Nikon D3s Technical Manual
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Nikon D3s Technical Manual

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Pro fessi onal
Tec h n i c a l G u i d e

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Summary of Contents for Nikon D3s

  • Page 1 Pro fessi onal Tec h n i c a l G u i d e...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Using the Menus ............1 Autofocus Autofocus Focusing with Autofocus ..........4 Behind the Goal ............7 Tracking erratically moving subjects that are frequently obscured by other objects Pitcher or Runner? ............8 Switching instantly between subjects at diff erent dis- tances from the camera The Inside Track............9 Tracking subjects that are obscured by objects passing...
  • Page 3 Shooting Tips Shooting Tips Image Area ..............27 Vignette Control............32 Multiple Exposures ............ 34 Column: The Button ............36 Column: Dark Backgrounds ............39 Extended Menu Banks ..........40 Movie Tips Movie Tips -Mode Movies ............42 Column: Ending with a Photo..........44 Changing Movie Settings ........
  • Page 4 Using a GPS GPS Timekeeping ............57 Lens Options Lens Options Vibration Reduction ........... 58 Long Lenses ..............60 Sharing Settings Sharing Settings Save/Load Settings ............ 61 Computers Computers Computer Capture ............62 Tech Notes Tech Notes D3S Versus D3 ............. 63...

  • Page 5: Using The Menus

    Using the Menus Use the button, button, and multi selector to navi- gate the menus. button button Multi selector : Move Center: Select cursor up highlighted item : Cancel : Select and return to highlighted item previous menu or display sub- menu : Move cursor down...
  • Page 6 Using the Menus Select a menu. Press to select the desired menu. Position the cursor in the selected menu. Press to position the cursor in the selected menu. Highlight a menu item. Press to high- light a menu item. Display options. Press to display op- tions for the highlight-...
  • Page 7 Using the Menus Highlight an option. Press to high- light an option. Select the highlighted item. Press to select the highlighted item (some items can also be se- lected by pressing the center of the multi selector). To exit with- out making a selection, press the button.

  • Page 8: Autofocus Focusing With Autofocus

    Autofocus: Focusing with Autofocus This chapter details Custom Settings that can be used to frame moving subjects at sporting events: • a1 (AF-C priority selection) • a3 (Dynamic AF area) • a4 (Focus tracking with lock-on) These options are best used at the following settings: •...
  • Page 9 Choose an option for Custom Setting a1. Choose whether the cam- era gives priority to focus or to shutter response in focus mode C. Choose an option for Custom Setting a3. Choose the number of focus points used for dynamic- area AF.
  • Page 10 Autofocus Focus Tracking with Lock-On By preventing the camera from refocusing when your subject is briefl y obscured by another object, focus tracking with lock-on ensures that the camera will con- tinue to track the main subject once the obstacle has moved away (focus mode C only).

  • Page 11: Behind The Goal

    Focusing with Autofocus Behind the Goal Photographers positioned behind the goal at a soccer match are faced with subjects that move unpredictably and that may be intermittently obscured by objects com- ing between the subject and the camera during framing. Choose the following focus options: AF-C priority Dynamic AF area:...

  • Page 12: Pitcher Or Runner

    Autofocus Pitcher or Runner? Choose lower lock-on times for improved focus response when you may have to switch quickly between subjects at diff erent distances from the camera. AF-C priority Dynamic AF area: Focus tracking selection: Release 9 points or 21 points with lock-on: 1 (Short) or Off (note that Off reduces...

  • Page 13: The Inside Track

    Focusing with Autofocus The Inside Track Choose longer lock-on times when photographing a run- ner on the inside track or in other situations in which your subject may be blocked for relatively long periods. Your subject AF-C priority Dynamic AF area: Focus tracking with selection: Release 9 points or 21 points...

