Where to Find It Find what you’re looking for from: The Q&A Index Know what you want to do but don’t know the function name? Find it from the “question and answer” index. The Table of Contents Find items by function or menu name. The Quick Start Guide A brief guide for those who want to get started taking pictures right away.
Package Contents Be sure all items listed here were included with your camera. Memory cards are sold separately. • D300 digital camera (pg. 3) • Body cap (pp. 34, 368) • BM-8 LCD monitor cover (pg. 19) • DK-5 eyepiece cap (pg. 20) •...
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.
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Introduction Tutorial Image Recording Options Focus Release Mode ISO Sensitivity Exposure White Balance Image Enhancement Flash Photography Other Shooting Options More About Playback Connections Menu Guide Technical Notes...
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Q&A Index Find what you’re looking for using this “question and answer” index. New Features Question How do I take high-quality NEF (RAW) photos? Can I use the monitor as a viewfinder? Can I control how photos are processed? Picture Controls How do I preserve details in shadows and highlights? How do I focus on erratically moving...
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Can I reverse the electronic analog exposure display? Can I display the menus in a different language? Can I save menu settings for use on a different D300 camera? Menus and Displays Question How do I get more information on a menu?
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Question How do I get more information about the battery? How do I keep the file number from being reset when I insert a new memory card? How do I reset file numbering to 1? How do I clean the camera or lens? Taking Photographs Question How many more shots can I take with this...
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Question Can I set both shutter speed and aperture manually? Can I make photos brighter or darker? How do I make a time exposure? Can I vary exposure or flash level automatically over a series of photos? Can I create multiple copies of a photo using different white balance settings? How do I adjust white balance? Can I take pictures with a flash?
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Question How do I get rid of an unwanted photo? Can I delete several photos at once? Can I zoom in on pictures to make sure they’re in focus? Can I protect photos from accidental deletion? Can I hide selected photos? How do I tell if parts of my photos may be overexposed? How do I tell where the camera focused?
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Viewing or Printing Photographs on Other Devices Question Can I view my photos on TV? Can I view my photos in High Definition? HDMI How do I copy photos to my computer? How do I print photographs? Can I print photos without a computer? Can I print the date on my photographs? Time stamp How do I order professional prints? Optional Accessories...
Table of Contents Q&A Index ...iv For Your Safety ... xviii Notices...xxi Introduction Overview...2 Getting to Know the Camera...3 Camera Body ... 3 The Control Panel... 8 The Viewfinder Display...10 The Shooting Information Display ...12 The Command Dials ...14 Quick Start Guide... 21 Tutorial Camera Menus...
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Exposure Metering ...100 Exposure Mode...102 e: Programmed Auto ... 104 f: Shutter-Priority Auto ... 106 g: Aperture-Priority Auto ... 107 h: Manual... 109 Autoexposure (AE) Lock...112 Exposure Compensation...114 Bracketing ...116 White Balance White Balance Options ...126 Fine-Tuning White Balance...129 Choosing a Color Temperature ...133 Preset Manual ...134 Image Enhancement Picture Controls...146...
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Other Shooting Options Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings ...182 Multiple Exposure ...184 Interval Timer Photography ...189 Non-CPU Lenses...196 Using a GPS Unit ...199 More About Playback Full-Frame Playback ...204 Photo Information...206 Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback ...218 Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom...220 Protecting Photographs from Deletion...221 Deleting Individual Photographs ...222 Connections...
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Menu Guide D The Playback Menu: Managing Images...246 Delete ... 248 Playback Folder... 249 Hide Image ... 249 Display Mode... 250 Image Review ... 251 After Delete ... 251 Rotate Tall ... 251 Slide Show ... 252 Print Set (DPOF) ... 253 C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options...254 Shooting Menu Bank ...
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a3: Dynamic AF Area ...269 a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On...270 a5: AF Activation...271 a6: AF Point Illumination ...271 a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around...272 a8: AF Point Selection ...272 a9: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator...273 a10: AF-On for MB-D10...274 b: Metering/Exposure...275 b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value ...275 b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl.
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Monochrome ...337 Filter Effects ...338 Color Balance ...338 Image Overlay...339 Side-by-Side Comparison...342 O My Menu: Creating a Custom Menu...344 Technical Notes Compatible Lenses ...350 Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)...357 Other Accessories...365 Caring for the Camera...372 Storage...372 Cleaning ...372 The Low-Pass Filter...373 “Clean Now”...
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.
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Do not use in the presence of flammable Do not use electronic equipment in the presence of flammable gas, as this could result in explosion or fire. Keep out of reach of children Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury. Do not place the strap around the neck of an infant or child Placing the camera strap around...
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Observe proper precautions when handling the quick 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.
Nikon representative in your area (address provided separately). D300 CAUTIONS Modifications The FCC requires the user be notified that any changes or modifications made...
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Notices for Customers in Canada CAUTION This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Notices for Customers in Europe This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected separately. The following apply only to users in European countries: •...
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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...
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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.
Introduction This chapter covers information you will need to know before using the camera, including the names of camera parts. Overview... pg. 2 Getting to Know the Camera ... pg. 3 Camera Body ... pg. 3 The Control Panel ... pg. 8 The Viewfinder Display...
Use Only Nikon Brand Accessories Only Nikon brand accessories certified by Nikon specifically for use with your Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within its operational and safety requirements. T COULD DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA AND MAY VOID YOUR Servicing the Camera and Accessories The camera is a precision device and requires regular servicing.
Getting to Know the Camera Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual. Camera Body 1 Release mode dial...75 2 Release mode dial lock release...75...
The Control Panel Color temperature indicator ... 133 Shutter speed ...106, 109 Exposure compensation value... 114 Flash compensation value ... 176 ISO sensitivity...94 White balance fine-tuning ... 132 Color temperature... 133 White balance preset number... 143 Number of shots in exposure and flash bracketing sequence ...
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Flash mode... 171 “Beep” indicator ... 281 Aperture (f-number)...107, 109 Aperture (number of stops)... 353 Exposure and flash bracketing increment ... 118 WB bracketing increment... 122 Number of shots per interval ... 192 Maximum aperture (non-CPU lenses) ... 198 PC mode indicator ... 227 Aperture stop indicator...
The Shooting Information Display Shooting information, including shutter speed, aperture, the number of exposures remaining, buffer capacity, and AF-area mode, is displayed in the monitor when the R button is pressed. To clear shooting information from the monitor, press the R button again or press the shutter-release button halfway.
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Exposure mode... 102 Flexible program indicator ... 105 Flash sync indicator... 288 Shutter speed...106, 109 Exposure compensation value... 114 Flash compensation value... 176 Number of shots in exposure and flash bracketing sequence... 117 Number of shots in WB bracketing sequence ... 121 Focal length (non-CPU lenses) ...
The Command Dials The main- and sub-command dials are used alone or in combination with other controls to adjust a variety of settings. M button Flash mode/ Flash compensation QUAL button Image quality/size WB button White balance ISO button sensitivity Fn button Bracketing Sub-command dial...
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Image Quality and Size Press the QUAL button and rotate the command dials. Set image quality (pg. 57) QUAL button Choose an image size (pg. 60) QUAL button ISO Sensitivity Press the ISO button and rotate the main command dial. Set ISO sensitivity (pg.
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Exposure Press the I button and rotate the main command dial to choose the exposure mode. Choose the exposure mode (pg. 102) I button Use the command dials to adjust exposure. Choose a combination of aperture and shutter speed (exposure mode P;...
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Set exposure compensation (pg. 114) E button Activate or cancel bracketing/ select number of shots in bracketing Fn button sequence (pp. 117, 120) Select bracketing exposure increment (pg. 118) Fn button The Fn Button Depending on the option selected for Custom Setting f4 ([Assign FUNC. button], pg.
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White Balance Press the WB button and rotate the command dials. Choose a white balance setting (pg. 127) WB button Fine-tune white balance (pg. 132), set color temperature (pg. 133), or WB button choose a white balance preset (pg. 143) Flash Settings Press the M button and rotate the command dials.
Attaching the AN-D300 Camera Strap Attach the camera strap securely to the two eyelets on the camera body as shown below. The BM-8 Monitor Cover A clear plastic cover is provided with the camera to keep the monitor clean and protect it when the camera is not in use.
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The DK-23 Viewfinder Eyepiece Cup Before attaching the DK-5 viewfinder eyepiece cap and other viewfinder accessories (pp. 89, 366), remove the DK-23 viewfinder eyepiece cup by placing your fingers underneath the flanges on either side and sliding it off as shown at right. The DK-5 viewfinder eyepiece cap is used in self-timer (pg.
Quick Start Guide Follow these steps for a quick start with the D300. Charge the battery (pg. 30). Insert the battery (pg. 32). Attach a lens (pg. 34). Insert a memory card (pg. 39). Turn the camera on (pg. 44).
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Check camera settings (pp. 44, 47). Exposure mode Battery level Image size Number of exposures remaining Image quality White balance ISO sensitivity Control panel Viewfinder display Select single-servo autofocus (pp. 49, 62). Rotate the focus-mode selector to S (single-servo autofocus). Focus and shoot (pp.
Tutorial This section describes how to use the camera menus, how to ready the camera for use, and how to take your first pictures and play them back. Camera Menus ... pg. 24 Using Camera Menus ... pg. 26 Help ... pg. 29 First Steps ...
Camera Menus Most shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from the camera menus. To view the menus, press the G button. Tabs Choose from playback, shooting, Custom Settings, setup, retouch, and My menus (see following page). If “Q” icon is displayed, help for current item can be viewed by pressing L (Q) button (pg.
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Menus The following menus are available: Menu Adjust playback settings and manage photos D Playback (pg. 246). C Shooting Adjust shooting settings (pg. 254). A Custom Settings Personalize camera settings (pg. 264). Format memory cards and perform basic camera B Setup setup (pg.
Using Camera Menus Menu Controls The multi selector and J button are used to navigate the menus. Move cursor up Cancel and return to previous menu Move cursor down Navigating the Menus Follow the steps below to navigate the menus. Display the menus.
Select a menu. Press 1 or 3 to select the desired menu. Position the cursor in the selected menu. Press 2 to position the cursor in the selected menu. Highlight a menu item. Press 1 or 3 to highlight a menu item.
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Select the highlighted item. Press J to select the highlighted item. To exit without making a selection, press the G button. Note the following points: • Menu items that are displayed in gray are not currently available. • While pressing 2 or the center of the multi selector generally has the same effect as pressing J, there are some cases in which selection can only be made by pressing J.
Help If a Q icon is displayed at the bottom left corner of the monitor, help can be displayed by pressing the L (Q) button. A description of the currently selected option or menu will be displayed while the button is pressed.
First Steps Charge the Battery The D300 is powered by an EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery (supplied). The EN-EL3e is not fully charged at shipment. To maximize shooting time, charge the battery in the supplied MH-18a quick charger before use. About two and a quarter hours are required to fully recharge the battery when no charge remains.
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Insert the battery. Insert the battery into the charger. The CHARGE lamp will blink while the battery charges. Remove the battery when charging is complete. Charging is complete when the CHARGE lamp stops blinking. Remove the battery and unplug the charger.
Insert the Battery Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing batteries. Open the battery-chamber cover. Open the battery-chamber cover on the bottom of the camera. Insert the battery. Insert the battery as shown at right. Close the battery-chamber cover.
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Use the charger with compatible batteries only. Unplug when not in use. Incompatible Batteries The D300 can not be used with EN-EL3 or EN-EL3a rechargeable Li-ion batteries for the D100, D70 series, or D50 or with the MS-D70 CR2 battery holder.
Attach a Lens Care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the camera when the lens is removed. Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap. After confirming that the camera is off, remove the rear lens cap from the lens and remove the camera body cap.
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Remove the lens cap. Detaching the Lens Be sure the camera is off when removing or exchanging lenses. To remove the lens, press and hold the lens release button while turning the lens clockwise. After removing the lens, replace the lens caps and camera body cap. CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings In the case of CPU lenses equipped with an aperture ring (pg.
Basic Setup The language option in the setup menu is automatically highlighted the first time menus are displayed. Choose a language and set the time and date. Turn the camera on. Select [Language]. Press G to display the camera menus, then select [Language] in the setup menu.
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Select [World time]. Select [World time] and press Set time zone. A time-zone selection dialog will be displayed. Press 4 or 2 to highlight the local time zone (the [UTC] field shows the difference between the selected time zone and Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC, in hours) and press J.
Set date format. Press 1 or 3 to choose the order in which the year, month, and day will be displayed and press J. Exit to shooting mode. Press the shutter-release button halfway to exit to shooting mode. The Clock Battery The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is installed or the camera is powered by an optional EH-5a or EH-5 AC adapter...
Insert a Memory Card The camera stores photographs on CompactFlash and microdrive memory cards (available separately; pg. 371). The following section describes how to insert and format a memory card. Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing memory cards.
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Close the card slot cover. Removing Memory Cards Turn the camera off. Confirm that the access lamp is off and turn the camera off. Remove the memory card. Open the memory card slot cover and press the eject button (q) to partially eject the card (w).
