I finally got around to reading the manual (there was not much going here this sunny himal afternoon) and I wished I had read it earlier - it's pretty good for things of this ilk AND the one thing I really noticed was that there are instructions that say by setting the cam on Auto that u can set iris, shutter, whiteb, all of that (but press Exp lock first). wow! But i don't get it. My shooting habits are always: go manual, unless i don't really have the time or care, then i let it roll on auto, but never for long. so what's up with this feature? i would love to hear others who use this mode and for what type of shot. thanks!!!
jigs
heck, while i am here, i always wanted to know why digicams allow u to close down the iris completly. is that just to get pure black or can u do something else with that?

In my opinion shooting in the Tv program mode with Exp. Lock is a much better solution than shooting in Manual.

wow, really? every film class ever attended (not that they were any good) the "pro" always said to shoot in manual. i always assumed this was typical "pro" bullsh** until i learned how to do it. So this must be a feature not found on many other cameras? It's NOT on my gs400, i think! I think the function is just a tad misleading, i mean u press Exposure lock and then adjust the exposure!?! but i just tried it, and its GREAT! thanks!!!!
jigs