Sensitivity Priority Mode- when would you use it?

dinneenp
Posted 16/12/2010 - 14:26 Link
Hi,
Sets shutter and aperture mode based on the senstivity setting I select
When exactly would you use this mode, I don't quiet get it? Do you use it?
cheers,
Pa.
Cheers,
Pa
http://www.photoblog.ie where every post have a musical reference as it's title.
davex
Posted 16/12/2010 - 14:50 Link
Never seen the need for it myself, 95% of my shots are done in aperture priority. The remainder in manual.

Davex.
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Edited by davex: 16/12/2010 - 14:50
thoughton
Posted 16/12/2010 - 16:20 Link
I think Gareth is actually describing TAv mode (fixed shutter speed and aperture, floating ISO), which is pretty much the exact opposite of Sv mode (fixed ISO, floating shutter and aperture). IMO TAv is much more useful than Sv

I've never used Sv mode, like you I have a hard time figuring out what to use it for.
Tim
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Pentaxophile
Posted 16/12/2010 - 16:21 Link
Doesn't this mode allow you to control the ISO only - leaving the camera to choose the other (arguably more important) settings?

What you describe is more like TAv mode Gareth. I do use TAv, which is quite useful as I can set the shutter speed and aperture to my exact liking and just keep an eye on the ISO as the camera adjusts it to keep up. If it goes a bit high (ISO 1000+) I compromise on either the shutter speed or aperture. [Edit - cross posted with Tim!]
Edited by Pentaxophile: 16/12/2010 - 16:22
johnriley
Posted 16/12/2010 - 16:59 Link
In terms of affecting the exposure we only have three variables - aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Aperture affects what is in focus - depth of field.

Shutter speed affects the appearance of moving objects and is a factor in camera shake.

ISO affects the sensitivity of the film/sensor and hence the amount of grain/noise in the image.

Whichever you fix, the others have to move to keep the overall exposure the same, so in one sense it doesn't matter. I keep ISO fixed and use Av to select my aperture. The shutter speed varies accordingly. If I want a fast shutter speed I don't bother changing modes, I just open the aperture or increase the ISO, as appropriate.

A camera with Av and M modes would be perfectly satisfactory for all my photography.
Best regards, John
fatspider
Posted 16/12/2010 - 17:12 Link
Yup! you got it wrong Gareth,

Write out 100 times I must pay more attention

But yes TAv is much more useful, I see Sv as something a beginer would use in place of Program if they want to make sure the noise levels are low.
My Names Alan, and I'm a lensaholic.
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Posted 16/12/2010 - 17:22 Link
fatspider wrote:
Yup! you got it wrong Gareth,

Write out 100 times I must pay more attention

But yes TAv is much more useful, I see Sv as something a beginer would use in place of Program if they want to make sure the noise levels are low.
Story of my life also!!!!!!
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David
tigershoot
Posted 16/12/2010 - 19:35 Link
I agree with John. Av and Manual - all I ever use. The trouble is that manufacturers have to have all the bells and whistles as otherwise they lose sales.
K3iii, K3ii, K-5, K-x, DA150-450mm, DA16-85WR, DA16-45, DA18-55WR, DA18-135WR, DA35 F2.4, M100mm F4 Macro, DA55-300mm, FA50mm 1.4, AF360 Flash, AF540 Flash
beginner
Posted 16/12/2010 - 19:43 Link
tigershoot wrote:
I agree with John. Av and Manual - all I ever use. The trouble is that manufacturers have to have all the bells and whistles as otherwise they lose sales.
Me too!....There seem to be alot of modes which take you back to what you wanted in the first place!.....I think I understand that!
K20D...ist DS ,DA18/55,DA16/45.DA* 50/135,"A"1.7 50MM..."A" 70/210..M 50mm f2...Tamron 90mm macro,28/300 Tamron,200/500 Tamron 6.9....A Pentax DA*300... Sigma10/20,FA31mm 1.8 Ltd*********,FA 77mm Ltd!
Smeggypants
Posted 16/12/2010 - 19:46 Link
I use Av mode pretty much 90% of the time, the rest Manual.


For drive by shooting, TAv mode is useful to allow the ISO to change so I can keep a set shutter speed. Although .....

I'd like to be able able to set min-max ranges for each parameter. For example I'd like to be able to use Av mode, but set a minimum shutter speed of say 1/100, after which the ISO changes accordingly.
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
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Pentaxophile
Posted 16/12/2010 - 20:08 Link
Smeggypants wrote:
I'd like to be able able to set min-max ranges for each parameter. For example I'd like to be able to use Av mode, but set a minimum shutter speed of say 1/100, after which the ISO changes accordingly.
Definitely Smeggy. That's what I wish I had when I'm shooting TAv too.
malvern_man
Posted 16/12/2010 - 23:01 Link
When I'm taking photos at a stock car night meeting under floodlights I always use Sv mode on my K7 because you can't get near enough to the track to use a flash. I usually turn the ISO up to 4000, sometimes higher.

Regards, Chris.
fatspider
Posted 16/12/2010 - 23:10 Link
I have to agree that Av is probably my favoured mode I must add that I have found TAv excelent for shooting birds in flight with the Bigma.
I can set the shutter speed I want to freeze the birds movement and help combat camera shake, and also set the aperture to control the depth of field so I can use pre-set focus and have a little leeway, with the excelent high ISO performance of the K5 I dont have to be worrying about what ISO the camera is choosing
My Names Alan, and I'm a lensaholic.
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pentaxian450
Posted 16/12/2010 - 23:34 Link
I use mostly Av, but I use manual in studio when the lighting is constant. I sometimes go to Tv when doing sports, and when the camera goes in the bag, it's always on P. If I take it out in a rush, I can go either in Av or Tv with the flick of a wheel.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Smeggypants
Posted 17/12/2010 - 00:32 Link
fatspider wrote:
I have to agree that Av is probably my favoured mode I must add that I have found TAv excelent for shooting birds in flight with the Bigma.
I can set the shutter speed I want to freeze the birds movement and help combat camera shake, and also set the aperture to control the depth of field so I can use pre-set focus and have a little leeway, with the excelent high ISO performance of the K5 I dont have to be worrying about what ISO the camera is choosing
I shall be using TAv mode a lot more when I get a K-5 !!!!
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283

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