning maybe once every 3 months, when I am not getting the result I want in Av and I've fooled around in M then I'll say 'ok camera, what do you think?'

and that's the only time i'll use it.

[bildeb0rg]

"P" is for professional.

[SOK]

I know there are times, when creative modes give you headaches

Errr....if this is the case, I think you must be doing it wrong!

Do you shoot in Auto mode?

No.

Like some here, the only time I switch to Auto is when I hand the camera to someone else to shoot.

Although, when being bugged by an "anyone can take good photos with a good camera" know-it-all, I have been known to hand it over in M set to ISO100, F22, 1/8000...

[asty80]

I use the landscape mode sometimes when I'm shooting , well, landscapes..shoot the same scene in M too and compare the results. I have found cases where the camera's brain is much better than mine..lol

[_Sim]

"P" is for professional.

bw!

[Wilt]

I use green box mode when I hand the camera to someone else

I prefocus, put the lens into MF mode. Meter and put the camera into M mode. Then tell them it is all preset, and "Push here, dummy!" :)

[Sparky98]

A few days ago I had to rush to grab some snapshots so I mounted the flash on the camera, set the camera to Auto, and took several shots until things slowed down some. I then switched back to manual and continued. Actually the shots in Auto turned out pretty good though just a little underexposed. That was the first time I had used Auto since the camera was new. My daughters have used my camera a few times and they usually set it to Auto but I shoot almost exclusively in M.

[Depth]

I just use AV and M depending on the situation.

[Bullfrog142]

When I started I shot auto out of ignorance, lack of confidence and fear. Once I'd learned a bit and understood what I was supposed to be doing in order to get what I wanted I stopped. Now it's either Av or M. I see it as a learning crutch, that's all.

[mrfixitx]

I have not shot in the auto mode for years. I bought a Rebel XT because I wanted to LEARN photography which mean learning the settings myself. If I just wanted the camera to do all the work I would never have gotten an SLR.

The only time my cameras have been in auto mode or a scene mode has been if someone else is using them, then I turn it to auto before handing it to them.

[kingonexile]

We have lot of hypocrites here.

[Joaaso]

I don't think I have shot in auto with a dslr -on purpose at least.. might have happened once or twice by accident, though...

[GerBee]

P Mode, the idiot's guide, it's fast, more accurate and very reliable. It's my FIRST choice.

After that I'm in M with a Sekonic meter ~ beautiful results, but slow and in fast changing light, I can't keep up so mess up a lot more.

You'll also see me in AV -1 stop [or more] and flash +1/3rd to get those dramatic skies in fast shooting portraits and action portraits.

Rarely in Tv, odd that, except for sports, but unless the light is changing, I'm more likely on the meter and in M :)

Auto modes in sport can be great but suffer from all white or all black kit on the players, but it does account for the changing lighting and when the action comes really close and you're shooting in their shadow ~

[timnosenzo]

We have lot of hypocrites here.

???

Care to explain?

[krb]

???

Care to explain?

Low post count and throwing around insults... I'm guessing troll that should be ignored.

[Molnies]

I would have to say around 85% Av, 13% M and 2% Tv.
Av is the default mode on my camera, works great for most situations. M for the long exposures, difficult situations and such, and then Tv for some odd in-flight bird shots.

[oaktree]

Only with my SD600.

WIth my DSLRs, NEVER! :D

[blackshadow]

I can't remember ever using P or Auto modes at all.

These days I shoot in M 95%+ of the time. I'll occasionally use Av when shooting a concert where the lighting is really changing around but most of the time I can make the adjustments I need in M and get better results. I use Tv occasionally for sports if I am shooting where players are crossing in and out from sunshine to shadows - I usually have some EC set when doing this and it works pretty well - but if the ground is in full sun or full shade it's M all the way.

[AxxisPhoto]

Have never shot in auto mode. Usually shoot M, Av, Tv modes. Just recently with the 50D started messing around with P mode.

