Shooting in “P” Program Mode

[Guest]

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Hey, guys

On my new SL2-S I’ve noticed that when shooting in Program Mode in bright sunny conditions the camera avoids choosing apertures slower than f/4. As an example; I was shooting power-lines with Purple Martins perched on the lines and the sun just outside the frame. The camera chose f/4 @ 1/500” with ISO 100 (auto ISO) My minimum shutter speed is set to 1/15”. Now, on my Nikon D700 it would have chosen something like f/8 @ 1/250” or f/11 @ 1/125”. This is my first Leica. Am I missing something here? 

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[huwm]

Which lens?

I wonder if it defaults to an assumed typical Leica ‘fairly wide open’ style of shooting?

[jaapv]

Doesn’t the camera have program shift? 

I must confess that I cannot recall when I ever used P on any of my cameras. It takes control over the image and replaces my photographic mind by automation If I want f11 I set the camera to f11 in A. Do you have any specific reason to use it? 

[Anbaric]

I use shiftable P mode on various cameras all the time. If you accept the meter reading, it's really not much different to using A or S mode in changing light, because you can easily access any 'valid' combination of aperture and shutter speed. You only lose control if you use a fixed program mode like those on early auto film SLRs and P&S cameras, or also set auto ISO on digital. With a shiftable program, I'm not too bothered by the initial combination of shutter speed and aperture the camera chooses, because I can change it very quickly with a spin of a dial. For how this works on the SL2-S, see p137 of the manual ('CHANGING THE PRESET SHUTTER SPEED AND APERTURE COMBINATIONS (SHIFT)').

 

[Guest]

58 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Doesn’t the camera have program shift? 

I must confess that I cannot recall when I ever used P on any of my cameras. It takes control over the image and replaces my photographic mind by automation If I want f11 I set the camera to f11 in A. Do you have any specific reason to use it? 

Yes. When I am taking general shots outdoors and don't necessarily care about controlling the dof. I'm just curious as to why this particular camera has yet to choose an aperture slower than f/4 in bright sun. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by TwentyEighthParallel

[Guest]

1 hour ago, huwm said:

Which lens?

I wonder if it defaults to an assumed typical Leica ‘fairly wide open’ style of shooting?

24-90. Is that actually a thing Leica does on purpose with their cameras?

14 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

I use shiftable P mode on various cameras all the time. If you accept the meter reading, it's really not much different to using A or S mode in changing light, because you can easily access any 'valid' combination of aperture and shutter speed. You only lose control if you use a fixed program mode like those on early auto film SLRs and P&S cameras, or also set auto ISO on digital. With a shiftable program, I'm not too bothered by the initial combination of shutter speed and aperture the camera chooses, because I can change it very quickly with a spin of a dial. For how this works on the SL2-S, see p137 of the manual ('CHANGING THE PRESET SHUTTER SPEED AND APERTURE COMBINATIONS (SHIFT)').

 

Thanks for the reply. I rarely shift P-mode but it is nice to have the option. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by TwentyEighthParallel

[jaapv]

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Hazarding a guess - Leica justifiably prides themselves on the quality of their lenses wide open to slightly stopped down. At f8 and smaller there is no discernible difference between lens brands. Leica users do tend to shoot as wide open as possible and it may well be that Leica has taken that tendency into account.

[jaapv]

49 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

or also set auto ISO on digital.

Which the OP does.

[jaapv]

52 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

I use shiftable P mode on various cameras all the time. If you accept the meter reading, it's really not much different to using A or S mode in changing light, because you can easily access any 'valid' combination of aperture and shutter speed. Y

 

Which is of course a valid preference. Personally I mostly use A and control the aperture, let the speed fall where it may unless there is a reason to vary it which can be done by changing ISO, or with long lenses use S to prevent motion blur. If I want to control both speed and aperture I go to M and Auto-ISO.