Nikon D700 User manual

DIGITAL CAMERA
)C)
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.
• D700 digital • Body cap • BM-9 LCD monitor
camera (pg. 3) (pp. 36, 388) cover (pg. 21)
• EN-EL3e • MH-18a quick • AN-D700 strap
rechargeable charger with (pg. 21)
Li-ion battery with power cable
terminal cover (pg. 32)
(pp. 32, 34)
• EG-D100 video
cable (pg. 255) • UC-E4 USB cable (pp. 238, 245) • BS-1accessory shoe cover (pg. 377)
• 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 to the 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 bold.
[] 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. 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

Find what you're looking for using this "question and answer"
index.
x
iii i: i
x
How do I take pictures in FX format? Image area 58
How do I take high-quality NEF (RAW) 14-bit NEF (RAW) 68
photos?
Can I use the monitor as a viewfinder? Live view 89
Can I control how photos are processed? Picture Controls 160
How do I preserve details in shadows Active D-Lighting 179
and highlights?
How do I focus on erratically moving
subjects? 3D-tracking 286
How do I tell if the camera is level? Virtual horizon 99, 346
Can I adjust focus separately for AF fine tune 347
different lenses?
How do I remove dust from the low-pass Clean image sensor 392
filter protecting the image sensor?
How do Ifocus the viewfinder? Diopter adjustment
control
How do Ikeep the monitor from turning Monitor off delay
off?
x
x
x
iiii_
x
xx
IV

Autometeroff 48,296
Viewfindergriddisplay 298
HowdoIkeeptheshutterspeedand
aperturedisplaysfromturningoff?
CanIdisplayaframinggridinthe
viewfinder?
HowdoIsettheclock?
HowdoIsettheclockfordaylight
savingstime?
HowdoIchangetimezoneswhenI
travel?
HowdoIadjustmonitorbrightnessfor
menusorplayback?
HowdoIrestoredefaultsettings?
HowdoIrestoreshootingmenu
defaults?
HowdoIrestoreCustomSetting
defaults?
HowdoIchangetheself-timerdelay?
HowdoIturnthespeakeroff?
CanIreversetheelectronicanalog
exposuredisplay?
CanIdisplaythemenusinadifferent
language?
CanIsavemenusettingsforuseona
differentD700camera?
World time 39,334
LCD brightness 332
Two-button reset 196
Reset shooting menu 271
Reset custom settings 282
Self-timer delay 297
Beep 298
Reverse indicators 330
Language 334
Save/load settings 344
i i
How do I get more information on a Help 31
menu?
How do I use the menus? Using the menus 26
Can I get quick access to frequently- My Menu 364
used settings?
Can I get quick access to recently-used Recent settings 368
settings?
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What do these indicators mean?
What information is in the shooting
information display?
What does this warning mean?
Battery level
Battery info
How much charge does the battery
have left?
How do Iget more information about
the battery?
How do I keep the file number from
being reset when I insert a new memory
card?
How do I reset file numbering to zero?
How do Iclean the camera or lens?
Viewfinder, control
panel, shooting 8, 1O,12
information display
Error messages and 409
displays
46
340
File number sequence 300
Cleaning the camera 391
How many more shots can I take 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?
Can I choose the focus point?
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?
Number of exposures 47
remaining
Image quality and size 64, 69
Autofocus 71
Focus point 76
Release mode 84
Shooting speed 86, 299
Self-timer mode 102
ISO sensitivity 106
ISO sensitivity auto 108
control

