Nikon D800, D800E Exposure Compensation

Exposure Compensation

Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. It is most effective when used with center-weighted or spot metering (0 115). Choose from values between –5 EV (underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments of 1/3 EV. In general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it darker.

–1 EV	No exposure	+1 EV
	compensation

To choose a value for exposure compensation, press the Ebutton and rotate the main command dial until the desired value is displayed in the viewfinder or control panel.

Ebutton	Maincommand
	dial

±0 EV–0.3 EV+2.0 EV (Ebutton pressed)

130

Contents

Page Symbols and Conventions bold Camera Settings Help Digitutor Where to Find It Q&A Index Retouching Photographs Menus and Settings Connections Maintenance and Optional Accessories Table of Contents Introduction Tutorial Live View Photography Movie Live View Image Recording Options Focus Release Mode ISO Sensitivity Exposure White Balance Image Enhancement Flash Photography Other Shooting Options More About Playback Connections Menu Guide Page Page Page Technical Notes For Your Safety Page Page Notices Page Page DUse Only Nikon Brand Accessories DServicing the Camera and Accessories 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 Quick Start Guide 5Turn the camera on (0 37) A See Also 6 Select autofocus (0 91) 7Focus and shoot (0 40, 41) 8 View the photograph (0 43) XIntroduction Package Contents Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body DThe Microphone and Speaker Camera Body (Continued) Page The Control Panel Page The Viewfinder Display DNo Battery DThe Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays The Information Display Page The Information Display (Continued) ❚❚Changing Settings in the Information Display ATool Tips Screen tips The BM-12Monitor Cover sTutorial Camera Menus Using Camera Menus 3Select a menu 4Position the cursor in the selected menu 5Highlight a menu item 6Display options Help First Steps Charge the Battery 4Plug the charger in CHARGE DCharging the Battery Battery Charging charging complete s5 Remove the battery when charging is complete Insert the Battery ARemoving the Battery DEN-EL15Rechargeable Li-ionBatteries DThe Battery and Charger Attach a Lens 3Attach the lens A-M M/A-M M/A ADetaching the Lens Basic Setup 4Select Time zone and date Select Time zone and date and press 5Set time zone Time zone UTC 8Set date format 9 Exit to shooting mode AThe Clock Battery AThe Camera Clock AGPS Units (0 215) Insert a Memory Card 3Insert the memory card SD memory cards Access lamp DInserting Memory Cards Eject button DMemory Card Icons AUsing Two Memory Cards ARemoving Memory Cards Information display Format the Memory Card 3Press the I(Q) and O(Q) buttons again D Memory Cards A The Write Protect Switch A No Memory Card Format memory card Adjust Viewfinder Focus AAdjusting Viewfinder Focus ADiopter-AdjustmentViewfinder Lenses Turn the Camera On 3Check the number of exposures remaining Ready the Camera Focus and Shoot 3 Shoot AThe Shutter-ReleaseButton AAuto Meter Off 6 s AThe Multi Selector ACamera Off Display Viewing Photographs Deleting Unwanted Photographs xLive View Photography 1 Rotate the live view selector to C (live view photography) 2 Press the abutton 3Position the focus point 4 Focus Bbutton AExposure Preview Contrast 5 Take the picture 6 Exit live view mode D Using Autofocus in Live View Focusing in Live View ❚❚Choosing an AF-AreaMode Mode Subject-tracking Sub-command DSubject Tracking The Live View Display: Live View Photography ❚❚Adjusting Monitor Hue Flash Preset manual 1 Highlight the monitor hue indicator Wbutton ❚❚Adjusting Monitor Brightness 1Highlight the monitor brightness indicator 2 Adjust monitor brightness The Information Display: Live View Photography Manual Focus DShooting in Live View Mode Flicker reduction DThe Count Down Display AHDMI Page yMovie Live View 4 Choose an