Nobody uses the Ax in MANUAL mode?

[marc baumser]

One of the things I like about Aperature priority with Exposure compensation is that when you half press the shutter you can (with your thumb) adjust the exposure. In manual mode you cannot adjust the exposure with the shutter half pressed (the seetings are locked)

At least on the A1 the above is true

Marc

--
All shots are A1 unless otherwise noted
http://www.pbase.com/mbaumser

 

[José Ramos]

One of the things I like about Aperature priority with Exposure
compensation is that when you half press the shutter you can (with
your thumb) adjust the exposure. In manual mode you cannot adjust
the exposure with the shutter half pressed (the seetings are locked)

At least on the A1 the above is true

Marc

But wouldn't you only half press the shutter after making sure that the exposure was as you wanted it?

 

[DigitalDick]

I have to jump in here. I've been shooting full manual mode for the past thirty years (25 with Olympus OM1, 4 years with a D7ug and the past year with an A200).

For me the EVF has made Manual the perfect mode to use. The viewfinder lightens or darkens as I change either the f stops or the shutter speed giving me the perfect wysiwyg before you make the exposure. As a nature photographer I only get one chance at capturing the peak moment. Knowing what my exposure will be before I shoot is critical to my success. I can't ask the cougar to do another take.

The only time I find A mode useful is when I'm tracking a flying bird and it's bopping up and down between treeline and the sky. In such a situation I use the S mode to let the camera handle exposure while I concentrate on focusing on the moving bird. As you know the focus tracking on the digicams is anemic at best otherwise I use Manual mode all the time.
****

 

[marc baumser]

Me? no. lol

I'm in the habit of getting the focus locked first. Just my habit. Probably from my old film slr where I had to half press to activate the metering. So that's what I do. Also, Lighting can change so I like the ability to change with it without havingto reestablish a focus lock

Marc

One of the things I like about Aperature priority with Exposure
compensation is that when you half press the shutter you can (with
your thumb) adjust the exposure. In manual mode you cannot adjust
the exposure with the shutter half pressed (the seetings are locked)

At least on the A1 the above is true

Marc

But wouldn't you only half press the shutter after making sure that
the exposure was as you wanted it?

--
All shots are A1 unless otherwise noted
http://www.pbase.com/mbaumser

 

[digit]

The best part about this thread shows that with the Axx cameras, we can do SO much with them**

I have used all four modes (manual, A, S, and program/auto). That alone was my main purpose of buying it; because I can do everything with it. I perfer A at 5.6 but on the same day, I can give it to my wife and with the memorie feature, I set up one for program (auto everything, sharp +1, asa100, vivid, jpgfine) give it to my wife and off she goes.
--

'Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.'

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

Forget the manual, this is all you need for the Ax camera
http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq

 

[D G]

I use manual mode a lot, probably the most, but not exclusively. Sometimes I like to have the screen clear of all the data while letting aperture priority along with some exposure comp take care of the shutter speed.

 

[Jim_R]

--I used Manual Mode almost exclusively when using my D7i for 2+ years, 10,000+ pics. Since this is not an Ax camera, perhaps that doesn't count.

I don't say the others are wrong, it just turned out that was the way I did it. Old habits keep on happening.

I now shoot with a less capable camera, the Canon 20D. It doesn't show such niceties as a histogram before I shoot and a viewfinder that dims and brightens as I adjust my shutter speed.

Jim Rickards

 

[Ransom]

... using A or S priority with exp. comp., and manual mode?? I have my A2 set up with the front dial for exp. comp. and the rear dial for either aperture or shutter speed depending on the circumstances. A priority for DOF or sharpness; S priority for low light - action.. I normally shoot everything in aperture priority using the front wheel (exposure comp.) to adjust the shutter speed. But as long as I know my priority, be it A or S, it is quite simple and quick to adjust the front wheel to manually adjust exposure! Am I missing something?

Hello!

Shouldn't this be the simplest and most efficient way to use the
A2? Am I missing something?

Best regards
José Ramos

Great topic Jose!! It's always good to share ideas and technique for all to learn something!!
--
Cheers! Robert..

The only Stupid Questions are the ones that are never Asked!!

 

[André BARELIER]

Interesting thread indeed.

I noticed too that in A mode, wathever iso or aperture you choose, the A2 sets the speed to 1/50 with flash.

And the pictures are often underexposed, unless you set the flash exposure compensation to +0.7, or +1.0.
This strange behaviour remains when I use an external flash (small Metz 28 AF3).

That's quite surprising : I was able to get perfetly exposed pictures with my old Nikon SLR 601, at 1/125 s.

Maybe you can get better results with a bigger flash. But I bought the A2 for its compactness : I don't want to carry a huge flash with me.
iso 200 ? I'll try it with flash...But I hate noise !
André

 

[Ransom]

--I used Manual Mode almost exclusively when using my D7i for 2+
years, 10,000+ pics. Since this is not an Ax camera, perhaps that
doesn't count.

