User manual NIKON COOLPIX 8800

En The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with the DIGITAL CAMERA Trademark Information Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Lexar Media is a trademark Lexar Media Corporation. Microdrive is a registered trademark of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies in the United States and / or other countries. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. PictBridge is a trademark. D-Lighting technology is provided by Apical Limited. 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. Symbols and Conventions To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used: This icon marks cautions, information that should be read before use to prevent damage to the camera. This icon marks notes, information that should be read before using the camera. This icon marks tips, additional information that may be helpful when using the camera. This icon indicates that more information is available elsewhere in this manual or in the Quick Start Guide. Introduction First Steps Basic Photography Scene Mode More on Photography Movies More on Playback The Shooting Menu The Playback Menu The Setup Menu Technical Notes i For Your Safety To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will read them. The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol: This icon marks warnings, information that should be read before using this Nikon product to prevent possible injury. WARNINGS Do not look at the sun through the viewfinder Viewing the sun or other strong light source through the viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment. Turn off immediately in the event of malfunction Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the camera, battery charger, or AC adapter (available separately), unplug the battery charger or AC adapter and remove the battery immediately, taking care to avoid burns. Continued operation could result in injury. After removing or disconnecting the power source, take the equipment to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection. Do not use the camera or battery charger in the presence of flammable gas Do not use electronic equipment in the presence of flammable gas, as this could result in explosion or fire. Observe caution when using the camera strap Never place the strap around the neck of an infant or child. Keep out of reach of children Particular care should be taken to prevent infants from putting the batteries or other small parts into their mouths. Do not disassemble Touching the internal parts of the camera or battery charger could result in injury. Repairs should be performed only by qualified technicians. Should the camera or battery charger break open as the result of a fall or other accident, take the product to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection after unplugging the product and/or removing the battery. Observe the following precautions when handling the battery charger · Keep dry. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or electric shock. · Dust on or near the metal parts of the plug should be removed with a dry cloth. Continued use could result in fire. · Do not handle the power cable or go near the battery charger during thunderstorms. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock. · Do not damage, modify, forcibly tug or bend the power cable, place it under heavy objects, or expose it to heat or flame. Should the insulation be damaged and the wires become exposed, take it to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection. Failure to observe these precautions could result in fire or electric shock. ii · Do not handle the plug or battery charger with wet hands. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock. Observe proper precautions when handling batteries Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries for use in this product: · Before replacing the battery, turn the product off. If you are using an AC adapter, be sure it is unplugged. · Use only rechargeable Nikon EN-EL7 lithium-ion batteries (supplied). · When inserting the battery, do not attempt to insert it upside down or backwards. · Do not short or disassemble batteries. · Do not expose batteries to flame or to excessive heat. · Do not immerse in or expose to water. · Replace the terminal cover when transporting the battery. Do not transport or store with metal objects such as necklaces or hairpins. · Batteries are prone to leakage when fully discharged. To avoid damage to the product, be sure to remove the battery when no charge remains. · The battery may be hot to the touch immediately after use or after the product has been used on battery power for an extended period. Before removing the battery, turn the camera off and allow the battery to cool. · Discontinue use immediately should you notice any change in the battery, such as discoloration or deformation. Use appropriate cables When connecting cables to the input and output jacks, use only the cables provided or sold by Nikon for the purpose, to maintain compliance with product regulations. Removing memory cards Memory cards may become hot during use. Observe due caution when removing memory cards from the camera. Handle moving parts with care Be careful that your fingers or other objects are not pinched by the lens or other moving parts. CD-ROMs The CD-ROMs supplied with this device should not be played back on audio CD equipment. Playing CD-ROMs on an audio CD player could cause hearing loss or damage the equipment. Observe caution when operating the flash Using the flash close to your subject's eyes could cause temporary visual impairment. Particular care should be observed if photographing infants, when the flash should be no less than one meter (39) from the subject. When using the viewfinder When operating the diopter adjustment control with your eye to the viewfinder, care should be taken to not put your finger in your eye accidentally. Avoid contact with liquid crystal Should the monitor break, care should be taken to avoid injury due to broken glass and to prevent liquid crystal from the monitor touching the skin or entering the eyes or mouth. iii Notices · No part of the manuals included with this product may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form, by any means, without Nikon's prior written permission. · Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in these manuals at any time and without prior notice. · Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of this product. · While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in these manuals is accurate and complete, we would appreciate it were you to bring any errors or omissions to the attention of the Nikon representative in your area (address provided separately). Notice for customers in the U.S.A. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found E8800 to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can CAUTIONS radiate radio frequency energy and, if not Modifications installed and used in accordance with the The FCC requires the user to be notified instructions, may cause harmful interfer- that any changes or modifications made to ence to radio communications. However, this device that are not expressly approved there is no guarantee that interference by Nikon Corporation may void the user's will not occur in a particular installation. authority to operate the equipment. If this equipment does cause harmful in- Interface Cables terference to radio or television reception, Use the interface cables sold or provided which can be determined by turning the by Nikon for your equipment. Using other equipment off and on, the user is encour- interface cables may exceed the limits of aged to try to correct the interference by Class B Part 15 of the FCC rules. one or more of the following measures: · Reorient or relocate the receiving an- Notice for customers in the State of California WARNING: Handling the cord on this tenna. · Increase the separation between the product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to equipment and receiver. · Connect the equipment into an outlet cause birth defects or other reproductive on a circuit different from that to which harm. Wash hands after handling. the receiver is connected. Nikon Inc., · Consult the dealer or an experienced 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York radio / television technician for help. 11747-3064, U.S.A. Tel.: 631-547-4200 iv Notice for customers in Canada CAUTION This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulations. ATTENTION Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction Note that simply being in possession of material that has been digitally copied or reproduced by means of a scanner, digital camera or other device may be punishable by law. · Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, government bonds, or local government bonds, even if such copies or reproductions are stamped "Sample." The copying or reproduction of paper money, coins, or securities which are circulated in a foreign country is prohibited. Unless the prior permission of the government has been obtained, the copying or reproduction of unused postage stamps or post cards issued by the government is prohibited. The copying or reproduction of stamps issued by the government and of certified documents stipulated by law is prohibited. · Cautions on certain copies and reproductions The government has issued cautions on copies or reproductions of securities issued by private companies (shares, bills, checks, gift certificates, etc.), commuter passes, or coupon tickets, except when a minimum of necessary copies are to be provided for business use by a company. Also, do not copy or reproduce passports issued by the government, licenses issued by public agencies and private groups, ID cards, and tickets, such as passes and meal coupons. · Comply with copyright notices The copying or reproduction of copyrighted creative works such as books, music, paintings, woodcut prints, maps, drawings, movies, and photographs is governed by national and international copyright laws. Do not use this product for the purpose of making illegal copies or to infringe copyright laws. v Table of Contents For Your Safety................................................................................................. Notices............................................................................................................. Introduction Parts of the Camera......................................................................................... The Shooting Display (Monitor / Electronic Viewfinder) ................................ The Control Panel............................................................................................ The Monitor..................................................................................................... The Shutter-Release Button............................................................................ The Mode Dial ................................................................................................. The Multi Selector ........................................................................................... First Steps Charging the Battery....................................................................................... Inserting the Battery ....................................................................................... Inserting Memory Cards.................................................................................. Turning the Camera On .................................................................................. Basic Setup ....................................................................................................... Basic Photography Step 1 --Rotate the Mode Dial to ............................................................ Step 2 -- Frame the Picture.............................................................................. Step 3 -- Focus and Shoot ................................................................................ Step 4 -- View the Results (Quick Review / Full-Screen Review) ..................... Scene Mode Taking Pictures for a Panorama......................................................................... More on Photography Image Mode..................................................................................................... Image Quality................................................................................................... Image Size........................................................................................................ Flash Mode....................................................................................................... Focus Mode...................................................................................................... Self-Timer and Remote Control Photography ............................................... Exposure Compensation ................................................................................. Vibration Reduction (VR) ................................................................................ Controlling Exposure: P, S, A, and M Modes .................................................. P: Programmed Auto........................................................................................ S: Shutter-Priority Auto..................................................................................... A: Aperture-Priority Auto.................................................................................. M: Manual ....................................................................................................... Sensitivity (P, S, A, and M Modes Only) .......................................................... White Balance (P, S, A, and M Modes Only) ................................................... Manual Focus (P, S, A, M, and Modes Only) .............................................. vi ii iv 1 2 4 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 12 14 15 17 17 18 20 23 26 31 33 33 33 34 37 40 41 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 54 57 Movies Movie Mode..................................................................................................... Recording Movies ............................................................................................ Viewing Movies ............................................................................................... More on Playback Viewing Pictures on the Camera .................................................................... Viewing Pictures on TV ................................................................................... Viewing Pictures on a Computer.................................................................... Printing Pictures .............................................................................................. The Shooting Menu Metering .......................................................................................................... Continuous....................................................................................................... Best Shot Selector (BSS)................................................................................... Image Adjustment........................................................................................... Saturation Control........................................................................................... User Setting ..................................................................................................... Image Sharpening ........................................................................................... Lens .................................................................................................................. Exposure Options ............................................................................................ Focus Options .................................................................................................. Zoom Options .................................................................................................. VR Mode .......................................................................................................... Speedlight Options.......................................................................................... Auto Bracketing .............................................................................................. Noise Reduction............................................................................................... Reset................................................................................................................. My Menu.......................................................................................................... CF Card Format ................................................................................................ The Playback Menu Delete............................................................................................................... Folders.............................................................................................................. Slide Show........................................................................................................ Protect.............................................................................................................. Hide Image....................................................................................................... Print Set............................................................................................................ Auto Transfer................................................................................................... Move Image ..................................................................................................... CF Card Format ................................................................................................ Small Pic ........................................................................................................... 59 59 61 64 65 65 75 76 79 85 87 88 91 93 94 95 96 97 98 100 102 103 104 107 109 110 111 112 113 114 116 120 122 123 124 126 128 129 129 vii The Setup Menu Language ......................................................................................................... Date.................................................................................................................. Folders.............................................................................................................. Monitor Options.............................................................................................. Seq. Numbers................................................................................................... Shutter Sound.................................................................................................. Auto Off........................................................................................................... CF Card Format ................................................................................................ Controls............................................................................................................ Shot Confirmation........................................................................................... info.txt ............................................................................................................. USB ................................................................................................................... Video Mode ..................................................................................................... Reset All ........................................................................................................... Date Imprint .................................................................................................... Firmware Version ............................................................................................ Technical Notes Optional Accessories ....................................................................................... Approved Memory Cards ................................................................................ Caring for Your Camera .................................................................................. Error Messages................................................................................................. Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. Specifications ................................................................................................... Index................................................................................................................. 