Samsung EV-NXF1ZZB4JUS, EV-NXF1ZZB2JUS, EV-NX1ZZZBZBUS Product manual

USER MANUAL
ENG This user manual includes detailed usage instructions for your camera. Please read this manual thoroughly.

Copyright information

Microsoft Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
Mac and Apple App Store are registered trademarks of the Apple Corporation.
Google Play Store is a registered trademark of Google, Inc.
Adobe, the Adobe logo, Photoshop, and Lightroom are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
SD™, SDHC™, and SDXC™ are registered trademarks of the SD Association.
HDMI, the HDMI logo, and the term “High Denition Multimedia Interface“ are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. worldwide.
Wi-Fi®, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, and the Wi-Fi logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
ATOMOS is a registered trademark of ATOMOS Pty Ltd.
Trademarks and trade names used in this manual are the property of their respective owners.
Camera specications or contents of this manual may be changed without prior notice due to upgrade of camera functions.
You are not allowed to reuse or distribute any part of this manual without prior permission.
We recommend using your camera within the country where you purchase it.
Use this camera responsibly and adhere to all laws and regulations concerning its use.
This manual is for NX1 cameras with rmware version 1.20 or later.
PlanetFirst represents Samsung Electronics’ commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility through eco-driven business and management activities.
1

