What is the difference between the TL2 Auto Scene Mode and the Program Mode?

[mikeLD]

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Because I came from the Panasonic with a Leica Lens world and my other camera is a Panasonic LX100m2 (twin of the Leica D-Lux-7) I was stunned when I discovered the Auto Scene Mode on my TL2!!!  At first I thought it might be the analog to the IA (Intelligent Auto) mode button on the LX100m2 & D-Lux-7 but it is not quite, in that it doesn't seem to have the automatic scene recognition feature of the IA mode.  Since it doesn't and the TL2 manual says almost nothing about it, I wonder why it is there as an alternative to the PASM modes?????

[wda]

Surely the Scene mode is related to Jpeg capture only? It is photography made easier for the non-photographer.

[mikeLD]

2 minutes ago, wda said:

Surely the Scene mode is related to Jpeg capture only? It is photography made easier for the non-photographer.

Thank you David, I agree.  That is exactly the way it is on the Panasonic IA mode as well, it only affects the JPG not the raw image.  But I confess, it's been a handy way to get a fleeting image opportunity on occasion.  I keep both of my cameras in either Program or Aperture priority by default, because I've found that even in the hurried moments I can still get a good or better image to work with. 

I was hoping someone might know why Leica bothered to add the Auto scene mode, if it was exactly the same as Program?  The only description in the TL2 manual is:  "Scene modes...The Leica TL2 provides nine "advanced" automatic program options for exceptionally easy and reliable photography. The tenth option is an automatic snapshot setting for general use."  This tenth mode is AUTO  which replaces the usual PASM on the information area of the screen when selected.  In my brief testing, it appears to function in the same manner as Program mode.

[Dopaco]

Am 31.5.2021 um 21:59 schrieb mikeLD:

Thank you David, I agree.  That is exactly the way it is on the Panasonic IA mode as well, it only affects the JPG not the raw image.  But I confess, it's been a handy way to get a fleeting image opportunity on occasion.  I keep both of my cameras in either Program or Aperture priority by default, because I've found that even in the hurried moments I can still get a good or better image to work with. 

I was hoping someone might know why Leica bothered to add the Auto scene mode, if it was exactly the same as Program?  The only description in the TL2 manual is:  "Scene modes...The Leica TL2 provides nine "advanced" automatic program options for exceptionally easy and reliable photography. The tenth option is an automatic snapshot setting for general use."  This tenth mode is AUTO  which replaces the usual PASM on the information area of the screen when selected.  In my brief testing, it appears to function in the same manner as Program mode.

It is possible that the Automatic mode of the Scene Mode of the TL2 works the same as the Program Mode, I have not tested it since I use these modes very little. (It is a matter of testing it and clearing up doubts).

The Panasonic AI (Intelligent Auto) mode works quite well in the Panasonic cameras I have had, the camera is supposed to do everything well and like everything automatic, sometimes very successfully and sometimes not so much.

In both Panasonic and Leica TL2 cameras, if you have it configured they will give you the JPG and RAW, the latter so that you can edit it and depending on the editing program you use and your skill, the results will be better or different than the JPG that the Camera shows .

[mikeLD]

Thank you all for the great feedback.  I also sent my question to Leica AG Customer Care and just received the following response:

"In the Auto Scene Mode the camera works full automatic. Aperture, Shutter, Speed and ISO is selected by camera and you can’t change it. Exposure compensation is a “creative tool”. You can brighten or darken the picture as you like. For this reason, the function is active."

That certainly makes it clear to me that this is a distinct shooting mode in addition to P A S M  and explains why AUTO is displayed on the screen in place of P A S or M.  And I  agree with the explanation in the User Manual that it is for "Snapshots".  It actually reinforces my habit of defaulting to Program mode so that I still have options in a quick shooting situation.

[NigelG]

Yes - it's similar to the "green" setting on the PASM dial of the Ricoh GR series that is sometimes referred to as the "waiter setting" - you hand your camera over to whoever and just indicate where the shutter button is...