Nikon D5000 User manual

DIG ITAL CAM ERA
User's Manual

Metering
Choose how the camera sets exposure in P,S,A,and Mmodes (in other modes, the
camera selects the metering method automatically).
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the 41, button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display @button
2
3
Display metering options.
Highlight the current metering method in the
information display and press _).
Choose a metering method.
Highlight one of the following options and press
@.
[] Matrix
Center-
[] weighted
[] Spot
Produces natural results in most situations. Camera uses 420-pixel RGB
sensor to meter a wide area of the frame and set exposure according to
tone distribution, color, composition, and, with type G or D lenses
(_ 194), range information (3D color matrix metering II;with other CPU
lenses, camera uses color matrix metering II, which does not include 3D
range information).
Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area.
Classic meter for portraits; recommended when using filters with an
exposure factor (filter factor) over 1x.
Camera meters current focus point; use to meter off-center subjects (if
Auto-area is selected for AF-area mode as described on page 56, camera
will meter center focus point). Ensures that subject will be correctly
exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.
88

Autoexposure Lock
Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after metering exposure:
Select center-weighted (r_) or spot (Fq) metering
(_ 88).
Matrix metering (_) will not produce the desired results.
2Lock exposure.
Position the subject in the selected focus point and press
the shutter-release button halfway. With the shutter-
release button pressed halfway and the subject positioned
in the focus point, press the AE-L/AF-Lbutton to lock focus
and exposure.
While exposure lock is in effect, an AE-Lindicator will
appear in the viewfinder.
Shutter-release
button
AE-UAF-Lbutton
3Recompose the photograph.
Keeping the AE-L/AF-Lbutton pressed,recompose the photograph and shoot.
[] Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture
While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be adjusted without altering the
metered value for exposure:
_=--'="i="i_:- M0deSetting
Programmed auto Shutter speed and aperture (flexible program; _ 81)
Shutter-priority auto Shutter speed
Aperture-priority auto Aperture
The metering method itself can not be changed while exposure lock is in effect.
[] See Also
If On is selected for Custom Setting cl (Shutter-release button AE-L, _ 156), exposure will
lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. For information on changing the
role of the AE-L/AF-Lbutton, see Custom Setting f2 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, _ 164).
89

Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the
camera, making pictures brighter or darker. It is most effective when used with
center-weighted or spot metering (_ 88).
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the ,n, button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display ,B,button
2
3
Display exposure compensation options.
Highlight exposure compensation in the
information display and press _).
Choose a value.
Highlight a value and press _). Exposure
compensation can be set to values between
-5 EV(underexposure) and +5 EV(overexposure)
in increments of 1/3EV. In general, choose
positive values to make the subject brighter,
negative values to make it darker.
-I EV +I EV
No exposurecompensation
Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure compensation to _+0.Exposure
compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.
90

[] The [] Button
Exposure compensation can also be
set by pressing the [] button and
rotating the command dial. The
selected value isshown in the
viewfinder and information display.
[] button Command dial
-0.3 EV +2 EV
[] Mode M
In mode M, exposure compensation affects only the exposure indicator; shutter speed and
aperture do not change.
[] Using a Flash
When a flash is used, exposure compensation affects both background exposure and flash
level.
[] See Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for exposure
compensation, see Custom Setting bl (EV steps for exposure cntrl., _ 156). For
information on automatically varying exposure over a series of photographs to "bracket" a
selected exposure compensation value, see "Bracketing" (_ 103).
91

Flash Compensation
Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the
camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background.
Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced
to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the ,1t, button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display ,I], button
2Display flash compensation options.
Highlight flash compensation in the information
display and press _).
3Choose a value.
Highlight a value and press _). Flash
compensation can be set to values between
-3 EV(darker) and +1 EV(brighter) in increments
of 1/3 EV. In general, choose positive values to
make the subject brighter, negative values to
make it darker.
Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to _+0.0. Flash
compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.
92

