I posted tips on shooting wildlife last week. I mentioned that I often shoot in Shutter Priority Mode. Jason asked in our comments section why I didn’t shoot in Manual Mode and I thought that question would make for a good blog post.
Before I got my first D3, I used to shoot wildlife in Aperture Priority Mode. This was designed to give me both a shallow depth-of-field (which helps make a nice background, isolating the animal) but also defaults to the fastest shutter speed available for any given ISO.
The problem is that the fastest shutter speed for any given ISO might not be fast enough. That’s because prior to the D3, ISO above 800 was rarely good enough for me to be happy with the 17 inch by 22 inch prints I’d make on my Epson 3800.
When I got the D3, I found that I could easily shoot 1600 and even 3200 ISO and get good large prints. So I decided to use Shutter Priority Mode and default to 1/750th of a second when using my Sigma 300-800 F/5.6 lens. (My default lens for most of my wildlife images.) Sometimes I even select 1/1000 of a second or faster if I am in good light. While part of the reason for the fast shutter speed is my desire to freeze the action – the other reason is to avoid blur from camera shake. Long lenses magnify any camera movement.
Jason wanted to know why I didn’t use Manual mode. I do sometimes, just not most of the time.
When you’re tracking a fast moving elk, or sheep or bird moving across your frame, you literally have a split second to make all of your decisions. If the animal moves across the frame into different light, then you don’t have time to adjust aperture AND shutter speed. So I default to a fast shutter speed.
The one exception to this is that when I use AUTO-ISO on the D3 I do shoot in Manual Mode. That way, the camera lets me pick the faster shutter speed and typically wide open aperture and the camera selects the appropriate ISO.
I’m using this method more and more often, but looking at my photos from the November trip to Bosque, I used Shutter Priority about 55% of the time and Manual only 45% of the time.
As I continue to grow more comfortable with the Auto ISO feature on the D3, I’ll probably use it more and shoot more in Manual Mode. If I didn’t have Auto-ISO I’d never shoot fast-moving animals in Manual – but rather Shutter Priority.
I hope this helps.
I am a huge fan of Auto-ISO, although I rarely use it since I am still shooting with a Nikon D200 (noise is too noticeable past ISO 400). I usually stay at ISO 100 and shoot in aperture-priority right now, but that will probably change when (if) I upgrade to a new camera body.
I am a huge fan of Auto-ISO, although I rarely use it since I am still shooting with a Nikon D200 (noise is too noticeable past ISO 400). I usually stay at ISO 100 and shoot in aperture-priority right now, but that will probably change when (if) I upgrade to a new camera body.
Scott, I am assuming that when you are shooting at such high shutter speeds your D3 is probably opening the aperture up pretty wide. Do you occasionally run into your DOF being to shallow?
Thanks, Carl
Scott, I am assuming that when you are shooting at such high shutter speeds your D3 is probably opening the aperture up pretty wide. Do you occasionally run into your DOF being to shallow?
Thanks, Carl
Hi Scott, I must say that I have always been a freak when it comes to controlling ISO. I hate grain, unless I am looking for it to enhance a shot. However, since getting my D3 I have realized that the range of ISO values that produce nearly grainless images is so wide that Auto ISO now makes sense for once.
I was interested to see that you have been shooting your D3′s in manual and Auto ISO as I have been playing around with this myself for a while.
Stephen
Hi Scott, I must say that I have always been a freak when it comes to controlling ISO. I hate grain, unless I am looking for it to enhance a shot. However, since getting my D3 I have realized that the range of ISO values that produce nearly grainless images is so wide that Auto ISO now makes sense for once.
I was interested to see that you have been shooting your D3′s in manual and Auto ISO as I have been playing around with this myself for a while.
Stephen
Excellent! This kind of content is extremely valuable to beginners (like me) I’d like to hear the other TWIP’ers (Steve Simon, etc) on their typical camera settings.
Excellent! This kind of content is extremely valuable to beginners (like me) I’d like to hear the other TWIP’ers (Steve Simon, etc) on their typical camera settings.
Hi Scott!
I’m wondering, why not shoot Av? It gives you the fastest
possible shutter speed, whereas while using Tv it is possible
that they’re may be a faster shutter speed you could shoot at.
Unless you’re using Auto ISO w/ Tv, would it make more sense
just to control DOF and us Av?
Thanks!
-Kevin
Hi Scott!
I’m wondering, why not shoot Av? It gives you the fastest
possible shutter speed, whereas while using Tv it is possible
that they’re may be a faster shutter speed you could shoot at.
Unless you’re using Auto ISO w/ Tv, would it make more sense
just to control DOF and us Av?
Thanks!
-Kevin
I have shot in AV mode but the problem is that you still need to occasionally control ISO. It just works better for me to use either shutter priority or AUTO. Also I am not necessarily interested in the fastest shutter speed – just a fast enough shutter speed.
I have shot in AV mode but the problem is that you still need to occasionally control ISO. It just works better for me to use either shutter priority or AUTO. Also I am not necessarily interested in the fastest shutter speed – just a fast enough shutter speed.
Thanks for the speedy reply! That makes a lot of sense…
I think I’ll try Tv out! Thanks!
Thanks for the speedy reply! That makes a lot of sense…
I think I’ll try Tv out! Thanks!
