Flash Compensation, Optional Flash Units | Nikon D90 instruction

Flash Compensation

Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

Press the M (Y) button and rotate the sub-command dial until the desired value is displayed in the control panel. Flash compensation can be set to values between –3 EV (darker) and +1 EV (brighter) in increments of 1/3 EV. In general, choose positive values to make the subject brighter, negative values to make it darker.

t

Mbutton	Sub-command	Control panel
	dial

At values other than ±0, a Y icon will be displayed in the control panel and viewfinder after you release the M (Y) button. The current value for flash compensation will be displayed when the M button is pressed.

±0 EV–0.3 EV+1.0 EV (Ybutton pressed)

Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to ±0.0. Flash exposure compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.

AOptional Flash Units

Flash exposure compensation is also available with an optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, or SB-R200 flash units.

ASee Also

For information on choosing the size of the increments available when setting flash compensation, see Custom Setting b1 (EV steps for exposure cntrl., pg. 177).

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Image 111

Nikon D90 user manual Flash Compensation, Optional Flash Units

Contents

Digital Camera Where to Find It Package Contents Trademark Information Symbols and Conventions Iii Question Key phrase How do I set the clock for daylight saving time? How do I reset file numbering to 1?Photo info, highlights How do I set the clock? World time Can I take photos at a reduced size for e-mail? Is there an easy way to take snapshots? Auto mode Vii Table of Contents Focus Point Selection Fine-Tuning White Balance Choosing a Color TemperatureMore on Photography All Modes A, and M Modes More on Playback 127 Connections 145Menu Guide 159 166 C2 Auto Meter-off Delay 179164 165 Xii 202209 Technical Notes 227Xiii Xiv For Your Safety CD-ROMs AObserve proper precautions when handling batteriesAObserve proper precautions when handling the quick charger AUse appropriate cables Xvi Reproduced Symbol for Separate Collection in European CountriesXvii Comply with copyright notices Before Taking Important Pictures Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic AccessoriesXviii Disposing of Data Storage Devices Overview Getting to Know the Camera Camera MenusFirst Steps Use Only Nikon Brand Accessories Servicing the Camera and AccessoriesOverview Camera Body Getting to Know the Camera 151 DC-IN connector for optional EH-5a orUSB connector 239 Live view button Memory card access lamp Information display/quick settingsQual image quality/size button AE-L/AF-L button Auto Modes Mode DialSelect these modes for full control over camera settings A, and M Modes Large-Capacity Memory Cards Control Panel LCD Illuminator Viewfinder Viewfinder DisplayControl Panel and Viewfinder Shooting Information Display Operations are performed for about 10 secondsSee Also Long exposure noise reduction Shooting modeFlash control mode for Bracketing indicator 167 Command Dials Image Quality and SizeSet image quality pg Exposure Autofocus ModeRelease Mode ISO Sensitivity Set exposure compensation Choose a shutter speed exposure mode S or M ppChoose an aperture exposure mode a or M pp Choose a metering method pg White Balance Flash Settings Attach the strap as shown below Attaching the AN-DC1 Camera StrapBM-10 Monitor Cover DK-21 Viewfinder Eyepiece Cup Following menus are available Camera Menus Select a menu Using Camera MenusDisplay the menus Highlight the icon for the current menu Highlight an option Position the cursor in the selected menuHighlight a menu item Display options Help Plug the charger Charge the BatteryInsert the battery First Steps Open the battery-chamber cover Insert the BatteryRemoving the Battery Remove the battery when charging is complete Battery and Charger Incompatible BatteriesEN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Attach a Lens Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body capAttach the lens Vibration Reduction Detaching the LensVibration Reduction VR CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Turn daylight saving time on or off Basic SetupSelect a language Choose a time zone Choose a date format Exit to shooting modeSetup Menu Clock Battery Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Inserting Memory CardsOpen the card slot cover Insert the memory card Formatting Memory Cards Formatting Memory CardsPress the Qbuttons Press the Qbuttons again No Memory Card Write Protect SwitchRemoving Memory Cards Memory Cards Adjust Viewfinder Focus Framing pictures in the viewfinderEyepiece Correction Lenses Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Basic Playback Default settings, seePoint-and-Shoot Photography i and j Modes Creative Photography Scene Modes Description Check the battery levelCheck the battery level in the viewfinder or control panel Turn the Camera On Check the number of exposures remaining Auto Meter OffCamera Off Display Select autofocus Check Camera SettingsSelect i or j