Focus Lock, Shutter-Release Button AE-L

Focus Lock

Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition. It can also be used when the autofocus system is unable to focus (0 82).

1 Focus.

Position the subject in the selected focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway to initiate focus.

Check that the in-focus indicator (I) appears in the viewfinder.

Single-servo AF Focus will lock automatically

when the in-focus indicator appears, and remain locked until you remove your finger

from the shutter-release

button. Focus can also be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-Lbutton (see following page).

AShutter-Release Button AE-L

If On is selected for Custom Setting c1 (Shutter-release button AE-L; 0 273), exposure will lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Page 106

Image 106

Nikon D300s, D300S (Body Only) user manual Focus Lock, Shutter-Release Button AE-L

Contents

Digital Camera Where to Find It Find what you’re looking for from Package Contents Symbols and Conventions Trademark Information Iii New Features Camera Setup Menus and Displays Taking Photographs Viewing Photographs Vii Retouching Photographs Viii Approved memory Optional AccessoriesViewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices Optional flash units Table of Contents Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View 153 101133 Xii 203 169Xiii 243 Xiv 270 NThe Retouch Menu Creating Retouched Copies XviOMy Menu Creating a Custom Menu Xvii For Your Safety Xviii Do not use in the presence of flammable gas XixKeep out of reach of children Use appropriate cables Observe caution when using the flashCD-ROMs Xxi Xxii Disposing of Data Storage Devices Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesXxiii Comply with copyright notices Before Taking Important Pictures XxivLife-Long Learning XIntroduction Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Settings Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesServicing the Camera and Accessories Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body CPU contacts Depth-of-field previewContact cover for optional MB-D10 Tripod socket Xplayback zoom Wthumbnail/playbackLprotect button AAE/AF lock 103Multi selector center Control Panel Number of intervals for CompactFlash CF card Viewfinder Display No Battery Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays Button Turning the Monitor Off Information DisplaySee Also Long exposure noise reduction Information Display Tool Tips Changing Settings in the Information DisplayRbutton Viewing Button Assignments BM-8 Monitor Cover First Steps Camera MenusBasic Photography and Playback Camera Menus Setup 0Defaults to My Menu 0 Playback 0 Navigating the Menus Using Camera MenusMenu Controls Display the menus Highlight a menu item Select a menuPosition the cursor in the selected menu Display options Jbutton HelpSelect the highlighted item LQ button Plug the charger Charge the BatteryFirst Steps Remove the terminal cover Remove the battery when charging is complete Insert the batteryBattery Charging charging complete Close the battery-chamber cover Insert the BatteryOpen the battery-chamber cover Turn the camera off Incompatible Batteries Battery and ChargerWhen the battery is not in use EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Attach a Lens Mounting index Attach the lens Detaching the LensCPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Select Language Basic SetupTurn the camera on Select a language Turn daylight saving time on or off Select Time zone and dateSet time zone Set the date and time Set date format Exit to shooting modeClock Battery Camera Clock Insert the memory card Insert a Memory CardOpen the card slot cover Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Close the card slot cover Remove the memory card Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera offRemoving Memory Cards CompactFlash memory cards Open Press the Q buttons again Format the Memory CardTurn the camera on Press the Q buttons Formatting Memory Cards Memory Cards Write Protect SwitchNo Memory Card Focus the viewfinder Adjust Viewfinder FocusAdjusting Viewfinder Focus Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on Turn the Camera On Check the battery levelCheck the battery level in the control panel or viewfinder Description Large-Capacity Memory Cards Check the number of exposures remainingSures, the exposure count display will show 1.2 K Auto Meter Off LCD IlluminatorsCamera Off Display Choose single frame release mode Adjust Camera SettingsChoose exposure mode e Choose single-point AF Autofocus Check camera settingsChoose single-servo Choose matrix metering Ready the Camera Release button Halfway to focus Focus and ShootPress the shutter Photo in the viewfinder While the photograph is being Smoothly press the shutter Release-button the restWay down to take the picture Shutter-Release Button View additional pictures Viewing PhotographsPress the Kbutton Kbutton Delete the photograph Deleting Unwanted PhotographsDisplay the photograph Delete as described in Viewing XFraming Pictures in the Monitor Live View Framing Photographs