How to Change Aperture on Nikon Cameras?

Looking to learn how to change the aperture on Nikon cameras?

I understand that all these buttons and dials can be a bit confusing!

This guide will show you how to change the aperture on Nikon cameras step by step so you can control the exposure of your pictures.

Let’s get right to it!

Can You Change Aperture on Nikon Cameras?

Yes, you can. After all, the aperture determines how much light passes through your camera. So, it’s crucial for any photographer to be able to change it.

Here’s the catch: The way you adjust aperture differs from one Nikon model to another, which is natural, given that each comes in a different design.

Luckily, I come to you with a simple step-by-step system that will help you change the aperture of several Nikon cameras.

Set the Shooting Mode

Before I delve into the technicalities of Nikon cameras, I want to give you a quick photography lesson.

Most cameras have, at minimum, four shooting modes: Program (P), Shutter Priority Auto (S), Aperture Priority Auto (A), and Manual (M).

Program: In this mode, the camera takes in the scene you want to shoot and automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed to create a proper exposure.

Shutter Priority: This mode allows you to control the shutter speed, and the camera will automatically adjust the aperture accordingly.

Aperture Priority: This mode allows you to change the aperture, and the camera will automatically set the speed shutter to create a balanced exposure.

Manual: As the name suggests, this mode gives you full control over the aperture and shutter speed, allowing you to change them yourself to create the desired effect.

So, why am I telling you this? Well, as you can see, not all shooting modes allow you to control the aperture settings freely.

Manual and Aperture Priority modes give you the most control, but Shutter Priority and Program modes adjust the aperture automatically.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have aperture control in these two modes. You do, but it’s more limited than any photographer would like (more on that later).

Ultimately, if you want to have full control over the aperture, you should stick to the Manual or Aperture Priority modes.

• More: Understanding the Exposure Triangle in Photography

Rotate the Dial

Now that you understand how different modes affect your aperture control, it’s time to show you how to change the aperture on your camera.

As I’ve already established, the steps depend on the model of your Nikon.

Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 is one of the most popular models on the Nikon market, with good reason. It offers excellent image quality at an affordable price.

Don’t let the fancy buttons intimidate you. Changing the aperture on this model is easier than you think.

1. Aperture Priority Mode

If you’re shooting in Aperture Priority mode, you can control the aperture through the rear command dial on the top of the camera to the right side.

Rotate it clockwise to narrow the aperture (increase f-numbers) and let more light in. Rotate it counter-clockwise if you want to widen the aperture (reduce f-numbers) and allow less light to hit the sensor.

2. Manual Mode

If you try rotating the dial while in Manual mode, you’ll see that only the shutter speed is changing. That’s because you need to rotate it while holding the +/- button to control the aperture.

3. Shutter Priority Mode

Yes, you can still control the aperture if you’re shooting in Shutter Priority mode, but only to an extent. You see, the camera sets the aperture in this mode depending on the shutter speed.

So, you can control the aperture by controlling the shutter speed. You just need to choose a shutter speed that prompts the camera to set the aperture you want.

Rotate the command dial right to increase the speed and left to decrease it. The faster the shutter speed, the wider the aperture will be to allow more light to enter.

4. Program Mode

You’re probably wondering: “What’s there to control in Program mode? Doesn’t the camera make all the decisions for me?”

Well, in Program mode, the camera suggests a combination of aperture and shutter speed that would suit the scene.

However, you can rotate the dial wheel to generate different combinations, giving you some control over the aperture.

Rotating it to the right gives you wider apertures (low f-numbers) and faster shutter speeds. Rotating it to the left generates narrower apertures and slower shutter speeds.

5. Compatible Lenses

Yes, you can attach lenses with aperture rings to the D3400 and use them to control the light exposure. How?

Well, it depends on the lens model. That said, the most common method is to rotate the aperture ring around the lens until you get optimal exposure.

• More: When to Use Wide vs Narrow Aperture

Nikon D7500

The Nikon D7500 has a different design to the D3400. Naturally, that makes the aperture control process different, but not as different as you might think.

1. Aperture Priority Mode

You can move between minimum and maximum aperture in the D7500 through the sub-command dial on the left back side of the camera. Rotate the dial to the right to increase the aperture and to the left to decrease it.

2. Manual Mode

Luckily, changing the aperture in Manual mode isn’t any different than in Aperture Priority mode. Just rotate the sub-command dial left and right to control the exposure.

3. Shutter Priority Mode

You can control the shutter speed in this mode by rotating the main command dial clockwise to increase the shutter speed and counter-clockwise to decrease it.

Like with the D3400, the faster the shutter, the wider the aperture. So, choose carefully.

Pro tip: Activate the exposure meter to get a numeric reading of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Just press the shutter unleash button gently, and you’ll find all that information displayed in the viewfinder.

4. Program Mode

You can use the main control dial to generate different combinations of shutter speed and aperture. If you rotate it to the right, you’ll get larger apertures (low f-numbers) with a blurred background and faster shutter speed.

Rotate to the left, and you’ll get smaller apertures with an improved depth of field and slower shutter speeds.