Ready the Camera

When framing photographs in the viewfinder, hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle the camera body or lens with your left. Keep your elbows propped lightly against your torso for support and place one foot half a pace ahead of the other to keep you upper body stable.

s Hold the camera as shown at right when framing photographs in portrait (tall) orientation.

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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 ViiPhoto info Photo info, highlights Retouching Photographs Viii Optional Accessories Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other DevicesApproved memory Compatible lenses Table of Contents Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Xii 101133 Xiii 243 Xiv 270 Xvi Xvii For Your Safety Xviii 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 Battery Charger Xxii Xxiii Disposing of Data Storage DevicesItems prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Comply with copyright notices Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories XxivBefore Taking Important Pictures Life-Long Learning XIntroduction Overview Getting to Know the Camera Use Only Nikon Brand Accessories Servicing the Camera and AccessoriesCamera Settings Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body Depth-of-field preview Contact cover for optional MB-D10CPU contacts Tripod socket Wthumbnail/playback Xplayback zoom Multi selector center 103AAE/AF lock Control Panel Number of intervals for 177 Viewfinder Display No Battery Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays See Also Information DisplayButton Turning the Monitor Off Long exposure noise reduction Information Display Changing Settings in the Information Display RbuttonTool Tips Viewing Button Assignments BM-8 Monitor Cover Basic Photography and Playback Camera MenusFirst Steps Setup 0 Defaults to My Menu 0Camera Menus Playback 0 Using Camera Menus Menu ControlsNavigating the Menus Display the menus Select a menu Position the cursor in the selected menuHighlight a menu item Display options Help Select the highlighted itemJbutton LQ button Charge the Battery First StepsPlug the charger Remove the terminal cover Battery Charging charging complete Insert the batteryRemove the battery when charging is complete Insert the Battery Open the battery-chamber coverClose the battery-chamber cover Turn the camera off Battery and Charger When the battery is not in useIncompatible Batteries EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Attach a Lens Mounting index Detaching the Lens Attach the lensAutofocus with manual priority CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Basic Setup Turn the camera onSelect Language Select a language Select Time zone and date Set time zoneTurn daylight saving time on or off Set the date and time Exit to shooting mode Clock BatterySet date format Camera Clock Insert a Memory Card Open the card slot coverInsert the memory card Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Close the card slot cover Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera off Removing Memory CardsRemove the memory card CompactFlash memory cards Open Format the Memory Card Turn the camera on Press the Q buttonsPress the Q buttons again Formatting Memory Cards No Memory Card Write Protect SwitchMemory Cards Adjust Viewfinder Focus Adjusting Viewfinder FocusFocus the viewfinder Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on Check the battery level Check the battery level in the control panel or viewfinderTurn 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 Adjust Camera Settings Choose exposure mode eChoose single frame release mode Choose single-point AF Check camera settings Choose single-servoAutofocus Choose matrix metering Ready the Camera Focus and Shoot Press the shutterRelease button Halfway to focus Photo in the viewfinder Smoothly press the shutter Release-button the rest Way down to take the pictureWhile the photograph is being Shutter-Release Button Viewing Photographs Press the KbuttonView additional pictures Kbutton Deleting Unwanted Photographs Display the photographDelete 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 Tripod Mode h Live view modeFrame a picture in the viewfinder Choose Tripod for To focus using contrast-detect FocusContrast-detect focus point Bbutton Focusing with Contrast-Detect Autofocus Take the pictureEnd live view Press the abutton to end live view Hand-Held Mode g For Live view modeChoose Hand-held Frame a picture in the monitor Focus Exposure Compensation Shooting in Live View ModeNo Picture AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held mode ButtonAF area brackets 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 Start recording Focusing During RecordingFocus.Bbutton End recording Maximum Size When used in live view mode for extended