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Which should I use: A, S, or M?
Which is better to use? Which do I prefer to use? Why? Answer: All. Why? Because. For this first image, I set the camera to 'A' for Aperture Priority. So, I control the DOF (Depth of Field). This means, I can make the background blurry, and keep the subject in sharp focus. It makes the subject clear. |
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| > f 6.3, 1/125, iso100, 75-300mm lens at 90mm | |||||||
| I might use 'S' for Shutter speed when working in low light and for sports. With any picture, you want it to look sharp, and without movement and blur. So, I prefer to use about 1/100 or 1/125 for my minimum (depending on the lens). For 1/80 or less (like 1/6, or even 1/60) I would use a tripod with timer or remote control. With a telescopic lens, I'd use either a monopod or tripod where possible. | |||||||
| However, it's difficult to get both aperture and shutter speed to the settings I want for a given situation, and so I usually use 'M' for Manual. It does depend on the situation, the subject, and how lazy I am. For instance, I might be using the camera handheld (min 1/100), but with a telescopic lens (min 1/200), but want the subject to stand out (f5.6 to f9), so I'll use manual, and perhaps adjust iso as required. With practice, you'll see what I mean (truly, there's no substitute for practice and trial and error). |
 > F9, 1/160, iso400, 75-300mm lens at 200 (handheld, but held steady against a pole) |
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| General advice for digital users: If you see something you like, take several photos, each with slightly different settings. With Kinkaku-ji (right), so far I've taken more than 200 photos of it, at various angles, and with different settings. I might set it to F11, 1/125, iso100. Then add an ND filter and change the iso to iso400, then slow the shutter to 1/50 and iso100... The possibilities are endless. |
 > F13, 1/20, iso100; 18-70mm lens at 35mm, with Cokin P160 linear polariser and Cokin P152 ND, tripod, and remote shutter release. |
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| Examples for when I'd use which: Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual
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| When in Manual Mode Click on the picture, right, to see how to adjust the aperture. For adjusting the shutter speed, just use the wheel by itself. |
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| > You'll see that when you adjust the shutter speed, and the aperture, you're also changing the reading on the light meter. With practice from playing around with A & S priorities, you'll see the effects that you'll get. |
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