Exposure Modes; Aperture Priority - A - Minolta DiMAGE S304 Instruction Manual

EXPOSURE MODES

The three exposure modes allow extensive control over image making: program, aperture priority,
and manual exposure. Exposure modes are set in the Basic section of the multi-function recording
mode menu (p. 50).
PROGRAM
The program exposure mode controls both the shutter speed and aperture to ensure perfect
exposures. The sophisticated exposure system allows the photographer the freedom to shoot without
having to worry about the technical details of exposure settings. The shutter speed and aperture
values of the exposure are displayed on the monitor. If shutter speed and aperture displays turn red,
the scene is beyond the exposure control range of the camera.
APERTURE PRIORITY – A
The photographer selects the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed to ensure
correct exposure. When aperture priority is selected, the aperture value on the monitor turns blue
and a double arrow icon appears next to it. If the LCD monitor is turned off, the aperture value is
fixed at the last setting and cannot be changed. The flash will not fire if set to an autoflash mode; to
use the flash, set the flash mode to fill-flash (p.30).
Use the left/right keys of the controller (1) to set the desired aperture value. Press the shutter-release
button to activate the exposure system; the corresponding shutter speed will be displayed on the
monitor.
The aperture value can be changed in two steps: f/3.0 and f/6.7 at the lens' wide-angle position, f/3.6
52
and f/8.0 at the lens' telephoto position. As the
lens is zoomed, the aperture will automatically
shift. If the aperture value is beyond the shutter-
speed range, the shutter-speed display will turn
red on the monitor. For more on the aperture and
image control, see page 62.