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  1. #1
    bluesguy bluesguy's Avatar
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    Question Shooting with a DSLR

    How do you shoot using your DSLR???

    Add a percentage of use to each item relative to each shooting session




    1. Do you use the full automatic mode
    2. Do you use program mode
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode
    5. Do you use manual mode
    6. Do you use manual focus
    7. Do you use autofocus


    Just curious,
    bluesguy

  2. #2
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1 Full Auto - 0%
    2 Program - 0%
    3 Shutter Priority - 11%
    4 Aperture Priority - 83%
    5 Manual - 6%
    6 Manual Focus - 35%
    7 Autofocus - 65%

    Interesting question.
    Last edited by Anbesol; 11-03-2008 at 05:16 PM.

  3. #3
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Not sure why its in off-topic but

    1. 0%
    2. 1%
    3. 0%
    4. 9%
    5. 90%
    6. 5%
    7. 95%
    Keep Shooting!

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  4. #4
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    How do you shoot using your DSLR???

    Add a percentage of use to each item relative to each shooting session




    1. Do you use the full automatic mode
    2. Do you use program mode
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode
    5. Do you use manual mode
    6. Do you use manual focus
    7. Do you use autofocus


    Just curious,
    bluesguy
    Beginner of 2 months -

    1 - 0
    2 - 0
    3 - 0
    4 - 100
    5 - 10
    6 - 90

    TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  5. #5
    May the force be with you Canuck935's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1. full automatic mode 1%
    2. program mode 4%
    3. shutter priority mode 5%
    4. aperture priority mode 50%
    5. manual mode 40%
    6. manual focus 5%
    7. autofocus 95%

  6. #6
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Hey, OldClicker, not sure how you shoot 110% of the time.

    edit: I figured it out......you end up with more pics on your card than you took:wink5:
    Last edited by Frog; 11-04-2008 at 04:25 PM.
    Keep Shooting!

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    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    auto 0%
    P 0%
    S 0%
    A 10% (for variable lighting like a partly cloudy day, or indoors, A is a good mode. Mostly use it for snapshots.)
    M 90%
    manual focus 10%
    AF 90%
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Wow, I am surprised manual focus is not so popular, I love it...

  9. #9
    Design Slacker mattbikeboy's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1 Full Auto - 5% (only when getting flash assisted grab shots)
    2 Program - 0%
    3 Shutter Priority - 10%
    4 Aperture Priority - 35%
    5 Manual - 50%
    6 Manual Focus - 10%
    7 Autofocus - 90%

  10. #10
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
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    Good Poll!

    This is an interesting poll. Thanks for posting it, bluesguy!

    1. Do you use the full automatic mode - 0%
    2. Do you use program mode - 1%
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode - 5%
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode - 5%
    5. Do you use manual mode - 89%
    6. Do you use manual focus - 20% (in the studio for product photography)
    7. Do you use autofocus - 80%
    Photo-John

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  11. #11
    light wait photophorous's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    First I should say, it depends a lot on what I'm shooting and in what light. For example, I use 100% Manual for landscapes and flash. The times I use Av mode are more varied. On average, I'd say:

    1 Full Auto - 0%
    2 Program - 0%
    3 Shutter Priority - 1%
    4 Aperture Priority - 50% (often using AE lock)
    5 Manual - 49%
    6 Manual Focus - 5%
    7 Autofocus - 95%

    Paul

  12. #12
    Junior Member
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1 Full Auto - 0%
    2 Program - 1%
    3 Shutter Priority - 0%
    4 Aperture Priority - 11%
    5 Manual - 88%
    6 Manual Focus - 2%
    7 Autofocus - 98%

    The guestimate for program may be high. I only use manual focus in the studio with things that aren't moving.

  13. #13
    Analog Photographer, Digital World Axle's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1. 0%
    2. 0%
    3. 0%
    4. 85%
    5. 15%

    6. 5% (this may change since one of my lenses is now a pure manual)
    7. 95%
    Alex Luyckx | Photography
    Capturing Beauty in Everything

  14. #14
    Senior Member brmill26's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Very interesting idea. Like several have said, for me it depends on my environment and subject. In consistent light, I'll shoot manual. But if I'm moving around through different lighting or there are a few clouds around, I'll shoot Av. Focus is dependent as well; I use manual for some motorsports, macro, and low light situations; AF the rest. I also use MF much more on lenses with distance marking (the 50mm f/1.8 lacking).

    1 Full Auto - 0%
    2 Program - 0%
    3 Shutter Priority - 10% (panning shots for racing)
    4 Aperture Priority - 60%
    5 Manual - 30%

    6 Manual Focus - 20%
    7 Autofocus - 80%
    Brad

    Canon: Rebel XTi, 70-200 F/4L, 50mm F/1.8 II, Promaster 19-35mm F/3.5-4.5, Peleng 8mm fisheye
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    120 Film: Ricohflex Diacord TLR, Firstflex TLR, Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2 folder
    35mm Film: Nikon Nikkormat FT2, 35mm F/2.8, 50mm F/1.4, 135mm F/2.8

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  15. #15
    Senior Member
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    My problem with manual focus is that DSLRs have micro viewfinders. I find that pentamirrors are nearly impossible to focus accurately by hand. Of course, I take it back if I had a FF DSLR or if I shot 35mm film. Until viewfinder technology gets better, I just use manual focus to assist AF..especially in low light. Get it close by hand, let AF get it just right.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  16. #16
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Wow I am surprised at how unpopular manual focus is! I use it for predictive shooting, I trust my fingers better than a focus motor in those tight and tricky environments.

    Sushi - that would depend on the zoom range. On my 70-210, even through an APS viewfinder, the line of focus is clearly and instantly detectable. I frequently use manual focus for predictive framing - where I see the subject coming into the frame and I'm ready for it. I also use it 98% of the time for Macros, I assumed that everybody used it for Macro.

