Nikon® D200 Digital Field Guide

Book description

You've been waiting for an affordable dSLR with the quality and versatility of the Nikon D200. Packed with great techniques and full-color examples, this book helps you take advantage of all the D200's features. From the Quick Tour on how to use your D200 to the intricacies of setting white balance, working with the flash, converting NEF, and shooting superb images in more than twenty common situations, it's all here—and it goes anywhere you and your Nikon can.

  • Get a clear understanding of your camera's challenges and advantages

  • Choose the right shooting, exposure, and focus modes for each type of shot

  • Use extended ISO and noise reduction

  • Explore how various lenses can enhance your work

  • Work with different flash options and available light

Table of contents

  1. About the Author
  2. Credits
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. Introduction
    1. The Nikon dSLR Revolution
    2. The D200's Advantages
      1. Nikon lenses
      2. Full feature set
      3. Fast operation
      4. Great expandability
    3. Digital Challenges
  5. Quick Tour
    1. Selecting a Picture-Taking Mode
    2. Using Automatic or Manual Focus
    3. A Few More Options
      1. Applying the depth-of-field preview
      2. Using the self-timer and remote
    4. Reviewing the Image
    5. Correcting Exposure
    6. Transferring Images to Your Computer
  6. I. Using the Nikon D200
    1. 1. Exploring the Nikon D200
      1. 1.1. Up Front
      2. 1.2. On Top
      3. 1.3. On the Back
        1. 1.3.1. Upper left
        2. 1.3.2. Upper Right
        3. 1.3.3. Lower left
        4. 1.3.4. Lower right
      4. 1.4. Viewfinder Display
      5. 1.5. LCD Display
      6. 1.6. Viewing and Playing Back Images
      7. 1.7. Activating the Onboard Flash
      8. 1.8. Metering Modes
      9. 1.9. Semiautomatic and Manual Exposure Modes
      10. 1.10. ISO Sensitivity
      11. 1.11. Setting White Balance
    2. 2. Nikon D200 Essentials
      1. 2.1. Metering Modes
        1. 2.1.1. Matrix metering
        2. 2.1.2. Center-weighted metering
        3. 2.1.3. Spot metering
      2. 2.2. Adjusting Exposures with EV
        1. 2.2.1. Using histograms
        2. 2.2.2. Bracketing exposures and other parameters
        3. 2.2.3. Customized exposure and contrast tweaks
      3. 2.3. ISO Sensitivity
      4. 2.4. Using Noise Reduction
      5. 2.5. Using Automatic, Semi-Automatic, and Manual Modes
        1. 2.5.1. Programmed Auto
        2. 2.5.2. Shutter Priority
        3. 2.5.3. Aperture Priority
        4. 2.5.4. Manual exposure
      6. 2.6. Working with Autofocus
        1. 2.6.1. Autofocus basics
        2. 2.6.2. Focus modes
        3. 2.6.3. Understanding the focus zones
        4. 2.6.4. Choosing the focus zone manually
        5. 2.6.5. Letting the D200 choose the focus zone automatically
        6. 2.6.6. Locking focus/exposure
      7. 2.7. Other Image Parameters
      8. 2.8. Setting White Balance
        1. 2.8.1. Creating white balance presets
        2. 2.8.2. Using white balance presets
    3. 3. Setting Up Your D200
      1. 3.1. Shooting Menu Preferences
        1. 3.1.1. Shooting Menu Bank
        2. 3.1.2. Menu Reset
        3. 3.1.3. Folders
        4. 3.1.4. File Naming
        5. 3.1.5. Optimize Image
        6. 3.1.6. Color Space
        7. 3.1.7. Image Quality
        8. 3.1.8. Image Size
        9. 3.1.9. JPEG Compression
        10. 3.1.10. RAW Compression
        11. 3.1.11. White Balance
        12. 3.1.12. Long Exp. NR
        13. 3.1.13. High ISO NR
        14. 3.1.14. ISO Sensitivity
        15. 3.1.15. Image Overlay
