Nikon D300 User Manual
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Nikon D300 User Manual

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  • Page 1 DIGITAL CAMERA User's Manual...

  • Page 2: Product Documentation

    SD Card Association. PictBridge and the SDHC logo are trademarks. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, and Adobe Reader are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other trade names mentioned in this manual or the other documentation provided with your Nikon product are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    For Your Safety ..............................ii Notices .................................. iii Introduction Overview ................................1 Getting to Know the Camera ......................... 2 Camera Menus ..............................7 First Steps................................10 Basic Photography and Playback 0 17 “Point-and-Shoot” Photography (i and j Modes)................17 Creative Photography (Scene Modes) ...................... 22 Basic Playback ..............................

  • Page 4: For Your Safety

    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.

  • Page 5: Notices

    Notices • No part of the manuals included with this product may be • Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval from the use of this product.
  • Page 6 Nikon cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including battery chargers, batteries, AC adapters, and flash accessories) certified by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of this electronic circuitry.

  • Page 7: Introduction 0

    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.

  • Page 8: Getting To Know The Camera

    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. The Camera Body Mode dial ........4 Infrared receiver Mounting index.....
  • Page 9 The Camera Body (Continued) Viewfinder eyepiece....16 X (playback zoom in) Multi selector ......8 button........25 J (OK) button......8 DK-20 rubber eyecup P (information edit) Monitor Memory card access lamp button........6 Viewing settings ....6 .........14, 21 Tripod socket Viewing pictures....24 O (delete) button....25 Diopter adjustment K (playback) button ....24...

  • Page 10: The Mode Dial

    The Mode Dial The camera offers a choice of the following modes: ❚❚ P, S, A, and M Modes Select these modes for full control over camera settings. P—Programmed auto: A—Aperture-priority auto: Camera chooses shutter Adjust aperture to soften speed and aperture, user background details or controls other settings.

  • Page 11: The Viewfinder

    The Viewfinder Framing grid (displayed when Shutter speed “K” (appears when memory On is selected for remains for over 1000 Aperture (f-number) Viewfinder options > exposures)......18 Battery indicator....17 Viewfinder grid in the Flash-ready indicator ....21 Number of exposures setup menu) Flexible program indicator remaining ......

  • Page 12: The Information Display

    The Information Display Shooting information, including shutter speed, aperture, and the number of exposures remaining, is displayed in the monitor when the R button is pressed. To clear information from the display, press the R button again. Note that the monitor turns off automatically while the shutter-release is pressed or if no operations are performed for 8 s (the default value).

  • Page 13: Camera Menus

    Camera Menus Most shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from the camera menus. To view the menus, press the G button. G button Tabs Choose from the following menus: • : Playback • : Retouch • : Shooting •...

  • Page 14: Using Camera Menus

    Using Camera Menus The multi selector and J button are used to navigate the camera menus. Move cursor up J button: select highlighted item Cancel and return to Select highlighted item or previous menu display sub-menu Move cursor down Follow the steps below to navigate the menus. Display the menus.
  • Page 15 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. Display options. Press 2 to display options for the selected menu item.

  • Page 16: First Steps

    First Steps Charge the Battery The camera is powered by an EN-EL9a rechargeable Li-ion battery (supplied). To maximize shooting time, charge the battery in the supplied MH-23 quick charger before use. About one hour and forty minutes are required to fully recharge the battery when no charge remains.

  • Page 17: Insert The Battery

    Insert the Battery Turn the camera off. Power switch Inserting and Removing Batteries Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing batteries. Open the battery-chamber cover. Unlatch (q) and open (w) the battery-chamber cover. Insert the battery. Insert the battery as shown at right. Close the battery-chamber cover.

  • Page 18: Attach A Lens

    Attach a Lens Care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the camera when the lens is removed. The lens generally used in this manual for illustrative purposes is an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR. Focal length index Focal length scale Mounting index CPU contacts...