  • Page 14: At The Finish Line

    Autofocus At the Finish Line Selecting Release for Custom Setting a1 ensures a quick shutter response and faster frame advance rates. AF-C priority Dynamic AF area: Focus tracking with selection: Release 9 points or 21 points lock-on: 3 (Normal)

  • Page 15: Poor Lighting Or Bad Weather

    Focusing with Autofocus Poor Lighting or Bad Weather Select Release + focus for quick shutter response while slowing frame advance rates in continuous release mode for improved focus with scenes that are poorly lit or low contrast. AF-C priority Dynamic AF area: Focus tracking with selection: 9 points or 21 points...

  • Page 16: Winter Sports

    Autofocus: Winter Sports Event Event Description Description Singles fi gure Singles fi gure Subjects move rapidly skating skating with random change in speed. Subjects move rapidly Pairs fi gure Pairs fi gure and frequently overlap; skating/ice skating/ice normal framing may dance dance result in camera focus-...
  • Page 17 AF-C priority AF-C priority Dynamic Dynamic Focus tracking Focus tracking selection selection AF area AF area with lock-on with lock-on 9 points or 21 points 3 (Normal) 21 points 5 (Long) Release 9 points or 21 points 9 points or 21 points 3 (Normal) 9 points...
  • Page 18 Autofocus Event Event Description Description Ice hockey Ice hockey Subjects are extremely fast-moving and frequently overlap. Curling Curling Composition focuses on curlers. Freestyle Freestyle cross cross Woods provide high- contrast background. Freestyle Freestyle aerial aerial Rapid, complicated movement. Freestyle Freestyle moguls moguls Subject is performing...
  • Page 19 Winter Sports AF-C priority AF-C priority Dynamic Dynamic Focus tracking Focus tracking selection selection AF area AF area with lock-on with lock-on 9 points Off –2 9 points, or select (single-point) 3 (Normal)–5 (Long) for AF-area mode Release 9 points 1 (Short) 51 points 3 (Normal)
  • Page 20 Autofocus Event Event Description Description Freestyle Freestyle moguls moguls Subjects move predict- ably between tricks. Alpine skiing Alpine skiing Subjects are fast-mov- ing but easy to frame. Snowboard Snowboard halfpipe halfpipe Biathlon/ Biathlon/ cross-country cross-country Subjects are easy to skiing frame.
  • Page 21 Winter Sports AF-C priority AF-C priority Dynamic Dynamic Focus tracking Focus tracking selection selection AF area AF area with lock-on with lock-on 9 points Release 3 (Normal) 9 points or 21 points...
  • Page 22 Autofocus Event Event Description Description Bobsleigh Bobsleigh Skeleton Skeleton Subjects are sliding down a track. Luge Luge...
  • Page 23 Winter Sports AF-C priority AF-C priority Dynamic Dynamic Focus tracking Focus tracking selection selection AF area AF area with lock-on with lock-on Release 9 points 3 (Normal)

  • Page 24: Auto Iso Sensitivity Control

    Exposure: Auto ISO Sensitivity Control Auto ISO sensitivity control automatically adjusts ISO sensitivity if optimal exposure can not be achieved at the value selected by the user. Exposure compensation can be used with auto ISO sen- sitivity control. Matrix metering is recommended. In exposure mode , enable ISO sensitivity auto control to ensure optimal exposure at the selected shutter speed...

  • Page 25: A Daytime Stadium Match

    A Daytime Stadium Match Auto ISO sensitivity control is ideal for scenes with large variations in brightness. Sunlight Shade...
  • Page 26 Exposure Auto ISO Sensitivity Control Choose the following ISO sensitivity settings: ISO sensitivity: 200 ISO sensitivity auto Maximum Minimum shutter control: On sensitivity: 12 800 speed: 1/500 s In this example, ISO sensitivity will automatically be raised to a maximum of ISO 12 800 if optimal exposure can not be achieved at ISO 200.

