Was wondering if anyone could help me. I have a Nikon F4 camera. I'm not sure how the aperture priority works because if i set the aperture to say f/16, i get a much darker image which is not what i want. But i have no choice since i want to a greater depth of view. I understand that with the aperture priority, the shutter speed is controlled by the camera. But if thats the case, how does the camera know how much exposure i want?
Sorry if my terms may not sound correct, i just started on film photography.
Hi jansenaw,
the camera's meter will determine what is, TECHNICALLY, the optimal exposure (aperture and shutter speed) based on what ISO film you have loaded.
You then have a choice of the following:
1. Shutter priority: You choose the shutter speed, the camera decides the aperture size. The final exposure will equal the camera's recommendation.
2. Aperture priority: You choose the aperture size, the camera decides the shutter speed. The final exposure will equal the camera's recommendation.
3. Program mode: This will, of course, be the camera's original recommendation.
4. Manual mode: You decide both, and can over-ride the camera's recommendation.
Please note, that the exposure recommended by the camera is only what the computer thinks is TECHNICALLY correct based on it's programming. Sometimes, "technically correct" exposures are not what you want. If that's the case, it's time to use options 1, 2 or 4 above.
The image you see through a view-finder is one that is at maximum aperture. The aperture you/the camera chooses for a certain shot will only be used when the shot is taken. If you use the DOF preview button (you get to see the picture through the viewfinder at the CURRENT aperture setting instead of the default full aperture), you will notice how the viewfinder gets darker as you set a smaller aperture. This is because a smaller aperture lets less light through the lens.
Hope this helped.
Bernard