Nikon Coolpix 990 User manual

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Nikon
Coolpix 990
User Review
Posted 3/4/2000
(updated 10/18/2000)

Click on the camera for 360-degree QTVR tour
The Nikon Coolpix 990 is the first of the new wave of 3.34-megapixel resolution digital
cameras. It retains the best features of the Coolpix 950 like the razor sharp Nikkor 3x
zoom lens, the closest macro capability of any digicam, the highly durable magnesium
alloy body and the unique swiveling lens design.
It now includes many of the user-requested improvements (CF card slot on side, USB
connectivity, improved battery life, better LCD) and adds powerful new features like
multizone autofocus, autoexposure bracketing, Flexible Program mode and a 7-blade
iris diaphragm for real depth of field control.
The 990's 3.34 megapixel CCD delivers a non-interpolated image resolution of 2048 x
1536 pixels with an uncompressed TIFF image file of just under 10MB in size.
Recording modes include still image capture at up to 2 frames per second in full
resolution, 320 x 240 QVGA at 30 frames per second and a new movie mode that
shoots 40 seconds of (silent) QVGA Motion-JPEG at 15 fps.

Nikon has finally answered the question of how to keep the lens cap with the camera.
They now include a "lens string" that slips around the joint between the two sections of
the camera.
Read the:
Nikon Coolpix 990 Manual
8-page Coolpix 990 sales brochure

The Coolpix 990 has an exclusive Multi-Area autofocus mode for quick composition
without interruption. It searches the 5 zones for closest subject or sharpest subject. It is
a direct descendant of Nikon pro film and D1 digital SLR cameras.
The 990 also features a 50-step manual focus, Nikon’s 256 element Matrix metering
and new 256 element Matrix white balance system to insure the best possible exposure
and color balance in every shot.
New is a 7-blade iris diaphragm for true depth of field control and versatile exposure
control with four exposure modes:
Programmed Automatic (with Flexible Program)1. Shutter Priority - (bulb, 8s, 4s, 2s, 1s, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250,
1/500, 1/750, 1/1000)
2.
Aperture Priority - (in wideangle: F2.5, 2.8, 3.1, 3.5, 3.9, 4.4, 4.9, 5.5, 6.2 and 7.0 -
in telephoto F4.0, 4.4, 5.0, 5.6, 6.3, 7.0, 7.9, 8.9, 9.9 and 11)
3.
Full Manual control of both shutter and aperture.4.
In the "P"rogrammed automatic mode there are more options available via the Flexible
Program mode. By rotating the command dial the "P" changes to a "P*" and each click
brings up a different combination of shutter speed and aperture values that yield the
same exposure.
Exposure compensation and Auto Bracketing capabilities are also included.
The 990 has a high-speed USB interface which makes downloading those large image

files to a PC or Mac very fast. This is a dual I/O port supporting both USB and serial
RS-232 connections. Nikon does not supply a serial port cable and the NikonView
software is not capable of controlling the camera other than image downloads. The 990
now has user-selectable video output (NTSC or PAL). This eliminates the need to build
two different camera models but the 990 will come in two different color schemes. The
North American cameras will be charcoal grey with a purple colored finger grip (as
shown here), the European models will be the black and red scheme used on the
Coolpix 950's.
Another thing that can be connected to the Coolpix 990 (or the 880) USB port is the new
MC-EU1 wired remote control. The MC-EU1 allows you to trip the shutter and operate
the zoom lens in A-Rec or M-rec modes. In Playback mode it lets you scroll forward or
backwards through the stored images.
An even more powerful record mode operation is available for time-lapse recording.
There are two modes: Interval Mode A begins when you push the release button and
repeats at the programmed intervals. Interval Mode B is the same but the camera
begins automatically after a preset amount of time has elapsed.
The remote's shutter button is like the one on the camera and has a half-press position
to set focus and exposure and trips the shutter when fully depressed. The LCD panel on
the MC-EU1 shows the settings for the interval modes and also displays the camera
modes (A-Rec, M-Rec, Play) and "Busy" while writing to the CF card. There is a builtin
illuminator that can be turned on so you can see the LCD display in the dark.
For more info on the MC-EU1 remote cord, click here to see the user manual in PDF
format, it's rather large so be patient.
Note: The Nikon 990 requires firmware v1.1 or greater to use the MC-EU1. Most 990's
shipped with v1.0

The 990's CompactFlash card slot is located on the side, making it easy to change
cards without removing it from a tripod. Nikon is supplying a 16MB 8x high performance
Lexar CF card.
This is a CompactFlash Type I slot, it is not Microdrive compatible.

