Samsung NX500 User manual

USER

MANUAL

ENG This user manual includes detailed usage instructions

for your camera. Please read this manual thoroughly.

1

Copyright information



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.

PlanetFirst represents Samsung Electronics’ commitment to

sustainable development and social responsibility through

eco-driven business and management activities.



Microsoft Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of

the Microsoft Corporation.

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Mac and Apple App Store are registered trademarks of the Apple

Corporation.

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Google Play Store is a registered trademark of Google, Inc.

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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.

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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.



Trademarks and trade names used in this manual are the property of

their respective owners.

2

Health and safety information

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.

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

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 speakers, headphones, or other

accessories.

6

Indications used in this manual

Mode indications

Mode Indication

Auto

t

Program

P

Aperture Priority

A

Shutter Priority

S

Manual

M

Custom

T

Samsung Auto Shot

i

Smart

s

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

ĺ

The order of options or menus you must select to perform

a step; for example: Select b

ĺ Quality (represents

select b, and then Quality).

*

Annotation

7

Contents

Chapter 1

My Camera

Getting started ............................................................................................ 29

Unpacking.................................................................................................................... 29

Camera layout .............................................................................................. 30

Using the display ....................................................................................................... 33

Using the Self Shot mode ......................................................................................... 33

Inserting the battery and memory card ................................................. 34

Removing the battery and memory card ......................................................... 34

Using the memory card adapter .......................................................................... 35

Charging the battery and turning on your camera .............................. 36

Charging the battery................................................................................................ 36

Turning on your camera ......................................................................................... 36

Performing the initial setup ...................................................................... 37

Selecting functions (options) ................................................................... 39

Using buttons and dials .......................................................................................... 39

Using custom buttons and dials ............................................................................ 39

Selecting by touch .................................................................................................... 40

Using m ................................................................................................................. 40

E.g. Selecting the photo size in P mode.............................................................. 40

Using the smart panel ............................................................................................. 42

E.g. Adjust the exposure value in P mode .......................................................... 42

Using iFn ....................................................................................................................... 43

Using the iFn standard function ............................................................................. 43

Using the iFn plus function ...................................................................................... 45

Tips

Concepts in Photography

Shooting postures....................................................................................... 13

Holding the camera ..................................................................................................... 13

Standing photography ............................................................................................... 13

Crouching photography ............................................................................................ 14

Using the display .......................................................................................................... 14

Low-angle shot .............................................................................................................. 15

High-angle shot ............................................................................................................. 15

Aperture ........................................................................................................ 16

Aperture value and the depth of eld .................................................................. 17

Shutter speed ............................................................................................... 18

ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 19

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

exposure ....................................................................................................... 20

Correlation between focal length, angle, and perspective ................ 21

Depth of eld ............................................................................................... 22

What controls out-of-focus eects? ....................................................................... 22

DOF preview ................................................................................................................... 24

Composition ................................................................................................. 24

Rule of Thirds .................................................................................................................. 24

Photos with two subjects .......................................................................................... 25

Flash ............................................................................................................... 26

Flash guide number ..................................................................................................... 26

Bounce Photography .................................................................................................. 27

8

Contents

Display icons ................................................................................................ 46

In Shooting mode ..................................................................................................... 46

Capturing photos ........................................................................................................ 46

Recording videos ......................................................................................................... 48

About the level gauge ............................................................................................... 49

In Playback mode ...................................................................................................... 50

Viewing photos ............................................................................................................ 50

Playing videos ............................................................................................................... 50

Changing the information displayed ................................................................. 51

Viewing the notication panel ............................................................................. 52

Lenses ............................................................................................................ 53

Lens layout ................................................................................................................... 53

Locking or unlocking the lens ................................................................................. 54

Using the Custom Focus Range Limiter Function ............................................ 56

Lens markings ............................................................................................................ 57

Accessories ................................................................................................... 58

External ash layout ................................................................................................. 58

Connecting the external ash ................................................................................. 59

Shooting modes .......................................................................................... 60

t Auto mode ...................................................................................................... 60

P Program mode ....................................................................................................... 62

Program Shift ................................................................................................................ 63

Minimum shutter speed ............................................................................................ 63

A Aperture Priority mode...................................................................................... 64