Health and safety information

Always comply with the following precautions and usage tips to avoid dangerous situations and ensure peak performance of your camera.
Warning—situations that could cause injury to yourself
or others
Do not disassemble or attempt to repair your camera.
You can damage the camera and expose yourself to the risk of an electric shock.
Do not use your camera near ammable or explosive gases and liquids.
This may cause a re or explosion.
Do not insert ammable materials into the camera or store these materials near the camera.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not handle your camera with wet hands.
This may result in an electric shock.
Prevent damage to subjects’ eyesight.
Do not use the ash in close proximity (closer than 1 m/3 ft) to people or animals. If you use the ash too close to your subject’s eyes, this can cause temporary or permanent eyesight damage.
Keep your camera away from small children and pets.
Keep your camera and all accessories out of the reach of small children and animals. Small parts may cause choking or serious injury if swallowed. Moving parts and accessories may present physical dangers as well.
Do not expose the camera to direct sunlight or high temperatures for an extended period of time.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures can cause permanent damage to your camera’s internal components.
Avoid covering the camera or charger with blankets or clothes.
The camera may overheat, which may distort the camera or cause a re.
Do not handle the power supply cord or the charger during a thunderstorm.
This may result in an electric shock.
2
Health and safety information
If liquid or foreign objects enter your camera, immediately disconnect all power sources, such as the battery or charger, and then contact a Samsung service center.
Comply with any regulations that restrict the use of a camera in a certain area.
Avoid interference with other electronic devices.
Turn o the camera when in an aircraft. Your camera can cause interference with aircraft equipment. Follow all airline regulations and turn o your camera when directed by airline personnel.
Turn o the camera near medical equipment. Your camera can interfere with medical equipment in hospitals or health care facilities. Follow all regulations, posted warnings, and directions from medical personnel.
Avoid interference with pacemakers.
Maintain a safe distance between this camera and all pacemakers to avoid potential interference, as recommended by the manufacturer and research groups. If you have any reason to suspect that your camera is interfering with a pacemaker or other medical device, turn o the camera immediately and contact the manufacturer of the pacemaker or medical device for guidance.
Caution—situations that could cause damage to your
camera or other equipment
Remove the batteries from your camera when storing it for an extended period of time.
Installed batteries may leak or corrode over time and cause serious damage to your camera.
Use only authentic, manufacturer-recommended, Lithium-ion replacement batteries. Do not damage or heat the battery.
Inauthentic, damaged, or heated batteries may cause a re or personal injury.
Use only Samsung-approved batteries, chargers, cables, and accessories.
Using unauthorized batteries, chargers, cables, or accessories can cause batteries to explode, damage your camera, or cause injury.
Samsung is not responsible for damage or injuries caused by unapproved batteries, chargers, cables, or accessories.
Use the battery only for its intended purpose.
Misusing the battery may cause a re or electric shock.
3
Health and safety information
Do not touch the ash while it res.
The ash is very hot when red and may burn your skin.
When you use the AC charger, turn o the camera before you disconnect the power to the AC charger.
Failing to do so may result in re or electric shock.
Disconnect the charger from the wall socket when not in use.
Failing to do so may result in re or electric shock.
Do not use a damaged power supply cord, plug, or loose outlet when you charge batteries.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not allow the AC charger to come in contact with the +/­terminals on the battery.
This may cause a re or electric shock.
Do not drop or subject the camera to strong impacts.
Doing so may damage the screen or external or internal components.
Exercise caution when you connect cables and install batteries and memory cards.
If you force the connectors, improperly connect cables, or improperly install batteries and memory cards, you can damage ports, connectors, and accessories.
Keep cards with magnetic strips away from the camera case.
Information stored on the card may be damaged or erased.
Never use a damaged battery or memory card.
This may result in electric shock or camera malfunction or cause a re.
Do not place the camera in or near magnetic elds.
Doing so may cause the camera to malfunction.
Do not use the camera if the screen is damaged.
If the glass or acrylic parts are broken, visit a Samsung service center to have the camera repaired.
Check that the camera is operating properly before use.
The manufacturer takes no responsibility for any loss of les or damage that may result from camera malfunction or improper use.
4
Health and safety information
You must plug the small end of the USB cable into your camera.
If the cable is reversed, it may damage your les. The manufacturer is not responsible for any loss of data.
Do not expose the lens to direct sunlight.
This may discolor the image sensor or cause it to malfunction.
If the camera overheats, remove the battery and allow it to cool down.
Prolonged usage of the camera may overheat the battery and raise the internal temperature of the camera. If the camera stops operating, remove the battery and allow it to cool down.
High internal temperatures may result in noise in your photos. This is normal and does not aect your camera’s overall performance.
Avoid interference with other electronic devices.
Your camera emits radio frequency (RF) signals that may interfere with unshielded or improperly shielded electronic equipment, such as pacemakers, hearing aids, medical devices, and other electronic devices in homes or vehicles. Consult the manufacturers of your electronic devices to solve any interference problems you experience. To prevent unwanted interference, use only Samsung-approved devices or accessories.
Use your camera in the normal position.
Avoid contact with your camera’s internal antenna.
Data transference and your responsibilities
Data transferred via WLAN can be stolen, so avoid transferring sensitive data in public areas or on open networks.
The camera manufacturer is not liable for any data transfers that infringe on copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property laws, or public decency ordinances.
5
Health and safety information
Bluetooth precautions
The manufacturer is not responsible for the loss, interception, or misuse of data sent or received via the Bluetooth feature.
Always ensure that you share and receive data with devices that are trusted and properly secured. If there are obstacles between the devices, the operating distance may be reduced.
Some devices, especially those that are not tested or approved by the Bluetooth SIG, may be incompatible with your device.
Do not use the Bluetooth feature for illegal purposes (for example, pirating copies of les or illegally tapping communications for commercial purposes). The manufacturer is not responsible for the repercussion of illegal use of the Bluetooth feature.
Do not connect to Bluetooth speaker, headphones, or other accessories.
Precautions when using the camera
Do not expose the camera to water.
Avoid removing or changing the lens in dusty areas.
Ensure that the covers for the battery chamber, memory card, or external connector ports are tightly closed.
This product is not water or dust proof. Exposure to severe conditions is not recommended. Take care when opening and closing the covers to avoid damaging the rubber seal.
6

Indications used in this manual

Icons used in this manual

Icon Function
Additional information
Safety warnings and precautions
[ ]
( )
Camera buttons. For example, [Shutter] represents the shutter button.
Page number of related information
The order of options or menus you must select to perform a step; for example: Select b
ĺ
select b, and then Quality).
Annotation
*
ĺ Quality (represents

Mode indications

Mode Indication
Auto
Program
Aperture Priority
Shutter Priority
Manual
Custom1
Custom2
Smart
t
P
A
S
M
T
U
s
7

