Nikon D5100 - Manual (Page 51)

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P, S, A, and M Modes
P , S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter
speed and aperture. See the Reference Manual (on CD) for more
information on each mode.
Mode Description
P Programmed auto
Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure
(user can rotate command dial to choose from different
combinations of shutter speed and aperture that will produce
optimal exposure). Recommended for snapshots and in other
situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings.
S Shutter-priority auto
User rotates command dial to choose shutter speed; camera
selects aperture for best results. Use to freeze or blur motion.
A Aperture-priority auto
User rotates command dial to choose aperture; camera selects
shutter speed for best results. Use to blur background or bring
both foreground and background into focus.
M Manual
User rotates command dial to choose shutter speed, presses
N (E) button and rotates command dial to choose aperture. Set
shutter speed to “Bulb” or “Time” for long time-exposures.
A
Shutter Speed and Aperture
The same exposure can be achieved with different combinations of shutter speed and
aperture. Fast shutter speeds and large apertures freeze moving objects and soften
background details, while slow shutter speeds and small apertures blur moving objects and
bring out background details.
Fast shutter speed
( 1 /
1,600
s)
Slow shutter speed
(1 s)
Large aperture (f/5.6) Small aperture (f/22)
(Remember, the higher the f-number, the
smaller the aperture.)
Shutter speed Aperture