Mastering the Nikon D800

By Darrell Young

Mastering the Nikon D800 by Darrell Young provides a wealth of experience-based information and insights for owners of the new D800 camera. Darrell is determined to help the user navigate past the confusion that often comes with complex and powerful professional camera equipment.

This book explores the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user's manual. It guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; color illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles.

Darrell's friendly and informative writing style allows readers to easily follow directions, while feeling as if a friend dropped in to share his knowledge. The learning experience for new D800 users goes beyond just the camera itself and covers basic photography technique.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rocky Nook
• Release date: Aug 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781457168451

Darrell Young

Darrell Young (aka Digital Darrell) is a full-time author and professional photographer in the East Tennessee, USA area. He is a member of Professional Photographers of America, the North American Nature Photography Association, and Nikon Professional Services--and adheres to the ethical guidelines of those fine organizations. Darrell has been photographing people, events, and places professionally for over 30 years, with a special interest in natural history. His mother gave him a Brownie Hawkeye camera in 1968 at the young age of 10 years and awakened a lifelong interest in capturing slices of time. Living in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains--near Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway--has given him a real concern for the natural environment and a deep interest in nature photography. You'll often find Darrell standing behind a tripod in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Since about 2000 Darrell has been an active blogger and article writer on photographic subjects. In 2008 his first photography book was published and, since then, he has authored over a dozen books on the technical side of photography, with a special interest in helping new photographers fully understand their complex cameras so they can use them for more effective and enjoyable photography.

Book preview

Foreword

Through the past seven Mastering the Nikon® DSLR books authored by Nikonian Darrell Young (known to us as Digital Darrell), we have been delighted to witness an amazing evolution in the author’s steadfast devotion to perfecting his craft, ever since becoming Founding Member of the Nikonians Writers Guild almost 8 years ago.

As engineers add and perfect features, each new camera introduced in the Nikon digital single-lens reflex inventory has exponentially become harder to describe in an easygoing and simple-to-understand manner. Yet, Darrell has proven equal to the task, by adjusting not only his descriptive writing style, but also innovating new layout and typeface adjustments. All of his improvements to the final product result in an easier learning experience for his readers.

This joint venture between nikonians.org and Rocky Nook has developed a strong following in the camera instruction genre, and Darrell’s fastidious attention to detail has been the key ingredient in that trend.

His progression in writing and layout talent has been just as amazing as Nikon’s progression in introducing a host of new and extremely complex features in each new camera.

His first book, Mastering the Nikon D300, was about 250 pages long. This book, Mastering the Nikon D800, is more than double in size at over 500 pages.

The Nikon D800 and D800E cameras introduced a seemingly insurmountable host of complexities for any author trying to provide easy-to-follow directions.

The Nikon D800 is the first 35mm form factor medium format HD-DSLR camera ever made. Its image quality rivals medium-format cameras costing up to ten times the price of the D800. Plus, there is more to it than just added resolution.

The Nikon D800, with its Movie live view video mode, is the world’s first 35mm HD-DSLR to offer uncompressed, overlay-free, broadcast quality Full HD video output, which makes it a truly affordable commercial solution for serious videographers. Additionally, there are no time constraints on video output through the HDMI port.

We at nikonians.org are the largest organized group of Nikon enthusiasts, and this camera is arguably the perfect enthusiast’s camera. It is not too heavy to carry, has the world’s best lens selection, and is built to take years of heavy use. It boasts the world’s best imaging sensor (according to DXO labs, not just us) with the widest dynamic range ever seen in any production camera (14.4 EV). DXO gives the D800 the highest rating ever awarded a camera by their labs, with a rating of 95. Squeezing all these new features into a camera that many are calling the ultimate for Nikon enthusiasts has resulted in a steep learning curve. Darrell approached this book with the knowledge that the Nikon D800 sets a new world standard and that he would need to thoroughly explain every part of the camera’s functionality.

Working with the camera, Darrell’s first step is also the same step he recommends to all new Nikon users. He reads the User’s Manual, not just once but as many times as it takes to understand important concepts. Once he grasps the concepts and the basic directions readily available through the manual, he takes those same concepts and directions into the field. He makes sure he understands how each feature works in basic photography and how it can be applied to specialty applications such as landscapes, weddings, events, and portraits. Once satisfied that he has mastered each new feature, he then translates his experience in a simple-to-understand sequence of profusely illustrated steps and then goes on to recommend the best initial settings and shooting techniques to match.

As you read the pages that follow, you will be the beneficiary of his diligence and painstaking attention to detail.

We are proud to include his impressive credentials and body of work in our ever-growing and never-ending resources for our community, such as the forums, The Nikonian eZine, Nikonians Academy Workshops, Nikonians News Blog, Nikonians podcasts, our Wiki, and eBooks. Our community now has three language versions (English, German, and French) and we continue to grow as we now surpass 400,000 members.

Nikonians, now in its 12th year, has earned a reputation as a friendly, reliable, informative, and passionate Nikon® users’ community, thanks in great measure to members like Digital Darrell who have taken the time to share the results of their experiences with Nikon imaging equipment.

Enjoy this book, the Nikonians community, and your Nikons.

J. Ramón Palacios (jrp) and Bo Stahlbrandt (bgs)

Nikonians Founders

www.nikonians.org

Camera Setup and Control Reference

You Are Funny Dad! – Courtesy of Daniel Diggelmann (Aerobat)

Congratulations! You’ve purchased, or are about to purchase, Nikon’s professional-level, smaller-bodied, full-frame (FX) format camera: the Nikon D800 or D800E.

While no digital camera is inexpensive, the D800/D800E provides passionate photographers with a professional-level camera with medium-format resolution at an attractive price. It is weather and dust sealed with a magnesium-alloy body and frame and a rubberized coating that makes it strong and reliable for years of faithful service.

The 36.3-megapixel imaging sensor and supporting Nikon Scene Recognition System (SRS) allow you to take complete creative control of the scene in front of your lens.