[dave kadolph]

Never

Whoever decides the default settings must not be a photographer.

We never agree--and I must be right.;)

[Tom Reichner]

100% of the images I've taken with both my 1D2 and my 5D have been taken in aperture priority mode. Every single shot. Will never use anything else unless someday I shoot something that isn't wildlife.

[mr7q]

When I'm pulling the XSi out of the motorcycle tank bag and shooting with my helmet on (can barely see through the viewfinder), I just treat it as a P&S and leave it on Auto and hope for the best. If there's a shot I actually want, it's either helmet removal or trying to fart around with LiveView, usually in Av.

[Nistelrooydude]

I got fed up with auto after about 10 shots on my XT, which was my first DSLR. I mainly use aperture priority now.

[egordon99]

Reasons I will NEVER shoot AUTO -
1)Can't shoot in raw
2)Can't select the focus point
3)Can't select the ISO
4)Can't select the aperture
5)Can't select the metering mode
6)Can't use EC

If you're willing to give up ALL that control, go ahead and shoot AUTO.

Oh, and if I'm just handing the camera to someone, it's most likely for a shot or two, so I set it the way I would want it (Av or M)...

[asty80]

My wife shot a pic inside the house with my camera last night..beautifully centered histogram..priceless snap..saw that the camera was on 'M' mode..asked her if she changed it to 'P' before shooting (cos thats what she normally does) and she had forgotten to do it..

So the M worked as an Auto :D Destiny, I call it.

[noobs]

OK, I confess, I take pictures in auto mode! Sacrilege! I have just started picking up the hobby again and am trying to learn about taking good pictures again.

I say again, since I had an early interest in photography as a teenager, but lost it through high school and beyond. At the time, we had to use a hand held light meter to set speed and aperture and read the guide off the flash to make the settings. I actually used a 120 film camera (showing my age) in additional to a fully manual 35mm SLR. I think the Canon AE1 was just launched back then. The most advanced I ever got was an in camera light meter with the needle in the viewfinder! Have to admit, it was not that gratifying of a hobby back then given the lack of instant feedback on a shot and the high cost of processing and film. Not to mention the lack of affordable equipment. Trying to process B&W in a dark room was a bit cool though.

It was really only point and shoot after that with both film and digital. The only reason I bought a Rebel XT was to take snap shots of the kids because I was missing shots with my G2 due to shutter delay. Used it basically in full auto for the whole time.

So that’s my confession. I admit to using Auto!

I’m trying to get back into it now and have started to read and try out the different modes of shooting and have read the threads about people preferring Av and P and have started to shoot almost everything in P and Av. There seems to a lot of debate on here about shooting in M, AV, Tv and P. Almost no one admits to using auto (except me!)
My questions are:

1. Is there a recommended method to graduate from auto and learn the more creative modes of shooting and there any particular subjects or shooting environments that would better demonstrate the various impacts?
2. Are there any good reference books or guides that people would recommend? (Nevermind, I just found the book thread)

A couple things I have noticed:

1. Most flash pictures appear overexposed on auto and a bit harsh, stepping down the exposure a bit seems to help. It’s seems that flash is hard to get to look natural and will require the most amount work.
2. Setting aperture first and trying look at depth of field unless there is a need to freeze action seems to be good rookie first approach.

Am I on the right track? Please point me to any good threads as the search button turns up a lot of them.

[robscomputer]

OK, I confess, I take pictures in auto mode! Sacrilege! I have just started picking up the hobby again and am trying to learn about taking good pictures again.
...
A couple things I have noticed:

1. Most flash pictures appear overexposed on auto and a bit harsh, stepping down the exposure a bit seems to help. It’s seems that flash is hard to get to look natural and will require the most amount work.
2. Setting aperture first and trying look at depth of field unless there is a need to freeze action seems to be good rookie first approach.

Am I on the right track? Please point me to any good threads as the search button turns up a lot of them.

