Nikon D300 ❚❚ Taking Photographs

Question	Key phrase	See page
How do I get more information about the	Battery info	321
battery?
How do I keep the file number from
being reset when I insert a new memory	File number sequence	283
card?
How do I reset file numbering to 1?
How do I clean the camera or lens?	Cleaning the camera	372

❚❚ Taking Photographs

	Question	Key phrase	See page
	How many more shots can I take with this	Number of exposures	45
	card?	remaining	45
	card?	remaining
	How do I take bigger photographs?
	How can I get more photos on the	Image quality and size	56, 60
	memory card?

	Can I control how the camera focuses?	Autofocus	61
	How do I take a lot of photographs	Release mode	74
	quickly?	Release mode	74
	quickly?

	Can I change the frame advance rate?	Shooting speed	76, 282
	Can I shoot a self-portrait?	Self-timer mode	89
	Can I take pictures under low light	ISO sensitivity	94
	without the flash?	ISO sensitivity	94
	without the flash?

	Can the ISO sensitivity I choose be	ISO sensitivity auto	96
	adjusted to ensure optimal exposure?	control	96
	adjusted to ensure optimal exposure?	control

	How do I freeze or blur moving objects?	Exposure mode f	106
	How do I freeze or blur moving objects?	(shutter-priority auto)	106
		(shutter-priority auto)

	How do I blur background details or keep	Exposure mode g	107
	both foreground and background in	(aperture-priority auto)	107
	focus?	(aperture-priority auto)
	focus?

