Canon’s new full-frame mirrorless body, the EOS R, has a bunch of new features that are really interesting. Today I want to highlight one that I think has been overlooked: the new Flexible Priority (Fv) mode. I’ve seen this new mode described as quirky, confusing, and pointless, but I think there is a strong case for it.
Camera Modes
You are probably familiar with the usual set of modes your camera offers. Many advanced amateurs and professionals stick to Aperture Priority (Av), Shutter Priority (Tv), and Manual (M) modes as these offer the greatest degree of control depending on the situation at hand. An additional mode, Program Auto (P), is preferred by some users as it allows them to focus only on exposure compensation, and let the camera pick shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
The mode you choose in any given situation depends on what things you want to control, and what things you want the camera to control. For instance, if aperture is the most important to you, you might choose Aperture Priority (Av) and pick your aperture, letting the camera choose the shutter speed. Optionally, you can also enable Auto ISO for any of the modes, or pick an ISO yourself.
This arrangement has been the way things have worked forever, but Canon decided to shake it up with the EOS R.
How to use Flexible Priority (Fv) mode
Flexible Priority (Fv) is a new mode that works like Program Auto, but with the control of Manual mode. It sounds confusing at first, so let me explain it with an example.
When you first enter Flexible Priority (Fv), the camera assumes control of all four settings, just like in Program Auto:
Shutter Speed = Auto
Aperture = Auto
Exposure Compensation = Auto
ISO = Auto
In the viewfinder, this arrangement looks like this:
Auto * Auto 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
This is a slightly confusing depiction, made more confusing because I’m not showing the actual viewfinder screen, but bear with me while I explain. From left to right is shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and ISO. Items with an underline are in automatic mode, and when you press the shutter halfway or otherwise start metering, you will see these values change to the value the camera picks, but the underline remains. The * is supposed to represent the little wheel icon that appears, and this indicates which item is being controlled by the top dial.
As noted, if you do nothing, the camera will work just like in Program Auto. But, let’s say you want to adjust the aperture. With the * next to the aperture value, simply scroll the top wheel (the one by the shutter) to adjust the aperture. Now your viewfinder might look like this:
Auto * 8.0 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
Notice that the underline on the aperture is gone, and there is a value you selected (f/8 in this case). With this configuration, the camera is behaving like you are in Aperture Priority (Av) mode.
Now imagine you are shooting like that for a while, but come upon a scene where you really want to control both the aperture and shutter speed. Before Fv mode, you had two choices: switch to manual, or try to use exposure compensation to massage the shutter speed where you wanted it. With Fv mode, you can simply move the * to the shutter speed by scrolling the back dial (the one under the Mode button) until it looks like this:
* Auto 8.0 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
Now just spin the top dial to pick a shutter speed:
* 125 8.0 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
Now, you are in control of the shutter and aperture, just like in manual mode. But, you are still in Flexible Priority (Fv) so you never had to change modes.
Here’s where it gets cool. Imagine you got your shot at f/8 and 1/125, and now you want to give control of the shutter speed back to the camera. All you need to do is press the up or left arrow on the back arrow pad to reset the item selected by the *. Now you will see this:
* Auto 8.0 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
Or, maybe you want to give control of all of the items back to the camera. Simply press the right or down arrow on the back arrow pad and you are back to automatic mode.
Auto * Auto 3—2—1—(0)—1—2—3 Auto
Why use Flexible Priority?
Now that we understand how it works, let’s understand why Fv is useful.
I like this mode because it gives me full control of the camera when I want it, and allows me to cede control back anytime I want, in whole or part. Typically when I’m out shooting on a hike or something, I’m shooting in Aperture Priority (Av) mode because the most important thing is the aperture. But there are definitely times when I want to control the shutter speed, and previously this required manual or some hacky exposure compensation. With Fv mode, it’s quick and easy to change without touching the top mode dial (which, to be honest, is a bit of a chore on the R).
Flexible Priority (Fv) also works with exposure compensation too. As long as at least one of shutter speed, aperture, or ISO is in automatic mode, I can adjust the exposure compensation. I bind my control ring on the R to exposure compensation so this is fast and easy to adjust, but I can also do it using the back and top dials. Note that exposure compensation is disabled if you have taken control of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, since by definition you have control of exposure compensation through these values.
Using Fv mode takes a little getting used to, but after a few minutes I found it really easy and helpful. Everything is on the screen and can be controlled easily without very much effort. Instead of fumbling with camera modes, I can focus on making pictures.
When to use (and not use) Flexible Priority (Fv)
Flexible Priority (Fv) has become my new walkaround mode, replacing Aperture Priority (Av). I find it that convenient, and use it most of the time I’m using my EOS R.
One area where I don’t use it is with night sky work. In night sky work, I find manual mode is better, since largely the aperture and shutter speed are fixed for a given situation, and I’m not adjusting these frequently.
I have not yet had the opportunity to try Fv mode with wildlife or action photography, but I think it would excel at it. Usually with wildlife, I find myself using shutter priority with a high shutter speed to stop motion (depending on the animal), auto aperture, and auto ISO. Most of the time these settings work, but sometimes I need to control the aperture if I’m having trouble with depth of field. In that case, switching over to aperture priority is good, but then I have to fight the shutter speed so it isn’t too low, or configure the menu setting to ensure it is high enough. Fv mode seems tailor made for this scenario.
If you have an EOS R, I really encourage you to give it a try. If you don’t like it, no harm – you can use any of the previous modes. But I think it is a pretty useful addition and I’m glad to have it.