Nikon D700 User manual

DIGITAL CAMERA
)C)
User's Manual

Release Mode
- Single Frame, Continuous, Live View, Self-Timer, or
Mirror Up
Release mode determines how the camera takes photographs:
one at a time, in a continuous sequence, with the view through the
lens displayed in the monitor, with a timed shutter-release delay,
or with the mirror raised to enhance shutter response and
minimize vibration.
Choosing a Release Mode ............................................... pg. 84
Continuous Mode ..................................................... pg. 86
Framing Pictures in the Monitor (Live View) ............... pg. 89
Self-Timer Mode ............................................................ pg. 102
Mirror up Mode .............................................................. pg. 104
83

The camera supports the following release modes:
Mode Description
S Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-release
Single frame button is pressed.
CL While shutter-release button is held down, camera records
Continuous 1-5 frames per second. 1 Frame rate can be chosen using
low speed Custom Setting d4 (C/mode shooting speed, pg. 299).
CH While shutter-release button is held down, camera records
Continuous
high speed up to 5 frames per second. 2
Frame pictures in monitor (pg. 89). Recommended at high
[] or low angles or in other situations in which viewfinder is
Live view hard to use or when enlarged view in monitor can assist in
obtaining very precise focus.
Use self-timer for self-portraits orto reduce blurring caused
Self-timer by camera shake (pg. 102).
Choose this mode to minimize camera shake in telephoto
MuP or close-up photography or in other situations in which the
Mirror up slightest camera movement can result in blurred
photographs (pg. 104).
1 Average frame rate with an EN-EL3e battery, continuous-servo AF, manual
or shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster,
remaining settings other than Custom Setting d4 at default values, and
memory remaining in memory buffer.
2 Average frame rate with an EN-EL3e battery, continuous-servo AF, manual
or shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster, other
settings at default values, and memory remaining in memory buffer.
84

To choose a release mode, press
the release mode dial lock release
and turn the release mode dial to
the desired setting.
Releasemode dial
lock release
Releasemode dial
85

To take pictures in CH(continuous high speed) and CL(continuous
low speed) modes:
1Select CHor CLmode.
Press the release mode dial
lock release and turn the
release mode dial to CHor C[.
Releasemode
dial
2Frame a photograph, focus, and
shoot.
While the shutter-release button is
pressed all the way down, pictures will be taken at up to 5 fps
in continuous high speed mode, or at the frame rate selected
for Custom Setting d4 (CL mode shooting speed, pg. 299) in
continuous low speed mode.
86

[] Power Source and Frame Rate
The maximum frame advance rate varies with the power source used.
1 Average frame rate with continuous-servo AF, manual or shutter-priority auto
exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster, other settings at default values, and
memory remaining in memory buffer. If MB-D10 is used with AA batteries,
frame rate slows at low temperatures or when batteries are low.
2 Maximum frame advance rate is 5 fps, even when higher values are selected for
Custom Setting d4 (CL mode shooting speed, pg. 299).
3 Maximum frame rate in CLmode is 7fps.
[] Buffer Size
The approximate number of images that can be
stored in the memory buffer at current settings is
shown in the exposure-count displays in the
viewfinder and control panel while the shutter-
release button is pressed. The illustration at right
shows the display when space remains in the
buffer for about 33 pictures.
|
87

[] The Memory Buffer
The camera isequipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage,
allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being savedto the
memory card. Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession; note,
however, that frame rate will drop when the buffer is full.
While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the access
lamp next to the memory card slot will light. Depending on the number
of the images in the buffer, recording may take from a few seconds to a
few minutes. Do not remove the memory card or remove or disconnect the
power source until the access lamp has gone out. If the camera is switched
off while data remain in the buffer, the power will not turn off until all
images in the buffer have been recorded. If the battery is exhausted while
images remain in the buffer, the shutter release will be disabled and the
images transferred to the memory card.
[] See Also
For information on choosing the maximum number of photographs that
can be taken in a single burst, see Custom Setting d5 (Max. continuous
release, pg. 299). For information on the number of pictures that can be
taken in a single burst, see page 423.
88

Framing Pictures in the Monitor
(Live_ew)
Select live view (1_) mode to frame pictures in the monitor.
I Rotate the release mode dial to []. ]
€
I Choose live view options in shooting menu (pg. 90). /
J
I
I
_ Hand-held (pg. 93)
Raise mirror and
monitor.
Frame picture in monitor.
Focus.
Mirror clicks down and monitor
turns off. €
Check view in monitor.
Monitor turns on when shutter-
release button is pressed.
€
I
Tripod (pg. 96)
Frame a picture in the
viewfinder and focus.
!
I Focus.
Press_ button to
zoom in and
check focus.
89

