Nikon® D700 Digital Field Guide

Nikon® D700 Digital Field Guide

by J. Dennis Thomas
Released January 2009
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470413203

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Book description

Get the results your camera was meant to deliver

With the D700, you've stepped up to a high-performance camera. The possibilities offered by its 12.1-megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor are exhilarating. This guide helps you take full advantage of every feature you paid for, offering clear and comprehensive directions for setting up the camera, choosing modes, selecting lenses, and much more. With detailed guidance for working with lighting, exposure, and depth of field plus advanced shooting techniques for many different situations, it's your camera's perfect partner.

  • Customize the D700's settings and learn how to use them all

  • Maximize Live View and use single-point and dynamic-area autofocus

  • Explore original, optional, and custom picture controls

  • Investigate wide-angle lenses, VR and DX lenses, filters, and lens accessories

  • Learn secrets for getting great shots of sporting events, concerts, wildlife, products, and people

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. About the D700
  6. I. Using the Nikon D700
    1. 1. Exploring the Nikon D700
      1. 1.1. D700 FX-format CMOS Sensor
        1. 1.1.1. From analog to digital
        2. 1.1.2. CMOS versus CCD
          1. 1.1.2.1. CCD
          2. 1.1.2.2. CMOS
        3. 1.1.3. Pixels
          1. 1.1.3.1. Micro-lenses
          2. 1.1.3.2. Interpreting color
      2. 1.2. Key Components of the D700
        1. 1.2.1. Top of the camera
        2. 1.2.2. Back of the camera
        3. 1.2.3. Front of the camera
          1. 1.2.3.1. Right front
          2. 1.2.3.2. Left front
        4. 1.2.4. Sides and bottom of camera
          1. 1.2.4.1. Right side
          2. 1.2.4.2. Left side
          3. 1.2.4.3. Bottom
      3. 1.3. Viewfinder Display
      4. 1.4. Control Panel
      5. 1.5. Shooting Info Display
    2. 2. Nikon D700 Essentials
      1. 2.1. Exposure Modes
        1. 2.1.1. Programmed Auto
        2. 2.1.2. Aperture Priority
        3. 2.1.3. Shutter Priority
        4. 2.1.4. Manual
      2. 2.2. Metering Modes
        1. 2.2.1. Matrix
        2. 2.2.2. Center-weighted
        3. 2.2.3. Spot
      3. 2.3. Focus Modes
        1. 2.3.1. How the D700 autofocus works
          1. 2.3.1.1. Phase detection
          2. 2.3.1.2. Contrast detection
        2. 2.3.2. Continuous
        3. 2.3.3. Single
        4. 2.3.4. Manual
      4. 2.4. Autofocus Area Modes
        1. 2.4.1. Single-area AF
        2. 2.4.2. Dynamic-area AF
          1. 2.4.2.1. 9 points
          2. 2.4.2.2. 21 points
          3. 2.4.2.3. 51 points
          4. 2.4.2.4. 51 points (3D-tracking)
        3. 2.4.3. Auto-area AF
      5. 2.5. ISO Sensitivity
        1. 2.5.1. Auto ISO
        2. 2.5.2. Noise reduction
          1. 2.5.2.1. Long exposure NR
          2. 2.5.2.2. High ISO NR
      6. 2.6. White Balance
        1. 2.6.1. What is Kelvin?
        2. 2.6.2. White balance settings
      7. 2.7. Picture Controls
        1. 2.7.1. Original Picture Controls
        2. 2.7.2. Optional Picture Controls
        3. 2.7.3. Custom Picture Controls
      8. 2.8. JPEG
      9. 2.9. TIFF
      10. 2.10. Image Size
      11. 2.11. Image Quality
      12. 2.12. NEF (RAW)
        1. 2.12.1. Type of compression
        2. 2.12.2. Bit depth
      13. 2.13. Live View
