Symbols and Conventions, Trademark Information

Symbols and Conventions

To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used:

D	This icon marks cautions; information that should be read before use to
D	prevent damage to the camera.

A	This icon marks notes; information that should be read before using the
A	camera.

ATrademark Information

Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks, or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The SD logo is a trademark of the SD Card Association. PictBridge and the SDHC logo are trademarks. HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC. All other trade names mentioned in this manual or the other documentation provided with your Nikon product are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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Nikon D90 user manual Symbols and Conventions, Trademark Information

Contents

Digital Camera Where to Find It Package Contents Symbols and Conventions Trademark Information Iii Question Key phrase How do I reset file numbering to 1? Photo info, highlightsHow do I set the clock? World time How do I set the clock for daylight saving time? Is there an easy way to take snapshots? Auto mode Can I take photos at a reduced size for e-mail? Vii Table of Contents Fine-Tuning White Balance Choosing a Color Temperature More on Photography All ModesA, and M Modes Focus Point Selection Connections 145 More on Playback 127Menu Guide 159 C2 Auto Meter-off Delay 179 164165 166 202 Xii209 227 Technical NotesXiii For Your Safety Xiv AObserve proper precautions when handling batteries AObserve proper precautions when handling the quick chargerAUse appropriate cables CD-ROMs Xvi Symbol for Separate Collection in European Countries XviiComply with copyright notices Reproduced Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories XviiiDisposing of Data Storage Devices Before Taking Important Pictures Camera Menus Overview Getting to Know the CameraFirst Steps Servicing the Camera and Accessories Use Only Nikon Brand AccessoriesOverview Getting to Know the Camera Camera Body DC-IN connector for optional EH-5a or USB connector239 151 Memory card access lamp Information display/quick settings Qual image quality/size buttonAE-L/AF-L button Live view button Mode Dial Select these modes for full control over camera settingsA, and M Modes Auto Modes Control Panel Large-Capacity Memory Cards LCD Illuminator Viewfinder Display ViewfinderControl Panel and Viewfinder Operations are performed for about 10 seconds Shooting Information DisplaySee Also Shooting mode Flash control mode forBracketing indicator Long exposure noise reduction 167 Image Quality and Size Command DialsSet image quality pg Autofocus Mode Release ModeISO Sensitivity Exposure Choose a shutter speed exposure mode S or M pp Choose an aperture exposure mode a or M ppChoose a metering method pg Set exposure compensation Flash Settings White Balance Attaching the AN-DC1 Camera Strap BM-10 Monitor CoverDK-21 Viewfinder Eyepiece Cup Attach the strap as shown below Camera Menus Following menus are available Using Camera Menus Display the menusHighlight the icon for the current menu Select a menu Position the cursor in the selected menu Highlight a menu itemDisplay options Highlight an option Help Charge the Battery Insert the batteryFirst Steps Plug the charger Insert the Battery Removing the BatteryRemove the battery when charging is complete Open the battery-chamber cover Incompatible Batteries Battery and ChargerEN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap Attach a LensAttach the lens Detaching the Lens Vibration Reduction VRCPU Lenses with Aperture Rings Vibration Reduction Basic Setup Select a languageChoose a time zone Turn daylight saving time on or off Exit to shooting mode Setup MenuClock Battery Choose a date format Inserting Memory Cards Open the card slot coverInsert the memory card Slide the card slot cover out q and open the card slot w Formatting Memory Cards Press the QbuttonsPress the Qbuttons again Formatting Memory Cards Write Protect Switch Removing Memory CardsMemory Cards No Memory Card Framing pictures in the viewfinder Adjust Viewfinder FocusEyepiece Correction Lenses Default settings, see Point-and-Shoot Photography i and j ModesCreative Photography Scene Modes Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live View Basic Playback Check the battery level Check the battery level in the viewfinder or control panelTurn the Camera On Description Auto Meter Off Check the number of exposures remainingCamera Off Display Check Camera Settings Select i or j modeChoose Shooting and Focus Modes Select autofocus Using a Zoom Lens Frame the PhotographReady the camera Frame the photograph Check the indicators in the viewfinder FocusPress the shutter-release button halfway Flash may pop up and the AF-assist illuminator may light Turn the camera off when shooting is complete Auto Flash off ModeShoot Turning the Camera