The camera has advanced firmware that does things like automatic chromatic aberration reduction and full color optimization via selectable Picture Controls, which allow you to create the best pictures you’ve ever made.

This book will explore your incredibly feature-rich camera in great detail, using everyday language. We’ll cover virtually every button, dial, switch, and setting, giving you how, when, and why information so that you can become a master of your new, powerful imaging instrument. Your passion for excellent photography can be fully expressed with your Nikon D800 or D800E. Let’s take control of it!

Figure 1.0A – Nikon D800 with AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8G ED VR lens

Medium-Format Resolution Sensor

In the olden days, pre-2002, I loved medium-format cameras. You would often find me in Great Smoky Mountains National Park lugging around a heavy Mamiya RB-67 medium-format camera, which gave me a large 6×7 cm Provia F transparency. As film started fading away and digital photography rose supreme in most people’s eyes, true medium format went away for the everyday photographer. Sure, one could buy a nice Hasselblad digital medium format for $20,000, but few could afford that level of camera.

Now, with the exciting Nikon D800 and D800E cameras, Nikon has returned medium-format resolution to the everyday photographer who wants it. No more will we have to find a lab to process our 120 film, be forced to lug around huge medium-format film bodies, and have to settle for standard-size digital images.

At 36.3-megapixel resolution, the D800 moves soundly into medium-format territory. What’s the difference between the D800 and a much more expensive true medium-format camera back? Although the D800 provides similar resolution, the imaging sensor on some medium-format cameras can be twice the size of the D800’s, at 36.7×46.1 mm compared to the D800’s 35.9×24.0 mm CMOS (FX) sensor (at red arrow in figure 1.1A).

Figure 1.1A – Nikon D800’s 36.3-Megapixel Imaging Sensor (FX) 35.9×24.0 mm

Obviously, the larger medium-format camera backs will have larger pixels, providing better light-gathering capability and less noise. However, the cost entry point for most medium-format digital camera backs is around $10,000 and goes up very quickly with the number of megapixels. For about one-third of the lowest medium-format back price for a new D800, I’m inclined to tolerate a little more noise in higher ISO shots. However, the Nikon D800 has excellent noise control, even better than its predecessor, the Nikon D700, and that camera is well known for its excellent, low-noise images.

With the new D800, you can make an image with 36 megapixels (7360×4912 pixels). Do you realize the camera creates a 16×24-inch (40×60 cm) native print at 300 dpi (using FX format)? With careful post-processing and enlargement, the images can be made, as National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg says, as large as a house!

Imagine the expansive landscape shots with the massive detail that comes with the resolution of the D800. Imagine being able to make large portraits to hang on your wall. Think of how your clients will enjoy the various crops you’ll be able to make from the huge image file. Consider the extra income from stock photography you’ll gain from the larger pictures.

Medium-format resolution has distinct advantages, with only the disadvantage of having to store the much larger images. Of course, you could use the DX mode in the D800 for smaller image size and still have images of comparable size to the 16 megapixel Nikon D7000. Such flexibility!

Figure 1.1B – Back of Nikon D800

The Nikon D800/D800E is indeed a camera that sets new standards other manufacturers will have to scramble to approach. Nikon can at times seem slow about bringing out new technology, but when it does, nothing else on the market even comes close.

Both versions of the camera are very mature high-definition (HD) imaging devices designed to provide years of usage; you can put your money into better lenses instead of a new camera. Few photographers will need more power than the Nikon D800/D800E can deliver. With this camera, you are well equipped for years to come.

Now, let’s start learning about this powerful, medium-format, high-definition, single-lens reflex (HD-SLR) camera!

How to Use This Book

This book is equally effective for users of the Nikon D800 and the Nikon D800E cameras. Both cameras are virtually identical, with the exception of a disabled optical low-pass filter (blur or AA filter) in the D800E model. There is information on the Internet that seems to apply primarily to the D800E, such as how to avoid moiré; however, in reality, this same information could easily apply to both cameras. The D800 has a relatively weak optical low-pass filter, so information about avoiding moiré may be valuable to owners of both the D800 and D800E under special circumstances. It is still possible to get false color and moiré on the D800 with extremely fine patterns, although it’s much less likely than with the D800E. To save space and needless repetition, this book simply uses the term Nikon D800 to refer to both cameras.

The upcoming sections and chapters are best read with your camera in hand, ready for configuration. There are literally hundreds of things to configure on this advanced HD-SLR. In this chapter, I’ll give new D800 users a place to start. Later, as you progress through this book, we’ll look at all the buttons, switches, dials, and menu settings in detail. That will allow you to fully master the operation of your Nikon D800.

There is a chapter or section for each menu in the camera. Plus, there is additional information on how to put it all together in chapters like Metering, Exposure Modes, and Histogram; White Balance; Autofocus, AF-Area, and Release Modes; and Movie Live View.

Because the Nikon D800 and D800E are cameras for advanced users, this book assumes you have knowledge of basic things like depth of field, lens focal length, and angle of view and how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity control exposure. If you need brushing up on those subjects, may I please refer you to one of my other books, Beyond Point-and-Shoot. It assumes absolutely no previous knowledge of photography and covers the basics for new users of DSLR cameras. You can find out more about Beyond Point-and-Shoot at my website:

http://www.PictureAndPen.com/BeyondPS

If you would like to contact me directly to comment on the book, ask questions, or report errata, please use the contact link at my website, www.PictureAndPen.com. You will find a series of downloadable resources for this book, along with a list of any errata corrections, at the two following websites:

http://www.Nikonians.org/NikonD800

http://rockynook.com/NikonD800

For excellent support of your new Nikon D800 and other Nikon equipment, be sure to stop by and visit with the fine members of www.Nikonians.org, the best Nikon users community on the web, full of friendly and knowledgeable world-class photographers. There is a voucher with a 50% discount on a Nikonians Gold Membership in the front of this book. Use the code to start or renew your Nikonians membership.