S Shutter Priority mode .......................................................................................... 65

M Manual mode........................................................................................................ 66

Using the Bulb function ............................................................................................ 66

T Custom mode ........................................................................................................ 67

Saving custom modes ................................................................................................ 67

Downloading custom modes .................................................................................. 68

Selecting custom modes .......................................................................................... 68

Deleting custom modes ............................................................................................ 68

i Samsung Auto Shot mode .......................................................................... 69

s Smart mode .......................................................................................................... 71

Capturing panoramic photos .................................................................................. 72

Recording a video ..................................................................................................... 73

3D mode ....................................................................................................................... 75

Available functions by shooting mode ............................................................. 76

Chapter 2

Shooting Functions

Size and Resolution .................................................................................... 78

Photo size ..................................................................................................................... 78

Quality ........................................................................................................................... 79

ISO sensitivity .............................................................................................. 80

Customizing ISO settings .......................................................................................... 81

OLED Color ................................................................................................... 82

White Balance .............................................................................................. 83

Customizing preset White Balance options ....................................................... 84

Picture Wizard (photo styles) .................................................................... 85

Smart Filter ................................................................................................... 86

AF mode ........................................................................................................ 87

Single AF ....................................................................................................................... 88

Continuous AF ............................................................................................................ 88

Active AF....................................................................................................................... 89

Manual focus ............................................................................................................... 89

9

Contents

AF area ........................................................................................................... 90

Selection AF ................................................................................................................ 90

Saving Selection AF position ................................................................................... 91

Multi AF ......................................................................................................................... 91

Face Detection ............................................................................................. 92

Normal........................................................................................................................... 92

Smile Shot .................................................................................................................... 93

Wink Shot ..................................................................................................................... 93

Touch AF ........................................................................................................ 94

Touch AF ....................................................................................................................... 94

AF Point ......................................................................................................................... 94

Tracking AF .................................................................................................................. 94

One Touch Shot .......................................................................................................... 95

Focus assist ................................................................................................... 96

MF Assist ....................................................................................................................... 96

DMF (Direct Manual Focus) ................................................................................... 97

Setting DMF responsiveness ................................................................................... 97

AF Release Priority .................................................................................................... 97

Focus Peaking ............................................................................................................. 98

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) ............................................................. 99

Drive (shooting method) ......................................................................... 100

Single .......................................................................................................................... 100

Continuous ............................................................................................................... 101

Burst ............................................................................................................................ 101

Timer ........................................................................................................................... 102

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AE Bracket) .......................................................... 102

White Balance Bracketing (WB Bracket) ......................................................... 103

Picture Wizard Bracketing (P Wiz Bracket) ..................................................... 103

Depth Bracketing ................................................................................................... 104

Bracketing settings ................................................................................................... 104

Interval Capture ......................................................................................... 105

Flash ............................................................................................................. 106

Reducing the red-eye eect ............................................................................... 107

Adjusting the ash intensity .............................................................................. 107

Flash settings ........................................................................................................... 108

Setting external ash ............................................................................................... 108

Setting wireless sync for external ash .............................................................. 109

Locking the ash intensity .................................................................................. 110

Metering ...................................................................................................... 111

Multi ............................................................................................................................ 111

Center-weighted .................................................................................................... 112

Spot ............................................................................................................................. 112

Measuring the exposure value of the focus area ......................................... 113

Dynamic Range ......................................................................................... 114

Exposure compensation .......................................................................... 115

Using Framing Mode ................................................................................................ 115

Using the brightness adjustment guide ........................................................... 116

Viewing the overexposure guide ......................................................................... 116

Exposure/Focus lock ................................................................................. 117

Exposure/Focus separation ..................................................................... 118

Video functions ......................................................................................... 119

Movie size.................................................................................................................. 119

When Video Out is set to NTSC ............................................................................. 119

When Video Out is set to PAL ................................................................................ 120

Movie quality ........................................................................................................... 120

Bit rates for movie sizes ........................................................................................... 121

Fast/Slow Movie ...................................................................................................... 122

AF Responsiveness ................................................................................................ 122

AF Shift Speed ......................................................................................................... 123

Fader ........................................................................................................................... 123