Contents

Tips
Concepts in Photography
Shooting postures....................................................................................... 14
Holding the camera ..................................................................................................... 14
Standing photography ............................................................................................... 14
Crouching photography ............................................................................................ 15
Using the display ..........................................................................................................15
Low-angle shot .............................................................................................................. 16
High-angle shot .............................................................................................................16
Aperture ........................................................................................................ 17
Aperture value and the depth of eld .................................................................. 18
Shutter speed ............................................................................................... 19
ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 20
How the aperture setting, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity
control exposure ......................................................................................... 21
Correlation between focal length, angle, and perspective ................ 22
Depth of eld ............................................................................................... 23
What controls out-of-focus eects? ....................................................................... 23
DOF preview ................................................................................................................... 25
Composition ................................................................................................. 25
Rule of Thirds .................................................................................................................. 25
Photos with two subjects ..........................................................................................26
Flash ............................................................................................................... 27
Flash guide number ..................................................................................................... 27
Bounce Photography .................................................................................................. 28
Chapter 1
My Camera
Getting started ............................................................................................ 30
Unpacking.................................................................................................................... 30
Camera layout .............................................................................................. 31
Using the EVF button ............................................................................................... 36
Inserting the battery and memory card ................................................. 37
Inserting the battery ................................................................................................ 37
Inserting a memory card ........................................................................................ 37
Removing the battery and memory card ......................................................... 38
Using the memory card adapter .......................................................................... 38
Charging the battery and turning on your camera .............................. 39
Charging the battery................................................................................................ 39
Turning on your camera ......................................................................................... 40
Performing the initial setup ...................................................................... 41
Selecting functions (options) ................................................................... 43
Using buttons and dials .......................................................................................... 43
Using custom buttons and dials ............................................................................ 43
Selecting by touch .................................................................................................... 44
Using m ................................................................................................................. 45
E.g. Selecting the photo size in P mode.............................................................. 45
Using the smart panel ............................................................................................. 46
E.g. Adjust the exposure value in P mode .......................................................... 46
Using iFn ....................................................................................................................... 48
8
Contents
Display icons ................................................................................................ 50
In Shooting mode ..................................................................................................... 50
Capturing photos ........................................................................................................ 50
Recording videos ......................................................................................................... 52
About the level gauge ............................................................................................... 53
In Playback mode ...................................................................................................... 54
Viewing photos ............................................................................................................ 54
Playing videos ............................................................................................................... 54
Changing the information displayed ................................................................. 55
Viewing the status display window .................................................................... 56
Capturing photos or recording videos ................................................................ 56
Connecting to a computer ....................................................................................... 56
Charging batteries ....................................................................................................... 56
Viewing the notication panel ............................................................................. 57
Lenses ............................................................................................................ 58
Lens layout ................................................................................................................... 58
Locking or unlocking the lens ................................................................................. 59
Using the Custom Focus Range Limiter Function ............................................ 61
Lens markings ............................................................................................................ 62
Accessories ................................................................................................... 63
External ash layout ................................................................................................. 63
Connecting the external ash ................................................................................. 65
Vertical grip layout .................................................................................................... 66
Inserting the battery................................................................................................... 67
Attaching to the camera ........................................................................................... 67
Battery charger .......................................................................................................... 69
Charging the battery .................................................................................................. 69
Shooting modes .......................................................................................... 70
t Auto mode ......................................................................................................... 70
P Program mode ....................................................................................................... 72
Program Shift ................................................................................................................ 73
Minimum shutter speed ............................................................................................ 73
A Aperture Priority mode...................................................................................... 74
S Shutter Priority mode .......................................................................................... 75
M Manual mode........................................................................................................ 76
Using the Bulb function ............................................................................................ 76
T U Custom mode ................................................................................................ 77
Saving custom modes ................................................................................................ 77
Downloading custom modes .................................................................................. 78
Selecting custom modes .......................................................................................... 78
Deleting custom modes ............................................................................................ 78
s Smart mode .......................................................................................................... 79
Capturing panoramic photos .................................................................................. 81
Using the Samsung Auto Shot mode ................................................................... 82
Recording a video ..................................................................................................... 84
3D mode ....................................................................................................................... 86
Available functions by shooting mode ............................................................. 87
Chapter 2
Shooting Functions
Size and Resolution .................................................................................... 89
Photo size ..................................................................................................................... 89
Quality ........................................................................................................................... 90
ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 91
Customizing ISO settings .......................................................................................... 92
9
Contents
OLED Color ................................................................................................... 93
White Balance .............................................................................................. 94
Customizing preset White Balance options ....................................................... 95
Picture Wizard (photo styles) .................................................................... 96
