[ScouserAndy]

Would you say the presets on the canon 400D are good, or is it far better to master manual photography?

[geofftelforduk]

I wouldnt necessarily rush straight into manual (i.e. setting aperture and shutter speed independantly of each other), but its definately worth getting away from the "presets" and experimenting with "Av" i.e. aperture priority and "Tv" i.e. shutter speed priority if you want to get more creative with your shots.

[senu]

Agree.
The Auto, and preset modes are good for quick . "I really cant be bothered shots" The camera doesnt do too badly with them but can be restrictive: some dont allow the use of flash. None lets you shoot RAW and I suspect you may not be able to change ISO
But in order to have access to the full range of menu items, You have to to use the "creative Zone"
Start with P program; then See how easily you can "think on your feet with the Aperture Priority/Shutter priority modes Before you use Manual.
A lot of it is experimenting (when you don't have crucial shots) to take to see how varying the settings affect the image
Have you seen
THIS?
Chapter 11 tells you when to use which mode to greatest effect

[jonandjen]

As someone who knew absolutely nothing (and I mean nothing !!) about photography until I bought a 400D just over a year ago, I would resist using the preset stuff if you can, and try and experiment as much as you can in Av and Tv modes, and then progress on to Manual. In the mean time, if you need to make sure you 'get the shot' / take an important photo you just cant afford to mess up, then use Program mode. Experimentation is the key here (and the beauty of digital photography means you can experiment all you like without it costing you etc. Experiment and have fun.

regards, jonandjen

[ScouserAndy]

thanks, yeah i do use the Av and Tv modes as much as the presents (never use AUTO tho), just didnt know if the Manual mode was far far better than the 400D's presents.

[meansizzler]

What is the P Program?, Is it between Auto and Manual?, i.e allows minor adjustments, I used that instead of Auto and took some great shots, then switched to manual and it went downhill from there, different camera though...

[Strobe]

As you are no doubt aware the Manual setting gives you total control over everything; the camera doesn't have to do any thinking for itself.
When I first started to use Manual a lot, I would take an initial photo on 'Auto' and then input the image results (iso, shutter speed, aperture, etc) that the camera came up with in to the Manual settings. I found it was a good way to start getting a 'feel' for what settings were suitable for given situations; a starter point if you like to experiment with.

[Strobe]

Originally Posted by meansizzler

What is the P Program?, Is it between Auto and Manual?, i.e allows minor adjustments, I used that instead of Auto and took some great shots, then switched to manual and it went downhill from there, different camera though...

Program Mode - the camera still decides the aperture and shutter speed but allows you to change the ISO, white balance, drive mode and exposure compensation. You can also trigger a flexible program mode (Ps appears on my camera) which allows you to pick different exposure/shutter speed combinations.