10

Contents

Voice ............................................................................................................................ 124

Wind Cut .................................................................................................................... 124

Mic Level .................................................................................................................... 124

Smart Range+ .......................................................................................................... 124

Chapter 3

Playback/Editing

Searching and managing les ................................................................ 126

Viewing photos ....................................................................................................... 126

Viewing image thumbnails ................................................................................. 126

Viewing les by category .................................................................................... 127

Viewing continuous and burst shots .............................................................. 128

Protecting les ........................................................................................................ 129

Lock/Unlock all les .................................................................................................. 129

Deleting les ............................................................................................................ 130

Deleting a single le ................................................................................................. 130

Deleting multiple les .............................................................................................. 130

Deleting all les .......................................................................................................... 130

Viewing photos .......................................................................................... 131

Enlarging a photo .................................................................................................. 131

Viewing a slide show ............................................................................................. 132

Viewing the overexposure guide ..................................................................... 133

Viewing interval shots .......................................................................................... 133

Sorting les............................................................................................................... 133

Auto rotating ........................................................................................................... 133

Converting to JPEG ................................................................................................ 133

Playing videos ............................................................................................ 134

Scanning backward or forward ......................................................................... 134

Adjusting the brightness of a video ................................................................ 135

Adjusting the volume of a video ...................................................................... 135

Trimming a video during playback .................................................................. 136

Capturing an image during playback ............................................................. 136

Editing photos ........................................................................................... 137

Cropping a photo ................................................................................................... 137

Rotating a photo .................................................................................................... 138

Resizing photos....................................................................................................... 138

Adjusting your photos .......................................................................................... 139

Retouching faces .................................................................................................... 139

Applying Smart Filter eects .............................................................................. 140

Chapter 4

Connecting & Transferring

Connecting to a smart phone ................................................................. 142

Using the NFC Feature .......................................................................................... 142

Using NFC features in Shooting mode ............................................................... 142

Using NFC features in Playback mode (Photo Beam) ................................... 142

Using the GPS Geo Tagging Feature................................................................ 143

Sending les to a smart phone ......................................................................... 143

Controlling the camera remotely with a smart phone ............................. 145

Using a smart phone as a remote shutter release ...................................... 147

Saving les to a smart phone automatically ................................................ 148

11

Contents

Chapter 5

Camera settings menu

User settings ............................................................................................... 168

Manage Custom Mode ......................................................................................... 168

RAW Compression .................................................................................................. 168

Noise Reduction ..................................................................................................... 168

Color Space ............................................................................................................... 169

Distortion Correct .................................................................................................. 170

User Display .............................................................................................................. 170

Grid Line .................................................................................................................... 170

Center Marker .......................................................................................................... 171

Key Mapping ............................................................................................................ 171

Custom .......................................................................................................................... 171

AEL .................................................................................................................................. 172

EV ..................................................................................................................................... 173

Command Dial ............................................................................................................ 174

iFn Setting ................................................................................................................. 174

Lens Button Speed Settings ............................................................................... 175

Touch Operation ..................................................................................................... 175

Auto Self Shot .......................................................................................................... 175

AF Lamp ..................................................................................................................... 175

E-Shutter .................................................................................................................... 176

MobileLink/NFC Image Size ............................................................................... 176

Setting ......................................................................................................... 177

Sending photos via email ........................................................................ 150

Connecting to a WLAN ......................................................................................... 150

Setting network options ......................................................................................... 151

Manually setting the IP address ........................................................................... 151

Network connection tips ..................................................................................... 152

Entering text ............................................................................................................ 153

Sending photos via email .................................................................................... 154

Storing a sender’s information.............................................................................. 155

Setting an email password ..................................................................................... 156

Changing the email password .............................................................................. 157

Viewing photos or videos on a TV ......................................................... 158

Connecting wirelessly .......................................................................................... 158

Connecting via cable ............................................................................................ 160

Viewing les on a TV ................................................................................................. 160

Viewing les on a 3D TV .......................................................................................... 161

Connecting to a computer ...................................................................... 162

Using Auto Backup for photos or videos ....................................................... 162

Installing the program for Auto Backup on your PC ..................................... 162

Using the Auto Backup feature ............................................................................. 162

