David Busch's Nikon Z6 Guide to Digital Photography

David Busch's Nikon Z6 Guide to Digital Photography

by David D. Busch
Released January 2019
Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
ISBN: 9781681984704

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Book description

David Busch's Nikon Z6 Guide to Digital Photography is your all-in-one comprehensive resource and reference for the exciting and affordable Nikon Z6 compact mirrorless camera. This ground-breaking enthusiast camera is built around a 24.5 megapixel sensor, that offers excellent image quality and ISO speeds from ISO 100-51200. The Z6 can be fitted with any of the new ultra-sharp S-series, Z-mount lenses, or mount a full line of Nikon’s existing F-mount lenses, with the optional FTZ adapter. Five-axis in-body image stabilization provides up to five stops of anti-shake performance so you can hand-hold the camera at slower shutter speeds. With 273 phase-detect AF focus points, covering 90 percent of the frame, and the next-generation EXPEED 6 processing chip, the Z6 can shoot sports and action at up to 12 frames per second, with lightning fast focus. The Z6 can capture both 4K and Full HD movies, too. With this book in hand, you’ll master all the camera’s impressive features, and fine tune your camera skills as develop your creativity taking great photographs with your new Z6. Filled with detailed how-to steps and full-color illustrations, David Busch's Nikon Z6 Guide to Digital Photography covers all the camera's capabilities in depth, from taking your first photos through advanced details of setup, exposure, lens selection, lighting, and more, and relates each feature to specific photographic techniques and situations. Also included is the handy visual guide to the Z6, with close-up photos and descriptions of the camera's essential features and controls. Learn when to use each option and, more importantly, when not to use them, by following the author’s recommended settings for every menu entry. With best-selling photographer and mentor David Busch as your guide, you'll quickly have full creative mastery of your camera’s capabilities, whether you're shooting on the job, as an advanced enthusiast, or are just out for fun. Start building your knowledge and confidence, while bringing your vision to light with the Nikon Z6 today.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. About the Author