Nikon User’s Manual Page References

Since many people appreciate additional reference points for research, I’ve included appropriate Nikon User’s Manual page references under the subheadings throughout the book. Using these references is entirely optional and not necessary for complete understanding of your camera. However, many people, myself included, enjoy having a different perspective on things they are studying, especially when the subject is as complex as an HD-SLR.

Colors and Wording Legend

Throughout the book, you’ll notice that in the numbered, step-by-step instructions there are colored terms as well as terms that are displayed in italic font.

Blue is used to refer to the camera’s physical features.

Green is for functions and settings displayed on the camera’s LCD screens.

Italic is for textual prompts seen on the camera’s LCD screens.

Italic or bold italic is also used on select occasions for special emphasis.

Here is a sample paragraph with the colors and italic font in use:

Press the MENU button to reach the Setup Menu and then scroll to the Format memory card option by pressing the down arrow on the Multi selector. You will see the following message: All images on Memory card will be deleted. OK? Select Yes and then press the OK button. Please make sure you’ve transferred all your images first!

What’s in the Box?

The golden box containing the highly desirable Nikon D800 and accessories contains a total of 16 items in the American version. There may be slight differences in versions from other countries, but this will give you a good idea of what should be in your camera box.

Following is a list of each item shown in figure 1.2:

English User’s Manual and Quick Guide

Spanish User’s Manual and Quick Guide

MH-25 battery charger

120v AC wire for battery charger

USB cable clip for tethering

AC wall adapter, used in place of 120v wire (4)

EN-EL15 li-ion battery with terminal cover

AN-DC6(E) neck strap labeled Nikon D800(E)

The Golden Box from Nikon

Nikon D800(E) camera body

BM-12 monitor cover (not shown)

BF-1B body cap

Figure 1.2 – Nikon D800 box contents

UC-E14 USB cable (USB 3.0)

BS-1 accessory shoe cover

View NX 2 installer CD

Warranty registration card

Initial Hardware Considerations for New Users

Although the D800 is a camera for enthusiasts and professionals, some new DSLR users have purchased a D800 as their first digital single lens reflex (DSLR) or HD-SLR camera. New users may not know how to attach and remove a lens, insert or charge the battery, and format and insert memory cards.

The majority of this book’s readers, however, already know how to perform these tasks. I do not want to ask a more experienced DSLR user to read over the basics of DSLR use in this advanced book, so I’ve created a PDF document called Initial Hardware Considerations, which you can download from either of these websites:

http://www.Nikonians.org/NikonD800

http://rockynook.com/NikonD800

The document explains the basic information you will need to get started using your new camera. There are also other articles of interest to new Nikon D800 users on these web pages. To use these documents, you’ll need Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at www.adobe.com.

Initial Camera Setup

This section is devoted to the first-time use and configuration of the camera. There are five specific settings you should configure when you first turn on the camera, before you shoot any pictures. I’ll walk you through the settings. Later chapters will cover virtually all camera settings in detail.

When you first insert the battery into a factory-fresh Nikon D800, you will notice the word CLOCK flashing on the camera’s upper Control panel and rear Monitor, if you press the info button. If you don’t see CLOCK flashing, then your camera may have already been set up for initial use.

You may want to go through these steps even if the camera has been in use previously. That way you can make sure the initial settings are best for you.

Setting the Camera’s Language – Step 1

The D800 is multilingual, or multinational. As partially shown in figure 1.3A, the menus can be displayed in 24 languages. Most likely the camera will already be configured to the language spoken in your area because various world distributors ship their cameras somewhat preconfigured. However, you may want to check and make sure.

Figure 1.3A – Language screen

Here are the steps to select your language:

Select Language from the Setup Menu and scroll to the right (figure 1.3A, screen 1).

Use the Multi selector to scroll up or down until your language is highlighted (figure 1.3A, screen 2). It may already be selected if your camera was set up by your distributor.

Press the OK button to select your language.

Next, let’s move to the second screen in the setup series, the Setup Menu > Time zone and date screen.

Setting the Camera’s Time Zone – Step 2

This is an easy screen to use as long as you can recognize the area of the world in which you live. Use the map shown in figure 1.3B to find your area, then select it.

Figure 1.3B – Time zone screen

Here are the steps to select the correct Time zone setting for your location:

Select Time zone and date from the Setup Menu and scroll to the right (figure 1.3B, screen 1).

Select Time zone from the Time zone and date screen and scroll to the right (figure 1.3B, screen 2).

You’ll now see the Time zone screen with yellow arrows pointing to the left and right on either side of the small black and gray world map. With the Multi selector, scroll to the left or right until your world location is highlighted in yellow. You will see either a vertical yellow strip or a tiny yellow outline with a red dot. At the bottom of the screen, you will see the currently selected time zone. Mine is set to New York, Toronto, Lima (UTC-5), as shown in figure 1.3B, screen 3.

Press the OK button, and your Time zone setting will be locked in place.

Ok, let’s examine the third screen in the series, the Date and time screen.

Setting the Camera’s Date and Time – Step 3

This screen allows you to put in the current date and time. It is in year, month, day (Y, M, D) and hour, minute, second (H, M, S) format. Once you’ve configured this function, check to see if the blinking CLOCK notice has gone away from the top Control panel and Info screen.

Figure 1.3C – Date and time screen

Here are the steps to configure the Date and time setting:

Select Time zone and date from the Setup Menu and scroll to the right (figure 1.3C, screen 1).

Select Date and time from the Time zone and date screen and scroll to the right (figure 1.3C, screen 2).

Using the Multi selector, scroll to the left or right to select the date and time sections. Scroll up or down to set the values for each one (figure 1.3C, screen 3). A 24-hour clock is used for the time values.

Press the OK button when you’ve finished inputting the Date and time.