    3. 3. Setting Up the Nikon D700
      1. 3.1. Playback Menu
        1. 3.1.1. Delete
        2. 3.1.2. Playback folder
        3. 3.1.3. Hide image
        4. 3.1.4. Display mode
        5. 3.1.5. Image review
        6. 3.1.6. After delete
        7. 3.1.7. Rotate tall
        8. 3.1.8. Slide show
        9. 3.1.9. Print set (DPOF)
      2. 3.2. Shooting Menu
        1. 3.2.1. Shooting menu bank
        2. 3.2.2. Reset shooting menu
        3. 3.2.3. Active folder
        4. 3.2.4. File naming
        5. 3.2.5. Image quality
        6. 3.2.6. Image size
        7. 3.2.7. Image area
        8. 3.2.8. JPEG compression
        9. 3.2.9. NEF (RAW) recording
        10. 3.2.10. White balance
          1. 3.2.10.1. Using standard WB settings
          2. 3.2.10.2. Choosing a color temperature
          3. 3.2.10.3. Preset white balance
            1. 3.2.10.3.1. Direct measurement
            2. 3.2.10.3.2. Copy white balance from existing photograph
        11. 3.2.11. Set Picture Control
        12. 3.2.12. Manage Picture Control
        13. 3.2.13. Color space
        14. 3.2.14. Active D-Lighting
        15. 3.2.15. Vignette control
        16. 3.2.16. Long exp. NR
        17. 3.2.17. High ISO NR
        18. 3.2.18. ISO sensitivity settings
        19. 3.2.19. Live view
        20. 3.2.20. Multiple exposure
        21. 3.2.21. Interval timer shooting
      3. 3.3. Custom Settings Menu
        1. 3.3.1. Custom setting bank
        2. 3.3.2. Reset custom settings
        3. 3.3.3. CSM a – Autofocus
          1. 3.3.3.1. a1 – AF-C priority selection
          2. 3.3.3.2. a2 – AF-S priority selection
          3. 3.3.3.3. a3 – Dynamic AF area
          4. 3.3.3.4. a4 – Focus tracking with lock-on
          5. 3.3.3.5. a5 – AF activation
          6. 3.3.3.6. a6 – AF point illumination
          7. 3.3.3.7. a7 – Focus point wrap-around
          8. 3.3.3.8. a8 – AF point selection
          9. 3.3.3.9. a9 – Built-in AF-assist illuminator
          10. 3.3.3.10. a10 – AF-ON for MB-D10
        4. 3.3.4. CSM b – Metering/exposure
          1. 3.3.4.1. b1 – ISO sensitivity step value
          2. 3.3.4.2. b2 – EV steps for exposure cntrl.
          3. 3.3.4.3. b3 – Exp comp/fine tune
          4. 3.3.4.4. b4 – Easy exposure compensation
          5. 3.3.4.5. b5 – Center-weighted area
          6. 3.3.4.6. b6 – Fine tune optimal exposure
        5. 3.3.5. CSM c – Timers/AE lock
          1. 3.3.5.1. c1 – Shutter-release button AE-L
          2. 3.3.5.2. c2 – Auto meter-off delay
          3. 3.3.5.3. c3 – Self-timer delay
          4. 3.3.5.4. c4 – Monitor off delay
        6. 3.3.6. CSM d – Shooting/display
          1. 3.3.6.1. d1 – Beep
          2. 3.3.6.2. d2 – Viewfinder grid display
          3. 3.3.6.3. d3 – Screen tips
          4. 3.3.6.4. d4 – CL mode shooting speed
          5. 3.3.6.5. d5 – Max. continuous release
          6. 3.3.6.6. d6 – File number sequence
          7. 3.3.6.7. d7 – Shooting info display
          8. 3.3.6.8. d8 – LCD illumination
          9. 3.3.6.9. d9 – Exposure delay mode
          10. 3.3.6.10. d10 – MB-D10 battery type
          11. 3.3.6.11. d11 – Battery order
        7. 3.3.7. CSM e – Bracketing/flash
          1. 3.3.7.1. e1 – Flash sync speed
          2. 3.3.7.2. e2 – Flash shutter speed
          3. 3.3.7.3. e3 – Flash cntrl for built-in flash
          4. 3.3.7.4. e4 – Modeling flash
          5. 3.3.7.5. e5 – Auto bracketing set
          6. 3.3.7.6. e6 – Auto bracketing (Mode M)
          7. 3.3.7.7. e7 – Bracketing order
        8. 3.3.8. CSM f – Controls