Off Built-in Flash Rotate the mode dial to select a scene mode Creative Photography Scene ModesTake photographs To take photographs in scene modes NClose Up Focus Point Press the a button Framing Pictures in the Monitor Live ViewPress the a button to frame pictures in the monitor Choose an autofocus mode Check the view in the monitor Choose the focus point FocusFor the face in the double yellow border while Autofocus, the camera sets focus and exposure Exit live view mode Manual focus Focus using the lens focusing ringPress the a button to exit live view mode Take the picture Face-Priority AF Using Autofocus in Live ViewShooting Information Display Basic Playback Press the K buttonView additional pictures Photograph will be displayed in the monitor Deleting Unwanted Photographs Display the photographDelete the photograph Press the O button. a confirmation dialog will be displayed Recording and Viewing Movies Live View Start recordingEnd recording 0Icon Recording Movies Viewing Movies Description Release Mode Using the Built-in FlashISO Sensitivity Two-Button Reset Focus Focus Autofocus mode DescriptionAutofocus Getting Good Results with Autofocus Example Subject is half in h the shadeAF-Assist Illuminator Lens hood Points for Custom Setting a1 AF-area mode pg Focus Point SelectionChoose single- or dynamic-area AF Set the focus selector lock to J Lock focus Focus LockRecompose the photograph and shoot Continuous Mode pg Use the AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus in continuous mode Selector and the lens focus-mode switch to M Switch to MUsing Manual Focus with AF Lenses Manual Focus Electronic Rangefinder Focal Plane Position Image Quality and Size Large file size Image Quality and SizeFile Names Image Quality OptionQuality Jpeg image Image Size Image size Size pixels Release Mode Mode DescriptionCL mode shooting speed pg Memory Buffer Continuous Mode Select !or 9modeFrame a photograph, focus, and shoot Buffer Size Self-Timer Mode $ Mount the camera on a tripodSelect $mode Cover the Viewfinder Start the timer Bulb Using an Optional Remote Control # Before Using the Remote ControlDelayed remote Select or #mode Cover the viewfinder Take the photograph Using the Built-in Flash i, k, n, and oModes Using the Built-in FlashUsing the Built-in Flash P, S, A, and M Modes Flash Mode Rear-Curtain Sync Slow is displayed after main M button is released Lowering the Built-in Flash ISO Sensitivity HI 0.3-HI Camera settings listed below can be restored to default Two-Button ResetDefault Settings Page 100 109110 113 Shutter Speed and Aperture Lens Aperture Rings Small aperture f/36 Mode P Programmed Auto Flexible Program Mode S Shutter-Priority Auto Choose a shutter speed Choose an aperture Mode a Aperture-Priority AutoDepth of Field Mode M Manual Choose aperture and shutter speed Custom Setting b1 set to 1/3 step Optimal exposure Electronic Analog Exposure Display Long Time-Exposures M Mode Only Pressed a second time Open the shutter Close the shutterTake your finger off the shutter-release button Shooting ends automatically after thirty minutes Exposure MeteringTo choose a metering method, press Method Description Select center-weighted or spot metering Autoexposure Lock P, S, and a Modes OnlyLock exposure Recompose the photograph Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture Mode Setting Exposure Compensation Flash Compensation Optional Flash Units Choose the number of shots Exposure and Flash BracketingSelect an exposure increment Exposure increment+1 EV Exposure and Flash Bracketing Exposure BracketingResuming Exposure or Flash Bracketing White Balance IFluorescent Fine-Tuning White Balance White Balance MenuSelect a white balance option Fine tune white balance Press J WB ButtonMired Color Temperature Choosing a Color TemperatureChoose Color Temperature White Balance Menu Preset Manual 100Copy from existing Photograph White balance is copied from photo on memory card pg Measuring a Value for Preset White Balance Set white balance to LPreset manualSelect direct measurement mode Light a reference object Select preset d-0 Measure white balanceCheck the results 102 103 Preset d-0104 Copying White Balance from d-0 to Presets d-1-d-4 Select LPreset manualCopy d-0 to the selected preset Select a destination Copying White Balance from a Photograph d-1-d-4 Only Choose Select imageHighlight a source image Copy white balance Selecting a White Balance Preset Select a presetTo set white balance to a preset value Select Set Entering a Comment Select Edit commentEdit the comment 107 Using Picture Controls Picture Controls108 Nikon Picture Controls Versus Custom Picture Controls Selecting Nikon Picture Controls Choosing a Picture ControlSelect Set Picture Control Select a Picture Control Adjust settings Modifying Existing Picture Controls110 Modifications to Original Picture Controls Picture Control Settings 111 Previous Settings 112Filter Effects Monochrome Only Toning Monochrome Only Creating Custom