Section 01
The mode dial sits next to the shutter button and is the single biggest creative control on the camera. Here’s every position, what the camera does behind it, and a plain‑English when‑to‑use.
Dial overview
AUTO Hand it the camera, point, shoot.
Use for First roll. Handing the camera to a friend. Snapshots where you want zero decisions.
Avoid Anything where you actually want to control distance — the focus ring is bypassed.
P Daylight workhorse — your default for everything.
Use for General daylight, walking around, street, travel. The mode you’ll spend most of your time in.
Avoid Indoor / dim conditions without a flash — shutter will get too slow.
Slow Available‑light at dusk, indoors, or after sunset.
Use for Cafés, bars, blue hour, candle light, neon. Brace against something or use a tripod.
Avoid Moving subjects — you’ll get motion blur. Use P‑Flash instead.
P‑Flash Fill flash on a sunlit subject without overpowering ambient.
Use for Backlit portraits, harsh midday faces in shadow, close‑up subject + bright background.
Avoid Distant subjects — guide number is small, light falls off fast.
Slow‑Sync Freeze the subject; let the background expose.
Use for Twilight portraits, neon‑lit street scenes, anywhere you want the background to read.
Avoid Hand‑held without bracing — long shutter will smear the background.
Bokeh Aperture priority wide open for separation.
Use for Subject isolation, close portraits, layered backgrounds. Pair with the macro / 0.25 m zone.
Avoid Bright midday sun — shutter may top out and overexpose; switch to a slower film.
B Shutter stays open as long as the button is held.
Use for Light trails, fireworks, star trails, long‑exposure water. Always on a tripod with a remote release.
Avoid Anything hand‑held. Even a finger‑press will shake the body.