Main
User's Manual
Where to Find It
i
i
Package Contents
ii
Symbols and Conventions
A
D
A
Page
iv
Q&A Index
Find what youre looking for using this question and answer index.
Camera Setup
New Features
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 23
Page
xii
Exposure 99
White Balance 125
Image Enhancement 145
Flash Photography 169
xiii
Other Shooting Options 181
More About Playback 203
Connections 223
xiv
Menu Guide 245
DThe Playback Menu: Managing Images............................... 246
CThe Shooting Menu: Shooting Options...............................254
ACustom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings ..............264
xv
xvi
BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup............................................... 311
NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies .............329
xvii
Technical Notes 349
xviii
For Your Safety
A
WARNINGS
A
xix
A
xx
A
xxi
Notices
D300
xxii
xxiii
xxiv
A
X
Introduction
Overview
D
Getting to Know the Camera
Camera Body
Page
Page
Camera Body (Continued )
Page
The Control Panel
1
13
2
3 4 5 6
14 Flash mode.................................171
The Viewfinder Display
D
The Shooting Information Display
Page
14
The Command Dials
Main command dial
Sub-command dial
Image Quality and Size
Press the QUAL button and rotate the command dials.
ISO Sensitivity
Press the ISO button and rotate the main command dial.
Exposure
Press the I button and rotate the main command dial to choose the exposure mode.
Use the command dials to adjust exposure.
A
White Balance
Press the WB button and rotate the command dials.
Flash Settings
Press the M button and rotate the command dials.
Attaching the AN-D300 Camera Strap
Attach the camera strap securely to the two eyelets on the camera body as shown below.
The BM-8 Monitor Cover
The DK-23 Viewfinder Eyepiece Cup
Quick Start Guide
Page
s
23
Tutorial
Camera Menus.................................................................. pg. 24
First Steps............................... ........................................... pg. 30
Camera Menus
Menus
The following menus are available:
26
Using Camera Menus
Menu Controls
1
2
current menu.
Page
28
8
Help
30
First Steps
Charge the Battery
1
2
3
4
Page
D
A
34
Attach a Lens
1
2
35
3
Detaching the Lens
D
A
Basic Setup
1 2
3
37
4
5
6
on or off.
7
8
9
A
39
Insert a Memory Card
1
2
3
D
40
4
Removing Memory Cards
2
41
Format t he Memor y Card
1 2
42
3
D
A
43
Adjust Viewfinder Focus
1
2
A
44
Basic Photography and Playback
Turn the Camera On
1
2
45
3
remaining.
A
47
Adjust Camera Settings
Control panel Viewfinder display
This tutorial describes how to take photos at default settings.
1
Default settings are listed below.
48
2
3
release mode.
4
49
5
autofocus.
6
Ready the Camera
51
Focus and Shoot
1
release button halfway to focus (pg. 52).
52
2
button the rest of the way down to shoot.
A
53
Viewing Photographs
1
2
A
54
Deleting Unwanted Photographs
1
2
A
Page
Image Quality
The D300 supports the following image quality options.
A
A
The JPEG Compression Menu
The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: Type
The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: NEF (RAW) Bit Depth
A
Image Size
A
N
Focus
Controlling How the Camera Focuses
Focus M ode
A
AF-Area Mode
AF-area mode determines how the focus point is selected in autofocus mode.
A
66
Focus Po int Sele ction
1
lock to .
2
Page
68
Focus L ock
1
2
(I) appears in the viewfinder.
69
3
photograph and shoot.
Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Manual Focus
A
The Electronic Rangefinder
A
k
Release Mode
Single Frame, Continuous, Live View, Self-Timer, or Mirror Up
Choosing a Release Mode
The camera supports the following release modes:
Page
76
Continuous Mode
1
2
A
A
Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View)
A
80
Hand-Held Mode (g)
1
2
3
button all the way down.
81
4
5
82
6
D
83
Trip od Mo de (h)
1
2
3
4
in the viewfinder.
5
button all the way down.
6
D
85
7
D
A
D
A
89
Self-Timer Mode
1
2
A
90
3
A
91
Mirror up Mode
1
2
D
3
Page
S
ISO Sensitivity
Reacting Faster to Light
Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually
A
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
A
Page
V
Exposure
Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure
Metering
Metering determines how the camera sets exposure.
The following options are available:
To choose a metering method, rotate the metering selector until the desired mode is displayed.
A
Exposure Mode
Exposure mode determines how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure.
A
A
104
e: Programmed Auto
1
2
A
106
f: Shutter-Priority Auto
1
f.
2
3
107
1
mode g.
2
3
A
h: Manual
1
110
2
3
photograph, focus, and
A
112
Autoexposure (AE ) Lock
1
spot metering (pg. 100).
2
113
3
photograph.
Keeping the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot.
A
Exposure Compensation
Page
Bracketing
117
Exposure and Flash Bracketing
1
2
118
3
Pressing the Fn 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.
