For grins, put my 5D2 in 'green box' mode ...

just to see what would happen. Now I see firsthand the pitfalls people run into when they allow the camera to make all the decisions for them. Frankly, I wonder how ANYBODY can get a good shot using 'green box' mode other than by pure dumb luck.

My subjects were simple: A tree; the license plate on my son's car; hanging flower pot on deck.

I just wanted to see what camera settings and focus points the camera would choose. What I found:

1. The camera usually chose a much slower shutter speed than I would have selected. Sometimes as low as 1/60 on the shutter. Any question why POTN sees so many 'why are my shots blurry?' posts from people who use their cameras this way?

2. Camera chose good aperture values; I'm guessing that the camera can approximate subject distance AND background distance to make a reasonable choice.

3. 5D2 always selected auto ISO which I don't approve of. You don't know what ISO setting was chosen until you look at the image data AFTER the shot is taken.

4. Focus points. This is the biggest detriment to allowing the camera to make the decisions. Inside the view finder was nothing short of a blinkfest with focus points randomly shifting and lighting. Also didn't see a way to lock and recompose ... the focus just kept randomly changing at the camera's slightest movements.

Conclusion: Using a 5D2 on full auto mode meant:

License plate on car was blown out and not sharp because camera selected 1/60 on shutter.

Tree shot grabbed focus on leaves nearer the lens when focus finally locked which is not what I wanted. Tried, but could not get intended focus point to stay put.

Potted plant shot was ok because I was far enough away that it was perfectly clear to the camera that it was indeed the intended target.

Editorial: I certainly understand how people can purchase a decent, (and expensive) DSLR and get bad results using full auto mode. My Canon A540 point and shoot would probably produce better results in full auto than the 5D2 due to its simplicity.

This was a first time test for me. Thankfully, this place taught me the benefits of shooting in manual when I got my 30D three years ago.

dave

if i'm not mistaken, anyone who puts a 5D2 in green box is required to surrender the camera... :P

when i got my 60D i shot mostly in P because the rest seemed overwhelming. now i shoot the majority of time in M, although i will resort to P, Av or Tv if i think i'll need a quick shot of something.

i can honestly say, however, that i have never wandered into the green box, and thanks to your experience i know i will never have to. thanks!

I've NEVER used the green box, not even to see what it would be like, not even when I hand the camera over to a noob for a shot.

jay125 wrote in post #12972366
if i'm not mistaken, anyone who puts a 5D2 in green box is required to surrender the camera... :P

LOL! Promise, I only did it ONCE and NEVER again!!!

dave

V-Wiz wrote in post #12972386
I've NEVER used the green box, not even to see what it would be like, not even when I hand the camera over to a noob for a shot.

When I was a complete noob, I'd setup the camera, take the shot, then use green box to see what the camera would have chosen. This was an ok way to get a 'sanity check' on what I was doing.

dave

I know a lot of people who use their DSLR's as point and shoots

The 5D2 shouldnt even HAVE a full auto mode! IMO only the Rebels should. Everything above that should force people to learn the tool theyve purchased.

Interesting thing to test though. I can honestly say I have never used the green box mode in any of the DSLRs I have owned since the very first one I bought which was the original Digital Rebel back in 2000. And even that was I think only because it came out of the box on that mode and it was the first few shots I fired off! lol

jdpence wrote in post #12972668
I know a lot of people who use their DSLR's as point and shoots

I know few people as well!

Full auto is a good selling point to people new to cameras.

I hate full auto. I used it when I first got my DSLR just to see how it would come out. Wasn't bad but no where near good. It was somewhat acceptable.

putting the 5DII or 7D in green box is like buy a Mini Cooper with an automatic.

snyderman wrote in post #12972350
You don't know what ISO setting was chosen until you look at the image data AFTER the shot is taken.

Not to discount your observations, but the camera chosen ISO is visible in the viewfinder when the shutter is half-pressed. Admittedly, exposure and focus aren't always in sync with the photographer's intentions.

My camera doesn't have a green box, so I never have this problem

LMAO......never even realized it had a green box mode.


But quite honestly it's not any dumber than people that think because they are shooting full manual they are doing something that wouldn't be exactly the same in either AV or TV........that is using only the camera meter.

The only time I use the green box mode is when I give it to my relatives to play around with. But then again, that hardly ever happens. LOL

What is this green box you all speak of?