Exposure compensation or Program Shift?

[keethjon]

Hi,
Is there a difference between the program shift function and exposure compensation? If so, do some cameras have both or only one of the functions?

Thanks,
Keith

 

[Overread15 3]

What camera are you currently using which has program shift?
Also could you explain how and when program shift is used/enabled on that camera. I ask because to date I've not heard of it/the term so it could be a regular thing called something different or it might be something present only on certain kinds of camera.

 

[Patrice]

Program shift and exposure compensation are two different things.

Program shift works when your camera is in 'P' (program) mode. Activating program shift tells the camera to pick another combination of shutter speed and aperture while keeping the same EV value. Either the shutter speeds up and the aperture opens up or the shutter slows down and the aperture closes down. Some models may even vary the ISO.

Exposure compensation is used to change the EV value of the exposure. Either the aperture changes or the shutter changes but seldom both.

 

[Garbz]

Overread what camera are you using that *doesn't* have program shift

All Nikons have this feature, not sure about Canons or others. On Nikons you simply turn the dial while in 'P' mode and it'll change the combination of shutter and aperture maintaining the same exposure. It'll also display 'P*' on the display.

 

[TCampbell]

Overread what camera are you using that *doesn't* have program shift

All Nikons have this feature, not sure about Canons or others. On Nikons you simply turn the dial while in 'P' mode and it'll change the combination of shutter and aperture maintaining the same exposure. It'll also display 'P*' on the display.

Canon's have it as well. You have to get the camera to meter first (e.g. press the shutter half-way or press any button that activates metering.) Turning the main dial will cycle through other combinations of aperture & shutter speed which offer an equivalent exposure.

 

[Overread15 3]

I will admit - I never used P mode. I kinda jumped from Auto to Av/Tv/Manual.

P mode just confused me or rather I didn't understand quite what it was doing at the time and found Av/Tv/manual easier to approach and understand. So I didn't pick up on the P mode lingo

 

[Garbz]

Don't worry you're not alone. I had to go play with my camera for a refresher before I posted how program shift works

 

[runnah]

Wait "P" doesn't stand for professional?

:mrgreen:

 

[fjrabon]

ha, I'm with you overread. I actually need to sit down and figure out how P mode works. I've literally NEVER used it. I mean I don't use auto modes that often in general, but I should at least know how it works, I'm sure there are some situations where it's quite useful. I used full auto and scene modes for about a week before I switched to A mode. Pretty much used A mode only for like 4-5 months, before now using A about 44% of the time and M about 55% of the time and using S about 1% of the time.

 

[sleist]

Nikon refers to it as "Flexible Program" mode.

 

[TwoRails]

P mode has worked pretty much the same in the cameras I have. It's a form of Auto but gives you more control, while preventing some things from happening. I does assume you know what your doing but suggests shutter/aperture. One big reason for using P is that the flash, if so equipped, won't pop up on low light shots. I use it a lot as it allows EV control, and you can also adjust aperture and or shutter speed so changing things like DOF is a breeze.