Setting the Camera’s Date Format – Step 4

The English-speaking world uses various date formats. The Nikon D800 allows you to choose from the most common ones. There are three date formats you can select (figure 1.3D):

Y/M/D – Year/Month/Day (2010/12/31)

M/D/Y – Month/Day/Year (12/31/2010)

D/M/Y – Day/Month/Year (31/12/2010)

Figure 1.3D – Selecting a Date format setting

American residents usually select the M/D/Y (Month/Day/Year) format. However, you may prefer a different format. Here are the steps to select the date format you like best:

Select Time zone and date from the Setup Menu and scroll to the right (figure 1.3D, screen 1)

Select Date format from the Time zone and date screen and scroll to the right (figure 1.3D, screen 2).

Using the Multi selector, scroll up or down to the position of the date format you prefer. I chose M/D/Y.

Press the OK button to select the format.

Now, let’s configure the last screen in our series, and your camera will be ready to use.

Setting the Camera’s Daylight Saving Time – Step 5

Many areas of the United States observe daylight saving time. In the springtime, many American residents set their clocks forward by one hour on a specified day each year. Then in the fall they set it back, leading to the clever saying, spring forward and fall back.

Figure 1.3E – Selecting a Daylight saving time setting

To enable automatic daylight saving time, follow these steps:

Select Time zone and date from the Setup Menu and scroll to the right (figure 1.3E, screen 1).

Select Daylight saving time from the Time zone and date screen and scroll to the right (figure 1.3E, screen 2).

There are only two selections: On or Off. Choose the one you prefer by scrolling with the Multi selector until it is highlighted.

Press the OK button to select your choice.

If you set Daylight saving time to On, your D800 will automatically spring forward and fall back, adjusting your time forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall.

Now that you’ve made the daylight saving time decision, the camera will move on to the last screen in the series of five, the Date and time screen.

Settings Recommendation: If you live in an area that observes daylight saving time, it’s a good idea to set your camera to make this adjustment automatically. I always leave Daylight saving time set to On. Why not let the camera remember to change the time twice per year?

Control Location Reference

Following are the locations of all the controls mentioned in this book. You may want to place a bookmark here so you can refer back to this control location reference list when an unfamiliar control name is mentioned in the book. This list covers 60 separate external camera controls, showing their locations and Nikon-supplied names.

Following this section is a control function reference list with deeper explanations of what each control in this list does. Use the graphics in this section to learn the number of a control and then look up that number in the Control Function Reference section for more detailed information on the functions provided by the control.

Figure 1.4A – Back of camera

Back of Camera (figure 1.4A)

1.    Accessory shoe (hot shoe)

2.    Eyepiece shutter lever

3.    Delete/Format button

4.    Playback button

5.    Viewfinder and Viewfinder eyepiece

6.    MENU button

7.    Protect/Picture Control/Help button

8.    Playback zoom in button

9.    Thumbnail/Playback zoom out button

10.   OK button

11.   Monitor

12.   Ambient brightness sensor (for Monitor)

13.   info button

14.   Diopter adjustment control

15.   Metering selector

16.   AE/AF Lock button

17.   AF-ON button

18.   Main command dial

19.   Multi selector

20.   Multi selector center button

21.   Focus selector lock

22.   Speaker

23.   Memory card slot cover

24.   Live view selector

25.   Live view button

26.   Memory card access lamp

Figure 1.4B – Top of camera

Top of Camera (figure 1.4B)

27.   Release mode dial lock release

28.   QUAL button (image quality and size)

29.   WB button (white balance)

30.   ISO button (ISO sensitivity)

31.   Release mode dial

32.   BKT button (bracketing)

33.   Power and backlight switch

34.   Shutter-release button

35.   Exposure compensation button

36.   Movie-record button

37.   MODE/Format button (exposure modes)

38.   Control panel

Figure 1.4C – Front of camera

Front of Camera (figure 1.4C)

39.   Built-in flash (closed)

40.   AF-assist illuminator

41.   Sub-command dial

42.   Depth-of-field preview button

43.   Fn (function) button

44.   Lens mount (F-mount with cap)

45.   Flash pop-up button

46.   Flash mode/compensation button

47.   Built-in microphone

48.   Flash sync terminal cover

49.   10-pin remote terminal cover

50.   Lens release button

51.   AF-mode button

52.   Focus-mode selector switch

53.   Mounting index (lens)

54.   Meter coupling lever

External Connectors (figure 1.4D; rubber Connector cover removed)

55.   Connector cover (removed)

56.   Connector for external microphone

57.   USB connector (USB 3.0)

58.   USB cable clamp mount hole

59.   HDMI mini-pin connector (Type C)

60.   Headphone connector

Figure 1.4D – Camera connectors under the Connector cover

Figure 1.4E – Bottom of camera

Bottom of Camera (figure 1.4E)

61.   Battery-chamber cover latch

62.   Battery-chamber cover

63.   Contact cover for optional MB-D12 battery pack

64.   Camera ID, battery info, and serial number plate

65.   Tripod socket

Control Function Reference

Now, let’s consider what each camera control does in a little more detail. This will, of course, be expanded upon in following chapters, but this section, along with the Control Location Reference in the previous section, are good reference points for where each control is located and what it accomplishes. For the descriptions, you’ll need to match the number of each control in figures 1.4A–1.4D to the following list entries.

All control names are marked in blue to help delineate them as Nikon-created control names. Green items are words you will see on the camera LCD display. Each of these functions have a page number reference for this book following the control name—making this a handy guide to individual control configuration.

Back of Camera (figure 1.4A)

1. Accessory shoe – This hot shoe is where you will insert various accessory units that provide services for the camera. The primary use is for Speedlight flash units. However, you can also insert the SU-800 Speedlight commander in the Accessory shoe, or even the Nikon GP-1 GPS unit or an external stereo microphone. There are all sorts of items that you’ll want to attach to the camera, and the Accessory shoe provides a place for attachment. Before inserting anything into the Accessory shoe, you’ll need to remove the Nikon BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover included from the factory.

