D500: Manual mode, auto ISO and exposure compensation

[Richard Stern]

I have been using manual with auto ISO for years and have used EC a lot, especially with a bird against a bright sky. It is quick, and "just works”. I agree with Marco and Drbobcameryguy in this thread in particular.

 

[NorthernFocus]

I have been using manual with auto ISO for years and have used EC a lot, especially with a bird against a bright sky. It is quick, and "just works”. I agree with Marco and Drbobcameryguy in this thread in particular.

I've shot full manual mode forever. In the past couple of years I've started using auto ISO for things other than BIF. Which in turn led to using EC. The biggest problem that I find with using EC is that I forget that I've set it and then blow a couple of frames until I figure out what's wrong

 

[Ricky Simpson]

Full manual (exposure) shooter here also. I feel like I lose control with auto ISO. If I have to constantly change exposure compensation anyway I prefer to just change shutter speed and or ISO since I will be at or near wide open all the time anyway. Once you get a feel for identifying the "light" it is much quicker for me just to bump ISO one way or another and keep my shutter speed close to what is necessary (stills or action).

Having said that I can see the value in auto ISO when you have very bright sun in and out of the clouds.......but generally it is my experience that this light scenario does not yield the images I am seeking.

 

[Ken Miracle]

I just prefer to shoot full Manual. Unless the light on the subject is constantly changing then full M guarantees a perfect exposure once dialed in. Doesn't matter how light or dark the subject is, how light or dark the background is and what ratio of the frame the subject/background take up which will affect the meter.

If you shoot M+Auto ISO sure ISO is done automatically but then you have to do EC so still adjusting three variables. I don't see the value in this. But I do see if light is changing on the subject itself then Auto ISO can make things easier but not if light is also changing on background.

You nailed the reason I seldom shoot in full manual. Most of my subjects are in constantly changing light. However you are correct about what full Manual can do and I should do it more often than I do ... just to lazy to make the switch when the opportunity arises now and then.