Nikon D300s manual

Contents Digital Camera Find what you’re looking for from Where to Find ItPackage Contents Trademark Information Symbols and ConventionsIii Camera Setup New FeaturesMenus and Displays Taking Photographs Photo info, highlights Viewing PhotographsVii Photo infoViii Retouching PhotographsCompatible lenses Optional AccessoriesViewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices Approved memoryTable of Contents Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Xii 101133 Xiii Xiv 243270 Xvi Xvii Xviii For Your SafetyKeep out of reach of children XixDo not use in the presence of flammable gas CD-ROMs Observe caution when using the flashUse appropriate cables Xxi Xxii Battery ChargerComply with copyright notices XxiiiDisposing of Data Storage Devices Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproducedLife-Long Learning Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesXxiv Before Taking Important PicturesOverview Getting to Know the Camera XIntroductionOverview Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesServicing the Camera and Accessories Camera SettingsGetting to Know the Camera Camera Body Tripod socket Depth-of-field previewContact cover for optional MB-D10 CPU contactsXplayback zoom Wthumbnail/playbackMulti selector center 103AAE/AF lock Number of intervals for Control Panel177 Viewfinder Display Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays No BatterySee Also Information DisplayButton Turning the Monitor Off Long exposure noise reduction Information Display Viewing Button Assignments Changing Settings in the Information DisplayRbutton Tool TipsBM-8 Monitor Cover Basic Photography and Playback Camera MenusFirst Steps Playback 0 Setup 0Defaults to My Menu 0 Camera MenusDisplay the menus Using Camera MenusMenu Controls Navigating the MenusDisplay options Select a menuPosition the cursor in the selected menu Highlight a menu itemLQ button HelpSelect the highlighted item JbuttonRemove the terminal cover Charge the BatteryFirst Steps Plug the chargerBattery Charging charging complete Insert the batteryRemove the battery when charging is complete Turn the camera off Insert the BatteryOpen the battery-chamber cover Close the battery-chamber coverEN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Battery and ChargerWhen the battery is not in use Incompatible BatteriesMounting index Attach a LensCPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Detaching the LensAttach the lens Autofocus with manual prioritySelect a language Basic SetupTurn the camera on Select LanguageSet the date and time Select Time zone and dateSet time zone Turn daylight saving time on or offCamera Clock Exit to shooting modeClock Battery Set date formatSlide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Insert a Memory CardOpen the card slot cover Insert the memory cardClose the card slot cover CompactFlash memory cards Open Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera offRemoving Memory Cards Remove the memory cardFormatting Memory Cards Format the Memory CardTurn the camera on Press the Q buttons Press the Q buttons againNo Memory Card Write Protect SwitchMemory Cards Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on Adjust Viewfinder FocusAdjusting Viewfinder Focus Focus the viewfinderDescription Check the battery levelCheck the battery level in the control panel or viewfinder Turn the Camera OnSures, the exposure count display will show 1.2 K Check the number of exposures remainingLarge-Capacity Memory Cards Camera Off Display LCD IlluminatorsAuto Meter Off Choose single-point AF Adjust Camera SettingsChoose exposure mode e Choose single frame release modeChoose matrix metering Check camera settingsChoose single-servo AutofocusReady the Camera Photo in the viewfinder Focus and ShootPress the shutter Release button Halfway to focusShutter-Release Button Smoothly press the shutter Release-button the restWay down to take the picture While the photograph is beingKbutton Viewing PhotographsPress the Kbutton View additional picturesDelete as described in Viewing Deleting Unwanted PhotographsDisplay the photograph Delete the photographFraming Photographs in the Monitor XFraming Pictures in the Monitor Live ViewFraming Photographs in the Monitor Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AFChoose Tripod for Tripod Mode hLive view mode Frame a picture in the viewfinderBbutton To focus using contrast-detectFocus Contrast-detect focus pointPress the abutton to end live view Focusing with Contrast-Detect AutofocusTake the picture End live viewFrame a picture in the monitor Hand-Held Mode gFor Live view mode Choose Hand-heldFocus Exposure Compensation Shooting in Live View ModeNo Picture Hand-heldTripod AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held modeButton AF area bracketsMonitor Brightness Monitor brightness can be adjusted byRecording Movies Viewing Movies Editing Movies This chapter