Use M mode to learn, but not necessarily while taking photos

jef@gees.be wrote on Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 11:07  | reply

Hi Nando, I use M mode a lot, where I set the aperture and shutter speed manually and set ISO to automatic. This way I have control over both the depth of field and shutter speed.

I usually photograph in aperture priority, so A mode. Under- or overexposing by one stop is simple on the Olympus.
I adjust ISO if necessary.
For night photography or something similar, then in M mode.

I am 73 years old and bought my first SLR (Canon Ftb) when I was 17. Everything had to be set manually, light metering and focusing. My brother bought an A1 a little later, which had, among other things, shutter speed and aperture priority available, and I was actually never jealous of him...
But when the digital age was ushered in, I started thinking radically differently. I also switched to Nikon then. Not "because Nikon was better", but because it felt better to me. I also started comparing shots that I had taken both manually and in program mode. Contrary to my expectations, the "automated" results, except for photos with specific requirements, were usually no worse than the manual ones. Since then, I have photographed almost exclusively with preset settings. But when it really is necessary, for example with macro photography or in low light, I am very glad that I had the opportunity to learn manual settings.
Maybe another tip for the fanatical M users: I always store my camera in P mode (program mode). If something unexpected suddenly happens, I have the best chance of still taking a decent photo, without wasting time on the perfect focusing and exposure settings. As a fervent M supporter, you do risk disappointing yourself or even coming home without a photo!
If I do have the time, little energy is lost setting the right priority...

If I understand correctly, the only real difference between M and Av or S is the following: if you're in a very difficult lighting situation that calls for impossible combinations of settings, then in Av or S the shutter button doesn't work and in M it does

Nando, I completely agree with you.
That doesn't happen very often😉. Usually that's because of a difference in vision. Maybe I'm (too) old-school
There is no difference in vision here. I agree with you that there is nothing wrong with using Av or Tv.
I often use Av for landscape, street and architectural photography because I consider depth of field important for this. Often in combination with ETTR.
I mainly use Tv for moving subjects, to get the subjects sharp or blurred or to emphasize speed.
I always use M mode in my studio.
I usually use Av and Tv mode in combination with AUTO ISO, where I have set an upper limit of ISO 6400.

I personally shoot a lot in M mode. But that is indeed a conscious choice, because I photograph a lot of action under changing lighting conditions. And then M really is the best choice (sometimes Tav as well).
but when I walk in nature or through the city, it's really set to A mode or Tav

To each their own ... 😉
My favorite mode is M mode because I prefer to set the depth of field myself, and adjust shutter speeds to the situation. The ISO value is the variable.
Once learned that way in the analog era, and I really did try out the other modes on my DSLRs but I think I'm too much of a perfectionist (or control freak 😂)