in the Monitor Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AF Framing Photographs in the Monitor Frame a picture in the viewfinder Tripod Mode hLive view mode Choose Tripod for Contrast-detect focus point To focus using contrast-detectFocus Bbutton End live view Focusing with Contrast-Detect AutofocusTake the picture Press the abutton to end live view Choose Hand-held Hand-Held Mode gFor Live view mode Frame a picture in the monitor Focus No Picture Shooting in Live View ModeExposure Compensation AF area brackets AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held modeButton Hand-heldTripod Monitor brightness can be adjusted by Monitor Brightness This chapter describes how to record movies in live view Recording Movies Viewing Movies Editing Movies Recording Movies Choose a live view mode. Gbutton Focus.Bbutton Focusing During RecordingStart recording End recording Maximum Size When used in live view mode for extended Recording Movies Adjust movie settings before recording Movie SettingsSelect Movie settings. Gbutton Choose movie options Icon Viewing MoviesIs displayed in full-frame and movie playback Select Edit movie Editing MoviesDisplay retouch options Choose an option Retouch Menu Save the copyMovies can also be edited from the retouch menu 0 Page This section describes how to choose image quality and size Image Quality Image Size Using Two Memory Cards NEF RAW Recording Image QualityOption Jpeg Compression Image Quality Menu Qual buttonDeleting the Jpeg copy will not delete the NEF RAW image 253 NEF RAW Recording Type Jpeg CompressionNEF RAW Recording NEF RAW Bit Depth Qual button Sub-command dial Control panel Image Size Menu Image Size Item in the shooting menu. Select CF card slot to designate Using Two Memory CardsBackup and RAW Primary, Jpeg Secondary Jpeg copies only to the secondary card NFocus Controlling How the Camera Focuses Camera focuses automatically Focus ModeOption Description For the purpose of focusing the camera Predictive Focus Tracking AF-Area Mode Dynamic AF-area mode is shown in the control panel IndicatorSingle-point AF Area AF Rotate the focus selector Lock to Focus Point SelectionSelect the focus point See Also Focus Lock Shutter-Release Button AE-L Recompose Photograph and shoot Shutter-release Button AE-L/AF-L button Example subject is inside a cage Getting Good Results with AutofocusExample subject is the same color as the background Example a row of windows in a skyscraper AF Lenses Manual FocusManual focus lenses Set the camera focus-mode selector to M Focal Plane Position Electronic RangefinderShooting Focal plane mark KRelease Mode Camera supports the following release modes Choosing a Release ModeMode Release mode dial lock release Continuous low speed mode Continuous ModeSelect CH or CL mode Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Power source Power Source and Frame RateFrame advance rate varies with the power source used Buffer Size Memory Buffer Pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see Select self-timer mode Self-Timer ModeFrame the photograph Start the timer Timer count-down, see Custom Setting d1 Beep, 0 Raise the mirror Mirror up ModeSelect mirror up mode Take a picturePage Siso Sensitivity Reacting Faster to Light ISO button Main command Dial Control panel Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO Sensitivity Menu ISO Sensitivity SettingsCustom Setting b1 2500, 3200, Hi 0.3, Hi 0.7, Hi Auto control Adjust settingsSelect ISO sensitivity Select On Auto ISO Sensitivity Control 100 114 Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure104 116 102 MeteringMethod To choose a metering method 103Matrix Metering 104 Exposure ModeMode Description Lens Types Custom Setting e4-Modeling Flash Button Main command dial Depth-of-Field Preview105 106 Select exposure mode eProgrammed Auto Shutter speed 1/320 s aperture f/9 107 Exposure mode e, different combinationsFlexible Program Choose a shutter speed Select exposure mode fShutter-Priority Auto 108 Select exposure Mode gAperture-Priority Auto Choose an aperture 110 Use the lens aperture ring to adjust apertureNon-CPU Lenses 0 111 Mode hManual Control panel 112 Choose aperture and shutter speedShoot Aperture Shutter speed Custom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step Exposure IndicatorsReverse Indicators 113 Ready the camera Long Time-Exposures114 115 Press the shutter-release button all the way downRelease the shutter-release button Shutter speed 35 s aperture f/25 Lock exposure Select center-weighted or Metering selector spot metering 0Autoexposure AE Lock 116 Recompose the photograph Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture117 Metered Area Exposure Compensation 118 For information on making adjustments to exposure Using a Flash119 Select flash or BracketingExposure and Flash Bracketing Exposure bracketing Choose the number of shots Fn button Main command Control panelBracketing indicator 121 Select an exposure increment Fn button Sub-command122 Exposure increment Exposure increment Exposure increment 123No. shots 3 increment +1 EV Exposure and Flash Bracketing Canceling Bracketing124 Exposure