Getting to Know the Camera

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual.

	Camera Body	X
		X
	1	9
		10
	2	11
	3
	4	12
	4	13
	5	13
	5

614

7	15
7
8

1 Release mode dial

2Release mode dial

lock release

3QUAL (image quality/size)

	button		69, 71
	Two-button reset button		182
4	Eyelet for camera strap
5	WB (white balance)
	button	135, 140, 141
6	ISO (ISO sensitivity) button		96
7	Accessory shoe
	(for optional flash unit)		347

8	BS-1 accessory shoe cover	......... 347
9	Power switch	37, 39
10	Shutter-release button	43, 44

11E(exposure compensation)

	button	118
	Two-button reset button	182
12	I(exposure mode)
	button	105
	Q(format) button	34
13	Eyelet for camera strap
14	Focal plane mark (E)	84
15	Control panel	8

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Nikon D300s manual Getting to Know the Camera

Contents

Digital Camera Find what you’re looking for from Where to Find It Package Contents Trademark Information Symbols and Conventions Iii Camera Setup New Features Menus and Displays Taking Photographs Vii Viewing PhotographsPhoto info Photo info, highlights Viii Retouching Photographs Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices Optional AccessoriesApproved memory Compatible lenses Table of Contents Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Xii 101133 Xiii Xiv 243 270 Xvi Xvii Xviii For Your Safety Keep 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 Charger Disposing of Data Storage Devices XxiiiItems prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Comply with copyright notices Xxiv Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesBefore Taking Important Pictures Life-Long Learning Overview Getting to Know the Camera XIntroduction Servicing the Camera and Accessories Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesCamera Settings Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body Contact cover for optional MB-D10 Depth-of-field previewCPU contacts Tripod socket Xplayback zoom Wthumbnail/playback Multi selector center 103AAE/AF lock Number of intervals for Control Panel 177 Viewfinder Display Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays No Battery See Also Information DisplayButton Turning the Monitor Off Long exposure noise reduction Information Display Rbutton Changing Settings in the Information DisplayTool Tips Viewing Button Assignments BM-8 Monitor Cover Basic Photography and Playback Camera MenusFirst Steps Defaults to My Menu 0 Setup 0Camera Menus Playback 0 Menu Controls Using Camera MenusNavigating the Menus Display the menus Position the cursor in the selected menu Select a menuHighlight a menu item Display options Select the highlighted item HelpJbutton LQ button First Steps Charge the BatteryPlug the charger Remove the terminal cover Battery Charging charging complete Insert the batteryRemove the battery when charging is complete Open the battery-chamber cover Insert the BatteryClose the battery-chamber cover Turn the camera off When the battery is not in use Battery and ChargerIncompatible Batteries EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Mounting index Attach a Lens Attach the lens Detaching the LensAutofocus with manual priority CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Turn the camera on Basic SetupSelect Language Select a language Set time zone Select Time zone and dateTurn daylight saving time on or off Set the date and time Clock Battery Exit to shooting modeSet date format Camera Clock Open the card slot cover Insert a Memory CardInsert the memory card Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Close the card slot cover Removing Memory Cards Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera offRemove the memory card CompactFlash memory cards Open Turn the camera on Press the Q buttons Format the Memory CardPress the Q buttons again Formatting Memory Cards No Memory Card Write Protect SwitchMemory Cards Adjusting Viewfinder Focus Adjust Viewfinder FocusFocus the viewfinder Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on Check the battery level in the control panel or viewfinder Check the battery levelTurn the Camera On Description Sures, 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 exposure mode e Adjust Camera SettingsChoose single frame release mode Choose single-point AF Choose single-servo Check camera settingsAutofocus Choose matrix metering Ready the Camera Press the shutter Focus and ShootRelease button Halfway to focus Photo in the viewfinder Way down to take the picture Smoothly press the shutter Release-button the restWhile the photograph is being Shutter-Release Button Press the Kbutton Viewing PhotographsView additional pictures Kbutton Display the photograph Deleting Unwanted PhotographsDelete the photograph Delete as described in Viewing Framing Photographs in the Monitor XFraming Pictures in the Monitor Live View Framing Photographs in the Monitor Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AF Live view mode Tripod Mode hFrame a picture in the viewfinder Choose Tripod for Focus To focus using