Nikon D3200 User Manual - Page 69

tP, S, A, and M Modes Shutter Speed and Aperture P, S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture: Mode Description P Programmed auto (0 54) Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Recommended for snapshots and in other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings. S Shutter-priority auto (0 55) User chooses shutter speed; camera selects aperture for best results. Use to freeze or blur motion. t A Aperture-priority auto (0 56) User chooses aperture; camera selects shutter speed for best results. Use to blur background or bring both foreground and background into focus. M Manual (0 57) User controls both shutter speed and aperture. Set shutter speed to "Bulb" or "Time" for long time-exposures. D Lens Aperture Rings When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring (0 168), lock the aperture ring at the minimum aperture (highest f-number). Type G lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring. A Shutter Speed and Aperture The same exposure can be achieved with different combinations of shutter speed and aperture. Fast shutter speeds and large apertures freeze moving objects and soften background details, while slow shutter speeds and small apertures blur moving objects and bring out background details. Shutter speed Aperture Fast shutter speed (1/1,600 s) Slow shutter speed (1 s) Large aperture (f/5.6) Small aperture (f/22) (Remember, the higher the f-number, the smaller the aperture.) 53