"P" Program Auto mode

[SeanOnt]

Thank you for a well explained response, I think I'll be picking up a book on learning exposure this weekend. So far I use Exp comp allot in high contrast scenes and I shoot mostly in A mode but learning about exposure is a real challenge but it is an important skill to learn if I want to improve.

Unless you ignore the light meter in your camera, it is choosing your shutter speed anyway when you choose an aperture. There is no functional difference in whether the camera sets the shutter speed according to the meter indication or you do it. If you think the picture needs more or less light than what the meter says, you simply use the exposure compensation control. In your example, it would vary the shutter speed per your judgement. If you use aperture priority mode, then presumably you are more concerned with aperture and are willing to let shutter speed be your variable. What is the difference in whether you adjust it or it happens automatically?

I am not trying to be a jerk but I recommend you review the uses of exposure compensation on your camera. You may still prefer manual mode, but you will at least understand why the priority modes don't require you to give up any control. It is just a different, and many people believe quicker and more convenient, method of getting the correct exposure.

I don't disagree that there are times when manual mode is the more appropriate but the idea that you progress from the priority modes to manual operation as you become more experienced or professional is just flawed. I shot medium format and SLR cameras for decades that didn't even have any automatic features. My earliest cameras didn't even have a built in light meter. I would never want to go back to such crippled technology for general shooting.

 

[JEGG]

ozarktroutfisher wrote:
.

100% agreement. I'm the local camera geek for all of my friends and make purchase recommendations for them. It's funny how many times they show me pictures where "the camera messed up" but it's only because they wanted something different than the camera selected for them, i.e. too much DOF, too shallow DOF, subject blur, etc.

Huh? The camera didn't choose it. The user did. You know that wheel? It is to be rotated so that DOF and "subject blur" (as you say) can be selected.

I honestly view P as a tool that should be used by someone that knows what they're doing more than by someone that doesn't. Sounds odd I know.

Yes it sounds odd. If the user doesn't know how to use the camera the automatic mode may be better.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not a program snob. I just hate to see people completely give up creative control and then complain that the camera messed up.

If they simply TURN THE WHEEL they do not give up control.

People give up control when they don't want to use the controls.

A fully automatic PS would be fine, as would a DSLR in fully automatic mode.

Keith: A question: should people driving cars be expected to know how to use the steering wheel?

 

[LeungPhotos]

On M most of the time.... when needed, I use A mode for dof control.

I know "pros" who use P mode, but that's quite an indication that they are not familiar with their equipment.

--



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[Cedarhill]

. . . or it might be an indication that you aren't familiar with yours?

 

[LeungPhotos]

Really? P mode is used... when you want to give full metering capabilities to the camera... with the exception of flash.

Once you're familiar with your camera and your shooting conditions, you will know exactly what f stop and shutter speeds to use.

Perhaps I should say.... personal preference? I like to be in full control of my exposure is all.

. . . or it might be an indication that you aren't familiar with yours?

--



http://leungphotography.smugmug.com
::: $5 smugmug discount on my site :::

 

[myzel]

Really? P mode is used... when you want to give full metering capabilities to the camera... with the exception of flash.

P mode can be used just like M mode. It’s just a different way to use the camera. To bad many photographers use P mode just like full Auto mode.
Just like all the other modes it has it’s advantages and disadvantages.

Once you're familiar with your camera and your shooting conditions, you will know exactly what f stop and shutter speeds to use.

Once you're familiar with P mode and the exposure meter of your camera you know how to adjust it to get the exposure you want.

In some situations it’s faster than M mode, in other situations M mode is faster. The end result is the same - unless you use an external exposure meter in this case using manual mode is obviously much better.

I use P mode with spot metering and M mode with Matrix Metering or an external meter.

For me using spot metering in P mode is much faster than manual mode. With M mode it’s faster to change the exposure to my liking than to use the exposure compensation button.

If you know what aperture and shutter speed you want you know what exposure compensation you need in P mode and you get the flexibility to change shutter speed or aperture without thinking.

 

[Cedarhill]

People who make this false claim almost invariably don't understand the exposure compensation function. If you use the camera's internal meter at all, you are starting with the same basic premise that the meter is approximately correct but needs additional adjustment to get the desired exposure level. P mode can be used in exactly the same way. All you have to do is dial in the amount of over or under exposure offset from the nominal meter reading just like in manual mode. If you don't like the shutter speed/aperture relationship, you can use the comand dial to change those settings as well. In the end, the amount of control is the same and the result is the same.

I tried P mode just enough to see how it works and decided it is not the way I want to take pictures. However, I would never claim that people who use P mode surrender control over shutter speed, aperture or overall exposure. It simply isn't true unless you willfully accept the default camera metering or you simply don't know anything about the exposure compensation.

You appear to be claiming that a familiarity with the shooting conditions will allow you to dispense with a light meter of any kind. I shot medium format film cameras for years that didn't even have an internal light meter. I was never able to get to a point where I could just judge the right exposure under all conditions. I manually focused and used external light meters for years but would never want to go back to that antiquated technology by default. I use such methods only when necessary.

Really? P mode is used... when you want to give full metering capabilities to the camera... with the exception of flash.

Once you're familiar with your camera and your shooting conditions, you will know exactly what f stop and shutter speeds to use.

Perhaps I should say.... personal preference? I like to be in full control of my exposure is all.

. . . or it might be an indication that you aren't familiar with yours?

--



http://leungphotography.smugmug.com
::: $5 smugmug discount on my site :::

 

[shrinkie1964]

.... especially as I am an Auto ISO addict!!!!!