1. Download Center
2. D3500 Online Manual
3. P, S, A, and M Modes
4. Exposure

• Metering
• Autoexposure Lock
• Exposure Compensation
• Flash Compensation

Metering

Choose how the camera sets exposure.

Method		Description
L	Matrix metering	Produces natural results in most situations. The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color, composition, and distance.
M	Center-weighted metering	Classic meter for portraits. Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Recommended when using filters with an exposure factor (filter factor) over 1×.
N	Spot metering	Choose this mode to ensure that subject will be correctly exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker. Camera meters current focus point; use to meter off-center subjects.

1. Display metering options.

   Press the P button, then highlight the current metering method in the information display and press J.

   

   P button

   

2. Choose a metering method.

   Highlight an option and press J.

   

Autoexposure Lock

Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after using M (Center-weighted metering) and N (Spot metering) to meter exposure; note that autoexposure lock is not available in i or j mode.

1. Lock exposure.

   Position the subject in the selected focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway. With the shutter-release button pressed halfway and the subject positioned in the focus point, press the A (L) button to lock exposure.

   Shutter-release button

   

   A (L) button

   While exposure lock is in effect, an AE-L indicator will appear in the viewfinder and the monitor.

   

   

2. Recompose the photograph.

   Keeping the A (L) button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot.

   

   

Exposure Compensation

Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker (0 Exposure compensation). It is most effective when used with M (Center-weighted metering) or N (Spot metering) (0 Metering).

To choose a value for exposure compensation, keep the E (N) button pressed and rotate the command dial until the desired value is displayed.

Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure compensation to ±0. In P, S, A, and M modes, exposure compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off. In scene and % modes, exposure compensation will be reset when another mode is selected or the camera is turned off.

Flash Compensation

Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections (0 Flash compensation).

Keep the M (Y) and E (N) buttons pressed and rotate the command dial until the desired value is displayed. Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to ±0. Flash compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off (in scene mode, flash compensation will be reset when another mode is selected or the camera is turned off).