How many use auto on their cameras

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ukranger

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Hi guys

I just wondered how many people use the auto feature on cameras while taking shots.

As I tend to panic that I'll mess up in manual mode so use auto to guarantee I have the shot.

I do use other modes but when I have a must have shot it's auto for me all the way.

Any others or is it just me?
 
ukranger said:
Hi guys

I just wondered how many people use the auto feature on cameras while taking shots.

As I tend to panic that I'll mess up in manual mode so use auto to guarantee I have the shot.

I do use other modes but when I have a must have shot it's auto for me all the way.

Any others or is it just me?
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You seem to have a poor undertsanding of auto.. the reason people use semi auto or manual is to give them more chance of getting the shot they want. not less chance..

Personally I use as auto as my camera gets when I am using flash because thats my weak point... But i really should learn more about flash and stop using auto then I can get the pics exactly as i want them :) the rest of the time its semi auto modes or manual depending on the lighting situation...

Remember ALL modes have there uses.. But I certainly wouldnt assign "guaranteed shot" to auto :)
 
auto is generally what the camera thinks it best for what it thinks is the best exposure.

that could lead to long shutter speeds introducing shake, or low depth of field leading to subjects being out of focus. etc etc.

semi or full manual modes give the user more control to get the result they want.
 
I mainly use auto on my D700 because it actually seems to work quite well. A lot of people use Aperture priority but auto generally seems to choose the correct aperture and it's one less thing to worry about.
 
I tend to go with aperture priority. If I'm not overly bothered then program mode is usually ok. Don't like the full auto modes as they tend to be a bit mad on focus points. I usually have only one set. Auto modes tend to set a few and they're invariably not what I'm trying to focus on!

Only full auto scene mode I've used recently was the 'snow' mode on my bridge camera. Works a treat so you don't get grey snow.
 
Hi. I think it depends on what you're shooting. Auto is fine for 'happy snaps' but if you want to have creative control over your images, its best avoided.
 
I mainly use manual, unless it's just a quick shot (eg for selling an item on the net). If I leave my husband in charge it has to be in auto though, he's great with bikes but clueless about using a camera!
 
boliston said:
I mainly use auto on my D700 because it actually seems to work quite well. A lot of people use Aperture priority but auto generally seems to choose the correct aperture and it's one less thing to worry about.
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That strikes me as a waste of a camera.......:shrug:
 
boliston said:
If I were to use autofocus with my D700 would that also be a waste of a camera?

(I don't actually like autofocus but the D700 has this feature)
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i think thats 2 completely different things.

auto focus is generally (contrast allowing) going to get you what you want every time (i.e. in focus shot).

however like i say auto mode will not necessarily going to get you the creative look you want as the camera picks a middle of the road setting to achieve what it considers good exposure.
 
boliston said:
If I were to use autofocus with my D700 would that also be a waste of a camera?

(I don't actually like autofocus but the D700 has this feature)
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No, because as Neil says, they are two entirely different things, what you're essentially doing is just lugging around a big point and shoot, if all you want to do is take snapshots you'd be as well with a couple of hundred quid's worth of compact.
 
I also have a D700 and use it in program (auto) quite a bit, but not exclusively. For snapshots, where i don't need close control of exposure, i'll happily let the camera make those decisions for me, but for everything else, then it's manual, aperture or shutter priority. Exposure modes are just tools in the tool box, it's about using the right one for the right job.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
No, because as Neil says, they are two entirely different things, what you're essentially doing is just lugging around a big point and shoot, if all you want to do is take snapshots you'd be as well with a couple of hundred quid's worth of compact.
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If they made a full frame point and shoot that had full manual focus, almost zero shutter lag and a prime lens then I'd be more than happy with it.

Unfortunately it's called a Leica M9 and is over my budget.
 
One of the things I teach on my courses is why you will never need to use auto ever again. With Shutter priority, Aperture priority or program there is no need for auto at all.

If you are trying to do something even remotely creative, auto is of no use whatsoever.

And as for just using auto on a D700, I agree with Graham, its a complete overkill of a camera for such basic use.
 
I don't think I have a poor understanding as I've only just started photography & have no understanding at all :-)

When I have what I consider a great shot I'd rather auto or at least semi auto to ensure the shot is half decent.

It's good to know I'm not alone though lol
 
I got my first DSLR 2 weeks ago and I've forced myself to shoot in manual or at least AV or TV. Just to learn what settings I need for different situations. I'm finding it really tough but I know it will pay off.
 
What is this "auto" of which you speak? (Searches 1D Mkiv for auto but does not find.) :lol:

Seriously Auto is a reasonable place to start if you are new to the camera or hobby, but it is definately a position to move on from and the quicker you do so, the quicker you will increase your skills and the quality of your results.
 
"P" program for me is one step up from "Auto". The "P" mode lets me have control over shutter speed and lens opening when necessary for the shooting conditions while the camera meters everything else.