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How do Ifreeze or blur moving objects? 118
How do I blur background details or
keep both foreground and background 119
in focus?
Can Iset both shutter speed and
aperture manually? 121
Can I make photos brighter or darker? 128
How do I make a time exposure? 124
Can Ivary exposure or flash level
automatically over a series of photos?
Can Icreate multiple copies of a photo
using different white balance settings?
How do Iadjust white balance?
Can Itake pictures with a flash?
How can I reduce "red-eye"?
Exposure mode S
(shutter-priority auto)
Exposure mode R
(aperture-priority auto)
Exposure mode/I,
(manual)
Exposure compensation
Long time-exposures
(b,_,__b)
Exposure and flash
bracketing
White balance
bracketing
White balance
Flash photography, flash
mode, red-eye
reduction
131,315
135,315
139
185
188
How can I record multiple shots as a Multiple exposure 198
single photograph?
How do I reduce loss of brightness at
the edges of photographs? Vignette control 276
Fine tune optimal
Can I pickthe standard exposure level? 294
exposure
How can I reduce blur? Exposure delay mode 302
Can the flash be used at shutter speeds Flash sync speed 305
faster than 1/250 s?
Can lrecord an NEF copyofa
photograph while shooting JPEG +NEF (RAW) 322
images?
vii

Can I view my photographs on the Camera playback 218
camera?
Can I view more information about Photo info 220
photos?
Why do parts of my photos blink? Photo info, highlights 222, 264
How do Iget rid of an unwanted photo? Deleting individual
photos 236
Can I delete several photos at once? Delete 262
Can I zoom in on pictures to make sure Playback zoom 234
they're in focus?
Can I protect photos from accidental
deletion? Protect 235
Can I hide selected photos? Hide image 263
How do I tell if parts of my photos may Display mode: 264
be overexposed? highlights
How do I tell where the camera focused? Display mode: focus 264
point
Can I view photos as they are taken? Image review 265
Is there an automatic playback ("slide Slide show 266
show") option?
_ii_
¸viii
How do I bring out details in shadows in
backlit areas or areas outside the range D-Lighting 354
of the flash?
Can I get rid of red eye? Red-eye correction 355
Can l crop photographs on the camera? Trim 356
Can I create a monochrome copy of a Monochrome 357
photograph?
Can I create a copy with different colors? Filter effects 358

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Can I use the camera to create JPEG Color balance 358
copies of NEF (RAW) photographs?
Can I overlay two photos to make a
single image? Image overlay 359
Can Iview my photos on TV? Television playback 255
Can Iview my photos in High HDMI 257
Definition?
How do I copy photos to my computer?
How do I print photographs?
Can I print photos without a computer?
Can I print the date on my photographs?
How do I order professional prints?
Connecting to a 238
computer
Printing photographs 243
Printing via USB 244
Time stamp 247
Print set (DPOF) 253
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What optional flash units (Speedlights) Optional flash units 377
can I use?
What lenses can I use? Compatible lenses 370
What AC adapters, battery packs,
remote cords, and viewfinder Other accessories 385
accessories are available for my camera?
Approved memory
What memory cards can I use? cards 390
What software is available for my Other accessories 388
camera?
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 .......................................................................16
Quick Start Guide ................................................................................. 22
Tutorial 25
Camera Menus ...................................................................................... 26
Using Camera Menus .....................................................................28
Help ......................................................................................................31
First Steps ............................................................................................... 32
Charge the Battery ..........................................................................32
Insert the Battery .............................................................................34
Attach a Lens .....................................................................................36
Basic Setup .........................................................................................38
Insert a Memory Card .....................................................................41
Formatting Memory Cards ...........................................................43
Adjust Viewfinder Focus ...............................................................45
Basic Photography and Playback ................................................... 46
Deleting Unwanted Photographs ................................................. 56

Image Recording Options 57
Image Area .............................................................................................58
Image Quality ........................................................................................64
Image Size..............................................................................................69
Focus 71
Focus Mode ...........................................................................................72
AF-Area Mode .......................................................................................74
Focus Point Selection .........................................................................76
Focus Lock ..............................................................................................78
Manual Focus ........................................................................................81
Release Mode 83
Choosing a Release Mode ................................................................84
Continuous Mode ................................................................................86
Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) .............................89
Self-Timer Mode .................................................................................102
Mirror up Mode ..................................................................................104
ISO Sensitivity 105
Choosing ISO Sensitivity Manually ..............................................106
Auto ISO Sensitivity Control ..........................................................108
Exposure 111
Metering ............................................................................................... 112
Exposure Mode .................................................................................. 114
P: Programmed Auto ...................................................................116
,5:Shutter-Priority Auto ...............................................................118
R: Aperture-Priority Auto ............................................................119
!I: Manual .........................................................................................121
xi

