Exposure Control
| P (Programmed) S (Shutter Priority) A (Aperture-Priority) M (Manual) TTL Flash AE The Viewfinder information in the FA will react accordingly when the individual exposure control mode changes. Illustration here is the full information shown, but in individual mode, only selective and useful information is provided. |
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P (Programmed) Mode In the programmed mode, you let the camera select both the aperture and shutter speed for you. The optimum combination of shutter speed and aperture is automatically set by the FA's microcomputer, depending upon scene brightness, film speed, and lens focal length in use. The Nikon FA has a special built-in function that works very well with the AI-S lenses, as for short lenses (less than 135mm), the FA uses a normal program to ensure correct exposure. But with telephotos of 135mm or longer, the camera automatically swtches to a special highspeed program to reduce the possibility of camera shake caused by slow shutter speeds. The P mode not only greatly simplifies operation but also lets you concentrate on picture composition, making it desirable for fast-breaking action when there isn't time to think.
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To setup your FA for programmed mode is simple and straight forward (Provided you are using an AI-S Nikkor Lens). Just note the following:
1. Set the mode selector to P;
2. Set the lens to its minimum aperture (the largest f-number - If an AI-S lens is
used, the f-number is coded in orange color). The shutter speed dial can be set
at any position except
M250 and B;
3. Confirm that automatic multi-pattern metering is in operation by making sure that
the metering control button is in the norma "out" position and the red
index is not on top (refer to earliar
section for metering).
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When you view through the viewfinder, it has only a LCD to shown, depress the shutter release button halfway will activate the meter and you will see the LCD showing the shutter speed (as a reciprocal ) selected by the camera to provide correct exposure - because in this mode, the camera built in computer circuitry will first determine the exposure (By way of Matrix Mtering) and adjust according to the lens type to which program mode should be selected (135mm & below for normal or beyond 135mm for higher speed priority program) and only the shutter speed info is provided for the user. |
| Warning Indications (In some cases where the
LCD shown with these warning letters): If the LCD shows 'Hi', this means the scene is too-bright, indicating over-exposure may occur. In this case, use a neutral density (ND) filter (with different grades); a polorizer will take in extra 2 stops and see if it helps or change to a slower speed film.  If the LCD displays 'Lo', this means the scene is too dark, indicating under-exposure may occur. Use an artificial light source e.g. electronic flash, change to faster speed film or remounting a faster lens speed lens and see if it helps.  If the LCD shows 'FEE', this means the aperture ring is not set at the smallest aperture(largest f-number) on the lens. Reset the lens to its minimum aperture. When using an AI-modified Nikkor lens, a Nikon Teleconverter TC-200, TC-300, or TC-14, or a PK ring, this warning will not appear. So, be sure to set the aperture to its minimum. However, even if the aperture is set incorrectly, you can stil get the correct exposure (in most cases), but the programmed aperture will be restricted to the range between the lens maximum aperture and the actual aperture you set on the lens. Nobody understand why the "FEE' was used in this case, becoz' dating back to the Canon AE1 in 1975, it was used as a warning signal. I suppose this is adopted as a common understanding between all Japanese manufacturers..  |
Since it is all about lenses that can made this mode works. AI-S in particular which has a focal length identification notch to communicate with the camera to relay the type of lenses (Restrictive to focal length information during that stage). The current autofocus lenses, can be classified all of them as AI-S but with many other information being relayed to the AF body by means of extra pin and contacts. The AF lenses, has an added advantage, as they can be locked at the largest f number (Minimum aperture value), you can used that in this programmed mode to avoid accidental shifting of the aperture. The Nikkor lenses (AI, AI-converted) or the AF Nikkors are not the only two options. The earlier E series lenses (Perhaps you have forgotten that, huh ?) can also be classified as AI-S group of Nikkor Optics which can work perfectly in the programmed mode in the FA. Not sure ? Okay, the Nikon FA is not the first Nikon body that can go 'Program AE' - the super compact body of FG in 1981 was the first. It has a programmed mode as well and the Nikon E series lenses (However, it was called 'Nikon Lens' - and the Nikkor was not used) was the first batch of lenses from Nikon has those communication tabs and contacts incorporated (But they are also the first that doesn't have a meter coupling ridge to work with older Nikon bodies).
Programmed Exposure
Measurement Graph In the
programmed automatic exposure mode, the FA provides the optimum combination of aperture
and shutter speed to match the film speed in use and the brightness of the scene.
These combinations were arrived at through intensive research and then fed into the
FA's microcomputer to provide a predetermined exposure program. Thus, when actual
exposure measurement takes place at the time of shooting, the ideal combination is
selected, resulting in usually pretty good exposures for every shot. Moreover, the
FA features two different exposure programs to match the lens focal length (applies
only to Al-S Nikkor and Nikon Series E lenses). The normal program is for lenses
less than 135mm; the high-speed program is for 135mm and longer (including zoom lenses
whose longest focal length exceeds 135mm). To minimize camera shake with telephoto
lenses, the high speed program does not go below 1/125 sec until the lens maximum
aperture is reached: then slower speeds are progressively chosen. With all other
lenses, the normal program is in operation. The high-speed program is also automatically
chosen by the FA when a Nikon Teleconverter TC-201, TC-301, TC-14A, or TC-14B is
attached to Al-S, Nikon Series E, and AI-Nikkor (Including AI-modified) lenses; with
Nikon Teleconverters TC-200, TC-300, or TC-14, the normal program is in operation.
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Credit: (Programmed illustration below are adopted from the Nikon FA's instruction manual supplied by Miss Rissa, Shriro Malaysia - the local Nikon distributor, you may use it as a reference for discussion purposes) |
1)The following lenses cannot be used in the P or S mode
- Zoom-Nikkor 50-300mm f/4 5 ED (older Al type without orange minimum aperture on ADR sca/e)
- Al modified Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4
2)When using a Nikon Teleconverfer
TC 200, TC-300 or TC 14, the shutter speed may vary by approx. one step from that
displayed in the view finder. However you will still obtain the accepttable good
exposure.
3)With a teleconverter attached, shutter speeds become s/ower than those indicated
by the normal or high-speed program line, respectively. Similarly, with an Al modified
Nikkor or PK ring attached. shutter speeds become slower. While the actual shutter
speed will be the one indicaled by the LCD and correct exposure is assured even in
these cases, be sure to check the LCD to avoid blurred images at slower shutter speeds.
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W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES with any of these manual focus Nikon FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained herein this site where it relates.
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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 |
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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 contributing effort to Michael C Liu's Classic Nikon Site.
Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used in this site; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input; Lars Holst Hansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion; Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia & Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special thanks to Mr MC Lau, who has helped with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long lost friend on the Net. Note: 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 to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Made witha PowerMac.