  • Page 27: Active D-Lighting (Adl)

    Exposure: Active D-Lighting (ADL) Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. A Daytime Stadium Match Revisited Use Active D-Lighting for compositions that include areas of sharply contrasting brightness.
  • Page 28 Exposure Active D-Lighting (ADL) The following settings are recom- mended: Active D-Lighting Auto Metering Matrix Exposure mode , or ISO sensitivity ISO 3200 or less Memory card UDMA-compliant memory card 1. Active D-Lighting will not produce the desired eff ect when used with center-weighted or spot metering.

  • Page 29: Easy Exposure Compensation

    Exposure: Easy Exposure Compensation When On or On (Auto reset) is se- lected for Custom Setting b4 (Easy exposure compensation), expo- sure compensation can be set sim- ply by rotating a command dial (at default settings, the sub-command dial is used for easy exposure compensation in exposure modes , and the main command dial is used in ex- posure mode...
  • Page 30 Exposure Easy Exposure Compensation Easy Exposure Compensation Custom Setting f8 The dial used to set exposure Sub-command dial compensation when On (Auto reset) or On is selected for Cus- tom Setting b4 (Easy exposure compensation) depends on the option selected for Custom Set- ting f8 (Customize command dials) >...

  • Page 31: Shooting Tips Image Area

    Shooting Tips: Image Area At default settings, image quality is not automatically ad- justed when you choose a smaller image area. As a result, pictures taken using smaller image areas will not be the same quality as FX-format images when printed at the same size.
  • Page 32 Shooting Tips To switch rapidly from one image area to another while maintaining image quality, assign each combination of settings to a shooting menu bank and use the Fn button to switch between banks. Choose shooting menu bank A. In the shooting menu, select Shooting menu bank.
  • Page 33 Image Area Adjust settings for shooting menu bank B. For quality similar to that produced by the settings in Step 2, choose either (a) JPEG normal, size M, and 1.2 × (30 × 20) 1.2 ×, or (b) JPEG fi ne, size L, and DX (24 × 16) 1.5 ×.
  • Page 34 Shooting Tips Note Apart from image quality, image size, and image area, settings for banks A and B should be identical. Any changes to bank A should also be made to bank B. Note that although separate Picture Controls may be selected for each bank, modifi...
  • Page 35 Image Area Tips The camera has four shooting menu banks (A, B, C, and D). Diff erent combinations of shooting menu settings can be stored in diff erent banks, allowing the user to switch instantly from one combination to another us- ing the Shooting menu bank option in the shoot- ing menu or using the Fn button as described on the preceding pages.

  • Page 36: Vignette Control

    Shooting Tips: Vignette Control You may notice a drop in peripheral illumination (vignett- ing) with certain lenses, particularly at maximum aper- ture. This can be corrected using the Vignette control option in the shooting menu. Selecting Vignette control in the shooting menu displays the op- tions shown at right.
  • Page 37 Note Vignette control can be used type G and D lenses only (either alone or with AF-S/AF-I teleconverters) but is not available with DX-format or PC lenses or when FX- format lenses are used with the DX-format crop. It has no eff...

  • Page 38: Multiple Exposures

    Shooting Tips: Multiple Exposures Follow the steps below to record a series of two to ten exposures in a single photograph. While multiple expo- sures can be recorded at any image quality setting, they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor to produce results with colors noticeably better than photo- graphs combined in an imaging application.

  • Page 39: Multiple Exposure Shooting

    Select a mode. Highlight Multiple exposure mode and press Highlight one of the following and press • To take a series of multiple expo- sures, select On (series). Multiple exposure shooting will continue until you select Off for Multiple exposure mode.

  • Page 40: Column: The Button

    Shooting Tips Choose the number of shots. Highlight Number of shots and press Press to choose the number of exposures that will be combined to form a single photograph and press Column: The Button If Multiple exposure is selected for Custom Setting f7 (Assign BKT button), you can select the multiple exposure mode by pressing the button and rotating the main command dial,...
  • Page 41 Multiple Exposures Adjust gain. Highlight Auto gain and press Highlight one of the following options and press • On: Gain is adjusted accord- ing to the number of expo- sures actually recorded (gain for each exposure is set to 1/2 for two exposures, 1/3 for three exposures, etc.).
  • Page 42 Shooting Tips Take photographs. Continue shooting until all exposures have been record- ed; the icon will blink until SHOOT SHOOT shooting ends. If On (single CUSTOM CUSTOM photo) is selected, multiple exposure shooting ends automatically when the fi rst multiple exposure is complete; if On (series) is selected, multiple exposure shooting will only end when Off...

