METERED MANUAL (M) MODE
In M mode, you have full creative control of exposure. Exposure can be based on the camera's TTL meter, an external meter, or your own experience. Any available shutter speed and aperture can be set, with both settings displayed in the viewfinder and data panel.
To set mode: Rotate exposure mode selector to align "MANUAL" with index on data panel. Small pointers appear next to the shutter speed and aperture settings to indicate that both can be set manually.
To set aperture and shutter speed: Use aperture up/down controls to set aperture in half stops and shutter up/down control to set shutter speed in full stops.
To adjust exposure: With meter on in M mode, the exposure-deviation indicator appears in viewfinder. For normal exposure based on the camera's TTL meter, adjust the up/down controls as indicated in the viewfinder. Some typical readouts are:
"-0" or "+0" indicates exposure is set within +-1/4 stop of normal exposure.
"+2" indicates ecposure is set for two stops (i.e., four times) greater than required for a normal exposure.
"-1" indicates exposure is set for one stop (i.e., one half) less than required for normal exposure.
NOTE
- If light level is outside metering range, metering indicator in viewfinder blinks as a warning that exposure may not be correct.
- If exposure adjustment is set with camera in M mode, +/- mark will not appear in data panel; however, indication for normal exposure includes the set value. For example, if exposure would normally be 1/60 sec. at f/5.6, when exposure adjustment is set to +1.0, meter indicates normal exposure to be either 1/60 at f/4 or 1/30 at f/5.6.
Long exposures ("bulb" setting)
With camera in M mode, move shutter up/down control until "bulb" appears (after "30") and set the aperture as desired. Focus lens and release shutter. To avoid shaking the camera, mount it on a sturdy support such as a tripod and use the optional Remote Cord RC-1000S or RC-1000L to release the shutter. Shutter remains open as long as the operating button is pressed. Elapsed exposure time (in seconds) is shown in the data panel. After 99 seconds, counter returns to "0" and continues counting.
NOTE
- Self-timer operation is not possible at "bulb" setting.
- The maximum exposure time depends on battery capacity: With fresh alkaline-manganese batteries, it will be approx. 8 hours.