          1. 3.3.8.1. f1 – Switch
          2. 3.3.8.2. f2 – Multi selector center button
            1. 3.3.8.2.1. Shooting mode
            2. 3.3.8.2.2. Playback mode
          3. 3.3.8.3. f3 – Multi selector
          4. 3.3.8.4. f4 – Photo info/playback
          5. 3.3.8.5. f5 – Assign FUNC. button
          6. 3.3.8.6. f6 – Assign preview button
          7. 3.3.8.7. f7 – Assign AE-L/AF-L button
          8. 3.3.8.8. f8 – Shutter spd & aperture lock
          9. 3.3.8.9. f9 – Customize command dials
          10. 3.3.8.10. f10 – Release button to use dial
          11. 3.3.8.11. f11 – No memory card?
          12. 3.3.8.12. f12 – Reverse indicators
      4. 3.4. Setup Menu
        1. 3.4.1. Format memory card
        2. 3.4.2. LCD brightness
        3. 3.4.3. Clean image sensor
        4. 3.4.4. Lock mirror up for cleaning
        5. 3.4.5. Video mode
        6. 3.4.6. HDMI
        7. 3.4.7. World time
        8. 3.4.8. Language
        9. 3.4.9. Image comment
        10. 3.4.10. Auto image rotation
        11. 3.4.11. Dust off ref photo
        12. 3.4.12. Battery info
        13. 3.4.13. Wireless transmitter
        14. 3.4.14. Image authentication
        15. 3.4.15. Copyright information
        16. 3.4.16. Save/load settings
        17. 3.4.17. GPS
        18. 3.4.18. Virtual horizon
        19. 3.4.19. Non-CPU lens data
        20. 3.4.20. AF fine tune
        21. 3.4.21. Firmware version
      5. 3.5. Retouch Menu
      6. 3.6. My Menu
      7. 3.7. Quick Settings Display
  7. II. Capturing Great Images with the Nikon D700
    1. 4. Selecting and Using Lenses
      1. 4.1. Wide-Angle and Ultrawide Lenses
        1. 4.1.1. When to use a wide-angle lens
        2. 4.1.2. Understanding limitations
      2. 4.2. Mid-Range or Standard Zoom Lenses
      3. 4.3. Telephoto Lenses
      4. 4.4. Special Purpose Lenses
        1. 4.4.1. Perspective Control lenses
        2. 4.4.2. Macro (Micro-NIKKOR) lenses
        3. 4.4.3. Fisheye lenses
      5. 4.5. Using VR Lenses
      6. 4.6. Using DX Lenses
      7. 4.7. Third-Party Lenses
        1. 4.7.1. Sigma
        2. 4.7.2. Tamron
        3. 4.7.3. Tokina
      8. 4.8. Lens Accessories
        1. 4.8.1. Teleconverters
        2. 4.8.2. Extension tubes
        3. 4.8.3. Filters
    2. 5. Essential Photography Concepts
      1. 5.1. Exposure
        1. 5.1.1. Shutter speed
          1. 5.1.1.1. Using fast shutter speeds
          2. 5.1.1.2. Using slow shutter speeds
        2. 5.1.2. ISO
        3. 5.1.3. Aperture
      2. 5.2. Understanding Depth of Field
      3. 5.3. Exposure Compensation
        1. 5.3.1. Histograms
        2. 5.3.2. Bracketing
        3. 5.3.3. White Balance bracketing
    3. 6. Working with Light
      1. 6.1. Natural Light
      2. 6.2. D700 Flash Basics
        1. 6.2.1. Achieving proper exposures
          1. 6.2.1.1. Guide Number
          2. 6.2.1.2. Aperture
          3. 6.2.1.3. Distance
          4. 6.2.1.4. GN / Distance = Aperture
        2. 6.2.2. Flash exposure modes
          1. 6.2.2.1. i-TTL
          2. 6.2.2.2. Manual
          3. 6.2.2.3. Auto
          4. 6.2.2.4. Auto Aperture
          5. 6.2.2.5. Guide Number distance priority
          6. 6.2.2.6. Repeating flash
        3. 6.2.3. Flash sync modes
          1. 6.2.3.1. Sync speed
          2. 6.2.3.2. Front-curtain sync
          3. 6.2.3.3. Red-eye reduction
          4. 6.2.3.4. Slow sync
          5. 6.2.3.5. Rear-curtain sync
        4. 6.2.4. Flash Exposure Compensation
        5. 6.2.5. Fill flash
        6. 6.2.6. Bounce flash