2. Eyepiece shutter lever – This lever closes the eyepiece shutter, which prevents light from entering the Viewfinder (#5). The Eyepiece shutter lever is available only on cameras Nikon considers professional level. Use it when strong backlighting may influence the exposure due to light entering the Viewfinder.

3. Delete/Format button – Used to delete pictures when they are displayed on the Monitor (#11). Also used to delete characters when inserting comments in various functions such as Setup Menu > Image comment. In addition, this is one of the buttons you hold down to format memory cards, as signified by the FORMAT symbol below it. You use it with the MODE/Format button (#37) by holding both of them down at the same time until For starts flashing on the Control panel (#38), releasing them, and immediately reapplying both. You can hold the two format buttons down while turning the rear Main command dial (#18) to select which memory card to format. The memory card will then be formatted. More detailed information on card formatting, such as how to choose which of the two to format, is available in the chapter titled Setup Menu under the subheading Format Memory Card.

4. Playback button – Used to preview images you have just taken on the Monitor (#11). You’ll press this button and the image(s) will appear. Then you can scroll through images with the Multi selector (#19).

5. Viewfinder and Viewfinder eyepiece – Place your eye here to see your subject through the lens using the reflex viewing system. Make sure the lens cap is off!

6. MENU button – Used to open the camera’s menu system on the Monitor (#11). You’ll use this button often when making changes to your camera configuration.

7. Protect/Picture Control/Help button – This is a context-sensitive, multifunction button. First, it allows you to protect images you are currently viewing on the Monitor (#11) by marking them with a key (locked) symbol as a picture that can’t be deleted. Second, if you press the button when the Monitor is blank, it allows you to use the Multi selector (#19) to choose a Picture Control. Third, if you press the button when you have a menu open, it will display a help screen on the Monitor, showing what a particular function does.

8. Playback zoom in button – This button allows you to zoom into pictures you see on the Monitor (#11). It is used in partnership with the Thumbnail/Playback zoom out button (#9) to examine or display images from deep into a picture (up to 46x) to a list of tiny image thumbnails on the Monitor.

9. Thumbnail/Playback zoom out button – When you have zoomed in on an image on the Monitor (#11) using the Playback zoom in button (#8), the Thumbnail/Playback zoom out button allows you to zoom back out, or even display a list of multiple tiny thumbnail images. It is also used by some menu functions to open the Playback slot and folder menu, allowing you to select images from a particular memory card and folder.

10. OK button – The OK button is used to select all sorts of items and approve of various changes in menu system functions. Learn this control’s location well. You’ll use it often.

11. Monitor – This is the primary LCD display screen for the camera. This 3.2-inch thin film transistor TFT display will show you your pictures after you take them and let you select and modify functions under the menu system when you press the MENU button (#6).

12. Ambient brightness sensor – If you have Setup Menu > Monitor Brightness > Auto selected, the camera will use this sensor to detect the brightness of the ambient light surrounding the camera and adjust the brightness of the Monitor (#11) accordingly.

13. info button – This button has several uses. First, it opens the Information display screen and, with another press, the Information display edit screen. Both of these are displayed on the Monitor (#11). Second, it is used in Live view and Movie modes to scroll through various useful screen overlays.

14. Diopter adjustment control – Used to adjust the optical strength of the Viewfinder eyepiece (#5) lens so that the subject looks sharper for your eyes. It is like adding a pair of glasses to the Viewfinder, except that it does not correct for astigmatism. Adjust this dial (+/-) until the image is clear and sharp in the Viewfinder. This has nothing to do with autofocus; it is merely a special lens to help you with any eye weaknesses you may have. If looking through the viewfinder gives you a headache or makes you dizzy, you need to adjust this dial.

15. Metering selector – You will use this tiny dial to select, from left to right, the spot meter, matrix meter, or center-weighted meter.

16. AE/AF Lock button – Used to lock autoexposure and/or autofocus when it is held in. This is an assignable button. Its function can be changed to something else by modifying Custom setting f5.

17. AF-ON button – Used to initiate autofocus when you would rather not use the Shutter-release button (#34) for autofocus. Some photographers use Custom setting a4 to disable autofocus for the Shutter-release button, leaving AF on the AF-ON button only.

18. Main command dial – This is a very important multifunction dial. First, it is used to control the shutter speed for shooting modes that require manual adjustment. Second, it is used while configuring all sorts of functions in the camera’s menu system. This is one of the camera’s most important controls along with the front Sub-command dial (#41) and Multi selector (#19). Learn and remember this control’s name and location well since it will be referred to often in this book.

19. Multi selector – This, too, is a primary control for the camera and very important to your everyday use. Any time you have to move between items in the menus, or scroll through pictures on the Monitor (#11), you’ll use the Multi selector to do it. Embed this control in your memory. The OK button (#10), along with the rear Main command dial (#18) and front Sub-command dial (#41), will be your constant friends as you use this powerful camera.

20. Multi selector center button – While unnamed in the control reference section of the Nikon User’s Manual (page 5), this button is in the center of the Multi selector (#19). It is referenced throughout the User’s Manual as the Multi selector center button. It is usually used to select items within menu system functions and can often perform the same duties as the OK button (#10).

21. Focus selector lock – This is a toggle switch that locks or unlocks the ability to move the selected autofocus (AF) point around the Viewfinder (#5). When you unlock the AF point and use an appropriate AF-area mode, you can select and control which AF point(s) detects focus on your subject. If this switch is set to the dot position, it is unlocked. It is locked if pointing to the L position.

22. Speaker – If you have recorded a movie, this is where the sound will come out, unless you are listening through a set of headphones plugged into the Headphone connector (#60). If you have Beep enabled in Custom setting d1, you’ll hear various camera sounds through this speaker.

23. Memory card slot cover – This is the cover (door) on the right side of the camera (when you are holding it in picture-taking position). Underneath this cover are the SD and CF card slots. You will slide the cover toward you to open it.

