NFocus, Controlling How the Camera Focuses

NFocus

– Controlling How the Camera Focuses

This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses.

Focus Mode	74
AF-Area Mode	76
Focus Point Selection	78	N
Focus Lock	80
Manual Focus	83

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Nikon D300s manual NFocus, Controlling How the Camera Focuses

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 Photo info, highlights Viewing PhotographsVii Photo info Viii Retouching Photographs Compatible lenses Optional AccessoriesViewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices Approved memory Table of Contents Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View 101 133Xii Xiii Xiv 243 270 Xvi Xvii Xviii For Your Safety Xix Do not use in the presence of flammable gasKeep out of reach of children Observe caution when using the flash Use appropriate cablesCD-ROMs Xxi Xxii Battery Charger Comply with copyright notices XxiiiDisposing of Data Storage Devices Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Life-Long Learning Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesXxiv Before Taking Important Pictures Overview Getting to Know the Camera XIntroduction Overview Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesServicing the Camera and Accessories Camera Settings Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body Tripod socket Depth-of-field previewContact cover for optional MB-D10 CPU contacts Xplayback zoom Wthumbnail/playback 103 AAE/AF lockMulti selector center Number of intervals for Control Panel 177 Viewfinder Display Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays No Battery Information Display Button Turning the Monitor OffSee Also Long exposure noise reduction Information Display Viewing Button Assignments Changing Settings in the Information DisplayRbutton Tool Tips BM-8 Monitor Cover Camera Menus First StepsBasic Photography and Playback Playback 0 Setup 0Defaults to My Menu 0 Camera Menus Display the menus Using Camera MenusMenu Controls Navigating the Menus Display options Select a menuPosition the cursor in the selected menu Highlight a menu item LQ button HelpSelect the highlighted item Jbutton Remove the terminal cover Charge the BatteryFirst Steps Plug the charger Insert the battery Remove the battery when charging is completeBattery Charging charging complete Turn the camera off Insert the BatteryOpen the battery-chamber cover Close the battery-chamber cover EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Battery and ChargerWhen the battery is not in use Incompatible Batteries Mounting index Attach a Lens CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Detaching the LensAttach the lens Autofocus with manual priority Select a language Basic SetupTurn the camera on Select Language Set the date and time Select Time zone and dateSet time zone Turn daylight saving time on or off Camera Clock Exit to shooting modeClock Battery Set date format Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Insert a Memory CardOpen the card slot cover Insert the memory card Close the card slot cover CompactFlash memory cards Open Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera offRemoving Memory Cards Remove the memory card Formatting Memory Cards Format the Memory CardTurn the camera on Press the Q buttons Press the Q buttons again Write Protect Switch Memory CardsNo Memory Card Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on Adjust Viewfinder FocusAdjusting Viewfinder Focus Focus the viewfinder Description Check the battery levelCheck the battery level in the control panel or viewfinder Turn the Camera On Check the number of exposures remaining Large-Capacity Memory CardsSures, the exposure count display will show 1.2 K LCD Illuminators Auto Meter OffCamera Off Display Choose single-point AF Adjust Camera SettingsChoose exposure mode e Choose single frame release mode Choose matrix metering Check camera settingsChoose single-servo Autofocus Ready the Camera Photo in the viewfinder Focus and ShootPress the shutter Release button Halfway to focus Shutter-Release Button Smoothly press the shutter Release-button the restWay down to take the picture While the photograph is being Kbutton Viewing PhotographsPress the Kbutton View additional pictures Delete as described in Viewing Deleting Unwanted PhotographsDisplay the photograph Delete the photograph Framing Photographs in the Monitor XFraming Pictures in the Monitor Live View Framing Photographs in the Monitor Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AF Choose Tripod for Tripod Mode hLive view mode Frame a picture in the viewfinder Bbutton To focus using contrast-detectFocus Contrast-detect focus point Press the abutton to end live view Focusing with Contrast-Detect AutofocusTake the picture End live view Frame a picture in the monitor Hand-Held Mode gFor Live view mode Choose Hand-held Focus Shooting in Live View Mode No PictureExposure Compensation Hand-heldTripod AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held modeButton AF area brackets 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 Focusing During Recording Focus.BbuttonStart recording Maximum Size End recording Recording Movies When used in live view mode for extended Choose movie options Movie SettingsSelect Movie settings. Gbutton Adjust movie settings before recording Viewing Movies 2iconIs displayed in full-frame and movie playback Choose an option Editing MoviesDisplay retouch options Select Edit movie Save the copy Retouch MenuMovies can also be edited from the retouch menu 0 Page Image Quality Image Size Using Two Memory Cards This section describes how to choose image quality and size Jpeg Compression Image QualityOption File type Description NEF RAW Recording 253 Qual buttonDeleting the Jpeg copy will not delete the NEF RAW image Image Quality Menu Jpeg Compression NEF RAW Recording TypeNEF RAW Recording NEF RAW Bit Depth Image Size Qual button Sub-command dial Control panel Image Size Menu Jpeg copies only to the secondary card Using Two Memory CardsBackup and RAW Primary, Jpeg Secondary Item in the shooting menu. Select CF card slot to designate Controlling How the Camera Focuses NFocus Option Description Focus Mode Predictive Focus Tracking For the purpose of focusing the camera AF-Area Mode Area AF AF-area mode is shown in the control panel IndicatorSingle-point AF Dynamic Focus Point Selection Rotate the focus selector Lock toSelect the focus point See Also Shutter-Release Button AE-L Focus Lock Shutter-release Button AE-L/AF-L button Recompose Photograph and shoot Example blinds or a row of windows in a skyscraper Getting Good Results with AutofocusExample subject is the same color as the background Example subject is inside a cage Manual Focus AF LensesManual focus lenses Set the camera focus-mode selector to M Focal plane mark Electronic RangefinderShooting Focal Plane Position KRelease Mode Choosing a Release Mode Camera supports the following release modesMode Release mode dial lock release Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Continuous ModeSelect CH or CL mode Continuous low speed mode Buffer Size Power Source and Frame RateFrame advance rate varies with the power source used Power source Pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see Memory Buffer Self-Timer Mode Select self-timer modeFrame the photograph Timer count-down, see Custom Setting d1 Beep, 0 Start the timer Take a picture Mirror up ModeSelect mirror up mode Raise the mirrorPage Reacting Faster to Light Siso Sensitivity Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO button Main command Dial Control panel 2500, 3200, Hi 0.3, Hi 0.7, Hi ISO Sensitivity SettingsCustom Setting b1 ISO Sensitivity Menu Select On Adjust settingsSelect ISO sensitivity Auto control Auto ISO Sensitivity Control 100 Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure Metering 102Method 103 To choose a metering methodMatrix Metering Lens Types Exposure ModeMode Description 104 Button Main command dial Depth-of-Field Preview Custom Setting e4-Modeling Flash105 Shutter speed 1/320 s aperture f/9 Select exposure mode eProgrammed Auto 106 Exposure mode e, different combinations 107Flexible Program 108 Select exposure mode fShutter-Priority Auto Choose a shutter speed Choose an aperture Mode gAperture-Priority Auto Select exposure Use the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture 110Non-CPU Lenses 0 Control panel Mode hManual 111 Aperture Shutter speed Choose aperture and shutter speedShoot 112 113 Exposure IndicatorsReverse Indicators Custom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step Long Time-Exposures Ready the camera114 Shutter speed 35 s aperture f/25 Press the shutter-release button all the way downRelease the shutter-release button 115 116 Select center-weighted or Metering selector spot metering 0Autoexposure AE Lock Lock exposure Metered Area Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture117 Recompose the photograph 118 Exposure Compensation Using a Flash For information on making adjustments to exposure119 Exposure bracketing BracketingExposure and Flash Bracketing Select flash or 121 Fn button Main command Control panelBracketing indicator Choose the number of shots Fn button Sub-command Select an exposure increment122 +1 EV 123No. shots 3 increment Exposure increment Exposure increment Exposure increment Exposure Bracketing Canceling Bracketing124 Exposure and Flash Bracketing Select white balance bracketing Fn button Main command Control panel DialIndicator White Balance Bracketing Bracketing programs with an increment of 1 are listed below Select a white balance increment126 Choose from increments of 1 5 mired, 2 10 mired, or 127 White Balance Bracketing 128 129 Fn button Main commandADL Bracketing Select ADL bracketing Fn button Select Active D-Lighting130 Active D-Lighting is shown in the control panel 131 ADL Bracketing 132 141 Keeping Colors True134 137 134 White