describes how to record movies in live viewChoose a live view mode. Gbutton Recording MoviesStart recording Focusing During RecordingFocus.Bbutton Maximum Size End recordingRecording Movies When used in live view mode for extendedChoose movie options Movie SettingsSelect Movie settings. Gbutton Adjust movie settings before recordingIs displayed in full-frame and movie playback Viewing Movies2icon Choose an option Editing MoviesDisplay retouch options Select Edit movieMovies can also be edited from the retouch menu 0 Save the copyRetouch Menu Page Image Quality Image Size Using Two Memory Cards This section describes how to choose image quality and sizeJpeg Compression Image QualityOption File type Description NEF RAW Recording253 Qual buttonDeleting the Jpeg copy will not delete the NEF RAW image Image Quality MenuNEF RAW Recording NEF RAW Bit Depth Jpeg CompressionNEF RAW Recording Type Image Size Qual button Sub-command dial Control panel Image Size MenuJpeg copies only to the secondary card Using Two Memory CardsBackup and RAW Primary, Jpeg Secondary Item in the shooting menu. Select CF card slot to designateControlling How the Camera Focuses NFocusOption Description Focus ModePredictive Focus Tracking For the purpose of focusing the cameraAF-Area Mode Area AF AF-area mode is shown in the control panel IndicatorSingle-point AF DynamicSelect the focus point Focus Point SelectionRotate the focus selector Lock to See Also Shutter-Release Button AE-L Focus LockShutter-release Button AE-L/AF-L button Recompose Photograph and shootExample blinds or a row of windows in a skyscraper Getting Good Results with AutofocusExample subject is the same color as the background Example subject is inside a cageManual focus lenses Set the camera focus-mode selector to M Manual FocusAF Lenses Focal plane mark Electronic RangefinderShooting Focal Plane PositionKRelease Mode Mode Choosing a Release ModeCamera supports the following release modes Release mode dial lock release Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Continuous ModeSelect CH or CL mode Continuous low speed modeBuffer Size Power Source and Frame RateFrame advance rate varies with the power source used Power sourcePictures that can be taken in a single burst, see Memory BufferFrame the photograph Self-Timer ModeSelect self-timer mode Timer count-down, see Custom Setting d1 Beep, 0 Start the timerTake a picture Mirror up ModeSelect mirror up mode Raise the mirrorPage Reacting Faster to Light Siso SensitivityChoosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO button Main command Dial Control panel2500, 3200, Hi 0.3, Hi 0.7, Hi ISO Sensitivity SettingsCustom Setting b1 ISO Sensitivity MenuSelect On Adjust settingsSelect ISO sensitivity Auto controlAuto ISO Sensitivity Control 100 Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure Method Metering102 Matrix Metering 103To choose a metering method Lens Types Exposure ModeMode Description 104105 Button Main command dial Depth-of-Field PreviewCustom Setting e4-Modeling Flash Shutter speed 1/320 s aperture f/9 Select exposure mode eProgrammed Auto 106Flexible Program Exposure mode e, different combinations107 108 Select exposure mode fShutter-Priority Auto Choose a shutter speedChoose an aperture Mode gAperture-Priority Auto Select exposureNon-CPU Lenses 0 Use the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture110 Control panel Mode hManual 111Aperture Shutter speed Choose aperture and shutter speedShoot 112113 Exposure IndicatorsReverse Indicators Custom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step114 Long Time-ExposuresReady the camera Shutter speed 35 s aperture f/25 Press the shutter-release button all the way downRelease the shutter-release button 115116 Select center-weighted or Metering selector spot metering 0Autoexposure AE Lock Lock exposureMetered Area Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture117 Recompose the photograph118 Exposure Compensation119 Using a FlashFor information on making adjustments to exposure Exposure bracketing BracketingExposure and Flash Bracketing Select flash or121 Fn button Main command Control panelBracketing indicator Choose the number of shots122 Fn button Sub-commandSelect an exposure increment +1 EV 123No. shots 3 increment Exposure increment Exposure increment Exposure incrementExposure Bracketing Canceling Bracketing124 Exposure and Flash BracketingSelect white balance bracketing Fn button Main command Control panel DialIndicator White Balance BracketingBracketing programs with an increment of 1 are listed below Select a white balance increment126 Choose from increments of 1 5 mired, 2 10 mired, or127 White Balance Bracketing 128129 Fn button Main commandADL Bracketing Select ADL bracketingFn button Select Active D-Lighting130 Active D-Lighting is shown in the control panel131 ADL Bracketing 132141 Keeping Colors True134 137134 White Balance OptionsIFluorescent 135Control panel WB