        16. 3.1.16. Multiple Exposure
        17. 3.1.17. Intvl Timer Shooting
        18. 3.1.18. Non-CPU Lens Data
      2. 3.2. Playback Menu Settings
        1. 3.2.1. Delete
        2. 3.2.2. Playback Folder
        3. 3.2.3. Slide Show
        4. 3.2.4. Hide Image
        5. 3.2.5. Print Set
        6. 3.2.6. Display Mode
        7. 3.2.7. Image Review
        8. 3.2.8. After Delete
        9. 3.2.9. Rotate Tall
      3. 3.3. Setup Menu Options
        1. 3.3.1. Format
        2. 3.3.2. LCD Brightness
        3. 3.3.3. Mirror Lock-up
        4. 3.3.4. Video Mode
        5. 3.3.5. World Time
        6. 3.3.6. Language
        7. 3.3.7. Image Comment
        8. 3.3.8. Auto Image Rotation
        9. 3.3.9. Recent Settings
        10. 3.3.10. USB
        11. 3.3.11. Dust Off Ref Photo
        12. 3.3.12. Battery Info
        13. 3.3.13. Firmware Version
      4. 3.4. Custom Settings
        1. 3.4.1. Bank Select
        2. 3.4.2. Menu Reset
        3. 3.4.3. Autofocus
          1. 3.4.3.1. a1: AF-C Mode Priority
          2. 3.4.3.2. a2: AF-S Mode Priority
          3. 3.4.3.3. a3: Focus Area Frame
          4. 3.4.3.4. a4: Group Dynamic Autofocus
          5. 3.4.3.5. a5: Focus Tracking with Lock On
          6. 3.4.3.6. a6: AF Activation
          7. 3.4.3.7. a7: AF Area Illumination
          8. 3.4.3.8. a8: Focus Area
          9. 3.4.3.9. a9: AF Assist
          10. 3.4.3.10. a10: AF-ON for MB-D200
        4. 3.4.4. Metering/Exposure
          1. 3.4.4.1. b1: ISO Auto
          2. 3.4.4.2. b2: ISO Step Value
          3. 3.4.4.3. b3: EV Step
          4. 3.4.4.4. b4: Steps for Exposure Comp/Fine Tune
          5. 3.4.4.5. b5: Easy Exposure Compensation
          6. 3.4.4.6. b6: Center-Weighted Area
          7. 3.4.4.7. b7: Fine Tune Optimal Exposure
        5. 3.4.5. Timers/AE&AF Lock
          1. 3.4.5.1. c1: AE Lock
          2. 3.4.5.2. c2: AE-L/AF-L
          3. 3.4.5.3. c3: Auto Meter-Off
          4. 3.4.5.4. c4: Self-Timer
          5. 3.4.5.5. c5: Monitor-Off
        6. 3.4.6. Shooting/Display
          1. 3.4.6.1. d1: Beep
          2. 3.4.6.2. d2: Viewfinder Grid
          3. 3.4.6.3. d3: Viewfinder Warning
          4. 3.4.6.4. d4: CL-Mode Shooting Speed
          5. 3.4.6.5. d5: Exposure Delay Mode
          6. 3.4.6.6. d6: File Number Sequence
          7. 3.4.6.7. d7: Illumination
          8. 3.4.6.8. d8: MB-D200 Batteries
        7. 3.4.7. Bracketing/Flash
          1. 3.4.7.1. e1: Flash Sync Speed
          2. 3.4.7.2. e2: Slowest Shutter Speed When Using Flash
          3. 3.4.7.3. e3: Built-In Flash
          4. 3.4.7.4. e4: Modeling Flash
          5. 3.4.7.5. e5: Auto BBKT Set
          6. 3.4.7.6. e6: Auto Bracketing in Manual Exposure Mode
          7. 3.4.7.7. e7: Auto Bracket Order
          8. 3.4.7.8. e8: Auto Bracketing Selection Method
        8. 3.4.8. Controls
          1. 3.4.8.1. f1: Center Button
          2. 3.4.8.2. f2: Multi-Selector Press
          3. 3.4.8.3. f3: Photo Info Playback
          4. 3.4.8.4. f4: Func. Button
          5. 3.4.8.5. f5: Command Dials
          6. 3.4.8.6. f6: Setting Method for Buttons and Dials
          7. 3.4.8.7. f7: Disable Shutter If No Memory Card?
  7. II. Creating Great Photos with the Nikon D200
    1. 4. Photography Essentials
      1. 4.1. Understanding Exposure
        1. 4.1.1. What affects exposure?
        2. 4.1.2. Exposure adjustments
          1. 4.1.2.1. Adjusting the light reaching the lens
          2. 4.1.2.2. Adjusting the aperture
          3. 4.1.2.3. Adjusting the shutter speed
          4. 4.1.2.4. Changing ISO
      2. 4.2. Getting the Right Exposure
        1. 4.2.1. Understanding tonal range
        2. 4.2.2. Fine-tuning