AF-areamode 5 Focus AExposure Mode 6Start recording Time remaining AAudio 7 End recording AMaximum Length ATaking Photographs DThe Count-DownDisplay Indices The Live View Display: Movie Live View ❚❚Adjusting Settings in the Live View Display 1 Highlight a setting 2 Adjust the highlighted setting AUsing an External Microphone AHeadphones The Information Display: Movie Live View Image Area AMovie Live View Photographs Size (pixels) Print size (cm/in.) ARemote Cords Record movies Assign shutter button DRecording Movies Movie Settings 1 Select Movie settings 2Choose movie options Viewing Movies AThe pIcon AThe 2Icon Editing Movies Trimming Movies 3Display movie edit options 4Select Choose start/end point Highlight Choose start/ end point and press J 5 Delete frames 6Save the copy •Save as new file: Save the copy to a new file Overwrite existing file Cancel DTrimming Movies Saving Selected Frames 5Save the copy Yes ASave Selected Frame Save selected frame Image Area ❚❚Choose Image Area c 1.0× (FX format) 1.2× DX (24×16) A DX Lenses A The Viewfinder Display a5 (AF point illumination, 0 284) ❚❚The Image Area Menu 1 Select Image area in the shooting menu Image area 2Choose an option ❚❚Camera Controls 1Assign image area selection to a camera control Choose image area Assign button Image Quality Tbutton ANEF (RAW) Images ANEF+JPEG AThe Image Quality Menu ❚❚JPEG Compression Size priority Optimal quality ❚❚NEF (RAW) Recording > Type Image Size AThe Image Size Menu Using Two Memory Cards Page NFocus Autofocus Autofocus Mode AF-modebutton AThe BButton N A Predictive Focus Tracking AF activation AF-AreaMode Auto-area A3D-tracking AAF-AreaMode AManual Focus Focus tracking with lock-on Focus Point Selection AAuto-areaAF Focus Lock 3Recompose the photograph and shoot ALocking Focus with the BButton AGetting Good Results with Autofocus Manual Focus The Electronic Rangefinder kRelease Mode Choosing a Release Mode Power Source and Frame Rate ABuffer Size AThe Memory Buffer Max continuous release Self-TimerMode 4 Start the timer AUsing the Built-inFlash Mirror up Mode SISO Sensitivity Manual Adjustment AThe ISO Sensitivity Menu AHi 0.3–Hi2 ALo 0.3–Lo1 Auto ISO Sensitivity Control 3Adjust settings using Maximum sensitivity Maximum sensitivity ISO sensitivity Maximum sensitivity ATurning Auto ISO Sensitivity Control on or Off Page VExposure Metering Metering selector Fine-tune optimal exposure Exposure Mode e: Programmed Auto f: Shutter-PriorityAuto g: Aperture-PriorityAuto ANon-CPULenses (0 371, 374) h: Manual AAF Micro NIKKOR Lenses AExposure Indicators EV steps for exposure cntrl Long Time-Exposures 3 Choose a shutter speed 4Press the shutter-releasebutton all the way down 5Release the shutter-releasebutton Shutter-SpeedandApertureLock 1Assign shutter speed and aperture lock to a camera control 2Lock shutter speed and/or aperture Fn button Main command dial Page Autoexposure (AE) Lock AMetered Area AAdjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture Exposure Compensation A Exposure Mode h AUsing a Flash Exp./flash comp. step value Easy exposure compensation Bracketing Auto bracketing set AE & Flash only 2Choose the number of shots 3Select an exposure increment Bracketing order Assign BKT button 4Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot No. shots: 3; increment: ❚❚Canceling Bracketing AExposure and Flash Bracketing Interval between shots AExposure Bracketing ❚❚White Balance Bracketing 1Select white balance bracketing 3Select a white balance increment Page AWhite Balance Bracketing ❚❚ADL Bracketing 1Select ADL bracketing 3Select Active D-Lighting Page AADL Bracketing rWhite Balance White Balance Options LPreset manual Ubutton AThe Shooting Menu IFluorescent AStudio Flash Lighting AColor Temperature 5,200 K 5,400 K 6,000 K 3,000 K Fine-TuningWhite Balance ❚❚The White Balance Menu 1 Select a white balance option in the shooting menu Fluorescent Choose color temp 2Fine-tunewhite balance 3Press J AWhite