Nikon D800E User manual

Nikon
DIGITAL CAMERA
User's Manual

To determine how the
camera sets shutter
speed and aperture
when adjusting
exposure, press the MODE
(_0_)button and rotate
the main command dial
until the desired option
appears in the control
panel.
MODE(_0_) button
Main command dial
[] Lens Types
When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring (_ 373), lock
the aperture ring at the minimum aperture (highest f-number). Type G
lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring.
Non-CPU lenses can only be used in exposure mode/t (aperture-priority
auto) and _ (manual). In other modes, exposure mode/t is
automatically selected when a non-CPU lens is attached (_ 371,374).
The exposure mode indicator (P or,_q)will blink in the control panel and
A will be displayed in the viewfinden
[] Depth-of-Field Preview
To preview the effects of aperture, press and
hold the depth-of-field preview button. The lens
will be stopped down to the aperture value
selected by the camera (modes Pand 5) or the
value chosen by the user (modes/t and _),
allowing depth of field to be previewed in the
viewfinden
[] Custom Setting e4--Modeling Flash
This setting controls whether the built-in flash and optional flash units
such as the SB-91 O,SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, and SB-600 (_ 381) will
emit a modeling flash when the depth-of-field preview button is
3ressed. See page 307 for more information.
Depth-of-field
preview button
117

P: Programmed Auto
In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and
aperture according to a built-in program to ensure optimal
exposure in most situations. This mode is recommended for
snapshots and other situations in which you want to leave the
camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture.
[] Flexible Program
In exposure mode P, different combinations of
shutter speed and aperture can be selected by
rotating the main command dial while the
exposure meters are on ("flexible program").
Rotate the dial to the right for large apertures
(small f-numbers) that blur background details
or fast shutter speeds that "freeze" motion.
Rotate the dial to the left for small apertures
(large f-numbers) that increase depth of field or
slow shutter speeds that blur motion. All
combinations produce the same exposure.
While flexible program is in effect, an asterisk
(":_") appears in the control panel. To restore
Main command dial
default shutter speed and aperture settings, rotate the dial until the
asterisk is no longer displayed, choose another mode, or turn the
camera off.
[] See Also
See page 411 for information on the built-in exposure program. For
information on activating the exposure meters, see "Auto Meter Off" on
page 42.
118

.c,:Shutter-Priority Auto
In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the
camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the
optimal exposure. Use slow shutter speeds to suggest motion by
blurring moving objects, fast shutter speeds to "freeze" motion.
Fast shutter speed (1/1,6oos) Slow shutter speed (1/6 s)
To choose a shutter
speed, rotate the main
command dial while
the exposure meters
are on. Shutter speed
can be setto"x 25o"or
to values between 30 s
and 1/8,000s.
(_ 126).
Main command dial
Shutter speed can be locked at the selected setting
119

R: Aperture-Priority Auto
In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera
automatically selects the shutter speed that will produce the
optimal exposure. Large apertures (low f-numbers) increase flash
range (_ 187) and reduce depth of field, blurring objects behind
and in front of the main subject. Small apertures (high f-numbers)
increase depth of field, bringing out details in the background and
foreground. Short field depths are generally used in portraits to
blur background details, long field depths in landscape
photographs to bring the foreground and background into focus.
Small aperture (f/36)
To choose an aperture
between the minimum
and maximum values
for the lens, rotate the
sub-command dial
while the exposure
meters are on. Aperture
Large aperture (f/2.8)
5._
Sub-command dial
can be locked at the selected setting (_ 126).
120

[] Non-CPU Lenses (_ 371,374)
Use the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture.
If the maximum aperture of the lens has been
specified using the Non-CPU lens data item
in setup menu (_ 213) when a non-CPU lens is
attached, the current f-number will be
displayed in the viewfinder and control panel,
rounded to the nearest full stop. Otherwise
the aperture displays will show only the
number of stops (_F, with maximum aperture displayed as _FS) and the
f-number must be read from the lens aperture ring.
121

ri: Manual
In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and
aperture. While the exposure meters are on, rotate the main
command dial to choose a shutter speed, and the sub-command
dial to set aperture. Shutter speed can be set to "x 25o" or to
values between 30 s and 1/8,000s, or the shutter can be held open
indefinitely for a long time-exposure (b,_,,'_b, _ 124). Aperture
can be set to values between the minimum and maximum values
for the lens. Use the exposure indicators to check exposure.
Aperture
Shutter
speed
Sub-command dial 2
Main command dial
Shutter speed and aperture can be locked at the selected
setting (_ 126).
122