  • Page 19: Basic Setup

    Basic Setup A language-selection dialog will be displayed the first time the camera is turned on. Choose a language and set the time and date. Photographs can not be taken until you have set the time and date. Turn the camera on. A language-selection dialog will be displayed.

  • Page 20: Insert A Memory Card

    Insert a Memory Card The camera stores pictures on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (available separately). Turn the camera off. Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing memory cards. Open the card slot cover. Slide the card slot cover out (q) and open the card slot (w).

  • Page 21: Format The Memory Card

    Format the Memory Card Memory cards must be formatted before first use or after being formatted in other devices. 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.

  • Page 22: Adjust Viewfinder Focus

    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 framing pictures in the viewfinder. Remove the lens cap and turn the camera Power switch Focus the viewfinder.

  • Page 23: Basic Photography And Playback 0

    Basic Photography and Playback “Point-and-Shoot” Photography (i and j Modes) This section describes how to take photographs in i (auto) mode, an automatic “point-and-shoot” mode in which the majority of settings are controlled by the camera in response to shooting conditions, and in which the flash will fire automatically if the subject is poorly lit.
  • Page 24 Check the number of exposures remaining. The information display and viewfinder show the number of photographs that can be stored on the memory card. Check the number of exposures remaining. If there is not enough memory to store additional photographs at current settings, a warning will be displayed.
  • Page 25 Step 2: Select i or j Mode To shoot where use of a flash is prohibited, Mode dial photograph infants, or capture natural lighting under low light conditions, rotate the mode dial to j. Otherwise, rotate the mode dial to i. j mode i mode Step 3: Frame the Photograph...
  • Page 26 Using a Zoom Lens Use the zoom ring to zoom in on the subject so that it fills a Zoom in larger area of the frame, or zoom out to increase the area visible in the final photograph (select longer focal lengths Zoom ring on the lens focal length scale index to zoom in, shorter focal lengths to zoom out).
  • Page 27 Step 5: Shoot Smoothly press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to release the shutter and record the photograph. The access lamp next to the memory card slot cover will light and the photograph will be displayed in the monitor for a few seconds (the photo will automatically clear from the display when the Access lamp shutter-release button is pressed halfway).

  • Page 28: Creative Photography (Scene Modes)

    Creative Photography (Scene Modes) The camera offers a choice of “scene” modes. Choosing a scene mode automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene, making creative photography as simple as selecting a mode, framing a picture, and shooting as described on pages 17–21. ❚❚...
  • Page 29 Child Close Up Use for snapshots of children. Clothing Use for close-up shots of flowers, insects, and background details are vividly and other small objects (a macro lens can rendered, while skin tones remain soft be used to focus at very close ranges). and natural.

  • Page 30: Basic Playback

    Additional pictures can be displayed by pressing 4 or 2 or rotating the command dial. To view additional information on the current photograph, press 1 and 3. 1/ 12 NIKON D3000 1 250 35mm – 1. 3 + 1. 0 AUTO A6, M1 100D3000 DSC_0001.
  • Page 31 To display images in “contact sheets” of four, nine, or 72 images (thumbnail playback), press the W button. Use the multi selector or command dial to highlight images and press J to display the highlighted image full frame. Press X to reduce the number of W button images displayed.

  • Page 33: Guide Mode 0

    Guide Mode The Guide Menu The guide menu gives access to a variety of frequently-used and useful functions. The top level of the guide menu is displayed when the mode dial is rotated to g. Choose from the following menus: Shoot View/delete Set up...
  • Page 34 The following operations can be performed while the guide menu is displayed: Description Press 1 or 3 to highlight options in the guide menu. Press 1, 3, 4, or 2 to highlight Highlight options in displays like that shown at options right.

