Nikon D300 User manual

Nikon
DIGITAL CAMERA
)(
User's Manual

Where to Find It
Find what you're looking for from:
Know what you want to do but don't know the function name? Find it
from the "question and answer" index.
Finditems by function or menu name.
A brief guide for those who want to get started taking pictures right away.
Search by key word.
Ira warning is displayed in the viewfinder or monitor, find the solution
here.
Camera behaving unexpectedly? Find the solution here.
Digitutor
Digitutor, a series of"watch and learn" manuals in movie form, is available
from the following website:
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/index eng.html

Package Contents
Be sure all items listed here were included with your camera.
Memory cards are sold separately.
• D300 digital camera (pg. 3)
• Body cap (pp. 34, 368)
• BM-8 LCD monitor cover (pg. 19)
• DK-5 eyepiece cap (pg. 20)
• EN-EL3e rechargeable Li-ion battery with terminal cover
(pp. 30, 32)
• MH-18a quick charger with power cable (pg. 30)
• UC-E4 USBcable (pp. 224, 232)
• EG-D100 video cable (pg. 242)
• AN-D300 strap (pg. 19)
• Warranty
•User'sManual (this guide)
•Quick Guide
•Software Installation Guide
• Software Suite CD-ROM
• Registration card (U. S.A. only)

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
_I_ uset0 prevent damage t0the camera.
This icon marks notes; information that should be read before
[] using the camera.
Menu items, options, and messages displayed in the camera monitor
are shown in brackets ([ ]).
[] Trademark Information
Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple
Inc. Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are either registered
trademarks, or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk
Corporation. Microdrive is a trademark of Hitachi Global Storage
Technologies in the United States and other countries. HDMI, the HDMI
logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or
registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC. PictBridge is a trademark.
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.

[] Introduction
[] Tutorial
[] Image RecordingOptions
[] Focus
[] ReleaseMode
[] ISOSensitivity
[] Exposure
[] White Balance
[] Image Enhancement
[] FlashPhotography
[] OtherShootingOptions
[] MoreAboutPlayback
[] MenuGuide
[] TechnicalNotes_
iii

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Find what you're looking for using this "question and answer"
index.
II New Features
How do I take high-quality NEF (RAW) 14-bit NEF (RAW) 59
photos?
Can I use the monitor as a viewfinder? Live view 79
Can I control how photos are processed? 146
How do I preserve details in shadows and Active D-Lighting 165
highlights?
How do I focus on erratically moving
subjects? 3D-tracking 270
Can I adjust focus separately for different AF fine tune 327
lenses?
How do I remove dust from the low-pass Cleaning the low-pass 373
filter protecting the image sensor? filter
II CameraSetup
Question
How do I focus the viewfinder?
How do I keep the monitor from turning
off?
How do I keep the shutter speed and
aperture displays from turning off?
iiii_
_i _ •
IV

Question Key phrase See page
How do I set the clock?
How do I set the clock for daylight
savings time?
How do I change time zones when I
travel?
How do I adjust monitor brightness for
menus or playback?
How do I restore default settings?
How do I restore shooting menu
defaults?
How do I restore Custom Setting
defaults?
How do I change the self-timer delay?
How do I turn the speaker off?
Can I reverse the electronic analog
exposure display?
Can I display the menus in a different
language?
Can I save menu settings for use on a
different D300 camera?
World time 37,315
_i!i:ii
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II Menusand Displays
Question i'_°_°_°_°_°_°_°_°_°_°_--"_=_l(ey phrase
How do I get more information on a
menu?
How do I use the menus?
What do these indicators mean?
What information is in the shooting
information display?
What does this warning mean?
How much charge does the battery have
left?
Help
Using the menus
Viewfinder, control
panel, shooting
information display
Error messages and
displays
Battery level
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ii ii
LCD brightness 312
Two-button reset 182
Reset shooting menu 257
Reset custom settings 266
Self-timer delay 280
Beep 281
Reverse indicators 310
Language 315
Save/load settings 325
Seepage
29
24
8,10,12
391
44
v

..................... Question ...................... -°_=_Ke_;pilrase _..................._'°Seepage-
How do Iget more information about the
battery? Battery info 321
How do I keep the file number from
being reset when Iinsert a new memory 283
card?
How do I reset file numbering to 1?
How do Iclean the camera or lens? 372
File number sequence
Cleaning the camera
II TakingPhotographs
Question
How many more shots can Itake with this
card?
How do I take bigger photographs?
How can I get more photos on the
memory card?
Can I control how the camera focuses?
How do I take a lot of photographs
quickly?
Can I change the frame advance rate?
Can I shoot a self-portrait?
Can I take pictures under low light
without the flash?
Can the ISO sensitivity I choose be
adjusted to ensure optimal exposure?
How do I freeze or blur moving objects?
How do I blur background details or keep
both foreground and background in
focus?
Number of exposures
remaining
Image quality and size
Keyphrase Seepage
45
56, 60
Autofocus 61
Release mode 74
Shooting speed 76, 282
Self-timer mode 89
ISO sensitivity 94
ISO sensitivity auto 96
control
Exposure mode _q 106
(shutter-priority auto)
Exposure mode FI 107
(aperture-priority auto)