      3. 6.3. Nikon Creative Lighting System Basics
        1. 6.3.1. Understanding the Creative Lighting System
        2. 6.3.2. Speedlights
          1. 6.3.2.1. SB-900 Speedlight
          2. 6.3.2.2. SB-800 Speedlight
          3. 6.3.2.3. SB-600 Speedlight
          4. 6.3.2.4. SB-400 Speedlight
          5. 6.3.2.5. SU-800 Wireless Speedlight commander
          6. 6.3.2.6. R1/R1C1 Macro flash
      4. 6.4. Using the Built-In Speedlight
      5. 6.5. Studio Strobes
      6. 6.6. Continuous Lighting
        1. 6.6.1. Incandescent and halogen
        2. 6.6.2. Fluorescent
        3. 6.6.3. HMI
      7. 6.7. Light Modifiers
        1. 6.7.1. Umbrellas
        2. 6.7.2. Softboxes
        3. 6.7.3. Diffusion panels
        4. 6.7.4. Other light modifiers
    4. 7. Advanced Shooting Techniques
      1. 7.1. Action and Sports Photography
        1. 7.1.1. Techniques
        2. 7.1.2. Action and sports photography tips
      2. 7.2. Architectural Photography
        1. 7.2.1. Perspective
        2. 7.2.2. Architectural photography tips
      3. 7.3. Concert Photography
        1. 7.3.1. Techniques
        2. 7.3.2. Concert photography tips
      4. 7.4. Macro Photography
        1. 7.4.1. Macro lens alternatives
        2. 7.4.2. Macro photography tips
      5. 7.5. Night Photography
        1. 7.5.1. Techniques
        2. 7.5.2. Night photography tips
      6. 7.6. Portrait Photography
        1. 7.6.1. Studio considerations
        2. 7.6.2. Portrait lighting patterns
        3. 7.6.3. Posing and composition considerations
        4. 7.6.4. Indoor
        5. 7.6.5. Outdoor
        6. 7.6.6. Portrait photography tips
      7. 7.7. Product and Still-Life Photography
        1. 7.7.1. Considerations
        2. 7.7.2. Product and still-life photography tips
      8. 7.8. Wildlife Photography
        1. 7.8.1. Considerations
        2. 7.8.2. Wildlife photography tips
    5. 8. Viewing and In-Camera Editing
      1. 8.1. Viewing Your Images
      2. 8.2. The Retouch Menu
      3. 8.3. Retouch Menu Options
        1. 8.3.1. D-Lighting
        2. 8.3.2. Red-eye correction
        3. 8.3.3. Trim
        4. 8.3.4. Monochrome
        5. 8.3.5. Filter effects
        6. 8.3.6. Color balance
        7. 8.3.7. Image overlay
        8. 8.3.8. Side-by-side comparison
  8. III. Appendixes
    1. A. Accessories
      1. A.1. MB-D10 Battery Grip
      2. A.2. WT-4a Wireless Transmitter
      3. A.3. ML-3 Modulite Remote Control Set
      4. A.4. MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord
      5. A.5. Tripods
        1. A.5.1. When to use a tripod
        2. A.5.2. Which tripod is right for you?
      6. A.6. Camera Bags and Cases
    2. B. D700 Specifications
    3. C. Online Resources
      1. C.1. Informational Web Sites
        1. C.1.1. Nikonusa.com
        2. C.1.2. Nikon School
        3. C.1.3. Nikonians.org
        4. C.1.4. Photo.net
      2. C.2. Photo Sharing and Critiquing Sites
        1. C.2.1. Flickr.com
        2. C.2.2. Photoworkshop.com
        3. C.2.3. ShotAddict.com
      3. C.3. Online Photography Magazines
        1. C.3.1. Communication Arts
        2. C.3.2. Digital Photographer
        3. C.3.3. Digital Photo Pro
        4. C.3.4. Outdoor Photographer
        5. C.3.5. Photo District News
        6. C.3.6. Popular Photography & Imaging
        7. C.3.7. Shutterbug
  9. Glossary

Product information

  • Title: Nikon® D700 Digital Field Guide
  • Author(s): J. Dennis Thomas
  • Release date: January 2009
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470413203