button White Balance Menu136 Color Temperature137 Button and rotating the sub-command dialWhite Balance Menu Select a white balance Gbutton optionAmber A-blue B axis and the green G-magenta M Fine tune white balancePress J 138Mired White Balance Fine TuningColor Temperature Fine-Tuning 139140 WB Button141 Choose Color TemperatureNeutral gray or white object is placed under Preset Manual142 Method DescriptionStore values copied from d-0 0 White Balance Presets143 D-4Light a reference object Set white balance to LPreset manualSelect direct measurement mode Measuring a Value for White Balance145 Measure white balanceCheck the results 146 Select preset d-0Direct Measurement Mode Preset d-0Select a destination Select LPresetCopy d-0 to the selected preset Manual148 Select LPreset manualHighlight Preset manual in the white balance menu Choose Select image149 Choosing a White Balance PresetHighlight a source image Copy white balanceSelect Set Selecting a White Balance PresetSelect a preset Highlight Preset manual in the white balance menu and press151 Selecting a White Balance Preset the WB Button152 Entering a CommentSelect Edit comment Edit the comment153 154164 166Control Picture ControlsSelecting a Picture Control Select Set PictureOptional Picture Controls Preset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture ControlsPicture Control Indicator 155156 Or make manual adjustments to individual settingsModifying Existing Picture Controls 157 Picture Control SettingsPicture Control Grid Previous Settings158 AutoCustom Picture Controls 159Toning Monochrome Only 160 Creating Custom Picture ControlsSelect Manage Picture Gbutton Control Select Save/editText-entry dialog shown Edit the selected Picture ControlName the Picture Control 161Original Picture Control icon 162Manage Picture Control Rename Saving Custom Picture Controls Sharing Custom Picture Controls163 164 Active D-LightingHighlight YAuto, ZExtra Select Active D-Lighting. Gbutton165 To use active D-Lighting166 Color SpaceSelect Color space Select a color spaceNikon Software 167168 Using the Built-in Flash 170 Built-in Flash171 Using the Built-in FlashChoose a flash mode Press the flash pop-up buttonShutter speed Aperture Check exposure shutter speed and aperture172 173 Lowering the Built-in FlashMaximum aperture at ISO equivalent 200 400 800 1600 3200 174Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range RangeD300S supports the following flash modes Flash Modes175 176 Flash Control Mode±0 EV Ybutton pressed +1.0 EV Flash Compensation177 YM buttonAssign Fn button Fn button press FV LockAssign FV lock to the Fn button 178Release FV lock Using FV Lock with the Built-in FlashLock flash level Recompose the photograph Take the photographMetered area Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units180 Flash unit195 182184 189Off Option DefaultEbutton Qual button Option Default 182183 See page 368 for a list of default settingsExposure Multiple ExposureCreating a Multiple Exposure Select Multiple185 Select the number of shotsSelect Auto gain Set gain186 Select DoneUsed Other Settings187 188 Interrupting Multiple ExposuresSelect a starting trigger Interval Timer PhotographySelect Interval timer Shooting190 Choose a start timeChoose an interval Shots per intervalOut of Memory Start shooting191 During Shooting During interval timer photography, the Qicon192 193 Pausing Interval Timer PhotographyChoose a new starting trigger Resume shooting194 Interrupting Interval Timer PhotographyUsing the Monitor No PhotographZoom Lenses Non-CPU Lenses195 Focal Length Not ListedSelect a focal length Non-CPU Lens Data MenuSelect Non-CPU lens Gbutton data Select a lens number197 Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera ControlsAssign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control Use the selected control to choose a lens number198 Using a GPS UnitGP-1 GPS Unit MC-35 Other GPS Units199 200 KIcon201 Setup Menu Options202 Playback Options 204 Full-Frame Playback205 For details 206207 Photo Information208 File Information209 Highlights210 RGB HistogramHistograms 211Playback Zoom 212 Shooting Data Page 1213 Shooting Data Page 2214 GPS Data215 Overview DataFollowing operations can be performed Viewing Multiple Images Thumbnail Playback216 Choosing a Memory Card 217218 Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom219 Protecting Photographs from DeletionSelect an image Press the Lbutton220 Deleting PhotographsFull-Frame and Thumbnail Playback Press the ObuttonHighlight a picture Playback MenuSelected Deleting Selected Photographs Choose Selected222 Select the highlighted picturePress Jto complete the operation 239 Connecting to External Devices224 228224 Connecting to a ComputerConnecting Cables Supported Operating Systems225 Direct USB ConnectionTurn the camera off Turn the computer on Connect the USB cableNikon Transfer Help menu Transfer photographs226 Select Nikon Transfer help