Balance Options IFluorescent 135Control panel WB button White Balance Menu 136 Color Temperature 137 Button and rotating the sub-command dialWhite Balance Menu Select a white balance Gbutton option Amber A-blue B axis and the green G-magenta M Fine tune white balancePress J 138 Mired White Balance Fine TuningColor Temperature Fine-Tuning 139 140 WB Button 141 Choose Color Temperature Neutral gray or white object is placed under Preset Manual142 Method Description Store values copied from d-0 0 White Balance Presets143 D-4 Light a reference object Set white balance to LPreset manualSelect direct measurement mode Measuring a Value for White Balance Measure white balance Check the results145 146 Select preset d-0Direct Measurement Mode Preset d-0 Select a destination Select LPresetCopy d-0 to the selected preset Manual 148 Select LPreset manualHighlight Preset manual in the white balance menu Choose Select image 149 Choosing a White Balance PresetHighlight a source image Copy white balance Select Set Selecting a White Balance PresetSelect a preset Highlight Preset manual in the white balance menu and press 151 Selecting a White Balance Preset the WB Button 152 Entering a CommentSelect Edit comment Edit the comment 153 154164 166 Control Picture ControlsSelecting a Picture Control Select Set Picture Optional Picture Controls Preset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture ControlsPicture Control Indicator 155 Or make manual adjustments to individual settings Modifying Existing Picture Controls156 157 Picture Control Settings Picture Control Grid Previous Settings158 Auto 159 Toning Monochrome OnlyCustom Picture Controls 160 Creating Custom Picture ControlsSelect Manage Picture Gbutton Control Select Save/edit Text-entry dialog shown Edit the selected Picture ControlName the Picture Control 161 162 Manage Picture Control RenameOriginal Picture Control icon Sharing Custom Picture Controls 163Saving Custom Picture Controls 164 Active D-Lighting Highlight YAuto, ZExtra Select Active D-Lighting. Gbutton165 To use active D-Lighting 166 Color SpaceSelect Color space Select a color space Nikon Software 167 168 Using the Built-in Flash 170 Built-in Flash 171 Using the Built-in FlashChoose a flash mode Press the flash pop-up button Check exposure shutter speed and aperture 172Shutter speed Aperture 173 Lowering the Built-in Flash Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent 200 400 800 1600 3200 174Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range Range Flash Modes 175D300S supports the following flash modes 176 Flash Control Mode ±0 EV Ybutton pressed +1.0 EV Flash Compensation177 YM button Assign Fn button Fn button press FV LockAssign FV lock to the Fn button 178 Release FV lock Using FV Lock with the Built-in FlashLock flash level Recompose the photograph Take the photograph Metered area Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units180 Flash unit 195 182184 189 Off Option DefaultEbutton Qual button Option Default 182 183 See page 368 for a list of default settings Exposure Multiple ExposureCreating a Multiple Exposure Select Multiple 185 Select the number of shotsSelect Auto gain Set gain 186 Select Done Other Settings 187Used 188 Interrupting Multiple Exposures Select a starting trigger Interval Timer PhotographySelect Interval timer Shooting 190 Choose a start timeChoose an interval Shots per interval Start shooting 191Out of Memory During interval timer photography, the Qicon 192During Shooting 193 Pausing Interval Timer PhotographyChoose a new starting trigger Resume shooting 194 Interrupting Interval Timer PhotographyUsing the Monitor No Photograph Zoom Lenses Non-CPU Lenses195 Focal Length Not Listed Select a focal length Non-CPU Lens Data MenuSelect Non-CPU lens Gbutton data Select a lens number 197 Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera ControlsAssign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control Use the selected control to choose a lens number Using a GPS Unit GP-1 GPS Unit198 Other GPS Units 199MC-35 200 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 211 Playback ZoomHistograms 212 Shooting Data Page 1 213 Shooting Data Page 2 214 GPS Data 215 Overview Data Viewing Multiple Images Thumbnail Playback 216Following operations can be performed Choosing a Memory Card 217 218 Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom 219 Protecting Photographs from DeletionSelect an image Press the Lbutton 220 Deleting PhotographsFull-Frame and Thumbnail Playback Press the Obutton Highlight a picture Playback MenuSelected Deleting Selected Photographs Choose Selected Select the highlighted picture Press Jto complete the operation222 239 Connecting to External Devices224 228 224 Connecting to a ComputerConnecting Cables Supported Operating Systems 225 Direct USB ConnectionTurn the camera off Turn the computer on Connect the USB cable Nikon Transfer Help menu Transfer photographs226 Select Nikon Transfer help from 227 Wireless and