Recording Movies Movie Settings Select Movie settings. GbuttonAdjust movie settings before recording Choose movie options Is displayed in full-frame and movie playback Viewing Movies2icon Editing Movies Display retouch optionsSelect Edit movie Choose an option Movies can also be edited from the retouch menu 0 Save the copyRetouch Menu Page This section describes how to choose image quality and size Image Quality Image Size Using Two Memory Cards Image Quality Option File type DescriptionNEF RAW Recording Jpeg Compression Qual button Deleting the Jpeg copy will not delete the NEF RAW imageImage Quality Menu 253 NEF RAW Recording NEF RAW Bit Depth Jpeg CompressionNEF RAW Recording Type Qual button Sub-command dial Control panel Image Size Menu Image Size Using Two Memory Cards Backup and RAW Primary, Jpeg SecondaryItem in the shooting menu. Select CF card slot to designate Jpeg copies only to the secondary card NFocus Controlling How the Camera Focuses Focus Mode Option Description For the purpose of focusing the camera Predictive Focus Tracking AF-Area Mode AF-area mode is shown in the control panel Indicator Single-point AFDynamic Area AF Select the focus point Focus Point SelectionRotate the focus selector Lock to See Also Focus Lock Shutter-Release Button AE-L Recompose Photograph and shoot Shutter-release Button AE-L/AF-L button Getting Good Results with Autofocus Example subject is the same color as the backgroundExample 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 Electronic Rangefinder ShootingFocal Plane Position Focal plane mark KRelease Mode Mode Choosing a Release ModeCamera supports the following release modes Release mode dial lock release Continuous Mode Select CH or CL modeContinuous low speed mode Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Power Source and Frame Rate Frame advance rate varies with the power source usedPower source Buffer Size Memory Buffer Pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see Frame the photograph Self-Timer ModeSelect self-timer mode Start the timer Timer count-down, see Custom Setting d1 Beep, 0 Mirror up Mode Select mirror up modeRaise the mirror Take a picturePage Siso Sensitivity Reacting Faster to Light ISO button Main command Dial Control panel Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO Sensitivity Settings Custom Setting b1ISO Sensitivity Menu 2500, 3200, Hi 0.3, Hi 0.7, Hi Adjust settings Select ISO sensitivityAuto control Select On Auto ISO Sensitivity Control 100 Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure Method Metering102 Matrix Metering 103To choose a metering method Exposure Mode Mode Description104 Lens Types 105 Button Main command dial Depth-of-Field PreviewCustom Setting e4-Modeling Flash Select exposure mode e Programmed Auto106 Shutter speed 1/320 s aperture f/9 Flexible Program Exposure mode e, different combinations107 Select exposure mode f Shutter-Priority AutoChoose a shutter speed 108 Mode g Aperture-Priority AutoSelect exposure Choose an aperture Non-CPU Lenses 0 Use the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture110 Mode h Manual111 Control panel Choose aperture and shutter speed Shoot112 Aperture Shutter speed Exposure Indicators Reverse IndicatorsCustom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step 113 114 Long Time-ExposuresReady the camera Press the shutter-release button all the way down Release the shutter-release button115 Shutter speed 35 s aperture f/25 Select center-weighted or Metering selector spot metering 0 Autoexposure AE LockLock exposure 116 Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture 117Recompose the photograph Metered Area Exposure Compensation 118 119 Using a FlashFor information on making adjustments to exposure Bracketing Exposure and Flash BracketingSelect flash or Exposure bracketing Fn button Main command Control panel Bracketing indicatorChoose the number of shots 121 122 Fn button Sub-commandSelect an exposure increment 123 No. shots 3 incrementExposure increment Exposure increment Exposure increment +1 EV Canceling Bracketing 124Exposure and Flash Bracketing Exposure Bracketing Fn button Main command Control panel Dial IndicatorWhite Balance Bracketing Select white balance bracketing Select a white balance increment 126Choose from increments of 1 5 mired, 2 10 mired, or Bracketing programs with an increment of 1 are listed below 127 128 White Balance Bracketing Fn button Main command ADL BracketingSelect ADL bracketing 129 Select Active D-Lighting 130Active D-Lighting is shown in the control panel Fn button 131 132 ADL Bracketing Keeping Colors True 134137 141 White Balance Options 134 135 Control panel WB buttonWhite Balance Menu IFluorescent Color Temperature 136 Button and rotating the sub-command dial White Balance MenuSelect a white balance Gbutton option 137 Fine tune white balance Press J138 Amber A-blue B axis