Bracketing White Balance Bracketing Fn button Main command Control panel DialIndicator Select white balance bracketing Choose from increments of 1 5 mired, 2 10 mired, or Select a white balance increment126 Bracketing programs with an increment of 1 are listed below 127 128 White Balance Bracketing Select ADL bracketing Fn button Main commandADL Bracketing 129 Active D-Lighting is shown in the control panel Select Active D-Lighting130 Fn button 131 132 ADL Bracketing 137 Keeping Colors True134 141 White Balance Options 134 White Balance Menu 135Control panel WB button IFluorescent Color Temperature 136 Select a white balance Gbutton option Button and rotating the sub-command dialWhite Balance Menu 137 138 Fine tune white balancePress J Amber A-blue B axis and the green G-magenta M 139 White Balance Fine TuningColor Temperature Fine-Tuning Mired WB Button 140 Choose Color Temperature 141 Method Description Preset Manual142 Neutral gray or white object is placed under D-4 White Balance Presets143 Store values copied from d-0 0 Measuring a Value for White Balance Set white balance to LPreset manualSelect direct measurement mode Light a reference object Check the results Measure white balance145 Preset d-0 Select preset d-0Direct Measurement Mode 146 Manual Select LPresetCopy d-0 to the selected preset Select a destination Choose Select image Select LPreset manualHighlight Preset manual in the white balance menu 148 Copy white balance Choosing a White Balance PresetHighlight a source image 149 Highlight Preset manual in the white balance menu and press Selecting a White Balance PresetSelect a preset Select Set Selecting a White Balance Preset the WB Button 151 Edit the comment Entering a CommentSelect Edit comment 152 166 154164 153 Select Set Picture Picture ControlsSelecting a Picture Control Control 155 Preset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture ControlsPicture Control Indicator Optional Picture Controls Modifying Existing Picture Controls Or make manual adjustments to individual settings156 Picture Control Settings 157 Auto Previous Settings158 Picture Control Grid Toning Monochrome Only 159Custom Picture Controls Select Save/edit Creating Custom Picture ControlsSelect Manage Picture Gbutton Control 160 161 Edit the selected Picture ControlName the Picture Control Text-entry dialog shown Manage Picture Control Rename 162Original Picture Control icon 163 Sharing Custom Picture ControlsSaving Custom Picture Controls Active D-Lighting 164 To use active D-Lighting Select Active D-Lighting. Gbutton165 Highlight YAuto, ZExtra Select a color space Color SpaceSelect Color space 166 167 Nikon Software 168 Using the Built-in Flash Built-in Flash 170 102 Using the Built-in FlashChoose a flash mode Press the flash pop-up button 172 Check exposure shutter speed and apertureShutter speed Aperture Lowering the Built-in Flash 173 Range 174Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent 200 400 800 1600 3200 175 Flash ModesD300S supports the following flash modes 176 Flash Control ModeAuto FP Repeating flash Commander mode TTL YM button Flash Compensation177 ±0 EV Ybutton pressed +1.0 EV 178 FV LockAssign FV lock to the Fn button Assign Fn button Fn button press Recompose the photograph Take the photograph Using FV Lock with the Built-in FlashLock flash level Release FV lock Flash unit Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units180 Metered area 189 182184 195 182 Option DefaultEbutton Qual button Option Default Off See page 368 for a list of default settings 183 Select Multiple Multiple ExposureCreating a Multiple Exposure Exposure Set gain Select the number of shotsSelect Auto gain 185 Select Done 186 187 Other SettingsUsed Interrupting Multiple Exposures 188 Shooting Interval Timer PhotographySelect Interval timer Select a starting trigger Shots per interval Choose a start timeChoose an interval 190 191 Start shootingOut of Memory 192 During interval timer photography, the QiconDuring Shooting Resume shooting Pausing Interval Timer PhotographyChoose a new starting trigger 193 No Photograph Interrupting Interval Timer PhotographyUsing the Monitor 194 Focal Length Not Listed Non-CPU Lenses195 Zoom Lenses Select a lens number Non-CPU Lens Data MenuSelect Non-CPU lens Gbutton data Select a focal length Use the selected control to choose a lens number Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera ControlsAssign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control 197 GP-1 GPS Unit Using a GPS Unit198 199 Other GPS UnitsMC-35 KIcon 200 Setup Menu Options 201 202 Playback Options Full-Frame Playback 204 205 206 For details Photo Information 207 File Information 208 Highlights 209 RGB Histogram 210 Playback Zoom 211Histograms Shooting Data Page 1 212 Shooting Data Page 2 213 GPS Data 214 Overview Data 215 216 Viewing Multiple Images Thumbnail PlaybackFollowing operations can be performed 217 Choosing a Memory Card Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom 218 Press the Lbutton Protecting Photographs from DeletionSelect an image 219 Press the Obutton Deleting PhotographsFull-Frame and Thumbnail Playback 220 Choose Selected Playback