Nikon CoolPix 950 Reference Manual
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Nikon CoolPix 950 Reference Manual

Nikon coolpix 950: reference manual
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  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    DIGITAL CAMERA COOLPIX 950 Reference Manual Contents Overview First Steps Putting Batteries in Your Camera Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Choosing a Language for the Menus Setting the Time and Date Taking Your First Photograph Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC)
  • Page 2 The Camera Menus The A-REC Menu Using Folders (A-REC, M-REC) LCD Brightness Sound Settings Auto Off Formatting Memory Cards The M-REC Menu Digital Zoom (DIGITAL TELE) Black-and-White Photography Lens Converter Settings (LENS) Making a Panorama—Tips (AE-LOCK) User Settings Restoring Default Settings LCD On/Off The Controls Menu (M-REC) SEQ.XFER...

  • Page 3: Coolpix

    Overview Thank you for buying a COOLPIX 950. This Reference Manual explains how to use and care for your COOLPIX 950. It is intended as a supplement to the Fast Track Guide and Pocket Guide, to which you can refer for guidance on topics not covered here. This manual...

  • Page 4: First Steps

    First Steps This chapter guides you through the steps you will take after removing the camera from the box, from inserting the batteries to making your first photographs and playing them back. Before you will be able to use your camera, you will need to complete the following steps: •...

  • Page 5: Inserting And Removing Memory Cards

    Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Turn the camera off Turn the mode dial to OFF. Open the card slot Turn the camera upside down (if the camera is on a tripod, detach it from the tripod first), then open the card slot cover. Insert the memory card, or…...

  • Page 6: Setting The Time And Date

    Setting the Time and Date When you turn on your camera for the first time, you will need to set the time and date as follows: Turn the mode dial to PLAY. Press the MENU button to display the playback menu. Using the zoom buttons, highlight SET UP and press the shutter-release button.

  • Page 7: Taking Your First Photograph

    Taking Your First Photograph This section outlines the basic steps involved in taking a photograph in A-REC mode. Step 1—Remove the lens cap Remove the lens cap as shown below. Sleep mode The LCD monitor turns off automatically if no operations are performed for a certain period of time (the length of time before the camera enters sleep mode can be set using the AUTO OFF item in the setup menu;...
  • Page 8 Step 3—Check the number of exposures remaining The control panel and LCD monitor show the number of expo- sures remaining at the current image quality setting. Number of exposures remaining 1/125 F4.0 When this number reaches zero, you will need to insert a new memory card or delete items already in memory before you will be able to take more photographs.
  • Page 9 Step 6—Half-press the shutter-release button When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the camera will automatically adjust focus according to the distance to the subject. If the focus operation is successful, the green autofocus lamp next to the viewfinder will glow. The focus setting will remain unchanged as long as the shutter button is half-pressed (see the section “Focus Lock”...
  • Page 10 Step 8—Check the results After a photograph has been taken, the autofocus lamp will blink and an hourglass icon ( ) will be displayed in the LCD monitor while the photograph is recorded. Before the photograph is transferred to the memory card, it will be displayed briefly in the LCD monitor.

  • Page 11: Using The Buttons (A-Rec, M-Rec)

    Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC) This chapter details some of the camera settings that can be accessed without using the camera menus: flash, focus, image quality, image size, sensitivity, and exposure mode. Exposure compensation is covered in the Fast Track Guide. Flash Settings The following flash settings are available: Setting...
  • Page 12 Using an External Flash A flash bracket (the SK-E900 Multi-Flash Bracket Unit) is available sepa- rately for connecting external flash units to the COOLPIX 950. When the bracket is connected to the camera’s synchro-flash terminal, external flash units mounted on the bracket are synchronized with the camera’s built-in flash, increasing the size of the area illuminated and allowing sophisticated flash techniques such as bounce-flash photography.

  • Page 13: Focus Settings

    Focus Settings With the mode dial set to A-REC, a choice of three autofocus modes is available. In addition, M-REC mode offers a selection of manual focus settings. Autofocus settings The following autofocus settings are available in M-REC and A-REC modes: Setting Autofocus...
  • Page 14 When manual focus is used with the lens converters available separately for the COOLPIX 950, the actual focus distance may differ from the setting chosen. Check focus in the LCD monitor when using a lens converter. Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC): Focus Settings...

