rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

To use Program Mode as intended, turn the dial wheel to rotate through the available aperture/shutter speed combinations and then select the combination you think is best suited for the shot you are taking. The ideal combination will not always be the very first combination that comes up! In contrast to what many people seem to believe, Program Mode is not the same thing as Auto Mode, as Program Mode gives you a choice over aperture and shutter speed values, while Auto Mode does not.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I really don't understand why program mode gets such a bad rap.... For one fairly new to the game it gives you a starting point to get a well exposed image most of the time; you will not miss a shot if you leave your dial on P as you will always be ready for the next shot without thinking about settings and you can concentrate more on composition etc... If you don't care for the settings the camera suggests then just spin the dial one way or the other to increase/decrease DOF or shutter speed depending on the subject matter. You spent a lot of money for technology why not use it? Pay attention to what the camera is suggesting and use that knowledge when you decide to go to A or M. Concentrate more on the artistic and the technical will come. This in no way negates the need to understand the exposure triangle which is basic in the whole process. Don't confuse P with AUTO as you have control over things like ISO , white balance etc... Just as in processing RAW, the image shown is what the camera thinks the JPG should look like and it is a good STARTING POINT ! Starting points are good if one is really not sure where to begin. If you are a beginner, fiddling with settings in M will result in a lot of shots being lost unless the subject matter is static. As always, this is just my humble opinion although it is shared by many far more knowledgable than me.

Bill_de Loc: US

Exactly. Program (at least on Nikon), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and manual all give you the same amount of control. You just need to learn how to use the first three in conjunction with the exposure compensation dial.

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ctsteps5

set P mode to take Black and white shots

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You appear to be conceding the control of the camera to the camera. In that case I strongly suggest setting the ISO to auto. Now you can shoot without having to think. And since you appear to be blonde, this may be your best option.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Amen!

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

I would never recommend a beginner start with manual. Instant gratification is a good teacher. People miss a lot of good photos using manual, so it you go that route use AUTO or P to get something "In the can" as my first teacher once instructed, then after a little insurance you can experiment. You should also ask people who recommend manual what they like to photograph. Landscape and still life shooters have lots of time to fiddle with adjustments, but if you are shooting wildlife, children, pets etc, not so much.

hj Loc: Florida

WOW, you scored big time for about half price on the 77D if it is in good working condition. AND, yes starting with the instruction manual is the way to go when learning. I found that out when I bought my new Canon 70D.

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Since you must pick one I believe 'P' is as good as any for a beginner and personally a better choice IMHO. I happen to think 'P' mode initially is a lot less painful for must people as they will get fairly close. For a beginner I believe concentrating more on how/when to set metering and focus modes is more useful than what exposure mode to use so that is what I suggest the OP do next. Analyze the shot and decide how you want the camera to see what you are trying to capture. If they are paying attention then they can see how changing the combinations of aperture and shutter speed affects the image.

And someday soon I will have the time and the patience to follow my own advice!

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

I started using 'P' a while back, but since then I have moved on to Manual. I used to to see what the camera was doing for changes in light, and shade etc.

hj Loc: Florida

Ken Martin

That’s it. Set on P take a picture. If the light is low set ISO sensitivity higher. Take another one!

I never use P, usually A, I set the Aperture and camera sets Shutter speed and I check to make sure it’s fast enough for hand holding the camera.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like to leave ISO set at 100. If using P, I would adjust either aperture or shutter and let the camera do the rest. It's really the same as using A or S. Set one, and the camera does the rest.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Actually, now would be a good time to understand exactly what P mode does and how you can apply it's functions to your image capture process.

The biggest thing P mode does for you is to allow you to change either your aperture or shutter speed settings while maintaining the best relationship between the two for a proper exposure. So if you adjust your aperture setting, P mode will automatically adjust your shutter speed to maintain a proper exposure. If you adjust your shutter speed, P mode will automatically adjust your aperture.

Why would you want to change your settings? Perhaps you are capturing birds in flight and you're trying to get that perfect stop action shot. P mode lets you experiment with shutter speed without having to worry as much about aperture to achieve proper exposure. Or maybe you are looking for just the right depth of field? Now you can adjust your aperture without having to be as concerned with shutter speed. Adjust your ISO to change how aperture and shutter speed interact with each other.

Bill_de Loc: US

The only thing I would add, is don't forget the importance of the exposure compensation dial. That adds the last bit of control you may need.

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