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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcc3!sdcc6!ix654
From: ix654@sdcc6.UUCP (ix654)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Aperture vs. shutter priority
Message-ID: <1917@sdcc6.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Feb-85 15:50:01 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc6.1917
Posted: Thu Feb 14 15:50:01 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Feb-85 05:43:52 EST
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
Lines: 28


     There is no question that from functional point of view
aperture priority is no better or worse than shutter priority - they
are simply needed in different situations. However, I think that
there is a considerable difference as far as mechanical complexity
is concerned. To get shutter priority you need to pack several
devices into your camera, which are not necessary for aperture
priority (something that would sense the lens opening just before
exposure - usually a wheel with holes that generates impulses
counted by the controlling processor; you should also have a way to
tell what f/stop is selected by the camera, which means either a
window in the prism housing or a more complicated display in the
viewfinder etc. etc.)
     It would probably bother me to know that there are such complex
& fragile parts in my camera - I'm not saying that they can't be
made to work reliably, but to me it's simply several more things
that can jam, break or malfunction in some other way. I suspect that
this is precisely the reason why the cameras used by most
professionals (Nikon F3, Pentax LX, Canon F1) have only aperture
priority. 
     I've been using a Pentax ME Super for the past 6 years and I
have never encountered a situation in which my reaction would be "I
wish I had shutter priority". It would be useful to have it, but I
can easily do without it in 99 out of 100 cases (I should add that
I almost never shoot sports action - it would definitely help then).

                                      E.J. Behr, UCSD
                                       (sdcc6!ix654)