Format the Memory Card Memory cards must be formatted before first use. Format the card as described below. Formatting Memory Cards Formatting memory cards permanently deletes any data they may contain. Be sure to copy any photographs and other data you wish to keep to a computer before proceeding (pg.
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Press the Q buttons again. Press the Q (I and O) buttons together a second time to format the memory card. Do not remove the memory card or remove or disconnect the power source during formatting. When formatting is complete, the control panel and viewfinder will show the number of photographs that can be recorded at current settings.
Adjust Viewfinder Focus The camera is equipped with diopter adjustment to accommodate individual differences in vision. Check that the display in the viewfinder is in focus before shooting. Turn the camera on. Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on. Focus the viewfinder.
Basic Photography and Playback Turn the Camera On Before taking photographs, turn the camera on and check the battery level and number of exposures remaining as described below. Turn the camera on. Turn the camera on. The control panel will turn on and the display in the viewfinder will light.
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Check the number of exposures remaining. The exposure-count displays in the control panel and viewfinder show the number of photographs that can be taken at current settings. When this number reaches zero, A will flash in the exposure-count displays while the shutter-speed displays will show a blinking n or j.
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LCD Illuminators Holding the power switch in the D position activates the exposure meters and control panel backlights (LCD illuminators), allowing the display to be read in the dark. After the power switch is released, the illuminator will remain lit for six seconds (at default settings) while the camera exposure meters are active or until the shutter is released.
Adjust Camera Settings This tutorial describes how to take photos at default settings. Check camera settings. Exposure mode Image size Image quality Control panel Default settings are listed below. Option Default NORM Image (JPEG quality normal) Image size (Large) sensitivity White balance (Auto)
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Choose exposure mode e. Press the I button and rotate the main command dial to select exposure mode e. The camera will automatically adjust shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure in most situations. Choose single frame release mode. Hold the release mode dial lock release down and turn the release mode dial to S (single frame).
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Choose single-servo autofocus. Rotate the focus-mode selector until it clicks into place pointing to S (single-servo autofocus). At this setting, the camera will automatically focus on the subject in the selected focus point when the shutter- release button is pressed halfway.
Ready the Camera When framing photographs in the viewfinder, hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle the camera body or lens with your left. Keep your elbows propped lightly against your torso for support and place one foot half a pace ahead of the other to keep you upper body stable.
Focus and Shoot Press the shutter- release button halfway to focus (pg. 52). At default settings, the camera will focus on the subject in the center focus point. Frame a photo in the viewfinder with the main subject positioned in the center focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway.
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Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot. Smoothly press the shutter- release-button the rest of the way down to take the picture. While the photograph is being recorded to the memory card, the access lamp next to the card slot cover will light.
Viewing Photographs Press the K button. A photograph will be displayed in the monitor. View additional pictures. Additional pictures can be displayed by pressing 4 or 2. To view additional information on the current photograph, press 1 and 3 (pg. 206). To end playback and return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.
Deleting Unwanted Photographs To delete the photograph currently displayed in the monitor, press the O button. Note that photographs can not be recovered once deleted. Display the photograph. Display the photograph you wish to delete as described in “Viewing Photographs” on the previous page. K button Delete the photograph.
Image quality is set by pressing the QUAL button and rotating the main command dial until the desired setting is displayed in the control panel. NEF (RAW) Recording The [NEF (RAW) recording] item in the shooting menu controls compression (pg. 58) and bit depth (pg. 59) for NEF (RAW) images. JPEG Compression JPEG images can be compressed for relatively uniform file size or optimal image quality.
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The JPEG Compression Menu The [JPEG compression] item in the shooting menu offers the following options for JPEG images: Option Size priority (default) P Optimal quality The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: Type The [NEF (RAW) recording] > [Type] item in the shooting menu offers the following compression options for NEF (RAW) images: Option Lossless...
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The NEF (RAW) Recording Menu: NEF (RAW) Bit Depth The [NEF (RAW) recording] > [NEF (RAW) bit depth] item in the shooting menu offers the following bit-depth options for NEF (RAW) images: Option 12-bit NEF (RAW) images are recorded at a bit-depth of 12 bits. (default) NEF (RAW) images are recorded at a bit-depth of 14 bits, producing files roughly 1.3 times larger than 12-bit files...
Image Size Image size is measured in pixels. Choose from the following options: Option Size (pixels) Size when printed at 200 dpi (approx.) L (default) 4,288 × 2,848 3,216 × 2,136 2,144 × 1,424 * Print size in inches equals image size in pixels divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi;...
Focus – Controlling How the Camera Focuses This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses. Focus Mode ...pg. 62 AF-Area Mode ...pg. 64 Focus Point Selection ...pg. 66 Focus Lock ...pg. 68 Manual Focus ...pg. 71...
Focus Mode Focus mode is controlled by the focus-mode selector on the front of the camera. There are two autofocus (AF) modes, in which the camera focuses automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and one manual focus mode, in which focus must be adjusted manually using the focusing ring on the lens: Option Camera focuses when shutter-release button is pressed...
The B Button For the purpose of focusing the camera, pressing the B button has the same effect as pressing the shutter-release button halfway. Predictive Focus Tracking In continuous-servo AF, the camera will initiate predictive focus tracking if the subject moves toward or away from the camera while the shutter- release button is pressed halfway or the B button is pressed.
AF-Area Mode AF-area mode determines how the focus point is selected in autofocus mode. To select the AF-area mode, rotate the AF-area mode selector. The following options are available: Mode User selects focus point manually; camera focuses on subject in selected focus point only. Use for relatively static Single- compositions with subjects that will stay in selected focus point AF...
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AF-Area Mode AF-area mode is shown in the control panel. AF-area mode K Single-point AF Custom Setting a3 ([Dynamic AF area], pg. 269) Dynamic -area AF H Auto-area AF * Only active focus point is displayed in the viewfinder. Remaining focus points provide information to assist focus operation.
Focus Point Selection The D300 offers a choice of 51 focus points that together cover a wide area of the frame. The focus point can be selected manually, allowing photographs to be composed with the main subject positioned almost anywhere in the frame (single-point and dynamic- area AF), or automatically (auto-area AF;...
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See Also For information on choosing when the focus point is illuminated, see Custom Setting a6 ([AF point illumination], pg. 271). For information on setting focus-point selection to “wrap around, ” see Custom Setting a7 ([Focus point wrap-around], pg. 272). For information on choosing the number of focus points that can be selected using the multi selector, see Custom Setting a8 ([AF point selection], pg.
Focus Lock Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition. It can also be used when the autofocus system is unable to focus (pg.
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Continuous-servo AF Press the AE-L/AF-L button to lock both focus and exposure (an AE-L icon appears in the viewfinder, see page 112). Focus and exposure will remain locked while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed, even if you later remove your finger from the shutter-release button.
Getting Good Results with Autofocus Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below. The shutter release may be disabled if the camera is unable to focus under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator ( ) may be displayed and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released even when the subject is not in focus.
Manual Focus Manual focus is available for lenses that do not support autofocus (non-AF Nikkor lenses) or when the autofocus does not produce the desired results (pg. 70). To focus manually, set the focus-mode selector to M and adjust the lens focusing ring until the image displayed on the clear matte field in the viewfinder is in focus.
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The Electronic Rangefinder If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the subject in the selected focus point is in focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 51 focus points).
Release Mode – Single Frame, Continuous, Live View, Self-Timer, or Mirror Up Release mode determines how the camera takes photographs: one at a time, in a continuous sequence, with the view through the lens displayed in the monitor, with a timed shutter-release delay, or with the mirror raised to enhance shutter response and minimize vibration.
Choosing a Release Mode The camera supports the following release modes: Mode Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-release Single frame button is pressed. While shutter-release button is held down, camera records Continuous 1–6 frames per second. low speed Custom Setting d4 ([CL mode shooting speed], pg. 76). While shutter-release button is held down, camera records Continuous up to 6 frames per second.
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To choose a release mode, press the release mode dial lock release and turn the release mode dial to the desired setting. Release mode dial lock release Release mode dial...
Continuous Mode To take pictures in C low speed) modes: Select C or C Press the release mode dial lock release and turn the release mode dial to C Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. While the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down, pictures will be taken at up to 6 fps in continuous high speed mode, or at the frame rate selected for Custom Setting d4 ([CL mode shooting speed], pg.
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Power Source and Frame Rate The maximum frame advance rate varies with the power source used. Power source Battery (EN-EL3e) AC adapter MB-D10 battery pack with EN-EL3e battery MB-D10 battery pack with EN-EL4a battery MB-D10 battery pack with AA-size batteries 1 Average frame rate with continuous-servo AF, manual or shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of values, and memory remaining in memory buffer.
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The Memory Buffer The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to the memory card. Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession; note, however, that frame rate will drop when the buffer is full. In rare cases, frame rate may also drop when a microdrive memory card is used.
Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) Select live view (a) mode to frame pictures in the monitor. The following options are available: • Hand-held (g): Choose when taking hand-held shots of moving subjects, or when framing photographs at angles that make it difficult to use the viewfinder (pg.
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Hand-Held Mode (g) Select live view mode. Press the release mode dial lock release and turn the release mode dial to a. Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu. Select [Live view] in the shooting menu and choose [Hand-held] for [Live view mode].
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Frame a picture in the monitor. To magnify the view in the monitor up to 3 ×, press the X button. X button While the view through the lens is zoomed in, a navigation window will appear in the bottom right corner of the display.
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Take the picture. Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to reset focus and exposure and take the picture. If continuous high speed or continuous low speed is selected for [Release mode], the monitor will turn off while the shutter-release button is pressed.
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Tripod Mode (h) Ready the camera. Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level surface. Select live view mode. Press the release mode dial lock release and turn the release mode dial to a. Adjust [Live view] options in the shooting menu. Select [Live view] in the shooting menu and choose [Tripod] for [Live view mode].
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Press the shutter-release button all the way down. The mirror will be raised and the view through the lens will be displayed in the camera monitor. The subject will no longer be visible in the viewfinder. To exit without taking a picture, rotate the release mode dial to another setting or press G.
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To magnify the view in the monitor up to 13 × and check focus, press the X button. X button Exit While the view through the lens is zoomed in, a navigation window will appear in the bottom right corner of the display. Use the multi selector to scroll to areas of the frame not visible in the monitor.
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Focusing with Contrast-Detect Autofocus Contrast-detect autofocus will take longer than normal (phase-detection) autofocus. In the following situations, the camera may be unable to focus using contrast-detect autofocus: • The camera is not mounted on a tripod • The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame •...
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Shooting in Live View Mode Although they will not appear in the final picture, banding or distortion may be visible in the monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the camera is panned horizontally or if an object moves at high speed through the frame.
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The Shooting Information Display To hide or display indicators in the monitor in live view mode, press the R button. Shooting information on Monitor Brightness Monitor brightness can be adjusted by pressing the K button while the view through the monitor is displayed. Press 1 or 3 to adjust brightness (note that monitor brightness has no effect on pictures taken in live view mode).
Self-Timer Mode The self-timer can be used to reduce camera shake or for self- portraits. To use the self-timer, mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or place the camera on a stable, level surface and follow the steps below: Select self-timer mode.
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Start the timer. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to start the timer. The self-timer lamp (AF-assist illuminator) will start to blink and a beep will begin to sound. Two seconds before the photograph is taken, the self-timer lamp will stop blinking and the beeping will become more rapid.
Mirror up Mode Choose this mode to minimize blurring caused by camera movement when the mirror is raised. Use of a tripod is recommended. Select mirror up mode. Press the release mode dial lock release and turn the release mode dial to M Raise the mirror.
ISO Sensitivity – Reacting Faster to Light “ISO sensitivity” is the digital equivalent of film speed. The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures. This chapter describes how to set ISO sensitivity manually and automatically. Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually...
Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ISO sensitivity can be set to values between ISO 200 and ISO 3200 in steps equivalent to EV. Settings of from about 0.3–1 EV below ISO 200 and 0.3–1 EV above ISO 3200 are also available for special situations.
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ISO Sensitivity Settings The settings available depend on the option selected for Custom Setting b1 ([ISO sensitivity step value], pg. 275). Custom Setting b1 (ISO sensitivity step value) 1/3 step (default) 1/2 step 1 step * If possible, the current ISO sensitivity setting is maintained when the step value is changed.
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control If [Off ] (the default setting) is chosen for the [ISO sensitivity auto control] option in the shooting menu, ISO sensitivity will remain fixed at the value selected by the user (see page 94). If [On] is chosen, ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted if optimal exposure can not be achieved at the value selected by the user (flash level is adjusted appropriately).
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Auto ISO Sensitivity Control Noise is more likely at higher sensitivities. Use the [High ISO NR] option in the shooting menu to reduce noise (see page 263). When a flash is used, the value selected for [Minimum shutter speed] is ignored in favor of the option selected for Custom Setting e1 ([Flash sync speed], pg.
Exposure – Controlling How the Camera Sets Exposure This section describes the options available to control exposure, including metering, exposure mode, exposure lock, exposure compensation, and bracketing. Metering ... pg. 100 Exposure Mode... pg. 102 e: Programmed Auto... pg. 104 f: Shutter-Priority Auto ...
