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Nikon D3X The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), Sync, i-TTL, FV lock, Auto FP, High-Speed, flash control, Advanced Wireless Lighting

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The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)

Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers improved communication between the camera and compatible flash units for improved flash photography. The Creative Lighting System supports the following features:

•i-TTL flash control: Improved through-the-lens (TTL) flash control for use with CLS (see page 193). Flash level is set using monitor pre-flashes to measure the light reflected by the subject, ensuring that the level is adjusted appropriately for ambient lighting.

•Advanced Wireless Lighting: Allows i-TTL flash control with remote wireless flash units.

•FV lock (pg. 198): Locks flash level at the metered value, allowing a series of photographs to be taken at the same flash level.

•Auto FP High-Speed Sync (pg. 197): Allows the flash to be used at the highest shutter speed supported by the camera, making it possible to choose the maximum aperture for reduced depth of

l field.

The CLS-compatible D3X can be used for flash photography when an optional Speedlight is mounted on the camera’s accessory shoe. A flash can be used not only when natural lighting is inadequate, but also to fill in shadows, illuminate back-lit subjects, and even to add a catch light to the eyes of a portrait subject. See the Speedlight manual for details.

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Contents

Page Where to Find It The Q&A Index The Table of Contents The Quick Start Guide The Index Package Contents Symbols and Conventions ATrademark Information X Introduction s Tutorial d Image Recording Options N Focus k Release Mode Q&A Index ❚❚ Menus and Displays ❚❚ Taking Photographs ❚❚ Viewing Photographs ❚❚ Retouching Photographs ❚❚Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices ❚❚ Optional Accessories Table of Contents Introduction Tutorial Image Recording Options Focus Release Mode ISO Sensitivity Exposure White Balance Image Enhancement Flash Photography Other Shooting Options More About Playback Voice Memos Connections Menu Guide Page Page Technical Notes For Your Safety Page Page Notices IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS—SAVETHESE INSTRUCTIONS Page ABefore Taking Important Pictures ALife-LongLearning •For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com For users in the U.S.A •For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support XIntroduction Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body (Continued) ❚❚Attaching the Camera Strap DThe Speaker and Microphone Page The Top Control Panel Page The Rear Control Panel ALCD Illuminators Page The Viewfinder Display DNo Battery DThe Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays The Shooting Information Display ASee Also Page The Command Dials BKT button Ebutton Mbutton Ibutton ❚❚Image Quality and Size Choose an image area (pg 64) Set image ❚❚Exposure X Choose the exposure mode (pg. 113) Choose a Shutter speed lock (exposure mode for h; pg. 123) Aperture lock ❚❚White Balance ❚❚Flash Settings Choose flash mode (pg. 196) AThe Fn Button The The BS-2Accessory Shoe Cover Quick Start Guide 6Check camera settings (pp. 48, 51) 7Select single-servoautofocus (pg. 53, 74) 8 Focus and shoot (pp. 55, 56) 9 View the photograph (pg. 57) sTutorial Camera Menus ❚❚Menus Menu D Playback C Shooting A Custom Settings Using Camera Menus ❚❚Menu Controls ❚❚Navigating the Menus 1 Display the menus 2Highlight the icon for the current menu 3Select a menu 4Position the cursor in the selected menu 5Highlight a menu item 6Display options 7Highlight an option 8Select the highlighted item Help First Steps 4Charge the battery 5Remove the battery when charging is complete ACalibration Insert the Battery 1 Turn the camera off 2Remove the battery-chambercover 3Attach the cover to the battery 4 Insert the battery 5 Latch the cover AEN-EL4aRechargeable Li-ionBatteries DThe Battery and Charger ACompatible Batteries ARemoving the Battery Attach a Lens 1Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap 2Attach the lens A-M M/A-M ❚❚ Detaching the Lens DCPU Lenses with Aperture Rings ALens AImage Area Basic Setup 1 Turn the camera on 2 Select [Language] 3Select a language 4Select [World time] Set time zone 6Turn daylight saving time on or off 7Set the date and time 8Set