Picture Controls Select Manage Picture ControlSelect Save/edit Edit the selected Picture Control 114 Name the Picture ControlCustom Picture Controls Sharing Custom Picture Controls Copying Custom Picture Controls to the CameraSelect Load/save Select Copy to camera Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory Card Select Copy to cardChoose a destination 116 Renaming Custom Picture Controls Managing Custom Picture ControlsDeleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Memory Card Select Delete from card118 Highlight Delete from card and press Active D-Lighting Select matrix meteringSelect Active D-Lighting Choose an option 120 Active D-Lighting Versus D-LightingADL Bracketing For more information Multiple Exposure Creating a Multiple Exposure Set gain Select Done122 Highlight one of the following options and press J Interrupting Multiple Exposures Other Settings123 124 GP-1 GPS UnitGPS Data Setup Menu Options 125Always be recorded Coordinated Universal Time UTC 126 127 Full-Frame Playback 128Rotate Tall Image Review Photo Information File Information129 Protect status 139 File name RGB Histogram 130 Shooting Data Page 1 Highlights131 Shooting Data Shooting Data Page 2132 GPS Data 133 134 Overview Data162 Thumbnail Playback 135 Calendar Playback 136 137 Use Description Taking a Closer Look Playback Zoom 138 Protecting Photographs from Deletion Select an imagePress the L button 139 Deleting Individual Photographs Press the O button140 Display the image or highlight it in the thumbnail list Pictmotion Choosing PicturesChoosing Background Music Transitions Return to shooting mode Viewing the Pictmotion Show142 Pause show see below Slide Shows 143Start slide show Choose how long each picture will be displayed 144 147 145149 Viewing Photographs on TV Standard Definition DevicesTurn the camera off Connect the supplied audio video cable as shown High-Definition Devices Connect the Hdmi cable as shown147 Hdmi pg Connecting to a Computer Before Connecting the CameraSupported Operating Systems Supplied Software Connecting the Camera Turn the computer onConnect the USB cable Turn the camera on Transfer photographs 150 Printing PhotographsPrinting Via Direct USB Connection Connecting the Printer Printing Pictures One at a TimeTurn the camera off Connect the USB cable Turn the camera on Adjust printing options Display printing options152 Press J to display PictBridge printing options Printing Multiple Pictures Start printingDisplay the PictBridge menu 153 Select pictures or choose a date 154 155 To previous menuMenu Selecting Photographs for Printing Select Index print Creating Index Prints156 Creating a Dpof Print Order Print Set Choose Select/setSelect pictures Select imprint options 158 Print Set Dpof 159 Selecting Multiple Pictures DThe Playback Menu Managing ImagesThumbnail Selection Date Selection Press J to complete the operationHighlight a date Select the highlighted date Delete Playback FolderHide Image 162 Display Mode Image ReviewRotate Tall Pictmotion Print Set Dpof Slide Show164 CThe Shooting Menu Shooting Options ISO Sensitivity Settings ISO Sensitivity Auto Control P, S, and a Modes OnlyActive D-Lighting 166 Color Space Long Exp. NR Long Exposure Noise Reduction167 XAdobe RGB High ISO NR 168Option Description High Low Active Folder Naming and Renaming Folders169 Folder names can be up to five characters long. To Movie setting Multiple ExposureQuality Sound Custom Settings are used to customize camera ACustom Settings Fine-Tuning Camera Settings171 Reset Custom Settings Following Custom Settings are availableRestore defaults for the current Custom Settings pg Exit without changing Custom Settings A1 AF-area Mode 173 See page 54 for more information on focus settings A2 Center Focus PointA3 Built-in AF-assist Illuminator 174 A5 Focus Point Wrap-Around A4 AF Point Illumination175 A7 Live View Autofocus A6 AE-L/AF-L for MB-D80176 Metering/Exposure B1 EV Steps for Exposure CntrlB2 Easy Exposure Compensation 177 B4 Fine Tune Optimal Exposure B3 Center-Weighted Area178 Timers/AE Lock C2 Auto Meter-off DelayC3 Self-Timer C1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L C4 Monitor off Delay Shooting/DisplayC5 Remote on Duration D1 Beep D3 ISO Display and Adjustment D2 Viewfinder Grid DisplayD4 Viewfinder Warning Display 181 D6 CL Mode Shooting Speed D5 Screen TipsD7 File Number Sequence 182 D10 Exposure Delay Mode D8 Shooting Info DisplayD9 LCD Illumination D11 Flash Warning D12 MB-D80 Battery Type 184 Bracketing/Flash E1 Flash Shutter SpeedE2 Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash 185 Flash Control Mode 186 Manual Repeating Flash187 Output Commander Mode Adjust settings for the built-in flash188 Mode Adjust settings for group a Adjust settings for group BSelect the channel Press J Compose the shot Set the remote flash units to the selected channel Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot Raise the built-in flash190 E3 Modeling Flash E4 Auto Bracketing