  • Page 43: Column: Dark Backgrounds

    Multiple Exposures Column: Dark Backgrounds The following settings are rec- ommended when shooting a multiple exposure against a dark background: • Number of shots: 2–10 • Auto gain: Off • Shooting speed: 5–7 fps • Picture Control: Standard, Con- trast +1 •...

  • Page 44: Extended Menu Banks

    Shooting Tips: Extended Menu Banks To store exposure mode, shutter speed, and/or aperture in a shooting menu bank: Choose On for Extended menu banks. Choose On for Extended menu banks in the shooting menu. Select a bank. Use the Shooting menu bank option in the shooting menu to select a bank.
  • Page 45 Sample Settings for Diff erent Subjects Sample settings shown in parentheses are not stored in extended shooting menu banks. Camera panned to blur background Freeze frame Exposure mode Exposure mode (f/22), 1/15 s, (ISO 200) (f/4), 1/1000 s, (ISO 200) During match Team portrait Exposure mode...

  • Page 46: Movie Tips H -Mode Movies

    Movie Tips: -Mode Movies Movies can be recorded in exposure mode (manual). Select Tripod for Live view mode. Select Live view mode in the shooting menu, highlight Tri- pod, and press or the center of the multi selector. Select mode Press the button and ro- Mode button...
  • Page 47 Preview exposure. Press to preview exposure in the monitor. Adjust shutter speed and aperture and check the results in the preview dis- play. Notes: Exposure Preview Always use the exposure preview to adjust shut- ter speed and aperture. Changes to these settings may not be refl...

  • Page 48: Column: Ending With A Photo

    Movie Tips Focus. Press the button to focus. Note that focus can be improved by selecting small apertures (high f- numbers) for increased depth of fi eld. Start recording. Press the Pv button or the center of the multi selector to start recording.
  • Page 49 -Mode Movies Notes If On is selected for ISO sensitivity settings > ISO sensitivity auto control in the shooting menu, ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted for optimal exposure at the shutter speed selected in the exposure preview. A icon in the monitor indicates that On is selected for Movie settings >...

  • Page 50: Changing Movie Settings

    Movie Tips Changing Movie Settings The Movie settings menu off ers the following options. Adjust settings before recording. Quality Quality Choose a frame size. Microphone Microphone Adjust microphone sensitivity. Destination Destination When using two memory cards, choose the card to which movies will be saved. High-sensitivity High-sensitivity If lighting is so poor that the subject is dif-...
  • Page 51 -Mode Movies Note Because the live view display does not have the same aspect ratio as the movie frame, the top and bottom portions of the area visible in the live view display will not be recorded in movies. Live view Actual movie The movie crop can be previewed by pressing the...

  • Page 52: Movie Stills

    Movie Tips: Movie Stills Selected frames from movies can be saved as JPEG stills. Display movie retouch options. Display the movie in full-frame playback and press . The options shown at right will be displayed. Select Save selected frame. Highlight Save selected frame and press Choose a frame.
  • Page 53 Notes Stills are the same dimensions as the original movie frame and include the following Exif data: date of cre- ation, date modifi ed, fi le size, image size, aspect ratio, date of recording, camera name, lens name, color space, and a tag that identifi...

  • Page 54: Playback Tips Histograms

    Playback Tips: Histograms The histogram in the playback photo information display shows only the data for the portion of the image selected for playback zoom. Select RGB histogram for Display mode. Select Detailed photo info > RGB histogram for Display mode in the playback menu and then highlight Done and press...