_-_:::_' Question -::!T_--Key phrase
Can I set both shutter speed and aperture Exposure mode/I
iiiI :_ii
manually?
Can I make photos brighter or darker?
How do I make a time exposure?
Can I vary exposure or flash level
automatically over a series of photos?
Can I create multiple copies of a photo
using different white balance settings?
How do I adjust white balance?
Can I take pictures with a flash?
(manual)
Exposure compensation
Long time-exposures
Exposure and flash
bracketing
White balance
bracketing
White balance
Flash photography,
flash mode, red-eye
reduction
See page
109
114
111
117, 297
121,297
125
171
174
How can Ireduce "red-eye"?
iii ii
How can I record multiple shots as a Multiple exposure 184
single photograph?
Can I pickthe standard exposure level? Fine tune optimal 277
exposure
How can I reduce blur? Exposure delay mode 285
Can the flash be used at shutter speeds Flash sync speed 288
faster than 1/250 s?
'°'°'°'°'_'tSeepage
Camera playbac / 204
Photo info 206
208, 250
II Viewing Photographs
Question
Can I view my photographs on the
camera?
Can I view more information about
photos?
Why do parts of my photos blink?
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Question Keyphrase
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Seepage
How do I get rid of an unwanted photo? Deleting individual
_hotos 222
Can I delete several photos at once? Delete 248
i
Can I zoom in on pictures to make sure Playback zoom 220
they're in focus?
Can I protect photos from accidental
deletion? Protect 221
Can I hide selected photos? Hide image 249
How do I tell if parts of my photos may be Display mode: 250
overexposed? highlights
How do I tell where the camera focused? Display mode: focus 250
_oint
Can I view photos as they are taken? Image review 251
Is there an automatic playback ("slide Slide show 252
show") option?
II RetouchingPhotographs
Question _'_'I'_'I'_'I'_'_"I_"I_"T'='_
How do Ibring out details in shadows?
Can I get rid of red eye?
Can I crop photographs on the camera?
Can I create a monochrome copy of a
photograph?
Can I create a copy with different colors?
Can I use the camera to create JPEG
copies of NEF (RAW) photographs?
Can I overlay two photosto make a single
image? .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Red-eye correction
Trim
Monochrome
Filter effects
Color balance
Image overlay
.....
335
336
337
338
338
339
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Can I view my photos in High Definition? HDMI
Connecting to a
How do I copy photos to my computer? computer
How do I print photographs? Printing photographs
Can I print photos without a computer? Printing via USB
Can I print the date on my photographs? Time stamp
How do I order professional prints? Print set (DPOF)
II ViewingorPrintingPhotographsonOtherDevices
_-"_-_='_°_-° Question Keyphrase See°page _-
Can I view my photos on TV? Television playback 242
244
224
230
231
234
240
II Optional Accessories
Question .... -"°-- K°e)_p-ilr_a_se_.....................Seepage-
What optional flash units (Speedlights)
can I use?
What lenses can I use?
What AC adapters, remote cords, and
viewfinder accessories are available for
my camera?
What memory cards can I use?
What software is available for my
camera?
Optional flash units
Compatible lenses
Other accessories
Approved memory
cards
Other accessories
357
350
365
371
368
IX

Table of Contents
Q&A Index ................................................................................................iv
For Your Safety ..................................................................................xviii
Notices .....................................................................................................xxi
Introduction 1
Overview .................................................................................................... 2
Getting to Know the Camera .............................................................. 3
Camera Body .......................................................................................3
The Control Panel ..............................................................................8
The Viewfinder Display ..................................................................10
The Shooting Information Display ............................................12
The Command Dials .......................................................................14
Quick Start Guide ................................................................................. 21
Tutorial 23
Camera Menus ...................................................................................... 24
Using Camera Menus .....................................................................26
Help ......................................................................................................29
First Steps ............................................................................................... 30
Charge the Battery ..........................................................................30
Insert the Battery .............................................................................32
Attach a Lens .....................................................................................34
Basic Setup .........................................................................................36
Insert a Memory Card .....................................................................39
Format the Memory Card .............................................................41
Adjust Viewfinder Focus ...............................................................43
Basic Photography and Playback ................................................... 44
Turn the Camera On .......................................................................44
Adjust Camera Settings .................................................................47
Ready the Camera ...........................................................................50
Focus and Shoot ..............................................................................51

