First decent outside shot using aperture priority.

[NCLeadFoot]

Yep, learning curve is steep. 33 years in IT does not help, except sometimes with the language. I was not using my 35mm Canons for the last 25 years or so and jumped into digital with a Canon T5. The learning of the camera along with the software (darkroom) on this laptop is very steep. It is fun and I have printed about 30 prints that came out pretty good but I know I am still learning.

Greg

[JBW]

Yep, learning curve is steep. 33 years in IT does not help, except sometimes with the language. I was not using my 35mm Canons for the last 25 years or so and jumped into digital with a Canon T5. The learning of the camera along with the software (darkroom) on this laptop is very steep. It is fun and I have printed about 30 prints that came out pretty good but I know I am still learning.

Greg

You and me both. I am having no end of trouble trying to remember how to export in sony express.

[mrinmoyvk]

....Their point, generally, being that the camera manufacturers have invested heavily in R & D to offer us the technology that can support good picture capturing, so why on earth would we not use it.....

Exactly what my wife said when I captured the image of flower on M mode wide open 2nd time to get it proper as 1st time on A, SS was too slow. Her shout was loud and clear "Put it on macro and lets leave, we are getting late..."

[topol]

If I may offer my "inexperienced" view.
Brian's S4200 doesn't appear to be too different in spec. from my SL300, which I'm still struggling to learn, particularly in A, S, P and M modes.
I find that the settings offered in each mode differ with the focal length selected, and frankly are limited when compared with those chosen by the camera [as seen in Exif data] when using the Auto or Scene Recognition modes.
If the manufacturer sees fit to develop and include this technology, why not take advantage of it?

The arguments for using Manual mode are strong and valid, but are more relevant [IMO] to those with DSLR devices having access to the full range of settings, rather than those of us with the constraints of a bridge camera.
But that's no excuse for not trying, of course.

[JBW]

If I may offer my "inexperienced" view.
Brian's S4200 doesn't appear to be too different in spec. from my SL300, which I'm still struggling to learn, particularly in A, S, P and M modes.
I find that the settings offered in each mode differ with the focal length selected, and frankly are limited when compared with those chosen by the camera [as seen in Exif data] when using the Auto or Scene Recognition modes.
If the manufacturer sees fit to develop and include this technology, why not take advantage of it?

The arguments for using Manual mode are strong and valid, but are more relevant [IMO] to those with DSLR devices having access to the full range of settings, rather than those of us with the constraints of a bridge camera.
But that's no excuse for not trying, of course.

For me it is a simple bottom line. we all get to enjoy this passion in the way that makes the most sense and gives the greatest pleasure.

[jcuknz]

I was forced to use M mode for years, a separate hand held meter and all
Today I set ISO to what I think it should be and leave it there ... 100 ISO with my bridge cameras and 400 with MFT.
Aperture is set in A mode to the middle of the lens' range for similar reasons.
I can use M mode if I NEED it but I enjoy not using it when it is not needed, 99% of the time .... THANKYOU to the boffins and geeks who designed my camera
Anybody who uses M mode because they think it what the knowledgeable do is a deluded idiot IMO.

[Stagecoach]

Anybody who uses M mode because they think it what the knowledgeable do is a deluded idiot IMO.

Perhaps 'misguided' would have been a far better and fairer term to use John

[mrinmoyvk]

I was forced to use M mode for years, a separate hand held meter and all
Today I set ISO to what I think it should be and leave it there ... 100 ISO with my bridge cameras and 400 with MFT.
Aperture is set in A mode to the middle of the lens' range for similar reasons.
I can use M mode if I NEED it but I enjoy not using it when it is not needed, 99% of the time .... THANKYOU to the boffins and geeks who designed my camera
Anybody who uses M mode because they think it what the knowledgeable do is a deluded idiot IMO.

Perfect... Use what you feel easy to capture a particular shot. When I have complete control over frame like a pre wedding shoot or a portrait shoot, I use Manual, but for wedding or engagement, I dont want to be a idiot asking to couple to wear a ring twice because I goofed up with M. Though I am confident that I would be able to capture that with M, why take a risk, better to go with Auto ISO and A mode.
When I bought my DSLR, I had thought I would be using only M or A & S when required. But when I am on a picnic & if I have to capture some randon portraits, at times I even switch to Auto. I mean why use your brain everytime if you have put in lot of money to buy a decent camera?
Everyone's opinion would be different but I guess learners & even professional protographers would agree that every shot captured is not with the intention to learn. Some are for fun when Auto can be used.