contrast-detectContrast-detect focus point Bbutton Take the picture Focusing with Contrast-Detect AutofocusEnd live view Press the abutton to end live view For Live view mode Hand-Held Mode gChoose Hand-held Frame a picture in the monitor Focus Exposure Compensation Shooting in Live View ModeNo Picture Button AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held modeAF area brackets Hand-heldTripod Monitor Brightness Monitor brightness can be adjusted by Recording Movies Viewing Movies Editing Movies This chapter describes how to record movies in live view Choose a live view mode. Gbutton Recording Movies Start recording Focusing During RecordingFocus.Bbutton Maximum Size End recording Recording Movies When used in live view mode for extended Select Movie settings. Gbutton Movie SettingsAdjust movie settings before recording Choose movie options Is displayed in full-frame and movie playback Viewing Movies2icon Display retouch options Editing MoviesSelect Edit movie Choose an option Movies 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 size Option File type Description Image QualityNEF RAW Recording Jpeg Compression Deleting the Jpeg copy will not delete the NEF RAW image Qual buttonImage Quality Menu 253 NEF RAW Recording NEF RAW Bit Depth Jpeg CompressionNEF RAW Recording Type Image Size Qual button Sub-command dial Control panel Image Size Menu Backup and RAW Primary, Jpeg Secondary Using Two Memory CardsItem in the shooting menu. Select CF card slot to designate Jpeg copies only to the secondary card Controlling How the Camera Focuses NFocus Option Description Focus Mode Predictive Focus Tracking For the purpose of focusing the camera AF-Area Mode Single-point AF AF-area mode is shown in the control panel IndicatorDynamic Area AF Select the focus point Focus Point SelectionRotate the focus selector Lock to See Also Shutter-Release Button AE-L Focus Lock Shutter-release Button AE-L/AF-L button Recompose Photograph and shoot Example subject is the same color as the background Getting Good Results with AutofocusExample subject is inside a cage Example blinds or a row of windows in a skyscraper Manual focus lenses Set the camera focus-mode selector to M Manual FocusAF Lenses Shooting Electronic RangefinderFocal Plane Position Focal plane mark KRelease Mode Mode Choosing a Release ModeCamera supports the following release modes Release mode dial lock release Select CH or CL mode Continuous ModeContinuous low speed mode Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Frame advance rate varies with the power source used Power Source and Frame RatePower source Buffer Size Pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see Memory Buffer Frame the photograph Self-Timer ModeSelect self-timer mode Timer count-down, see Custom Setting d1 Beep, 0 Start the timer Select mirror up mode Mirror up ModeRaise the mirror Take a picturePage Reacting Faster to Light Siso Sensitivity Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO button Main command Dial Control panel Custom Setting b1 ISO Sensitivity SettingsISO Sensitivity Menu 2500, 3200, Hi 0.3, Hi 0.7, Hi Select ISO sensitivity Adjust settingsAuto control Select On Auto ISO Sensitivity Control 100 Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure Method Metering102 Matrix Metering 103To choose a metering method Mode Description Exposure Mode104 Lens Types 105 Button Main command dial Depth-of-Field PreviewCustom Setting e4-Modeling Flash Programmed Auto Select exposure mode e106 Shutter speed 1/320 s aperture f/9 Flexible Program Exposure mode e, different combinations107 Shutter-Priority Auto Select exposure mode fChoose a shutter speed 108 Aperture-Priority Auto Mode gSelect exposure Choose an aperture Non-CPU Lenses 0 Use the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture110 Manual Mode h111 Control panel Shoot Choose aperture and shutter speed112 Aperture Shutter speed Reverse Indicators Exposure IndicatorsCustom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step 113 114 Long Time-ExposuresReady the camera Release the shutter-release button Press the shutter-release button all the way down115 Shutter speed 35 s aperture f/25 Autoexposure AE Lock Select center-weighted or Metering selector spot metering 0Lock exposure 116 117 Adjusting Shutter Speed and ApertureRecompose the photograph Metered Area 118 Exposure Compensation 119 Using a FlashFor information on making adjustments to exposure Exposure and Flash Bracketing BracketingSelect flash or Exposure bracketing Bracketing indicator Fn button Main command Control panelChoose the number of shots 121 122 Fn button Sub-commandSelect an exposure increment No. shots 3 increment 123Exposure increment Exposure increment Exposure increment +1 EV 124 Canceling BracketingExposure and Flash Bracketing Exposure Bracketing Indicator Fn button Main command Control panel DialWhite Balance Bracketing Select white balance bracketing 126 Select a white balance incrementChoose from increments of 1 5 mired, 2 10 mired, or Bracketing programs with an increment of 1 are listed