Main
User's Manual
Where to Find It
i
i
Package Contents
ii
Symbols and Conventions
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D
0
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Page
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Find what youre looking for using this question and answer index.
New Features
Camera Setup
Q&A Index
Menus and Displays
v
Taking Photographs
vi
Viewing Photographs
vii
Retouching Photographs
viii
ix
Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices
Optional Accessories
Tab le o f Co nte nts
x
Introduction 1
Tutorial 21
Page
xii
ISO Sensitivity 109
Exposure 115
White Balance 149
Image Enhancement 169
xiii
Flash Photography 185
Other Shooting Options 199
More About Playback 221
Voice Memos 245
xiv
Connections 253
Connecting to a Computer.................... ........................................254
Printing Photographs............................................................ ...........258
Viewing Photographs on TV.................................................. ........269
Menu Guide 273
xv
ACustom Settings: Fine-TuningCamera Settings..............292
xvi
BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup............................................... 325
NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies..... ........341
xvii
Technical Notes 365
xviii
For Your Safety
A
WARNINGS
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xix
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xx
A
xxi
Notices
xxii
D3S
xxiii
xxiv
A
X
Introduction
Overview
Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera.
D
A
Getting to Know the Camera
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays.
Camera Body
Camera Body (Continued)
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Page
Page
The Top Control Panel
Page
The Rear Control Panel
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Page
The Viewfinder Display
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The Information Display
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Page
The Information Display (Continued)
Changing Settings in the Information Display
To change settings for the items listed below, press the R button in the information display.
Highlight items using the multi selector and press J to view options for the highlighted item.
A
The Camera Strap
The BS-2 Accessory Shoe Cover
Quick Start Guide
5 6
7
8
s
Tutorial
22
Camera Menus
d
23
Using Camera Menus
Menu Controls
1
2
current menu.
Page
25
8
Help
First Steps
Charge the Battery
1
2
3
4
5
D
28
Insert the Battery
2
3
D
29
4
5
D
A
31
Attach a Len s
2
32
3
Detaching the Lens
D
A
Basic Setup
2
3
4
5
6
7
35
8
9
A
36
Insert a Memory Card
2
D
37
3
A
38
4
Removing Memory Cards
2
D
GB
3
D
A
Adjust Viewfinder Focus
2
3
4
A
43
Basic Photography and Playback
Turn the Camera On
2
44
3
A
46
Adjust Camera Settings
1
2
release mode.
47
3
4
autofocus.
48
5
6
49
Focus and Shoot
1
release button halfway to focus (0 50).
50
2
button the rest of the way down to shoot.
A
51
Viewing Photographs
1
2
A
52
Deleting Unwanted Photographs
1
2
A
Page
Framing Photographs in the Monitor
A
Tripod Mode (h)
1
2
3
D
57
5
D
58
6
Press the a button to end live view.
D
A
Hand-Held Mode (g)
1
2
3
60
5
6
D
A
D
A
Page
Page
66
Recording Movies
1
in the shooting menu.
2
A
3
4
D
A
68
5
Recording will end automatically when the maximum size is reached or the memory card is full.
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D
70
Movie Settings
1
in the shooting menu.
2
Page
A
Viewin g Movies
Movies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0222).
The following operations can be performed:
Press the center of the multi selector to start playback.
A
Editing Movies
Trimming Movies
1
2
starting or end point.
3
D
A
76
Saving Selected Frames
1
frame.
2
3
A
d
Image Recording Options
Image Area
Auto DX Crop
79
Choose Image Area
b
a
c
Z
A
The Image Area Menu
1
2
3
The Fn Button
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A
Image Quality
The D3S supports the following image quality options.
A
JPEG Compression
NEF (RAW) Recording > Type
NEF (RAW) Recording > NEF (RAW) Bit Depth
Image Size
A
88
Slot 2
P
For information on saving movies to a selected slot, see page 71.
Q
R
N
Focus
Controlling How the Camera Focuses
Focus M ode
A
AF-Area Mode
A
94
Focus Po int Sele ction
1
lock to .