24. Live view selector – This little lever allows you to switch between Live view photography and Movie live view modes. In previous Nikon cameras, Live view photography mode was called Hand-held mode and Movie live view was called Tripod mode. Both modes work similarly in that they use contrast-detection autofocus (instead of phase-detection autofocus). When you use Live view photography mode, the camera is prepared to take still shots. When you use Movie live view, the camera prepares itself for recording movies, including initializing the sound system, which is not used in Live view photography (still) mode.

25. Live view button – This button acts like a toggle switch that places the camera in and out of one of the Live view (Lv) modes. The modes are controlled by the Live view selector (#24) switch. You’ll use this to enter Lv mode when you want to either take pictures by looking at the Monitor (#11)—instead of peering through the Viewfinder eyepiece (#5)—or just before you start recording a movie with the Movie-record button (#36). Place the Live view selector switch into Movie live view if you are about to record a movie, otherwise the Movie-record button will have no effect.

26. Memory card access lamp – This lamp lights up anytime the camera accesses one of its memory cards in the CF card slot or SD card slot. You will see this light up in green while taking both pictures and movies, as it writes them to the memory cards.

Top of Camera (figure 1.4B)

27. Release mode dial lock release – Hold this button down and turn the Release mode dial (#31) to change Release modes.

28. QUAL button – You can set the image quality (RAW, TIFF, FINE, NORM, BASIC) and size (L, M, S) by holding down the QUAL button and turning the rear Main command dial (#18) for Image quality and the front Sub-command dial (#41) for Image size. The Control panel (#38) will reflect the various modes being selected.

29. WB button – The WB button is held down to change the camera’s White balance in conjunction with the rear Main command dial (#18) and the Control panel (#38) on top, which will display a series of automatic and manual white balance choices. If the WB button is held down and the front Sub-command dial (#41) turned, you can fine-tune the white balance along the amber (A) and blue (B) axis in up to 12 steps (6+/6-), with each step being 5 mired. The Control panel will show the fine-tuning settings (e.g., A1, b1).

30. ISO button – You can set the camera’s ISO sensitivity by holding down the ISO button and turning the rear Main command dial (#18) while watching the ISO numbers change on the Control panel (#38). Holding down the ISO button and turning the front Sub-command dial (#41) toggles the ISO-AUTO system. You can configure the ISO-AUTO system under Shooting Menu > ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control.

31. Release mode dial – The Release modes (S, CL, CH, Q, Self-timer, and MUP) are selected by holding down the Release mode dial lock release (#27) and turning this dial.

32. BKT (bracketing) button – Used to initiate bracketing of images for exposure and flash (AE & flash), Active D-Lighting (ADL), and White balance (WB). The button can also be assigned to other functions instead, by configuring Custom setting f8. When used with bracketing, holding down the BKT button and turning the rear Main command dial (#18) controls the number of exposures in the bracket. Holding the BKT button and turning the front Sub-command dial (#41) controls the degree of change in exposure, ADL level, or WB color temperature.

33. Power and backlight switch – Used to turn the camera on and off and also to turn on the backlight for the Control panel (#38).

34. Shutter-release button – This is the most used control on the camera and has multiple purposes. First, the Shutter-release button is used to release the shutter and take a picture. Second, it is used to activate the exposure meter. Third, it activates autofocus. The exposure meter is activated and autofocus happens anytime you hold the button halfway down.

35. Exposure compensation button – This button allows you to override the camera’s exposure meter and choose up to 5 EV steps of exposure compensation, either toward under- or overexposure (+/-). You’ll hold down the Exposure compensation button and turn the rear Main command dial (#18) while watching compensation settings change on the Control panel (#38). You’ll learn more about exposure compensation in the chapter titled Metering, Exposure Modes, and Histogram.

36. Movie-record button – Once you have set the Live view selector (#24) to Movie live view and pressed the Live view button (#25), you can press the Movie-record button to start and stop recording movies.

37. MODE/Format button – This button is provided to allow rapid switching of shooting modes (P, S, A, and M). The Mode button works in conjunction with the rear Main command dial (#18) for choosing modes. It can also be used as a Format button along with the Delete/Format button (#3) to format the memory cards (see #3 for details).

38. Control panel – This is the secondary LCD (upper) screen for the camera. It provides a constant readout of the most important camera settings, such as the flash mode, image quality, image size, AF-area mode, autofocus mode, white balance, meter type, shutter speed and aperture, memory card in use, GPS, and number of images remaining (plus more). You’ll be referring to this frequently while using the camera, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with each of the symbols shown on the Control panel.

Front of Camera (figure 1.4C)

39. Built-in flash – This little pop-up Speedlight flash is opened by pressing the Flash pop-up button (#45). It can help light a dim scene or be used as a Commander (CMD) to control other Nikon Speedlight flash units under the Nikon Creative Lighting System. You must configure Custom Setting e3 to have it control other Speedlights.

40. AF-assist illuminator – First, this small but powerful light is used to assist with autofocus when the light is low—only if you are using the center AF point. Second, it shines brightly to make your subject’s pupils contract in the flash’s red-eye reduction mode. Third, it blinks while the self-timer is counting down, doubling the blink speed a couple of seconds before the shutter fires.

41. Sub-command dial – This is a very important multifunction dial. First, it is used to control the aperture when using shooting modes that require manual adjustment. Second, it is used while configuring various functions in the camera’s menu system. This is one of the camera’s more important controls, along with the rear Main command dial (#18) and Multi selector (#19). Learn its name and location since it will be referred to often in this book.

42. Depth-of-field preview button – This button allows you to view the actual depth of field in a particular image. It stops down the aperture, darkening the Viewfinder (#5) since you are looking through the actual aperture opening.

43. Fn (function) button – This is one of several assignable buttons that can be used to control various functions in the camera. There are 20 functions you can choose from by modifying Custom Setting f4. Once you assign one of these functions to the Fn button, it will execute that function when you press the button. We will discuss button assignment in detail in the chapter titled Custom Setting Menu.