130 131 131 133 133 136 137 138 138 138 140 140 141 141 141 142 142 143 143 144 145 148 151 154 157 Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories Nikon COOLPIX cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including battery chargers, batteries, AC adapters, and Speedlights) certified by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of this electronic circuitry. THE USE OF NON-NIKON ELECTRONIC ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE THE CAMERA AND MAY VOID YOUR NIKON WARRANTY. The use of third-party rechargeable Li-ion batteries not approved by Nikon could interfere with normal operation of the camera or result in the batteries overheating, igniting, rupturing, or leaking. For more information about Nikon brand accessories, contact a local authorized Nikon dealer. viii Introduction Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon COOLPIX 8800 digital camera. This manual has been written to help you enjoy taking pictures with your Nikon digital camera. Read this manual thoroughly before use, and keep it where all those who use the product will read it. Before using the camera, ready the camera strap and lens cap as shown below. Attaching the Camera Strap Attach the camera strap as shown below. Repeat for the second eyelet. The Lens Cap When replacing or removing the lens cap, press the tabs on either side of the cap to release the latch. To avoid losing the lens cap, use the cord provided to attach it to the camera as shown. Introduction Before Taking Important Pictures Before taking pictures on important occasions (such as at weddings or before taking the camera on a trip), take a test shot to ensure that the camera is functioning normally. Nikon will not be held liable for damages or lost profits that may result from product malfunction. Life-Long Learning As part of Nikon's "Life-Long Learning" commitment to ongoing product support and education, continually-updated information is available on-line at the following sites: · For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/ · For users in Europe: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support · For users in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa: http://www.nikon-asia.com/ Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information, tips, answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and general advice on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the URL below for contact information: http://nikonimaging.com/ 1 Parts of the Camera Accessory shoe cover ( Introduction 104) Control panel ( (flash mode) button ( 37) 6) (LCD illuminator) button ( 6) Mode dial ( 8) ( Accessory shoe ( 104) Built-in Speedlight 19, 37, 104­105) (exposure compensation) button ( 44) Voice memo record/ playback button ( 74) Shutter-release button ( 7) Power switch ( 14) Lens ( Infrared receiver ( FUNC button ( 26, 50, 60, 139) 42) Microphone ( 146, 154) 59, 74) Self-timer lamp ( 41, 42) AF-assist illuminator (LED; 21, 145, 154) Shot confirmation lamp ( 140) Lens ring removed Battery-chamber cover latch ( 10) Battery-chamber cover ( 10, 11) Tripod socket 2 (monitor) button ( Eyelet for camera strap (× 2) 4) AE /AF-L (AE / AF lock) button ( 22, 138) Zoom ( / ) buttons ( 18, 67, 70) Introduction Command dial Memory card slot ( 12, 13) Electronic viewfinder ( 4, 5) Monitor ( 4, 5, 7) ( (menu) button 26, 85, 113) (quick review) button ( 23) Memory card slot cover ( 12, 13) Multi selector ( 8) (delete) button ( 23, 58, 65) (self-timer) button ( 41) (display) button ( 5, 65) Diopter adjustment control ( 19) Interface connector cover Vibration reduction (VR) switch ( 18, 45) Lens ring DC-IN connector ( 11) Digital I / O (USB) and audio / video (A / V) out connector ( 75, 77, 80) Speaker ( 64, 74) 3 /MF (focus mode/ manual focus) button ( 40, 57) The Shooting Display (Monitor / Electronic Viewfinder) The following indicators are displayed during shooting 1: 1 Introduction 234 18 17 16 1.0 AE/AF .0 10 AE-L AF-L 19 8M TOKYO 1/60 F2.8 60 15 14 13 126 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 Auto / scene mode 2................... 17, 26 2 Zoom indicator 3............................. 18 Folder name 4 ................. 25, 116, 133 3 Focus indicator 5 ............................. 20 4 Focus mode................................... 40 5 Flash mode.................................... 38 1 2 3 4 Icons displayed vary with camera settings. Icon varies with mode or scene selected. Displayed when zoom buttons are pressed. Appears only in case of folders created or renamed using Folders option ( 116). 6 Battery level indicator 6 ................... 17 7 "Date not set" icon 7...................... 15 8 Recording indicator ....................... 21 9 Flash indicator ............................... 20 10 Image size ..................................... 35 11 Image quality................................. 35 12 Number of exposures remaining...................................... 17 13 Date imprint indicator.................. 142 14 Aperture.................................. 49, 50 15 Shutter speed .......................... 48, 50 16 Self-timer indicator ........................ 41 17 Vibration reduction (VR) indicator ................................. 17, 45 18 Exposure compensation................. 44 19 Exposure / focus lock........... 31, 63, 98 5 Displayed when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. 6 Appears when batteries are running low. 7 Appears when camera clock has not been set. The Button The electronic viewfinder can be used to frame pictures when bright ambient lighting conditions make the display in the monitor difficult to see. Use the button to switch between the monitor and viewfinder. 8M 1/125 F5.6 125 15 8M 1/125 F5.6 125 15 8M 1/125 F5.6 15 4 20 21 34 22 1.0 AE/AF .0 30 33 32 31 H TOKYO 100 24 25 8M 23 26 Introduction 27 1/60 F2.8 60 29 20 Ultra HS recording indicator........... 89 21 Spot metering target ..................... 87 22 Flash mode for optional Speedlights.................................. 105 23 White balance ............................... 55 24 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) ........... 53 25 Image adjustment.......................... 93 Black-and-white indicator .............. 94 26 Focus areas 8 ................................ 100 27 Length of movie ............................ 59 126 28 895" 895 28 Exposure display ...................... 50, 51 Manual focus display ..................... 57 29 Exposure mode........................ 47­50 30 Best Shot Selector (BSS) ................. 91 Bracketing indicator..................... 107 Noise reduction ........................... 109 31 Converter lens setting.................... 97 32 Metering mode ............................. 87 33 Continuous shooting mode ........... 89 34 User Settings bank......................... 95 8 Five focus areas are available when Auto is selected for AF-area mode in P, S, A, or M mode ( 100). The active focus area lights when the camera focuses. Nine focus areas are displayed when Manual is selected in P, S, A, or M mode ( 100) or (Portrait), (Night portrait), or (Close up) is selected in scene mode ( 26). The Button To hide or display shooting indicators, press the button. Histogram (P, S, A only; not displayed when AE lock is on) Current settings 8M 8M 1/60 F2.8 60 126 1/60 F2.8 60 126 View through lens only Framing guides 5 The Control Panel1 Introduction 1 White balance indicator................. 55 2 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) indicator........................................ 53 3 Shutter speed 2......................... 