Live View Options
Before taking pictures using live view, rotate
the mode dial to [] (live view) and choose a
live view mode and the release mode that
will be used while the camera is in live view
mode. The following live view modes are
available:
Option Description
Choose when taking hand-held shots of moving
m{ Hand-held subjects, or when framing photographs at angles that
(default) make it difficult to use the viewflnder (pg. 93). Camera
focuses normally using phase-detection autofocus.
Choose when the camera is mounted on a tripod. View
can be enlarged in monitor for precise focus, making
this mode suitable for static subjects (pg. 96). Autofocus
Tripod can be used to compose photographs with subject
positioned at any point in the frame without
recomposing photograph. Camera focuses using
contrast-detect autofocus.
9O
[] Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AF
The camera normally uses phase-detection autofocus, in which focus is
adjusted based on data from a special focusing sensor. When Tripod is
selected in live view, however, the camera uses contrast-detect autofocus,
in which the camera analyses the data from the image sensor and adjusts
focus to produce the greatest contrast. Contrast-detect autofocus takes
longer than phase-detection autofocus.

Release mode can be chosen from the following options:
Option :_'I _°°_ Description
$ Single frame Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-
release button is pressed.
(default)
Continuous
OL low-speed
Continuous
OH high-speed
While shutter-release button is held down, camera
records photographs in continuous low speed or
continuous high speed mode (pg. 87).
1Select Liveview.
2
3
In the shooting menu (pg.
268), highlight Live view and
press I_. @
Select Live view mode.
Highlight Live view mode and
press I_. @
Select a live view mode.
Highlight the desired mode
and press Q to return to the
live view menu.
91

4Select Release mode.
5
6
Highlight Release mode and
press I_.
Select a release mode.
Highlight the release mode
that will be during live view
and press 0.
Exit to shooting mode.
Press the shutter-release button halfway
to exit the menus and return to shooting
mode.
92

Hand-Held Mode
1Select live view mode.
Press the release mode dial
lock release and turn the
release mode dial to I_.
Release mode
dial
2Press the shutter-release
button all the way down.
The mirror will be raised and L:t
the view through the lens will
be displayed in the camera
monitor instead of the viewfinder (for improved focus, pause
briefly with the shutter-release button pressed halfway before
pressing it the rest of the way down). To exit without taking a
picture, rotate the release mode dial to another setting or
press MENU.
[] Assigning Live View Mode to a Button
If Live view is selected for Custom Setting f5 (Assign FUNC. button, pg. 320)
and a mode dial is set to mode other than [] or MuP,the Fnbutton can be
used to turn live view mode on and off. This allows the self-timer to be used
in live view mode. Note that the camera will use the release mode selected
with the release mode dial (pg. 84) rather than the mode selected in the
Release mode menu. If desired, this function can also be assigned to the
depth-of-field preview button (pg. 324) or the AE-L/AF-Lbutton (pg. 325). 93

3Frame a picture in the monitor.
To magnify the view in the monitor up to 13 x, press the
button.
button
While the view through the lens is zoomed in, a
navigation window will appear in the bottom right
corner of the display. Use the multi selector to scroll
within the AF area brackets.
4Focus.
Autofocus(focus mode Sor C):
Press the shutter-release
button halfway or press the
AF-ONbutton. The camera will
focus normally and set
exposure. Note that the mirror will click back into place while
either button is pressed, temporarily interrupting live view.
Live view is restored when the button is released. The focus
point can be selected using the multi selector.
Manualfocus (focus mode M; pg. 81): Focus using the lens
focusing ring. The focus point for electronic range finding can
be selected using the multi selector.
94

5Take the picture.
Press the shutter-release button the rest
of the way down to reset focus and
exposure and take the picture. If continuous high speed or
continuous low speed is selected for Release mode, the
monitor will turn off while the shutter-release button is
pressed. The frame advance rate for continuous mode is the
same as that selected for standard shooting.
_I_ No Picture
After shooting, play the picture back in the monitor to ensure that the
photograph has been recorded. Note that the sound the mirror makes
when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway or the AF-ONbutton is
pressed can be mistaken for the sound of the shutter, and that pressing
the shutter-release button all the way down when the camera is unable to
focus in single-servo AF will end live view without a photograph being
recorded. 95

Tripod Mode
1Readythe camera.
Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level
surface.
2 Select live view mode.
Press the release mode dial
lock release and turn the
release mode dial to I]_.
Release mode dial
3Framea picture in
the viewfinder. AF-ONbutton
Frame a picture in
the viewfinder and
select a focus point
using the multi
selector, then press the AF-ONbutton. The camera will focus
normally and set exposure. Note that the camera can not be
focused by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.
4Press the shutter-release
button all the way down.
The mirror will be raised and
the view through the lens will
be displayed in the camera
monitor. The subject will no
longer be visible in the viewfinder. To exit without taking a
picture, rotate the release mode dial to another setting or
press MENU.
96