Long Time-Exposures .......................................................................124
Autoexposure (AE) Lock ..................................................................126
Exposure Compensation .................................................................128
Bracketing ............................................................................................130
White Balance 139
White Balance Options ....................................................................140
Fine-Tuning White Balance ............................................................143
Choosing a Color Temperature ....................................................147
Preset Manual .....................................................................................148
Image Enhancement 159
Picture Controls ..................................................................................160
Creating Custom Picture Controls ..........................................168
Active D-Lighting ...............................................................................179
Color Space ..........................................................................................181
Flash Photography 183
The Built-in Flash ...............................................................................184
Using the Built-in Flash....................................................................185
Flash Modes .........................................................................................188
Flash Compensation .........................................................................190
FV Lock ..................................................................................................192
Other Shooting Options 195
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default Settings .......................196
Multiple Exposure .............................................................................198
Interval Timer Photography ...........................................................203
Non-CPU Lenses .................................................................................210
Using a GPS Unit ................................................................................213
xii

More About Playback 217
Full-Frame Playback ......................................................................... 218
Photo Information ............................................................................. 220
Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback ..................... 232
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom ........................................ 234
Protecting Photographs from Deletion ..................................... 235
Deleting Individual Photographs ................................................ 236
Connections 237
Connecting to a Computer ............................................................ 238
Direct USB Connection ...............................................................240
Wireless and Ethernet Networks .............................................242
Printing Photographs ....................................................................... 243
Direct USB Connection ...............................................................244
Viewing Photographs on TV .......................................................... 255
Standard Definition Devices .....................................................255
High-Definition Devices .............................................................257
Menu Guide 259
[] The Playback Menu: Managing Images ............................... 260
Delete ..............................................................................................
Playback Folder .........................................................................263
Hide Image ..................................................................................263
Display Mode .............................................................................264
Image Review .............................................................................265
After Delete ................................................................................265
Rotate Tall ...................................................................................265
Slide Show ...................................................................................266
Print Set (DPOF) ........................................................................267
I_I The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options .............................. 268
Shooting Menu Bank ...............................................................269
Reset Shooting Menu ..............................................................271
xiii

Active Folder ..............................................................................272
File Naming ................................................................................274
Image Quality ............................................................................274
Image Size...................................................................................274
Image Area .................................................................................274
JPEG Compression ...................................................................275
NEF (RAW) Recording .............................................................275
White Balance ............................................................................275
Set Picture Control ...................................................................275
Manage Picture Control .........................................................275
Color Space ................................................................................275
Active D-Lighting .....................................................................276
Vignette Control .......................................................................276
Long Exp. NR (Long Exposure Noise Reduction) ..........277
High ISO NR................................................................................278
ISO Sensitivity Settings ..........................................................278
Live View .....................................................................................278
Multiple Exposure ....................................................................278
Interval Timer Shooting .........................................................279
Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings .............. 280
Custom Setting Bank ..............................................................282
Reset Custom Settings ...........................................................282
a: Autofocus ....................................................................................283
at: AF-C Priority Selection .....................................................283
a2: AF-S Priority Selection .....................................................284
a3: Dynamic AF Area ...............................................................285
a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On .......................................287
aS: AF Activation ......................................................................287
a6: AF Point lllumination .......................................................288
a7: Focus Point Wrap-Around .............................................288
aB: AF Point Selection .............................................................289
a9: Built-in AF-Assist llluminator .........................................290
at0: AF-On for MB-DI0 ..........................................................291
b: Metering/Exposure .................................................................292
hi: ISO Sensitivity Step Value ..............................................292
b2: EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl ...........................................292
b3: Exp Comp/Fine Tune .......................................................292
b4: Easy Exposure Compensation ......................................293
xiv