ViewingPhotographs....................................................................53
DeletingUnwantedPhotographs.............................................54
Image Recording Options 55
Image Quality ........................................................................................56
Image Size..............................................................................................60
Focus 61
Focus Mode ...........................................................................................62
AF-Area Mode .......................................................................................64
Focus Point Selection .........................................................................66
Focus Lock ..............................................................................................68
Manual Focus ........................................................................................71
Release Mode 73
Choosing a Release Mode ................................................................74
Continuous Mode ................................................................................76
Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) .............................79
Self-Timer Mode ...................................................................................89
Mirror up Mode ....................................................................................91
ISO Sensitivity 93
Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ................................................94
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control ............................................................96
xi

Exposure 99
Metering ...............................................................................................100
Exposure Mode ...................................................................................102
P:Programmed Auto ..................................................................104
,5:Shutter-Priority Auto ..............................................................106
R:Aperture-Priority Auto ...........................................................107
!I: Manual .........................................................................................109
Autoexposure (AE) Lock ..................................................................112
Exposure Compensation .................................................................114
Bracketing ............................................................................................116
White Balance 125
White Balance Options ....................................................................126
Fine-Tuning White Balance ............................................................129
Choosing a Color Temperature ....................................................133
Preset Manual .....................................................................................134
Image Enhancement 145
Picture Controls ..................................................................................146
Creating Custom Picture Controls ..........................................154
Active D-Lig hting ...............................................................................165
Color Space ..........................................................................................167
Flash Photography 169
The Built-in Flash ...............................................................................170
Using the Built-in Flash....................................................................171
Flash Modes .........................................................................................174
Flash Compensation .........................................................................176
FV Lock ..................................................................................................178
xii

Other Shooting Options 181
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings .......................182
Multiple Exposure .............................................................................184
Interval Timer Photography ..........................................................189
Non-CPU Lenses .................................................................................196
Using a GPS Unit ................................................................................199
More About Playback 203
Full-Frame Playback .........................................................................204
Photo Information .............................................................................206
Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback .....................218
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom ........................................220
Protecting Photographs from Deletion .....................................221
Deleting Individual Photographs ................................................222
Connections 223
Connecting to a Computer ............................................................ 224
Direct USB Connection ...............................................................226
Wireless and Ethernet Networks .............................................229
Printing Photographs ....................................................................... 230
Direct USB Connection ...............................................................231
Viewing Photographs on TV .......................................................... 242
Standard Definition Devices .....................................................242
High-Definition Devices .............................................................244
xiii

xiv
Menu Guide 245
[] The Playback Menu: Managing Images ............................... 246
Delete ...........................................................................................248
Playback Folder .........................................................................249
Hide Image .................................................................................249
Display Mode .............................................................................250
Image Review ............................................................................251
After Delete ................................................................................251
Rotate Tall ...................................................................................251
Slide Show ..................................................................................252
Print Set (DPOF) ........................................................................253
I_1 The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options ............................... 254
Shooting Menu Bank ..............................................................255
Reset Shooting Menu .............................................................257
Active Folder ..............................................................................258
File Naming ................................................................................260
Image Quality ............................................................................260
Image Size...................................................................................260
JPEG Compression ...................................................................260
NEF (RAW) Recording .............................................................261
White Balance ............................................................................261
Set Picture Control ...................................................................261
Manage Picture Control .........................................................261
Color Space ................................................................................261
Active D-Lighting .....................................................................261
Long Exp. NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) ..........262
High ISO NR................................................................................263
ISO Sensitivity Settings ..........................................................263
Live View .....................................................................................263
Multiple Exposure ....................................................................263
Interval Timer Shooting .........................................................263
Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings .............. 264
Custom Setting Bank ..............................................................266
Reset Custom Settings ...........................................................266
a: Autofocus ....................................................................................267
al: AF-C Priority Selection .....................................................267
a2: AF-S Priority Selection .....................................................268

