Valorin wrote:
Excuse me? What? The fact that you say this leads me to believe you have no idea what you're talking about.
Nate totally knows exactly what he is talking about. There is nothing wrong with shooting aperture priority mode 99% of the time. I have been shooting EOS cameras for 11 years almost, and most of that was in AV mode. I feel that on any modern EOS camera, i can get just as good, if not better (and more of them) shots in AV than in manual, with a lot less anguish and suffering. There is no need to jack with full manual settings if you have the slightest understanding of an exposure scale and how to set an exposure for what you want.
Later bro, i'm going to go live my life, and shooting Ap priority!
I think Nikon does a nice job at determining the exposure for you. If you use this setting for whatever you want to do, then fine by me. I shoot in various styles but when I shoot in auto in my D3/D300 I am excited with the accurate exposure. I do shoot manual most of the time but for times on the go I need that perfect exposure. I haven't used Canon's exposure programs extensively but I wouldn't say Nikon is worse. I think the D3 series is a HUGE step up from the D2 series in determining exposure, if thats what you want to do.
Of course there's nothing wrong with aperture priority. It's basically all I use, only using manual for stiching. I was simply incredulous that someone would describe Nikon's implementation "worthless". It works fine. When the exposure level is less than the metering range of the camera yes it does indicate 'lo'. It still meters and shoots fine even in those situations, so I can't imagine that it costs you that many shots, if any.
the_wrath_of_khan wrote:
I came from Canon which has an amazing Aperture Priority mode. Nikon's totally is worthless. It really makes me want to not shoot Nikon.
Pretty bold statement there...
I've had very good luck using aperture priority mode when shooting weddings or other events when ducking in/out of buildings on bright days etc.
Personally, I think nikon's auto iso is too conservative. Used it when I started, then same shots same lighting as I started to experiment I found I could drop it just a bit lower when I started doing manual. I prefer to go as low as I can and bump it up when shooting starts to degrade.
It's very annoying that there is no "set lowest shutter speed to 1/focal length", if you have a zoom at least. Is there a patent or something that blocks Nikon to do this? It would take one of their programmer under one minute to write this function.
Edit: I'm talking about auto ISO now. Haven't used it before, and now I feel stupid because I didn't.
louis fusco wrote:
auto asa on the d700 kicks ass ;o)
I use to think that if I had a FX-body (ie low noise on high ISO) I would switch to auto ISO. But then I realised that it doesn't matter, this function works as good on any body as long as you know your hand holding limits. Works excellent and is better than changing it manually because the auto function uses smaller steps.
Makten wrote:
I'd say not using auto-ISO is for cowards. Cowards don't even dare trying it, because they might "lose control".
Edit: The only reason not to use auto-ISO is if you like motion blur better than noise. I certainly don't.
I just messed with Auto ISO last night, and it was pretty odd. It doesn't step down the ISO like I thought it would. In general I found it pretty awful.
Makten wrote:
I'd say not using auto-ISO is for cowards. Cowards don't even dare trying it, because they might "lose control".
Edit: The only reason not to use auto-ISO is if you like motion blur better than noise. I certainly don't.
Meh, I paid for every button and feature on my camera, and I like to use what I paid for . I paid to have manual changeable iso....I use that feature. One day hope to move up to custom WB even lol...
Motion blur....develop a better shooting stance, get faster glass, or with time and practice get a feel for what iso you need before you shoot. Iso to me is like aperture control, something you get a feel for the more you play with it. Not an expert by any means (I am a noob in many ways), but have been killing less pics on camera then when I first started out Any progress is good progress I always say
JonasY wrote:
It's very annoying that there is no "set lowest shutter speed to 1/focal length", if you have a zoom at least. Is there a patent or something that blocks Nikon to do this? It would take one of their programmer under one minute to write this function.
Edit: I'm talking about auto ISO now. Haven't used it before, and now I feel stupid because I didn't.
I'd really like that too, but it works pretty well if you use manual mode. Whenever you are above base ISO, you can just change the prefered shutter speed with the thumb wheel. No fiddling with the menues or anything.
the_wrath_of_khan wrote:
I just messed with Auto ISO last night, and it was pretty odd. It doesn't step down the ISO like I thought it would. In general I found it pretty awful.
What do you mean with "step down"? It steps down if the available light and your decision of slowest shutter speed allows it. You are still the one in control, so don't blame the camera.
Hmm well I have my D700 in my lap right now with my 50mm F1.8 AIS set at ISO Lo.1 and F22 in a room with 1 small power saver bulb.
Low only appears if the exposure is UNDER 30". If it is anything over that, it tells me the exact time, from 1" to 1/125th etc. Also, changing the lens to other settings seems to have no effect on it. Setting it correctly or setting it as a 6mm F4 @ F22 but what it thinks is F64, 8" exposure. Setting it as a 50mm F1.8 @ F22, 8".
Not sure why yours is freaking out, might be something that is hiccupping with it
Personally, I think nikon's auto iso is too conservative. Used it when I started, then same shots same lighting as I started to experiment I found I could drop it just a bit lower when I started doing manual. I prefer to go as low as I can and bump it up when shooting starts to degrade. 
. I paid to have manual changeable iso....I use that feature. One day hope to move up to custom WB even lol...