[] AFMicro NIKKORLenses
Providedthat an externalexposure meteris used,the exposure ratio need
only be taken into account when the lens aperture ring is usedto set
aperture.
[] Exposure Indicators
The exposure indicatorsin the viewfinder and control panel show
whether the photograph would be under- or over-exposed at current
settings. Depending on the option chosen for Custom Setting b2 (EV
steps for exposure cntrl, _ 287),the amount of under- or over-
exposure is shown in increments ofl/3 EV,1/2EV,or 1EV. Ifthe limits of
the exposure metering system are exceeded, the exposure indicators
and the shutter speed (modes Pand FI)and/or aperture (modes Pand
5) displays will flash.
[] See Also
For information reversing the exposure indicators so that negative
values are displayed on the right and positive values on the left, see
Custom Setting f12 (Reverse indicators, _ 319).
123

Atashutterspeedofb,_,Lb, the shutter will remain open while the
shutter-release button is held down. Use for long time-exposure
photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or
fireworks. A tripod and optional remote cord (_ 390) are
recommended to prevent blur.
Shutter speed: 35 s; aperture: f/2S
1 Ready the camera.
Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level
surface. If you are using an optional remote cord, attach it to
the camera.
[] Long Time-Exposures
Close the viewfinder eyepiece shutter to prevent light entering via
the viewfinder from appearing in the photograph or interfering
with exposure. Nikon recommends using a fully charged EN-EL15
battery or an optional EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power
connector to prevent loss of power while the shutter is open. Note
that noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) may
be present in long exposures; before shooting, choose On for the
Long exposure NR option in the shooting menu (_ 277).
124

2Select exposure
mode M.
Press the MODE(_0_)
button and rotate
the main command
dial until/I is
displayed in the
control panel.
MODE(_0_) button
Main command dial
3Choose a shutter speed.
4
5
While the exposure meters are on, rotate
the main command dial until "bu Lb"
appears in the shutter-speed displays.
The exposure indicators do not appear
when "bu Lb" is selected.
Press the shutter-release button all the way down.
Press the shutter-release button on the camera or remote cord
all the way down. The shutter will remain open while the
shutter-release button is pressed.
Release the shutter-release button.
Remove your finger from the shutter-release button to record
the photograph.
125

Shutter speed lock is available in shutter-priority auto and manual
exposure modes, aperture lock in aperture-priority auto and
manual exposure modes. Shutter speed and aperture lock are not
available in programmed auto exposure mode.
1 Assign shutter speed and aperture lock to a camera
control.
Select Shutter spd & aperture lock asthe "button +
command dials" option in the Custom Settings menu (_ 314).
Shutter speed and aperture lock can be assigned to the Fn
button (Custom Setting f4, Assign Fn button, _ 311), the
depth-of-field preview button (Custom Setting f5, Assign
preview button, _ 315), or the _:[AE-L/AF-Lbutton (Custom
Setting f6, Assign AE-L/AF-L button, _ 315).
2Lock shutter speed and/or aperture.
Shutterspeed(exposuremodesSand/I): Press the selected button
and rotate the main command dial until [] icons appear in the
viewfinder and control panel.
Fnbutton Main command dial
[] _ _._]Kj
To unlock shutter speed, press the button and rotate the main
command dial until the [] icons disappear from the displays.
126

Aperture(exposuremodesRand/I): Press the selected button and
rotate the sub-command dial until [] icons appear in the
viewfinder and the control panel.
Fnbutton Sub-command dial
To unlock aperture, press the button and rotate the sub-
command dial until the [] icons disappear from the displays.
[] See Also
Use Custom Setting f7 (Shutter spd & aperture lock; _ 316) to keep
shutter speed and/or aperture locked at the selected values.
127

Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after using
center-weighted metering and spot metering to meter exposure.
Note that matrix metering will not produce the desired results.
1 Lock 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 exposure (if you are using
autofocus, confirm that the • in-focus
indicator appears in the viewfinder).
While exposure lock is in effect, an AE-L
indicator will appear in the viewfinder.
Shutter-release
button
_I:[AE-I.JAF-Lbutton
2Recompose the
photograph.
Keeping the _:[AE-L/AF-Lbutton
pressed, recompose the
photograph and shoot.
128

[] Metered Area
In spot metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in a
4-mm (0.16 in.) circle centered on the selected focus point. In center-
weighted metering, exposure will be locked at the value metered in a
12-mm circle in the center of the viewfinder.
[] Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture
While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be changed
without altering the metered value for exposure:
Blposuremode Setting
PShutter speed and aperture (flexible program; _ 118)
SShutter speed
/:I Aperture
The new values can be confirmed in the viewfinder and control panel.
Note that the metering method can not be changed while exposure
lock is in effect (changes to metering take effect when the lock is
released).
[] See Also
If On is selected for Custom Setting cl (Shutter-release button AE-L,
290), exposure will lock when the shutter-release button is pressed
halfway. For information on changing the role of the _I:[AE-I./AF-[button
see Custom Setting f6 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, _ 315).
129