  17. #17
    light wait photophorous's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Quote Originally Posted by Anbesol
    Wow I am surprised at how unpopular manual focus is! I use it for predictive shooting, I trust my fingers better than a focus motor in those tight and tricky environments.

    Sushi - that would depend on the zoom range. On my 70-210, even through an APS viewfinder, the line of focus is clearly and instantly detectable. I frequently use manual focus for predictive framing - where I see the subject coming into the frame and I'm ready for it. I also use it 98% of the time for Macros, I assumed that everybody used it for Macro.
    I focus manually 100% of the time with my 35mm rangefinder camera, and I do a lot more predicting the point of focus with my RF than I do with the DSLR. If I did much of that kind of shooting with my DSLR, I'd use manual more often, but I find focusing my DSLR manually is a slow and careful process best reserved for tripod shooting. I'll probably get a split image focus screen for it if I ever manage to save up enough money for some of that Zeiss ZE glass, but that's not going to happen in this economy.

    Paul

  18. #18
    Senior Member freygr's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    How do you shoot using your DSLR???

    Add a percentage of use to each item relative to each shooting session




    1. Do you use the full automatic mode
    Only for flash inside PS type of photography

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    2. Do you use program mode
    never

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode
    only for sports - so far 0%

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode
    90% of the time (landscapes)

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    5. Do you use manual mode
    6. Do you use manual focus
    5% with micro photography and using manual focus

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    7. Do you use autofocus
    95% of the time, the non-interchangeable focusing screens really don't lend them selfs for manual focus do to lack of focusing aids (micro prisms, etc)

    Quote Originally Posted by bluesguy
    Just curious,
    bluesguy
    GRF

    Panorama Madness:

    Nikon D800, 50mm F1.4D AF, 16-35mm, 28-200mm & 70-300mm

  19. #19
    Senior Member Dylan8i's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1. Do you use the full automatic mode 35%
    2. Do you use program mode 0%
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode 9%
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode 55%
    5. Do you use manual mode 1%
    6. Do you use manual focus <1%
    7. Do you use autofocus >99%

    i have no problem with auto focusing with my d200 and af-s lenses at all, unless it really is DARK out. i do have trouble using MF and the viewfinder w/o a split prism.
    check out my photography website
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  20. #20
    Sleep is optional Sebastian's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1. 0% - Do you use the full automatic mode
    2. 0% - Do you use program mode
    3. 0% - Do you use shutter priority mode
    4. 0% - Do you use aperture priority mode
    5. 100% - Do you use manual mode
    6. 0% - Do you use manual focus
    7. 100% - Do you use autofocus*

    * In low-light situations I sometimes manually override the AF (using full-time manual), though that's rare.
    -Seb

    My website

    (Please don't edit and repost my images without my permission. Thank you)

    How to tell the most experienced shooter in a group? They have the least amount of toys on them.

  21. #21
    Powder River Imaging EOSThree's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    1. Do you use the full automatic mode 0%
    2. Do you use program mode 2%
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode 10%
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode 60%
    5. Do you use manual mode 28%
    6. Do you use manual focus 15%
    7. Do you use autofocus 85%
    Rule books are paper they will not cushion a sudden meeting of stone and metal. --Ernie Gann--
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  22. #22
    bluesguy bluesguy's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    I am a newcomer to the world of Digital Photography, therefore
    I was curious about what more experienced photographers used
    for settings and to what degree. It has been a great revelation
    on so many levels. I also was curious about whether full automatic
    or program mode was used extensivily and if so, why was a Dslr
    camera purchased as opposed to a good P&S. Perhaps it was the
    interchangeability of lens. I was very surprised by the results of
    my post. Especially on the usage of manual mode and also the autofocus
    options. I had thought that if manual mode was used, then manual focus
    would probably be used also. Wow, was I ever wrong. This little deal
    has been a real eye opening thing for me, I thank all those who replied
    with their info and data. Just for grins I inserted the first eight
    replies into a spreadsheet to get a better picture of the data.
    I also did an average calculation for each item in the list. Very
    interesting as Artie Johnson used to say on Laugh-in if you are old
    enough to remember the show and him. The breakdown average of the items
    starting from 1 thru 7 were 0.75, 0.75, 4, 42.75, 53, 22.5 ,76.25

    PS: The reason that it was in the OT instead of VF was I did not realize that my thread was really a poll.


    bluesguy

  23. #23
    Senior Member readingr's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    Quote Originally Posted by EOSThree
    1. Do you use the full automatic mode 0%
    2. Do you use program mode 2%
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode 10%
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode 60%
    5. Do you use manual mode 28%
    6. Do you use manual focus 15%
    7. Do you use autofocus 85%
    1. Do you use the full automatic mode 0%
    2. Do you use program mode 0%
    3. Do you use shutter priority mode 10% especially when using flash
    4. Do you use aperture priority mode 30%
    5. Do you use manual mode 60%
    6. Do you use manual focus 20% normally for wildlife or fast moving objects or difficult landscape lighting
    7. Do you use autofocus 80%

    The mode I use is dependant on what I am taking and what the lighting is like. I will frequently take multiple pictures all at different settings/mode.

    Roger
    "I hope we will never see the day when photo shops sell little schema grills to clamp onto our viewfinders; and the Golden Rule will never be found etched on our ground glass." from The mind's eye by Henri Cartier-Bresson

    My Web Site: www.readingr.com

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  24. #24
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
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    Re: Shooting with a DSLR

    I find it interesting that between shutter and aperture priority that aperture is used much more. I think its because most want the creativity of dof more than shutter speed but can see where shutter is important for moving subjects.
    Keep Shooting!

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