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[P], [S], [A], and [M] Modes

[P], [S], [A], and [M] modes give you varying degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture.

Mode [P]: Program AE

Let the camera choose shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Other values that produce the same exposure can be selected with program shift.

The camera functions in mode [P] (program AE) when the shutter speed dial is rotated to [A] or [P]. Aperture is set as follows.

Shutter speed dial Aperture

aShutter Speed Dial: [P]

 The camera functions in mode [P] regardless of the option selected for aperture (aTaking Photographs (Mode [P])).

aShutter Speed Dial: [A]
  • Lenses with aperture rings: Mode [P] can be selected by rotating the ring to [A] (auto).
  • Lenses without aperture rings: Mode [P] can be selected by rotating the front command dial to [A] (auto).

The method for adjusting aperture when using a lens without an aperture ring can be chosen using D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [APERTURE SETTING] (a[APERTURE SETTING]).

Front command dial settings can be adjusted using D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [COMMAND DIAL SETTING] (a[COMMAND DIAL SETTING]).

Shutter Speed Dial: [P]

Setting
Shutter speed [P] (program)

Confirm that [P] appears in the display.

Shutter Speed Dial: [A]

Setting
A Shutter speed [A] (auto)
B Aperture [A] (auto)

Confirm that [P] appears in the display.

If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the shutter speed and aperture displays will show “–––”.

Program Shift

If desired, you can rotate the rear command dial to select other combinations of shutter speed and aperture without altering exposure (program shift).

Shutter speed

Aperture

Program shift is not available in any of the following circumstances:

  • When [TTL] is selected for F[FLASH SETTING] > [FLASH FUNCTION SETTING]
  • When an auto option is selected for H[IMAGE QUALITY SETTING] > [DYNAMIC RANGE]
  • In movie mode

When the camera is turned off, program shift is canceled.

Mode [S]: Shutter-Priority AE

Choose a shutter speed and let the camera adjust aperture for optimal exposure.

Setting
A Shutter speed User-selected
B Aperture [A] (auto)

Confirm that [S] appears in the display.

If the correct exposure cannot be achieved at the selected shutter speed, aperture will be displayed in red.

If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the aperture display will show “–––”.

Shutter speed can also be adjusted in increments of 1/3 EV by rotating the rear command dial.

For faster shutter speeds, enable the electronic shutter, set the shutter speed dial to [4000] or [T], and rotate the rear command dial.

If you are using a lens with an aperture ring, rotate the ring to [A] (auto). If the lens is not equipped with an aperture ring, first select [AUTO] or [AUTO + MANUAL] for D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [APERTURE SETTING], then rotate the front command dial until the aperture value is displayed in white.

Shutter speed can be adjusted while the shutter button is pressed halfway.

At shutter speeds slower than 1 second, a count-down timer will be displayed while the exposure is in progress.

To reduce “noise” (mottling) in long time-exposures, select [ON] for H[IMAGE QUALITY SETTING] > [LONG EXPOSURE NR]. Note that this may increase the time needed to record images after shooting.

The picture will go out of focus if the camera is moved during a long time-exposure; use of a tripod is recommended.

The roles played by the front command dial and rear command dial can be changed using D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [COMMAND DIAL SETTING] (a[COMMAND DIAL SETTING]).

Time ([T])

Choose a shutter speed of [T] (time) for long time-exposures. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent the camera moving during the exposure.

  1. Set shutter speed to [T].

  2. Rotate the rear command dial to choose a shutter speed.

  3. Press the shutter button all the way down to take a picture at the selected shutter speed. At speeds of 1 s or slower, a count-down timer will be displayed while the exposure is in progress.

To reduce “noise” (mottling) in long time-exposures, select [ON] for H[IMAGE QUALITY SETTING] > [LONG EXPOSURE NR]. Note that this may increase the time needed to record images after shooting.

A remote release can be used for long time-exposures (aUsing a Remote Release).

Mode [A]: Aperture-Priority AE

Choose an aperture and let the camera adjust shutter speed for optimal exposure.

Setting
A Shutter speed [A] (auto)
B Aperture User-selected

Confirm that [A] appears in the display.

If the correct exposure cannot be achieved at the selected aperture, shutter speed will be displayed in red.

If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the shutter speed display will show “–––”.

If the lens is equipped with an aperture ring, aperture can be adjusted by rotating the ring. If the lens is not equipped with an aperture ring, rotate the front command dial to choose a value.

Front command dial settings can be adjusted using D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [COMMAND DIAL SETTING] (a[COMMAND DIAL SETTING]).

Aperture can be adjusted even while the shutter button is pressed halfway.

Previewing Depth of Field

When [PREVIEW DEPTH OF FIELD] is assigned to a function button, pressing the button displays a L icon and stops aperture down to the selected setting, allowing depth of field to be previewed in the display (aFunction Controls).

Mode [M]: Manual Exposure

In manual mode, the user controls both shutter speed and aperture. Shots can be deliberately overexposed (brighter) or underexposed (darker), opening the door for a variety of individual creative expression. The amount the picture would be under- or over-exposed at current settings is shown by the exposure indicator; adjust shutter speed and aperture until the desired exposure is reached.

Setting
A Shutter speed User-selected
B Aperture User-selected

Confirm that [M] appears in the display.

If the lens is equipped with an aperture ring, aperture can be adjusted by rotating the ring. If the lens is not equipped with an aperture ring, rotate the front command dial to choose a value.

Rotate the rear command dial to adjust shutter speed in increments of 1/3 EV.

The roles played by the front command dial and rear command dial can be changed using D[BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [COMMAND DIAL SETTING] (a[COMMAND DIAL SETTING]).

Bulb ([B])

Choose a shutter speed of [B] (bulb) for long time-exposures in which you open and close the shutter manually. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent the camera moving during the exposure.

  1. Set shutter speed to [B].

  2. Press the shutter button all the way down.

    • The shutter will remain open for up to 60 minutes while the shutter button is pressed.
    • The display shows the time elapsed since the exposure started.
    • Releasing the shutter button closes the shutter, ending the exposure. Processing will begin, and the camera will display the processing time remaining.

Bulb photography is not available in drive modes other than [STILL IMAGE] or multiple exposure or when the electronic shutter is selected for A[SHOOTING SETTING] > [SHUTTER TYPE].

Selecting an aperture of [A] fixes shutter speed at 30 s.

To reduce “noise” (mottling) in long time-exposures, select [ON] for H[IMAGE QUALITY SETTING] > [LONG EXPOSURE NR]. Note that this may increase the time needed to record images after shooting.

Using a Remote Release

A remote release can be used for long time-exposures. When using an optional RR-100 remote release or an electronic release from third-party suppliers, connect it to the camera’s microphone/remote release connector via a third-party φ2.5 mm to 3.5 mm adapter.

Exposure Preview

To preview exposure in the LCD monitor, select [PREVIEW EXP./WB] for D[SCREEN SET-UP] > [PREVIEW EXP./WB IN MANUAL MODE].

[PREVIEW EXP./WB]

[PREVIEW WB] or [OFF]

Select an option other than [PREVIEW EXP./WB] when using the flash or on other occasions on which exposure may change when the picture is taken.