and the green G-magenta M White Balance Fine Tuning Color Temperature Fine-Tuning139 Mired WB Button 140 Choose Color Temperature 141 Preset Manual 142Method Description Neutral gray or white object is placed under White Balance Presets 143D-4 Store values copied from d-0 0 Set white balance to LPreset manual Select direct measurement modeMeasuring a Value for White Balance Light a reference object 145 Measure white balanceCheck the results Select preset d-0 Direct Measurement ModePreset d-0 146 Select LPreset Copy d-0 to the selected presetManual Select a destination Select LPreset manual Highlight Preset manual in the white balance menuChoose Select image 148 Choosing a White Balance Preset Highlight a source imageCopy white balance 149 Selecting a White Balance Preset Select a presetHighlight Preset manual in the white balance menu and press Select Set Selecting a White Balance Preset the WB Button 151 Entering a Comment Select Edit commentEdit the comment 152 154 164166 153 Picture Controls Selecting a Picture ControlSelect Set Picture Control Preset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture Controls Picture Control Indicator155 Optional Picture Controls 156 Or make manual adjustments to individual settingsModifying Existing Picture Controls Picture Control Settings 157 Previous Settings 158Auto Picture Control Grid Custom Picture Controls 159Toning Monochrome Only Creating Custom Picture Controls Select Manage Picture Gbutton ControlSelect Save/edit 160 Edit the selected Picture Control Name the Picture Control161 Text-entry dialog shown Original Picture Control icon 162Manage Picture Control Rename Saving Custom Picture Controls Sharing Custom Picture Controls163 Active D-Lighting 164 Select Active D-Lighting. Gbutton 165To use active D-Lighting Highlight YAuto, ZExtra Color Space Select Color spaceSelect a color space 166 167 Nikon Software 168 Using the Built-in Flash Built-in Flash 170 Using the Built-in Flash Choose a flash modePress the flash pop-up button 171 Shutter speed Aperture Check exposure shutter speed and aperture172 Lowering the Built-in Flash 173 174 Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash RangeRange Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent 200 400 800 1600 3200 D300S supports the following flash modes Flash Modes175 Flash Control Mode 176 Flash Compensation 177YM button ±0 EV Ybutton pressed +1.0 EV FV Lock Assign FV lock to the Fn button178 Assign Fn button Fn button press Using FV Lock with the Built-in Flash Lock flash levelRecompose the photograph Take the photograph Release FV lock Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units 180Flash unit Metered area 182 184189 195 Option Default Ebutton Qual button Option Default182 Off See page 368 for a list of default settings 183 Multiple Exposure Creating a Multiple ExposureSelect Multiple Exposure Select the number of shots Select Auto gainSet gain 185 Select Done 186 Used Other Settings187 Interrupting Multiple Exposures 188 Interval Timer Photography Select Interval timerShooting Select a starting trigger Choose a start time Choose an intervalShots per interval 190 Out of Memory Start shooting191 During Shooting During interval timer photography, the Qicon192 Pausing Interval Timer Photography Choose a new starting triggerResume shooting 193 Interrupting Interval Timer Photography Using the MonitorNo Photograph 194 Non-CPU Lenses 195Focal Length Not Listed Zoom Lenses Non-CPU Lens Data Menu Select Non-CPU lens Gbutton dataSelect a lens number Select a focal length Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera Controls Assign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera controlUse the selected control to choose a lens number 197 198 Using a GPS UnitGP-1 GPS Unit MC-35 Other GPS Units199 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 Histograms 211Playback Zoom Shooting Data Page 1 212 Shooting Data Page 2 213 GPS Data 214 Overview Data 215 Following operations can be performed Viewing Multiple Images Thumbnail Playback216 217 Choosing a Memory Card Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom 218 Protecting Photographs from Deletion Select an imagePress the Lbutton 219 Deleting Photographs Full-Frame and Thumbnail PlaybackPress the Obutton 220 Playback Menu Selected Deleting Selected PhotographsChoose Selected Highlight a picture 222 Select the highlighted picturePress Jto complete the operation Connecting to External Devices 224228 239 Connecting to a Computer Connecting CablesSupported Operating Systems 224 Direct USB Connection Turn the camera off Turn the computer onConnect the USB cable 225 Transfer photographs 226Select Nikon Transfer help from Nikon Transfer Help menu Wireless and Ethernet Networks Mode FunctionTransfer Mode 227 Printing Photographs 228Retouch menu 0 Printing Via Direct USB Connection 229 Connecting the PrinterTurn