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Is Program Mode the most-often overlooked mode on the Mode Dial on Modern DSLRs?
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Nov 16, 2017 00:31:18   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?

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Nov 16, 2017 00:40:19   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
Chris T wrote:
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?
There was a post here about the relative advantage... (show quote)


It depends on what I am shooting and the lighting conditions.
If shooting action it will be shutter priority, this will allow me to control the how the action is portrayed.
Mostly it is aperture priority, as I will want to isolate the subject by controlling depth of field.
If shooting subjects and/or in lighting where I think the in-camera metering system will be fooled (and exposure compensation may not be enough to ensure the "correct" exposure) I will be shooting in manual (or B) exposure mode.

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Nov 16, 2017 00:45:50   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
RichardTaylor wrote:
It depends on what I am shooting and the lighting conditions.
If shooting action it will be shutter priority, this will allow me to control the how the action is portrayed.
Mostly it is aperture priority, as I will want to isolate the subject by controlling depth of field.
If shooting subjects and/or in lighting where I think the in-camera metering system will be fooled (and exposure compensation may not be enough to ensure the "correct" exposure) I will be shooting in manual exposure mode.
It depends on what I am shooting and the lighting... (show quote)


So, for you, Richard ... all those nifty new Auto Modes you have on your new 70D are non-existent, are they?

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Nov 16, 2017 00:59:13   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
Chris T wrote:
So, for you, Richard ... all those nifty new Auto Modes you have on your new 70D are non-existent, are they?


They are there, however I have never ever used them.

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Nov 16, 2017 01:11:09   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
RichardTaylor wrote:
They are there, however I have never ever used them.


Richard ... it might pay you to run it through all its modes, just once - so you're familiar with them ...

You never know when they might come in handy ....


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Nov 16, 2017 09:32:43   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
Chris T wrote:
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?
There was a post here about the relative advantage... (show quote)


Same as most here, my favorite setting is the one I need to properly capture a certain image under certain conditions but I'm on Aperture Priority more than any other. To me, Program mode which is really the same as Aperture or Shutter speed modes. Since the camera automatically adjusts the ISO, Speed and Aperture simultaneously when you adjust any one of the three, aren't they really the same? Under Shutter Priority, I can "select" the Aperture I want by dialing the shutter speed up or down and watching the aperture until it gets to the one I want (although it's a cumbersome way to do it). Same thing under Program mode in which you can still dial up different ISO/aperture/speed combinations...or just leave the dial alone and let the camera decide. To me, that's as automatic as you need. Full auto allows you absolutely no control, leaving everything up to the camera so the lack of full auto on a camera shouldn't be a deciding factor

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Nov 16, 2017 10:35:21   #
JPL
 
Chris T wrote:
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?
There was a post here about the relative advantage... (show quote)


I agree, program mode is the mode I recommend to people to use until they learn how to use the other stuff.
I mostly use manual mode.

Reply
 
 
Nov 16, 2017 10:52:20   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
fourlocks wrote:
Same as most here, my favorite setting is the one I need to properly capture a certain image under certain conditions but I'm on Aperture Priority more than any other. To me, Program mode which is really the same as Aperture or Shutter speed modes. Since the camera automatically adjusts the ISO, Speed and Aperture simultaneously when you adjust any one of the three, aren't they really the same? Under Shutter Priority, I can "select" the Aperture I want by dialing the shutter speed up or down and watching the aperture until it gets to the one I want (although it's a cumbersome way to do it). Same thing under Program mode in which you can still dial up different ISO/aperture/speed combinations...or just leave the dial alone and let the camera decide. To me, that's as automatic as you need. Full auto allows you absolutely no control, leaving everything up to the camera so the lack of full auto on a camera shouldn't be a deciding factor
Same as most here, my favorite setting is the one ... (show quote)


On your point - Program Mode is as automatic as you need, 4Locks, I concur ... but, ISO is the only variable you master, using it. The camera takes care of aperture AND shutter speed. Full Auto does it all - even pops up the built-in flash if the camera's computer dictates its use. But, also - it negates any fine tuning you might've done on your JPEGS, using Creative Controls. Program Mode accepts all that ....