date format 9 Exit to shooting mode AThe BIcon AThe Clock Battery AThe Camera Clock Insert a Memory Card s 1 Turn the camera off 2 Open the card slot cover AMemory Card Slots 3Insert the memory card DInserting Memory Cards Access lamp Rear label Direction of insertion ❚❚Removing Memory Cards 1Turn the camera off 2 Remove the memory card DMemory Cards Formatting Memory Cards 2 Press the Qbuttons 3Press the Qbuttons again ANo Memory Card A See Also Adjust Viewfinder Focus 1 Lift the diopter adjustment knob 2 Focus the viewfinder 3Replace the diopter adjustment knob Basic Photography and Playback 3 Check the number of exposures remaining ALarge-CapacityMemory Cards AThe Battery Indicator AAuto Meter Off 6 s ACamera Off Display Adjust Camera Settings 1Check camera settings 2 Choose exposure mode e 3Choose single frame release mode Release mode dial lock release Release mode dial 4 Choose single-pointAF 5 Choose single-servo autofocus 6 Choose matrix metering Ready the Camera Focus and Shoot 1Press the shutter- release button halfway to focus (pg 56) 2Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot AThe Shutter-ReleaseButton Viewing Photographs 1Press the Kbutton 2View additional pictures AImage Review Deleting Unwanted Photographs s1 Display the photograph Kbutton 2Delete the photograph A[Delete] dImage Recording Options Image Area ❚❚Choose Image Area FX format c (36x24) DX format (24x16) ADX Lenses AThe Viewfinder Display ❚❚The Image Area Menu 1Select [Image area] 2Choose an option 3Adjust settings ❚❚The Fn Button AInformation Display (pg. 14) DAuto DX Crop AThe Fn, Depth-of-FieldPreview, and AE-L/AF-LButtons AImage Size Image Quality AFile Size ANEF (RAW) Recording AJPEG Compression ANEF (RAW)+JPEG AThe Image Quality Menu ❚❚The JPEG Compression Menu Size priority d P Optimal quality ❚❚The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: Type Lossless N compressed O Compressed ❚❚The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: NEF (RAW) Bit Depth Image Size QUAL button Sub-commanddial AThe Image Size Menu Slot NFocus Focus Mode AThe BButtons APredictive Focus Tracking Bbutton AF-AreaMode AAF-AreaMode Information AF-areamode AManual Focus Focus Point Selection APortrait (Tall-Orientation)Photographs Focus Lock Continuous-servoAF Shutter-release AE-L/AF-Lbutton 3Recompose the photograph and shoot Getting Good Results with Autofocus Manual Focus The Electronic Rangefinder AFocal Plane Position Focal plane mark kRelease Mode Choosing a Release Mode Page Continuous Mode AThe Memory Buffer Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) Hand-HeldMode (g) 1 Select live view mode 2Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu 3 Press the shutter-releasebutton all the way down 4Frame a picture in the monitor 5 Focus Manual focus 6Take the picture DNo Picture Tripod Mode (h) 1Ready the camera 2 Select live view mode 3Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu 4 Frame a picture in the 5 Press the shutter-release button all the way down 6 Focus DContrast-DetectAutofocus Manual focus AExposure Preview ARemote Cords 7Take the picture DFocusing with Contrast-DetectAutofocus DShooting in Live View Mode AThe Shooting Information Display Shooting information Virtual horizon off Shooting info + histogram 1 Self-TimerMode 3 Start the timer Mirror up Mode SISO Sensitivity Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually AISO Sensitivity Settings Custom Setting b1 ISO sensitivity settings available AHi 0.3–Hi2 ALo 0.3–Lo1 Auto ISO Sensitivity Control AAuto ISO Sensitivity Control Page VExposure Metering A3D Color Matrix II Metering Exposure Mode ADepth-of-FieldPreview ACustom Setting e3—ModelingFlash Preview button e: Programmed Auto 1Select exposure mode e AFlexible Program f: Shutter-PriorityAuto 1Select exposure mode f Z 2 Choose a shutter speed 3Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot g: Aperture-PriorityAuto 1Select exposure mode g Z2 Choose an aperture ANon-CPULenses h: Manual 1 Select exposure mode h Z2 Choose aperture and shutter speed Setting apertureCUSTOM speed AAF Micro Nikkor Lenses AElectronic Analog Exposure Displays ALong Time-Exposures Shutter-SpeedandApertureLock ❚❚Aperture Lock Autoexposure (AE) Lock 3Recompose the photograph AMetered Area AAdjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture Exposure Compensation –1EV Bracketing ❚❚Exposure and Flash Bracketing 1Select flash or exposure bracketing 2Choose the number of shots BKT 3Select an exposure increment 4Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot ❚❚Canceling Bracketing AExposure and Flash Bracketing AExposure Bracketing ❚❚White Balance Bracketing 1Select white balance bracketing 3Select a white balance increment Sub-commandTop control panel Page AWhite Balance Bracketing rWhite Balance White Balance Options N Flash G Cloudy M Shade L Preset manual WB button AStudio Flash Lighting AColor Temperature Fine-TuningWhite Balance 2Fine tune white balance 3 Press J AWhite Balance Fine Tuning A“Mired” ❚❚The WB Button Choosing a Color Temperature Preset Manual d-0 d-1–d-4 AWhite Balance Presets ❚❚Measuring a Value for White Balance 1Light a reference object 2Set white balance to L([Preset manual]) WB button Main command dial Rear control panel 3Select direct measurement mode 4Measure white balance 5Check the results 6Select preset d-0 DDirect Measurement Mode APreset d-0 ❚❚Copying White Balance from d-0to Presets d-1–d-4 1Select L([Preset manual]) 2Select a destination 3Copy d-0to the selected preset ❚❚Copying White Balance from a Photograph (d-1–d-4Only) 4Highlight a source image 5Copy white balance AChoosing a White Balance Preset ❚❚Selecting a White Balance Preset 2Select a preset 3Select [Set] ASelecting a White Balance Preset: the WB Button ❚❚Entering a Comment 3 Select [Edit comment] 4Edit the comment Page JImage Enhancement Picture Controls ❚❚Using Picture Controls Select Nikon Picture Controls Modify existing Picture Controls Share custom Picture Controls Manage custom Picture Controls Selecting Nikon Picture Controls Q Standard R Neutral S Vivid Monochrome AThe Picture Control Grid AThe Picture Control Indicator Modifying Existing Picture Controls 1Select a Picture Control 2Adjust settings 3Press J ❚❚Picture Control Settings Quick adjust adjustmentsManual Hue Filter DActive D-Lighting D“A” (Auto) JA Previous Settings AFilter Effects (Monochrome Only) AToning (Monochrome Only) ACustom Picture Controls Creating Custom Picture Controls 1Select [Manage Picture Control] 2Select [Save/edit] 3Select a Picture Control 4Edit the selected control 5Select a destination 6Name the Picture Control AThe Original Picture Control Icon Sharing Custom Picture Controls ❚❚Copying Custom Picture Controls to the Camera 1Select [Load/save] 2Select [Copy to camera] 4Select a destination 5Name the Picture Control AUse Slot ❚❚Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory Card 1Select [Copy to card] 3Choose a destination ASaving Custom Picture Controls Managing Custom Picture Controls ❚❚Renaming Custom Picture Controls 1Select [Rename] 3 Rename the Picture Control ❚❚Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera 1Select [Delete] 3Select [Yes] ANikon Picture Controls ❚❚Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Memory Card 4Select [Yes] Active D-Lighting 1Select [Active D-Lighting] Color Space AColor Space JA Nikon Software lFlash Photography The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) Compatible Flash Units AGuide Number Page AThe WG-AS1Water Guard AModeling Illumination Other Flash Units DNotes on Optional Speedlights 17–19mm 20–105mm Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of: i-TTLFlash Control Flash Modes Page ❚❚Choosing a Flash Mode AStudio Flash Systems AShutter Speed and Aperture Aperture See page FV Lock 4Focus 5Lock flash level 6Recompose the photograph 7Take the photograph 8Release FV lock AMetering Flash Contacts Page tOther Shooting Options Two-ButtonReset: Restoring Default Settings Two-ButtonReset: Restoring Default Settings ISO ISO WB button button Default Page Multiple Exposure 3Select the number of shots 4Select [Auto gain] 5Set gain 6Select [Done] 7Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot DMultiple Exposure AVoice Memos AInterval Timer Photography A Other Settings ❚❚Interrupting Multiple Exposures Interval Timer Photography 3Choose a start time 4Choose an interval 5Choose the number of intervals and number of shots per interval 6Start shooting AThe Viewfinder Eyepiece DOut of Memory DBracketing ADuring Shooting ❚❚Pausing Interval Timer Photography 1Choose a new starting trigger 2Resume shooting ❚❚Interrupting Interval Timer Photography ❚❚No Photograph A Release Mode A Using the Monitor AShooting Menu Banks Non-CPULenses ❚❚The Non-CPULens Data Menu 1Select [Non-CPUlens data] 2Select a lens number 3Select a focal length 4Select a maximum 5Select [Done] ❚❚Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera Controls 1Assign non-CPUlens number selection to a camera control t2 Use the selected control to choose a lens number