the camera off Connect the USB cable Adjust printing options Printing Pictures One at a TimeSelect a picture Display printing options Default default for current Choose Printer default default231 Printer, Print with border print Start printing 232 Printing Multiple Pictures Display the PictBridgeMenu Choose Print select or Print Dpof Use the multi selector to scroll Select pictures234 235 236 Creating Index PrintsSelect Index print Creating a Dpof Print Order Print Set Choose Select/set237 Press the Gbutton Select imprint options Complete the print order238 Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order Viewing Photographs on TV Standard Definition DevicesConnect the supplied A/V cable as shown 239 Video Mode 240Television Playback Slide Shows High-Definition Devices Connect the Hdmi cable as shown241 Connect to high- definition device 242 244 253260 300 DThe Playback Menu 244 Playback Folder Hide ImageChoose Select/set. Gbutton 245 Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on 246Press Jto complete the operation Display Mode Select optionsSave changes and exit 247 Copy Images Choose Select sourceSelect the source card Choose Select images Make the initial selection Select additional imagesChoose Select destination folder Select a destination folder Copy the images 250Folder, and press J Highlight Copy images? and press Image Review After DeleteRotate Tall 251 Slide Show 252Exit to return to the playback menu Start slide show CThe Shooting Menu 253 Renaming Shooting Menu Banks Shooting Menu BankSelect a bank 254 Enter a name 255Press 4 or 2. To enter a new After editing the name, press J Reset Shooting Menu New Folder NumberActive Folder Select New folder number Select Folder Choose Select folderHighlight a folder Select the highlighted folder File Naming Long Exp. NR258 Long ExposureNoise Reduction High ISO NR 259 ACustom Settings 260 Following Custom Settings are available 261 Custom Setting Bank Reset Custom SettingsCustom Settings Bank 262 A1 AF-C Priority Selection 263This option controls whether Focus priority in continuous-servo Single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to S A2 AF-S Priority SelectionA3 Dynamic AF Area 264 3D-tracking 265Option Description Points A5 AF Activation A6 AF Point Illumination266 Short A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ACustom Settings menu A8 AF Point Selection267 Right edge of the display is selected has no effect 268 AF-Assist Illuminator A10 AF-On for MB-D10 269 B1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value B3 Exp Comp/Fine Tune270 Change Main/Sub B4 Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ACustom Settings menu271 B5 Center-Weighted Area B6 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure Gbutton ACustom Settings menuFine-Tuning Exposure 272 273 C2 Auto Meter-off DelayC3 Self-Timer Choose how long the monitor remains on C4 Monitor off Delay274 D3 Viewfinder Warning Display Gbutton ACustom Settings menu D1 BeepD2 Viewfinder Grid Display 275 D5 CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ACustom Settings menu D6 Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD4 Screen Tips 276 Reset D7 File Number Sequence277 File Number Sequence D10 Exposure Delay Mode D8 Information DisplayD9 LCD Illumination 278 D11 MB-D10 Battery Type 279 D12 Battery Order MB-D10 Battery PackMB-D10 battery type display Battery type 280 E1 Flash Sync Speed 281This option controls flash sync speed Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit Flash-Ready Indicator Flash Control at 1/320 s Auto FPE2 Flash Shutter Speed 282 Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash 283 Manual Repeating Flash284 Times Group B Commander Mode285 Adjust settings for the built-in flash Adjust settings for group aAdjust 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 E6 Auto Bracketing Mode M Gbutton ACustom Settings menu Exposure modeE7 Bracketing Order 290 Shooting Mode Playback ModeF1 DSwitch Choose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D Selector on the optional MB-D10 battery pack F3 Multi SelectorF4 Photo Info/Playback F5 Assign Fn Button Fn Button Press 293 294 Number lens data option Fn button + dials295 F6 Assign Preview Button F7 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button296 Button press are the same as for Fn button F8 Customize Command Dials Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 297 Exposure meters turn off F9 Release Button to Use Dial Gbutton ACustom Settings menu298 299 F11 Reverse IndicatorsF10 No Memory Card? 300 Video Mode Formatting, be sure to make backup copies as requiredFormat Memory Card LCD Brightness Time Zone and Date 302Camera is equipped with an Hdmi High-Definition Option Description Auto 303 LanguageImage Comment Auto Image Rotation 304 Image Sensor Cleaning Image Dust Off Ref PhotoChoose a start option 