  • Page 15: Using The Self-Timer

    Using the Self-Timer The COOLPIX 950 is equipped with an automatic timer with two settings: three seconds, useful when making group photographs, and ten seconds, ideal for self-portraits. To use the self-timer, follow these steps: For self-portraits, mount the camera on a tripod (recom- mended) or rest it on a flat, stable surface.

  • Page 16: Image Quality And Size

    Image Quality and Size The image-quality/image-size setting determines how many pho- tographs can be stored on a single memory card. The following combinations of image quality and size are available: Size Quality BASIC Full NORMAL (1,600 × 1,200 FINE pixels) HI (M-REC only) BASIC (1,024 ×...

  • Page 17: Sensitivity

    Photographs taken at an image quality setting of HI are stored in uncompressed TIFF format and show no loss in quality. An 8 MB memory card is, however, sufficient to store only one such photograph at a time. To take photographs at an image quality of HI, turn the mode dial to M-REC, then hold down the and turn the command dial until HI is displayed in the control panel.

  • Page 18: Exposure Mode

    Exposure Mode When the mode dial is set to M-REC, you can choose an exposure mode from the following options: Setting Program Camera automatically sets shutter speed and aper- ture to produce the best exposure. You choose the aperture (f-number) using the com- Aperture Priority mand dial.

  • Page 19: Aperture Priority

    Aperture Priority An exposure mode of Aperture Priority allows you to choose an aperture setting from three pre-determined f-values. To choose a value for aperture: Set the exposure mode to Aperture Pri- ority. Turn the command dial to choose an aperture setting (if the aperture setting does not change when you rotate the command dial, press the...

  • Page 20: Using The Buttons (Play)

    Using the Buttons (PLAY) This chapter describes the following playback functions: • viewing photographs • deleting unwanted photographs individually These functions can be accessed using the zoom (MW/TL) buttons, the command dial, and the three buttons below the control panel. The options available in the playback menu are described in the following chapter.
  • Page 21 • To select a photo for viewing: Press the thumbnail ( ) button to display a menu of nine preview images. A number at the bottom right corner of each preview gives the position of the photograph in memory. If there are more than nine photos in memory, use the command dial to page through the previews, nine at a time.

  • Page 22: The Camera Menus

    A-REC and M- REC mode. CARDFORMAT (Card Format) Format memory cards for use in the COOLPIX 950. The Camera Menus: The A-REC Menu DATE Set the camera’s internal clock-calendar as described in “First Steps: Setting the Time and Date,”...

  • Page 23: Using Folders (A-Rec, M-Rec)

    Using Folders (A-REC, M-REC) By default, photographs taken with the COOLPIX 950 are stored in the memory card in a folder labeled NIKON. To make it easier to locate photographs during playback, you can create additional folders and organize your photographs by theme. The FOLDERS...
  • Page 24 Use the zoom buttons to highlight the folder you want to rename (note that the folder name NIKON can not be changed) and press the shutter-release button. Change the name as described in steps 2 to 5 of “Creating new folders,”...

  • Page 25: Lcd Brightness

    Use the zoom buttons to highlight the folder you want to delete (note that the folder name NIKON can not be deleted) and press the shutter-release button. In the menu at right, use the zoom buttons...

  • Page 26: Sound Settings

    Sound Settings The COOLPIX 950 is equipped with a speaker that produces a beep when you turn the camera on or take a picture. This speaker can be turned on and off using the SOUND menu. The SOUND menu can be accessed from the setup menu for each mode.

  • Page 27: Formatting Memory Cards

    Formatting Memory Cards Compact flash-memory cards must be formatted before they can be used in the camera. You can also format cards to erase all folders and photographs. When memory cards are formatted, all data on the card are permanently deleted; be sure to copy to a computer any files you would like to keep.

  • Page 28: The M-Rec Menu

    The M-REC Menu To display the M-REC menu, turn the mode dial to M-REC and press the MENU button. The M-REC menu has two pages of options; you can move from the first to the second page using the MENU button or zoom but- tons.
  • Page 29 Offers a choice of three custom settings. See below for details. CARDFORMAT (Card Format) Format memory cards for use in the COOLPIX 950. See “The Camera Menus: The A-REC Menu,” above. RESET ALL Restores user settings to their default values. See below for details.

