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Program Mode question


Yippy_Kiyey

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In apperture mode, I understand that you set the apperture, in Shutter mode, you set the speed. But in program mode, I do not know what to set to get the effect that I want. How does this work? I am newbie and strugling with this one. Thank you so much.

 

Maybe this will help.

 

You know the first two:

 

Aperture mode - you pick the aperture (e.g. f/2.8 for shallow depth of field, f/8 for more depth of field) - the camera decides the shutter speed for proper exposure.

 

Shutter more - you pick the shutter speed (e.g. 1/1000 to "freeze frame" or 1/2 to capture some motion - like kids on a swing or cars passing by) the camera picks the appropriate aperture for proper exposure.

 

The other two are:

 

Manual: You pick both aperture and speed - the camera does not help at all and you might end up with over/under-exposed captures. Although the camera alerts you of bad exposure.

 

Program: The camera picks an initial combination of aperture and exposure for proper exposure, but with the "joystick", you can change from a few combinations of aperture and exposure that will also result in a proper exposure. When you reduce the aperture the shutter time is increased by the "program" and vice-versa.

 

In other words, while with Manual you can come up with combinations of aperture and shutter speed that would result in over/under-exposed pictures, with Program you can only pick combinations that would result in properly exposed pictures - at least in theory. You decide which one of the "approved" combinations to use based on what you want to accomplish with the picture (e.g. pick a faster shutter speed for freezing action, or smaller aperture for more depth of field.)

 

I hope this helps.

 

Alberto

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I am sorry, I thought I got it but still having problems. Ok, I set the camera in P mode, but when I toggle the joystick, it doesn't allow me to change the apperture. When I am in P mode it displays the "+/-" and thats what changes when I toggle the joystick. Is it suppose to be that way? I thought the apperture setting is changed by the joystick. Thank you again.

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Oh, I got it and I really got after a lot trys. I have to press the shutter half way to display the setting and then move the joystick to the desired combination.

 

You got it! Sorry, I forgot about mentioning the half-press of the shutter button to get the data to be displayed (it has become second nature to me so I did not even think of it.)

 

BTW, I highly recommend the book "understanding exposure."

 

Ciao,

 

Alberto

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I must be being specially stupid today (or I blame the useless Leica manual), but I can't seem in P mode to get the joystick to change the aperture/shutter speed. Have tried to use the joystick whilst holding the shutter half down and immediately after holding the shutter half down - both without success. All I get is the option to change exposure compensation. Really really annoying. Is there some combination of settings which would prevent using the joystick in P mode?

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I must be being specially stupid today (or I blame the useless Leica manual), but I can't seem in P mode to get the joystick to change the aperture/shutter speed. Have tried to use the joystick whilst holding the shutter half down and immediately after holding the shutter half down - both without success. All I get is the option to change exposure compensation. Really really annoying. Is there some combination of settings which would prevent using the joystick in P mode?

 

Paul, no need to feel stupid - the manual is not very clear, especially if you were not previously familiar with many of the terms and concepts used.

 

The "joystick" - not my term - is the little "nipple-like" (sorry) device above the other joystick-like button that looks like a plus sign. It says Q-Menu over the joystick. Are you sure you are moving the joystick and not the "plus-sign"?

 

Do this. Put the camera in P mode. Aim at something and press shutter 1/2 way. At the bottom of the screen you should see a rectangle with 2 numbers (one for aperture the other for shutter speed.) Move the joystick/Q-menu up or down and you should see a red "P" in a box next to the aperture/shutter and also see the aperture/shutter numbers change as you move the joystick up/down.

 

Try and report back. I am not going to give up until we make it :-).

 

Ciao,

 

Alberto

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Yes Paul, I believe our post crossed. Antonio answered my question and I am Ok now. Thank you Antonio for your help and by the way I ordered the "Understanding Exposure" as you have recommended. Pretty sure it help me a lot.

 

Yay! Glad you got it. And no problem about calling me Antonio, I know I bear a striking resemblance to Antonio Banderas and it confuses people :D.

 

Alberto

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