Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/06/10

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Automatic mode
From: wildlightphoto at earthlink.net (Doug Herr)
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:57:09 -0700 (GMT-07:00)

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




Replies: Reply from Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com (Frank Dernie) ([Leica] Automatic mode)
Reply from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Automatic mode)