Issues with using "P" creative mode Canon 30D

I am attempting to use the P mode on the 30D and am running into issues with setting the shutter speed. It appears that the shutter speed is always set way too slow regardless of aperature changes. I am shooting the kids in lower light but the flash never pops up and it seems like I cant make the shutter speed and aperature go high enough.

I can pop on my external flash but dont know that it will make any difference.

Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

XCaddis

It seems like you have a good understanding of shutter speed and aperture, so why not take control and use the shutter-priority or aperture-priority modes?

In P mode, the flash will not pop up unless you pop it up. Once it is up, it will meter the scene with flash in mind. If you have a hot shoe flash that has ettl capabilities, you can go into M mode, and set the shutter speed and aperture, and the flash will compensate for its flash output to give proper exposure.

P=program mode
Camera sets the exposure (Av & Tv) and you get to control everything else.

There is a limit to how much you can make the shutter speed go faster. It is set by the aperature, you cannot increase the shutter speed any further if the apearture is already at the widest setting. What you need to do is increase the ISO to increase the shutter speed at a specific aperature by increasing the light sensitivity (hence requiring less amount of light to properly expose an image). In P mode, the flash does not automatically pop up, you have to release it.

In the Auto mode, the camera will determine the shutter speed, the aperature, the ISO level, and automatically pop up the flash if needed. In P mode, the camera selects an initial aperature and shutter speed and you can adjust these two factors by turning the front dial.

Thanks! I didn't know that about the flash. I have a 430EX but for messing around with my new 30D I don't always throw it on.

I am typically leaving it in P mode so I can make setting changes and if the wife wants to snap a shot of the kids, she just needs to push the button.

Cheers,

XCaddis

Rellik wrote in post #2364281
It seems like you have a good understanding of shutter speed and aperture, so why not take control and use the shutter-priority or aperture-priority modes?

In P mode, the flash will not pop up unless you pop it up. Once it is up, it will meter the scene with flash in mind. If you have a hot shoe flash that has ettl capabilities, you can go into M mode, and set the shutter speed and aperture, and the flash will compensate for its flash output to give proper exposure.

Rellik wrote in post #2364281
If you have a hot shoe flash that has ettl capabilities, you can go into M mode, and set the shutter speed and aperture, and the flash will compensate for its flash output to give proper exposure.

It works the same way with the built-in flash. It's just not as powerful or versatile.

In P mode, like the other "Creative Zone" settings, the flash doesn't pop up on its own. But if you pop it up, it'll work.

Additionally, you may want to share what the nature of the kid's activity is you are shooting (i.e. candids of them playing, sports, portraits, goofing around, etc...). This will all dictate how best to set the camera.

IMHO, I use available light if at all possible.