So, it's brilliantly conceived, and is a fine alternate to Full Auto. But, it won't pop-up the flash, either ... so, that's also your call ....

Thanks for your input, 4Locks ....


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Nov 16, 2017 10:54:09   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
JPL wrote:
I agree, program mode is the mode I recommend to people to use until they learn how to use the other stuff.
I mostly use manual mode.


Thanks, JPL ... I agree ... it's the best mode to use, all-round ... until you get used to the camera, and what you can do with it ....

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Nov 16, 2017 16:53:59   #
grtday Loc: Houston, TX
 
Aperture....Never used the Program Mode. Guess I'll have to try it someday.

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Nov 16, 2017 17:18:55   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
grtday wrote:
Aperture....Never used the Program Mode. Guess I'll have to try it someday.


Yes, do that, GrtDay .... might find it usable in a pinch ....

I always default mine to P ... and make any alternate choices at time of shoot ....

That way, if I see a Grab Shot ... I don't have to think about any alternate settings ....

Just slide the camera outta the bag, and shoot ....

Have a great day, GrtDay ....

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Nov 16, 2017 21:58:41   #
jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque
 
Chris T wrote:
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?
There was a post here about the relative advantage... (show quote)

Aperature Priority is my favorite. I’ve occasionally used Av with Auto ISO for low light or changing light situations, which essentially is Program Mode, so thanks for the reminder. In fact it’s a bit faster to change the mode dial than hit the ISO button and roll the quick dial to Auto.

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Nov 16, 2017 23:52:37   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
jmvaugh wrote:
Aperature Priority is my favorite. I’ve occasionally used Av with Auto ISO for low light or changing light situations, which essentially is Program Mode, so thanks for the reminder. In fact it’s a bit faster to change the mode dial than hit the ISO button and roll the quick dial to Auto.


Yes, it is a tad quicker, JM, isn't it?

In fact, if you use Auto ISO, and switch to Program ... then, you have nothing to worry about, at all ... just check AF, and shoot!

It's the ideal setting to use in a rush ... will result in many more keepers ....

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Nov 17, 2017 00:20:47   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
Chris T wrote:
There was a post here about the relative advantages of the Nikon D500 (a near $2000 Pro dig cam) vs. the D7500 (a $1250) dig cam. It seems the decisive factor is the lack of a Fully Auto Mode on the former. Isn't the Program mode - near enough - Fully Auto? ... In fact, it's better - as you can still master ISO (which you don't get to do on Fully Auto) PLUS any refinements you make in Creative Mode - vis a vis - Brilliance, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast - all applicable only to JPEGS, but, which are overlooked in Fully Auto - are maintained. Right?

What Mode on YOUR DSLR - is your favorite?
There was a post here about the relative advantage... (show quote)

Anyone who needs to shoot in full auto mode on a regular basis would be wasting their money if they bought a high end camera with the intention of using that mode. Most of us who use the close alternative, "P" mode tend to use it sparingly, often when we want to spend more time looking at something rather than playing with the exposure. While certainly not as flexible as aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes, P mode allows for some modifications and can be useful in the "right" situations. But, in the end, if you want the best from a higher end camera then using P mode or full auto is not the answer.

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Nov 17, 2017 00:28:30   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
mwsilvers wrote:
Anyone who needs to shoot in full auto mode on a regular basis would be wasting their money if they bought a high end camera with the intention of using that mode. Most of us who use the close alternative, "P" mode tend to use it sparingly, often when we want to spend more time looking at something rather than playing with the exposure. While certainly not as flexible as aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes, P mode allows for some modifications and can be useful in the "right" situations. But, in the end, if you want the best from a higher end camera then using P mode or full auto is not the answer.
Anyone who needs to shoot in full auto mode on a r... (show quote)


No, not Full Auto, Mark ... if you want to use that, then you're better off with a simple P&S ....

But, Program allows for fine tuning in the Creative Mode, plus allows YOU to master ISO (and flash use) ... FULL AUTO doesn't ...

So, although both provide some degree of automation, the P Mode on high end dig cams, does offer some degree of sophistication ....

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