I had the same problem when I was shooting in P (auto) mode. With TTL my flash would always over power the photos, like you mention the obvious flash was used look. Normally I would shoot in P, but switch to either A or T mode depending on the subject. For sports, I would focus more on shutter speed, then for people it would be A mode. Recently after looking at my photos I found out that many of them taken in these auto modes (P, A, T) would differe greatly even taking a photo of the same subject. I didn't make any changes but the camera would adjust the settings even shot to shot, it was also obvious settings like meter for the background vs foreground.

Reading more about off camera flash and how to use a light meter, I'm finding my results much more consistant than before, with slightly more mistakes. :)

Some good reading.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

[channel_49]

Av with Partial Metering, I shoot almost anything without flash on that.
M as soon as any type of flash is added, unless of course its on ETTL for fill, which almost never happens.

[jimmeh]

i did it for the first month or so that i had an SLR...i don't see why to go to it...if i want something quick, and my camera isn't already set up right aperture/iso wise then i might just shove it on P but otherwise it lives in Av mode.

[Tallking]

Well, this dead horse's skeleton has been beaten to bone meal, but hey, why not stir the dust some...

Mine are usually set to Av as a default, and I adjust from there. I may adjust to P or AUTO if the circumstances dictate. That would usually mean something like acute danger, or some other relevant distraction that is keeping me from attending to exposure details. By contrast (sorry...), if the situation calls for it, and it's worth the time, I love working in M too. No "doctrinaire" approach from me (other than using the tools at hand optimally to get the best exposures possible). I would say, however, that manual adjustments on the G10, as compared to the XSi, are somewhat of a thumb-twittling PITA (but still very "do-able").

[shomat]

I shoot mostly in manual, Av if I'm shooting frequently changing ambient light, and Program mode on occasion. Can't say I've ever ventured into green box mode on a dslr.

[russ_hillis]

Automode? Only when my wife steals my camera and doesn't "put the lid back up" ;)

[cheesiong]

Never for me ever. May be when I just got my camera for testing purpose.

My advice to you is NO. If you do, you shall be using G11.

[mcruzer82]

Never... I just don't trust it to take the exposures I want. But, if you must use one of the auto features I would say Aperture Priority is ok.

[powerslave]

Manual 99.99%. That 0.01% when I either want my photo taken by someone who doesn't know how to use a camera, or at a birthday party when cake is being thrown around (grad school traditions).

[birdfromboat]

I can honestly say my 5D has never seen a green box shot. Thats only because I am trying to learn as much as I can from every shot, and auto teaches nothing. I suppose you could set the camera there and see what it thinks are good settings then use that as a starting point in another mode. I am working in Aperture priority now and will probably migrate to M eventually, I am afraid it wouild just frustrate me now.

[Retouch UK]

Manual 100% unless someone wants a shot of the camera. In which case it may get set to the green box.

[Karl Johnston]

My secret to amazing auroras is I turn on AV mode and let the camera do its work.
Nobody ever thinks of that at night, they figure cranking the exposure on M would do the job by all principality.
Not much of an AUTO kinda guy, unless I'm shooting wildlife from my car.

[noobs]

So am I the only one willing to admit to using auto :oops: I willing to bet that most buyers of entry DSLRs use auto most of the time.

But that's not the crowd here. I did buy some new gear a week ago and have been using Av and M most of the time. I will be using auto to take the same shot to compare until I can get a feel for it. I think I got the aperture, speed and ISO relationship and DOF impact worked out in my head. I just need to practice. I got some pretty nasty looking histograms in some shots though :p

After that I have to work of white balance and using a gray card... After that I need to figure flash on M (I goofed around and already like my flash shots on M better than auto)

So much to learn... so little free time :(

[Rick Anderson]

I always take one or two shots in auto when I start off. It's film habit I developed several years ago when I switched from an AE-1 to an EOS. Auto was new to me so I liked to benchmark my manual shots against those of the camera.