Smart Filter ................................................................................................... 97
AF mode ........................................................................................................ 98
Single AF ....................................................................................................................... 99
Continuous AF ............................................................................................................ 99
Active AF.................................................................................................................... 100
Manual focus ............................................................................................................ 100
AF area ......................................................................................................... 101
Selection AF ............................................................................................................. 101
Saving Selection AF position ................................................................................. 102
Multi AF ...................................................................................................................... 102
Face Detection AF .................................................................................................. 103
Self-Portrait AF ........................................................................................................ 103
Touch AF ...................................................................................................... 104
Touch AF .................................................................................................................... 104
AF Point ...................................................................................................................... 104
Tracking AF ............................................................................................................... 104
One touch shot ....................................................................................................... 105
Focus assist ................................................................................................. 106
MF Assist .................................................................................................................... 106
DMF (Direct Manual Focus) ................................................................................ 107
Setting DMF responsiveness ................................................................................. 107
AF Release Priority ................................................................................................. 107
Focus Peaking .......................................................................................................... 108
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) ........................................................... 109
Drive (shooting method) ......................................................................... 110
Single .......................................................................................................................... 111
Continuous ............................................................................................................... 111
Timer ........................................................................................................................... 112
Auto Exposure Bracketing (AE Bracket) .......................................................... 112
White Balance Bracketing (WB Bracket) ......................................................... 113
Picture Wizard Bracketing (P Wiz Bracket) ..................................................... 113
Depth Bracketing ................................................................................................... 114
Bracketing settings ................................................................................................... 114
Interval Capture ......................................................................................... 115
Flash ............................................................................................................. 116
Reducing the red-eye eect ............................................................................... 117
Using the built-in ash ......................................................................................... 117
Adjusting the ash intensity .............................................................................. 118
Flash settings ........................................................................................................... 119
Setting external ash ............................................................................................... 119
Setting wireless sync for internal or external ash ........................................ 120
Locking the ash intensity .................................................................................. 121
Metering ...................................................................................................... 122
Multi ............................................................................................................................ 122
Center-weighted .................................................................................................... 123
Spot ............................................................................................................................. 123
Measuring the exposure value of the focus area ......................................... 124
Dynamic Range ......................................................................................... 125
Exposure compensation .......................................................................... 126
Using Framing Mode ................................................................................................ 126
Viewing the overexposure guide ......................................................................... 127
Using the brightness adjustment guide ........................................................... 127
Exposure/Focus lock ................................................................................. 128
10
Contents
Exposure/Focus separation ..................................................................... 129
Video functions ......................................................................................... 130
Movie size.................................................................................................................. 130
When Video Out is set to NTSC ............................................................................. 130
When Video Out is set to PAL ................................................................................ 131
Movie quality ........................................................................................................... 131
Bit rates for movie sizes ........................................................................................... 132
Fast / Slow Movie .................................................................................................... 133
Gamma Control....................................................................................................... 133
Adjusting the settings .............................................................................................. 134
Master Black Level .................................................................................................. 134
Luminance Level ..................................................................................................... 134
AF Responsiveness ................................................................................................ 135
AF Shift Speed ......................................................................................................... 135
Fader ........................................................................................................................... 136
Voice ............................................................................................................................ 136
Wind Cut .................................................................................................................... 136
Mic Level .................................................................................................................... 137
Smart Range+ .......................................................................................................... 137
Time Code (HDMI) .................................................................................................. 137
Chapter 3
Playback/Editing
Searching and managing les ................................................................ 139
Viewing photos ....................................................................................................... 139
Viewing image thumbnails ................................................................................. 139
Viewing les by category .................................................................................... 140
Viewing continuous shots ................................................................................... 141
Protecting les ........................................................................................................ 142
Lock/Unlock all les .................................................................................................. 142
Deleting les ............................................................................................................ 143
Deleting a single le ................................................................................................. 143
Deleting multiple les .............................................................................................. 143
Deleting all les .......................................................................................................... 143
Viewing photos .......................................................................................... 144
Enlarging a photo .................................................................................................. 144
Viewing a slide show ............................................................................................. 145
Viewing the overexposure guide ..................................................................... 146
Viewing interval shots .......................................................................................... 146
Sorting les............................................................................................................... 146
Auto rotating ........................................................................................................... 146
Converting to JPEG ................................................................................................ 146
Playing videos ............................................................................................ 147
Scanning backward or forward ......................................................................... 147
Adjusting the brightness of a video ................................................................ 148
Adjusting the volume of a video ...................................................................... 148
Trimming a video during playback .................................................................. 149
Capturing an image during playback ............................................................. 149
Editing photos ........................................................................................... 150