Ethernet NetworksMode Function Transfer Mode Printing Via Direct USB Connection Printing Photographs228 Retouch menu 0 Connecting the Printer Turn the camera off Connect the USB cable229 Display printing options Adjust printing optionsPrinting Pictures One at a Time Select a picture Printer, Print with border print Default default for currentChoose Printer default default 231 232 Start printing Choose Print select or Print Dpof Printing Multiple PicturesDisplay the PictBridge Menu Select pictures 234Use the multi selector to scroll 235 Creating Index Prints Select Index print236 Press the Gbutton Creating a Dpof Print Order Print SetChoose Select/set 237 Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order Select imprint optionsComplete the print order 238 239 Viewing Photographs on TVStandard Definition Devices Connect the supplied A/V cable as shown Slide Shows Video Mode240 Television Playback Connect to high- definition device High-Definition DevicesConnect the Hdmi cable as shown 241 242 300 244253 260 244 DThe Playback Menu 245 Playback FolderHide Image Choose Select/set. Gbutton 246 Press Jto complete the operationUse the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on 247 Display ModeSelect options Save changes and exit Choose Select images Copy ImagesChoose Select source Select the source card Select a destination folder Make the initial selectionSelect additional images Choose Select destination folder Highlight Copy images? and press Copy the images250 Folder, and press J 251 Image ReviewAfter Delete Rotate Tall Start slide show Slide Show252 Exit to return to the playback menu 253 CThe Shooting Menu 254 Renaming Shooting Menu BanksShooting Menu Bank Select a bank After editing the name, press J Enter a name255 Press 4 or 2. To enter a new Select New folder number Reset Shooting MenuNew Folder Number Active Folder Select the highlighted folder Select FolderChoose Select folder Highlight a folder Long ExposureNoise Reduction File NamingLong Exp. NR 258 259 High ISO NR 260 ACustom Settings 261 Following Custom Settings are available 262 Custom Setting BankReset Custom Settings Custom Settings Bank Focus priority in continuous-servo A1 AF-C Priority Selection263 This option controls whether 264 Single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to SA2 AF-S Priority Selection A3 Dynamic AF Area 265 Option Description Points3D-tracking Short A5 AF ActivationA6 AF Point Illumination 266 Right edge of the display is selected has no effect A7 Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ACustom Settings menuA8 AF Point Selection 267 AF-Assist Illuminator 268 269 A10 AF-On for MB-D10 B3 Exp Comp/Fine Tune 270B1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value B4 Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 271Change Main/Sub 272 B5 Center-Weighted AreaB6 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure Gbutton ACustom Settings menu Fine-Tuning Exposure C2 Auto Meter-off Delay C3 Self-Timer273 C4 Monitor off Delay 274Choose how long the monitor remains on 275 D3 Viewfinder Warning Display Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD1 Beep D2 Viewfinder Grid Display 276 D5 CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ACustom Settings menuD6 Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ACustom Settings menu D4 Screen Tips File Number Sequence ResetD7 File Number Sequence 277 278 D10 Exposure Delay ModeD8 Information Display D9 LCD Illumination 279 D11 MB-D10 Battery Type 280 D12 Battery OrderMB-D10 Battery Pack MB-D10 battery type display Battery type Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit E1 Flash Sync Speed281 This option controls flash sync speed 282 Flash-Ready IndicatorFlash Control at 1/320 s Auto FP E2 Flash Shutter Speed 283 Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash Times ManualRepeating Flash 284 Commander Mode 285Group B Select the channel Press J Adjust settings for the built-in flashAdjust settings for group a Adjust settings for group B Compose the shot Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot287 Flash Sync Mode Display Commander Mode288 E4 Modeling Flash E5 Auto Bracketing Set289 290 E6 Auto Bracketing Mode M Gbutton ACustom Settings menuExposure mode E7 Bracketing Order Choose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D Shooting ModePlayback Mode F1 DSwitch F5 Assign Fn Button Selector on the optional MB-D10 battery packF3 Multi Selector F4 Photo Info/Playback 293 Fn Button Press 294 Fn button + dials 295Number lens data option Button press are the same as for Fn button F6 Assign Preview ButtonF7 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button 296 297 F8 Customize Command Dials Gbutton ACustom Settings menu F9 Release Button to Use Dial Gbutton ACustom Settings menu 298Exposure meters turn off F11 Reverse Indicators F10 No Memory Card?299 300 LCD Brightness Video ModeFormatting, be sure to make backup copies as required Format Memory Card Option