MenuSelected Deleting Selected Photographs Highlight a picture Press Jto complete the operation Select the highlighted picture222 228 Connecting to External Devices224 239 Supported Operating Systems Connecting to a ComputerConnecting Cables 224 Connect the USB cable Direct USB ConnectionTurn the camera off Turn the computer on 225 Select Nikon Transfer help from Transfer photographs226 Nikon Transfer Help menu Transfer Mode Wireless and Ethernet NetworksMode Function 227 Retouch menu 0 Printing Photographs228 Printing Via Direct USB Connection Turn the camera off Connect the USB cable Connecting the Printer229 Select a picture Adjust printing optionsPrinting Pictures One at a Time Display printing options 231 Default default for currentChoose Printer default default Printer, Print with border print Start printing 232 Menu Printing Multiple PicturesDisplay the PictBridge Choose Print select or Print Dpof 234 Select picturesUse the multi selector to scroll 235 Select Index print Creating Index Prints236 237 Creating a Dpof Print Order Print SetChoose Select/set Press the Gbutton 238 Select imprint optionsComplete the print order Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order Connect the supplied A/V cable as shown Viewing Photographs on TVStandard Definition Devices 239 Television Playback Video Mode240 Slide Shows 241 High-Definition DevicesConnect the Hdmi cable as shown Connect to high- definition device 242 260 244253 300 DThe Playback Menu 244 Choose Select/set. Gbutton Playback FolderHide Image 245 Press Jto complete the operation 246Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on Save changes and exit Display ModeSelect options 247 Select the source card Copy ImagesChoose Select source Choose Select images Choose Select destination folder Make the initial selectionSelect additional images Select a destination folder Folder, and press J Copy the images250 Highlight Copy images? and press Rotate Tall Image ReviewAfter Delete 251 Exit to return to the playback menu Slide Show252 Start slide show CThe Shooting Menu 253 Select a bank Renaming Shooting Menu BanksShooting Menu Bank 254 Press 4 or 2. To enter a new Enter a name255 After editing the name, press J Active Folder Reset Shooting MenuNew Folder Number Select New folder number Highlight a folder Select FolderChoose Select folder Select the highlighted folder 258 File NamingLong Exp. NR Long ExposureNoise Reduction High ISO NR 259 ACustom Settings 260 Following Custom Settings are available 261 Custom Settings Bank Custom Setting BankReset Custom Settings 262 This option controls whether A1 AF-C Priority Selection263 Focus priority in continuous-servo A3 Dynamic AF Area Single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to SA2 AF-S Priority Selection 264 Option Description Points 2653D-tracking 266 A5 AF ActivationA6 AF Point Illumination Short 267 A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ACustom Settings menuA8 AF Point Selection Right edge of the display is selected has no effect 268 AF-Assist Illuminator AE/AF lock A10 AF-On for MB-D10269 AE lock only 270 B3 Exp Comp/Fine TuneB1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value 271 B4 Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ACustom Settings menuChange Main/Sub Fine-Tuning Exposure B5 Center-Weighted AreaB6 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 272 C3 Self-Timer C2 Auto Meter-off Delay273 274 C4 Monitor off DelayChoose how long the monitor remains on D2 Viewfinder Grid Display D3 Viewfinder Warning Display Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD1 Beep 275 D4 Screen Tips D5 CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD6 Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 276 277 ResetD7 File Number Sequence File Number Sequence D9 LCD Illumination D10 Exposure Delay ModeD8 Information Display 278 D11 MB-D10 Battery Type 279 MB-D10 Battery Pack D12 Battery Order280 This option controls flash sync speed E1 Flash Sync Speed281 Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit E2 Flash Shutter Speed Flash-Ready IndicatorFlash Control at 1/320 s Auto FP 282 Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash 283 284 ManualRepeating Flash Times Group B Commander Mode285 Channel Adjust settings for group B Adjust settings for the built-in flashAdjust settings for group a Select the channel Press J Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot Compose the shot287 Commander Mode Flash Sync Mode Display288 E5 Auto Bracketing Set E4 Modeling Flash289 E7 Bracketing Order E6 Auto Bracketing Mode M Gbutton ACustom Settings menuExposure mode 290 F1 DSwitch Shooting ModePlayback Mode Choose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D F4 Photo Info/Playback Selector on the optional MB-D10 battery packF3 Multi Selector F5 Assign Fn Button Fn Button Press 293 294 295 Fn button + dialsNumber lens data option 296 F6 Assign Preview ButtonF7 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button Button press are the same as for Fn button F8 Customize Command Dials Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 297 298 F9 Release Button to Use Dial