Program (P) vs. Automatic (A): The P and A modes appear on both of my DSLRS, but I've never been clear on the difference. The manuals don't do a very good job of explaining this. Your...

aellman Loc: Boston MA

The P and A modes appear on both of my DSLRS, but I've never been clear on the difference. The manuals don't do a very good job of explaining this. Your knowledge will be much appreciated. >>>AL

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

perhaps the A is for aperture mode

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

aellman wrote:

The P and A modes appear on both of my DSLRS, but I've never been clear on the difference. The manuals don't do a very good job of explaining this. Your knowledge will be much appreciated. >>>AL

Nikon:

A= aperture priority mode - you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed

S = Shutter priority, you set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture

P = Program Mode, you set the ISO and the camera sets the shutter & aperture

M= Manual mode - you set everything

AUTO = Auto Mode, the camera sets everything

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

aellman wrote:

The P and A modes appear on both of my DSLRS, but I've never been clear on the difference. The manuals don't do a very good job of explaining this. Your knowledge will be much appreciated. >>>AL

A = automatic, everything is up to the camera's processor and sensors.

P = Program (some say Professional or Preset) the sensor judges the scene, light etc and uses Presets developed by photographers for the camera company to fit that type of photo. On many cameras once you are on P the menu gives you choices of presets to pick from such as portrait, night sky, sports etc. Some have them on the dial, others have them in menu.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

For some cameras P mode also allows you to set raw as a file format, also you can change the aperture/shutter speed chosen by the camera.
This is called [P]rogram shift.

What camera are you using?

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Same goes for Canon. (although I'm sure someone has a Nikon or Canon that deviates from this norm) Note that in P mode you can move the shutter or aperture wheels and the camera will auto adjust the other to compensate also known as shifting.

Dngallagher wrote:

Nikon:

A= aperture priority mode - you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed

S = Shutter priority, you set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture

P = Program Mode, you set the ISO and the camera sets the shutter & aperture

M= Manual mode - you set everything

AUTO = Auto Mode, the camera sets everything

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Do you have this manual for the Sony A-300:
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/manual_english/A350_manual.pdf

A = aperture priority

Descriptions below:

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Dngallagher wrote:

Nikon:

A= aperture priority mode - you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed

S = Shutter priority, you set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture

P = Program Mode, you set the ISO and the camera sets the shutter & aperture

M= Manual mode - you set everything

AUTO = Auto Mode, the camera sets everything

Thanks so much. The mystery is solved! >>>AL

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Linda From Maine wrote:

Do you have this manual for the Sony A-300:
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/manual_english/A350_manual.pdf

A = aperture priority

Descriptions below:

I do have it. In this case I was referring to AUTO, not APERTURE PRIORITY. I did get a helpful answer. Many thanks. >>>AL

aellman Loc: Boston MA

RichardTaylor wrote:

For some cameras P mode also allows you to set raw as a file format, also you can change the aperture/shutter speed chosen by the camera.
This is called [P]rogram shift.

What camera are you using?

Using Sony Alpha A-300. I don't think I have a reason to use RAW, since I don't do any digital post processing. I get all the punch I need with TIF. I can print a 24x36 with no visible degradation.

THANKS for the info! >>>AL

aellman Loc: Boston MA

robertjerl wrote:

A = automatic, everything is up to the camera's processor and sensors.

P = Program (some say Professional or Preset) the sensor judges the scene, light etc and uses Presets developed by photographers for the camera company to fit that type of photo. On many cameras once you are on P the menu gives you choices of presets to pick from such as portrait, night sky, sports etc. Some have them on the dial, others have them in menu.

Very helpful. Many thanks! >>>AL

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

aellman wrote:

Very helpful. Many thanks! >>>AL

You are welcome.

I have even met a pro or two who use the P setting a lot*. They say that another pro came up with the presets used and it saves them a lot of time when shooting. They can tweak in PP. If it is a set piece like studio, still life or a landscape where the settings will not change much they use manual to fine tune things exactly the way they want them in the first place.

*They do use the custom settings on their dials for things they do a lot, but most cameras only have 2 or 3, while some cameras have over a dozen in the P menu.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

robertjerl wrote:

You are welcome. br br I have even met a pro or t... (show quote)

aellman Loc: Boston MA

robertjerl wrote:

You are welcome. br br I have even met a pro or t... (show quote)

I gotta know. Is it Photoshop (I assume), or did you really manage to get a hat on a bear's head. If so my hat is off to you.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

aellman wrote:

I gotta know. Is it Photoshop (I assume), or did you really manage to get a hat on a bear's head. If so my hat is off to you.

Paint Shop Pro pretty much same same as Photoshop.

I do wear the hat, well did, that is an old one. I have a different one now and my kids call me Ol Griz or Grizzly Bear when I am in a grumpy mood, or someone has wronged them and I go into protect the cubs mode.