fredtoo wrote:
Please don't provide the usual answer to what is the difference between Auto and Program modes. I understand the difference of operation, and I prefer the use of P over A for better control. I have recently "graduated" from a D7200 to a D850. The 850 has no Auto mode...no problem, I won't miss it. But I was unhappy with the color and exposure of several shots under certain conditions in P mode, so out of curiosity I performed a very simple experiment:
I grabbed my trusty 7200 and took 2 shots of in indoor still life without flash. One in Auto and the next in P mode. I expected them to be pretty much the same, but they were not. Surprisingly the shot made in Auto mode was had color and exposure much closer to the actual subject, and I think anyone looking at the two shots would agree.
So I'm left wondering why, and wondering what would need to be done in P mode to match the color accuracy of the shot made in Auto? In my mind any difference between the two should have been in exposure, but not color. seems to me that any of the several different combinations of exposure and shutter speed that I could have selected should not have any significant effect on color. Am I wrong about that?
Please don't provide the usual answer to what is t... (
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Hello Fred Too!
You set here an interesting subject!
I'm using a Nikon D7200.
Till today, I never used the green marked "Auto" mode...and never came to compare photos shot in "Auto" mode with photos shot in "P" mode.
I thought also the results should be about the same...
So I tried to see by myself what happens.
I just (5 min ago) made the test: shoot the same scene, same framing, same evrything, just swapped from "P" mode to Auto" mode...
Here are the main EXIF info I could get...they are very different...see:
"P" mode: 1/25 sec, f/3.5, ISO 100,
WB= Auto 1; A5;0;
Metering= matrice 3D...Picture control= VIVID sharpening=6;clarity=+1;contrast=-3;brightness=0;saturation=+2; hue=0
"Auto" green mode: 1/60 sec, f/3.5, flash (in built!) = on! TTL BL 0;0;
WB= Auto1; 0;0
Metering = matrice 3 D...Picture control=STANDARD
sharpening=Auto;clarity=Auto; contrast= Auto; brightness=0; saturation=Auto; hue=0
The picture shot in "Auto" mode came out quite "bluish/cold" due to the flash burst.
The picture shot in "P" mode came out more flattering...quite too warm for my taste, but much more pleasing to the eye than the one "blueish"...
It was an interesting test which demonstrates the Auto mode could be nice for beginners but only under ideal light conditions: bright sunny day, subject grey 18 etc...You know what is required to get nice colors, nice WB, etc
FYI, the scene I shot twice is simply our Christmas tree (of course dark green!) with about 300 little "fairy" LEDs+ lots of decorum (snow balls, Santas, Bears, Tiny houses, etc); this tree stands in a wide white room, 6 m x 6m with 2 "door windows" on balcony, exposed full east...today the sky is heavy covered by clouds...so natural light is quite "cold".
If needed, I can post the 2 pictures.
I get also 2 really different photos of the same subject...strange!
I discover today the "P" mode activates the picture control called Vivid while "Auto" activates "Standard"...
Don't ask why...no idea!!!
I will try next time with different light condition to check if the choosen "picture control" are the same as today.
Anyway, I wonder why "Auto" calls for a flash burst????
In my opinion, the photo made in p mode is much more pleasant to observe than the one made in "Auto" mode with flash.