Balance Fine-Tuning A“Mired” ❚❚The UButton Choose color temp Preset manual Choosing a Color Temperature 4Press J DChoose Color Temperature Fluorescent Preset Manual ❚❚Measuring a Value for White Balance 1Light a reference object 2Set white balance to L(Preset manual) 3Select a preset 4Select direct measurement mode 5Measure white balance AProtected Presets 6Check the results b a DDirect Measurement Mode ASelecting a Preset ❚❚Copying White Balance from a Photograph 1 Select L(Preset manual) for White balance in the shooting menu 2Select a destination 3Choose Select image Select image 4Highlight a source image 5 Copy white balance AChoosing a White Balance Preset ❚❚Entering a Comment 1Select L(Preset manual) 2Select a preset 3Select Edit comment Highlight Edit comment and press ❚❚Protecting a White Balance Preset Fine-tune Edit comment 3Select Protect Protect Page JImage Enhancement Picture Controls Selecting a Picture Control 2 Select a Picture Control APreset Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture Controls AThe Picture Control Indicator Set Picture Control Modifying Existing Picture Controls ❚❚Picture Control Settings Quick adjust Vivid Neutral Monochrome D“A” (Auto) AThe Picture Control Grid APrevious Settings AFilter Effects (Monochrome Only) Filter effects AToning (Monochrome Only) ACustom Picture Controls Creating Custom Picture Controls 4Edit the selected Picture Control 5Select a destination 6Name the Picture Control Keyboard 7 Save changes and exit Manage Picture Control > Rename AThe Original Picture Control Icon Original Picture Control icon Sharing Custom Picture Controls ASaving Custom Picture Controls Preserving Detail in Highlights and Shadows Active D-Lighting 1 Select Active D-Lightingin the shooting menu 2 Choose an option D Active D-Lighting High Dynamic Range (HDR) 2Select a mode HDR mode To take one HDR photograph 3Choose the exposure differential Exposure differential 4Choose the amount of smoothing Smoothing 5Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot On (series) HDR mode On (single photo) DFraming HDR Photographs AThe DButton AInterval Timer Photography AShooting Menu Banks lFlash Photography Using the Built-inFlash 3Choose a flash mode M(Y) button Main command dial 4Check exposure (shutter speed and aperture) 5Take the picture ALowering the Built-in Flash Flash Modes AShutter Speeds and Apertures Available with the Built-inFlash AFlash Control Mode Flash cntrl for built-in Flash sync DThe Built-inFlash Flash sync speed Flash shutter speed AAperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range Flash Compensation A Optional Flash Units FV Lock 4 Lock flash level 5Recompose the photograph 6Take the photograph 7Release FV lock AUsing FV Lock with the Built-inFlash AUsing FV Lock with Optional Flash Units AMetering Two-ButtonReset: Restoring Default Settings ❚❚Other Settings Multiple Exposure Multiple exposure mode •To take a series of multiple Off for Multiple exposure mode To take one multiple exposure 3Choose the number of shots 4Choose the amount of gain Auto gain 5Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot ❚❚Interrupting Multiple Exposures DMultiple Exposure AOther Settings Interval Timer Photography 3Choose the interval 4Choose the number of intervals and number of shots per interval DBefore Shooting Time zone and date 5 Start shooting Now Choose start time ACover the Viewfinder DOut of Memory ABracketing ADuring Shooting ❚❚Pausing Interval Timer Photography Start Pause 1Choose a new starting time 2 Resume shooting ❚❚Interrupting Interval Timer Photography Shooting menu bank ❚❚No Photograph ARelease Mode tA Shooting Menu Banks Time-LapsePhotography 2Press 4Select the shooting time D Time-LapsePhotography ACalculating the Length of the Final Movie for Movie settings > Frame size/frame rate. A 1920 × 1080; A Cover the Viewfinder ❚❚Interrupting Time-LapsePhotography •Selecting Start > Off in the Time-lapsephotography menu