I’ve grown accustom to using the manual mode on my camera when shooting for the past year now. It gives me a heightened control and when my subject is in no rush that works just fine.
I’ve got a few important shoots coming up and I want to make sure to catch the moment without worrying about exposures. So I re-read my manual and discovered there was more to the program mode than I had earlier thought.
Yes, I re-read my manual, this would be time #5 for those of you counting and those of you who won’t read their manuals even though we tell you to – time and time again.
I had always thought the ‘p’ or program mode on my camera only let me change items like ISO, exposure compensation, white balance. And that was what differentiated it from the auto mode. I’d read this in a number of places and just assumed it was true.
To be honest, when I was reading the manual all those times I admit I skimmed over things I thought I already knew. 😉
Not on my camera! For my camera, and many others out there the ‘p’ mode acts as a simultaneous shutter priority and aperture priority mode.
How does the program mode adjust aperture and shutter speeds?
In program mode you can adjust your aperture and shutter speeds while you camera calculates the require value for the other.
Program mode will start by giving you it’s estimated values – much like what auto would choose. Then you have the ability to make your modifications. I find my program mode over compensates and often under exposes my shots, so i just set the exposure compensation +1.3 to counter act my camera’s adjustments.
So next time you’re out and about and have an inkling to switch to aperture or shutter speed priority modes to ensure you get the shot, consider giving the program mode and have access to a best of both worlds scenario.
Do you use the program mode?
How does that work out for you? What has your experience been using it?
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