  • Page 35: Shoot: Taking Pictures In Guide Mode

    Shoot: Taking Pictures in Guide Mode Select Shoot to take pictures using settings that suit the scene. Press G to display Press J to display options Highlight Shoot guide menu Highlight Shoot in the top level of the guide menu and press J to display the following options: Easy operation 1, 2...
  • Page 36 To select a scene (Easy operation > Auto in this example): Press 2 Highlight an option Highlight a scene Press 2 Press J to view camera settings in the Highlight Start shooting (to adjust the settings listed below, select More information display (0 6) settings) ❚❚...

  • Page 37: View/Delete: Viewing And Deleting Pictures In Guide Mode

    View/Delete: Viewing and Deleting Pictures in Guide Mode Select View/delete to view and delete pictures. Press G to display Highlight View/delete Press J to display options guide menu Highlight View/delete in the top level of the guide menu and press J to display the following options: View single photos View multiple photos...

  • Page 38: Set Up: Changing Camera Settings In Guide Mode

    Set up: Changing Camera Settings in Guide Mode Select Set up to format memory cards or adjust camera settings. Press G to display Press J to display options Highlight Set up guide menu Highlight Set up in the top level of the guide menu and press J to display the following options: Image quality LCD brightness...

  • Page 39: More On Photography 0

    More on Photography For More Information See the Reference Manual (available in pdf format on the supplied reference CD) nformation on P, S, A, and M modes, playback, copying pictures to a computer, printing pictures, viewing pictures on TV, camera menus, troubleshooting, and optional flash units.
  • Page 40 Choose a focus mode. Highlight one of the following options and press J. Note that AF-S and AF-C are available only in modes P, S, A, and M. Option Description Auto-servo Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus if subject is AF-A stationary, continuous-servo autofocus if subject is moving.
  • Page 41 AF-Area Mode Choose how the focus point for autofocus is selected. Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the R button. Press the P button to place the cursor in the information display. R button Information display P button...

  • Page 42: Image Quality And Size

    Image Quality and Size Together, image quality and size determine how much space each photograph occupies on the memory card. Larger, higher quality images can be printed at larger sizes but also require more memory, meaning that fewer such images can be stored on the memory card.

  • Page 43: Image Size

    Image Size Image size is measured in pixels. Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the R button. Press the P button to place the cursor in the information display. R button Information display P button...

  • Page 44: Release Mode

    Release Mode Release mode determines how the camera takes photographs: one at a time, in a continuous sequence, or with a timed shutter-release delay or remote control. Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the R button. Press the P button to place the cursor in the information display.
  • Page 45 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. While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the access lamp next to the memory card slot will light.
  • Page 46 Frame the photograph. Using a Remote Control If autofocus is in effect in delayed remote or quick-response remote mode, the camera can be focused by pressing the shutter-release button halfway (the shutter will not be released if the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down). Cover the Viewfinder After framing the photograph, remove DK-5 eyepiece cap...
  • Page 47 Turning the camera off cancels self-timer and remote release modes and restores single frame or continuous mode. Before Using the Remote Control Before using the remote control for the first time, remove the clear plastic battery insulator sheet. Using the Built-in Flash Before taking a photograph with the flash in P, S, A, or M modes, press the M button to raise the flash and wait for the M indicator to be displayed in the viewfinder (0 42).

  • Page 48: Using The Built-In Flash

    Using the Built-in Flash The camera supports a variety of flash modes for photographing poorly lit or backlit subjects. ❚❚ Using the Built-in Flash: i, k, p, n, and o Modes Choose a flash mode (0 43). Take pictures. The flash will pop up as required when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and fire when a photograph is taken.

  • Page 49: Flash Mode

    Flash Mode To choose a flash mode: Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the R button. Press the P button to place the cursor in the information display. R button Information display P button Display flash mode options.
  • Page 50 The flash modes listed on the previous page may combine one or more of the following settings, as shown by the flash mode icon: • AUTO (auto flash): When lighting is poor or subject is back lit, flash pops up automatically when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and fires as required.

  • Page 51: Iso Sensitivity

    ISO Sensitivity “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. Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the R button. Press the P button to place the cursor in the information display.