4
Canceling Bracketing
A
121
White Balance Bracketing
1
2
122
3
4
Canceling Bracketing
A
r
White Balance
Keeping Colors True
White Balance Options
The following options are available:
Page
A
129
Fine-Tuning White Balance
The White Balance Menu
1
option.
130
2
A
The WB Button
Choosing a Color Temperature
D
A
Preset Manual
A
136
Measuring a Value for White Balance
1
2
137
3
4
5
138
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
141
4
5
A
Selecting a White Balance Preset
1
2
3
A
Page
J
Image Enhancement
Picture Controls
Using Picture Controls
A
148
Selecting Nikon Picture Controls
Choosing a Picture Control
1
A
150
Modifying Existing Picture Controls
2
A
Picture Control Settings
D
A
Creating Custom Picture Controls
1
2
4
5
156
6
Control.
A
158
Sharing Custom Picture Controls
Copying Custom Picture Controls to the Camera
1
2
4
5
160
Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory Card
1
3
A
Managing Custom Picture Controls
Renaming Custom Picture Controls
1
3
Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera
1
3
A
Page
4
Active D-Li ghting
166
1
2
D
167
Color Space
1
2
A
l
Flash Photography
Using the Built-in Flash
The Built-in Flash
D
171
Using the Built-in Flash
1
(pg. 100).
2
3
4
5
Lowering the Built-in Flash
D
Flash Modes
The D300 supports the following flash modes:
Page
Flash Compensation
Page
178
FV Lock
1
2
3
179
4
5 6
7
D
A
t
Other Shooting Options
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings
Page
184
Multiple Exposure
Creating a Multiple Exposure
1
2
A
3
4
5
6
7
D
A
Interrupting Multiple Exposures
189
Interval Timer Photography
1
shooting].
2
D
3
4
191
5
intervals and number of shots per interval.
6
A
D
A
193
Pausing Interval Timer Photography
1
trigger.
2
Interrupting Interval Timer Photography
No Photograph
A
Non-CPU Lenses
A
The Non-CPU Lens Data Menu
1
2
3
4
198
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
A
I
More About Playback
Playback Options
Full-Fr ame Pla yback
A
L
Photo Information
Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full- frame playback.
Shooting data pages 13
D
File Information
Highlights 1
Selec t R, G, B
RGB Histogram 1
Select R, G, B
A
Shooting Data Page 11
8 9 10 11 12
1 2
Shooting Data Page 2 1
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 2
Shooting Data Page 3 *
* Displayed only if [Data] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250).
3 4 5 6 7 8
1 2
Shooting Data Page 4 *
3Name of photographer..........324 4Copyright holder......................324
5Camera name 6Folder number
GPS Data 1
3 5 6
4 7 9 8
1 2
3Latitude 4Longitude 5Altitude
Overview Data
Page
Page
The following operations can be performed while thumbnails are displayed:
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom
221
Protecting Photographs from Deletion
1
2
A
222
Deleting Individual Photographs
1
2
Q
Connections
Connecting to External Devices
Connecting to a Computer
D
A
Before Connecting the Camera
Direct USB Connection
1
2 3
4
D
227
5
6
D
228
7
Wireless and Ethernet Networks
D
A
Printing Photographs
A
Direct USB Connection
D
A
Page
233
Printing Pictures One at a Time
1
2
3
Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select.
4
Select [Start printing] and press J to start printing.
To cancel before all copies have been printed, press J.
D
Printing Multiple Pictures
1
2
237
3
4
5
Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select.
Select [Start printing] and press J to start printing.
6
To cancel before all copies have been printed, press J.
1
2
3
4
240
1
2
241
3
4
D
Viewing Photographs on TV
Standard Definition Devices
2
3 4
A
High-Definition Devices
2 3 4
A
U
Menu Guide
DThe Playback Menu: Managing Images
Selecting Multiple Pictures
1
2
248
3
4
Delete
Playback Folder
Hide Image
D
Display Mode
Image Review
Choose whether pictures are automatically displayed in the monitor immediately after shooting.
After Delete
Choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted.
Rotate Tall
Slide Show
Page
CThe Shooting Menu: Shooting Options
The shooting menu contains the options listed below.
For information on using the shooting menu, see Tutorial: Camera Menus (pg. 24).
255
1
256
2
3
Reset Shooting Menu
258
Active Folder
New Folder Number
1
number].
2
3
259
1
2
3
D
A
Page
Page
Long Exp.
NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction)
Choose whether to reduce noise in pictures taken at slow shutter speeds.
