"Matt Clara" <no.emailz@this.guys.expense> wrote in

message news:UD9ub.195805$Te.1415660@news.easynews.com...

[...]

> > As I pointed out earlier, though, just getting the F100 (or F5)

> > out of program mode so you can better control the camera

> > can improve things with these fine tools (which should not be

> > used as "snapshooters", stuck in program mode...;-).

> > -- DR

> I must take exception with this last statement, as some serious photography

> can yet be accomplished in P mode. I shoot several weddings every summer

> using Nikon equipment, and the flash and camera are on P mode 90% of the

> time with an occasional dial in exposure adjustment. The results are

> superbly exposed images. The remaining 10% is for the formals in which case

> I use Alien Bees for lighting and the camera is in M mode. Generally once

> you've got those settings down they don't vary much unless the crowd gets

> big for one of the formals and I need greater depth of field.

> Moreover, in bright light the camera will go for 1/250th.

> Sometimes P is the best tool for the job, in which case these fine tools

> _should_ be used in P mode, at least when the situation warrants it.

This is true - but a rare condition, IMHO. As with wedding photography,

where using P mode most of the time will cause severe underexposure

of the low ambient-light levels found at weddings much of the time - and

it may also force the lens wide open, which is often not always ideal for

best image quality. 1/30th and even 1/15th or slower shutter speeds are

often useful, especially when using wide-angle lenses which can be hand-held

at slow speeds and which often need to be at f5.6 for good performance.

For the original poster, use of P in a studio situation doesn't work if there

are reasons why 1/250th shutter speed is desireable (noticeable light sources

or reflections from these that should not predominate in the exposure is

one reason) and since program mode may force the aperture too wide

for the set-up. Knowing photographic techniques and having good tools

often help in producing better/more-varied images than mere snapshooting

with fully automatic controls engaged will - which the newer cameras

(even the good ones) now permit...;-)

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com