Nikon P5100 - Manual (Page 62)

48
Shooting in P, S, A, and M Modes
P, S,
A an
d
M
mode
s
Shooting in A (Aperture-Priority Auto)
1
Rotate the mode dial to A.
2
Rotate the command dial to choose
the f/-number (aperture value).
When the camera is zoomed all the way out,
aperture can be set to values between f/2.7
and f/7.6; at maximum zoom, aperture can
be set to values between f/5.3 and f/7.3.
3
Focus and shoot.
At default setting, the camera automatically selects the
focus area containing the closest subject, from nine focus
areas, and adjusts focus accordingly (
A 105).
B
A (Aperture-Priority Auto) Mode
If the selected aperture would result in the picture being over- or underexposed, the aperture
display will flash when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another aperture and
try again.
B
Note on Shutter Speed
When [Continuous], [BSS], [Continuous flash] or [Multi-shot 16] is selected for [Continuous] ( A 101),
or when a setting other than [Off] is selected for [Auto bracketing] ( A 104), the slowest shutter
speed available is down to 1/2 sec.
D
Aperture and Zoom
Aperture is expressed as an f-number, which is the ratio of the focal length of the lens to the
effective diameter of the opening (aperture) through which light enters the camera. Large apertures
(expressed by small f-numbers) let more light into the camera, small apertures (large f-numbers) less.
When the camera is zoomed out, the focal length of the lens diminishes and the f-number
decreases. When the camera is zoomed in, the focal length and f-number increase. In modes A and
M, this effect can be minimized by selecting [On] for [Fixed aperture] (
A 109). Aperture can be
controlled in the range of f/5.1 to f/7.3.
The COOLPIX P5100 has a lens with a focal length of 7.5–26.3 mm and an aperture of f/2.7 to f/5.3.
17 17 17
F F
1/125 1/125 1/125 F4.3 F4.3
17 17 17
F F
1/125 1/125 1/125 F6.8 F6.8