Connecting the camera as a removable disk ............................................... 164

Transferring les to your Windows OS computer .......................................... 164

Disconnecting the camera (for Windows 7) ..................................................... 165

Transferring les to your Mac OS ......................................................................... 165

12

Contents

Using programs on a PC........................................................................... 195

Installing i-Launcher ............................................................................................. 195

Using i-Launcher .................................................................................................... 197

Opening i-Launcher .................................................................................................. 197

Available programs ................................................................................................... 197

Requirements .............................................................................................................. 198

Installing Samsung RAW Converter ................................................................. 199

Using Samsung RAW Converter ........................................................................ 199

Updating the rmware ............................................................................. 200

Before contacting a service center ........................................................ 201

Camera specications .............................................................................. 204

Glossary ....................................................................................................... 207

Optional accessories ................................................................................. 213

Index ............................................................................................................ 214

Chapter 6

Appendix

Error messages .......................................................................................... 183

Maintaining the camera........................................................................... 184

Cleaning the camera ............................................................................................. 184

Camera lens and display ......................................................................................... 184

Image sensor ............................................................................................................... 184

Camera body ............................................................................................................... 184

Using or storing the camera ............................................................................... 185

Inappropriate places to use or store the camera ........................................... 185

Using on beaches or shores ................................................................................... 185

Storing for extended period of time ................................................................... 185

Using the camera with caution in the humid environments ..................... 186

Other precautions ..................................................................................................... 186

About memory cards ............................................................................................ 187

Supported memory cards ...................................................................................... 187

Memory card capacity ............................................................................................. 188

Cautions when using memory cards .................................................................. 190

About the battery .................................................................................................. 191

Battery specications ............................................................................................... 191

Battery life .................................................................................................................... 192

Low battery message ............................................................................................... 192

Notes about using the battery .............................................................................. 192

Battery precautions ................................................................................................... 193

Notes about charging the battery ....................................................................... 193

Notes about charging with a computer connected...................................... 194

Handle and dispose of batteries and chargers with care ............................ 194

13

Concepts in Photography

Standing photography

Compose your shot, stand up straight with your feet shoulder-length

apart, and keep your elbows pointed down.

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.

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.

1

Slide the display downwards carefully.

2

Tilt the display from 180˚ upwards to 45˚ downwards.

15

Concepts in Photography



To capture a self-portrait, set Auto Self Shot to On, ip the display

180° upwards and touch the subject on the display. (p. 33)



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.



Be careful not to damage the display when tilting it.



If you have ipped the display upwards and you are not holding the camera

by hand, do not rest the camera on a table, fence, etc. to steady it. Instead,

use a tripod. Otherwise, you can damage your camera.



Do not ip the display up when an external ash is mounted on the camera.

Otherwise, you may damage your camera.

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

Aperture opened slightly Aperture opened wide

The size of the aperture is indicated by a value known as the “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 relative size of the opening in the aperture is indicated by 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

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.

Exposure

+1 EV

-1 EV

1 s 1/2 s 1/4 s 1/8 s 1/15 s 1/30 s

Shutter speed

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, making photos

brighter. However, because the shutter is open longer, moving subjects

appear blurred. A fast shutter speed allows less light in, making photos

darker. However, because the shutter is open for a shorter time, moving

subjects look sharper and more focused.

1 s 1/250 s

19

Concepts in Photography

ISO sensitivity

The exposure of an image is determined by the sensitivity of the camera to

light. This sensitivity is measured by a set of international lm standards,

known as ISO standards. On digital cameras, this sensitivity rating is used

to indicate the light sensitivity of the digital sensor that captures the

image.

ISO sensitivity doubles as the ISO 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.

A photo captured with a low ISO setting.

The photo is clear.

The same shot captured with a high ISO

setting. The photo is grainy.

Because a low ISO setting means the camera will be less sensitive to light,

you need more light to have an optimal exposure. When using a low ISO

setting, 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 setting does not require a slow shutter speed.

However, in a dark place or at night, a low ISO setting will result in a blurry

photo. To compensate for the lower light level, you should increase the ISO

setting by a moderate amount.

A photo captured with a tripod and a high

ISO setting.

A blurred photo captured by a camera.

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