      3. 4.3. Understanding Depth of Field
    2. 5. All About Lenses
      1. 5.1. Expanding Your Lens Options
        1. 5.1.1. Kit lens advantages
        2. 5.1.2. Consider a new lens
      2. 5.2. Choosing Between Zoom or Fixed-Focal-Length Lenses
        1. 5.2.1. Prime lens considerations
        2. 5.2.2. Zoom lens considerations
      3. 5.3. Lens Compatibility
      4. 5.4. Decoding Nikon's Lens Code
      5. 5.5. Wide-Angle Lenses
      6. 5.6. Telephoto Lenses
      7. 5.7. Normal Lenses
      8. 5.8. Macro Lenses
      9. 5.9. Reducing Vibration
      10. 5.10. Extending the Range of Any Lens with a Teleconverter
    3. 6. Working with Light
      1. 6.1. D200 Flash Basics
      2. 6.2. Flash Sync Modes
      3. 6.3. Flash Exposure Modes
      4. 6.4. Flash Exposure Compensation
      5. 6.5. Using External Flash
        1. 6.5.1. Internal flash limitations
        2. 6.5.2. External flash advantages
        3. 6.5.3. External flash units and accessories
        4. 6.5.4. Triggering external flash
        5. 6.5.5. Using multiple flash units
        6. 6.5.6. Studio flash
        7. 6.5.7. Repeating flash
      6. 6.6. Conquering Continuous Lighting
        1. 6.6.1. Types of continuous lighting
        2. 6.6.2. Color temperature
        3. 6.6.3. Coping with white balance
    4. 7. Photo Subjects
      1. 7.1. The Basics of Composition
        1. 7.1.1. The Rule of Thirds
        2. 7.1.2. Other compositional tips
      2. 7.2. Abstract Photography
        1. 7.2.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.2.2. Abstract photography practice
        3. 7.2.3. Abstract photography tips
      3. 7.3. Animal Photography
        1. 7.3.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.3.2. Animal photography practice
        3. 7.3.3. Animal photography tips
      4. 7.4. Architectural Photography
        1. 7.4.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.4.2. Architectural photography practice
        3. 7.4.3. Architectural photography tips
      5. 7.5. Business Photography
        1. 7.5.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.5.2. Business photography practice
        3. 7.5.3. Business photography tips
      6. 7.6. Event Photography
        1. 7.6.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.6.2. Event photography practice
        3. 7.6.3. Event photography tips
      7. 7.7. Fill Flash Photography
        1. 7.7.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.7.2. Fill flash photography practice
        3. 7.7.3. Fill flash photography tips
      8. 7.8. Filter Effects Photography
        1. 7.8.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.8.2. Filter effects photography practice
        3. 7.8.3. Filter effects photography tips
      9. 7.9. Fireworks and Light Trail Photography
        1. 7.9.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.9.2. Fireworks and light trails photography practice
        3. 7.9.3. Fireworks and light trails photography tips
      10. 7.10. Flower and Plant Photography
        1. 7.10.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.10.2. Flower and plant photography practice
        3. 7.10.3. Flower and plant photography tips
      11. 7.11. Holiday Lights Photography
        1. 7.11.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.11.2. Holiday lights photography practice
        3. 7.11.3. Holiday lights photography tips
      12. 7.12. Indoor Portrait Photography
        1. 7.12.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.12.2. Indoor portrait photography practice
        3. 7.12.3. Indoor portrait photography tips
      13. 7.13. Infrared Photography