Description Auto Time Zone and Date302 Camera is equipped with an Hdmi High-Definition Language Image Comment303 304 Auto Image Rotation 305 Image Sensor CleaningImage Dust Off Ref Photo Choose a start option Image Dust Off Reference Data Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinderAcquire dust off reference data 306 307 Battery Info Copies Wireless TransmitterImage Authentication 308 Copyright Information Copyright Information309 Attach copyright information Select this Save/Load Settings 310Menu Option Tilting the Camera Saved SettingsVirtual Horizon 311 AF Fine Tune 312Value 313 AF TuningLive View Tripod Mode Eye-Fi Upload Eye-Fi Cards Firmware Version314 View the current camera firmware version 315 NThe Retouch Menu 316 Creating Retouched CopiesChoose a picture Display the retouch menu 317 Monitor off DelaySelect retouch options Create a retouched copy 318 Retouching CopiesImage Quality Lighting 319BeforeAfter Red-Eye Correction 320Use Description Viewing Cropped Copies Trim321 Trim Image Quality and Size Monochrome MonochromeFilter Effects 322 Color Balance 323Zoom Select a photograph Image OverlaySelect Image overlay Display NEF RAW images Highlight the Preview column Preview the overlay325 Save the overlay 326Image Overlay Select NEF RAW processing NEF RAW Processing327 Create Jpeg copies of NEF RAW photographs Adjust NEF RAW processing settings Copy the photograph328 329 ResizeChoose a destination Choose a size Viewing Resized Copies Choose picturesSave the resized copies 330 Select Side-by-side comparison Making a Side-by-Side ComparisonISide-by-Side Comparison 331 Side-by-Side Comparison Compare the copy with the original332 Source image is displayed on the left, the retouched copy To display My Menu, press Gand select the OMy Menu tab Adding Options to My MenuSelect Add items 333 334 Select an itemPosition the new item Add more items Delete the selected items Deleting Options from My MenuSelect Remove items Select items 336 Reordering Options in My MenuSelect Rank items Position the item 337 Displaying Recent SettingsSelect m Recent settings Select Choose tab 338 Camera Care, Options, and Resources CPU contacts Compatible Lenses340 Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring 341 AF-S/AF-I TeleconverterLens f-number 342 Non-CPU Lenses Compatible Non-CPU Lenses 343 344 Red-Eye ReductionLens AF-Assist Illumination 345 Picture angle 35mm format Picture angle D300S 346Calculating Picture Angle Lens Sync Terminal Optional Flash Units Speedlights SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash Nikon Creative Lighting System CLSCLS-Compatible Flash Units 348 Following features are available with the above flash units Flash mode/feature349 Non-TTL auto Manual Repeating flash Flash mode350 SB-80DX Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories 351200 400 800 1600 3200 Network or copied to a computer for long-term storage Other AccessoriesRechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e 0 22 352 353 Filters Nikon Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200Units Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 354 355 SoftwareBody cap 356 RemoteTerminal 357 CleaningCaring for the Camera Storage Image sensor menu Display the CleanLow-Pass Filter Place the camera base down 359 Select Clean nowSelect Clean at startup/ shutdown Highlight Clean now and press 360 Clean atClean at startup Select an option Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter Select Lock mirror up for cleaning361 Press the shutter-release button all the way down Clean the filterExamine the low-pass filter 362 Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Use a Reliable Power SourceShould be included when the camera is inspected or serviced 363 364 Caring for the Camera Battery Cautions 365 366 367 368 DefaultsPlayback Menu Defaults Shooting Menu Defaults 369 Custom Settings Menu Defaults 370 371 Setup Menu Defaults Exposure Program 372Shutter speed Extremely rare instances, unusual characters may appear TroubleshootingDisplay 373 374 Exposure mode S selected with Aselected for shutter speed 0Focus mode C use AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus 0 Shooting 375 Playback folder 0 Playback376 White balance bracketing unavailable Date of recording is not correct Set camera clock 0 Miscellaneous377 Can not change print order 378 Error MessagesIndicator Problem Solution 379 380 Xand yIcons 381 382 383 384 Type SpecificationsNikon D300S Digital Camera 385 386 Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximumAperture is f/5.6 or faster 387 388 389 390 391 Rated capacity EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery Type392 Supported Standards SD memory cards Approved Memory Cards393 Type 1 CompactFlash memory cards 394 Memory Card Capacity D6-Max. Continuous Release 0 395 Nikon standard Battery Life396 Cipa standard 397 Numerics SymbolsIndex 398 399 Connector for external 195 400 189 401 402 403 404 Page 6MB05711-03