vi

Contents

Page Where to Find It The Q&A Index The Table of Contents The Quick Start Guide The Index Package Contents Symbols and Conventions ATrademark Information X Introduction s Tutorial d Image Recording Options N Focus k Release Mode Q&A Index ❚❚ Menus and Displays ❚❚ Taking Photographs ❚❚ Viewing Photographs ❚❚ Retouching Photographs ❚❚Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices ❚❚ Optional Accessories Table of Contents Introduction Tutorial Image Recording Options Focus Release Mode ISO Sensitivity Exposure White Balance Image Enhancement Flash Photography Other Shooting Options More About Playback Connections Menu Guide Page Page Technical Notes For Your Safety Page Page Notices Page Page ABefore Taking Important Pictures ALife-LongLearning •For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com For users in the U.S.A •For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support XIntroduction Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body (Continued) Page Page Page The Control Panel Page Page DNo Battery DThe Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays The Shooting Information Display ASee Also Page The Command Dials Mbutton Sub-commanddial Ebutton Ibutton ❚❚Image Quality and Size Set image quality (pg. 57) ❚❚ISO Sensitivity ❚❚Exposure X Choose the exposure mode (pg. 102) Choose a Activate or cancel bracketing select number of shots in ❚❚White Balance Choose a white X balance setting (pg. 127) Fine-tune Attaching the AN-D300Camera Strap The BM-8Monitor Cover The DK-23Viewfinder Eyepiece Cup Quick Start Guide 6Check camera settings (pp. 44, 47) 7Select single-servoautofocus (pp. 49, 62) 8 Focus and shoot (pp. 51, 52) 9 View the photograph (pg. 53) Tutorial Camera Menus ❚❚Menus Menu D Playback C Shooting A Custom Settings Using Camera Menus ❚❚Menu Controls ❚❚Navigating the Menus 1 Display the menus 2Highlight the icon for the current menu 3Select a menu 4Position the cursor in the selected menu 5Highlight a menu item 6Display options 7Highlight an option 8Select the highlighted item Help First Steps 3Insert the battery 4 Remove the battery when charging is complete Insert the Battery 1 Turn the camera off 2Open the battery-chambercover 4Close the battery-chambercover ❚❚Removing the Battery DThe Battery and Charger DIncompatible Batteries AEN-EL3eRechargeable Li-ionBatteries Attach a Lens 1Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap 2Attach the lens A-M M/A-M 3 Remove the lens cap ❚❚ Detaching the Lens DCPU Lenses with Aperture Rings ALens Basic Setup s 1 Turn the camera on 2 Select [Language] 3Select a language 4Select [World time] 5 Set time zone 6Turn daylight saving time on or off 7Set the date and time 8Set date format 9 Exit to shooting mode AThe Clock Battery AThe Camera Clock Insert a Memory Card 2 Open the card slot cover 3 Insert the memory card Front Access lamp 4 Close the card slot cover ❚❚Removing Memory Cards 2 Remove the memory card Format the Memory Card DFormatting Memory Cards 1 Turn the camera on 2 Press the Qbuttons Obutton 3Press the Qbuttons again DMemory Cards ANo Memory Card Adjust Viewfinder Focus 2Focus the viewfinder AAdjusting Viewfinder Focus Basic Photography and Playback 3 Check the number of exposures remaining ALarge-CapacityMemory Cards ALCD Illuminators AAuto Meter Off 6 s ACamera Off Display Adjust Camera Settings 1Check camera settings 2 Choose exposure mode e 3Choose single frame release mode Release mode dial lock release Release mode dial 4 Choose single-pointAF 5 Choose single-servo autofocus 6 Choose matrix metering Ready the Camera Focus and Shoot 1Press the shutter release button halfway to focus (pg. 52) 2 Press the shutter-releasebutton the rest of the way down to shoot AThe Shutter-ReleaseButton Viewing Photographs 1Press the Kbutton 2View additional pictures AImage Review Deleting Unwanted Photographs s1 Display the photograph Kbutton 2Delete the photograph A[Delete] dImage Recording Options Image Quality .....................................................................pg Image Quality QUAL button ANEF (RAW) Recording AJPEG Compression ANEF (RAW)+JPEG AThe Image Quality Menu ❚❚The JPEG Compression Menu OptionDescription Size priority P Optimal quality ❚❚The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: Type ❚❚The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: NEF (RAW) Bit Depth 14-bit ANEF (RAW) Images Image Size NFocus Focus Mode AThe BButton Bbutton APredictive Focus Tracking AF-AreaMode A AF-AreaMode AF-areamode AManual Focus Focus Point Selection Page Focus Lock Continuous-servoAF AE-L Shutter-release AE-L/AF-Lbutton 3Recompose the photograph and shoot Getting Good Results with Autofocus Example Manual Focus The Electronic Rangefinder AFocal Plane Position Focal plane mark kRelease Mode Choosing a Release Mode Page Continuous Mode APower Source and Frame Rate ABuffer Size AAuto Image Rotation AThe Memory Buffer Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) Hand-HeldMode (g) 1 Select live view mode 2Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu 3 Press the shutter-release button all the way down 