Non-CPULenses 1 Select Non-CPUlens data in the setup menu lens data 2Select a lens number 4 Select Done 1Assign non-CPUlens number selection to a camera control Use the selected control to choose a lens number Using a GPS Unit AThe kIcon (static) No icon AHeading ACoordinated Universal Time (UTC) ❚❚Setup Menu Options GPS Enable Disable Position Page IMore About Playback Viewing Images Full-FramePlayback Thumbnail Playback Playback Controls ATwo Memory Cards AResuming Shooting Photo Information ❚❚File Information ❚❚Highlights ❚❚RGB Histogram APlayback Zoom AHistograms ❚❚Shooting Data Page ❚❚GPS Data1 ❚❚Overview Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom Page Protecting Photographs from Deletion Deleting Photographs Full-Frameand Thumbnail Playback 3Press the O(Q) button again O(Q) button After delete The Playback Menu 3Select the highlighted picture 4 Press Jto complete the operation Page QConnections Connecting to a Computer Before Connecting the Camera 1Start the computer and insert the ViewNX 2 installer CD Windows Mac OS Double-clickicon on desktop 4Exit the installer 5Remove the installer CD from the CD-ROMdrive DConnecting Cables AWindows All Programs DSystem Requirements Direct USB Connection 5Start Nikon Transfer Import file using Nikon Transfer Import file 6Click Start Transfer Start Transfer Ethernet and Wireless Networks AMovies Auto send Send folder Transfer settings AThumbnail Select Mode Printing Photographs Connecting the Printer Printing Pictures One at a Time 2 Display printing options border No cropping Crop 4Start printing Printing Multiple Pictures 4 Display printing options 5Adjust printing options 6Start printing Start printing Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set 3Select imprint options Print shooting data Print date 4 Complete the print order DPrint Set Viewing Photographs on TV 2Connect the HDMI cable as shown Connect to high definition device camera HDMI Options ATelevision Playback ASlide Shows Slide show AHDMI and Live View UMenu Guide DThe Playback Menu: Playback Folder Hide Image Hide image 1Choose Select/set 2Select pictures Playback Display Options Copy Image(s) Select source Select destination folder Copy image(s) 4Select the source folder 5Make the initial selection Select all 6Select additional images 7Choose Select destination folder 8Select a destination folder Select folder by number Select folder from list 9Copy the images Copy image(s) Image Review After Delete Show next previous U Continue Slide Show movies, Still images only, and Movies only Restart Exit Page Shooting Menu Bank Extended menu banks Interval timer shooting Multiple exposure Time-lapse ❚❚Restoring Default Settings Shooting menu bank menu Extended Menu Banks Storage Folder ❚❚Select Folder by Number 1 Choose Select folder by number 2Choose a folder number 3Save changes and exit ❚❚Select Folder from List 1Choose Select folder from list Highlight Select folder from list and press 2Highlight a folder 3Select the highlighted folder File Naming File naming AExtensions Color Space sRGB Adobe RGB AColor Space ANikon Software Vignette Control Vignette control AVignette Control Auto Distortion Control ARetouch: Distortion Control Long Exposure NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) l m High ISO NR Normal, and Low ACustom Settings: Page Custom Settings Bank Custom settings bank ACustom Settings Bank a: Autofocus a2: AF-SPriority Selection Release Focus a3: Focus Tracking with Lock-On Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu a5: AF point Illumination a6: Focus Point Wrap-Around Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu a7: Number of Focus Points a8: Built-in AF-assistIlluminator Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu AThe AF-AssistIlluminator b: Metering/Exposure b3: Exp./Flash Comp. Step Value Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu b4: Easy Exposure Compensation Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu