Q0920UM_NT(En)01_cover.

fm Page 1 Thursday, May 15, 2014 3:26 PM

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.

DIGITAL CAMERA

User's Manual

Nikon Manual Viewer 2

Printed in Thailand Use the Nikon Manual Viewer 2 app to view
En

manuals anytime, anywhere on your smartphone or

6MB23811-01 tablet. En

En_01 SB4E01(11)
To get the most from your camera, please be sure to read all
instructions thoroughly and keep them where they will be read
by all those who use the product.
Symbols and Conventions
To make it easier to find the information you need, the following
symbols and conventions are used:

This icon marks cautions; information that should be read before

D use to prevent damage to the camera.

This icon marks notes; information that should be read before

A using the camera.

0 This icon marks references to other pages in this manual.

Menu items, options, and messages displayed in the camera monitor are
shown in bold.
Camera Settings
The explanations in this manual assume that default settings are used.

Nikon Manual Viewer 2

Install the Nikon Manual Viewer 2 app on your smartphone or
tablet to view Nikon digital camera manuals, anytime,
anywhere. Nikon Manual Viewer 2 can be downloaded free of
charge from the App Store and Google Play. Download of the
app and any product manuals requires an Internet
connection, for which fees may be levied by your phone or
Internet service provider.

A For Your Safety

Before using the camera for the first time, read the safety instructions in
“For Your Safety” (0 xiii–xvi).
Package Contents
Be sure all items listed here were included with your camera.

BM-12 monitor cover (0 10)

BF-1B body cap (0 15, 436)

D810 digital camera
(0 1)

EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion battery with terminal cover

(0 13, 14)

MH-25a battery charger (comes with either an AC wall

adapter or power cable of a type and shape that varies
with the country or region of sale; 0 13)

USB cable clip (0 258)

HDMI cable clip (0 269)

UC-E22 USB cable (0 257, 263) User’s Manual (this guide)

AN-DC12 strap (0 12) ViewNX 2 installer CD (0 253)
Memory cards are sold separately. Cameras purchased in Japan display
menus and messages in English and Japanese only; other languages are
not supported. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

i
 Table of Contents
Package Contents........................................................................... i
For Your Safety............................................................................xiii
Notices.........................................................................................xvii
Introduction 1

Getting to Know the Camera.......................................................1

The Multi Selector .......................................................................11
First Steps 12

Camera Menus 24

Using Camera Menus..........................................................................25

Basic Photography and Playback 29

“Point-and-Shoot” Photography..............................................29
Basic Playback..............................................................................31
Deleting Unwanted Photographs..................................................33
Live View Photography 35

Focus.........................................................................................................39
Manual Focus.........................................................................................41
Using the b Button ..............................................................................42
The Live View Display: Live View Photography.........................45
The Information Display: Live View Photography....................46

ii
Movie Live View 49

Indices...................................................................................................... 54
Using the b Button.............................................................................. 55
The Live View Display: Movie Live View ...................................... 57
The Information Display: Movie Live View ................................. 58
Image Area............................................................................................. 59
Taking Photos During Movie Live View....................................... 60
Movie Settings ...................................................................................... 62
Viewing Movies ...........................................................................65
Editing Movies ............................................................................. 67
Trimming Movies................................................................................. 67
Saving Selected Frames .................................................................... 72
Image Recording Options 74

Image Area ...................................................................................74

Image Quality............................................................................... 79
Image Size..................................................................................... 83
Using Two Memory Cards..........................................................86
Focus 87

Autofocus ..................................................................................... 87
Autofocus Mode................................................................................... 87
AF-Area Mode ....................................................................................... 90
Focus Point Selection......................................................................... 94
Focus Lock.............................................................................................. 96
Manual Focus .............................................................................100

iii
 Release Mode 102

Choosing a Release Mode....................................................... 102

Power Source and Frame Rate ..................................................... 104
Self-Timer Mode (E) ................................................................ 106
Mirror up Mode (V)............................................................... 108
ISO Sensitivity 109

Manual Adjustment ................................................................. 109

Auto ISO Sensitivity Control................................................... 111
Exposure 114

Metering..................................................................................... 114
Exposure Mode ......................................................................... 116
e: Programmed Auto ....................................................................... 118
f: Shutter-Priority Auto................................................................... 119
g: Aperture-Priority Auto................................................................ 120
h: Manual.............................................................................................. 121
Long Time-Exposures (h Mode Only) ................................... 123
Shutter-Speed and Aperture Lock ........................................ 126
Autoexposure (AE) Lock.......................................................... 128
Exposure Compensation......................................................... 130
Bracketing.................................................................................. 133
White Balance 148

White Balance Options ............................................................ 148

Fine-Tuning White Balance .................................................... 151
Choosing a Color Temperature.............................................. 155
Preset Manual ........................................................................... 158
Viewfinder Photography ................................................................ 159
Live View (Spot White Balance).................................................... 163
Managing Presets.............................................................................. 167

iv
Image Enhancement 170

Picture Controls.........................................................................170
Selecting a Picture Control.............................................................170
Modifying Picture Controls ............................................................173
Creating Custom Picture Controls...............................................177
Sharing Custom Picture Controls.................................................180
Preserving Detail in Highlights and Shadows .....................182
Active D-Lighting...............................................................................182
High Dynamic Range (HDR)...........................................................184
Flash Photography 189

Using the Built-in Flash ............................................................189

Flash Modes.........................................................................................191
Flash Compensation.................................................................196
FV Lock ........................................................................................198
Other Shooting Options 201

The R Button (Viewfinder Photography) ............................201

The b button ..............................................................................205
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings....................206
Multiple Exposure .....................................................................209
Interval Timer Photography....................................................216
Time-Lapse Photography ........................................................223
Non-CPU Lenses ........................................................................229
Location Data.............................................................................233
More About Playback 235

Viewing Images .........................................................................235

Full-Frame Playback..........................................................................235
Thumbnail Playback .........................................................................235

v
 Photo Information.................................................................... 238
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom.................................. 248
Protecting Photographs from Deletion ............................... 250
Deleting Photographs ............................................................. 251
Full-Frame and Thumbnail Playback.......................................... 251
The Playback Menu .......................................................................... 252
Connections 253

Installing ViewNX 2 .................................................................. 253

Using ViewNX 2......................................................................... 257
Copy Pictures to the Computer ................................................... 257
Ethernet and Wireless Networks.................................................. 261
Printing Photographs .............................................................. 263
Connecting the Printer.................................................................... 263
Printing Pictures One at a Time.................................................... 264
Printing Multiple Pictures............................................................... 266
Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set ...................................... 267
Viewing Photographs on TV................................................... 269
HDMI Options..................................................................................... 270
Menu Guide 272

Defaults ...................................................................................... 272

D The Playback Menu: Managing Images.......................... 280
Playback Menu Options.................................................................. 280
Playback Folder .......................................................................... 281
Hide Image................................................................................... 281
Playback Display Options ....................................................... 282
Copy Image(s) ............................................................................. 283
Image Review.............................................................................. 287
After Delete.................................................................................. 287
Rotate Tall..................................................................................... 288
Slide Show.................................................................................... 288

vi
C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options...........................290
Shooting Menu Options..................................................................290
Shooting Menu Bank ................................................................291
Extended Menu Banks..............................................................292
Storage Folder.............................................................................293
File Naming ..................................................................................295
JPEG/TIFF Recording .................................................................295
NEF (RAW) Recording ...............................................................295
Color Space...................................................................................296
Vignette Control .........................................................................297
Auto Distortion Control ...........................................................298
Long Exposure NR
(Long Exposure Noise Reduction) ...................................299
High ISO NR ..................................................................................299
A Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings ............300
Custom Settings.................................................................................301
Custom Settings Bank ..............................................................304
a: Autofocus ....................................................................................306
a1: AF-C Priority Selection.......................................................306
a2: AF-S Priority Selection .......................................................307
a3: Focus Tracking with Lock-On..........................................308
a4: AF Activation.........................................................................308
a5: Focus Point Illumination...................................................309
a6: AF Point Illumination .........................................................310
a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around................................................310
a8: Number of Focus Points....................................................311
a9: Store by Orientation...........................................................312
a10: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator.........................................313
a11: Limit AF-Area Mode Selection......................................314
a12: Autofocus Mode Restrictions .......................................314

vii
 b: Metering/Exposure ................................................................. 315
b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value................................................ 315
b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl ............................................ 315
b3: Exp./Flash Comp. Step Value.......................................... 315
b4: Easy Exposure Compensation........................................ 316
b5: Matrix Metering................................................................... 317
b6: Center-Weighted Area...................................................... 317
b7: Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure.......................................... 318
c: Timers/AE Lock.......................................................................... 319
c1: Shutter-Release Button AE-L........................................... 319
c2: Standby Timer ...................................................................... 319
c3: Self-Timer............................................................................... 319
c4: Monitor off Delay ................................................................ 320
d: Shooting/Display ..................................................................... 321
d1: Beep......................................................................................... 321
d2: CL Mode Shooting Speed................................................ 321
d3: Max. Continuous Release................................................. 322
d4: Exposure Delay Mode ....................................................... 322
d5: Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter................................... 323
d6: File Number Sequence ..................................................... 324
d7: Viewfinder Grid Display.................................................... 325
d8: ISO Display and Adjustment........................................... 325
d9: Screen Tips............................................................................ 325
d10: Information Display......................................................... 326
d11: LCD Illumination............................................................... 326
d12: MB-D12 Battery Type...................................................... 327
d13: Battery Order ..................................................................... 328

viii
e: Bracketing/Flash .......................................................................329
e1: Flash Sync Speed.................................................................329
e2: Flash Shutter Speed ...........................................................331
e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash.............................................331
e4: Exposure Comp. for Flash.................................................338
e5: Modeling Flash.....................................................................338
e6: Auto Bracketing Set............................................................338
e7: Auto Bracketing (Mode M)...............................................339
e8: Bracketing Order .................................................................340
f: Controls.........................................................................................341
f1: D Switch..................................................................................341
f2: Multi Selector Center Button ...........................................341
f3: Multi Selector.........................................................................343
f4: Assign Fn Button ..................................................................343
f5: Assign Preview Button .......................................................349
f6: Assign AE-L/AF-L button ...................................................349
f7: Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock ...........................................350
f8: Assign BKT Button................................................................350
f9: Customize Command Dials ..............................................351
f10: Release Button to Use Dial .............................................353
f11: Slot Empty Release Lock..................................................354
f12: Reverse Indicators .............................................................354
f13: Assign Movie Record Button .........................................355
f14: Live View Button Options ...............................................356
f15: Assign MB-D12 AF-ON .....................................................356
f16: Assign Remote (WR) Fn Button.....................................357
f17: Lens Focus Function Buttons ........................................359

ix
 g: Movie............................................................................................ 361
g1: Assign Fn Button................................................................. 361
g2: Assign Preview Button...................................................... 362
g3: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button.................................................. 363
g4: Assign Shutter Button....................................................... 364
B The Setup Menu: Camera Setup......................................... 365
Setup Menu Options........................................................................ 365
Format Memory Card ............................................................... 366
Monitor Brightness.................................................................... 367
Monitor Color Balance ............................................................. 368
Image Dust Off Ref Photo ....................................................... 369
Flicker Reduction ....................................................................... 371
Time Zone and Date ................................................................. 372
Language...................................................................................... 372
Auto Image Rotation ................................................................ 373
Battery Info................................................................................... 374
Image Comment ........................................................................ 375
Copyright Information............................................................. 376
Save/Load Settings ................................................................... 377
Virtual Horizon............................................................................ 379
AF Fine-Tune ............................................................................... 380
Eye-Fi Upload .............................................................................. 382
Firmware Version....................................................................... 383

x
N The Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies ...........384
Retouch Menu Options ...................................................................384
D-Lighting.....................................................................................388
Red-Eye Correction....................................................................389
Trim .................................................................................................390
Monochrome ...............................................................................392
Filter Effects..................................................................................393
Color Balance...............................................................................394
Image Overlay .............................................................................395
NEF (RAW) Processing ..............................................................399
Resize..............................................................................................401
Quick Retouch .............................................................................404
Straighten .....................................................................................404
Distortion Control ......................................................................405
Fisheye ...........................................................................................406
Color Outline................................................................................406
Color Sketch .................................................................................407
Perspective Control ...................................................................408
Miniature Effect...........................................................................409
Selective Color.............................................................................410
Side-by-Side Comparison........................................................412
O My Menu/m Recent Settings ..............................................414

xi
 Technical Notes 419

Compatible Lenses................................................................... 419

Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) ....................................... 428
The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)............................... 428
Other Accessories ..................................................................... 436
Attaching a Power Connector and AC Adapter ..................... 442
Caring for the Camera ............................................................. 444
Storage.................................................................................................. 444
Cleaning................................................................................................ 444
Image Sensor Cleaning ................................................................... 445
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions ..................... 452
Exposure Program.................................................................... 458
Troubleshooting....................................................................... 459
Battery/Display................................................................................... 459
Shooting ............................................................................................... 460
Playback................................................................................................ 464
Miscellaneous..................................................................................... 465
Error Messages.......................................................................... 466
Specifications ............................................................................ 473
Approved Memory Cards........................................................ 487
Memory Card Capacity ............................................................ 489
Battery Life................................................................................. 492
Lenses That May Block the Built-in Flash and AF-Assist
Illuminator............................................................................ 494
Index ........................................................................................... 498

xii
 For Your Safety
To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others,
read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this
equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the
product will read them.
The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions
listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol:

A This icon marks warnings. To prevent possible injury, read all

warnings before using this Nikon product.

❚❚ WARNINGS
A Keep the sun out of the frame A Turn off immediately in the event of
Keep the sun well out of the frame malfunction
when shooting backlit subjects. Should you notice smoke or an
Sunlight focused into the camera unusual smell coming from the
when the sun is in or close to the equipment or AC adapter (available
frame could cause a fire. separately), unplug the AC adapter
A Do not look at the sun through the and remove the battery immediately,
viewfinder taking care to avoid burns.
Viewing the sun or other strong light Continued operation could result in
source through the viewfinder could injury. After removing the battery,
cause permanent visual impairment. take the equipment to a Nikon-
authorized service center for
A Using the viewfinder diopter adjustment
inspection.
control
When operating the viewfinder A Do not use in the presence of flammable
diopter adjustment control with your gas
eye to the viewfinder, care should be Do not use electronic equipment in
taken not to put your finger in your the presence of flammable gas, as
eye accidentally. this could result in explosion or fire.
A Keep out of reach of children
Failure to observe this precaution
could result in injury. In addition,
note that small parts constitute a
choking hazard. Should a child
swallow any part of this equipment,
consult a physician immediately.

xiii
 A Do not disassemble A Observe caution when using the flash
Touching the product’s internal parts • Using the camera with the flash in
could result in injury. In the event of close contact with the skin or other
malfunction, the product should be objects could cause burns.
repaired only by a qualified • Using the flash close to the subject’s
technician. Should the product break eyes could cause temporary visual
open as the result of a fall or other impairment. The flash should be no
accident, remove the battery and/or less than one meter (3 ft 4 in.) from
AC adapter and then take the product the subject. Particular care should
to a Nikon-authorized service center be observed when photographing
for inspection. infants.
A Do not place the strap around the neck of A Avoid contact with liquid crystal
an infant or child Should the monitor break, care
Placing the camera strap around the should be taken to avoid injury due to
neck of an infant or child could result broken glass and to prevent the liquid
in strangulation. crystal from the monitor touching the
A Do not remain in contact with the skin or entering the eyes or mouth.
camera, battery, or charger for extended A Do not carry tripods with a lens or camera
periods while the devices are on or in use attached
Parts of the device become hot. You could trip or accidentally strike
Leaving the device in direct contact others, resulting in injury.
with the skin for extended periods
may result in low-temperature burns.
A Do not leave the product where it will be
exposed to extremely high
temperatures, such as in an enclosed
automobile or in direct sunlight
Failure to observe this precaution
could cause damage or fire.
A Do not aim a flash at the operator of a
motor vehicle
Failure to observe this precaution
could result in accidents.

xiv
A Observe proper precautions when • When the battery is not in use,
handling batteries attach the terminal cover and store
Batteries may leak or explode if in a cool, dry place.
improperly handled. Observe the • The battery may be hot
following precautions when handling immediately after use or when the
batteries for use in this product: product has been used on battery
• Use only batteries approved for use power for an extended period.
in this equipment. Before removing the battery turn
• Do not short or disassemble the the camera off and allow the battery
battery. to cool.
• Be sure the product is off before • Discontinue use immediately
replacing the battery. If you are should you notice any changes in
using an AC adapter, be sure it is the battery, such as discoloration or
unplugged. deformation.
• Do not attempt to insert the battery A Observe proper precautions when
upside down or backwards. handling the charger
• Do not expose the battery to flame • Keep dry. Failure to observe this
or to excessive heat. precaution could result in injury or
• Do not immerse in or expose to product malfunction due to fire or
water. electric shock.
• Replace the terminal cover when • Do not short the charger terminals.
transporting the battery. Do not Failure to observe this precaution
transport or store the battery with could result in overheating and
metal objects such as necklaces or damage to the charger.
hairpins. • Dust on or near the metal parts of
• Batteries are prone to leakage when the plug should be removed with a
fully discharged. To avoid damage dry cloth. Continued use could
to the product, be sure to remove result in fire.
the battery when no charge
remains.

xv
 • Do not handle the power cable or A Use appropriate cables
go near the charger during When connecting cables to the input
thunderstorms. Failure to observe and output jacks, use only the cables
this precaution could result in provided or sold by Nikon for the
electric shock. purpose to maintain compliance with
• Do not damage, modify, or forcibly product regulations.
tug or bend the power cable. Do A CD-ROMs
not place it under heavy objects or CD-ROMs containing software or
expose it to heat or flame. Should manuals should not be played back
the insulation be damaged and the on audio CD equipment. Playing CD-
wires become exposed, take the ROMs on an audio CD player could
power cable to a Nikon-authorized cause hearing loss or damage the
service representative for equipment.
inspection. Failure to observe this
A Follow the directions of airline and
precaution could result in fire or
hospital personnel
electric shock.
This camera transmits radio
• Do not handle the plug or charger
frequencies that could interfere with
with wet hands. Failure to observe
medical equipment or aircraft
this precaution could result in injury
navigation. Disable the wireless
or product malfunction due to fire or
network feature and remove all
electric shock.
wireless accessories from the camera
• Do not use with travel converters or
before boarding an aircraft, and turn
adapters designed to convert from
the camera off during take off and
one voltage to another or with DC-
landing. In medical facilities, follow
to-AC inverters. Failure to observe
staff instructions regarding the use of
this precaution could damage the
wireless devices.
product or cause overheating or fire.

xvi
Notices
• No part of the manuals included • Nikon will not be held liable for any
with this product may be damages resulting from the use of
reproduced, transmitted, this product.
transcribed, stored in a retrieval • While every effort has been made to
system, or translated into any ensure that the information in these
language in any form, by any means, manuals is accurate and complete,
without Nikon’s prior written we would appreciate it were you to
permission. bring any errors or omissions to the
• Nikon reserves the right to change attention of the Nikon
the specifications of the hardware representative in your area (address
and software described in these provided separately).
manuals at any time and without
prior notice.
Notice for Customers in Canada
CAN ICES-3 B / NMB-3 B
Notices for Customers in Europe
CAUTION: RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT
TYPE. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS.

This symbol indicates that This symbol on the battery

electrical and electronic indicates that the battery
equipment is to be is to be collected
collected separately. separately.
The following apply only The following apply only to users in
to users in European countries: European countries:
• This product is designated for • All batteries, whether marked with
separate collection at an this symbol or not, are designated
appropriate collection point. Do not for separate collection at an
dispose of as household waste. appropriate collection point. Do not
• Separate collection and recycling dispose of as household waste.
helps conserve natural resources • For more information, contact the
and prevent negative consequences retailer or the local authorities in
for human health and the charge of waste management.
environment that might result from
incorrect disposal.
• For more information, contact the
retailer or the local authorities in
charge of waste management.

xvii
 Notices for Customers in the U.S.A.
Power Cable
At voltages over AC 125 V (U.S.A. only): The power cable must be rated for the
voltage in use, be at least AWG no. 18 gauge, and have SVG insulation or
better with a NEMA 6P-15 plug rated for AC 250 V 15 A.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC rules. These limits are
D810
designed to provide reasonable CAUTIONS
protection against harmful interference
Modifications
in a residential installation. This
The FCC requires the user be notified
equipment generates, uses, and can
that any changes or modifications
radiate radio frequency energy and, if
made to this device that are not
not installed and used in accordance
expressly approved by Nikon
with the instructions, may cause harmful
Corporation may void the user’s
interference to radio communications.
authority to operate the equipment.
However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular Interface Cables
installation. If this equipment does Use the interface cables sold or
cause harmful interference to radio or provided by Nikon for your
television reception, which can be equipment. Using other interface
determined by turning the equipment cables may exceed the limits of Class
off and on, the user is encouraged to try B Part 15 of the FCC rules.
to correct the interference by one or Notice for Customers in the State of California
more of the following measures:
WARNING: Handling the cord on this
• Reorient or relocate the receiving
product may expose you to lead, a
antenna.
chemical known to the State of
• Increase the separation between the
California to cause birth defects or
equipment and receiver.
other reproductive harm. Wash hands
• Connect the equipment into an
after handling.
outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected. Nikon Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road,
• Consult the dealer or an experienced Melville, New York 11747-3064, U.S.A.
radio/television technician for help. Tel.: 631-547-4200

xviii
Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction
Note that simply being in possession of material that has been digitally
copied or reproduced by means of a scanner, digital camera, or other device
may be punishable by law.
• Items prohibited by law from being copied • Cautions on certain copies and
or reproduced reproductions
Do not copy or reproduce paper The government has issued cautions
money, coins, securities, government on copies or reproductions of
bonds, or local government bonds, securities issued by private
even if such copies or reproductions companies (shares, bills, checks, gift
are stamped “Sample.” certificates, etc.), commuter passes,
or coupon tickets, except when a
The copying or reproduction of
minimum of necessary copies are to
paper money, coins, or securities
be provided for business use by a
which are circulated in a foreign
company. Also, do not copy or
country is prohibited.
reproduce passports issued by the
Unless the prior permission of the government, licenses issued by
government has been obtained, the public agencies and private groups,
copying or reproduction of unused ID cards, and tickets, such as passes
postage stamps or post cards issued and meal coupons.
by the government is prohibited.
• Comply with copyright notices
The copying or reproduction of The copying or reproduction of
stamps issued by the government copyrighted creative works such as
and of certified documents books, music, paintings, woodcuts,
stipulated by law is prohibited. prints, maps, drawings, movies, and
photographs is governed by
national and international copyright
laws. Do not use this product for the
purpose of making illegal copies or
to infringe copyright laws.

xix
 Disposing of Data Storage Devices
Please note that deleting images or formatting memory cards or other data
storage devices does not completely erase the original image data. Deleted
files can sometimes be recovered from discarded storage devices using
commercially available software, potentially resulting in the malicious use of
personal image data. Ensuring the privacy of such data is the user’s
responsibility.
Before discarding a data storage device or transferring ownership to another
person, erase all data using commercial deletion software, or format the
device and then completely refill it with images containing no private
information (for example, pictures of empty sky). Be sure to also replace any
pictures selected for preset manual (0 167). Before discarding the camera or
transferring ownership to another person, you should also use the
Network > Network settings option in the camera setup menu to delete any
personal network information. For more information, see the documentation
provided with the optional communication unit. Care should be taken to
avoid injury when physically destroying data storage devices.
AVC Patent Portfolio License
THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL
AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED
BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS
OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS
GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE http://www.mpegla.com

xx
Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories
Nikon cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex
electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including
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.
The use of non-Nikon electronic accessories could damage
the camera and may void your Nikon warranty. The use of
third-party rechargeable Li-ion batteries not bearing the
Nikon holographic seal shown at right could interfere with
normal operation of the camera or result in the batteries overheating,
igniting, rupturing, or leaking.
For more information about Nikon brand accessories, contact a local
authorized Nikon dealer.

xxi
 D Use Only Nikon Brand Accessories
Only Nikon brand accessories certified by Nikon specifically for use
with your Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate
within its operational and safety requirements. THE USE OF NON-NIKON
ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA AND MAY VOID YOUR NIKON
WARRANTY.

A Before Taking Important Pictures

Before taking pictures on important occasions (such as at weddings or
before taking the camera on a trip), take a test shot to ensure that the
camera is functioning normally. Nikon will not be held liable for
damages or lost profits that may result from product malfunction.
A Life-Long Learning
As part of Nikon’s “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing
product support and education, continually-updated information is
available on-line at the following sites:
• For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/
• For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support/
• For users in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East: http://www.nikon-asia.com/
Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information,
tips, answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and general advice
on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be
available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the following
URL for contact information: http://imaging.nikon.com/

xxii
Introduction
Getting to Know the Camera
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls
and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this section
and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual.

Camera Body

1 Release mode dial ......................102 8 Sub-command dial .................... 351

2 Release mode dial 9 Power switch ................................. 16
lock release .................................102 10 Shutter-release button................ 30
3 T button ..................79, 83, 206 11 E button.............................. 130, 206
4 U button .................149, 153, 157 12 Movie-record button ................... 52
5 S button...........................109, 111 13 I/Q button................. 116, 366
6 Y button......................................115 14 Control panel....................................5
7 Accessory shoe 15 Main command dial................... 351
(for optional flash unit) 16 Focal plane mark (E) ............... 101
.....................................435, 436, 479

1
 Camera Body (Continued)

1 Built-in flash................................. 189 10 Focus-mode selector .... 39, 87, 100

2 Flash pop-up button.................. 189 11 Lens mounting mark ....................15
3 D button........ 134, 139, 143, 350 12 Mirror.................................... 108, 448
4 M/Y button ....................... 190, 196 13 Metering coupling lever ........... 477
5 Audio connector cover..........56, 63 14 Headphone connector.................56
6 USB connector cover ........ 257, 263 15 Connector for external
7 HDMI connector cover .............. 269 microphone...................................63
8 Lens release button.......................23 16 USB connector ................... 257, 263
9 AF-mode button ........39, 41, 88, 91 17 HDMI connector ......................... 269

D The Speaker
Do not place the speaker in close proximity to magnetic devices.
Failure to observe this precaution could affect the data recorded on
the magnetic devices.
D Close the Connector Cover
Close the connector cover when the connectors are not in use. Foreign
matter in the connectors can interfere with data transfer.

2
1 Stereo microphone.................49, 62 10 Tripod socket
2 AF-assist illuminator...................313 11 Lens mount ........................... 15, 101
Self-timer lamp............................107 12 CPU contacts
Red-eye reduction lamp ...........191 13 Ten-pin remote terminal
3 Pv button ............. 54, 117, 349, 362 cover.................................... 233, 439
4 Fn button....................... 78, 343, 361 14 Flash sync terminal cover ......... 429
5 Memory card slot cover.........14, 21 15 Flash sync terminal .................... 429
6 Power connector cover .............442 16 Ten-pin remote
7 Battery-chamber cover latch ..... 14 terminal .............................. 233, 439
8 Battery-chamber cover ............... 14 17 Body cap ................................ 15, 436
9 Contact cover for optional
MB-D12 battery pack................436

3
 Camera Body (Continued)

1 Eyepiece shutter lever .........23, 106 13 Memory card access lamp.... 21, 30
2 Viewfinder .......................................17 14 R (info) button ...................... 8, 201
3 Viewfinder eyepiece ............23, 106 15 b button .............9, 42, 55, 205, 386
4 Diopter adjustment control ........17 16 Monitor
5 A button .......36, 97, 128, 349, 363 ............. 31, 35, 42, 49, 56, 235, 367
6 B button.............................50, 88 17 J (OK) button................................25
7 Eyelet for camera strap ................12 18 W button ............. 38, 44, 235, 248
8 Multi selector...........................11, 25 19 X button................. 38, 44, 235, 248
9 Focus selector lock ........................94 20 L/Z/Q button........25, 171, 250
10 Speaker ............................................66 21 G button ...........................24, 272
11 a button .................................35, 49 22 K button ...............................31, 235
12 Live view selector ...................35, 49 23 O/Q button ................33, 251, 366

4
The Control Panel
The control panel shows a variety of camera settings when the
camera is on. The items shown here appear the first time the
camera is turned on; information on other settings can be found
in the relevant sections of this manual.
1 2 3 4 5

14 6
13 7
8
12 9
10
11
1 Exposure mode ...........................116 9 Number of exposures
2 Metering .......................................114 remaining............................. 20, 489
3 Shutter speed .....................119, 121 10 Focus mode.................................... 87
4 B indicator ...............................372 11 White balance.............................. 148
5 Aperture (f-number) .........120, 121 12 Image quality ................................ 79
6 CompactFlash memory card 13 AF-area mode ..........................90, 91
indicator......................................... 14 14 Image size (JPEG and TIFF
7 SD memory card indicator.......... 14 images) .......................................... 83
8 Battery indicator ........................... 19

A The B Indicator
The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power
source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is
installed or the camera is powered by an optional power connector
and AC adapter (0 436). Two days of charging will power the clock for
about three months. If the B icon flashes in the control panel, the
clock has been reset and the date and time recorded with any new
photographs will not be correct. Set the clock to the correct time and
date using the Time zone and date > Date and time option in the
setup menu (0 18).

5
 The Viewfinder Display

1 Framing grid (displayed when On 6 Metering....................................... 114

is selected for Custom Setting d7) 7 Autoexposure (AE) lock............. 128
....................................................... 325 8 Shutter speed lock icon ............ 126
2 Focus points.... 17, 30, 94, 310, 311 9 Shutter speed..................... 119, 121
AF-area mode ..........................90, 91 Autofocus mode ............................87
3 AF area brackets....................17, 239 10 Aperture lock icon...................... 127
4 Virtual horizon display .............. 347 11 Aperture (f-number)......... 120, 121
5 Focus indicator......................30, 101 Aperture (number of stops)
.............................................. 120, 424

6
 12 Exposure mode ...........................116 17 Flash-ready indicator................. 189
13 Flash compensation indicator 18 FV lock indicator ......................... 199
.......................................................196 19 Flash sync indicator.................... 329
14 Exposure compensation 20 Aperture stop indicator.... 120, 424
indicator.......................................131 21 Exposure indicator ..................... 122
15 ISO sensitivity ..............................109 Exposure compensation
Preset manual white balance display.......................................... 131
recording indicator ...................160 22 Low battery warning ................... 19
ADL bracketing amount ...........348
23 Exposure/flash bracketing
AF-area mode ...................90, 91, 92
indicator ...................................... 134
16 Number of exposures WB bracketing indicator .......... 139
remaining ............................. 19, 489 ADL bracketing indicator.......... 143
Number of shots remaining before
24 Auto ISO sensitivity
memory buffer fills...........105, 489
indicator ...................................... 112
Exposure compensation
value .............................................131 25 “k” (appears when memory
Flash compensation value........196 remains for over 1000
exposures)..................................... 20
Note: Display shown with all indicators lit for illustrative purposes.

D No Battery
When the battery is totally exhausted or no battery is inserted, the
display in the viewfinder will dim. This is normal and does not indicate
a malfunction. The viewfinder display will return to normal when a
fully-charged battery is inserted.
D The Control Panel and Viewfinder Displays
The brightness of the control panel and viewfinder displays varies with
temperature, and the response times of the displays may drop at low
temperatures. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

7
 The R Button
Press the R button to view shooting
information during viewfinder
photography (0 201).

R button

8
The b button
Use the b button for quick access to
frequently-used settings in playback
mode (0 386) and during viewfinder
(0 205) and live view photography
(0 42) and movie live view (0 55).

b button

Viewfinder photography Playback

Live view photography Movie live view

9
 The BM-12 Monitor Cover
A clear plastic cover is provided with the
camera to keep the monitor clean and
protect it when the camera is not in use.
To attach the cover, insert the projection
on the top of the cover into the
matching indentation above the camera
monitor (q) and press the bottom of
the cover until it clicks into place (w).

To remove the cover, hold the camera

firmly and pull the bottom of the cover
gently outwards as shown at right.

10
The Multi Selector
In this manual, operations using the multi selector are
represented by 1, 3, 4, and 2 icons.

1: Press the multi selector up

The center of the multi
selector

4: Press the multi 2: Press the multi

selector left selector right

3: Press the multi selector down

11
 First Steps
Follow the seven steps below to ready the camera for use.

1 Attach the strap.

Attach the strap as shown. Repeat for the second eyelet.

D The Battery and Charger

Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages xiii–xvi and 452–457
of this manual.

12
2 Charge the battery.
Insert the battery and plug the charger in (depending on the
country or region, the charger comes with either an AC wall
adapter or a power cable). An exhausted battery will fully
charge in about two hours and 35 minutes.
• AC wall adapter: Insert the AC wall adapter into the charger AC
inlet (q). Slide the AC wall adapter latch as shown (w) and
rotate the adapter 90 ° to fix it in place (e). Insert the
battery and plug the charger in.
AC wall adapter latch

90 °

• Power cable: After connecting the power cable with the plug
in the orientation shown, insert the battery and plug the
cable in.

The CHARGE lamp will flash while the battery charges.

Battery charging Charging complete

13
 3 Insert the battery and a memory card.
Before inserting or removing the battery or memory cards,
confirm that power switch is in the OFF position. Insert the
battery in the orientation shown, using the battery to keep
the orange battery latch pressed to one side. The latch locks
the battery in place when the battery is fully inserted.

Battery latch

Memory cards are inserted as shown below.

• SD memory cards: Slide the card in until it clicks into place.

• CompactFlash memory cards: Slide the card in, stopping when

the eject button pops up.

Eject button

14
4 Attach a lens.
Be careful to prevent dust from entering the camera when
the lens or body cap is removed. The lens generally used in
this manual for illustrative purposes is an AF-S NIKKOR 24–
120mm f/4G ED VR.

Remove the
camera body cap

Remove the rear lens cap

Mounting mark (camera)

Align the mounting

marks Mounting mark (lens)

Rotate the lens as shown until it clicks into place

Be sure to remove the lens cap before taking pictures.

15
 5 Turn the camera on. Power switch
Turn the camera on. The
control panel will light.

Control panel

A LCD Illuminators
Rotating the power switch toward D activates the
standby timer and control panel backlight (LCD illuminator),
allowing the display to be read in the dark. After the power
switch is released, the illuminators will remain lit for six
seconds while the standby timer is active or until the
shutter is released or the power switch is rotated toward D again.

16
6 Focus the viewfinder.
Lift the diopter adjustment control
and rotate it until the viewfinder
display, focus points, and AF area
brackets are in sharp focus. When
operating the control with your eye
to the viewfinder, be careful not to
put your fingers or fingernails in your eye. Push the diopter
adjustment control back in once you have adjusted focus to
your satisfaction.

Focus point

AF area brackets

Viewfinder not in focus Viewfinder in focus

17
 7 Choose a language and set the
camera clock.
Use the Language and Time zone
and date options in the setup menu
to choose a language and set the
camera clock (Language is
automatically shown highlighted the G button
first time the menus are displayed).
Time zone and date is used to
choose a time zone (Time zone),
choose a date format (Date format),
turn daylight saving time on and off
(Daylight saving time), and set the
camera clock to the current date and
time (Date and time; note that the
camera uses a 24-hour clock). For
information on using the menus, see
“Using Camera Menus” (0 25).

The camera is now ready for use. Proceed to page 29 for

information on taking photographs.

18
❚❚ Battery Level
The battery level is shown in the control
panel and viewfinder.

Control panel

Viewfinder
Control panel Viewfinder Description
L — Battery fully charged.
K —
J — Battery partially discharged.
I —
Low battery. Charge battery or ready spare
H d
battery.
H d Shutter release disabled. Charge or
(flashes) (flashes) exchange battery.

19
 ❚❚ Number of Exposures Remaining
The memory cards currently inserted in
the camera are indicated as shown (the
example at right shows the icons
displayed when both an SD and a
CompactFlash card are inserted). If the Control panel
memory card is full or an error has
occurred, the icon for the affected card will flash (0 468).
The control panel and viewfinder show Number of exposures
the number of photographs that can be remaining
taken at current settings (values over
1000 are rounded down to the nearest
hundred; e.g., values between 1200 and
1299 are shown as 1.2 k).
Control panel

Viewfinder

A Camera Off Display

If the camera is turned off with a battery
and memory card inserted, the memory
card icon and number of exposures
remaining will be displayed (some memory
cards may in rare cases only display this
information when the camera is on). Control panel

20
❚❚ Removing the Battery and Memory Cards
Removing the Battery
Turn the camera off and open the
battery-chamber cover. Press the
battery latch in the direction shown by
the arrow to release the battery and
then remove the battery by hand.

Removing Memory Cards

After confirming that the memory card access lamp is off, turn
the camera off and open the memory card slot cover.
• SD memory cards: Press the card in and
then release it (q). The memory card
can then be removed by hand (w).

16GB
• CompactFlash memory cards: Press the
eject button (q) to partially eject the
card (w). The memory card can then 16GB
be removed by hand. Do not push on
the memory card while pressing the
eject button. Failure to observe this
precaution could damage the camera
or memory card.

21
 D Memory Cards
• Memory cards may be hot after use. Observe due caution when
removing memory cards from the camera.
• Turn the power off before inserting or removing memory cards. Do
not remove memory cards from the camera, turn the camera off, or
remove or disconnect the power source during formatting or while
data are being recorded, deleted, or copied to a computer. Failure to
observe these precautions could result in loss of data or in damage to
the camera or card.
• Do not touch the card terminals with your fingers or metal objects.
• Do not bend, drop, or subject to strong physical shocks.
• Do not apply force to the card casing. Failure to observe this
precaution could damage the card.
• Do not expose to water, high levels of humidity, or direct sunlight.
• Do not format memory cards in a computer.
A The Write Protect Switch
SD memory cards are equipped
with a write protect switch to
prevent accidental loss of data.
When this switch is in the “lock” Write-protect switch
position, the memory card can not
be formatted and photos can not be deleted or recorded (a warning
will be displayed in the monitor if you attempt to release the shutter).
To unlock the memory card, slide the switch to the “write” position.
A No Memory Card
If no memory card is inserted, the control
panel and viewfinder will show S. If the
camera is turned off with a charged
battery and no memory card inserted, S
will be displayed in the control panel.

22
❚❚ Detaching the Lens
Be sure the camera is off when removing
or exchanging lenses. To remove the
lens, press and hold the lens release
button (q) while turning the lens
clockwise (w). After removing the lens,
replace the lens caps and camera body
cap.

D CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings

In the case of CPU lenses equipped with an aperture ring (0 422), lock
aperture at the minimum setting (highest f-number).
A Diopter-Adjustment Viewfinder Lenses
Corrective lenses (available separately;
0 438) can be used to further adjust
viewfinder diopter. Before attaching a
diopter-adjustment viewfinder lens,
remove the viewfinder eyepiece by closing
the viewfinder shutter to release the
eyepiece lock (q) and then unscrewing the
eyepiece as shown at right (w).

23
 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:
• D: Playback (0 280) • N: Retouch (0 384)
• C: Shooting (0 290) • O/m: MY MENU or RECENT SETTINGS
• A: Custom Settings (0 300) (defaults to MY MENU; 0 414)
• B: Setup (0 365)

Slider shows position in current

menu.

Current settings are shown by icons.

Menu options
Options in current menu.

Help icon (0 25)

24
Using Camera Menus
❚❚ Menu Controls
The multi selector and J button are used to navigate the menus.
Multi selector
Move cursor up
Select highlighted item

Cancel and return to Select highlighted

previous menu item or display sub-
menu
J button
Select highlighted
Move cursor down
item

A The d (Help) Icon

If a d icon is displayed at the bottom left corner of the monitor, help
can be displayed by pressing the L (Z/Q) button.
A description of the currently selected option or menu will be
displayed while the button is pressed. Press 1 or 3 to scroll through
the display.

L (Z/Q) button

25
 ❚❚ Navigating the Menus
Follow the steps below to navigate the menus.

1 Display the menus.

Press the G button to display the
menus.

G button

2 Highlight the icon for the

current menu.
Press 4 to highlight the
icon for the current menu.

3 Select a menu.
Press 1 or 3 to select the desired menu.

26
4 Position the cursor in the
selected menu.
Press 2 to position the
cursor in the selected
menu.

5 Highlight a menu item.

Press 1 or 3 to highlight a
menu item.

6 Display options.
Press 2 to display options
for the selected menu
item.

7 Highlight an option.
Press 1 or 3 to highlight
an option.

27
 8 Select the highlighted item.
Press J to select the highlighted
item. To exit without making a
selection, press the G button.

J button

Note the following points:

• Menu items that are displayed in gray are not currently
available.
• While pressing 2 or the center of the multi selector generally
has the same effect as pressing J, there are some cases in
which selection can only be made by pressing J.
• To exit the menus and return to shooting mode, press the
shutter-release button halfway.

28
Basic Photography and Playback
“Point-and-Shoot” Photography

1 Ready the Camera.

When framing photographs in the
viewfinder, hold the handgrip in your
right hand and cradle the camera
body or lens with your left.

When framing photographs in

portrait (tall) orientation, hold the
camera as shown at right.

2 Frame the photograph.

At default settings, the camera will
focus on the subject in the center
focus point. Frame a photograph in
the viewfinder with the main subject
in the center focus point.
Focus point

29
 3 Press the shutter-release
button halfway.
Press the shutter-release
button halfway to focus (if
the subject is poorly lit,
the AF-assist illuminator
may light). The in-focus Focus indicator
indicator (I) will appear in
the viewfinder when the focus operation is complete.
Viewfinder display Description
I Subject in focus.
F Focus point is between camera and subject.
H Focus point is behind subject.
F H Camera unable to focus on subject in focus point
(flashes) using autofocus. See page 99.

4 Shoot.
Smoothly press the
shutter-release-button the
rest of the way down to
take the photograph. The
memory card access lamp
will light and the Memory card access
photograph will be lamp
displayed in the monitor
for a few seconds. Do not eject the memory card or remove or
disconnect the power source until the lamp has gone out and
recording is complete.

30
Basic Playback
1 Press the K button.
A photograph will be displayed in the
monitor. The memory card
containing the picture currently
displayed is shown by an icon.

K button

2 View additional pictures.

Additional pictures can be
displayed by pressing 4
or 2. To view additional
information on the current
photograph, press 1 and
3 (0 238).

To end playback and return to shooting mode, press the

shutter-release button halfway.

31
 A Image Review
When On is selected for Image review in the playback menu (0 287),
photographs are automatically displayed in the monitor for a few
seconds after shooting.
A See Also
See page 237 for information on choosing a memory card slot.

32
Deleting Unwanted Photographs
To delete the photograph currently displayed in the monitor,
press the O (Q) button. Note that photographs can not be
recovered once deleted.

1 Display the photograph.

Display the photograph you wish to
delete as described on the preceding
page. The location of the current
image is shown by an icon at the
bottom left corner of the display.

2 Delete the photograph.

Press the O (Q) button. A
confirmation dialog will be displayed;
press the O (Q) button again to
delete the image and return to
playback. To exit without deleting
the picture, press K. O (Q) button

A Delete
To delete multiple images or to select the memory card from which
images will be deleted, use the Delete option in the playback menu
(0 252).

33
 A The Standby Timer (Viewfinder Photography)
The viewfinder indicator display and control panel
shutter speed and aperture display will turn off if no
operations are performed for about six seconds, reducing
the drain on the battery. Press the shutter-release button
halfway to reactivate the display. The length of time
before the standby timer expires automatically can be selected using
Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319).

Exposure meters off Exposure meters on

34
Live View Photography
Follow the steps below to take photographs in live view.

1 Rotate the live view selector to C

(live view photography).

Live view selector

2 Press the a button.

The mirror will be raised and the view
through the lens will be displayed in
the camera monitor. The subject will
no longer be visible in the viewfinder.

a button

3 Position the focus point.

Position the focus point over your subject as described on
page 40.

35
 4 Focus.
Press the shutter-release button
halfway to focus.

The focus point will flash green while A AE-L/AF-L button

the camera focuses. If the camera is
able to focus, the focus point will be
displayed in green; if the camera is
unable to focus, the focus point will
flash red (note that pictures can be
taken even when the focus point
flashes red; check focus in the
monitor before shooting). Exposure can be locked by
pressing the A AE-L/AF-L button (0 128); focus locks while the
shutter-release button is pressed halfway.
A Exposure Preview
During live view photography, you can
press J to preview the effects of shutter
speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity on
exposure. Exposure can be adjusted by
±5 EV (0 130), although only values
between –3 and +3 EV are reflected in
the preview display. Note that the
preview may not accurately reflect the
final results when flash lighting is used, Active D-Lighting (0 182),
High Dynamic Range (HDR; 0 184), or bracketing is in effect, A
(auto) is selected for the Picture Control Contrast parameter
(0 174), or a value other than 0 is selected for Clarity (0 174), or
p is selected for shutter speed. If the subject is very bright or
very dark, the exposure indicators will flash to warn that the
preview may not accurately reflect exposure. Exposure preview is
not available when A or & is selected for shutter speed.

36
 D Using Autofocus in Live View Photography and Movie Live View
Use an AF-S lens. The desired results may not be achieved with
other lenses or teleconverters. Note that in live view, autofocus is
slower and the monitor may brighten or darken while the camera
focuses. The focus point may sometimes be displayed in green
when the camera is unable to focus. The camera may be unable to
focus in the following situations:
• The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame
• The subject lacks contrast
• The subject in the focus point contains areas of sharply
contrasting brightness, or includes spot lighting or a neon sign or
other light source that changes in brightness
• Flicker or banding appears under fluorescent, mercury-vapor,
sodium-vapor, or similar lighting
• A cross (star) filter or other special filter is used
• The subject appears smaller than the focus point
• The subject is dominated by regular geometric patterns (e.g.,
blinds or a row of windows in a skyscraper)
• The subject is moving
A The Standby Timer
Regardless of the setting selected for Custom Setting c2 (Standby
timer, 0 319), the standby timer will not expire during live view
photography.

5 Take the picture.

Press the shutter-release button the
rest of the way down to shoot. The
monitor will turn off.

37
 6 Exit live view mode.
Press the a button to exit live view
mode.

A Live View Zoom Preview

Press the X button to magnify the view in the monitor up to a
maximum of about 23×. A navigation window will appear in a gray
frame at the bottom right corner of the display. Use the multi selector
to scroll to areas of the frame not visible in the monitor, or press W to
zoom out.

X button Navigation window

38
Focus
To focus using autofocus, rotate the
focus-mode selector to AF and follow the
steps below to choose autofocus and
AF-area modes. For information on
focusing manually, see page 41.

Focus-mode selector
❚❚ Choosing a Focus Mode
The following autofocus modes are available during live view
photography and movie live view:
Mode Description
Single-servo AF: For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-
AF-S
release button is pressed halfway.
Full-time servo AF: For moving subjects. Camera focuses
AF-F continuously until shutter-release button is pressed. Focus locks
when shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

To choose an autofocus mode, press the AF-mode button and

rotate the main command dial until the desired mode is
displayed in the monitor.

AF-mode button Main command Monitor

dial

39
 ❚❚ Choosing an AF-Area Mode
The following AF-area modes can be selected during live view
photography and movie live view:
Mode Description
Face-priority AF: Use for portraits. The camera automatically
detects and focuses on portrait subjects; the selected subject is
indicated by a double yellow border (if multiple faces, up to a
maximum of 35, are detected, the camera will focus on the
! closest subject; to choose a different subject, use the multi
selector). If the camera can no longer detect the subject
(because, for example, the subject has turned to face away from
the camera), the border will no longer be displayed.
Wide-area AF: Use for hand-held shots of landscapes and other
non-portrait subjects. Use the multi selector to move the focus
5 point anywhere in the frame, or press the center of the multi
selector to position the focus point in the center of the frame.
Normal-area AF: Use for pin-point focus on a selected spot in the
frame. Use the multi selector to move the focus point anywhere
6 in the frame, or press the center of the multi selector to position
the focus point in the center of the frame. A tripod is
recommended.
Subject-tracking AF: Use the multi selector to position the focus
point over your subject and press the center of the multi selector
to start tracking. The focus point will track the selected subject
as it moves through the frame. To end tracking, press the center
& of the multi selector again. Note that the camera may be unable
to track subjects if they move quickly, leave the frame or are
obscured by other objects, change visibly in size, color, or
brightness, or are too small, too large, too bright, too dark, or
similar in color or brightness to the background.

40
To choose an AF-area mode, press the AF-mode button and
rotate the sub-command dial until the desired mode is displayed
in the monitor.

AF-mode button Sub-command Monitor

dial

Manual Focus
To focus in manual focus mode (0 100),
rotate the lens focus ring until the
subject is in focus. To magnify the view
in the monitor for precise focus, press
the X button (0 38).

X button

A Previewing Focus During Live View Photography

To temporarily select maximum aperture for an improved focus
preview during live view photography, press the Pv button. To return
aperture to its original value, press the button again or focus using
autofocus. If the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down to
take a picture during focus preview, aperture will return to the original
value before the photo is taken.

41
 Using the b Button
The options listed below can be
accessed by pressing the b button
during live view photography. Highlight
items using the multi selector and press
2 to view options for the highlighted
item. After choosing the desired setting,
press J to return to the b-button menu. b button
Press the b button again to exit to the
shooting display.

Option Description
Choose an image area for live view photography
Image area
(0 74).
Active D-Lighting Adjust Active D-Lighting (0 182).
Electronic front- Enable or disable the electronic front-curtain shutter
curtain shutter for mirror-up photography (0 323).
Press 1 or 3 to adjust
monitor brightness for live
view photography (note
that this affects live view
only and has no effect on
photographs or movies or
Monitor
on the brightness of the
brightness
monitor for menus or
playback; to adjust the brightness of the monitor for
menus and playback without affecting live view
photography or movie live view, use the Monitor
brightness option in the setup menu as described on
page 367).

42
 Option Description
During live view
photography, the white
balance (hue) of the
monitor can be set to a
value different from that
used for photographs
(0 148). This can be
effective if the lighting
Photo live view
under which shots are framed is different from that
display WB
used when the photographs are taken, as is
sometimes the case when a flash or preset manual
white balance is used. Adjusting the photo live view
display white balance to produce a similar effect to
that used for the actual photographs makes it easier
to picture the results. To use the same white balance
for both the view in the monitor and the photograph,
select None.
View two separate areas of
the frame side-by-side
Split-screen (0 44). This option can be
display zoom used, for example, to align
buildings with the horizon.

43
 ❚❚ Split-Screen Display Zoom
Selecting Split-screen display zoom in
the live view photography b button
menu splits the display into two boxes
showing separate areas of the frame
side-by-side at a high zoom ratio. The
positions of the magnified areas are
shown in the navigation window. Navigation window
Use the X and W buttons to zoom in
and out, or use the L (Z/Q) button to
select a box and press 4 or 2 to scroll
the selected area left or right. Pressing
1 or 3 scrolls both areas up or down
simultaneously. To focus on the subject
at the center of the selected area, press Area in focus
the shutter-release button halfway. To
exit the split-screen display, press the b button.

44
The Live View Display: Live View Photography

Item Description 0
The amount of time remaining before live
q Time remaining view ends automatically. Displayed if 48
shooting will end in 30 s or less.
Photo live view
Monitor hue (photo live view display white
w display white —
balance).
balance indicator
e Autofocus mode The current autofocus mode. 39
r AF-area mode The current AF-area mode. 40
The current focus point. The display varies
t Focus point 40
with the option selected for AF-area mode.

45
 The Information Display: Live View Photography
To hide or display indicators in the monitor during live view
photography, press the R button.
Information on Information off Framing guides

Virtual horizon Histogram (exposure

(0 379) preview only; 0 36)

46
D Shooting in Live View Mode
To prevent light entering via the viewfinder from interfering with
photographs or exposure, close the viewfinder eyepiece shutter.
Although they will not appear in the final picture, jagged edges, color
fringing, moiré, and bright spots may appear in the monitor, while
bright bands may appear in some areas with flashing signs and other
intermittent light sources or if the subject is briefly illuminated by a
strobe or other bright, momentary light source. In addition, distortion
may occur if the camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at
high speed through the frame. Flicker and banding visible in the
monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps can be
reduced using Flicker reduction (0 371), although they may still be
visible in the final photograph at some shutter speeds. When shooting
in live view mode, avoid pointing the camera at the sun or other strong
light sources. Failure to observe this precaution could result in
damage to the camera’s internal circuitry.
Movie recording is not available during live view photography and
pressing the movie-record button has no effect. Select movie live view
(0 49) to shoot movies.

