i'm on a tripod most of the time and i seldom choose to use manual anything. have to compose first, focus next, and then set exposure last. lots of movable AF points and exposure compensation do everything i need almost all of the time. i have to go manual mode when i am shooting multiple shots in a panorama, but i will meter using evaluative metering from some "representative" direction and quickly pan after setting exposure to see the dynamic range i have to deal with. most of the time i am shooting f11 or smaller, so with the compositions i usually use, exact focus wide open isn't critical. macros are when i use DOF preview a lot. when i am shooting birds and such, i will switch to spot metering mode and dial in a bit of exposure compensation to compensate for a spot that isn't small enough. i'll still be in AF mode with center AF.
Herb... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Dayton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Steve Desjardins" <pentax-discuss@pdml.net> Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 1:19 PM Subject: Re: Quick Survey: Mechanical Camera Usage > I do find that I mostly use manual focus and manual exposure. I find > that I like to get ready for a picture in this order: > 1. Meter > 2. Compose > 3. Focus > > Manual modes really work best here. What is being metered may not be > directly the subject or within AF points. Then I find that getting > the composition right before focusing is important because I don't > want the focus to affect it - too often AF pushes you toward centering > the subject on the AF point. Lastly, after getting the composition > where I want it, then focus in and out a bit observing the effect on > the image. This helps me to determine exactly where I want the focus > to be.