  • Page 30: Digital Zoom (Digital Tele)

    Instead, details already visible are enlarged, producing a slightly “grainy” image. By default, the COOLPIX 950 automatically enters digital zoom mode when the zoom-in (T/L) button is held down for two seconds at maximum zoom. This automatic digital zoom is described in the Pocket Guide, “Taking Photographs: Composition...

  • Page 31: Black-And-White Photography

    Black-and-White Photography In M-REC mode, photographs can be taken either in color or in black-and-white (in A-REC mode, only color is available). Photo- graphs taken in black-and-white have slightly better image quality than color photos. To switch from color to black-and-white or vice-versa: Turn the mode dial to M-REC.

  • Page 32: Lens Converter Settings (Lens)

    Lens Converter Settings (LENS) If you have attached one of the lens converters available sepa- rately for the COOLPIX 950, you can use the LENS option to adjust zoom, flash, and other settings to the optimum values for the chosen converter. The following preset combinations of...

  • Page 33: Making A Panorama-Tips (Ae-Lock)

    Making a Panorama—Tips (AE-LOCK) In M-REC mode, you can lock autoexposure and auto white balance to produce a series of photographs with consistent color balance and exposure. This can be used to take several matching photographs of a single scene, which can later be blended together to create a panorama or a virtual-reality image.

  • Page 34: User Settings

    User Settings In M-REC mode, the camera can “memorize” up to three combinations of settings, including metering, white balance, multi- shot, image adjustment, best-shot selection, digital zoom, lens converter, and autoexposure/white-balance lock. These settings can be restored by selecting the settings number from the USER SET menu.

  • Page 35: Restoring Default Settings

    Image adjustment standard Best-shot selection DIGITAL TELE automatic Black-and-white off (color) Folder NIKON Lens converter AE LOCK LCD brightness 0 (no adjustment) LCD on/off ON&C-AF Controls all settings other than MENU DIR and DIST FT reset to off...

  • Page 36: Lcd On/Off

    LCD On/Off By default, the LCD monitor comes on when the camera is turned on and can only be turned off by pressing the MONITOR button. While the LCD monitor is on, the camera adjusts focus continu- ously, providing a constant preview of the view through the lens. The settings in the LCD ON/OFF menu allow you to change the behavior of the monitor and autofocus in M-REC mode, saving power and increasing battery life.

  • Page 37: The Controls Menu (M-Rec)

    “0” when the camera is turned on. • INTL FLASH OFF: The COOLPIX 950 is equipped with an external flash connector that allows an external flash to be used in combination with the camera’s built-in flash. When the INTL.FLASH OFF item is checked, the internal flash will remain...

  • Page 38: Seq.xfer

    SEQ.XFER Photographs taken by the COOLPIX 950 are stored as image files. Each file is assigned a name which includes a four-digit number. Because no two photographs on any given memory card will have the same number at the same time, there is no possibility of confusion so long as you continue to use a single memory card without formatting it.

  • Page 39: The Playback Menu

    “The Camera Menus: The A-REC menu,” above. CARDFORMAT (Card for use in the COOLPIX 950. See “The Camera Menus: The A-REC Menu,” above. DATE: Set the camera’s internal clock-calendar as de- scribed in “First Steps: Setting the Time and Date,” above.

  • Page 40: Deleting Multiple Photographs

    Deleting Multiple Photographs The DELETE option in the playback menu allows you to: • delete selected photographs • delete all the photographs • select a folder for deletion • delete printer information files created with the PRINT SET option (see “Preparing Photographs for Printing,” below) Note that once deleted, photographs can not be recovered;...
  • Page 41 I M A G E S E X C L U D E D ) folder you want to delete (note that the folder name NIKON can not be deleted) Y E S and press the shutter-release button In the menu at right, use the zoom buttons...

  • Page 42: Using Folders (Playback)

    Using Folders (Playback) In addition to the folder creation, renaming, and deletion functions available in A-REC and M-REC, the playback FOLDERS menu allows you to select a new folder for playback. To select a folder for playback: Use the zoom buttons to highlight FOLDERS in the playback menu and press the shutter-release button.

