Aperture Priority

[nikonuser]

I tend to use Shutter Speed Priority to ensure my images are in focus based on the mm of the lens I'm using.
I see a lot of people are using Aperture Priority to obtain a good DOF etc. but my concern is that whenever I try to use it my images are out of focus because the shutter speed has dropped below the 1/focal length guide.
If I start to use AP should I be checking the settings in the viewfinder and then if the ss is low upping the ISO to compensate.
Appreciate any help.
Dave

 

[Bendihossan]

Yep, you answered your own question! Shoot in Av to control the depth of field and just glance at the shutter speed through the viewfinder and use your exposure value dial to adjust if necessary or bump the ISO to compensate

 

[OSB]

Or invest in a tripod.

 

[david1701]

or use manual

 

[bomberman]

or use manual

But at the end of the day if there isn't enough light you'll have to bump your iso up anyway so it don't make any difference

 

[mipevo6]

Or use lenses with IS

 

[bomberman]

Or use lenses with IS

Exactly

 

[towershot]

Or seeing he's a dark sider VR

 

[philthejuggler]

FWIW when choosing shutter or aperture priority I go by the simple rule that if I care about freezing or deliberately blurring motion I use shutter priority & if I care about dof I use aperture priority. If I want to do something that the camera's meter wouldn't expect (e.g. taking a shot of the moon) I use manual.

Most of the time I use aperture priority. This is my process:

1) Set aperture
2) Check shutter speed if handholding or taking shots of people
3) If shutter speed too low increase ISO accordingly
4) If shutter speed significantly higher than absolutely necessary reduce ISO

HTH!

Phil

 

[EOS_JD]

Yes ISO here is likely to be the key. When your shutter speed falls below the required speed for the given aperture you want, increase the ISO to give you the speed you need.

 

[Coldeh]

Really you could use Program if you are looking for the camera to effectively set everything for you, except ISO. This is a good setting if you want to happy snap with an SLR.

Program, Aperture Value, Time Value and Manual all come under the "Creative Zone" of settings on the dial, you're expected to use the settings to create artwork effectively, or at least, that's what they're designed for.

 

[nikonuser]

Thanks Guys, really appreciate your valuable feedback.
I though I may have been answering my own question but its always good to know how others go about it.
Thanks again
Dave

 

[Suvv]

I am not sure about the menu options on your camera but have a look at Auto ISO.

I set mine to ON with a minimum shutter speed of 1/60 sec and a max ISO of 800 (above that I get noise).

I normally shoot on Aperture priority as I want to control the depth of field.
The camera then chooses the lowest ISO which will allow a shutter speed of 1/60sec or faster. It also chooses ISOs in between the manual settings, so you can get an ISO of 250 for example.

I still check the shutter speed as when the ISO reaches my chosen maximum of 800 the shutter speed can be slower than 1/60 sec. I then choose whether to increase the ISO and deal with the noise, use a larger aperture and reduce the depth of field, support the camera on a tripod, bean bag, wall etc. or whether to wait for another day