47
 D The Count Down Display
A count down will be displayed 30 s before live view ends
automatically (the timer turns red if live view is about to end to protect
the internal circuits or, if an option other than No limit is selected for
Custom Setting c4—Monitor off delay > Live view; 0 320—5 s
before the monitor is due to turn off automatically). Depending on
shooting conditions, the timer may appear immediately when live
view is selected.
A HDMI
If the camera is attached to an HDMI video device during live view
photography, the camera monitor will remain on and the video device
will display the view through the lens.
A See Also
For information on choosing the role played by the center of the multi
selector, and by the movie-record button and command dials, see
Custom Settings f2 (Multi selector center button, 0 341) and f13
(Assign movie record button, 0 355). For information on preventing
unintended operation of the a button, see Custom Setting f14 (Live
view button options, 0 356).

48
Movie Live View
Movies can be recorded in live view.

1 Rotate the live view selector to 1

(movie live view).

Live view selector

2 Press the a button.

The mirror will be raised and the view
through the lens will be displayed in
the camera monitor as it would
appear in the actual movie, modified
for the effects of exposure. The
subject will no longer be visible in the a button
viewfinder.
D The 0 Icon
A 0 icon (0 57) indicates that movies can not be recorded.
A Audio
The camera can record both video and sound; do not cover the
microphone on the front of the camera during movie recording.
Note that the built-in microphone may record sounds made by the
camera or lens during autofocus, vibration reduction, or changes to
aperture.

49
 3 Choose a focus mode (0 39).

4 Choose an AF-area mode (0 40).

5 Focus. B button
Frame the opening shot and press
the B button to focus. Note that
the number of subjects that can be
detected in face-priority AF drops
during movie recording.

A Focusing in Movie Live View

Focus can also be adjusted by pressing the shutter-release button
halfway before beginning recording.

50
A Exposure Mode
The following settings can be adjusted in movie live view:
ISO
Shutter Exposure
Aperture sensitivity Metering
speed compensation
(0 64)
e, f — — — ✔ ✔
g ✔ — — ✔ ✔
h ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔
In exposure mode h, shutter speed can be set to values between
1
/25 s and 1/8000 s (the slowest available shutter speed varies with the
frame rate; 0 62). In other exposure modes, shutter speed is
adjusted automatically. If the subject is over- or under-exposed in
mode e or f, end live view and start movie live view again or select
exposure g and adjust aperture. Spot metering is not available
during movie live view.
A White Balance
White balance can be set at any time by pressing the U button
and rotating the main command dial (0 149).

51
 6 Start recording.
Press the movie-record button to
start recording. A recording
indicator and the time available are
displayed in the monitor. Exposure
can be locked by pressing the A AE-L/
AF-L button (0 128) or altered by up Movie-record button
to ±3 EV using exposure
Recording indicator
compensation (0 130). In autofocus
mode, the camera can be refocused
by pressing the B button.

Time remaining

7 End recording.
Press the movie-record button again
to end recording. Recording will end
automatically when the maximum
length is reached, or the memory
card is full.
A Maximum Length
The maximum length for individual movie files is 4 GB (for
maximum recording times, see page 62); note that depending on
memory card write speed, shooting may end before this length is
reached (0 487).

52
8 Exit movie live view.
Press the a button to exit movie live
view.

D The Count-Down Display

A count down will be displayed 30 s before movie recording ends
automatically (0 462). Depending on shooting conditions, the
timer may appear immediately when movie recording begins.
Note that regardless of the amount of recording time available, live
view will still end automatically when the timer expires. Wait for
the internal circuits to cool before resuming movie recording.

53
 Indices
If Index marking is selected as the
“press” option for Custom Setting g1
(Assign Fn button; 0 361), g2 (Assign
preview button; 0 362), or g3 (Assign
AE-L/AF-L button; 0 363), you can
press the selected button during
recording to add indices that can be Pv button
used to locate frames during editing and
playback (0 66). Up to 20 indices can be
added to each movie.

Index

A See Also
Frame size, frame rate, microphone sensitivity, card slot, and ISO
sensitivity options are available in the Movie settings menu (0 62).
Focus can be adjusted manually as described on page 41. The roles
played by the center of the multi selector, the Fn, Pv, and A AE-L/AF-L
buttons can be chosen using Custom Settings f2 (Multi selector
center button; 0 341), g1 (Assign Fn button; 0 361), g2 (Assign
preview button; 0 362), and g3 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 0 363;
this option also allows exposure to be locked without keeping the
A AE-L/AF-L button pressed), respectively. Custom Setting g4 (Assign
shutter button; 0 364) controls whether the shutter-release button
can be used to start movie live view or to start and end movie
recording. For information on preventing unintended operation of the
a button, see Custom Setting f14 (Live view button options; 0 356).

54
Using the b Button
The options listed below can be
accessed by pressing the b button in
movie live view. Highlight items using
the multi selector and press 2 to view
options for the highlighted item. After
choosing the desired setting, press J to
return to the b-button menu. Press the b button
b button again to exit to the shooting
display.

Option Description
Image area Choose image area for movie live view (0 59).
Frame size/
Select a frame size and rate (0 62).
frame rate
Movie quality Choose movie quality (0 62).
Press 1 or 3 to adjust
microphone sensitivity
Microphone (0 62). Both the built-in
sensitivity and optional stereo
microphones are affected.

Frequency Control the frequency response of the built-in

response microphone or optional stereo microphones (0 63).
Wind noise Enable or disable wind noise reduction using the
reduction built-in microphone’s low-cut filter (0 63).
When two memory cards are inserted, you can choose
Destination
the card to which movies are recorded (0 63).

55
 Option Description
Press 1 or 3 to adjust
monitor brightness for
movie live view (note that
this affects live view only
Monitor
and has no effect on
brightness
photographs or movies or
on the brightness of the
monitor for menus or
playback; 0 42).
Choose whether the Highlights
brightest areas of the
frame (highlights) are
shown by slanting lines in
Highlight display
the display during movie
live view.

Press 1 or 3 to adjust
headphone volume.
Headphone
volume

A Headphones
Third-party headphones can be used. Note that high sound levels may
result in high volume; particular care should be taken when
headphones are used.

56
The Live View Display: Movie Live View

Item Description 0
q “No movie” icon Indicates that movies can not be recorded. 49
Volume of audio output to headphones.
w Headphone volume Displayed when third-party headphones 56
are connected.
Microphone
e Microphone sensitivity. 62
sensitivity
Sound level for audio recording. Displayed
r Sound level in red if level is too high; adjust 62
microphone sensitivity accordingly.
t Frequency response The current frequency response. 63
Displayed when wind noise reduction is
y Wind noise reduction 63
on.
Time remaining
u The recording time available for movies. 52
(movie live view)
i Movie frame size The frame size for movie recording. 62
Highlight display
o Displayed when highlight display is on. 56
indicator

57
 The Information Display: Movie Live View
To hide or display indicators in the monitor during movie live
view, press the R button.
Information on Information off Framing guides

Virtual horizon Histogram

(0 379)

58
Image Area
Regardless of the option selected for Image area in the shooting
menu (0 74), all movies and photographs recorded in movie live
view (0 49) have an aspect ratio of 16 : 9.
FX-format crop (0 75) DX-format crop (0 75)

DX-based movie
FX-based movie
format crop
format crop

Images recorded with On selected for Image area > Auto DX

crop (0 75) and a DX lens attached use a DX-based movie
format, as do images recorded with DX (24×16) selected for
Image area > Choose image area. Other images use an FX-
based movie format. A a icon is displayed when the DX-based
movie format is selected. The approximate size of the area at the
center of the image sensor used to record photographs taken in
movie live view is 32.8 × 18.4 mm when the FX-based movie
format is selected and 23.4 × 13.2 mm when the DX-based
movie format is selected.

A HDMI
If the camera is connected to an HDMI device (0 48), the view through
the lens will appear both in the camera monitor and on the HDMI
device.

59
 Taking Photos During Movie Live View
If Take photos is selected for Custom Setting g4
(Assign shutter button, 0 364), photographs can be
taken at any time during movie live view by pressing
the shutter-release button all the way down. If movie
recording is in progress, recording will end and the footage
recorded to that point will be saved. The photograph will be
recorded at the current image area setting using a crop with an
aspect ratio of 16 : 9. Image quality is determined by the option
selected for Image quality in the shooting menu (0 79). Note
that the exposure for photographs can not be previewed during
movie live view; mode e, f, or g is recommended but accurate
results can be achieved in mode h by adjusting exposure during
live view photography (0 35) and then ending live view
photography, starting movie live view, and checking the image
area.

A Image Size
The following table shows the size of photographs taken in movie live
view:
Image area Option Size (pixels) Print size (cm/in.) *
Large 6720 × 3776 56.9 × 32.0/22.4 × 12.6
FX-based
Medium 5040 × 2832 42.7 × 24.0/16.8 × 9.4
format
Small 3360 × 1888 28.4 × 16.0/11.2 × 6.3
Large 4800 × 2704 40.6 × 22.9/16.0 × 9.0
DX-based
Medium 3600 × 2024 30.5 × 17.1/12.0 × 6.7
format
Small 2400 × 1352 20.3 × 11.4/ 8.0 × 4.5
* Approximate size when printed at 300 dpi. Print size in inches equals image size in pixels
divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch = approximately 2.54 cm).

60
A Wireless Remote Controllers and Remote Cords
If Record movies is selected for Custom Setting g4 (Assign shutter
button, 0 364), the shutter-release buttons on optional wireless
remote controllers and remote cords (0 439) can be used to start
movie live view and to start and end movie recording.
D Recording Movies
Flicker, banding, or distortion may be visible in the monitor and in the
final movie under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the
camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at high speed
through frame (for information on reducing flicker and banding, see
Flicker reduction, 0 371). Flicker may also appear while power
aperture is in use (0 361). Jagged edges, color fringing, moiré, and
bright spots may also appear. Bright bands may appear in some areas
of the frame with flashing signs and other intermittent light sources or
if the subject is briefly illuminated by a strobe or other bright,
momentary light source. When recording movies, avoid pointing the
camera at the sun or other strong light sources. Failure to observe this
precaution could result in damage to the camera’s internal circuitry.
Note that noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) and
unexpected colors may appear if you zoom in on the view through the
lens (0 38) during movie live view.
Flash lighting can not be used during movie live view.

61
 Movie Settings
Use the Movie settings option in the shooting menu (0 290) to
adjust the following settings.
• Frame size/frame rate, Movie quality: Choose from the following
options:
Maximum bit rate (Mbps) Maximum length
Option *
(★ high quality/Normal) (★ high quality/Normal)
y/y 1920 × 1080; 60p
42/24 10 min./20 min.
z/z 1920 × 1080; 50p
1/1 1920 × 1080; 30p
2/2 1920 × 1080; 25p
3/3 1920 × 1080; 24p 24/12 20 min./29 min. 59 s
4/4 1280 × 720; 60p
5/5 1280 × 720; 50p
* Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps for values listed as 30p, 23.976 fps for values listed as 24p, and
59.94 fps for values listed as 60p.

• Microphone sensitivity: Turn the built-in or

optional stereo microphones (0 441)
on or off or adjust microphone
sensitivity. Choose Auto sensitivity to
adjust sensitivity automatically,
Microphone off to turn sound
recording off; to select microphone
sensitivity manually, select Manual sensitivity, then highlight
an option and press J.

D Frame Size and Rate

Frame size and rate affects the distribution and amount of noise
(randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or bright spots).

62
• Frequency response: If S Wide range is selected, the built-in
and optional stereo microphones (0 441) will respond to a
wide range of frequencies, from music to the bustling hum of a
city street. Choose T Vocal range to bring out human
voices.
• Wind noise reduction: Select On to enable the low-cut filter for the
built-in microphone (optional stereo microphones are
unaffected), reducing noise produced by wind blowing over
the microphone (note that other sounds may also be affected).
Wind-noise reduction for optional stereo microphones can be
enabled or disabled using microphone controls.
• Destination: Choose the slot to which
movies are recorded. The menu shows
the time available on each card;
recording ends automatically when no
time remains. Note that regardless of
the option selected, photographs are
recorded to the card in the primary slot
(0 86).

A Using an External Microphone

The optional stereo microphone can be used to record sound in stereo
or to avoid recording focus noise and other sounds made by the lens
(0 441).

63
 • Movie ISO sensitivity settings: Adjust the
following ISO sensitivity settings.
- ISO sensitivity (mode M): Choose the ISO
sensitivity for exposure mode h from
values between ISO 64 and Hi 2. Auto
ISO sensitivity control is used in other
exposure modes.
- Auto ISO control (mode M): Select On for auto ISO sensitivity
control in exposure mode h, Off to use the value selected for
ISO sensitivity (mode M).
- Maximum sensitivity: Choose the upper limit for auto ISO
sensitivity control from values between ISO 200 and Hi 2.
Auto ISO sensitivity control is used in exposure modes e, f,
and g and when On is selected for Auto ISO control (mode
M) in exposure mode h.

A Auto ISO Sensitivity Control

At high ISO sensitivities, the camera may have difficulty focusing and
noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) may increase. This
can be prevented by choosing a lower value for Movie ISO sensitivity
settings > Maximum sensitivity.

64
Viewing Movies
Movies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0 235).
Press the center of the multi selector to start playback; your
current position is indicated by the movie progress bar.
1 icon Length Current position/total length

Movie Volume Guide

progress bar
The following operations can be performed:
To Use Description

Pause Pause playback.

Resume playback when movie is paused or

Play
during rewind/advance.
Speed increases
with each press,
from 2× to 4× to 8× to 16×; keep pressed to
skip to beginning or end of movie (first
Rewind/
frame is indicated by h in top right corner of
advance
monitor, last frame by i). If playback is
paused, movie rewinds or advances one
frame at a time; keep pressed for continuous
rewind or advance.

65
 To Use Description
Rotate the main command dial one stop to
Skip 10 s
skip ahead or back 10 s.
Skip Rotate the sub-command dial to skip to next
ahead/ or previous index, or to skip to the last or
back first frame if the movie contains no indices.
Adjust
volume
X/W Press X to increase volume, W to decrease.

Trim movie b See page 67 for more information.

Exit / K Exit to full-frame playback.

Return to
Press the shutter-release button halfway to
shooting
exit to shooting mode.
mode

A The p Icon
Movies with indices (0 54) are indicated
by a p icon in full-frame playback.

A The 2 Icon
2 is displayed in full-frame and movie
playback if the movie was recorded without
sound.

66
Editing Movies
Trim footage to create edited copies of movies or save selected
frames as JPEG stills.
Option Description
Create a copy from which the opening or
9 Choose start/end point
closing footage has been removed.
4 Save selected frame Save a selected frame as a JPEG still.

Trimming Movies
To create trimmed copies of movies:

1 Display a movie full frame (0 235).

2 Pause the movie on the new
opening or closing frame.
Play the movie back as described on
page 65, pressing the center of the
multi selector to start and resume
playback and 3 to pause and
pressing 4 or 2 or rotating the main Movie progress bar
or sub-command dial to locate the
desired frame. Your approximate position in the movie can
be ascertained from the movie progress bar. Pause playback
when you reach the new opening or closing frame.

67
 3 Select Choose start/end point.
Press the b button, then highlight
Choose start/end point and press
2.

b button

68
4 Choose the current frame as the
new start or end point.
To create a copy that begins from the
current frame, highlight Start point
and press J. The frames before the
current frame will be removed when
you save the copy.
Start point

To create a copy that ends at the current frame, highlight End

point and press J. The frames after the current frame will be
removed when you save the copy.
End point

69
 5 Confirm the new start or end point.
If the desired frame is not currently
displayed, press 4 or 2 to advance
or rewind (to skip to 10 s ahead or
back, rotate the main command dial
one stop; to skip to an index, or to the
first or last frame if the movie
contains no indices, rotate the sub-command dial).

6 Create the copy.

Once the desired frame is displayed, press 1.

7 Preview the movie.

To preview the copy, highlight
Preview and press J (to interrupt
the preview and return to the save
options menu, press 1). To abandon
the current copy and return to Step 5,
highlight Cancel and press J; to save
the copy, proceed to Step 8.

70
8 Save the copy.
Highlight Save as new file and press
J to save the copy to a new file. To
replace the original movie file with
the edited copy, highlight Overwrite
existing file and press J.

D Trimming Movies
Movies must be at least two seconds long. The copy will not be saved
if there is insufficient space available on the memory card.
Copies have the same time and date of creation as the original.
A Choosing the Role of the Current Frame
To make the frame displayed in Step 5 the new end point (x) instead of
the new start point (w) or vice versa, press the L (Z/Q) button.

L (Z/Q) button

71
 Saving Selected Frames
To save a copy of a selected frame as a JPEG still:

1 Pause the movie on the desired

frame.
Play the movie back as described on
page 65, pressing the center of the
multi selector to start and resume
playback and 3 to pause. Pause the
movie at the frame you intend to
copy.

2 Choose Save selected frame.

Press the b button, then highlight
Save selected frame and press 2.

b button

3 Create a still copy.

Press 1 to create a still copy of the
current frame.

72
4 Save the copy.
Highlight Yes and press J to create a
fine-quality (0 79) JPEG copy of the
selected frame.

A Save Selected Frame

JPEG movie stills created with the Save selected frame option can not
be retouched. JPEG movie stills lack some categories of photo
information (0 238).
A The Retouch Menu
Movies can also be edited using the Edit movie option in the retouch
menu (0 384).

73
 Image Recording Options
Image Area
Choose from image areas of FX (36×24) 1.0× (FX format),
DX (24×16) 1.5× (DX format), 5 : 4 (30×24), and 1.2× (30×20)
1.2×. See page 490 for information on the number of pictures
that can be stored at different image area settings.

FX format DX format (24×16)

image circle

DX format

5:4

1.2×
FX format (36×24)
image circle

74
❚❚ Image Area Options
The camera offers a choice of the following image areas:
Option Description
Images are recorded in FX format using the full
FX (36×24)
area of the image sensor (35.9 × 24.0 mm),
c 1.0× producing an angle of view equivalent to a
(FX format)
NIKKOR lens on a 35mm format camera.
A 30.0 × 19.9 mm area at the center of the image
1.2× (30×20) sensor is used to record photographs. To
Z 1.2× calculate the approximate focal length of the lens
in 35mm format, multiply by 1.2.
An area at the center of the image sensor
DX (24×16)
23.4 × 15.6 mm is used to record pictures in DX
a 1.5× format. To calculate the approximate focal length
(DX format)
of the lens in 35mm format, multiply by 1.5.
Pictures are recorded with an aspect ratio of 5 : 4
b 5 : 4 (30×24) (30.0 × 24.0 mm).

❚❚ Automatic Crop Selection

To automatically select a DX crop when a DX lens is attached,
select On for Image area > Auto DX crop in the shooting menu
(0 290). The image area selected in the shooting menu or with
the camera controls will be used only when a non-DX lens is
attached. Select Off to use the currently-selected image area
with all lenses.

D Auto DX Crop
The controls listed on page 78 can not be used to select image area
when a DX lens is attached and Auto DX crop is on.

75
 A Image Area
The selected option is shown in the
information display.

A DX Lenses
DX lenses are designed for use with DX format cameras and have a
smaller angle of view than lenses for 35mm format cameras. If Auto
DX crop is off and an option other than DX (24×16) (DX format) is
selected for Choose image area when a DX lens is attached, the edges
of the image may be eclipsed. This may not be apparent in the
viewfinder, but when the images are played back you may notice a
drop in resolution or that the edges of the picture are blacked out.
A The Viewfinder Display
The 1.2×, DX format, and 5 : 4 crops are shown below; the area outside
the crop can be viewed in gray when Off is selected for Custom Setting
a6 (AF point illumination, 0 310).

1.2× DX format 5:4

A See Also
See page 59 for information on the crops available in movie live view.

76
The image area can be selected using the Image area > Choose
image area option in the shooting menu or by pressing a
control and rotating a command dial.

❚❚ The Image Area Menu

1 Select Image area.

Highlight Image area in the shooting
menu and press 2.

2 Select Choose image area.

Highlight Choose image area and
press 2.

3 Adjust settings.
Choose an option and press J. The
selected crop is displayed in the
viewfinder (0 76).

A Image Size
Image size varies with the option selected for image area.

77
 ❚❚ Camera Controls

1 Assign image area selection to a camera control.

Select Choose image area as the “press + command dials”
option for a camera control in the Custom Settings menu
(0 300). Image area selection can be assigned to the Fn
button (Custom Setting f4, Assign Fn button, 0 343), the Pv
button (Custom Setting f5, Assign preview button, 0 349),
the A AE-L/AF-L button (Custom Setting f6, Assign AE-L/AF-L
button, 0 349), or the movie-record button (Custom Setting
f13, Assign movie record button, 0 355).

2 Use the selected control to

choose an image area.
The image area can be
selected by pressing the
selected button and
rotating the main or sub-
command dial until the Fn button Main command
desired crop is displayed in dial
the viewfinder (0 76).
The option currently selected for
image area can be viewed by
pressing the button to display the
image area in the control panel,
viewfinder, or information display. FX
format is displayed as “36 – 24”, 1.2×
as “30 – 20”, DX format as “24 – 16”, and 5 : 4 as “30 – 24”.

78
 Image Quality
The D810 supports the following image quality options. See
page 489 for information on the number of pictures that can be
stored at different image quality and size settings.
Option File type Description
RAW data from the image sensor are saved
without additional processing. Settings
NEF (RAW) NEF
such as white balance and contrast can be
adjusted after shooting.
Record uncompressed TIFF-RGB images at
a bit depth of 8 bits per channel (24-bit
TIFF (RGB) TIFF (RGB)
color). TIFF is supported by a wide variety
of imaging applications.
Record JPEG images at a compression ratio
JPEG fine
of roughly 1:4 (fine quality). *
Record JPEG images at a compression ratio
JPEG normal JPEG
of roughly 1:8 (normal quality). *
Record JPEG images at a compression ratio
JPEG basic
of roughly 1:16 (basic quality). *
NEF (RAW)+ Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW)
JPEG fine image and one fine-quality JPEG image.
NEF (RAW)+ Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW)
NEF/JPEG
JPEG normal image and one normal-quality JPEG image.
NEF (RAW)+ Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW)
JPEG basic image and one basic-quality JPEG image.
* Size priority selected for JPEG/TIFF recording > JPEG compression. The
compression ratio is an approximation only; the actual ratio varies with ISO sensitivity and the
scene recorded.

79
 Image quality is set by pressing the T button and rotating
the main command dial until the desired setting is displayed in
the control panel.

T button Main command Control panel

dial

A NEF (RAW) Images

NEF (RAW) images can be viewed on the camera or using software
such as ViewNX 2 or Capture NX-D (ViewNX 2 can be installed from the
supplied installer CD, while Capture NX-D can be downloaded from a
link in the ViewNX 2 installer; 0 253). JPEG copies of NEF (RAW)
images can be created using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the
retouch menu (0 399).
A NEF+JPEG
When photographs taken at settings of NEF (RAW) + JPEG are viewed
on the camera with only one memory card inserted, only the JPEG
image will be displayed. If both copies are recorded to the same
memory card, both copies will be erased when the photo is deleted. If
the JPEG copy is recorded to a separate memory card using the
Secondary slot function > RAW primary - JPEG secondary option,
deleting the JPEG copy will not delete the NEF (RAW) image.
A The Image Quality Menu
Image quality can also be adjusted using the Image quality option in
the shooting menu (0 290).

80
❚❚ JPEG Compression
To choose the type of compression for JPEG images, highlight
JPEG/TIFF recording > JPEG compression in the shooting
menu and press 2.
Option Description
Images are compressed to produce relatively
O Size priority
uniform file size.
Optimal image quality. File size varies with
P Optimal quality
scene recorded.

❚❚ NEF (RAW) Compression

To choose the type of compression for NEF (RAW) images,
highlight NEF (RAW) recording > NEF (RAW) compression in
the shooting menu and press 2.
Option Description
NEF images are compressed using a reversible
Lossless
N compressed
algorithm, reducing file size by about 20–40%
with no effect on image quality.
NEF images are compressed using a non-
reversible algorithm, reducing file size by
O Compressed
about 35–55% with almost no effect on image
quality.
Uncompressed NEF images are not compressed.

81
 ❚❚ NEF (RAW) Bit Depth
To choose a bit depth for NEF (RAW) images, highlight NEF
(RAW) recording > NEF (RAW) bit depth in the shooting menu
and press 2.
Option Description
q 12-bit NEF (RAW) images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits.
NEF (RAW) images are recorded at a bit depth of 14 bits,
r 14-bit producing files larger than those with a bit depth of
12 bits but increasing the color data recorded.

A See Also
See page 83 for the image size options available for JPEG and TIFF
images, page 85 for the image size options available for NEF (RAW)
images.

82
 Image Size
Image size is measured in pixels. In the case of JPEG and TIFF
images, you can choose from #Large, $Medium, or %Small
(note that image size varies depending on the option selected
for Image area, 0 74):
Image area Option Size (pixels) Print size (cm/in.) *
Large 7360 × 4912 62.3 × 41.6/24.5 × 16.4
FX (36×24)
Medium 5520 × 3680 46.7 × 31.2/18.4 × 12.3
(FX format)
Small 3680 × 2456 31.2 × 20.8/12.3 × 8.2
Large 6144 × 4080 52.0 × 34.5/20.5 × 13.6
1.2× (30×20) Medium 4608 × 3056 39.0 × 25.9/15.4 × 10.2
Small 3072 × 2040 26.0 × 17.3/10.2 × 6.8
Large 4800 × 3200 40.6 × 27.1/16.0 × 10.7
DX (24×16)
Medium 3600 × 2400 30.5 × 20.3/12.0 × 8.0
(DX format)
Small 2400 × 1600 20.3 × 13.5/ 8.0 × 5.3
Large 6144 × 4912 52.0 × 41.6/20.5 × 16.4
5 : 4 (30×24) Medium 4608 × 3680 39.0 × 31.2/15.4 × 12.3
Small 3072 × 2456 26.0 × 20.8/10.2 × 8.2
* Approximate size when printed at 300 dpi. Print size in inches equals image size in pixels
divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch = approximately 2.54 cm).

83
 Image size for JPEG and TIFF images can be set by pressing the
T button and rotating the sub-command dial until the
desired option is displayed in the control panel.

T button Sub-command Control panel

dial

A The Image Size Menu

Image size for JPEG and TIFF images can also be adjusted using the
JPEG/TIFF recording > Image size option in the shooting menu
(0 290).

84
❚❚ NEF (RAW) Images
When recording photographs in NEF
(RAW) format, you can choose from sizes
of o Large and p Small using the
NEF (RAW) recording > Image size
option in the shooting menu. Small-size
images are about half the size of their
large-size counterparts. An asterisk (U)
appears in the control panel when
p Small is selected.

Control panel

D NEF (RAW) Images

Image size for NEF (RAW) photographs can not be selected using the
T button and command dials. Small-size NEF (RAW) images are
recorded in uncompressed 12-bit format, regardless of the options
selected for NEF (RAW) compression and NEF (RAW) bit depth in the
NEF (RAW) recording menu, and can not be retouched (0 384).

85
 Using Two Memory Cards
When two memory cards are inserted in the camera, you can
choose one as the primary card using the Primary slot
selection item in the shooting menu. Select SD card slot to
designate the card in the SD card slot as the primary card, CF
card slot to choose the CompactFlash card. The roles played by
the primary and secondary cards can be chosen using the
Secondary slot function option in the shooting menu. Choose
from Overflow (the secondary card is used only when the
primary card is full), Backup (each picture is recorded to both
the primary and secondary card), and RAW primary - JPEG
secondary (as for Backup, except that the NEF/RAW copies of
photos recorded at settings of NEF/RAW + JPEG are recorded
only to the primary card and the JPEG copies only to the
secondary card).

D “Backup” and “RAW Primary - JPEG Secondary”

The camera shows the number of exposures remaining on the card
with the least amount of memory. Shutter release will be disabled
when either card is full.
A Recording Movies
When two memory cards are inserted in the camera, the slot used to
record movies can be selected using the Movie settings >
Destination option in the shooting menu (0 63).

86
Focus
This section describes the focus options available when
photographs are framed in the viewfinder. Focus can be
adjusted automatically (see below) or manually (0 100). The
user can also select the focus point for automatic or manual
focus (0 94) or use focus lock to focus to recompose
photographs after focusing (0 96).

Autofocus
To use autofocus, rotate the focus-mode
selector to AF.

Focus-mode selector

Autofocus Mode
The following autofocus modes can be selected during
viewfinder photography:
Mode Description
Single-servo AF: For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-
release button is pressed halfway. At default settings, shutter
AF-S
can only be released when in-focus indicator (I) is displayed
(focus priority; 0 307).
Continuous-servo AF: For moving subjects. Camera focuses
continuously while shutter-release button is pressed halfway; if
subject moves, camera will engage predictive focus tracking
AF-C
(0 88) to predict final distance to subject and adjust focus as
necessary. At default settings, shutter can be released whether
or not subject is in focus (release priority; 0 306).

87
 Autofocus mode can be
selected by pressing the
AF-mode button and rotating
the main command dial until
the desired setting is displayed
in the viewfinder and control
panel. AF-mode button Main command
dial

Control panel Viewfinder

A The B Button
For the purpose of focusing the camera, B button
pressing the B button has the same
effect as pressing the shutter-release
button halfway.

A Predictive Focus Tracking

In AF-C mode, the camera will initiate predictive focus tracking if the
subject moves toward or away from the camera while the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway or the B button is pressed. This
allows the camera to track focus while attempting to predict where the
subject will be when the shutter is released.

88
A See Also
For information on using focus priority in continuous-servo AF, see
Custom Setting a1 (AF-C priority selection, 0 306). For information
on using release priority in single-servo AF, see Custom Setting a2
(AF-S priority selection, 0 307). For information on preventing the
camera from focusing when the shutter-release button is pressed
halfway, see Custom Setting a4 (AF activation, 0 308). See Custom
Setting a12 (Autofocus mode restrictions, 0 314) for information on
limiting focus-mode selection to AF-S or AF-C and f9 (Customize
command dials) > Change main/sub (0 351) for information on
using the sub-command dial to choose the focus mode. See page 39
for information on the autofocus options available in live view or
during movie recording.

89
 AF-Area Mode
Choose how the focus point is selected during viewfinder
photography.
• Single-point AF: Select the focus point as described on page 94;
the camera will focus on the subject in the selected focus point
only. Use with stationary subjects.
• Dynamic-area AF: Select the focus point as described on page 94.
In AF-C focus mode, the camera will focus based on information
from surrounding focus points if the subject briefly leaves the
selected point. The number of focus points varies with the
mode selected:
- 9-point dynamic-area AF: Choose when there is time to compose
the photograph or when photographing subjects that are
moving predictably (e.g., runners or race cars on a track).
- 21-point dynamic-area AF: Choose when photographing subjects
that are moving unpredictably (e.g., players at a football
game).
- 51-point dynamic-area AF: Choose when photographing subjects
that are moving quickly and can not be easily framed in the
viewfinder (e.g., birds).
• 3D-tracking: Select the focus point as described on page 94. In
AF-C focus mode, the camera will track subjects that leave the
selected focus point and select new focus points as required.
Use to quickly compose pictures with subjects that are moving
erratically from side to side (e.g., tennis players). If the subject
leaves viewfinder, remove your finger from the shutter-release
button and recompose the photograph with the subject in the
selected focus point.

90
• Group-area AF: The camera focuses using a group of focus points
selected by the user, reducing the risk of the camera focusing
on the background instead of on the main subject. Choose for
subjects that are difficult to photograph using a single focus
point. If faces are detected in AF-S focus mode, the camera will
give priority to portrait subjects.
• Auto-area AF: The camera automatically
detects the subject and selects the
focus point; if a face is detected, the
camera will give priority to the portrait
subject. The active focus points are
highlighted briefly after the camera
focuses; in AF-C mode, the main focus
point remains highlighted after the other focus points have
turned off.
AF-area mode can be selected
by pressing the AF-mode
button and rotating the sub-
command dial until the desired
setting is displayed in the
viewfinder and control panel.
AF-mode button Sub-command
dial

Control panel Viewfinder

91
 A 3D-tracking
When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the colors in the
area surrounding the focus point are stored in the camera.
Consequently 3D-tracking may not produce the desired results with
subjects that are similar in color to the background or that occupy a
very small area of the frame.
A AF-Area Mode
AF-area mode is shown in the control panel and viewfinder.
AF-area mode Control panel Viewfinder
Single-point AF
9-point dynamic-area AF *
21-point dynamic-area AF *
51-point dynamic-area AF *
3D-tracking
Group-area AF
Auto-area AF
* Only active focus point is displayed in the viewfinder. Remaining focus points provide
information to assist focus operation.
A Manual Focus
Single-point AF is automatically selected when manual focus is used.

92
A See Also
For information on adjusting how long the camera waits before
refocusing when an object moves in front of the camera, see Custom
Setting a3 (Focus tracking with lock-on, 0 308). See Custom Setting
a5 (Focus point illumination, 0 309) for information on choosing
how the focus point is displayed in dynamic-area and group-area AF,
a11 (Limit AF-area mode selection, 0 314) for information on
limiting AF-area mode selection, and f9 (Customize command
dials) > Change main/sub (0 351) for information on using the main
command dial to choose the AF-area mode. See page 40 for
information on the autofocus options available in live view or during
movie recording.

93
 Focus Point Selection
The camera offers a choice of 51 focus points that can be used to
compose photographs with the main subject positioned almost
anywhere in the frame. Follow the steps below to choose the
focus point (in group-area AF, you can follow these steps to
choose a group of focus points).

1 Rotate the focus selector lock to ●.

This allows the multi selector to be
used to select the focus point.

Focus selector lock

2 Select the focus point.

Use the multi selector to select the
focus point in the viewfinder while
the exposure meters are on. The
center focus point can be selected by
pressing the center of the multi
selector.

94
 The focus selector lock can be rotated
to the locked (L) position following
selection to prevent the selected
focus point from changing when the
multi selector is pressed.

A Auto-area AF
The focus point for auto-area AF is selected automatically; manual
focus-point selection is not available.
A See Also
For information on choosing when and how the focus point is
illuminated, see Custom Setting a5 (Focus point illumination, 0 309)
and a6 (AF point illumination, 0 310). For information on setting
focus-point selection to “wrap around,” see Custom Setting a7 (Focus
point wrap-around, 0 310). For information on choosing the
number of focus points that can be selected using the multi selector,
see Custom Setting a8 (Number of focus points, 0 311). For
information on choosing separate focus points and/or AF-area modes
for vertical and horizontal orientations, see Custom Setting a9 (Store
by orientation, 0 312). For information on changing the role of the
multi selector center button, see Custom Setting f2 (Multi selector
center button, 0 341).

95
 Focus Lock
Focus lock can be used to change the composition after
focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be
in a focus point in the final composition. If the camera is unable
to focus using autofocus (0 87), focus lock can also be used to
recompose the photograph after focusing on another object at
the same distance as your original subject. Focus lock is most
effective when an option other than auto-area AF is selected for
AF-area mode (0 90).

1 Focus.
Position the subject in the
selected focus point and
press the shutter-release
button halfway to initiate
focus. Check that the in-
focus indicator (I) appears
in the viewfinder.

96
2 Lock focus.
AF-C focus mode (0 87): With the Shutter-release button
shutter-release button pressed
halfway (q), press the A AE-L/AF-L
button (w) to lock both focus and
exposure (an AE-L icon will be
displayed in the viewfinder). Focus
will remain locked while the
A AE-L/AF-L button is pressed, even
if you later remove your finger
from the shutter-release button.
A AE-L/AF-L button
AF-S focus mode: Focus locks
automatically when the in-focus
indicator (I) appears, and remain locked until you remove
your finger from the shutter-release button. Focus can also
be locked by pressing the A AE-L/AF-L button (see above).

3 Recompose the
photograph and shoot.
Focus will remain locked
between shots if you keep
the shutter-release button
pressed halfway (AF-S) or
keep the A AE-L/AF-L
button pressed, allowing several photographs in succession
to be taken at the same focus setting.
Do not change the distance between the camera and the
subject while focus lock is in effect. If the subject moves, focus
again at the new distance.

97
 A Locking Focus with the B Button
During viewfinder photography, focus can be locked using the B
button in place of the shutter-release button (0 88). If AF-ON only is
selected for Custom Setting a4 (AF activation, 0 308), the camera will
not focus when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway; instead,
the camera will focus when the B button is pressed, at which point
focus will lock and remain locked until the B button is pressed
again. The shutter can be released at any time, although the in-focus
indicator (I) will not be displayed in the viewfinder. Note, however,
that if Focus is selected for Custom Setting a2 (AF-S priority
selection, 0 307) and single-point AF is selected for AF-area mode,
the shutter will not be released if the camera is unable to focus in
single-servo autofocus mode.
A See Also
See Custom Setting c1 (Shutter-release button AE-L, 0 319) for
information on using the shutter-release button to lock exposure,
Custom Setting f6 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 0 349) for information
on choosing the role played by A AE-L/AF-L button.

98
A Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below.
The shutter release may be disabled if the camera is unable to focus
under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator (●) may be displayed
and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released
even when the subject is not in focus. In these cases, use manual focus
(0 100) or use focus lock (0 96) to focus on another subject at the
same distance and then recompose the photograph.
There is little or no contrast between the subject and
the background.
Example: Subject is the same color as the
background.

The focus point contains objects at different

distances from the camera.
Example: Subject is inside a cage.

The subject is dominated by regular geometric

patterns.
Example: Blinds or a row of windows in a
skyscraper.

The focus point contains areas of sharply

contrasting brightness.
Example: Subject is half in the shade.

Background objects appear larger than the subject.

Example: A building is in the frame behind the
subject.

The subject contains many fine details.

Example: A field of flowers or other subjects that
are small or lack variation in brightness.

99
 Manual Focus
Manual focus is available for lenses that do not support
autofocus (non-AF NIKKOR lenses) or when the autofocus does
not produce the desired results (0 99).
• AF lenses: Set the lens focus mode
switch (if present) and camera focus-
mode selector to M.

Focus-mode selector

D AF Lenses
Do not use AF lenses with the lens focus mode switch set to M and
the camera focus-mode selector set to AF. Failure to observe this
precaution could damage the camera or lens. This does not apply to
AF-S lenses, which can be used in M mode without setting the
camera focus-mode selector to M.
• Manual focus lenses: Set the camera focus-mode selector to M.
To focus manually, adjust the lens focus
ring until the image displayed on the
clear matte field in the viewfinder is in
focus. Photographs can be taken at any
time, even when the image is not in
focus.

100
❚❚ The Electronic Rangefinder
The viewfinder focus indicator can be
used to confirm whether the subject in
the selected focus point is in focus (the
focus point can be selected from any of
the 51 focus points). After positioning
the subject in the selected focus point,
press the shutter-release button halfway
and rotate the lens focus ring until the in-focus indicator (I) is
displayed. Note that with the subjects listed on page 99, the in-
focus indicator may sometimes be displayed when the subject is
not in focus; confirm focus in the viewfinder before shooting.
For information on using the electronic rangefinder with
optional AF-S/AF-I teleconverters, see page 423.

A Focal Plane Position

To determine the distance between
your subject and the camera, measure
from the focal plane mark (E) on the
46.5 mm
camera body (0 1). The distance
between the lens mounting flange and
the focal plane is 46.5 mm (1.83 in.).

Focal plane mark

101
 Release Mode
Choosing a Release Mode
To choose a release mode, press the
release mode dial lock release and turn
the release mode dial to the desired
setting.

Mode Description
Single frame: Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-
S release button is pressed.
Continuous low speed: While shutter-release button is held down,
camera takes photographs at frame rate selected for Custom
T Setting d2 (CL mode shooting speed, 0 321). Lower built-in
flash (0 190); continuous release is not available while flash is
raised.
Continuous high speed: While shutter-release button is held down,
camera takes photographs at frame rate given on page 104.
U Use for active subjects. Lower built-in flash (0 190);
continuous release is not available while flash is raised.
Quiet shutter-release: As for single frame, except that mirror does
not click back into place while shutter-release button is fully
pressed, allowing user to control timing of click made by
J mirror, which is also quieter than in single frame mode. In
addition, beep does not sound regardless of setting selected
for Custom Setting d1 (Beep; 0 321).
Qc (quiet continuous) shutter-release: While shutter-release button
is held down, camera takes photographs at frame rate given
M on page 104. Camera noise is reduced. Lower built-in flash
(0 190); continuous release is not available while flash is
raised.

102
Mode Description
E Self-timer: Take pictures with the self-timer (0 106).
Mirror up: Choose this mode to minimize camera shake in
telephoto or close-up photography or in other situations in
V which the slightest camera movement can result in blurred
photographs (0 108).

103
 Power Source and Frame Rate
The maximum frame advance rate varies with the power source
and image area. The figures below are the average maximum
frame rates available with continuous-servo AF, manual or
shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster,
settings other than Custom Setting d2 at default values, and
memory remaining in the memory buffer.
Maximum frame rate (fps) 1
Power source Image area
U T
FX, 5 : 4 5
Camera with EN-EL15
1.2×, DX 6
FX, 5 : 4 5
Camera with EP-5B power connector
1.2× 6
and EH-5b AC adapter
DX 7
FX, 5 : 4 5
Camera with MB-D12 (EN-EL15)
1.2×, DX 6 1–6
FX, 5 : 4 5
Camera with MB-D12 (EN-EL18) 1.2× 6
DX 7
FX, 5 : 4 5
Camera with MB-D12 (AA 2) 1.2× 6
DX 7
1 Maximum frame rate when FX (36 × 24) or 5 : 4 (30 × 24) is selected for image area is
5 fps even if higher values are selected for Custom Setting d2 (CL mode shooting
speed, 0 321).
2 AA-size batteries. Frame rates may drop at low temperatures or when batteries are low.

The stated rates may not be available under some conditions.

Frame rate drops at slow shutter speeds or very small apertures
(high f-numbers) or when vibration reduction (available with VR
lenses) or auto ISO sensitivity control is on (0 111) or the battery
is low. In M mode, frame rate is fixed at about 3 fps.

104
A 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 (tAA).
The approximate number of images that
can be stored in the memory buffer at
current settings is shown in the exposure-
count displays in the viewfinder and
control panel while the shutter-release
button is pressed halfway. The illustration
at right shows the display when space
remains in the buffer for about 58 pictures.
While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the
memory card access lamp will light. Depending on shooting
conditions and memory card performance, recording may take from a
few seconds to a few minutes. Do not remove the memory card or
remove or disconnect the power source until the access lamp has gone
out. If the camera is switched off while data remain in the buffer, the
power will not turn off until all images in the buffer have been
recorded. If the battery is exhausted while images remain in the buffer,
the shutter release will be disabled and the images transferred to the
memory card.
A See Also
For information on choosing the maximum number of photographs
that can be taken in a single burst, see Custom Setting d3 (Max.
continuous release, 0 322). For information on the number of
pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see page 489.

105
 Self-Timer Mode (E)
The self-timer can be used to reduce camera shake or for self-
portraits.

1 Mount the camera on a tripod.

Mount the camera on a tripod or place the camera on a
stable, level surface.

2 Select self-timer mode.

Press the release mode
dial lock release and turn
the release mode dial to
E.

Release mode dial

3 Frame the photograph and focus.

In single-servo AF (0 87), photographs can only
be taken if the in-focus (I) indicator appears in
the viewfinder.
A Close the Viewfinder Eyepiece Shutter
When taking photos without your eye to
the viewfinder, close the viewfinder
eyepiece shutter to prevent light
entering via the viewfinder from
appearing in photographs or interfering
with exposure.

106
4 Start the timer.
Press the shutter-release
button all the way down
to start the timer. The
self-timer lamp will start
to flash. Two seconds before the photograph is taken, the
self-timer lamp will stop flashing. The shutter will be released
about ten seconds after the timer starts.
To turn the self-timer off before a photograph is taken, turn the
release mode dial to another setting.

A Using the Built-in Flash

Before taking a photograph with the flash, press the flash pop-up
button to raise the flash and wait for the M indicator to be displayed in
the viewfinder (0 189). Shooting will be interrupted if the flash is
raised after the self-timer has started. Note that only one photograph
will be taken when the flash fires, regardless of the number of
exposures selected for Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer; 0 319).
A See Also
For information on choosing the duration of the self-timer, the number
of shots taken, and the interval between shots, see Custom Setting c3
(Self-timer, 0 319). For information on controlling the beeps that
sound when the self-timer is used, see Custom Setting d1 (Beep,
0 321).

107
 Mirror up Mode (V)
Choose this mode to
minimize blurring caused by
camera movement when the
mirror is raised. To use mirror-
up mode, press the release
mode dial lock release and
rotate the release mode dial Release mode dial
to V (mirror up). After
pressing the shutter-release button halfway to set focus and
exposure, press the shutter-release button the rest of the way
down to raise the mirror and then press the shutter-release
button all the way down again to take the picture. A beep will
sound, unless Off is selected for Custom Setting d1 (Beep,
0 321). The mirror lowers when shooting ends.

D Mirror Up
While the mirror is raised, photos can not be framed in the viewfinder
and autofocus and metering will not be performed.
A Mirror up Mode
A picture will be taken automatically if no operations are performed for
about 30 s with the mirror raised.
A Preventing Blur
To prevent blurring caused by camera movement, press the shutter-
release button smoothly. Use of a tripod is recommended.
A See Also
For information on using the electronic front-curtain shutter to further
reduce blur, see Custom Setting d5 (Electronic front-curtain shutter,
0 323).

108
ISO Sensitivity
Manual Adjustment
The camera’s sensitivity to light can be adjusted according to the
amount of light available. Choose from settings that range from
ISO 64 to ISO 12800 in steps equivalent to 1/3 EV. Settings of from
about 0.3 to 1 EV below ISO 64 and 0.3 to 2 EV above ISO 12800
are also available for special situations. The higher the ISO
sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing
higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures.
ISO sensitivity can be adjusted
by pressing the S button and
rotating the main command
dial until the desired setting is
displayed in the control panel
or viewfinder.
S button Main command
dial

Control panel Viewfinder

109
 A The Shooting Menu
ISO sensitivity can also be adjusted from the shooting menu. Choose
ISO sensitivity settings to adjust settings for viewfinder and live view
photography (0 290) and Movie settings > Movie ISO sensitivity
settings to adjust settings for movie live view (0 64).
A ISO Sensitivity
The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an
exposure, allowing faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures, but the
more likely the image is to be affected by noise (randomly-spaced
bright pixels, fog, or lines). Noise is particularly likely at settings
between Hi 0.3 and Hi 2.
A Hi 0.3–Hi 2
The settings Hi 0.3 through Hi 2 correspond to ISO sensitivities
0.3–2 EV over ISO 12800 (ISO 16000–51200 equivalent).
A Lo 0.3–Lo 1
The settings Lo 0.3 through Lo 1 correspond to ISO sensitivities
0.3–1 EV below ISO 64 (ISO 50–32 equivalent). Use for larger apertures
when lighting is bright. Contrast is slightly higher than normal; in most
cases, ISO sensitivities of ISO 64 or above are recommended.
A See Also
For information on choosing the ISO sensitivity step size, see Custom
Setting b1 (ISO sensitivity step value; 0 315). For information on
displaying ISO sensitivity in the control panel or adjusting ISO
sensitivity without using the S button, see Custom Setting d8 (ISO
display and adjustment; 0 325). For information on using the High
ISO NR option in the shooting menu to reduce noise at high ISO
sensitivities, see page 299.

110
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
If On is selected for ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO
sensitivity control in the shooting menu, ISO sensitivity will
automatically be adjusted if optimal exposure can not be
achieved at the value selected by the user (ISO sensitivity is
adjusted appropriately when the flash is used).

1 Select Auto ISO sensitivity control.

Select ISO sensitivity settings in the
shooting menu, then highlight Auto
ISO sensitivity control and press 2.

2 Select On.
Highlight On and press J (if Off is
selected, ISO sensitivity will remain
fixed at the value selected by the
user).

111
 3 Adjust settings.
The maximum value for auto ISO
sensitivity can be selected using
Maximum sensitivity (note that if
the ISO sensitivity selected by the
user is higher than that chosen for
Maximum sensitivity, the value
selected by the user will be used instead). In exposure modes
e and g, sensitivity will only be adjusted if underexposure
would result at the shutter speed selected for Minimum
shutter speed (1/4000–30 s, or Auto; in modes f and h, ISO
sensitivity will be adjusted for optimal exposure at the
shutter speed selected by the user). If Auto is selected, the
camera will choose the minimum shutter speed based on the
focal length of the lens. Press J to exit when settings are
complete.
When On is selected, the viewfinder
and control panel show Z.
When sensitivity is altered from the
value selected by the user, these
indicators flash and the altered value is
shown in the viewfinder.

112
A Minimum Shutter Speed
Auto shutter-speed selection can be fine-tuned by highlighting Auto
and pressing 2: for example, values faster than those usually selected
automatically can be used with telephoto lenses to reduce blur. Note,
however, that Auto functions only with CPU lenses; if a non-CPU lens is
used without lens data, minimum shutter speed is fixed at 1/30 s.
Shutter speeds may drop below the selected minimum if optimum
exposure can not be achieved at the ISO sensitivity chosen for
Maximum sensitivity.
A Enabling and Disabling Auto ISO Senstivity Control
You can turn auto ISO sensitivity control on
or off by pressing the S button and
rotating the sub-command dial.
Z is displayed when auto ISO
sensitivity control is on.
A Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
Noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) is more likely at
higher sensitivities. Use the High ISO NR option in the shooting menu
to reduce noise (see page 299). When a flash is used, minimum shutter
speed will be set to the value selected for Minimum shutter speed
unless this value is faster than Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed,
0 329) or slower than Custom Setting e2 (Flash shutter speed,
0 331), in which case the value selected for Custom Setting e2 will be
used instead. Note that ISO sensitivity may be raised automatically
when auto ISO sensitivity control is used in combination with slow
sync flash modes (available with the built-in flash and the optional
flash units listed on page 428), possibly preventing the camera from
selecting slow shutter speeds.

113
 Exposure
Metering
Metering determines how the camera sets exposure. The
following options are available:
Option Description
Matrix: Produces natural results in most situations. Camera
meters a wide area of the frame and set exposure according to
tone distribution, color, composition, and, with type G, E, or D
L lenses (0 422), distance information (3D color matrix metering
III; with other CPU lenses, camera uses color matrix metering III,
which does not include 3D distance information).
Center-weighted: Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest
weight to center area (if CPU lens is attached, size of area can be
selected using Custom Setting b6, Center-weighted area,
M 0 317; if non-CPU lens is attached, area is equivalent to circle
12 mm in diameter). Classic meter for portraits; recommended
when using filters with an exposure factor (filter factor) over 1×.
Spot: Camera meters circle 4 mm (0.16 in.) in diameter
(approximately 1.5% of frame). Circle is centered on current
focus point, making it possible to meter off-center subjects (if
N non-CPU lens is used or if auto-area AF is in effect, camera will
meter center focus point). Ensures that subject will be correctly
exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.
Highlight-weighted: Camera assigns greatest weight to highlights.
4 Use to reduce loss of detail in highlights, for example when
photographing spotlit performers on a stage.

114
To choose a metering option, press the c button and rotate the
main command dial until the desired setting is displayed in the
viewfinder and control panel.

c button Main command

dial

A Non-CPU Lens Data

Specifying the focal length and maximum aperture of non-CPU lenses
using the Non-CPU lens data option in the setup menu (0 229)
allows the camera to use color matrix metering when matrix is selected
and improves the accuracy of center-weighted and spot metering.
Center-weighted metering will be used if highlight-weighted metering
is selected with non-CPU lenses or if matrix metering is selected with
non-CPU lenses for which lens data have not been supplied. Note that
center-weighted metering may also be used if highlight-weighted
metering is selected with certain CPU lenses (AI-P NIKKOR lenses and
AF lenses that are not of type G, E, or D).
A See Also
See Custom Setting b5 (Matrix metering, 0 317) for information on
choosing whether matrix metering uses face detection. For
information on making separate adjustments to optimal exposure for
each metering method, see Custom Setting b7 (Fine-tune optimal
exposure, 0 318).