F10 No Memory Card? F11 Reverse Indicators299 300 Format Memory Card Video ModeFormatting, be sure to make backup copies as required LCD Brightness Camera is equipped with an Hdmi High-Definition Time Zone and Date302 Option Description Auto Image Comment Language303 Auto Image Rotation 304 Choose a start option Image Sensor CleaningImage Dust Off Ref Photo 305 306 Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinderAcquire dust off reference data Image Dust Off Reference Data Battery Info 307 308 Wireless TransmitterImage Authentication Copies Attach copyright information Select this Copyright Information309 Copyright Information 310 Save/Load SettingsMenu Option 311 Saved SettingsVirtual Horizon Tilting the Camera 312 AF Fine TuneValue Eye-Fi Upload AF TuningLive View Tripod Mode 313 View the current camera firmware version Firmware Version314 Eye-Fi Cards NThe Retouch Menu 315 Display the retouch menu Creating Retouched CopiesChoose a picture 316 Create a retouched copy Monitor off DelaySelect retouch options 317 Retouching Copies 318Image Quality 319 LightingBeforeAfter 320 Red-Eye CorrectionUse Description Trim Image Quality and Size Trim321 Viewing Cropped Copies 322 MonochromeFilter Effects Monochrome 323 Color BalanceZoom Display NEF RAW images Image OverlaySelect Image overlay Select a photograph Preview the overlay Highlight the Preview column325 326 Save the overlayImage Overlay Create Jpeg copies of NEF RAW photographs NEF RAW Processing327 Select NEF RAW processing Copy the photograph Adjust NEF RAW processing settings328 Choose a size ResizeChoose a destination 329 330 Choose picturesSave the resized copies Viewing Resized Copies 331 Making a Side-by-Side ComparisonISide-by-Side Comparison Select Side-by-side comparison Source image is displayed on the left, the retouched copy Compare the copy with the original332 Side-by-Side Comparison 333 Adding Options to My MenuSelect Add items To display My Menu, press Gand select the OMy Menu tab Add more items Select an itemPosition the new item 334 Select items Deleting Options from My MenuSelect Remove items Delete the selected items Position the item Reordering Options in My MenuSelect Rank items 336 Select Choose tab Displaying Recent SettingsSelect m Recent settings 337 338 Camera Care, Options, and Resources Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring Compatible Lenses340 CPU contacts AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter 341Lens f-number Non-CPU Lenses 342 343 Compatible Non-CPU Lenses Red-Eye Reduction 344Lens 345 AF-Assist Illumination Lens 346Calculating Picture Angle Picture angle 35mm format Picture angle D300S Optional Flash Units Speedlights Sync Terminal 348 Nikon Creative Lighting System CLSCLS-Compatible Flash Units SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200 Flash mode/feature Following features are available with the above flash units349 SB-80DX Flash mode350 Non-TTL auto Manual Repeating flash 351 Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories200 400 800 1600 3200 352 Other AccessoriesRechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e 0 22 Network or copied to a computer for long-term storage 353 354 Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200Units Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 Filters Software 355Body cap Remote 356Terminal Storage CleaningCaring for the Camera 357 Place the camera base down Display the CleanLow-Pass Filter Image sensor menu Highlight Clean now and press Select Clean nowSelect Clean at startup/ shutdown 359 Select an option Clean atClean at startup 360 Select Lock mirror up for cleaning Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter361 362 Clean the filterExamine the low-pass filter Press the shutter-release button all the way down 363 Use a Reliable Power SourceShould be included when the camera is inspected or serviced Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Caring for the Camera Battery Cautions 364 365 366 367 Shooting Menu Defaults DefaultsPlayback Menu Defaults 368 Custom Settings Menu Defaults 369 370 Setup Menu Defaults 371 372 Exposure ProgramShutter speed 373 TroubleshootingDisplay Extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear Shooting Exposure mode S selected with Aselected for shutter speed 0Focus mode C use AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus 0 374 375 White balance bracketing unavailable Playback376 Playback folder 0 Can not change print order Miscellaneous377 Can not print photos Problem Solution Error MessagesIndicator 378 379 380 381 Xand yIcons 382 383 384 385 SpecificationsNikon D300S Digital Camera Type Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum 386Aperture is f/5.6 or faster 387 388 389 390 391 Supported Standards EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery Type392 Rated capacity Type 1 CompactFlash memory cards Approved Memory Cards393 SD memory cards Memory Card Capacity 394 395 D6-Max. Continuous Release 0 Cipa standard Battery Life396 Nikon standard 397 398 SymbolsIndex Numerics Connector for external 399 400 Focal length scale 401 189 402 403 404 Page SB9G0111 6MB05711-01