Adjusting the aperture

If the difference between the brightness of the subject and the background is too great, adjust the aperture manually.

When the aperture opens (lowering the F value), focal point becomes smaller (reducing depth of field) so that the background will blur and the subject will be in focus [a]. When the aperture closes (raising the F value), focal point becomes greater (increasing depth of field) so that both background and subject will focus clearly [b].

[a]

 

[b]

 

 

 

(1) Set AUTO LOCK to OFF.

(2) Set AUTO/MANUAL at the right of the IRIS dial to MANUAL. The current aperture setting appears in the viewfinder.

(3) Turn IRIS to adjust the aperture.

Using the dial, you can select F1.6, F2, F2.4, F2.8, F3.4, F4, F4.8, F5.6, F6.8, F8, F9.6, F11, and CLOSE. The aperture indicator appears in the viewfinder.

If you select CLOSE, the aperture closes completely, and the picture becomes black (the effect is the same as trying to record with the lens cover attached).

1

2

ON

OFF

AUTO LOCK

 

AUTO

MANUAL

3

OP

E

N

IRIS

 

E

S

CLO

 

To return to automatic aperture mode

Set AUTO/MANUAL at the right of the IRIS dial to AUTO.

About the depth of focus field

The depth of focus field is the in-focus range measured from the distance behind a subject to the distance in front. The depth of focus field can vary with the aperture value and the focal length. Lowering the F value (larger aperture) reduces the depth of focus field. Raising the F value (smaller aperture) provides a larger depth of focus field. Zooming in telephoto position offers a smaller depth of focus field while the depth of focus field in wide-angle position is greater.

Note on the aperture

When zoom is in telephoto, you can open the aperture as far as F2 (not to F1.6).

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