Exposure Metering System Nikon F5 has three types of exposure metering
systems: Color Matrix Metering, Center-Weighted Metering and Spot Metering.
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3D Color Matrix Metering This system is ideal for quick operation In any exposure mode. With D-type AF Nikkor lenses including AF-S or AF-I Nikkor, 3D Color Matrix Metering is automatically activated. 3D Color Matrix Metering uses various types of data: scene brightness, scene, contrast, focused subject's distance (Distance Information) and color distribution of the entire frame. |
Data on scene brightness, contrast
and color distribution are detected by the camera's 1,005 pixel Matrix Sensor, while
data on the focused subject's distance is detected and relayed by the D-type AF Nikkor
lens. Information sent by the camera's autofocus system indicating whether the main
subject is centered is also considered in the computation, By analyzing these data,
the F5's built-in microcomputer is able to provide correct exposure even in extremely
complex lighting situations.
NOTE: If
a non-D-type lens is used, Matrix Metering is performed. Although lens' Distance
Information is not given, 1,005-pixel Matrix Sensor provides the correct exposure
in most lighting situations. Please also note that Matrix Metering system can only
be used with lenses having a built-in CPU (such as AF Nikkor and AI-P lenses)
 |
Center-Weighted Metering With approximately 75% of the meter's sensitivity concentrated on the 12mm-dia. circle within the viewfinder and 250/. outside this circle, this meter becomes useful in situations where you want to base exposure on a specific area in the scene. In auto exposure mode, to measure the brightness of the picture's off center portion, use the camera's AE-L/AF-L button. |
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In Center-Weighted Meter! that concentrates 75% of the meter's sensitivity can be changed to 8mm-dia., 20mm-dia. circle or average on entire viewfinder by using Custom Setting #14 |
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Spot Metering: Nearly 100% of the meter's sensitivity is concentrated on the 4mm-dia. area (approx. 1.5% of entire frame) within the selected focus area of the viewfinder, (6mm-dia. area or approx. 3.3% of entire frame with focusing screens other than EC-B type.) Use this meter for highly selective exposure control - achieving the best results requires experience. |
NOTE: When Spot
Metering is selected, shifting focus area also shifts Spot Metering area to corresponding
position (with EC-B focusing screen only).
| Color Matrix Metering | Center-Weighted Metering | Spot Metering |
Setting
Metering System Rotate the
metering system selector while pressing the metering system selector lock release
to select your desired symbol -
for 3D Color Matrix Metering,
for Center-Weighted Metering or 
for Spot Metering-In the viewfinder.
 |
 |
 |
 |
If you are using a lens without CPU, or accessories such as bellows or extension rings The 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering automatically switches to Center-Weighted Metering and the
symbol appears. (If Programmed Auto or Shutter-Priority Auto is set on
the camera, the exposure mode also switches automatically to Aperture-Priority Auto
with 
and
blinking exposure mode indicator in the top LCD panel, and A appears in the
viewfinder) In this case, use Center-Weighted Metering or Spot Metering.Exposure Modes Light reaching the film Is controlled by shutter speed and lens aperture. The proper combination results in a correct exposure, Shutter speed and lens aperture settings are based on the ISO speed set for the film in use and the operation of the camera's exposure control system. The relationship between aperture and shutter speed is as follows: For example, a shutter speed of 1/500 sec. admits half the light of 1/250 and double the light of I /1000 sec. An aperture of f/8 admits half the light of f/5.6 and double the light of f/1 1. if the correct exposure for a scene is 1/500 at US, then we can also select 1/250 at f/1 I or 1 A 000 at f/5.6 and achieve the same exposure results, and so on.
