Program mode on cameras

Monkee wrote:
> Probably an odd question, but what is the P mode actually for on cameras?
> Full auto makes sense, Shutter and Priority modes make sense, and I normally
> use full manual.....
>
> When would P mode be used and what would the advantage be over just using
> full manual?

In the automatic mode, the onboard computer tries to analyse the
content, and make its own decisions about optimum aperture/shutter
combination.

In one of the program modes, you are telling the computer more about
what the subject is. The computer can then better optimize the
situation. In other words, the automatic is a sort of AVERAGE program,
used for scenes/subjects for which there is no program.

The above applies to those cameras who let you select one of several
types of scenes when you are in program mode.
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

"Monkee" <none.RemoveThis@none.none> wrote in
news:gbIyg.108815$wl.20180@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk:
> Probably an odd question, but what is the P mode actually for on
> cameras? Full auto makes sense, Shutter and Priority modes make sense,
> and I normally use full manual.....

For many users and uses it makes sense to let the camera do the decisions
about shutter speed and aperture. This is what the P mode is for.

> When would P mode be used and what would the advantage be over just
> using full manual?

Most people don't want to use or are not able to use the full manual.
Even A and S are too bothersome when the camera's program can do the
adjustment better in most cases. Thus, the photogarpher can concentrate
on creative issues instead.

--
Matti Vuori, <http://sivut.koti.soon.fi/mvuori/index-e.htm>
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

"Bill" <bill DeleteThis @c.a> wrote in message
news:jpidna-LG5P05VbZnZ2dnUVZ_oKdnZ2d@golden.net...
> Monkee wrote:
>
>>Probably an odd question, but what is the P mode actually for on cameras?
>>Full auto makes sense, Shutter and Priority modes make sense, and I
>>normally
>>use full manual.....
>
> The P-mode is Programmed automatic exposure with shift control.
>
> It will automatically determine the shutter and aperture settings based
> on the cameras meter reading and the dozens of pre-programmed conditions
> that are in used to evaluate and compute a proper exposure, like the
> full auto mode without automatic flash.
>
> Once the camera has determined the exposure settings, you can then shift
> the configuration and settings to get the creative shot you wish to
> capture.
>
> For example, you want to take a picture of your 2 year old child at a
> picnic. You don't want to worry about aperture for depth of field and
> he/she is not moving around very much so you don't need to worry about
> shutter speed. The P mode will take care of the aperture and shutter
> settings and you can concentrate on simply getting the shot.
>
> But since you can shift the settings, you can add fill flash if he/she
> is backlit, or you can boost the brightness by adding a bit of exposure
> compensation if he/she is in the shadow of a tree, etc., without having
> to worry about getting all the settings just right. The camera will do
> most of the work and you can just tweak it a bit if needed.
>
>>When would P mode be used and what would the advantage be over just using
>>full manual?
>
> Most of the time I use aperture or shutter speed priority modes to get
> the effect I want in a shot. I use manual when I want full creative
> control over the exposure.
>
> I only use P mode for fun snapshots at social functions or similar
> events where extra creativity isn't needed.

Thanks for all the replies - so if I understand correctly, P mode is pretty
much the same as automatic but allows you to change everything rather than
just accepting the settings it automatically chooses?
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

Another ramification of Auto mode, at least on Canon DSLRs, is that you lose
the custom functions, so all of your settings revert to what the camera
wants, not what you want, in terms of flash settings, metering options, etc.

--
Skip Middleton
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

"Monkee" <none.TakeThisOut@none.none> wrote

> Thanks for all the replies - so if I understand correctly, P mode is
pretty
> much the same as automatic but allows you to change everything rather than
> just accepting the settings it automatically chooses?

That's pretty much it. There are other things too, at least on some cameras.
On my Coolpix 995 using P instead of full auto also means the autofocus does
not run continuously, eating battery power. When you half-press the shutter,
exposure is set and the focus motor runs briefly to lock in on the subject.
Full press then fires the shutter.

Personally, I've never used the full auto setting, P is far more versatile.

Paul
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

Yea, on my Fuji S602Z, auto always seems to shoot at 200ISO, where-as in P
(and other manual modes) I can set it to 160 ISO.

"SkipM" <shadowcatcher RemoveThis @cox.net> wrote in message
news:Ez7zg.10229$RD.6515@fed1read08...
> Another ramification of Auto mode, at least on Canon DSLRs, is that you
lose
> the custom functions, so all of your settings revert to what the camera
> wants, not what you want, in terms of flash settings, metering options,
etc.
>
> --
> Skip Middleton
> www.shadowcatcherimagery.com
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras 

Monkee wrote:
> Probably an odd question, but what is the P mode actually for on cameras?
> Full auto makes sense, Shutter and Priority modes make sense, and I normally
> use full manual.....
>
> When would P mode be used and what would the advantage be over just using
> full manual?

The main difference is, full-auto modes also take over such options as ISO,
resolution, compression quality, and so on, and assume no exposure compensationm
whereas "P" mode lets you set those and and adjust the compensation, and the
camera only controls the shutter and aperture.
 >> Stay informed about: Program mode on cameras