Program mode: I have brain lock and can't seem to understand the 2 p's I see in the program mode.I just got a d7000.I put it in program mode and as I start to go to different settings...

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Program mode

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Mar 21, 2013 15:52:03 #

ClutchDisk Loc: Fayetteville, NC

I have brain lock and can't seem to understand the 2 p's I see in the program mode.I just got a d7000.I put it in program mode and as I start to go to different settings in that mode I see a "P" in the view screen.If I turn the command dial right or left a few turns (depending on light) I then see a "P*" with the astric symbol.Haven't got a clue about the 2 P's.Now while in the "P" mode I think I'm also doing another dopey move.While in the "P" mode I am looking through the view finder then I'll pressed the depth of field button to see how dark it is compared to what I acually see with the naked eye.If it looks dark I adjust the command dial re-check till the the light through the camera seems to be about the same as my eyes see when removed from the camera, put my eye back at the view finder and shoot.I have a feeling that this is not how it's suppose to be done.I think that the "P*" is saying I'm out of wack and need to re-group.Seems the more I read and change things on the d7000 the water just keeps rising up.

Mar 21, 2013 15:59:00 #

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Here is one link:
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1681073&seqNum=4

Also, depth of field preview button is to show you how much of your scene will be in focus. It looks darker when you press button because of aperture closing; the "darkness" you see when pressing the depth of field preview button doesn't have anything to do with the final lightness/darkness (exposure) of your scene.

Mar 21, 2013 16:02:02 #

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

In program mode the camera adjusts the aperture and shutter speed (you control the ISO). I think the P* is the camera telling you that you can't change aperture in P mode. If you want to change aperture use A (aperture mode) or M (fully manual) mode.

Since the camera is adjusting the aperture, it may be wide open and so the dof button wouldn't show any change.

Mar 21, 2013 16:20:15 #

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

When you're in P* mode you can change the aperture using the command dial but the shutter speed does not change. The program mode actually has two ways of operation.

Mar 21, 2013 16:24:49 #

butterflygirl77nc Loc: North Carolina

The P is program mode, the camera chooses the settings and by turning your command dial you can change the aperture, the camera will adjust the shutter for you. The p* indicates that you have adjusted the settings the camera chose. If you rotate your command dial back the other way you will go back to "p" without the asterisks which means you're back to the cameras setting.

Mar 21, 2013 16:27:07 #

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Program mode the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture according to a built in program to ensure optimal exposure(P) mode. It is also flexible by rotating the main command dial and changing different combinations of shutter speed and aperture. When you move the command dial to do this you are now in P* mode. Hope this answers your question.
Bob

Mar 21, 2013 16:27:31 #

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Hey Doc ..... P mode is a automatic mode that you can fine tune

..... In P mode you can use exposure compensation .....

..... AND In P mode you can change the aperture / shutter speed combination via. the main command dial ..... you will have a few combinations to choose from, all will give or is supposed to give you an acceptable exposure .....

..... as you thumb through the combinations you choose the one that is more appropriate for your scene ..... ie. if you feel that you need more depth of field choose the combination with a smaller aperture and you'll see the camera choose a corresponding shutter speed .....

Mar 21, 2013 16:30:58 #

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

butterflygirl77nc is correct. I was giving you information on the D800 not the D7000, apologies.

Mar 21, 2013 18:03:26 #

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pepper wrote:

butterflygirl77nc is correct. I was giving you information on the D800 not the D7000, apologies.

Command dial function is exactly the same on the D800 as it is on the D7000. In P mode the camera selects Aperture and Shutter speed based on the metering. Turning the command dial adjusts the balance of the two, but results in the same metered exposure. The only way to vary the actual exposure is through the Exposure Compensation adjustment. Changing the ISO will only allow the camera to re-meter the scene and adjust exposure to that ISO setting. P mode is as close to full automatic as you can get on either body.

Mar 21, 2013 20:12:57 #

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

That's interesting because according to Darrell Young in his "Mastering the Nikon D800" he describes a "P" mode as the camera selecting both aperture and shutter speed depending on the combination needed for the cameras notion of a proper exposure. The "P*" mode he calls the "flexibility" mode which acts more like it would in the "A" or aperture mode. I've not had time to investigate this but from Mr. Young's book there does seem to be a difference in the two modes. I don't see that same thing in the D7100 manual but I only have the user manual for the D7100 and don't see anything that distinguishes the difference in "P" vs "P*". I'll keep looking.

Mar 21, 2013 20:15:24 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

ClutchDisk wrote:

I have brain lock and can't seem to understand the... (show quote)

"P*" merely indicates the camera's choice as the default or ideal settings in the flexible automatic program; if you have a manual, check page 68.

Mar 21, 2013 20:41:17 #

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Mogul wrote:

quote=ClutchDisk I have brain lock and can't seem... (show quote)

I don't have my user manual with me, all I have is Darrell Young's book and he is obviously either in error or he's discovered something the rest haven't.

Mar 21, 2013 20:57:47 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17008/~/user's-manual---d7000---guide-to-digital-photography

Mar 21, 2013 21:06:49 #

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Mogul wrote:

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17008/~/user's-manual---d7000---guide-to-digital-photography

It's the D800 that Darrell Young says there is a difference in the "P" mode and the "P*" mode. My D7100 manual however agrees with statements above. I don't know I'm confused and just when I thought I had it figured out...go figure.

Mar 21, 2013 21:16:45 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Pepper wrote:

Mogul wrote:

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17008/~/user's-manual---d7000---guide-to-digital-photography

I understand. I had one camera with two settings. "P" was program; "P*" was adjustable, but retained the same EV. I don't remember what it was, but I'm pretty sure it was a film camera with no mode dial; mode was set by control dials.

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