Question for Rebel users

[opus]

Do you MOSTLY use the automatic or the manual settings on your camera?

If you use the automatic settings most often, is there any one mode that you primarily use? Are you pleased with the results?

If you use the manual settings, are you pleased with your results?


I find myself mostly switching between ADEP, Landscape, and Flash Off for most of my shots. I'm still experimenting with the results ... I use them almost as if I'm bracketing. I'm to the point now where I know which one to use in various lighting situations (landscape mode gives me GREAT sunsets!). I still haven't gotten up the courage to experiment with the manual settings though. It's been so long since I studied up on aperture and shutter speed that I've forgotten the basic principles, so I'm hesitant to experiment when time is tight, which is most often when I'm with my husband, who doesn't appreciate my lagging behind him or stopping along the road to get shots.

[Michael Fanelli]

Do you MOSTLY use the automatic or the manual settings on your camera?

If you use the automatic settings most often, is there any one mode that you primarily use? Are you pleased with the results?

If you use the manual settings, are you pleased with your results?

In auto, I use Av most with Tv for some shots. I never use the "picture" modes.

I use manual mode when I am familiar with the lighting.

[mjs1973]

I have a DRebel that I just got about 2 weeks ago and I love it. Before that, I had a Rebel G that I used alot. With both cameras, I almost always used the automatic settings. I thought that the pictures turned out pretty good, but non of them ever grabbed what I was trying for. I have thousands of pictures at home, but none that I would be proud to blow up and hang on my wall. I have never studdied the "art" of photography and my knowledge of f stops, shutter speed and compositon is less then minimal, but I'm in the process of changing that. I REALLY want to get away from the auto settings on my DRebel and be able to expore the true creativity of photography. The auto settings work fine is "snapshots" are what you taking. I have taken "snaphots" for years now, and the time is long overdue for me to explore the creative side of photography. My suggestion would be to get a good photography instructional book and really dive into it. That's what I'm doing and hopefully I will be able to post some pictures that I'm really proud of soon!!!

[jesusdelallata]

I have a Rebel Ti. and 99.999% of the time I set to Program Mode (P). This way, I decide if I want the Flash on or off (without the camera deciding for me), and I can easily shift the program to fit the shot i want. The only time I've used the auto modes is when I've put it on Sports Mode for coninuous focus and fast shutter speed - I took photos of my Son from the time he swung the bat until he got to first base. Worked terrific.

[ChaosCubed]

I would say for what I take pictures of most... children, I use the close up mode and I love it.

[mjm]

Av or M only so far.

[Outdoorsman]

My Elan 7N has all the same modes, (I think?) and I never use any of the so-called "idiot" modes. I use only AV and TV and manual. It depends on what I'm shooting. For the most part, it's AV. I only use TV when I know there's plenty of light and don't care about DOF, or, most importantly, when I'm hand-holding and have to be sure to avoid camera shake. I went on a week-long college field trip, and I had little time to set up a tripod, so I had to set the shutter to the slowest setting I could hand-hold (1/30 at 28mm) and go from there. Manual mode when I have time to set up and be contemplative... I do not use the DEP mode- I think it doesn't works very well. You might as well use AV and crank down the aperture as small as you can go-- that's what the camera would be doing anyway... all those extra modes do the same thing you would be doing, and you can set the "creative zone" modes to do the same thing just about as fast. Remember that portait gives the wides aperture possible- why not just use AV and set it yourself? Sports action? Swtich to servo AFand AV mode with the aperture wide open and fire away. Landscape? AV or TV works fine. Closeup? AV for a tight aperture. I really don't know why they put all those extra modes on the camera... I'd rather the money go to better AF, faster film transport, better metering, etc... my $0.02...