115
 Exposure Mode
To determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture
when adjusting exposure, press the I (Q) button and rotate
the main command dial until the desired option appears in the
control panel.
I (Q) button

Main command dial Control panel

Mode Description
Programmed auto (0 118): Camera sets shutter speed and
aperture for optimal exposure. Recommended for snapshots
e and in other situations in which there is little time to adjust
camera settings.
Shutter-priority auto (0 119): User chooses shutter speed;
f camera selects aperture for best results. Use to freeze or blur
motion.
Aperture-priority auto (0 120): User chooses aperture; camera
g selects shutter speed for best results. Use to blur background
or bring both foreground and background into focus.
Manual (0 121): User controls both shutter speed and aperture.
h Set shutter speed to Bulb (A) or Time (&) for long time-
exposures.

116
A Lens Types
When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring (0 422), lock
the aperture ring at the minimum aperture (highest f-number). Type G
and E lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring.
When using non-CPU lenses (0 229), select exposure mode g
(aperture-priority auto) or h (manual). In other modes, exposure mode
g is automatically selected when a non-CPU lens is attached (0 419,
424). The exposure mode indicator (e or f) will flash in the control
panel and A will be displayed in the viewfinder.
A Depth-of-Field Preview
To preview the effects of aperture, press
and hold the Pv button. The lens will be
stopped down to the aperture value
selected by the camera (modes e and f ) or
the value chosen by the user (modes g and
h), allowing depth of field to be previewed
in the viewfinder.
Pv button

A Custom Setting e5—Modeling Flash

This setting controls whether the built-in flash and optional flash units
that support the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS; 0 428) will emit
a modeling flash when the Pv button is pressed. See page 338 for more
information.

117
 e: Programmed Auto
In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed
and aperture according to a built-in program to ensure optimal
exposure in most situations.

A Flexible Program
In exposure mode e, different
combinations of shutter speed and
aperture can be selected by rotating the
main command dial while the exposure
meters are on (“flexible program”). Rotate
the dial to the right for large apertures (low
f-numbers) that blur background details or
fast shutter speeds that “freeze” motion. Main command dial
Rotate the dial to the left for small
apertures (high f-numbers) that increase
depth of field or slow shutter speeds that
blur motion. All combinations produce
the same exposure. While flexible
program is in effect, an asterisk (“U”)
appears in the control panel. To restore
default shutter speed and aperture settings, rotate the dial until the
asterisk is no longer displayed, choose another mode, or turn the
camera off.
A See Also
See page 458 for information on the built-in exposure program. For
information on activating the exposure meters, see “The Standby
Timer” on page 34.

118
f: Shutter-Priority Auto
In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the
camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the
optimal exposure.
To choose a shutter speed, rotate the
main command dial while the exposure
meters are on. Shutter speed can be set
to “p” or to values between 30 s
and 1/8000 s. Shutter speed can be locked
at the selected setting (0 126).
Main command dial

119
 g: Aperture-Priority Auto
In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the
camera automatically selects the shutter speed that will produce
the optimal exposure.
To choose an aperture between the
minimum and maximum values for the
lens, rotate the sub-command dial
while the exposure meters are on.
Aperture can be locked at the selected
setting (0 126).
Sub-command dial

A Non-CPU Lenses (0 419, 424)

Use the lens aperture ring to adjust
aperture. If the maximum aperture of the
lens has been specified using the Non-
CPU lens data item in setup menu (0 230)
when a non-CPU lens is attached, the
current f-number will be displayed in the
viewfinder and control panel, rounded to
the nearest full stop. Otherwise the
aperture displays will show only the number of stops (F, with
maximum aperture displayed as FA) and the f-number must be read
from the lens aperture ring.

120
h: Manual
In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and
aperture. While the exposure meters are on, rotate the main
command dial to choose a shutter speed, and the sub-command
dial to set aperture. Shutter speed can be set to “p” or to
values between 30 s and 1/8000 s, or the shutter can be held open
indefinitely for a long time-exposure (A or &, 0 123).
Aperture can be set to values between the minimum and
maximum values for the lens. Use the exposure indicators to
check exposure.
Sub-command dial

Aperture

Shutter speed

Main command dial

Shutter speed and aperture can be locked at the selected setting
(0 126).

121
 A AF Micro NIKKOR Lenses
Provided that an external exposure meter is used, the exposure ratio
need only be taken into account when the lens aperture ring is used to
set aperture.
A Exposure Indicators
If a shutter speed other than “bulb” or “time” is selected, the exposure
indicators in the viewfinder and control panel show whether the
photograph would be under- or over-exposed at current settings.
Depending on the option chosen for Custom Setting b2 (EV steps for
exposure cntrl, 0 315), the amount of under- or over-exposure is
shown in increments of 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, or 1 EV. If the limits of the exposure
metering system are exceeded, the displays will flash.
Custom Setting b2 set to 1/3 step
Underexposed by Overexposed by over
Optimal exposure 1/3 EV 3 EV
Control panel
Viewfinder

A See Also
For information on reversing the exposure indicators so that negative
values are displayed on the right and positive values on the left, see
Custom Setting f12 (Reverse indicators, 0 354).

122
Long Time-Exposures (h Mode Only)
Select the following shutter speeds for long time-exposures of
moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks.
• Bulb (A): The shutter remains open while the shutter-
release button is held down. To prevent blur, use a tripod or an
optional wireless remote controller (0 441) or remote cord
(0 439).
• Time (&): Start the exposure by using the shutter-release
button on the camera or on an optional remote cord, or
wireless remote controller. The shutter remains open until the
button is pressed a second time.

Length of exposure: 35 s
Aperture: f/25

123
 1 Ready the camera.
Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level
surface.
A Long Time-Exposures
Close the viewfinder eyepiece shutter to prevent light entering via
the viewfinder from appearing in the photograph or interfering
with exposure (0 106). Nikon recommends using a fully charged
battery or an optional AC adapter and power connector to prevent
loss of power while the shutter is open. Note that noise (bright
spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) may be present in
long exposures; before shooting, choose On for the Long
exposure NR option in the shooting menu (0 299).

2 Select exposure mode h.

Press the I (Q) button and rotate the main command dial
until h is displayed in the control panel.
I (Q) button

Main command dial Control panel

124
3 Choose a shutter speed.
While the exposure meters are on,
rotate the main command dial to
choose a shutter speed of Bulb
(A) or Time (&). The exposure
indicators do not appear when Bulb Bulb
(A) or Time (&) is selected.

Time

4 Open the shutter.

Bulb: After focusing, press the shutter-release button on the
camera or optional remote cord or wireless remote controller
all the way down. Keep the shutter-release button pressed
until the exposure is complete.
Time: Press the shutter-release button all the way down.

5 Close the shutter.

Bulb: Remove your finger from the shutter-release button.
Time: Press the shutter-release button all the way down.

125
 Shutter-Speed and Aperture Lock
Shutter speed lock is available in shutter-priority auto and
manual exposure modes, aperture lock in aperture-priority auto
and manual exposure modes. Shutter speed and aperture lock
are not available in programmed auto exposure mode.

1 Assign shutter speed and aperture lock to a camera control.

Select Shutter spd & aperture lock as the “press + command
dials” option in the Custom Settings menu (0 348). Shutter
speed and aperture lock can be assigned to the Fn button
(Custom Setting f4, Assign Fn button, 0 343), the Pv button
(Custom Setting f5, Assign preview button, 0 349), or the
A AE-L/AF-L button (Custom Setting f6, Assign AE-L/AF-L
button, 0 349).

2 Lock shutter speed and/or aperture.

Shutter speed (exposure modes f and h): Press the selected button
and rotate the main command dial until F icons appear in
the viewfinder and control panel.

Fn button Main command

dial
To unlock shutter speed, press the button and rotate the
main command dial until the F icons disappear from the
displays.

126
 Aperture (exposure modes g and h): Press the selected button and
rotate the sub-command dial until F icons appear in the
viewfinder and the control panel.

Fn button Sub-command
dial
To unlock aperture, press the button and rotate the sub-
command dial until the F icons disappear from the displays.

A See Also
Use Custom Setting f7 (Shutter spd & aperture lock; 0 350) to keep
shutter speed and/or aperture locked at the selected values.

127
 Autoexposure (AE) Lock
Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after using
center-weighted metering and spot metering (0 114) to meter
exposure.

1 Lock exposure. Shutter-release button

Position the subject in the selected
focus point and press the shutter-
release button halfway. With the
shutter-release button pressed
halfway and the subject positioned
in the focus point, press the A AE-L/
AF-L button to lock exposure (if you
are using autofocus, confirm that the
in-focus indicator (I) appears in the
A AE-L/AF-L button
viewfinder).
While exposure lock is in effect, an
AE-L indicator will appear in the
viewfinder.

2 Recompose the
photograph.
Keeping the A AE-L/AF-L
button pressed,
recompose the
photograph and shoot.

128
A Metered Area
In spot metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in a
4-mm (0.16 in.) circle centered on the selected focus point. In center-
weighted metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in a
12-mm circle in the center of the viewfinder.
A Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture
While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be adjusted
without altering the metered value for exposure:
Exposure mode Setting
e Shutter speed and aperture (flexible program; 0 118)
f Shutter speed
g Aperture
The new values can be confirmed in the viewfinder and control panel.
Note that the metering can not be changed while exposure lock is in
effect.
A See Also
If On is selected for Custom Setting c1 (Shutter-release button AE-L,
0 319), exposure will lock when the shutter-release button is pressed
halfway. For information on changing the role of the A AE-L/AF-L
button, see Custom Setting f6 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 0 349).

129
 Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value
suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. It
is most effective when used with center-weighted or spot
metering (0 114). Choose from values between –5 EV
(underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments of
1
/3 EV. In general, positive values make the subject brighter while
negative values make it darker.

–1 EV No exposure +1 EV
compensation

130
To choose a value for exposure E button
compensation, press the E button and
rotate the main command dial until the
desired value is displayed in the control
panel or viewfinder.

Main command dial

±0 EV –0.3 (–1/3) EV +2.0 EV

(E button pressed)
At values other than ±0.0, the 0 at the
center of the exposure indicators will
flash (exposure modes e, f, and g only)
and a E icon will be displayed in the
viewfinder and control panel after you
release the E button. The current value
for exposure compensation can be
confirmed in the exposure indicator by pressing the E button.
Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure
compensation to ±0.0. Exposure compensation is not reset
when the camera is turned off.

131
 A Exposure Mode h
In exposure mode h, exposure compensation affects only the
exposure indicator; shutter speed and aperture do not change.
A See Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for
exposure compensation, see Custom Setting b3 (Exp./flash comp.
step value, 0 315). For information on making adjustments to
exposure compensation without pressing the E button, see Custom
Setting b4 (Easy exposure compensation, 0 316). For information
on restricting the effects of exposure compensation to the background
when using a flash for foreground lighting, see Custom Setting e4
(Exposure comp. for flash, 0 338). For information on automatically
varying exposure, flash level, white balance, or Active D-Lighting, see
page 133.

132
Bracketing
Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active
D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot,
“bracketing” the current value. Choose in situations in which it is
difficult to set exposure, flash level (i-TTL and, where supported,
auto aperture flash control modes only; see pages 194, 331, and
430), white balance, or Active D-Lighting and there is not time to
check results and adjust settings with each shot, or to
experiment with different settings for the same subject.

❚❚ Exposure and Flash Bracketing

Vary exposure and/or flash level over a series of photographs.

Exposure modified by: Exposure modified by: Exposure modified by:

0 EV –1 EV +1 EV

1 Select flash or exposure bracketing.

Select Custom Setting e6 (Auto
bracketing set) in the Custom
Settings menu, highlight an option,
and press J. Choose AE & flash to
vary both exposure and flash level,
AE only to vary only exposure, or
Flash only to vary only flash level.

133
 2 Choose the number of shots.
Pressing the D button, rotate the main command dial to
choose the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The
number of shots is shown in the control panel.
Number of shots

D button Main command Control panel

dial
Exposure and flash
bracketing indicator
At settings other than zero, a M
icon and exposure and flash
bracketing indicator will appear in
the control panel and D will be displayed in the viewfinder.

134
3 Select an exposure increment.
Pressing the D button, rotate the sub-command dial to
choose the exposure increment.
Exposure increment

D button Sub-command Control panel

dial

At default settings, the size of the increment can be chosen

from 0.3 (1/3), 0.7 (2/3), 1, 2, and 3 EV. The bracketing programs
with an increment of 0.3 (1/3) EV are listed below.
No. of
Control panel display Bracketing order (EVs)
shots
0 0
3 0/+0.3/+0.7
3 0/–0.7/–0.3
2 0/+0.3
2 0/–0.3
3 0/–0.3/+0.3
5 0/–0.7/–0.3/+0.3/+0.7
7 0/–1.0/–0.7/–0.3/+0.3/+0.7/+1.0
0/–1.3/–1.0/–0.7/–0.3/+0.3/
9
+0.7/+1.0/+1.3

Note that for exposure increments of 2 EV or more, the

maximum number of shots is 5; if a higher value was selected
in Step 2, the number of shots will automatically be set to 5.

135
 4 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
The camera will vary exposure and/or flash level
shot-by-shot according to the bracketing
program selected. Modifications to exposure are
added to those made with exposure compensation (see page
130).
While bracketing is in effect, a bracketing progress indicator
will be displayed in the control panel. A segment will
disappear from the indicator after each shot.

No. shots: 3; increment: 0.7 Display after first shot

A See Also
For information on choosing the size of the exposure increment, see
Custom Setting b2 (EV steps for exposure cntrl, 0 315). For
information on choosing the order in which bracketing is performed,
see Custom Setting e8 (Bracketing order, 0 340). For information on
choosing the role of the D button, see Custom Setting f8 (Assign
BKT button, 0 350).

136
❚❚ Canceling Bracketing
To cancel bracketing, press the D button and rotate the main
command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing
sequence is zero (r) and M is no longer displayed. The
program last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is
activated. Bracketing can also be cancelled by performing a
two-button reset (0 206), although in this case the bracketing
program will not be restored the next time bracketing is
activated.

A Exposure and Flash Bracketing

In continuous release modes (0 102), shooting will pause after the
number of shots specified in the bracketing program have been taken.
Shooting will resume the next time the shutter-release button is
pressed. In self-timer mode, the camera will take the number of shots
selected in Step 2 on page 134 each time the shutter-release button is
pressed, regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting c3 (Self-
timer) > Number of shots (0 319); the interval between shots is
however controlled by Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer) > Interval
between shots. In other modes, one shot will be taken each time the
shutter-release button is pressed.
If the memory card fills before all shots in the sequence have been
taken, shooting can be resumed from the next shot in the sequence
after the memory card has been replaced or shots have been deleted
to make room on the memory card. If the camera is turned off before
all shots in the sequence have been taken, bracketing will resume from
the next shot in the sequence when the camera is turned on.

137
 A Exposure Bracketing
The camera modifies exposure by varying shutter speed and aperture
(programmed auto), aperture (shutter-priority auto), or shutter speed
(aperture-priority auto, manual exposure mode). If On is selected for
ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control (0 111) in
modes e, f, and g, the camera will modify exposure by varying ISO
sensitivity and only vary shutter speed and/or aperture if the limits of
exposure system are exceeded. Custom Setting e7 (Auto bracketing
(mode M), 0 339) can be used to change how the camera performs
exposure and flash bracketing in manual exposure mode. Bracketing
can be performed by varying flash level together with shutter speed
and/or aperture, or by varying flash level alone.

138
❚❚ White Balance Bracketing
The camera creates multiple copies of each photograph, each
with a different white balance. For more information on white
balance, see page 148.

1 Select white balance bracketing.

Choose WB bracketing for Custom
Setting e6 Auto bracketing set.

2 Choose the number of shots.

Pressing the D button, rotate the main command dial to
choose the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The
number of shots is shown in the control panel.
Number of shots

D button Main command Control panel

dial
WB bracketing indicator

At settings other than zero, a W

icon and WB bracketing indicator will
appear in the control panel and D
will be displayed in the viewfinder.

139
 3 Select a white balance increment.
Pressing the D button, rotate the sub-command dial to
choose the white balance adjustment. Each increment is
roughly equivalent to 5 mired.
White balance increment

D button Sub-command Control panel

dial

Choose from increments of 1 (5 mired), 2 (10 mired), or 3

(15 mired). Higher B values correspond to increased amounts
of blue, higher A values to increased amounts of amber
(0 151). The bracketing programs with an increment of 1 are
listed below.
No. of White balance
Control panel display Bracketing order
shots increment
0 1 0
3 1B 0/1 B/2 B
3 1A 0/2 A/1 A
2 1B 0/1 B
2 1A 0/1 A
3 1 A, 1 B 0/1 A/1 B
5 1 A, 1 B 0/2 A/1 A/1 B/2 B
0/3 A/2 A/1 A /
7 1 A, 1 B
1 B/2 B/3 B
0/4 A/3 A/2 A/1 A/
9 1 A, 1 B
1 B/2 B/3 B/4 B

140
4 Frame a photograph, focus, and
shoot.
Each shot will be processed to create
the number of copies specified in the
bracketing program, and each copy will have a different
white balance. Modifications to white balance are added to
the white balance adjustment made with white balance fine-
tuning.
If the number of shots in the
bracketing program is greater than
the number of exposures
remaining, n and the icon for
the affected card will flash in the
control panel, a flashing j icon
will appear in the viewfinder as
shown at right, and the shutter
release will be disabled. Shooting can begin when a new
memory card is inserted.

A See Also
See page 154 for a definition of “mired.”

141
 ❚❚ Canceling Bracketing
To cancel bracketing, press the D button and rotate the main
command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing
sequence is zero (r) and W is no longer displayed. The
program last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is
activated. Bracketing can also be cancelled by performing a
two-button reset (0 206), although in this case the bracketing
program will not be restored the next time bracketing is
activated.

A White Balance Bracketing

White balance bracketing is not available at an image quality of NEF
(RAW). Selecting NEF (RAW), NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine, NEF (RAW) +
JPEG normal, or NEF (RAW) + JPEG basic cancels white balance
bracketing.
White balance bracketing affects only color temperature (the amber-
blue axis in the white balance fine-tuning display, 0 151). No
adjustments are made on the green-magenta axis.
In self-timer mode, the number of copies specified in the white-
balance program will be created each time the shutter is released,
regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer) >
Number of shots (0 319).
If the camera is turned off while the memory card access lamp is lit, the
camera will power off only after all photographs in the sequence have
been recorded.

142
❚❚ ADL Bracketing
The camera varies Active D-Lighting over a series of exposures.
For more information on Active D-Lighting, see page 182.

1 Select ADL bracketing.

Choose ADL bracketing for Custom
Setting e6 Auto bracketing set.

2 Choose the number of shots.

Pressing the D button, rotate the main command dial to
choose the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The
number of shots is shown in the control panel.
Number of shots

D button Main command Control panel

dial
ADL bracketing indicator

143
 At settings other than zero, a d icon and an ADL
bracketing indicator will appear in the control panel and D
will be displayed in the viewfinder. Choose two shots to take
one photograph with Active D-Lighting off and another at a
selected value. Choose three to five shots to take a series of
photographs with Active D-Lighting set to Off, Low, and
Normal (three shots), Off, Low, Normal, and High (four
shots), or Off, Low, Normal, High, and Extra high (five shots).
If you choose more than two shots, proceed to Step 4.

3 Select Active D-Lighting.

Pressing the D button, rotate the sub-command dial to
choose Active D-Lighting.

D button Sub-command dial

144
Active D-Lighting is shown in the control panel.
Control panel display Active D-Lighting

Y Auto

R Low

Q Normal

P High

Z Extra high

145
 4 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
The camera will vary Active D-Lighting shot-by-
shot according to the bracketing program
selected. While bracketing is in effect, a
bracketing progress indicator will be displayed in the control
panel. A segment will disappear from the indicator after each
shot.

No. shots: 3 Display after first shot

❚❚ Canceling Bracketing
To cancel bracketing, press the D button and rotate the main
command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing
sequence is zero (r) and d is no longer displayed. The
program last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is
activated. Bracketing can also be cancelled by performing a
two-button reset (0 206), although in this case the bracketing
program will not be restored the next time bracketing is
activated.

146
A ADL Bracketing
In continuous release modes (0 102), shooting will pause after the
number of shots specified in the bracketing program have been taken.
Shooting will resume the next time the shutter-release button is
pressed. In self-timer mode, the camera will take the number of shots
selected in Step 2 on page 143 each time the shutter-release button is
pressed, regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting c3 (Self-
timer) > Number of shots (0 319); the interval between shots is
however controlled by Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer) > Interval
between shots. In other modes, one shot will be taken each time the
shutter-release button is pressed.
If the memory card fills before all shots in the sequence have been
taken, shooting can be resumed from the next shot in the sequence
after the memory card has been replaced or shots have been deleted
to make room on the memory card. If the camera is turned off before
all shots in the sequence have been taken, bracketing will resume from
the next shot in the sequence when the camera is turned on.

147
 White Balance
White Balance Options
White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of
the light source. Auto white balance is recommended with most
light sources. If the desired results can not be achieved with
auto white balance, choose an option from the list below.
Option Color temp. *
v Auto
Normal 3500–8000 K
Keep warm lighting colors
J Incandescent 3000 K
I Fluorescent
Sodium-vapor lamps 2700 K
Warm-white fluorescent 3000 K
White fluorescent 3700 K
Cool-white fluorescent 4200 K
Day white fluorescent 5000 K
Daylight fluorescent 6500 K
High temp. mercury-vapor 7200 K
H Direct sunlight 5200 K
N Flash 5400 K
G Cloudy 6000 K
M Shade 8000 K
K Choose color temp. (0 155) 2500–10,000 K
L Preset manual (0 158) —
* All values are approximate and do not reflect fine-tuning (if applicable).

148
White balance can be selected by pressing the U button and
rotating the main command dial until the desired setting is
displayed in the control panel.

U button Main command Control panel

dial

A The Shooting Menu

White balance can also be adjusted using the White balance option in
the shooting menu (0 290), which also can be used to fine-tune white
balance (0 151) or measure a value for preset manual white balance
(0 158). The Auto option in the White balance menu offers a choice
of Normal and Keep warm lighting colors, which preserves the warm
colors produced by incandescent lighting, while the I Fluorescent
option can be used to select the light source from the bulb types.
A Studio Flash Lighting
Auto white balance may not produce the desired results with large
studio flash units. Use preset manual white balance or set white
balance to Flash and use fine-tuning to adjust white balance.
A See Also
When WB bracketing is selected for Custom Setting e6 (Auto
bracketing set, 0 338), the camera will create several images each
time the shutter is released. White balance will be varied with each
image, “bracketing” the value currently selected for white balance. See
page 139 for more information.

149
 A Color Temperature
The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer and other
conditions. Color temperature is an objective measure of the color of a
light source, defined with reference to the temperature to which an
object would have to be heated to radiate light in the same
wavelengths. While light sources with a color temperature in the
neighborhood of 5000–5500 K appear white, light sources with a lower
color temperature, such as incandescent light bulbs, appear slightly
yellow or red. Light sources with a higher color temperature appear
tinged with blue.
“Warmer” (redder) colors “Cooler” (bluer) colors

q I (sodium-vapor lamps): 2700 K

w J (incandescent)/I (warm-white fluorescent.): 3000 K
e I (white fluorescent): 3700 K
r I (cool-white fluorescent): 4200 K
t I (day white fluorescent): 5000 K
y H (direct sunlight): 5200 K
u N (flash): 5400 K
i G (cloudy): 6000 K
o I (daylight fluorescent): 6500 K
!0 I (high temp. mercury-vapor): 7200 K
!1 M (shade): 8000 K
Note: All figures are approximate.

150
Fine-Tuning White Balance
At settings other than K (Choose color temp.), white balance
can be “fine-tuned” to compensate for variations in the color of
the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an
image.

❚❚ The White Balance Menu

To fine-tune white balance from the shooting menu, select
White balance and follow the steps below.

1 Display fine-tuning options.

Highlight a white balance option and
press 2 (if a sub-menu is displayed,
select the desired option and press 2
again to display fine-tuning options;
for information on fine-tuning preset
manual white balance, see page 169).

2 Fine-tune white balance.

Use the multi selector to fine-tune
white balance. White balance can be
fine-tuned on the amber (A)–blue (B)
axis in steps of 0.5 and the green (G)–
magenta (M) axis in steps of 0.25. The
horizontal (amber-blue) axis Coordinates
corresponds to color temperature, Adjustment
while the vertical (green-magenta)
axis has the similar effects to the corresponding color
compensation (CC) filters. The horizontal axis is ruled in
increments equivalent to about 5 mired, the vertical axis in
increments of about 0.05 diffuse density units.

151
 3 Press J.
Press J to save settings and return to
the shooting menu. If white balance
has been fine-tuned, an asterisk (“U”)
will be displayed in the control panel.

J button

152
❚❚ The U Button
At settings other than K (Choose color temp.) and L (Preset
manual), the U button can be used to fine-tune white balance
on the amber (A)–blue (B) axis (0 151; to fine-tune white
balance when L is selected, use the shooting menu as
described on page 151). Press the U button and rotate the
sub-command dial to fine-tune white balance in steps of 0.5
(with each full increment equivalent to about 5 mired), stopping
when the desired value is displayed in the control panel. Rotate
the dial left to increase the amount of amber (A), right to
increase the amount of blue (B). At settings other than 0, an
asterisk (“U”) appears in the control panel.

U button Sub-command Control panel

dial

153
 A White Balance Fine-Tuning
The colors on the fine-tuning axes are relative, not absolute. For
example, moving the cursor to B (blue) when a “warm” setting such as
J (Incandescent) is selected for white balance will make
photographs slightly “colder” but will not actually make them blue.
A “Mired”
Any given change in color temperature produces a greater difference
in color at low color temperatures than it would at higher color
temperatures. For example, a change of 1000 K produces a much
greater change in color at 3000 K than at 6000 K. Mired, calculated by
multiplying the inverse of the color temperature by 10 6, is a measure of
color temperature that takes such variation into account, and as such is
the unit used in color-temperature compensation filters. E.g.:
• 4000 K–3000 K (a difference of 1000 K)=83 mired
• 7000 K–6000 K (a difference of 1000 K)=24 mired

154
Choosing a Color Temperature
Follow the steps below to choose a color temperature when K
(Choose color temp.) is selected for white balance.
D Choose Color Temperature
Note that the desired results will not be obtained with flash or
fluorescent lighting. Choose N (Flash) or I (Fluorescent) for these
sources. With other light sources, take a test shot to determine if the
selected value is appropriate.

❚❚ The White Balance Menu

Color temperature can be selected using the White balance
options in the shooting menu. Enter values for the amber–blue
and green–magenta axes (0 151) as described below.

1 Select Choose color temp.

Select White balance in the shooting
menu, then highlight Choose color
temp. and press 2.

2 Select a value for amber-blue.

Press 4 or 2 to highlight digits and
press 1 or 3 to change.

Value for amber (A)-

blue (B) axis

155
 3 Select a value for green-magenta.
Press 4 or 2 to highlight the G
(green) or M (magenta) axis and press
1 or 3 to select a value.

Value for green (G)-

magenta (M) axis

4 Press J.
Press J to save changes and return
to the shooting menu. If a value
other than 0 is selected for the green
(G)–magenta (M) axis, an asterisk
(“U”) will be displayed in the control
panel.

156
❚❚ The U Button
When K (Choose color temp.) is selected, the U button can
be used to select the color temperature, although only for the
amber (A)–blue (B) axis. Press the U button and rotate the sub-
command dial until the desired value is displayed in the control
panel (adjustments are made in mireds; 0 154). To enter a color
temperature directly, press the U button and press 4 or 2 to
highlight a digit and press 1 or 3 to change.

U button Sub-command
dial

Control panel

157
 Preset Manual
Preset manual is used to record and recall custom white balance
settings for shooting under mixed lighting or to compensate for
light sources with a strong color cast. The camera can store up to
six values for preset manual white balance in presets d-1
through d-6. Two methods are available for setting preset
manual white balance:
Method Description
Neutral gray or white object is placed under
lighting that will be used in final photo and white
balance is measured by camera (0 159). In live
Direct measurement
view photography and movie live view (0 35, 49),
white balance can be measured in a selected area
of the frame (spot white balance, 0 163).
Copy from existing White balance is copied from photo on memory
photograph card (0 167).

A White Balance Presets

Changes to white balance presets apply to all shooting menu banks
(0 291).

158
Viewfinder Photography

1 Light a reference object.

Place a neutral gray or white object under the lighting that
will be used in the final photograph. In studio settings, a
standard gray panel can be used as a reference object. Note
that exposure is automatically increased by 1 EV when
measuring white balance; in exposure mode h, adjust
exposure so that the exposure indicator shows ±0 (0 122).

2 Set white balance to L (Preset manual).

Press the U button and rotate the main command dial until
L is displayed in the control panel.

U button Main command Control panel

dial

A Measuring Preset Manual White Balance (Viewfinder Photography)

Preset manual white balance can not be measured while you are
shooting an HDR photograph (0 184) or multiple exposure (0 209), or
when Record movies is selected for Custom Setting g4 (Assign
shutter button, 0 364) and the live view selector is rotated to 1.

159
 3 Select a preset.
Press the U button and rotate the sub-command dial until
the desired white balance preset (d-1 to d-6) is displayed in
the control panel.

U button Sub-command Control panel

dial

4 Select direct measurement mode.

Release the U button briefly and
then press the button until the L
icon in the control panel starts to
flash. A flashing D will also
appear in the viewfinder. The Control panel
displays will flash for about six
seconds.
Viewfinder

160
5 Measure white balance.
Before the indicators stop flashing, frame the
reference object so that it fills the viewfinder and
press the shutter-release button all the way
down. The camera will measure a value for white balance and
store it in the preset selected in Step 3. No photograph will
be recorded; white balance can be measured accurately even
when the camera is not in focus.

6 Check the results.

If the camera was able to measure a
value for white balance, C will
flash in the control panel for about
six seconds, while the viewfinder
will show a flashing a.
Control panel

Viewfinder
If lighting is too dark or too bright,
the camera may be unable to
measure white balance. A flashing
b a will appear in the control
panel and viewfinder for about six
seconds. Press the shutter-release Control panel
button halfway to return to Step 5
and measure white balance again.
Viewfinder

161
 D Direct Measurement Mode
If no operations are performed during viewfinder photography while
the displays are flashing, direct measurement mode will end in the
time selected for Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319).
A Protected Presets
If the current preset is protected (0 169), 3 will flash in the control
panel and viewfinder if you attempt to measure a new value.
A Selecting a Preset
Selecting Preset manual for the White
balance option in the shooting menu
displays the dialog shown at right; highlight
a preset and press J. If no value currently
exists for the selected preset, white balance
will be set to 5200 K, the same as Direct
sunlight.

162
Live View (Spot White Balance)
In live view photography and movie live view (0 35, 49), white
balance can be measured in a selected area of the frame,
eliminating the need to prepare a reference object or change
lenses during telephoto photography.

1 Press the a button.

The mirror will be raised and the view
through the lens will be displayed in
the camera monitor.

a button

2 Set white balance to L (Preset manual).

Press the U button and rotate the main command dial until
L is displayed in the control panel.

U button Main command Control panel

dial

163
 3 Select a preset.
Press the U button and rotate the sub-command dial until
the desired white balance preset (d-1 to d-6) is displayed in
the control panel.

U button Sub-command Control panel

dial

4 Select direct measurement mode.

Release the U button briefly and
then press the button until the L
icon in the control panel starts to
flash. A spot white balance target
(r) will be displayed at the selected Control panel
focus point.

5 Position the target over a white or grey area.

While L flashes in the display, use
the multi selector to position the r
over a white or grey area of the
subject. To zoom the area around the
target in for more precise positioning,
press the X button.

164
6 Measure white balance.
Press the center of the multi selector
or press the shutter-release button all
the way down to measure white
balance. The time available to
measure white balance is that
selected for Custom Setting c4
(Monitor off delay) > Live view
(0 320).
If the camera is unable to measure
white balance, the message shown at
right will be displayed. Choose a new
white balance target and repeat the
process from Step 5.

7 Exit direct measurement mode.

Press the U button to exit direct measurement mode.
When Preset manual is selected for
White balance in the shooting
menu, the position of the target used
to measure preset manual white
balance will be displayed on presets
recorded during live view
photography and movie live view.

165
 A Measuring Preset Manual White Balance (Live View)
Preset manual white balance can not be measured when Record
movies is selected for Custom Setting g4 (Assign shutter button,
0 364) and the live view selector is rotated to 1. Preset manual white
balance can not be set while an HDR exposure is in progress (0 184) or
when a setting other than None is selected for photo live view display
white balance (monitor hue; 0 43).

166
Managing Presets
❚❚ Copying White Balance from a Photograph
Follow the steps below to copy a value for white balance from an
existing photograph to a selected preset.

1 Select Preset manual.

Select White balance in the shooting
menu, then highlight Preset manual
and press 2.

2 Select a destination.
Highlight the destination preset (d-1
to d-6) and press the center of the
multi selector.

3 Choose Select image.

Highlight Select image and press 2.

4 Highlight a source image.

Highlight the source image.

167
 5 Copy white balance.
Press J to copy the white balance value for the highlighted
photograph to the selected preset. If the highlighted
photograph has a comment (0 375), the comment will be
copied to the comment for the selected preset.

A Choosing a Source Image

To view the image highlighted in Step 4 full frame, press and hold the
X button.

X button
To view images in other locations, press W. The dialog shown below
will be displayed; select the desired card and folder.

W button

168
A Choosing a White Balance Preset
Press 1 to highlight the current white
balance preset (d-1– d-6) and press 2 to
select another preset.

A Fine-Tuning Preset Manual White Balance

The selected preset can be fine-tuned by
selecting Fine-tune and adjusting white
balance as described on page 151.

A Edit Comment
To enter a descriptive comment of up to
36 characters for the current white-
balance preset, select Edit comment in
the preset manual white balance menu
and enter a comment as described on
page 178.

A Protect
To protect the current white-balance
preset, select Protect in the preset
manual white balance menu, then
highlight On and press J. Protected
presets can not be modified and the Fine-
tune and Edit comment options can not
be used.

169
 Image Enhancement
Picture Controls
Selecting a Picture Control
Choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of
scene.
Option Description
Standard processing for balanced results.
Q Standard Recommended for most situations.
Minimal processing for natural results. Choose
R Neutral for photographs that will later be processed or
retouched.
Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photoprint
S Vivid effect. Choose for photographs that emphasize
primary colors.
T Monochrome Take monochrome photographs.
Process portraits for skin with natural texture
o Portrait
and a rounded feel.
p Landscape Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
Details are preserved over a wide tone range,
from highlights to shadows. Choose for
q Flat
photographs that will later be extensively
processed or retouched.

170
1 Press L (Z/Q).
A list of Picture Controls will be
displayed.

L (Z/Q) button

2 Select a Picture Control.

Highlight a Picture Control and press
J.

J button

171
 A Custom Picture Controls
Custom Picture Controls are created through modifications to existing
Picture Controls using the Manage Picture Control option in the
shooting menu (0 177). Custom Picture Controls can be saved to a
memory card for sharing among other cameras of the same model and
compatible software (0 180).
A The Picture Control Indicator
The current Picture Control is shown in the
information display when the R button is
pressed.

Picture Control indicator

A The Shooting Menu
Picture Controls can also be selected using the Set Picture Control
option in the shooting menu (0 290).

172
Modifying Picture Controls
Existing preset or custom Picture Controls (0 177) can be
modified to suit the scene or the user’s creative intent. Choose a
balanced combination of settings using Quick adjust, or make
manual adjustments to individual settings.

1 Select a Picture Control.

Highlight the desired Picture Control
in the Picture Control list (0 170) and
press 2.

2 Adjust settings.
Press 1 or 3 to highlight the desired
setting and press 4 or 2 to choose a
value in increments of 1, or rotate the
sub-command dial to choose a value
in increments of 0.25 (0 174).
Repeat this step until all settings have
been adjusted, or select a preset combination of settings by
using the multi selector to choose Quick adjust. Default
settings can be restored by pressing the O (Q) button.

3 Press J.

A Modifications to Original Picture Controls

Picture Controls that have been modified
from default settings are indicated by an
asterisk (“U”) in the Set Picture Control
menu.

173
 ❚❚ Picture Control Settings
Option
Description
Mute or heighten the effect of the selected Picture
Control (note that this resets all manual adjustments).
Quick adjust
Not available with Neutral, Monochrome, Flat, or
custom Picture Controls (0 177).
Control the sharpness of outlines. Select A to adjust
Sharpening sharpening automatically according to the type of
scene.
Adjust clarity manually or select A to let the camera
Manual adjustments
(all Picture Controls)

adjust clarity automatically. Depending on the scene,

Clarity shadows may appear around bright objects or halos
may appear around dark objects at some settings.
Clarity is not applied to movies.
Adjust contrast manually or select A to let the camera
Contrast
adjust contrast automatically.
Raise or lower brightness without loss of detail in
Brightness
highlights or shadows.
Control the vividness of colors. Select A to adjust
(non-monochrome only) (monochrome only)
Manual adjustments

Saturation saturation automatically according to the type of

scene.

Hue Adjust hue.

Manual adjustments

Filter Simulate the effect of color filters on monochrome

effects photographs (0 175).

Choose the tint used in monochrome photographs

Toning
(0 176).

174
D “A” (Auto)
Results for auto sharpening, clarity, contrast, and saturation vary with
exposure and the position of the subject in the frame. Use a type G, E,
or D lens for best results.
A Switching Between Manual and Auto
Press the X button to switch back and forth
between manual and auto (A) settings for
sharpening, clarity, contrast, and saturation.

A Previous Settings
The h indicator under the value display in
the Picture Control setting menu indicates
the previous value for the setting. Use this as
a reference when adjusting settings.

A Filter Effects (Monochrome Only)

The options in this menu simulate the effect of color filters on
monochrome photographs. The following filter effects are available:
Option Description
Y Yellow Enhances contrast. Can be used to tone down the
O Orange brightness of the sky in landscape photographs. Orange
produces more contrast than yellow, red more contrast
R Red than orange.
G Green Softens skin tones. Can be used for portraits.
Note that the effects achieved with Filter effects are more
pronounced than those produced by physical glass filters.

175
 A Toning (Monochrome Only)
Pressing 3 when Toning is selected
displays saturation options. Press 4 or 2
to adjust saturation in increments of 1, or
rotate the sub-command dial to choose a
value in increments of 0.25. Saturation
control is not available when B&W (black-
and-white) is selected.
A Custom Picture Controls
The options available with custom Picture Controls are the same as
those on which the custom Picture Control was based.

176
Creating Custom Picture Controls
The preset Picture Controls supplied with the camera can be
modified and saved as custom Picture Controls.

1 Select Manage Picture Control.

Highlight Manage Picture Control
in the shooting menu and press 2.

2 Select Save/edit.
Highlight Save/edit and press 2.

3 Select a Picture Control.

Highlight an existing Picture Control
and press 2, or press J to proceed to
Step 5 to save a copy of the
highlighted Picture Control without
further modification.

4 Edit the selected Picture Control.

See page 174 for more information.
To abandon any changes and start
over from default settings, press the
O (Q) button. Press J when settings
are complete.

177
 5 Select a destination.
Choose a destination for the custom
Picture Control (C-1 through C-9) and
press 2.

6 Name the Picture Control. Keyboard area

The text-entry dialog shown at right
will be displayed. By default, new
Picture Controls are named by
adding a two-digit number (assigned
automatically) to the name of the
existing Picture Control; to use the
default name, proceed to Step 7. To Name area
move the cursor in the name area,
hold the W button and press 4 or 2. To enter a new letter
at the current cursor position, use the multi selector to
highlight the desired character in the keyboard area and
press the center of the multi selector. To delete the character
at the current cursor position, press the O (Q) button.
Custom Picture Control names can be up to nineteen
characters long. Any characters after the nineteenth will be
deleted.

178
7 Save changes and exit.
Press J to save changes and exit.
The new Picture Control will appear
in the Picture Control list.

J button

A Manage Picture Control > Rename

Custom Picture Controls can be renamed at
any time using the Rename option in the
Manage Picture Control menu.
A Manage Picture Control > Delete
The Delete option in the Manage Picture
Control menu can be used to delete
selected custom Picture Controls when
they are no longer needed.
A The Original Picture Control Icon
The original preset Picture Control on which Original
the custom Picture Control is based is Picture Control icon
indicated by an icon in the top right corner
of the edit display.

179
 Sharing Custom Picture Controls
Use the Load/save option in the Manage Picture Control menu
to copy custom Picture Controls to and from memory cards.
Custom Picture Controls can be created on a computer using
Picture Control Utility 2, a utility launched from ViewNX 2
(supplied) or Capture NX-D, then saved to a memory card and
copied to the camera. Custom Picture Controls created on the
camera can be copied to a memory card for use in other D810s.
Once the copies are no longer needed, they can be deleted
using the Delete from card option.
To copy custom Picture Controls to or
from the memory card, or to delete
custom Picture Controls from the
memory card, highlight Load/Save in
the Manage Picture Control menu and
press 2. The following options will be
displayed:
• Copy to camera: Copy custom Picture Controls from the memory
card to custom Picture Controls C-1 through C-9 on the camera
and name them as desired.
• Delete from card: Delete selected custom
Picture Controls from the memory
card. The confirmation dialog shown
at right will be displayed before a
Picture Control is deleted; to delete the
selected Picture Control, highlight Yes
and press J.
• Copy to card: Copy a custom Picture Control (C-1 through C-9)
from the camera to a selected destination (1 through 99) on
the memory card.

180
A Saving Custom Picture Controls
Up to 99 custom Picture Controls can be stored on the memory card at
any one time. The memory card can only be used to store user-created
custom Picture Controls. The preset Picture Controls supplied with the
camera (0 170) can not be copied to the memory card, renamed, or
deleted.

181
 Preserving Detail in Highlights and
Shadows
Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows,
creating photographs with natural contrast. Use for high
contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly lit
outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of
shaded subjects on a sunny day. It is most effective when used
with matrix metering (0 114).

Active D-Lighting off Active D-Lighting: Y Auto

D “Active D-Lighting” versus “D-Lighting”

The Active D-Lighting option in the shooting menu adjusts exposure
before shooting to optimize the dynamic range, while the D-Lighting
option in the retouch menu (0 388) brightens shadows in images
after shooting.

182
To use Active D-Lighting:

1 Select Active D-Lighting.

Highlight Active D-Lighting in the
shooting menu and press 2.

2 Choose an option.
Highlight the desired option and
press J. If Y Auto is selected, the
camera will automatically adjust
Active D-Lighting according to
shooting conditions (in exposure
mode h, however, Y Auto is
equivalent to Q Normal).

D Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting can not be used with movies. Noise (randomly-
spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) may appear in photographs taken
with Active D-Lighting. With some subjects, you may notice uneven
shading, shadows around bright objects, or halos around dark objects.
Active D-Lighting can not be used at ISO sensitivities of Hi 0.3 or above.
A See Also
When ADL bracketing is selected for Custom Setting e6 (Auto
bracketing set, 0 338), the camera varies Active D-Lighting over a
series of shots (0 143).

183
 High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Used with high-contrast subjects, High Dynamic Range (HDR)
preserves details in highlights and shadows by combining two
shots taken at different exposures. HDR is most effective when
used with matrix metering (0 114; with spot or center-weighted
metering and a non-CPU lens, an exposure differential of Auto is
equivalent to about 2 EV). It can not be used to record NEF
(RAW) images. Movie recording (0 49), flash lighting,
bracketing (0 133), multiple exposure (0 209), and time-lapse
photography (0 223) can not be used while HDR is in effect and
shutter speeds of A and & are not available.

First exposure (darker) Second exposure Combined HDR image

(brighter)

1 Select HDR (high dynamic range).

Highlight HDR (high dynamic
range) in the shooting menu and
press 2.

184
2 Select a mode.
Highlight HDR mode and press 2.

Highlight one of the following and

press J.
• To take a series of HDR photographs,
select 0 On (series). HDR
shooting will continue until you
select Off for HDR mode.
• To take one HDR photograph, select On
(single photo). Normal shooting will resume automatically
after you have created a single HDR photograph.
• To exit without creating additional HDR photographs, select Off.
If On (series) or On (single photo) is
selected, a y icon will be displayed in
the control panel.

185
 3 Choose the exposure differential.
To choose the difference in exposure
between the two shots, highlight
Exposure differential and press 2.

The options shown at right will be

displayed. Highlight an option and
press J. Choose higher values for
high-contrast subjects, but note that
choosing a value higher than
required may not produce the
desired results; if Auto is selected, the
camera will automatically adjust exposure to suit the scene.

4 Choose the amount of smoothing.

To choose how much the boundaries
between the two images are
smoothed, highlight Smoothing and
press 2.

The options shown at right will be

displayed. Highlight an option and
press J. Higher values produce a
smoother composite image. Uneven
shading may be visible with some
subjects.

186
5 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
The camera takes two exposures
when the shutter-release button is
pressed all the way down. l y
will flash in the control panel and
l u in the viewfinder while
the images are combined; no Control panel
photographs can be taken until
recording is complete. Regardless
of the option currently selected for
Viewfinder
release mode, only one photograph
will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed.
If On (series) is selected, HDR will only turn off when Off is
selected for HDR mode; if On (single photo) is selected, HDR
turns off automatically after the photograph is taken. The y
icon clears from the display when HDR shooting ends.

D Framing HDR Photographs

The edges of the image may be cropped out. The desired results may
not be achieved if the camera or subject moves during shooting. Use
of a tripod is recommended. Depending on the scene, shadows may
appear around bright objects or halos may appear around dark
objects; this effect can be reduced by adjusting the amount of
smoothing.

187
 A The D Button
If HDR (high dynamic range) is selected
for Custom Setting f8 (Assign BKT button;
0 350), you can select the HDR mode by
pressing the D button and rotating the
main command dial and the exposure
differential by pressing the D button and
rotating the sub-command dial. The mode
and exposure differential are shown in the
control panel: y and F appear when On
(series) is selected and y when On (single
photo) is selected; no icon appears when
HDR is off.
A Interval Timer Photography
If On (series) is selected for HDR mode before interval timer shooting
begins, the camera will continue to shoot HDR photographs at the
selected interval (if On (single photo) is selected, interval timer
shooting will end after a single shot).
A Shooting Menu Banks
HDR settings can be adjusted separately for each bank (0 291), but
switching to a bank in which HDR is active during multiple exposure
(0 209) or interval timer shooting (0 216) disables HDR. HDR is also
disabled if you switch to a bank in which an NEF (RAW) option is
selected for image quality.

188
Flash Photography
Using the Built-in Flash
The built-in flash can be used not only when natural lighting is
inadequate but to fill in shadows and backlit subjects or to add a
catch light to the subject’s eyes.

1 Choose a metering method (0 114).

Select matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted
metering to activate i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR.
Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR is activated automatically
when spot metering is selected.

2 Press the flash pop-up button.

The built-in flash will pop up and
begin charging. When the flash is
fully charged, the flash-ready
indicator (c) will light.

Flash pop-up button

189
 3 Choose a flash mode.
Press the M (Y) button and rotate the main command dial
until the desired flash mode icon is displayed in the control
panel (0 191).

M (Y) button Main command Control panel

dial

4 Check exposure (shutter speed and aperture).

Press the shutter-release button halfway and check shutter
speed and aperture. The settings available when the built-in
flash is raised are listed on page 193.
The effects of the flash can be previewed by pressing the Pv
button to emit a modeling flash (0 338).

5 Take the picture.

Compose the photograph, focus, and shoot.

A Lowering the Built-in Flash

To save power when the flash is not in use,
press it gently downward until the latch
clicks into place.

190
Flash Modes
The camera supports the following flash modes:
Flash mode Description
This mode is recommended for most situations. In
programmed auto and aperture-priority auto modes,
shutter speed will automatically be set to values
between 1/250 and 1/60 s (1/8000 to 1/60 s when an optional
Front-curtain
flash unit is used with Auto FP High-Speed Sync;
sync
0 329).
Red-eye reduction lamp lights for approximately one
second before main flash. Pupils in subject’s eyes
contract, reducing “red-eye” effect sometimes caused
by flash. Owing to one-second shutter-release delay,
this mode is not recommended with moving subjects
Red-eye
or in other situations in which quick shutter response
reduction
is required. Avoid moving camera while red-eye
reduction lamp is lit.
Combines red-eye reduction with slow sync. Use for
portraits taken against a backdrop of night scenery.
Available only in programmed auto and aperture-
Red-eye priority auto exposure modes. Use of a tripod is
reduction with recommended to prevent blurring caused by camera
slow sync shake.
Flash is combined with shutter speeds as slow as 30 s
to capture both subject and background at night or
under dim light. This mode is only available in
programmed auto and aperture-priority auto
Slow sync exposure modes. Use of tripod is recommended to
prevent blurring caused by camera shake.

191
 Flash mode Description
In shutter-priority auto or manual
exposure mode, flash fires just before the
shutter closes. Use to create effect of a
stream of light behind moving objects. In
programmed auto and aperture-priority auto, slow
Rear-curtain
rear-curtain sync is used to capture both subject and
sync
background. Use of tripod is recommended to
prevent blurring caused by camera shake.

The flash does not fire.

Flash off

D The Built-in Flash

See page 425 for information on the lenses that can be used with the
built-in flash. Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash has a
minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft) and can not be used in the macro range
of zoom lenses with a macro function.
i-TTL flash control is available at ISO sensitivities between 64 and
12800; at other sensitivities, the desired results may not be achieved at
some ranges or aperture values.
If the flash fires in continuous release modes (0 102), only one
photograph will be taken each time the shutter-release button is
pressed.
The shutter release may be briefly disabled to protect the flash after it
has been used for several consecutive shots. The flash can be used
again after a short pause.

192
A Flash Photography Shutter Speed and Aperture
Mode Shutter speed Aperture See page
Set automatically by camera
e 118
(1/250 s–1/60 s) 1, 2 Set automatically by
Value selected by user camera
f 119
(1/250 s–30 s) 2
Set automatically by camera
g 120
(1/250 s–1/60 s) 1, 2 Value selected
Value selected by user by user 3
h 121
(1/250 s–30 s, A, &) 2
1 Shutter speed may be set as slow as 30s in slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, and slow sync
with red-eye reduction flash modes.
2 Speeds as fast as 1/8000 s are available with optional flash units that support auto FP high-
speed sync (0 430) when 1/320 s (Auto FP) or 1/250 s (Auto FP) is selected
for Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed, 0 329).
3 Flash range varies with aperture and ISO sensitivity. Consult table of flash ranges (0 195)
when setting aperture in g and h modes.