[Howker]

I have used A most of my digital life. Only use S when need to. The 'I use manual' has become a mantra like I have the top of the line flash - why? unless your a wedding pro.

[JBW]

I have used A most of my digital life. Only use S when need to. The 'I use manual' has become a mantra like I have the top of the line flash - why? unless your a wedding pro.

I am coming to the belief that Manual is like Raw. It is something that is a skill an enthusiast just might want. If for no other reason than the more options you have the more challenging this passion becomes.

The Big O could sing in seven octaves which makes his voice a lot more interesting than Buddy Holly's. But both were great Rockers.

[xpatUSA]

I have used A most of my digital life. Only use S when need to.

OK

The 'I use manual' has become a mantra like I have the top of the line flash - why? unless [you're] a wedding pro.

So Tom, by implication, anyone who even dares to "use manual" is an elitist if I understand you correctly.

By "manual", did you mean manual exposure, manual ISO, manual focusing, or all of the above?

[Donald]

The 'I use manual' has become a mantra...

No. It's a matter of choice. In my case, because I enjoy doing so. It's the way I learned and I now find the easiest mode in which to shoot.

[Ndukes]

Because I cannot think as fast as the processor in my camera, I leave it set at A by default. The auto ISO function and auto shutter speed, calculated based on focal length in use, do the work for me. Using Aperture Priority means I control the depth of field, the only function that the camera cannot do for me.
Depth of field is a matter of compositional judgement which is entirely up to the photographer. Shutter speed and ISO can be and are calculated by the camera within limits set by the user in the case of ISO.
Obviously in certain situations such as sports and wildlife, shutter speed needs to take priority but for me, A works well most of the time.
We all have our own way of doing things but it is certainly a mistake to conclude that we would consistently manually do a better and faster job than the camera's automated processes which are now at a very advanced stage.

[jcuknz]

The amusing thing about this discussion is the apparent ignorance that A and S are just one step away from P and M is two steps away
ignorance not in the concept of lack of knowledge but rather to ignore.

Having started digital with a P&S and learnt how to trick it in numerous cases to give me the result I wanted the simpler the tool the better and my aim is to get a file I can work up in editing to the desired result. My brilliant cameras usually achieve that for me without undue help. I just input the creative side where its needed.

[selig1656]

Love to see others learning the beauty of the various modes , experimentation is a great tool to learn especially with digital capacities today shoot away and see the differences . True the subject does seem a little under exposed , this you can deal with in the PP .

[JBW]

No. It's a matter of choice. In my case, because I enjoy doing so. It's the way I learned and I now find the easiest mode in which to shoot.

Donald, I am just curious. If I understand your technique you can spend hours tweaking a shot to get it to where you want it. Is in camera tweaking also needed for your shots or would any of the auto modes give you enough to work with?

[JBW]

Love to see others learning the beauty of the various modes , experimentation is a great tool to learn especially with digital capacities today shoot away and see the differences . True the subject does seem a little under exposed , this you can deal with in the PP .

Absolutely.

[dennybeall]

I use the term "use Manual" but really what I'm saying is "use the meter". It's not any kind of mantra or technique, it's just using the tools available. Meter says need more or less light and I can then decide to adjust aperture or speed based on the situation. Provides flexibility and consistency.
I can see using, and do use, aperture or shutter priority when they are appropriate - just don't lock in on one or the other.

[jcuknz]

I am still smiling .. since most cameras these days have 'exposure compensation' why spend time in Manual when a knob gives it to you.

[xpatUSA]

I am still smiling .. since most cameras these days have 'exposure compensation' why spend time in Manual when a knob gives it to you.

I am beginning to grin a little myself. It takes one or two button pushes and some knob twirling to get to the EC function on most of my cameras (Sigmas). Not only that, once set it stays so set, which I don't particularly care for. Ya know the scenario, first shot is of a white cat on snow, the next one a black cat on coal kinda thing. A lot easier in manual for me.

So, like Denny, it's much easier for me to just use manual exposure and eyeball the metering. Plus, Sigma DSLRs are not reknowned for their perfectly reliable AF, so guess what my lens is set to . . . ?

As we often find in these types of discussions one size does not necessarily fit all.