bS: Center-Weighted Area ....................................................294
b6: Fine Tune Optimal Exposure .........................................294
c: Timers/AE Lock ..........................................................................296
cl :Shutter-Release Button AE-L .........................................296
c2: Auto Meter-off Delay ........................................................296
c3: Self-Timer Delay .................................................................297
c4: Monitor off Delay ...............................................................297
d: Shooting/Display ......................................................................298
dl: Beep .......................................................................................298
d2: Viewfinder Grid Display ..................................................298
d3: Screen Tips ...........................................................................298
d4: CL Mode Shooting Speed ..............................................299
dS: Max. Continuous Release ...............................................299
d6: File Number Sequence ....................................................300
d7: Shooting Info Display ......................................................301
d8: LCD Illumination ................................................................302
dg: Exposure Delay Mode ......................................................302
d 10:MB-D10 Battery Type ....................................................302
dl 1: Battery Order ....................................................................304
e: Bracketing/Flash .......................................................................305
el: Flash Sync Speed ...............................................................305
e2: Flash Shutter Speed ..........................................................308
e3: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash ...........................................309
e4: Modeling Flash ...................................................................315
eS: Auto Bracketing Set ..........................................................315
e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M) .............................................316
e7: Bracketing Order ................................................................317
f: Controls .........................................................................................318
fl : :_: Switch ................................................................................318
f2: Multi Selector Center Button ..........................................318
f3: Multi Selector .......................................................................319
f4: Photo Info/Playback ..........................................................320
fS: Assign FUNC. Button .........................................................320
f6: Assign Preview Button ......................................................324
f7: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button ..................................................325
f8: Shutter Speed and Aperture Lock ................................326
fg: Customize Command Dials ............................................326
fl 0: Release Button to Use Dial ............................................328
fl 1: No Memory Card? ............................................................329
XV

f12:ReverseIndicators...........................................................330
TheSetupMenu:CameraSetup...............................................331
FormatMemoryCard.............................................................332
LCDBrightness..........................................................................332
CleanImageSensor.................................................................332
LockMirrorupforCleaning.................................................332
VideoMode................................................................................333
HDMI.............................................................................................333
WorldTime.................................................................................334
Language....................................................................................334
ImageComment......................................................................335
AutoImageRotation..............................................................336
DustoffRefPhoto....................................................................337
BatteryInfo.................................................................................340
WirelessTransmitter...............................................................341
ImageAuthentication............................................................342
CopyrightInformation...........................................................343
Save/LoadSettings..................................................................344
GPS................................................................................................346
VirtualHorizon..........................................................................346
Non-CPULensData.................................................................346
AFFineTune..............................................................................347
FirmwareVersion.....................................................................348
TheRetouchMenu:CreatingRetouchedCopies.............349
D-Lighting...................................................................................354
Red-EyeCorrection..................................................................355
Trim...............................................................................................356
Monochrome.............................................................................357
FilterEffects................................................................................358
ColorBalance.............................................................................358
ImageOverlay...........................................................................359
Side-by-SideComparison.....................................................362
MyMenu:CreatingaCustomMenu......................................364
DisplayingRecentSettings.......................................................368
xvi

Technical Notes 369
Compatible Lenses ...........................................................................370
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) ..............................................377
Other Accessories ..............................................................................385
Caring for the Camera ......................................................................391
Storage ..............................................................................................391
Cleaning ...........................................................................................391
The Low-Pass Filter .......................................................................392
"Clean Now". ..............................................................................392
"Clean at Startup/Shutdown". .............................................393
Manual Cleaning .......................................................................395
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions ..........................398
Troubleshooting ................................................................................402
Error Messages ...................................................................................409
Appendix ..............................................................................................417
Specifications ......................................................................................428
Index .......................................................................................................438
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