Fully automatic vs P mode

I was trying to explain the difference and well...it's easier to do than to explain. I told somebody fully automatic sets everything for you with no overrides. P mode sets most of it for you but allows for overrides of ISO, exposure via the exposure compensation button, and zone vs spot focus. If you set it for A or S, basically, it's the same thing except you've told the camera that Aperture or Shutter is the TOP priority and everything else is subordinate. By now, the poor guy's eyes were glazing over.

Does someone know a better way to explain it?

Thanks
RD

Rainyday wrote in post #19360390
I was trying to explain the difference and well...it's easier to do than to explain. I told somebody fully automatic sets everything for you with no overrides. P mode sets most of it for you but allows for overrides of ISO, exposure via the exposure compensation button, and zone vs spot focus. If you set it for A or S, basically, it's the same thing except you've told the camera that Aperture or Shutter is the TOP priority and everything else is subordinate. By now, the poor guy's eyes were glazing over.

Does someone know a better way to explain it?

Thanks
RD

Youtube!

Maybe it's too early for that information. For many years, all I did was teaching photography (now retired from that). Many will try to teach their friends by starting with "gotta use manual mode".

But here's the problem...

You can't start by teaching a solution until the student knows what problem they're trying to solve. "Shutter Priority"? Why do I care? Let's go shoot some birds or sports in auto. Then go back to the classroom or home or workshop and look at the pictures. Oh look. They're blurry. Damn. Once the mistake has been experienced, the lesson will be remembered.

Modes don't matter. Images matter. Start with purpose or intent. Start with composition. Modes are one of the tools to get there. And don't start with "gotta use manual". That's just not resonating with most new learners that I've met. The time will come when all the factors need to be controlled and manual is the only solution. Using balanced flash is a great time for manual.

Preach it, friend! I totally agree!! Unfortunately, most of the beginners I help have been brainwashed into thinking they aren't 'rea' photographers unless they shoot manual. And they lose a lot of good shots and wind up putting their cameras in the closet to gather dust. It's so sad.

I teach them to start with fully automatic and progress from there. But that's where my explanations get muddled. Fully automatic vs. P mode...they get bewildered.

On newer cameras, you can then talk the people through Fv mode, the next transitional mode toward manual.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19360823
On newer cameras, you can then talk the people through Fv mode, the next transitional mode toward manual.

Haha... I've been shooting for almost 50 years. I'm totally comfortable with Manual mode and can load large format sheet film in the dark. I can set up multiple flashes in a flash. But "Fv"? I'm not understanding the appeal of that one... Nor could I explain it to someone.

Fv is just a single mode that saves you the hassle of switching between Av, Tv, or manual. Lock down any of the factors you care about and let the camera decide the remainder, without moving that mode dial.

That is how I look at it anyways.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19361041
Fv is just a single mode that saves you the hassle of switching between Av, Tv, or manual. Lock down any of the factors you care about and let the camera decide the remainder, without moving that mode dial.

That is how I look at it anyways.

Yeah, I know *what* is it, I just don't get why it's actually useful or attractive. If I want to switch between changing the shutter speed or aperture without having to switch modes, well ... that's what Manual is for. Okay, but maybe I want the exposure to stay constant for "standard exposure". Well, that's what auto ISO is for. But maybe I want to change ISO and one of the others but have the third variable switch automatically...?

Really? Photography doesn't work for me in practice that way.

Either I'm dealing with subjects where motion really matters and I want to control the shutter and let the others float. Tv mode. If motion isn't a big deal and I'm really looking for depth of field control, Av mode. Switching back and forth between those two isn't real because ... well, it just doesn't work that way. It takes time to move from one of those scenes to another. And if I'm really in that situation, then why am I not using Manual?

It's probably just me, and probably because I don't shy away from Manual.

Regardless, I just ignore the Fv on the dial just like I ignore the green A+ box.

Depends on camera. Canon xxxD, xxxxD DLSRs would have all AF points enabled. And flash is not off in Auto.

10K USD M11 Leica doesn't have Auto and P. Only Av and M
Leica T, TL series can't show live view in the low light with external Leica flash attached.

Any way, Auto means all is in Auto. P means programmable, you could alter settings.