Favorite mode and why?

Interesting... Once I learned about 'P' Hyperprogram I use nothing else. It combines all the features of AV and TV in one setting.

By default it sets aperture and shutter speed based on the menu option program line setting in Custom settings. Default is Normal as in 'best setting' based on lighting, but other default settings are possible for Hi speed, Depth of field, and lens MTF.

If I need a shorter shutter speed for action, I use the front wheel, to adjust depth of field, I use the back wheel... What could be easier? Of course, manual for manual lenses...

For those who don't know, this dates back to the 1970s when auto exposure SLRs were first appearing.

Canon, Konica and others took to a development of the trap needle auto exposure method found on rangefnders of the period. You set the shutter speed and the camera set the aperture via a fairly complex mechanical link.

The Pentax ES changed all that by introducing an electronic shutter that did not only fire at the normal set speeds. You set the aperture on the lens and the shutter would be set to any speed, even odd ones such a 1/274 sec or anything else that was appropriate. There were no complex linkages needed for this to work and it meant that whatever you put on the camera (lenses, bellows, etc.) you could still have auto exposure.

This was turning the normal logic on its head and caused a huge outcry of opposing opinions, as these radical things do...

However, the paths were continued and until the advent of the multi-mode camera Canon, Konica and others stayed with shutter priority and Pentax stayed with aperture priority.

And that is where the comment has its origins, even, apparently, being remembered some 35+ years later.

I wouldn't care he's not that old!.....Thankyou very much for the answer John!...very intresting...............

av for me,for depth of field in landscapes

When I am out and about I use Av (I think thats because its what I was use to with the ME Super).

For macro I always use M.

But I have to confess to using it in full auto as well as it doubles up as the family point and shoot when we are all out together.

Regards
PaulM

Mainly Av for me though very occasionally I will switch to shutter priority whilst keeping and eye on the aperture

I like using tav mode, as well as av for the depth of field

90% M mode, then Av, then Tv, then P for snaps.

AV and occasionally M when I'm experimenting.

AV and TV used about the same, depending on what I'm taking pictures of!

Healthy smattering of M as well, even with my 'A' lenses...

The only modes I never use are Green, and SV. Never found a use for SV since mapping the opposite dial on AV/TV to ISO. But then I tend to like faffing with things myself then letting the camera do it all for me *laughs* Whether that's a good idea is a different matter!

TAV and P I don't tend to use much if at all.

Av almost exclusively at the moment - will be playing with custom settings and M a bit more in the coming months.

Bizarre, never had any SLR before - never even used one except a colleagues Canon 30D once. Yet I have gravitated to Av - must be in the Pentax DNA

Oh, almost forgot on mine - Video Mode (but still getting use to it)

AV most of the time to control DoF ( hark at me, talking like I know what I'm on about!! ).

If I need to control shutter speed as well, I use manual, but not been too successful with that...yet. (Hence my cricket ones were a little under exposed ).

Don't think I've ever used the Green (program? ) mode and only use auto if it is for a quick family type snap shot.

One thing I do forget about, now that Mongoose has mentioned it, is what ISO Ihave set

Bingo--the P mode is so flexible with Pentax...Being able to choose EITHER aperture or shutter speed in P-mode makes it the winner for me. I guess if I was going to shoot f8 all day, AV would be a better choice...

Manual when shooting landscape as I try and emulate some of the stuff I have learnt and shoot for DoF and prefer to choose my shutter speed when using ND Grads etc. or trying to expose using the zone chart.

Aperture most of the rest of the time.

Bulb for underground and some very long exposure night shots.

Shutter, I dont use but would if I had the need.

Program - hmmm if i really couldnt be bothered I might use this I suppose.