Selecting a Preferred Exposure Mode In selecting the exposure control mode, you can choose whether you want to set the shutter speed and/or lens aperture automatically or manually. The Nikon F5 camera offers four types of exposure modes: Programmed Auto (P), Shutter-Priority Auto (5), Aperture Priority Auto (A) and Manual (M) exposure modes.
 |
Programmed Auto Exposure Mode With the F5's microcomputer choosing life combination of shutter speed and aperture automatically, you can concentrate on picture composition without worrying about exposure. Note that programmed auto exposure mode operate only with Nikon lenses that have a built-in CPU (AF Nikkor and AI-P Series of Nikkor lenses). |
 |
In Programmed Auto exposure mode, you can use the Flexible Program function to temporarily shift an automatically selected shutter speed/aperture combinations and obtain the desired shutter speed/aperture while retaining the same or a consistent exposure. |
 |
Shutter-Priority Auto exposure mode Allows you to manually set your desired shutter speed. To freeze the action, use a high shutter speed; to create motion effects, choose a slower shutter speed. The F5's microcomputer automatically selects the proper aperture to match the manually set shutter speed to ensure a correct exposure. |
Note that Shutter-Priority Auto exposure mode operates ONLY with Nikon lenses having a built-in CPU (AF Nikkor and Ai-P Nikkor lenses)
 |
Aperture-Priority Auto exposure mode By varying the aperture, you can control the depth of field. Smaller apertures make the background and foreground sharper (recommended for landscape pictures) while larger apertures tend to blur the background (recommended for portraits). |
Your selected aperture will determine the shutter speed that is automatically set by the camera's microcomputer. When using smaller apertures with correspondingly slower shutter speeds, remember that, generally, any speed below 1 (focal length in use) second, requires the use of a tripod to prevent picture blur due to camera shake, The higher the corresponding shutter speed to the aperture you set, the easier it is to stop action. Adjust the selected aperture if the speed is not appropriate for conditions or the specific effect you want.
 |
Manual exposure mode Manual exposure control allows you to make both aperture and shutter speed settings. For a technically correct exposure, follow the recommendation of the camera's light meter, as indicated by the LCD readout. |
To achieve a specific creative effect (e.g., intentional blur, intentional under- or over-exposure), disregard the LCD and modify the recommended exposure settings.
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Instruction Manual for Nikon F5
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Back | Main Index Page - Nikon F5
Professional SLR camera
The Camera - Background,
Issues & Summary
Basic
Features | Focusing | Metering Systems | Exposure Control | Reliability Issues | Nikkor lens Compatibility
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Film Backs: Index
Page - 1 parts
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System Accessories: | Power Sources | Cases | Remote
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Macro
Photography
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Technical Specification for Nikon F5
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Resource Centre:
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Nikon
F5 Camera Body
- 18
parts
MF-28
Multi-Function Back
HTML - 8
parts
PC
Links - Photo Secretary
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parts
AF-TTL Speedlights:
SB-28 / SB28DX | SB29(s) info | SB30 | SB50DX | SB80DX | SB600 info | SB800
Variants: F5 50th Anniversary Model | Nikon/Kodak DCS-620 | DCS-720 Digital Still SLR camera
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Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models |
The Eyes of Nikon:-
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Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame |
Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto
Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
 Index Page |
Special
Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm |
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
Recommended links to understand more technical details
related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my
friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen,
Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
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A resource dedicated to my kids, Alvin Foo & Esther Foo- one day,
BOTH might need to use all these information for his/her Nikon F5A camera.
Volunteered Maintainer(s) for the Nikon F5 Message Board: Tony Davies-Patrick, UK; Rick Oleson, US; Koh Kho King, Malaysia.
Credit: Mr. Chuck Hester, US for his text re-editing skill for this site; Our staff, HowKiat® who created the 3D-Nikon F5 logo. Mr. Lew Chee Wai of YL camera for lending his F5 for me to take some shots appeared in this site. All those nice folks who have contributed their images, in particular Mr. Mike Long, Edwin leong, Palmi Einarsson, Sergio Pessolano, Fred Kamphues, Harry Eggens, Curtis Forrester, Nick (Natures Moments), Sandra Bartocha; fellow countrymen, Vincent Thian, Koh Kho King, Philip Chong, CY Leow etc. and contributions from a few nice folks from Photo Malaysia Forum. Disclaimers & acknowledgments: Certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work for public publishing in this website, where majority of the extracted information are used basing on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from any possible dispute except rectifying them after verification from respective source. Neither Nikon or its associates has granted any permission(s) in using their public information nor has any interest in the creation of this site. "Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" "Silent Wave", "Focus Tracking Lock-on", "Nikkor" & other applicable technical/business terms are registered trade name(s) of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple G5 IMac.