305 Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder Acquire dust off reference data306 Image Dust Off Reference Data Battery Info 307 Wireless Transmitter Image Authentication308 Copies Copyright Information 309Attach copyright information Select this Copyright Information Menu Option Save/Load Settings310 Saved Settings Virtual Horizon311 Tilting the Camera Value AF Fine Tune312 AF Tuning Live View Tripod ModeEye-Fi Upload 313 Firmware Version 314View the current camera firmware version Eye-Fi Cards NThe Retouch Menu 315 Creating Retouched Copies Choose a pictureDisplay the retouch menu 316 Monitor off Delay Select retouch optionsCreate a retouched copy 317 Image Quality 318Retouching Copies BeforeAfter Lighting319 Use Description Red-Eye Correction320 Trim 321Trim Image Quality and Size Viewing Cropped Copies Monochrome Filter Effects322 Monochrome Zoom Color Balance323 Image Overlay Select Image overlayDisplay NEF RAW images Select a photograph 325 Highlight the Preview columnPreview the overlay Image Overlay Save the overlay326 NEF RAW Processing 327Create Jpeg copies of NEF RAW photographs Select NEF RAW processing 328 Adjust NEF RAW processing settingsCopy the photograph Resize Choose a destinationChoose a size 329 Choose pictures Save the resized copies330 Viewing Resized Copies Making a Side-by-Side Comparison ISide-by-Side Comparison331 Select Side-by-side comparison Compare the copy with the original 332Source image is displayed on the left, the retouched copy Side-by-Side Comparison Adding Options to My Menu Select Add items333 To display My Menu, press Gand select the OMy Menu tab Select an item Position the new itemAdd more items 334 Deleting Options from My Menu Select Remove itemsSelect items Delete the selected items Reordering Options in My Menu Select Rank itemsPosition the item 336 Displaying Recent Settings Select m Recent settingsSelect Choose tab 337 338 Camera Care, Options, and Resources Compatible Lenses 340Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring CPU contacts Lens f-number 341AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter Non-CPU Lenses 342 343 Compatible Non-CPU Lenses Lens 344Red-Eye Reduction 345 AF-Assist Illumination 346 Calculating Picture AngleLens Picture angle 35mm format Picture angle D300S Optional Flash Units Speedlights Sync Terminal Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS CLS-Compatible Flash Units348 SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash 349 Following features are available with the above flash unitsFlash mode/feature Flash mode 350SB-80DX Non-TTL auto Manual Repeating flash 200 400 800 1600 3200 Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories351 Other Accessories Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e 0 22352 Network or copied to a computer for long-term storage 353 Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200 Units Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800354 Filters Body cap 355Software Terminal 356Remote Cleaning Caring for the CameraStorage 357 Display the Clean Low-Pass FilterPlace the camera base down Image sensor menu Select Clean now Select Clean at startup/ shutdownHighlight Clean now and press 359 Clean at Clean at startupSelect an option 360 361 Charge the battery or connect an AC adapterSelect Lock mirror up for cleaning Clean the filter Examine the low-pass filter362 Press the shutter-release button all the way down Use a Reliable Power Source Should be included when the camera is inspected or serviced363 Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Caring for the Camera Battery Cautions 364 365 366 367 Defaults Playback Menu DefaultsShooting Menu Defaults 368 Custom Settings Menu Defaults 369 370 Setup Menu Defaults 371 Shutter speed Exposure Program372 Troubleshooting Display373 Extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear Exposure mode S selected with Aselected for shutter speed 0 Focus mode C use AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus 0Shooting 374 375 Playback 376White balance bracketing unavailable Playback folder 0 Miscellaneous 377Can not change print order Date of recording is not correct Set camera clock 0 Error Messages IndicatorProblem Solution 378 379 380 381 Xand yIcons 382 383 384 Specifications Nikon D300S Digital Camera385 Type Aperture is f/5.6 or faster 386Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum 387 388 389 390 391 EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery Type 392Supported Standards Rated capacity Approved Memory Cards 393Type 1 CompactFlash memory cards SD memory cards Memory Card Capacity 394 395 D6-Max. Continuous Release 0 Battery Life 396Cipa standard Nikon standard 397 Symbols Index398 Numerics Connector for external 399 400 195 401 189 402 403 404 Page 6MB05711-03

Nikon D300s manual Ready the Camera

Models: D300s

Ready the Camera