Nikon D70, D300
Canon 350D, 550D
 
Not been shooting long but have chosen to keep the camera on AV. It is a good way to learn for me.
 
I started with AV as found it a great starting point, now I use manual for the large majority of the time as I find it gives me greater control.
 
i used to use av/tv modes then i started using tav mode(pentax only) which is i select shutter and apature and the camera selects the right iso, now with my nikon gear my cameras are always in manual mode for everything but manual mode on nikon is like tav mode on pentax, but you can also select full manual which i do for studio work and when using flash.
 
I grew up on film and manual cameras.

My camera originally had no in built focusing or metering (used a external split image rangefinder and separate light meter.
Moved to SLR's with all manual but with a needle to indicate correct exposure (not settings I had to vary both shutter and aperture)

Now with digital you have loads of "tools" that doit all for you. Not necessarily giving you the image you wanted but a correctly or thereabouts one.

I have neve used P, as I grew up doing it all myself. I do now use Aperture and shuttter priority on occasions, but once you learn and understand how to shoot manually instinctively, there is no going back.

After all there is no film to waste experimenting and you can see the results immediately.
 
Additionally manual is often quicker to get the right settings.

for instance in P AV or TV whilst the camera makes a best guess, you may need to dial in exposure compensation.

In manual you don't have to worry as you can change the compensation immediately by just changing aperture or shutter speed as necessary.
 
I generally have most of the gubbins turned off
- aperture priority most of the time, manual the rest, rarely shutter priority
- I usually use spot metering (or the setting slightly wider than a spot)
- I always use singe shot
- I always have ae/af lock assigned to the shutter release button
- I always use 1 central focus point and re-frame
- I never use focus tracking (not had the need yet)
 
If im taking pictures of a static object I use auto for 1 shot then manual for the rest as I'm still getting used to all the features
 
I would probably be more inclined to shoot full manual if DSLR cameras had a proper shutter dial and ISO dial like a traditional film SLR.

I really do not like using a command wheel as there is no physical indication of the setting when you look at the wheel.

At least some lenses retain a physical aperture dial, allowing more intuitive aperture setting, but I'm sure there must be a market for a physical shutter speed & iso dial.
 
I grew up with film SLRs too and my first one (Zenith something) had no meter, a ground glass focussing screen, and a mirror that didn't reset until you wound on and re-cocked the shutter; so I'm quite comfortable with manual. I use PASM as required, but have never used A on my DSLR. There's simply no benefit for me.

I do use A most - nearly all - of the time on my A640 and TZ9 because it works well, and the other modes are just too much trouble on the compacts.
 
I use Auto - on my Pentax ME, which is actually not auto at all it's Aperture priority! (Auto exposure mode as it used to be known). I have no choice with that camera thoug - it's Auto, 1/100 or Bulb.

Thankfully the metering is accurate for such a basic model of camera and cople with EC for squeezing the shadows in, it works well and is rather fun to shoot with.
 
I think I'm right in saying my 1DII doesn't have an auto mode (never looked for it) AV is where it's at!
 
jamesoliverstone said:
I'm not even sure the D700 has one, I certainly haven't looked for it!
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D700 has a "P" mode which means the camera selects both aperture and shutter speed.

If you turn the rear command dial the combination can be changed while keeping the same exposure value and and "P*" shows in display to indicate this.

I have been caught out by this as I have accidentally jogged the wheel and ended up with a whole load of shots with "tweaked" settings as it keeps the adjustment active until the camera is switched off or a different mode is selected.

A bit of black electrical tape over the command wheel stops accidental jogging in this way.
 
boliston said:
What is the difference between "program mode" (without any tweaks via the command dial) and "full auto" - surely they are one and the same?
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On my Canon 7D, Auto (green rectangle) also disables RAW, pops up the flash if it thinks it's needed, and well probably a million other annoyances but those two are enough for me to avoid using it altogether.

I do use P mode more than I should perhaps.. But it does have "program shift" meaning I can tweak the aperture / shutter speed equation chosen by the camera with a simple twirl of the forefinger wheel. Mostly I roll with Av and M like others have said.
 
vaizki said:
On my Canon 7D, Auto (green rectangle) also disables RAW, pops up the flash if it thinks it's needed, and well probably a million other annoyances but those two are enough for me to avoid using it altogether.
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That sounds ridiculous, even if you are shooting auto I'm not sure why that would mean you would want jpeg files, especially as it's so simple to convert from raw to jpeg.

Pop up flash kind of annoys me anyway, don't think I've ever actually used mine.
 
I've never used full auto on my dslr's.

If wanted to do that I'd buy a compact.
 
Adrian, well ridiculous or not, I guess it's the "ultimate safe mode" so that whatever you've done to your camera settings, just flip it to green rectangle and at least you'll get something of a photo. Not everyone knows how to process RAW.

And "P"rogram is basically auto mode for those of us who know their way around the camera and its settings.
 
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