Minolta MAXXUM 8000i Instruction Manual page 20

In A mode you can set the aperture to control
depth of field and the camera will automatically
set the shutter speed required for correct ex¬
posure at that aperture setting.
To set the aperture: With the camera set to A
mode, use the setting control to select the ap¬
erture. Moving the control to the right sets a
smaller aperture number, and to the left sets a
larger aperture number. The aperture setting
changes in half-stop increments each time you
move the setting control; holding the setting
control in either direction causes the aperture
value to change continuously.
You can set any available aperture within the
aperture range indicated on the AF lens you are
using. For example, the AF 50mm/1.7 lens is
marked 1:1.7 (22), indicating an aperture range
off/1.7 to f/22.
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• If the shutter speed required for correct
exposure at the aperture setting you have
selected is not available, the data panel's
shutter speed display blinks (A). If 8000
blinks, close down the aperture until the
blinking stops; if 30 blinks, open up the aper¬
ture until the blinking stops. If both view¬
finder exposure signals blink, the ambient
light level is beyond the camera's metering
range (B).
35
The size of the lens aperture through which light
from the subject enters the camera is an impor¬
tant factor in determining depth of field, or the
distance range behind and in front of the subject
that will be in focus. A mode allows you to vary
the size of the aperture in order to control the
depth of field in a particular way, without sacri¬
ficing the convenience of autoexposure.
As shown in the example photos above, the
depth of field becomes greater as the size of the
lens aperture decreases. A large aperture set¬
ting might be useful if you want to separate a
subject from its surroundings, while a small
aperture would be preferred when you want the
focus range to extend as far as possible, as in a
landscape picture.
36