below 127 White Balance Bracketing 128 ADL Bracketing Fn button Main commandSelect ADL bracketing 129 130 Select Active D-LightingActive D-Lighting is shown in the control panel Fn button 131 ADL Bracketing 132 134 Keeping Colors True137 141 134 White Balance Options Control panel WB button 135White Balance Menu IFluorescent 136 Color Temperature White Balance Menu Button and rotating the sub-command dialSelect a white balance Gbutton option 137 Press J Fine tune white balance138 Amber A-blue B axis and the green G-magenta M Color Temperature Fine-Tuning White Balance Fine Tuning139 Mired 140 WB Button 141 Choose Color Temperature 142 Preset ManualMethod Description Neutral gray or white object is placed under 143 White Balance PresetsD-4 Store values copied from d-0 0 Select direct measurement mode Set white balance to LPreset manualMeasuring a Value for White Balance Light a reference object 145 Measure white balanceCheck the results Direct Measurement Mode Select preset d-0Preset d-0 146 Copy d-0 to the selected preset Select LPresetManual Select a destination Highlight Preset manual in the white balance menu Select LPreset manualChoose Select image 148 Highlight a source image Choosing a White Balance PresetCopy white balance 149 Select a preset Selecting a White Balance PresetHighlight Preset manual in the white balance menu and press Select Set 151 Selecting a White Balance Preset the WB Button Select Edit comment Entering a CommentEdit the comment 152 164 154166 153 Selecting a Picture Control Picture ControlsSelect Set Picture Control Picture Control Indicator Preset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture Controls155 Optional Picture Controls 156 Or make manual adjustments to individual settingsModifying Existing Picture Controls 157 Picture Control Settings 158 Previous SettingsAuto Picture Control Grid Custom Picture Controls 159Toning Monochrome Only Select Manage Picture Gbutton Control Creating Custom Picture ControlsSelect Save/edit 160 Name the Picture Control Edit the selected Picture Control161 Text-entry dialog shown Original Picture Control icon 162Manage Picture Control Rename Saving Custom Picture Controls Sharing Custom Picture Controls163 164 Active D-Lighting 165 Select Active D-Lighting. GbuttonTo use active D-Lighting Highlight YAuto, ZExtra Select Color space Color SpaceSelect a color space 166 Nikon Software 167 168 Using the Built-in Flash 170 Built-in Flash Choose a flash mode Using the Built-in FlashPress the flash pop-up button 171 Shutter speed Aperture Check exposure shutter speed and aperture172 173 Lowering the Built-in Flash Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range 174Range Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent 200 400 800 1600 3200 D300S supports the following flash modes Flash Modes175 176 Flash Control Mode 177 Flash CompensationYM button ±0 EV Ybutton pressed +1.0 EV Assign FV lock to the Fn button FV Lock178 Assign Fn button Fn button press Lock flash level Using FV Lock with the Built-in FlashRecompose the photograph Take the photograph Release FV lock 180 Using FV Lock with Optional Flash UnitsFlash unit Metered area 184 182189 195 Ebutton Qual button Option Default Option Default182 Off 183 See page 368 for a list of default settings Creating a Multiple Exposure Multiple ExposureSelect Multiple Exposure Select Auto gain Select the number of shotsSet gain 185 186 Select Done Used Other Settings187 188 Interrupting Multiple Exposures Select Interval timer Interval Timer PhotographyShooting Select a starting trigger Choose an interval Choose a start timeShots per interval 190 Out of Memory Start shooting191 During Shooting During interval timer photography, the Qicon192 Choose a new starting trigger Pausing Interval Timer PhotographyResume shooting 193 Using the Monitor Interrupting Interval Timer PhotographyNo Photograph 194 195 Non-CPU LensesFocal Length Not Listed Zoom Lenses Select Non-CPU lens Gbutton data Non-CPU Lens Data MenuSelect a lens number Select a focal length Assign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera ControlsUse the selected control to choose a lens number 197 198 Using a GPS UnitGP-1 GPS Unit MC-35 Other GPS Units199 200 KIcon 201 Setup Menu Options 202 Playback Options 204 Full-Frame Playback 205 For details 206 207 Photo Information 208 File Information 209 Highlights 210 RGB Histogram Histograms 211Playback Zoom 212 Shooting Data Page 1 213 Shooting Data Page 2 214 GPS Data 215 Overview Data Following operations can be performed Viewing Multiple Images Thumbnail Playback216 Choosing a Memory Card 217 218 Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom Select an image Protecting Photographs from DeletionPress the Lbutton 219 Full-Frame and Thumbnail Playback Deleting PhotographsPress the Obutton 220 Selected Deleting Selected Photographs Playback MenuChoose Selected Highlight a picture 222 Select the highlighted picturePress Jto complete the operation 224 Connecting to External Devices228 239 Connecting Cables Connecting to a ComputerSupported