The mode selector
Use the mode selector to choose whether shutter speed and/or aperture can be adjusted manually or are set automatically by the camera.
- Using the mode selector
- P (programmed auto)
- S (shutter-priority auto)
- A (aperture-priority auto)
- M (manual)
Using the mode selector
Use the mode selector to choose a shooting mode.
| Mode | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| AUTO (b) | Auto | A simple, “point-and-shoot” mode that leaves the camera in charge of settings (Taking photographs (b auto), Recording videos (b auto)). |
| P | Programmed auto | The camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. |
| S | Shutter-priority auto | Use to freeze or blur motion. You choose the shutter speed; the camera selects the aperture for best results. |
| A | Aperture-priority auto | Use to blur backgrounds or bring both foreground and background into focus. You choose the aperture; the camera selects the shutter speed for best results. |
| M | Manual | You control both shutter speed and aperture. Set shutter speed to “bulb” or “time” for long time-exposures. |
P (programmed auto)
- In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture according to a built-in program to ensure optimal exposure in most situations.
- Different combinations of shutter speed and aperture that produce the same exposure can be selected by rotating the main command dial (“flexible program”).
- While flexible program is in effect, a flexible program indicator (U) is displayed.
- To restore default shutter speed and aperture settings, rotate the main command dial until the indicator is no longer displayed. Flexible program also ends when the mode selector is rotated to another setting or the camera is turned off.
- While flexible program is in effect, a flexible program indicator (U) is displayed.
S (shutter-priority auto)
- In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically adjusts aperture for optimal exposure. Choose fast shutter speeds to “freeze” motion, slow shutter speeds to suggest motion by blurring moving objects.
- Rotate the shutter-speed dial to set the shutter speed.
- To select [X] or [T], or to change from [1/3STEP], [X], [T], or [B], rotate while pressing the shutter-speed dial lock release.
1 1/4000 s–1/2 s 2 1–4 s (red text) 3 X (Flash sync) (e1: Flash sync speed) 4 1/3STEP (1/3 step) (Selecting shutter speed in step sizes of 1/3 (modes S and M)) - In mode S, long exposures (Long time-exposures) are not available even if the shutter-speed dial is set to [B] (Bulb) or [T] (Time). To perform long exposures, select mode M.
Selecting shutter speed in step sizes of 1/3 (modes S and M)
If the shutter-speed dial is set to [1/3STEP], you can use the main command dial to change the shutter speed.
- Shutter speed can be set to values between 1/4000 and 30 s in step sizes of 1/3, or [X]. In mode M, you can also select [B] (Bulb) or [T] (Time).
- You can set the shutter speed by means other than the shutter-speed dial as follows.
- Touch controls (Touch controls)
- Touch controls in self-portrait mode (Shooting in self-portrait mode)
A (aperture-priority auto)
- In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed for optimal exposure.
- Aperture can be adjusted by rotating the sub-command dial.
- The minimum and maximum values for aperture vary with the lens.
Video mode exposure settings
The following video settings can be adjusted during recording:
| Mode | Aperture | Speed | ISO sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P, S1 | — | — | —2 |
| A | 4 | — | —2 |
| M | 4 | 4 | 43 |
- Exposure control in shooting mode S is the same as in mode P.
- The upper limit for ISO sensitivity can be selected using the [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Maximum sensitivity] item in the video recording menu.
- If [On] is selected for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Auto ISO control (mode M)] in the video recording menu, the upper limit for ISO sensitivity can be selected using [Maximum sensitivity].
M (manual)
- You control both shutter speed and aperture. Choose this mode for long time-exposures of such subjects as fireworks or the night sky (“Bulb” or “Time” photography, Long time-exposures).
- Shutter speed (w) and aperture (e) can be adjusted with reference to the exposure indicators (q).
Shutter speed
- Rotate the shutter-speed dial to set the shutter speed.
- To select [X] or [T], or to change from [1/3STEP], [X], [T], or [B], rotate while pressing the shutter-speed dial lock release.
- If the shutter-speed dial is set to [1/3STEP], you can use the main command dial to change the shutter speed. Shutter speed can also be set to 15 s or 30 s (Selecting shutter speed in step sizes of 1/3 (modes S and M)).
| 1 | 1/4000 s–1/2 s |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1–4 s (red text) |
| 3 | B (Bulb) (Long time-exposures) |
| 4 | T (Time) (Long time-exposures) |
|---|---|
| 5 | X (Flash sync) (e1: Flash sync speed) |
| 6 | 1/3STEP (1/3 step) (Selecting shutter speed in step sizes of 1/3 (modes S and M)) |
Aperture
- Aperture can be adjusted by rotating the sub-command dial.
- The minimum and maximum values for aperture vary with the lens.
Exposure indicators
- The difference between the exposure value resulting from your setting combination of the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity, and the appropriate exposure value measured by the camera, is displayed in the monitor and viewfinder. These “exposure indicators” are displayed as follows.
Display Optimal exposure Underexposed by 1/3 EV Overexposed by over 3 1/3 EV Monitor 
Viewfinder 
- If exposure compensation was performed in mode M, the reference value for proper exposure in the exposure indicator changes.
Exposure warning
The displays will flash if the selected settings exceed the limits of the exposure metering system.
Shutter speed extension
If Custom Setting d5 [Extended shutter speeds (M)] is set to [On], you can select a shutter speed of up to 900 s (15 min) in mode M when the shutter-speed dial is set to [1/3STEP].
- If you extend the shutter speed, the exposure indicator will not be displayed.
Auto ISO sensitivity control (mode M)
If auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO sensitivity settings, ISO sensitivity settings) is enabled, ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted for optimal exposure at the selected shutter speed and aperture.
Long time-exposures
The camera offers two options for long time-exposures: “Bulb” and “Time”. Long time-exposures can be used for pictures of fireworks, night scenery, the stars, or moving lights.
| Shutter speed | Description |
|---|---|
| Bulb | The shutter remains open while the shutter-release button is held down. |
| Time | The exposure starts when the shutter-release button is pressed and ends when the button is pressed a second time. |
- Keep the camera steady, for example by using a tripod.
- Rotate the mode selector to M.
- Rotate the shutter-speed dial and set the shutter speed to Bulb (“Bulb”) or Time (“Time”).
Bulb 
Time - If the shutter-speed dial is set to [1/3STEP], use the main command dial to set it to Bulb or Time.
- Focus and start the exposure.
- “Bulb”: Press the shutter-release button all the way down to start the exposure. Keep the shutter-release button pressed during the exposure.
- “Time”: Press the shutter-release button all the way down to start the exposure.
- End the exposure.
- “Bulb”: Lift your finger from the shutter-release button.
- “Time”: Press the shutter-release button all the way down a second time.
Long time-exposures
- Note that “noise” (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) may be present in long exposures.
- Bright spots and fog can be reduced by choosing [On] for [Long exposure NR] in the photo shooting menu.
- Nikon recommends using a fully-charged battery or an optional charging AC adapter to prevent loss of power during long exposures.
- Use of a tripod is recommended to reduce blur.
- If you are using the optional ML-L7 Remote Control, time photography will be performed even during bulb photography.