193
 A Flash Control Mode
The camera supports the following i-TTL flash control modes:
• i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR: Flash emits series of nearly invisible
preflashes (monitor preflashes) immediately before main flash.
Preflashes reflected from objects in all areas of frame are picked up by
RGB sensor with approximately 91K (91,000) pixels and are analyzed
in combination with range information from matrix metering system
to adjust flash output for natural balance between main subject and
ambient background lighting. If type G, E, or D lens is used, distance
information is included when calculating flash output. Precision of
calculation can be increased for non-CPU lenses by providing lens
data (focal length and maximum aperture; see 0 229). Not available
when spot metering is used.
• Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR: Flash output adjusted to bring lighting
in frame to standard level; brightness of background is not taken into
account. Recommended for shots in which main subject is
emphasized at expense of background details, or when exposure
compensation is used. Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR is activated
automatically when spot metering is selected.
The flash control mode for the built-in flash can be selected using
Custom Setting e3 (Flash cntrl for built-in flash, 0 331). The
information display shows the flash control mode for the built-in flash
as follows:
Flash sync Auto FP (0 329, 330)

i-TTL —

Manual —

Repeating flash —

Commander mode

194
A See Also
See page 198 for information on locking flash value (FV) for a metered
subject before recomposing a photograph.
For information on auto FP high-speed sync and choosing a flash sync
speed, see Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed, 0 329). For
information on choosing the slowest shutter speed available when
using the flash, see Custom Setting e2 (Flash shutter speed, 0 331).
For information on flash control and using the built-in flash in
commander mode, see Custom Setting e3 (Flash cntrl for built-in
flash, 0 331).
See page 428 for information on using optional flash units.
A Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range
Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture.
Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of Range
64 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 m ft
— 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 0.7–8.5 2ft 4in.–27ft 10in.
1.6 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 0.6–6.0 2ft–19ft 8in.
2.2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 0.6–4.2 2ft–13ft 9in.
3.2 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 — 0.6–3.0 2ft–9ft 10in.
4.5 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 — — 0.6–2.1 2ft–6ft 10in.
6.3 8 11 16 22 32 — — — 0.6–1.5 2ft–4ft 11in.
9 11 16 22 32 — — — — 0.6–1.1 2ft–3ft 7in.
13 16 22 32 — — — — — 0.6–0.8 2ft–2ft 7in.
The built-in flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft).
In exposure mode e, the maximum aperture (minimum f-number) is
limited according to ISO sensitivity, as shown below:
Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:
64 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800
2.5 2.8 3.5 4 5 5.6 7.1 8 10
If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the
maximum value for aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.

195
 Flash Compensation
Flash compensation is used to alter flash output by from –3 EV to
+1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV, changing the brightness of the
main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be
increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced
to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.
To choose a value for flash compensation, press the M (Y)
button and rotate the sub-command dial until the desired value
is displayed in the control panel. In general, choose positive
values to make the main subject brighter, negative values to
make it darker.

M (Y) button Sub-command

dial

±0 EV –0.3 (–1/3) EV +1.0 EV

(M (Y) button pressed)
At values other than ±0.0, a Y icon will be displayed in the
control panel and viewfinder after you release the M (Y) button.
The current value for flash compensation can be confirmed by
pressing the M (Y) button.
Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash
compensation to ±0.0. Flash compensation is not reset when
the camera is turned off.

196
A Optional Flash Units
The flash compensation selected with the optional flash unit is added
to the flash compensation selected with the camera.
A See Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for
flash compensation, see Custom Setting b3 (Exp./flash comp. step
value, 0 315). For information on choosing how flash and exposure
compensation combine, see Custom Setting e4 (Exposure comp. for
flash, 0 338). For information on automatically varying flash level
over a series of shots, see page 133.

197
 FV Lock
This feature is used to lock flash output, allowing photographs to
be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring
that flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the
subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. Flash output
is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and
aperture.
To use FV lock:

1 Assign FV lock to a camera control.

Select FV lock as the “press” option
for Custom Setting f4 (Assign Fn
button, 0 343), f5 (Assign preview
button, 0 349), or f6 (Assign AE-L/
AF-L button, 0 349).

2 Press the flash pop-up button.

The built-in flash will pop up and
begin charging.

Flash pop-up button

3 Focus.
Position the subject in the
center of the frame and
press the shutter-release
button halfway to focus.

198
4 Lock flash level.
After confirming that the flash ready
indicator (M) is displayed in the viewfinder, press the button
selected in Step 1. The flash will emit a monitor preflash to
determine the appropriate flash level. Flash output will be
locked at this level and FV lock icon (e) will appear in the
viewfinder.

5 Recompose the photograph.

6 Take the photograph.

Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to
shoot. If desired, additional pictures can be taken without
releasing FV lock.

7 Release FV lock.
Press the button selected in Step 1 to release FV lock.
Confirm that the FV lock icon (e) is no longer displayed in the
viewfinder.

199
 A Using FV Lock with the Built-in Flash
FV lock is only available with the built-in flash when TTL is selected for
Custom Setting e3 (Flash cntrl for built-in flash, 0 331).
A Using FV Lock with Optional Flash Units
FV lock is also available with optional flash units in TTL and (where
supported) monitor pre-flash AA and monitor pre-flash A flash control
modes. Note that when commander mode is selected for Custom
Setting e3 (Flash cntrl for built-in flash, 0 331), you will need to set
the flash control mode for the master or at least one remote group to
TTL or AA.
A Metering
The metering areas for FV lock when using optional flash unit are as
follows:
Flash unit Flash mode Metered area
i-TTL 6-mm circle in center of frame
Stand-alone flash unit Area metered by flash
AA
exposure meter
i-TTL Entire frame
Used with other flash
AA
units (Advanced Area metered by flash
Wireless Lighting) A (master
exposure meter
flash)

200
Other Shooting Options
The R Button (Viewfinder Photography)
Pressing the R button during viewfinder photography displays
shooting information in the monitor including shutter speed,
aperture, number of exposures remaining, and AF-area mode.

1 Exposure mode ...........................116 6 Aperture (f-number) ......... 120, 121

2 Flexible program indicator .......118 Aperture (number of
3 Flash sync indicator....................329 stops)................................... 120, 424
Bracketing increment ....... 135, 140
4 Shutter speed .....................119, 121
Number of shots in ADL
White balance fine-tuning .......151
bracketing sequence................ 143
Color temperature .............148, 155
Maximum aperture
Number of shots in exposure
(non-CPU lenses)....................... 232
and flash bracketing
sequence .....................................134 7 Color temperature
Number of shots in indicator .................... 148, 155, 157
WB bracketing sequence.........139 8 Image area indicator.................... 74
Number of shots in multiple 9 Release mode indicator ............ 102
exposure ......................................211 Continuous shooting speed..... 104
Focal length (non-CPU 10 Focus points indicator ................. 94
lenses) ..........................................232 AF-area mode indicator .............. 90
5 Aperture stop indicator....120, 424

201
 11 Shutter-speed lock icon............ 126 19 Camera battery indicator ............19
12 Electronic front-curtain shutter 20 MB-D12 battery type
indicator ...................................... 323 display.......................................... 327
13 Exposure delay mode MB-D12 battery indicator......... 328
indicator ...................................... 322 21 “k” (appears when memory
14 FV lock indicator ......................... 199 remains for over 1000
15 Aperture lock icon...................... 127 exposures) .....................................20
HDR (series) indicator................ 188 22 Number of exposures
Multiple exposure (series) remaining..............................20, 489
indicator ...................................... 211 Manual lens number ................. 232
16 Flash compensation Time-lapse recording
indicator ...................................... 196 indicator ............................. 223, 227
Flash compensation value........ 196 23 ISO sensitivity indicator ........... 109
17 Exposure compensation Auto ISO sensitivity
indicator ...................................... 130 indicator ...................................... 111
Exposure compensation 24 White balance ............................. 148
value............................................. 130 White balance fine-tuning
18 Exposure and flash indicator ...................................... 152
bracketing indicator ................. 134 25 Eye-Fi connection indicator..... 382
WB bracketing indicator ........... 139 26 Autofocus mode indicator ..........87
ADL bracketing indicator.......... 143 27 Flash mode .................................. 191
ADL bracketing amount ........... 144
HDR indicator .............................. 185
HDR exposure differential ........ 188
Multiple exposure indicator..... 210

202
28 Interval timer indicator ....216, 219 33 T indicator .................................. 466
Time-lapse indicator .........223, 227 34 Image comment indicator........ 375
29 Metering .......................................114 35 Copyright information
30 Image size (JPEG and indicator ...................................... 376
TIFF images).................................. 83 36 Satellite signal indicator ........... 233
31 Image quality................................. 79 37 “Beep” indicator.......................... 321
Secondary slot function.............. 86 38 Picture Control indicator........... 172
32 Small image size indicator 39 Vignette control indicator ........ 297
(NEF/RAW images) ...................... 85

A The T Indicator
The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power
source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is
installed or the camera is powered by an optional power connector
and AC adapter (0 436). Two days of charging will power the clock for
about three months. If the T icon flashes in the information display,
the clock has been reset and the date and time recorded with any new
photographs will not be correct. Set the clock to the correct time and
date using the Time zone and date > Date and time option in the
setup menu (0 18).

203
 40 Active D-Lighting indicator......183 48 Pv button assignment .............. 349
41 High ISO noise reduction 49 Color space indicator ................. 296
indicator.......................................299 50 Exposure indicator ..................... 122
42 Shooting menu bank .................291 Exposure compensation
43 Custom settings bank................304 indicator ...................................... 130
44 Long exposure noise reduction Bracketing progress indicator:
indicator.......................................299 Exposure and flash
bracketing........................... 134
45 D button assignment............350
WB bracketing....................... 139
46 AE-L/AF-L button assignment....349
ADL bracketing ..................... 143
47 Fn button assignment................343
Note: Display shown with all indicators lit for illustrative purposes.

A Turning the Monitor Off

To clear shooting information from the monitor, press the R button
again or press the shutter-release button halfway. The monitor will
turn off automatically if no operations are performed for about 10
seconds.
A See Also
For information on choosing how long the monitor stays on, see
Custom Setting c4 (Monitor off delay, 0 320). For information on
changing the color of the lettering in the information display, see
Custom Setting d10 (Information display, 0 326).

204
The b button
Press the b button for quick access to
the following settings during viewfinder
photography. Highlight items using the
multi selector and press J to view
options for the highlighted item. Press
the b button again to resume shooting.
b button

Option 0 Option 0
Shooting menu bank 291 Assign Fn button 343
High ISO NR 299 Assign AE-L/AF-L button 349
Active D-Lighting 183 Assign BKT button 350
Color space 296 Long exposure NR 299
Assign preview button 349 Custom settings bank 304

A Tool Tips
A tool tip giving the name of the selected
item appears in the information display.
Tool tips can be turned off using Custom
Setting d9 (Screen tips; 0 325).

205
 Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default
Settings
The camera settings listed E button
below can be restored to
default values by holding the
T and E buttons down
together for more than two
seconds (these buttons are
marked by a green dot). The
control panel turns off briefly T button
while settings are reset.

206
❚❚ Settings Accessible from the Shooting Menu 1
Option Default
Image quality JPEG normal
JPEG/TIFF recording
Image size Large
NEF (RAW) recording
Image size Large
White balance Auto > Normal
Fine-tuning A-B: 0, G-M: 0
Picture Control settings 2 Unmodified
HDR (high dynamic range) Off 3
ISO sensitivity settings
ISO sensitivity 100
Auto ISO sensitivity control Off
Multiple exposure Off 4
Interval timer shooting Off 5
1 With the exception of multiple exposure and interval timer settings and Picture Control
parameters, only settings in the bank currently selected using the Shooting menu
bank option will be reset (0 291). Settings in the remaining banks are unaffected.
2 Current Picture Control only.
3 Exposure differential and smoothing are not reset.
4 If multiple exposure is currently in progress, shooting will end and multiple exposure will be
created from exposures recorded to that point. Gain and number of shots are not reset.
5 If interval timer shooting is currently in progress, shooting will end. Starting time, shooting
interval, number of intervals and shots, and exposure smoothing are not reset.

207
 ❚❚ Other Settings
Option Default
Focus point 1 Center
Preset focus point Center
Exposure mode Programmed auto
Flexible program Off
Exposure compensation Off
AE lock hold Off
Aperture lock Off
Shutter speed lock Off
Autofocus mode AF-S
AF-area mode
Viewfinder Single-point AF
Live view photography/movie live view Normal-area AF
Photo live view display WB None
Highlight display Off
Headphone volume 15
Metering Matrix
Bracketing Off 2
Flash mode Front-curtain sync
Flash compensation Off
FV lock Off
Exposure delay mode Off 3
+ NEF (RAW) Off
1 Focus point not displayed if auto-area AF is selected for AF-area mode.
2 Number of shots is reset to zero. Bracketing increment is reset to 1EV (exposure/flash
bracketing) or 1 (white balance bracketing). Y Auto is selected for the second shot of
two-shot ADL bracketing programs.
3 Only settings in the bank currently selected using the Custom settings bank option
will be reset (0 304). Settings in the remaining banks are unaffected.

A See Also
See page 272 for a list of default settings.

208
Multiple Exposure
Follow the steps below to record a series of two to ten exposures
in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can make use of
RAW data from the camera image sensor to produce colors
noticeably superior to those in software-generated
photographic overlays.

❚❚ Creating a Multiple Exposure

Multiple exposures can not be recorded in live view. Exit live
view before proceeding. Note that at default settings, shooting
will end and a multiple exposure will be recorded automatically
if no operations are performed for 30 s.

1 Select Multiple exposure.

Highlight Multiple exposure in the
shooting menu and press 2.

A Extended Recording Times

For an interval between exposures of more than 30 s, extend the
meter-off delay using Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319). The
maximum interval between exposures is 30 s longer than the option
selected for Custom Setting c2. If the monitor turns off during
playback or menu operations and no operations are performed for 30 s
after the standby timer has expired, shooting will end and a multiple
exposure will be created from the exposures that have been recorded
to that point.

209
 2 Select a mode.
Highlight Multiple exposure mode
and press 2.

Highlight one of the following and

press J:
• To take a series of multiple exposures,
select 0 On (series). Multiple
exposure shooting will continue
until you select Off for Multiple
exposure mode.
• To take one multiple exposure, select On (single photo). Normal
shooting will resume automatically after you have created a
single multiple exposure.
• To exit without creating additional multiple exposures, select Off.
If On (series) or On (single photo) is
selected, a n icon will be displayed in
the control panel.

210
3 Choose the number of shots.
Highlight Number of shots and
press 2.

Press 1 or 3 to choose the number

of exposures that will be combined
to form a single photograph and
press J.

A The D Button
If Multiple exposure is selected for
Custom Setting f8 (Assign BKT button;
0 350), you can select the multiple
exposure mode by pressing the D
button and rotating the main command
dial and the number of shots by
pressing the D button and rotating
the sub-command dial. The mode and
number of shots are shown in the
control panel: n and F appear when
On (series) is selected and n when On
(single photo) is selected; no icon
appears when multiple exposure is off.

211
 4 Choose the amount of gain.
Highlight Auto gain and press 2.

The following options will be

displayed. Highlight an option and
press J.
• On: Gain is adjusted according to
number of exposures actually
recorded (gain for each exposure is
set to 1/2 for 2 exposures, 1/3 for
3 exposures, etc.).
• Off: Gain is not adjusted when recording multiple exposure.
Note that photographs may be affected by noise (randomly-
spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines).

212
5 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
In continuous release modes (0 102), the camera
records all exposures in a single burst. If On
(series) is selected, the camera will continue to
record multiple exposures while the shutter-release button is
pressed; if On (single photo) is selected, multiple exposure
shooting will end after the first photograph. In self-timer
mode, the camera will automatically record the number of
exposures selected in Step 3 on page 211, regardless of the
option selected for Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer) >
Number of shots (0 319); the interval between shots is
however controlled by Custom Setting c3 (Self-timer) >
Interval between shots. In other release modes, one
photograph will be taken each time the shutter-release
button is pressed; continue shooting until all exposures have
been recorded (for information on interrupting a multiple
exposure before all photographs are recorded, see page 214).
The n icon will flash until shooting
ends. If On (series) is selected,
multiple exposure shooting will only
end when Off is selected for multiple
exposure mode; if On (single photo)
is selected, multiple exposure shooting ends automatically
when the multiple exposure is complete. The n icon clears
from the display when multiple exposure shooting ends.

213
 ❚❚ Interrupting Multiple Exposures
To interrupt a multiple exposure before
the specified number of exposures have
been taken, select Off for multiple
exposure mode. If shooting ends before
the specified number of exposures have
been taken, a multiple exposure will be
created from the exposures that have
been recorded to that point. If Auto gain is on, gain will be
adjusted to reflect the number of exposures actually recorded.
Note that shooting will end automatically if:
• A two-button reset is performed (0 206)
• The camera is turned off
• The battery is exhausted
• Pictures are deleted

D Multiple Exposure
Do not remove or replace the memory card while recording a multiple
exposure.
Multiple exposures can not be recorded in live view. Taking
photographs in live view resets Multiple exposure mode to Off.
The shooting information listed in the playback photo information
display (including metering, exposure, exposure mode, focal length,
date of recording and camera orientation) is for the first shot in the
multiple exposure.

214
A Interval Timer Photography
If interval timer photography is activated before the first exposure is
taken, the camera will record exposures at the selected interval until
the number of exposures specified in the multiple exposure menu
have been taken (the number of shots listed in the interval timer
shooting menu is ignored). These exposures will then be recorded as a
single photograph and interval timer shooting will end (if On (single
photo) is selected for multiple exposure mode, multiple exposure
shooting will also end automatically).
A Other Settings
While a multiple exposure is being shot, memory cards can not be
formatted and some menu items are grayed out and can not be
changed.

215
 Interval Timer Photography
The camera is equipped to take photographs automatically at
preset intervals.
D Before Shooting
Select a release mode other than self-timer (E) when using the interval
timer. Before beginning interval timer photography, take a test shot at
current settings and view the results in the monitor. Once settings
have been adjusted to your satisfaction, close the viewfinder eyepiece
shutter to prevent light entering via the viewfinder interfering with
photographs and exposure (0 106).
Before choosing a starting time, select Time zone and date in the
setup menu and make sure that the camera clock is set to the correct
time and date (0 18).
Use of a tripod is recommended. Mount the camera on a tripod before
shooting begins. To ensure that shooting is not interrupted, be sure
the camera battery is fully charged. If in doubt, charge the battery
before use or use an AC adapter and power connector (available
separately).

1 Select Interval timer shooting.

Highlight Interval timer shooting in
the shooting menu and press 2 to
display interval timer settings.

216
2 Adjust interval timer settings.
Choose a start option, interval, number of shots per interval,
and exposure smoothing option.
• To choose a start option:

Highlight Start options and Highlight an option and press J.

press 2.
To start shooting immediately, select Now. To start shooting at a
chosen date and time, select Choose start day and start time,
then choose the date and time and press J.
• To choose the interval between shots:

Highlight Interval and press 2. Choose an interval (hours,

minutes, and seconds) and
press J.

217
 • To choose the number of shots per interval:

Highlight No. of intervals × Choose the number of intervals

shots/interval and press 2. and the number of shots per
interval and press J.
In S (single frame) mode, the photographs for each interval will be
taken at the rate chosen for Custom Setting d2 (CL mode shooting
speed, 0 321).
• To enable or disable exposure smoothing:

Highlight Exposure smoothing Highlight an option and press J.

and press 2.
Selecting On allows the camera to adjust exposure to match the
previous shot in e, f, and g modes (note that exposure smoothing
only takes effect in mode h if auto ISO sensitivity control is on).

218
3 Start shooting.
Highlight Start and press J. The first
series of shots will be taken at the
specified starting time, or after about
3 s if Now was selected for Start
options in Step 2. Shooting will
continue at the selected interval until J button
all shots have been taken.

A During Shooting
During interval timer photography, the Q
icon will flash in the control panel.
Immediately before the next shooting
interval begins, the shutter speed display
will show the number of intervals
remaining, and the aperture display will
show the number of shots remaining in the current interval. At other
times, the number of intervals remaining and the number of shots in
each interval can be viewed by pressing the shutter-release button
halfway (once the button is released, the shutter speed and aperture
will be displayed until the standby timer expires).
Pictures can be played back while interval timer photography is in
progress. The monitor will turn off automatically about four seconds
before each interval. Note that changing camera settings while the
interval timer is active may cause shooting to end.

219
 ❚❚ Pausing Interval Timer Photography
Interval timer photography can be paused between intervals by
pressing J or selecting Pause in the interval timer menu.

❚❚ Resuming Interval Timer Shooting

To resume shooting:
Starting Now

Highlight Restart and

press J.
Starting at a Specified Time

For Start options, Choose a starting date Highlight Restart and

highlight Choose start and time and press J. press J.
day and start time
and press 2.

❚❚ Ending Interval Timer Shooting

To end interval timer photography and resume normal shooting
before all the photos are taken, select Off in the interval timer
menu.

220
❚❚ No Photograph
The camera will skip the current interval if any of the following
situations persist for eight seconds or more after the interval was
due to start: the photograph or photographs for the previous
interval have yet to be taken, the memory card is full, or single-
servo autofocus is in effect and the camera is unable to focus
(note that the camera focuses again before each shot). Shooting
will resume with the next interval.

D Out of Memory
If the memory card is full, the interval timer will remain active but no
pictures will be taken. Resume shooting (0 220) after deleting some
pictures or turning the camera off and inserting another memory card.
A Interval Timer Photography
Choose an interval longer than the time needed to take the selected
number of shots. If the interval is too short, the number of photos
taken may be less than the total listed in Step 2 (the number of
intervals multiplied by the number of shots per interval). Interval timer
photography can not be combined with long time-exposures (bulb or
time photography, 0 123) or live view or time-lapse photography
(0 35, 223) and is not available in movie live view (0 49) or when
Record movies is selected for Custom Setting g4 (Assign shutter
button, 0 364). Note that because the shutter speed, frame rate, and
time needed to record images may vary from one interval to the next,
the time between the end of one interval and the beginning of the
next may vary. If shooting can not proceed at current settings (for
example, if a shutter speed of A or & is currently selected in
manual exposure mode or the start time is in less than a minute), a
warning will be displayed in the monitor.
Interval timer shooting will pause when E (self-timer) mode is
selected or if the camera is turned off and then on again (when the
camera is off, batteries and memory cards can be replaced without
ending interval timer photography). Pausing shooting does not affect
interval timer settings.

221
 A Bracketing
Adjust bracketing settings before starting interval timer photography.
If exposure, flash, or ADL bracketing is active while interval timer
photography is in effect, the camera will take the number of shots in
the bracketing program at each interval, regardless of the number of
shots specified in the interval timer menu. If white balance bracketing
is active while interval timer photography is in effect, the camera will
take one shot at each interval and process it to create the number of
copies specified in the bracketing program.
A Shooting Menu Banks
Changes to interval timer settings apply to all shooting menu banks
(0 291); changing the shooting menu bank does not interrupt interval
timer photography. If shooting menu settings are reset using the
Shooting menu bank item in the shooting menu (0 292), interval
timer shooting will end and interval timer settings will be reset as
follows:
• Start options: Now • Number of shots: 1
• Interval: 00:01':00" • Exposure smoothing: Off
• Number of intervals: 1

222
Time-Lapse Photography
The camera automatically takes photos at selected intervals to
create a silent time-lapse movie using the options currently
selected for Frame size/frame rate, Movie quality, and
Destination in the movie settings menu (0 62). For information
on the image area used for time-lapse movies, see page 59.
A Before Shooting
Before beginning time-lapse photography, take a test shot at current
settings (framing the photo in the viewfinder for an accurate exposure
preview) and view the results in the monitor. For consistent coloration,
choose a white balance setting other than auto (0 148). Once settings
have been adjusted to your satisfaction, close the viewfinder eyepiece
shutter to prevent light entering via the viewfinder interfering with
photographs and exposure (0 106).
Use of a tripod is recommended. Mount the camera on a tripod before
shooting begins. To ensure that shooting is not interrupted, use an
optional AC adapter and power connector or a fully-charged battery.

1 Select Time-lapse photography.

Highlight Time-lapse photography
in the shooting menu and press 2 to
display time-lapse photography
settings.

223
 2 Adjust time-lapse photography settings.
Choose an interval, total shooting time, and exposure
smoothing option.
• To choose the interval between frames:

Highlight Interval and press 2. Choose an interval longer than

the slowest anticipated shutter
speed (minutes and seconds) and
press J.
• To choose the total shooting time:

Highlight Shooting time and Choose shooting time (up to

press 2. 7 hours 59 minutes) and press J.
• To enable or disable exposure smoothing:

Highlight Exposure smoothing Highlight an option and press J.

and press 2.
Selecting On smooths abrupt changes in exposure in e, f, and g
modes (note that exposure smoothing only takes effect in mode h
if auto ISO sensitivity control is on).

224
3 Start shooting.
Highlight Start and press J. Time-
lapse photography starts after about
3 s. The camera takes photographs at
the selected interval for the selected
shooting time.
J button
When complete, time-lapse movies
are recorded to the memory card
selected for Movie settings >
Destination (0 63).

❚❚ Ending Time-Lapse Photography

To end time-lapse photography before all the photos are taken,
highlight Off in the time-lapse photography menu and press J,
or press J between frames or immediately after a frame is
recorded. A movie will be created from the frames shot to the
point where time-lapse photography ended. Note that time-
lapse photography will end and no movie will be recorded if the
power source is removed or disconnected or the destination
memory card is ejected.

225
 ❚❚ No Photograph
The camera will skip the current frame if single-servo autofocus
is in effect and the camera is unable to focus (note that the
camera focuses again before each shot). Shooting will resume
with the next frame.

D Time-Lapse Photography
Time-lapse is not available in live view (0 35, 49), at a shutter speed of
A or & (0 123), when bracketing (0 133), High Dynamic Range
(HDR, 0 184), multiple exposure (0 209), or interval timer
photography (0 216) is active. Note that because shutter speed and
the time needed to record the image to the memory card may vary
from shot to shot, the interval between a shot being recorded and the
start of the next shot may vary. Shooting will not begin if a time-lapse
movie can not be recorded at current settings (for example, if the
memory card is full, the interval or shooting time is zero, or the interval
is longer than the shooting time).
Time-lapse photography may end if camera controls are used or
settings are changed or HDMI cable is connected. A movie will be
created from the frames shot to the point where time-lapse
photography ended.

226
A Calculating the Length of the Final Movie
The total number of frames in the final Length recorded/
movie can be approximated by dividing the maximum length
shooting time by the interval and rounding
up. The length of the final movie can then
be calculated by dividing the number of
shots by the frame rate selected for Movie
settings > Frame size/frame rate. A
48 frame movie recorded at 1920×1080;
24p, for example, will be about two
seconds long. The maximum length for Memory card
movies recorded using time-lapse indicator
photography is 20 minutes.
Frame size/frame rate
A During Shooting
During time-lapse photography, a Q icon
will flash and the time-lapse recording
indicator will be displayed in the control
panel. The time remaining (in hours and
minutes) appears in the shutter-speed
display immediately before each frame is
recorded. At other times, the time remaining can be viewed by
pressing the shutter-release button halfway. Regardless of the option
selected for Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319), the standby
timer will not expire during shooting.
To view current time-lapse photography
settings or end time-lapse photography
(0 220), press the G button between
shots.

227
 A Image Review
The K button can not be used to view pictures while time-lapse
photography is in progress, but the current frame will be displayed for
a few seconds after each shot if On is selected for Image review in the
playback menu (0 287). Other playback operations can not be
performed while the frame is displayed.
A Release Mode
Regardless of the release mode selected, the camera will take one shot
at each interval. The self-timer can not be used.
A See Also
For information on setting a beep to sound when time-lapse
photography is complete, see Custom Setting d1 (Beep, 0 321).

228
Non-CPU Lenses
Non-CPU lenses can be used in exposure modes g and h, with
aperture set using the lens aperture ring. By specifying lens data
(lens focal length and maximum aperture), the user can gain
access to the following CPU lens functions.
If the focal length of the lens is known:
• Power zoom can be used with optional flash units
• Lens focal length is listed (with an asterisk) in the playback
photo info display
If the maximum aperture of the lens is known:
• The aperture value is displayed in the control panel and
viewfinder
• Flash level is adjusted for changes in aperture if the flash unit
supports AA (auto aperture) mode
• Aperture is listed (with an asterisk) in the playback photo info
display
Specifying both the focal length and maximum aperture of the lens:
• Enables color matrix metering (note that it may be necessary to
use center-weighted or spot metering to achieve accurate
results with some lenses, including Reflex-NIKKOR lenses)
• Improves the precision of center-weighted and spot metering
and i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR

229
 The camera can store data for up to nine non-CPU lenses. To
enter or edit data for a non-CPU lens:

1 Select Non-CPU lens data.

Highlight Non-CPU lens data in the
setup menu and press 2.

2 Choose a lens number.

Highlight Lens number and press 4
or 2 to choose a lens number.

3 Enter the focal length and aperture.

Highlight Focal length (mm) or
Maximum aperture and press 4 or
2 to edit the highlighted item.

4 Save settings and exit.

Press J. The specified focal length and aperture will be
stored under the chosen lens number.

230
A Focal Length Not Listed
If the correct focal length is not listed, choose the closest value greater
than the actual focal length of the lens.
A Teleconverters and Zoom Lenses
The maximum aperture for teleconverters is the combined maximum
aperture of the teleconverter and the lens. Note that lens data are not
adjusted when non-CPU lenses are zoomed in or out. The data for
different focal lengths can be entered as separate lens numbers, or the
data for the lens can be edited to reflect the new values for lens focal
length and maximum aperture each time zoom is adjusted.

231
 To recall lens data when using a non-CPU lens:

1 Assign non-CPU lens number selection to a camera control.

Select Choose non-CPU lens number as the “Press +
command dials” option for a camera control in the Custom
Settings menu (0 348). Non-CPU lens number selection can
be assigned to the Fn button (Custom Setting f4, Assign Fn
button, 0 343), the Pv button (Custom Setting f5, Assign
preview button, 0 349), or the A AE-L/AF-L button (Custom
Setting f6, Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 0 349).

2 Use the selected control to choose a lens number.

Press the selected button and rotate the main or sub-
command dial until the desired lens number is displayed in
the control panel.
Maximum
Focal length aperture

Fn button Main command Lens number

dial

232
Location Data
A GPS unit can be connected to the ten-pin remote terminal,
allowing the current latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated
Universal Time (UTC), and heading to be recorded with each
photograph taken. The camera can be used with an optional
GP-1 and GP-1A GPS units (see below; note that these units do
not provide the compass heading), or with compatible third-
party units connected via an optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord
(0 440).

❚❚ GP-1/GP-1A GPS Units

These optional GPS units are designed
for use with Nikon digital cameras. For
information on connecting the unit, see
the manual provided with the device.

A The o Icon
Connection status is shown by the o icon:
• o (static): The camera has established
communication with the GPS device.
Photo information for pictures taken while
this icon is displayed includes an
additional page of location data (0 246).
• o (flashing): The location device is
searching for a signal. Pictures taken while the icon is flashing do not
include location data.
• No icon: No new location data have been received from the GPS device
for at least two seconds. Pictures taken when the o icon is not
displayed do not include location data.

233
 ❚❚ Setup Menu Options
The Location data item in the setup menu contains the options
listed below.
• Standby timer: Choose whether or not the exposure meters
will turn off automatically when a GPS unit is attached.
Option Description
Exposure meters will turn off automatically if no
operations are performed for the period specified in
Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319; to allow the
Enable camera time to acquire location data when a GP-1 or
GP-1A is connected, the delay is extended by up to one
minute after exposure meters are activated or the camera
is turned on). This reduces the drain on the battery.
Exposure meters will not turn off while a GPS unit is
Disable
connected.
• Position: This item is only available if a GPS device is
connected, when it displays the current latitude, longitude,
altitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and heading (if
supported) as reported by the GPS device.
• Set clock from satellite: Select Yes to synchronize the camera
clock with the time reported by the GPS device.

A Heading
The heading is only recorded if the GPS
device is equipped with a digital compass
(note that the GP-1 and GP-1A are not
equipped with a compass). Keep the GPS
device pointing in the same direction as the
lens and at least 20cm (8 in.) from the
camera.
A Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
UTC data is provided by the GPS device and is independent of the
camera clock.

234
More About Playback
Viewing Images
W W W

X X X
Full-frame
playback Thumbnail playback

Full-Frame Playback
To play photographs back, press the K
button. The most recent photograph
will be displayed in the monitor.
Additional pictures can be displayed by
pressing 4 or 2; to view additional
information on the current photograph,
press 1 or 3 (0 238). K button

Thumbnail Playback
To view multiple images, press the W
button when a picture is displayed full
frame. The number of images displayed
increases from 4 to 9 to 72 each time the
W button is pressed, and decreases
with each press of the X button. Use the
multi selector to highlight images and W button
press the center of the multi selector to
view the highlighted image full frame.

235
 A Rotate Tall
To display “tall” (portrait-orientation)
photographs in tall orientation, select On
for the Rotate tall option in the playback
menu (0 288).

A Image Review
When On is selected for Image review in the playback menu (0 287),
photographs are automatically displayed in the monitor after shooting
(because the camera is already in the correct orientation, images are
not rotated automatically during image review). In continuous release
modes, display begins when shooting ends, with the first photograph
in the current series displayed.
A Retouch and Editing
To create a retouched or edited copy of the photo or movie currently
displayed in full-frame playback, press the b button and choose an
option.

236
A Two Memory Cards
If two memory cards are inserted, you can
select a memory card for playback by
pressing the W button when 72
thumbnails are displayed. The dialog
shown at right will be displayed; highlight
the desired slot and press 2 to display a list
of folders, then highlight a folder and press
J to view the pictures in the selected folder.
A Resuming Shooting
To turn the monitor off and return to shooting mode, press K or press
the shutter-release button halfway. Photographs can be taken
immediately.
A See Also
For information on choosing how long the monitor will remain on
when no operations are performed, see Custom Setting c4 (Monitor
off delay, 0 320). For information on choosing the role played by the
center of the multi selector, see Custom Setting f2 (Multi selector
center button, 0 341). For information on using the command dials
for image or menu navigation, see Custom Setting f9 (Customize
command dials) > Menus and playback (0 352).

237
 Photo Information
Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full-
frame playback. Press 1 or 3 to cycle through photo
information as shown below. Note that “image only”, shooting
data, RGB histograms, and highlights are only displayed if
corresponding option is selected for Playback display options
(0 282). Location data are only displayed if a GPS device was
used when the photo was taken (0 233).

File information None (image only) Overview data

Highlights Location data

RGB histogram Shooting data

238
❚❚ File Information

1 Protect status............................... 250 7 Image size .......................................83

2 Retouch indicator ....................... 384 8 Image area ......................................74
3 Focus point 1, 2 .................................94 9 Time of recording..........................18
4 AF area brackets 1...........................17 10 Date of recording ..........................18
5 Frame number/total number of 11 Current card slot ............................20
frames 12 Folder name................................. 293
6 Image quality .................................79 13 File name...................................... 295
1 Displayed only if Focus point is selected for Playback display options (0 282).
2 If photograph was taken using AF-S, display shows point where focus first locked. If photograph was
taken using AF-C, focus point is only displayed if option other than auto-area AF was selected for
AF-area mode and camera was able to focus.

239
 ❚❚ Highlights

1 Image highlights * 3 Current channel *

2 Folder number–frame number
.......................................................293
* Flashing areas indicate highlights (areas that may be
overexposed) for current channel. Hold W button
and press 4 or 2 to cycle through channels as
follows:

W button

RGB R
(all channels) (red)

B G
(blue) (green)

240
❚❚ RGB Histogram

1 Image highlights * 4 Current channel *

2 Folder number–frame number 5 Histogram (RGB channel). In all
....................................................... 293 histograms, horizontal axis gives
3 White balance ............................. 148 pixel brightness, vertical axis
Color temperature ............... 155 number of pixels.
White balance fine-tuning 6 Histogram (red channel)
............................................... 151 7 Histogram (green channel)
Preset manual ....................... 158 8 Histogram (blue channel)
* Flashing areas indicate highlights (areas that may be
overexposed) for current channel. Hold W button
and press 4 or 2 to cycle through channels as
follows:

W button

RGB R
(all channels) (red)

Highlight B G
display off (blue) (green)

241
 A Playback Zoom
To zoom in on the photograph when the
histogram is displayed, press X. Use the X
and W buttons to zoom in and out and
scroll the image with the multi selector. The
histogram will be updated to show only the
data for the portion of the image visible in
the monitor.
A Histograms
Camera histograms are intended as a guide only and may differ from
those displayed in imaging applications. Some sample histograms are
shown below:
If the image contains objects
with a wide range of
brightnesses, the distribution
of tones will be relatively even.
If the image is dark, tone
distribution will be shifted to
the left.

If the image is bright, tone

distribution will be shifted to
the right.

Increasing exposure compensation shifts the distribution of tones to

the right, while decreasing exposure compensation shifts the
distribution to the left. Histograms can provide a rough idea of overall
exposure when bright ambient lighting makes it difficult to see
photographs in the monitor.

242
❚❚ Shooting Data

1 Metering ....................................... 114 7 Flash type ............................ 189, 428

Electronic front-curtain Commander mode..................... 334
shutter.......................................... 323 8 Flash mode .................................. 191
Shutter speed ..................... 119, 121 9 Flash control ................................ 331
Aperture............................... 120, 121 Flash compensation .................. 196
2 Exposure mode ........................... 116 10 Camera name
ISO sensitivity 1 ............................ 109
11 Image area ......................................74
3 Exposure compensation ........... 130
2
12 Folder number–frame
Optimal exposure tuning ....... 318
number........................................ 293
4 Focal length ........................ 229, 427
5 Lens data ...................................... 229
6 Focus mode.....................................87
Lens VR (vibration reduction) 3

243
 13 White balance..............................148 14 Color space................................... 296
Color temperature................155 15 Picture Control 4 .......................... 170
White balance fine-tuning
...............................................151
Preset manual........................158

16 High ISO noise reduction..........299 19 Vignette control .......................... 297

Long exposure noise reduction 20 Retouch history........................... 384
.......................................................299 21 Image comment ......................... 375
17 Active D-Lighting........................182
18 HDR exposure differential ........186
HDR smoothing...........................186

244
22 Name of photographer 5 ........... 376 23 Copyright holder 5 ...................... 376
1 Displayed in red if photo was taken with auto ISO sensitivity control on.
2 Displayed if Custom Setting b7 (Fine-tune optimal exposure, 0 318) has been set
to a value other than zero for any metering method.
3 Displayed only if VR lens is attached.
4 Items displayed vary with Picture Control selected.
5 The fourth page of the shooting data is only displayed if copyright information was recorded
with the photograph as described on page 376.

245
 ❚❚ Location Data 1 (0 233)

1 Latitude 4 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

2 Longitude 5 Heading 2
3 Altitude
1 Data for movies are for start of recording.
2 Displayed only if GPS device is equipped with electronic compass.

246
❚❚ Overview

1 Frame number/total number of 17 Metering....................................... 114

frames 18 Exposure mode........................... 116
2 Protect status............................... 250 19 Shutter speed..................... 119, 121
3 Retouch indicator....................... 384 20 Flash compensation .................. 196
4 Multiple exposure ...................... 209 Commander mode..................... 334
5 Location data indicator ............. 233 21 Aperture .............................. 120, 121
6 Camera name 22 ISO sensitivity * ............................ 109
7 Image comment indicator ....... 375 23 Flash mode .................................. 191
8 Histogram showing the 24 Focal length ........................ 229, 427
distribution of tones in the image 25 Active D-Lighting ...................... 182
(0 242). 26 Picture Control ............................ 170
9 Image quality .................................79 27 Color space .................................. 296
10 Image size........................................83 28 White balance ............................. 148
11 Image area ......................................74 Color temperature ............... 155
12 File name ...................................... 295 White balance fine-tuning
13 Time of recording ..........................18 ............................................... 151
14 Folder name................................. 293 Preset manual ....................... 158
15 Date of recording...........................18 29 Exposure compensation........... 130
16 Current card slot ............................20
* Displayed in red if photo was taken with auto ISO sensitivity control on.

247
 Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom
Press the X button to zoom in on the
image displayed in full-frame playback.
The following operations can be
performed while zoom is in effect:

X button

To Use Description
Press X to
zoom 36 × 24
(3 : 2) format
Zoom in or images in to
out
X/W
maximum of
approximately
46× (large
images), 34× (medium images) or 22×
(small images). Press W to zoom out.
While photo is zoomed in, use multi
selector to view areas of image not visible
in monitor. Keep multi selector pressed
View other to scroll rapidly to other areas of frame.
areas of Navigation window is displayed when
image zoom ratio is altered; area currently
visible in monitor is indicated by yellow
border. Bar under navigation window
shows zoom ratio; turns green at ratio of
1 : 1.

248
 To Use Description
Faces (up to 35)
detected
during zoom
are indicated
Select faces by white
borders in
navigation
window. Rotate sub-command dial to
view other faces.
Rotate main command dial to view same
View other location in other images at current zoom
images ratio. Playback zoom is cancelled when a
movie is displayed.
Return to Press the shutter-release button halfway
shooting /K or press the K button to exit to shooting
mode mode.

249
 Protecting Photographs from Deletion
In full-frame, zoom, and thumbnail playback, press the
L (Z/Q) button to protect the current picture from accidental
deletion. Protected files are marked with a P icon and can not
be deleted using the O (Q) button or the Delete option in the
playback menu. Note that protected images will be deleted
when the memory card is formatted (0 366). To remove
protection from a picture so that it can be deleted, display or
highlight it and press the L (Z/Q) button.

L (Z/Q) button

A Removing Protection from All Images

To remove protection from all images in the folder or folders currently
selected in the Playback folder menu, press the L (Z/Q) and O (Q)
buttons together for about two seconds during playback.

250
Deleting Photographs
To delete the photograph displayed in full-frame playback or
highlighted in the thumbnail list, press the O (Q) button. To
delete multiple selected photographs or all photographs in the
current playback folder, use the Delete option in the playback
menu. Once deleted, photographs can not be recovered. Note
that pictures that are protected or hidden can not be deleted.

Full-Frame and Thumbnail Playback

Press the O (Q) button to delete the current photograph.

1 Press the O (Q) button.

A confirmation dialog will be
displayed.

O (Q) button

2 Press the O (Q) button again.

To delete the photograph, press the
O (Q) button. To exit without
deleting the photograph, press the
K button.

O (Q) button

A See Also
The After delete option in the playback menu determines whether
the next image or the previous image is displayed after an image is
deleted (0 287).

251
 The Playback Menu
The Delete option in the playback menu contains the following
options. Note that depending on the number of images, some
time may be required for deletion.
Option Description
Q Selected Delete selected pictures.
Delete all pictures in the folder currently selected for
R All playback (0 281). If two cards are inserted, you can
select the card from which pictures will be deleted.

❚❚ Selected: Deleting Selected Photographs

1 Select pictures.
Use the multi selector to highlight a
picture and press the center of the
multi selector to select or deselect.
Selected pictures are marked by a O
icon. Repeat as desired to select
additional pictures.

2 Delete the selected pictures.

Press J. A confirmation dialog will
be displayed; highlight Yes and press
J.

252
Connections
Installing ViewNX 2
Install the supplied software to display and edit photographs
and movies that have been copied to your computer. Before
installing ViewNX 2, confirm that your computer meets the
system requirements on page 255. Be sure to use the latest
version of ViewNX 2, which is available for download from the
websites listed on page xxii, as earlier versions that do not
support the D810 may fail to transfer NEF (RAW) images
correctly.

1 Launch the installer.

Start the computer, insert the installer CD, and launch the
installer. A language selection dialog will be displayed. If the
desired language is not available, click Region Selection to
choose a different region (region selection is not available in
the European release).
q Select region (if required)

w Select language

e Click Next

253
 2 Start the installer.
Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.

Click Install

3 Exit the installer.

Windows Mac

Click Yes Click OK

4 Remove the installer CD from the CD-ROM drive.

A Viewing the Nikon Website

To visit the Nikon website after installing ViewNX 2, select All
Programs > Link to Nikon from the Windows start menu (Internet
connection required).

254
A System Requirements
Windows
• Photos: Intel Celeron, Pentium 4, or Core series, 1.6 GHz
or better
• Movies (playback): Pentium D 3.0 GHz or better; Intel Core
i5 or better recommended when viewing movies with
CPU
a frame size of 1280 × 720 or more at a frame rate of
30 fps or above or movies with a frame size of
1920 × 1080 or more
• Movies (editing): Intel Core i5 or better
Pre-installed versions of Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and
OS *
Windows Vista
• 32-bit Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows Vista: 1 GB or more
Memory (2 GB or more recommended)
(RAM) • 64-bit Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows Vista: 2 GB or more
(4 GB or more recommended)
Hard disk A minimum of 1 GB available on the startup disk (3 GB or
space more recommended)
• Resolution: 1024 × 768 pixels (XGA) or more (1280 × 1024
Graphics pixels or more recommended)
• Color: 24-bit color (True Color) or more
Built-in USB port required. Software may not function as
Interface
expected if camera is connected via USB hub.
* See the websites listed on page xxii for the latest information on supported operating
systems.

255
 Mac
• Photos: Intel Core or Xeon series
• Movies (playback): Core Duo 2 GHz or better; Intel Core i5
or better recommended when viewing movies with a
CPU frame size of 1280 × 720 or more at a frame rate of
30 fps or above or movies with a frame size of
1920 × 1080 or more
• Movies (editing): Intel Core i5 or better
OS * OS X 10.9, 10.8, or 10.7
Memory
2 GB or more (4 GB or more recommended)
(RAM)
Hard disk A minimum of 1 GB available on the startup disk (3 GB or
space more recommended)
• Resolution: 1024 × 768 pixels (XGA) or more (1280 × 1024
Graphics pixels or more recommended)
• Color: 24-bit color (millions of colors) or more
Built-in USB port required. Software may not function as
Interface
expected if camera is connected via USB hub.
* See the websites listed on page xxii for the latest information on supported operating
systems.

256
Using ViewNX 2
Copy Pictures to the Computer
Before proceeding, be sure you have installed the software on
the supplied ViewNX 2 CD (0 253).

1 Connect the USB cable.

After turning the camera off and ensuring that a memory
card is inserted, connect the supplied USB cable as shown
and then turn the camera on.

A Use a Reliable Power Source

To ensure that data transfer is not interrupted, be sure the camera
battery is fully charged.
A Connecting Cables
Be sure the camera is off when connecting or disconnecting
interface cables. Do not use force or attempt to insert the
connectors at an angle.
D During Transfer
Do not turn the camera off or disconnect the USB cable while
transfer is in progress.

257
 A The USB Cable Clip
To prevent cable from being disconnected, attach the supplied clip
as shown.

D USB Hubs
Connect the camera directly to the computer; do not connect the
cable via a USB hub or keyboard.

2 Start Nikon Transfer 2 component of ViewNX 2.

If a message is displayed prompting you to choose a
program, select Nikon Transfer 2.
A Windows 7
If the following dialog is displayed, select Nikon Transfer 2 as
described below.
1 Under Import pictures and videos,
click Change program. A program
selection dialog will be displayed;
select Import File using
Nikon Transfer 2 and click OK.
2 Double-click Import File.

258
 A Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 may display an AutoPlay
prompt when the camera is connected.
Tap or click the dialog and then tap or
click Import File/Nikon Transfer 2 to
select Nikon Transfer 2.

3 Click Start Transfer.

At default settings, pictures on the memory card will be
copied to the computer.

Start Transfer

4 Terminate the connection.

When transfer is complete, turn the camera off and
disconnect the USB cable.

259
 A Starting ViewNX 2 Manually
• Windows: Double-click the ViewNX 2 shortcut on the desktop.
• Mac: Click the ViewNX 2 icon in the Dock.
A For More Information
Consult online help for more information on using ViewNX 2.
A Capture NX-D
Use Nikon’s Capture NX-D software to retouch photos or to change
settings for NEF (RAW) pictures and save them in other formats.
Capture NX-D also offers an Image Dust Off feature that removes
image artifacts caused by dust inside the camera. Capture NX-D is
available for download from a link in the ViewNX 2 installer (0 253).

260
Ethernet and Wireless Networks
The optional UT-1 communication unit (0 437) can be used to
upload photographs to a computer or ftp server. The camera
connects to the UT-1 using the USB cable supplied with the
camera, while the UT-1 in turn connects to the network via an
Ethernet cable or an optional WT-5 wireless transmitter (0 437).
The optional communication units and wireless transmitters
support the following modes:
Mode Function
FTP upload
Upload existing photos and movies to a computer or ftp
Image
server, or upload new photos as they are taken.
transfer
Control the camera using optional Camera Control Pro 2
Camera
software and save new photos and movies directly to
control
the computer.
View and take pictures remotely using a browser
HTTP server
equipped computer or iPhone.

For information on using optional communication units or

wireless transmitters, refer to the manuals provided with the
device. Be sure to update to the latest versions of the device
firmware and related software.

261
 D During Transfer
Movies can not be recorded or played back when the UT-1 is
connected and there are either images remaining to be sent or images
currently being transferred via an Ethernet or wireless network.
A Movies
Movies can be uploaded over Ethernet and wireless networks in
transfer mode. Note, however, that movies can not be uploaded using
the Auto send or Send folder features in the Options menu.
D HTTP Server Mode
The camera can not be used to record or view movies in HTTP server
mode.
A WT-5 Wireless Transmitters
The principal differences between the WT-5 and WT-5A/B/C/D/E is in
the number of channels supported; unless otherwise stated, all
references to the the WT-5 also apply to the WT-5A/B/C/D/E.

262
Printing Photographs
Selected JPEG images can be printed on a PictBridge printer
(0 485) connected directly to the camera.

Connecting the Printer

Connect the camera using the supplied USB cable. Do not use
force or attempt to insert the connectors at an angle.

When the camera and printer are turned on, a welcome screen
will be displayed in the monitor, followed by a PictBridge
playback display.

D USB Hubs
Connect the camera directly to the printer; do not connect the cable
via a USB hub.
D Selecting Photographs for Printing
Images created at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) or TIFF (RGB)
(0 79) can not be selected for printing. JPEG copies of NEF (RAW)
images can be created using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the
retouch menu (0 399).
A Printing Via Direct USB Connection
Be sure the battery is fully charged or use an optional AC adapter and
power connector. When taking photographs to be printed via direct
USB connection, set Color space to sRGB (0 296).

263
 Printing Pictures One at a Time

1 Display the desired picture.

Press 4 or 2 to view additional pictures. Press the X button
to zoom in on the current frame (press the center of the multi
selector to exit zoom). To view thumbnails, press the center
of the multi selector. Use the multi selector to highlight
pictures, or press the center of the multi selector again to
display the highlighted picture full frame. To view images in
other locations, press W when thumbnails are displayed and
select the desired card and folder as described on page 237.

A See Also
See page 472 for information on what to do if an error occurs during
printing.

264
2 Adjust printing options.
Press J to display the following items, then press 1 or 3 to
highlight an item and press 2 to view options (only options
supported by the current printer are listed; to use the default
option, select Printer default). After selecting an option,
press J to return to the printer settings menu.
Option Description
Page size Choose a page size.
This option is listed only when pictures are printed one
No. of copies at a time. Press 1 or 3 to choose number of copies
(maximum 99).
Border Choose whether to frame photos in white borders.
Choose whether to print the times and dates of
Time stamp
recordings on photos.
This option is listed only when pictures are printed one
at a time. To exit without cropping, highlight No
cropping and press J. To crop the current picture,
highlight Crop and press 2. A crop selection dialog
Cropping
will be displayed; press X to increase the size of the
crop, W to decrease, and use the multi selector to
position the crop. Note that print quality may drop if
small crops are printed at large sizes.

3 Start printing.
Select Start printing and press J to start printing. To cancel
before all copies have been printed, press J.

265
 Printing Multiple Pictures

1 Display the PictBridge menu.

Press the G button in the PictBridge playback display.

2 Choose an option.
Highlight one of the following options and press 2.
• Print select: Select pictures for printing. Use the multi
selector to highlight pictures (to view images in other
locations, press W and select the desired card and folder as
described on page 237; to display the current picture full
screen, press and hold the X button) and, keeping the
L (Z/Q) button pressed, press 1 or 3 to choose the
number of prints (maximum 99). To deselect a picture, set
the number of prints to zero.
• Print (DPOF): Print the current DPOF print order (0 267).
The order can be viewed and modified before printing as
described in the description for Print select, above.
• Index print: To create an index print of all JPEG pictures on
the memory card, proceed to Step 3. Note that if the
memory card contains more than 256 pictures, only the first
256 images will be printed. A warning will be displayed if
the page size selected in Step 3 is too small for an index
print.

3 Adjust printing options.

Adjust printer settings as described in Step 2 on page 265.

4 Start printing.
Select Start printing and press J to start printing. To cancel
before all copies have been printed, press J.

266
Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set
The DPOF print order option in the playback menu is used to
create digital “print orders” for PictBridge-compatible printers
and devices that support DPOF (0 485).

1 Choose DPOF print order >

Select/set.
Select DPOF print order in the
playback menu, then highlight
Select/set and press 2 (to remove
all photographs from the print
order, select Deselect all).

