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How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?

Started Oct 10, 2021 | Discussions
Jimmytech Regular Member • Posts: 119
How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?
1

To the users of M200 or M6 MK2, how reliable is the full auto mode?  The full auto mode on my M100 tends to pick a much higher ISO than I normally would.

 Jimmytech's gear list:Jimmytech's gear list
Canon EOS M100 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM +5 more
Canon EOS M100 Canon EOS M6
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R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?
2

Jimmytech wrote:

To the users of M200 or M6 MK2, how reliable is the full auto mode? The full auto mode on my M100 tends to pick a much higher ISO than I normally would.

Lots of reasons to leave full Auto Mode behind, including the one you mention.

If you want auto exposure, then I recommend switching to Program Mode so that you can at least choose where you want the camera to focus.

Maintaining control over your ISO isn’t too hard either. Just boost it whenever your shutter speeds get too slow (when you start getting camera shake and/or subject motion blur).

R2

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OP Jimmytech Regular Member • Posts: 119
Re: How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?
2

I usually leave mine in full auto mode for quick point and shoot shots.  For shots that I have time to set up, I use Aperture mode.

 Jimmytech's gear list:Jimmytech's gear list
Canon EOS M100 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM +5 more
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?

Jimmytech wrote:

I usually leave mine in full auto mode for quick point and shoot shots. For shots that I have time to set up, I use Aperture mode.

Av is good.  👍

For the rest, whatever floats your boat.

R2

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SergioMPS
SergioMPS Regular Member • Posts: 261
Re: How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?

Jimmytech wrote:

To the users of M200 or M6 MK2, how reliable is the full auto mode? The full auto mode on my M100 tends to pick a much higher ISO than I normally would.

Auto-mode cant read your mind, doesnt know how shallow DOF you are going for, so it will always close down aperture unless cant push iso higher, also will go safe on shutter speeds since it doesnt read how steady your hands are, but the metering is same for auto and you trying to hit EV 0

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Larry Rexley Senior Member • Posts: 1,238
Re: How reliable is the full AUTO mode in M200 and M6 MKII?

R2D2 wrote:

Jimmytech wrote:

To the users of M200 or M6 MK2, how reliable is the full auto mode? The full auto mode on my M100 tends to pick a much higher ISO than I normally would.

Lots of reasons to leave full Auto Mode behind, including the one you mention.

If you want auto exposure, then I recommend switching to Program Mode so that you can at least choose where you want the camera to focus.

Maintaining control over your ISO isn’t too hard either. Just boost it whenever your shutter speeds get too slow (when you start getting camera shake and/or subject motion blur).

R2

My photography is mostly spur-of the moment and moving subjects --- due to this I'm almost always shooting with either the EF-M 18-150 or the EF-S 55-250 zooms due to their versatility.

Light's always the challenge... there's never enough of it. The lowest possible ISO is always the underlying goal for best IQ & dynamic range etc.

For the zooms --- aperture is pretty narrowly constrained for me. The max possible aperture that gives enough sharpness is f5-f6.3 for the 18-150 and f4-5.6 for the 55-250.

For me the shutter speed is going to be the minimum I can get away with --- either dictated by the subject or for non-moving subjects the minimum I know I can hand-hold.

So in short --- I almost always have a target aperture and shutter speed which are pretty inflexible ---- what I need is to 'float' the ISO with the lighting.

So I've gone almost completely over to using the Fv mode now on the M6ii --- setting the shutter and aperture and letting ISO float on auto (capped at 6400 max). Even the C1 and C2 modes are set this way.

It took me a long time to realize the value of the Fv mode. I thought it was yet another 'puff' mode for months -- only eventually realizing it was exactly what I needed!

When I do switch over to the fast primes --- it's because there isn't enough light for the zooms --- and again I'm in the same position 'not enough light' choosing the max aperture that gives me enough sharpness...

 Larry Rexley's gear list:Larry Rexley's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS M200 Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +21 more
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