Difference between P and M modes in Kx

Hello,

I am very new to using the P or M modes as i've only used the Av and Tv so far.

Although I understand what the M mode is, I was curious to see what the P mode is, I found this website:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/KX/KXMENUS.HTM

Unfortunately I don't really understand the difference between the 2, was hoping to be able to "program" some modes (i.e tell my camera to go for f4 or so but happy to change if let's say my shutter speed is less than 1/30sec).

Anyway I don't have my camera with me so it might make more sense when I can try/test it, but was wondering if people where using the P mode and if yes what for and how?

Thanks!

P mode stands for program mode and simply means that the camera selects both aperture and shutter speed. It's aimed at those who don't understand f stops and shutter speeds and want full automation.

so what's the difference with the green smiley mode?

you're saying in P mode you dont select anything?

x

In P mode you just shoot, but you can alter various menu items to suit personal preferences.

In green mode the same applies except that the camera now decides what sort of picture you might be taking and the menu options are vastly reduced.

In these modes all you need to do is focus and compose.

Ok thanks - so in short the P mode is an enhanced Auto mode?

That's a bit disappointing...

Don't really think that's true though.

P mode is program mode but when you change the aperture it will go basically in Av mode and if you change the shutter speed it will go into Tv mode.
So you need to have an understanding about both to use it successfully.

If you don't know anything about f stops and shutter speeds then the green mode is the mode to use.

No not really.
You can use it as an advance auto mode and have the ability to change the settings to your liking if you think the camera is wrong.
Or
You can use it in fast changing condition, where you first want control over your DOF (depth of field) and then about your ability to freeze things with the shutter speed.
Motor racing can be such an example.

hmm it doesnt sound very useful as it's the same as using Av and then check the shutter speed and adjust the Av if the shutter speed doesnt look right (which will be updated automatically).

Example: I shoot at f4 in Av mode, the camera tells me 1/20sec which i find too long, so i change to f2.8 and the camera will pick 1/60 sec or so (whatever one stop is?), keeping the same exposure?

If I want to shoot sport or do a long pose I use the Tv mode.

It seems it's just easier to swap between controling exposure, aperture or shutter, so in the end you might just look at all the parameters before taking your pic, which is more likely to be nicer i guess..?

Not convinced yet

But here comes the the thing.
In Av mode like you said shutter speed is updated automatically, so if you want a precise shutter-speed you need to use the dial to set it on Tv or you need to lock the exposure.
When you want a certain shutter speed in P-mode you just dial it to that figure, you want a certain f-number just dial it to that. The camera won't try to update the number you change but will change the rest.

Actually that's what you're doing with P but you're taking out the handling of turn the mode dial to the mode you want.

It's just what you're used to really, non is better then another.

I for one, really like the green button in M mode.
I've set the green button up like an Av on demand, so with one press of a button you can get the exposure settings really close to the correct exposure.
When you use spot metering you can even be more selective on what you meter and if you do it correctly you can speed things up when shooting manually.

For those examples have you considered you might be better investigating one of the Hyper Program mode options?

Which seems to be a custom Program mode for enabling your own User shooting preference for the session, can be set to toggle rapidly into either Av or Tv adjust on touching the e-Dial.

In the Menu under 4> Green Button, "eDial in Program" enables the user choice. (ref: Page 95 in the K-x manual)

With the Green Button always ready as the quick get out of jail card, for jumping back into 'normal' Program mode where the camera is in auto-control of both shutter and aperture.

.R.

Could you please explain this a bit more for me.

Ross.

Yes of course but don't know how much further i can explain, it might be better if someone else worded it differently but i'll give a try.

You can set different type of programs under the green button in M-mode.
-Av shift (shifts/moves the f-number / short off Tv mode)
-Tv shift (shifts/moves the shutter-speed / short off Av mode)
-MTF (moves both aperture and shutter to get the best photo / sort off green mode)

When you press the Green button in M-mode the camera takes a quick metering and adjust the settings following the rules of the program you've set.
It does that just for the moment you press the button so it doesn't adjust/update the settings all the time.

This can be very handy when you want to consistency of M-mode (same settings for several photos, handy if you want to batch process photos) but want to convenience you get from the automatic modes.

Thankyou,

with your explanation and a quick practice sat in truck i have now grasped what you are saying, neat little button this green button.

I had it set on optical preview but i think this may work better for me at the moment while i get the hang of the different settings and how they work and the differences they make to the photo as i really want to be able to shoot in manual mode.

ross

Sorry Ross i just see that you've a KX and indeed you need to set the green button to function like that.
With the K10D for example you've the optical preview on a dictated button so the Green button is actually fixed on the setting i explained.

The optical preview can be very handy with landscapes so that you can precisely place the depth of field or with product photography for the rest i at least have hardly used the optical preview for something else.
I think the green button with the exposure function is indeed handier.

woohoo just gave it a go. Still haven't figured out how to use it properly (not sure if i need to change e-dial or p program in the menu), but i found a MAJOR improvement over the Av mode.

tested on my 10-20mm f4 - 5.6

setting my aperture to f5.6 at 10mm, which is one stop above
--> now when I zoom in to 20mm, the aperture becomes f8, which is one stop above

this is awesome because it means I can shoot at the sweet spot and not have to worry about zooming in or out as it will always pick one or two stops above (whichever i set it up on!).

now if I go to the Av mode, f4 at 10mm, zoom in to 20mm, the aperture becomes f5.6, then zoom out back to 10mm, the aperture stays at f5.6

So for me it's two major improvements (only for the lenses that don't have constant aperture):
- shooting at sweet spot all the time
- shooting at biggest aperture all the time

I believe I will always shoot in P mode now!?

deleted a comment of mine that was nonsense
Pete