Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/06/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]George Lottermoser wrote: > >On Jun 10, 2013, at 2:27 PM, Frank Dernie wrote: > >> otherwise choosing not to use automatic on a camera with built in meter >> seems a bit pointless. > >imagine thoughtfully choosing to use manual mode >as one walks up to the subject to take the photograph >as happened here: ><http://www.imagist.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/L1190239.jpg> > >I saw this photograph in my minds eye as I sat at my kitchen table. >I thought about it for two days. >On the third day, now having both the time and desire, >I grab the R8/DMR, remove the 60 mm Macro, Mount the 15 mm Super Elmar, >As I walk across the yard I turn the camera on, to M, >knowing that A would provide a grossly overexposed frame. >I proceeded to take several readings, manually adjusting A, S and ISO >to create this - the one frame that I'd envisioned a couple days earlier. >I actually exposed two frames - because of focus and OOF issues >I couldn't quite decide on. > I *frequently* encounter problematic lighting that works best (for me, my taste, and my subjects) using the camera's built-in light meter as a guide and setting shutter speed, aperture and ISO manually. Relying on automatic whether P or A or S nets me many more bits in the trash whether from exposure errors (blown highlights or featureless blacks) or too slow a shutter speed or inappropriate DOF. I'm constantly dancing on multiple precipitous edges between usable and not usable. Using manual controls gives me a better shot at staying on the safe side of those edges & being happy with the bits I keep. Most importantly, YMMV. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com