2
A
96
Focus Lo ck
1
2
(I) appears in the viewfinder.
A
3
photograph and shoot.
Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Manual Focus
D
The Electronic Rangefinder
A
k
Release Mode
Single Frame, Continuous, Quiet Shutter-Release, Self-Timer, or Mirror Up
Choosing a Release Mode
The camera supports the following release modes:
Page
104
Continuous Mode
1
2
A
106
Self-Timer Mode
1
2
A
107
3
A
108
Mirror up Mode
1
2
3
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S
ISO Sensitivity
Reacting Faster to Light
Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually
A
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
1
2
113
3
A
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V
Exposure
Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure
Metering
Metering determines how the camera sets exposure.
The following options are available:
A
Exposure Mode
Exposure mode determines how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure.
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120
e: Programmed Auto
1
mode e.
2
A
122
f: Shutter-Priority Auto
1
mode f.
3
2
123
1
mode g.
2
3
A
h: Manual
126
2
3
photograph, focus, and
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128
Long Time-Exposures
1
2
mode h.
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3
4
5
Shutter-Speed and Aperture Lock
Shutter-Speed Lock
Aperture Lock
132
Autoexposure (AE ) Lock
1
spot metering (0 116).
2
133
3
photograph.
Keeping the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot.
A
Exposure Compensation
A
Bracketing
Exposure and F lash Bracketing
1
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138
3
Pressing the D button, rotate the sub-command dial to choose the exposure increment.
At default settings, the size of the increment can be chosen from 1/3, 2/3, and 1EV.
The bracketing programs with an increment of 1/3EV are listed below.
Page
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141
White Balance Bracketing
1
142
3
Page
A
145
ADL Bracketing
1
146
3
Page
A
r
White Balance
Keeping Colors True
White Balance Options
The following options are available:
Page
A
153
Fine-Tuning White Balance
The White Balance Menu
1
option in the shooting
154
2
A
The WB Button
Choosing a Color Temperature
D
A
Preset Manual
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160
Measuring a Value for White Balance
1
2
3
161
4
5
162
6
D
A
Copying White Balance from d-0 to Presets d-1d-4
1
2
3
Copying White Balance from a Photograph (d-1d-4 Only)
1
2
3
165
4
5
A
Selecting a White Balance Preset
1
2
3
A
Page
J
Image Enhancement
170
Picture Controls
Selecting a Picture Control
1
Control in the shooting
2
A
172
Modifying Existing Picture Controls
1
2
A
Picture Control Settings
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A
Creating Custom Picture Controls
1
2
3
177
4
Control.
5
6
Control.
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Sharing Custom Picture Controls
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Active D-Lig hting
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182
1
D-Lighting in the
2
D
Color Space
1
2
A
l
Flash Photography
Using Optional Flash Units
186
Using a Flash
1 2
accessory shoe.
A
The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
The SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200:
SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander:
A
The following features are available with the SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200:
Other Flash Units
The following flash units can be used in non-TTL auto and manual modes.
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i-TTL Flash Control
Flash Modes
The camera supports the following flash modes:
Choosing a Flash Mode
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196
FV Lock
1
2
3
197
5
6 7
198
8
Press the Fn button to rele ase FV lo ck.
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Other Shooting Options
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings
The control panels turn off briefly while settings are reset.
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202
Multiple Exposure
Creating a Multiple Exposure
1
exposure in the
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2
204
3
shots.
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205
4
5
Interrupting Multiple Exposures
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A
208
Interval Timer Photography
1
shooting in the
2
D
3
4
5
intervals and number of shots per interval.
210
6
A
D
A
212
Pausing Interval Timer Photography
1
trigger.
2
Interrupting Interval Timer Photography
No Photograph
A
Non-CPU Lenses
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The Non-CPU Lens Data Menu
1
2
3
4
216
5
Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera Controls
1
control.
