Nikon Camera D3300 Reference Manual

							
101
P, S, A, and M Modes
A
Shutter Speed and Aperture
Shutter speed and aperture are shown in the viewfinder and 
information display.
Shutter speed
Aperture
Fast shutter speeds (
1/1600
s in this 
example) freeze motion. Slow shutter speeds (here 1 s) blur 
motion.
Large apertures (such as f/5.6; 
remember, the lower the f-number, 
the larger the aperture) blur details  in front of and behind the main  subject. Small apertures (f/22 in this case) 
bring both background and  foreground into focus. 
						

							
102P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
P (Programmed Auto)
This mode is recommended 
for snapshots or whenever 
you want to leave the camera 
in charge of shutter speed and 
aperture.
 The camera 
automatically adjusts shutter 
speed and aperture for 
optimal exposure in most 
situations.
To take pictures in programmed auto mode, rotate the mode 
dial to  P.
Mode dial 
						

							
103
P, S, A, and M Modes
A
Flexible Program
In mode  P, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can 
be selected by rotating the command dial (“flexible program”).
 Rotate 
the dial right for large apertures (low f-numbers) and fast shutter 
speeds, left for small apertures (high f-numbers) and slow shutter 
speeds.
 All combinations produce the same exposure.
Rotate right to blur background details or 
freeze motion.
Command dial
Rotate left to increase  depth of field or blur 
motion.
While flexible program is in effect, a  U (R ) 
indicator appears in the viewfinder and 
information display.
 To restore default 
shutter speed and aperture settings, rotate 
the command dial until the indicator is no 
longer displayed, choose another mode, or 
turn the camera off. 
						

							
104P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
S (Shutter-Priority Auto)
This mode lets you control shutter speed: choose fast shutter 
speeds to “freeze” motion, slow shutter speeds to suggest 
motion by blurring moving objects.
 The camera automatically 
adjusts aperture for optimal exposure.
To choose a shutter speed:
1
Rotate the mode dial to  S.Fast shutter speeds (e.g., 
1/1600
s) 
freeze motion.  Slow shutter speeds (e.g., 1 s) blur 
motion.
Mode dial 
						

							
105
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose a shutter speed.
Rotate the command dial to choose 
the desired shutter speed: rotate right 
for faster speeds, left for slower 
speeds.
Command dial 
						

							
106P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
A (Aperture -Priority Auto)
In this mode, you can adjust aperture to control depth of field 
(the distance in front of and behind the main subject that 
appears to be in focus).
 The camera automatically adjusts 
shutter speed for optimal exposure.
To choose an aperture:
1
Rotate the mode dial to  A.
Large apertures (low f-numbers, e.g. 
f/5.6) blur details in front of and  behind the main subject. Small apertures (high f-numbers, e.g. 
f/22) bring the foreground and  background into focus.
Mode dial 
						

							
107
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose an aperture.
Rotate the command dial left for 
larger apertures (lower f-numbers), 
right for smaller apertures (higher f-
numbers).
Command dial 
						

							
108P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
M (Manual)
In manual mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture.
 
Shutter speeds of “Bulb” and “Time ” are available for long time-
exposures of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks 
( 0 110).1
Rotate the mode dial to  M.
Mode dial 
						

							
109
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose aperture and shutter speed.
Checking the exposure indicator (see below), adjust shutter 
speed and aperture.
 Shutter speed is selected by rotating the 
command dial (right for faster speeds, left for slower).
 To  
adjust aperture, keep the  E (N ) button pressed while 
rotating the command dial (left for larger apertures/lower 
f-numbers and right for smaller apertures/higher f-numbers).
Shutter speed
Command dial
Aperture
E (N ) button Command dialAThe Exposure Indicator
If a CPU lens is attached ( 0289) and a shutter speed other than “Bulb” 
or “Time” is selected, the exposure indicator in the viewfinder and 
information display shows whether the photograph would be under- 
or over-exposed at current settings.Optimal exposure
Underexposed by 
1/3EV
Overexposed by over 2 EV 
						

							
110P, S, A, and M Modes
Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only)Select the following shutter speeds for 
long time-exposures of moving lights, 
the stars, night scenery, or fireworks.
•Bulb ( A ): The shutter remains open 
while the shutter-release button is 
pressed all the way down.
 To prevent 
blur, use a tripod or an optional 
wireless remote controller ( 0308) or 
remote cord ( 0309).
• Time ( &): Start the exposure using the shutter-release button 
on the camera or on an optional remote control, remote cord, 
or wireless remote controller. The shutter remains open for 
thirty minutes or until the button is pressed a second time.
Before proceeding, mount the camera on a tripod or place it on 
a stable, level surface.
 To prevent light entering via the 
viewfinder from appearing in the photograph or interfering with 
exposure, we recommend that you cover the viewfinder with 
your hand or other objects such as an optional eyepiece cap 
( 0 307) before taking pictures without your eye to the 
viewfinder ( 073).
 To prevent loss of power before the exposure 
is complete, use a fully charged battery.
 Note that noise (bright 
spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog) may be present in 
long exposures; before shooting, choose  On for  Noise 
reduction  in the shooting menu ( 0226).Length of exposure: 35 s
Aperture: f/25