No it doesn't count! The OP specifically stated "Ax" when he started the thread!!!!

I don't say the others are wrong, it just turned out that was the
way I did it. Old habits keep on happening.

Old habits are hard to break, but new habits are easy to stop!!

I now shoot with a less capable camera, the Canon 20D. It doesn't
show such niceties as a histogram before I shoot and a viewfinder
that dims and brightens as I adjust my shutter speed.

It is obvious from looking at your posts in the Canon forum that you are quite knowledgeable in digital photography. You also seem willing to share that knowledge with others there. Your statements above are totally useless for anyone anywhere amongst these forums. Any positive comments or sharing of ideas is always welcome here. But subtle sarcasm intended solely as bait for those going thru the same learning process you once went thru are not welcome. Don't get caught up in the "Canon is God" attitude. Like I said, New habits are easy to stop!!!!

Jim Rickards

--
Cheers! Robert..

The only Stupid Questions are the ones that are never Asked!!

 

[Ray Brown]

The D7 series cameras are part of the whole evolution of the A series. Their controls ar almost identical only in different places. It is helpfull (to me at least) to know what experienced photographers like Jim were using on their D7 series cameras too.

He was a member of this forum for a long time and I didn't see any mention of "Canon is God".
Perhaps we should shift to decaff in the future?

Ray
--
D7ug - D7Hi - A1 - Now A2
http://www.pbase.com/xray

 

[Ferenc MOGOR]

Nothing to add to Ray's observations on my side than to say a big HELLO to Jim!!!

Howdy, Jim,... it's always good to see you around, why not pop-in more frequently, eh? )

Thanks Ray for your care as always!!

--
Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music. Ansel Adams.'

 

[Ransom]

The D7 series cameras are part of the whole evolution of the A
series. Their controls ar almost identical only in different
places. It is helpfull (to me at least) to know what experienced
photographers like Jim were using on their D7 series cameras too.

You are correct! Please accept my sincere apology.

He was a member of this forum for a long time and I didn't see any
mention of "Canon is God".

Perhaps I misunderstood his statement, but it does seem like complete sarcasm to me. I did not know Jim was a long time member here. It is quite a shame that he is now shooting with such a "less capable camera, the Canon 20D." It must be terrible! ;-)

If you read my reply to his post, you can easily see that I did not attack the man in any personal way, on the contrary I applauded his Knowledge and insight. I simply think his post is very dry and subtle sarcasm, and I said so. For that, I Will Not Apologize!!!!!!!!
In case I missed something, please point out the helpful advice in his post!

Perhaps we should shift to decaff in the future?

Do they make decaffieinated beer?

Ray
--
D7ug - D7Hi - A1 - Now A2
http://www.pbase.com/xray

--
Cheers! Robert..

The only Stupid Questions are the ones that are never Asked!!

 

[Jim_R]

--When the replies come in writting, the tone of your voice is not there, and sometimes a different meaning can be received compared to what was sent.

I didn't have sarcasm in mind, but I can see now how easy it was to read sarcasm into what I wrote.

My first digital camera - D7i - indeed has capabilities that my Canon 20D does not. I thought I would point that out. No, I don't believe the 20D is inferior overall. It has capabilities that I wanted and the D7i didn't have.

FWIW, I am not offended - I see the mistake in composing the post was mine.

Going back to the manual mode debate - I'm really quite surprised there were not more who used it.

Regards to all, esp Feri.

Jim Rickards

 

[Ransom]

--When the replies come in writting, the tone of your voice is not
there, and sometimes a different meaning can be received compared
to what was sent.

I didn't have sarcasm in mind, but I can see now how easy it was to
read sarcasm into what I wrote.

My first digital camera - D7i - indeed has capabilities that my
Canon 20D does not. I thought I would point that out. No, I don't
believe the 20D is inferior overall. It has capabilities that I
wanted and the D7i didn't have.

FWIW, I am not offended - I see the mistake in composing the post
was mine.

The mistake in jumping to conclusions was mine, and for that I do sincerely apologize. But I will not take back the part about your extensive knowledge and willingness to share. I hope thats OK ;-))

Going back to the manual mode debate - I'm really quite surprised
there were not more who used it.

Regards to all, esp Feri.

Jim Rickards

See my earlier post below.. This seems the same as manual exposure to me, it's just that with two wheels on the A2, it becomes too easy to adjust!
--
Cheers! Robert..

The only Stupid Questions are the ones that are never Asked!!

 

[eqqmc2]

Here are a couple of answers:

The a2 and a200 would set the shutter speed (when flash) to 1/60 or 1/50. In manual mode you can go as low as 1/20 and as high as 1/250 (with external flash). This all has to do with the correct shutter speed for the km flashes (to synch correctly). For details check out the konicalminoltaworld website about flash.

