Nikon COOLPIX 900 User manual

User’s Guide
DIGITAL CAMERA
COOLPIX 900

ii
Cautions
• The reproduction of all or part of this manual is prohibited save in cases
in which Nikon’s prior permission has been obtained.
• The information contained in this manual is subject to change without
notice.
• Nikon has made every effort to produce a perfect manual, but should
you find any mistakes, we would be grateful if you would kindly let us
know. The address of Nikon’s representative in your area is provided
separately.
• Nikon is not liable for damages resulting from the use of this product.
Important!
The symbols in this manual indicate important safety precautions.
Passages marked with this indication should be read before use to prevent
injury to yourself or to others.
✔Caution
The ✔symbols in this manual indicate areas in which caution is needed to
avoid damaging the product. Sections marked with this symbol should be
read before use to ensure that the product continues to operate properly.
Trademark Information
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark, and Windows a trademark, of Microsoft
corporation.
IBM PC/AT is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc.
All other trade names mentioned in this manual are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.

iii
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 designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installa-
tion. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
CAUTION
Modifications
The FCC requires the user to be notified that any changes or modifications made to
this device that are not expressly approved by Nikon Corporation may void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Serial Cables
Please use the serial cables supplied with your COOLPIX 900 (see page 3 of this
manual). Other interface cables may exceed the limits specified for Class B devices in
Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Notice for customers in Canada
CAUTION
This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference
Causing Equipment Regulations.
ATTENTION
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement
sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Notice for customers in European countries
ACHTUNG
Dieses Gerät entspricht den Bestimmungen der EG-Direktive 87/308/EEC zur
Störungsunterdrückung. Lärmemission kleiner 70 dBA.

iv
Safety Precautions
Be sure to observe the following safety precautions when using and storing
your COOLPIX 900.
Do not look directly at the sun through the viewfinder
Viewing the sun or other strong light source through the viewfinder could
cause permanent visual impairment.
Turn off immediately in the event of malfunction
Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the camera,
remove the batteries immediately, taking care to avoid burns. Continued
operation could result in injury. After removing the batteries, take the
camera to an authorized Nikon service center for information on repairs.
Do not use in the presence of flammable gas
Do not use electronic equipment in the presence of flammable gas, as this
could result in explosion or fire.
Do not disassemble
Touching the camera’s internal parts could result in injury. In the event of
a malfunction, the camera should be repaired only by a qualified techni-
cian. Should the camera break open as the result of a fall or other accident,
remove the batteries and then take the camera to an authorized Nikon
service center for information on repairs.
Keep out of reach of children
Particular care should be taken to prevent infants from putting the camera’s
batteries or other small parts into their mouths.
Do not walk while looking through viewfinder
Walking while looking through the camera’s viewfinder or color LCD
monitor could result in a fall or other injury.

v
Other Cautions
To ensure that you can continue to enjoy the use of your COOLPIX 900,
you should observe the following precautions.
✔Do not touch the lens with your fingers
The proper procedure for cleaning the camera’s lens is described in
“Caring for Your Camera.”
✔Handle the lens and moving parts with care
Do not apply force to the lens or to the battery, card, or connector covers.
These parts are especially susceptible to damage. Do not attempt to rotate
the lens and viewfinder past the limits of the hinge. When carrying the
camera, do not pick the camera up by the lens.
✔Do not drop
Your camera may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or vibration.
✔Keep away from strong magnetic fields
Do not use or store your camera in the vicinity of equipment that produces
strong electromagnetic radiation or magnetic fields. The magnetic fields
produced by equipment such as radio transmitters or household television
sets could cause interference on the color LCD monitor, damage data
stored on the flash memory card, or affect the camera’s internal circuitry.
✔Keep dry
The COOLPIX 900 is not waterproof, and may malfunction if immersed in
water or exposed to high levels of humidity.
✔Keep free of salt, sand, and dust
After using your camera at the beach or seaside, wipe off any sand or salt
with a lightly dampened cloth and then dry your camera thoroughly.
✔Avoid sudden changes in temperature
Sudden changes in temperature, such as occur when entering or leaving a
heated building on a cold day, can cause condensation inside the camera.
To prevent condensation, place the camera in its carrying case or a plastic
bag before exposing it to sudden changes in temperature.

vi
Notice concerning prohibition of copying or reproduction
Note that simply being in possession of material which has been copied or
reproduced by means of a digital camera may be punishable by law.
Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced
Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, government
bonds, or local government bonds, even if such copies or reproductions are
stamped “Sample”.
The copying or reproduction of paper money, coins, or securities which are
circulated in a foreign country is prohibited.
The copying or reproduction of unused postage stamps or post cards issued
by the government without obtaining approval from the government is
prohibited.
The copying or reproduction of stamps issued by the government and
certified documents stipulated by law is prohibited.
Cautions on certain copies and reproductions
The government has issued cautions on copies or reproductions of securi-
ties issued by private companies (shares, bills, checks, gift certificates,
etc.), commuter passes, or coupon tickets, except when a minimum of
necessary copies are to be provided for business use by a company. Also,
do not copy or reproduce passports issued by the government, licenses
issued by public agencies and private groups, ID cards, and tickets, such as
passes and meal coupons.
Comply with copyright notices
The copying or reproduction of copyrighted creative works such as books,
music, paintings, woodcut prints, maps, drawings, movies, and photo-
graphs is prohibited except when it is done for personal use at home or for
similar restricted and non-commercial use.

