What setting to use when ...

[slr_newbie]

you are taking casual candid shots? We were having dinner with friends and our children were playing so I decided to take a couple of photos and I found myself relying on the auto modes for simplicity.

What mode do you keep your camera in for these situations? Any recommendations? Thanks!

[Daniel Bates]

I use Av with the aperture wide open and the ISO about midrange (400-800 depending on lighting conditions) to produce a good shutter speed.

[Roadrnr]

I agree with Daniel on this one. For the longest time I kept it in Tv mode, but am using Av mode more and more.

One good thing to do would be to go back and look at the EXIF data from the photos you took. Take note at what the settings were on the photos. That will give you some good indications of what the average shutter speeds and apertures the camera was using in auto modes. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the camera will automatically go with the fastest shutter speed/Aperture setting and smallest DOF.

Also, you will be able to see if the flash was used also. If that's the case and you didn't want the flash, then you will know to bump up the ISO to be able to get a better shutter/aperture combo without fill flash.

[Cope]

Unless you have a Canon, that translates to A (aperture Priority). With my old KM 5D/7D, I found that the onboard flash worked great indoors, but I haven't ried much indoors with my D200. I would recommend taking a few trial shots before the next occasion to compare P VS A.

[shutterdrone]

Most of the time, I shoot in Av mode for such things. Setting the aperture to get the proper DoF for the scene (if you have a busy background, people get lost in it - throw it out of focus w/ a wide aperture.) -- if the light is constantly changing, or people are moving more than I like, I'm fortunate to have TAv mode, which lets me dial in aperture and shutter speed (set focus and freeze action), then varies ISO according to the light. I _really_ hate my on-board flash for people - although I'd like it better w/ a soft filter.

!c

[johnastovall]

I find the best set up for candid shoots around people is a nice little rangefinder (R-D1), ISO1600, f/5.6 with an Ultron 28 hyperfocused for everything from 10 to 1 meter and AE set. Then it just becomes a very good point and shoot. . You can do the same on a full frame Canon body with the 24 which still has DOF marks on the lens body and AF turned off on the lens.

Now you aren't having to worry about getting a focus lock and such.

All most all the images here were done with hyperfocus and AE.

[mamarazzi_squared]

Thanks for the ideas ... I will try these out soon and see how the photos turn out in comparison to my last batch. Thanks again!

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by slr_newbie

you are taking casual candid shots? We were having dinner with friends and our children were playing so I decided to take a couple of photos and I found myself relying on the auto modes for simplicity.

What mode do you keep your camera in for these situations? Any recommendations? Thanks!

Like most of the others, I usually shoot in Av mode, but frankly, when I'm just out and about with my camera, I keep it on Program mode, at 400-800 ISO, just in case I have a "grab shot" come up. Probably 95% of my shots are in Av mode. But then again, I have my camera set to the center focus point and center weighted metering. Everybody develops their own "thing" based on what they like to shoot.

By the way, don't feel obligated to use all the settings on your camera just because they're there. This is a good example - all you want is a visual record of a nice dinner. You're not doing art, nor trying to sell it to the newspaper. Use auto mode and get back to the party. When you have the time and can use some intentionality, use the other modes until they become automatic to use. Then use them instead of Program mode or green zone.

Enjoy!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by slr_newbie

...What mode do you keep your camera in for these situations? Any recommendations? Thanks!

What johnastovall said. Or manual mode. Mostly whatever I think might work at the time. Like Outback Steakhouse says, "No Rules. Just right."

[Gordeez]

I keep my settings in AV mode.
I choose the Aperture, I let the Camera decide the
shutter speed.

[TxManx]

Originally Posted by Comanche

By the way, don't feel obligated to use all the settings on your camera just because they're there. This is a good example - all you want is a visual record of a nice dinner. You're not doing art, nor trying to sell it to the newspaper. Use auto mode and get back to the party. When you have the time and can use some intentionality, use the other modes until they become automatic to use. Then use them instead of Program mode or green zone.

Enjoy!

I completely agree...when just 'walking around', I tend to use 'P', set my ISO to 400 and relax ... it gives me the ability to modify shutter speed or aperture on the fly...

When I'm on a 'mission' - I use 'A' mode...

[loana0320]

av mode for me :D

[kenw]

actually, 90% of mine are Tv, but then usually I'm trying to stop a speeding train.....

for the casual stuff, P or sometimes even full auto works for me.

[iCe]

M for manual. Especially if I'm using a flash.

Av sometimes.

[ITRacer121]

A= Aperature Priority in good lighting
S= Shutter priority in low lighting
M= If I need to adjust per situation

It also depends on the lense I'm shooting with