Why not use program mode?
Apr 21, 2019 06:00:38 #
I have several cameras which I use for different endeavours. For instance,I use Aperture priority and Auto ISO for birding on my DSLR. However, I also have a P1000 which I use as a catch-all camera. This often includes birds and wildlife. I could use aperture priority on this also, but find that exceeding 800 ISO produces too much grain. Consequently , shooting at a lower ISO means a slower shutter speed if I use Aperture priority. The lens on P1000 has a variable max aperture depending on focal length used- f2.8 at 28mm, f8 at 3000mm. Consequently, it is better to let the camera determine the usable aperture and it will usually select the best shutter speed / aperture combination. Also, in program mode, you can vary the aperture or shutter speed with one touch if you need to. So, please, don't write off "Program" mode. It certainly has its place.
Apr 21, 2019 06:47:16 #
Program Mode is fine. There are so many ways to change settings on a camera that they seem to encourage experimentation.
This is funny. Yesterday, I was looking at camera recommendations, and the P900 was one recommendation. There was a reference to Amazon, with a price of $109. Yes, that was the correct price, but not for the P900. It was for an LED light and bracket for the P900.
This is funny. Yesterday, I was looking at camera recommendations, and the P900 was one recommendation. There was a reference to Amazon, with a price of $109. Yes, that was the correct price, but not for the P900. It was for an LED light and bracket for the P900.
Apr 21, 2019 07:47:40 #
Good point about P being more useful on certain cameras. On my primary film camera, and EOS body, P is the most used setting. Being film, the ISO is fixed and the camera nearly always picks a good balance of aperture and shutterspeed and I just focus on composition. If I don't like the selected aperture, I just adjust. On my digital EOS body, it's alway manual exposure and unnatural to use something else. On a Sony body with manual focus lenses, the lens aperture is the fixed setting. Acting on a suggestion, I've started using shutter priority and auto ISO on this body rather than all manual.
Program was also my first setting coming off of full Auto on a DSLR. Program is Auto, just that you can override the initial "auto" values. One way to think about Aperture and Shutter priorities is they let you fix their respective values rather than having to override "program" for each frame.
Program was also my first setting coming off of full Auto on a DSLR. Program is Auto, just that you can override the initial "auto" values. One way to think about Aperture and Shutter priorities is they let you fix their respective values rather than having to override "program" for each frame.
Apr 21, 2019 08:05:28 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Program mode is a valuable means of exposure for a wide range of photographic subjects. The main benefit that it offers is that it will avoid extreme values for either aperture or shutter speed most of the time. And you should still have opportunity to watch what is going on via your viewfinder display and make adjustments when necessary.
Using Auto ISO as well means that you have a third moving target to keep an eye on, but that should also be manageable with some practice. It's important to read and understand the manual in order to know how to make adjustments when necessary. You will also want to be sure to know where the exposure compensation control is in case you need to make adjustments there.
I personally use Program mode or Manual most of the time for what I shoot. I don't use Auto ISO, though.
Using Auto ISO as well means that you have a third moving target to keep an eye on, but that should also be manageable with some practice. It's important to read and understand the manual in order to know how to make adjustments when necessary. You will also want to be sure to know where the exposure compensation control is in case you need to make adjustments there.
I personally use Program mode or Manual most of the time for what I shoot. I don't use Auto ISO, though.
Apr 21, 2019 08:15:44 #
larryepage wrote:
Program mode is a valuable means of exposure for a... (show quote)
I use Program mode most of the time also. I don't use Auto ISO, either.
Apr 21, 2019 09:13:55 #
Apr 21, 2019 09:15:50 #
For bridge cameras with limited aperture range and "built-in" deep depth of field, P mode makes a lot of sense. I did a controlled test with my Canon SX50 several years ago and proved that, at wider angles, f/4.5 was indistinguishable from f/8 (f/8 being the smallest aperture available on that camera).