5Check the view in the monitor.
To magnify the view in the monitor up to 13 x and check
focus, press the _ button.
button
While the view through the lens is zoomed in, a
navigation window will appear in the bottom right
corner of the display. Use the multi selector to scroll
to areas of the frame not visible in the monitor.
Press 0 to exit zoom.
Autofocus(focus mode Sor C):In
tripod mode, the focus point
for contrast-detect autofocus
can be moved to any point in
the frame using the multi
selector. To focus using
contrast-detect autofocus,
press the AF-ONbutton. The
focus point will blink green and
the monitor may brighten
while the camera focuses. If
Contrast-detect AF point
the camera is able to focus using contrast-detect autofocus,
the focus point will be displayed in green; if the camera is
unable to focus, the focus point will blink red.
Manualfocus(focus mode M;pg. 81): Use zoom for
precise focus.
97

6Take the picture.
Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way
down to take the picture. If continuous high speed
or continuous low speed is selected for Release mode, the
monitor will turn off while the shutter-release button is
pressed. The frame advance rate for continuous mode is the
same as that selected for standard shooting.
98
[I_ Contrast-Detect Autofocus
The camera will not continue to adjust focus while the AF-ONbutton is
pressed in continuous-servo autofocus mode. In both single-servo and
continuous-servo autofocus modes, the shutter can be released even
when the camera is not in focus.
[I_ Focusing with Contrast-Detect Autofocus
Contrast-detect autofocus will take longer than normal (phase-detection)
autofocus. In the following situations, the camera may be unable to focus
using contrast-detect autofocus:
• The camera is not mounted on a tripod
• The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame
• The subject lacks contrast
• The subject in the focus point contains areas of sharply contrasting
brightness, or the subject is lit by spot lighting or by a neon sign or other
light source that changes in brightness
• A cross (star) filter or other special filter is used
• The subject appears smaller than the focus point
• The subject is dominated by regular geometric patterns (e.g., windows
in a skyscraper)
• The subject is moving

Notethatthefocuspointmaysometimesbedisplayedingreenwhenthe
cameraisunabletofocus.
UseanAF-Slens.Thedesiredresultsmaynotbeachievedwithother
lensesorteleconverters.
[] The Shooting Information Display
To hide or display indicators in the monitor in live view mode, press the []
button.
Shooting information on Shooting information off
Virtual horizon
(not displayed during zoom) Framing guides (not displayed during zoom)
AF area brackets are displayed only in hand held mode.
Hand held Tripod
99

_I_ Shooting in Live View Mode
Although they will not appear in the final picture, banding or distortion
may be visible in the monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium
lamps or if the camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at high
speed through frame. Bright light sources may leave after-images in the
monitor when the camera is panned. Bright spots may also appear. When
shooting in live view mode, avoid pointing the camera at the sun or other
strong light sources. Failureto observe this precaution could result in
damage to the camera's internal circuitry.
Live view shooting ends automatically if the lens is removed.
Metering can not be changed in live view mode. Choose a metering
method before selecting live view mode.
Live view mode can be used for up to an hour.
Note, however, that when used in live view mode
for extended periods, the camera may become
noticeably warm and the temperature of its
internal circuits may rise,resulting in image noise
and unusual colors. To prevent damage to the
camera's internal circuits, live view shooting will
end automatically before the camera overheats. A count-down display
will appear in the monitor 30 s before shooting ends. At high ambient
temperatures, this display may appear immediately when live view mode
is selected.
Close the viewfinder eyepiece shutter after focusing. This prevents light
entering via the viewfinder from interfering with exposure.
To reduce blur in tripod mode, choose On for Custom Setting d9
(Exposure delay mode, pg. 302).
100

[] Monitor Brightness
Monitor brightness can be adjusted by pressing
the [] button while the view through the monitor
is displayed. Press • or •to adjust brightness
(note that monitor brightness has no effect on
pictures taken in live view mode). To return to live
view, release the [] button.
[] HDMI
When the camera is attached to an HDMI
video device, the camera monitor will turn
off and the video device will display the
view through the lens as shown at right.
[] Remote Cords
If the shutter-release button on a remote cord (available separately; see
pg. 389) is pressed halfway for over a second in tripod mode, it will
activate contrast-detect autofocus. If the remote cord shutter-release
button is pressed all the way down without focusing, focus will not be
adjusted before the picture is taken.
101