Cropping a photo ................................................................................................... 150
Rotating a photo .................................................................................................... 151
Resizing photos....................................................................................................... 151
Adjusting your photos .......................................................................................... 152
Retouching faces .................................................................................................... 152
Applying Smart Filter eects .............................................................................. 153
11
Contents
Chapter 4
Connecting & Transferring
Connecting to a smart phone ................................................................. 155
Using the NFC Feature .......................................................................................... 155
Using NFC features in Shooting mode ............................................................... 155
Using NFC features in Playback mode (Photo Beam) ................................... 155
Using the GPS Geo Tagging Feature................................................................ 155
Sending les to a smart phone ......................................................................... 156
Controlling the camera remotely with a smart phone ............................. 158
Using a smart phone as a remote shutter release ...................................... 160
Saving les to a smart phone automatically ................................................ 161
Sending photos via email ........................................................................ 163
Connecting to a WLAN ......................................................................................... 163
Setting network options ......................................................................................... 164
Manually setting the IP address ........................................................................... 164
Using the login browser....................................................................................... 165
Network connection tips ..................................................................................... 166
Entering text ............................................................................................................ 167
Sending photos via email .................................................................................... 168
Storing a sender’s information.............................................................................. 169
Setting an email password ..................................................................................... 170
Changing the email password .............................................................................. 171
Viewing photos or videos on a TV ......................................................... 172
Connecting wirelessly .......................................................................................... 172
Connecting via cable ............................................................................................ 174
Viewing les on a TV ................................................................................................. 174
Viewing les on a 3D TV .......................................................................................... 175
Connecting to a computer ...................................................................... 176
Using Auto Backup for photos or videos ....................................................... 176
Installing the program for Auto Backup on your PC ..................................... 176
Using the Auto Backup feature ............................................................................. 176
Connecting the camera as a removable disk ............................................... 178
Transferring les to your Windows OS computer .......................................... 178
Disconnecting the camera (for Windows 7) ..................................................... 179
Transferring les to your Mac OS ......................................................................... 180
Chapter 5
Camera settings menu
User settings ............................................................................................... 182
Manage Custom Mode ......................................................................................... 182
Noise Reduction ..................................................................................................... 182
Color Space ............................................................................................................... 183
Distortion Correct .................................................................................................. 184
User Display .............................................................................................................. 184
Grid Line .................................................................................................................... 184
Center Marker .......................................................................................................... 185
Key Mapping ............................................................................................................ 185
AEL .................................................................................................................................. 185
AF ON ............................................................................................................................. 186
Custom Wheel ............................................................................................................. 187
Command Dial ............................................................................................................ 187
Command Dial Direction ........................................................................................ 187
Video Recording / MOBILE ..................................................................................... 188
AF ON / AEL .................................................................................................................. 188
Preview button/Navigation button/Delete button ....................................... 189
12
Contents
iFn Customizing ...................................................................................................... 190
Lens Button Speed Settings ............................................................................... 190
Touch Operation ..................................................................................................... 190
AF Lamp ..................................................................................................................... 190
E-Shutter .................................................................................................................... 191
MobileLink/NFC Image Size ............................................................................... 191
Setting ......................................................................................................... 192
Chapter 6
Appendix
Error messages .......................................................................................... 199
Maintaining the camera........................................................................... 200
Cleaning the camera ............................................................................................. 200
Camera lens and display ......................................................................................... 200
Image sensor ............................................................................................................... 200
Camera body ............................................................................................................... 200
Using or storing the camera ............................................................................... 201
Inappropriate places to use or store the camera ........................................... 201
Using on beaches or shores ................................................................................... 201
Storing for extended period of time ................................................................... 201
Using the camera with caution in the humid environments ..................... 202
Other precautions ..................................................................................................... 202
About memory cards ............................................................................................ 203
Supported memory cards ...................................................................................... 203
Memory card capacity ............................................................................................. 204
Cautions when using memory cards .................................................................. 206
About the battery .................................................................................................. 207
Battery specications ............................................................................................... 207
Battery life .................................................................................................................... 208
Low battery message ............................................................................................... 208
Notes about using the battery .............................................................................. 208
Battery precautions ................................................................................................... 209
Notes about charging the battery ....................................................................... 209
Notes about charging with a computer connected...................................... 210
Handle and dispose of batteries and chargers with care ............................ 210
Using programs on a PC........................................................................... 211
Installing i-Launcher or i-Launcher Web ........................................................ 211
Using i-Launcher or i-Launcher Web ............................................................... 213
Opening i-Launcher .................................................................................................. 213
Available programs ................................................................................................... 213
Requirements .............................................................................................................. 214
Installing Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ........................................................ 215
Using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ............................................................... 215
Updating the rmware ............................................................................. 216
Before contacting a service center ........................................................ 218
Camera specications .............................................................................. 221
Glossary ....................................................................................................... 226
Optional accessories ................................................................................. 232
Index ............................................................................................................ 233
13