SetWhite Balance Bracketing Select white balance bracketing Select a white balance increment 192 Canceling Bracketing Enable bracketingADL Bracketing Select ADL bracketing 194 E6 Bracketing Order E5 Auto FP195 F1 DSwitch F2 OK Button Shooting ModeControls 196 F3 Assign FUNC. Button 197 FV Lock Assign FV lock to the Fn buttonLock flash level 198 Using FV Lock with the Built-in Flash Using FV Lock with Optional Flash UnitsRelease FV lock 199 Again to cancel FV lock F4 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button200 Option Description AE/AF lock F5 Customize Command Dials F7 Reverse IndicatorsF6 No Memory Card? 201 BThe Setup Menu Camera Setup Format Memory CardLCD Brightness 202 Clean Image Sensor Lock Mirror up for CleaningVideo Mode 203 World Time Language204 Daylight Image Comment Auto Image Rotation205 Automatically during image review pg Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder DImage Sensor CleaningImage Dust off Ref Photo Choose a start option 207 Acquire dust off reference dataImage Dust Off Reference Data Battery Info Eye-Fi UploadFirmware Version 208 NThe Retouch Menu Creating Retouched Copies 209 Creating Retouched Copies Creating Retouched Copies in Full-Frame Playback Creating Retouched Copies from the Retouch Menu Select an item in the retouch menuDisplay retouch options 211 Cancel zoom LightingRed-Eye Correction 212 Trim 213Trim Image Quality and Size Possible sizes Monochrome 214 215 Filter EffectsIntensify reds Red intensifier , greens Green intensifier Color Balance Small PictureSelect Choose size 216 217 Choose the desired sizeViewing Small Pictures Image Overlay Select Image overlayDisplay NEF RAW images Highlight a photograph Select the second photograph Highlight the Preview columnPreview the overlay Save the overlay Adjust NEF RAW processing settings NEF RAW ProcessingSelect NEF RAW processing Select a photograph Quick Retouch StraightenCopy the photograph 221 Fisheye Distortion Control222 Side-by-Side Comparison Making a Side-by-Side ComparisonSelect Side-by-side comparison Compare the copy with the original MRecent Settings/OMy Menu MRecent Settings Viewing Recent SettingsChoose Tab Choosing a Custom Menu Select Choose tab Adding Options to My Menu OMy Menu Creating a Custom MenuDeleting Options from My Menu Reordering Options in My Menu Delete the selected itemsSelect Rank items Position the item 227 Compatible Lenses 228Calculating Picture Angle Lens f-number 229 Compatible CPU Lenses1AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter 230 Non-CPU Lenses1Compatible Non-CPU Lenses 231 Red-Eye ReductionAF-Assist Illumination AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G ED AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D 232 Lens Zoom position Min. range Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS Optional Flash Units Speedlights233 Principal features of these flash units are listed below Use Only Nikon Flash AccessoriesCLS-Compatible Flash Units 234 235 Zoom Other Flash Units 236 237 17-105 mm24-34 mm 400 Accessory Shoe AS-15 Accessory Shoe AdapterFlash Contacts 238 Other Accessories 239 240 Connect to accessory terminal to record latitude, longitude Remote Controls241 Altitude, and UTC time with pictures pg 242 Approved Memory CardsSanDisk Cleaning Caring for the CameraStorage 243 Clean Now Display the Clean image sensor menuSelect Clean now Low-Pass Filter Clean at Startup/Shutdown Select Clean at startup/shutdownSelect an option 245 Manual Cleaning 247 Use a Reliable Power SourceForeign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter Lens contacts Keep the lens contacts clean Caring for the Camera and Battery Cautions248 249 Troubleshooting Problem SolutionMeter-off delay or c4 Monitor off delay Display Shooting All Modes 251Image quality set to NEF RAW Illuminator Adjust Set Picture Control settings Shooting i, j, k, l, m, n, and o modesShooting P, S, A, M 252 Playback 253Select All for Playback folder. Note that Current is Select On for Rotate tall 254 MiscellaneousDate of recording is not Set camera clock Correct Indicator Error Messages255 256 FormattedFormat the card Images 257 Available Settings and Defaults Appendix258 Appendix covers the following topics 259 Option Default 260 E3 Modeling flash Off E4 Auto bracketing set 261E5 Auto FP Off E6 Bracketing order Memory Card Capacity Custom Setting d6 CL mode shooting speed pg262 Exposure Program 263 Bracketing Progress Indicator and Number of Frames Bracketing ProgramsBracketing Increment 264 Mode Shutter speed Flash ControlShutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash 265 Mode 200 400 Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range266 Range Nikon D90 Digital Camera Specifications267 268 269 270 271 272 273 Supported Standards 274 275 Battery LifeSix AA batteries MB-D80 Approximately 1900 shots Index 276 277 Image comment Image Dust Off ref photo, 206 Image file 278 OK button shooting mode, 196 Optional flashPage 6MB03011-01