2
Using a GPS Unit
The GP-1 GPS Unit
Other GPS Units
The k Icon
A
Setup Menu Options
I
More About Playback
Playback Options
Full-Fr ame Pla yback
A
L
N
A
Photo Information
Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full- frame playback.
Shooting data pages 13
13
9.696
File Information
Highlights 1
N button
RGB Histogram 1
N button
RGB (all channels)
R (red)
G (green)
A
Shooting Data Page 1 1
6 7 8 9 10 11 1312
1 2
5Exposure mode......................................118
Shooting Data Page 2 1
2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1514
1
3
Shooting Data Page 3 1
2 Displayed in yellow if 1.2(30 20), DX (24 1 6) or 5:4(3024) was selected for
2
Shooting Data Page 4 1
6 7 8 91110
GPS Data 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11109
2Protect status.........................................238
Overview Data
Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback
The following operations can be performed:
O
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom
238
Protecting Photographs from Deletion
1
2
Page
240
Deleting Photographs
Full-Frame and Thumbnail Playback
1
2
A
242
The Playback Menu
Selected: Deleting Selected Photographs
1
the Delete option in the playback menu.
2
3
4
Page
e
Voice Memos
Recording and Playback
Recording Voice Memos
Readying the Camera for Recording
Voice Memo
Voice Memo Overwrite
Voice Memo Button
A
Automatic Recording (Shooting Mode)
Manual Recording (Shooting Mode)
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249
Playback Mode
1
2
A
Playing Voice Memos
A
Voice Memo Playback Options
Q
Connections
Connecting to External Devices
Connecting to a Computer
Supported Operating Systems
D
Direct USB Connection
2
3
D
256
4 5
6
D
Wireless and Ethernet Networks
A
Printing Photographs
D
A
Connecting the Printer
2
3
D
260
Printing Pictures One at a Time
1
2
261
3
Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select.
262
4
Select Start printing and press J to start printing.
To can cel before all copies have been printed, press J.
A
1
2
264
3
4
265
5
6
Creating Index Prints
1
2
3
4
267
1
the Print set (DPOF) item in the playback
2
268
3
4
D
269
Viewing Photographs on TV
Standard Definition Devices
3
2
270
4
During playback, images will be displayed both on the television screen and in the camera monitor.
A
Page
272
4
A
U
Menu Guide
DThe Playback Menu: Managing Images
To display the playback menu, press G and select the K (playback menu) tab.
275
1
Playback Folder
Hide Image
D
2
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
280
7
D
281
Image Review
After Delete
282
Rotate Tall
Slide Show
Audio Playback
CThe Shooting Menu: Shooting Options
To display the shooting menu, press G and select the C (shooting menu) tab.
285
Shooting Menu Bank
A
286
Renaming Shooting Menu Banks
1
2
287
3
Extended Menu Banks
Reset Shooting Menu
288
Active Folder
1
number.
2
3
Select Folder from List
1
2
3
D
A
A
Vignette Control
A
291
Long Exp.
NR (LongExposure Noise Reduction)
High ISO NR
ACustom Settings: Fine-TuningCamera Settings
The following Custom Settings are available:
294
B: Custom Setting Bank G button ACustom Settin gs menu
A: Reset Custom Settings G button ACustom Settin gs menu
A
295
a: Autofocus
a1: AF-C Priority Selection
296
a2: AF-S Priority Selection
a3: Dynamic AF Area
A
298
a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On
a5: AF Activation
299
The options in this menu control whether or not the focus points are illuminated.
Choose whether focus-point selection wraps around from one edge of the viewfinder to another.
a6: Focus point Illumination
a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around
300
Choose the number of focus points available for manual focus- point selection.
Choose the function performed when the B button is pressed.
a8: AF Point Selection
a9: AF-ON Button
301
Choose the function assigned to the B button for vertical shooting.
a10: Vertical AF-ON Button
b: Metering/Exposure
303
Easy Exposure Compensation
b4:
This option controls whether the E button is needed to set exposure compensation (0 134).