AShow ISO/Easy ISO b5: Center-WeightedArea Average lens data Fine-Tun ptimal Exposure c: Timers/AE Lock c2: Auto Meter-offDelay c3: Self-Timer Self-timer d: Shooting/Display d2: CL Mode Shooting Speed Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu d3: Max. Continuous Release Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu d4: Exposure Delay Mode 1 s 2 s d5: File Number Sequence DFile Number Sequence d6: Viewfinder Grid Display d7: ISO Display and Adjustment Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu d8: Screen Tips d9: Information Display AUTO Dark on light Light on dark d10: LCD Illumination d11: MB-D12Battery Type 1 LR6 (AA alkaline) 2 HR6 (AA Ni-MH) 3 FR6 (AA lithium) AUsing AA Batteries d12: Battery Order AThe MB-D12Battery Pack e: Bracketing/Flash ❚❚Auto FP High-SpeedSync 1/250 s DThe Flash-ReadyIndicator e2: Flash Shutter Speed 1/60 s e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-inFlash Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu r TTL s Manual Repeating mode A“Manual” and “Repeating Flash” AThe SB-400 A“Times“ Repeating Flash 1/42 ❚❚Commander Mode TTL Group A 1/1 1/128 1Adjust settings for the built-inflash 2Adjust settings for group A 3Adjust settings for group B 4Select the channel 5Press J 6Compose the shot 10 m 60 ° or less 5 m 33 ft or less AThe Flash Sync Mode Display AFlash Compensation DCommander Mode e4: Modeling Flash e5: Auto Bracketing Set AE & flash AE only Flash only e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M) Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu AE & flash Flash/speed aperture AE & flash) f: Controls ❚❚Playback Mode Thumbnail on/off View histograms ❚❚Live View J focus point f4: Assign Fn Button Fn button press Fn button + command dials ❚❚Fn button press q Preview 1 burst Matrix metering MENU JPEG basic ! virtual horizon AVirtual Horizon Roll Pitch ❚❚Fn button + command dials Selecting Fn button + command dials displays the following options: Selecting Choose image Done 1 step spd f5: Assign Preview Button Preview button press Preview + command dials AF-ON Preview button press f7: Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu f8: Assign BKT Button f9: Customize Command Dials Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu compensation and/or Shutter speed On (Mode A) Change main/sub and f10: Release Button to Use Dial Gbutton ➜ ACustom Settings menu Active D-Lighting No limit meter-off f12: Reverse Indicators f13: Assign MB-D12 AF-ON A AF-ON r FV lock AE lock (Reset on release) g: Movie g2: Assign Preview Button APower Aperture g3: Assign AE-L/AF-Lbutton View shooting photo info AE/AF lock AE lock only g4: Assign Shutter Button C Take photos ARecord Movies BThe Setup Menu: Camera Setup Format Memory Card DDuring Formatting ATwo-ButtonFormat Monitor Brightness Image Dust Off Ref Photo Image Dust Off ref photo 1 Choose a start option 2Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder 3Acquire dust off reference data DImage Dust Off Reference Data Flicker Reduction DFlicker Reduction Time Zone and Date Language Auto Image Rotation Battery Info Image Comment Input comment Attach comment Copyright Information Artist Copyright Attach copyright information DCopyright Information Save/Load Settings Menu Load settings Save/load settings ASaved Settings Virtual Horizon Camera level DTilting the Camera Fn button press AF Fine-Tune value List saved values Eye-FiUpload Enable Disable DEye-FiCards ASupported Eye-FiCards Firmware Version NThe Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies 4 Create a retouched copy DRetouching Copies AImage Quality D-Lighting Red-EyeCorrection Trim ATrim: Image Quality and Size AViewing Cropped Copies Monochrome Black-and-white Sepia Cyanotype Filter Effects Red intensifier intensifier). Press 1 to increase the Blue effect, 3 to decrease intensifier Number of points Color Balance AZoom Image Overlay NEF (RAW) 1Select Image overlay Highlight Image overlay