Exposure Modes - Nikon D300 Complete Manual

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Exposure Modes

The D300 has four exposure modes:

P Program exposure mode

In this exposure mode, the D300 automatically adjusts

both the aperture and shutter speed to create a properly

exposed image. The combination picked is based upon a

predetermined table in the camera (see "Program

Exposure Table" on page <277>). You may override the

selection chosen by the camera by rotating the Rear

Command dial (called Flexible Program by Nikon). For

most new-to-DSLR users, this is probably the exposure

mode you should start with. It gives you "semi-smart

automation backed with the flexibility to override.

Warning: when you start using flash you'll want to avoid

this exposure mode, though (see page <598>).

A Aperture-preferred exposure mode

You control and choose the aperture setting (using the

Front Command dial) and the D300 automatically picks

the correct shutter speed to create a properly exposed

image. Note that the shutter speed the camera picks is

incremented in 1/3 stops with the default camera settings

in this mode. As you get more serious about your

photography you'll discover that the aperture you select

has a great deal to do with what is in and out of focus.

Most serious amateurs gravitate towards this exposure

mode as they master concepts like depth of field. Many

professionals use this exposure mode.

If you have either my D50 or D70 eBook, you may remember this as saying

"smart." Yes, those consumer cameras are smarter than the D300 in one way: their

programs try to preserve shutter speeds that would minimize camera shake. The

D300 (and D2 series, D200, and D3) use a simpler program that does not change

with focal length, figuring that the camera operator is smart enough to override the

program if shake might be an issue.

Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300