[siriusdogstar]

there's an Auto mode? (gets out manual) :D

[jptsr1]

Maybe 5% - spotaneous unexpected short lived oportunity.
John

this.

[Jon Foster]

The Green box "Auto" mode. I'm not sure if I've ever tried it on the current body. I generally set the camera to the way I want and shoot. Adjustments are made as I go... But, I don't think there is anything wrong with using the auto mode. If it gives you the results you want to achieve why not use it?

Jon.

[René Damkot]

But, I don't think there is anything wrong with using the auto mode. If it gives you the results you want to achieve why not use it?

Bingo.

[/thread] :lol:

[dugcross]

I never shoot auto. Even if was to shoot auto my camera would not let me set it to take RAW and I only shoot RAW. I've got to be creative and in control, auto takes that away from me.

[blackhawk]

M or AV only... I'm not green.

[cito17]

50% AV
49% M
1% P (Used when handed to family member)

[400dabuser]

Not me, honestly, when I first had my camera it was either manual mode or Auto, now it is Tv and Manual mode, though I have gone through a period where it was Av and then P

Not even began to touch to the dark side, excuse the pun, of the dial...though one of my photography books suggested that I could use a mode on the other side of the dial, though haven't tried it

[angryhampster]

I don't remember the last time I had my camera off of M mode. If I'm shooting sports I'll use Tv.

[digirebelva]

AV or MV, Green Box to help meter for external flash only

[Karl Johnston]

I don't think anyone picked up that I wasn't kidding...much...

[freelanser]

hardly ever, I think I tried it a few times to see results
under tricky lighting.

[dovaka]

when i first started shooting i would shoot something in auto and look to see what settings it picked then i would go to manual and use that as sort of a base and adjust in order to teach myself how to actually take a decent picture but now a days i would use Program mode if i just need to take some random snap-shotish pictures

[cdpits]

WOW!! I am new here, trying to learn more about using my DSL camera. I have used most of the modes on my camera at different times just trying to figure things out. After reading the previous posts, moi feels somewhat out of her league here, but I will tread water famously & try to keep up :)
I started out with a little G5 Powereshot about 7 years ago auto most of the time LOL!! , and after some loud complaining about the hubby obtaining some pricey tractor, he plunked down a fabulous Canon EOS 1D MarkIII about 2 years ago. Along with a couple nice lens to accompany it, abruptly shut me up about the tractor. So I have spent the past couple years trying to figure it all out and am signing up for a couple courses and , obviously have joined this forum to learn from you all! I started out using the auto feature and have graduated to using av for the most part but yes, I do fall back into the old habit when I get frustrated !

[midget]

my 40d is just slotted in M or Av all the time. if it's in another mode, thats becuase someone or something knocked the dial into another mode, although i do put i tin the green box from time to time pondering "i wonder what the camera thinks i should do". it usually responds by kicking the pop-up flash up.

[dovaka]

it usually responds by kicking the pop-up flash up.

i think it almost does that be default, the thing comes up so often.

[geek34]

i never shoot in Auto Mode... ever.

50% in Av
25% in Tv
10% in A-DEP
10% in M
5% in Flash Off (use when lending it to someone)

[Scatterbrained]

The closest thing I get to auto mode would be Av with evaluative metering, and auto white balance. Of course, if I'm handing the camera over to my wife. . . .

[CactusJuice]

Never. Never ever have I used it. I sort of forgot it was even there! Guess I'm old fashioned lol

[sbattey]

I shoot all manual, all the time, with my 7D. I found that Av was giving inconsistant results, and manual was just so much easier with two dials...

[Chippy569]

100% when I hand my camera to my girlfriend.

this.


i think it almost does that be default, the thing comes up so often.
putting your camera in auto makes it go into heat.

[MrWho]

I shift my camera into green box mode every time someone writes "lense" :p

.... it sits in P and JPEG when I don't feel like messing with settings and just feel like being snap happy.

