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"P" vs manual
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Jun 11, 2018 03:44:31   #
canadaboy
 
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?

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Jun 11, 2018 04:14:23   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?



Rarely does P serve my purposes. But there are many who swear by it.

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Jun 11, 2018 04:54:06   #
Jesu S
 
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?


Not me. I use Av mode at least 80% of the time.

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Jun 11, 2018 05:44:13   #
BebuLamar
 
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?


Yes I trust it but I can't use it because I trust because I know when it does OK and when it doesn't do it to my liking. I wish I can change it behavior.

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Jun 11, 2018 06:02:10   #
steve49 Loc: massachusetts
 
I use Program often.
works well in 95% of cases.

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Jun 11, 2018 06:18:47   #
frjack Loc: Boston, MA
 
I don't trust the program modes as a result of unhappy experiences the first time I tried Aperture priority. I generally know what I want and most of the time how to get it. Shoot manual. Single focus. Auto focus sometimes and manual at others. Shoot RAW and never worry about WB. Download and process. Perhaps six or seven per batch are worth working on. Edit heavily and discard even more heavily.

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Jun 11, 2018 06:41:00   #
cameraf4 Loc: Delaware
 
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?


IMHO, that approach would work fine for news hounds and snap-shooters. If you fall into one of those categories, go for it. I think that most folks on this forum look at photography as a craft or art. Outside of a child's birthday party, I wouldn't imagine that many "normally" use "P".

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Jun 11, 2018 06:46:55   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
canadaboy wrote:
... Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?

The problem with P and all other forms of Auto is that they all rely on the camera's meter, which can be fooled by unusual brightness situations. No, I don't trust it. But P and Auto ISO are good enough get some decent snaps in many average situations.

No camera uses multiple focus points to control depth of field.

If you don't want to delve into why your camera might fail some of the time, carry on.

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Jun 11, 2018 06:54:29   #
ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland
 
cameraf4 wrote:
IMHO, that approach would work fine for news hounds and snap-shooters. If you fall into one of those categories, go for it. I think that most folks on this forum look at photography as a craft or art. Outside of a child's birthday party, I wouldn't imagine that many "normally" use "P".


I keep my camera in P or auto when not shooting in case there is a quick shot I need to grab ( since I like to catch birds I often don’t have time to do anything). When I have time I’ll do manual with one or two P or Auto shots for comparison. Sometimes it is a case of experimentation, and letting the camera decide may be a way of being sure you get at least one useable photo. It is also a way of learning, by comparing what the camera decided with what you decided.

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Jun 11, 2018 06:58:32   #
Ballangrud Loc: Vermont
 
I guess it really depends on the subject matter is that you are shooting. I do a lot of travel and landscape photography and depth of field is always on my mind, so when shooting, aperture priority is my main focus (no pun intended).

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Jun 11, 2018 07:10:26   #
miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida
 
when I am in a city, based on the difference in light/shadows, I use the 'P' option just like you do, and it works fine, and I miss less shots.

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Jun 11, 2018 07:13:03   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I agree with "negrea" I to find by keeping my camera (even in the bag) on P. I can grab the camera and get a good to decent shot in a second. I am not a technical shooter but sell my share of pictures. We all have our own opinions of great pictures, from dead sharp to foul of thirds to oh wow. I like OH WOW. They sell

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Jun 11, 2018 07:24:18   #
tomcat
 
canadaboy wrote:
Having fiddled around for some time and missing out on way too many photo opportunities fiddling with manual settings, these days I simply set my camera on "P", ISO on Auto with a maximum value set to control the shutter speed, and rely on the number of focus points that I choose to set the depth of field by virtue of the camera selected aperture.

Who else actually trusts their camera and their ability to operate it similarly?


I use aperture control (A) because I like to control the DOF and Auto iOS a lot more now than before. At age 70 senility is creeping in and I do find that I miss a lot more shots by not anticipating the manual settings ahead of time.

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Jun 11, 2018 07:28:02   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
That's why they call it 'P' for Professional.

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Jun 11, 2018 07:28:08   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
I use "P" for rare situations like when I'm taking pics of an outdoor family gathering. At those events, I'm mostly shooting quick candids under a variety of lighting and background conditions so I'll leave the camera on "P" and trust it to figure out good settings. I might have to discard a resulting photo because someone has a stupid expression but rarely because it's not properly executed. If I have the time to work on a good composition and adjust the camera settings for specific results, I'll use mostly Aperture mode and to a much lesser degree, Time or Manual mode.

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