  7. Contents
  8. Preface
  9. Introduction
  10. Chapter 1 Thinking Outside the Box
    1. First Things First
      1. In the Box
      2. Optional and Non-Optional Add-Ons
    2. Initial Setup
      1. Mastering the Multi Selector and Command Dials
      2. Setting the Clock
      3. Battery Included
      4. Final Steps
  11. Chapter 2 Nikon Z6 Quick Start
    1. Selecting a Release Mode
    2. Selecting an Exposure Mode
    3. Choosing a Metering Mode
    4. Choosing a Focus Mode
    5. Choosing the Focus Area Mode
      1. Adjusting White Balance and ISO
    6. Reviewing the Images You’ve Taken
    7. Transferring Photos to Your Computer
    8. Changing Default Settings
      1. Resetting the Nikon Z6
      2. Recommended Default Changes
    9. Shooting Tips
      1. Photo Shooting Menu Recommendations
      2. Custom Setting Menu Recommendations
  12. Chapter 3 Nikon Z6 Roadmap
    1. Nikon Z6: Up Front
    2. The Nikon Z6’s Business End
    3. Playing Back Images
      1. Zooming the Nikon Z6 Playback Display
      2. Viewing Thumbnails
      3. Using the Photo Data Displays
    4. Going Topside
    5. Lens Components
    6. Underneath Your Nikon Z6
    7. The Viewfinder/Monitor Displays
    8. What’s the Fuss about BSI?
  13. Chapter 4 Nailing the Right Exposure
    1. Getting a Handle on Exposure
      1. Equivalent Exposure
    2. How the Z6 Calculates Exposure
      1. Correctly Exposed
      2. Overexposed
      3. Underexposed
      4. Metering Mid-Tones
    3. Choosing a Metering Method
      1. Matrix Metering
      2. Center-weighted Metering
      3. Spot Metering
      4. Highlight-weighted Metering
    4. Choosing an Exposure Method
      1. Aperture-Priority
      2. Shutter-Priority
      3. Program Mode
      4. Manual Exposure
    5. Adjusting Exposure with ISO Settings
      1. Dealing with Noise
    6. Bracketing
      1. White Balance Bracketing
      2. ADL Bracketing
    7. Working with HDR
      1. Auto HDR
      2. Bracketing and Merge to HDR
    8. Fixing Exposures with Histograms
      1. Tonal Range
      2. Histogram Basics
      3. Understanding Histograms
    9. Fine-Tuning Exposure
  14. Chapter 5 Mastering the Mysteries of Focus
    1. Auto or Manual Focus?
    2. How Focus Works
      1. Contrast Detection
      2. Phase Detection
      3. Adding Circles of Confusion
    3. Using Autofocus with the Nikon Z6
      1. Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Revisited
    4. Bringing the Z6’s AF System into Focus
    5. Focus Mode and Priority
      1. Autofocus Mode
    6. Choosing an Autofocus Area Mode
    7. Face Detection and Subject Tracking
      1. Face-Priority AF
      2. Subject Tracking
      3. Store by Orientation
    8. Autofocus Activation . . . and More
    9. Manual Focus
      1. Split-Screen Display Zoom
    10. Back Button Focus
      1. Activating Back Button Focus
    11. Fine-Tuning the Focus of Your Lenses
    12. Lens Tune-up Options
      1. Evaluating Current Focus
      2. Changing the Fine-Tuning Setting
      3. Setting the Default Value
  15. Chapter 6 Advanced Techniques
    1. Continuous Shooting
    2. A Tiny Slice of Time
      1. Working with Short Exposures
    3. Long Exposures
      1. Three Ways to Take Long Exposures
      2. Working with Long Exposures
    4. Delayed Exposures
      1. Self-Timer
      2. Interval/Time-Lapse Photography
      3. Using Interval Photography
      4. Time-Lapse Movies
      5. Multiple Exposures
    5. Geotagging with the Nikon GP-1a
    6. Focus Shift Shooting
    7. Trap (Auto) Focus
    8. Using SnapBridge
    9. Using the SnapBridge App
      1. Camera Page
      2. Smart Device
      3. Cloud
  16. Chapter 7 Focus on Lenses
    1. Sensor Sensibilities
    2. Choosing Native Z-mount Lenses
      1. Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S
      2. Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S
      3. Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S
      4. Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
      5. Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S
    3. Universal VR
      1. How It Works
    4. Using the FTZ Adapter
    5. Ingredients of Nikon’s Alphanumeric Soup
    6. Zoom or Prime?
    7. Categories of Lenses
    8. Using Wide-Angle and Wide-Zoom Lenses
      1. Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems
    9. Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses
      1. Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems
      2. Telephotos and Bokeh
    10. Nikon’s Lens Roundup
      1. The Magic Three
      2. Wide Angles
      3. Wide to Medium/Long Zooms
      4. Telephoto and Normal Lenses
      5. Macro Lenses
  17. Chapter 8 Mastering Light
    1. Light That’s Available
    2. Continuous Lighting Basics
      1. Living with Color Temperature
      2. Daylight
      3. Incandescent/Tungsten/Halogen Light
      4. Fluorescent Light/LEDs
      5. Other Lighting Accessories
  18. Chapter 9 Electronic Flash with the Nikon Z6
    1. Electronic Flash Basics
      1. The Moment of Exposure
      2. A Tale of Two Exposures
      3. Measuring Exposure
      4. Guide Numbers
    2. Choosing a Flash Sync Mode
      1. Ghost Images
    3. High-Speed Sync
    4. Using External Flash
      1. Using Flash Exposure Compensation
      2. Specifying Flash Shutter Speed
      3. Previewing Your Flash Effect
      4. Flash Control
    5. Working with Nikon Flash External Units
      1. Nikon SB-300
      2. Nikon SB-400
      3. Nikon SB-500
      4. Nikon SB-700
      5. Nikon SB-R200
      6. Nikon SB-910
      7. SB-5000
      8. Light Modifiers
      9. Using Zoom Heads
      10. Flash Modes
      11. Repeating Flash
  19. Chapter 10 Wireless and Multiple Flash
    1. Elements of Wireless Flash
      1. Master Flash
      2. Remote Flashes
      3. Channels
      4. Groups
      5. Lighting Ratios
    2. Setting Your Master Flash
      1. Setting Commander Mode for the SB-5000
      2. Setting Commander Modes for the SB-910 or SB-900
      3. Setting Commander Modes for the SB-700
      4. Setting Commander Modes for the SB-500
      5. Setting Remote Modes
      6. Radio Control
  20. Chapter 11 Playback, Photo Shooting, and Movie Shooting Menus
    1. Anatomy of the Nikon Z6’s Menus
    2. Playback Menu Options
      1. Delete
      2. Playback Folder
      3. Playback Display Options
      4. Image Review
      5. After Delete
      6. After Burst, Show
      7. Rotate Tall
      8. Slide Show
      9. Rating
    3. Photo Shooting Menu Options
      1. Reset Photo Shooting Menu
      2. Storage Folder
      3. File Naming
      4. Choose Image Area
      5. Image Quality
      6. Image Size
      7. NEF (RAW) Recording
      8. ISO Sensitivity Settings
      9. White Balance
      10. Set Picture Control
      11. Manage Picture Control
      12. Color Space
      13. Active D-Lighting
      14. Long Exposure NR
      15. High ISO NR
      16. Vignette Control
      17. Diffraction Compensation
      18. Auto Distortion Control
      19. Flicker Reduction Shooting
      20. Metering
      21. Flash Control
      22. Flash Mode
      23. Flash Compensation
      24. Focus Mode
      25. AF-Area Mode
      26. Vibration Reduction
      27. Auto Bracketing
      28. Multiple Exposure
      29. HDR (High Dynamic Range)
      30. Interval Timer Shooting
      31. Time-Lapse Movie
      32. Focus Shift Shooting
      33. Silent Photography
    4. Movie Shooting Menu
      1. Reset Movie Shooting Menu
      2. File Naming
      3. Choose Image Area
      4. Frame Size/Frame Rate
      5. Movie Quality
      6. Movie File Type
      7. ISO Sensitivity Settings
      8. White Balance
      9. Set Picture Control
      10. Manage Picture Control
      11. Active D-Lighting
      12. High ISO NR
      13. Vignette Control
      14. Diffraction Compensation
      15. Auto Distortion Control
      16. Flicker Reduction
      17. Metering
      18. Focus Mode
      19. AF-Area Mode
      20. Vibration Reduction
      21. Electronic VR
      22. Microphone Sensitivity
      23. Attenuator
      24. Frequency Response
      25. Wind Noise Reduction
      26. Headphone Volume
      27. Timecode
  21. Chapter 12 The Custom Settings Menu
    1. Custom Settings Menu Layout
    2. Reset Custom Settings
    3. a. Autofocus
      1. a1 AF-C Priority Selection
      2. a2 AF-S Priority Selection
      3. a3 Focus Tracking with Lock-on
      4. a4 Auto-Area AF Face-Detection
      5. a5 Focus Points Used
      6. a6 Store Points by Orientation
      7. a7 AF Activation
      8. a8 Limit AF-Area Mode Selection
      9. a9 Focus Point Wrap-Around
      10. a10 Focus Point Options
      11. a11 Low-Light AF
      12. a12 Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator
      13. a13 Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode
    4. b. Metering/Exposure
      1. b1 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl.
