How to change aperture on Nikon is one of the most common questions asked while shooting manually. Aperture refers to the amount in which the diaphragm of the lens would open. This helps to manage the amount of light that would pass through the camera.
Let us look at the steps to change the aperture of some of the most popular Nikon cameras.
Table of Contents
How to change aperture on Nikon d3500
The method of changing the aperture in Nikon d3500 depends on the mode that you are shooting in. Hence, before knowing the steps on how to change aperture on Nikon d3500, let us look at all the modes you can shoot on.
- Manual
- Aperture Priority
- Shutter Priority
- Program
You can only choose to change the aperture if you are shooting on Manual or Aperture Priority mode. Let us have a look at the steps for the same.
Aperture Priority Mode
- Firstly, find the dial to change the aperture. It is present on the top right back portion of the camera
- To make the aperture low, take the dial and rotate it clockwise. Rotate the anti-clockwise to make the aperture higher.
Manual Mode
The steps to change the aperture of Nikon d3500 when in Manual mode is a little different from Aperture Priority mode. Let us have a look at them:
- Find the dial present in the top right back portion of the camera.
- Hold the dial and, at the same time, press the +/- button that is present on the top of the camera.
- To make the aperture low, take the dial and rotate it clockwise. Rotate the anti-clockwise to make the aperture higher.
How to change aperture on Nikon d3400?
The steps to change the aperture on this one depend on two things. They are:
- The shooting mode – Aperture Priority or Manual mode
- The lens you are using
You can change the aperture on Nikon D3400 if you are shooting in either Aperture Priority or Manual mode.
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture on A mode:
- The first step is to find the dial to change the aperture. It is present on the top right back corner of the camera
- To make the aperture lower, rotate the dial from right to left. On the contrary, to make it higher, rotate it from left to right.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture on Manual mode:
- The first step is to find the +/- button. It is located at the top of the camera
- Find the dial (the same one used in (A) mode). Rotate it by pressing the +/- button at the same time
- To make the aperture lower, rotate the dial from right to left. On the contrary, to make it higher, rotate it from left to right.
How to change aperture on Nikon D5300?
Like many other Nikon cameras, you can only change the aperture to shoot if you use the Aperture Priority or the Manual mode.
While changing the aperture is similar in both the modes, there is a slight difference between them. Many would say that changing the aperture while shooting at the Aperture Priority mode is comparatively easier when compared to the Manual mode. But why? Let us have a look.
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture on Aperture Priority mode:
- Turn on the camera
- Find the ‘mode’ dial present on the top right corner of the camera. Set the mode to (A)
- Look out for the dial to change the aperture. You would find it on the top right portion of the camera
- Rotate the dial on the left to decrease the aperture. To increase the aperture, rotate it on the left.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture on Manual mode:
- Firstly, turn the camera on
- Secondly, find the ‘mode’ dial present on the top right corner of the camera and Set the mode to M
- Thirdly, find the ‘Aperture adjusting’ button. It is a +/- button that is located on the top of the camera
- The next step is to find the command dial; you would find it a little on the right side of the mode dial
- Rotate this dial by keeping the aperture adjusting button pressed. Rotate the dial to the left for lowering the aperture. To increase the aperture, rotate the dial on the right.
How to change aperture on Nikon D3100?
The steps on how to change aperture on Nikon D3100 are easy:
- Find the info button and the button that is present beside the shutter release
- You would get both of these on the top of the camera
- Hold both the buttons together and move the dial
- Move the dial on the right to increase the aperture
- Move it to the left to decrease the aperture.
How to change aperture on Nikon D5100?
The steps to change the aperture on Nikon D5100 are easy. Let us have a look a the steps:
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Aperture Priority (A) mode:
- Turn the camera on
- Ensure that the A mode is selected on the Mode dial
- Find the command dial
- Rotate it on the left to increase the aperture
- Rotate it opposite on the left to decrease the aperture.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Manual mode:
- Turn the camera on
- Secondly, find the mode dial and change it to M mode.
- Thirdly, find the aperture control (+/-) button and press on it
- While keeping it pressed, rotate the command dial to increase or decrease the aperture.
How to change aperture on Nikon D3000?
Two kinds of lenses could be present in a Nikon D3000 camera. One is an old lens. This lens carries an aperture ring that is present on the lens itself.
The other camera lens has no such ring. If your lens carries an aperture ring, ensure to rotate the dial to the maximum before changing the aperture.