Metering Metering determines how the camera sets exposure. The following options are available: Method Recommended in most situations. Camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to distribution of 3D color brightness, color, distance, and composition for natural matrix II results.
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To choose a metering method, rotate the metering selector until the desired mode is displayed. 3D Color Matrix II Metering In matrix metering, exposure is set using a 1,005-segment RGB sensor. Use a type G or D lens for results that include range information (3D color matrix metering II;...
Exposure Mode Exposure mode determines how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. Four modes are available: programmed auto (e), shutter-priority auto (f ), aperture-priority auto (g), and manual (h). Mode Programmed auto (pg. 104) Shutter-priority auto (pg.
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To choose the exposure mode, press the I button and rotate the main command dial until the desired mode is displayed in the control panel or viewfinder. Depth-of-Field Preview To preview the effects of aperture, press and hold the depth-of-field preview button. The lens will be stopped down to the aperture value selected by the camera (modes e and f ) or the value chosen by the user (modes g and h), allowing...
e: Programmed Auto In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture according to a built-in program to ensure optimal exposure in most situations. This mode is recommended for snapshots and other situations in which you want to leave the camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture.
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Flexible Program In exposure mode e, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be selected by rotating the main command dial (“flexible program”). Rotate the command dial to the right for large apertures (small f-numbers) that blur background details or fast shutter speeds that “freeze”...
f: Shutter-Priority Auto In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the optimal exposure. To take photographs in shutter-priority auto: Select exposure mode Press the I button and rotate the main command dial until f is displayed in the viewfinder and control panel.
g: Aperture-Priority Auto In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera automatically selects the shutter speed that will produce the optimal exposure. To take photographs in aperture-priority auto: Select exposure mode g. Press the I button and rotate the main command dial until g is displayed in the viewfinder and control...
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Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. Non-CPU Lenses If the maximum aperture of the lens has been specified using the [Non-CPU lens data] item in setup menu (pg. 197) when a non-CPU lens is attached, the current f-number will be displayed in the viewfinder and control panel, rounded to the nearest full stop.
h: Manual In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. To take photographs in manual exposure mode: Select exposure mode h. Press the I button and rotate the main command dial until h is displayed in the viewfinder and control panel.
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Choose aperture and shutter speed. Rotate the main command dial to choose a shutter speed, and the sub-command dial to set aperture. Shutter speed can be set “p” or to values between 30 s and shutter can be held open indefinitely for a long time-exposure (A, pg.
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Electronic Analog Exposure Displays The electronic analog exposure displays in the control panel and viewfinder show whether the photograph would be under- or over- exposed at current settings. Depending on the option chosen for Custom Setting b2 ([EV steps for exposure cntrl.], pg. 275), the amount of under- or over-exposure is shown in increments of of the exposure metering system are exceeded, the displays will flash.
Autoexposure (AE) Lock Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after metering exposure. Select center-weighted or spot metering (pg. 100). Matrix metering will not produce the desired results with autoexposure lock. If using center-weighted metering, select the center focus point with the multi selector (pg.
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Recompose the photograph. Keeping the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot. Metered Area In spot metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in a 3-mm (0.12 in.) circle centered on the selected focus point. In center-weighted metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in the center of the viewfinder (the default area for center-weighted metering is an 8-mm circle in the center of the viewfinder).
Exposure Compensation Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. In exposure mode h, only the exposure information shown in the electronic analog exposure display is affected; shutter speed and aperture do not change.
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Exposure compensation can be set to values between –5 EV (underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments of In general, choose positive values to make the subject brighter, negative values to make it darker. –1 EV No exposure +1 EV compensation At values other than ±0, the 0 at the center of the electronic analog exposure displays will flash and a E icon will be displayed...
Bracketing The D300 offers three types of bracketing: exposure bracketing, flash bracketing, and white balance bracketing. In exposure bracketing (pg. 117), the camera varies exposure compensation with each shot, while in the case of flash bracketing (pg. 117), flash level is varied with each shot (i-TTL and, in the case of the SB-900 and SB-800, auto aperture flash control modes only;...
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Exposure and Flash Bracketing Select flash or exposure bracketing. Choose the type of bracketing to be performed using Custom Setting e5 ([Auto bracketing set], pg. 297). Choose [AE & flash] to vary both exposure and flash level (the default setting), [AE only] to vary only exposure, or [Flash only] to vary only flash level.
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Select an exposure increment. Pressing the Fn button, rotate the sub-command dial to choose the exposure increment. Fn button At default settings, the size of the increment can be chosen from , and 1 EV. The bracketing programs with an increment of Control panel display See Also...
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Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. The camera will vary exposure and/or flash level shot-by-shot according to the bracketing program selected. Modifications to exposure are added to those made with exposure compensation (see page 114), making it possible to achieve exposure compensation values of more than 5 EV.
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Canceling Bracketing To cancel bracketing, press the Fn button and rotate the main command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing sequence is zero ( panel on top of the camera. The program last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is activated.
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White Balance Bracketing Select white balance bracketing. Choose [WB bracketing] for Custom Setting e5 [Auto bracketing set] (pg. 297). Choose the number of shots. Pressing the Fn button, rotate the main command dial to choose the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The number of shots is shown in the control panel.
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Select a white balance increment. Pressing the Fn button, rotate the sub-command dial to choose the white balance adjustment. Each increment is roughly equivalent to 5 mired. Fn button Choose from increments of 1 (5 mired), 2 (10 mired), or 3 (15 mired).
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Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. Each shot will be processed to create the number of copies specified in the bracketing program, and each copy will have a different white balance. Modifications to white balance are added to the white balance adjustment made with white balance fine-tuning.
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Canceling Bracketing To cancel bracketing, press the Fn button and rotate the main command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing sequence is zero (r) and W is no longer displayed in the control panel. The program last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is activated.
White Balance – Keeping Colors True The color of light reflected from an object varies with the color of the light source. The human brain is able to adapt to changes in the color of the light source, with the result that white objects appear white whether seen in the shade, direct sunlight, or under incandescent lighting.
White Balance Options For natural coloration, choose a white balance setting that matches the light source before shooting. The following options are available: Option Auto (default) J Incandescent I Fluorescent Sodium-vapor lamps Warm-white fluorescent White fluorescent Cool-white fluorescent Day white fluorescent Daylight fluorescent High temp.
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Option N Flash G Cloudy M Shade K Choose color temp. L Preset manual * All values are approximate. Fine-tuning set to 0. Auto white balance is recommended with most light sources. If the desired results can not be achieved with auto white balance, choose an option from the list above or use preset white balance.
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Studio Flash Lighting Auto white balance may not produce the desired results with large studio flash units. Choose a color temperature, use preset white balance, or set white balance to [Flash] and use fine tuning to adjust white balance. Color Temperature The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer and other conditions.
Fine-Tuning White Balance White balance can be “fine tuned” to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image. White balance is fine tuned using the [White balance] option in the shooting menu or by pressing the WB button and rotating the sub-command dial.
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Fine tune white balance. Use the multi selector to fine- tune white balance. White balance can be fine tuned on the amber (A)–blue (B) axis and the green (G)–magenta (M) axis. The horizontal (amber-blue) axis corresponds to color temperature, with each increment equivalent to about 5 mired.
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White Balance Fine Tuning The colors on the fine-tuning axes are relative, not absolute. For example, moving the cursor to B (blue) when a “warm” setting such as J (incandescent) is selected for white balance will make photographs slightly “colder” but will not actually make them blue. “Mired”...
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The WB Button At settings other than K ([Choose color temp.]) and L ([Preset manual]), the WB button can be used to fine-tune white balance on the amber (A)–blue (B) axis (pg. 130; to fine-tune white balance when K or L is selected, use the shooting menu as described on page 129).
Choosing a Color Temperature When K ([Choose color temp.]) is selected for white balance, color temperature can be selected by pressing the WB button and rotating the sub-command dial. The color temperature is displayed in the control panel: WB button Choose Color Temperature Note that the desired results will not be obtained with flash or fluorescent lighting.
Preset Manual Preset manual is used to record and recall custom white balance settings for shooting under mixed lighting or to compensate for light sources with a strong color cast. Two methods are available for setting preset white balance: Method Direct measurement Copy from existing...
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The camera can store up to five values for preset white balance in presets d-0 through d-4. A descriptive comment can be added to any white balance preset (pg. 144). Stores last value measured for white balance (pg. 136). This preset is overwritten when a new value is measured.
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Measuring a Value for White Balance Light a reference object. Place a neutral gray or white object under the lighting that will be used in the final photograph. In studio settings, a standard gray panel can be used as a reference object. Note that exposure is automatically increased by 1 EV when measuring white balance;...
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Select direct measurement mode. Release the WB button briefly and then press the button until the L icon in the control panel and viewfinder start to flash. A flashing D will also appear in the control panel and viewfinder. At default settings, the displays will flash for about six seconds.
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If lighting is too dark or too bright, the camera may be unable to measure white balance. A flashing b a will appear in the control panel and viewfinder (at default settings, the displays will flash for about six seconds). Press the shutter- release button halfway to return to Step 4 and measure white balance again.
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Copying White Balance from d-0 to Presets d-1–d-4 Follow the steps below to copy a measured value for white balance from d-0 to any of the other presets (d-1–d-4). Select L ([Preset manual]). Highlight [Preset manual] in the white balance menu (pg.
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Copying White Balance from a Photograph (d-1–d-4 Only) Follow the steps below to copy a value for white balance from a photograph on the memory card to a selected preset (d-1–d-4 only). Existing white balance values can not be copied to preset d-0.
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Highlight a source image. Highlight the source image. To view the highlighted image full frame, press the X button. Copy white balance. Press the center of the multi selector to copy the white balance value for the highlighted photograph to the selected preset. If the highlighted photograph has a comment (pg.
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Selecting a White Balance Preset To set white balance to a preset value: Select L ([Preset manual]). Highlight [Preset manual] in the white balance menu (pg. 126) and press 2. Select a preset. Highlight the desired preset and press the center of the multi selector.
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Selecting a White Balance Preset: the WB Button At a setting of L ([Preset manual]), presets can also be selected by pressing the WB button and rotating the sub-command dial. The current preset is displayed in the control panel while the WB button is pressed. WB button Control panel Sub-command...
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Entering a Comment Follow the steps below to enter a descriptive comment of up to thirty-six characters for a selected white balance preset. Select L ([Preset manual]). Highlight [Preset manual] in the white balance menu (pg. 126) and press 2. Select a preset.
Image Enhancement This chapter describes how to optimize sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue using Picture Controls, how to preserve detail in highlights and shadows using active D-Lighting, and how to choose a color space. Picture Controls ... pg. 146 Creating Custom Picture Controls ...
Picture Controls Nikon’s unique Picture Control system makes it possible to share image processing settings among compatible devices and software. Select from the Picture Controls provided with the camera to instantly adjust image processing settings, or make independent adjustments to sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue.
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Using Picture Controls Picture Controls can be used as described below. • Select Nikon Picture Controls (pg. 148): Select an existing Nikon Picture Control. • Modify existing Picture Controls (pg. 150): Modify an existing Picture Control to create a combination of sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue for a particular scene or effect.
Selecting Nikon Picture Controls The camera offers four preset Nikon Picture Controls. Choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene. Option Q Standard R Neutral S Vivid T Monochrome Take monochrome photographs. Choosing a Picture Control Select [Set Picture Control].
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The Picture Control Grid Pressing the W button in Step 2 displays a Picture Control grid showing the contrast and saturation for the selected Picture Control in relation to the other Picture Controls (only contrast is displayed when [Monochrome] is selected).
Modifying Existing Picture Controls Existing Nikon or custom Picture Controls can be modified to suit the scene or the user’s creative intent. Choose a balanced combination of settings using [Quick adjust], or make manual adjustments to individual settings. Select a Picture Control. Highlight the desired Picture Control in the [Set Picture Control] menu (pg.
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Picture Control Settings Option Choose from options between [–2] and [+2] to reduce or exaggerate the effect of the selected Picture Control (note that this resets all manual adjustments). For Quick adjust example, choosing positive values for [Vivid] makes pictures more vivid. Not available with [Neutral], [Monochrome], or custom Picture Controls.
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Active D-Lighting [Contrast] and [Brightness] can not be adjusted when Active D-Lighting (pg. 165) is on. Any manual adjustments currently in effect will be lost when Active D-Lighting is turned on. “A” (Auto) Results for auto contrast and saturation vary with exposure and the position of the subject in the frame.
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Filter Effects (Monochrome Only) The options in this menu simulate the effect of color filters on monochrome photographs. The following filter effects are available: Option Yellow Enhances contrast. Can be used to tone down the brightness Orange of the sky in landscape photographs. Orange produces more contrast than yellow, red more contrast than orange.
Creating Custom Picture Controls The Nikon Picture Controls supplied with the camera can be modified and saved as custom Picture Controls. Select [Manage Picture Control]. In the shooting menu (pg. 254), highlight [Manage Picture Control] and press 2. Select [Save/edit]. Highlight [Save/edit] and press...