  • Page 55: Photo Retouch

    Playback Tips: Photo Retouch (retouch) menu can be used to create retouched copies of exist- ing photographs. To display the retouch menu, press the button and select the tab. The following options are available: D-Lighting Image overlay Red-eye correction NEF (RAW) processing Trim Resize Monochrome...

  • Page 56: Button Tips The Fn Button

    Button Tips: The Fn Button Custom setting f4 (Assign Fn button) is used to choose the role played by the Fn button, either by itself (Fn button press) or when used in com- bination with the command dials (Fn button + command dials). Preview FV lock AE/AF lock...
  • Page 57 Note Most of the functions listed in the table on the previous page can also be assigned to the Pv and AE-L/AF-L buttons using Custom Settings f5 (Assign preview button) and f6 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button). Additionally, the AE-L/AF-L button can be assigned the AF-ON function. Note, how- ever, that Focus point-selection can not be assigned to either the Pv or the AE-L/AF-L button, and that 1 step spd/ aperture can not be assigned to the AE-L/AF-L button.

  • Page 58: Quick Menu Access

    Button Tips Quick Menu Access Use the Fn button for quick access to a frequently-used menu item that you have assigned to the top item in My Menu. Select Custom Setting f4. Highlight Custom Setting f4 (Assign Fn button) in the Cus- tom Settings menu and press .

  • Page 59: One-Handed Playback

    The Fn Button One-Handed Playback Use the Fn button for playback when your left hand is busy supporting a telephoto lens, making the button hard to press. Select Custom Setting f4. Highlight Custom Setting f4 (Assign Fn button) in the Cus- tom Settings menu and press .

  • Page 60: Checking Focus

    Button Tips: Checking Focus If Zoom on/off is assigned to the center of the multi selec- tor, you can press the center of the multi selector to zoom in on the active focus point and check focus during playback or live view. Press the center of the multi selector again to cancel zoom.

  • Page 61: Using A Gps Gps Timekeeping

    Using a GPS: GPS Timekeeping To record GPS data with each photo- graph taken, connect a GPS device to the camera’s ten-pin remote ter- minal. The camera clock can also be synchronized with the time provided by the GPS unit. The GPS item in the camera setup menu off...

  • Page 62: Lens Options Vibration Reduction

    Lens Options: Vibration Reduction The D3S supports vibration reduction (VR) with VR lenses. Turn vibration reduction off when shooting at fast shutter speeds. Other vibration reduction settings may result in slower frame advance rates and increased shutter lag. The table on the following page lists the recommended settings for diff...
  • Page 63 VR mode VR mode Suggested for Suggested for Not suggested for Not suggested for Moving subjects (e.g., shutter speeds of 1/500 s or faster) — • Stationary subjects Subjects moving NORMAL • Panning shots of moving too fast to frame (ON) subjects using panning...

  • Page 64: Long Lenses

    Lens Options: Long Lenses The table below describes the focus modes available with the following lenses: • AF-S NIKKOR 70–200 mm f/2.8G ED VR II • AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II • AF-S NIKKOR 400 mm f/2.8G ED VR •...

  • Page 65: Sharing Settings Save/Load Settings

    Saved set- tings can loaded into any D3S camera using Save/load settings > Load settings, allowing the same settings to be shared among multiple cameras (note that Load set- tings is only available if the memory card in Slot 1 con- tains saved settings).

  • Page 66: Computers Computer Capture

    Computers: Computer Capture Use optional Camera Control Pro 2 software to capture new pictures on a computer as they are being saved to the camera memory card. Open the Storage tab. Start Camera Control Pro 2 and click the Storage tab. Select PC + CARD.

  • Page 67: Tech Notes D3S Versus D3

    Tech Notes: D3S Versus D3 In addition to the options listed in these pages, the D3S off ers the following new features and improvements: D3 D3 Focus tracking with lock-on Focus tracking with lock-on 5 levels 3 levels ISO sensitivity ISO sensitivity 200–12800 200–6400...
  • Page 68 Printed in Japan © 2010 Nikon Corporation CS SB9L01(11)

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