Manual Mode shotting for Canon

[T-Bird76]

So this past weekend at LAX I was talking to a fellow Canonite and we were chatting about how we shoot. We both have 30D's and I was saying that sometimes I have a bit of trouble with the exposure. So he said he shoots in "M" mode, not manual focusing mode but manual mode where you can select both the F stop and the shutter speed.

I gave it a try and I'm hooked. Shooting in M mode you hit the exposure perfectly every time. The catch is and you need to have fast fingers is to adjust the shutter speed correctly. If you look through the view finder you'll find the exposure meter. This meter moves to the plus and minus range as you pan. The plus region means it over espoused the minus means under. When its right in the middle the shot is correctly espoused.

Yes it’s a bit tuff at first to track a moving target and adjust the shutter speed but I was going through my pics from LA on my laptop and I can tell you this is the way to shoot. Yes I know you can shoot in RAW and adjust it later but I'd rather get it right the first time and learn to use the camera for what it can do. I'll post pictures when I get back from Cali but for you Canon users give it a try, not sure how the Nikon metering works but I'm sure it’s similar. Not one of my pictures from LAX was overexposed shooting this way.

[mirrodie]

and learn to use the camera for what it can do


YES! And that is why I shoot M as well, I use it as a tool to get me to shoot better!

[SmAlbany]

I use the aging but effective digital rebel. I have found that M mode can be very useful at times also. I usually use it on a sunny day with a white aircraft. The Dreb seems to overexpose the white aircraft in that situation. Manual works wonders in that case!

[PhilDernerJr]

Does my 20D have that feature? Something I'm eager to try.

I'm curious if the camera really know if a shot's being exposed properly? If so, why don't they just have an auto-exposure mode?

[GrummanFan]

I've only shot film, so I have no choice but to do everything manual. Even when im shooting video I do it in manual. The control you have over what you shoot is incredable, and I wouldnt have it any other way. When I do get a digital, I will not change that habit at all. Unfortunately my exposure meter doesnt work with my largest zoom lens, so I have to guess, but im getting pretty good at that.

[T-Bird76]

Does my 20D have that feature? Something I'm eager to try.

I'm curious if the camera really know if a shot's being exposed properly? If so, why don't they just have an auto-exposure mode?

Yes Phil the 20D does have M mode and the expouse bracket. All my shots from LAX came out perfectly espoused.

[Derf]

I shoot in every mode but auto... each has advantages in different situations.

It is very hard to shoot in M mode if you have clouds and the lighting changes quickly. I shoot M mode for night and where lighting changes. Glad you posted this so others will see it's advantages.

Shutter priority/ Aperture priority and Manual mode are all great and everyone should learn when and why to use them. BTW, I can not believe that I have not worn out my mode selector switch yet.

[Derf]

Does my 20D have that feature? Something I'm eager to try.

I'm curious if the camera really know if a shot's being exposed properly? If so, why don't they just have an auto-exposure mode?

Each camera will be set a little different for exposure in the camera. It figures proper exposure will have a certain percentage of white in the image. If in auto the camera should have between 5% and 15% of overexposed image. The more dynamic range of the CCD or CMOS, the lower the overexposed area would be. This is why when you take pictures of snow, it is dark but then you take pictures of a dark area and it comes out brighter than what it looks like.

Back to Phil's question
The camera does not know if the picture is properly exposed, it operates with the percentage of white and you need to adjust the exposure comp to compensate or change to M mode and choose the exposure yourself.

[T-Bird76]

I shoot in every mode but auto... each has advantages in different situations.

It is very hard to shoot in M mode if you have clouds and the lighting changes quickly. I shoot M mode for night and where lighting changes. Glad you posted this so others will see it's advantages.

Shutter priority/ Aperture priority and Manual mode are all great and everyone should learn when and why to use them. BTW, I can not believe that I have not worn out my mode selector switch yet.

Fred I can't believe you haven't worn out your entire camera yet! LOL

[nwafan20]

Does someone want to post the advantages, disadvantages, and when to use each mode?

[PHL Approach]

Phil, now you would believe me when I said M is truly the best cause your in control! I do use Av once in a while now, but I still rather use full manual.


It is very hard to shoot in M mode if you have clouds and the lighting changes quickly.

True, though with time you can get changing settings quickly down.

[JRadier]

If you look through the view finder you'll find the exposure meter. This meter moves to the plus and minus range as you pan. The plus region means it over espoused the minus means under. When its right in the middle the shot is correctly espoused.

so basically what you are doing is using the metering in the camera, but rather then make the camera do the exposure, you do the exact same (because you are looking at the exposure meter) but then manual. How does this change things?

[Derf]

If you look through the view finder you'll find the exposure meter. This meter moves to the plus and minus range as you pan. The plus region means it over espoused the minus means under. When its right in the middle the shot is correctly espoused.

so basically what you are doing is using the metering in the camera, but rather then make the camera do the exposure, you do the exact same (because you are looking at the exposure meter) but then manual. How does this change things?

As you move the camera up and down on the horizon, the light changes and the setting of the camera change to keep the meter correct. If the plane get closer and gets bigger, it will change the light and the camera will try and compensate for this. White plane on a blue back round will change the light so the camera will compensate and may throw the exposure off...manual, you test...verify and keep the exact settings you want. I shoot manual with my 50mm lens at night.... I open up the lens and push the ISO and will set the shutter, if I like, I keep. When the light changes, I have to change because the camera will not.