Nikon D800 Quick start guide

Technical Guide

ii
Introduction
This “Technical Guide” details the principal techniques used
to create two of the more technically advanced photographs
in the D800/D800E brochure. Take this opportunity to admire
the skills of professional photographers who have mastered
the D800/D800E.
While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E
resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side
eect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result
of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more
noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over
30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the
causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings
and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best
possible subjects.

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Table of Contents
Introduction iIntroduction iii
Shooting TechniquesShooting Techniques 22
Still Subjects...............................................................................2
Lesson 1: Use a Tripod.................................................................. 5
Lesson 2: Use Live View ............................................................... 6
Lesson 3: Avoid Very Small Apertures .................................11
Same Shot with Viewnder Framing ....................................13
Portrait Subjects..................................................................... 14
Lesson 1: Choose the Proper Focus Settings .....................17
Lesson 2: Choose the Proper Exposure Settings ..............18
Learn from Mistakes: Same Shot, Dierent Focus Point ... 21
Quick Tips 2Quick Tips 222
1. High ISO Sensitivity........................................................... 22
2. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control ............................................ 24
3. Improving Optical Performance ..................................... 26
4. Backlit Portraits.................................................................. 28
The D800EThe D800E 3030
1. High Resolution Images with the D800E .......................30
2. Aperture and Complex Subjects..................................... 32
3. Color Aliasing and Moiré ................................................. 34
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2
Shooting Techniques
Still Subjects
—Keeping Blur to a Minimum—

3

4
Shooting Techniques
At the high resolutions oered by the D800/D800E, even the
slightest camera shake can result in blur. The technique re-
vealed in this section minimizes blur through a combination
of live view photography and the use of a tripod.
Technical Data
■Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED ■Exposure mode:
Manual ■Shutter speed: 1 s ■Aperture: f/8 ■White balance:
Choose color temp. (5000 K) ■ISO sensitivity: 100 ■Picture con-
trol: Standard
Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed
using Capture NX 2.
Photo © Benjamin Anthony Monn

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Still Subjects
Lesson 1: Use a Tripod
Use a tripod to reduce blur when
photographing static subjects. It
should be as sturdy as possible;
avoid extending the legs or center
column farther than necessary. A
large head helps keep the camera
steady.
Tripod Mode
Some lenses, such as the AF-S
NIKKOR 200 –400mm f/4G ED
VR II, oer vibration reduction
with a TRIPOD option that is par-
ticularly eective at reducing
blur at shutter speeds of ⁄–1 s.
This option is generally recom-
mended when the camera is
mounted on a tripod. The NOR-
MAL option is preferred, howev-
er, if the tripod head is not xed
or when a monopod is used.

6
Shooting Techniques
Lesson 2: Use Live View
Live view can be used to achieve sharper focus and prevent
blur.
Live View Photography
Rotate the live view selector to Cand press ato raise the
mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor.
Live view selector abutton

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Still Subjects
Why Use Live View?
1. The mirror is raised prior to shooting, reducing blur.
At the high resolutions oered by the D800/D800E, even the
slight movement that occurs when the mirror is raised can
sometimes be enough to blur photographs. With live view,
the mirror is raised well before the shutter is released, reduc-
ing one possible cause of blur.
Reducing Blur with Viewnder Framing
If the live view display is dicult to see outdoors or under
bright ambient light, use the viewnder to frame photo-
graphs. Use mirror-up mode when using the viewnder
to frame photos to reduce the blur that sometimes occurs
when the mirror is raised. Press the release mode dial lock
release and rotate the release mode dial to MUP.
After focusing, press the shutter-release button all the way
down once to raise the mirror and again to release the
shutter. An optional remote cord can be used to prevent
the camera from moving when the shutter-release button
is pressed, or an option other than O can be selected for
Custom Setting d4 (Exposure delay mode) to delay shutter
release until 1–3 s after the mirror is raised. Use of a tripod
is recommended.

8
Shooting Techniques
Why Use Live View?
2. Focus anywhere in the frame.
With live view, the multi selector can be used to
position the focus point anywhere in the frame,
regardless of the options selected for AF/MF and
autofocus.
The ability to position the focus point anywhere within the
monitor’s angle of view greatly expands the range in which
the camera can focus.
In autofocus mode, press the shutter-release button halfway,
or press the Bbutton, to focus on the subject in the select-
ed focus point. In manual focus mode, focus can be adjusted
by rotating the lens focus ring.