and 2Select the first image 3Select the second image 4Adjust gain Highlight Image 1 or Image 5Preview the overlay Overlay Save 6 Save the overlay DImage Overlay NEF (RAW) Processing 1Select NEF (RAW) processing 2Select a photograph 3Adjust NEF (RAW) processing settings Keep warm lighting colors 4Copy the photograph EXE Resize 1Select Resize Resize 2Choose a destination Choose destination 4Choose pictures Highlight Select image and press 5Save the resized copies AViewing Resized Copies Quick Retouch Straighten Distortion Control DX (24×16) 1.5× AAuto Fisheye Color Outline Color Sketch Vividness Outlines Perspective Control Miniature Effect Area in focus Selective Color 1Select Selective color 3 Select a color.Selected color 4 Highlight the color range 5 Choose the color range 6 Select additional colors 7 Save the edited copy Side-by-SideComparison 1 Select a picture 2Select Side-by-sidecomparison Highlight Side-by-sidecomparison and press J 3 Compare the copy with the original Image overlay DSide-by-SideComparison OMy Menu/mRecent Settings ❚❚Adding Options to My Menu 1Select Add items Add items 2Select a menu 3 Select an item ❚❚Deleting Options from My Menu 1Select Remove items Remove items 2Select items 3 Select Done ❚❚Reordering Options in My Menu 1Select Rank items Rank items 2 Select an item 3Position the item Recent Settings nTechnical Notes Compatible Lenses Page ARecognizing CPU and Type G and D Lenses CPU contacts CPU lens Type G lens AThe AF-S/AF-ITeleconverter ALens f-number DPC-ENIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED Lenses ACompatible Non-CPULenses AThe Built-inFlash Page AAF-AssistIllumination ACalculating Angle of View ACalculating Angle of View (Continued) 5 : 4 (30×24) is selected) 1 Remove the accessory shoe cover 2 Mount the flash unit on the accessory shoe The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) Page AOther Flash Units AAuto Aperture/Non-TTLAuto DNotes on Optional Flash Units Page Auto FP (0300) Auto aperture (AA) Non-TTLauto flash (A) Distance-prioritymanual (GN) Other Accessories eyepiece Attachment DR-4 Remote terminal MC-22 Remote Cord MC-36 MC-21 GPS Unit Filters PC card Software Body caps Attaching a Power Connector and AC Adapter 4Connect the AC adapter Caring for the Camera Storage Cleaning The Low-PassFilter 3 Select Clean now Clean at 6 shutdown Clean at startup & shutdown 1Select Clean at startup/ shutdown Clean image sensor Clean at startup/ shutdown 2 Select an option 1Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter 2Remove the lens 3 Select Lock mirror up for cleaning Lock mirror up for cleaning 6 Examine the low-passfilter 7 Clean the filter 8Turn the camera off DUse a Reliable Power Source DForeign Matter on the Low-PassFilter D Servicing the Camera and Accessories Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions Cleaning Lens contacts Batteries Page Defaults Page ❚❚Custom Settings Menu Defaults Page Custom settings bank ❚❚Setup Menu Defaults Exposure Program Troubleshooting ❚❚Shooting Camera takes time to turn on: Delete files or folders Shutter-releasedisabled: Slot empty release lock Photos are out of focus: AF-assistilluminator does not light: AF-assist illuminator Photos are blotched or smeared: Colors ❚❚Playback Can not delete photo: Can not retouch picture: Can not change print order: Photos are not displayed in Capture NX 2: Update to latest version (0 390) ❚❚Miscellaneous Date of recording is not correct: Set camera clock (0 27) Error Messages Page i/j A The iand jIcons used Card may be damaged Insert to “write” formatted flash unit firmware authorized service this file Continue (if Continue Paper jam Out of paper Specifications Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page ASupported Standards DPOF ATrademark Information Approved Memory Cards ❚❚CompactFlash Memory Cards Memory Card Capacity ❚❚FX (36×24) Image Area ❚❚DX (24×16) Image Area Ad3—Max.Continuous Release (0 293) Battery Life Page Index