Concepts in Photography

Shooting postures

A correct posture for stabilizing the camera is necessary for taking a good photo. Even if you hold a camera correctly, the wrong posture can cause the camera to shake. Stand up straight and remain still to maintain a steady base for your camera. When shooting with a slow shutter speed, hold your breath to minimize body movement.
Holding the camera
Hold the camera with your right hand and place your right index nger on the shutter button. Place your left hand under the lens for support.
Standing photography
Compose your shot, stand up straight with your feet shoulder-length apart, and keep your elbows pointed down.
14
Concepts in Photography
Crouching photography
Compose your shot, crouch with one knee touching the ground, and keep a straight posture.
Using the display
To take photos at high or low angles, tilt the display up or down. You can tilt the display up to 90° upwards (
) or 45° downwards ( ).
Keep the display closed ( ) when the camera is not in use.
Tilt the display only within the angle allowed. Failing to do so may damage your camera.
15
Concepts in Photography
Low-angle shot
A low-angle shot is a shot from a camera positioned below your eyeline, looking up the subject.
High-angle shot
A high-angle shot is a shot from a camera positioned above your eyeline, looking down on the subject.
16
Concepts in Photography

Aperture

The aperture is one of the three factors that determine the exposure. The aperture housing contains thin, metal plates that open and close to let light through the aperture and into the camera. The size of the aperture is related to the amount of light: a larger aperture allows more light and a smaller aperture allows less light.
Aperture sizes
Minimum aperture Medium aperture Maximum aperture
The size of the aperture is represented by a value known as an “F-number“. The f-number represents the focal length divided by the diameter of the lens. For example, if a lens with a 50 mm focal length has an f-number of F2, the diameter of the aperture is 25 mm. (50 mm/25 mm = F2) The smaller the f-number, the greater the size of the aperture.
The size of the aperture opening is dened as the Exposure Value (EV). Increasing the Exposure Value (+1 EV) means the amount of light doubles. Decreasing the Exposure Value (-1 EV) means the amount of light halves. You can also use the exposure compensation feature to ne-tune the amount of light by subdividing exposure values into 1/2, 1/3 EV, and so on.
+1 EV
F1.4 F2 F2.8 F4 F5.6 F8
-1 EV
Exposure Value Steps
Aperture opened slightly Aperture opened wide
17
Concepts in Photography
Aperture value and the depth of eld
You can blur or sharpen the background of a photo by changing the size of the aperture. A large aperture gives your photos a shallow depth of eld (DOF). Objects immediately in front of or behind your subject will be blurred, while the subject will be in focus. A small aperture gives your photos a deep depth of eld. Objects far in front or far behind your subject and your subject will be in focus.
A photo with a deep DOF A photo with a shallow DOF
The aperture housing contains several blades. These blades move together and control the amount of light passing through the center of the aperture. The number of blades also aects the shape of light when shooting night scenes. If an aperture has an even number of blades, light divides into an equal number of sections. If the number of blades is odd, the number of sections is double the number of blades.
For example, an aperture with 8 blades divides light into 8 sections and an aperture with 7 blades into 14 sections.
7 blades 8 blades
18
Concepts in Photography