[DannyWOT]

I used to shoot in auto quite a bit when I was working on my composition when I first got a DSLR. Then I would shoot a couple shots in Auto just to get ball park settings on whatever I was shooting. Now my dial rarely ever leaves Manual. Im by no means a super great photographer but I love the harsh learning curve that Manual gives me and Ive learned a lot.

[maryhee]

even though i still don't know what i'm doing most of the time, i still get better results with manual mode than auto or program. odd....

[TweakMDS]

I imagine my shooting would be divided in:
- 60% in Av (default go-to option)
- 35% in M (either because I use a flash, ND filters or want to maintain a certain exposure)
- 5% in Tv (only when shooting @ 300-400mm in auto ISO, I tend to use 1/500th)

Maybe a bit off topic but I use the C1/C2/C3 modes on my 40D a lot - they make me kinda lazy. They are:
C1 (indoor people): Av, f/2 (will automatically go to f/2.8 if that's the lens' maximum), ISO 640, spot metering, tungsten WB, One shot AF.
C2 (macro with flash): M, f/11, ISO 160, evaluative metering, daylight WB, AI Servo.
C3 (HDR landscape): Av, f/8, ISO 100, +1/3 stops EC, evaluative metering, -1, 0.33, +1.66 bracketing, daylight WB, one shot AF.

Button settings (AF only on AF-On button, AE lock on shutter half-press) are the same for all.

[Al Rohrer]

These are estimates only but should be pretty close:
Manual 20%' (always when using flash)
Av 50% (most everything)
Tv 20% (sports, action, long lens)
Program 10% (for when I don't have time to think about it. Adjust with trigger finger.)
Green Box Never

[engl1001]

I took one shot in auto when I first got my camera and thats it. Manual for everything.

[HughR]

I never use Auto mode. For me the fun is in deciding on the best creative mode (e.g. Tv for fast action, Av for landscape or fill-flash, etc.), then optimizing with a possible exposure compensation after viewing the first shot. I use M almost exclusively for indoor flash but for little else. Years of using film cameras having only M made me appreciate the advantages of Av and Tv.
Usage estimates:
Av: 75%
Tv: 15%
M: 10%

[tonylong]

Hmm, this thread began in August of '09, and mercifully had nothing posted since two months ago.

Well, nothing's new since all that -- read the thread and all has been said many times over!

[ckramos]

[A] for me & [Green Box] for the rest of my family. I'd shoot M in a heartbeat if there was an aperture ring on the lens.

[vegasboy]

I am surprised at how many people shoot in anything other than M. I shoot in manual 99% of the time. I have almost never dared to use AV or TV.

Should I try it out? Is it working for everyone?

[airfrogusmc]

I'm manual 100% of the time. No need to shoot auto.

[hairy_moth]

The only time I ever consider it is when something is happening "right now" and I know my settings are wrong or I don't know what they are. And, when I know that if I take the time to fiddle with the settings, I will miss the shot. Then and only then, I slide the dial to green box and shoot. This happens about twice a year. I do not use P in these cases because, for example, if I left Ev set to -3, that would be retained in P and I would miss the shot.

If the choice is missing the shot, or green box, I am with Al Gore and I say: Go Green.

[johnandbentley]

Never have, never will..

[Tony_Stark]

The closest I get to full Auto is Program mode. 98% of the time I shoot in Aperture priority, with 1.5% in Manual, and the last 0.5% is Program.

[Ephur]

It's interesting. I find everyone so dismissive of TV yet there's a lot to be had there too. It seems like TV is only slightly less used than the green box based on this thread hehe.

[arentol]

I only shoot auto by accident. I shoot about 80% M, 15% Av, and 5% Tv.

[juxtagirl]

I shoot in M. I like to have total control over all settings.

[capers2303]

I'd estimate that 90% of my shots are in Av because I'm interested in macro, I rarely use Tv because I don't do action shots. However when I cart my camera about on the street, I've always got it on the green box just in case the unrepeatable shot comes up. I'd rather have something than be left destitute while I wonder about exposure.

