Choosing aperture (A: Aperture-Priority AE)

In this mode, you choose the aperture (f/-number) and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed for optimal exposure according to subject brightness. Lower aperture values (larger apertures) reduce the depth of the area that appears to be in focus (depth of field), blurring the background. Higher aperture values (smaller apertures) increase the depth of the area that appears to be in focus in front of and behind the subject.

Lower aperture values…

…reduce depth of field and increase blur.

Higher aperture values…

…increase depth of field.

Rotate the mode dial to A.
Adjust aperture.
- Use the front and rear dials to adjust the following settings.
  
  Front dial: Exposure compensation (“Controlling exposure (Exposure Compensation)”)
  
  Rear dial: Aperture
1. Aperture
- The shutter speed selected automatically by the camera will appear in the display.
- Exposure compensation can also be adjusted using the F button. Press the F button and then rotate the front or rear dial.
Release the shutter.

You can choose the functions performed by the front and rear dials. g “Assigning Roles to the Front and Rear Dials (KDial Function / nDial Function)”
You can use the Fn lever to reverse the roles of the front and rear dials. The Fn lever can also be assigned other roles. g “Customizing the Fn Lever (Fn Lever Settings)”
You can choose whether the display reflects the effects of exposure compensation or maintains a constant brightness for ease of viewing. g “Changing the look of the display (KLV Mode)”
You can stop aperture down to the selected value and preview depth of field. g “Changing the roles of buttons (Button Settings)”

Subject Too Dark or Too Bright

If the camera is unable to achieve optimal exposure, the shutter-speed display will flash as shown.

Display	Problem/solution
Slow shutter speed	Underexposure. Choose a lower aperture value.
Fast shutter speed	Overexposure. Choose a higher aperture value. If the subject is still overexposed at the higher value, the limits of the camera metering system have been exceeded. Use a third-party ND (Neutral Density) filter to reduce the amount of light entering the camera. Shutter speeds as fast as 1/32000 s are available in I (silent) mode. g “Shooting without shutter sound (Silent I Settings)”, “Performing the sequential/self-timer shooting”

Display

Problem/solution

Slow shutter speed

Underexposure.

Choose a lower aperture value.

Fast shutter speed

Overexposure.

Choose a higher aperture value.
If the subject is still overexposed at the higher value, the limits of the camera metering system have been exceeded. Use a third-party ND (Neutral Density) filter to reduce the amount of light entering the camera.
Shutter speeds as fast as 1/32000 s are available in I (silent) mode. g “Shooting without shutter sound (Silent I Settings)”, “Performing the sequential/self-timer shooting”

When [KISO] is not set to [Auto], optimal exposure may be achieved by changing the setting. g “Changing ISO sensitivity (ISO)”