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Select a Picture Control. Highlight an existing Picture Control and press 2, or press J to proceed to step 5 to save a copy of the highlighted Picture Control without further modification. Edit the selected Picture Control. See page 151 for more information.
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Name the Picture Control. The text-entry dialog shown at right will be displayed. By default, new Picture Controls are named by adding a two-digit number (assigned automatically) to the name of the existing Picture Control. This name can be edited to create a new name as described below.
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Custom Picture Controls Custom Picture Controls are not affected by [Reset shooting menu] (pg. 257). Custom Picture Controls do not have a [Quick adjust] option (pg. 151). Custom Picture Controls based on [Monochrome] have [Filter effects] and [Toning] options in place of [Saturation] and [Hue] controls. The Original Picture Control Icon The Nikon Picture Control on which the custom Picture Control is based is indicated by an icon...
Sharing Custom Picture Controls Custom Picture Controls created using the Picture Control Utility available with ViewNX version 1.2.0 or later or optional software such as Capture NX version 1.3.5 or later or Capture NX 2 version 2.1.0 or later can be copied to a memory card and loaded into the camera, or custom Picture Controls created with the camera can be copied to the memory card to be used in compatible cameras and software.
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Select a destination. Choose a destination for the custom Picture Control (C-1 through C-9) and press 2. Name the Picture Control. Name the Picture Control as described on page 156. The new Picture Control will appear in the Picture Control list and can be renamed at any time using the [Rename] option in the [Manage Picture Control] menu.
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Saving Custom Picture Controls to the Memory Card Select [Copy to card]. After displaying the [Load/ save] menu as described in Step 1 on page 158, highlight [Copy to card] and press 2. Select a Picture Control. Highlight a custom Picture Control and press 2.
Managing Custom Picture Controls Follow the steps below to rename or delete custom Picture Controls. Renaming Custom Picture Controls Select [Rename]. In the [Manage Picture Control] menu, highlight [Rename] and press 2. Select a Picture Control. Highlight a custom Picture Control (C-1 through C-9) and press 2.
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Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Camera Select [Delete]. In the [Manage Picture Control] menu, highlight [Delete] and press 2. Select a Picture Control. Highlight a custom Picture Control (C-1 through C-9) and press 2. Select [Yes]. Highlight [Yes] and press J to delete the selected Picture Control.
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Deleting Custom Picture Controls from the Memory Card Select [Load/save]. In the [Manage Picture Control] menu, highlight [Load/save] and press 2. Select [Delete from card]. Highlight [Delete from card] and press 2.
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Select a Picture Control. Highlight a custom Picture Control (slot1 through 99) and either; • press 2 to view current Picture Control settings, or • press J to display confirmation dialog shown at right. Select [Yes]. Highlight [Yes] and press J to delete the selected Picture Control.
Active D-Lighting Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Use for high contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly lit outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of shaded subjects on a sunny day. Active D-Lighting off Active D-Lighting: High...
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To use active D-Lighting: Select [Active D-Lighting]. In the shooting menu (pg. 254), highlight [Active D-Lighting] and press 2. Choose an option. Highlight [Off], [Low], [Normal], or [High] and press J. Active D-Lighting When Active D-Lighting is on, the capacity of the memory buffer drops and additional time is required to record images (pg.
Color Space The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. Choose a color space according to how photographs will be processed on leaving the camera. Option Choose for photographs that will be printed or W sRGB (default) used “as is, ”...
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Nikon Software The following Nikon software automatically selects the correct color space when opening photographs created with the D300: ViewNX version 1.2.0 or later, Capture NX version 1.3.5 or later (available separately), and Capture NX 2 version 2.1.0 or later (available separately).
Flash Photography – Using the Built-in Flash This chapter describes how to use the built-in flash. The Built-in Flash... pg. 170 Using the Built-in Flash ... pg. 171 Flash Modes... pg. 174 Flash Compensation ... pg. 176 FV Lock ... pg. 178...
The Built-in Flash The built-in flash has a Guide Number (GN) 17/56 (m/ft, ISO 200, 20 °C/68 °F). It supports i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR, which uses monitor pre-flashes to adjust flash output for balanced lighting not only when natural lighting is inadequate but when filling in shadows and backlit subjects or adding a catch light to the subject’s eyes.
Using the Built-in Flash Follow these steps when using the built-in flash. Choose a metering method (pg. 100). Select matrix or center-weighted metering to activate i-TTL balanced fill- flash for digital SLR. Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR is activated automatically when spot metering is selected.
Check exposure (shutter speed and aperture). Press the shutter-release button halfway and check shutter speed and aperture. The settings available when the built-in flash is raised are listed below. Mode Set automatically by camera Value selected by user Set automatically by camera Value selected by user 1 Shutter speed may be set as slow as 30s in slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, and slow sync with red-eye reduction flash modes.
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Lowering the Built-in Flash To save power when the flash is not in use, press it gently downward until the latch clicks into place. The Built-in Flash Use with lenses with focal lengths of 18–300 mm (pg. 354). Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows.
Flash Modes The D300 supports the following flash modes: Flash mode Front-curtain sync Red-eye reduction Red-eye reduction with slow sync Slow sync Description This mode is recommended for most situations. In programmed auto and aperture-priority auto modes, shutter speed will automatically be set to values...
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Flash mode Description In shutter-priority auto or manual exposure mode, flash fires just before the shutter closes. Use to create effect of a stream of light behind moving objects. In programmed auto and aperture-priority auto, slow Rear-curtain sync rear-curtain sync is used to capture both subject and background.
Flash Compensation Flash compensation is used to alter flash output by from –3EV to +1EV in increments of subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections. Press the Y button and rotate the sub-command dial until the desired value is displayed in the...
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Optional Flash Units Flash compensation is also available with optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200 flash units. See Also For information on choosing the size of the increments available when setting flash compensation, see Custom Setting b3 ([Exp comp/fine tune], pg.
FV Lock This feature is used to lock flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.
Lock flash level. After confirming that the flash ready indicator (M) is displayed in the viewfinder, press the Fn button. The flash will emit a monitor preflash to determine the appropriate flash level. Flash output will be locked at this level and FV lock icons (e) will appear in the control panel and viewfinder.
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Using FV Lock with the Built-in Flash FV lock is only available with the built-in flash when [TTL] (the default option) is selected for Custom Setting e3 ([Flash cntrl for built-in flash], pg. 291). Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units FV lock is also available with SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200 flash units (available separately).
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings The camera settings listed below can be restored to default values by holding the QUAL and E buttons down together for more than two seconds (these buttons are marked by a green dot). The control panel turns off briefly while settings are reset.
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The following shooting-menu options will also be reset. Only settings in the bank currently selected using the [Shooting menu bank] option will be reset (pg. 255). Settings in the remaining banks are unaffected. Option Default Option Default Image quality JPEG Normal White balance Auto Image size...
Multiple Exposure Follow the steps below to record a series of two to ten exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.
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Select the number of shots. Press 1 or 3 to choose the number of exposures that will be combined to form a single photograph and press J. Select [Auto gain]. Highlight [Auto gain] and press Set gain. Highlight one of the following options and press J.
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Select [Done]. Highlight [Done] and press J. A n icon will be displayed in the control panel. To exit without taking a multiple exposure, select [Multiple exposure] > [Reset] in the shooting menu. Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. In continuous high-speed and continuous low- speed release modes (pg.
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Multiple Exposure Do not remove or replace the memory card while recording a multiple exposure. Live view (pg. 79) can not be used to record multiple exposures. The information listed in the playback photo information display (including date of recording and camera orientation) is for the first shot in the multiple exposure.
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Interrupting Multiple Exposures Selecting [Multiple exposure] in the shooting menu while a multiple exposure is being recorded displays the options shown at right. To interrupt a multiple exposure before the specified number of exposures have been taken, highlight [Cancel] and press J. If shooting ends before the specified number of exposures have been taken, a multiple exposure will be created from the exposures that have been recorded to that point.
Interval Timer Photography The D300 is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Select [Interval timer shooting]. Highlight [Interval timer shooting] in the shooting menu (pg. 254) and press 2. Select a starting trigger. Highlight one of the following [Choose start time] options and press 2.
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Choose a start time. Press 4 or 2 to highlight hours or minutes; press 1 or 3 to change. The starting time is not displayed if [Now] is selected for [Choose start time]. Choose an interval. Press 4 or 2 to highlight hours, minutes, or seconds;...
Choose the number of intervals and number of shots per interval. Press 4 or 2 to highlight number of intervals or number of shots; press 1 or 3 to change. The total number of shots that will be taken is displayed to the right.
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Out of Memory If the memory card is full, the interval timer will remain active but no pictures will be taken. Resume shooting (pg. 193) after deleting some pictures or turning the camera off and inserting another memory card. Bracketing Adjust bracketing settings before starting interval timer photography.
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Pausing Interval Timer Photography Interval time photography can be paused by: • Pressing the J button between intervals • Highlighting [Start] > [Pause] in the interval timer menu and pressing J • Turning the camera off and then on again (if desired, the memory card can be replaced while the camera is off ) •...
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Interrupting Interval Timer Photography Interval timer shooting will end automatically if the battery is exhausted. Interval timer photography can also be ended by: • Selecting [Start] > [Off ] in the interval timer menu • Performing a two button reset (pg. 182) •...
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Shooting Menu Banks Changes to interval timer settings apply to all shooting menu banks (pg. 255). If shooting menu settings are reset using the [Reset shooting menu] item in the shooting menu (pg. 257), interval timer settings will be reset as follows: •...
Non-CPU Lenses By specifying lens data (lens focal length and maximum aperture), the user can gain access to a variety of CPU lens functions when using a non-CPU lens. If the focal length of the lens is known: • Automatic power zoom can be used with SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600 Speedlights (available separately) •...
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The Non-CPU Lens Data Menu Select [Non-CPU lens data]. Highlight [Non-CPU lens data] in the setup menu (pg. 311) and press 2. Select a lens number. Highlight [Lens number] and press 4 or 2 to choose a lens number between 1 and 9. Select a focal length.
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Select [Done]. Highlight [Done] and press J. The specified focal length and aperture will be stored under the chosen lens number. This combination of focal length and aperture can be recalled at any time by selecting the lens number using camera controls as described below. Choosing a Lens Number Using Camera Controls Assign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control.
Using a GPS Unit A GPS unit can be connected to the ten-pin remote terminal, allowing the current latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and heading to be recorded with each photograph taken. The camera can be used with an optional GP-1 GPS unit (see below;...
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Other GPS Units Optional Garmin GPS units that conform to version 2.01 or 3.01 of the National Marine Electronics Association NMEA0183 data format can be connected to the camera’s ten-pin remote terminal using an MC-35 GPS adapter cord (available separately; pg. 370). Operation has been confirmed with Garmin eTrex and Garmin geko series devices equipped with a PC interface cable connector.
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The k Icon When the camera establishes communication with a GPS device, a k icon will be displayed in the control panel. Photo information for pictures taken while the k icon is displayed will include a page of GPS data (pg. 215), including the current latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and heading (if supported).
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Setup Menu Options The [GPS] item in the setup menu contains the options listed below. • [Auto meter off]: Choose whether or not the exposure meters will turn off automatically when a GPS unit is attached. Option Exposure meters will turn off automatically if no operations are performed for the period specified in Custom Setting c2 Enable ([Auto meter-off delay]).
More About Playback – Playback Options This chapter describes how to play back photographs and details the operations that can be performed during playback. Full-Frame Playback... pg. 204 Photo Information ... pg. 206 Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback ... pg. 218 Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom ...
Full-Frame Playback To play photographs back, press the K button. The most recent photograph will be displayed in the monitor. Multi selector Sub-command dial O button K button G button L button W button X button J button Main command dial Rotate Tall To display “tall”...
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View additional photographs View photo information View thumbnails Zoom in on photograph Delete images Change protect status Return to shooting mode Display menus Image Review When [On] is selected for [Image review] in the playback menu (pg. 251), photographs are automatically displayed in the monitor for about 20 s (the default setting) after shooting (because the camera is already in the correct orientation, images are not rotated automatically during image review).
100 - 1 Highlights Select R, G, B Highlights 100 -- 1 Highlights Select R, G, B RGB histogram 1 / 10 N I KON D300 F5 . 6 1 125 35mm AUTO 0, 0 100ND300 DSC_0001. JPG NOR ORMAL AL...
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File Information 100ND300 15/12/2007 10 Protect status ... 221 Retouch indicator... 329 Focus point *... 250 AF area brackets ...43, 81 Frame number/ total number of frames File name... 260 * Displayed only if [Focus point] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250). 0001.
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Highlights Protect status ... 221 Retouch indicator ... 329 Image highlights 1 Displayed only if [Highlights] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250). 2 Blinking areas indicate highlights (areas that may be overexposed) for current channel. Press 4 or 2 while pressing W button to cycle through channels as follows: (all channels)
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RGB Histogram Highlights Protect status... 221 Retouch indicator... 329 Image highlights ... 250 Folder number– frame number ... 258 1 Displayed only if [RGB histogram] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250). 2 Blinking areas indicate highlights (areas that may be overexposed) for current channel.