2 Select pictures.
Use the multi selector to highlight
pictures (to view images in other
locations, press W and select the
desired card and folder as
described on page 237; to display
the current picture full screen, press
and hold the X button) and, keeping the L (Z/Q) button
pressed, press 1 or 3 to choose the number of prints
(maximum 99). To deselect a picture, set the number of prints
to zero. Press J when all the desired pictures have been
selected.

267
 3 Select imprint options.
Highlight the following options and
press 2 to toggle the highlighted
option on or off.
• Print shooting data: Print shutter
speed and aperture on all pictures
in print order.
• Print date: Print date of recording on all pictures in print
order.

4 Complete the print order.

Press J to complete the print order.

D DPOF Print Orders

To print the current print order when the camera is connected to a
PictBridge printer, select Print (DPOF) in the PictBridge menu and
follow the steps in “Printing Multiple Pictures” to modify and print the
current order (0 266). DPOF print date and shooting data options are
not supported when printing via direct USB connection; to print the
date of recording on photographs in the current print order, use the
PictBridge Time stamp option.
The DPOF print order option can not be used if there is not enough
space on the memory card to store the print order.
NEF (RAW) photographs (0 79) can not be selected for printing using
this option. JPEG copies of NEF (RAW) images can be created using the
NEF (RAW) processing option in the retouch menu (0 399).
Print orders may not print correctly if images are deleted using a
computer or other device after the print order is created.

268
Viewing Photographs on TV
The optional High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable
(0 440) or a type C HDMI cable (available separately from third-
party suppliers) can be used to connect the camera to high-
definition video devices. Always turn the camera off before
connecting or disconnecting an HDMI cable.

Connect to
camera
Connect to high-definition
device (choose cable with
connector for HDMI device)

Tune the device to the HDMI channel, then turn the camera on
and press the K button. During playback, images will be
displayed on the television screen. Volume can be adjusted
using television controls; the camera controls can not be used.

A The HDMI Cable Clip

When using the optional Nikon HDMI cable, attach the supplied clip as
shown to prevent accidental disconnection. Do not use cable clips
with non-Nikon cables.

269
 HDMI Options
The HDMI option in the setup menu (0 365) controls output
resolution and other advanced HDMI options.

❚❚ Output Resolution
Choose the format for images output
to the HDMI device. If Auto is selected,
the camera will automatically select
the appropriate format.

❚❚ Advanced
Option Description
Auto is recommended in most situations. If the camera
is unable to determine the correct RGB video signal
output range for the HDMI device, you can choose from
the following options:
• Limited range: For devices with an RGB video signal
Output range
input range of 16 to 235. Choose this option if you
notice loss of detail in shadows.
• Full range: For devices with an RGB video signal input
range of 0 to 255. Choose this option if shadows are
“washed out” or too bright.
Output display Choose horizontal and vertical frame coverage for
size HDMI output from 95% or 100%.
If Off is selected when the camera is connected to an
Live view on-
HDMI device, shooting information will not be
screen display
displayed in the monitor during live view photography.
Choose On to mirror the HDMI display on the camera
monitor, Off to turn the camera monitor off to save
Dual monitor
power. Dual monitor turns on automatically when
Live view on-screen display is Off.

270
A Television Playback
Use of an AC adapter and power connector (available separately) is
recommended for extended playback. If the edges of photographs are
not visible in the television display, select 95% for HDMI >
Advanced > Output display size (0 270).
A HDMI and Live View
When the camera is connected via an HDMI cable, HDMI displays can
be used for live view photography and movie live view (0 48, 59).
Note that if 1920 × 1080; 60p is selected for the Movie settings >
Frame size/frame rate option in the shooting menu (0 62), the
selected setting will only be reflected in the HDMI output during
movie recording if all the following conditions are met: Auto or 1080p
(progressive) is selected for HDMI > Output resolution, 100% is
selected for HDMI > Advanced > Output display size, and Off is
selected for HDMI > Advanced > Live view on-screen display
(0 270). At other settings, the output resolution, display size, or frame
rate may differ from that selected in the camera menus.

271
 Menu Guide
Defaults
The default settings for the options in the camera menus are
listed below. For information on two-button reset, see page 206.

❚❚ Playback Menu Defaults

Option Default
Playback folder (0 281) ND810
Image review (0 287) Off
After delete (0 287) Show next
Rotate tall (0 288) On
Slide show (0 288)
Image type (0 288) Still images and movies
Frame interval (0 288) 2s

❚❚ Shooting Menu Defaults 1

Option Default
Extended menu banks (0 292) Off
File naming (0 295) DSC
Primary slot selection (0 86) SD card slot
Secondary slot function (0 86) Overflow
Image quality (0 79) JPEG normal
JPEG/TIFF recording (0 295)
Image size (0 83) Large
JPEG compression (0 81) Size priority
NEF (RAW) recording (0 295)
Image size (0 85) Large
NEF (RAW) compression (0 81) Lossless compressed
NEF (RAW) bit depth (0 82) 14-bit

272
 Option Default
Image area (0 74)
Choose image area (0 75) FX (36×24)
Auto DX crop (0 75) On
White balance (0 148) Auto > Normal
Fine-tuning (0 151) A-B: 0, G-M: 0
Choose color temp. (0 155) 5000 K
Preset manual (0 158) d-1
Set Picture Control (0 170) Standard
Color space (0 296) sRGB
Active D-Lighting (0 182) Off
HDR (high dynamic range) (0 184)
HDR mode (0 185) Off
Exposure differential (0 186) Auto
Smoothing (0 186) Normal
Vignette control (0 297) Normal
Auto distortion control (0 298) Off
Long exposure NR (0 299) Off
High ISO NR (0 299) Normal
ISO sensitivity settings (0 109)
ISO sensitivity (0 109) 100
Auto ISO sensitivity control (0 111) Off
Multiple exposure (0 209) 2
Multiple exposure mode (0 210) Off
Number of shots (0 211) 2
Auto gain (0 212) On

273
 Option Default
Interval timer shooting (0 216) Off
Start options (0 217) Now
Interval (0 217) 1 min.
No. of intervals×shots/interval (0 218) 0001×1
Exposure smoothing (0 218) Off
Time-lapse photography (0 223) Off
Interval (0 224) 5s
Shooting time (0 224) 25 minutes
Exposure smoothing (0 224) On
Movie settings (0 62)
Frame size/frame rate (0 62) 1920 × 1080; 60p
Movie quality (0 62) Normal
Microphone sensitivity (0 62) Auto sensitivity
Frequency response (0 63) Wide range
Wind noise reduction (0 63) Off
Destination (0 63) SD card slot
ISO sensitivity (mode M): 100
Movie ISO sensitivity settings (0 64) Auto ISO control (mode M): Off
Maximum sensitivity: 12800
1 Default settings can be restored using Shooting menu bank (0 291). With the
exception of Extended menu banks, Multiple exposure, Interval timer
shooting, and Time-lapse photography, only settings in the current shooting
menu bank will be reset.
2 Shooting menu reset is not available while shooting is in progress.

274
❚❚ Custom Settings Menu Defaults *
Option Default
a1 AF-C priority selection (0 306) Release
a2 AF-S priority selection (0 307) Focus
a3 Focus tracking with lock-on (0 308) 3 (Normal)
a4 AF activation (0 308) Shutter/AF-ON
a5 Focus point illumination (0 309)
Manual focus mode On
Dynamic-area AF display Off
Group-area AF illumination o (Squares)
a6 AF point illumination (0 310) Auto
a7 Focus point wrap-around (0 310) No wrap
a8 Number of focus points (0 311) 51 points
a9 Store by orientation (0 312) Off
a10 Built-in AF-assist illuminator (0 313) On
a12 Autofocus mode restrictions (0 314) No restrictions
b1 ISO sensitivity step value (0 315) 1/3 step
b2 EV steps for exposure cntrl (0 315) 1/3 step
b3 Exp./flash comp. step value (0 315) 1/3 step
b4 Easy exposure compensation (0 316) Off
b5 Matrix metering (0 317) Face detection on
b6 Center-weighted area (0 317) ø 12 mm
b7 Fine-tune optimal exposure (0 318)
Matrix metering 0
Center-weighted metering 0
Spot metering 0
Highlight-weighted metering 0

275
 Option Default
c1 Shutter-release button AE-L (0 319) Off
c2 Standby timer (0 319) 6s
c3 Self-timer (0 319)
Self-timer delay 10 s
Number of shots 1
Interval between shots 0.5 s
c4 Monitor off delay (0 320)
Playback 10 s
Menus 1 min
Information display 10 s
Image review 4s
Live view 10 min
d1 Beep (0 321)
Volume Off
Pitch Low
d2 CL mode shooting speed (0 321) 3 fps
d3 Max. continuous release (0 322) 100
d4 Exposure delay mode (0 322) Off
d5 Electronic front-curtain shutter (0 323) Disable
d6 File number sequence (0 324) On
d7 Viewfinder grid display (0 325) Off
d8 ISO display and adjustment (0 325) Show frame count
d9 Screen tips (0 325) On
d10 Information display (0 326) Auto
d11 LCD illumination (0 326) Off
d12 MB-D12 battery type (0 327) LR6 (AA alkaline)
d13 Battery order (0 328) Use MB-D12 batteries first

276
 Option Default
e1 Flash sync speed (0 329) 1/250 s
e2 Flash shutter speed (0 331) 1/60 s
e3 Flash cntrl for built-in flash/Optional flash
TTL
(0 331, 333)
e4 Exposure comp. for flash (0 338) Entire frame
e5 Modeling flash (0 338) On
e6 Auto bracketing set (0 338) AE & flash
e7 Auto bracketing (Mode M) (0 339) Flash/speed
e8 Bracketing order (0 340) MTR > under > over
f1 D switch (0 341) LCD backlight (D)
f2 Multi selector center button (0 341)
Shooting mode Select center focus point
Playback mode Thumbnail on/off
Live view Select center focus point
f3 Multi selector (0 343) Do nothing
f4 Assign Fn button (0 343)
Press (0 344) Viewfinder virtual horizon
Press + command dials (0 348) None
f5 Assign preview button (0 349)
Press Preview
Press + command dials None
f6 Assign AE-L/AF-L button (0 349)
Press AE/AF lock
Press + command dials None
f7 Shutter spd & aperture lock (0 350)
Shutter speed lock Off
Aperture lock Off
f8 Assign BKT button (0 350) Auto bracketing

277
 Option Default
f9 Customize command dials (0 351)
Exposure compensation: U
Reverse rotation (0 351)
Shutter speed/aperture: U
Exposure setting: Off
Change main/sub (0 351)
Autofocus setting: Off
Aperture setting (0 352) Sub-command dial
Menus and playback (0 352) Off
Sub-dial frame advance (0 352) 10 frames
f10 Release button to use dial (0 353) No
f11 Slot empty release lock (0 354) Enable release
f12 Reverse indicators (0 354)
f13 Assign movie record button (0 355)
Press + command dials None
f14 Live view button options (0 356) Enable
f15 Assign MB-D12 AF-ON (0 356) AF-ON
f16 Assign remote (WR) Fn button (0 357) None
f17 Lens focus function buttons (0 359) AF lock only
g1 Assign Fn button (0 361)
Press None
g2 Assign preview button (0 362)
Press Index marking
g3 Assign AE-L/AF-L button (0 363)
Press AE/AF lock
g4 Assign shutter button (0 364) Take photos
* Defaults for the current Custom Settings bank can be restored using Custom settings
bank (0 304).

278
❚❚ Setup Menu Defaults
Option Default
Monitor brightness (0 367) 0
Monitor color balance (0 368) A-B: 0, G-M: 0
Clean image sensor (0 445)
Clean at startup/shutdown (0 446) Clean at startup & shutdown
Flicker reduction (0 371) Auto
Time zone and date (0 372)
Daylight saving time (0 372) Off
Auto image rotation (0 373) On
HDMI (0 269)
Output resolution (0 270) Auto
Advanced (0 270)
Output range Auto
Output display size 100%
Live view on-screen display Off
Dual monitor On
Location data (0 234)
Standby timer Enable
Set clock from satellite Yes
Eye-Fi upload (0 382) Enable

279
 D The Playback Menu: Managing Images
To display the playback menu, press G and select the K
(playback menu) tab.

G button

Playback Menu Options

The playback menu contains the following options:
Option 0 Option 0
Delete 252 Image review 287
Playback folder 281 After delete 287
Hide image 281 Rotate tall 288
Playback display options 282 Slide show 288
Copy image(s) 283 DPOF print order 267

A See Also
Menu defaults are listed on page 272.

280
Playback Folder
G button ➜ D playback menu

Choose a folder for playback (0 235).

Option Description
Pictures in all folders created with the D810 will be visible
ND810
during playback.
All Pictures in all folders will be visible during playback.
Only pictures in the current folder will be visible during
Current
playback.

Hide Image
G button ➜ D playback menu

Hide or reveal selected pictures as described below. Hidden

pictures are visible only in the Hide image menu and can only
be deleted by formatting the memory card.
D Protected and Hidden Images
Revealing a protected image will also remove protection from the
image.

1 Choose Select/set.
Highlight Select/set and press 2 (to
skip the remaining steps and reveal
all pictures, highlight Deselect all
and press J).

281
 2 Select pictures.
Use the multi selector to scroll
through the pictures on the memory
card (to view the highlighted picture
full screen, press and hold the X
button; to view images in other
locations, press W and select the
desired card and folder as described on page 237) and press
the center of the multi selector to select the current picture.
Selected pictures are marked by a R icon; to deselect a
picture, highlight it and press the center of the multi selector
again. Continue until all the desired pictures have been
selected.

3 Press J.
Press J to complete the operation.

Playback Display Options

G button ➜ D playback menu

Choose the information available in the playback photo

information display (0 238). Press 1 or 3 to highlight an
option, then press 2 to select the option for the photo
information display. A L appears next to selected items; to
deselect, highlight an item and press 2. To return to the
playback menu, press J.

282
Copy Image(s)
G button ➜ D playback menu

Copy pictures from one memory card to another. This option is

only available when two memory cards are inserted in the
camera.
Option Description
Select source Choose card from which pictures will be copied.
Select image(s) Select pictures to be copied.
Select destination
Select destination folder on remaining card.
folder
Copy image(s)? Copy selected pictures to specified destination.

1 Choose Select source.

Highlight Select source and press 2.

2 Select the source card.

Highlight the slot for the card
containing the images to be copied
and press J.

3 Choose Select image(s).

Highlight Select image(s) and press
2.

283
 4 Select the source folder.
Highlight the folder containing the
images to be copied and press 2.

5 Make the initial selection.

Before going on select or deselect
individual images, you can mark all or
all protected images in the folder for
copying by choosing Select all
images or Select protected images.
To mark only individually selected
images for copying, choose Deselect all before proceeding.

6 Select additional images.

Highlight pictures and press the
center of the multi selector to select
or deselect (to view the highlighted
picture full screen, press and hold the
X button). Selected images are
marked with a L. Press J to proceed
to Step 7 when your selection is complete.

284
7 Choose Select destination folder.
Highlight Select destination folder
and press 2.

8 Select a destination folder.

To enter a folder number, choose
Select folder by number, enter the
number (0 293), and press J.

To choose from a list of existing

folders, choose Select folder from
list, highlight a folder, and press J.

285
 9 Copy the images.
Highlight Copy image(s)? and press
J.

A confirmation dialog will be

displayed; highlight Yes and press J.
Press J again to exit when copying is
complete.

D Copying Images
Images will not be copied if there is insufficient space on the
destination card. Be sure the battery is fully charged before copying
movies.
If the destination folder contains an image
with the same name as one of the images to
be copied, a confirmation dialog will be
displayed. Select Replace existing image
to replace the image with the image to be
copied, or select Replace all to replace all
existing images with the same names
without further prompting. To continue without replacing the image,
select Skip, or select Cancel to exit without copying any further
images. Hidden or protected files in the destination folder will not be
replaced.
Protect status is copied with the images but print marking (0 267) is
not. Hidden images can not be copied.

286
Image Review
G button ➜ D playback menu

Choose whether pictures are automatically displayed in the

monitor immediately after shooting. If Off is selected, pictures
can only be displayed by pressing the K button.

After Delete
G button ➜ D playback menu

Choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted.

Option Description
Display following picture. If deleted picture was last
S Show next
frame, previous picture will be displayed.
Show Display previous picture. If deleted picture was first
T previous frame, following picture will be displayed.
If user was scrolling through pictures in order
recorded, following picture will be displayed as
Continue
U described for Show next. If user was scrolling through
as before
pictures in reverse order, previous picture will be
displayed as described for Show previous.

287
 Rotate Tall
G button ➜ D playback menu

Choose whether to rotate “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures for

display during playback. Note that because the camera itself is
already in the appropriate orientation during shooting, images
are not rotated automatically during image review.
Option Description
“Tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures are automatically rotated
for display in the camera monitor. Pictures taken with Off
On
selected for Auto image rotation (0 373) will be displayed in
“wide” (landscape) orientation.
“Tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures are displayed in “wide”
Off
(landscape) orientation.

Slide Show
G button ➜ D playback menu

Create a slide show of the pictures in the current playback folder

(0 281). Hidden images (0 281) are not displayed.
Option Description
Start Start slide show.
Choose type of image displayed from Still images
Image type
and movies, Still images only, and Movies only.
Frame interval Choose how long each photo will be displayed.

To start the slide show, highlight Start

and press J. The following operations
can be performed while the slide show is
in progress:

288
 To Press Description
Skip back/skip Press 4 to return to previous frame, 2 to
ahead skip to next frame.

View additional Change or hide photo info displayed (still

photo info images only; 0 238).
Pause J Pause slide show. Select Restart to resume.
Exit to playback End slide show and return to playback
menu G menu.
Exit to playback
mode K End slide show and exit to playback mode.

Exit to shooting Press shutter-release button halfway to

mode return to shooting mode.

The dialog shown at right is displayed

when the show ends. Select Restart to
restart or Exit to return to the playback
menu.

289
 C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options
To display the shooting menu, press G and select the C
(shooting menu) tab.

G button

Shooting Menu Options

The shooting menu contains the following options:
Option 0 Option 0
Shooting menu bank 291 Color space 296
Extended menu banks 292 Active D-Lighting 182
Storage folder 293 HDR (high dynamic range) 184
File naming 295 Vignette control 297
Primary slot selection 86 Auto distortion control 298
Secondary slot function 86 Long exposure NR 299
Image quality 79 High ISO NR 299
JPEG/TIFF recording 81, 83 ISO sensitivity settings 109
NEF (RAW) recording 81 Multiple exposure 209
Image area 74 Interval timer shooting 216
White balance 148 Time-lapse photography 223
Set Picture Control 170 Movie settings 62
Manage Picture Control 177

A See Also
Menu defaults are listed on page 272.

290
Shooting Menu Bank
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Shooting menu options are stored in one of four banks. With the
exceptions of Extended menu banks, Multiple exposure,
Interval timer shooting, Time-lapse photography, and
modifications to Picture Controls (quick adjust and other manual
adjustments), changes to settings in one bank have no effect on
the others. To store a particular combination of frequently-used
settings, select one of the four banks and set the camera to these
settings. The new settings will be stored in the bank even when
the camera is turned off, and will be restored the next time the
bank is selected. Different combinations of settings can be
stored in the other banks, allowing the user to switch instantly
from one combination to another by selecting the appropriate
bank from the bank menu.
The default names for the four shooting menu banks are A, B, C,
and D. A descriptive caption up to 20 characters long can be
added as described on page 178 by highlighting the menu bank
and pressing 2.
A Shooting Menu Bank
The information display shows the current
shooting menu bank.

A See Also
Exposure and flash modes, shutter speed, and aperture can be
included in shooting menu banks using the Extended menu banks
option in the shooting menu (0 292).

291
 ❚❚ Restoring Default Settings
To restore default settings, highlight a
bank in the Shooting menu bank menu
and press O (Q). A confirmation dialog
will be displayed; highlight Yes and
press J to restore default settings for
the selected bank. See page 272 for a list
of default settings. O (Q) button

Extended Menu Banks

G button ➜ C shooting menu

Select On to include exposure and flash modes, shutter speed

(modes f and h only), and aperture (modes g and h only) in the
information recorded in each of the four shooting menu banks,
to be recalled whenever the bank is selected. Selecting Off
restores the values in effect before On was selected.

292
Storage Folder
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Select the folder in which subsequent images will be stored.

❚❚ Select Folder by Number

1 Choose Select folder by number.

Highlight Select folder by number
and press 2. The dialog shown at
right will be displayed, with the
current primary slot (0 86)
underlined.

2 Choose a folder number.

Press 4 or 2 to highlight a digit, press 1 or 3 to change. If a
folder with the selected number already exists, a W, X, or Y
icon will be displayed to the left of the folder number:
• W : Folder is empty.
• X : Folder is partially full.
• Y : Folder contains 999 pictures or a picture numbered
9999. No further pictures can be stored in this folder.

3 Save changes and exit.

Press J to complete the operation and return to the shooting
menu (to exit without changing the storage folder, press the
G button). If a folder with the specified number does not
already exist, a new folder will be created on the card in the
primary slot. Subsequent photographs will be stored in the
selected folder unless it is already full.

293
 ❚❚ Select Folder from List

1 Choose Select folder from list.

Highlight Select folder from list and
press 2.

2 Highlight a folder.
Press 1 or 3 to highlight a folder.

3 Select the highlighted folder.

Press J to select the highlighted folder and return to the
shooting menu. Subsequent photographs will be stored in
the selected folder.
D Folder and File Numbers
If the current folder is numbered 999 and contains 999 pictures or a
picture numbered 9999, the shutter-release will be disabled and no
further photographs can be taken. To continue shooting, create a
folder with a number less than 999, or select an existing folder with a
number less than 999 and less than 999 images.
A Startup Time
Additional time may be required for camera startup if the memory card
contains a very large number of files or folders.

294
File Naming
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Photographs are saved using file names consisting of “DSC_” or,

in the case of images that use the Adobe RGB color space
(0 296), “_DSC”, followed by a four-digit number and a three-
letter extension (e.g., “DSC_0001.JPG”). The File naming option
is used to select three letters to replace the “DSC” portion of the
file name. For information on editing file names, see page 178.
A Extensions
The following extensions are used: “.NEF” for NEF (RAW) images, “.TIF”
for TIFF (RGB) images, “.JPG” for JPEG images, “.MOV” for movies, and
“.NDF” for dust off reference data. In each pair of photographs
recorded at image-quality settings of NEF (RAW)+JPEG, the NEF and
JPEG images have the same file names but different extensions.

JPEG/TIFF Recording
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Adjust size settings for photographs taken in JPEG and TIFF

formats (0 83) and choose a compression option for JPEG
photographs (0 81).

NEF (RAW) Recording

G button ➜ C shooting menu

Choose the compression (0 81), bit-depth (0 82), and size

(0 85) of photographs recorded in NEF (RAW) format.

295
 Color Space
G button ➜ C shooting menu

The color space determines the gamut of colors available for

color reproduction. sRGB is recommended for movies and for
photographs taken for general-purpose printing and display,
while Adobe RGB, with its broader gamut of colors, is
recommended for photographs taken for professional
publication and commercial printing.
A Adobe RGB
For accurate color reproduction, Adobe RGB images require
applications, displays, and printers that support color management.
A Color Space
ViewNX 2 (supplied) and Nikon’s Capture NX-D software (0 260)
automatically select the correct color space when opening
photographs created with this camera. Results can not be guaranteed
with third-party software.

296
Vignette Control
G button ➜ C shooting menu

“Vignetting” is a drop in brightness at the edges of a

photograph. Vignette control reduces vignetting for type G, E,
and D lenses (PC lenses excluded). Its effects vary from lens to
lens and are most noticeable at maximum aperture. Choose
from High, Normal, Low, and Off.
A Vignette Control
Depending on the scene, shooting conditions, and type of lens, TIFF
and JPEG images may exhibit noise (fog) or variations in peripheral
brightness, while custom Picture Controls and preset Picture Controls
that have been modified from default settings may not produce the
desired effect. Take test shots and view the results in the monitor.
Vignette control does not apply to movies (0 49), multiple exposures
(0 209), or pictures taken with an FX lens and DX (24 × 16) selected for
Image area > Choose image area (0 75) or with a DX lens, an option
other than DX (24 × 16) selected for Choose image area, and Off
selected for Image area > Auto DX crop (0 75).

297
 Auto Distortion Control
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Select On to reduce barrel distortion when shooting with wide-

angle lenses and to reduce pin-cushion distortion when
shooting with long lenses (note that the edges of the area visible
in the viewfinder may be cropped out of the final photograph,
and that the time needed to process photographs before
recording begins may increase). This option does not apply to
movies and is available only with type G, E, and D lenses (PC,
fisheye, and certain other lenses excluded); results are not
guaranteed with other lenses. Before using auto distortion
control with DX lenses, select On for Auto DX crop or choose an
image area of DX (24×16) as described on page 75; selecting
other options may result in heavily cropped photographs or in
photographs with severe peripheral distortion.
A Retouch: Distortion Control
For information on creating copies of existing photographs with
reduced barrel and pin-cushion distortion, see page 405.

298
Long Exposure NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction)
G button ➜ C shooting menu

If On is selected, photographs taken at

shutter speeds slower than 1 s will be
processed to reduce noise (bright spots,
randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog).
The time required for processing
roughly doubles; during processing,
“l m” will flash in the shutter
speed/aperture displays and pictures
can not be taken (if the camera is turned off before processing is
complete, the picture will be saved but noise reduction will not
be performed). In continuous release mode, frame rates will
slow and while photographs are being processed, the capacity
of the memory buffer will drop. Long exposure noise reduction
is not available during movie recording.

High ISO NR
G button ➜ C shooting menu

Photographs taken at high ISO sensitivities can be processed to

reduce noise.
Option Description
High Reduce noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels), particularly
in photographs taken at high ISO sensitivities. Choose the
Normal
amount of noise reduction performed from High, Normal,
Low and Low.
Noise reduction is performed only as required and never at
Off
an amount higher than when Low is selected.

299
 A Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings
To display the Custom Settings menu, press G and select the
A (Custom Settings menu) tab.

G button

Custom Settings are used to customize camera settings to suit

individual preferences.
Custom Setting groups
Main menu

Custom settings
bank (0 304)

300
Custom Settings
The following Custom Settings are available:
Custom Setting 0
Custom settings bank 304
a Autofocus
a1 AF-C priority selection 306
a2 AF-S priority selection 307
a3 Focus tracking with lock-on 308
a4 AF activation 308
a5 Focus point illumination 309
a6 AF point illumination 310
a7 Focus point wrap-around 310
a8 Number of focus points 311
a9 Store by orientation 312
a10 Built-in AF-assist illuminator 313
a11 Limit AF-area mode selection 314
a12 Autofocus mode restrictions 314
b Metering/exposure
b1 ISO sensitivity step value 315
b2 EV steps for exposure cntrl 315
b3 Exp./flash comp. step value 315
b4 Easy exposure compensation 316
b5 Matrix metering 317
b6 Center-weighted area 317
b7 Fine-tune optimal exposure 318
c Timers/AE lock
c1 Shutter-release button AE-L 319
c2 Standby timer 319
c3 Self-timer 319
c4 Monitor off delay 320

301
 Custom Setting 0
d Shooting/display
d1 Beep 321
d2 CL mode shooting speed 321
d3 Max. continuous release 322
d4 Exposure delay mode 322
d5 Electronic front-curtain shutter 323
d6 File number sequence 324
d7 Viewfinder grid display 325
d8 ISO display and adjustment 325
d9 Screen tips 325
d10 Information display 326
d11 LCD illumination 326
d12 MB-D12 battery type 327
d13 Battery order 328
e Bracketing/flash
e1 Flash sync speed 329
e2 Flash shutter speed 331
e3 Flash cntrl for built-in flash 331
e4 Exposure comp. for flash 338
e5 Modeling flash 338
e6 Auto bracketing set 338
e7 Auto bracketing (Mode M) 339
e8 Bracketing order 340

302
 Custom Setting 0
f Controls
f1 D switch 341
f2 Multi selector center button 341
f3 Multi selector 343
f4 Assign Fn button 343
f5 Assign preview button 349
f6 Assign AE-L/AF-L button 349
f7 Shutter spd & aperture lock 350
f8 Assign BKT button 350
f9 Customize command dials 351
f10 Release button to use dial 353
f11 Slot empty release lock 354
f12 Reverse indicators 354
f13 Assign movie record button 355
f14 Live view button options 356
f15 Assign MB-D12 AF-ON 356
f16 Assign remote (WR) Fn button 357
f17 Lens focus function buttons 359
g Movie
g1 Assign Fn button 361
g2 Assign preview button 362
g3 Assign AE-L/AF-L button 363
g4 Assign shutter button 364

303
 Custom Settings Bank
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Custom Settings are stored in one of four banks. Changes to

settings in one bank have no effect on the others. To store a
particular combination of frequently-used settings, select one of
the four banks and set the camera to these settings. The new
settings will be stored in the bank even when the camera is
turned off, and will be restored the next time the bank is
selected. Different combinations of settings can be stored in the
other banks, allowing the user to switch instantly from one
combination to another by selecting the appropriate bank from
the bank menu.
The default names for the four Custom Settings banks are A, B, C,
and D. A descriptive caption up to 20 characters long can be
added as described on page 178 by highlighting the menu bank
and pressing 2.

❚❚ Restoring Default Settings

To restore default settings, highlight a
bank in the Custom settings bank
menu and press O (Q). A confirmation
dialog will be displayed; highlight Yes
and press J to restore default settings
for the selected bank (0 275).
O (Q) button

304
A Custom Settings Bank
The information display shows the current
Custom Settings bank.

A See Also
Menu defaults are listed on page 275. If settings in the current bank
have been modified from default values, an asterisk will be displayed
adjacent to the altered settings in the second level of the Custom
Settings menu.

305
 a: Autofocus

a1: AF-C Priority Selection

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

When AF-C is selected for viewfinder photography (0 87), this

option controls whether photographs can be taken whenever
the shutter-release button is pressed (release priority) or only
when the camera is in focus (focus priority).
Option Description
Photos can be taken whenever the shutter-release
G Release
button is pressed.
Photos can be taken even when the camera is not in
Release +
E focus
focus. In continuous mode, frame rate slows for
improved focus if the subject is dark or low contrast.
Photos can only be taken when the in-focus indicator
F Focus
(I) is displayed.

Regardless of the option selected, focus will not lock when AF-C is
selected for autofocus mode. The camera will continue to adjust
focus until the shutter is released.

306
a2: AF-S Priority Selection
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

When AF-S is selected for viewfinder photography (0 87), this

option controls whether photographs can be taken only when
the camera is in focus (focus priority) or whenever the shutter-
release button is pressed (release priority).
Option Description
Photos can be taken whenever the shutter-release
G Release button is pressed.
Photos can only be taken when the in-focus indicator
F Focus (I) is displayed.

Regardless of the option selected, if the in-focus indicator (I) is

displayed when AF-S is selected for autofocus mode, focus will
lock while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Focus
lock continues until the shutter is released.

307
 a3: Focus Tracking with Lock-On
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option controls how autofocus adjusts to sudden large

changes in the distance to the subject when AF-C (0 87) is
selected during viewfinder photography.
Option Description
C 5 (Long) When the distance to the subject changes abruptly, the
( 4 camera waits for the specified period before adjusting
the distance to the subject. This prevents the camera
D 3 (Normal) from refocusing when the subject is briefly obscured by
) 2 objects passing through the frame. Note that 2,
1 (Short), and Off are equivalent to 3 (Normal) when
E 1 (Short) 3D-tracking or auto-area AF is selected for AF-area
mode.
The camera immediately adjusts focus when the
distance to the subject changes. Use when
Off
photographing a series of subjects at varying distances
in quick succession.

a4: AF Activation
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If Shutter/AF-ON is selected, both the shutter-release button

and the B button can be used to initiate autofocus. Select
AF-ON only to prevent the camera focusing when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway.

308
a5: Focus Point Illumination
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose from the following focus point display options.

Option Description
Choose On to display the active focus point in manual
Manual focus
focus mode, Off to display the focus point only during
mode
focus point selection.
Choose On to display both the selected focus point and
the surrounding focus points in dynamic-area AF mode
Dynamic-area
(0 90). When 3D-tracking is used, a dot will be displayed
AF display
in the center of the focus point (n). Select Off to display
only the selected focus point.
Choose how the active Option Focus point display
focus points are displayed
Group-area in group-area AF (0 91). o
AF
illumination
p

309
 a6: AF Point Illumination
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose whether the active focus point is highlighted in red in

the viewfinder.
Option Description
The selected focus point is automatically highlighted as
Auto
needed to establish contrast with the background.
The selected focus point is always highlighted, regardless
of the brightness of the background. Depending on the
On
brightness of the background, the selected focus point
may be difficult to see.
The selected focus point is not highlighted. The area
Off
outside the current crop is shown in grey (0 76).

a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose whether focus-point selection “wraps around” from one

edge of the viewfinder to another.
Option Description
Focus-point selection “wraps
around” from top to bottom,
bottom to top, right to left, and w q
left to right, so that, for
Wrap
example, pressing 2 when a
focus point at the right edge of the viewfinder display is
highlighted (q) selects the corresponding focus point at
the left edge of the display (w).
The focus-point display is bounded by the outermost
focus points so that, for example, pressing 2 when a focus
No wrap
point at the right edge of the display is selected has no
effect.

310
a8: Number of Focus Points
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the number of focus points available for manual focus-

point selection.
Option Description

Choose from the 51 focus

B 51 points points shown at right.

Choose from the 11 focus

A 11 points points shown at right. Use for
quick focus-point selection.

311
 a9: Store by Orientation
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose whether separate focus points can be selected for

“wide” (landscape) orientation, for “tall” (portrait) orientation
with the camera rotated 90 ° clockwise, and for “tall” orientation
with the camera rotated 90 ° counterclockwise.
Select Off to use the same focus point and AF-area mode
regardless of camera orientation.

Camera rotated 90 ° Landscape (wide) Camera rotated 90 °

counter-clockwise orientation clockwise
Choose Focus point to enable separate focus-point selection, or
Focus point and AF-area mode to enable separate selection of
both the focus point and the AF-area mode.

Camera rotated 90 ° Landscape (wide) Camera rotated 90 °

counter-clockwise orientation clockwise

312
a10: Built-in AF-assist Illuminator
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose whether the built-in AF-assist

illuminator lights to assist the focus
operation when lighting is poor.

Option Description
The AF-assist illuminator lights when lighting is poor
(viewfinder photography only). AF-assist illumination is only
available when both of the following conditions are met:
On 1 AF-S is selected for autofocus mode (0 87).
2 Auto-area AF is chosen for AF-area mode (0 90), or an
option other than auto-area AF is chosen and the center
focus point is selected.
The AF-assist illuminator does not light to assist the focus
Off operation. The camera may not be able to focus using
autofocus when lighting is poor.

A The AF-Assist Illuminator

The AF-assist illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3.0 m (1 ft 8 in.–9 ft
10 in.); when using the illuminator, remove the lens hood.
A See Also
See page 425 for restrictions on the lenses that can be used with AF
assist.

313
 a11: Limit AF-Area Mode Selection
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the AF-area modes that can be

selected using the AF-mode button and
sub-command dial in viewfinder
photography (live view is unaffected;
0 90). Highlight the desired modes and
press 2 to select or deselect. Press J to
save changes when settings are
complete.

a12: Autofocus Mode Restrictions

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the autofocus modes available

in viewfinder photography (0 87). If
only one mode is selected, the
autofocus mode can not be chosen
using the AF-mode button and main
command dial.

314
 b: Metering/Exposure

b1: ISO Sensitivity Step Value

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Select the increments used when making adjustments to ISO

sensitivity (0 109). If possible, the current ISO sensitivity setting
is maintained when the step value is changed. If the current ISO
sensitivity setting is not available at the new step value, ISO
sensitivity will be rounded to the nearest available setting.

b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Select the increments used when making adjustments to shutter

speed, aperture, and bracketing.

b3: Exp./Flash Comp. Step Value

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Select the increments used when making adjustments to

exposure and flash compensation.

315
 b4: Easy Exposure Compensation
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option controls whether the E button is needed to set

exposure compensation (0 130). If On (Auto reset) or On is
selected, the 0 at the center of the exposure display will flash
even when exposure compensation is set to ±0.
Option Description
Exposure compensation is set by rotating one of the
command dials (see note below). The setting selected
using the command dial is reset when the camera turns
On (Auto reset)
off or the standby timer expires (exposure
compensation settings selected using the E button are
not reset).
As above, except that the exposure compensation
On value selected using the command dial is not reset
when the camera turns off or the standby timer expires.
Exposure compensation is set by pressing the E button
Off
and rotating the main command dial.

A Change Main/Sub
The dial used to set exposure compensation when On (Auto reset) or
On is selected for Custom Setting b4 (Easy exposure compensation)
depends on the option selected for Custom Setting f9 (Customize
command dials) > Change main/sub (0 351).
Customize command dials > Change main/sub
Off On
e Sub-command dial Sub-command dial
Exposure

f Sub-command dial Main command dial

mode

g Main command dial Sub-command dial

h N/A

316
A Show ISO/Easy ISO
Custom Setting b4 (Easy exposure compensation) can not be used
with Custom Setting d8 (ISO display and adjustment) > Show ISO/
Easy ISO (0 325). Adjustments to either of these items reset the
remaining item; a message is displayed when the item is reset.

b5: Matrix Metering

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose U Face detection on to enable face detection when

shooting portraits with matrix metering during viewfinder
photography (0 114).

b6: Center-Weighted Area

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

When calculating exposure, center-weighted metering assigns

the greatest weight to a circle in the center of the frame. The
diameter (φ ) of this circle can be set to 8, 12, 15, or 20 mm or to
the average of the entire frame.
Note that when a non-CPU lens is used, the area assigned the
greatest weight for center-weighted metering is equivalent to a
circle with a diameter of 12 mm, regardless of the setting
selected for Non-CPU lens data in the setup menu (0 229).

317
 b7: Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Use this option to fine-tune the exposure value selected by the

camera. Exposure can be fine-tuned separately for each
metering method by from +1 to –1 EV in steps of 1/6 EV.
D Fine-Tuning Exposure
Exposure can be fine-tuned separately for each Custom Settings bank
and is not affected by two-button resets. Note that as the exposure
compensation (E) icon is not displayed, the only way to determine
how much exposure has been altered is to view the amount in the fine-
tuning menu. Exposure compensation (0 130) is preferred in most
situations.

318
 c: Timers/AE Lock

c1: Shutter-Release Button AE-L

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If On is selected, exposure will lock when the shutter-release

button is pressed halfway.

c2: Standby Timer

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose how long the camera continues to meter exposure

when no operations are performed. The shutter-speed and
aperture displays in the control panel and viewfinder turn off
automatically when the standby timer expires.
Choose a shorter standby timer delay for longer battery life.

c3: Self-Timer
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the length of the shutter release delay, the number of

shots taken, and the interval between shots in self-timer mode
(0 106).
• Self-timer delay: Choose the length of the shutter-release delay.
• Number of shots: Press 1 and 3 to choose the number of shots
taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed.
• Interval between shots: Choose the interval between shots when
the Number of shots is more than 1.

319
 c4: Monitor off Delay
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose how long the monitor remains

on when no operations are performed
during playback (Playback; defaults to
10 s) and image review (Image review;
defaults to 4 s), when menus (Menus;
defaults to 1 minute) or information
(Information display; defaults to 10 s)
are displayed, or during live view and movie recording (Live
view; defaults to 10 minutes). Choose a shorter monitor-off
delay for longer battery life.

320
 d: Shooting/Display

d1: Beep
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the pitch and volume of the beep that sounds when the
camera focuses using single-servo AF (AF-S; 0 87), when focus
locks during live view photography, while the release timer is
counting down in self-timer mode (0 106) when the shutter-
release button is pressed a second time to take a picture in
mirror-up mode (0 108), when time-lapse photography ends
(0 223), or if you attempt to take a photograph when the
memory card is locked (0 22).
• Volume: Choose 3 (high), 2 (medium),
1 (low) or Off (mute). When an option
other than Off is selected, c appears in
the control panel and information
display.
• Pitch: Choose High or Low.
A Beep
Note that regardless of the option selected, a beep will not sound
when the camera focuses in movie live view (0 49) or quiet-shutter
release mode (modes J and M; 0 102).

d2: CL Mode Shooting Speed

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the maximum frame advance rate in T (continuous low

speed) mode (0 104).

321
 d3: Max. Continuous Release
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

The maximum number of shots that can be taken in a single

burst in continuous mode can be set to any value between 1 and
100. Note that this setting has no effect at shutter speeds of 4 s
or slower.
A The Memory Buffer
Regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting d3, shooting will
slow when the memory buffer fills (tAA). See page 489 for more
information on the capacity of the memory buffer.

d4: Exposure Delay Mode

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

In situations where the slightest camera movement can blur

pictures, select 1 s, 2 s, or 3 s to delay shutter release until one,
two, or three seconds after the mirror is raised.

322
d5: Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Select Enable to enable the electronic front-curtain shutter in

V mode, eliminating blur caused by shutter motion. A
mechanical shutter is used in other release modes.
A The Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter
A type G, D, or E lens is recommended; select Disable if you notice lines
or fog when shooting with other lenses. The fastest shutter speed
available with the electronic front-curtain shutter is 1/2000 s.

323
 d6: File Number Sequence
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

When a photograph is taken, the camera names the file by

adding one to the last file number used. This option controls
whether file numbering continues from the last number used
when a new folder is created, the memory card is formatted, or a
new memory card is inserted in the camera.
Option Description
When a new folder is created, the memory card formatted,
or a new memory card inserted in the camera, file
numbering continues from the last number used or from
the largest file number in the current folder, whichever is
On
higher. If a photograph is taken when the current folder
contains a photograph numbered 9999, a new folder will
be created automatically and file numbering will begin
again from 0001.
File numbering is reset to 0001 when a new folder is
created, the memory card is formatted, or a new memory
Off card is inserted in the camera. Note that a new folder is
created automatically if a photograph is taken when the
current folder contains 999 photographs.
As for On, except that the next photograph taken is
assigned a file number by adding one to the largest file
Reset
number in the current folder. If the folder is empty, file
numbering is reset to 0001.

D File Number Sequence

If the current folder is numbered 999 and contains either 999
photographs or a photograph numbered 9999, the shutter-release
button will be disabled and no further photographs can be taken.
Choose Reset for Custom Setting d6 (File number sequence) and
then either format the current memory card or insert a new memory
card.

324
d7: Viewfinder Grid Display
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose On to display on-demand grid lines in the viewfinder for

reference when composing photographs (0 6).

d8: ISO Display and Adjustment

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If Show ISO sensitivity or Show ISO/Easy ISO is selected, the

control panel will show ISO sensitivity in place of the number of
exposures remaining. If Show ISO/Easy ISO is selected, ISO
sensitivity can be set in exposure modes e and f by rotating the
sub-command dial or in mode g by rotating the main command
dial. Select Show frame count to display the number of
exposures remaining in the viewfinder and control panel.

d9: Screen Tips

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose On to display tool tips for highlighted item in the

b-button display during viewfinder photography (0 205).

325
 d10: Information Display
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If Auto (AUTO) is selected, the color of the lettering in the

information display (0 201) will automatically change from
black to white or white to black to maintain contrast with the
background. To always use the same color lettering, select
Manual and choose Dark on light (B; black lettering) or Light
on dark (W; white lettering). Monitor brightness will
automatically be adjusted for maximum contrast with the
selected text color.

Dark on light Light on dark

d11: LCD Illumination

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If Off is selected, the control panel backlight (LCD illuminator)

will only light while the power switch is rotated toward D. If On
is selected, the control panel will be illuminated whenever the
standby timer is active (0 34). Select Off for increased battery
life.

326
d12: MB-D12 Battery Type
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

To ensure that the camera functions as expected when the

optional MB-D12 battery pack is used with AA batteries, match
the option selected in this menu to the type of batteries inserted
in the battery pack. There is no need to adjust this option when
using EN-EL15 or optional EN-EL18a/EN-EL18 batteries.
Option Description
1 LR6 (AA alkaline) Select when using LR6 alkaline AA batteries.
2 HR6 (AA Ni-MH) Select when using HR6 Ni-MH AA batteries.
3 FR6 (AA lithium) Select when using FR6 lithium AA batteries.

A Using AA Batteries
The capacity of AA batteries drops sharply at temperatures below
20 °C (68 °F) and varies with make and storage conditions; in some
cases, batteries may cease to function before their expiry date. Some
AA batteries can not be used; due to their performance characteristics
and limited capacity, alkaline batteries have less capacity than some
other types and should only be used if no alternative is available and
then only at warmer temperatures. The camera shows the level of AA
batteries as follows:
Control panel Viewfinder Description
L — Batteries fully charged.
I d Low battery. Ready fresh batteries.
H d Shutter release disabled. Change
(flashes) (flashes) batteries.

327
 d13: Battery Order
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose whether the battery in the camera or the batteries in the

battery pack are used first when an optional MB-D12 battery
pack is attached. Note that if the MB-D12 is powered by an
optional AC adapter and power connector, the AC adapter will be
used regardless of the option selected.
A s icon is displayed in the camera
control panel when the batteries in the
MB-D12 are in use.

A The MB-D12 Battery Pack

The MB-D12 takes one EN-EL15 or EN-EL18a/EN-EL18 rechargeable
Li-ion battery or eight AA alkaline, Ni-MH, or lithium batteries (an
EN-EL15 is supplied with the camera; EN-EL18a/EN-EL18 and AA
batteries are available separately).
The information display shows the type of
battery inserted in the MB-D12 as follows:

MB-D12 battery type display Battery type

v EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion battery
EN-EL18a/EN-EL18 rechargeable Li-ion
x
battery
u AA batteries

328
 e: Bracketing/Flash

e1: Flash Sync Speed

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option controls flash sync speed.

Option Description
Auto FP high-speed sync is used when a compatible
flash unit is attached (0 430). If the built-in flash or
1/320 s other flash units are used, shutter speed is set to 1/320 s.
(Auto FP) When the camera shows a shutter speed of 1/320 s in
exposure mode e or g, auto FP high-speed sync will be
activated if the actual shutter speed is faster than 1/320 s.
Auto FP high-speed sync is used when a compatible
flash unit is attached (0 430). If the built-in flash or
1/250 s other flash units are used, shutter speed is set to 1/250 s.
(Auto FP) When the camera shows a shutter speed of 1/250 s in
exposure mode e or g, auto FP high-speed sync will be
activated if the actual shutter speed is faster than 1/250 s.
1/250 s–1/60 s Flash sync speed set to selected value.

A Fixing Shutter Speed at the Flash Sync Speed Limit

To fix shutter speed at the sync speed limit in shutter-priority auto or
manual exposure modes, select the next shutter speed after the
slowest possible shutter speed (30 s or &). An X (flash sync indicator)
will be displayed in the viewfinder and control panel.
A Auto FP High-Speed Sync
Allows the flash to be used at the highest shutter speed supported by
the camera, making it possible to choose the maximum aperture for
reduced depth of field even when the subject is backlit in bright
sunlight. The information display flash mode indicator shows “FP”
when auto FP high-speed sync is active (0 194).

329
 ❚❚ Auto FP High-Speed Sync
When 1/320 s (Auto FP) or 1/250 s (Auto FP) is selected for
Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed, 0 329), the built-in flash
can be used at shutter speeds as fast as 1/320 s or 1/250 s, while
compatible optional flash units (0 430) can be used at any
shutter speed (Auto FP High-Speed Sync).
Flash sync speed 1/320 s (Auto FP) 1/250 s (Auto FP) 1/250 s
Built-in Optional Built-in Optional Built-in Optional
Shutter speed flash flash unit flash flash unit flash flash unit
From 1/8000 to but not
— Auto FP — Auto FP — —
including 1/320 s
From /320 to but not
1
Flash sync * — Auto FP — —
including 1/250 s
/250–30 s
1
Flash sync
* Flash range drops as shutter speed increases. Flash range will nevertheless be greater than that
obtained at the same speeds with Auto FP.

D The Flash-Ready Indicator

When the flash fires at full power, the flash-indicator in the camera
viewfinder will flash to warn that the resulting photograph may be
underexposed. Note that the flash-ready indicators on optional flash
units will not display this warning when 1/320 s (Auto FP) is selected.

330
e2: Flash Shutter Speed
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option determines the slowest shutter speed available

when using front- or rear-curtain sync or red-eye reduction in
programmed auto or aperture-priority auto exposure modes
(regardless of the setting chosen, shutter speeds can be as slow
as 30 s in shutter-priority auto and manual exposure modes or at
flash settings of slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, or red-eye
reduction with slow sync).

e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash.

Option Description
Flash output is adjusted automatically in response to
r TTL shooting conditions.
Choose the flash level. The camera does not emit
s Manual monitor pre-flashes.
Repeating The flash fires repeatedly while the shutter is open,
t flash producing a strobe-light effect.
Use the built-in flash as a master flash controlling
Commander
u mode remote optional flash units in one or more groups
(0 334).

331
 ❚❚ Manual
Choose a flash level. Flash level is stated in fractions of full
power: at full power, the built-in flash has a Guide Number of
12/39 (m/ft, ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F).

❚❚ Repeating Flash
The flash fires repeatedly while the
shutter is open, producing a strobe-light
effect. Press 4 or 2 to highlight the
following options, 1 or 3 to change.

Option Description
Choose flash output (expressed as a fraction of full
Output
power).
Choose the number of times the flash fires at the selected
output. Note that depending on shutter speed and the
Times
option selected for Frequency, the actual number of
flashes may be less than selected.
Frequency Choose how often the flash fires per second.

A Flash Control Mode

The flash control mode for the built-in flash
is shown in the information display (0 194,
202).

A “Manual” and “Repeating Flash”

Y icons flash in the control panel and viewfinder when these options
are selected.

332
A The SB-400 and SB-300
When an optional SB-400 or SB-300 flash unit is attached and turned
on, Custom Setting e3 changes to Optional flash, allowing the flash
control mode for the optional flash unit to be selected from TTL and
Manual.
A “Times“
The options available for Repeating Flash > Times are determined by
flash output.
Output Options available for “Times” Output Options available for “Times”
1/4 2 1/32 2–10, 15
1/8 2–5 1/64 2–10, 15, 20, 25
1/16 2–10 1/128 2–10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35

333
 ❚❚ Commander Mode
Use the built-in flash as a master flash controlling one or more
remote optional flash units in up to two groups (A and B) using
advanced wireless lighting (0 430).
Selecting this option displays the menu
shown at right. Press 4 or 2 to
highlight the following options, 1 or 3
to change.

Option Description
Built-in
Choose a flash mode for the built-in flash (commander flash).
flash
i-TTL mode. Choose flash compensation from values
TTL
between +3.0 and –3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
M Choose the flash level.
The built-in flash does not fire, although remote flash units
– – do. The built-in flash must be raised so that it can emit
monitor pre-flashes.
Group A Choose a flash mode for all flash units in group A.
i-TTL mode. Choose flash compensation from values
TTL
between +3.0 and –3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
Auto aperture (available only with compatible flash units;
AA 0 430). Choose flash compensation from values between
+3.0 and –3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
M Choose the flash level.
– – The flash units in this group do not fire.
Choose a flash mode for all flash units in group B. The
Group B options available are the same as those listed for Group A,
above.
Choose from channels 1–4. All flash units in both groups
Channel
must be set to the same channel.

334
Follow the steps below to take photographs in commander
mode.

1 Adjust settings for the built-in flash.

Choose the flash control mode and
output level for the built-in flash.
Note that output level can not be
adjusted in – – mode.

2 Adjust settings for group A.

Choose the flash control mode and
output level for the flash units in
group A.

3 Adjust settings for group B.

Choose the flash control mode and
output level for the flash units in
group B.

4 Select the channel.

5 Press J.

335
 6 Compose the shot.
Compose the shot and arrange the flash units as shown
below. Note that the maximum distance at which the remote
flash units can be placed may vary with shooting conditions.

60 ° or less
10 m/33 ft or less 5 m/15 ft or less
30 ° or less

Camera (built-in flash)

30 ° or less
5 m/15 ft or less
60 ° or less

Wireless remote sensors on flash units should face

camera.