Using a GPS Unit ❚❚Other GPS Units ❚❚The kIcon AGPS Data ❚❚Setup Menu Options [Auto meter off] [Position] AHeading ACoordinated Universal Time (UTC) IMore About Playback Full-FramePlayback Page ATwo Memory Cards Photo Information ❚❚File Information ❚❚Highlights ❚❚RGB Histogram Highlight display off AHistograms ❚❚Shooting Data Page 1 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 2 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 3 ❚❚ Shooting Data Page 4 ❚❚GPS Data1 ❚❚Overview Data Page Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback Page Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom Protecting Photographs from Deletion Deleting Individual Photographs Page eVoice Memos Recording Voice Memos ❚❚Voice Memo Overwrite ❚❚Voice Memo Button Pressand b hold Press to Automatic Recording (Shooting Mode) Manual Recording (Shooting Mode) D Automatic Recording DSlot Playback Mode 1Choose a photograph 2Press and hold the Hbutton ADuring Recording AInterrupting Recording AAfter Recording AVoice Memo File Names Playing Voice Memos Voice Memo Playback Options QConnections Connecting to a Computer ❚❚Before Connecting the Camera Operating system • Windows XP Service Pack Mac OS 1Select a USB option 2 Turn the camera off 3Turn the computer on 4Connect the USB cable DThe USB Cable Clip 5 Turn the camera on 6Transfer photographs DDuring Transfer 7Turn the camera off Windows Vista Mac OS Wireless and Ethernet Networks Function D USB DWT-4A/B/C/D/E Printing Photographs Take photographs Select [MTP/PTP] in camera [USB] menu and connect camera to printer (pg. 264) Disconnect USB cable D USB Hubs ❚❚Connecting the Printer 1Select [MTP/PTP] 2Turn the camera off 3Connect the USB cable 4Turn the camera on ❚❚Printing Pictures One at a Time 1Select a picture 2 Display printing options 3Adjust printing options Page size No. of copies Border 4Start printing DSelecting Photographs for Printing Printing Multiple Pictures 1Display the PictBridge menu 2Choose [Print select] or [Print (DPOF)] •[Print select]: Select pictures for printing [Print (DPOF)] 3 Select pictures 4 Display printing options 5Adjust printing options 6 Start printing QA Page Size, Border, Time Stamp, and Cropping ❚❚Creating Index Prints 1Select [Index print] 2Display printing options 4 Start printing ❚❚Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set 1Choose [Select/set] 2 Select pictures 3Select imprint options [Data imprint] [Imprint date] 4Complete the print order DPrint Set Viewing Photographs on TV 4Turn the camera on and press Kbutton A Video Mode (pg. 348) A Television Playback A Audio Output (pg. 254) A Slide Shows High-DefinitionDevices 2Connect the HDMI cable as shown Connect to high- definition device 3Tune the device to the HDMI channel UMenu Guide DThe Playback Menu: Managing Images Selecting Multiple Pictures 1Highlight a picture 2Press the center of the multi selector to select the highlighted picture 3Repeat steps 1 and 2 to select additional pictures 4 Press Jto complete the operation Delete Playback Folder Hide Image Display Mode Copy Image(s) 3Preselect all or protected images [Deselect all] [Select all images] [Select protected images] 4Select images 7Select a destination folder 8Select [Copy image(s)?] 9Select [Yes] DCopy Image(s) Image Review After Delete Rotate Tall Slide Show Print Set (DPOF) Page Shooting Menu Bank 2 Enter a name 3 Save changes and exit Reset Shooting Menu Active Folder 2Choose a folder number 3Save changes and exit ❚❚Select Folder 1Choose [Select folder] 2Highlight a folder 3Select the highlighted folder DFolder and File Numbers File Naming Slot Image Quality Image Size Image Area JPEG Compression NEF (RAW) Recording Set Picture Control Manage Picture Control Color Space Active D-Lighting Vignette Control Long Exp. NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) High ISO NR ISO Sensitivity Settings Live View Multiple Exposure Interval Timer Shooting ACustom Settings: Fine-TuningCamera Settings Page B: Custom Setting Bank A: Reset Custom Settings a1: AF-CPriority Selection a2: AF-SPriority Selection a3: Dynamic AF Area 51 points A3D-Tracking a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On a5: AF Activation a6: Focus Point Illumination a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around a8: AF Point Selection a9: AF-ONButton a10: Vertical AF-ONButton b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl b3: EV Steps for Exposure Comp b4: Easy Exposure Compensation b5: Center-WeightedArea b6: Fine Tune Optimal Exposure 3Select a