 Robin Briggs |
Exposure Settings: 'P' Mode Vs. 'A' Mode Hi all, newbie here again. I am having trouble understanding the exposure modes on my Nikon D70 ... If I am in P mode, the camera takes a reading then sets the aperture and shutter speed. I can then turn the dials to change the aperture (or speed) and the camera will compensate with the other setting, so that the exposure is the same overall. If I am in A mode, the camera sets the shutter speed based on whatever aperture I choose. Could someone explain to me how using P mode and turning the dial to whatever aperture I want is ANY different from being in A mode? I have played with my camera a bit with this, and I can find no difference with my testing. Is there something I'm missing? Thanks. - Robin
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Michael H. Cothran |
You're not missing a thing. You are absolutely correct in your assessment of P (Program) and A (Aperture Priority) modes. And you're also correct that there is no difference in the settings. For example, an exposure value of 1/125 sec at f8 is the same in any mode - P, A, S, M. Choosing an exposure mode depends on your shooting circumstances, and also whichever you feel more comfortable using. 'P' is the most automatic, and is usually best served in point and shoot situations, or where you need to react quickly. 'A' mode is best used in circumstances where you need a specific amount of depth of field - either a lot or very little. This would be a mode you would most likely choose for landscape images. 'S' mode (Shutter priority) is best used in situations where there is action taking place, and you want to insure a fast enough shutter speed to stop it, OR a slow shutter speed to intentionally blur something. As you have learned, you can get to the same exposure value in several ways, and it doesn't really matter how you get there. Bottom line is that whatever mode you choose, the same exposure value is the same in any mode. Whether you work in P or A makes no difference as long as YOU know how to change the exposure value, which you obviously do. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net
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Michael H. Cothran |
Let me go one step further in this explanation: As an example, you could use P, then turn the dial until you get, say, 1/15 sec @ f16. You'd be doing the same thing if you were in 'A' mode, and set the aperture to f16, allowing the camera to choose 1/15 sec as the shutter speed. And, you'd be doing the same thing again if you went to 'S' mode, and set the shutter speed to 1/15 sec, and allowed the camera to set the aperture to f16. Finally - you could also go to 'M' (Manual mode), and simply set the aperture and shutter speed yourself to 1/15 @ f16!! They're ALL THE SAME, and how you get there is strictly up to you. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Cliff Notes says: "A mode, pick a certain aperture, stay at that aperture. P mode, camera picks everything. But you can get a certain aperture if don't mind adjusting all time."
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Robin Briggs |
Thanks so much for your quick responses. Frankly, the whole thing seems a little silly. If I'm in A mode, it's not like either one of the dials controls aperture - only the "sub" command dial does, same as in P mode. So it takes exactly the same amount of "adjusting" regardless of the mode I'm in to set the aperture. I'm guessing the reason the D70 is designed this way is that in the old days, the P mode didn't allow for overrides, and so they just threw that functionality in for no other reason than they felt like it. At least I now know I'm not missing something... Thanks again. - Robin
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Michael H. Cothran |
Robin - Don't be confused in thinking that this issue is confined to just the D70. ALL modern electronic cameras work this way. It's the nature of the beast. You are correct again that older auto cameras did not provide you with dial adjustments in P mode as they do now. So enjoy the D70, use whatever mode you want. And by the way, for a newbie, it sounds like you are grasping the logical fundamentals of camera exposure systems quite well. Keep on learning. Michael
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