High ISO NR
ISO Sensitivity Settings
Live View
Multiple Exposure
Interval Timer Shooting
ACustom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings
The following Custom Settings are available:
Custom Setting Page
Custom Setting Page B Custom setting bank A Reset custom settings aAutofocus
bMetering/exposure
cTimers/AE lock
C: Custom Setting Bank
A
Reset Custom Settings
a1: AF-C Priority Selection
a: Autofocus
a2: AF-S Priority Selection
a3: Dynamic AF Area
A
a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On
This option controls how autofocus adjusts to sudden large changes in the distance to the subject.
a5: AF Activation
a6: AF Point Illumination
a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around
Choose whether focus-point selection wraps around from one edge of the viewfinder to another.
w
q
a8: AF Point Selection
a9: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator
A
a10: AF-On for MB-D10
Choose the function assigned to the B button on the optional MB-D10 battery pack.
b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl.
b3: Exp Comp/Fine Tune
b: Metering/Exposure
b4: Easy Exposure Compensation
This option controls whether the E button is needed to set exposure compensation (pg. 114).
A
277
b5: Center-Weighted Area
1
278
2
3
4
D
c1: Shutter-Release Button AE-L
c: Timers/AE Lock
c3: Self-Timer Delay c4: Monitor off Delay
d1: Beep
d2: Viewfinder Grid Display
d: Shooting/Display
Page
283
d6: File Number Sequence
J
When a photograph is taken, the camera names the file by adding one to the last file number used.
D
d7: Shooting Info Display
d8: LCD Illumination
d9: Exposure Delay Mode
d10: MB-D10 Battery Type
A
d11: Battery Order
A
e1: Flash Sync Speed
This option controls flash sync speed.
A
e: Bracketing/Flash
Flash Control at [1/320s (Auto FP)]
D
e2: Flash Shutter Speed
e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash
Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash.
A
Manual
Repeating Flash
A
Commander Mode
Press 4 or 2 to highlight the following options, 1 or 3 to change.
Page
295
6
7
8
9
A
D
e4: Modeling Flash
e5: Auto Bracketing Set
298
e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M)
F
G
H
I
Page
300
f1: Multi Selector Center Button
n
J
f: Controls
K
o
p
301
f2: Multi Selector
f3: Photo Info/Playback
u
f4: Assign FUNC.
r
FUNC.
302
303
t
L
M
N
FUNC.
t
w
f5: Assign Preview Button
f6: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
f7: Customize Command Dials
This option controls the operation of the main and sub-command dials.
f8: Release Button to Use Dial
f9: No Memory Card?
f10: Reverse Indicators
BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup
The setup menu contains the options listed below.
For information on using the setup menu, see Tutorial: Camera Menus (pg. 24).
Page
Page
HDMI
World Time
Choose a language for camera menus and messages.
Language
The following options are available.
Image Comment
Auto Image Rotation
D
A
USB
Dust off Ref Photo
319
1
D
2
320
3
D
Battery Info
View information on the battery currently inserted in the camera.
A
Wireless Transmitter
Image Authentication
D
A
Copyright Information
D
Save/Load Settings
A
GPS
Non-CPU Lens Data
AF Fine Tune
D
View the current camera firmware version.
A
Firmware Version
NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies
330
Creating Retouched Copies
Creating Retouched Copies in Full-Frame Playback
1
2
3
4
Creating Retouched Copies from the Retouch Menu
1
2
3
4
D
A
D-Lighting
Red-Eye Correction
Trim
D
Monochrome
Filter Effects
Color Balance
A
339
Image Overlay
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
341
8
9
D
Side-by-Side Comparison
Making a Side-by-Side Comparison
1
2
343
3
original.
D
344
OMy Menu: Creating a Custom Menu
Adding Options to My Menu
1
2
3
4
5
346
Deleting Options from My Menu
1
2
3
4
A
Page
348
Displaying Recent Settings
1
2
n
Tec hn ic al No te s
Camera Care, Options, and Resources
Compatible Lenses
Page
D
Page
A
D
A
Lens
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
CLS-Compatible Flash Units
The SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash.
A
The following features are available with the SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, and SU-800:
Other Flash Units
D
Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:
Page
Flash Contacts
The Accessory Shoe
The Sync Terminal
D
Other Accessories
At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D300.
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Approved Memory Cards
The following cards have been tested and approved for use in the D300:
Other cards have not been tested.
For more details on the above cards, please contact the manufacturer.
Caring for the Camera
Storage
Cleaning
373
The Low-Pass Filter
1
2
sensor] menu.
A
3
Clean at Startup/Shutdown
1
375
2
Highlight one of the following options and press J.
D
376
1
2
377
4
5
6
7
D
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions
Page
Page
Page
Troubleshooting
Refer to the page numbers in the right-most column for more inform ation.
Display
A
Shooting
Page
Page
Page
Playback
Page
Miscellaneous
Error Messages
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Defaults
Defaults Restored with a Two-Button Reset (pg. 182)1
Defaults Restored with [Reset Shooting Menu] (pg. 257)
402
Defaults Restored with [Reset Custom Settings] (pg. 266)*
Page
Page
Memory Card Capacity
A
Exposure Program
The exposure program for programmed auto is shown i n the following graph:
Aperture
Shutter speed
f/1.4 f/16
Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range
Specifications
Nikon D300 Digital Camera
Type
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Index
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User's Manual