44. Lens mount – This is where the lens mounts to the front of your camera. The silver-colored ring behind the body cap is called the F-Mount and has been in use by Nikon cameras since the late 1950s. Nikon has never changed this bayonet mount, so virtually any lens made by Nikon for their SLR and DSLR cameras can be mounted to your camera. Most aftermarket lens manufacturers make lenses for the Nikon F-Mount. Note: Do not mount old non-AI lenses on your camera. They can damage the Meter coupling lever (#54). If you are unsure what a non-AI lens looks like, please find out before you try to use one and damage your camera. (See #54 for more details.)

45. Flash pop-up button – Press the Flash pop-up button to open or pop up the camera’s Built-in flash (#39).

46. Flash mode/compensation button – The Flash mode/compensation button is used to select flash modes (e.g., Fill flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction) by holding it down while turning the rear Main command dial (#18) and viewing the changes on the upper Control panel (#38). If you hold the button down while turning the front Sub-command dial (#41), you can add or subtract exposure when using the flash by up to -3 EV or +1EV.

47. Built-in microphone – The three holes below the D800 logo are connected to the camera’s mono Built-in microphone. They allow sound into the camera. Be careful that you don’t cover these holes when you are recording a video or you will have very muted sound. Also, the wind tends to make a loud rushing sound on the recording when allowed to hit this microphone. Plug a Nikon Accessory-shoe (#1) mounted external microphone into the Connector for external microphone (#56) to overcome many of the problems with this basic microphone.

48. Flash sync terminal cover – When you open this cover you are greeted by the flash sync terminal, which allows you to plug a flash sync cable or other device into your camera for remote flash firing. An alternative is to use the Commander mode built into your camera to control multiple banks of Nikon Speedlight flash units with Nikon CLS.

49. 10-pin remote terminal cover – Opening this cover reveals the camera’s ten-pin remote terminal. You can use this terminal to plug in various devices that need to interface with the camera, such as a Nikon GP-1 GPS unit, a wireless transmitter, or a remote radio flash triggering system.

50. Lens release button – The big D-shaped Lens release button allows you to remove a lens from the camera. Once latched to the body, the lens is attached semi-permanently. You press this button and turn the lens clockwise to remove it from the camera.

51. AF-mode button – The AF-mode button allows you to change the camera’s Autofocus and AF-area modes. You hold in the AF-mode button while turning the rear Main command dial (#18) to change the Autofocus mode (e.g., AF-S and AF-C) or the front Sub-command dial (#41) to change the AF-area mode (e.g., Single point AF, Dynamic-area AF, 3D-Tracking, and Auto-area AF). The AF-mode button is in the middle of the Focus-mode selector switch (#52).

52. Focus-mode selector switch – This toggle switch is a fast way to disable autofocus and disengage the Built-in autofocus motor actuator. It physically pulls the actuator’s tip back into the camera body so that you can safely turn the autofocus ring on older AF lenses that could otherwise be damaged by that action.

53. Mounting index – This raised white dot is an alignment mark for attaching a lens to the camera’s Lens mount (#44). There is a similar, smaller white dot on each Nikkor lens. You must align the two dots, insert the lens into the camera’s Lens mount, and turn the lens counterclockwise until it audibly latches. See the downloadable resource Initial Hardware Considerations for New Users at: http://www.Nikonians.org/NikonD800 or http://rockynook.com/NikonD800

54. Meter coupling lever – This small lever couples with non-G-style lenses. It is also known as an Ai lever in older Nikon literature. Many older AF Nikkors, plus the AI and AI-S-style manual-focus lenses require this lever for transmitting aperture ring position information to the camera. An old non-AI lens has no place for this lever to connect and could conceivably break it off if you mount the lens. Do not mount non-AI lenses on your camera! Do a Google search with the specific sentence What is the difference between an AI lens, an AI-S lens, and Non-AI lens? to learn about how to identify the ones that might harm your camera. Look for the link to Nikon’s support website (http://support.nikonusa.com) for an article that explains (with pictures) how to tell which older lenses are safe and which aren’t.

External Connectors (figure 1.4D)

55. Connector cover – When you are holding the camera in picture-taking position, the rubber Connector cover is on the left side of the camera. Underneath it are five connectors that allow you to interface your camera with various devices (see #56–60).

56. Connector for external microphone – Plug a Nikon Accessory-shoe (#1) mounted external microphone into the Connector for external microphone (#56) to override the Built-in microphone (#47) and provide a much higher level of sound quality for your HD movies.

57. USB connector – The Nikon D800 image files are so gigantic due to the 36.3 MP resolution that Nikon wisely included a USB 3.0 transfer system that is 10 times faster than other cameras’ USB 2.0 systems. USB 3.0 theoretically allows for transfer of up to 5 GB per second, whereas the older USB 2.0 allows only 60 megapixel per second. A huge difference in speed! The USB 3.0 subsystem in the D800 is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

58. USB cable clamp mount hole – If you decide to tether the camera to your computer, it is wise to use the USB cable clip provided by Nikon for its pro-level cameras. This allows you to securely attach the USB 3.0 cable to your camera and prevents wear or damage to the USB port while moving around with the camera. The USB cable clip drops a plastic prong into the USB cable clamp hole for stability.

59. HDMI mini-pin connector (Type C) – The D800 uses this port to interface with HDMI devices such as HDTVs, external displays, and video recording devices. One of the strong points of the camera is its ability to provide an endless stream of clean broadcast-quality video through the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. The HDMI port can be used for Live view photography and Movie live view outputs. The camera interface requires a mini-pin type C cable or adapter.

60. Headphone connector – The Nikon D800 provides broadcast-quality, clean-output video for high-end video capture. Using an external mic and a set of headphones is a good idea so that you can control the sound quality for the video. You can plug a set of headphones into the Headphone connector under the Connector cover (#55).

Bottom of Camera (figure 1.4E)

61. Battery-chamber cover latch – Use this latch to open the battery chamber when you need to change batteries.

62. Battery-chamber cover – This cover opens to reveal the battery. Use the Battery-chamber cover latch (#61) to open this cover.