4Frame a picture in the monitor 5 Focus Manual focus 6Take the picture DNo Picture Tripod Mode (h) 1Ready the camera 2 Select live view mode 3Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu 4 Frame a picture 5 Press the shutter-release 7Take the picture DFocusing with Contrast-DetectAutofocus ARemote Cords DShooting in Live View Mode AThe Shooting Information Display Shooting information on AMonitor Brightness AHDMI Self-TimerMode 3 Start the timer Mirror up Mode Page SISO Sensitivity Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually AISO Sensitivity Settings Custom Setting b1 ISO sensitivity settings available AHI 0.3–HI1 ALO 0.3–LO1 Auto ISO Sensitivity Control AAuto ISO Sensitivity Control Page VExposure Metering A3D Color Matrix II Metering Exposure Mode ADepth-of-FieldPreview Preview button ACustom Setting e4—ModelingFlash e: Programmed Auto 1 Select exposure mode e Page f: Shutter-PriorityAuto 1Select exposure mode f Z 2 Choose a shutter speed 3Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot g: Aperture-PriorityAuto 1 Select exposure mode g 2 Choose an aperture ANon-CPULenses h: Manual mode h 2Choose aperture and shutter speed Setting Z aperture Setting shutter speed 3Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot AElectronic Analog Exposure Displays A Long Time-Exposures Autoexposure (AE) Lock photograph A Metered Area AAdjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture Exposure Compensation Page Bracketing ❚❚Exposure and Flash Bracketing 1Select flash or exposure bracketing 2Choose the number of shots 3Select an exposure increment 4Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot ❚❚Canceling Bracketing AExposure and Flash Bracketing AExposure Bracketing ❚❚White Balance Bracketing 1Select white balance bracketing 3Select a white balance increment Page AWhite Balance Bracketing rWhite Balance White Balance Options N Flash G Cloudy M Shade LPreset manual AThe White Balance Menu AStudio Flash Lighting AColor Temperature Fine-TuningWhite Balance 2Fine tune white balance 3 Press J AWhite Balance Fine Tuning A“Mired” ❚❚The WB Button Choosing a Color Temperature Preset Manual d-0 d-1–d-4 AWhite Balance Presets ❚❚Measuring a Value for White Balance 1Light a reference object 2Set white balance to L([Preset manual]) 3Select direct measurement mode 4Measure white balance 5Check the results 6Select preset d-0 D Direct Measurement Mode APreset d-0 ❚❚Copying White Balance from d-0to Presets d-1–d-4 1Select L([Preset manual]) 2Select a destination 3Copy d-0to the selected preset ❚❚Copying White Balance from a Photograph (d-1–d-4Only) 4Highlight a source image 5Copy white balance AChoosing a White Balance Preset ❚❚Selecting a White Balance Preset 2Select a preset 3Select [Set] ASelecting a White Balance Preset: the WB Button ❚❚Entering a Comment r3 Select [Edit comment] 4Edit the comment JImage Enhancement Picture Controls ❚❚Using Picture Controls Select Nikon Picture Controls Modify existing Picture Controls Create custom Picture Controls Share custom Picture Controls Selecting Nikon Picture Controls Q Standard R Neutral S Vivid Monochrome AThe Picture Control Grid AThe Picture Control Indicator Modifying Existing Picture Controls 1Select a Picture Control 2Adjust settings 3Press J ❚❚Picture Control Settings Quick adjust adjustmentsManual Contrast Hue DActive D-Lighting D“A” (Auto) JA Previous Settings AFilter Effects (Monochrome Only) AToning (Monochrome Only) ACustom Picture Controls Creating Custom Picture Controls 1Select [Manage Picture Control] 2Select [Save/edit] 3Select a Picture Control 4Edit the selected Picture Control 5 Select a destination 6Name the Picture Control AThe Original Picture Control Icon Sharing Custom Picture Controls ❚❚Copying Custom Picture Controls to the Camera 1Select [Load/save] 2Select [Copy to camera] 4Select a destination 5Name the Picture Control ❚❚Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory Card 1Select [Copy to card] 3Choose a destination ASaving Custom Picture Controls Managing Custom Picture Controls ❚❚Renaming Custom Picture Controls 1Select [Rename] 3 Rename the Picture Control ❚❚Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera 1Select [Delete] 3Select [Yes] ANikon Picture Controls ❚❚Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Memory Card 4Select [Yes] Active D-Lighting 1Select [Active D-Lighting] 2Choose an option D“Active D-Lighting”versus “D-Lighting” Color Space AColor Space JA Nikon Software lFlash Photography The Built-inFlash Using the Built-inFlash 4Check exposure (shutter speed and aperture) Shutter speed Aperture 5Take the picture Lowering the Built-inFlash DThe Built-inFlash Flash Modes Page Flash Compensation AOptional Flash Units FV Lock 4 Lock flash level 5Recompose the photograph 6 Take the photograph 7Release FV lock DUsing FV Lock with the Built-inFlash AUsing FV Lock with Optional Flash Units AMetering Speedlight Metered area Other Shooting Options Two-ButtonReset: Restoring Default Settings Two-ButtonReset: Restoring Default Settings Default Page Multiple Exposure 3Select the number of shots 4Select [Auto gain] 5Set