[] The I_ (_) and [] Buttons
Flash compensation can also be set by
rotating the command dial while
pressing the I_ (_) and [] buttons.
The selected value is shown in the
viewfinder and information display.
I_ (_ ) button [] button Command dial
-0.3 EV +I EV
[] Optional Flash Units
Flash compensation is also available with an optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, or
SB-R200 flash units.
[] Exposure Increments
For information on choosing the size of the increments available when setting flash
compensation, see Custom Setting bl (EV steps for exposure cntrl., _ 156).
93

Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs
with natural contrast. Use for high contrast scenes, for example when
photographing brightly lit outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking
pictures of shaded subjects on a sunny day. It is most effective when used with
matrix metering (1_;_ 88).
2
3
Active D-Ligh ting: OFFOff Active D-Lighting: -_ A Auto
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the 4]_button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display ,I], button
Display Active D-Lighting options.
Highlight Active D-Lighting in the information
display and press _).
Choose an option.
Highlight -_[_AAuto, -_[_H÷Extra high, -_[_HHigh,
_i NNormal, ._ L Low, or OFFOff and press _).
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i_ Active D-Lighting
Noise (graininess, banding, and mottling) may appear in photographs taken with Active
D-Lighting at high ISO sensitivities. If center-weighted or spot metering is selected, settings
other than OFFOff are equivalent to -_[_NNormal. In mode M, an Active D-Lighting setting of
•_6A Auto is equivalent to -_[_NNormal.
_I_ "Active D-Lighting" Versus "D-Lighting"
The Active D-Lighting option in the shooting menu adjusts exposure before shooting to
optimize the dynamic range, while the D-Lighting option in the retouch menu (_ 174)
optimizes dynamic range in images after shooting.
[] The Shooting Menu
Active D-Lighting can also be adjusted using the Active D-Lighting
option in the shooting menu (_ 148).
[] See Also
For information on using the Fn (_) button and command dial to
select Active D-Lighting, see page 163. For information on
automatically varying Active D-Lighting over two photographs
(one with Active D-Lighting off, the second with the current setting
for Active-D-Lighting), see page 103.
95

White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source.
Auto white balance is recommended for most light sources; in P,S,A,and Mmodes,
other values can be selected if necessary according to the type of source:
Place the cursor in the information display.
if shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the ,I], button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display ,I], button
2
3
Display white balance options.
Highlight the current white balance setting in
the information display and press _).
Choose a white balance option.
Highlight one of the following options and press
@.
AUTOAuto _Directsunlight
_ Incandescent _ Flash
Fluorescent(_ 97) ._- Cloudy
_,. Shade
PREPresetmanual(_ 99)
96

[] The Shooting Menu
White balance can be selected using the White balance option in
the shooting menu (_ 148), which also can be used to fine-tune
white balance (_ 98) or measure a value for preset white balance
(_ 99).
The _ Fluorescent option in the White balance menu can be used
to select the light source from the bulb types shown at right.
[] Color Temperature
The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer and other conditions. Color
temperature is an objective measure of the color of a light source, defined with reference to
the temperature to which an object would have to be heated to radiate light in the same
wavelengths. While light sources with a color temperature in the neighborhood of 5,000-
5,500 Kappear white, light sources with a lower color temperature, such as incandescent
light bulbs, appear slightly yellow or red. Light sources with a higher color temperature
appear tinged with blue. The camera white balance options are adapted to the following
color temperatures:
•_ (sodium-vapor lamps): 2,700 K
•;_ (incandescent)/
(warm-white fluorescent): 3,000 K
• _ (white fluorescent): 3,700 K
• _ (cool-white fluorescent): 4,200K
• _ (day white fluorescent): 5,000 K
[] The Fn Button
• ;_ (direct sunlight): S,200K
• _ (flash): 5,400 K
• =1.(cloudy): 6,000K
• _ (daylight fluorescent): 6,500 K
• _ (high temp. mercury-vapor): 7,200K
• _,, (shade): 8,000 K
For information on using the Fn (_) button and the command dial for white balance, see
page _ 163.
97