63. Contact cover for optional MB-D12 battery pack – Before attaching the optional Nikon MB-D12 battery pack, you will need to remove and store this rubber cover. Underneath it is a connector that interfaces the camera with the MB-D12 battery pack.

64. Camera ID, battery info, and serial number plate – This plate lists the camera identification (type and maker), battery voltage and amperage information, and the camera’s serial number.

65. Tripod socket – Use this socket to attach a tripod head or removable tripod plate to your camera.

Using the Nikon D800 Menu System

(User’s Manual – Page 15)

The next several chapters will consider the camera menu subsystems. The D800’s menu system consists of six menus, as shown in figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5 – Six primary menu systems in the Nikon D800

There are literally hundreds of configuration options in these six menus. Additionally, there is a seventh menu (not shown in figure 1.5) called Recent Settings. My Menu is the default final menu in the camera, and it can be toggled in and out with the Recent Settings menu by selecting it under My Menu > Choose tab or Recent Settings > Choose tab. We’ll discuss these two final menus and why they work this way in the chapter titled My Menu and Recent Settings. The Recent Settings menu always contains the last 20 functions you’ve adjusted on your camera, while My Menu lets you place your favorite, most-configured menu selections under your own custom menu.

In case you’ve never used a Nikon DSLR before, you enter the menu system by pressing the MENU button next to the top left of the camera’s Monitor. As you scroll up and down on the toolbar at the left of each menu you will scroll through the six available menus.

Author’s Conclusions

This first chapter helped you get your camera ready for initial use. It also provided camera control descriptions, locations, and references like few other books on the market. With this book you have a complete reference for your Nikon D800 or D800E camera.

We’ll examine each setting on each menu, starting now. Do you have your camera near you? You’ll need it to test the numerous ways each function can be configured. You’ll learn and remember the functions much better if you take the time to adjust your camera while you are reading.

Congratulations on purchasing one of the most powerful Nikons this author has ever seen. Let’s get down to examining its details!

Playback Menu

Delighted Emily – Courtesy of Nigel Danson (ndanson1)

The Nikon D800 has a big 3.2-inch high-resolution TFT Monitor, which you can use to examine in great detail the images you have taken. You can zoom in past the 100 percent pixel-peeping level to make sure an image is sharp enough. You can view, copy, delete, and hide images and examine detailed shooting information on each picture. You can even use the Monitor to view a slide show or output the show to a much larger HDMI device, such as a television (HDTV).

The Playback Menu has everything you need to control your camera’s image playback and copying and printing functions. You’ll be taking thousands of pictures and will view most of them on the Monitor; therefore, it is a good idea to learn to use the Playback Menu well.

By now you may have quite a few pictures on your camera’s memory card. Let’s consider how you can best view, move, and print those images using the Playback Menu. The Playback functions are as follows:

Delete – Allows you to delete all or selected images from your camera’s memory card(s).

Playback folder – Allows you to set which image folders your camera will display if you have multiple folders on the camera’s memory card(s).

Hide image – Lets you conceal images so they won’t be displayed on the camera’s Monitor.

Playback display options – Controls how many informational screens the camera will display for each image.

Copy image(s) – Gives you functions to copy images between the two memory cards.

Image review – Turns the camera’s post-shot automatic image review on or off.

After delete – Determines which image is displayed next when you delete an image from a memory card.

Rotate tall – Allows you to choose whether portrait-orientation images (vertical) are displayed in an upright position or lying on their side on the horizontal Monitor.

Slide show – Allows you to display all the images on your camera’s memory card(s) in a sequential display, like the slide shows of olden days (pre-2002). No projector required.

DPOF print order – Lets you print your images directly from a PictBridge-compatible printer without using a computer—either by using digital print order format (DPOF) directly from a memory card or by connecting a USB cable to the camera.

Now, let’s examine each of these settings in detail, with full explanations on how, why, and when to configure each item.

Technical LCD Monitor Information

As mentioned previously, the D800 has a 3.2-inch Monitor with enough resolution, size, and viewing angle to allow you to really enjoy using it for previewing images. It has VGA resolution (640×480), based on a 921,000-dot, or 921K-dot, liquid crystal display (LCD). If anything you read says the LCD Monitor has 921,000 pixels of resolution—or is significantly higher than VGA—the writer is uninformed. Nikon lists the resolution as 921,000 dots, not pixels.

The bottom line is that this 3.2-inch screen has amazing clarity for your image previewing needs. You can zoom for review up to 46x for Large (L) images, 34x for Medium (M) images, and 22x for Small (S) images. That’s zooming in to pixel-peeping levels.

Now, if you want to get technical—here’s the extra geek stuff.

A pixel on your camera’s Monitor is a combination of three color dots—red, green, and blue (RGB). The three dots are blended together to provide shades of color and are equal to one pixel. This means the Monitor is limited to one-third of 921,000 dots, or 307,000 pixels of real image resolution. The VGA standard has 307,200 pixels (640×480), so the D800’s Monitor has VGA resolution with a 170-degree viewing angle and 100 percent frame coverage.

Which Memory Card and Folder?

Before we get into the individual functions on the Playback Menu, there is something you need to understand that will help you avoid confusion as you use your camera’s menu functions. Because the D800 has multiple memory cards (playback slots) and image folders (playback folders), you will need a good way to know which memory card and folder contain a particular image. The information in this section explains how the camera informs you of where a highlighted image is stored.

The D800 has multiple card slots, so many functions can affect multiple memory cards when Playback Menu > Playback folder > All is selected (see the upcoming section, Playback Folder).

How can you tell which memory card and folder is being affected by the current function? As an example, I am using the first setting on the Playback Menu, the Delete image function. However, this concept of card slots (i.e., CF and SD) and folders (e.g., 100ND800 and 101ND800) applies to many functions in this camera. You can use this knowledge as you work your way through the entire book.

Figure 2.0A – Active memory card slot

Notice in figure