48, 50 Aperture 2 ................................ 49, 50 Continuous mode.......................... 88 Selected scene (scene mode) ......... 26 Movie mode .................................. 60 White balance ............................... 54 Image transfer status ..................... 77 Exposure compensation................. 44 Image mode .................................. 35 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) .......... 52 User Settings bank ........................ 95 1 Control panel is shown with all elements lit for illustrative purposes. 4 Exposure compensation indicator........................................ 44 5 Flash mode.................................... 38 6 Exposure count display (number of exposures remaining)..................... 17 Exposure indicator ................... 50, 51 7 Continuous shooting mode ........... 89 8 Self-timer ...................................... 41 9 Metering mode ............................. 87 10 Focus mode................................... 40 11 Manual focus indicator .................. 57 12 Battery level indicator .................... 17 2 Press FUNC button to switch between shutter-speed and aperture displays (S and A modes excluded). The Button To view settings in the dark, press the button ( 2). The LCD illuminator (control panel backlight) will light for about eight seconds or until the button is pressed again. 6 The Monitor 0° 90° 180° Introduction Fold out to use Range of rotation Frame self-portraits * * Monitor shows mirror image of what will appear in final picture. If camera is on, monitor turns off and electronic viewfinder turns on automatically. Stow on camera body Storage position The Shutter-Release Button The camera has a two stage shutter-release button. The camera sets focus and exposure when the button is pressed halfway. Focus and exposure will remain locked while the shutter-release button is kept in this position. To release the shutter, press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down. Press halfway to lock focus and exposure Press all the way down to shoot Do Not Use Excessive Force Do not use excessive force when rotating the monitor. Failure to observe this precaution could damage the hinge connecting the monitor to the camera body. 7 The Mode Dial To select a mode, align the mode icon with the mark next to the mode dial. P SA M ( 46) Choose these modes for varying degrees of control Scene ( 26) Auto ( 17) over shutter speed and Choose from fifteen A simple "point-and-shoot" aperture. "scenes" suited to difmode recommended for ferent subjects or shootfirst time users of digital ing conditions and let the cameras. camera do the rest. Playback ( 65) Play pictures back in the Choose from five movie monitor. modes. WB ( 54) Setup ( 130) Display a menu of white Display the setup menu, balance options. where you can perform ISO ( 52) such tasks as setting the Display a menu of sensitivity camera clock and adjust( 33) (ISO equivalency) options. ing monitor brightness. Display a menu of image quality and size options. Introduction The Multi Selector The multi selector is used to navigate through the camera menus. Move cursor up Cancel and return to previous menu, or move cursor left Press center to make selection Display sub-menu, move cursor right, or make selection. Move cursor down 8 First Steps Charging the Battery The camera uses a rechargeable Nikon EN-EL7 lithium-ion battery (supplied). Charge the battery before first use or when the battery is running low. 2 3 1 2 1 Connect the power cable Connect the power cable to the supplied MH-56 battery charger ( ) and insert the wall plug into a power outlet ( ). The CHARGE lamp will light to show that the charger is on ( ). Charge the battery Remove terminal cover and slide the EN-EL7 into the MH-56 terminals first. During charging, the CHARGE lamp shows battery status as follows: CHARGE lamp Description Blinks Battery charging. On Battery fully charged. Battery error. If ambient temperature is not 5­35 °C (41­95 °F), wait until temperature is in this range before charging. Otherwise unplug Flickers charger and remove battery immediately and take both devices to retailer or Nikon-authorized service representative. First Steps CHARGE lamp starts blinking when battery is inserted. Charging is complete when lamp stops blinking. About two and a half hours are required to charge a fully depleted battery. 3 Unplug the charger Remove the battery and unplug the charger. The MH-56 Battery Charger Before using the MH-56, read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ii­iii of this manual. The MH-56 is for use with EN-EL7 batteries. Do not use with non-compatible batteries. The supplied power cable is intended solely for use with the MH-56 and is for domestic use only. It may be necessary to purchase another cable for use abroad; consult with a local Nikon-authorized retailer or service representative. 9 Inserting the Battery 1 2 1 2 Turn the camera off Open the battery-chamber cover Slide the battery-chamber cover latch to the position ( ) and flip the battery-chamber cover open ( ). Insert the battery Insert a fully-charged EN-EL7 battery as shown in the label inside the battery-chamber cover. Inserting Batteries Inserting the battery upside down or backwards could damage the camera. Check to be sure the battery is in the correct orientation. First Steps 3 2 1 4 Close the battery-chamber cover Close the battery-chamber cover ( ) and slide the latch to the position ( ). 10 EN-EL7 Batteries Before using the EN-EL7, read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ii­iii and 147 of this manual. Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 40 °C (104 °F). During charging, the temperature should be in the vicinity of 5­35 °C (41­ 95 °F). Note that the battery may become hot during use; wait for the battery to cool before charging. Failure to observe these precautions could damage the battery, impair its performance, or prevent it from charging normally. First Steps When the Battery Is Not in Use When the battery is not in use, remove it from the camera or battery charger and replace the terminal cover. The camera and battery charger draw minute amounts of current even when off; if left in place, the battery could be drained to the point that it no longer functions. Turn the camera off before removing or inserting batteries. To remove the battery, open the battery-chamber cover as described in Step 2, above, and slide the battery out. Note that the battery may become hot during use; observe due caution when removing the battery. Alternative Power Sources To power the camera continuously for extended periods, use an EH-54 AC adapter (available separately; 143). Do not, under any circumstances, use another make or model of AC adapter. Failure to observe this precaution could result in overheating or in damage to the camera. Removing the Battery-Chamber Cover To remove the battery-chamber cover when using the optional MB-CP11 battery pack, open the cover, press it down ( ) and twist it off as shown ( ). Replace the battery-chamber cover when the battery pack is not in use. To replace the cover, insert one corner and press down while rotating the cover as shown until it clicks into place. Recycle Used Batteries Used batteries are a valuable resource. Please recycle used batteries in accordance with local regulations. 