mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

My first sentence was a result of a recent thread where someone was trying to choose between a Nikon D500 and Nikon D7500, but was concerned because there was no full auto mode on the D500 which would have been the primary mode used.. The subject of P mode was covered in that thread. Starting with my second sentence I believe I specifically addressed your question.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Oh, I agree, Mark, if one is contemplating spending two grand on a DSLR, and their main concern is that it doesn't have a FULL AUTO Mode - they should not be considering such a camera, in the first place! ....

But, if you are considering a sophisticated DSLR purchase, you should make sure you have alternate modes to AP, SP and Manual. Some (all) of those take a while to learn. But, if you already know all there is to know ... no matter ....

I was just pointing out Program is an excellent Default Mode ... so, if the main object is just shooting (and not worrying about settings) it would definitely be the way to go ....

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In P, you still have to make a decision. If the decision you made for your last shot isn't right for the current one, the camera could make adjustments that would make the picture less than perfect. I prefer to shoot in Aperture. However, there's nothing wrong with Auto mode. It will give you good results most of the time, and there's no stopping and thinking and adjusting as that special shot gets away. Just raise the camera and push the button.

DanielJDLM

I mostly use program mode. Grew up using 35mm cameras And am well able to use manual settings when necessary. However, I rarely use manual. If I do not like the shutter / aperture combo I simply change it, depending upon what I am shooting. I sell my photographs online and at art shows. My customers don't care if I shoot manual or on program mode.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I use program mode as my default setting but manually pre-select the ISO for the prevailing light situation. The camera is then always ready to give a manageable exposure if a "grab shot" is necessary, or I can hand the camera to my daughter in law for shot of me and grandchildren without having to change anything. Handy since she has never had her Nikon off the green automatic setting unless by accident. I have had a little trouble getting her used to rear button focus, however.

Anyway, on program mode, as you all know, the camera's meter gives a RECCOMENDATION of proper exposure. You can always and quite quickly change the aperture or shutter speed to suit the photo you want to make by rotating the control dial. I very rarely use the pop-up flash it only requires a push of a button to deploy it.

The preceding is not meant as advice since there are dozens of Hoggers more knowledgeable than I, but simply as an observation of what works for me. For many moons since cameras with programmed exposure modes debuted I preferred aperture priority unless shooting high school sports events for my job. Since I no longer work (ask my wife) I have changed my ways.

ELNikkor

"P" is my default mode when I want to be ready for general shooting on my D5100. If DOF or freezing the action becomes the priority, I'll look for what the usually-wise "P" has chosen and if I disagree, I'll over-ride with my preference with either "A", "S", or "M".

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Have never used Program/Full Auto mode on any Nikon I have owned. Use Aperture Priority 80% of the time and Manual "the other half."

tomad Loc: North Carolina

That is exactly what I do as well on my Sony or Panasonic. I shoot a lot of wildlife shots and on "P" the camera is always ready for the quick shot. If there is more time I may shoot the scene in another mode when the situation calls for it.

philo Loc: philo, ca

97% of the time I use A. However while in Turkey and I was shooting fast and under all kind of Lighting I used P the whole trip. I was shooting with a Sony a6000 and Nex 7. i must say i was more then happy with the results

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Of the cameras I use that I can select modes, the D700, D800e, or F5, 99% of the time is M. Since I'm shooting RAW in all cases, a good many of the other settings are moot. In my case, P mode is the one most often avoided.
--Bob

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I learned my lesson the hard way; I walked my grandson to school and on the way home a deer was in the woods, not ten feet from me; we looked at each other; I figured my exposure, brought the camera up to my face, began fiddling with the aperture and shutter speed, and the deer slowly walked away (and was in full flight by time I got the exposure right). Next time I'll be in shutter priority mode -- but we all know there won't be a next time.

My point is that we should use the mode that will help us get the best photo. I like shooting in manual, but I'm not afraid to use the other modes when it will help me get the photo I want.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I generally use Program mode. I can easily dial in a shutter, aperture, or ISO change and the other two will follow. That's about as creative as I need to be at this point in time.

Angmo

I’ll only shoot in either full manual or aperture. While auto is OK, it merely takes a guess at what you want. I like to take the guess work away from my camera and create an image myself.

My camera can’t read my mind and what I envision. So I control my camera, I don’t let the camera control me...

I also use a hand held meter for ambient and flash. Incident metering measures light on a scene and is not fooled by reflected light off the scene - particularly when viewing a non-average scene.

Using multiple strobes makes it even more critical to shoot in manual — for me anyway.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I have to admit that I have not use Program mode. I normally shoot in aperture priority, or manual, since mostly I shoot landscape or flowers. I don’t believe I have a single wildlife shot (other than what I’ve taken at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where the critters aren’t actually out in the wild,) among the 17000 images I have stored. Yes I have a few shots of some swans, but no animals, no chance encounters and such. So I tend to shoot in aperture priority, ISO manually set, auto white balance, and vary the aperture depending on how much depth of field I need. If I’ve shooting from a tripod, I shoot in manual, which is no problem for me, as that’s what I “grew up” on with my 35mm SLR’s. But, given that P provides for some degree of control, I might try using that sometime. I think full auto is a great mode to use for snapshots, fun photos at a party, or anytime a quick shot is needed and you don’t want to be bothered by fiddling around with any settings. In general, the camera does a decent job of scene selection, but I don’t believe the camera can decide how much you need to have in focus in a scene. It’ll give a decent exposure setting, but can’t tell how much you want to be in focus. Which is why I don’t use it 99% of the time.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

While I like manual or one of the semi-manual modes there is one place the program mode works better for me. That is when I'm moving or expecting a changing or moving target where I'll only have a second or two to raise my camera, find the subject and shoot. This gets me shots I'd miss if I was making even small adjustments to the camera. So I do see a use for the P mode but usually you get better exposures, dof, etc. with one of the more manual modes and it's worth mastering those.