Nikon has bundled one of Lexar Media's new and fast 8x speed, 16MB USB-enabled
JumpSHOT CompactFlash cards. Included is a mail-in coupon for the JumpSHOT USB
cable for $9.99 (50% discount) if you'd like to have an untethered way of downloading
your images.
Click here to
Continue on to
Lenses & Options

Coolpix 990 Specifications
CCD 1/1.8-in. high-density CCD; total number of pixels: 3.34 million
Image size 2,048 x 1,536 pixels
XGA-size (1,024 x 768)
VGA-size (640 x 480)
3:2 (2,048 x 1,360) selectable
Lens 3x Zoom-Nikkor; f = 8-24mm (equivalent to 38-115mm) F2.5-4 with macro; 9 elements in
8 groups; all glass
Autofocus Contrast-detect TTL AF; 4,896-step autofocus control including macro range
5-area Multi AF or Spot AF selectable
Focus modes 1) Continuous AF mode (when using LCD monitor)
2) Single AF mode (when not using LCD monitor and/or selectable from shooting menu)
3) Manual [50 steps from 2cm (0.8 in.) to infinity with Peaking indication]
Shooting distance 30cm (11.8 in.) to infinity
2cm (0.8 in.) to infinity in Macro mode
Optical viewfinder Real-image zoom viewfinder
magnification: 0.4~1.1x
frame coverage: approx. 85%
diopter adjustment: -2~+1 DP
LCD monitor 1.8-in., 110,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD
brightness/hue adjustment
frame coverage: approx. 97% (through/freeze image)
Auto OFF mode 30 sec.; can be set manually (1/5/30 min.)
Image Storage uncompressed TIFF or compressed JPEG
Media CompactFlash (CF) Card Type I
Shooting modes Fully automatic ([A]-REC) mode
Custom ([M]-REC) mode (three combinations of mode settings can be memorized)
Shooting menu
1) White balance
2) Exposure metering
3) Continuous
4) Best-Shot Selector (BSS)
5) Converters
6) Tone compensation (Auto/Normal/More Contrast/Less
Contrast/Lighten/Darken/Monochrome)
7) Image Sharpening
8) Digital zoom (stepless, up to 4x)

Capture modes
1) Single
2) Continuous
3) Multi-Shot 16 (16 frames in 1/16 size)
4) VGA Sequence
5) Ultra High-speed Continuous (approx. 30 fps for 80 QVGA-size images)
6) Movie (40 sec. for QVGA-size images at 15 fps)
Exposure metering
4-mode TTL metering:
1) 256-segment Matrix
2) Center-Weighted
3) Spot and
4) Spot AF Area
Shutter Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter
8 to 1/1,000 sec.
Aperture 7-blade iris diaphragm
3 EV range in 1/3 EV steps
Exposure control
1) Programmed Auto with Flexible Program
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (with Sensitivity control)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto
4) Manual; Exposure Compensation (±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps)
Auto Bracketing (5 steps within ±2/3 EV)
Exposure range EV -2~+15.5 (W), EV -0.8~+16.7 (T) (ISO 100 equivalent)
ISO Sensitivity 100, 200, 400 or Auto
White balance 1) Matrix Auto White Balance with TTL control
2) 5-mode Manual with 7-step fine tuning (Fine/Incandescent/Fluorescent/
Cloudy/Speedlight)
3) Preset
Self-timer 10 sec. or 3 sec. duration
Built-in Speedlight Guide number 9/30 (at ISO 100, m/ft.)
Flash control
Flash modes:
1) Auto Flash
2) Flash Cancel
3) Anytime Flash
4) Slow Sync
5) Red-Eye Reduction
External Speedlight Multi-flash sync terminal connects to external Nikon Speedlight SB-28/28DX/26/25/24/22
through the Multi-Flash Bracket Unit SK-E900; built-in Speedlight can be canceled when
using external Speedlight(s)
Playback menu
1) 1 frame
2) Thumbnail (4/9 segments)
3) Slide show
4) Zoom playback (stepless up to 3x)
Histogram indication & highlight point display
Peaking indication
Hide and protect attributes can be set to each image
Delete function Deletes all frames or selected frames
Interface USB interface; Serial interface (Windows: 115kbps, Macintosh: 230kbps)
Video output NTSC or PAL (selectable)