metering method 4Choose an exposure value DFine-TuningExposure c1: Shutter-ReleaseButton AE-L c2: Auto Meter-offDelay c3: Self-TimerDelay c4: Monitor off Delay d1: Beep d2: Shooting Speed d3: Max. Continuous Release d4: File Number Sequence d5: Control Panel/Viewfinder d6: Shooting Info Display d7: LCD Illumination d8: Exposure Delay Mode e1: Flash Sync Speed e2: Flash Shutter Speed e3: Modeling Flash e4: Auto Bracketing Set e5: Auto Bracketing (Mode M) e6: Bracketing Order f1: Multi Selector Center Button f2: Multi Selector f3: Photo Info/Playback f4: Assign FUNC. Button t burst Matrix L metering Fn weighted N metering AVirtual Horizon ❚❚FUNC. Button+Dials image area i(FX/DX/5:4) m image area (FX/DX) 1Choose [Focus point-selection] 2 Unlock the shutter-release button for vertical lock shooting 3Select the focus point f5: Assign Preview Button f6: Assign AE-L/AF-LButton f7: Customize Command Dials Menus and DLive View f8: Release Button to Use Dial f9: No Memory Card f10: Reverse Indicators BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup Format Memory Card LCD Brightness Lock Mirror up for Cleaning Video Mode HDMI World Time Language Image Comment Auto Image Rotation Voice Memo Voice Memo Overwrite Voice Memo Button Audio Output USB Dust off Ref Photo 3Acquire dust off reference data DImage Dust Off Reference Data Battery Info Wireless Transmitter Image Authentication Copyright Information Save/Load Settings ASaved Settings GPS Virtual Horizon Non-CPULens Data AF Fine Tune Firmware Version NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies Creating Retouched Copies 1Select an item in the retouch menu 2Select a picture 3Display retouch options 4 Create a retouched copy DRetouching Copies AImage Quality D-Lighting Red-EyeCorrection Trim Monochrome Filter Effects Color Balance Image Overlay 4Select the highlighted photograph 7Highlight the [Preview] column 8Preview the overlay 9Save the overlay DImage Overlay Side-by-SideComparison 3 Compare the copy with the original DSide-by-SideComparison OMy Menu: Creating a Custom Menu 4Position the new item 5Add more items Deleting Options from My Menu 1Select [Remove items] 2Select items 3Select [Done] 4Delete the selected items Reordering Options in My Menu 1Select [Rank items] 2Select an item 3Position the item AReordering Items in My Menu Displaying Recent Settings 1Select [Choose tab] 2Select [Recent Settings] nTechnical Notes Compatible Lenses Page DIncompatible Accessories and Non-CPULenses ALens f-number ARecognizing CPU and Type G and D Lenses CPU contacts Type G lens AThe AF-S/AF-ITeleconverter ACompatible Non-CPULenses APicture Angle and Focal Length Other Accessories Focusing Screens Magnifier DG-2 eyepiece Eyepiece Adapter DK-18 Filters • Nikon Speedlights SB-900, SB-800, SB-600,and SB-400 Optional flash units • Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 Capture NX BF-1B BF-1A Body Caps Body cap Remote Remote Cord MC-30 terminal accessories GPS Unit GP-1 Modulite Remote Control Set ❚❚Approved Memory Cards Caring for the Camera Replacing the Focusing Screen 1 Remove the lens 2 Unlatch the screen holder 3Remove the existing screen 4 Insert the replacement screen 5Latch the screen holder DReplacing Focusing Screens A Framing Grids Replacing the Clock Battery 1Remove the main battery 2 Open the clock battery chamber 3Remove the clock battery 4 Insert the replacement battery 5 Close the clock battery chamber 6Replace the main battery 7Set the camera clock ACAUTION D Inserting the Clock Battery The Low-PassFilter 1Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter 2Select [Lock mirror up for cleaning] 4 Raise the mirror 5Examine the low-passfilter 6 Clean the filter Page Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions Lens contacts Page Batteries Troubleshooting ❚❚ Shooting Page Page Page ❚❚ Playback ❚❚ Miscellaneous Error Messages Page Page Page be used damaged not formatted Format the Folder images hidden data this file Paper jam Check ink supply Out of ink Appendix Defaults ❚❚Defaults Restored with a Two-ButtonReset (pg. 204) Other ❚❚Defaults Restored with [Reset Shooting Menu] (pg. 293) ❚❚Defaults Restored with [Reset Custom Settings] (pg. 304) Page Page Memory Card Capacity ❚❚FX format (36 × 24) Image Area ❚❚DX Format (24 × 16) Image Area A d3—Max.Continuous Release (pg. 321) Exposure Program Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Calibrating Batteries DBattery Warning ACharging and Calibrating Two Batteries Page ASupported Standards DCF Version ABattery Life Index