a3:DynamicAFArea...............................................................269
a4:FocusTrackingwithLock-On........................................270
aS:AFActivation.......................................................................271
a6:AFPointlllumination.......................................................271
a7:FocusPointWrap-Around..............................................272
aB:AFPointSelection................................................................
a9:Built-inAF-assistllluminator..........................................273
aI0:AF-OnforMB-DI0...........................................................274
b:Metering/Exposure..................................................................275
hi:ISOSensitivityStepValue..............................................275
b2:EVStepsforExposureCntrl...........................................275
b3:ExpComp/FineTune.......................................................275
b4:EasyExposureCompensation......................................276
bS:Center-WeightedArea....................................................277
b6:FineTuneOptimalExposure.........................................277
c:Timers/AELock..........................................................................279
ci:Shutter-ReleaseButtonAE-L.........................................279
c2:AutoMeter-offDelay........................................................279
c3:Self-TimerDelay.................................................................280
c4:MonitoroffDelay...............................................................280
d:Shooting/Display......................................................................281
d1:Beep.......................................................................................281
d2:ViewfinderGridDisplay..................................................281
d3:ViewfinderWarningDisplay..........................................282
d4:CLModeShootingSpeed..............................................282
dS:Max.ContinuousRelease...............................................282
d6:FileNumberSequence....................................................283
d7:ShootingInfoDisplay......................................................284
dB:LCDlllumination................................................................285
d9:ExposureDelayMode......................................................285
dI0:MB-DI0BatteryType....................................................285
dlI:BatteryOrder....................................................................287
e:Bracketing/Flash.......................................................................288
el:FlashSyncSpeed...............................................................288
e2:FlashShutterSpeed..........................................................290
e3:FlashCntrlforBuilt-inFlash...........................................291
e4:ModelingFlash...................................................................297
eS:AutoBracketingSet..........................................................297
e6:AutoBracketing(ModeM).............................................298XV

e7:BracketingOrder...............................................................299
f:Controls........................................................................................300
f1:MultiSelectorCenterButton.........................................300
f2:MultiSelector.......................................................................301
f3:PhotoInfo/Playback..........................................................301
f4:AssignFUNC.Button.........................................................302
fS:AssignPreviewButton.....................................................305
f6:AssignAE-L/AF-LButton.................................................306
f7:CustomizeCommandDials............................................307
f8:ReleaseButtontoUseDial..............................................308
f9:NoMemoryCard?..............................................................309
flO:ReverseIndicators...........................................................310
TheSetupMenu:CameraSetup...............................................311
FormatMemoryCard.............................................................312
LCDBrightness..........................................................................312
CleanImageSensor.................................................................313
LockMirrorupforCleaning.................................................313
VideoMode................................................................................313
HDMI.............................................................................................314
WorldTime.................................................................................315
Language....................................................................................315
ImageComment......................................................................316
AutoImageRotation..............................................................317
USB................................................................................................318
DustoffRefPhoto....................................................................31B
BatteryInfo.................................................................................321
WirelessTransmitter...............................................................322
ImageAuthentication............................................................323
CopyrightInformation...........................................................324
Save/LoadSettings..................................................................325
GPS................................................................................................326
Non-CPULensData.................................................................327
AFFineTune..............................................................................327
FirmwareVersion.....................................................................328
TheRetouchMenu:CreatingRetouchedCopies.............329
D-Lighting...................................................................................334
Red-EyeCorrection..................................................................335
Trim...............................................................................................336
xvi

Monochrome .............................................................................337
Filter Effects................................................................................338
Color Balance.............................................................................338
Image Overlay............................................................................339
Side-by-Side Comparison ......................................................342
My Menu: Creating a Custom Menu ......................................344
Technical Notes 349
Compatible Lenses ...........................................................................350
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) ..............................................357
Other Accessories ..............................................................................365
Caring for the Camera ......................................................................372
Storage ..............................................................................................372
Cleaning ..............................................................................................
The Low-Pass Filter .......................................................................373
"Clean Now". ..............................................................................373
"Clean at Startup/Shutdown". .............................................374
Manual Cleaning .......................................................................376
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions ..........................379
Troubleshooting ................................................................................383
Error Messages ...................................................................................391
Appendix ..............................................................................................399
Specifications ......................................................................................409
Index .......................................................................................................419
xvii

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
)recautions listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol:
Z_ This icon marks warnings. To prevent possible injury, read all
warnings before using this Nikon product.
IIWARNINGS
Keep the sun out of the frame
Keep the sun well out of the frame
when shooting backlit subjects.
Sunlight focused into the camera
when the sun is in or close to the
frame could cause a fire.
Donot look at the sun through the
viewfinder
Viewing the sun or other strong
light source through the
viewfinder could cause
permanent visual impairment.
Usingtheviewfinderdioptercontrol
When operating the viewfinder
diopter control with your eye to
the viewfinder, care should be
taken not to put your finger in
your eye accidentally.
z_
z_
Turn off immediately in the event of
malfunction
Should you notice smoke or an
unusual smell coming from the
equipment or AC adapter
(available separately), unplug the
AC adapter and remove the
battery immediately, taking care
to avoid burns. Continued
operation could result in injury.
After removing the battery, take
the equipment to a Nikon-
authorized service center for
inspection.
Donot disassemble
Touching the product's internal
parts could result in injury. In the
event of malfunction, the product
should be repaired only by a
qualified technician. Should the
product break open as the result
of a fall or other accident, remove
the battery and/or AC adapter
and then take the product to a
Nikon-authorized service center
for inspection.
xviii