Aperture priority only in manual mode?

Take a look at this.

You can set the aperture directly in the Manual and Aperture-priority modes and indirectly in the Shutter-priority and Program modes. See pages 39-40 of this manual.

It depends on the lens.

If you're using a lens with an aperture ring, simply set the exposure mode to Manual or Aperture priority and change the aperture by turning the aperture ring on the lens. In Aperture priority the camera will set the shutter speed appropriately, in Manual you have to determine the appropriate shutter speed. If you want to use such a lens in Shutter priority or one of the Program modes, you must set the aperture to its smallest setting (largest f/number) and lock it.

If you're using a lens without an aperture ring then it's a bit harder. You can only use the camera in Shutter priority or one of the Program modes. You turn the command dial on the camera to change the exposure, and the aperture will change. If you want to use an exposure different than what the meter suggests, you can adjust it by using either exposure compensation or changing the ISO setting (or both).

If you need a manual, you can download one from
http://butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_n6006af/nikon_n6006af.htm

The error code means that you have mounted a lens with a manual aperture control and have failed to set the control to the minimum aperture setting (highest number). By setting the control to the minimum aperture, the camera can then automatically select any aperture between the maximum and minimum settings when taking the photo. The actual aperture selection is either set automatically by the camera body (if in shutter priority or auto/program modes) or is done using the camera body controls when in aperture priority or manual modes.

If you have done so and still have the problem then add a comment and we'll explore further possibilities which all involve a fault with either the lens or the camera body.

If I have resolved your problem then please take a moment to rate my answer.

Lock the aperture ring at its smallest opening (in this case, F22). Change the aperture setting by turning the subcommand dial (the one in front, unless you changed it in the setup menu).

Of course, you can only change the aperture directly in Manual and Aperture-Priority modes.

The numbers in the left side of the screen is shutterspeed and aperture number.
125 means the shutterspeed is 1/125 sek.
F is the aperturenumber. The higher F number, the smaller aperture opening, the higher depth-of-field.
You can see these number in S, A and M mode.
S is shutter priority: You choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the correct aperture (within limits)
A is aperture priority: You choose the aperture and the camera chooses the correct aperture (still within limits)
M is manual mode: You have to choose both aperture and shutterspeed. The ruler is an indicator, that tells you when the exposure is correct. The pointer should be in the middle of the ruler.

Try the PROGRAM MODE-SPORTS setting. this will keep the shutter speed reletively high unless there is little light. Or use APERTURE PRIORITY MODE with an f2.0 to f2.8 to keep shutter speed high. If pictures were blurry when it went to AUTO then the light had to be low for the camera to select a low shutter speed. If using flash use forced or auto flash not slow sync. Also set ISO to 400 which is >>>. If inside use a larger external flash as the one on-camera is only good for about 10ft. if more than 10ft. away set focus to manual infinity so you don't have to wait for the camera to focus. Hope this helps.

That is exactly what happens if you turn off the LCD. It goes into AUTO EXPOSURE. The same thing happens if you are in SHUTTER PRIORITY MODE. APERTURE PRIORITY MODE keeps your setting when going to just the viewfinder. I guess they did this because there is no way to change your settings with the screen off. It would be nice be able to keep those settings for situations where the light is not going to change and you want to save the battery. On the other hand, in manual mode I like the confirmation screen to be sure that the light didn't change.

In addition to the "quirks" of the Landscape and Aperture Priority Modes (neither mode works as documented!)..... The camera also behaves differently in full Manual Mode (it changes the settings, whether you want it to or not to compensate for available light)... At lower Zoom Levels, the camera will adjust the Shutter Speed Only, to try and compensate for available light... For example: with the Camera preset to F5.6 Aperture, and 1/48 sec. shutter speed, the camera will adjust the shutter speed between a range of 1/30 to 1/291 sec, to try and "auto expose" the shot for lower or higher light levels, even though you're in manual mode. At an Aperture Setting of 2.8 and 1/48 of a second, the number of internal steps in shutter speed the camera is willing to take, increases dramatially - for example: shutter speeds up to 1/600 of a second, even though you have the shutter set to 1/48 in manual mode. The camera WILL NOT attempt to adjust the Aperture to compensate for proper exposure in available light (OR WILL IT??).... It depends on your Zoom settings! It won't if your're near to full wide angle, but IT WILL if you are using the Zoom. Once you cross some unknown zoom threshold (it doesn't have to be at full zoom), then the camera begins to change both the Aperture and Shutter speed to compensate for available light, even though you are in "Full Manual", versus Auto Exposure Mode. In Manual Mode, (as in Aperture Priority Mode), the amount of change the camera is willing to make to your settings, appears to be related to a preset number of internal steps, with the number of steps dependent on both Aperture and Zoom Settings, before it gives an EV Warning for Over or Under Exposure conditions.... The type (shutter speed only for wide angle, shutter and aperture for zoom) and amount (number of internal "steps" it takes to increase/decrease shutter speed and increase or decrease aperture), is dependent on the amount of zoom you are using for the current shot.

s I understand it from what I have seen on the Web, the 3000Z can operate in several modes: 1. Fully automatic (camera select both 2. Manual (user sets both aperture and shutter speed). 3. Aperture Priority mode - user sets aperture and camera chooses correct shutter speed to get a good exposure Apparently there is no Shutter Priority mode (user cannot set only the shutter er speed and allow the camera to set the aperature to get a good exposure). This option is available on the Epson 850Z camera and this seems like a silly ommision to make on a "high-end" camera like the 3000Z.