“…when I switch to auto mode because I need help focusing, everything goes
back to Auto….”
Michelle,
That unfortunately the joy’s of consumer cameras and the ‘idiot proof mode’ (auto mode) manufactures deem such cameras need as they believe basic users are unwilling to learn manual modes.
Okay, you are in luck. On the one hand you need to learn how to shoot in manual mode anyway and it just so happens your cam has a handy Manual Mode (see pg 40 in your Operating Instructions Manual.) Now in MM as you’ve already figured out, you can do a manual WB. To help you with focusing use your equally handy Focus Assist button (pg 41 OIM) to get a good focus in MM. The only time you should contemplate using auto focus or auto anything if the shoot demands will leave you no time to make the switch (i.e. indoor to outdoor suddenly or tracking a moving target on the fly.) Auto modes will work at the camera’s capability which in some instances is just fine, but not for everything. BTW, your cam’s Auto Mode is all or nothing. So if you want to control your image Manual it is….
If you don’t have a copy of your manual, here’s the online version;
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/business/provideo/op_manuals/AG-HMC40_oi.pdf
.