gain 6Select [Done] 7Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot DMultiple Exposure AInterval Timer Photography AOther Settings ❚❚Interrupting Multiple Exposures Interval Timer Photography 3Choose a start time 4Choose an interval 5Choose the number of intervals and number of shots per interval 6Start shooting AThe Viewfinder Eyepiece Cap DOut of Memory ABracketing ADuring Shooting ❚❚Pausing Interval Timer Photography 1Choose a new starting trigger 2Resume shooting ❚❚Interrupting Interval Timer Photography ❚❚No Photograph ARelease Mode AUsing the Monitor AShooting Menu Banks Non-CPULenses ❚❚The Non-CPULens Data Menu 1Select [Non-CPUlens data] 2Select a lens number 3Select a focal length 4Select a maximum 5Select [Done] ❚❚Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera Controls 1Assign non-CPUlens number selection to a camera control t2 Use the selected control to choose a lens number Using a GPS Unit ❚❚Other GPS Units MC-35 ❚❚The kIcon AGPS Data ❚❚Setup Menu Options [Auto meter off] [Position] AHeading ACoordinated Universal Time (UTC) IMore About Playback Full-FramePlayback Page Photo Information ❚❚File Information ❚❚Highlights ❚❚RGB Histogram AHistograms ❚❚Shooting Data Page 1 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 2 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 3 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 4 ❚❚GPS Data ❚❚Overview Data Page Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback Page Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom Protecting Photographs from Deletion Deleting Individual Photographs QConnections Connecting to a Computer ❚❚Before Connecting the Camera Operating system • Windows XP Service Pack Mac OS 1Select a USB option 2 Turn the camera off 3Turn the computer on 4Connect the USB cable DUSB Hubs 5 Turn the camera on 6Transfer photographs DDuring Transfer 7Turn the camera off Windows Vista Mac OS Wireless and Ethernet Networks Function DUSB DTransfer Mode AWT-4A/B/C/D/E Printing Photographs Take photographs Select [MTP/PTP] in camera [USB] menu and connect camera to printer (pg. 232) Disconnect USB cable APrinting Via Direct USB Connection ❚❚Connecting the Printer 1Select [MTP/PTP] 2Turn the camera off 3Connect the USB cable Q4 Turn the camera on ❚❚Printing Pictures One at a Time 1Select a picture 2 Display printing options 3Adjust printing options Page size No. of copies Border 4Start printing DSelecting Photographs for Printing Printing Multiple Pictures 1Display the PictBridge menu 2Choose [Print select] or [Print (DPOF)] •[Print select]: Select pictures for printing [Print (DPOF)] 3 Select pictures 4 Display printing options 5Adjust printing options 6Start printing APage Size, Border, Time Stamp, and Cropping ❚❚Creating Index Prints 1Select [Index print] 2Display printing options 4 Start printing ❚❚Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set 1Choose [Select/set] 2 Select pictures 3Select imprint options [Data imprint] [Imprint date] 4Complete the print order DPrint Set Viewing Photographs on TV AVideo Mode (pg. 313) ATelevision Playback ASlide Shows High-DefinitionDevices 2Connect the HDMI cable as shown Connect to high- definition device 3Tune the device to the HDMI channel UMenu Guide DThe Playback Menu: Managing Images Selecting Multiple Pictures 1Highlight a picture 2Press the center of the multi selector to select the highlighted picture Delete Playback Folder Hide Image Display Mode Image Review After Delete Rotate Tall Slide Show Print Set (DPOF) Page Shooting Menu Bank 2 Enter a name 3 Save changes and exit Reset Shooting Menu Active Folder ❚❚Select Folder 1Choose [Select folder] 2Highlight a folder 3Select the highlighted folder DFolder and File Numbers File Naming Image Quality Image Size JPEG Compression NEF (RAW) Recording Set Picture Control Manage Picture Control Color Space Active D-Lighting Long Exp. NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) High ISO NR ISO Sensitivity Settings Live View Multiple Exposure Interval Timer Shooting ACustom Settings: Fine-TuningCamera Settings Custom setting bank Reset custom settings Autofocus Metering/exposure Timers/AE lock C: Custom Setting Bank Reset Custom Settings a1: AF-CPriority Selection a2: AF-SPriority Selection a3: Dynamic AF Area a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On a5: AF Activation a6: AF Point Illumination a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around a8: AF Point Selection a9: Built-in AF-assistIlluminator a10: AF-Onfor MB-D10 b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl b3: Exp Comp/Fine Tune b4: Easy Exposure Compensation b5: Center-WeightedArea b6: Fine Tune Optimal Exposure 2Select [Yes] 3Select a metering method 4Choose an exposure value DFine-TuningExposure c1: Shutter-ReleaseButton AE-L c2: Auto Meter-offDelay c3: Self-TimerDelay c4: Monitor off Delay d1: Beep d2: Viewfinder Grid Display d3: Viewfinder Warning Display d4: CL Mode Shooting Speed d5: Max. Continuous Release d6: File Number Sequence d7: Shooting Info Display d8: LCD Illumination d9: Exposure Delay Mode d10: MB-D10Battery Type AUsing AA Batteries