11 Inserting Memory Cards The camera stores pictures on CompactFlashTM memory cards. See "Technical Notes: Approved Memory Cards" ( 144) for a list of compatible cards. 1 First Steps 1 2 Turn the camera off 2 3 Open the memory card slot cover A yellow notice detailing memory card insertion is placed in the memory card slot at shipment. Remove the notice and read the instructions. Insert a memory card Check that the eject button is all the way down ( ) and then insert a memory card as shown in the label inside the memory card slot cover ( ). Inserting Memory Cards Insert memory cards terminals first. Inserting the card upside down or backwards could damage the camera or the card. Check to be sure the card is in the correct orientation. Terminals Direction of insertion Upside down Front DO NOT INSERT: Sideways 4 Close the memory card slot cover Format Memory Cards Before First Use Memory cards must be formatted before first use. See "The Shooting Menu: CF Card Format" ( 112). 12 The Eject Button If the eject button is up when the card-slot cover is closed, closing the cover will partially eject the memory card, causing errors when the camera is turned on. Be sure the eject button is down before inserting memory cards. Removing Memory Cards Memory cards can be removed without loss of data when the camera is off. To remove memory cards, turn the camera off and open the memory card slot cover. Press the eject button to pop it up ( ), then press it again to partially eject the card ( ). The card can then be removed by hand. Note that memory cards may become hot during use; observe due caution when removing memory cards. First Steps 2 1 13 Turning the Camera On 1 First Steps Ready the monitor 2 Turn the camera on The first time the camera is turned on, a languageselection dialog will be displayed ( 15). Choose a language and set the time and date. Turning the Camera Off To turn the camera off, rotate the power switch to the off position. The displays will turn off and the lens will retract. Auto Power Off (Standby Mode) If no operations are performed for one minute (three minutes when menus are displayed), the monitor and electronic viewfinder will turn off automatically and the camera will enter standby mode, reducing the drain on the batteries (if the camera is powered by an optional AC adapter or the Loop option is selected during a slide show [ 120], the display will turn off after thirty minutes). To reactivate the display, press the , , or button, choose a new mode, or press the shutter-release button halfway. The length of time before the camera enters standby mode can be changed using the Auto off option in the setup menu ( 138). 14 Basic Setup 1 Svenska Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Nederlands Cancel Set Highlight Deutsch (German), English, Español (Spanish), Français (French), Italiano (Italian), Nederlands (Dutch), Svenska (Swedish), (Japanese), (Simplified Chinese), (Korean). * (Traditional Chinese), or First Steps * Press button to exit without selecting language. DATE Set time and date? No Yes 2 3 DATE Set time and date? No Yes Confirmation dialog displayed. Highlight Yes. Select No to exit to mode selected with mode dial. If time and date are not set, ("date not set") icon will flash in monitor during shooting and all pictures will have time stamp of "00.00.0000 00:00." Movies will be dated "01.09.2004 00:00." 4 HOME TIME ZONE 5 HOME TIME ZONE London, Casablanca London, Casablanca Back Set Back Set Display map of world time zones. Select home time zone. The Clock Battery When the main battery is installed or an AC adapter is connected, the clock battery will charge in about 10 hours. When fully charged, the clock battery can provide several days of backup power. The clock may be reset when the battery runs low; when the battery is exhausted, the DATE menu is displayed automatically. The Camera Clock The camera clock is less accurate than most watches or household clocks. Check the clock regularly against more accurate timepieces and reset as necessary. 15 6 TIME ZONE 01. 09. 2004 00 : 00 London, Casablanca 7 DATE D M Y Time zone DaylightSaving 01 . 09 . 2004 00 : 00 TIME ZONE menu displayed. First Steps Display DATE menu. If daylight saving time ( 132) is in effect in local time zone, highlight DaylightSaving and press center of multi selector. To return to Step 6, highlight current time zone. To return to Step 4, highlight Time zone and press multi selector right. 8 DATE D M Y 9 01 . 09 . 2004 00 : 00 DATE D M Y 01 . 09 . 2004 00 : 00 Edit Day (order of Day, Month, and Year may differ in some areas). Select Month. Repeat steps 8­9 to edit Month, Year, hour, and minute. 10 DATE D M Y 11 01 . 10 . 2004 10 : 00 DATE M D D M Y 10 . 01 . 2004 10 : 00 Highlight D M Y. Choose order in which Day, Month, and Year will be displayed. Exit to mode currently selected with mode dial. Note that time and date of recording will not be imprinted on pictures unless Date or Date and time is 8M selected for Date imprint ( 142). 12 1/60 F2.8 60 126 16 Basic Photography This section describes how to take pictures in (auto) mode, an automatic, "point-and-shoot" mode recommended for first-time users of digital cameras. Step 1 --Rotate the Mode Dial to Rotate the mode dial to and turn the camera on The lens will extend and the monitor or electronic viewfinder will display a welcome message ( 135). The camera is ready to shoot when the view through the camera lens is displayed and the control panel lights. Shooting mode: indicates auto mode. Monitor / electronic viewfinder Battery indicator Control panel Image quality / size ( 33): Choose according to how picture will be used. Basic Photography 8M 1/60 F2.8 60 Exposure mode ( 46): P (programmed auto) is automatically selected in mode. 126 Number of exposures remaining ( 36): Depends on capacity of memory card and options chosen for image quality and size. Vibration reduction (VR) indicator ( 45): Displayed when vibration reduction is on. Vibration reduction reduces blurring caused by small camera movements (camera shake). The Battery Indicator Shooting display -- Control panel Status Notes Battery fully charged. Camera functions normally. Battery partially discharged. Low battery. Ready spare If built-in Speedlight fires, monitor battery. turns off while flash recharges. WARNING!! No pictures can be taken until BATTERY Battery exhausted. battery has been recharged or (flashes) EXHAUSTED replaced. 17 Step 2 -- Frame the Picture 1 Ready the camera Hold the camera steadily in both hands. Don't Block the Shot To avoid muffled sound or dark or partially obscured pictures, keep fingers and other objects away from the microphone, lens, built-in Speedlight, and AF-assist lamp (LED). Basic Photography Before shooting, check that vibration reduction (VR) is on. Vibration reduction reduces blurring caused by camera shake and stabilizes the view through the lens in the shooting display. 