7 Configure the remote flash units.

Turn all the remote flash units on, adjust group settings as
desired, and set them to the channel selected in Step 4. See
the flash unit instruction manuals for details.

8 Raise the built-in flash.

Press the flash pop-up button to raise the built-in flash. Note
that even if – – is selected for Built-in flash > Mode, the built-
in flash must be raised so that monitor preflashes will be
emitted.

336
9 Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.
After confirming that the camera flash-ready light and the
flash-ready lights for all other flash units are lit, frame the
photograph, focus, and shoot. FV lock (0 198) can be used if
desired.
A The Flash Sync Mode Display
M does not appear in the control panel flash sync mode display when
– – is selected for Built-in flash > Mode.
A Flash Compensation
The flash compensation value selected with the M (Y) button and
sub-command dial is added to the flash compensation values selected
for the built-in flash, group A, and group B in the Commander mode
menu. A Y icon is displayed in the control panel and viewfinder when
a flash compensation value other than ±0 is selected for Built-in
flash > TTL. The Y icon flashes when the built-in flash is in mode M.
D Commander Mode
Position the sensor windows on the remote flash units to pick up the
light from the built-in flash (particular care is required if the camera is
not mounted on a tripod). Be sure that direct light or strong reflections
from the remote flash units do not enter the camera lens (in TTL mode)
or the photocells on the remote flash units (AA mode), as this may
interfere with exposure. To prevent timing flashes emitted by the
built-in flash from appearing in photographs taken at short range,
choose low ISO sensitivities or small apertures (high f-numbers) or use
an optional SG-3IR infrared panel for the built-in flash. An SG-3IR is
required for best results with rear-curtain sync, which produces
brighter timing flashes. After positioning the remote flash units, take a
test shot and view the results in the camera monitor.
Although there is no limit on the number of remote flash units that
may be used, the practical maximum is three. With more than this
number, the light emitted by the remote flash units will interfere with
performance.

337
 e4: Exposure Comp. for Flash
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose how the camera adjusts flash level when exposure

compensation is used.
Option Description
Both flash level and exposure compensation are
YE Entire frame adjusted to modify exposure over the entire
frame.
Exposure compensation applies to background
E Background only
only.

e5: Modeling Flash

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If On is selected when the camera is used with the built-in flash

or an optional flash unit that supports the Nikon Creative
Lighting system (0 428), a modeling flash will be emitted when
the camera Pv button is pressed (0 117). No modeling flash is
emitted if Off is selected.

e6: Auto Bracketing Set

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the setting or settings bracketed when auto bracketing

(0 133) is in effect. Choose AE & flash (j) to perform both
exposure and flash-level bracketing, AE only (k) to bracket only
exposure, Flash only (l) to perform only flash-level bracketing,
WB bracketing (m) to perform white balance bracketing
(0 139), or ADL bracketing (y) to perform bracketing using
Active D-Lighting (0 143). Note that white balance bracketing
is not available at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) or
NEF (RAW) + JPEG.

338
e7: Auto Bracketing (Mode M)
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option determines which settings are affected when AE &

flash or AE only is selected for Custom Setting e6 in manual
exposure mode.
Option Description
Camera varies shutter speed (Custom Setting e6
F Flash/speed set to AE only) or shutter speed and flash level
(Custom Setting e6 set to AE & flash).
Camera varies shutter speed and aperture
Flash/speed/ (Custom Setting e6 set to AE only) or shutter
G aperture speed, aperture, and flash level (Custom Setting
e6 set to AE & flash).
Camera varies aperture (Custom Setting e6 set to
H Flash/aperture AE only) or aperture and flash level (Custom
Setting e6 set to AE & flash).
Camera varies flash level only (Custom Setting e6
I Flash only
set to AE & flash).

Flash bracketing is performed only with i-TTL or AA flash control.

If a setting other than Flash only is selected and the flash is not
used, ISO sensitivity will be fixed at the value for the first shot,
regardless of the setting selected for auto ISO sensitivity control
(0 111).

339
 e8: Bracketing Order
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

At the default setting of MTR > under > over (H), exposure,
flash, and white balance bracketing are performed in the order
described on pages 135 and 140. If Under > MTR > over (I) is
selected, shooting will proceed in order from the lowest to the
highest value. This setting has no effect on ADL bracketing.

340
 f: Controls

f1: D Switch
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose what happens when the power switch is rotated to D.

Option Description
D LCD backlight (D) Control panel backlight illuminates for 6 s.
D and information Control panel backlight illuminates and
h display shooting information is displayed in monitor.

f2: Multi Selector Center Button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option determines the role assigned to the center of the

multi selector during viewfinder photography, playback, and
live view (regardless of the option selected, pressing the center
of the multi selector when a movie is displayed full frame starts
movie playback).

341
 ❚❚ Shooting Mode
Option Role assigned to center of multi selector
Select center
J focus point
Select the center focus point.
Pressing the center of the multi selector selects a
preset focus point. To choose the point, select it
and press the center of the multi selector while
pressing the AF-mode button until the focus
Preset focus point flashes. Separate focus points can be
v point selected for “wide” (landscape) orientation and
for each of the two “tall” (portrait) orientations if
Focus point or Focus point and AF-area mode
is selected for Custom Setting a9 (Store by
orientation, 0 312).
Highlight active
K focus point Highlight the active focus point.
Pressing the center of the multi selector has no
None
effect in viewfinder photography.

❚❚ Playback Mode
Option Role assigned to center of multi selector
Toggle between full-frame and thumbnail
n Thumbnail on/off
playback.
In both full-frame and thumbnail playback,
o View histograms a histogram is displayed while the center of the
multi selector is pressed (0 242).
Toggle between full-frame or thumbnail playback
and playback zoom. Choose the initial zoom
p Zoom on/off setting from Low magnification (50%), 1 : 1
(100%), and High magnification (200%). The
zoom display will center on the active focus point.
Choose slot and Display the slot and folder selection dialog
u folder (0 237).

342
❚❚ Live View
Option Role assigned to center of multi selector
Select center Pressing the center of the multi selector in live
J focus point view selects the center focus point.
Press the center of the multi selector to toggle
zoom on and off. Choose the initial zoom setting
p Zoom on/off from Low magnification (50%), 1 : 1 (100%),
and High magnification (200%). The zoom
display will center on the active focus point.
Pressing the center of the multi selector has no
None
effect in live view.

f3: Multi Selector

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If Restart standby timer is selected, operating the multi

selector when the standby timer expires (0 34) will activate the
exposure meters and start the standby timer. If Do nothing is
selected, the timer will not start when the multi selector is
pressed.

f4: Assign Fn Button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the Fn button,

either by itself (Press) or when used in
combination with the command dials
(Press + command dials).

343
 ❚❚ Press
Selecting Press displays the following options:
Option Description
During viewfinder photography, you can preview
depth of field while the Fn button is pressed
(0 117). During live view photography, you can
q Preview press the button once to open the lens to
maximum aperture, making it easier to check
focus; pressing the button again restores
aperture to its original value (0 41).
Press the Fn button to lock flash value (built-in
r FV lock flash and compatible optional flash units only,
0 198, 430). Press again to cancel FV lock.
Focus and exposure lock while the Fn button is
B AE/AF lock
pressed.
C AE lock only Exposure locks while the Fn button is pressed.
Exposure locks when the Fn button is pressed,
AE lock (Reset on and remains locked until the button is pressed a
D release) second time, the shutter is released, or the
standby timer expires.
Exposure locks when the Fn button is pressed,
E AE lock (Hold) and remains locked until the button is pressed a
second time or the standby timer expires.
F AF lock only Focus locks while the Fn button is pressed.
A AF-ON Pressing the Fn button initiates autofocus.
If the flash is currently off, front-curtain sync will
be selected while the Fn button is pressed. If the
z IDisable/enable
flash is currently enabled, it will instead be
disabled while the Fn button is pressed.

344
 Option Description
If the Fn button is pressed while exposure, flash, or
ADL bracketing is active in single frame or quiet
shutter-release mode, all shots in the current
bracketing program will be taken each time the
1 Bracketing burst shutter-release button is pressed. If white
balance bracketing is active or continuous release
mode (mode U, T or M) is selected, the camera
will repeat the bracketing burst while the shutter-
release button is held down.
If image quality is set to JPEG fine, JPEG normal,
or JPEG basic, “RAW” will be displayed in the
control panel and an NEF (RAW) copy will be
recorded with the next picture taken after the Fn
button is pressed (the original image quality
setting will be restored when you remove your
4 + NEF (RAW)
finger from the shutter-release button). NEF
(RAW) copies are recorded at the settings
currently selected for NEF (RAW) recording in
the shooting menu (0 295). To exit without
recording an NEF (RAW) copy, press the Fn button
again.
Matrix metering is activated while the Fn button is
L Matrix metering
pressed.
Center-weighted Center-weighted metering is activated while the
M metering Fn button is pressed.
Spot metering is activated while the Fn button is
N Spot metering
pressed.
Highlight-
Highlight-weighted metering is activated while
4 weighted
the Fn button is pressed.
metering

345
 Option Description
Viewfinder grid Press the Fn button to turn the framing grid
w display display in the viewfinder on or off (0 6).
Viewfinder Press the Fn button to view a virtual horizon
! virtual horizon display in the viewfinder (0 347).
Keep the Fn button pressed to take photographs
Disable
with the master camera only when using a
x synchronized
wireless remote controller for remote
release
synchronized release.
Keep the Fn button pressed to take photographs
Remote release with the remote cameras only when using a
y only wireless remote controller for remote
synchronized release.
Pressing the Fn button displays “MY MENU”
% MY MENU
(0 414).
Press the Fn button to jump to the top item in “MY
Access top item
3 in MY MENU
MENU.” Select this option for quick access to a
frequently-used menu item.
Fn button performs same function as K button.
Select when using a telephoto lens or in other
K Playback
circumstances in which it is difficult to operate
the K button with your left hand.
None Pressing the button has no effect.

A Incompatible Options
If the option selected for Press can not be used in combination with
the option selected for Press + command dials, a message will be
displayed and whichever of Press or Press + command dials was
selected first will be set to None.

346
A Virtual Horizon
When Viewfinder virtual horizon is selected for f4 (Assign Fn
button) > Press, pressing the Fn button displays a pitch and roll
indicators in the viewfinder. Press the button a second time to return
to clear the indicators from display.
Roll
Camera tilted right Camera level Camera tilted left

Pitch
Camera tilted forward Camera level Camera tilted back

Note that the display may not be accurate when the camera is tilted at
a sharp angle forward or back.

347
 ❚❚ Press + Command Dials
Selecting Press + command dials displays the following
options:
Option Description
Press the Fn button
and rotate a
command dial to
choose from pre-
Choose image
i area selected image areas
(0 74). Selecting
Choose image area
displays a list of image areas; highlight options
and press 2 to select or deselect, then press J.
Press the Fn button and rotate the main
command dial to lock shutter speed in modes f
Shutter spd &
$ aperture lock
and h; press the Fn button and rotate the sub-
command dial to lock aperture in modes g and
h. See page 126 for more information.
If the Fn button is pressed when the command
dials are rotated, changes to shutter speed
(exposure modes f and h) and aperture
1 step spd/
v aperture
(exposure modes g and h) are made in
increments of 1 EV, regardless of the option
selected for Custom Setting b2 (EV steps for
exposure cntrl, 0 315).
Press the Fn button and rotate a command dial to
Choose non-CPU
w choose a lens number specified using the Non-
lens number
CPU lens data option (0 229).
Active Press the Fn button and rotate the command
y D-Lighting dials to adjust Active D-Lighting (0 182).
Exposure delay Press the Fn button and rotate a command dial to
& mode choose an exposure delay mode (0 322).
No operation is performed when the command
None
dials are rotated while the Fn button is pressed.

348
f5: Assign Preview Button
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the Pv button,

either by itself (Press) or when used in
combination with the command dials
(Press + command dials). The options
available are the same as for Assign Fn
button (0 343). The default options for
Press and Press + command dials are
Preview and None, respectively.

f6: Assign AE-L/AF-L button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the A AE-L/

AF-L button, either by itself (Press) or
when used in combination with the
command dials (Press + command
dials). The options available are the
same as for Assign Fn button (0 343),
except that 1 step spd/aperture and
Active D-Lighting are not available. The default options for
Press and Press + command dials are AE/AF lock and None,
respectively.

349
 f7: Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Selecting On for Shutter speed lock locks shutter speed at the

value currently selected in mode f or h. Selecting On for
Aperture lock locks aperture at the value currently selected in
mode g or h. Shutter speed and aperture lock are not available
in mode e.

f8: Assign BKT Button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the D

button. If high dynamic range or
multiple exposure is active while
another function is assigned to the D
button, the D button can not be used
until high dynamic range or multiple
exposure photography ends.
Option Description
Press the t button and rotate the command
dials to choose the bracketing increment and
t Auto bracketing
number of shots in the bracketing sequence
(0 133).
Press the t button and rotate the command
$ Multiple exposure dials to choose the mode and number of shots
for multiple exposures (0 211).
Press the t button and rotate the command
HDR (high dynamic
2 range)
dials to choose the mode and the exposure
differential (0 184).

350
f9: Customize Command Dials
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

This option controls the operation of the main and sub-

command dials.
Option Description
Reverse the direction of rotation
of the command dials when they
are used to make adjustments to
Exposure compensation and/
Reverse
or Shutter speed/aperture.
rotation
Highlight options and press 2 to
select or deselect, then press J.
This setting also applies to the command dials for optional
MB-D12 multi-power battery packs.
Exposure setting: If Off is selected, the main command dial
controls shutter speed and the sub-command dial controls
aperture. If On is selected, the main command dial will
control aperture and the sub-command dial shutter speed.
If On (Mode A) is selected, the main command dial will be
used to set aperture in exposure mode g only.
Change Autofocus setting: If On is selected, autofocus mode can be
main/sub selected by keeping the AF-mode button pressed and
rotating the sub-command dial, AF-area mode by keeping
the AF-mode button pressed and rotating the main
command dial.
These settings also apply to the command dials for the
MB-D12.

351
 Option Description
If Sub-command dial is selected, aperture can only be
adjusted with the sub-command dial (or with the main
command dial if On is selected for Change main/sub >
Exposure setting). If Aperture ring is selected, aperture
Aperture can only be adjusted with the lens aperture ring and the
setting camera aperture display will show aperture in increments of
1 EV (aperture for type G and E lenses is still set using the
sub-command dial). Note that regardless of the setting
chosen, the aperture ring must be used to adjust aperture
when a non-CPU lens is attached.
If Off is selected, the multi selector is used to choose the
picture displayed during full-frame playback, highlight
thumbnails, and navigate menus. If On or On (image
review excluded) is selected, the main command dial can
be used to choose the picture displayed during full-frame
playback, move the cursor left or right during thumbnail
playback, and move the menu highlight bar up or down.
The sub-command dial is used in full-frame playback to skip
Menus and
forward or back according to the option selected for Sub-
playback
dial frame advance and in thumbnail playback to page up
or down. While menus are displayed, rotating the sub-
command dial right displays the sub-menu for the selected
option, while rotating it left displays the previous menu. To
make a selection, press 2, the center of the multi selector, or
J. Select On (image review excluded) to prevent the
command dials from being used for playback during image
review.
When On or On (image review excluded) is selected for
Sub-dial
Menus and playback, the sub-command dial can be
frame
rotated during full-frame playback to select a folder or to
advance
skip forward or back 10 or 50 frames at a time.

352
f10: Release Button to Use Dial
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Selecting Yes allows adjustments that are normally made by

holding a button and rotating a command dial to be made by
rotating the command dial after the button is released. Setting
ends when the button is pressed again, the shutter-release
button is pressed halfway, or the standby timer expires. This
option is available with the following buttons:
Button 0 Button 0
I (Q) button 116 c button 115
E button 131 AF mode button 39, 41, 88, 91
M (Y) button 190 Fn button 1 348
D button 134, 139, 143 Pv button 2 349
S button 109 A AE-L/AF-L button 3 349
T button 80, 84 Movie-record button 4 355
149, 153,
U button
157, 159, 163
1 When assigned Active D-Lighting or exposure delay mode using Custom Setting f4.
2 When assigned Active D-Lighting or exposure delay mode using Custom Setting f5.
3 When assigned exposure delay mode using Custom Setting f6.
4 When assigned white balance or ISO sensitivity using Custom Setting f13.

353
 f11: Slot Empty Release Lock
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Selecting Enable release allows the shutter to be released when

no memory card is inserted, although no pictures will be
recorded (they will however be displayed in the monitor in
demo mode). If Release locked is selected, the shutter-release
button is only enabled when a memory card is inserted in the
camera.

f12: Reverse Indicators

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

If is selected, the exposure indicators in the

control panel, viewfinder, and information display are displayed
with negative values on the left and positive values on the right.
Select to display positive values on the left
and negative values on the right.

354
f13: Assign Movie Record Button
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the movie-

record button during viewfinder
photography and live view
photography.

Movie-record button

❚❚ Press + Command Dials

Option Description
White Press the button and rotate a command dial to
m balance choose a white balance option (0 148).
ISO Press the button and rotate a command dial to
9 sensitivity choose an ISO sensitivity (0 109).
Press the button and rotate a command dial to
choose from pre-selected image areas (0 74).
Choose image
i Selecting Choose image area displays a list of
area
image areas; highlight options and press 2 to
select or deselect, then press J.
Press the button and rotate the main command dial
to lock shutter speed in modes f and h; press the
Shutter spd &
$ aperture lock
button and rotate the sub-command dial to lock
aperture in modes g and h. See page 126 for more
information.
No operation is performed if the command dials
None
are rotated while the button is pressed.

355
 f14: Live View Button Options
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Select Disable to disable the a button,

preventing live view from starting
accidentally.

f15: Assign MB-D12 AF-ON

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the function assigned

to the B button on the
optional MB-D12 battery
pack.

Option Description
Pressing the MB-D12 B button initiates
A AF-ON
autofocus.
Focus locks while the MB-D12 B button is
F AF lock only
pressed.
Focus and exposure lock while the MB-D12 B
B AE/AF lock
button is pressed.
Exposure locks while the MB-D12 B button is
C AE lock only
pressed.
Exposure locks when the MB-D12 B button is
AE lock (Reset pressed, and remains locked until the button is
D on release) pressed a second time, the shutter is released, or the
standby timer expires.

356
 Option Description
Exposure locks when the MB-D12 B button is
E AE lock (Hold) pressed, and remains locked until the button is
pressed a second time or the standby timer expires.
Press the MB-D12 B button to lock flash value
r FV lock (built-in flash and compatible optional flash units
only, 0 198, 430). Press again to cancel FV lock.
Same as Fn The MB-D12 B button performs the function
G button selected for Custom Setting f4 (0 343).

f16: Assign Remote (WR) Fn Button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the Fn button on the

wireless remote controller.

Option Description
During viewfinder photography, you can preview
depth of field while the Fn button is pressed (0 117).
During live view photography, you can press the
q Preview button once to open the lens to maximum aperture,
making it easier to check focus; pressing the button
again restores aperture to its original value (0 41).
Press the Fn button to lock flash value (built-in flash
r FV lock and compatible optional flash units only,
0 198, 430). Press again to cancel FV lock.
Focus and exposure lock while the Fn button is
B AE/AF lock pressed.

357
 Option Description
C AE lock only Exposure locks while the Fn button is pressed.
Exposure locks when the Fn button is pressed, and
AE lock (Reset remains locked until the button is pressed a second
D on release) time, the shutter is released, or the standby timer
expires.
F AF lock only Focus locks while the Fn button is pressed.
A AF-ON Pressing the Fn button initiates autofocus.
If the flash is currently off, front-curtain sync will be
IDisable/ selected while the Fn button is pressed. If the flash is
z enable currently enabled, it will instead be disabled while
the Fn button is pressed.
If image quality is set to JPEG fine, JPEG normal, or
JPEG basic, “RAW” will be displayed in the control
panel and an NEF (RAW) copy will be recorded with
the next picture taken after the Fn button is pressed
(the original image quality setting will be restored
4 + NEF (RAW) when you remove your finger from the shutter-
release button). NEF (RAW) copies are recorded at
the settings currently selected for NEF (RAW)
recording in the shooting menu (0 295). To exit
without recording an NEF (RAW) copy, press the Fn
button again.
a Live view Pressing the Fn button starts and ends live view.
None Pressing the button has no effect.

358
f17: Lens Focus Function Buttons
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the focus

function buttons on the lens. The
buttons can be used for the assigned
function only when AF-L is selected with
the focus function selector.

Focus function buttons

Focus function selector

Option Description
F AF lock only Focus locks while a focus function button is pressed.
Focus and exposure lock while a focus function
B AE/AF lock
button is pressed.
Exposure locks while a focus function button is
C AE lock only
pressed.
Keep a focus function button pressed to select a
Preset focus
v point
preset focus point (0 342). Release the button to
restore the original focus point selection.
Highlight this option and press 2 to select an
AF-area mode (3D-tracking excluded; 0 90). The
selected mode will take effect while a focus function
button is pressed; releasing the button restores the
K AF-area mode
original AF-area mode. The lens focus function
buttons can not be used to choose the AF-area
mode during autofocus if 3D-tracking is selected
using the controls on the camera.

359
 Option Description
If the flash is currently off, front-curtain sync will be
IDisable/ selected while a focus function button is pressed. If
z enable the flash is currently enabled, it will instead be
disabled while a focus function button is pressed.
Keep any of the focus function buttons pressed to
Disable
take photographs with the master camera only
x synchronized
when using a wireless remote controller for remote
release
synchronized release.
Keep any of the focus function buttons pressed to
Remote take photographs with the remote cameras only
y release only when using a wireless remote controller for remote
synchronized release.

360
 g: Movie

g1: Assign Fn Button

G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the Fn button during movie live view.

❚❚ Press
Option Description
Aperture widens while the button is pressed. Use
Power aperture in combination with Custom Setting g2 (Assign
t (open) preview button) > Power aperture (close) for
button-controlled aperture adjustment (0 362).
Press the button during movie recording to add an
r Index marking index at the current position (0 54). Indices can be
used when viewing and editing movies.
Press the button to display information on shutter
View photo speed, aperture, and other photo settings in place
s shooting info of movie recording information. Press again to
return to the movie recording display.
None Pressing the button has no effect.

A Power Aperture
Power aperture is not available with some lenses. Power aperture is
available only in exposure modes g and h and can not be used while
photo shooting info is displayed (a 6 icon indicates that power
aperture can not be used).

361
 g2: Assign Preview Button
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the Pv button during movie live view.

❚❚ Press
Option Description
Aperture narrows while the button is pressed. Use
Power aperture in combination with Custom Setting g1 (Assign Fn
q (close) button) > Power aperture (open) for button-
controlled aperture adjustment (0 361).
Press the button during movie recording to add an
r Index marking index at the current position (0 54). Indices can be
used when viewing and editing movies.
Press the button to display information on shutter
View photo speed, aperture, and other photo settings in place
s shooting info of movie recording information. Press again to
return to the movie recording display.
None Pressing the button has no effect.

362
g3: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by the A AE-L/AF-L button during movie

live view.

❚❚ Press
Option Description
Press the button during movie recording to add an
r Index marking index at the current position (0 54). Indices can be
used when viewing and editing movies.
Press the button to display information on shutter
View photo speed, aperture, and other photo settings in place
s shooting info of movie recording information. Press again to
return to the movie recording display.
Focus and exposure lock while the button is
B AE/AF lock
pressed.
C AE lock only Exposure locks while the button is pressed.
Exposure locks when the button is pressed, and
E AE lock (Hold) remains locked until the button is pressed a
second time.
F AF lock only Focus locks while the button is pressed.
None Pressing the button has no effect.

363
 g4: Assign Shutter Button
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu

Choose the role played by pressing the shutter-release button

when 1 is selected with the live view selector.
Option Description
Press the shutter-release button all the way down
to end movie recording and take a photograph
C Take photos with an aspect ratio of 16 : 9 (for information on
image size, see page 60).
Press the shutter-release button halfway to start
movie live view. You can then press the shutter-
release button halfway to focus (autofocus mode
only) and press it all the way down to start or end
recording. The shutter-release button can not be
1 Record movies used for other purposes during movie live view. To
end movie live view, press the a button. The
shutter-release button on an optional wireless
remote controller or remote cord (0 439, 441)
functions in the same way as the camera shutter-
release button.

364
 B The Setup Menu: Camera Setup
To display the setup menu, press G and select the B (setup
menu) tab.

G button

Setup Menu Options

The setup menu contains the following options:
Option 0 Option 0
Format memory card 366 Image comment 375
Monitor brightness 367 Copyright information 376
Monitor color balance 368 Save/load settings 377
Clean image sensor 445 Virtual horizon 379
Lock mirror up for cleaning 1 448 Non-CPU lens data 229
Image Dust Off ref photo 369 AF fine-tune 380
Flicker reduction 371 HDMI 269
Time zone and date 372 Location data 234
Language 372 Network 261
Auto image rotation 373 Eye-Fi upload 2 382
Battery info 374 Firmware version 383
1 Not available when battery is low.
2 Only available when compatible Eye-Fi memory card is inserted.

A See Also
Menu defaults are listed on page 279.

365
 Format Memory Card
G button ➜ B setup menu

Memory cards must be formatted before first use or after being

used or formatted in other devices. Note that formatting
permanently deletes all pictures and other data on the card. Before
formatting, be sure to make backup copies as required (0 253).
D During Formatting
Do not turn the camera off or remove memory cards during formatting.

Selecting Format memory card in the

setup menu displays the options shown
at right; choose a memory card slot and
select Yes to format the selected card.

Memory cards can also be formatted by holding the O (Q) and

I (Q) buttons down simultaneously until a flashing C
appears in the shutter-speed displays in the control panel and
viewfinder.

O (Q) button I (Q) button

366
Press the buttons together again a second time to format the
card (to exit without formatting the card, press any other button
or wait for about six seconds until C stops flashing). When
formatting is complete, the control panel and viewfinder will
show the number of photographs that can be recorded at
current settings.
A Two Memory Cards
If two memory cards are inserted when the O (Q) and I (Q)
buttons are pressed, the card to be formatted will be shown by a
flashing icon. Rotate the main command dial to choose a different slot.

Monitor Brightness
G button ➜ B setup menu

Press 1 or 3 to choose monitor brightness for playback, menus,

and the information display. Choose higher values for increased
brightness, lower values for reduced brightness.
A Monitor Brightness
Values of +4 or higher make the monitor easier to read in bright light
but also result in yellow colors taking on a greenish cast. Choose lower
values for accurate color reproduction.
A See Also
The option selected for Monitor brightness has no effect on the
brightness of the display during live view photography or movie live
view. For information on adjusting monitor brightness in live view, see
page 42.

367
 Monitor Color Balance
G button ➜ B setup menu

Use the multi selector as shown below

to adjust monitor color balance with
reference to a sample image. The
sample image is the last photograph
taken or, in playback mode, the last
photograph displayed; to choose a
different image, press the W button
and select an image from a thumbnail
list (to view the highlighted image full
frame, press and hold X; to view images
in other locations, press W and select
the desired card and folder as described
on page 237). If the memory card
contains no photographs, an empty frame with a gray border
will be displayed in place of the sample image. Press J to exit
when adjustments are complete. Monitor color balance applies
only to menus, playback, and the view through the lens
displayed during live view photography and movie live view;
pictures taken with the camera are not affected.
Increase amount of green

Increase amount of blue Increase amount of amber

Increase amount of magenta

368
Image Dust Off Ref Photo
G button ➜ B setup menu

Acquire reference data for the Image Dust Off option in

Capture NX-D (available for download, 0 260; for more
information, refer to Capture NX-D on-line help).
Image Dust Off ref photo is available only when a CPU lens is
mounted on the camera. A non-DX lens with a focal length of at
least 50 mm is recommended. When using a zoom lens, zoom all
the way in.

1 Choose a start option.

Highlight one of the following
options and press J. To exit without
acquiring image dust off data, press
G.

• Start: The message shown at right

will be displayed and “F” will
appear in the viewfinder and
control panel displays.
• Clean sensor and then start: Select this
option to clean the image sensor
before starting. The message
shown at right will be displayed and
“F” will appear in the viewfinder
and control panel displays when
cleaning is complete.

369
 D Image Sensor Cleaning
Dust off reference data recorded before image sensor cleaning is
performed can not be used with photographs taken after image
sensor cleaning is performed. Select Clean sensor and then start
only if the dust off reference data will not be used with existing
photographs.

2 Frame a featureless white object in the viewfinder.

With the lens about ten centimeters (four inches) from a well-
lit, featureless white object, frame the object so that it fills the
viewfinder and then press the shutter-release button
halfway.
In autofocus mode, focus will automatically be set to infinity;
in manual focus mode, set focus to infinity manually.

3 Acquire dust off reference data.

Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to
acquire Image Dust Off reference data. The monitor turns off
when the shutter-release button is pressed.
If the reference object is too bright or
too dark, the camera may be unable
to acquire Image Dust Off reference
data and the message shown at right
will be displayed. Choose another
reference object and repeat the
process from Step 1.

370
D Image Dust Off Reference Data
The same reference data can be used for
photographs taken with different lenses or
at different apertures. Reference images
can not be viewed using computer imaging
software. A grid pattern is displayed when
reference images are viewed on the
camera.

Flicker Reduction
G button ➜ B setup menu

Reduce flicker and banding when shooting under fluorescent or

mercury-vapor lighting during live view or movie recording.
Choose Auto to allow the camera to automatically choose the
correct frequency, or manually match the frequency to that of
the local AC power supply.
D Flicker Reduction
If Auto fails to produce the desired results and you are unsure as to the
frequency of the local power supply, test both the 50 and 60 Hz options
and choose the one that produces the best results. Flicker reduction
may not produce the desired results if the subject is very bright, in
which case you should try choosing a smaller aperture (higher
f-number). To prevent flicker, select mode h and choose a shutter
speed adapted to the frequency of the local power supply: 1/125 s, 1/60 s,
or 1/30 s for 60 Hz; 1/100 s, 1/50 s, or 1/25 s for 50 Hz.

371
 Time Zone and Date
G button ➜ B setup menu

Change time zones, set the camera clock, choose the date
display order, and turn daylight saving time on or off (0 18).
Option Description
Choose a time zone. The camera clock is automatically
Time zone
set to the time in the new time zone.
Date and time Set the camera clock.
Choose the order in which the day, month, and year are
Date format
displayed.
Turn daylight saving time on or off. The camera clock
Daylight saving
will automatically be advanced or set back one hour.
time
The default setting is Off.

If the clock is reset, a B icon will flash in the control panel and
a flashing T indicator will appear in the information display.

Language
G button ➜ B setup menu

Choose a language for camera menus and messages.

372
Auto Image Rotation
G button ➜ B setup menu

Photographs taken while On is selected contain information on

camera orientation, allowing them to be rotated automatically
during playback (0 288) or when viewed in ViewNX 2 (supplied)
or in Capture NX-D (available for download; 0 260). The
following orientations are recorded:

Landscape (wide) Camera rotated 90 ° Camera rotated 90 °

orientation clockwise counter-clockwise
Camera orientation is not recorded when Off is selected.
Choose this option when panning or taking photographs with
the lens pointing up or down.
A Rotate Tall
To automatically rotate “tall” (portrait-orientation) photographs for
display during playback, select On for the Rotate tall option in the
playback menu (0 288).

373
 Battery Info
G button ➜ B setup menu

View information on the battery

currently inserted in the camera.

Item Description
Charge The current battery level expressed as a percentage.
The number of times the shutter has been released with
the current battery since the battery was last charged.
No. of shots Note that the camera may sometimes release the shutter
without recording a photograph, for example when
measuring preset manual white balance.
• This item is displayed only when the camera is powered
by an optional MB-D12 battery pack equipped with an
EN-EL18a/EN-EL18 (available separately).
Calibration • j: Due to repeated use and recharging, calibration is
required to ensure that battery level can be measured
accurately; recalibrate battery before charging.
• —: Calibration not required.
A five-level display showing battery age. 0 (k) indicates
that battery performance is unimpaired, 4 (l) that the
battery has reached the end of its charging life and should
be replaced. Note that fresh batteries charged at
Battery age
temperatures under about 5 °C (41 °F) may show a
temporary drop in charging life; the battery age display will
however return to normal once the battery has been
recharged at a temperature of about 20 °C (68 °F) or higher.

374
A The MB-D12 Battery Pack
The display for the MB-D12 is shown at
right. In the case of EN-EL18a/EN-EL18
batteries, the display shows whether
calibration is required. If AA batteries are
used, the battery level will be shown by a
battery level icon; other items will not be
displayed.

Image Comment
G button ➜ B setup menu

Add a comment to new photographs as they are taken.

Comments can be viewed as metadata in ViewNX 2 (supplied) or
Capture NX-D (available for download; 0 260). The comment is
also visible on the shooting data page in the photo information
display (0 244). The following options are available:
• Input comment: Input a comment as described on page 178.
Comments can be up to 36 characters long.
• Attach comment: Select this option to
attach the comment to all subsequent
photographs. Attach comment can
be turned on and off by highlighting it
and pressing 2. After choosing the
desired setting, press J to exit.

375
 Copyright Information
G button ➜ B setup menu

Add copyright information to new photographs as they are

taken. Copyright information is included in the shooting data
shown in the photo information display (0 245) and can be
viewed as metadata in ViewNX 2 (supplied) or in Capture NX-D
(available for download; 0 260). The following options are
available:
• Artist: Enter a photographer name as described on page 178.
Photographer names can be up to 36 characters long.
• Copyright: Enter the name of the copyright holder as
described on page 178. Copyright holder names can be up to
54 characters long.
• Attach copyright information: Select
this option to attach copyright
information to all subsequent
photographs. Attach copyright
information can be turned on and off
by highlighting it and pressing 2.
After choosing the desired setting,
press J to exit.
D Copyright Information
To prevent unauthorized use of the artist or copyright holder names,
make sure that Attach copyright information is not selected and that
the Artist and Copyright fields are blank before lending or
transferring the camera to another person. Nikon does not accept
liability for any damages or disputes arising from the use of the
Copyright information option.

376
Save/Load Settings
G button ➜ B setup menu

Select Save settings to save the following settings to the

memory card, or to the memory card in the primary card slot if
two memory cards are inserted (0 86; if the card is full, an error
will be displayed). Use this option to share settings among D810
cameras.
Menu Option
Playback display options
Image review
Playback
After delete
Rotate tall
Shooting menu bank
Extended menu banks
File naming
Primary slot selection
Secondary slot function
Image quality
JPEG/TIFF recording
Shooting NEF (RAW) recording
(all banks) Image area
White balance (with fine-tuning and presets d-1–d-6)
Set Picture Control (Custom Picture Controls are saved as Standard)
Color space
Active D-Lighting
Vignette control
Auto distortion control
Long exposure NR

377
 Menu Option
High ISO NR
Shooting
ISO sensitivity settings
(all banks)
Movie settings
Custom settings
All Custom Settings
(all banks)
Clean image sensor
Flicker reduction
Time zone and date (excepting date and time)
Language
Auto image rotation
Setup Image comment
Copyright information
Non-CPU lens data
HDMI
Location data
Eye-Fi upload
All My Menu items
My Menu/
All recent settings
Recent Settings
Choose tab
Settings saved using this model of camera can be restored by
selecting Load settings. Note that Save/load settings is only
available when a memory card is inserted in the camera, and
that the Load settings option is only available if the card
contains saved settings.
A Saved Settings
Settings are saved in a file named NCSETUPF. The camera will not be
able to load settings if the file name is changed.

378
Virtual Horizon
G button ➜ B setup menu

Display roll and pitch information based on information from

the camera tilt sensor. If the camera is tilted neither left nor
right, the roll reference line will turn green, while if the camera is
tilted neither forward nor back, the dot in the center of the
display will turn green. Each division is equivalent to about 5 °.

Camera level Camera tilted left or Camera tilted forward

right or back

D Tilting the Camera

The virtual horizon display is not accurate when the camera is tilted at
a sharp angle forward or back. If the camera is unable to measure tilt,
the amount of tilt will not be displayed.
A See Also
For information on viewing a virtual horizon display in the viewfinder,
see Custom Setting f4 (Assign Fn button > Press; 0 343, 347). For
information on displaying a virtual horizon in live view, see pages 46
and 58.

379
 AF Fine-Tune
G button ➜ B setup menu

Fine-tune focus for up to 20 lens types. AF tuning is not

recommended in most situations and may interfere with normal
focus; use only when required.
Option Description
AF fine-tune • On: Turn AF tuning on.
(On/Off) • Off: Turn AF tuning off.
Tune AF for the current lens Move focal point
(CPU lenses only). Press 1 away from Current
or 3 to choose a value camera. value
between +20 and –20.
Saved value
Values for up to 20 lens
types can be stored. Only
one value can be stored for
each type of lens.
Choose the AF tuning value
used when no previously
Default saved value exists for the Move focal Previous
current lens (CPU lenses point toward value
only). camera.

380
 Option Description
List previously saved AF tuning values. To delete a lens
from the list, highlight the desired lens and press O (Q). To
change a lens identifier (for example, to choose an
identifier that is the same as the last two digits of the lens
serial number to distinguish it from other lenses of the
same type in light of the fact that Saved value can be used
with only one lens of each type), highlight the desired lens
List saved
and press 2.
values
The menu shown at right will be
displayed; press 1 or 3 to
choose an identifier and press
J to save changes and exit.

D AF Tuning
The camera may be unable to focus at minimum range or at infinity
when AF tuning is applied.
D Live View
Tuning is not applied to autofocus during live view (0 35).
A Saved Value
Only one value can be stored for each type of lens. If a teleconverter is
used, separate values can be stored for each combination of lens and
teleconverter.

381
 Eye-Fi Upload
G button ➜ B setup menu

This option is displayed only when an Eye-Fi memory card

(available separately from third-party suppliers) is inserted in the
camera. Choose Enable to upload photographs to a preselected
destination. Note that pictures will not be uploaded if signal
strength is insufficient.
Observe all local laws concerning wireless devices and choose
Disable where wireless devices are prohibited.
D Eye-Fi Cards
Eye-Fi cards may emit wireless signals when Disable is selected. If a
warning is displayed in the monitor (0 470), turn the camera off and
remove the card.
Set Custom Setting c2 (Standby timer, 0 319) to 30 s or more when
using an Eye-Fi card.
See the manual provided with the Eye-Fi card, and direct any inquiries
to the manufacturer. The camera can be used to turn Eye-Fi cards on
and off, but may not support other Eye-Fi functions.

382
When an Eye-Fi card is inserted, its status
is indicated by an icon in the information
display:
• d: Eye-Fi upload disabled.
• e: Eye-Fi upload enabled but no
pictures available for upload.
• f (static): Eye-Fi upload enabled;
waiting to begin upload.
• f (animated): Eye-Fi upload enabled; uploading data.
• g: Error — camera can not control Eye-Fi card. If a flashing
W appears in the control panel or viewfinder, refer to page
470; if this indicator is not flashing, pictures can be taken
normally but you may be unable to change Eye-Fi settings.
A Supported Eye-Fi Cards
Some cards may not be available in some countries or regions; consult
the manufacturer for more information. Eye-Fi cards are for use only in
the country of purchase. Be sure the Eye-Fi card firmware has been
updated to the latest version.

Firmware Version
G button ➜ B setup menu

View the current camera firmware version.

383
 N The Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies
To display the retouch menu, press G and select the N
(retouch menu) tab.

G button

Retouch Menu Options

The options in the retouch menu are used to create trimmed, or
retouched copies of existing pictures. The retouch menu is only
displayed when a memory card containing photographs other
than small NEF (RAW) images is inserted in the camera.
Option 0 Option 0
i D-Lighting 388 Z Straighten 404
j Red-eye correction 389 a Distortion control 405
k Trim 390 b Fisheye 406
l Monochrome 392 c Color outline 406
m Filter effects 393 d Color sketch 407
n Color balance 394 e Perspective control 408
o Image overlay 1 395 f Miniature effect 409
7 NEF (RAW) processing 399 g Selective color 410
8 Resize 401 9 Edit movie 67
Y Quick retouch 404 p Side-by-side comparison 2 412
1 Can only be selected by pressing G and selecting N tab.
2 Available only if b button is pressed in full-frame playback when a retouched image or original
is displayed.

384
Creating Retouched Copies
To create a retouched copy:

1 Select an item in the retouch menu.

Press 1 or 3 to highlight an item, 2
to select.

2 Select a picture.
Highlight a picture and press J. To
view the highlighted picture full
screen, press and hold the X button.

To view images in other locations,

press W and select the desired card
and folder as described on page 237.

A Retouch
In the case of images recorded at image quality settings of NEF +
JPEG, only the NEF (RAW) image will be retouched. The camera
may not be able to display or retouch images created with other
devices.

385
 3 Select retouch options.
For more information, see the section for the selected item.
To exit without creating a retouched copy, press G.
A Monitor off Delay
The monitor will turn off and the operation will be cancelled if no
actions are performed for a brief period. Any unsaved changes will
be lost. To increase the time the monitor remains on, choose a
longer menu display time for Custom Setting c4 (Monitor off
delay, 0 320).

4 Create a retouched copy.

Press J to create a retouched copy.
Retouched copies are indicated by a
N icon.

A Creating Retouched Copies During Playback

Retouched copies can also be created during playback.

Display picture full Highlight an option Create retouched

frame and press b. and press J. copy.

386
D Small NEF (RAW) + JPEG Images
If the JPEG copies of small NEF (RAW) images taken at image quality
settings of NEF (RAW) + JPEG are recorded to the same memory card
(0 86), neither the NEF (RAW) images nor the JPEG copies can be
edited.
D Retouching Copies
Most options can be applied to copies created using other retouch
options, although with the exceptions of Image overlay and
Edit movie > Choose start/end point each option can be applied
only once (note that multiple edits may result in loss of detail). Options
that can not be applied to the current image can not be selected.
A Image Quality
Except in the case of copies created with Trim, Image overlay, NEF
(RAW) processing, and Resize, copies created from JPEG images are
the same size and quality as the original, copies created from NEF
(RAW) photos are saved as large fine-quality JPEG images, and copies
created from TIFF (RGB) photos are saved as fine-quality JPEG images
of the same size as the original. Size-priority compression is used
when copies are saved in JPEG format.

387
 D-Lighting
G button ➜ N retouch menu

D-Lighting brightens shadows, making it ideal for dark or backlit

photographs.

Before After

Press 4 or 2 to choose the amount of

correction performed. The effect can be
previewed in the edit display. Press J to
save the retouched copy.

388
Red-Eye Correction
G button ➜ N retouch menu

This option is used to correct “red-eye” caused by the flash and is

available only with photographs taken using a flash. The
photograph selected for red-eye correction can be previewed in
the edit display. Confirm the effects of red-eye correction and
create a copy as described in the following table. Note that
red-eye correction may not always produce the expected results
and may in very rare circumstances be applied to portions of the
image that are not affected by red-eye; check the preview
thoroughly before proceeding.
To Use Description
Zoom in X Press X to zoom in, W to zoom out. While
photo is zoomed in, use multi selector to view
Zoom out W areas of image not visible in monitor. Keep
multi selector pressed to scroll rapidly to other
View other areas areas of frame. Navigation window is
of image displayed when zoom buttons or multi
selector are pressed; area currently visible in
Cancel zoom J monitor is indicated by yellow border. Press J
to cancel zoom.
If the camera detects red-eye in the selected
photograph, a copy will be created that has
Create copy J been processed to reduce its effects. No copy
will be created if the camera is unable to
detect red-eye.

389
 Trim
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create a cropped copy of the selected

photograph. The selected photograph
is displayed with the selected crop
shown in yellow; create a cropped copy
as described in the following table.

To Use Description
Reduce size of
crop
W Press W to reduce the size of the crop.
Increase size of
crop
X Press X to increase the size of the crop.

Change crop Rotate the main command dial to choose the

aspect ratio aspect ratio.
Use multi selector to position the crop. Press
Position crop and hold to move the crop rapidly to the
desired position.
Press center of multi selector to preview
Preview crop
cropped image.
Create copy J Save the current crop as a separate file.

390
A Trim: Image Quality and Size
Copies created from NEF (RAW), NEF
(RAW) + JPEG, or TIFF (RGB) photos have an
image quality (0 79) of JPEG fine; cropped
copies created from JPEG photos have the
same image quality as the original. The size
of the copy varies with crop size and aspect
ratio and appears at upper left in the crop
display.
A Viewing Cropped Copies
Playback zoom may not be available when cropped copies are
displayed.

391
 Monochrome
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Copy photographs in Black-and-white,

Sepia, or Cyanotype (blue and white
monochrome).

Selecting Sepia or Cyanotype displays Increase saturation

a preview of the selected image; press 1
to increase color saturation, 3 to
decrease. Press J to create a
monochrome copy.
Decrease saturation

392
Filter Effects
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Choose from the following filter effects. After adjusting filter

effects as described below, press J to save the retouched copy.
Option Description
Creates the effect of a skylight
filter, making the picture less blue.
Skylight
The effect can be previewed in
the monitor as shown at right.
Creates a copy with warm tone
filter effects, giving the copy a
Warm filter
“warm” red cast. The effect can be
previewed in the monitor.
Red Intensify reds (Red intensifier),
intensifier greens (Green intensifier), or
Green blues (Blue intensifier). Press 1
intensifier to increase the effect, 3 to
Blue decrease.
intensifier
Add starburst effects to light
sources.
• Number of points: Choose from
four, six, or eight.
• Filter amount: Choose the
Cross brightness of the light sources
screen affected.
• Filter angle: Choose the angle of the points.
• Length of points: Choose the length of points.
• Confirm: Preview the effects of the filter. Press X to preview
the copy full frame.
• Save: Create a retouched copy.

393
 Option Description
Add a soft filter effect. Press 4 or
2 to choose the filter strength.

Soft

Color Balance
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Use the multi selector to create a copy

with modified color balance as shown
below. The effect is displayed in the
monitor together with red, green, and
blue histograms (0 241) giving the
distribution of tones in the copy. Press J
to save the retouched copy.
Increase amount of green

Increase amount of blue Increase amount of amber

Increase amount of magenta

394
A Zoom
To zoom in on the image displayed in the
monitor, press X. The histogram will be
updated to show data only for the portion
of the image displayed in the monitor.
While the image is zoomed in, press
L (Z/Q) to toggle back and forth
between color balance and zoom. When
zoom is selected, you can zoom in and out with the X and W buttons
and scroll the image with the multi selector.

Image Overlay
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Image overlay combines two existing NEF (RAW) photographs to

create a single picture that is saved separately from the originals;
the results, which make use of RAW data from the camera image
sensor, are noticeably better than photographs combined in an
imaging application. The new picture is saved at current image
quality and size settings; before creating an overlay, set image
quality and size (0 79, 83; all options are available). To create a
NEF (RAW) copy, choose an image quality of NEF (RAW) and an
image size of Large (the overlay will be saved as a large NEF/
RAW image even if Small is selected).

395
 1 Select Image overlay.
Highlight Image overlay in the
retouch menu and press 2. The
dialog shown at right will be
displayed, with Image 1 highlighted;
press J to display a picture selection
dialog listing only large NEF (RAW)
images created with this camera (small NEF/RAW images can
not be selected).

2 Select the first image.

Use the multi selector to highlight
the first photograph in the overlay.
To view the highlighted photograph
full frame, press and hold the X
button. To view images in other
locations, press W and select the
desired card and folder as described on page 237. Press J to
select the highlighted photograph and return to the preview
display.

3 Select the second image.

The selected image will appear as Image 1. Highlight
Image 2 and press J, then select the second photo as
described in Step 2.

396
4 Adjust gain.
Highlight Image 1 or Image 2 and
optimize exposure for the overlay by
pressing 1 or 3 to select the gain
from values between 0.1 and 2.0.
Repeat for the second image. The
default value is 1.0; select 0.5 to halve
gain or 2.0 to double it. The effects of gain are visible in the
Preview column.

5 Preview the overlay.

Press 4 or 2 to place the cursor in
the Preview column and press 1 or
3 to highlight Overlay. Press J to
preview the overlay as shown at right
(to save the overlay without
displaying a preview, select Save). To
return to Step 4 and select new photos or adjust gain, press
W.

6 Save the overlay.

Press J while the preview is
displayed to save the overlay. After
an overlay is created, the resulting
image will be displayed full-frame in
the monitor.

397
 D Image Overlay
Only NEF (RAW) photographs with the same image area and bit depth
can be combined.
The overlay has the same photo info (including date of recording,
metering, shutter speed, aperture, exposure mode, exposure
compensation, focal length, and image orientation) and values for
white balance and Picture Control as the photograph selected for
Image 1. The current image comment is appended to the overlay
when it is saved; copyright information, however, is not copied.
Overlays saved in NEF (RAW) format use the compression selected for
NEF (RAW) compression in the NEF (RAW) recording menu and have
the same bit depth as the original images; JPEG overlays are saved
using size-priority compression.

398
NEF (RAW) Processing
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create JPEG copies of NEF (RAW) photographs.

1 Select NEF (RAW) processing.

Highlight NEF (RAW) processing in
the retouch menu and press 2 to
display a picture selection dialog
listing only large NEF (RAW) images
created with this camera. Small NEF/
RAW images can not be selected; to
create JPEG copies of small NEF (RAW) images, use the
supplied ViewNX 2 software (0 253) or Capture NX-D
(available for download; 0 260).

2 Select a photograph.
Use the multi selector to highlight a
photograph (to view the highlighted
photograph full frame, press and
hold the X button; to view images in
other locations as described on page
237, press W). Press J to select the
highlighted photograph and proceed to the next step.

399
 3 Choose settings for the JPEG copy.
Adjust the settings listed below. Note that white balance and
vignette control are not available with multiple exposures or
pictures created with image overlay and that exposure
compensation can only be set to values between –2 and
+2 EV.
Image quality (0 79)

Image size (0 83)

White balance (0 148)

Exposure compensation (0 130)

Set Picture Control (0 170)

High ISO NR (0 299)

Color space (0 296)

Vignette control (0 297)

D-Lighting (0 388)

4 Copy the photograph.

Highlight EXE and press J to create a
JPEG copy of the selected
photograph. To exit without copying
the photograph, press the G
button.

400
Resize
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create small copies of selected photographs.

1 Select Resize.
To resize selected images, highlight
Resize in the retouch menu and
press 2.

2 Choose a destination.
If two memory cards are inserted, you
can choose a destination for the
resized copies by highlighting
Choose destination and pressing 2
(if only one memory card is inserted,
proceed to Step 3).
The menu shown at right will be
displayed; highlight a card slot and
press J.

401
 3 Choose a size.
Highlight Choose size and press 2.

The options shown at right will be

displayed; highlight an option and
press J.

4 Choose pictures.
Highlight Select image and press 2.

Highlight pictures and press the

center of the multi selector to select
or deselect (to view the highlighted
picture full screen, press and hold the
X button; to view pictures in other
locations as described on page 237,
press W). Selected pictures are
marked by a 8 icon. Press J when the selection is complete.
Note that photographs taken at an image-area setting of 5 : 4
(0 75) can not be resized.

402
5 Save the resized copies.
A confirmation dialog will be
displayed. Highlight Yes and press J
to save the resized copies.

A Viewing Resized Copies

Playback zoom may not be available when resized copies are
displayed.
A Image Quality
Copies created from NEF (RAW), NEF (RAW) + JPEG, or TIFF (RGB)
photos have an image quality (0 79) of JPEG fine; copies created from
JPEG photos have the same image quality as the original.

403
 Quick Retouch
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create copies with enhanced saturation

and contrast. D-Lighting is applied as
required to brighten dark or backlit
subjects.
Press 4 or 2 to choose the amount of
enhancement. The effect can be
previewed in the edit display. Press J to save the retouched
copy.

Straighten
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create a straightened copy of the

selected image. Press 2 to rotate the
image clockwise by up to five degrees in
increments of approximately 0.25
degrees, 4 to rotate it counterclockwise
(the effect can be previewed in the edit
display; note that edges of the image
will be trimmed to create a square copy). Press J to save the
retouched copy.