Shutter speed

Shutter speed refers to the amount of time it takes to open and close the shutter. It controls the amount of light which passes through the aperture before it reaches the image sensor.
Shutter speeds are measured in seconds and parts of a second. On many cameras, the shutter speeds are approximately halved with each succeeding setting - 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, 1/15 s, etc. Like successive aperture settings, each successive shutter speed setting lets in about half the amount of light. Consequently, each successive shutter speed setting equals an EV (Exposure Value) change of about 1 EV.
+1 EV
Exposure
-1 EV
Therefore, the faster the shutter speed, the less light will be let in. Likewise, the slower the shutter speed, the more light will be let in.
A slow shutter speed allows more light into the camera to make photos brighter. However, because the shutter is open longer, moving subjects appear blurred. A fast shutter speed allows less light in to make photos darker. However, because the shutter is open for a shorter time, moving subjects look sharper and more focused.
1 s 1/250 s
1 s 1/2 s 1/4 s 1/8 s 1/15 s 1/30 s
Shutter speed
19
Concepts in Photography

ISO sensitivity

The exposure of an image is determined by the sensitivity of the camera. This sensitivity is based on international lm standards, known as ISO standards. On digital cameras, this sensitivity rating is used to represent the sensitivity of the digital mechanism that captures the image.
ISO sensitivity doubles as the number doubles. For example, an ISO 200 setting is capable of capturing images at twice the speed of an ISO 100 setting. However, higher ISO settings can result in “noise“—small specks, spots, and other phenomena in a photo that give the shot a noisy or dirty appearance. As a general rule, it is best to use a low ISO setting to prevent noise in your photos, unless you are shooting in darkened environments or at night.
Because a low ISO sensitivity means the camera will be less sensitive to light, you need more light to have an optimal exposure. When using a low ISO sensitivity, open the aperture more or reduce the shutter speed to allow more light to enter the camera. For example, on a sunny day when light is abundant, a low ISO sensitivity does not require a slow shutter speed. However, in a dark place or at night, a low ISO sensitivity will result in a blurry photo. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the ISO sensitivity by a moderate amount.
A photo captured with a tripod and high
ISO sensitivity
A blurred photo with a low ISO sensitivity
Changes in the quality and brightness according to ISO sensitivity
20
Concepts in Photography

How the aperture setting, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity control exposure

The aperture setting, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity are closely interconnected in photography. The aperture setting controls the opening that regulates the light that enters the camera, while the shutter speed determines the length of time that light is allowed to enter. ISO sensitivity determines the speed at which the lm reacts to light. Together, these three aspects are described as the triangle of exposure.
A change in shutter speed, aperture value, or ISO sensitivity can be oset by adjustments to the others to maintain the amount of light. The results, however, change according to the settings. For example, shutter speed is useful in expressing movement, aperture can control the depth of eld, and ISO sensitivity can control the graininess of a photo.
Settings Results
Wide aperture
Aperture value
= more light Narrow aperture
= less light
Shutter speed
ISO sensitivity
Settings Results
Fast speed = less light
Slow speed = more light
Fast = still Slow = blurry
High sensitivity = more sensitive to light
Low sensitivity = less sensitive to light
High = more grainy Low = less grainy
Wide = shallow depth of eld Narrow = deep depth of eld
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Concepts in Photography