Apr 21, 2019 10:19:17 #
After you decide it is OK to use P, try AUTO.
The camera makers have poured tons of money into computational technology. It's really hard on us old school, film shooting, darkroom fume junkies. We thought that flapping mirrors were technological wonders.
With cameras like the P1000, AUTO should surprise you.
I was shooting an eclipse of the moon. I did all the traditional stuff with tripod and settings. After awhile I quit. I then had one of those "wonder what would happen" moments. I took the camera off the tripod, switched to AUTO, pointed at the moon and pressed the button. The camera started chattering! I was sure something broke.
The hand held camera, in AUTO, decided that the exposure needed "stacking". It shot, stacked and aligned a bunch of exposures and the result was (by my standards) stunning. My manual shots were ordinary eclipse images.
The camera makers have poured tons of money into computational technology. It's really hard on us old school, film shooting, darkroom fume junkies. We thought that flapping mirrors were technological wonders.
With cameras like the P1000, AUTO should surprise you.
I was shooting an eclipse of the moon. I did all the traditional stuff with tripod and settings. After awhile I quit. I then had one of those "wonder what would happen" moments. I took the camera off the tripod, switched to AUTO, pointed at the moon and pressed the button. The camera started chattering! I was sure something broke.
The hand held camera, in AUTO, decided that the exposure needed "stacking". It shot, stacked and aligned a bunch of exposures and the result was (by my standards) stunning. My manual shots were ordinary eclipse images.
Apr 21, 2019 12:25:10 #
i always used P with my dslr for the vast majority of the thousands of images i take each year. now with my lumix fz1000 i use auto most of the time -- i particularly like its ability to choose the correctly when moving indoors with different lighting in each room.
Apr 21, 2019 12:41:32 #
I use Program mode often, but I then rotate through the aperture/shutter speed combinations with the wheel to select the combination most suitable for the shot I'm about to take. I don't use Program mode as if it were Auto mode -selecting only the very exposure combination that comes up- as apparently so many people do. That's what Auto mode is for.
Apr 21, 2019 21:40:09 #
Program mode can really be whatever you want it to be. With many dslr and mirrorless cameras you can sit on what the camera says, or use the appropriate dials to take over control of aperture or shutter as you choose. I see Program as the best of 3 worlds.
Apr 21, 2019 23:21:01 #
Apr 22, 2019 05:47:17 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
P is made for Professionals, it's in the name ....
I think it's the reason I don't use it. I am not a professional.
Apr 22, 2019 05:57:56 #
Alsweet wrote:
I have several cameras which I use for different e... (show quote)
I was just thinking about this yesterday. I am no expert by any means, but I have read countless thousands of photography articles and watch countless tutorials about photography, so I do have a little knowledge about camera settings and shooting modes, I have tried all of them, manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, program, etc, and honestly, I see very little if any difference in the quality of photos between the different modes. I feel shooting manual (as the purists so insist) serves two purposes, allows creativity in shooting, or gives one bragging rights,like I always shoot manual, therefore, I am a better photographer than those who don't shoot manual. I couldn't care less if the camera makes decisions for me as to the best settings, if the camera gets it right (and in the majority of my snaps, it does get it right), then what is the problem. So, for me, the bottom line is, I shoot what I enjoy shooting, I work in conjunction with my camera, not against my camera, and that let's me enjoy my hobby.
Apr 22, 2019 06:13:42 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
If you are using the same metering method they will all give you the same result.
Mostly I use shutter priority but on occasion some other settings.
A few times using P I was a little surprised at the choices the camera made...
such as 1/2000th at f 4.5 for a landscape?
Anyhow, I rarely use it anymore as I am not professional.
Mostly I use shutter priority but on occasion some other settings.
A few times using P I was a little surprised at the choices the camera made...
such as 1/2000th at f 4.5 for a landscape?
Anyhow, I rarely use it anymore as I am not professional.
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