Rethinking shooting in manual all the time...

So I got my camera, I played around with Av and Tv earlier but later made it my preference to shoot in manual, basically full-time. Obviously it gives you full control but most importantly it's the most hardcore mode

Kidding aside, I'm thinking, it might make more sense for me to shoot in Av or Tv most of the time and shoot in manual only occasionally when I've got ample time to setup the shot (perhaps cam on a tripod). I find that I make mistakes with manual in the rush to get a shot, forgetting to change a setting, etc. It's not to say that I can't make mistakes in Av or Tv but it seems the chances are lower. I don't have a specific question, more just wondering what your take is or your preference, and why.

i shoot Av most of the time, and i shoot in the documentry style, so really no time for setup for manual settings. it does the job okay, but every once in a while i have to use exposure compensation or spot metering to get the subject property exposed in backlit situations.

to me the biggest advantage in shooting manual is i can meter for a spot that's off center, lock the exposure settings and recompose. i read on the Leica M9, since there's no AF, half press shutter is actually exposure lock. i would love to have exposure lock for canon DSLRs, that'd make it a lot easier to meter for an off center spot, and recompose for proper exposure.

My thinking is that you can either spend the time training yourself to use manual without forgetting to change a setting or you can spend the time training yourself to know when Av/Tv is going to need exposure compensation to get the right shot. Either way, there's no free lunch.

banpreso wrote in post #10708626
i would love to have exposure lock for canon DSLRs, that'd make it a lot easier to meter for an off center spot, and recompose for proper exposure.

perhaps you should spend time with your camera's manual...

Manual has a purpose but its purpose is not to pretend you're using a 1960s camera and that you're 'man' enough to use manual. Manual is for cases where the lighting is not changing, either it is controlled by you with strobes or some other reason. If lighting is changing then manual will not be the fastest option.

Cameras have automatic exposure for a reason. You need to understand how to use them but they have their purpose when you don't have time to set up every shot. Av or Tv are very valuable and should be used.

I use Av most often, then manual mode. I used to use Tv a lot but I don't use it much anymore.

To be honest, the only time I really shot manual was when I was still figuring out how to use a camera and how the different settings affected the exposure (and the only time I still do shoot manual is when I'm using one of my old film cameras, where I'm forced to).

It's not like anyone is cheating when they're using Av or Tv. In fact, to even be in those modes should for the most part indicate that you know enough about how a proper exposure works.

To put it simply, it's just plain faster.

/\/\ I was going to say that the 7d does have exposure lock.

Page 106 in the 7d manual.

krb wrote in post #10708636
My thinking is that you can either spend the time training yourself to use manual without forgetting to change a setting or you can spend the time training yourself to know when Av/Tv is going to need exposure compensation to get the right shot. Either way, there's no free lunch.

That's actually an interesting perspective, hadn't thought of it that way.

merlin2375 wrote in post #10708676
That's actually an interesting perspective, hadn't thought of it that way.

I'm not advocating for one or the other because they are both important tools to have in the toolbox. Just saying that ease of use isn't really a strong argument for one or the other, IMO. You have to know how to "read" the scene and know what the camera needs to be told so that it will give the results you want.

I don't do anything "basically full time".

If I am shooting something with consistent lighting (e.g., an indoor swim meet) I am likely to go manual, set it and forget it (somewhat).

A few weeks ago, I was taking pictures of an outdoor swim meet. The sun was setting and half the pool was sunny, half in the shade. I set the camera in Tv at 1/500 and the Ev at +1/3 because the white splashing water is brighter than my subjects. Then I set the ISO to make sure that both the sun end and shady end of the pool were within the range of my f/stops. For that situation, M offered no more control than Tv, and Tv allowed me to get all of the shots quickly and properly, at either end of the pool. Tv required more forethought and preparation than M, but allowed for faster shooting.

If I am shooting something where I have the time to take my time and really think about each shot, I generally go manual; but normally I keep my camera in Av when walking around because that definitely allows me to get to the shot more quickly and with a high probability of success.

hey even 1000D has it... exposure lock, flash exposure lock, etc.

thank you guys... that was some excellent post-lunch chuckle

I shoot in all modes... well at least in Av, Tv and M... very rarely in P. They are all useful. If I have a consistent light, I usually shoot M, as I don't need to risk the cameras light meter read something crazy wrong if I were to shoot in Av mode.

I shoot in manual most of the time to get the look I want. Usually I want a shallow depth of field with fast shutter speed and high ISO so I find it better to set it myself. If it doesn't matter than I will do A or TV.

I've pretty much gone from Av, except for concerts where I only shoot M, to always M. Never shoot Tv or any of the other modes unless it's by accident (dial gets turned, which happens)

bohdank wrote in post #10709839
I've pretty much gone from Av, except for concerts where I only shoot M, to always M. Never shoot Tv or any of the other modes unless it's by accident (dial gets turned, which happens)

Not on a 1D