from227 Wireless and Ethernet NetworksMode Function Transfer ModePrinting Via Direct USB Connection Printing Photographs228 Retouch menu 0229 Connecting the PrinterTurn the camera off Connect the USB cable Display printing options Adjust printing optionsPrinting Pictures One at a Time Select a picturePrinter, Print with border print Default default for currentChoose Printer default default 231232 Start printingChoose Print select or Print Dpof Printing Multiple PicturesDisplay the PictBridge MenuUse the multi selector to scroll Select pictures234 235 236 Creating Index PrintsSelect Index print Press the Gbutton Creating a Dpof Print Order Print SetChoose Select/set 237Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order Select imprint optionsComplete the print order 238239 Viewing Photographs on TVStandard Definition Devices Connect the supplied A/V cable as shownSlide Shows Video Mode240 Television PlaybackConnect to high- definition device High-Definition DevicesConnect the Hdmi cable as shown 241242 300 244253 260244 DThe Playback Menu245 Playback FolderHide Image Choose Select/set. GbuttonUse the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on 246Press Jto complete the operation 247 Display ModeSelect options Save changes and exitChoose Select images Copy ImagesChoose Select source Select the source cardSelect a destination folder Make the initial selectionSelect additional images Choose Select destination folderHighlight Copy images? and press Copy the images250 Folder, and press J251 Image ReviewAfter Delete Rotate TallStart slide show Slide Show252 Exit to return to the playback menu253 CThe Shooting Menu254 Renaming Shooting Menu BanksShooting Menu Bank Select a bankAfter editing the name, press J Enter a name255 Press 4 or 2. To enter a newSelect New folder number Reset Shooting MenuNew Folder Number Active FolderSelect the highlighted folder Select FolderChoose Select folder Highlight a folderLong ExposureNoise Reduction File NamingLong Exp. NR 258259 High ISO NR260 ACustom Settings261 Following Custom Settings are available262 Custom Setting BankReset Custom Settings Custom Settings BankFocus priority in continuous-servo A1 AF-C Priority Selection263 This option controls whether264 Single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to SA2 AF-S Priority Selection A3 Dynamic AF Area3D-tracking 265Option Description Points Short A5 AF ActivationA6 AF Point Illumination 266Right edge of the display is selected has no effect A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ACustom Settings menuA8 AF Point Selection 267AF-Assist Illuminator 268269 A10 AF-On for MB-D10B1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value B3 Exp Comp/Fine Tune270 Change Main/Sub B4 Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ACustom Settings menu271 272 B5 Center-Weighted AreaB6 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure Gbutton ACustom Settings menu Fine-Tuning Exposure273 C2 Auto Meter-off DelayC3 Self-Timer Choose how long the monitor remains on C4 Monitor off Delay274 275 D3 Viewfinder Warning Display Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD1 Beep D2 Viewfinder Grid Display276 D5 CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD6 Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ACustom Settings menu D4 Screen TipsFile Number Sequence ResetD7 File Number Sequence 277278 D10 Exposure Delay ModeD8 Information Display D9 LCD Illumination279 D11 MB-D10 Battery Type280 D12 Battery OrderMB-D10 Battery Pack MB-D10 battery type display Battery typeFixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit E1 Flash Sync Speed281 This option controls flash sync speed282 Flash-Ready IndicatorFlash Control at 1/320 s Auto FP E2 Flash Shutter Speed283 Choose the flash mode for the built-in flashTimes ManualRepeating Flash 284Group B Commander Mode285 Select the channel Press J Adjust settings for the built-in flashAdjust settings for group a Adjust settings for group B287 Compose the shotFrame the photograph, focus, and shoot 288 Flash Sync Mode DisplayCommander Mode 289 E4 Modeling FlashE5 Auto Bracketing Set 290 E6 Auto Bracketing Mode M Gbutton ACustom Settings menuExposure mode E7 Bracketing OrderChoose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D Shooting ModePlayback Mode F1 DSwitchF5 Assign Fn Button Selector on the optional MB-D10 battery packF3 Multi Selector F4 Photo Info/Playback293 Fn Button Press294 Number lens data option Fn button + dials295 Button press are the same as for Fn button F6 Assign Preview ButtonF7 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button 296297 F8 Customize Command Dials Gbutton ACustom Settings menuExposure meters turn off F9 Release Button to Use Dial Gbutton ACustom Settings menu298 299 F11 Reverse IndicatorsF10 No Memory Card? 300 LCD Brightness Video ModeFormatting, be sure to make backup copies as required Format Memory CardOption Description Auto