Lockable mode dial: do you use it?: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

Started Mar 18, 2016 | Polls

LearningForeverIHope • Senior Member • Posts: 2,216

Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

Mar 18, 2016

Some cameras, the E-M1 comes to mind, have a mean to lock the mode dial in position. I own this camera and the GX7. I cannot fathom how their mode dial could be moved by accident as stiff as they are already without being locked. Then again, I am not a camera designer for a reason, I am not competent for this; neither am I every photographer. So, I wonder what is your position on the locking of the mode dial?

Of course you will tell me which answers I forgot, no?

LearningForeverIHope's gear list:LearningForeverIHope's gear list

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Panasonic Leica D Summilux Asph 25mm F1.4 Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro +3 more

POLL

What's a mode dial?
	0.0%	0	votes
What's a mood dial?
	0.0%	0	votes
I don't have a mode dial, my beloved and I are free!!!
	0.0%	0	votes
I have a mode dial, can't lock it, want to.
	1.9%	1	vote
I have a mode dial, can't lock it, don't want to.
	18.9%	10	votes
I have a mode dial, can and do lock it.
	47.2%	25	votes
I have a mode dial, can lock it but won't.
	22.6%	12	votes
I have a mode dial, can and do lock it sometimes by accident. Hate that!!!
	3.8%	2	votes
I've taped off each and every button on all my cameras to the only settings I love.
	1.9%	1	vote
Something else or other.
	3.8%	2	votes

Show results

Olympus E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.

Reply to thread Reply with quote Complain

dulynoted • Senior Member • Posts: 2,267

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

LearningForeverIHope wrote:

Some cameras, the E-M1 comes to mind, have a mean to lock the mode dial in position. I own this camera and the GX7. I cannot fathom how their mode dial could be moved by accident as stiff as they are already without being locked. Then again, I am not a camera designer for a reason, I am not competent for this; neither am I every photographer. So, I wonder what is your position on the locking of the mode dial?

Of course you will tell me which answers I forgot, no?

I can and do lock my mode dial. I have a few different presets created on different positions but I never use any of them. I shoot in full manual 100% of the time. Thus I have locked the mode dial to that position and have not to my memory unlocked it in the last few months.

-- hide signature --

Auto focus is a work of the devil.
I post from a tablet, spelling errors are common, berry common.
Streetsmartphotos.blogspot.com
https://www.flickr.com/photos/streetsmartphotos/ https://twitter.com/StreetSmrtPhoto/status/684368424626073604 https://www.instagram.com/p/-p6Dx_QR1i/

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Art_P • Forum Pro • Posts: 10,114

Yes.

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

With my E-M5. I would occasionally bump the mode dial out of position. I like that I can lock the dial on my E-M1, although I have left it unlocked w/o incident. I normally shoot A mode, rarely touch the dial, except those rare occasions I want to shoot a video clip (have 2x DTC assigned to the record button)

-- hide signature --

Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

Art_P's gear list:Art_P's gear list

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus E-M1 II Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 OIS +6 more

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Garry Schaefer • Veteran Member • Posts: 3,349

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

Similar to Art. Rather than 'can and won't' I would say 'can and don't'. I'm in A mode 99% of the time, occasionally switching to S mode to freeze or blur some action. The E-M1 mode dial is quite firm so I have had no need to lock it thus far.

-- hide signature --

Garry

Garry Schaefer's gear list:Garry Schaefer's gear list

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Olympus E-M1 II Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 +8 more

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Mark Thornton • Veteran Member • Posts: 4,570

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

My mode dial (GX1) is not lockable, but this has never led to it being accidentally set to the wrong mode. A non problem.

Mark Thornton's gear list:Mark Thornton's gear list

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 Olympus Zuiko Digital 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm 1:2 +8 more

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

b0k3h • Contributing Member • Posts: 571

the EM1 doesnt have a Loose mode dial

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

unlike for example the Fuji X100's EV Comp dial

so practically, i dont use the lock

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Karld70 • Veteran Member • Posts: 3,553

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

Not lockable on GM5, but never had it move. (it's low profile and fairly stiff on this camera.