I/O terminal Power input
Video output
Digital output terminal (USB/Serial)
Sync terminal for external Speedlight
Bundled Software
NikonView Version 3, Altimira Group's Genuine Fractals 2.0 LE, Canto's Cumulus 5.0 LE
Image and Asset Management Software, iPIX's Immersive Imaging Software, and
QuickTime Video Version 4. Great Photo! image correction software for Mac and PC to
be added by June 2000. The Reference CD-ROM includes Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0,
Instructions for Using Nikon View Version 3, and Nikon's "Guide to Digital Photography"
(Online Camera Manual for the CoolPix 990).
Power requirements 4 x 1.5V alkaline "AA"-size batteries; 1.5V FR6 lithium or 1.2V Ni-MH “AA"-size batteries
can also be used; AC adapter (optional)
Battery life Approx. 1.5 hrs. when using LCD monitor and four 1.5V alkaline "AA"-size batteries at
normal temperature (20(C/68(F)
Dimensions
(W x H x D) Approx. 5.9 x 3.1 x 1.5 in. (2.5 in. at grip)
Weight
(without battery) Approx. 370g (13.1 oz.)
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Note: All photographs and page content
Copyright © 2000 Steve's Digicam Online, Inc.
Nothing on this page may be used, distributed or

copied without the author's prior permission.

Free shipping, no sales tax & in-stock -- order today !
Nikon
Coolpix 990

The all glass, 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens has 38-115mm coverage (35mm equivalent) plus a
virtually stepless 4x digital zoom option. If you enjoy shooting close-ups you can get as
close as 0.8 inches away from your subject with the Nikkor lens' superb macro
capability.
The Coolpix 990 accepts optional Coolpix Lenses and accessories, including the Nikkor
fisheye (above), wideangle, 2x and 3x telephoto converters. Third-party 28-37mm
stepup rings, filters and auxilliary lenses are available from various dealers to further
enhance your camera's capabilities.

Shown here is the older WC-E24 and the new and larger WC-E63 wideangle
conversion lenses. The WC-E63 features ED glass for less distortion and flares and is
threaded for 72mm filters.
Closeup of the large monochrome data display, the Mode/Power switch and the

programmable mode/function buttons. The command dial has been moved to the
top-rear of the camera and is easily operated with your thumb.
Note the "P*" -- the Coolpix 990 has a Flexible-Program mode. Rotating the command
dial lets you use different combinations of shutter speed and aperture.
The Coolpix 990 has TTL support for an external flash such as Nikon's SB-28DX shown
here on the SK-E900 flash bracket. The 990 has menu options for control of both the
internal and external speedlights, the internal can now be disabled while using an
external flash. It does not use the infrared focusing aid of the SB-28 or SB-28DX flash
units.

The Coolpix 990, like its sibling the Coolpix 950, has a swiveling lens and an all-metal
magnesium chassis for lightness and durability. The 990 sports a charcoal gray textured
color with a blue grip area and lettering. The hand grip has been significantly enlarged
to give you more stability when shooting at extreme telephoto or slower shutter speeds.
Improvements on the bottom of the Coolpix 990 include a perfectly flat tripod mounting
area with rubberized grips, all metal tripod socket and a secure but easy to access
battery compartment.

The Coolpix 990 uses four AA size batteries as its power source. I highly recommend
NiMH rechargeables as this camera like all digicams, eats alkaline batteries like candy.
At first I was a little concerned about the DC power input jack being on the front of the
camera. But after plugging the cable in that goes to my Unity Digital ProPower pack I
was thrilled to see that it was a match made in heaven. There's still plenty of grip
surface left for your fingers and the angled plug makes the cable run straight down to
the bottom of the camera.

There's a whole range of accessories available for the Coolpix 990.
Click here to
Continue on to
Page Two

Return To Steve's
Reviews Index
Note: All photographs and page content
Copyright © 2000 Steve's Digicam Online, Inc.
Nothing on this page may be used, distributed or
copied without the author's prior permission.

Free shipping, no sales tax & in-stock -- order today !
Nikon
Coolpix 990
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