What mode do you use most often?

[Blossom101]

What mode do you shoot in the most? I used to use Manual all the time, but lately all I've been using is Av mode.

[va_rider]

I tend to leave it in Av mode... but set ISO and use Exposure Lock ...

[TTk]

Av or Tv..;)

[joedlh]

Av most of the time. But it really depends on the setting.

[Blossom101]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. My pictures really started getting a lot better when I started using Av mode. I guess I did things backwards, starting off using M mode:)

[mdaniel]

AV for shooting outdoor sports. M for pretty much anything indoors.

[That_Fox]

I use M, I tried Av mode and just didn't feel like I was in control of the camera and that wasn't a good feeling.

[va_rider]

I use M, I tried Av mode and just didn't feel like I was in control of the camera and that wasn't a good feeling.

Just a question... I haven't been at this whole DSLR thing for too long... but what aren't you able to control in Av mode? You set your Aperture, can use Exposure Lock to set your Shutter Speed, set your ISO.... You can use Av almost as Manual mode.... but without the necessity of fully manually changing each setting....

[That_Fox]

Just a question... I haven't been at this whole DSLR thing for too long... but what aren't you able to control in Av mode? You set your Aperture, can use Exposure Lock to set your Shutter Speed, set your ISO.... You can use Av almost as Manual mode.... but without the necessity of fully manually changing each setting....

The camera sets the shutter speed automatically, so for most shots you don't need to change any settings. The only thing you can do to to influence the shutter speed is set the compensation. Not having control over the shutter speed just doesn't sit right with me. A lot of people use Av mode and like it more than manual, but for me I like to adjust all the settings myself. I like to think that I know more than the camera sometimes.

[va_rider]

excuse me if I'm being dense... but using Exposure lock, you *can* set the shutter speed... I have my camera set at spot metering, find the spot I want to meter off of, then lock the exposure / shutter speed , recompose, focus with the back button, and shoot...

[That_Fox]

excuse me if I'm being dense... but using Exposure lock, you *can* set the shutter speed... I have my camera set at spot metering, find the spot I want to meter off of, then lock the exposure / shutter speed , recompose, focus with the back button, and shoot...

Yes, I am aware of this. But I routinely shoot in low light so I am more comfortable adjusting the shutter speed myself than having to deal with that, exposure compensation and exposure lock.

[va_rider]

ok... understood... not trying to be confrontational.. just trying to understand and learn more...

[That_Fox]

ok... understood... not trying to be confrontational.. just trying to understand and learn more...

You're not, the internet isn't a very good means of communicating neutral feelings. :p

I'd try out both modes and see which you like better, some will prefer M and others will like Av better.

[iadubber]

I use M exclusively. Av if I hand the camera to my wife.

[windpig]

50/50 M AV

[bobbyz]

Mostly manual indoors or outdoors.

[hqqns]

M - When using flash
Av - Macro
Tv - Birds handheld

[stephen_g]

P usually, as of late Av a bit since I got my new lens (70-200 f/4L).
Though I usually just use them to measure ambient then put the values into M and use flashes for fill.

[bobbyz]

Tv - Birds handheld

What does Tv buy when shooting birds HH say with your 400mm f5.6?

You want the faster ss so use it wide open, if not manual I would think Av will be the other choice.

[hqqns]

What does Tv buy when shooting birds HH say with your 400mm f5.6?

You want the faster ss so use it wide open, if not manual I would think Av will be the other choice.
I dont always but I prefer more DOF if i can get it. The birds tend to be moving targets for me. What's ss?

[randy98mtu]

M - When using flash
Av - Macro
Tv - Birds handheld

What do you do when using M with flash? I use P with flash. I have tried using M and setting the flash to H mode.

I typically use Av if I'm not using the flash. Thinking about trying to go with M more again (I started out in M to gain understanding.)

[hqqns]

What do you do when using M with flash? I use P with flash. I have tried using M and setting the flash to H mode.

I typically use Av if I'm not using the flash. Thinking about trying to go with M more again (I started out in M to gain understanding.)

In M mode with a flash you set the DOF (using the apperture) and shutter speed as you want and the flash automagically determines the flash needed to make get the right exposure.

[randy98mtu]

Oooh. I love automagical stuff. I'm going to have to try this! I thought you would need to put it in high speed sync or something.

[hqqns]

Oooh. I love automagical stuff. I'm going to have to try this! I thought you would need to put it in high speed sync or something.

only if shutter speed faster than 1/200s And you shouldnt need to do that :)

[Naturalist]

I use M mode for about 95% of the shots.

[kayl]

Manual mode for anything with flash
AV for macro or outdoors shots without flash

[bobbyz]

What's ss?

Shutter Speed.

[Tammy T]

M if I have constant light, which is only about 10% of the time. Av for changing light.

[windpig]

M if I have constant light, which is only about 10% of the time. Av for changing light.

Myself also. This is where I wish Canon had better controllable auto ISO.

[redskymedic]

I use M exclusively. Av if I hand the camera to my wife.
Ditto, only substitute husband for wife. :)

[Renaissance_Man]

I use to use Av mode 90% of the time, but have lately been using P mode most frequently because it auto-adjusts the settings and then lets me micro-adjust on a per-shot basis.

Out of curiosity though, what are the downsides to shooting in P mode? Am I missing something by not using Av like I used to? I haven't noticed anything yet.