[Trugga]

When I switch the camera off at the end of a session, it gets set to Auto, just in case I need to grab a quick shot.

Mostly use Tv or Av for composed shots. Auto is used when I don't have time to set up test shots (group activities).

As I gain more experience, I want to move towards M. I'm not proud, I'm learning (only had the DSLR for 3 months)

Lawrence

[fotoworx]

never

[hairy_moth]

Mostly use Tv or Av for composed shots. ...

As I gain more experience, I want to move towards M. I'm not proud, I'm learning (only had the DSLR for 3 months)


I'm gonna catch flack from the M=Manly crowd for this one.. but I think you have backwards. Learn M first, then you will be able to use Av and/or Tv properly.

It is much faster to shoot in inconsistent lighting situations using Av/Tv, but to use those modes properly, you must have already mastered the more basic M mode.

[natums]

I started in M just to torture myself into figuring out how exactly to approach lighting and DOF, I shoot mostly in AV now with my adapted primes, with M being the only other mode I ever really use. (TV on rare occasions that I feel like capturing motion is more important than anything else).

[Tim S]

"M" baby! Love it! Now to practice and learn manual flash....

[clark becker]

I don’t have the option for green box. And have never used a camera on it, besides when someone hands me a point and shoot. Then normally you don’t get the option for anything else. Auto does not allow me to create what I see. I also have never used anything besides M either. Started with fully manual cameras and now I am back to them.

[tonylong]

Something I'll add -- until recently Canon DSLRs did not offer Raw shooting in the Auto/Scene modes so for me it was a no-brainer -- one of my compelling reasons for going for a DSLR was the use of Raw. I don't use my DSLRs for "casual" shooting so I never change to jpegs. An all my bodies are of that older vintage, so...

The only times I've shot with one of those modes is when my daughter sticks her XTi into my hands to get a snapshot of her and she has it in one of the Scene modes. She likes the Portrait/Night Portrait settings.

[riverdog1]

Never tried it.

[Bang Bang Boy]

Frankly never...

[Invertalon]

I never use auto!

I would say 85% in Av
10% in M
and 5% in Tv

Depending on what I am doing!

[_aravena]

Haven't switched from M since 2007 except to play with Shutter/Aperture Priority just to get a feel. Didn't like.

[Eruditass]

I use manual unless the light is changing. Then manual with auto ISO, or Av if shooting stills. Tv if using a manual aperture lens to get the right shutter speed for hand-held.

[talea]

Thanks to what I have learnt from POTN, I have not used auto for the last 10 months! I use mostly manual, occasionally Av or Tv. I have experimented with P but haven't really used it much. Still learning the creative zone. Yes, sometimes it does give me a headache but my photos using that little green box were truly bad so I am not going there any time soon!

[Shockey]

Once in a great while I run into a lighting equation I don't have time to figure out and I will put it on P and give it a shot.
My daughter shoots for me sometimes and I always put her camera on P, why not.

[hairy_moth]

My daughter shoots for me sometimes and I always put her camera on P, why not.

I never, ever use P. P will retain the ISO and Ev that you may have had set from a prior session. If those were unusual settings (e.g., ISO6400, or EV:-3) your shot will be ruined. In the rare situations that I want Auto, I go for full auto, AKA green box.

If you are going to use P, you might as well use Av. P is the only setting on the camera that I never use.

[clark becker]

A camera should not have the option for anything besides M.

[Bang Bang Boy]

A camera should not have the option for anything besides M.

And the f-stops should be on the lens barrel and not on a damn wheel. Let's go retro!

[clark becker]

Exactly, or like me, lets through the shutter speed up there also.

[airfrogusmc]

And the f-stops should be on the lens barrel and not on a damn wheel. Let's go retro!

Leica M9 ,now you're talk'n. My next camera.

[clark becker]

That is what I am talking about.