Operating Systems 224 Turn the camera off Turn the computer on Direct USB ConnectionConnect the USB cable 225 226 Transfer photographsSelect Nikon Transfer help from Nikon Transfer Help menu Mode Function Wireless and Ethernet NetworksTransfer Mode 227 228 Printing PhotographsRetouch menu 0 Printing Via Direct USB Connection 229 Connecting the PrinterTurn the camera off Connect the USB cable Printing Pictures One at a Time Adjust printing optionsSelect a picture Display printing options Choose Printer default default Default default for current231 Printer, Print with border print 232 Start printing Display the PictBridge Printing Multiple PicturesMenu Choose Print select or Print Dpof Use the multi selector to scroll Select pictures234 235 236 Creating Index PrintsSelect Index print Choose Select/set Creating a Dpof Print Order Print Set237 Press the Gbutton Complete the print order Select imprint options238 Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order Standard Definition Devices Viewing Photographs on TVConnect the supplied A/V cable as shown 239 240 Video ModeTelevision Playback Slide Shows Connect the Hdmi cable as shown High-Definition Devices241 Connect to high- definition device 242 253 244260 300 244 DThe Playback Menu Hide Image Playback FolderChoose Select/set. Gbutton 245 Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on 246Press Jto complete the operation Select options Display ModeSave changes and exit 247 Choose Select source Copy ImagesSelect the source card Choose Select images Select additional images Make the initial selectionChoose Select destination folder Select a destination folder 250 Copy the imagesFolder, and press J Highlight Copy images? and press After Delete Image ReviewRotate Tall 251 252 Slide ShowExit to return to the playback menu Start slide show 253 CThe Shooting Menu Shooting Menu Bank Renaming Shooting Menu BanksSelect a bank 254 255 Enter a namePress 4 or 2. To enter a new After editing the name, press J New Folder Number Reset Shooting MenuActive Folder Select New folder number Choose Select folder Select FolderHighlight a folder Select the highlighted folder Long Exp. NR File Naming258 Long ExposureNoise Reduction 259 High ISO NR 260 ACustom Settings 261 Following Custom Settings are available Reset Custom Settings Custom Setting BankCustom Settings Bank 262 263 A1 AF-C Priority SelectionThis option controls whether Focus priority in continuous-servo A2 AF-S Priority Selection Single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to SA3 Dynamic AF Area 264 3D-tracking 265Option Description Points A6 AF Point Illumination A5 AF Activation266 Short A8 AF Point Selection A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ACustom Settings menu267 Right edge of the display is selected has no effect AF-Assist Illuminator 268 269 A10 AF-On for MB-D10 B1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value B3 Exp Comp/Fine Tune270 Change Main/Sub B4 Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ACustom Settings menu271 B6 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure Gbutton ACustom Settings menu B5 Center-Weighted AreaFine-Tuning Exposure 272 273 C2 Auto Meter-off DelayC3 Self-Timer Choose how long the monitor remains on C4 Monitor off Delay274 D1 Beep D3 Viewfinder Warning Display Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD2 Viewfinder Grid Display 275 D6 Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ACustom Settings menu D5 CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD4 Screen Tips 276 D7 File Number Sequence Reset277 File Number Sequence D8 Information Display D10 Exposure Delay ModeD9 LCD Illumination 278 279 D11 MB-D10 Battery Type MB-D10 Battery Pack D12 Battery OrderMB-D10 battery type display Battery type 280 281 E1 Flash Sync SpeedThis option controls flash sync speed Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit Flash Control at 1/320 s Auto FP Flash-Ready IndicatorE2 Flash Shutter Speed 282 283 Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash Repeating Flash Manual284 Times Group B Commander Mode285 Adjust settings for group a Adjust settings for the built-in flashAdjust settings for group B Select the channel Press J 287 Compose the shotFrame the photograph, focus, and shoot 288 Flash Sync Mode DisplayCommander Mode 289 E4 Modeling FlashE5 Auto Bracketing Set Exposure mode E6 Auto Bracketing Mode M Gbutton ACustom Settings menuE7 Bracketing Order 290 Playback Mode Shooting ModeF1 DSwitch Choose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D F3 Multi Selector Selector on the optional MB-D10 battery packF4 Photo Info/Playback F5 Assign Fn Button 293 Fn Button Press 294 Number lens data option Fn button + dials295 F7 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button F6 Assign Preview Button296 Button press are the same as for Fn button 297 F8 Customize Command Dials Gbutton ACustom Settings menu Exposure meters turn off F9 Release Button to Use Dial Gbutton ACustom Settings menu298 299 F11 Reverse IndicatorsF10 No Memory Card? 300 