2 Zoom out Zoom in Indicator shows 8M amount of zoom 1/125 F5.6 Digital zoom 15 Middle zoom Digital 8M position zoom 1/125 F5.6 Wide angle 15 Telephoto Frame the subject The camera is equipped with two types of built-in zoom: optical zoom, in which the camera's telescoping lens can be used to magnify the subject up to 10 ×, and digital zoom, in which digital processing is used to further magnify the image up to 4 ×, for a total of 40 ×. Use the zoom buttons to frame your subject in the center of the monitor: · Press the button to zoom out from your subject, increasing the area visible in the frame. · Press the button to zoom in on your subject so that it fills a larger area of the frame. · When the camera is zoomed in to maximum magnification, holding the button down for about two seconds will trigger digital zoom, and the zoom indicator will turn yellow. Use the and buttons to adjust zoom in the digital zoom range. To cancel digital zoom, press until the zoom indicator turns white. 18 The Built-in Speedlight In mode, the built-in Speedlight will pop up automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway if additional light is required for correct exposure. Do not place your fingers where they will obstruct the built-in Speedlight. If the Speedlight is prevented from popping up when the shutterrelease button is pressed halfway, a message will be displayed ( 150). Do not attempt to raise the Speedlight by hand. Failure to observe this precaution could result in damage to the Speedlight. To lower the Speedlight, gently press it straight down until it clicks into place. Do not apply force to the front, back, or sides. Digital Zoom ( 102) In digital zoom, data from the camera's image sensor are processed digitally, enlarging the center portion of the picture to fill the frame. Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom does not increase the amount of detail visible in the picture. Instead, details visible at maximum optical zoom are simply enlarged, producing a slightly "grainy" image. Vibration reduction (VR) will not produce the desired results with digital zoom, but is effective at reducing the effects of camera shake at when used with optical zoom. When Lighting Is Poor When lighting is poor, the image in the display is processed to compensate and some mottling may occur. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction. Viewfinder Focus If the image in the electronic viewfinder seems blurred, rotate the diopter adjustment control until the image is in sharp focus. When operating the diopter control with your eye to the viewfinder, care should be taken to avoid accidentally putting your finger in your eye. Display Lag The image from the camera CCD must be processed before it can be displayed in the monitor or electronic viewfinder, resulting in a slight lag between the movement of the subject and the image in the display. This lag can be reduced by selecting Quick response for the Monitor options > Shutter release speed option in the setup menu ( 133). Basic Photography 19 Step 3 -- Focus and Shoot 1 Focus Press the shutter-release button halfway to set focus and exposure ( 7). In mode, the camera will automatically focus on the subject at the center of the frame. Focus and exposure will lock while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. If the subject is poorly lit and the flash is on, the built-in Speedlight will pop up automatically. With the shutter-release button pressed halfway, check the focus and flash indicators: On (green) Subject in focus. Camera unable to focus on subject at center of frame. Using focus lock, Blinks focus on another subject at same disgreen tance, then recompose picture and shoot. Built-in Speedlight will fire when picOn (red) ture is taken. Blinks red Built-in Speedlight is charging. Built-in Speedlight is off or not reOff quired. Focus indicator Focus indicator Basic Photography 8M 1/60 F2.8 60 126 Flash indicator Flash indicator 2 Take the picture Press the shutter release button the rest of the way down to take the picture. To prevent blur, press the shutter-release button down smoothly. 20 During Recording While pictures are being recorded to the memory card, a (recording) or (wait) icon will be displayed in the monitor or electronic viewfinder. The camera can continue to take pictures until the icon is displayed. Do not turn the camera off, eject the memory card, or remove or disconnect the power source while the or icon is displayed. Cutting power or removing the memory card in these circumstances could result in loss of data or in damage to the camera or card. Number of Exposures Remaining If the number of exposures remaining reaches zero, the message "OUT OF MEMORY" will be displayed in the monitor ( 148). No further pictures can be taken until: · a new memory card is inserted ( 12) · pictures are deleted ( 23, 114) The "OUT OF MEMORY" message may clear from the display if a lower image quality or size is selected ( 33). Low Battery If the flash fires when the low battery icon is displayed, the monitor will turn off while the built-in Speedlight recharges. The AF-Assist Illuminator If lighting is poor, the AF assist illuminator will light when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, allowing the camera to focus even when the subject is poorly lit. The AF-assist illuminator has a range of about 0.5­1.4 m (18­4´7). The AF-assist illuminator will not light if: · Focus mode ( 40) is set to (infinity) or manual focus is used ( 57) · The center focus area is not selected when (Portrait), (Night portrait), or (Close up) is chosen in scene mode ( 27­31) or Manual is chosen for Focus options > AF area mode ( 100) · (Landscape), (Night landscape), (Museum), (Fireworks show), (Sports), or (Dusk/Dawn) is selected in scene mode ( 27­31) · A setting other than Time-lapse movie is selected in movie mode ( 59) · An option other than Normal is selected for Lens ( 97) Basic Photography 21 Getting Good Results with Autofocus Autofocus performs best when there is contrast between the subject and the background and the subject is evenly lit. It does not perform well with very dark subjects (unless the AF-assist illuminator is on and the subject is within range of the illuminator), low-contrast scenes (e.g., where the subject is the same color as the background), scenes containing objects at different distances from the camera (e.g., where the subject is inside a cage), or subjects that are moving rapidly. AF /AE Lock Focus and exposure are locked when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and remain locked while the shutter-release button is held in this position (focus lock). Focus lock can be used to take pictures of off-center subjects or in situations in which the camera is unable to focus using autofocus. Basic Photography 1 Focus 2 8M Check focus indicator 8M 1/60 F2.8 60 126 1/60 F2.8 60 126 Position subject in center of frame and press shutter-release button halfway. Check that focus indicator glows steadily, indicating that subject is in focus. 