But I have had DSLRs in the past that would get reset as I pulled them from a tight bag, so if the dial does really stick up and easy to turn it's nice to have it lock.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

OP LearningForeverIHope • Senior Member • Posts: 2,216

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

Yay! A tape job!

LearningForeverIHope's gear list:LearningForeverIHope's gear list

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Panasonic Leica D Summilux Asph 25mm F1.4 Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro +3 more

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

IainH • Forum Member • Posts: 66

Can't lock mine...

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

And I don't seem to need to either. When the camera is off and hanging by its strap I even have the top plate facing inwards towards my body, the mode dial never gets turned or bumped, the other dials do nothing whilst off, and the camera is more comfortable to carry.

IainH's gear list:IainH's gear list

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-200mm F4-5.6 OIS Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye +1 more

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Skeeterbytes • Forum Pro • Posts: 23,182

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 18, 2016

Think it's geeeenious. Some mode dials spin like weathervanes.

Cheers,

Rick

-- hide signature --

Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
You can be too; ask about our 12-step program.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Colin K. Work • Veteran Member • Posts: 3,699

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 19, 2016

LearningForeverIHope wrote:

Some cameras, the E-M1 comes to mind, have a mean to lock the mode dial in position. I own this camera and the GX7. I cannot fathom how their mode dial could be moved by accident as stiff as they are already without being locked. Then again, I am not a camera designer for a reason, I am not competent for this; neither am I every photographer. So, I wonder what is your position on the locking of the mode dial?

Of course you will tell me which answers I forgot, no?

I agree that the chances of accidentally shifting the position of the mode dial on the EM-1 are low, but I lock it anyway on the principle of "if there's a way to screw up an important shot, I'll find it".

-- hide signature --

Colin K. Work
www.ckwphoto.com
www.pixstel.com

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Vesku • Senior Member • Posts: 2,964

Re: Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

In reply to LearningForeverIHope • Mar 19, 2016

I think it is one of the useless buttons in my GH4 like EV comp button. The dial is so hard to turn that it cant turn itself. One time I wondered if the dial is broken because it wasnt moving any more but I figured that I had pressed accidently the lock button.

Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain

Keyboard shortcuts:

FForum MMy threads

Latest sample galleries

Fujifilm X-T5 review sample gallery

Nikkor 58mm F0.95 Noct Sample Gallery

Sony ZV-E1 pre-production sample gallery (DPReview TV)

The Canon EOS R3 goes to the rodeo

See more galleries »

Latest in-depth reviews

The Fujifilm X-T5 is the company's latest classically-styled APS-C mirrorless camera. It gains the 40MP sensor and AF system from the X-H2 but in a body with a more stills-focused slant. We've been putting it through its paces.

DPReview TV: Nikon 58mm F0.95 Noct Review!

We're Noct messing around with this review.

DxO PureRAW 3 review: Give Adobe's apps a much-needed boost with modern AI algorithms

Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom impress in a lot of ways, but their noise reduction lags the competition and their lens corrections lack a real-world basis. DxO PureRAW 3 aims to come to their rescue without totally reinventing your workflow!

The Sony ZV-E1 is the company's latest vlogging-focused camera: a full-frame mirrorless camera based the FX3/a7S III sensor, aimed at YouTubers and 'creators' looking to go pro.

The Sony ZV-E1 is a full frame camera targeting YouTubers. Chris and Jordan are Youtubers, what do they think?

Latest buying guides

Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. We case our eye over the options costing more than $2500 but less than $4000, to find the best all-rounder.

There are a lot of photo/video cameras that have found a role as B-cameras on professional film productions or even A-cameras for amateur and independent productions. We've combed through the options and selected our two favorite cameras in this class.

