Format Memory Card
I recommend using this menu entry to reformat your memory card after each shoot.
While you can move files from the memory card to your computer, leaving behind a
blank card, or delete files using the Playback menu’s Delete feature, both of those options
can leave behind stray files (such as those that have been marked as Protected). Format
removes those files completely and beyond retrieval (unless you use a special utility pro-
gram as described in Chapter 14) and establishes a spanking new fresh file system on
the card, including a spanking new DCIM (Digital Camera Images) folder, which will
contain subfolders for each model camera that the card happens to be used in. (That’s
why you can remove a card from your D7000, use it in another model camera, and find
that the images from each type of camera reside in folders of their own within the main
DCIM folder.) Reformatting resets all the file allocation table (FAT) pointers (which
tell the camera and your computer’s operating system where all the images reside) effi-
ciently pointing where they are supposed to on a blank card.
If you’re an efficiency nut, you can reformat a memory card without a visit to the Setup
menu by holding down the metering and Trash buttons (both marked with red Format
labels) for about two seconds. If you’d rather format the other card, rotate the main com-
mand dial to select that slot. Then press the pair of buttons again, and the D7000 will
format your card. To cancel the format, press any other button.
Or, select this menu entry, choose which memory card to format (Slot 1 or Slot 2), and
select Yes from the screen that appears. Press OK to begin the format process. Wait until
the For indicator has finished flashing on the monochrome LCD status panel.
Save User Settings
Use this entry to register your camera’s current settings in either of two special memory
banks, marked with U1 and U2 on the mode dial, where they can be retrieved and re-
established simply by rotating the dial to the bank you want to use. For example, you
might want to have one user setting for outdoor sports photography, with the D7000
set to Shutter-priority, a shutter speed of 1/1000th second, AF-C autofocus mode, and
3D-tracking AF-area mode. To save your settings, just follow these steps:
1. Choose a semi-automatic/manual exposure mode. Select from Program,
Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, or Manual modes.
2. Adjust settings.You need to set the camera to the parameters you want to store in
the U1 and U2 banks. You can select a flexible Program (P) mode setting, specify
a particular shutter speed (with the camera set to S or M modes), preferred aper-
ture (if the camera is set to A or M modes), plus exposure and flash compensation
adjustments. You can also select a flash mode, focus point, metering mode, AF and
Chapter 10 ■Setup: The Setup Menu, Retouch Menu, and My Menu 313