There are two modes in which you can change the aperture. They are Aperture Priority mode and Manual mode. Let us look at the steps on how to change aperture on Nikon D3000 in both these modes.
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Aperture Priority (A) mode:
- Firstly, find the dial which is located on the top portion of the camera. Rotate it and set it to (A).
- The next step is to find the rear command dial. To make the aperture lower rotate the dial to the left clockwise. Do the opposite if you want to increase the aperture.
Manual Mode
Changing the aperture of Nikon D300 when shooting in a Manual mode is slightly different from the Aperture Priority mode. Therefore, here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Manual mode:
- Firstly, find the ‘mode’ dial, which is located on the top portion of the camera. Rotate it and set it to M
- Find the camera shutter. Just below it, you will find the +/- button
- Press on the +/- button and at the same time rotate the command dial to change the aperture
- To decrease the aperture, rotate the dial clockwise. To increase it, rotate the dial anti-clockwise.
How to change aperture on Nikon D7000?
Learn the steps on how to change aperture on Nikon D7000. Read on to know the steps for both Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
Aperture Priority Mode
The steps are easy. Let’s have a look:
- Ensure that the indicator line on the Mode dial is on M
- Find the command dial on the top right corner of the camera
- Rotate it on the left to increase the aperture and on the left to decrease it.
Manual Mode
The steps of changing the aperture on Manual are similar to the Aperture Priority mode. It just has a slight difference. Let us have a look at the steps.
- Firstly, ensure that the indication line on the Mode dial is on M
- Find the command dial on the top right corner of the camera
- Find the aperture control (+/-) button on the top of the camera
- Press on the same while rotating the command dial
- Rotate the dial on the left to increase the aperture and on the right to decrease it.
How to change aperture on Nikon D5200?
The steps of changing the aperture of the D5200 are similar to the other Nikon models. Let us look the what those easy steps are:
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Aperture Priority (A) mode:
- Turn the camera on
- Ensure the indicator line of the Mode dial is on A
- Find the command dial
- Rotate it on the left to increase the aperture. Rotate it on the right side to decrease the aperture.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Manual mode:
- Firstly, ensure the indicator line on the Mode dial is on M before you shoot
- Find the aperture control (+/-) button on top of the camera
- Press on it and rotate the command dial. Move it on the left and right to increase and decrease the aperture respectively.
How to change aperture on Nikon D7500?
There are four modes you can shoot when using the Nikon D7500. They are
- Programmed Auto
- Shutter Priority
- Manual
- Aperture Priority
You can change the aperture only while shooting on the Aperture Priority and Manual modes. Let us look at how to change the aperture on Nikon D7500 when shooting on these modes.
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Aperture Priority mode:
- Firstly, turn the camera on
- Find the mode dial present on the top of the camera. Change the settings to A
- Find the command dial just beside the on/off button. Rotate the dial on the left to increase the aperture. To decrease the aperture, rotate the dial on the right.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Manual mode:
- Turn the camera o
- Find the mode dial on the top of the camera
- Turn it to the M mode
- Look out for the aperture control (+/-) button located on the top right corner of the camera
- Press on the button and rotate the command dial at the same time.
- Rotate the dial on the left to increase the aperture and on the right to decrease it.
How to change aperture on Nikon d3200?
When shooting on a Nikon D3200 you can change the aperture only when you are shooting on Aperture Priority or Manual mode. If you are shooting on the Program or the Shutter
Priority mode, you would not be able to change the aperture.
While the steps on how to change aperture on Nikon D3200 are similar to both the modes, there is a little difference. Read on to know what that is.
Aperture Priority Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Aperture Priority (A) mode:
- Turn the camera on
- Find the mode dial present on the top of the camera
- Set it to the A mode
- Look for the command dial present on the right side of the mode dial
- Rotate it anti-clockwise to increase the aperture. To decrease the aperture, rotate it clockwise.
Manual Mode
Here are the steps to change the aperture when shooting in Manual mode:
- Firstly, turn the camera on
- Find the Mode dial, which is present at the top of the camera
- Set it to M
- Find the Aperture button (+/-) button
- You would get this just behind the camera
- The next step is to search for the command dial; this is located a little right to the mode dial button
- Rotate the command dial while keeping the aperture button pressed
- Move the dial to the left to increase the aperture
- Move it to the left to decrease the aperture.
Final thoughts
Now that you have a complete idea on how to change aperture on Nikon varying according to different models, give it a try and click the best pictures!