404
Distortion Control
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create copies with reduced peripheral

distortion. Select Auto to let the camera
correct distortion automatically and
then make fine adjustments using the
multi selector, or select Manual to
reduce distortion manually (note that
Auto is not available with photos taken
using auto distortion control; see page 298). Press 2 to reduce
barrel distortion, 4 to reduce pin-cushion distortion (the effect
can be previewed in the edit display; note that greater amounts
of distortion control result in more of the edges being cropped
out). Press J to save the retouched copy. Note that distortion
control may heavily crop or distort the edges of copies created
from photographs taken with DX lenses at image areas other
than DX (24×16).
A Auto
Auto is for use only with pictures taken with type G, E, and D lenses
(PC, fisheye, and certain other lenses excluded). Results are not
guaranteed with other lenses.

405
 Fisheye
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create copies that appear to have been

taken with a fisheye lens. Press 2 to
increase the effect (this also increases
the amount that will be cropped out at
the edges of the image), 4 to reduce it.
The effect can be previewed in the edit
display. Press J to save the retouched
copy.

Color Outline
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create an outline copy of a photograph

to use as a base for painting. The effect
can be previewed in the edit display.
Press J to save the retouched copy.

Before After

406
Color Sketch
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create a copy of a photograph that

resembles a sketch made with colored
pencils. Press 1 or 3 to highlight
Vividness or Outlines and press 4 or 2
to change. Vividness can be increased
to make colors more saturated, or
decreased for a washed-out,
monochromatic effect, while outlines can be made thicker or
thinner. Thicker outlines makes colors more saturated. The
results can be previewed in the edit display. Press J to save the
retouched copy.

407
 Perspective Control
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create copies that reduce the effects of

perspective taken from the base of a tall
object. Use the multi selector to adjust
perspective (note that greater amounts
of perspective control result in more of
the edges being cropped out). The
results can be previewed in the edit
display. Press J to save the retouched copy.

Before After

408
Miniature Effect
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create a copy that appears to be a photo of a diorama. Works

best with photos taken from a high vantage point. The area that
will be in focus in the copy is indicated by a yellow frame.
To Press Description
Choose Press W to choose orientation of area that is in
orientation
W focus.

If area of effect is in
wide orientation,
press 1 or 3 to
position frame
showing area of copy
that will be in focus.
Choose position Area in focus
If area of effect is in
tall orientation, press
4 or 2 to position
frame showing area
of copy that will be in
focus.

If area of effect is in wide orientation, press 4

or 2 to choose height.
Choose size
If area of effect is in tall orientation, press 1 or
3 to choose width.

Preview copy X Preview copy.

Create copy J Create copy.

409
 Selective Color
G button ➜ N retouch menu

Create a copy in which only selected hues appear in color.

1 Select Selective color.

Highlight Selective color in the
retouch menu and press 2 to display
a picture selection dialog.

2 Select a photograph.
Use the multi selector to highlight a
photograph (to view the highlighted
photograph full frame, press and
hold the X button; to view images in
other locations as described on page
237, press W). Press J to select the
highlighted photograph and proceed to the next step.

3 Select a color. Selected color

Use the multi selector to position the
cursor over an object and press
center of multi selector to select the
color of the object as one that will
remain in the final copy (the camera
may have difficulty detecting
unsaturated colors; choose a
saturated color). To zoom in on the picture for precise color
selection, press X. Press W to zoom out.

410
4 Highlight the color range. Color range
Rotate the main command
dial to highlight the color
range for the selected
color.

5 Choose the color range.

Press 1 or 3 to increase or decrease
the range of similar hues that will be
included in the final photograph.
Choose from values between 1 and 7;
note that higher values may include
hues from other colors. The effect
can be previewed in the edit display.

6 Select additional colors.

To select additional colors,
rotate the main command
dial to highlight another
of the three color boxes at
the top of the display and
repeat Steps 3–5 to select
another color. Repeat for a third color if desired. To deselect
the highlighted color, press O (Q); to remove all colors, press
and hold O (Q). A confirmation dialog will be displayed;
select Yes.

411
 7 Save the edited copy.
Press J to save the retouched copy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare retouched copies to the original photographs. This

option is only available if the b button is pressed to display the
retouch menu when a copy or original is played back full frame.

1 Select a picture.
Select a retouched copy (shown by a
N icon) or a photograph that has
been retouched in full-frame
playback and press b.

b button

2 Select Side-by-side comparison.

Highlight Side-by-side comparison
and press J.

412
3 Compare the copy with the original. Options used to create
The source image is displayed on the copy
left, the retouched copy on the right,
with the options used to create the
copy listed at the top of the display.
Press 4 or 2 to switch between the
source image and the retouched
copy. To view the highlighted picture
full frame, press and hold the X Source Retouched
button. If the copy was created from image copy
two source images using Image
overlay, or if the source has been copied multiple times,
press 1 or 3 to view the other source image. To exit to
playback, press the K button, or press J to exit to playback
with the highlighted image selected.
D Side-by-Side Comparison
The source image will not be displayed if the copy was created from a
photograph that was protected (0 250) or has since been deleted or
hidden (0 281).

413
 O My Menu/m Recent Settings
To display My Menu, press G and select the O (My Menu) tab.

G button

The MY MENU option can be used to create and edit a

customized list of options from the playback, shooting, Custom
Settings, setup, and retouch menus for quick access (up to 20
items). If desired, recent settings can be displayed in place of My
Menu (0 418).
Options can be added, deleted, and reordered as described
below.

❚❚ Adding Options to My Menu

1 Select Add items.

In My Menu (O), highlight Add items
and press 2.

2 Select a menu.
Highlight the name of the menu
containing the option you wish to
add and press 2.

414
3 Select an item.
Highlight the desired menu item and
press J.

4 Position the new item.

Press 1 or 3 to move the new item
up or down in My Menu. Press J to
add the new item.

5 Add more items.

The items currently displayed in My
Menu are indicated by a check mark.
Items indicated by a V icon can not
be selected. Repeat steps 1–4 to
select additional items.

415
 ❚❚ Deleting Options from My Menu

1 Select Remove items.

In My Menu (O), highlight Remove items and press 2.

2 Select items.
Highlight items and press 2 to select
or deselect. Selected items are
indicated by a check mark.

3 Delete the selected items.

Press J. A confirmation dialog will
be displayed; press J again to delete
the selected items.

A Deleting Items in My Menu

To delete the item currently highlighted in My Menu, press the O (Q)
button. A confirmation dialog will be displayed; press O (Q) again to
remove the selected item from My Menu.

416
❚❚ Reordering Options in My Menu

1 Select Rank items.

In My Menu (O), highlight Rank items and press 2.

2 Select an item.
Highlight the item you wish to move
and press J.

3 Position the item.

Press 1 or 3 to move the item up or
down in My Menu and press J.
Repeat Steps 2–3 to reposition
additional items.

4 Exit to My Menu.
Press the G button to return to My
Menu.

G button

417
 Recent Settings
To display the twenty most recently used settings, select
m RECENT SETTINGS for O MY MENU > Choose tab.

1 Select Choose tab.

In My Menu (O), highlight Choose
tab and press 2.

2 Select m RECENT SETTINGS.

Highlight m RECENT SETTINGS and
press J. The name of the menu will
change from “MY MENU” to “RECENT
SETTINGS.”

Menu items will be added to the top of the recent settings menu
as they are used. To view My Menu again, select O MY MENU for
m RECENT SETTINGS > Choose tab.
A Removing Items from the Recent Settings Menu
To remove an item from the recent settings menu, highlight it and
press the O (Q) button. A confirmation dialog will be displayed; press
O (Q) again to delete the selected item.

418
Technical Notes
Read this chapter for information on compatible accessories,
cleaning and storing the camera, and what to do if an error
message is displayed or you encounter problems using the
camera.

Compatible Lenses
Camera setting Exposure
Focus mode Metering system
mode
M (with L2
e g M3
AF electronic 45
f h 3D Color N 4
Lens/accessory rangefinder) 1
Type G, E, or D AF
NIKKOR 7 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔8 ✔
AF-S, AF-I NIKKOR
PC-E NIKKOR series 9 — ✔ 10 ✔ 10 ✔ 10 ✔ 10 — ✔ 8,10 ✔
PC Micro 85mm
✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CPU lenses 6

10 12 8,10
— —
f/2.8D 11
AF-S / AF-I
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔8 ✔
Teleconverter 13
Other AF NIKKOR
(except lenses for ✔ 14 ✔ 14 ✔ ✔ — ✔ ✔8 —
F3AF)
AI-P NIKKOR — ✔ 15 ✔ ✔ — ✔ ✔8 —

419
 Camera setting Exposure
Focus mode Metering system
mode
M (with L2
e g M3
AF electronic 45
f h 3D Color N 4
Lens/accessory rangefinder) 1
AI-, AI-modified
NIKKOR or Nikon — ✔ 15 — ✔ 18 — ✔ 19 ✔ 20 —
Series E lenses 17
Medical-NIKKOR
— ✔ — ✔ 21 — — — —
120mm f/4
Reflex-NIKKOR — — — ✔ 18 — — ✔ 20 —
Non-CPU lenses 16

PC-NIKKOR — ✔ 10 — ✔ 22 — — ✔ —
AI-type
— ✔ 24 — ✔ 18 — ✔ 19 ✔ 20 —
Teleconverter 23
PB-6 Bellows
Focusing — ✔ 24 — ✔ 26 — — ✔ —
Attachment 25
Auto extension rings
(PK-series 11A, 12, — ✔ 24 — ✔ 18 — — ✔ —
or 13; PN-11)
1 Manual focus available with all lenses.
2 Matrix.
3 Center-weighted.
4 Spot.
5 Highlight-weighted.
6 IX-NIKKOR lenses can not be used.
7 Vibration Reduction (VR) supported with VR lenses.
8 Spot metering meters selected focus point (0 114).
9 The tilt knob for the PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED may contact the camera body when the
lens is revolved. This can be prevented by installing a smaller tilt knob; contact a Nikon-
authorized service representative for more information.
10 Can not be used with shifting or tilting.
11 The camera’s exposure metering and flash control systems do not work properly when
shifting and/or tilting the lens, or when an aperture other than the maximum aperture is
used.

420
12 Manual exposure mode only.
13 Can be used with AF-S and AF-I lenses only (0 423). For information on the focus points
available for autofocus and electronic rangefinding, see page 423.
14 When focusing at minimum focus distance with AF 80–200mm f/2.8, AF 35–70mm f/2.8, AF
28–85mm f/3.5–4.5 <New>, or AF 28–85mm f/3.5–4.5 lens at maximum zoom, in-focus
indicator may be displayed when image on matte screen in viewfinder is not in focus. Adjust
focus manually until image in viewfinder is in focus.
15 With maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
16 Some lenses can not be used (see page 424).
17 Range of rotation for AI 80–200mm f/2.8 ED tripod mount is limited by camera body. Filters
can not be exchanged while AI 200–400mm f/4 ED is mounted on camera.
18 If maximum aperture is specified using Non-CPU lens data (0 229), aperture value
will be displayed in viewfinder and control panel.
19 Can be used only if lens focal length and maximum aperture are specified using Non-CPU
lens data (0 229). Use spot or center-weighted metering if desired results are not
achieved.
20 For improved precision, specify lens focal length and maximum aperture using Non-CPU
lens data (0 229).
21 Can be used in manual exposure modes at shutter speeds slower than flash sync speed by one
step or more.
22 Exposure determined by presetting lens aperture. In aperture-priority auto exposure mode,
preset aperture using lens aperture ring before performing AE lock and shifting lens. In
manual exposure mode, preset aperture using lens aperture ring and determine exposure
before shifting lens.
23 Exposure compensation required when used with AI 28–85mm f/3.5–4.5, AI 35–105mm
f/3.5–4.5, AI 35–135mm f/3.5–4.5, or AF-S 80–200mm f/2.8D.
24 With maximum effective aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
25 Requires PK-12 or PK-13 auto extension ring. PB-6D may be required depending on camera
orientation.
26 Use preset aperture. In aperture-priority auto exposure mode, set aperture using focusing
attachment before determining exposure and taking photograph.

421
 • PF-4 Reprocopy Outfit requires PA-4 Camera Holder.
• Noise in the form of lines may appear during autofocus at high ISO
sensitivities. Use manual focus or focus lock. Lines may also appear at
high ISO sensitivities when aperture is adjusted during movie
recording or live view photography.

A Recognizing CPU and Type G, E, and D Lenses

CPU lenses (particularly types G, E, and D) are recommended, but note
that IX-NIKKOR lenses can not be used. CPU lenses can be identified by
the presence of CPU contacts, type G, E, and D lenses by a letter on the
lens barrel. Type G and E lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture
ring.
CPU contacts Aperture ring

CPU lens Type G/E lens Type D lens

422
A The AF-S/AF-I Teleconverter
The table below shows the focus points available for autofocus and
electronic rangefinding when an AF-S/AF-I teleconverter is attached.
Note that the camera may be unable to focus on dark or low-contrast
subjects if the combined aperture is slower than f/5.6. Autofocus is not
available when teleconverters are used with the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor
105mm f/2.8G IF-ED.
Accessory Maximum aperture of lens Focus points
f/4 or faster
TC-14E, TC-14E II,
1
TC-14E III
f/5.6

f/2.8 or faster
1
TC-17E II
f/4
f/5.6 —2
f/2.8 or faster
TC-20E, TC-20E II, 3
TC-20E III f/4
f/5.6 —2
1
TC-800-1.25E ED f/5.6

1 Single point AF is used when 3D-tracking or auto-area AF is selected for AF-area mode
(0 90).
2 Autofocus not available.
3 Focus data for focus points other than the center focus point are obtained from line sensors.

423
 A Lens f-number
The f-number given in lens names is the maximum aperture of the
lens.
A Compatible Non-CPU Lenses
Non-CPU lens data (0 229) can be used to enable many of the
features available with CPU lenses, including color matrix metering; if
no data are provided, center-weighted metering will be used in place
of color matrix metering, while if the maximum aperture is not
provided, the camera aperture display will show the number of stops
from maximum aperture and the actual aperture value must be read
off the lens aperture ring.
D Incompatible Accessories and Non-CPU Lenses
The following can NOT be used with the D810:
• TC-16A AF teleconverter • AF lenses for the F3AF (AF 80mm
• Non-AI lenses f/2.8, AF 200mm f/3.5 ED,
• Lenses that require the AU-1 focusing unit AF Teleconverter TC-16)
(400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/5.6, 800mm f/8, • PC 28mm f/4 (serial number 180900 or
1200mm f/11) earlier)
• Fisheye (6mm f/5.6, 7.5mm f/5.6, 8mm • PC 35mm f/2.8 (serial numbers 851001–
f/8, OP 10mm f/5.6) 906200)
• 2.1cm f/4 • PC 35mm f/3.5 (old type)
• Extension Ring K2 • Reflex 1000mm f/6.3 (old type)
• 180–600mm f/8 ED (serial numbers • Reflex 1000mm f/11 (serial numbers
174041–174180) 142361–143000)
• 360–1200mm f/11 ED (serial numbers • Reflex 2000mm f/11 (serial numbers
174031–174127) 200111–200310)
• 200–600mm f/9.5 (serial numbers
280001–300490)

424
D AF-Assist Illumination
Some lenses may block the illuminator at certain focus distances.
Remove lens hoods when using the illuminator. More information on
lenses that can be used with the AF-assist illuminator may be found on
page 494.
A The Built-in Flash
The built-in flash can be used with CPU lenses with focal lengths of
24 mm (16 mm in DX format) to 300 mm, although in some cases the
flash may be unable to entirely light the subject at some ranges or
focal lengths due to shadows cast by the lens, while lenses that block
the subject’s view of the red-eye reduction lamp may interfere with
red-eye reduction. Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash
has a minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft) and can not be used in the macro
range of macro zoom lenses. The following illustrations show the
effect of vignetting caused by shadows cast by the lens when the flash
is used.

Shadow Vignetting
More information on lenses that can be used with the built-in flash
may be found on page 494.

425
 A Calculating Angle of View
The D810 can be used with Nikon lenses for 35 mm (135) format
cameras. If Auto DX crop is on (0 75) and a 35 mm format lens is
attached, the angle of view will be the same as a frame of 35 mm film
(35.9 × 24.0 mm); if a DX lens is attached, the angle of view will
automatically be adjusted to 23.4 × 15.6 mm (DX format).
To choose an angle of view different from that of the current lens, turn
Auto DX crop off and select from FX (36×24), 1.2× (30×20),
DX (24×16), and 5 : 4 (30×24). If a 35 mm format lens is attached, the
angle of view could be reduced by 1.5× by selecting DX (24×16) or by
1.2× by selecting 1.2× (30×20), to expose a smaller area, or the aspect
ratio could be changed by selecting 5 : 4 (30×24).
FX (36×24) picture size (35.9 × 24.0 mm,
equivalent to 35 mm format)
1.2× (30×20) picture size
(30.0 × 19.9 mm)
DX (24×16) picture size (23.4 × 15.6 mm,
equivalent to DX format camera)

Lens 5 : 4 (30×24) picture size

(30.0 × 24.0 mm)

Picture diagonal

Angle of view (FX (36×24); 35 mm format)

Angle of view (1.2× (30×20))
Angle of view (DX (24×16); DX format)
Angle of view (5 : 4 (30×24))

426
A Calculating Angle of View (Continued)
The DX (24×16) angle of view is about 1.5 times smaller than the
35 mm format angle of view, while the 1.2× (30×20) angle of view is
about 1.2 times smaller and the 5 : 4 (30×24) angle of view is about
1.1 times smaller. To calculate the focal length of lenses in 35 mm
format when DX (24×16) is selected, multiply the focal length of the
lens by about 1.5, by about 1.2 when 1.2× (30×20) is selected, or by
about 1.1 when 5 : 4 (30×24) is selected (for example, the effective
focal length of a 50 mm lens in 35 mm format would be 75 mm when
DX (24×16) is selected, 60 mm when 1.2× (30×20) is selected, or
55 mm when 5 : 4 (30×24) is selected).

427
 Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
and can be used with CLS-compatible flash units. The built-in
flash will not fire when an optional flash unit is attached.

The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)

Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers
improved communication between the camera and compatible
flash units for improved flash photography.

❚❚ CLS-Compatible Flash Units

The camera can be used with the following CLS-compatible flash
units:
• The SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-400, SB-300, and SB-R200:
Flash unit

SB-R200 3
SB-900 1

SB-700 1

SB-400 2

SB-300 2
SB-910,

SB-800

SB-600

Feature
ISO 100 34/111 38/125 28/92 30/98 21/69 18/59 10/33
Guide No. 4
ISO 200 48/157 53/174 39/128 42/138 30/98 25/82 14/46
1 If a color filter is attached to the SB-910, SB-900, or SB-700 when v or N (flash) is selected
for white balance, the camera will automatically detect the filter and adjust white balance
appropriately.
2 Wireless flash control is not available.
3 Controlled remotely with built-in flash in commander mode or using optional SB-910, SB-900,
SB-800, or SB-700 flash unit or SU-800 wireless Speedlight commander.
4 m/ft, 20 °C (68 °F), SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, and SB-600 at 35 mm zoom head position;
SB-910, SB-900, and SB-700 with standard illumination.

428
• SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander: When mounted on a CLS-
compatible camera, the SU-800 can be used as a commander
for remote SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, or SB-R200
flash units in up to three groups. The SU-800 itself is not
equipped with a flash.

A Guide Number
To calculate the range of the flash at full power, divide the Guide
Number by the aperture. If, for example, the flash unit has a Guide
Number of 34 m or 111 ft (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F); its range at an aperture
of f/5.6 is 34÷5.6 or about 6.1 meters
(or in feet, 111÷5.6=approximately 19 ft 10 in.). For each twofold
increase in ISO sensitivity, multiply the Guide Number by the square
root of two (approximately 1.4).
A The Sync Terminal
A sync cable can be connected to the sync
terminal as required. Do not connect
another flash unit via a sync cable when
performing rear-curtain sync flash
photography with a flash unit mounted on
the camera accessory shoe.

429
 The following features are available with CLS-compatible flash
units:

SB-910, SB-900,

SB-R200
SU-800
SB-800

SB-700
SB-600

SB-400
SB-300
i-TTL balanced fill-flash for
z z z — — z z
digital SLR 1
i-TTL
Standard i-TTL flash for digital
z2 z z2 — — z z
SLR
Single flash

AA Auto aperture z3 — — — — — —
A Non-TTL auto z3 — — — — — —
GN Distance-priority manual z z — — — — —
M Manual z z z — — z4 z4
RPT Repeating flash z — — — — — —
Remote flash control z z — z — — —
i-TTL i-TTL z z — — — — —
[A:B] Quick wireless flash control — z — z5 — — —
Master

AA Auto aperture z6 — — — — — —
Advanced Wireless Lighting

A Non-TTL auto z — — — — — —
M Manual z z — — — — —
RPT Repeating flash z — — — — — —
i-TTL i-TTL z z z — z — —
[A:B] Quick wireless flash control z z z — z — —
z6
Remote

AA Auto aperture — — — — — —
A Non-TTL auto z — — — — — —
M Manual z z z — z — —
RPT Repeating flash z z z — — — —

430
 SB-910, SB-900,

SB-R200
SU-800
SB-800

SB-700
SB-600

SB-400
SB-300
Color Information Communication z z z — — z z
Auto FP High-Speed Sync 7 z z z z z — —
FV lock 8 z z z z z z z
AF-assist for multi-area AF z z z z9 — — —
Red-eye reduction z z z — — z —
Camera modeling illumination z z z z z — —
Camera flash mode selection — — — — — z z
Camera flash unit firmware update z 10 z — — — — z
1 Not available with spot metering.
2 Can also be selected with flash unit.
3 AA/A mode selection performed on flash unit using custom settings. Unless lens data have
been provided using the Non-CPU lens data option in the setup menu, “A” will be
selected when a non-CPU lens is used.
4 Can only be selected with camera.
5 Available only during close-up photography.
6 Unless lens data have been provided using the Non-CPU lens data option in the setup
menu, non-TTL auto (A) is used with non-CPU lenses, regardless of mode selected with flash
unit.
7 Available only in i-TTL, AA, A, GN, and M flash-control modes.
8 Availalbe only in i-TTL, AA, and A flash-control modes.
9 Available only in commander mode.
10 Firmware updates for the SB-910 and SB-900 can be performed from the camera.

431
 ❚❚ Other Flash Units
The following flash units can be used in non-TTL auto and
manual modes.
Flash unit SB-80DX, SB-30, SB-27 1,
SB-23, SB-29 2,
SB-28DX, SB-22S, SB-22,
SB-50DX SB-21B 2,
SB-28, SB-26, SB-20, SB-16B,
SB-29S 2
Flash mode SB-25, SB-24 SB-15
A Non-TTL auto ✔ — ✔ —
M Manual ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
G Repeating flash ✔ — — —
Rear-curtain
REAR ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
sync 3
1 Flash mode is automatically set to TTL and shutter-release is disabled. Set flash unit to A (non-
TTL auto flash).
2 Autofocus is available with AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED and AF-S Micro NIKKOR
60mm f/2.8G ED lenses only.
3 Available when camera is used to select flash mode.

432
D Notes on Optional Flash Units
Refer to the flash unit manual for detailed instructions. If the unit
supports CLS, refer to the section on CLS-compatible digital SLR
cameras. The D810 is not included in the “digital SLR” category in the
SB-80DX, SB-28DX, and SB-50DX manuals.
i-TTL flash control can be used at ISO sensitivities between 64 and
12800. At high ISO sensitivities, noise (lines) may appear in photos
taken with some optional flash units; if this occurs, choose a lower
value. At values under 64 or over 12800, the desired results may not be
achieved at some ranges or aperture settings. If the flash-ready
indicator flashes for about three seconds after a photograph is taken in
i-TTL or non-TTL auto mode, the flash has fired at full power and the
photograph may be underexposed (CLS-compatible flash units only;
for information on the exposure and flash charge indicators on other
units, see the manual provided with the flash).
When an SC-series 17, 28, or 29 sync cable is used for off-camera flash
photography, correct exposure may not be achieved in i-TTL mode.
We recommend that you select standard i-TTL flash control. Take a test
shot and view the results in the monitor.
In i-TTL, use the flash panel or bounce adapter provided with the flash
unit. Do not use other panels such as diffusion panels, as this may
produce incorrect exposure.

433
 The SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, and SB-400 provide red-
eye reduction, while the SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, and
SU-800 provide AF-assist illumination with the following restrictions:
• SB-910 and SB-900: AF-assist illumination is available when
17–135 mm AF lenses are used with the focus points
shown at right.
• SB-800, SB-600, and SU-800: AF-assist
illumination is available when 24–105 mm 24–34 mm
AF lenses are used with the focus points
shown at right. 35–49 mm

50–105 mm

• SB-700: AF-assist illumination is available when 24–

135 mm AF lenses are used with the focus points shown
at right.
Depending on the lens used and scene recorded, the in-focus indicator
(I) may be displayed when the subject is not in focus, or the camera
may be unable to focus and the shutter release will be disabled.
In exposure mode e, the maximum aperture (minimum f-number) is
limited according to ISO sensitivity, as shown below:
Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:
64 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800
3.3 4 4.8 5.6 6.7 8 9.5 11 13
If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the
maximum value for aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.

434
A Flash Control Mode
The information display shows the flash control mode for optional
flash units attached to the camera accessory shoe as follows:
Flash sync Auto FP (0 330)

i-TTL

Auto aperture (AA)

Non-TTL auto flash (A)

Distance-priority manual (GN)

Manual

Repeating flash —

Advanced wireless lighting

D Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories

Use only Nikon flash units. Negative voltages or voltages over 250 V
applied to the accessory shoe could not only prevent normal
operation, but damage the sync circuitry of the camera or flash. Before
using a Nikon flash unit not listed in this section, contact a Nikon-
authorized service representative for more information.

435
 Other Accessories
At the time of writing, the following accessories were available
for the D810.
• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15 (0 13, 14): Additional
EN-EL15 batteries are available from local retailers and
Nikon-authorized service representatives.
• Battery Charger MH-25a (0 13): The MH-25a can be used
to recharge EN-EL15 batteries. MH-25 battery chargers
can also be used.
• Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D12: The MB-D12 is equipped
with a shutter-release button, B button, multi
selector, and main- and sub-command dials for
improved operation when taking photographs in
portrait (tall) orientation. When attaching the MB-D12,
remove the camera MB-D12 contact cover. A BL-5
Power sources
battery-chamber cover and an MH-26a or MH-26
battery charger are required when using EN-EL18a and
EN-EL18 batteries.
• Power Connector EP-5B, AC Adapter EH-5b: These accessories
can be used to power the camera for extended periods
(EH-5a and EH-5 AC adapters can also be used). The
EP-5B is required to connect the camera to the EH-5b;
see page 442 for details. Note that when the camera is
used with an MB-D12, the EP-5B must be inserted into
the MB-D12, not the camera. Do not attempt to use the
camera with power connectors inserted into both the
camera and MB-D12.
Body Cap BF-1B/Body Cap BF-1A: The body cap keeps the
Body caps mirror, viewfinder screen, and image sensor free of dust
when a lens is not in place.
Accessory shoe Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1: A cover protecting the accessory
covers shoe. The accessory shoe is used for optional flash units.

436
 • Communication Unit UT-1: Use a USB cable to connect the
UT-1 to the camera and an Ethernet cable to connect
the UT-1 to an Ethernet network. Once connected, you
can upload photos and movies to a computer or ftp
server, control the camera remotely using optional
Camera Control Pro 2 software, or browse pictures or
control the camera remotely from an iPhone or web
computer browser.
• USB Cable Gaskets and Connector Covers: Use a UF-4
connector cover for USB cables and UF3-RU14 USB
cable gasket to help prevent accidental
disconnections. Before connecting the cable, attach
the UF-4 at the camera end and the UF3-RU14 at the
end that connects to the communication unit.

LAN adapters
(0 261)

UF-4 (attaches to connector for camera)

UF3-RU14 (attaches to connector for UT-1)

• Wireless Transmitter WT-5: Attach the WT-5 to the UT-1 to
access wireless networks.
Note: Use of LAN adapters requires an Ethernet or wireless network and
some basic network knowledge. Be sure to upgrade any related software to
the latest version.

437
 • Rubber Eyecup DK-19: The DK-19 makes the image in the
viewfinder easier to see, preventing eye fatigue.
• Diopter-Adjustment Viewfinder Lens DK-17C: To
accommodate individual differences in vision,
viewfinder lenses are available with diopters of –3, –2,
0, +1, and +2 m–1. Use diopter adjustment lenses only
if the desired focus can not be achieved with the built-
in diopter adjustment control (–3 to +1 m–1). Test
diopter adjustment lenses before purchase to ensure
that the desired focus can be achieved.
• Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M: The DK-17M magnifies the
view through the viewfinder by approximately 1.2× for
greater precision when framing.
• Eyepiece Magnifier DG-2: The DG-2 magnifies the scene at
the center of the viewfinder for more accurate focus.
Viewfinder
DK-18 eyepiece adapter (available separately) required.
eyepiece
• Eyepiece Adapter DK-18: The DK-18 is used when attaching
accessories
the DG-2 magnifier or DR-3 right-angle viewing
attachment to the D810.
• Antifog Finder Eyepiece DK-14/Antifog Finder Eyepiece DK-17A:
These viewfinder eyepieces prevent fogging in humid
or cold conditions.
• Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-5/Right-Angle Viewing
Attachment DR-4: The DR-5 and DR-4 attach to the
viewfinder eyepiece at a right angle, allowing the
image in the viewfinder to be viewed from above when
the camera is in the horizontal shooting position. The
DR-5 supports diopter adjustment and can also
magnify the view through the viewfinder by 2× for
greater precision when framing (note that the edges of
the frame will not be visible when the view is
magnified).

438
 The D810 is equipped with a ten-pin remote terminal
(0 3) for remote control and automatic photography.
The terminal is provided with a cap, which protects the
contacts when the terminal is not in use. The following
accessories can be used (all lengths are approximate):
• Remote Cord MC-22/MC-22A: Remote shutter release with
blue, yellow, and black terminals for connection to a
remote shutter-triggering device, allowing control via
sound or electronic signals (length 1 m/3 ft 3 in.).
• Remote Cord MC-30/MC-30A: Remote shutter release; can be
used to reduce camera shake (length 80 cm/2 ft 7 in.).
• Remote Cord MC-36/MC-36A: Remote shutter release; can be
used for interval timer photography or to reduce
camera shake or keep the shutter open during a time
exposure (length 85 cm/2 ft 9 in.).
Remote
• Extension Cord MC-21/MC-21A: Can be connected to ML-3 or
terminal
MC-series 20, 22, 22A, 23, 23A, 25, 25A, 30, 30A, 36, or
accessories
36A. Only one MC-21 or MC-21A can be used at a time
(length 3 m/9 ft 10 in.).
• Connecting Cord MC-23/MC-23A: Connects two cameras with
ten-pin remote terminals for simultaneous operation
(length 40 cm/1 ft 4 in.).
• Adapter Cord MC-25/MC-25A: Ten-pin to two-pin adapter
cord for connection to devices with two-pin terminals,
including the MW-2 radio control set, MT-2
intervalometer, and ML-2 modulite remote control set
(length 20 cm/8 in.).
• WR Adapter WR-A10: An adapter used to connect WR-R10
wireless remote controllers (0 441) to cameras with
ten-pin remote terminals.
• GPS Unit GP-1/GP-1A (0 233): Record latitude, longitude,
altitude, and UTC time with pictures.

439
 • GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 (0 233): This 35 cm (1 ft 2 in.) cable
connects the camera to older GARMIN eTrex- and
geko-series GPS units that conform to version 2.01 or
3.01 of the National Marine Electronics Association
NMEA0183 data format. Only models that support PC
interface cable connections are supported; the MC-35
can not be used to connect GPS units via USB. The
Remote
units connect to the MC-35 using a cable with a D-sub
terminal
9-pin connector provided by the manufacturer of the
accessories
GPS device; see the MC-35 instruction manual for
details. Before turning the camera on, set the GPS
device to NMEA mode (4800 baud); for more
information, see the documentation provided with the
GPS device.
• Modulite Remote Control Set ML-3: Allows infrared remote
control at ranges of up to 8 m (26 ft 3 in.).
HDMI Cable HC-E1: An HDMI cable with a type C connector
HDMI cables
for connection to the camera and a type A connector for
(0 269)
connection to HDMI devices.
• Filters intended for special-effects photography may
interfere with autofocus or the electronic rangefinder.
• The D810 can not be used with linear polarizing filters.
Use the C-PL or C-PLII circular polarizing filter instead.
• Use NC filters to protect the lens.
• To prevent ghosting, use of a filter is not recommended
Filters when the subject is framed against a bright light, or
when a bright light source is in the frame.
• Center-weighted metering is recommended with
filters with exposure factors (filter factors) over 1× (Y44,
Y48, Y52, O56, R60, X0, X1, C-PL, ND2S, ND4, ND4S,
ND8, ND8S, ND400, A2, A12, B2, B8, B12). See the filter
manual for details.

440
 • Wireless Remote Controller WR-R10/WR-T10: When a WR-R10
wireless remote controller is attached to ten-pin
remote terminal using a WR-A10 adapter, the camera
can be controlled wirelessly using a WR-T10 wireless
remote controller.
Wireless
• Wireless Remote Controller WR-1: The WR-1 can function as
remote
either a transmitter or a receiver and is used in
controllers
combination either with another WR-1 or a WR-R10 or
(0 357)
WR-T10 wireless remote controller. For example, a
WR-1 can be connected to the ten-pin remote terminal
for use as a receiver, allowing camera settings to be
changed or the shutter to be released remotely by
another WR-1 acting as a transmitter.
Camera Control Pro 2: Control the camera remotely from a
computer to record movies and photographs and save
photographs directly to the computer hard disk. When
Camera Control Pro 2 is used to capture photographs
directly to the computer, the PC connection indicator
(c) will appear in the control panel.
Software
Note: Use the latest versions of Nikon software; see the websites listed on
page xxii for the latest information on supported operating systems. At
default settings, Nikon Message Center 2 will periodically check for updates
to Nikon software and firmware while you are logged in to an account on the
computer and the computer is connected to the Internet. A message is
automatically displayed when an update is found.
Stereo Microphone ME-1: Connect the ME-1 to the camera
microphone jack to record stereo sound and reduce the
Microphones chance of picking up equipment noise (such as the
sounds produced by the lens during autofocusing;
0 63).
Availability may vary with country or region. See our website or brochures for the latest
information.

441
 Attaching a Power Connector and AC Adapter
Turn the camera off before attaching an optional power
connector and AC adapter.

1 Ready the camera.

Open the battery-
chamber (q) and power
connector (w) covers.

2 Insert the EP-5B power connector.

Be sure to insert the connector in the
orientation shown, using the
connector to keep the orange battery
latch pressed to one side. The latch
locks the connector in place when
the connector is fully inserted.

3 Close the battery-

chamber cover.
Position the power
connector cable so that it
passes through the power
connector slot and close
the battery-chamber
cover.

442
4 Connect the EH-5b AC adapter.
Connect the AC adapter power cable to the AC socket on AC
adapter (e) and the power cable to the DC socket (r). A V
icon is displayed in the monitor when the camera is powered
by the AC adapter and power connector.

443
 Caring for the Camera
Storage
When the camera will not be used for an extended period,
remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry area with the
terminal cover in place. To prevent mold or mildew, store the
camera in a dry, well-ventilated area. Do not store your camera
with naphtha or camphor moth balls or in locations that:
• are poorly ventilated or subject to humidities of over 60%
• are next to equipment that produces strong electromagnetic
fields, such as televisions or radios
• are exposed to temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F) or below
–10 °C (14 °F)

Cleaning
Use a blower to remove dust and lint, then wipe gently
with a soft, dry cloth. After using the camera at the
beach or seaside, wipe off sand or salt with a cloth lightly
Camera body
dampened in distilled water and dry thoroughly.
Important: Dust or other foreign matter inside the camera
may cause damage not covered under warranty.
These glass elements are easily damaged. Remove dust
and lint with a blower. If using an aerosol blower, keep
Lens, mirror, the can vertical to prevent the discharge of liquid. To
and viewfinder remove fingerprints and other stains, apply a small
amount of lens cleaner to a soft cloth and clean with
care.
Remove dust and lint with a blower. When removing
fingerprints and other stains, wipe the surface lightly
Monitor
with a soft cloth or chamois leather. Do not apply
pressure, as this could result in damage or malfunction.

Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile chemicals.

444
Image Sensor Cleaning
If you suspect that dirt or dust on the image sensor is appearing
in photographs, you can clean the sensor using the Clean image
sensor option in the setup menu. The sensor can be cleaned at
any time using the Clean now option, or cleaning can be
performed automatically when the camera is turned on or off.

❚❚ “Clean Now”
Holding the camera base down, select
Clean image sensor in the setup menu,
then highlight Clean now and press J.
The camera will check the image sensor
and then begin cleaning. Other
operations can not be performed while
cleaning is in progress. Do not remove
or disconnect the power source until
cleaning ends and the setup menu is
displayed.

445
 ❚❚ “Clean at Startup/Shutdown”
Choose from the following options:
Option Description
The image sensor is automatically cleaned each
5 Clean at startup
time the camera is turned on.
The image sensor is automatically cleaned
Clean at
6 shutdown
during shutdown each time the camera is turned
off.
Clean at startup & The image sensor is cleaned automatically at
7 shutdown startup and at shutdown.
Cleaning off Automatic image sensor cleaning off.

1 Select Clean at startup/shutdown.

Display the Clean image sensor
menu as described on page 445.
Highlight Clean at startup/
shutdown and press 2.

2 Select an option.
Highlight an option and press J.

446
D Image Sensor Cleaning
Using camera controls during startup interrupts image sensor
cleaning. Image sensor cleaning may not be performed at startup if
the flash is charging.
If dust can not be fully removed using the options in the Clean image
sensor menu, clean the image sensor manually (0 448) or consult a
Nikon-authorized service representative.
If image sensor cleaning is performed several times in succession,
image sensor cleaning may be temporarily disabled to protect the
camera’s internal circuitry. Cleaning can be performed again after a
short wait.

447
 ❚❚ Manual Cleaning
If foreign matter can not be removed from the image sensor
using the Clean image sensor (0 445) option in the setup
menu, the sensor can be cleaned manually as described below.
Note, however, that the sensor is extremely delicate and easily
damaged. Nikon recommends that the sensor be cleaned only
by Nikon-authorized service personnel.

1 Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter.

A reliable power source is required when inspecting or
cleaning the image sensor. Turn the camera off and insert a
fully-charged battery or connect an optional AC adapter and
power connector. The Lock mirror up for cleaning option is
only available in the setup menu at battery levels over J.

2 Remove the lens.

Turn the camera off and remove the lens.

3 Select Lock mirror up for cleaning.

Highlight Lock mirror up for
cleaning in the setup menu and
press 2.

448
4 Press J.
The message shown at right will be
displayed in the monitor and a row
of dashes will appear in the control
panel and viewfinder. To restore
normal operation without
inspecting the image sensor, turn
the camera off.

5 Raise the mirror.

Press the shutter-release button all
the way down. The mirror will be
raised and the shutter curtain will
open, revealing the image sensor.
The display in the viewfinder will
turn off and the row of dashes in the
control panel will flash.

6 Examine the image sensor.

Holding the camera so that light falls
on the image sensor, examine the
sensor for dust or lint. If no foreign
objects are present, proceed to
Step 8.

449
 7 Clean the sensor.
Remove any dust and lint from the
sensor with a blower. Do not use a
blower-brush, as the bristles could
damage the sensor. Dirt that can not
be removed with a blower can only
be removed by Nikon-authorized
service personnel. Under no circumstances should you touch
or wipe the sensor.

8 Turn the camera off.

The mirror will return to the down position and the shutter
curtain will close. Replace the lens or body cap.

D Use a Reliable Power Source

The shutter curtain is delicate and easily damaged. If the camera
powers off while the mirror is raised, the curtain will close
automatically. To prevent damage to the curtain, observe the
following precautions:
• Do not turn the camera off or remove or disconnect the power source
while the mirror is raised.
• If the battery runs low while the mirror is raised, a beep will sound
and the self-timer lamp will flash to warn that the shutter curtain will
close and the mirror will be lowered after about two minutes. End
cleaning or inspection immediately.

450
D Foreign Matter on the Image Sensor
Nikon takes every possible precaution to prevent foreign matter from
coming into contact with the image sensor during production and
shipping. The D810, however, is designed to be used with
interchangeable lenses, and foreign matter may enter the camera
when lenses are removed or exchanged. Once inside the camera, this
foreign matter may adhere to the image sensor, where it may appear in
photographs taken under certain conditions. To protect the camera
when no lens is in place, be sure to replace the body cap provided with
the camera, being careful to first remove all dust and other foreign
matter that may be adhering to the body cap. Avoid exchanging
lenses in dusty environments.
Should foreign matter find its way onto the image sensor, clean the
sensor as described above, or have the sensor cleaned by authorized
Nikon service personnel. Photographs affected by the presence of
foreign matter on the sensor can be retouched using the clean image
options available in some imaging applications.
D 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-authorized 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). Frequent inspection and servicing are
particularly recommended if the camera is used professionally. Any
accessories regularly used with the camera, such as lenses or optional
flash units, should be included when the camera is inspected or
serviced.

451
 Caring for the Camera and Battery:
Cautions
Do not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or
vibration.
Keep dry: This product is not waterproof, and may malfunction if
immersed in water or exposed to high levels of humidity. Rusting of the
internal mechanism can cause irreparable damage.
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.
Keep away from strong magnetic fields: Do not use or store this device in the
vicinity of equipment that generates strong electromagnetic radiation
or magnetic fields. Strong static charges or the magnetic fields
produced by equipment such as radio transmitters could interfere with
the monitor, damage data stored on the memory card, or affect the
product’s internal circuitry.
Do not leave the lens pointed at the sun: Do not leave the lens pointed at the
sun or other strong light source for an extended period. Intense light
may cause the image sensor to deteriorate or produce a white blur effect
in photographs.

452
Cleaning: When cleaning the camera body, use a blower to gently remove
dust and lint, then wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. After using the
camera at the beach or seaside, wipe off any sand or salt using a cloth
lightly dampened in pure water and then dry the camera thoroughly. In
rare instances, static electricity may cause the LCD displays to light up or
go dark. This does not indicate a malfunction, and the display will soon
return to normal.
The lens and mirror are easily damaged. Dust and lint should be gently
removed with a blower. When using an aerosol blower, keep the can
vertical to prevent discharge of liquid. To remove fingerprints and other
stains from the lens, apply a small amount of lens cleaner to a soft cloth
and wipe the lens carefully.
See “Image Sensor Cleaning” (0 445) for information on cleaning the
image sensor.
Lens contacts: Keep the lens contacts clean.
Do not touch the shutter curtain: The shutter curtain is extremely thin and
easily damaged. Under no circumstances should you exert pressure on
the curtain, poke it with cleaning tools, or subject it to powerful air
currents from a blower. These actions could scratch, deform, or tear the
curtain.
The shutter curtain may appear to be unevenly colored, but this has no
affect on pictures and does not indicate a malfunction.

453
 Storage: To prevent mold or mildew, store the camera in a dry, well-
ventilated area. If you are using an AC adapter, unplug the adapter to
prevent fire. If the product will not be used for an extended period,
remove the battery to prevent leakage and store the camera in a plastic
bag containing a desiccant. Do not, however, store the camera case in a
plastic bag, as this may cause the material to deteriorate. Note that
desiccant gradually loses its capacity to absorb moisture and should be
replaced at regular intervals.
To prevent mold or mildew, take the camera out of storage at least once
a month. Turn the camera on and release the shutter a few times before
putting it away.
Store the battery in a cool, dry place. Replace the terminal cover before
putting the battery away.
Turn the product off before removing or disconnecting the power source: Do not
unplug the product or remove the battery while the product is on or
while images are being recorded or deleted. Forcibly cutting power in
these circumstances could result in loss of data or in damage to product
memory or internal circuitry. To prevent an accidental interruption of
power, avoid carrying the product from one location to another while
the AC adapter is connected.

454
Notes on the monitor: The monitor is constructed with extremely high
precision; at least 99.99% of pixels are effective, with no more than 0.01%
being missing or defective. Hence while these displays may contain
pixels that are always lit (white, red, blue, or green) or always off (black),
this is not a malfunction and has no effect on images recorded with the
device.
Images in the monitor may be difficult to see in a bright light.
Do not apply pressure to the monitor, as this could cause damage or
malfunction. Dust or lint on the monitor can be removed with a blower.
Stains can be removed by wiping lightly with a soft cloth or chamois
leather. Should the monitor break, care should be taken to avoid injury
from broken glass and to prevent liquid crystal from the monitor
touching the skin or entering the eyes and mouth.
Replace the monitor cover when transporting the camera or leaving it
unattended.
The battery and charger: Batteries may leak or explode if improperly
handled. Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages xiii–xvi of
this manual. Observe the following precautions when handling
batteries:
• Use only batteries approved for use in this equipment.
• Do not expose the battery to flame or excessive heat.
• Keep the battery terminals clean.
• Turn the product off before replacing the battery.
• Remove the battery from the camera or charger when not in use and
replace the terminal cover. These devices draw minute amounts of
charge even when off and could draw the battery down to the point
that it will no longer function. If the battery will not be used for some
time, insert it in the camera and run it flat before removing it from the
camera for storage. The battery should be stored in a cool location
with an ambient temperature of 15 °C to 25 °C (59 °F to 77 °F; avoid hot
or extremely cold locations). Repeat this process at least once every six
months.

455
 • Turning the camera on or off repeatedly when the battery is fully
discharged will shorten battery life. Batteries that have been fully
discharged must be charged before use.
• The internal temperature of the battery may rise while the battery is in
use. Attempting to charge the battery while the internal temperature
is elevated will impair battery performance, and the battery may not
charge or charge only partially. Wait for the battery to cool before
charging.
• Charge the battery indoors at ambient temperatures of 5 °C–35 °C
(41 °F–95 °F). Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below
0 °C (32 °F) or above 40 °C (104 °F); failure to observe this precaution
could damage the battery or impair its performance. Capacity may be
reduced and charging times increase at battery temperatures from 0 °C
(32 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F) and from 45 °C (113 °F) to 60 °C (140 °F). The
battery will not charge if its temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F) or above
60 °C (140 °F).
• If the CHARGE lamp flashes quickly (about eight times a second) during
charging, confirm that the temperature is in the correct range and then
unplug the charger and remove and reinsert the battery. If the
problem persists, cease use immediately and take battery and charger
to your retailer or a Nikon-authorized service representative.
• Do not move the charger or touch the battery during charging. Failure
to observe this precaution could in very rare instances result in the
charger showing that charging is complete when the battery is only
partially charged. Remove and reinsert the battery to begin charging
again. Battery capacity may temporarily drop if the battery is charged
at low temperatures or used at a temperature below the temperature
at which it was charged. If the battery is charged at a temperature
below 5 °C (41 °F), the battery life indicator in the Battery info (0 374)
display may show a temporary decrease.

456
• Continuing to charge the battery after it is fully charged can impair
battery performance.
• A marked drop in the time a fully charged battery retains its charge
when used at room temperature indicates that it requires replacement.
Purchase a new EN-EL15 battery.
• The supplied power cable and AC wall adapter are for use with the
MH-25a only. Use the charger with compatible batteries only. Unplug
when not in use.
• Charge the battery before use. When taking photographs on
important occasions, ready a spare battery and keep it fully charged.
Depending on your location, it may be difficult to purchase
replacement batteries on short notice. Note that on cold days, the
capacity of batteries tends to decrease. Be sure the battery is fully
charged before taking photographs outside in cold weather. Keep a
spare battery in a warm place and exchange the two as necessary.
Once warmed, a cold battery may recover some of its charge.
• Used batteries are a valuable resource; recycle in accord with local
regulations.

457
 Exposure Program
The exposure program for programmed auto (0 118) is shown
in the following graph:
ISO 100; lens with maximum aperture of f/1.4 and minimum
aperture of f/16 (e.g., AF 50mm f/1.4D)
]
V

10
11
12
[E
-5
-4
-3

-1
-2

13
0

9
1

6
7
8
2
f/1

14
f/1.4

16 15
f/2

/3
1
16
f/1.4 − f/16

f/2.8
Aperture

17
f/4

18
f/5.6

19
f/8

20
f/11

21
f/16

22
f/22

23
f/32
30" 15" 8" 4" 2" 1" 1/2 1/ 4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500 1/1000 1/2000 1/4000 1/8000

Shutter speed

The maximum and minimum values for EV vary with ISO

sensitivity; the above graph assumes an ISO sensitivity of ISO
100 equivalent. When matrix metering is used, values over
16 1/3 EV are reduced to 16 1/3 EV.

458
 Troubleshooting
If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of
common problems below before consulting your retailer or
Nikon-authorized service representative.

Battery/Display
The camera is on but does not respond: Wait for recording to end. If the
problem persists, turn the camera off. If the camera does not turn off,
remove and reinsert the battery or, if you are using an AC adapter,
disconnect and reconnect the AC adapter. Note that although any data
currently being recorded will be lost, data that have already been
recorded will not be affected by removing or disconnecting the power
source.
Viewfinder is out of focus: Adjust viewfinder focus (0 17). If this does not
correct the problem, select single-servo AF (AF-S; 0 87), single-point AF
(0 90), and the center focus point (0 94), and then frame a high-
contrast subject in the center focus point and press the shutter-release
button halfway to focus the camera. With the camera in focus, use the
diopter adjustment control to bring the subject into clear focus in the
viewfinder. If necessary, viewfinder focus can be further adjusted using
optional corrective lenses (0 438).
Viewfinder is dark: Insert a fully-charged battery (0 13, 19).
Displays turn off without warning: Choose longer delays for Custom Setting
c2 (Standby timer) or c4 (Monitor off delay) (0 319, 320).
Displays in control panel or viewfinder are unresponsive and dim: The response
times and brightness of these displays vary with temperature.

459
 Shooting
Camera takes time to turn on: Delete files or folders.
Shutter-release disabled:
• Memory card is locked (SD cards only; 0 22), full, or not inserted
(0 14).
• Release locked is selected for Custom Setting f11 (Slot empty release
lock; 0 354) and no memory card is inserted (0 14).
• Aperture ring for CPU lens not locked at highest f-number (does not
apply to type G and E lenses). If B is displayed in the control panel,
select Aperture ring for Custom Setting f9 (Customize command
dials) > Aperture setting to use lens aperture ring to adjust aperture
(0 352).
• Exposure mode f selected with A or & selected for shutter speed
(0 468).
Camera is slow to respond to shutter-release button: Select Off for Custom
Setting d4 (Exposure delay mode; 0 322).
Only one shot taken each time shutter-release button is pressed in continuous release
mode:
• Lower the built-in flash (0 107).
• Turn HDR off (0 184).
Photos are out of focus:
• Rotate focus-mode selector to AF (0 87).
• Camera unable to focus using autofocus: use manual focus or focus
lock (0 96, 100).
Full range of shutter speeds not available: Flash in use. Flash sync speed can be
selected using Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed); when using
compatible flash units, choose 1/320 s (Auto FP) or 1/250 s (Auto FP)
for full range of shutter speeds (0 329).
Focus does not lock when shutter-release button is pressed halfway: Camera is in
focus mode AF-C: use A AE-L/AF-L button to lock focus (0 96).

460
Can not select focus point:
• Unlock focus selector lock (0 94).
• Auto-area AF or face-priority AF selected for AF-area mode; choose
another mode (0 40, 90).
• Camera is in playback mode (0 235).
• Menus are in use (0 24).
• Press shutter-release button halfway to start standby timer (0 34).
Can not select AF mode:
• Rotate focus-mode selector to AF (0 87).
• Select No restrictions for Custom Setting a12 (Autofocus mode
restrictions, 0 314).
Can not select AF-area mode: Rotate focus-mode selector to AF (0 87).
Image size can not be changed: Image quality set to NEF (RAW) (0 79).
Choose image size using NEF (RAW) recording > Image size option in
shooting menu.
Camera is slow to record photos: Turn long exposure noise reduction off
(0 299).
AF-assist illuminator does not light:
• AF-assist illuminator does not light if AF-C is selected for autofocus
mode (0 87). Choose AF-S. If an option other than auto-area AF is
selected for AF-area mode, select center focus point (0 94).
• The camera is currently in live view or a movie is being recorded.
• Off is selected for Custom Setting a10 (Built-in AF-assist illuminator)
(0 313).
• Illuminator has turned off automatically. Illuminator may become hot
with continued use; wait for it to cool down.