vii
Contents
Safety Precautions ................................................................. iv
Other Cautions ............................................................................... v
Overview ......................................................................1
Parts and Accessories ................................................ 3
What’s in this Package .................................................................. 3
Parts of the COOLPIX 900.............................................................. 4
First Steps ......................................................................9
Attaching the Camera Strap ................................................ 9
Putting Batteries in Your Camera ........................................ 10
Inserting and Removing Memory Cards ................................... 12
Checking the Battery Level ........................................................ 13
Choosing a Language for the Menus ....................................... 14
Setting the Time and Date ......................................................... 15
Taking Your First Photograph....................................................... 17
Nikon View 900 .......................................................... 25
Connecting the Camera to a Computer ................................. 25
Software Installation .................................................................... 28

viii

1
Overview
Overview
Thank you for buying a Nikon COOLPIX 900 digital camera. The
COOLPIX 900 is a full-featured digital camera with optical and digital
zoom and a built-in flash. In automatic mode the camera’s programmed
autofocus, autoexposure, auto white-balance, and matrix metering allow
for “point-and-shoot” photography that produces excellent results in a
variety conditions. The menu-driven manual mode offers a choice of
metering methods, exposure compensation, and white balance programs in
addition to a variety of digital effects. Photographs taken in either mode
can be played back instantly on the camera’s color LCD monitor, or the
camera can be connected to a television for demonstration. The COOLPIX
900 can also be attached to a computer, where your images and recordings
can be viewed using the Nikon View 900 software provided with your
camera, or edited for use in other applications.
The manuals for your COOLPIX 900 and the Nikon View 900 browser
software are divided into three parts. The User’s Guide (this manual)
offers a brief introduction to using your camera and describes how to
install Nikon View 900. Separate reference guides for camera and software
(both Macintosh and Windows versions) are provided on CD-ROM. These
reference guides can be viewed on-line or printed when you need more
detailed information on using the camera and software. In addition, a one-
page Fast Track Guide is provided for experienced users who want to get
started with a minimum of instruction. Where appropriate, this guide will
refer readers to the reference manuals or Fast Track Guide for more
information. References to manuals on CD are indicated by a icon,
references to the Fast Track Guide by a icon.
The chapters that follow guide you, step-by-step, through the basics of
using your camera and installing the browser software for your platform.
The next chapter, “Parts and Accessories,” introduces you to the parts of
the camera. This is followed by “First Steps,” which outlines the steps you
will take after you remove the camera from the box, from inserting the
batteries to taking your first photographs and playing them back. Informa-
tion on installing the browser software provided with your camera may be

2
Overview
found in “Nikon View 900,” which also describes how to install the Adobe
Acrobat Reader software you will need to view the manuals on CD-ROM.
Please read all instructions carefully to ensure that you get the most from
your camera.
Note: The illustrations in this manual are composites. Photographs taken
with the COOLPIX 900 may differ from those shown here.
Note: The illustrations in this manual show the color LCD monitor used
in the NTSC-compatible model of the COOLPIX 900. Owing to differences
in video standards, the PAL-compatible model will display items in posi-
tions slightly different from those shown here.

3
Parts and Accessories: What’s in this Package
Parts and Accessories
The chapter identifies the parts of the COOLPIX 900 and lists the items
packaged with your camera.
What’s in this Package
Purchasers of the COOLPIX 900 should find that the package contains all
the items listed below. Should you notice that anything is missing or
damaged, contact your retailer immediately.
CF-4 4MB
compact flash-
memory card
(1)
Carrying case
(1)
Camera strap
(1)
EG-900 video
cable (1)
AA (LR6)
alkaline
batteries (4)
COOLPIX 900
digital camera
(1)
DIGTAL CAMERA
M REC
A
OFF
QUALITY
PLAY
SC-900M serial
cable (Macintosh
RS-232C/RS-
422) (1)
SC-900 serial
cable (IBM PC/
AT RS-232C)
(1)
User’s Guide
(this manual)
(1)
Open Me First
envelope (1)
and Fast Track
guide (1)
Reference CD-
ROM (1)
Software CD-
ROM (1)

4
Parts and Accessories: Parts of the COOLPIX 900
Parts of the COOLPIX 900
5
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2
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NORMAL
BASIC
AUTO
SLOW
CARD
REC RECA
PLAY
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OFF
AF
Nikon DIGITAL CAMERA E900
4.8V/6V = 0.9A/0.8A (PAL)
N150
NIKON CORP.
MADE IN JAPAN
CARD
BATT.
PUSH
WT
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
[9]
[10] [11] [12] [13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[19] [17]
[20]
[18]
[21]
[24] [25][23]
[22]