Formatting, be sure to make backup copies as required Video ModeFormat Memory Card LCD Brightness 302 Time Zone and DateCamera is equipped with an Hdmi High-Definition Option Description Auto 303 LanguageImage Comment 304 Auto Image Rotation Image Dust Off Ref Photo Image Sensor CleaningChoose a start option 305 Acquire dust off reference data Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder306 Image Dust Off Reference Data 307 Battery Info Image Authentication Wireless Transmitter308 Copies 309 Copyright InformationAttach copyright information Select this Copyright Information Menu Option Save/Load Settings310 Virtual Horizon Saved Settings311 Tilting the Camera Value AF Fine Tune312 Live View Tripod Mode AF TuningEye-Fi Upload 313 314 Firmware VersionView the current camera firmware version Eye-Fi Cards 315 NThe Retouch Menu Choose a picture Creating Retouched CopiesDisplay the retouch menu 316 Select retouch options Monitor off DelayCreate a retouched copy 317 Image Quality 318Retouching Copies BeforeAfter Lighting319 Use Description Red-Eye Correction320 321 TrimTrim Image Quality and Size Viewing Cropped Copies Filter Effects Monochrome322 Monochrome Zoom Color Balance323 Select Image overlay Image OverlayDisplay NEF RAW images Select a photograph 325 Highlight the Preview columnPreview the overlay Image Overlay Save the overlay326 327 NEF RAW ProcessingCreate Jpeg copies of NEF RAW photographs Select NEF RAW processing 328 Adjust NEF RAW processing settingsCopy the photograph Choose a destination ResizeChoose a size 329 Save the resized copies Choose pictures330 Viewing Resized Copies ISide-by-Side Comparison Making a Side-by-Side Comparison331 Select Side-by-side comparison 332 Compare the copy with the originalSource image is displayed on the left, the retouched copy Side-by-Side Comparison Select Add items Adding Options to My Menu333 To display My Menu, press Gand select the OMy Menu tab Position the new item Select an itemAdd more items 334 Select Remove items Deleting Options from My MenuSelect items Delete the selected items Select Rank items Reordering Options in My MenuPosition the item 336 Select m Recent settings Displaying Recent SettingsSelect Choose tab 337 338 Camera Care, Options, and Resources 340 Compatible LensesType G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring CPU contacts Lens f-number 341AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter 342 Non-CPU Lenses Compatible Non-CPU Lenses 343 Lens 344Red-Eye Reduction AF-Assist Illumination 345 Calculating Picture Angle 346Lens Picture angle 35mm format Picture angle D300S Sync Terminal Optional Flash Units Speedlights CLS-Compatible Flash Units Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS348 SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash 349 Following features are available with the above flash unitsFlash mode/feature 350 Flash modeSB-80DX Non-TTL auto Manual Repeating flash 200 400 800 1600 3200 Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories351 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e 0 22 Other Accessories352 Network or copied to a computer for long-term storage 353 Units Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200354 Filters Body cap 355Software Terminal 356Remote Caring for the Camera CleaningStorage 357 Low-Pass Filter Display the CleanPlace the camera base down Image sensor menu Select Clean at startup/ shutdown Select Clean nowHighlight Clean now and press 359 Clean at startup Clean atSelect an option 360 361 Charge the battery or connect an AC adapterSelect Lock mirror up for cleaning Examine the low-pass filter Clean the filter362 Press the shutter-release button all the way down Should be included when the camera is inspected or serviced Use a Reliable Power Source363 Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter 364 Caring for the Camera Battery Cautions 365 366 367 Playback Menu Defaults DefaultsShooting Menu Defaults 368 369 Custom Settings Menu Defaults 370 371 Setup Menu Defaults Shutter speed Exposure Program372 Display Troubleshooting373 Extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear Focus mode C use AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus 0 Exposure mode S selected with Aselected for shutter speed 0Shooting 374 375 376 PlaybackWhite balance bracketing unavailable Playback folder 0 377 MiscellaneousCan not change print order Date of recording is not correct Set camera clock 0 Indicator Error MessagesProblem Solution 378 379 380 Xand yIcons 381 382 383 384 Nikon D300S Digital Camera Specifications385 Type Aperture is f/5.6 or faster 386Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum 387 388 389 390 391 392 EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery TypeSupported Standards Rated capacity 393 Approved Memory CardsType 1 CompactFlash memory cards SD memory cards 394 Memory Card Capacity D6-Max. Continuous Release 0 395 396 Battery LifeCipa standard Nikon standard 397 Index Symbols398 Numerics 399 Connector for external 195 400 189 401 402 403 404 Page 6MB05711-03