What does "P" Mode stand for?

Nathan wrote in post #15194927
Read my original post. There's invisible ink.

Hmm, invisible ink i see. Or not as the case would be.

DC Fan wrote in post #15195589
Just for accuracy's sake, "P" stands for Program AE, the successor to an auto exposure mode that was introduced on the Canon A-series FD-mount 35mm cameras in the early 1980's. The adjustable Program AE was one of the most sophisticated auto exposure systems of its time, and gave Canon a technical advantage in the consumer 35mm SLR market that lasted all of four years. Then, Minolta drove the state of the art even further with the auto exposure and autofocus Maxxum cameras a few years later. (Canon was essentially forced to drop the manual-focus FD cameras and move on to the EF and EOS system to stay competitive.)

Professor Mode. Seriously though, I really appreciated this response. I didn't know that Minolta was the first to come out with AF.

P mode. I'm still trying to figure it out ... just because.

It appears when you put camera in P mode, the only real variable becomes ISO setting. ISO setting stays where you put it.

P mode will select an aperture value and a shutter speed for you. I like that it chooses an 'educated' AV number for the shooter. If the shutter speed the camera chooses is too slow, the user can up the ISO setting to see a faster shutter speed.

P mode is not a bad thing when light is good, but using it in low-light situations would likely result in shutter speeds too slow for most shooters to see well-focused shots.

dave

I don't quite understand how and what it takes into account various to determine your settings... or how it is that much different than Auto, for that matter.

Nathan wrote in post #15198990
I don't quite understand how and what it takes into account various to determine your settings... or how it is that much different than Auto, for that matter.

In p mode you can scroll your settings but it will maintain proper exposure by adjusting the others. It also offers some customizing.

Nathan wrote in post #15198990
I don't quite understand how and what it takes into account various to determine your settings... or how it is that much different than Auto, for that matter.

I don't know that it's *much* different; but there are a few things. In 'P', you can choose whether or not to use a flash, and change some of the flash settings. In 'A', you get flash whenever the camera feels like it, regardless of what YOU want

Also, you can adjust EC when using 'P' but no in 'A', and a select few other options. "A" sets everything and the only thing you can do is choose to push the shutter button or not.

snyderman wrote in post #15198835
P mode. I'm still trying to figure it out ... just because.

It appears when you put camera in P mode, the only real variable becomes ISO setting. ISO setting stays where you put it.

P mode will select an aperture value and a shutter speed for you. I like that it chooses an 'educated' AV number for the shooter. If the shutter speed the camera chooses is too slow, the user can up the ISO setting to see a faster shutter speed.

P mode is not a bad thing when light is good, but using it in low-light situations would likely result in shutter speeds too slow for most shooters to see well-focused shots.

dave

It'll adjust your aperture and shutter speed to account for focal length, and you can adjust exposure compensation as well as the aperture or shutter speed bias. Spin your dials and zoom in and out to see for yourself.

DC Fan wrote in post #15195589
Just for accuracy's sake, "P" stands for Program AE, the successor to an auto exposure mode that was introduced on the Canon A-series FD-mount 35mm cameras in the early 1980's. The adjustable Program AE was one of the most sophisticated auto exposure systems of its time, and gave Canon a technical advantage in the consumer 35mm SLR market that lasted all of four years. Then, Minolta drove the state of the art even further with the auto exposure and autofocus Maxxum cameras a few years later. (Canon was essentially forced to drop the manual-focus FD cameras and move on to the EF and EOS system to stay competitive.)

Party Pooper

Program mode. Try reading your camera manual all the way through.

HappySnapper90 wrote in post #15202078
Program mode. Try reading your camera manual all the way through.

Only read the first post?

Its actually not about that at all

People who don't get sarcasm ?

back to subject :
Picasso Mode

Simply because there was insufficient room on the mode dial for 'PHD' (Push Here, Dummy), for the degree of user understanding which is necessary for operation of the camera.

Nathan wrote in post #15195197
I think I need a translator

Never used a Canon DSLR in auto mode then?

No way my wife could get good results with a Canon DSLR. Fortunately though the S90 and up have good auto/semi auto modes that give sensible exposures and settings.

Wilt wrote in post #15203296
Simply because there was insufficient room on the mode dial for 'PHD' (Push Here, Dummy), for the degree of user understanding which is necessary for operation of the camera.

And wife keeps telling me PhD stands for 'Piled Higher and Deeper'. Reminds me of:

Boss to new employee: Here's a broom, sweep out the storage area
New employee: But I have a post-graduate degree
Boss: Oh sorry, in that case I'll show you how to use a broom first