Poll: Does anyone actually use any of the scene modes ever? What mode do you use?

I was hardly even aware of the back end of the dial on my E-330. (I usually shoot A or M) — but when I was shooting some kids playing hockey on a local lake, one of my students skated over and introduced me to all the cool features Olympus had pre-thought for me. His family has an Oly pocket cam and he has really put the scene modes through the wringer.

I shared his enthusiasm at that moment... and haven't looked at those modes since!

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Barry

I only used the macro option a couple of times but I found that I was doing better shots when using either Manual or Aperture Priority......

I have never used the scene modes, Program or Auto on a dSLR. I use Aperture priority almost exclusively and manual from time to time. I think I may have used shutter priority half a dozen times in 3 years.

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Stu
E510, TZ4
.

I think there is one scene mode that can be extremely valuable - action. I know how to crank up the shutter speed. What I cannot do in a flash is figure out just how much I need to bump up the ISO to keep from getting a black frame. Hopefully the action scene mode rapidly make a good pick of both shutter speed and ISO.

Nope. Never have time to figure out what those screwy icons mean and just find them irritating.

On the E-3, there's none.

On the E-30, I tend to use ART FILTER.

--
http://thru-the-zuiko.blogspot.com/

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Tim
'I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.'
E3/E410/7-14/12-60/50-200/25/25/EC-14
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timskis6/

I do like the Panorama mode. Makes it easy because I don't have to remember to lock all the various pertinent settings.

I generally keep the camera set on the shelf for Program mode just because if I have to quickly grab it for a quick shot of something, I don't have to remember what settings I used last. When I am thinking/planning a shot, generally will use Aperture mode probably 75-85% of the times. Balance mostly Shutter with occassionally using full Manual.
Steve

A: 90%
M: 9%
S: 1% Birds

Alex

They do have their uses. I occasionally used the sunset mode on my E-500 in my continuing quest to get closer to the reddish (rather than yellowish) tones that my eyes were seeing. I also sometimes used the macro mode, and then manual modes to try to experiment with depth of sharpness, brightness level and motion blur - or lack of it.

They sometimes helped me to record a fleeting image I would otherwise have missed, by changing multiple settings quickly, much the same way that some pros would carry two or even 3 bodies to catch surprise situations in an instant.Getting off bustling boat at Baltra, the Galapagos, for example, I noticed another boat just passing in fron of the setting sun. The quick shot I fired off on my E-500 was disappointing,



and there was no time to change multiple WB and other settings, so I switched to scenic sunset mode, and snapped off this one,



and reframed for this one.



Not a perfect shot, but not bad for a quick one from a gangplank And also much closer to what my eyes were seeing than number one, above. I don't remember ever using them on my suibsequent E-330, but do find the MyModes slots on my E-3 very useful.

So while continuing to eschew unnecessary complication, I will continue to try any feature that will help me get the image that I want.

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erichK
saskatoon, canada

http://erichk.zenfolio.com/

http://www.fototime.com/inv/7F3D846BCD301F3

underwater photos: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?
cat=500&ppuser=5567

best regards

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I'm technically not a 'qualified professional photographer', but I play one online.....

Well. I think it was about 4 or 5 years ago .. I tested the sunset mode of E300

Normally it's P with A/S/M depending on situation.

I have tried the sunset and fireworks mode and they seem to work okay.I try to shoot with my 510 in full manual though,however looking at the results alot of you more experieced lot get though I don't think I know what I'm doing half the time,it is fun though!!!!

just (just) trying to remember where they are !

90% M, the rest A or P

--
ʎǝlıɹ

plɹoʍ ǝɥʇ ɟo doʇ uo ǝɹɐ ǝʍ 'ɐılɐɹʇsnɐ uı

No idd.
I only use P,A,S,M
I always forget I have scene modes,lol
Claus.

lloyd007 said:

I was looking at the mode dial on my cameras and started wondering...
For all their prominence I've never once used the scene modes on any
camera I've ever used. Have any of you ever used them? Do they give
acceptable or even good results?

Then I started analyzing what modes I actually do use and here's my
breakdown..

80% Aperture priority
10% Full Manual
5% Program / Auto
5% Shutter Priority

Click to expand...

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

I notice there's an option to enable Auto ISO in Manual setting... I imagine this could be quite useful if you know what aperture & shutter speed you want and you wish the ISO to give the auto exposure.

Kind Regards

Brian
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Join our free worldwide support network here :
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UK, Peak District Local Olympus Safari Group : http://snipurl.com/bqtd7-ukpsg

When I first got my E-500, I tried one of the scene modes for something, I didn't like loosing control, and never went there again.
I think I'mclose to 90% Aperture mode
with Manual taking up most of the slack
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Art P



Select images may be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8131242@N04/

no never used auto or scenes

mostly Manual mode
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E-510 (in the service center again) - E-30 / 12-60mm / 70-300mm / Leica 25mm f1.4 / EX-25