        1. 7.13.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.13.2. Infrared photography practice
        3. 7.13.3. Infrared photography tips
      14. 7.14. Landscape and Nature Photography
        1. 7.14.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.14.2. Landscape and nature photography practice
        3. 7.14.3. Landscape and nature photography tips
      15. 7.15. Macro Photography
        1. 7.15.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.15.2. Macro photography practice
        3. 7.15.3. Macro photography tips
      16. 7.16. Night and Evening Photography
        1. 7.16.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.16.2. Night and evening photography practice
        3. 7.16.3. Night and evening photography tips
      17. 7.17. Online Auction Photography
        1. 7.17.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.17.2. Online auction photography practice
        3. 7.17.3. Online auction photography tips
      18. 7.18. Outdoor and Environmental Portrait Photography
        1. 7.18.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.18.2. Outdoor and environmental portrait photography practice
        3. 7.18.3. Outdoor and environmental portrait photography tips
      19. 7.19. Panoramic Photography
        1. 7.19.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.19.2. Panoramic photography practice
        3. 7.19.3. Panoramic photography tips
      20. 7.20. Sports and Action Photography
        1. 7.20.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.20.2. Sports and action photography practice
        3. 7.20.3. Sports and action photography tips
      21. 7.21. Still Life Photography
        1. 7.21.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.21.2. Still life photography practice
        3. 7.21.3. Still life photography tips
      22. 7.22. Street Life Photography
        1. 7.22.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.22.2. Street life photography practice
        3. 7.22.3. Street life photography tips
      23. 7.23. Sunset and Sunrise Photography
        1. 7.23.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.23.2. Sunset and sunrise photography practice
        3. 7.23.3. Sunset and sunrise photography tips
      24. 7.24. Travel Photography
        1. 7.24.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.24.2. Travel photography practice
        3. 7.24.3. Travel photography tips
      25. 7.25. Waterfall Photography
        1. 7.25.1. Inspiration
        2. 7.25.2. Waterfall photography practice
        3. 7.25.3. Waterfall photography tips
    5. 8. Downloading and Editing Images
      1. 8.1. Nikon's Offerings
        1. 8.1.1. Nikon PictureProject
          1. 8.1.1.1. Transferring pictures
          2. 8.1.1.2. Transfer options
          3. 8.1.1.3. Organizing and viewing pictures
          4. 8.1.1.4. Retouching pictures
          5. 8.1.1.5. Sharing pictures
        2. 8.1.2. Nikon Capture
          1. 8.1.2.1. Transfer/RAW conversion
          2. 8.1.2.2. Image editing
          3. 8.1.2.3. Camera communications
      2. 8.2. Other Software Options
  8. III. Appendixes
    1. A. Troubleshooting
      1. A.1. Poor Battery Life
      2. A.2. Flash Problems
      3. A.3. Settings Vanish
      4. A.4. Bad Memory Card
      5. A.5. Banding
      6. A.6. Too Much Noise
      7. A.7. Camera Won't Function
      8. A.8. Spots on Photos
        1. A.8.1. Hot/Dead pixels
        2. A.8.2. Dust on the sensor
  9. Glossary

Product information

  • Title: Nikon® D200 Digital Field Guide
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: July 2006
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470037485