Nikon F801 program mode

[Ste_S]

I'm not sure if my Nikon F801 has an error in program mode, or if it's a Nikon designed 'feature' ?

Using a 50mm f1.8 af-d, program mode resists picking f1.8 as an aperture. It'll open up to a maximum of f2.8 and start selecting slow shutter speeds rather than picking f2 or f1.8.
I can jog the program to open the lens up and use a faster shutter speed and override it, but why does it pick say f2.8 and 1/30sec rather than opening up to f2 and 1/60sec ?

 

[Chan Tran]

Read page 34 of the manual. You can make it select the larger aperture by select program high.

 

[darkroommike]

It's an AF safety net thing, early AF cameras are at their worst with the lens wide open, but as Chan Tran said you can "force" it a bit by your choice of P-mode. I have played with program mode on my 8008s (same camera) but never on a paying job. I prefer manual exposure and manual focus.