Fine-Tuning White Balance
White balance can be "fine tuned" to compensate for variations in the color of the
light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image. White balance is
fine tuned using the White balance option in the shooting menu.
Display white balance options.
Todisplay the menus, press the MENUbutton.
Highlight White balance in the shooting
menu and press I_ to display white balance
options. MENUbutton
2Select a white balance option.
Highlight an option other than Preset
manual and press I_ (if Fluorescent is
selected, highlight a lighting type and press
I_). The fine-tuning options shown at right
will be displayed. Fine-tuning is not
available with Preset manual white balance.
3Fine tune white balance.
Use the multi selector to fine-tune white
balance.
Coordinates
Adjustment
Increase green
I
crease -- 9_//_l_-_K/--Increase
In
blue _____ amber
Increase magenta
[] White Balance FineTuning
The colors on the fine-tuning axesare relative, not absolute. For example, moving the
cursor to B(blue) when a"warm" setting such as_ (incandescent) is selected will
make photographs slightly "colder" but will not actually make them blue.
4Press _).
98

Preset Manual
Preset manual is used to record and recall custom white balance settings for shooting
under mixed lighting or to compensate for light sources with a strong color cast. Two
methods are available for setting preset white balance:
II MeasuringaValuefor PresetWhiteBalance
1 Light a reference object.
Place a neutral gray or white object under the lighting that will be used in the
final photograph.
2Display white balance options.
To display the menus, press the MENUbutton.
Highlight White balance in the shooting
menu and press I_ to display white balance
options. MENUbutton
3Select Preset manual.
Highlight Preset manual and press I_.
4Select Measure.
Highlight Measure and press I_. The menu
shown at right will be displayed; highlight
Yes and press _).
The message shown at right will be
displayed before the camera enters preset
measurement mode.
99

When the camera is ready to measure white
balance, a flashing P,-E (PRE)will appear in
the viewfinder and information display.
5
6
Measure white balance.
Before the indicators stop flashing, frame the
reference object so that it fills the viewfinder
and press the shutter-release button all the
way down. No photograph will be recorded; white balance can be measured
accurately even when the camera is not in focus.
Check the results.
If the camera was able to measure a value for
white balance, the message shown at right
ud in
will be displayed and '- will flash the
viewfinder for about eight seconds before
the camera returns to shooting mode. To
return to shooting mode immediately, press
the shutter-release button halfway.
If lighting is too dark or too bright, the
camera may be unable to measure white
balance. A message will appear in the l-
information display and a flashing no ud
will appear in the viewfinder. Press the
shutter-release button halfway to return to
Step 4 and measure white balance again. \\ //
// /\
1O0

_I_ Measuring Preset White Balance
If no operations are performed while the displays are flashing, direct measurement mode
will end when the exposure meters turn off. The auto meter-off delay can be changed using
Custom Setting c2 (Auto off timers; _ 157). The default setting iseight seconds.
Preset White Balance
The camera can store only one value for preset white balance at a time; the existing value will
be replaced when a new value is measured. When shooting in mode M, check the exposure
indicator to ensure that the subject isneither under- nor over-exposed (_ 85).
[] Other Methods for Measuring Preset White Balance
To enter preset measurement mode (see above) after selecting preset white balance in the
information display (_ 96), press _ for afew seconds. Ifwhite balance has been assigned to
the Fn(_) button (_ 163) and preset white balance selected by pressing the Fn (_) button
and rotating the command dial, the camera will also enter preset measurement mode if the
Fn(_) button is pressed for a few seconds.
[] Studio Settings
In studio settings, a standard gray panel can be used as a reference object when measuring
_reset white balance.
101

II CopyingWhiteBalan(efrom aPhotograph
Follow the steps below to copy a value for white balance from a photograph on the
memory card.
Select Preset manual.
Todisplay the menus, press the MENUbutton.
Highlight White balance in the shooting
menu and press I_ to display white balance
options. Highlight Preset manual and press
I_. MENUbutton
2Select Use photo.
Highlight Usephoto and press I_.
3Choose Select image.
Highlight Select image and press I_ (to skip
the remaining steps and use the image last
selected for preset white balance, select This
image).
4Choose a folder.
Highlight the folder containing the source
image and press I_.
5Highlight the source image.
Toview the highlighted image full frame,
press and hold the _, button.
6Copy white balance.
Press _) to set preset white balance to the
white balance value for the highlighted
photograph.
102

