Selecting the shutter speed
The numbers on the shutter
speed dial stand for fractions
of a second. 125 represents
1/125 second and so forth. At
the B (Bulb) setting, the
shutter remains open as long
as the shutter release button is
held down. The Nikon F also
has a T (Time) setting; at this
setting, the shutter will remain
open until it is closed
manually by rotating the
shutter speed dial one click
stop in either direction. To set
the shutter speed, turn the
shutter speed dial until the
desired number clicks into
position opposite the black dot
to the left of the shutter speed
dial between the dial and the
viewfinder. The dial is
clickstopped to rotate a full
360° in either direction, before
or after the shutter is cocked.
The shutter release button is
threaded to accept the Nikon
cable release.
In the center of the shutter speed dial beneath a transparent window is a small black dot
which indicates whether or not the shutter is cocked; in the cocked position, the dot lines
up with the shutter speed in use. When the shutter is released, the dot returns to the 7
o'clock position.
A pin on top of the shutter speed dial permits direct coupling with the Photomicseries
finders.
For convenience when using flashhulbs or electronic flash, the shutter speed markings
are color-coded to match the markings on the synchronization selector located under the
transparent window just above the selector ring. For details refer to the chapter on flash
synchronization.