A
304
b5: Center-Weighted Area
b6: Fine Tune Optimal Exposure
D
c: Timers/AE Lock
306
c4: Monitor off Delay
d: Shooting/Display
d1: Beep
307
d2: Shooting Speed
A
308
d4: File Number Sequence
J
D
309
d5: Control Panel/Viewfinder
d6: Information Display
310
d7: Screen Tips
d9: Exposure Delay Mode
d8: LCD Illumination
311
e: Bracketing/Flash
e1: Flash Sync Speed
A
312
e2: Flash Shutter Speed
e4: Auto Bracketing Set
e3: Modeling Flash
313
e5: Auto Bracketing (Mode M)
e6: Bracketing Order
H
F
f: Controls
315
Live View
f3: Photo Info/Playback
p
J
j
Fn
Button Press
317
t
O
K
M
Fn button + command dials
Selecting Fn button + command dials for Custom Setting f4 displays the following options:
A
i
319
1
Select Focus point-selection for Custom Setting f4 (Assign Fn button)>Fn button + comma nd dials.
v
w
x
2
3
321
f5: Assign Preview Button
f6: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
322
Choose the role played by the D button.
This option controls the operation of the main and sub-command dials.
f7: Assign BKT Button
t
D
324
f9: Release Button to Use Dial
f11: Reverse Indicators
f10: No Memory Card?
BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup
To display the setup menu, press G and select the B (setup menu) tab.
326
Format Memory Card
D
A
LCD Brightness
327
1
Image Dust Off Ref Photo
D
328
2
3
D
329
Video Mode HDMI
330
B blinks in the top control panel when the clock is not set.
Flicker Reduction
D
Time Zone and Date
331
Language
Image Comment
332
Auto Image Rotation
A
333
View information on the battery currently inserted in the camera.
Battery Info
334
Image Authentication
D
A
335
Copyright Information
D
336
Save/Load Settings
A
338
Virtual Horizon
D
339
AF Fine Tune
340
View the current camera firmware version.
D
Firmware Version
A
NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies
342
Creating Retouched Copies
1
retouch menu.
2
A
343
3
4
A
D
A
344
D-Lighting
345
Red-Eye Correction
346
Trim
347
A
Monochrome
348
Filter Effects
Color Balance
1
349
A
Image Overlay
2
3
4
5
6
7
352
8
D
1
2
354
3
4
1
2
356
3
4
A
Making a Side-by-Side Comparison
1
2
358
3
original.
D
OMy Menu: Creating a Custom Menu
Adding Options to My Menu
1
2
3
4
5
Deleting Options from My Menu
1
2
3
4
A
1
2
3
A
363
1
2
A
Page
n
Technical Notes
Camera Care, Options, and Resources
Compatible Lenses
Page
Page
A
D
Page
A
Other Accessories
At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D3S.
Page
Page
Page
Page
Caring for the Camera
Storage
Cleaning
The Low-Pass Filter
1
2
3
1
380
2
Highlight one of the following options and press J.
D
381
1
2
382
4
5
6
7
D
384
Replacing the Focusing Screen
1
2
3
4
5
386
Replacing the Clock Battery
1
2
3 4
387
5
6
7
A
D
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions
Page
Page
Page
Defaults
The default settings for the options in the camera menus are listed below.
Shooting Menu Defaults
For information on two-button reset, see page 200.
Custom Settings Menu Defaults
394
Page
Setup Menu Defaults
Exposure Program
The exposure program for programmed auto is shown i n the following graph:
Aperture
Shutter speed
When matrix metering is used, values over 17 1/3EV are reduced to 17 1/3EV.
Troubleshooting
Display
A
Shooting
Page
Playback
Miscellaneous
Error Messages
Page
Page
Page
Page
Specifications
Nikon D3S Digital Camera
Type
Page
Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
A
Calibrating Batteries
A
Approved Memory Cards
Memory Card Capac ity
FX (36 24) Image Area*
DX (24 16) Image Area*
A
Battery Life
Page
Index
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
User's Manual