mode Choose Shooting and Focus Modes Frame the photograph Using a Zoom LensFrame the Photograph Ready the camera Flash may pop up and the AF-assist illuminator may light Check the indicators in the viewfinderFocus Press the shutter-release button halfway Turning the Camera Off Turn the camera off when shooting is completeAuto Flash off Mode Shoot Built-in Flash To take photographs in scene modes Rotate the mode dial to select a scene modeCreative Photography Scene Modes Take photographs Focus Point NClose Up Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Press the a buttonPress the a button to frame pictures in the monitor Check the view in the monitor Choose an autofocus mode Autofocus, the camera sets focus and exposure Choose the focus pointFocus For the face in the double yellow border while Take the picture Exit live view modeManual focus Focus using the lens focusing ring Press the a button to exit live view mode Using Autofocus in Live View Face-Priority AFShooting Information Display Photograph will be displayed in the monitor Basic PlaybackPress the K button View additional pictures Press the O button. a confirmation dialog will be displayed Deleting Unwanted PhotographsDisplay the photograph Delete the photograph 0Icon Recording and Viewing Movies Live ViewStart recording End recording Recording Movies Description Viewing Movies Focus Release ModeUsing the Built-in Flash ISO Sensitivity Two-Button Reset Autofocus mode Description FocusAutofocus Lens hood Getting Good Results with AutofocusExample Subject is half in h the shade AF-Assist Illuminator Set the focus selector lock to J Points for Custom Setting a1 AF-area mode pgFocus Point Selection Choose single- or dynamic-area AF Focus Lock Lock focusRecompose the photograph and shoot Use the AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus in continuous mode Continuous Mode pg Manual Focus Selector and the lens focus-mode switch to MSwitch to M Using Manual Focus with AF Lenses Focal Plane Position Electronic Rangefinder Image Quality and Size Image Quality and Size Large file sizeFile Names Jpeg image Image QualityOption Quality Image size Size pixels Image Size Memory Buffer Release ModeMode Description CL mode shooting speed pg Buffer Size Continuous ModeSelect !or 9mode Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot Cover the Viewfinder Self-Timer Mode $Mount the camera on a tripod Select $mode Bulb Start the timer Select or #mode Using an Optional Remote Control #Before Using the Remote Control Delayed remote Take the photograph Cover the viewfinder Using the Built-in Flash Using the Built-in Flash i, k, n, and oModesUsing the Built-in Flash P, S, A, and M Modes Rear-Curtain Sync Flash Mode Slow is displayed after main M button is released Lowering the Built-in Flash HI 0.3-HI ISO Sensitivity Two-Button Reset Camera settings listed below can be restored to defaultDefault Settings Page 113 100109 110 Lens Aperture Rings Shutter Speed and Aperture Small aperture f/36 Flexible Program Mode P Programmed Auto Choose a shutter speed Mode S Shutter-Priority Auto Mode a Aperture-Priority Auto Choose an apertureDepth of Field Choose aperture and shutter speed Mode M Manual Electronic Analog Exposure Display Custom Setting b1 set to 1/3 step Optimal exposure Pressed a second time Long Time-Exposures M Mode Only Shooting ends automatically after thirty minutes Open the shutterClose the shutter Take your finger off the shutter-release button Method Description ExposureMetering To choose a metering method, press Recompose the photograph Select center-weighted or spot meteringAutoexposure Lock P, S, and a Modes Only Lock exposure Mode Setting Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture Exposure Compensation Optional Flash Units Flash Compensation Exposure and Flash Bracketing Choose the number of shotsSelect an exposure increment Exposure increment+1 EV Exposure Bracketing Exposure and Flash BracketingResuming Exposure or Flash Bracketing White Balance IFluorescent Fine tune white balance Fine-Tuning White BalanceWhite Balance Menu Select a white balance option WB Button Press JMired Choosing a Color Temperature Color TemperatureChoose Color Temperature White Balance Menu White balance is copied from photo on memory card pg Preset Manual100 Copy from existing Photograph Light a reference object Measuring a Value for Preset White BalanceSet white balance to LPreset manual Select direct measurement mode 102 Select preset d-0Measure white balance Check the results Preset d-0 103104 Select a destination Copying White Balance from d-0 to Presets d-1-d-4Select LPreset manual Copy d-0 to the selected preset Copy white balance Copying White Balance from a Photograph d-1-d-4 OnlyChoose Select image Highlight a source image Select Set Selecting a White Balance PresetSelect a preset To set white balance to a preset value 107 Entering a CommentSelect Edit comment Edit the comment Nikon Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture Controls Using Picture ControlsPicture Controls 108 Select a Picture Control Selecting Nikon Picture ControlsChoosing a Picture Control Select Set Picture Control