Enjoying the SCENE modes on D7200

[Satyaa]

I disposed all my DSLR gear last year (or so I thought) but the D7200 came back because it wasn't worth anything. The store offered $10 as a courtesy, but I asked them to ship it back instead.

Because I didn't have any lenses for it, I bought a mint-condition used Sigma 16-50/2.8 zoom at a low price. I started enjoying the D7200 again. When I pulled out a box of camera stuff, I have 4 batteries!

I have been using D7200 since early 2014 (and used a D7100 before that) but didn't use SCENE modes in the past except just to try. I only used A-Priority (preferred settings saved to U1) or S-Priority (preferred settings saved to U2).

Getting back to D7200 after not using it for more than a year, I am enjoying the SCENE modes. I simply flip the setting to 'Landscape' for snow scenes on the street, 'Food' for things that my son likes to cook, 'Macro' for flowers, etc. I avoid 'Portrait' only because it tends to turn on the flash every time even when I think it's not necessary.

I am starting to think that Nikon did a good thing by including SCENE mode on a camera of D7200 class. Didn't think much of it in the past. It is relaxing to not think of all the camera settings for casual shots, knowing that the camera has an optimized setting for the subject I am shooting.

The intelligent auto mode on latest cameras might do the trick, but I am feeling better by selecting a specific mode instead of guessing. Also fun to get creative sometimes by using a mode for unintended purpose. For example, I choose 'Food' or 'Macro' for taking photos of cat, because both Portrait and Pet modes force use of flash.

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[WPMChan]

Thanks for posting your experience with Scene modes. I can't agree more.

I use various Scene modes, P and Auto a lot. I never have doubt that Nikon Engineers know the best camera set up for various scenes.

I use my cameras to take pictures. The less I need to fiddle with the settings, the better I can focus on, pun intended, capturing the moment.

 

[David Lal]

Thanks for posting your experience with Scene modes. I can't agree more.

In contrast to you I prefer to be in complete control of the camera and I always thought the inclusion of the scene modes, p and auto etc. on a camera in the class of a D7200 complete anathema.

Still, we are all different, thankfully.

A chacun son goût.

 

[WPMChan]

Thanks for posting your experience with Scene modes. I can't agree more.

In contrast to you I prefer to be in complete control of the camera and I always thought the inclusion of the scene modes, p and auto etc. on a camera in the class of a D7200 complete anathema.

Still, we are all different, thankfully.

A chacun son goût.

Enjoy your complete control.

Agree with the OP, I like what I got with Scene Modes from my cameras.

 

[photoholiko]

I have never used scene modes, I think I should try it.

 

[WPMChan]

I have never used scene modes, I think I should try it.

Glad to know that you would like to try them. I think you'll find them useful.

Scene modes are not perfect, but work in most cases.

To me, Scene modes, P and Auto modes are there to help me to capture moments, especially in those momentary and/or unfamiliar situations.

For example, I don't capture, don't even see, firework and beautiful sunset often, and I have little experience with those scenes. Scene modes got them for me, at the moment when I saw them, as they come and go very quickly.

 

[photoholiko]

What mode do you use for fireworks?

 

[WPMChan]

What mode do you use for fireworks?

My E2500, A1000 and Sony HX5 has a fireworks show mode. It worked reasonably well.

Later model DSLRs don't seem to have "Fireworks mode" in their scene modes.

I still use my Sony HX5 and A1000 a lot.

 

[David Lal]

What mode do you use for fireworks?

;-)

 

[Satyaa]

What mode do you use for fireworks?

My E2500, A1000 and Sony HX5 has a fireworks show mode. It worked reasonably well.

That's interesting. The D7200 doesn't have one. It has Night Portrait and Night Landscape modes. I wonder how they work.

Over the years I learned to shoot fireworks using a release cable, with aperture set to f/8 or f/11, and ISO at base value.

I start and stop the exposure with the fireworks burst. If it gets too bright, I adjust the aperture further. I set the WB to daylight but can adjust in PP.

Later model DSLRs don't seem to have "Fireworks mode" in their scene modes.

I still use my Sony HX5 and A1000 a lot.

 

[WPMChan]

Over the years I learned to shoot fireworks using a release cable, with aperture set to f/8 or f/11, and ISO at base value.

I start and stop the exposure with the fireworks burst. If it gets too bright, I adjust the aperture further. I set the WB to daylight but can adjust in PP.

In "fireworks show" scene mode, the A1000 will automatically be set to f/8, 4 sec, ISO 100, matrix metering, auto WB and manual focus.

Looks like the Nikon FW scene mode settings are quite similar to what you learned from experience.