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
(_ 115). Choose from values between -5 EV(underexposure) and
+5 EV(overexposure) in increments of 1/3 EV. In general, positive
values make the subject brighter while negative values make it
darker.
-1 EV No exposure +1 EV
compensation
To choose a value for exposure compensation, press the [] button
and rotate the main command dial until the desired value is
displayed in the viewfinder or control panel.
[] button Main command
dial
+0 EV -0.3 EV +2.0 EV
([] button pressed)
130

At values other than _+0.0,the 0 at the
center of the exposure indicators will flash
(exposure modes P, E_,and zqonly) and a []
icon will be displayed in the viewfinder and
control panel after you release the []
button. The current value for exposure
compensation can be confirmed in the
•_? ---_
exposure indicator by pressing the [] button.
Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure
compensation to _+0.0. Exposure compensation is not reset when
the camera is turned off.
[] Exposure Mode M
In exposure mode _, 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 b3 (Exp./flash comp. step
value, _ 287). For information on making adjustments to exposure
compensation without pressing the [] button, see Custom Setting b4
(Easy exposure compensation, _ 288). For information on
automatically varying exposure, flash level, white balance, or Active
D-Lighting, see page 132.
131

Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active
D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot,
"bracketing" the current value. Choose in situations in which it is
difficult to set exposure, flash level (i-TTL and, where supported,
auto aperture flash control modes only; see pages 185, 301, and
382), 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.
I I Exposureand FlashBracketing
To vary exposure and/or flash level over a series of photographs:
Exposure modified by: Exposure modified by: Exposure modified by:
0 EV -I EV +I EV
132

2
Select flash or exposure
bracketing for Custom
Setting e5 (Auto
bracketing set) in the
Custom Settings menu.
To display the menus, press
the MENUbutton. Select
Custom Setting e5 (Auto
bracketing set) in the
Custom Settings menu,
highlight an option, and
press 0. Choose AE &
MENUbutton
Q button
flash to vary both exposure and flash level, AE only to vary
only exposure, or Flash only to vary only flash level.
Choose the number of shots.
Pressing the BKT button, rotate the main command dial to
choose the number of shots in the bracketing sequence. The
number of shots is shown in the control panel.
BKTbutton
lJJ-
Main command
dial Exposureandflash
bracketing indicator
At settings other than zero, a _ icon
and exposure and flash bracketing
indicators will appear in the control
panel and BKT will be displayed in the
viewfinder.
133

3Select an exposure increment.
Pressing the BKT button, rotate the sub-command dial to
choose the exposure increment.
.......-I '
BKT button Sub-command
dial
Exposure increment
3F
Control panel
At default settings, the size of the increment can be chosen
from 1/3,2/3, and 1 EV. The bracketing programs with an
increment of 1/3 EVare listed below.
+3F 0.3 .........._,:.......*3o/+o.3/+o.7
u._ ....... _?......... ÷ 3 0/-0.7/-0.3
+2F n_-U._ ......... _i........ +2 0/+0.3
-- 8F,_.3......... -_.........÷2o/-o.3
3Fn_-
U.:t ........ i_i........ ÷ 3 0/-0.3/+0.3
................................................_....................................................................d_:ff:6_°:_?+6
0/-1.0/-0.7/-0.3/+0.3/
"_:_3. ....................,,,,,,, ÷ 7 +0.7/+1.0
0/- 1.3/- 1.0/-0.7/-0.3/
gF_. ....................U.=( ,,,,h,,, + 9 +0.3/+0.7/+I.0/+I.3
134
[] See Also
For information on choosing the size of the exposure increment, see
Custom Setting b2 (EV steps for exposure cntrl, _ 287). For
information on choosing the order in which bracketing is performed,
see Custom Setting e7 (Bracketing order, _ 308). For information on
choosing the role of the BKT button, see Custom Setting f8 (Assign BKT
button, _ 316).

4Frame a photograph, focus, and
shoot.
The camera will vary exposure and/or flash level shot-by-shot
according to the bracketing program selected. Modifications
to exposure are added to those made with exposure
compensation (see page 130), making it possible to achieve
exposure compensation values of more than 5 EV.
While bracketing is in effect, a bracketing progress indicator
will be displayed in the control panel. A segment will
disappear from the indicator after each shot.
P_25o_ S.S]
No.shots: 3; increment: 0.7
P6o F6.3I
Display after first shot
CancelingBracketing
To cancel bracketing, press the BKT button and rotate the main
command dial until the number of shots in the bracketing
sequence is zero (_q_=)and _ is no longer displayed. The program
last in effect will be restored the next time bracketing is activated.
Bracketing can also be cancelled by performing a two-button reset
(_ 193), although in this case the bracketing program will not be
restored the next time bracketing is activated.
135