d11: Battery Order e1: Flash Sync Speed Flash Control at [1/320 s (Auto FP)] D[1/320 s (Auto FP)] and Flash Range DThe Flash-ReadyIndicator e2: Flash Shutter Speed e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-inFlash ❚❚Manual ❚❚Repeating Flash Output Times Frequency ❚❚Commander Mode Built-in Group A Group B Channel 1Adjust settings for the built-inflash 2Adjust settings for group A 3Adjust settings for group B 4Select the channel U5 Press J 6Compose the shot 8Raise the built-inflash 9Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot AThe Flash Sync Mode Display AFlash Compensation DCommander Mode e4: Modeling Flash e5: Auto Bracketing Set e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M) e7: Bracketing Order f1: Multi Selector Center Button f2: Multi Selector f3: Photo Info/Playback f4: Assign FUNC. Button t burst Matrix metering Center weighted ❚❚FUNC. Button+Dials Choose non CPU lens number Dynamic AF f5: Assign Preview Button f6: Assign AE-L/AF-LButton f7: Customize Command Dials f8: Release Button to Use Dial f9: No Memory Card f10: Reverse Indicators BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup Format Memory Card LCD Brightness Clean Image Sensor Lock Mirror up for Cleaning Video Mode HDMI World Time Language Image Comment Auto Image Rotation USB Dust off Ref Photo 1Choose a start option [Start] DImage Sensor Cleaning 2Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder 3Acquire dust off reference data DImage Dust Off Reference Data Battery Info Wireless Transmitter Image Authentication Copyright Information Save/Load Settings GPS Non-CPULens Data AF Fine Tune Firmware Version NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies Creating Retouched Copies ❚❚Creating Retouched Copies in Full-FramePlayback 1Choose a picture 2Display the retouch menu 3Select retouch options 4 Create a retouched copy ❚❚Creating Retouched Copies from the Retouch Menu 1Select an item in the retouch menu 2Select a picture 3Display retouch options 4Create a retouched copy DRetouching Copies AImage Quality D-Lighting Red-EyeCorrection Trim Monochrome Filter Effects Color Balance Image Overlay 4Select the highlighted photograph 7Highlight the [Preview] column 8Preview the overlay 9Save the overlay DImage Overlay Side-by-SideComparison 3Compare the copy with the original DSide-by-SideComparison OMy Menu: Creating a Custom Menu 4Position the new item 5Add more items Deleting Options from My Menu 1Select [Remove items] 2Select items 3Select [Done] 4Delete the selected items Reordering Options in My Menu 1Select [Rank items] 2Select an item 3Position the item Displaying Recent Settings 1Select [Choose tab] 2Select [Recent settings] nTechnical Notes Compatible Lenses Page DIncompatible Accessories and Non-CPULenses ALens f-number ARecognizing CPU and Type G and D Lenses CPU contacts Type G lens AThe AF-S/AF-ITeleconverter ACompatible Non-CPULenses AThe Built-inFlash DRed-EyeReduction DAF-AssistIllumination ACalculating Picture Angle The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) ❚❚CLS-CompatibleFlash Units The SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400,and SB-R200 SU-800Wireless Speedlight Commander AGuide Number Page Other Flash Units DNotes on Optional Speedlights 17–19mm 20–105mm 24–34mm 35–49mm DUse Only Nikon Flash Accessories Flash Contacts ❚❚The Accessory Shoe ❚❚The Sync Terminal Other Accessories eyepiece framing accessories Magnifier DG-2 Eyepiece Adapter Filters • Nikon Speedlights SB-900, SB-800, SB-600,and SB-400 Optional flash • Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200 Water guards Capture NX Software Body Cap Body cap Extension Cord MC-21 Remote terminal GPS Unit GP-1 ❚❚Approved Memory Cards Caring for the Camera The Low-PassFilter ❚❚“Clean Now” 1 Place the camera base down 2Display the [Clean image sensor] menu AImage Sensor Cleaning 3Select [Clean now] ❚❚“Clean at Startup/Shutdown” 1Select [Clean at startup/ shutdown] 2Select an option Clean at 6 shutdown Clean at startup & shutdown ❚❚Manual Cleaning 1Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter 2Select [Lock mirror up for cleaning] Press J 4 Raise the mirror 5 Examine the low-passfilter 6 Clean the filter Page Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions Lens contacts Page Batteries Troubleshooting ❚❚ Shooting Page Page Page ❚❚Playback Page ❚❚ Miscellaneous Error Messages Page Page Page be used damaged Insert formatted Format the Folder images hidden this file Paper jam Check ink supply Out of ink Appendix Defaults ❚❚Defaults Restored with a Two-ButtonReset (pg. 182)1 Other ❚❚Defaults Restored with [Reset Shooting Menu] (pg. 257) ❚❚Defaults Restored with [Reset Custom Settings] (pg. 266) Page Page Memory Card Capacity Ad5—Max.Continuous Release (pg. 282) Exposure Program Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of: Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Page ASupported Standards ABattery Life •CIPA standard One EN-EL3ebattery (camera): Approximately 1000 shots One EN-EL3ebattery (MB-D10):Approximately 1000 shots One EN-EL4abattery (MB-D10):Approximately 2000 shots Page Index