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3 Some sample histograms are shown below: • If the image contains objects with a wide range of brightnesses, the distribution of tones will be relatively even. • If the image is dark, tone distribution will be shifted to the left.
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MTR , SPD , AP . EXP. MODE, I SO , EXP. TUN I NG FOCAL LENGTH LENS FLASH MODE, N I KON D300 1 Protect status... 221 Retouch indicator... 329 Metering method... 100 Shutter speed ...106, 109 Aperture ...107, 109 Exposure mode...
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AUTO, 0, 0 : s RGB COLOR SPACE PI CTURE CNTRL : STANDARD QUICK ADJUST SHARPENING CONTRAST BRI GHTNESS SATURATION N I KON D300 Sharpening...151 Contrast...151 Brightness...151 Saturation Filter effects Toning Camera name Folder number– ... 148 frame number ...258 100 -- 1 ...151...
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Shooting Data Page 3 N I KON D300 Protect status... 221 Retouch indicator... 329 High ISO noise reduction ... 263 Long exposure noise reduction... 262 Active D-Lighting ... 165 * Displayed only if [Data] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250).
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* Displayed only if [Data] is selected for [Display mode] (pg. 250) and copyright information was appended to photograph (pg. 324). ART I ST NI KON TARO : NIKON COPYRI GHT N I KON D300 Camera name Folder number– frame number ...258 100 -- 1...
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GPS Data LATITUDE . LONGITUDE ALTITUDE TIME(UTC) HEADING N I KON D300 Protect status... 221 Retouch indicator... 329 Latitude Longitude Altitude 1 Displayed only if GPS device was used when photo was taken (pg. 199). 2 Displayed only if GPS device is equipped with electronic compass.
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ISO sensitivity Focal length ...356 GPS data indicator...199 Image comment indicator...316 Flash mode...171 Flash compensation...176 Exposure compensation ...114 Metering method ...100 Exposure mode...102 Shutter speed... 106, 109 Aperture... 107, 109 N I KON D300 35mm NOR ORMAL AL 4288x2848 ... 94...
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File name... 260 Image quality...56 Image size ...60 Image authentication indicator ... 323 Time of recording...37 1 / 10 N I KON D300 1 8000 , F4 . 8 HI 0 . 3 35mm + 1 . 3 REAR A6, M1 DSC _ 0001.
Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback To display images in “contact sheets” of four or nine images, press the W button. Full-frame Thumbnail playback...
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The following operations can be performed while thumbnails are displayed: Display more images Display fewer images Toggle full frame playback Highlight images Delete highlighted photo Change protect status of highlighted photo Return to shooting mode Display menus See Also For information on choosing the role played by the center of the multi selector, see Custom Setting f1 ([Multi selector center button], pg.
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom Press the X button to zoom in on the image displayed in full-frame playback or on the image currently highlighted in thumbnail playback. The following operations can be performed while zoom is in effect: Zoom in or View other areas of...
Protecting Photographs from Deletion In full-frame, zoom, and thumbnail playback, the L button can be used to protect photographs from accidental deletion. Protected files can not be deleted using the O button or the [Delete] option in the playback menu. Note that protected images will be deleted when the memory card is formatted (pp.
Deleting Individual Photographs To delete the photograph displayed in full-frame playback or the photograph highlighted in the thumbnail list, press the O button. Once deleted, photographs can not be recovered. Select an image. Display the image or highlight it in the thumbnail list. Press the O button.
Connections – Connecting to External Devices This chapter describes how to copy photographs to a computer, how to print pictures, and how to view them on a television set. Connecting to a Computer ... pg. 224 Direct USB Connection ... pg. 226 Wireless and Ethernet Networks ...
Connecting to a Computer This section describes how to connect the camera to a computer using the supplied UC-E4 USB cable. Once the camera is connected, Nikon Transfer or optional Nikon software such as Camera Control Pro 2 can be used to copy photographs to the computer or control the camera remotely.
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Before Connecting the Camera Install the necessary software from the supplied installer CD (see the Install Guide for more information). To ensure that data transfer is not interrupted, be sure the camera battery is fully charged. If in doubt, charge the battery before use or use an EH-5a or EH-5 AC adapter (available separately).
Direct USB Connection Connect the camera using the supplied UC-E4 USB cable. Select a USB option. Before connecting the camera to the computer, make sure the correct option is selected for the [USB] item in the camera setup menu (pg. 225). Turn the camera off.
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Turn the camera on. If [Mass Storage] is selected for [USB] (pg. 225), c will be displayed in the control panel and viewfinder, and the PC connection indicator will flash in the control panel (camera displays do not change if [MTP/PTP] is selected). Transfer photographs.
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Windows XP Home Edition / Windows XP Professional Click the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon ( ) in the taskbar and select [Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device] from the menu that appears. Mac OS X Drag the camera volume (“NIKON D300”) into the Trash.
Wireless and Ethernet Networks If the optional WT-4 wireless transmitter is attached, photographs can be transferred or printed over wireless or Ethernet networks and the camera can also be controlled from network computers running Camera Control Pro 2 (available separately). The WT-4 can be used in any of the following modes: Mode Upload new or existing photographs to computer or ftp...
Printing Photographs Photographs can be printed by any of the following methods: • Connect the camera to a printer and print JPEG photographs directly from the camera (pg. 231). • Insert the camera memory card in a printer equipped with a card slot (see the printer manual for details).
Direct USB Connection If the camera is connected to a PictBridge printer via the supplied USB cable, selected JPEG pictures can be printed directly from the camera. Select photographs for printing using [Print set (DPOF)] (pg. 240) Select [MTP/PTP] in camera [USB] menu and connect camera to Print photographs one at a time (pg.
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Connecting the Printer Connect the camera using the supplied UC-E4 USB cable. Select [MTP/PTP]. If the [USB] option in the camera setup menu has been changed from the default setting of [MTP/PTP], display the [USB] menu and select [MTP/PTP] (pg. 225). Turn the camera off.
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Printing Pictures One at a Time Select a picture. Press 4 or 2 to view additional pictures, or press the X button to zoom in on the current frame (pg. 220). To view six pictures at a time, press the W button.
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Adjust printing options. Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select. Option Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press 1 or 3 to choose page size (to print at Page size default page size for current printer, select [Printer default]), then press J to select and return to previous menu.
Option Menu shown at right will be displayed. To exit without cropping picture, highlight [No cropping] and press J. To crop picture, highlight [Crop] and press 2. Cropping If [Crop] is selected, dialog shown at right will be displayed. Press X to increase size of crop, W to decrease.
Printing Multiple Pictures Display the PictBridge menu. Press the G button in the PictBridge playback display (see Step 4 on page 232). Choose [Print select] or [Print (DPOF)]. Highlight one of the following options and press 2. • [Print select]: Select pictures for printing.
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Select pictures. Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures on the memory card. To display the current picture full screen, press X button. To select the current picture for printing, press the L button and press 1. The picture will be marked with a Z icon and the number of prints will be set to 1.
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Adjust printing options. Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select. Option Menu of page size options will be displayed (pg. 234). Press 1 or 3 to choose page size (to print at default Page size page size for current printer, select [Printer default]), then press J to select and return to previous menu.
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Creating Index Prints To create an index print of all JPEG pictures on the memory card, select [Index print] in Step 2 of “Printing Multiple Pictures” (pg. 236). Note that if the memory card contains more than 256 pictures, only the first 256 images will be printed.
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Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set The [Print set (DPOF)] option in the playback menu is used to create digital “print orders” for PictBridge-compatible printers and devices that support DPOF. Selecting [Print set (DPOF)] from the playback menu displays the menu shown in Step 1. Choose [Select/set].
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Select imprint options. Highlight the following options and press 2 to toggle the highlighted option on or off (to complete the print order without including this information, proceed to Step 4). • [Data imprint]: Print shutter speed and aperture on all pictures in print order.
Viewing Photographs on TV The supplied EG-D100 video cable can be used to connect the D300 to a television or VCR for playback or recording. A type A High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable (available separately from commercial sources) can be used to connect the camera to high-definition video devices.
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Video Mode (pg. 313) Be sure that the video standard matches the standard used in the video device. Note that resolution will drop when images are output on a PAL device. Television Playback Use of an EH-5a or EH-5 AC adapter (available separately) is recommended for extended playback.
High-Definition Devices The camera can be connected to HDMI devices using a type A HDMI cable (available separately from commercial sources). Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before connecting or disconnecting an HDMI cable. Connect the HDMI cable as shown. Connect to high- definition device Tune the device to the HDMI channel.
Menu Guide This chapter describes the options available in the camera menus. D The Playback Menu: Managing Images ... pg. 246 C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options... pg. 254 A Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings... pg. 264 B The Setup Menu: Camera Setup... pg. 311 N The Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies...
D The Playback Menu: Managing Images The playback menu contains the options listed below. For information on using the playback menu, see “Tutorial: Camera Menus. ” Option Delete Playback folder Hide image Display mode Image review After delete Rotate tall Slide show Print set (DPOF) See page...
Selecting Multiple Pictures To select multiple pictures for [Delete] (pg. 248), [Hide image] (pg. 249), [Print set (DPOF)] (pg. 240), and direct printing (pg. 236): Highlight a picture. To view the highlighted picture full screen, press and hold the X button. Press the center of the multi selector to select the highlighted picture.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to select additional pictures. To deselect a picture, highlight it and press center of multi selector. Press J to complete the operation. A confirmation dialog will be displayed; highlight [Yes] and press J. Delete Select this option to delete pictures. Protected and hidden images will not be deleted.
Playback Folder Choose a folder for playback. Option ND300 Pictures in all folders created with the D300 will be (default) visible during playback. Pictures in all folders will be visible during playback. Only pictures in the current folder will be visible Current during playback.
Display Mode Choose the information available in the playback photo information display (pg. 206). Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option, then press 2 to select the option for the photo information display. A L appears next to selected items; to deselect, highlight and press 2.
Image Review Choose whether pictures are automatically displayed in the monitor immediately after shooting. Option Pictures are automatically displayed in the monitor after shooting. Off (default) Pictures can only be displayed by pressing K button. After Delete Choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted. Option Show next Display following picture.
Slide Show Create a slide show of the pictures in the current playback folder (pg. 249). Hidden images (pg. 249) are not displayed. Option Start Frame interval Choose how long each picture will be displayed. To start the slide show, highlight [Start] and press J. The following operations can be performed while the slide show is in progress: Skip back/skip...
Print Set (DPOF) Choose [Select/set] to select pictures for printing on a DPOF- compatible device (pg. 240). Choose [Deselect all?] to remove all pictures from the current print order.
C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options The shooting menu contains the options listed below. For information on using the shooting menu, see “Tutorial: Camera Menus” (pg. 24). Option Shooting menu bank Reset shooting menu Active folder File naming Image quality Image size JPEG compression NEF (RAW) recording...
Shooting Menu Bank Shooting menu options are stored in one of four banks. With the exceptions of [Interval timer shooting], [Multiple exposure], and modifications to Picture Controls (quick adjust and other manual adjustments), changes to settings in one bank have no effect on the others.
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Enter a name. To move the cursor in the name area, press the W button and press 4 or 2. To enter a new letter at the current cursor position, use the multi selector to highlight the desired character in the keyboard area and press the center of the multi selector.
Reset Shooting Menu Choose whether to restore default settings for the current shooting menu bank. See page 401 for a list of default settings. With the exceptions of image quality, image size, white balance, and ISO sensitivity, shooting menu settings are not reset when a two-button reset (pg.
Active Folder Select the folder in which subsequent images will be stored. New Folder Number Select [New folder number]. Highlight [New folder number] and press 2. Choose a folder number. Press 4 or 2 to highlight a digit, press 1 or 3 to change. If a folder with the selected number already exists, a W, X, or Y icon will be displayed to the left of the folder number: •...
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Select Folder Choose [Select folder]. Highlight [Select folder] and press 2. Highlight a folder. Press 1 or 3 to highlight a folder. Select the highlighted folder. Press J to select the highlighted folder and return to the shooting menu (to exit without changing the active folder, press the G button).
File Naming Photographs are saved using file names consisting of “DSC_” or, in the case of images that use the Adobe RGB color space, “_DSC”, followed by a four-digit number and a three-letter extension (e.g., “DSC_0001.JPG”). The [File naming] option is used to select three letters to replace the “DSC”...
NEF (RAW) Recording Choose compression and bit-depth options for NEF (RAW) images (pg. 58). White Balance Adjust white balance settings (pg. 126). Set Picture Control Select from the Picture Controls provided with the camera to instantly adjust image processing settings (pg. 146). Manage Picture Control Save and modify custom Picture Control combinations, or copy custom Picture Controls to or from the memory card (pg.
Long Exp. NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) Choose whether to reduce noise in pictures taken at slow shutter speeds. Option Photographs taken at shutter speeds slower than 8 s are processed to reduce noise. While photographs are being processed, the capacity of the memory buffer will drop.
