Minolta DiMAGE S414, Instruction Manual

Manual exposure mode allows individual selection of
shutter speeds and apertures. This mode overrides the
exposure system giving the photographer total control over
the final exposure. The shutter speeds can be changed in
half stop increments between 1/1000 and 4 seconds. 

As changes are made to the exposure, the effect will be visible on the monitor. The
shutter-speed and aperture display will turn red on the monitor if the image is extremely
under or overexposed. If the monitor is black, increase the exposure until the image is
visible; decrease the exposure if the monitor is white. If the LCD monitor is turned off, the
exposure is fixed at the last setting and cannot be changed. When the shutter-release
button is pressed partway down, the brightness of the live image may change while the
camera is focusing.

In manual exposure mode, the auto camera-sensitivity setting will fix the ISO value at
100. The camera sensitivity can be changed in the basic section of the multi-function
recording menu (p. 54). The flash mode is set to flash cancel. Fill-flash can be selected
(p. 30), but the live image will not reflect the ambient or flash exposure. Bulb exposures
can be made, see page 58.

The photographer selects the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate shutter
speed to ensure correct exposure. When aperture priority is selected, the aperture value
on the monitor turns blue and a double arrow icon appears next to it. If the LCD monitor
is turned off, the aperture value is fixed at the last setting and cannot be changed. The
flash mode is set to flash cancel. Fill-flash can be selected (p. 30).

Use the left/right keys of the controller (1) to set the desired aperture value. Press the
shutter-release button to activate the exposure system; the corresponding shutter speed
will be displayed on the monitor.

The aperture value can be changed in two
steps: f/3.0 and f/6.7 at the lens’ wide-angle
position, f/3.6 and f/8.0 at the lens’
telephoto position. As the lens is zoomed,
the aperture will automatically shift. If the
aperture value is beyond the shutter-speed
range, the shutter-speed display will turn
red on the monitor. For more on the
aperture and image control, see page 66. 

56

57

M

ULTI

-

FUNCTION RECORDING MODE

Program

The program exposure mode controls both the shutter speed and aperture to ensure
perfect exposures. The sophisticated exposure system allows the photographer the
freedom to shoot without having to worry about the technical details of exposure settings.
The shutter speed and aperture values of the exposure are displayed on the monitor. If
shutter speed and aperture displays turn red, the scene is beyond the exposure control
range of the camera.

EXPOSURE MODES

The three exposure modes allow extensive control over image making: program,
aperture priority, and manual exposure. Exposure modes are set in the basic section of
the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 54). 

Aperture priority - A

1

Manual exposure - M

To change the shutter speed use the left/right
keys of the controller (1) to set the desired
shutter speed.

To change the aperture press the exposure-
compensation button (2); the aperture value
will turn blue. Use the left/right keys of the
controller (1) to set the desired aperture. 

The exposure-compensation button switches
between the shutter speed and aperture
display. The value that can be set will be blue
with a double arrow icon to the left.

1

2