What’s the best camera for around $2000? These capable cameras should be solid and well-built, have both the speed and focus to capture fast action and offer professional-level image quality. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing around $2000 and recommended the best.

The best cameras for family and friends photos in 2022

Family moments are precious and sometimes you want to capture that time spent with loved ones or friends in better quality than your phone can manage. We've selected a group of cameras that are easy to keep with you, and that can adapt to take photos wherever and whenever something memorable happens.

Best affordable cameras for sports and action in 2022

What's the best camera for shooting sports and action? Fast continuous shooting, reliable autofocus and great battery life are just three of the most important factors. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting sports and action, and recommended the best.

Check out more buying guides »


OM System M. Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro sample gallery Mar 1, 2023	Hands on with the OM System M. Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro Feb 27, 2023	OM System OM-5 in-depth review Feb 15, 2023	OM System 90mm F3.5 Macro IS Pro sample gallery (DPReview TV) Feb 9, 2023


Spring love by Yannis1976 from My Best Photo of the Fortnight	Spending a Penny by Lensmate from Faeces	Mike and the FWS1000 by GeoffN from Scooters/Motorbikes in motion	The end of another day by io_bg from Good Night	Brazilian Gripen by Johnson Barros from Fast Jet With Wheels On The Ground	The food transfer by dv312 from A Big Year 2023

33	Birds & wildlife options
29	Show your self. Last chance..
15	DPRevived
14	GM5 with some small primes?
12	Where you move after DPR?
9	Safaris in southern Africa/long lens recommendations?
9	Is it realistic to have dual native ISO with 20-25Mpx MFT sensors?
8	Film Camera click bait thread.
8	New to the OM-1
7	How to fix this in post? (Probably my last questions)
6	metabones speed booster and telephoto lenses
6	Panasonic GH5 Review
6	OM-1: Final verdict on firmware update 1.4???
5	Which tele lens for graduation graduation ceremony?
5	OM1 focus problem - need some advanced help!
5	What happens with OM 20mm 1,4 ?
4	Noise reduction and sharpening?
3	Focus bracketing in MFT using the Olympus 60mm F2.8 Macro lens
3	And now I know "why a train mode?"
3	'Old' cams still actual

44	Hand-Held High Res: A Practical Guide
26	How to update the OM-1 via an update file on the SD card
24	Pixel Shift: A Primer for Beginners
21	150-400 F4.5 PRO: Impressions For Sports / Wildlife
15	Changing displayed language on JPN ver. Lumix cameras (GM5/GX8...)
15	Try This Focus Trick On Your OM-1
13	Using your MC-20 Teleconverter with your OLY 60mm Macro lens
13	My BIF settings OM-1
12	Anybody else tried night sky with OM1 handheld?
11	E-M1 Mark II complete customization tips
11	Geotagging with Olympus – tutorial with screenshots
10	Astrophotography with the OM-1 and the Oly f/5.0-6.3 100-400mm
9	The truth about the focus stacking feature of the EM-1 ii
9	Re: Some data on Oly "Focus Stacking"
8	Focus Stacking Focus Point
8	1of1images Macro Thread
7	OM-1 Settings Spreadsheet
7	Macro Photography and the EM1 mark 2 / 60mm macro combo
7	How is your OM1 set up?
6	SOLVED!

41	finnan haddie
36	Wormsmeat
35	Tom Caldwell
31	nzmacro
28	EZGritz
27	thinkinginimages
25	Skeeterbytes
22	NowHearThis
22	Nigvo
21	gaul
20	tomhongkong
20	S Jones
19	woodsider79
18	Adrian Harris
18	tedolf
17	Sam Bennett
17	InkedMarie
17	Daneland
16	jeffharris
16	Bassam Guy

Lockable mode dial: do you use it?

You may also like

Latest sample galleries

Latest in-depth reviews

Latest buying guides