Why all the manual labour?

I'm fairly new to photography, and I made the choice to dive into everything in fulltime manual modes with the logic that if I could learn it this way, then I would easily be able to get into the other "modes" and "tricks" . I quickly realized that it is a fairly complicated processed but I feel that I'm picking up on things pretty fast. I recently got a 580 flash, and I've started into it using fulltime manual...and it's starting to make sense.

but I wonder...am I missing out on all the great features of my 30D and the 580 by not using Av, Tv or E-TTL (on the flash)? Should I get into the habit of using any of these modes?

Why do some of you prefer Tv or Av instead of M? is it just a matter of saving time? Or are there other significant benefits I'm missing out on?

Do many of you use exclusively manual mode on your flashes? Why or why not?


Just curious.

-Kirk

I use manual on my camera pretty much all the time.

On my flash I use E-TTL with FEC during fast-paced stuff, but manual for posed or slower paced things.

I used Av mode when I shot my first wedding as a second shooter. Messing with Av mode and then Exposure Compensation seems more of a hassle to me than just using M mode, setting the aperture you want and then adjusting the shutter or ISO to get the proper exposure. In M mode you can "overexpose" (at least according to the camera meter) to get the correct exposure for a scene with a bride's white dress dominating.

I use AV most of the time so I dont miss shots while im messing with shutter speeds.

Yes, its just a matter of saving time. Obviously in Manual mode you have full control, so there's nothing you can do in Av or Tv mode that you can't do in Manual, except get the shot faster.

Conversely, much of the time I'd suggest that you can do everything in Tv or Av mode that you'd do in Manual (and of course there's the advantage that you can do it faster). If you've mastered manual exposure - and congratulations on doing that, by the way, it's an amazingly hard subject for beginners! - then you can judge whether the camera is going to make the same decision that you would have anyway: if it is, then Av/Tv will get you the same result as Manual.

There's a fairly heated (but informative) debate about the pros and cons of Av/Tv versus Manual in this thread: 'Rebel XT - Sports Mode - not crisp??'. It takes a while for the debate to get going, but it really hots up later!

I switch from AV to TV modes on my 20D but I am getting the best results from my 5D on Manual Mode. I really like the control it gives me.

With most flash scenarios I find it best to set the camera manually and leave the flash to sort everything else out via ETTL. Both on auto settings can produce unpredictable results!

I started in photography when the only option available to you was manual. With the advances in the camera technology, I quickly became convert to these functions. Let me say however, one way is not right or wrong, it is what you feel more comfortable with that gives you the best resutls.

Let's assume that your light meter, whether it be the onboard or external tells you to shoot at 1/250th at f8. You set your camera to manual and shoot away. In its purest form, if you shoot at these same settings in AV or TV are you any different off. I find that I can control my exposures the best in AV which is my preferred working mode. I'm not trying to debate which is better and I reiterate its whatever each photographer feels more comfortable in.

For working in flash, I almost work exclusively in manual. I find it gives me better results with the camera in manual and the 580 in E-TTLII.

I use Av mainly and my flash in ETTL with +/- FEC when needed. Why? Well, like Sheldon just said, it is what works for me.

KAS - Depends on use and need. I shoot horse events where you might have a second (at most 2) to get ready for a shot. Manual just doesn't work for that kind of timing. Recreational photography is a whole different scenario. As you say, it (manual) lets you know more about how and why your camera responds. Once you understand speed and aperture, you can afford to let the camera make more decisions and free up some of your time.

Thanks for the input guys.
I certainly agree with the aspect of total control in Manual mode. That's one of the reasons I chose it, it shows me exactly what's going on. To me, it just seems like there's more to worry about in Tv or Av. For example, you have to worry about the decision the camera makes, and then perhaps correct it using EC.
What I'm definitely sensing is that it's personal preference..which is encouraging for me. I felt like there were some features I may have been missing out on, with the 30D being in manual mode.

Just what I needed to hear. The 580 is definitely going to take some getting used to. Still trying to figure out how/why it makes the choices it does, in E-TTL II mode. I'm still reading through that photonotes.org article on EOS flash for some guidance. I guess E-TTL is pretty good at snap decisions on exposure?

Thanks again.

-Kirk