Modifications to Original Picture Controls Adjust settingsModifying Existing Picture Controls 110 111 Picture Control Settings Toning Monochrome Only Previous Settings112 Filter Effects Monochrome Only Edit the selected Picture Control Creating Custom Picture ControlsSelect Manage Picture Control Select Save/edit Name the Picture Control 114Custom Picture Controls Select Copy to camera Sharing Custom Picture ControlsCopying Custom Picture Controls to the Camera Select Load/save 116 Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory CardSelect Copy to card Choose a destination Managing Custom Picture Controls Renaming Custom Picture ControlsDeleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera Highlight Delete from card and press Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Memory CardSelect Delete from card 118 Choose an option Active D-LightingSelect matrix metering Select Active D-Lighting For more information 120Active D-Lighting Versus D-Lighting ADL Bracketing Creating a Multiple Exposure Multiple Exposure Highlight one of the following options and press J Set gainSelect Done 122 Other Settings Interrupting Multiple Exposures123 GP-1 GPS Unit 124GPS Data Coordinated Universal Time UTC Setup Menu Options125 Always be recorded 126 127 Image Review Full-Frame Playback128 Rotate Tall Protect status 139 File name Photo InformationFile Information 129 130 RGB Histogram Highlights Shooting Data Page 1131 Shooting Data Page 2 Shooting Data132 133 GPS Data Overview Data 134162 135 Thumbnail Playback 136 Calendar Playback Use Description 137 138 Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom 139 Protecting Photographs from DeletionSelect an image Press the L button Display the image or highlight it in the thumbnail list Deleting Individual PhotographsPress the O button 140 Transitions PictmotionChoosing Pictures Choosing Background Music Pause show see below Return to shooting modeViewing the Pictmotion Show 142 Choose how long each picture will be displayed Slide Shows143 Start slide show 144 145 147149 Connect the supplied audio video cable as shown Viewing Photographs on TVStandard Definition Devices Turn the camera off Hdmi pg High-Definition DevicesConnect the Hdmi cable as shown 147 Supplied Software Connecting to a ComputerBefore Connecting the Camera Supported Operating Systems Turn the camera on Transfer photographs Connecting the CameraTurn the computer on Connect the USB cable Printing Photographs 150Printing Via Direct USB Connection Turn the camera on Connecting the PrinterPrinting Pictures One at a Time Turn the camera off Connect the USB cable Press J to display PictBridge printing options Adjust printing optionsDisplay printing options 152 153 Printing Multiple PicturesStart printing Display the PictBridge menu 154 Select pictures or choose a date Selecting Photographs for Printing 155To previous menu Menu Creating Index Prints Select Index print156 Select imprint options Creating a Dpof Print Order Print SetChoose Select/set Select pictures Print Set Dpof 158 159 DThe Playback Menu Managing Images Selecting Multiple PicturesThumbnail Selection Select the highlighted date Date SelectionPress J to complete the operation Highlight a date 162 DeletePlayback Folder Hide Image Pictmotion Display ModeImage Review Rotate Tall Slide Show Print Set Dpof164 CThe Shooting Menu Shooting Options 166 ISO Sensitivity SettingsISO Sensitivity Auto Control P, S, and a Modes Only Active D-Lighting XAdobe RGB Color SpaceLong Exp. NR Long Exposure Noise Reduction 167 Low High ISO NR168 Option Description High Folder names can be up to five characters long. To Active FolderNaming and Renaming Folders 169 Sound Movie settingMultiple Exposure Quality ACustom Settings Fine-Tuning Camera Settings Custom Settings are used to customize camera171 Exit without changing Custom Settings Reset Custom SettingsFollowing Custom Settings are available Restore defaults for the current Custom Settings pg 173 A1 AF-area Mode 174 See page 54 for more information on focus settingsA2 Center Focus Point A3 Built-in AF-assist Illuminator A4 AF Point Illumination A5 Focus Point Wrap-Around175 A6 AE-L/AF-L for MB-D80 A7 Live View Autofocus176 177 Metering/ExposureB1 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl B2 Easy Exposure Compensation B3 Center-Weighted Area B4 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure178 C1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L Timers/AE LockC2 Auto Meter-off Delay C3 Self-Timer D1 Beep C4 Monitor off DelayShooting/Display C5 Remote on Duration 181 D3 ISO Display and AdjustmentD2 Viewfinder Grid Display D4 Viewfinder Warning Display 182 D6 CL Mode Shooting SpeedD5 Screen Tips D7 File Number Sequence D11 Flash Warning D10 Exposure Delay ModeD8 Shooting Info Display D9 LCD Illumination 184 D12 MB-D80 Battery Type 185 Bracketing/FlashE1 Flash Shutter Speed E2 Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash 186 Flash Control Mode Output ManualRepeating Flash 187 Mode Commander ModeAdjust settings for the built-in flash 188 Set the remote flash units to the selected channel Adjust settings for group aAdjust settings for group