Correlation between focal length, angle, and perspective

Focal length, which is measured in millimeters, is the distance between the middle of the lens to its focal point. It aects the angle and perspective of captured images. A short focal length translates into a wide angle, which allows you to capture a wide shot. A long focal length translates into a narrow angle, which allows you to capture telephoto shots.
Short focal length
wide-angle lens
wide shot
wide angle
Long focal length
telephoto lens
telephoto shot
narrow angle
Look at these photos below and compare the changes.
16 mm angle 50 mm angle 200 mm angle
Normally, a lens with a wide angle is suitable for shooting landscapes and a lens with a narrow angle is recommended for shooting sports events or portraits.
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Concepts in Photography
Depth of eld
The depth of eld (DOF) is the focused area around the subject.
In general, the DOF can be shallow or deep. In photos with a shallow DOF, the subject is sharply focused, the background is blurred and the subject stands out. In contrast, photos with a deep DOF have all the elements of the photo in sharp focus.
You can create a photo with a shallow DOF by using a telescopic lens or by selecting a low aperture value. You can create a photo with a deep DOF by using a wide angle lens or by selecting a high aperture value.
What controls out-of-focus eects?
DOF depends on the aperture value
A low aperture value indicates that the aperture has a wide opening. The wider the aperture, the shallower the DOF becomes. Conversely, a high aperture value indicates that the aperture has a narrow opening. The narrower the aperture, the deeper the DOF becomes.
50 mm F5.7 50 mm F22
Shallow Depth of Field Deep Depth of Field
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Concepts in Photography
DOF depends on focal length
The longer the focal length, the shallower the DOF. A telescopic lens with a longer focal length will capture a photo with a shallow DOF better than a lens with a shorter focal length.
A photo captured with an 16 mm wide-angle lens
DOF depends on the distance between the subject and the camera
The shorter the distance between the subject and the camera, the shallower the DOF is. Therefore, taking a photo close to a subject generally results in a photo with a shallow DOF.
A photo captured with a 100 mm telescope lens
A photo captured with a 100 mm telescope lens
A photo captured close to the subject
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Concepts in Photography
DOF preview
You can press the Preview button to get an idea of what your shot will look like before shooting. The camera adjusts the aperture to the predened settings and shows the results on the screen. Set the function of the Preview button to Optical Preview. (p. 189)

Composition

The way that objects are arranged in a photo is referred to as its composition. A good composition emphasizes the photo’s subjects by drawing attention to them and by balancing them with the other elements in the photo.
Following the rule of thirds is one method that usually results in good compositions.
Rule of Thirds
To use the rule of thirds, divide the image into a 3x3 pattern of equal rectangles.
To compose photos that best emphasize the subject, make sure the subject is located at one of the corners of the center rectangle.
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Concepts in Photography
Using the rule of thirds will create photos with stable and compelling compositions. Below are a few examples.
Photos with two subjects
If your subject is in one corner of the photo, it creates an unbalanced composition. You can stabilize the photo by capturing a second subject in the opposite corner to balance the weight of the photo.
Subject 2
Subject 1
Unstable Stable
Subject 1
When taking landscape photos, centering the horizon will create an unbalanced eect. Give more weight to the photo by moving the horizon up or down.
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 2
Unstable Stable
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Concepts in Photography

Flash

Light is one of the most important components in photography. However, you will not always have enough of light in all situations. Making use of a ash allows you to compensate for the lack of light and create a variety of eects.
The ash, also known as a strobe or speed light, provides adequate exposure in low-light conditions. It is also useful in light-abundant situations. For example, you can use the ash to provide light when a subject is in shadow or use it to capture clearly both the subject and the background under backlit conditions.
Back lit subjects without ash Back lit subjects with ash
Flash guide number
The model number of a ash refers to the ash’s power, and the maximum amount of light created is represented by a value known as the “guide number“. A ash with a higher guide number emits a larger amount of light than a ash with a lower guide number. The guide number is calculated by multiplying the distance from the ash to the subject by the aperture value when the ISO sensitivity is set to 100.
Guide number = Flash to Subject Distance X Aperture value
Aperture value = Guide number/Flash to Subject Distance
Flash to Subject Distance = Guide number/Aperture value
If you know the ash’s guide number, you can estimate an appropriate ash-to-subject distance when setting the ash manually. For example, if a ash has a guide number of GN 20 and is 4 meters away from the subject, the optimal aperture value is F5.0.
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Concepts in Photography
Bounce Photography
Bounce photography refers to the method of bouncing light o of the ceiling or walls so that the light spreads evenly over the subject. Normally, photos captured with the ash may appear unnatural and cast shadows. Subjects in photos captured with bounce photography cast no shadows and look smooth due to evenly spread light.
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Chapter 1

My Camera

Learn about your camera’s layout, display icons, lens, optional accessories, and basic functions.
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