High ISO NR Photographs taken at high ISO sensitivities can be processed to reduce “noise. ” Option S High Noise reduction is performed at ISO sensitivities of ISO 800 and higher. While photographs are being processed, Normal the capacity of the memory buffer will drop. Choose the (default) amount of noise reduction performed from [High], U Low...
A Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings Custom Settings are used to customize camera settings to suit individual preferences. In addition to Custom Settings B ([Custom setting bank]) and A ([Reset custom settings]), settings in the Custom Settings menu are divided into the six groups shown at right.
The following Custom Settings are available: Custom Setting B Custom setting bank A Reset custom settings a Autofocus a1 AF-C priority selection a2 AF-S priority selection a3 Dynamic AF area a4 Focus tracking with lock-on a5 AF activation a6 AF point illumination a7 Focus point wrap-around a8 AF point selection a9 Built-in AF-assist illuminator...
C: Custom Setting Bank Custom Settings are stored in one of four banks. Changes to settings in one bank have no effect on the others. To store a particular combination of frequently-used settings, select one of the four banks and set the camera to these settings. The new settings will be stored in the bank even when the camera is turned off, and will be restored the next time the bank is selected.
a: Autofocus a1: AF-C Priority Selection This option controls whether photographs can be taken whenever the shutter-release button is pressed (release priority) or only when the camera is in focus (focus priority) in continuous-servo AF. To select continuous-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to C. Option Release Photos can be taken whenever the shutter-release...
a2: AF-S Priority Selection This option controls whether photographs can be taken only when the camera is in focus (focus priority) or whenever the shutter- release button is pressed (release priority) in single-servo AF. To select single-servo AF, rotate the focus mode selector to S.
a3: Dynamic AF Area If the subject leaves the selected focus point when dynamic-area AF (I; pg. 64) is selected in continuous-servo AF (focus mode C; pg. 62), the camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus points. Choose the number of focus points from 9, 21, and 51 based on subject movement.
Option 51 points (3D-tracking) 3D-tracking When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the colors in the area surrounding the focus point are stored in the camera. Consequently 3D- tracking may not produce the desired results with subjects that are the same color as the background or that occupy a very small area of the frame.
a5: AF Activation This option controls whether both the shutter-release button and the B button can be used to initiate autofocus, or whether autofocus is only initiated when the B button is pressed. Option Shutter/ Autofocus can be performed with the B button or by AF-ON pressing the shutter-release button halfway.
a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around Choose whether focus-point selection “wraps around” from one edge of the viewfinder to another. Option Focus-point selection “wraps around” from top to bottom, bottom to top, right to left, and left Wrap to right, so that, for example, pressing 2 when a focus point at the right edge of the viewfinder display is highlighted (q) selects the corresponding focus point at the left edge of the display (w).
a9: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator Choose whether the built-in AF-assist illuminator lights to assist the focus operation when lighting is poor. Option The AF-assist illuminator lights when lighting is poor. AF- assist illumination is only available when both of the following conditions are met: 1.
a10: AF-On for MB-D10 Choose the function assigned to the B button on the optional MB-D10 battery pack. Option AF-ON (default) B AE/AF lock C AE lock only AE lock (Reset on release) E AE lock (Hold) F AF lock only Same as FUNC.
b: Metering/Exposure b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value This option determines whether adjustments to sensitivity are made in increments equivalent to 1 EV. b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl. This option determines whether adjustments to shutter speed, aperture, and bracketing are made in increments equivalent to EV, or 1 EV.
b4: Easy Exposure Compensation This option controls whether the E button is needed to set exposure compensation (pg. 114). If [On (Auto reset)] or [On] is selected, the 0 at the center of the exposure display will blink even when exposure compensation is set to ±0. Option On (Auto reset)
b5: Center-Weighted Area When calculating exposure, center- weighted metering assigns the greatest weight to a circle in the center of the frame. The diameter (φ ) of this circle can be set to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm or to the average of the entire frame.
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Select [Yes]. The message shown at right will be displayed; highlight [Yes] and press 2 to proceed, or select [No] to exit without altering exposure. Select a metering method. Highlight [Matrix metering], [Center-weighted], or [Spot metering] and press 2. Choose an exposure value. Press 1 or 3 to choose an exposure value from +1 to –1 EV.
c: Timers/AE Lock c1: Shutter-Release Button AE-L At the default setting of [Off ], exposure only locks when the AE-L/ AF-L button is pressed. If [On] is selected, exposure will also lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. c2: Auto Meter-off Delay This option controls how long the camera continues to meter exposure when no operations are performed.
c3: Self-Timer Delay This option controls the length of the shutter release delay in self-timer mode. Choose from 2 s, 5 s, 10 s, and 20 s. c4: Monitor off Delay This option controls how long the monitor remains on when no operations are performed.
d: Shooting/Display d1: Beep Choose [High] or [Low] to sound a beep when the self-timer is used or the camera focuses in single-servo autofocus (note that a beep will not sound if [Release] is selected for Custom Setting a2 ([AF-S priority selection], pg. 268)). Option Choose the pitch of the beep High...
d3: Viewfinder Warning Display Choose whether low battery warning is displayed in the viewfinder. Option A low battery (I) icon is displayed when the battery is low. (default) Low battery warning is not displayed in the viewfinder. d4: CL Mode Shooting Speed This option determines the maximum frame advance rate in C (continuous low speed) mode (during interval timer photography, this setting also determines the frame advance rate for single-...
d6: File Number Sequence When a photograph is taken, the camera names the file by adding one to the last file number used. This option controls whether file numbering continues from the last number used when a new folder is created, the memory card is formatted, or a new memory card is inserted in the camera.
d7: Shooting Info Display At the default setting of [Auto] (AUTO), the color of the lettering in the information display (pg. 12) will automatically change from black to white or white to black to maintain contrast with the background. To always use the same color lettering, select [Manual] and choose [Dark on light] (B;...
d8: LCD Illumination At the default setting of [Off ], the control panel backlight (LCD illuminator) will only light while the power switch is in the D position. If [On] is selected, the control panel will be illuminated while the exposure meters are active (pg. 46). Select [Off ] for increased battery life.
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Using AA Batteries EN-EL4a or EN-EL4 rechargeable Li-ion batteries (available separately) or EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion batteries are recommended for best performance. Fewer pictures can be taken with AA batteries (pg. 417). The capacity of AA batteries drops sharply at temperatures below 20 °C (68 °F) and varies with make and storage conditions;...
d11: Battery Order Choose whether the battery in the camera or the batteries in the battery pack are used first when an optional MB-D10 battery pack is attached. Option Use MB-D10 batteries first (default) Use camera battery first A X icon is displayed in the camera control panel when the batteries in the MB-D10 are in use.
e: Bracketing/Flash e1: Flash Sync Speed This option controls flash sync speed. Option 1/320 s (Auto FP) 1/250 s (Auto FP) 1/250 s (default) Flash sync speed set to 1/200 s 1/160 s 1/125 s 1/100 s 1/80 s 1/60 s Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit To fix shutter speed at the sync speed limit in shutter-priority auto or manual exposure modes, select the next shutter speed after the slowest...
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Flash Control at [1/320 s (Auto FP)] When [1/320 s (Auto FP)] is selected for Custom Setting e1 ([Flash sync speed], pg. 288), the built-in flash can be used at shutter speeds as fast as SB-R200 flash units can be used at any shutter speed (Auto FP High-Speed Sync).
e2: Flash Shutter Speed This option determines the slowest shutter speed available when using front- or rear-curtain sync or red-eye reduction in programmed auto or aperture-priority auto exposure modes (regardless of the setting chosen, shutter speeds can be as slow as 30 s in shutter-priority auto and manual exposure modes or at flash settings of slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, or red-eye reduction with slow sync).
e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash. Option Flash output is adjusted automatically in response to (default) shooting conditions. 2 Manual Choose the flash level (pg. 292). Repeating The flash fires repeatedly while the shutter is open, flash producing a strobe-light effect (pg.
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Manual Choose a flash level between [Full] and [1/128] ( At full power, the built-in flash has a Guide Number of 18/59 (m/ft., ISO 200, 20°C/68°F). Repeating Flash The flash fires repeatedly while the shutter is open, producing a strobe-light effect. Press 4 or 2 to highlight the following options, 1 or 3 to change.
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Commander Mode Use the built-in flash as a master flash controlling one or more remote optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-R200 flash units in up to two groups (A and B) using advanced wireless lighting. Selecting this option displays the menu shown at right.
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Follow the steps below to take photographs in commander mode. Adjust settings for the built-in flash. Choose the flash control mode and output level for the built-in flash. Note that output level can not be adjusted in [– –] mode. Adjust settings for group A.
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Compose the shot. Compose the shot and arrange the flash units as shown below. Note that the maximum distance at which the remote flash units can be placed may vary with shooting conditions. 60 ° or less 10 m/33 ft. 30 °...
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The Flash Sync Mode Display M does not appear in the control panel flash sync mode display when [– –] is selected for [Built-in flash] > [Mode]. Flash Compensation The flash compensation value selected with the Y (M) button and sub- command dial is added to the flash compensation values selected for the built-in flash, group A, and group B in the [Commander mode] menu.
e4: Modeling Flash If [On] (the default setting) is selected when the camera is being used with the built-in flash or an optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-R200 flash unit, a modeling flash will be emitted when the camera depth-of-field preview button is pressed (pg. 103). No modeling flash is emitted if [Off ] is selected.
e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M) This option determines which settings are affected when [AE & flash] or [AE only] is selected for Custom Setting e5 in manual exposure mode. Option Flash/speed (default) Flash/speed/ aperture Flash/ aperture Flash only Flash bracketing is performed only with i-TTL or AA flash control. If a setting other than [Flash only] is selected and the flash is not used, ISO sensitivity will be fixed at the value for the first shot, regardless of the setting selected for ISO sensitivity auto control...
e7: Bracketing Order At the default setting of [MTR]>[under]>[over] (H), bracketing is performed in the order described on pages 118 and 122. If [Under]>[MTR]>[over] (I) is selected, shooting will proceed in order from the lowest to the highest value.
f: Controls f1: Multi Selector Center Button This option determines what operations can be performed by pressing the center of the multi selector in shooting and playback modes. Shooting Mode Selecting [Shooting mode] displays the following options: Option Select center focus point (default) Highlight active...
Option Pressing center of multi selector displays list of folders. Highlight folder and press J to select folder Choose for playback. Folder can not be changed if only one folder folder exists of if [Current] is selected for [Playback folder] (pg. 249). f2: Multi Selector If [Reset meter-off delay] is selected, operating the multi selector when the exposure meters are off (pg.
f4: Assign FUNC. Button Choose the role played by the Fn button, either by itself ([FUNC. button press]) or when used in combination with the command dials ([FUNC. button+dials]). FUNC. Button Press Selecting [FUNC. button press] for Custom Setting f4 displays the following options: Option Preview...
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Option If the Fn button is pressed while exposure or flash bracketing is active in single frame release mode, all shots in the current bracketing program will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed. If white balance bracketing is active or Bracketing continuous release mode (mode C burst...
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FUNC. Button+Dials Selecting [FUNC. button+dials] for Custom Setting f4 displays the following options: Option 1 step spd/ aperture Choose non- CPU lens number Auto bracketing (default) Dynamic AF area None Description If the Fn button is pressed when the command dials are rotated, changes to shutter speed (exposure modes f and h) and aperture (exposure modes g and h) are made in increments of 1 EV,...
f5: Assign Preview Button Choose the role played by the depth-of-field preview button, either by itself ([Preview button press]) or when used in combination with the command dials ([Preview + command dials]). The options available are the same as for [FUNC. button press] (pg.
f6: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button Choose the role played by the AE-L/AF-L button, either by itself ([AE-L/AF-L button press]) or when used in combination with the command dials ([AE-L/AF-L+command dials]). The options available for [AE-L/AF-L button press] are the same as for [FUNC. button press] (pg.
f7: Customize Command Dials This option controls the operation of the main and sub-command dials. Option Controls the direction of the command dials. Choose [No] Reverse (the default option) for normal command dial operation, or rotation [Yes] to reverse the rotation of the command dials. This setting also applies to the command dials for the MB-D10.
Option At the default setting of [Off ], the multi selector is used to choose the picture displayed during full-frame playback, highlight thumbnails, and navigate menus. If [On] is selected, the main command dial can be used to choose the picture displayed during full-frame playback, move the cursor left or right during thumbnail playback, and move the menu Menus...
f9: No Memory Card? At the default setting of [Enable release], the shutter can be released when no memory card is inserted, although no pictures will be recorded (they will however be displayed in the monitor in demo mode). If [Release locked] is selected, the shutter-release button is only enabled when a memory card is inserted in the camera.
f10: Reverse Indicators At the default setting of (V), the exposure indicators in the control panel, viewfinder and shooting information display are displayed with positive values on the left and negative values on the right. Select (W) to display negative values on the left and positive values on the right.
B The Setup Menu: Camera Setup The setup menu contains the options listed below. For information on using the setup menu, see “Tutorial: Camera Menus” (pg. 24). Option Format memory card LCD brightness Clean image sensor Lock mirror up for cleaning Video mode HDMI World time...