461
 Live view ends unexpectedly or does not start: Live view may end automatically
to prevent damage to the camera’s internal circuits if:
• The ambient temperature is high
• The camera has been used for extended periods in live view or to
record movies
• The camera has been used in continuous release modes for extended
periods
If live view does not start when you press the a button, wait for the
internal circuits to cool and then try again. Note that the camera may
feel warm to the touch, but this does not indicate a malfunction.
Image artifacts appear during live view: The temperature of the camera’s
internal circuits may rise during live view, causing image “noise” in the
form of bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog. Exit live view
when the camera is not in use.
Flicker or banding appears during live view or movie recording: Choose an option
for Flicker reduction that matches the frequency of the local AC power
supply (0 371).
Bright bands appear during live view or movie recording: A flashing sign, flash, or
other light source with brief duration was used during live view or movie
recording.
Noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, lines, or reddish areas) appears
in photos:
• To reduce randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines, choose lower
ISO sensitivity or use high ISO noise reduction (0 109, 299).
• To reduce bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog at shutter
speeds slower than 1 s or to reduce reddish areas and other artifacts in
long time-exposures, enable long exposure noise reduction (0 299).
• Turn Active D-Lighting off to avoid heightening the effects of noise
(0 183).

462
Smudges appear in photographs: Clean front and rear lens elements. If
problem persists, perform image sensor cleaning (0 445).
Colors are unnatural:
• Adjust white balance to match light source (0 148).
• Adjust Set Picture Control settings (0 170).
Can not measure white balance: Subject is too dark or too bright (0 161).
Image can not be selected as source for preset manual white balance: Image was not
created with D810 (0 167).
White balance bracketing unavailable:
• NEF (RAW) or NEF+JPEG image quality option selected for image
quality (0 79).
• Multiple exposure mode is in effect (0 209).
Effects of Picture Control differ from image to image: A (auto) is selected for
sharpening, clarity, contrast, or saturation. For consistent results over a
series of photographs, choose another setting (0 175).
Metering can not be changed: Autoexposure lock is in effect (0 129).
Exposure compensation can not be used: Choose exposure mode e, f, or g
(0 116, 132).
Sound is not recorded with movies: Microphone off is selected for Movie
settings > Microphone sensitivity (0 62).

463
 Playback
NEF (RAW) image is not played back: Photo was taken at image quality of NEF
+ JPEG (0 80).
Can not view pictures recorded with other cameras: Pictures recorded with other
makes of camera may not be displayed correctly.
Some photos are not displayed during playback: Select All for Playback folder
(0 281).
“Tall” (portrait) orientation photos are displayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation:
• Select On for Rotate tall (0 288).
• Photo was taken with Off selected for Auto image rotation (0 373).
• Photo is displayed in image review (0 236).
• Camera was pointed up or down when photo was taken (0 373).
Can not delete photo:
• Picture is protected: remove protection (0 250).
• Memory card is locked (0 22).
Can not retouch picture: Photo can not be further edited with this camera
(0 385).
Message is displayed stating that no images are available for playback: Select All for
Playback folder (0 281).
Can not change print order:
• Memory card is full: delete pictures (0 19, 251).
• Memory card is locked (0 22).

464
Can not select photo for printing: NEF (RAW) and TIFF photos can not be
printed by direct USB connection. Transfer photos to computer and
print using ViewNX 2 (supplied) or Capture NX-D (available for
download; 0 260). NEF (RAW) photos can be saved in JPEG format using
NEF (RAW) processing (0 399).
Photo is not displayed on high-definition video device: Confirm that HDMI cable is
connected (0 269).
Image Dust Off option in Capture NX-D does not have desired effect: Image sensor
cleaning changes the position of dust on the image sensor. Dust off
reference data recorded before image sensor cleaning is performed can
not be used with photographs taken after image sensor cleaning is
performed. Dust off reference data recorded after image sensor
cleaning is performed can not be used with photographs taken before
image sensor cleaning is performed (0 370).
Computer displays NEF (RAW) images differently from camera: Third-party
software does not display effects of Picture Controls, Active D-Lighting,
or vignette control. Use ViewNX 2 (supplied) or Nikon software such as
Capture NX-D (available for download; 0 260).
Can not transfer photos to computer: OS not compatible with camera or
transfer software. Use card reader to copy photos to computer (0 255).

Miscellaneous
Date of recording is not correct: Set camera clock (0 18).
Menu item can not be selected: Some options are not available at certain
combinations of settings or when no memory card is inserted. Note that
Battery info option is not available when camera is powered by an
optional power connector and AC adapter (0 374).

465
 Error Messages
This section lists the indicators and error messages that appear
in the viewfinder, control panel, and monitor.
Indicator
Control View-
panel finder Problem Solution 0
Lens aperture ring is Set ring to minimum
B
not set to minimum aperture (highest 23
(flashes)
aperture. f-number).
Ready a fully-charged
H d Low battery. 13, 19
spare battery.
• Battery exhausted. • Recharge or replace
battery.
• Battery can not be • Contact Nikon-
used. authorized service
representative.
• An extremely • Replace the battery, or
H d exhausted recharge the battery if xxi, 13,
(flashes) (flashes) rechargeable Li-ion the rechargeable 14, 436
battery or a third- Li-ion battery is
party battery is exhausted.
inserted either in the
camera or in the
optional MB-D12
battery pack.
B
— Camera clock is not set. Set camera clock. 18
(flashes)

466
 Indicator
Control View-
panel finder Problem Solution 0
No lens attached, or
non-CPU lens attached
without specifying Aperture value will be
F maximum aperture. displayed if maximum 229
Aperture shown in aperture is specified.
stops from maximum
aperture.
F H Camera unable to focus Change composition or
— 30, 100
(flashes) using autofocus. focus manually.
• Use a lower ISO 109
sensitivity.
• Use optional ND filter. 440
Subject too bright; In exposure mode:
photo will be f Increase shutter 119
overexposed. speed
(Exposure g Choose a smaller 120
indicators and aperture (higher
shutter speed or f-number)
aperture display • Use a higher ISO 109
flash) sensitivity.
• Use flash. In exposure 189,
Subject too dark; photo mode: 428
will be underexposed. f Lower shutter speed 119
g Choose a larger 120
aperture (lower
f-number)

467
 Indicator
Control View-
panel finder Problem Solution 0
Change shutter speed
A A selected in 119,
or select manual
(flashes) exposure mode f. 121
exposure mode.
Change shutter speed
& & selected in exposure 119,
or select manual
(flashes) mode f. 121
exposure mode.
1 k Wait until processing is
Processing in progress. —
(flashes) (flashes) complete.
Check photo in
If indicator flashes for 3s
c monitor; if
— after flash fires, photo 195
(flashes) underexposed, adjust
may be underexposed.
settings and try again.
• Reduce quality or size. 79, 83
• Delete photographs 251
Memory insufficient to
after copying
n record further photos at
j important images to
i/j current settings, or
(flashes) computer or other
(flashes) camera has run out of
device.
file or folder numbers.
• Insert new memory 14
card.
Release shutter. If error
persists or appears
O
Camera malfunction. frequently, consult —
(flashes)
Nikon-authorized
service representative.

A The i and j Icons

These icons flash to show the card affected.

468
 Indicator
Control
Monitor panel Problem Solution 0
Turn camera off
Camera cannot
and confirm that
No memory card. S detect memory 14
card is correctly
card.
inserted.
• Error accessing • Use Nikon- 487
memory card. approved card.
• Check that —
contacts are
clean. If card is
damaged, contact
This memory card retailer or Nikon-
W
cannot be used. authorized
R
Card may be service
i/j
damaged. representative.
(flashes)
Insert another card. • Unable to create • Delete files or 14, 251
new folder. insert new
memory card
after copying
important images
to computer or
other device.

469
 Indicator
Control
Monitor panel Problem Solution 0
• Check that Eye-Fi 383
card firmware is
up to date.
W, Camera can not • Copy files on 14, 253
g R control Eye-Fi Eye-Fi card to a
(flashes) card. computer or
other device and
format card, or
insert new card.
Memory card is W, Memory card is
locked. Slide lock to j locked (write
“write” position. (flashes) protected). Slide card write-
W, protect switch to 22
Eye-Fi card is
Not available if R, “write” position.
locked (write
Eye-Fi card is locked. j
protected).
(flashes)
Memory card has
This card is not Format memory
[C] not been
formatted. card or insert new 14, 366
(flashes) formatted for use
Format the card. memory card.
in camera.
Wait for the internal
The internal
circuits to cool
Unable to start live temperature of
— before resuming 47, 61
view. Please wait. the camera is
live view or movie
high.
recording.

470
 Indicator
Control
Monitor panel Problem Solution 0
Select folder
No images on
containing images
memory card or
Folder contains no from Playback
— in folder(s) 14, 281
images. folder menu or
selected for
insert memory card
playback.
containing images.
No images can be
played back until
another folder has
All photos in
All images are been selected or
— current folder are 281
hidden. Hide image used
hidden.
to allow at least
one image to be
displayed.
File has been
created or
modified using a File can not be
Cannot display this
— computer or played back on —
file.
different make of camera.
camera, or file is
corrupt.
Images created
Selected image
Cannot select this with other devices
— can not be 385
file. can not be
retouched.
retouched.

471
 Indicator
Control
Monitor panel Problem Solution 0
Check printer. To
resume, select
Check printer. — Printer error. 263 *
Continue (if
available).
Paper in printer is Insert paper of
Check paper. — not of selected correct size and 263 *
size. select Continue.
Paper is jammed Clear jam and
Paper jam. — 263 *
in printer. select Continue.
Insert paper of
Printer is out of
Out of paper. — selected size and 263 *
paper.
select Continue.
Check ink. To
Check ink supply. — Ink error. resume, select 263 *
Continue.
Printer is out of Replace ink and
Out of ink. — 263 *
ink. select Continue.
* See printer manual for more information.

472
Specifications
❚❚ Nikon D810 Digital Camera
Type
Type Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF
contacts)
Effective angle of view Nikon FX format
Effective pixels
Effective pixels 36.3 million
Image sensor
Image sensor 35.9 × 24.0 mm CMOS sensor
Total pixels 37.09 million
Dust-reduction System Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference
data (Capture NX-D software required)
Storage
Image size (pixels) • FX (36×24) image area
7360×4912 (L) 5520×3680 (M)
3680×2456 (S)
• 1.2× (30×20) image area
6144×4080 (L) 4608×3056 (M)
3072×2040 (S)
• DX (24×16) image area
4800×3200 (L) 3600×2400 (M)
2400×1600 (S)
• 5 : 4 (30×24) image area
6144×4912 (L) 4608×3680 (M)
3072×2456 (S)

473
 Storage
Image size (pixels) • FX-format photographs taken in movie live view
6720×3776 (L) 5040×2832 (M)
3360×1888 (S)
• DX-format photographs taken in movie live view
4800×2704 (L) 3600×2024 (M)
2400×1352 (S)
Note: Photographs taken in movie live view have an aspect ratio of
16 : 9. A DX-based format is used for photographs taken using the
DX (24 × 16) 1.5× image area; an FX-based format is used for all
other photographs.
File format • NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed,
compressed, or uncompressed; small size
available (12-bit uncompressed only)
• TIFF (RGB)
• JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx.
1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx.
1 : 16) compression (Size priority); Optimal
quality compression available
• NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in
both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait,
Landscape, Flat; selected Picture Control can be
modified; storage for custom Picture Controls
Media SD (Secure Digital) and UHS-I compliant SDHC
and SDXC memory cards; Type I CompactFlash
memory cards (UDMA compliant)
Dual card slots Either card can be used for primary or backup
storage or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and
JPEG images; pictures can be copied between
cards.
File system DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.3, PictBridge

474
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage • FX (36×24): Approx. 100% horizontal and 100%
vertical
• 1.2× (30×20): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97%
vertical
• DX (24×16): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97%
vertical
• 5:4 (30×24): Approx. 97% horizontal and 100%
vertical
Magnification Approx. 0.7 × (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity,
–1.0 m–1)
Eyepoint 17 mm (–1.0 m–1; from center surface of
viewfinder eyepiece lens)
Diopter adjustment –3–+1 m–1
Focusing screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VIII screen with
AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed)
Reflex mirror Quick return
Depth-of-field preview Pressing Pv button stops lens aperture down to
value selected by user (g and h modes) or by
camera (e and f modes)
Lens aperture Instant return, electronically controlled
Lens
Compatible lenses Compatible with AF NIKKOR lenses, including
type G, E, and D lenses (some restrictions apply to
PC lenses) and DX lenses (using DX 24 × 16 1.5×
image area), AI-P NIKKOR lenses, and non-CPU AI
lenses (exposure modes g and h only). IX NIKKOR
lenses, lenses for the F3AF, and non-AI lenses can
not be used.
The electronic rangefinder can be used with
lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or
faster (the electronic rangefinder supports the 11
focus points with lenses that have a maximum
aperture of f/8 or faster).

475
 Shutter
Type Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-
plane mechanical shutter; electronic front-curtain
shutter available in mirror up release mode
Speed 1/8000 – 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV, bulb, time,

X250
Flash sync speed X=1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/320 s or
slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250
and 1/320 s)
Release
Release mode S (single frame), T (continuous low speed),
U (continuous high speed), J (quiet shutter-
release), M (quiet continuous shutter-release),
E (self-timer), V (mirror up)
Approximate frame With EN-EL15 batteries
advance rate • Image area: FX/5 : 4 • Image area: DX/1.2×
- T: 1–5 fps - T: 1–6 fps
- U: 5 fps - U: 6 fps
- M: 3 fps - M: 3 fps
Other power sources
• Image area: FX/5 : 4 • Image area: DX
- T: 1–5 fps - T: 1–6 fps
- U: 5 fps - U: 7 fps
- M: 3 fps - M: 3 fps
• Image area: 1.2×
- T: 1–6 fps
- U: 6 fps
- M: 3 fps
Self-timer 2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1–9 exposures at intervals of 0.5,
1, 2, or 3 s

476
Exposure
Metering TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with
approximately 91K (91,000) pixels
Metering method • Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and
D lenses); color matrix metering III (other CPU
lenses); color matrix metering available with
non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data
• Center-weighted: Weight of approximately 75%
given to 12 mm circle in center of frame.
Diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15, or 20
mm, or weighting can be based on average of
entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle)
• Spot: Meters 4 mm circle (about 1.5% of frame)
centered on selected focus point (on center
focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
• Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D
lenses; equivalent to center-weighted when
other lenses are used.
Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 • Matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted
lens, 20 °C/68 °F) metering: 0–20 EV
• Spot metering: 2–20 EV
Exposure meter
Combined CPU and AI
coupling
Exposure mode Programmed auto with flexible program (e);
shutter-priority auto (f ); aperture-priority auto
(g); manual (h)
Exposure compensation –5 – +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV
Exposure bracketing 2–9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV; 2–5
frames in steps of 2 or 3 EV
Flash bracketing 2–9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV; 2–5
frames in steps of 2 or 3 EV
White balance
2–9 frames in steps of 1, 2, or 3
bracketing

477
 Exposure
ADL bracketing 2 frames using selected value for one frame or 3–
5 frames using preset values for all frames
Exposure lock Luminosity locked at detected value with A AE-L/
AF-L button
ISO sensitivity ISO 64 – 12800 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV. Can also
(Recommended be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 32
Exposure Index) equivalent) below ISO 64 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7,
1, or 2 EV (ISO 51200 equivalent) above ISO 12800;
auto ISO sensitivity control available
Active D-Lighting Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High,
Normal, Low, or Off
Focus
Autofocus Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus
sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-
tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type
sensors; f/8 supported by 11 sensors), and
AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5–3 m/1 ft
8 in.–9 ft 10 in.)
Detection range –2 – +19 EV (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)
Lens servo • Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-
servo AF (AF-C); predictive focus tracking
automatically activated according to subject
status
• Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be
used
Focus point Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
AF-area mode Single-point AF, 9-, 21-, or 51- point dynamic-area
AF, 3D-tracking, group-area AF, auto-area AF
Focus lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release
button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing
A AE-L/AF-L button

478
Flash
Built-in flash Manual pop-up with button release and a Guide
Number of 12/39, 12/39 with manual flash (m/ft,
ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)
Flash control TTL: i-TTL flash control using RGB sensor with
approximately 91K (91,000) pixels is available with
built-in flash; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital
SLR is used with matrix, center-weighted, and
highlight-weighted metering, standard i-TTL flash
for digital SLR with spot metering
Flash mode Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync,
red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow
sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off; Auto FP High-
Speed Sync supported
Flash compensation –3 – +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV
Flash-ready indicator Lights when built-in flash or optional flash unit is
fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full
output
Accessory shoe ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and
safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting Nikon CLS supported; commander mode option
System (CLS) available
Sync terminal ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread
White balance
White balance Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent
(7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade,
preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot
white balance measurement available during live
view), choose color temperature (2500 K–
10,000 K), all with fine-tuning

479
 Live view
Modes Live view photography (still images), movie live
view (movies)
Lens servo • Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); full-time
servo AF (AF-F)
• Manual focus (M)
AF-area mode Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF,
subject-tracking AF
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera
selects focus point automatically when face-
priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
Movie
Metering TTL exposure metering using main image sensor
Metering method Matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted
Frame size (pixels) and • 1920×1080; 60 p (progressive), 50 p, 30 p, 25 p,
frame rate 24 p
• 1280×720; 60 p, 50 p
Actual frame rates for 60 p, 50 p, 30 p, 25 p, and
24 p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps
respectively; options support both ★high and
normal image quality
File format MOV
Video compression H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Audio recording format Linear PCM
Audio recording device Built-in or external stereo microphone; sensitivity
adjustable

480
Movie
ISO sensitivity • Exposure modes e, f, and g: Auto ISO sensitivity
control (ISO 64 to Hi 2) with selectable upper
limit
• Exposure mode h: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO
64 to Hi 2) available with selectable upper limit;
manual selection (ISO 64 to 12800 in steps of 1/3,
1
/2, or 1 EV) with additional options available
equivalent to approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or
2 EV (ISO 51200 equivalent) above ISO 12800
Other options Index marking, time-lapse photography
Monitor
Monitor 8-cm/3.2-in., approx. 1229 k-dot (VGA;
640 × RGBW × 480 = 1,228,800 dots), TFT monitor
with 170 ° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame
coverage, and brightness adjustment
Playback
Playback Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images)
playback with playback zoom, movie playback,
photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram
display, highlights, photo information, location
data display, and auto image rotation

481
 Interface
USB SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0 Micro-B connector);
connection to built-in USB port is recommended
HDMI output Type C HDMI connector
Audio input Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter; plug-in
power supported)
Audio output Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter)
Ten-pin remote Can be used to connect optional remote control,
terminal optional WR-R10 (requires WR-A10 adapter) or
WR-1 wireless remote controller, GP-1/GP-1A GPS
unit, or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183
version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS
adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin
connector)
Supported languages
Supported languages Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified
and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English,
Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian,
Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Marathi,
Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal
and Brazil), Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish,
Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian,
Vietnamese

482
Power source
Battery One rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL15 battery
Battery pack Optional MB-D12 multi-power battery pack with
one rechargeable Nikon EN-EL18a or EN-EL18
Li-ion battery (available separately), one
rechargeable Nikon EN-EL15 Li-ion battery, or
eight AA alkaline, Ni-MH, or lithium batteries. A
BL-5 battery-chamber cover is required when
using EN-EL18a or EN-EL18 batteries.
AC adapter EH-5b AC adapter; requires EP-5B power
connector (available separately)
Tripod socket
Tripod socket 1
/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions/weight
Dimensions (W × H × D) Approx. 146 × 123 × 81.5 mm (5.8 × 4.9 × 3.3 in.)
Weight Approx. 980 g (2 lb 2.6 oz) with battery and SD
memory card but without body cap; approx.
880 g/1 lb 15.1 oz (camera body only)
Operating environment
Temperature 0 °C–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)
Humidity 85% or less (no condensation)
• Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with a fully-charged battery operating at
the temperature specified by the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA): 23 ±3 °C
(73.4 ±5.4 °F).
• 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.

483
 MH-25a Battery Charger
Rated input
AC 120 V, 60 Hz, 0.2 A
(in North America)
Rated input
AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.23–0.12 A
(in other regions)
Rated output DC 8.4 V/1.2 A
Supported batteries Nikon EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion batteries
Charging time Approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes at an ambient
temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) when no charge
remains
Operating temperature 0 °C–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)
Dimensions (W × H × D) Approx. 95 × 33.5 × 71 mm (3.7 × 1.3 × 2.8 in.),
excluding projections
Length of power cable
Approx. 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
(if supplied)
Weight Approx. 115 g (4.1 oz), excluding supplied power
connector (power cable or AC wall adapter)
EN-EL15 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Type Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Rated capacity 7.0 V, 1900 mAh
Operating temperature 0 °C–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)
Dimensions (W × H × D) Approx. 40 × 56 × 20.5 mm (1.6 × 2.2 × 0.8 in.)
Weight Approx. 88 g (3.1 oz), excluding terminal cover
• 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.

484
A Supported Standards
• DCF Version 2.0: The Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) is a
standard widely used in the digital camera industry to ensure
compatibility among different makes of camera.
• DPOF: Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) is an industry-wide standard
that allows pictures to be printed from print orders stored on the
memory card.
• Exif version 2.3: The camera supports Exif (Exchangeable Image File
Format for Digital Still Cameras) version 2.3, a standard in which
information stored with photographs is used for optimal color
reproduction when the images are output on Exif-compliant printers.
• PictBridge: A standard developed through cooperation with the digital
camera and printer industries, allowing photographs to be output
directly to a printer without first transferring them to a computer.
• HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a standard for
multimedia interfaces used in consumer electronics and AV devices
capable of transmitting audiovisual data and control signals to HDMI-
compliant devices via a single cable connection.
A Trademark Information
Mac and OS X are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the United
States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista
are either registered trademarks, or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. PictBridge is
a trademark. The SD, SDHC, and SDXC logos are trademarks of the
SD-3C, LLC. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

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.

485
 A FreeType License (FreeType2)
Portions of this software are copyright © 2012 The FreeType Project
(http://www.freetype.org). All rights reserved.
A MIT License (HarfBuzz)
Portions of this software are copyright © 2014 The HarfBuzz Project
(http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/HarfBuzz). All rights
reserved.

486
 Approved Memory Cards
The camera accepts the SD and CompactFlash memory cards
listed in the following sections. Other cards have not been
tested. For more details on the cards listed below, please contact
the manufacturer.

❚❚ SD Memory Cards
The following cards have been tested and approved for use in
the camera. Cards with class 6 or faster write speeds are
recommended for movie recording. Recording may end
unexpectedly when cards with slower write speeds are used.
SD cards SDHC cards 2 SDXC cards 3
SanDisk 2 GB 1 64 GB, 128 GB
4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
Toshiba — 64 GB
4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB,
Panasonic 48 GB, 64 GB
2 GB 1 16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB
Lexar Media 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB —
Platinum II 64 GB
8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
Professional — 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
Full-HD Video 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB —
1 Check that any card readers or other devices with which the card will be used support 2 GB
cards.
2 Check that any card readers or other devices with which the card will be used are SDHC-
compliant. The camera supports UHS-1.
3 Check that any card readers or other devices with which the card
will be used are SDXC-compliant. The camera supports UHS-1.

487
 ❚❚ CompactFlash Memory Cards
The following Type I CompactFlash memory cards have been
tested and approved for use in the camera. Cards with a write
speed of 30 MB/s (200×) are recommended for movie recording.
At slower speeds, movies may not play back smoothly and
recording may end unexpectedly. Type II cards and microdrives
can not be used.
16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB,
SDCFXPS
Extreme Pro 256 GB
SDCFXP 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
SDCFXS 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
Extreme
SDCFX 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB
SanDisk
Extreme IV SDCFX4 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
Extreme III SDCFX3 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
Ultra II SDCFH 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB
SDCFHS 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
Ultra
SDCFHG 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB,
1066 ×
256 GB
1000 × 16 GB, 32 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
Professional UDMA 800 × 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
600 × 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
400 × 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB
Lexar Media 300 × 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
233 × 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB
Professional 133 × 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB
80 × 2 GB, 4 GB
200 × 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
Platinum II 80 × 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB
60 × 4 GB

488
 Memory Card Capacity
The following table shows the approximate number of pictures
that can be stored on a 16 GB SanDisk SDCFXPS-016G-J92 card
at different image quality (0 79), image size (0 83), and image
area settings (0 74).

❚❚ FX (36×24) Image Area *

Image quality Image size File size 1 No. of images 1 Buffer capacity 2
NEF (RAW), Lossless
Large 31.9 MB 257 47
compressed, 12-bit
NEF (RAW), Lossless
Large 40.7 MB 199 28
compressed, 14-bit
NEF (RAW), Compressed,
Large 29.2 MB 348 58
12-bit
NEF (RAW), Compressed,
Large 36.3 MB 291 35
14-bit
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, Large 55.9 MB 257 34
12-bit Small 27.9 MB 516 18
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed,
Large 73.2 MB 199 23
14-bit
Large 107.2 MB 137 25
TIFF (RGB) Medium 60.9 MB 242 34
Small 27.9 MB 526 72
Large 18.1 MB 642 100
JPEG fine 3 Medium 11.0 MB 1000 100
Small 5.6 MB 2100 100
Large 9.4 MB 1200 100
JPEG normal 3 Medium 5.5 MB 2100 100
Small 2.8 MB 4200 100
Large 3.2 MB 2400 100
JPEG basic 3 Medium 2.2 MB 4100 100
Small 1.4 MB 7800 100
* Includes images taken with non-DX lenses when On is selected for Auto DX crop.

489
 ❚❚ DX (24×16) Image Area *
Image quality Image size File size 1 No. of images 1 Buffer capacity 2
NEF (RAW), Lossless
Large 14.6 MB 580 100
compressed, 12-bit
NEF (RAW), Lossless
Large 18.3 MB 453 97
compressed, 14-bit
NEF (RAW), Compressed,
Large 13.3 MB 777 100
12-bit
NEF (RAW), Compressed,
Large 16.4 MB 653 100
14-bit
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, Large 24.4 MB 580 78
12-bit Small 16.4 MB 1100 23
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed,
Large 31.8 MB 453 46
14-bit
Large 46.2 MB 317 39
TIFF (RGB) Medium 26.6 MB 549 75
Small 12.4 MB 1100 100
Large 8.6 MB 1400 100
JPEG fine 3 Medium 5.3 MB 2200 100
Small 2.9 MB 4000 100
Large 4.4 MB 2700 100
JPEG normal 3 Medium 2.7 MB 4300 100
Small 1.5 MB 7600 100
Large 1.7 MB 5200 100
JPEG basic 3 Medium 1.3 MB 8100 100
Small 0.9 MB 13,200 100
* Includes images taken with DX lenses when On is selected for Auto DX crop.

490
1 All figures are approximate. File size varies with scene recorded.
2 Maximum number of exposures that can be stored in memory buffer at ISO 100. Drops if
Optimal quality is selected for JPEG/TIFF recording > JPEG
compression, ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher, or auto distortion control or long
exposure noise reduction is on.
3 Figures assume JPEG/TIFF recording > JPEG compression is set to Size
priority. Selecting Optimal quality increases the file size of JPEG images; number of
images and buffer capacity drop accordingly.

A d3—Max. Continuous Release (0 322)

The maximum number of photographs that can be taken in a single
burst can be set to any amount between 1 and 100.

491
 Battery Life
The movie footage or number of shots that can be recorded with
fully-charged batteries varies with the condition of the battery,
temperature, interval between shots, and the length of time
menus are displayed. In the case of AA batteries, capacity also
varies with make and storage conditions; some batteries can not
be used. Sample figures for the camera and optional MB-D12
multi-power battery pack are given below.
• Photographs, single-frame release mode (CIPA standard 1)
- One EN-EL15 battery (camera): Approximately 1200 shots
- One EN-EL15 battery (MB-D12): Approximately 1200 shots
- One EN-EL18a battery (MB-D12): Approximately 2070 shots
- Eight AA alkaline batteries (MB-D12): Approximately 1460 shots
• Photographs, continuous release mode (Nikon standard 2)
- One EN-EL15 battery (camera): Approximately 3860 shots
- One EN-EL15 battery (MB-D12): Approximately 3860 shots
- One EN-EL18a battery (MB-D12): Approximately 6980 shots
- Eight AA alkaline batteries (MB-D12): Approximately 4060 shots
• Movies 3
- One EN-EL15 battery (camera): Approximately 40 minutes of HD
footage
- One EN-EL15 battery (MB-D12): Approximately 40 minutes of HD
footage
- One EN-EL18a battery (MB-D12): Approximately 80 minutes of HD
footage
- Eight AA alkaline batteries (MB-D12): Approximately 50 minutes of
HD footage

492
1 Measured at 23 °C/73.4 °F (±2 °C/3.6 °F) with an AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR lens
under the following test conditions: lens cycled from infinity to minimum range and one
photograph taken at default settings once every 30 s; flash fired once every other shot. Live
view not used.
2 Measured at 20 °C/68 °F with an AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens under the
following test conditions: vibration reduction off, image quality set to JPEG normal, image size
set to Large, shutter speed 1/250 s, focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times
after shutter-release button has been pressed halfway for 3 s; six shots are then taken in
succession and monitor turned on for 5 s and then turned off; cycle repeated once standby
timer has expired.
3 Measured at 23 °C/73.4 °F (±3 °C/5.4 °F) with the camera at default settings and an AF-S
NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR lens under conditions specified by the Camera and Imaging
Products Association (CIPA). Individual movies can be up to 20 minutes (1080/60p) in length or
4 GB in size; recording may end before these limits are reached if the camera temperature rises.
The following can reduce battery life:
• Using the monitor
• Keeping the shutter-release button pressed halfway
• Repeated autofocus operations
• Taking NEF (RAW) or TIFF (RGB) photographs
• Slow shutter speeds
• Using an optional UT-1 communication unit or WT-5 wireless
transmitter
• Using a GP-1 or GP-1A GPS unit
• Using a WR-R10/WR-1 wireless remote controller or ML-3
modulite remote control set
• Using VR (vibration reduction) mode with VR lenses
To ensure that you get the most from rechargeable Nikon
EN-EL15 batteries:
• Keep the battery contacts clean. Soiled contacts can reduce
battery performance.
• Use batteries immediately after charging. Batteries will lose
their charge if left unused.

493
 Lenses That May Block the Built-in Flash
and AF-Assist Illuminator
The lenses listed in this section may block the built-in flash or
AF-assist illuminator under some conditions.

❚❚ AF-Assist Illumination
AF-assist illumination is not available with the following lenses:
• AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
• AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200–400mm f/4G IF-ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 200–400mm f/4G ED VR II
• AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
The other lenses in this section may block the AF-assist
illuminator at short ranges, interfering with autofocus when
lighting is poor. The following may block the illuminator at
ranges under 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in.):
• AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED
The following may block the illuminator at ranges under 1.1 m
(3 ft 8 in.):
• AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR
• AF-S NIKKOR 28–300mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR
• AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55–200mm f/4–5.6G ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/4G ED VR

494
The following may block the illuminator at ranges under 1.5 m
(5 ft):
• AF-S DX NIKKOR 55–300mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR
• AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70–200mm f/2.8G (IF)
• AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
• AF Zoom-Nikkor 70–300mm f/4–5.6G
• AF Zoom-Nikkor 80–200mm f/2.8D ED
• AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 80–200mm f/2.8D IF-ED
• AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR
The following may block the illuminator at ranges under 2.3 m
(7 ft 7 in.):
• AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6D ED

495
 ❚❚ The Built-in Flash
The built-in flash may be unable to light the entire subject with
the following lenses at ranges less than those given below:
Minimum distance
Lens Zoom position
without vignetting
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor
18–24 mm No vignetting
12–24mm f/4G IF-ED
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 20 mm 1.5 m/5 ft
DX

17–55mm f/2.8G IF-ED 24–55 mm No vignetting

AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm
28 mm No vignetting
f/3.5–5.6G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm
35 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/4G ED VR
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17–35mm 28 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/2.8D IF-ED 35 mm No vignetting
AF Zoom-Nikkor 18–35mm 24 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/3.5–4.5D IF-ED 28–35 mm No vignetting
AF Zoom-Nikkor 20–35mm 24 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/2.8D IF 28–35 mm No vignetting
AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm 35 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/2.8G ED 50–70 mm No vignetting
FX

AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.

24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G IF-ED 28–120 mm No vignetting
AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm 28 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/4G ED VR 35–120 mm No vignetting
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28–70mm 35 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/2.8D IF-ED 50–70 mm No vignetting
AF-S NIKKOR 28–300mm 35 mm 1.0 m/3 ft 4 in.
f/3.5–5.6G ED VR 50–300 mm No vignetting
PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED * 24 mm 1.5 m/5 ft
* When not shifted or tilted.

496
When used with the AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED, the flash
will be unable to light the entire subject at all ranges.
The built-in flash can also be used with AI-S, AI-, AI-modified
NIKKOR, and Nikon Series E non-CPU lenses with a focal length
of 24–300mm. AI 50–300mm f/4.5, modified AI 50–300mm f/4.5,
and AI-S 50–300mm f/4.5 ED lenses must be used at a zoom
position of 180mm or above, and AI 50–300mm f/4.5 ED lenses
at a zoom position of 135mm or above.

497
 Index
Symbols Y (Flash compensation indicator) ..
196
e (Programmed auto) .................... 118 o (Satellite signal indicator) ........233
z (Flexible program indicator) .. 118 R (Shutter-speed lock icon) ........126
f (Shutter-priority auto) ............... 119 R (Aperture lock icon) ...................127
g (Aperture-priority auto) ............ 120 R (HDR (series) indicator) .............188
h (Manual) .......................................... 121 R (Multiple exposure (series)
S ............................................................ 102 indicator) ...........................................211
T ................................................. 102, 321 B .............................................................5
U .......................................................... 102 T ............................................................203
J ........................................................... 102 Q (Interval timer indicator) .......219
M .......................................................... 102 Q (Time-lapse indicator) ............227
E (Self-timer) ........................... 103, 106 s (MB-D12 battery indicator) ......328
V .............................................. 103, 108 P (Time-lapse recording indicator) ..
K (Single-point AF) ..........................90 227
I (Dynamic-area AF) .......................90 c (“Beep” indicator) .........................321
H (Auto-area AF) ...............................91 Z (Auto ISO sensitivity
! (Face-priority AF) ..........................40 indicator) ...........................................112
5 (Wide-area AF) ................................40 f (Bracketing indicator) ... 134, 139,
6 (Normal-area AF) ...........................40 144
& (Subject-tracking AF) ................40 E (Exposure compensation
L (Matrix) .......................................... 114 indicator) ...........................................131
M (Center-weighted) ............114, 317 L (Preset manual) .............. 148, 158
N (Spot) .............................................. 114
R (Info) button ............................8, 201 Numerics
a (Live view) button .................35, 49 1.2× (30 × 20) 1.2× ............................ 75
b button .......................4, 9, 42, 55, 205 12-bit ...................................................... 82
Y button ........................................1, 115 14-bit ...................................................... 82
Q (Help) ..................................................25 3D color matrix metering III .........114
D switch ...................................... 16, 341 3D-tracking ................................... 90, 92
I (Focus indicator) ...........30, 96, 101 5 : 4 (30 × 24) ....................................... 75
X (Flash sync indicator) .................. 329
m (White balance fine-tuning) 153 A
y (HDR indicator) ........................... 185 AC adapter ............................... 436, 442
n (Multiple exposure indicator) 210 Accessories .........................................436
c (PC mode indicator) ................ 441 Active D-Lighting ................... 143, 182
F (Aperture stop indicator) ...... 120, Add items (My Menu) .....................414
424 ADL bracketing ....................... 143, 338

498
AE & flash (Auto bracketing set) 133, B
338
AE only (Auto bracketing set) .... 133, Backlight ......................................16, 326
338 Backup ................................................... 86
AE-L/AF-L button .................97, 349, 363 Battery ......i, 13, 14, 19, 327, 328, 374,
AF ....................39–41, 87–99, 306–314 436, 484
AF activation ..................................... 308 Battery charger ............. i, 13, 436, 484
AF area brackets ............................ 6, 17 Battery info .........................................374
AF fine-tune ....................................... 380 Battery order ......................................328
AF-area mode ...............................40, 90 Battery pack .104, 327, 328, 356, 436
AF-assist ........................... 313, 425, 434 Beep ......................................................321
AF-C ............................................... 87, 306 D button ..134, 139, 143, 188, 211,
AF-F .........................................................39 350
AF-mode button ............39, 41, 88, 91 Black-and-white (Monochrome) 392
B button ................................ 88, 308 Blue intensifier ..................................393
AF-S ........................................ 39, 87, 307 Body cap ..........................................i, 436
After delete ........................................ 287 Border ..................................................265
Angle of view ................... 74, 426–427 Bracketing .......................133, 338, 339
Aperture .......................... 120–121, 126 Bracketing order ..............................340
Aperture lock ...........................126, 350 Built-in AF-assist Illuminator ........313
Aperture-priority auto ................... 120 Built-in flash ............................. 189, 425
Approved memory cards ............. 487 Bulb ............................................. 121, 123
Aspect ratio ................................ 74, 391 Burst ............................................ 322, 345
Assign MB-D12 AF-ON ................... 356 C
Assign remote (WR) Fn button ... 357
Attaching the lens ..............................15 Camera Control Pro 2 .....................441
Auto (White balance) ..................... 148 Capture NX-D .............................80, 369
Auto bracketing ............ 133, 338, 339 Center-weighted metering 114, 317
Auto bracketing (Mode M) .......... 339 Charging the battery ........................ 13
Auto bracketing set ........................ 338 Choose color temp. (White balance)
Auto distortion control ................. 298 148, 155
Auto DX crop .......................................75 Choose image area ............75, 77, 348
Auto FP high-speed sync. ....329, 330 Choose start/end point ................... 67
Auto image rotation ....................... 373 CL mode shooting speed ..............321
Auto ISO sensitivity control ......... 111 Clean image sensor .........................445
Auto-area AF .................................91, 92 Clock ..............................................18, 372
Autofocus .....39–41, 87–99, 306–314 Clock battery ................................ 5, 203
Autofocus mode ..........................39, 87 Cloudy (White balance) .................148
Autofocus mode restrictions ...... 314 CLS ........................................................428
Color balance ....................................394
Color outline ......................................406

499
 Color sketch ...................................... 407 Depth-of-field ...................................117
Color space ........................................ 296 Destination (Movie settings) ......... 63
Color temperature ........148, 150, 155 Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) ....
Commander mode ................ 331, 334 266, 267, 485
Communication unit ...................... 437 Diopter .........................................17, 438
CompactFlash ..................14, 366, 487 Direct sunlight (White balance) ..148
Compatible lenses .......................... 419 Distortion control ............................405
Compressed (Type) ...........................81 D-Lighting ..........................................388
Computer ........................................... 253 DPOF .................................266, 267, 485
Connector for external microphone DPOF print order ..............................267
2, 441 Dust off ref photo ............................369
Continuous high speed ................ 102 DX (24 × 16) 1.5× ........................ 59, 75
Continuous low speed ......... 102, 321 DX format ............................................. 74
Continuous release mode ............ 102 DX-based (movie) format ............... 60
Continuous-servo AF .............. 87, 306 Dynamic-area AF ........................ 90, 92
Control panel ......................................... 5 E
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ...
234, 246 Easy exposure compensation .....316
Copy image(s) .................................. 283 Edit movie ...................................67, 384
Copyright information ......... 245, 376 Electronic front-curtain shutter ..323
CPU contacts ..................................... 422 Electronic rangefinder ...................101
CPU lens ....................................... 23, 419 Ethernet .................................... 261, 437
Creative Lighting System ............. 428 EV steps for exposure cntrl ...........315
Cropping (PictBridge [Setup] menu) Exif .........................................................485
265 Exp./flash comp. step value .........315
Cross screen ...................................... 393 Exposure ....... 114, 116, 128, 130, 133
Custom setting bank ..................... 304 Exposure bracketing ....133, 338, 339
Custom Settings .............................. 300 Exposure comp. for flash. .............338
Customize command dials .......... 351 Exposure compensation ...............130
Cyanotype (Monochrome) .......... 392 Exposure delay mode ....................322
D Exposure differential ......................186
Exposure indicator ..........................122
Date and time ............................ 18, 372 Exposure lock ....................................128
Date format ................................ 18, 372 Exposure meters .......................34, 319
Daylight saving time ............... 18, 372 Exposure mode ................................116
DCF ....................................................... 485 Exposure program ...........................458
Default settings ...................... 206, 272 Exposure smoothing ............ 218, 224
Delete ........................................... 33, 251 Extended menu banks ...................292
Delete all images ............................. 252 External microphone ........62, 63, 441
Delete current image .............. 33, 251 Eye-Fi upload ....................................382
Deleting selected photographs . 252

500
F Focus tracking ............................88, 308
Focus tracking with lock-on .........308
Face-priority AF ...................................40 Focusing screen ...............................475
File information ............................... 239 Focus-mode selector ........39, 87, 100
File naming ........................................ 295 Format .................................................366
File number sequence ................... 324 Format memory card ......................366
Filter effects ....................................... 393 Frame interval (Slide show) ..........288
Fine-tune optimal exposure ........ 318 Frame rate ......................... 62, 104, 227
Firmware version ............................. 383 Frame size/frame rate ...................... 62
Fisheye ................................................ 406 Framing grid ................................. 6, 325
Flash .........................189, 196, 198, 428 Frequency response (Movie
Flash (White balance) .................... 148 settings) ............................................... 63
Flash bracketing ........... 133, 338, 339 Front-curtain sync ...........................191
Flash cntrl for built-in flash .......... 331 Full-frame playback ........................235
Flash compensation ....................... 196 Full-time servo AF .............................. 39
Flash mode ........................................ 191 FV lock ..................................................198
Flash only (Auto bracketing set) 133, FX (36 × 24) 1.0× ................................ 75
338 FX format .............................................. 74
Flash pop-up button ...................... 189 FX-based (movie) format ................ 60
Flash range ........................................ 195
Flash shutter speed ...............193, 331 G
Flash sync speed ........... 329, 330, 460 GPS .............................................. 233, 246
Flash sync terminal ......................... 429 GPS unit ...............................................233
Flash-ready indicator ...... 7, 189, 199, Green intensifier ...............................393
337, 433, 479 Group-area AF .............................. 91, 92
Flat (Set Picture Control) .............. 170
Flexible program ............................. 118 H
Flicker reduction .............................. 371 H.264 ....................................................480
Fluorescent (White balance) ....... 148 HDMI ........................................... 269, 485
Fn button ...................................343, 361 HDMI cable clip ..............................i, 269
f-number ...................................120, 424 HDMI connector .......................... 2, 269
Focal length ................... 231, 426–427 Headphone volume .......................... 56
Focal plane mark ............................. 101 Headphones ........................................ 56
Focus .............................................87–101 Help ........................................................ 25
Focus indicator ................... 30, 96, 101 Hi ............................................................110
Focus lock .............................................96 Hide image .........................................281
Focus mode ................39, 87, 306, 307 High definition ........................ 269, 485
Focus point .... 29, 35, 40, 90, 94, 309, High Dynamic Range (HDR) .........184
310, 311 High ISO NR ........................................299
Focus point illumination. ............. 309 Highlight display ................................ 56
Focus point wrap-around ............ 310 Highlight-weighted metering .....114

501
 Histogram ........................241, 242, 342 Lens mount ......................................3, 15
I Lens mounting mark ....................2, 15
Limit AF-area mode selection .....314
Image area .. 42, 55, 59, 60, 74, 77, 83 Live view ........................................ 35, 49
Image comment .............................. 375 Live view button options ..............356
Image Dust Off ref photo ............. 369 Live view photography ................... 35
Image overlay ................................... 395 Live view selector ....................... 35, 49
Image quality .......................................79 Lo ...........................................................110
Image review ..................228, 236, 287 Location data .......................... 233, 246
Image size .............................................83 Lock mirror up for cleaning .........448
Incandescent (White balance) .... 148 Long exposure NR ...........................299
Index marking .........54, 361, 362, 363 Lossless compressed (Type) .......... 81
Index print ......................................... 266 M
In-focus indicator ...............30, 96, 101
Information .............................. 238, 282 M (Manual focus) ..............................100
Information display ......201, 325, 326 M (medium) ................................... 60, 83
Interval timer shooting ................. 216 Magnifying eyepiece ......................438
ISO display and adjustment ........ 325 Manage Picture Control ................177
ISO sensitivity ..........................109, 111 Manual (Exposure mode) ..............121
ISO sensitivity step value .............. 315 Manual flash ......................................332
i-TTL ....................................189, 194, 430 Manual focus ..............................41, 100
J Matrix metering ..................... 114, 317
Max. continuous release ...............322
JPEG ........................................................79 Maximum aperture ............... 229, 424
JPEG basic .............................................79 Maximum sensitivity ......................112
JPEG compression .............................81 MB-D12 ...................................... 327, 328
JPEG fine ................................................79 Memory buffer ..................................105
JPEG normal .........................................79 Memory card ............. 14, 86, 366, 487
JPEG/TIFF Recording ...................... 295 Memory card capacity ...................489
Metering .............................................114
L
Microphone ................2, 3, 62, 63, 441
L (large) ...........................................60, 83 Microphone sensitivity (Movie
LAN ....................................................... 437 settings) ............................................... 62
Landscape (Set Picture Control) 170 Miniature effect ................................409
Language .................................... 18, 372 Minimum aperture ...................23, 117
LCD ....................................... 16, 326, 367 Minimum shutter speed ...............112
LCD illumination .............................. 326 Mired ....................................................154
Lens ......................15, 23, 231, 380, 419 Mirror ......................................... 108, 448
Lens distance information ........... 194 Mirror up ................................... 108, 448
Lens focus function buttons ....... 359 Mirror up mode ...................... 103, 108
Lens focus ring .......................... 41, 100 Modeling flash ...............117, 331, 338

502
Monitor .............. 31, 35, 201, 235, 367 P
Monitor brightness .................. 56, 367
Monitor color balance ................... 368 Page size .............................................265
Monitor cover ......................................10 Perspective control .........................408
Monitor off delay ............................. 320 Photo info ................................. 238, 282
Monitor pre-flash ...................194, 331 Photo live view display WB ............ 43
Monochrome .................................... 392 PictBridge ................................. 263, 485
Monochrome (Set Picture Control) .. Picture Control Utility .....................180
170 Picture Controls ................................170
Movie ISO sensitivity settings (Movie Picture size .........................................426
settings) ...............................................64 Playback .......................................31, 235
Movie live view ......................... 49, 361 Playback display options ..............282
Movie quality (Movie settings) ......62 Playback folder .................................281
Movie settings .....................................62 Playback information ........... 238, 282
Movie-record button ........................52 Playback menu .................................280
Movies ....................................................49 Playback zoom ..................................248
Multi selector ...................... 11, 25, 343 Portrait (Set Picture Control) .......170
Multiple exposure ........................... 209 Power aperture ....................... 361, 362
Multi-selector center button ....... 341 Power connector .................... 436, 442
My Menu ............................................. 414 Predictive focus tracking ................. 88
Preset focus point .................. 342, 359
N Preset manual (White balance) ..148,
NEF (RAW) ...... 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 295, 158
399 Press the shutter-release button
NEF (RAW) bit depth .........................82 halfway .......................................30, 128
NEF (RAW) processing ................... 399 Primary slot .......................................... 86
NEF (RAW) recording ....... 81, 85, 295 Print (DPOF) .......................................266
Neutral (Set Picture Control) ....... 170 Print options (PictBridge [Setup]
Nikon Transfer 2 ............................... 258 menu) .................................................265
No. of copies (PictBridge [Setup] Print select ..........................................266
menu) ................................................ 265 Printing ................................................263
Non-CPU lens ................. 229, 420, 424 Programmed auto ...........................118
Normal-area AF ...................................40 Protecting photographs ................250
Number of focus points ................ 311 Pv button ...................54, 117, 349, 362

O Q

Optimal quality (JPEG compression) Quick retouch ....................................404

81 R
Optional flash ................................... 428
Overflow ................................................86 Rank items (My Menu) ...................417
Overview data .................................. 247 Rear-curtain sync .............................192

503
 Recent settings ................................ 418 Shutter-release button ...30, 96, 128,
Red intensifier .................................. 393 319, 364
Red-eye correction ......................... 389 Shutter-release button AE-L ........319
Red-eye reduction .......................... 191 Side-by-side comparison ..............412
Release button to use dial ........... 353 Single frame .......................................102
Release mode ................................... 102 Single-point AF ............................ 90, 92
Remote cord ...................123, 439, 440 Single-servo AF ...................39, 87, 307
Remove items (My Menu) ............ 416 Size ..........................................60, 83, 391
Removing the lens from the camera Size priority (JPEG compression) .. 81
23 Skylight ................................................393
Repeating flash ................................ 331 Slide show ..........................................288
Reset .................................................... 206 Slot empty release lock .................353
Resize ................................................... 401 Slot selection ..................168, 237, 385
Restoring default settings ... 206, 272 Slow sync ............................................191
Retouch menu .................................. 384 Smoothing .........................................186
Reverse indicators ........................... 354 Soft ........................................................394
RGB ....................................... 79, 241, 296 Speedlights .............................. 189, 428
RGB Histogram ................................. 241 Split-screen display zoom ....... 43, 44
Rotate tall ........................................... 288 Spot ......................................................114
S Spot white balance .........................163
Standard (Set Picture Control) ....170
S (small) ...........................................60, 83 Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR ...
Save selected frame ..........................67 194, 430
Save/load settings .......................... 377 Standby timer .................. 34, 234, 319
Screen tips ......................................... 325 Start printing ........................... 265, 266
SD memory card .............. 14, 366, 487 Storage folder ...................................293
Secondary slot function ...................86 Store by orientation ........................312
Selective color .................................. 410 Straighten ...........................................404
Self-timer ..........................103, 106, 319 Sub-dial frame advance ................352
Sensitivity .................................. 109, 111 T
Sepia (Monochrome) ..................... 392
Set clock from satellite .................. 234 Television ............................................269
Set Picture Control .......................... 170 Ten-pin remote terminal 3, 233, 439,
Setup menu ....................................... 365 440
Shade (White balance) .................. 148 Thumbnail ................................ 235, 342
Shooting data ................................... 243 TIFF (RGB) ............................................. 79
Shooting menu ................................ 290 Time ......................................................123
Shooting menu bank ..................... 291 Time stamp (PictBridge) ................265
Shutter speed .................119, 121, 126 Time zone ....................................18, 372
Shutter speed lock ................. 126, 350 Time zone and date .................18, 372
Shutter-priority auto ...................... 119 Time-lapse photography ..............223

504
Timer ...........................................106, 216
Trim ...................................................... 390
Tripod ..................................40, 106, 123
Two-button reset ............................ 206
Type D lens ...............................419, 422
Type G lens ...............................419, 422
U
Uncompressed (Type) ......................81
USB ..............................................257, 263
USB cable ...............................i, 257, 263
USB cable clip ................................ i, 258
UT-1 ...................................................... 437
UTC ..............................................234, 246
V
Viewfinder ...............................6, 17, 475
Viewfinder eyepiece ................ 23, 106
Viewfinder focus ....................... 17, 438
Viewfinder grid display ................. 325
Viewing photographs on TV ....... 269
ViewNX 2 .................. 80, 253, 373, 376
Vignette control ............................... 297
Virtual horizon ...........46, 58, 347, 379
Vivid (Set Picture Control) ............ 170
W
Warm filter ......................................... 393
WB ................................................139, 148
WB bracketing (Auto bracketing set)
139, 338
White balance ..........................139, 148
White balance bracketing ...139, 338
Wide-area AF ........................................40
Wind noise reduction (Movie
settings) ...............................................63
Wireless network ....................261, 437
Wireless remote controller .. 61, 357,
441
Wireless transmitter ..............261, 437
WT-5 ............................................261, 437

505
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