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Michael Lewis's picture

Shooting in Manual

In an attempt to train myself to shoot more in 'M' mode, I have been experimenting with Manual only for a couple weeks, taking notes of my camera settings on each shot. My question is, for instance, I set my F stop at 2.8 and my Shutter speed at 1/125, ISO at 100. I take the shot, then download to my computer. I look at the information provided by my camera and the settings are not what I set my camera at. The settings some how, changed to f-3.4, 1/60, and ISO 100. I use a FujiFilm S-1 and, thanks to the FS community, I am trying hard to improve my photography. What am I missing here? Thanks again for everyone's help. Mike

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6 Comments

Hi Mike, total guess don't own a Fuji camera. Could be you have set your F-stop etc as required then maybe re-composed the shot including changing the focal length. A zoom lens (say 28-70) may well have a max aperture of F2.8 at 28mm but at 70mm may only be F5.6. So F-stop F2.8 at 28mm great but if you zoom in, the camera has to compensate and goes for max aperture at 50mm of F3.4 (for example) and changes shutter speed in order to maintain exposure you specified. After all that you probably have a prime ha. T .

Thank you....you hit the nail on the head, as they say. I have been playing with that lever to much. I have been changing the zoom. That's my issue. I do my "zoom" last and I should do it first. Wow, thanks again.

Excellent Mike glad i could help. T

So, when it says Manual, it really means semi-automatic? Not like my 35mm Petri film camera.....lol. thanks again.

I would say it's more a limitation (not in a harsh way) of the lens which the camera has to compensate for but yeah. I've been using manual purely for about six months, the histogram gives you all the exposure info needed and your not fighting with camera for control. T

Hi Mike. Maybe you'll come to the same conclusion I've made, that manual is much more satisfying. I wish there were a way to sell the automatic features of my cameras since I never use them. Maybe I'll force myself to learn them someday. I'm open to criticism on this matter, of course.