Format Memory Card Format the card. Note that formatting permanently deletes all pictures and other data on the card. Before formatting, be sure to make backup copies as required. During Formatting Do not turn the camera off or remove memory cards during formatting. Two-Button Format Memory cards can also be formatted by pressing the Q (O and I) buttons for more than two seconds (pg.
Clean Image Sensor Select this option to remove dust from the image sensor or to choose options for automatic image sensor cleaning (pg. 373). Lock Mirror up for Cleaning Lock the mirror in the up position to allow inspection or manual cleaning of the low-pass filter that protects the camera image sensor (pg.
HDMI The camera is equipped with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connector, allowing pictures to be played back on high-definition televisions or monitors using a type A cable (available separately from commercial suppliers). Before connecting the camera to high-definition device, choose the HDMI format from the options below.
World Time Change time zones, set the camera clock, choose the date display order, and turn daylight saving time on or off. Option Choose a time zone. The camera clock is automatically Time zone set to the time in the new time zone. Date and time Set the camera clock (pg.
Image Comment Add a comment to new photographs as they are taken. Comments can be viewed in ViewNX version 1.2.0 or later or in Capture NX version 1.3.5 or later or Capture NX 2 version 2.1.0 or later (available separately; pg. 368). The comment is also visible on the third shooting data page in the photo information display.
Auto Image Rotation Photographs taken while [On] (the default option) is selected contain information on camera orientation, allowing them to be rotated automatically during playback (pg. 251) or when viewed in ViewNX version 1.2.0 or later or in Capture NX version 1.3.5 or later or Capture NX 2 verson 2.1.0 or later (available separately;...
Choose a USB option for connection to a computer or PictBridge printer. Choose [MTP/PTP] (the default setting) when connecting to a PictBridge printer or an optional WT-4 wireless transmitter or when using Camera Control Pro 2 (available separately; see page 368).
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Choose a start option. Highlight one of the following options and press J. To exit without acquiring image dust off data, press G. • [Start]: The message shown at right will be displayed and “rEF” will appear in the viewfinder and control panel displays.
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Acquire dust off reference data. Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to acquire Image Dust Off reference data. The monitor turns off when the shutter-release button is pressed. If the reference object is too bright or too dark, the camera may be unable to acquire Image Dust Off reference data and the message shown at right will be...
Battery Info View information on the battery currently inserted in the camera. Item Bat. meter The current battery level expressed as a percentage. The number of times the shutter has been released with the current battery since the battery was last charged. Note Pic.
The MB-D10 Battery Pack The information displayed when the camera is powered by an optional MB-D10 battery pack depends on the type of batteries used: EN-EL3e EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 (option) 8 × AA (option) Wireless Transmitter This option is used to adjust settings for connection to a wireless network, using an optional WT-4 wireless transmitter.
Image Authentication Choose whether to embed image authentication information in new photographs as they are taken, allowing alterations to be detected using Nikon’s optional Image Authentication software. Image authentication information can not be embedded in existing photographs. Photographs taken with image authentication on are marked with a p icon on the file information and overview pages of the photo information display (pp.
Copyright Information Add copyright information to new photographs as they are taken. Copyright information is visible on the fourth shooting data page in the photo information display (pg. 214) and can be viewed in ViewNX version 1.2.0 or later or in Capture NX version 1.3.5 or later or Capture NX 2 version 2.1.0 or later (available separately;...
Save/Load Settings Select [Save settings] to save the following settings to the camera memory card (if the memory card is full, an error will be displayed; pg. 394). Menu Display mode Image review Playback After delete Rotate tall Shooting menu bank File naming Image quality Image size...
All recent settings Recent Settings Choose tab Settings saved using the D300 can be restored by selecting [Load settings]. Note that [Save/load settings] is only available when a memory card is inserted in the camera, and that the [Load settings] option is only available if the card contains saved settings.
Non-CPU Lens Data By specifying lens data (lens focal length and maximum aperture) for up to nine non-CPU lenses, the user can gain access to a variety of CPU lens functions AF Fine Tune Fine-tune focus for up to 12 lens types. AF tuning is not recommended in most situations;...
Option List previously saved AF tuning values. If a value exists for the current lens, it will be shown with a V icon. To delete a lens from the list, highlight the desired lens and press O. To change a lens identifier (for example, to choose an identifier that is the same as the last two digits of the lens serial number to distinguish it from other lenses of the same type in light of the fact that [Saved value]...
N The Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies The options in the retouch menu are used to create trimmed, or retouched copies of the photographs on the memory card. The retouch menu is only displayed when a memory card containing photographs is inserted in the camera. For information on using the retouch menu, see “Tutorial: Camera Menus”...
Creating Retouched Copies Except in the case of [Image overlay] (pg. 339) and [Side-by-side comparison] (pg. 342), the photographs to be retouched can be selected in full-frame playback as well as from the retouch menu. Creating Retouched Copies in Full-Frame Playback Choose a picture.
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Create a retouched copy. Press J to create a retouched copy. Retouched copies are indicated by a N icon. Creating Retouched Copies from the Retouch Menu Select an item in the retouch menu. Press 1 or 3 to highlight an item, 2 to select.
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Display retouch options. Press J to display retouch options (see the section for the selected option for details). To exit without creating a retouched copy, press G. Create a retouched copy. Press J to create a retouched copy. Retouched copies are indicated by a N icon.
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Retouching Copies Copies created with [Trim] can not be further modified. D-lighting, red-eye correction, filter effects, and color balance can not be applied to monochrome copies. Otherwise the options in the retouch menu can each be applied once to existing copies, although this may result in loss of detail.
D-Lighting D-lighting brightens shadows, making it ideal for dark or backlit photographs. Before After Press 1 or 3 to choose the amount of correction performed. The effect can be previewed in the edit display. Press J to copy the photograph.
Red-Eye Correction This option is used to correct “red-eye” caused by the flash, and is available only with photographs taken using the flash. The photograph selected for red-eye correction is previewed as shown at right. Confirm the effects of red-eye correction and create a copy as described in the following table.
Trim Create a cropped copy of the selected photograph. The selected photograph is displayed with the selected crop shown in yellow; create a cropped copy as described in the following table. Reduce size of crop Increase size of crop Change crop aspect ratio Move crop Preview crop...
Trim: Image Quality and Size Copies created from NEF (RAW), NEF (RAW) + JPEG, or TIFF (RGB) photos have an image quality (pg. 56) of JPEG fine; cropped copies created from JPEG photos have the same image quality as the original. The size of the copy varies with crop size and aspect ratio.
Filter Effects Choose from the following color filter effects. After adjusting filter effects as described below, press J to copy the photograph. Option Creates the effect of a skylight filter, making the picture less blue. The effect can be Skylight previewed in the monitor as shown at right.
Image Overlay Image overlay combines two existing NEF (RAW) photographs to create a single picture that is saved separately from the originals with results that are noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.
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Select the highlighted photograph. Press J to select the highlighted photograph and return to the preview display. The selected image will appear as [Image 1]. Set gain. Optimize exposure for the overlay by pressing 1 or 3 to select the gain for image 1 from values between 0.1 and 2.0.
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Image Overlay Only NEF (RAW) photographs created with the D300 can be selected for image overlay. Other images are not displayed in the selection screen. Only NEF (RAW) photographs with the same bit-depth can be combined.
Side-by-Side Comparison Compare retouched copies to the original photographs. Making a Side-by-Side Comparison Select a picture. Use the multi selector to select a picture and press J. Only retouched copies (shown by a N icon) or photographs that have been retouched can be selected.
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Compare the copy with the original. The source image is displayed on the left, the retouched copy on the right, with the options used to create the copy listed at the top of the display. Press the multi selector in the direction indicated by the arrow adjacent to the highlighted image (1 3 4 or 2) to switch between the source image and the retouched copy.
O My Menu: Creating a Custom Menu The [My Menu] option can be used to create and edit a customized list of options from the playback, shooting, Custom Settings, setup, and retouch menus for quick access (up to 20 items). If desired, recent settings can be displayed in place of My Menu (pg.
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Position the new item. Press 1 or 3 to move the new item up or down in My Menu. Press J to add the new item. Add more items. The items currently displayed in My Menu are indicated by a check mark. Items indicated by a V icon can not be selected.
Deleting Options from My Menu Select [Remove items]. In My Menu (O), highlight [Remove items] and press 2. Select items. Highlight items and press 2 to select or deselect. Selected items are indicated by a check mark. Select [Done]. Highlight [Done] and press J. A confirmation dialog will be displayed.
Reordering Options in My Menu Select [Rank items]. In My Menu (O), highlight [Rank items] and press 2. Select an item. Highlight the item you wish to move and press J. Position the item. Press 1 or 3 to move the item up or down in My Menu and press J.
Displaying Recent Settings To display the twenty most recently used settings, select [Recent settings] for [My Menu] > [Choose tab]. Select [Choose tab]. In My Menu (O), highlight [Choose tab] and press 2. Select [Recent settings]. Highlight [Recent settings] and press J.
Technical Notes – Camera Care, Options, and Resources This chapter covers the following topics: Compatible Lenses... pg. 350 Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) ... pg. 357 Other Accessories... pg. 365 Caring for the Camera ... pg. 372 Storage ... pg. 372 Cleaning...
Compatible Lenses Camera setting Lens/accessory Type G or D AF Nikkor AF-S, AF-I Nikkor PC-E NIIKOR series PC Micro 85mm f/2.8D AF-S / AF-I Teleconverter Other AF Nikkor (except lenses for F3AF) AI-P Nikkor AI-, AI-modified, Nikkor or Nikon Series E lenses Medical-Nikkor 120mm Reflex-Nikkor PC-Nikkor...
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9 When focusing at minimum focus distance with AF 80–200mm f/2.8, AF 35– 70mm f/2.8, AF 28–85mm f/3.5–4.5 <New>, or AF 28–85mm f/3.5–4.5 lens at maximum zoom, in-focus indicator may be displayed when image on matte screen in viewfinder is not in focus. Adjust focus manually until image in viewfinder is in focus.
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Incompatible Accessories and Non-CPU Lenses The following accessories and non-CPU lenses can D300: • TC-16AS AF teleconverter • Non-AI lenses • Lenses that require the AU-1 focusing unit (400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/5.6, 800mm f/8, 1200mm f/11) • Fisheye (6mm f/5.6, 7.5mm f/5.6, 8mm f/8, OP 10mm f/5.6)
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The AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter The AF-S/AF-I teleconverter can be used with the following AF-S and AF-I lenses: • AF-S VR Micro 105mm f/2.8G ED • AF-S VR 200mm f/2G ED • AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8G ED • AF-S 300mm f/2.8D ED II •...
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The Built-in Flash The built-in flash can be used with CPU lenses with focal lengths of 18– 300mm. Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash has a minimum range of 60 cm (2 ft.) and can not be used in the macro range of macro zoom lenses.
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Red-Eye Reduction Lenses that block the subject’s view of the AF-assist illuminator may interfere with red-eye reduction. AF-Assist Illumination AF-assist illumination is not available with the following lenses: • AF-S VR 200mm f/2G ED At ranges under 0.7m (2ft. 4in.), the following lenses may block the AF- assist illuminator and interfere with autofocus when lighting is poor: •...
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1.5 times that of the D300. To calculate the focal length of lenses for the D300 in 35mm format, multiply the focal length of the lens by 1.5 (for example, the effective focal length of a 24mm lens in 35mm format would be 36 mm when mounted on the D300).
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) The D300 can be used with CLS-compatible flash units. The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers improved communication between the camera and compatible flash units for improved flash photography. The Creative Lighting System supports the following features: •...
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CLS-Compatible Flash Units The D300 can be used with the following CLS-compatible flash units: the SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, and SU-800. The SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200 The principal features of these flash units are listed below. Flash unit...
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Guide Number To calculate the range of the flash at full power, divide the Guide Number by the aperture. For example, at ISO 100 the SB-800 has a Guide Number of 38 m or 125 ft.; its range at an aperture of f/5.6 is 38÷5.6 or about 6.8 meters (or in feet, 125÷5.6=approximately 23 ft.
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The following features are available with the SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, and SU-800: Flash unit Flash mode/feature i-TTL balanced fill-flash i-TTL for digital SLR Auto aperture Non-TTL auto Range-priority manual Manual Repeating flash Auto FP High-Speed Sync FV lock AF-assist for multi-area AF Flash Color Information Communication...
Other Flash Units The following flash units can be used in non-TTL auto and manual modes. If they are set to TTL, the camera shutter-release button will lock and no photographs can be taken. Speedlight Flash mode Non-TTL auto Manual G Repeating flash REAR Rear-curtain sync 1 Flash mode is automatically set to TTL and shutter-release is disabled.
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Refer to the Speedlight manual for detailed instructions. If the Speedlight supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System, refer to the section on CLS- compatible digital SLR cameras. The D300 is not included in the “digital SLR” category in the SB-80DX, SB-28DX, and SB-50DX manuals.