B Select the channel Press J Compose the shot Raise the built-in flash Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot190 Select white balance bracketing E3 Modeling FlashE4 Auto Bracketing Set White Balance Bracketing 192 Select a white balance increment Select ADL bracketing Canceling BracketingEnable bracketing ADL Bracketing 194 E5 Auto FP E6 Bracketing Order195 196 F1 DSwitchF2 OK Button Shooting Mode Controls 197 F3 Assign FUNC. Button 198 FV LockAssign FV lock to the Fn button Lock flash level 199 Using FV Lock with the Built-in FlashUsing FV Lock with Optional Flash Units Release FV lock Option Description AE/AF lock Again to cancel FV lockF4 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button 200 201 F5 Customize Command DialsF7 Reverse Indicators F6 No Memory Card? 202 BThe Setup Menu Camera SetupFormat Memory Card LCD Brightness 203 Clean Image SensorLock Mirror up for Cleaning Video Mode Daylight World TimeLanguage 204 Automatically during image review pg Image CommentAuto Image Rotation 205 Choose a start option Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinderDImage Sensor Cleaning Image Dust off Ref Photo Acquire dust off reference data 207Image Dust Off Reference Data 208 Battery InfoEye-Fi Upload Firmware Version 209 NThe Retouch Menu Creating Retouched Copies Creating Retouched Copies in Full-Frame Playback Creating Retouched Copies 211 Creating Retouched Copies from the Retouch MenuSelect an item in the retouch menu Display retouch options 212 Cancel zoomLighting Red-Eye Correction Possible sizes Trim213 Trim Image Quality and Size 214 Monochrome Filter Effects 215Intensify reds Red intensifier , greens Green intensifier 216 Color BalanceSmall Picture Select Choose size Choose the desired size 217Viewing Small Pictures Highlight a photograph Image OverlaySelect Image overlay Display NEF RAW images Save the overlay Select the second photographHighlight the Preview column Preview the overlay Select a photograph Adjust NEF RAW processing settingsNEF RAW Processing Select NEF RAW processing 221 Quick RetouchStraighten Copy the photograph Distortion Control Fisheye222 Compare the copy with the original Side-by-Side ComparisonMaking a Side-by-Side Comparison Select Side-by-side comparison Select Choose tab MRecent Settings/OMy MenuMRecent Settings Viewing Recent Settings Choose Tab Choosing a Custom Menu OMy Menu Creating a Custom Menu Adding Options to My MenuDeleting Options from My Menu Position the item Reordering Options in My MenuDelete the selected items Select Rank items 227 Lens f-number Compatible Lenses228 Calculating Picture Angle Compatible CPU Lenses1 229AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter Non-CPU Lenses1 230Compatible Non-CPU Lenses AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G ED AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D 231Red-Eye Reduction AF-Assist Illumination Lens Zoom position Min. range 232 Optional Flash Units Speedlights Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS233 234 Principal features of these flash units are listed belowUse Only Nikon Flash Accessories CLS-Compatible Flash Units Zoom 235 236 Other Flash Units 400 23717-105 mm 24-34 mm 238 Accessory ShoeAS-15 Accessory Shoe Adapter Flash Contacts 239 Other Accessories 240 Altitude, and UTC time with pictures pg Connect to accessory terminal to record latitude, longitudeRemote Controls 241 Approved Memory Cards 242SanDisk 243 CleaningCaring for the Camera Storage Low-Pass Filter Clean NowDisplay the Clean image sensor menu Select Clean now 245 Clean at Startup/ShutdownSelect Clean at startup/shutdown Select an option Manual Cleaning Use a Reliable Power Source 247Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Caring for the Camera and Battery Cautions Lens contacts Keep the lens contacts clean248 249 Display TroubleshootingProblem Solution Meter-off delay or c4 Monitor off delay Illuminator Shooting All Modes251 Image quality set to NEF RAW 252 Adjust Set Picture Control settingsShooting i, j, k, l, m, n, and o modes Shooting P, S, A, M Select On for Rotate tall Playback253 Select All for Playback folder. Note that Current is Miscellaneous 254Date of recording is not Set camera clock Correct Error Messages Indicator255 Images 256Formatted Format the card 257 Appendix covers the following topics Available Settings and DefaultsAppendix 258 259 260 Option Default 261 E3 Modeling flash Off E4 Auto bracketing setE5 Auto FP Off E6 Bracketing order Custom Setting d6 CL mode shooting speed pg Memory Card Capacity262 263 Exposure Program 264 Bracketing Progress Indicator and Number of FramesBracketing Programs Bracketing Increment 265 Mode Shutter speedFlash Control Shutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash Range Mode 200 400Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range 266 Specifications Nikon D90 Digital Camera267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 Supported Standards Battery Life 275Six AA batteries MB-D80 Approximately 1900 shots 276 Index Image comment Image Dust Off ref photo, 206 Image file 277 OK button shooting mode, 196 Optional flash 278Page 6MB03011-01