  • Page 43: Protecting Photographs From Deletion

    To pause the slide show, press the shut- ter-release button. The slide show will pause and the window shown at right will be displayed. You can restart the slide show by selecting RESTART, choosing a new frame interval with INTVL, or select- ing BK to stop the slide show and return to playback mode.

  • Page 44: Hiding Photographs During Playback

    The Camera Menus: The Playback Menu Preparing Photographs for Printing Photographs taken with the COOLPIX 950 can be printed directly using an output device that supports DPOF and is equipped with a card reader. The PRINT SET option in the camera menu allows...

  • Page 45: The Controls Menu (Play)

    To select the number of copies of each image to be printed, highlight COPIES and turn the command dial. Alternatively, press the shutter-release button and use the zoom buttons to select the number of copies in the COPIES menu, then press the shutter-release button to return to the PRINT SET menu.

  • Page 46: Connections

    Connections This chapter provides information on connecting your camera to a computer and to a television or video-cassette recorder (VCR). Connecting to a Television or VCR Using the EG-900 video cable provided with your camera, you can connect your camera to a television or VCR to view photos on a TV screen.

  • Page 47: Viewing Photos On A Computer

    Step 3 of “Using a PCMCIA Card Slot,” below. Note The COOLPIX 950 can read and play back only those images that conform to the format used by the COOLPIX 900,900s, 700, 800, 950 and 990 digital cameras.

  • Page 48: Caring For Your Camera

    Caring for Your Camera To ensure that you continue to get the most from your camera, you should observe the following precautions when cleaning and storing your camera. Cleaning The lens is covered by a clear plastic shield. You should avoid touching this shield with your fingers.

  • Page 49: Accessories

    FOR YOUR SAFETY • EH-30 AC adapter Note In addition to Nikon’s EC-CF series, the COOLPIX 950 may be used with the following CompactFlash Cards: • SanDisk Corporation’s SDC-FB4/8/15/30/40/48/64/96 • Lexar Media Corporation’s CF016/032/048/064 4× USB, CF016/032/ 048/064/080 8× USB and CF128/160 10× USB For more details, please contact the respective company.

  • Page 50: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If you should notice any problems with your COOLPIX 950, check the list below before consulting your retailer or Nikon represen- tative. General Problems Nothing shows in the control panel Checklist: • Is the mode dial set to OFF? Turn the mode dial to A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY.
  • Page 51 The exposure count shows zero • There is not enough memory to record photographs at current settings. There may still be enough memory to record photo- graphs at a lower image quality or size. You will not, however, be able take a photograph at current settings until you have deleted one or more images from the memory card as de- scribed in “Using the Buttons (PLAY)”...
  • Page 52 ATA RAM card. • Have you installed software that can display JPEG and TIFF files? Nikon View can be used to view JPEG and TIFF files if you have no other imaging software. Nikon View displays a communications error when you...

  • Page 53: Error Messages

    LCD monitor. Below is a list of error messages that may be displayed by the COOLPIX 950 and the steps that should be taken to deal with them.
  • Page 54 S Y T EM E R ROR closing the battery-chamber cover, and unplugging the optional AC adapter (if used). Then turn the camera on once more. If the message persists, contact your retailer or Nikon representative for servicing. - 54 -...

  • Page 55: Specifications

    This is a characteristic common to all LCD displays and does not indicate a malfunction. The monitor also contains a fluorescent backlight. Should the display begin to dim or flicker, contact your Nikon service representative. contrast-detect TTL autofocus with 4,746- step control normal, forced ∞, macro...
  • Page 56 Exposure Range (continuous): EV -2.0–+15.5 (wide angle) EV -0.8–+16.7 (telephoto) (ISO 100 equivalent) Control: programmed auto, shutter-priority auto, ap- erture-priority auto Compensation: -2.0 EV–+2.0 EV in increments of White balance: automatic TTL homing system; programs avail- able for sunny and overcast conditions and for incandescent, fluorescent, and flash light- ing;...
  • Page 57 Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. Zip is a regis- tered trademark of Iomega Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. 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. Trademark Information...

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