As for using ISO 200 indoors and low lighting conditions: the AF system behaves better with higher iso than with lower iso because it uses contrast (vertical) to focus. For a given scene higher iso means higher contrast (look at the lcd under this conditions). You can test this your self, try iso 50 or 64, 100 and 200 with same scene, lighting and focus point and if u do this several times i would bet you could have a higher probablility of having the lower iso settings giving you softer focus. (specially if you triying to focus on an object with relatively low vertical constast).

Hope this helps

Interesting thread indeed.
I noticed too that in A mode, wathever iso or aperture you choose,
the A2 sets the speed to 1/50 with flash.
And the pictures are often underexposed, unless you set the flash
exposure compensation to +0.7, or +1.0.
This strange behaviour remains when I use an external flash (small
Metz 28 AF3).
That's quite surprising : I was able to get perfetly exposed
pictures with my old Nikon SLR 601, at 1/125 s.
Maybe you can get better results with a bigger flash. But I bought
the A2 for its compactness : I don't want to carry a huge flash
with me.
iso 200 ? I'll try it with flash...But I hate noise !
André

 

[Ferenc MOGOR]

Hey Guys,

Now that everything under the Sun is in tune again, let's cordially invite Robert to our latest beer thread for some Cheers:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=14745758

Robert, you can be sure non of the beer here contain any caffeine at all!! Absolutely decaff beer! LOLOL

P.S. This is the latest beer thread coz we have such a thread on a regular basis. Please, don't miss out on any of them!!! ))

))

--
Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music. Ansel Adams.'

 

[José Ramos]

Thanks Ransom! After being a voyeur-only in this FANTASTIC forum (which took me through buying the beloved A2), I'm really astounded with the dedicated replies in this forum! This is without doubt one of the best forums in what concerns "community-sense" and knowledge in the web!

As to your question, I've been fiddling a bit with Aperture priority mode in my room, and I came to the same conclusion as you: "this isn't so different from the manual mode...".

When I read the first replies to my original question I started wondering "but does exposure compensation change exposure without changing ISO, shutter speed or f/stop??". As it would be too good to be true, in Aperture priority the exposure compensation changes the shutter speed. As so, the only difference between aperture priority and manual mode is that in aperture priority, when you half-press the shutter speed, your camera decides the best shutter speed you should use, while in manual you are the one who should fiddle with the shutter speed control till you find the histogram to be adequate. In my opinion, I find it a bit troublesome to half-press the shutter speed, and then adjust the exposure compensation with the thumb wheel, because the shutter release button in the A2 is very "soft" sensitive, and it's easy to fully press or depress the shutter button while you are still adjusting the exposure compensation. Apart from that, I also find it more complicated to half press the shutter button, then realize that the shutter speed is too long for handheld shooting, even with exposure compensation, and then have to fiddle with the ISO to achieve a proper exposure. All of this may seem nitpicking, but we all now how important ergonomics are while photographing.

While I still don't know if I'll stick with manual mode or change to the A mode, I think that I've learned the valuable lesson that sometimes using the matrix metering mode and center weighted mode may give better results than using Manual mode for exposure, as our friend KM Ax sometimes is a better judge than our eyes...

 

[larsbc]

José Ramos wrote:
[snip]

in Aperture priority the exposure compensation changes
the shutter speed. As so, the only difference between aperture
priority and manual mode is that in aperture priority, when you
half-press the shutter speed, your camera decides the best shutter
speed you should use, while in manual you are the one who should
fiddle with the shutter speed control till you find the histogram
to be adequate. In my opinion, I find it a bit troublesome to
half-press the shutter speed, and then adjust the exposure
compensation with the thumb wheel, because the shutter release
button in the A2 is very "soft" sensitive, and it's easy to fully
press or depress the shutter button while you are still adjusting
the exposure compensation. Apart from that, I also find it more
complicated to half press the shutter button, then realize that the
shutter speed is too long for handheld shooting, even with exposure
compensation, and then have to fiddle with the ISO to achieve a
proper exposure. All of this may seem nitpicking, but we all now
how important ergonomics are while photographing.

You don't need to half-press the shutter release for the camera to meter the scene. Try it and see for yourself. I NEVER press the shutter release to make the camera meter the scene.

The way you describe A-priority or S-priority metering sounds far more cumbersome than it is. All you do is look through the viewfinder (no button pressing required). If you don't like the exposure, spin the front or rear dial to adjust the exposure compensation. That's all there is to it.

If the shutter speed is too slow for hand-held shooting just spin the front or rear dial to adjust the aperture.

larsbc

 

[f8_accpmpli]

Hmmm!

How do you have your camera setup so that it always displays the exposure that is metered?

On my A1, if I am in Aperture priority mode for example, I need to half press the shutter release in order to have the camera display the shutter setting its metering system has chosen ( the shutter speed will stay displayed for a few seconds and will track changes in the scene). Similarly for Shutter priority mode--I need to half press the shutter release to see the camera's chosen aperture value in the display. The metering system is clearly evaluating the exposure all the time as wittnessed by the histogram changing with the scene.