5
Parts and Accessories: Parts of the COOLPIX 900
[ 1] Speedlight (flash)
[ 2] Red-eye reduction lamp
[ 3] Photocell
[ 4] Lens
[ 5] Control panel
[ 6] Connector for AC adapter
(under cover)
[ 7] Connector for video cable
(under cover)
[ 8] Selector dial/Shutter-release
button
[ 9] Connector for serial cable
(under cover)
[10] Viewfinder window
[11] QUALITY/Delete button
[12] Focus/Thumbnail button
[13] Flash/Multiple Selection button
[14] Color LCD monitor
[15] Zoom switch
[16] Hole for camera strap
[17] MONITOR button
[18] MENU button
[19] Flash indicator
[20] Tripod connector
[21] Battery cover
[22] Diopter dial for adjusting
viewfinder focus
[23] Autofocus lamp
[24] Compact flash memory card slot
(under cover)
[25] Battery cover release button
The Control Panel
[ 1] Image quality
[ 2] Focus setting
[ 3] Self-timer
[ 4] Digital motor-drive
[ 5] Flash mode
[ 6] Red-eye reduction indicator
[ 7] Number of exposures remaining
at current image quality setting
[ 8] Metering mode
[ 9] Exposure compensation
[10] Data transfer icon
[11] Memory card indicator
[12] Battery indicator
[1]
[8]
[2] [3] [4] [5]
[6]
[7]
[12]
[11]
[10][9]

6
Parts and Accessories: Parts of the COOLPIX 900
The Color LCD Monitor
When the selector dial is set to A-REC or M-REC, the color LCD monitor
shows the view through the camera’s lens, adjusted for such settings as
white balance, exposure, and digital zoom. When the dial is set to PLAY,
the monitor displays the most recently recorded photograph. The MONI-
TOR button below the monitor controls whether camera settings or record-
ing information will be shown superimposed on the image displayed, and
can also be used to turn the monitor off, increasing battery life. In manual
(M-REC) and playback (PLAY) modes, pressing the MENU button causes
the settings menus for the current mode to be displayed. The zoom-out
(W/▼) and zoom-in (T/▲) buttons are used to highlight the various menu
items. The currently highlighted menu item can be selected by pressing the
shutter button.
WT
MONITOR
button MENU
button
Zoom switch
When the monitor is on and information is shown, pressing the MONITOR
button will hide the information display. Pressing the button a second time
will turn the monitor off. To turn the monitor on, press the MONITOR
button once.

7
Parts and Accessories: Parts of the COOLPIX 900
Camera settings (A-REC, M-REC)
Recording information (PLAY)
Metering
Exposure compensation
White balance program
Number of expo-
sures remaining
Self-timer
Battery indicator
Image quality
Zoom indicator
Autoexposure lock
Image adjustment
VGA indicator
White-balance lock
Lens adapter
Focus setting
Date and
time of recording
Position in memory
Filename
(the first four
letters of the
filename are
omitted)
Image quality
Battery indicator
Protected image

8
Parts and Accessories: Parts of the COOLPIX 900
Through the Viewfinder
[1]
[2]
[3]
[1] Macro close-up field-of-view
Use this frame when composing photographs with focus set to
macro close-up (appropriate at ranges of 8cm–50cm, or 3˝–20˝)
[2] Focus point indicator
For best autofocus results, compose photograph with subject at
focus point
[3] Field of view at ranges of 50cm (20˝) to infinity

9
First Steps: Attaching the Camera Strap
First Steps
This chapter guides you through the steps you will take after removing the
camera from the box, from inserting the batteries to making your first
photographs and playing them back. Before you will be able to use your
camera, you will need to:
• attach the camera strap
• insert batteries
• insert the compact flash-memory card
• choose the language to be used in the setting and playback menus
• set the camera’s clock-calendar to the current date and time
These tasks are detailed on the pages that follow. Once these steps have
been completed, your camera will be ready to take photographs and play
them back as described at the end of this chapter. More detailed informa-
tion on camera settings and on playing images back may be found in the
camera reference manual on CD-ROM.
Attaching the Camera Strap
Attach the camera strap as shown below.
Keep the strap over your shoulder or around your wrist when carrying the camera.
Caution
To prevent accidental strangulation, do not place the camera strap around
your neck. Special care should be taken to avoid placing the strap around
the neck of an infant or child.
Note: Feed at least 5 cm (2″) of
the strap through the final hole.

10
First Steps: Putting Batteries in Your Camera
Putting Batteries in Your Camera
1. Turn the camera off
When putting new batteries in your camera, first
rotate the selector dial to OFF. If the camera is on
a tripod, the camera must be removed from the
tripod before the batteries can be replaced.
2. Open the battery cover
Turn the camera upside down and unlatch the
battery chamber by pushing the button and sliding
the cover away from the camera. Then raise and
open the lid.
3. Insert batteries
Insert the batteries with the positive (+) and
negative (-) poles aligned as shown in the diagram
on the underside of the cover.
4. Close the battery cover
Close the cover and slide it back until it latches.