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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.

 
> 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)

 
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.

 
Examples for when I'd use which:

Shutter Priority

  • cars, motorbikes, trains, people running, flying birds, handheld situations (not using a tripod), when using a telescopic lens without a tripod, etc...

Aperture Priority

  • Portraits, portraits with a messy background, long rows of things, a thing in a busy street, small details like watches, landscapes, etc...

Manual

  • Technically difficult portraits, technically difficult subjects, landscapes, still subjects, predictable subjects, bright sunny days, etc...
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.

>  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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