3 Recompose picture 4 8M Take picture 1/60 F2.8 60 126 Press shutter-release button rest of way down to take picture. Focus and exposure are locked while shutter-release button is pressed halfway. * * Do not change distance between camera and subject while focus lock is in effect. If subject moves, release shutter-release button and focus again at new distance. The AE / AF-L Button Focus and exposure will also lock while the AE /AF-L button is pressed (if desired, the AE /AF-L button can be used to lock focus but not exposure, or vice versa; 139). 22 Step 4 --View the Results (Quick Review / Full-Screen Review) The button can be used to view pictures without leaving shooting mode. 1 2 10.01.2004 10:20 100NIKON 0001.JPG 0001 JPG 1/60 F2.8 60 126 8M 1 1 Basic Photography Pictures played back in top left corner of display (quick review). Press button again to display pictures full screen (full-screen review). Use the multi selector to view additional pictures. Press the multi selector down or right to view pictures in the order recorded, up or left to view pictures in reverse order. To return to shooting mode, press the button a third time or press the shutter-release button halfway. Deleting Unwanted Pictures (Full-Screen Review) To delete the picture displayed in full-screen review, press the button. A confirmation dialog will be displayed; press the multi selector up or down to highlight an option and then press the center of the multi selector to make a selection. · Yes: Delete the picture and return to full-screen review · No: Exit to full-screen review without deleting the picture Quick Review Pressing the button will not delete pictures displayed in quick review. Erase 1 image (s)? No Yes Playback Mode Pictures can also be viewed by rotating the mode dial to (playback mode; 65). Playback Tips Pictures are displayed briefly at low resolution while being read from the memory card. This makes it possible to scroll rapidly through the pictures in memory without waiting for each image to be displayed at full resolution. 23 Quick Playback Zoom For an enlarged (× 3) view of the picture currently displayed in full-screen review ( 23) or full-frame playback ( 65): 1 3.0 2 3.0 Scroll Basic Photography Zoom Scroll Zoom Zoom picture in × 3. Center of picture is visible in display. View other areas of picture. Area currently visible indicated by display in lower right corner. 3 10.01.2004 10:20 100NIKON End zoom and return to playback. 0001.JPG 0001 JPG 8M 1 1 The zoom buttons can be used to zoom the picture in or out while quick playback zoom is in effect ( 70). 24 Image File and Folder Names On the memory card, pictures are identified by file names with three parts: a four letter identifier, a four-digit file number assigned automatically by the camera in ascending order, and a three-letter extension (e.g., "DSCN0001.JPG"). Type RAW-quality still HI-quality still Other still Movie Time-lapse movie Cropped copy Small copy Copy created using D-lighting option Voice memo (appended to original still) Voice memo (appended to cropped copy) Voice memo (appended to small copy) Voice memo (appended to D-lighting copy) Identifier Extension DSCN .NEF 33 DSCN .TIF 33 DSCN .JPG 33 DSCN .MOV 61 INTN .MOV 61 RSCN .JPG 71 SSCN .JPG 72 FSCN .JPG 73 DSCN .WAV 74 RSCN .WAV 74 SSCN .WAV 74 FSCN .WAV 74 When a picture is viewed on the camera, the file number and extension appear in the top right corner of the display. The identifier is not displayed, but is visible when the picture is transferred to a computer. Pictures are stored in folders named with a three-digit folder number followed by a five-character identifier (e.g, "100NIKON"). The default identifier is NIKON; if desired, folders with other identifiers can be created and pictures organized by theme ( 116). Each sequence of pictures taken using interval-timer photography, Ultra HS, or panorama assist is stored in a separate folder with its own identifier: "INTVL" for interval timer photography ( 90), "N_" plus a three-digit sequence number for Ultra HS (e.g, "101N_001"; 88), or "P_" plus a three-digit sequence number for panorama assist (e.g, "101P_001"; 32). Folders can hold up to 200 pictures; if a picture is taken when the current folder contains 200 pictures, a new folder will be created by adding one to the current folder number. If a picture is taken when the current folder contains a picture numbered 9999, a new folder will be created and file numbering will begin again from 0001. If the current folder is numbered 999 and contains 200 pictures or a picture numbered 9999, no further pictures can be taken until the memory card is formatted ( 112) or a new memory card inserted. The first picture displayed when pictures are played back is the picture with the highest file number in the highest-numbered folder. Original Copy Audio file Basic Photography 25 Scene Mode Scene mode offers a menu of fifteen "scenes," each corresponding to a common situation, such as a backlit subject, sunset, or interior shot. Camera settings are automatically adjusted to suit the selected scene, sparing the user the necessity of adjusting each setting separately. To select a scene: 1 8M 2 Portrait 1/60 F2.8 60 Select scene mode (default is 126 ). Back Set Display scene menu. Highlight scene (scene can also be highlighted by rotating command dial). Highlighted scene shown by large icon and caption. To exit without changing . current selection, press 3 Scene Mode Party/Indoor Back Set 4 8M Select highlighted scene and return to shooting mode. Selected scene shown by icon in monitor or electronic viewfinder. 1/60 F2.8 60 126 Depending on the scene selected, restrictions may apply to flash mode (; 37) or focus mode ( ; 40). These restrictions are noted on the pages that follow. Scene Mode Depending on your subject, scene mode may not always produce the desired results. If results are not satisfactory, choose (auto), P, S, A, or M mode and try again. Selecting a Scene To select a scene without leaving shooting mode, press the FUNC button and rotate the command dial. Selected scene is shown in control panel as ­ . 26 Portrait ( ) Use for portraits. Main subject stands out clearly while background details are softened, lending composition sense of depth. · Degree of softening depends on amount of light available. · Focus area can be selected using multi selector ( 100). If center focus area is selected, AF-assist illuminator will activate when lighting is poor. * Auto -- Party / Indoor ( ) Use for shots that include details of the background, or to capture the effects of candlelight and other indoor background lighting. · Camera focuses on subject in center of frame. Scene Mode Auto Hold camera steady Night portrait ( ) Use for shots that provide natural balance between main subject and background when shooting portraits under low light. · Noise reduction ( 109) turns on automatically at slow shutter speeds. · Focus area can be selected using multi selector ( 100). If center focus area is selected, AF-assist illuminator will activate when lighting is poor. Auto Use tripod * Other modes can be selected.