Nikon 3700, 3699, 55 instruction manual About Metering Systems and Exposure

About Metering Systems and Exposure

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Metering systems and exposure are important factors for taking pictures. Knowing the characteristics of each factor helps you widen your photographic expression.

• Metering Systems

As the proper combination of shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure is determined according to subject brightness and film sensitivity, measuring subject brightness is very important.

In general, brightness inside the viewfinder is not uniform. The N55 provides two metering systems: Matrix Metering (page 28) and Center Partial Metering (page 60). With Matrix Metering, data on scene brightness is detected by the five-segment Matrix sensor. Using G- or O-type Nikkor lenses, the N55 camera performs 3D Matrix Metering by adding distance information to determine correct exposure. With Center Partial Metering, brightness is detected at the central areas including three focus areas in the viewfinder. With the N55, Matrix Metering is automatically selected when the exposure mode is set to other than Manual and Center Partial Metering is selected with Manual exposure mode.

• Exposure

Light from the subject passes through the lens and exposes the film. Light reaching the film is controlled by the shutter speed and aperture. The proper combination of shutter speed and aperture for subject brightness and film sensitivity results in the correct exposure.

The N55'sAUTO mode (page 28), Auto-Multi Program (page 54) and Vari- Program (page 36) automatically control shutter speed and aperture. Vari- Program gives you the option to choose from Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports Continuous or Night Portrait mode-designed for specific picture- taking situations and photographic images. In Shutter-Priority Auto exposure mode (page 56), you can manually set shutter speed and the camera automatically sets the proper aperture. In Aperture-Priority Auto exposure mode (page 58), you can manually set aperture and the camera automatically sets the proper shutter speed. In Manual exposure mode (page 60), you manually set both shutter speed and aperture.

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