Bracketing automatically varies exposure, Active D-Lighting, or white balance slightly
with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. Choose in situations in which it is
difficult to set exposure, Active D-Lighting, or white balance and there is not time to
check results and adjust settings with each shot, or to experiment with different
settings for the same subject.
Choose a bracketing option.
Pressthe MENUbutton to display the menus,
highlight Custom Setting e2 (Auto
bracketing set), and press I_.
Highlight one of the following options and
press _).
MENUbutton
Option Description
AE AEbracketing Vary exposure over a series of three photographs.
Each time the shutter is released, the camera creates three images,
WB each with a different white balance. Not available at image quality
WB bracketing settings that include NEF (RAW).
ADL Take one photograph with Active D-Lighting off, the other at the
•_'!_ bracketing current setting for Active D-Lighting.
[] Exposure Bracketing
The camera modifies exposure by varying shutter speed and aperture (mode P),aperture
(mode S),or shutter speed (modes Aand M). If On isselected for ISOsensitivity auto control
(_ 149) in modes P,S,and A,the camera will automatically vary ISOsensitivity for optimum
exposure when the limits of the camera exposure system are exceeded. In mode M,shutter
speed will only be changed after the camera hasadjusted ISOsensitivity.
103

2
3
4
Place the cursor in the information display.
if shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the 4], button to place the cursor in the information display.
__ ,_,!;_' [ 1.0]_
[] button ,I], button
Information display
Display bracketing options.
Highlight the indicator for the selected
bracketing mode and press _).
Select a bracketing increment.
AEbracketing:Highlight a bracketing
increment and press (_). Choose from values
between 0.3 EV(AE 0.3) and 2.0 EV (AE 2.0).
WBbracketing:Highlight a bracketing
increment and press _). Choose from increments of 1 (WB 1), 2 (WB 2), and 3
(WB 3).
ADL bracketing: Highlight ADL and press _).
[] The Fn (_) Button
Bracketing increment selection can also be assigned to the Fn(_) button (_ 163).
104

5Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
AEbracketing: The camera will vary exposure
with each shot. The first shot will be taken at
the value currently selected for exposure compensation. The bracketing
increment will be subtracted from the current value in the second shot and
added in the third shot, "bracketing" the current value. The modified values can
be higher or lower than the maximum and minimum values for exposure
compensation and are reflected in the values shown for shutter speed and
aperture. Bracketing ends automatically after the third shot is taken.
Ist shot: unmodified 2nd shot: exposure reduced
[] The Bracketing Progress Indicator
During AEbracketing, progress is shown by the bracketing
indicator in the information display:
• ,o,: Camera ready to take first shot.
• ,o: Camera ready to take second shot.
0
• , :Camera ready to take third shot.
3rd sho t: exposure increased
WBbracketing:Each shot is processed to create three copies, one at the current
white balance setting, one with increased amber, and one with increased blue.
Ifthere is not enough space available on the
memory card to record three images, the
exposure count display in the viewfinder will
flash. Shooting can begin when a new
memory card is inserted.
ADLbracketing:The first shot after bracketing is activated is taken with Active
D-Lighting off, the second at the current Active D-Lighting setting (_ 94; if
Active D-Lighting isoff, the second shot will be taken with Active D-Lighting set
to Auto). Bracketing ends automatically after the second shot.
In continuous release mode, shooting will pause after each bracketing cycle. If the
camera is turned off before all shots in the bracketing sequence have been taken,
bracketing will resume from the next shot in the sequence when the camera is
turned on. To cancel bracketing before all frames have been recorded, rotate the
mode dial to a setting other than P,S,A,or M.
105

Nikon's unique Picture Control system makes it possible to share image processing
settings, including sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue, among
compatible devices and software.
Selecting a Picture Control
The camera offers six preset Picture Controls. In P,S,A,and Mmodes, you can choose
a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene (in other modes, the
camera selects a Picture Control automatically).
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the [] button.
Press the ,fl, button to place the cursor in the information display.
[] button Information display ,B,button
2Display preset Picture Controls.
Highlight the current Picture Control in the
information display and press _).
106