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When an SC-series 17, 28, or 29 sync cable is used for off-camera flash photography, correct exposure may not be achieved in i-TTL mode. We recommend that you choose spot metering to select standard i-TTL flash control. Take a test shot and view the results in the monitor. In i-TTL, use the flash panel or bounce adapter provided with the flash unit.
Flash Contacts The D300 is equipped with an accessory shoe for attaching optional flash units directly to the camera and a sync terminal that allows flash units to be connected via a sync cable. The Accessory Shoe Use the accessory shoe to mount optional flash units directly on the camera without a sync cable (pg.
Other Accessories At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D300. • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e (pp. 30, 32): Additional EN-EL3e batteries are available from local retailers and Nikon service representatives. The EN-EL3e can be recharged using an MH-18a or MH-18 quick charger.
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DK-22 eyepiece adapter (available separately) required. • Eyepiece Adapter DK-22: The DK-22 is used when attaching the DG-2 magnifier to the D300. • Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-6: The DR-6 attaches to the viewfinder eyepiece at a right angle, allowing the image in the viewfinder to be viewed from above when the camera is in the horizontal shooting position.
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• The D300 can not be used with linear polarizing filters. Use the C-PL circular polarizing filter instead. • Use NC and L37C filters to protect the lens.
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• Capture NX: A complete photo editing package. • Capture NX 2: A complete photo editing package with such advanced editing features as selection control points and an auto retouch brush. • Camera Control Pro 2: Control the camera remotely from a computer and save photographs directly to the computer hard disk.
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The D300 is equipped with a ten- pin remote terminal for remote control and automatic photography. The terminal is provided with a cap, which protects the contacts when the terminal is not in use. The following accessories can be used (all lengths are approximate): •...
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MW-2 radio control set, MT-2 intervalometer, and ML- 2 modulite control set (length 20 cm/8 in.). • GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 (pg. 199): Connects GPS devices to D300 via PC cable supplied by manufacturer of GPS Remote device, allowing latitude, longitude, altitude,...
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Approved Memory Cards The following cards have been tested and approved for use in the D300: SanDisk Extreme IV SDCFX4 Extreme III SDCFX3 Ultra II SDCFH Standard SDCFB Other cards have not been tested. For more details on the above cards, please contact the manufacturer.
Caring for the Camera Storage When the camera will not be used for an extended period, replace the monitor cover, remove the battery, and store the battery in a cool, dry area with the terminal cover in place. To prevent mold or mildew, store the camera in a dry, well-ventilated area.
The Low-Pass Filter The image sensor that acts as the camera’s picture element is fitted with a low-pass filter to prevent moiré. If you suspect that dirt or dust on the filter is appearing in photographs, you can clean the filter using the [Clean image sensor] option in the setup menu.
Select [Clean now]. Highlight [Clean now] and press 2. The message shown at right will be displayed while cleaning is in progress. The message shown at right will be displayed when cleaning is complete. “Clean at Startup/Shutdown” Select [Clean at startup/ shutdown].
Select an option. Highlight one of the following options and press J. Option 5 Clean at startup Clean at shutdown Clean at startup & shutdown Cleaning off (default) Image Sensor Cleaning The following interrupt image sensor cleaning: raising the built-in flash, pressing the shutter-release, depth-of-field preview, or B button, or using FV lock.
Manual Cleaning If foreign matter can not be removed from the low-pass filter using the [Clean image sensor] (pg. 373) option in the setup menu, the filter can be cleaned manually as described below. Note, however, that the filter is extremely delicate and easily damaged. Nikon recommends that the filter be cleaned only by Nikon-authorized service personnel.
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Raise the mirror. Press the shutter-release button all the way down. The mirror will be raised and the shutter curtain will open, revealing the low-pass filter. The display in the viewfinder will turn off and the row of dashes in the control panel will blink. Examine the low-pass filter.
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Nikon takes every possible precaution to prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the low-pass filter during production and shipping. The D300, however, is designed to be used with interchangeable lenses, and foreign matter may enter the camera when lenses are removed or exchanged.
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions Do not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or vibration. Keep dry: This product is not waterproof, and may malfunction if immersed in water or exposed to high levels of humidity. Rusting of the internal mechanism can cause irreparable damage.
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Cleaning: When cleaning the camera body, use a blower to gently remove dust and lint, then wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. After using the camera at the beach or seaside, wipe off any sand or salt using a cloth lightly dampened in pure water and then dry the camera thoroughly.
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Turn the product off before removing or disconnecting the power source: Do not unplug the product or remove the battery while the product is on or while images are being recorded or deleted. Forcibly cutting power in these circumstances could result in loss of data or in damage to product memory or internal circuitry.
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Batteries: Dirt on the battery terminals can prevent the camera from functioning and should be removed with a soft, dry cloth before use. Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries: Turn the product off before replacing the battery.
Troubleshooting If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. Refer to the page numbers in the right-most column for more information. Display Problem Viewfinder is out of focus. Viewfinder is dark.
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Shooting Problem Camera takes time to turn Shutter-release disabled. Photos are out of focus. Full range of shutter speeds not available. Focus does not lock when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Solution Delete files or folders. • Memory card is full or not inserted.
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Problem Image size can not be changed. Can not select focus point Camera is slow to record photos. Photos not recorded in live view mode. Randomly-spaced bright pixels (“noise”) appear in photos. Solution [Image quality] set to [NEF (RAW)]. • Unlock focus selector lock. •...
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• Adjust white balance to match light source. • Adjust [Set Picture Control] settings. Subject is too dark or too bright. Image was not created with D300. • NEF (RAW) or NEF+JPEG image quality option selected for image quality. • Multiple exposure mode is in effect.
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Problem Effects of Picture Control differ from image to image. Metering can not be changed. Exposure compensation can not be used. Reddish areas appear in photos. Only one shot taken each time shutter-release button is pressed in continuous shooting mode. Solution A (auto) is selected for sharpening, contrast, or saturation.
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Playback Problem Flashing areas appear in images Shooting data appear on images A graph appears during playback. NEF (RAW) image is not played back. Some photos are not displayed during playback. “Tall” (portrait) orientation photos are displayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation.
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Problem • Set [USB] to [MTP/PTP]. • NEF (RAW) and TIFF photos can not be Can not print photos. Photo is not Choose correct video mode. displayed on TV. Photo is not displayed Confirm that HDMI cable (available on high-definition separately) is connected.
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Miscellaneous Problem Date of recording is not correct. Menu item can not be selected. Solution Set camera clock. Some options are not available at certain combinations of settings or when no memory card is inserted. Note that [Battery info] option is not available when camera is powered by an optional AC adapter.
Error Messages This section lists the indicators and error messages that appear in the viewfinder, control panel, and monitor. Indicator Control View- panel finder Problem Lens aperture ring is not set to minimum aperture. d Low battery. • Battery exhausted. •...
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Indicator Control View- panel finder No lens attached, or non-CPU lens attached without specifying maximum aperture. Aperture shown in stops from maximum aperture. Camera unable to — focus using autofocus. Subject too bright; photo will be overexposed. Problem Aperture value will be displayed if maximum aperture is specified.
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Indicator Control View- panel finder Problem Subject too dark; photo will be underexposed. A selected in exposure mode f. Optional flash unit that does not support i-TTL flash control attached and set to TTL. Solution • Use a higher ISO sensitivity •...
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Indicator Control View- panel finder If indicator blinks for 3s — after flash fires, photo may be underexposed. Memory insufficient to record further photos at current settings, or camera has run out of file or folder numbers. Camera malfunction. Problem Check photo in monitor;...
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Indicator Control Monitor panel Camera cannot No memory detect memory card. card. • Error accessing memory card. This memory card cannot be used. Card may be damaged. Insert another card. • Unable to create new folder. Problem Solution Turn camera off and confirm that card is correctly inserted.
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Indicator Control Monitor panel This card is not formatted. Format the card. Folder contains no — images. All images are — hidden. File does not contain image — data. Problem Memory card has Format memory card not been formatted or insert new memory for use in camera.
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Indicator Control Monitor panel Memory card does not contain images Cannot select — this file. that can be retouched. Check printer. — Printer error. Paper in printer is Check paper. — not of selected size. Paper is jammed in Paper jam. —...
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Indicator Control Monitor panel Check ink — supply. — Out of ink. * See printer manual for more information. Problem Check ink. To Ink error. resume, select [Continue]. Replace ink and select Printer is out of ink. [Continue]. Solution Page...
Defaults The following defaults are restored either with a two-button reset or using [Reset shooting menu] or [Reset custom settings]. Defaults Restored with a Two-Button Reset (pg. 182) [ISO sensitivity] (pg. 94) [Image quality] (pg. 56) [Image size] (pg. 60) Shooting menu [White balance] (pg.
Memory Card Capacity The following table shows the approximate number of pictures that can be stored on a 2 GB SanDisk Extreme III (SDCFX) card at different image quality and size settings. Image quality Image size NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 12-bit NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 14-bit NEF (RAW),...
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1 All figures are approximate. File size varies with scene recorded. 2 Maximum number of exposures that can be stored in memory buffer at ISO 200. Drops if [Optimal quality] is selected for [JPEG compression], ISO sensitivity is set to P or higher, [High ISO NR] is on when auto ISO sensitivity control is on or ISO sensitivity is set to 800 or higher, or long exposure noise reduction, active D- lighting, or image authentication is on.
Exposure Program The exposure program for programmed auto is shown in the following graph: ISO 200; lens with maximum aperture of f/1.4 and minimum aperture of f/16 (e.g., AF 50mm f/1.4 D) f/1.4 f/2.8 f/5.6 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32 30" 15" 8" 4" 2" 1" The maximum and minimum values for EV vary with ISO sensitivity;...
Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range The range of the built-in flash varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture. Aperture at ISO equivalent of The built-in flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft.). In programmed auto exposure mode (mode e), the maximum aperture (minimum f-number) is limited according to ISO sensitivity, as shown below: Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:...
Specifications Nikon D300 Digital Camera Type Type Single-lens reflex digital camera Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts) Approx. 1.5 × lens focal length (Nikon DX format) Effective picture angle Effective pixels Effective pixels 12.3 million Image sensor 23.6 ×...
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Storage File system Viewfinder Viewfinder Frame coverage Magnification Eyepoint Diopter adjustment Focusing screen Reflex mirror Depth-of-field preview Lens aperture Lens Compatible lenses DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras), PictBridge Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder Approx.
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Shutter Type Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter Speed 8000 Flash sync speed (flash range drops at speeds between Release Release mode S (single frame), C (continuous high speed), a (live view), E (self-timer), • With EN-EL3e: Up to 6 fps Frame advance rate •...
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Exposure Exposure bracketing Flash bracketing White balance bracketing Exposure lock ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) Active D-Lighting Focus Autofocus Detection range Lens servo Focus point AF-area mode Focus lock Flash Built-in flash 2–9 frames in steps of 2–9 frames in steps of 2–9 frames in steps of 1, 2, or 3 Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button...
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Flash Flash control • TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 1,005-segment RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 • Auto aperture: Available with SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens •...
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Monitor Monitor Playback Playback Interface Video output HDMI output Ten-pin remote terminal Can be used to connect optional remote control, GP-1 Supported languages Supported languages Power source Battery Battery pack AC adapter Tripod socket Tripod socket 3-in., 920,000-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170 °...
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Dimensions/weight Dimensions (W × H × D) Approx. 147 × 114 × 74 mm (5.8 × 4.5 × 2.9 in.) Weight Approx. 825 g (1. 82 lb.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover Operating environment Temperature 0–40 °C (32–104 °F) Less than 85% (no condensation) Humidity •...
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Supported Standards • DCF Version 2.0: The Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) is a standard widely used in the digital camera industry to ensure compatibility among different makes of camera. • DPOF: Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) is an industry-wide standard that allows pictures to be printed from print orders stored on the memory card.
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Battery Life The number of shots that can be taken with fully-charged batteries varies with the condition of the battery, temperature, and how the camera is used. In the case of AA batteries, capacity also varies with make and storage conditions; some batteries can not be used. Sample figures for the camera and optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack are given below.
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The following can reduce battery life: • Using the monitor • Keeping the shutter-release button pressed halfway • Repeated autofocus operations • Taking NEF (RAW) or TIFF (RGB) photographs • Slow shutter speeds • Using the optional WT-4 wireless transmitter •...
Index Menu items and options in the camera monitor are shown in brackets ([ ]). Symbols K (Single-point AF), 64, 65 I(Dynamic-area AF), 64, 65, 269 H(Auto-area AF), 64, 65 S, 62, 68, 74, 268 , 74, 76, 282 , 74, 76 a, 79 E (Self-timer), 89 , 91...
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Menu items and options in the camera monitor are shown in brackets ([ ]). Bracketing, 116, 297, 298 , 116, 297, 298 exposure , 116, 297, 298 flash , 116, 121 white balance [Bracketing order], 299 [Built-in AF-assist illuminator], 273 Bulb, 110 Burst, 186, 282, 303 C, 62, 69, 267, 269...
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No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION. Printed in Europe SB8K04(11) 6MB00211-04...
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