      2. b2 Easy Exposure Compensation
      3. b3 Center-Weighted Area
      4. b4 Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure
    5. c. Timers/AE Lock
      1. c1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L
      2. c2 Self-Timer
      3. c3 Power Off Delay
    6. d. Shooting/Display
      1. d1 CL Mode Shooting Speed
      2. d2 Max. Continuous Release
      3. d3 Sync. Release Mode Options
      4. d4 Exposure Delay Mode
      5. d5 Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter
      6. d6 Limit Selectable Image Area
      7. d7 File Number Sequence
      8. d8 Apply Settings to Live View
      9. d9 Framing Grid Display
      10. d10 Peaking Highlights
      11. d11 View All in Continuous Mode
    7. e. Bracketing/Flash
      1. e1 Flash Sync Speed
      2. e2 Flash Shutter Speed
      3. e3 Exposure Compensation for Flash
      4. e4 Auto Flash ISO Sensitivity Control
      5. e5 Modeling Flash
      6. e6 Auto Bracketing (Mode M)
      7. e7 Bracketing Order
    8. f. Controls
      1. f1 Customize i Menu
      2. f2 Custom Control Assignment
      3. f3 OK Button
      4. f4 Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock
      5. f5 Customize Command Dials
      6. f6 Release Button to Use Dial
      7. f7 Reverse Indicators
    9. g. Movie
      1. g1 Customize i Menu
      2. g2 Custom Control Assignment
      3. g3 OK Button
      4. g4 AF Speed
      5. g5 AF Tracking Sensitivity
      6. g6 Highlight Display
  22. Chapter 13 The Setup Menu, Retouch Menu, and My Menu
    1. Setup Menu Options
      1. Format Memory Card
      2. Save User Settings
      3. Reset User Settings
      4. Language
      5. Time Zone and Date
      6. Monitor Brightness
      7. Monitor Color Balance
      8. Viewfinder Brightness
      9. Viewfinder Color Balance
      10. Control Panel Brightness
      11. Limit Monitor Mode Selection
      12. Information Display
      13. AF Fine-Tune
      14. Non-CPU Lens Data
      15. Clean Image Sensor
      16. Image Dust Off Ref Photo
      17. Image Comment
      18. Copyright Information
      19. Beep Options
      20. Touch Controls
      21. HDMI
      22. Location Data
      23. Wireless Remote (WR) Options
      24. Assign Remote (WR) Fn Button
      25. Airplane Mode
      26. Connect to Smart Device
      27. Connect to PC
      28. Wireless Transmitter (WT-7)
      29. Conformity Marking
      30. Battery Info
      31. Slot Empty Release Lock
      32. Save/Load Settings
      33. Reset All Settings
      34. Firmware Version
    2. Retouch Menu
      1. NEF (RAW) Processing
      2. Trim
      3. Resize
      4. D-Lighting
      5. Red-Eye Correction
      6. Straighten
      7. Distortion Control
      8. Perspective Control
      9. Image Overlay
      10. Trim Movie
      11. Side-by-Side Comparison
    3. Using My Menu
  23. Chapter 14 Capturing Video with the Z6
    1. Quick Start Checklist
    2. Lean, Mean, Movie Machine
    3. Capturing Video
      1. Slow-Motion Movies
    4. Shooting Your Movie
    5. Using the i Button
    6. Stop That!
    7. Viewing Your Movies
    8. Trimming Your Movies
      1. Saving a Frame
  24. Chapter 15 Tips for Shooting Better Video
    1. Using an External Recorder
    2. Refocusing on Focus
    3. Lens Craft
      1. Depth-of-Field and Video
    4. Zooming and Video
    5. Keep Things Stable and on the Level
    6. Shooting Script
      1. Storyboards
    7. Storytelling in Video
    8. Composition
    9. Lighting for Video
      1. Illumination
      2. Creative Lighting
      3. Lighting Styles
    10. Audio
      1. Tips for Better Audio
      2. External Microphones
      3. Special Features

Product information

  • Title: David Busch's Nikon Z6 Guide to Digital Photography
  • Author(s): David D. Busch
  • Release date: January 2019
  • Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
  • ISBN: 9781681984704