  • Page 52: Active D-Lighting

    Active D-Lighting If On is selected, the camera automatically adjusts Active D-Lighting during shooting to preserve 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.

  • Page 53: Technical Notes 0

    Technical Notes Compatible CPU Lenses Autofocus is available with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses only; autofocus is not supported with other autofocus (AF) lenses. IX NIKKOR lenses can not be used. The features available with compatible CPU lenses are listed below. For information on compatible non-CPU lenses and lenses that can be used with the flash and AF-assist illuminator, see the Reference Manual (on CD).

  • Page 54: Other Accessories

    EH-5a or EH-5. Video cable Video Cable EG-D100: Use the EG-D100 to connect the camera to a TV. • Nikon filters can be divided into three types: screw-on, slip-in, and rear- interchange. Use Nikon filters; filters manufactured by other makers may interfere with autofocus or the electronic rangefinder.
  • Page 55 • Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800 Capture NX 2: A complete photo editing package. Note: Use the latest versions of Nikon software. Most Nikon software offers an auto Software update feature when the computer is connected to the Internet. See the websites listed on the inside front cover of this booklet for the latest information on supported operating systems.

  • Page 56: Caring For The Camera

    Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile chemicals. Servicing the Camera and Accessories The camera is a precision device and requires regular servicing. Nikon recommends that the camera be inspected by the original retailer or Nikon service representative once every one to two years, and that it be serviced once every three to five years (note that fees apply to these services).
  • Page 57 Avoid sudden changes in temperature: Sudden changes in temperature, such as those that occur when entering or leaving a heated building on a cold day, can cause condensation inside the device. To prevent condensation, place the device in a carrying case or plastic bag before exposing it to sudden changes in temperature.
  • Page 58 Notes on the monitor: The monitor may contain a few pixels that are always lit or that do not light. This is common to all TFT LCD monitors and does not indicate a malfunction. Images recorded with the product are unaffected. Images in the monitor may be difficult to see in a bright light.

  • Page 59: Error Messages

    Turn camera off and recharge or replace battery. Recharge battery. This battery can not be used. Choose battery designated Use Nikon-approved battery (EN-EL9a). (blinks) for use in this camera. Initialization error. Turn Turn camera off, remove and replace battery, and then camera off and then on turn camera on again.
  • Page 60 Error occurred updating firmware for optional flash unit. Flash error Contact Nikon-authorized service representative. Release shutter. If error persists or appears frequently, Error. Press shutter release button again.
  • Page 61 Indicator Monitor Viewfinder Solution Folder selected for playback contains no images. Insert Folder contains no images. — another memory card or select a different folder. File does not contain image File has been created or modified using a computer or data.

  • Page 62: Specifications

    ❚❚ Nikon D3000 Digital Camera Type Single-lens reflex digital camera Type Nikon F mount (with AF contacts) Lens mount Effective picture angle Approx. 1.5 × lens focal length (Nikon DX format) Effective pixels 10.2 million Effective pixels Image sensor Image sensor 23.6 ×...
  • Page 63 Lens Compatible lenses • AF-S or AF-I: All functions supported. • Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. IX NIKKOR lenses not supported. • Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II.
  • Page 64 Focus Autofocus Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including one cross-type sensor), and AF- assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5–3 m/1 ft. 8 in.–9 ft. 10 in.) Detection range –1 – +19 EV (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F) Lens servo •...
  • Page 65 • Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in this manual at any time and without prior notice. Nikon will not be held liable for damages that may result from any mistakes that this manual may contain.
  • Page 66 Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in this manual at any time and without prior notice. Nikon will not be held liable for damages that may result from any mistakes that this manual may contain.
  • Page 67 NEF (RAW) photographs; slow shutter speeds; and using VR (vibration reduction) mode with VR lenses. To ensure that you get the most from rechargeable Nikon EN-EL9a batteries: • Keep the battery contacts clean. Soiled contacts can reduce battery performance.
  • Page 68 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 Thailand 6MB07211-02...

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