I enjoy when you go through your process skills. It helps me examine my own process and make decisions on why I’m doing what I’m doing. Your posts that have the most impact on me Scott are these and workflow (arguably this post is about workflow). I am noticing a theme (or a lack of theme) these past 13 months that I have heard people talk about on other podcasts. That theme being light. I realize flash and strobes doesn’t fit into a lot of what you guys do but you still “use” the light and make decisions about light. I would enjoy if you guys would talk about it me to further my free education by TWIP.
I enjoy when you go through your process skills. It helps me examine my own process and make decisions on why I’m doing what I’m doing. Your posts that have the most impact on me Scott are these and workflow (arguably this post is about workflow). I am noticing a theme (or a lack of theme) these past 13 months that I have heard people talk about on other podcasts. That theme being light. I realize flash and strobes doesn’t fit into a lot of what you guys do but you still “use” the light and make decisions about light. I would enjoy if you guys would talk about it me to further my free education by TWIP.
Using manual with auto-ISO can be effective indoors in low light with a fast lens too (not just outdoors with wildlife). Pick your wide (enough) aperture and a fast enough shutter speed that give you a decent exposure with a reasonable ISO, and let the auto ISO fine tune that as needed.
Using manual with auto-ISO can be effective indoors in low light with a fast lens too (not just outdoors with wildlife). Pick your wide (enough) aperture and a fast enough shutter speed that give you a decent exposure with a reasonable ISO, and let the auto ISO fine tune that as needed.
Shutter priority…I am so glad to hear you use it. I thought I was the only one. I kept hearing photographers talk about aperture priority. I just watch my aperture as I dial in the fastest shutter I can to photograph eagles using a 40D. Waiting on the 5D mark II.
Shutter priority…I am so glad to hear you use it. I thought I was the only one. I kept hearing photographers talk about aperture priority. I just watch my aperture as I dial in the fastest shutter I can to photograph eagles using a 40D. Waiting on the 5D mark II.
Wow, as a pro I never knew about auto ISO apart from a P&S. I don’t think the 1Ds -3 has that. I shoot Av mostly as a pull and shoot grab mode – why waste time with manual although these digitals are really easily fooled. Manual really is the best but needs constant attention and pre-visualization. Av tip:- just roll-on, roll-off compensation with the back dial (Canon) to correct for snow etc. Don’t forget Program when street shooting it’s a solid mode.
Wow, as a pro I never knew about auto ISO apart from a P&S. I don’t think the 1Ds -3 has that. I shoot Av mostly as a pull and shoot grab mode – why waste time with manual although these digitals are really easily fooled. Manual really is the best but needs constant attention and pre-visualization. Av tip:- just roll-on, roll-off compensation with the back dial (Canon) to correct for snow etc. Don’t forget Program when street shooting it’s a solid mode.
Scott, thinking about your post, I think you’re leading the way to the primary shooting mode we will all use when sensor technology improves enough.
Both shutter speed and aperture affect the nature of the image when used to control exposure. Depth of field varies with aperture and motion blur (desired or not) changes with shutter speed. When low-noise, high sensitivity (and high dynamic range), sensors become the rule, we will be able to set our lens and shutter for the precise effect we’re after and leave the camera to control exposure through Auto-ISO.
I hope the camera vendors are working on making this a third main shooting mode along with Av and Tv with all of the consideration to control ergonomics given to those modes. Given how long it took just to get an ISO display in the viewfinder though, we may have to wait longer than we should.
Thanks for everything you’ve done with TWIP and I hope your health issues are improving. We need you around to keep the kids in line.
Scott, thinking about your post, I think you’re leading the way to the primary shooting mode we will all use when sensor technology improves enough.
Both shutter speed and aperture affect the nature of the image when used to control exposure. Depth of field varies with aperture and motion blur (desired or not) changes with shutter speed. When low-noise, high sensitivity (and high dynamic range), sensors become the rule, we will be able to set our lens and shutter for the precise effect we’re after and leave the camera to control exposure through Auto-ISO.
I hope the camera vendors are working on making this a third main shooting mode along with Av and Tv with all of the consideration to control ergonomics given to those modes. Given how long it took just to get an ISO display in the viewfinder though, we may have to wait longer than we should.
Thanks for everything you’ve done with TWIP and I hope your health issues are improving. We need you around to keep the kids in line.
I’m sure you know that in Auto ISO mode the D3 lets you choose minimum shutter speed and maximum ISO. You could use AV mode, set 1/500 or so as minimum shutter and 3200 or 6400 as maximum ISO. It would only drop your shutter speed as a last resort when your highest ISO still wouldn’t give you a proper exposure. You’d probably be doing that yourself under those conditions.
I’m sure you know that in Auto ISO mode the D3 lets you choose minimum shutter speed and maximum ISO. You could use AV mode, set 1/500 or so as minimum shutter and 3200 or 6400 as maximum ISO. It would only drop your shutter speed as a last resort when your highest ISO still wouldn’t give you a proper exposure. You’d probably be doing that yourself under those conditions.
Thank you for answering my question Scott! (sorry I couldn’t comment sooner, just moved to Florida from Japan) I now understand why someone would want to use shutter priority mode. I will try it out this week (in the same Estero areas you shot in last week!). I also just upgraded from a D80 to a D300 so I’ll get better use out of auto-iso.
Thanks again.
Thank you for answering my question Scott! (sorry I couldn’t comment sooner, just moved to Florida from Japan) I now understand why someone would want to use shutter priority mode. I will try it out this week (in the same Estero areas you shot in last week!). I also just upgraded from a D80 to a D300 so I’ll get better use out of auto-iso.
Thanks again.