Time Zone and Date302 Camera is equipped with an Hdmi High-Definition303 LanguageImage Comment 304 Auto Image Rotation305 Image Sensor CleaningImage Dust Off Ref Photo Choose a start optionImage Dust Off Reference Data Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinderAcquire dust off reference data 306307 Battery InfoCopies Wireless TransmitterImage Authentication 308Copyright Information Copyright Information309 Attach copyright information Select thisMenu Option Save/Load Settings310 Tilting the Camera Saved SettingsVirtual Horizon 311Value AF Fine Tune312 313 AF TuningLive View Tripod Mode Eye-Fi UploadEye-Fi Cards Firmware Version314 View the current camera firmware version315 NThe Retouch Menu316 Creating Retouched CopiesChoose a picture Display the retouch menu317 Monitor off DelaySelect retouch options Create a retouched copyImage Quality 318Retouching Copies BeforeAfter Lighting319 Use Description Red-Eye Correction320 Viewing Cropped Copies Trim321 Trim Image Quality and SizeMonochrome MonochromeFilter Effects 322Zoom Color Balance323 Select a photograph Image OverlaySelect Image overlay Display NEF RAW images325 Highlight the Preview columnPreview the overlay Image Overlay Save the overlay326 Select NEF RAW processing NEF RAW Processing327 Create Jpeg copies of NEF RAW photographs328 Adjust NEF RAW processing settingsCopy the photograph 329 ResizeChoose a destination Choose a sizeViewing Resized Copies Choose picturesSave the resized copies 330Select Side-by-side comparison Making a Side-by-Side ComparisonISide-by-Side Comparison 331Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the copy with the original332 Source image is displayed on the left, the retouched copyTo display My Menu, press Gand select the OMy Menu tab Adding Options to My MenuSelect Add items 333334 Select an itemPosition the new item Add more itemsDelete the selected items Deleting Options from My MenuSelect Remove items Select items336 Reordering Options in My MenuSelect Rank items Position the item337 Displaying Recent SettingsSelect m Recent settings Select Choose tab338 Camera Care, Options, and Resources CPU contacts Compatible Lenses340 Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ringLens f-number 341AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter 342 Non-CPU LensesCompatible Non-CPU Lenses 343Lens 344Red-Eye Reduction AF-Assist Illumination 345Picture angle 35mm format Picture angle D300S 346Calculating Picture Angle LensSync Terminal Optional Flash Units SpeedlightsSU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash Nikon Creative Lighting System CLSCLS-Compatible Flash Units 348349 Following features are available with the above flash unitsFlash mode/feature Non-TTL auto Manual Repeating flash Flash mode350 SB-80DX200 400 800 1600 3200 Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories351 Network or copied to a computer for long-term storage Other AccessoriesRechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e 0 22 352353 Filters Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200Units Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 354Body cap 355Software Terminal 356Remote 357 CleaningCaring for the Camera StorageImage sensor menu Display the CleanLow-Pass Filter Place the camera base down359 Select Clean nowSelect Clean at startup/ shutdown Highlight Clean now and press360 Clean atClean at startup Select an option361 Charge the battery or connect an AC adapterSelect Lock mirror up for cleaning Press the shutter-release button all the way down Clean the filterExamine the low-pass filter 362Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Use a Reliable Power SourceShould be included when the camera is inspected or serviced 363364 Caring for the Camera Battery Cautions365 366 367 368 DefaultsPlayback Menu Defaults Shooting Menu Defaults369 Custom Settings Menu Defaults370 371 Setup Menu DefaultsShutter speed Exposure Program372 Extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear TroubleshootingDisplay 373374 Exposure mode S selected with Aselected for shutter speed 0Focus mode C use AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus 0 Shooting375 Playback folder 0 Playback376 White balance bracketing unavailableDate of recording is not correct Set camera clock 0 Miscellaneous377 Can not change print order378 Error MessagesIndicator Problem Solution379 380 Xand yIcons 381382 383 384 Type SpecificationsNikon D300S Digital Camera 385Aperture is f/5.6 or faster 386Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum 387 388 389 390 391 Rated capacity EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery Type392 Supported StandardsSD memory cards Approved Memory Cards393 Type 1 CompactFlash memory cards394 Memory Card CapacityD6-Max. Continuous Release 0 395Nikon standard Battery Life396 Cipa standard397 Numerics SymbolsIndex 398399 Connector for external195 400189 401402 403 404 Page 6MB05711-03