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Nikon® D90 Digital Field Guide

Nikon® D90 Digital Field Guide

by J. Dennis Thomas
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Release Date: February 2009
ISBN: 9780470449929
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Book Description

Capture spectacular images, even video, with your D90

Your Nikon D90 is simply revolutionary — the first dSLR that also lets you shoot live HD video straight from the image sensor by using Live View. With so much to know about this remarkable camera, you'll want to take this book along on every shoot. It covers all the settings, modes, and menus; explores the applications for every available lens; guides you through lighting essentials; and provides advice for capturing great still and video images in a dozen situations.

  • Learn to compose your photos with the LCD monitor for clear, vibrant shots

  • Shoot high-quality video, even in low light, with excellent sound quality

  • Make the most of the versatile AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens

  • Use Nikon's Creative Lighting System

  • Explore professional secrets for getting great shots of people, landscapes, products, wildlife, and pets

Table of Contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. About the D90
  6. 1. Quick Tour
    1. QT.1. Selecting a Shooting Mode
    2. QT.2. Focusing
    3. QT.3. Using the Playback Mode
    4. QT.4. Downloading Images
  7. I. Using the Nikon D90
    1. 1. Exploring the Nikon D90
      1. 1.1. Key Components of the D90
        1. 1.1.1. Top of the camera
        2. 1.1.2. Back of the camera
        3. 1.1.3. Front of the camera
          1. 1.1.3.1. Right front
          2. 1.1.3.2. Left front
        4. 1.1.4. Sides and bottom of camera
          1. 1.1.4.1. Right side
          2. 1.1.4.2. Left side
          3. 1.1.4.3. Bottom
      2. 1.2. The D90 CMOS Sensor
        1. 1.2.1. From analog to digital
        2. 1.2.2. CMOS versus CCD
          1. 1.2.2.1. CCD
          2. 1.2.2.2. CMOS
        3. 1.2.3. Pixels
          1. 1.2.3.1. Micro-lenses
          2. 1.2.3.2. Interpreting color
      3. 1.3. Viewfinder Display
      4. 1.4. Control Panel
      5. 1.5. Shooting Info Display
    2. 2. Nikon D90 Essentials
      1. 2.1. Exposure Modes
        1. 2.1.1. Programmed Auto
        2. 2.1.2. Aperture Priority
        3. 2.1.3. Shutter Priority
        4. 2.1.4. Manual
      2. 2.2. Scene Modes
        1. 2.2.1.
          1. 2.2.1.1. Auto mode
          2. 2.2.1.2. Auto (flash off) mode
          3. 2.2.1.3. Portrait mode
          4. 2.2.1.4. Landscape mode
          5. 2.2.1.5. Close-Up mode
          6. 2.2.1.6. Sports mode
          7. 2.2.1.7. Night Portrait mode
      3. 2.3. Release Modes
      4. 2.4. Metering Modes
        1. 2.4.1. Matrix metering
        2. 2.4.2. Center-weighted metering
        3. 2.4.3. Spot metering
      5. 2.5. Focus Modes
        1. 2.5.1. How the D90 autofocus works
          1. 2.5.1.1. Phase detection
          2. 2.5.1.2. Contrast detection
        2. 2.5.2. AF-C mode
        3. 2.5.3. AF-S mode
        4. 2.5.4. AF-A mode
        5. 2.5.5. Manual mode
      6. 2.6. Autofocus Area Modes
        1. 2.6.1. Single Point AF mode
        2. 2.6.2. Dynamic Area AF mode
        3. 2.6.3. 3D Tracking mode
        4. 2.6.4. Auto Area AF
      7. 2.7. ISO Sensitivity
        1. 2.7.1. Auto ISO
        2. 2.7.2. Noise reduction
          1. 2.7.2.1. Long Exposure NR
          2. 2.7.2.2. High ISO NR
      8. 2.8. White Balance
        1. 2.8.1. What is Kelvin?
        2. 2.8.2. White balance settings
      9. 2.9. Picture Controls
        1. 2.9.1. Original Picture Controls
        2. 2.9.2. Custom Picture Controls
      10. 2.10. JPEG
        1. 2.10.1. Image Size
        2. 2.10.2. Image Quality
      11. 2.11. NEF Files
      12. 2.12. Live View
    3. 3. Using the Nikon D90 Menus
      1. 3.1. Playback Menu
        1. 3.1.1. Delete
        2. 3.1.2. Hide image
        3. 3.1.3. Display mode
        4. 3.1.4. Image review
        5. 3.1.5. Rotate tall
        6. 3.1.6. Pictmotion
        7. 3.1.7. Slide show
        8. 3.1.8. Print set (DPOF)
      2. 3.2. Shooting Menu
        1. 3.2.1. Set Picture Control
        2. 3.2.2. Manage Picture Control
        3. 3.2.3. Image quality
        4. 3.2.4. Image size
        5. 3.2.5. White balance
          1. 3.2.5.1. Using standard WB settings
          2. 3.2.5.2. Choosing a color temperature
          3. 3.2.5.3. Preset white balance
            1. 3.2.5.3.1. Direct measurement
            2. 3.2.5.3.2. Copy white balance from an existing photograph
        6. 3.2.6. ISO sensitivity settings
        7. 3.2.7. Active D-Lighting
        8. 3.2.8. Color space
        9. 3.2.9. Long exp. NR
        10. 3.2.10. High ISO NR
        11. 3.2.11. Active folder
        12. 3.2.12. Multiple exposure
        13. 3.2.13. Movie settings
      3. 3.3. Custom Setting Menu
        1. 3.3.1. Reset custom settings
        2. 3.3.2. CSM a Autofocus
          1. 3.3.2.1. a1 AF-area mode
          2. 3.3.2.2. a2 Center focus point
          3. 3.3.2.3. a3 Built-in AF-assist illuminator
          4. 3.3.2.4. a4 AF point illumination
          5. 3.3.2.5. a5 Focus point wrap-around
          6. 3.3.2.6. a6 AE-L/AF-L for MB-D80
          7. 3.3.2.7. a7 Live view autofocus
        3. 3.3.3. CSM b Metering/exposure
          1. 3.3.3.1. b1 EV steps for exposure cntrl.
          2. 3.3.3.2. b2 Easy exposure compensation
          3. 3.3.3.3. b3 Center-weighted area
          4. 3.3.3.4. b4 Fine tune optimal exposure
        4. 3.3.4. CSM c Timers/AE lock
          1. 3.3.4.1. c1 Shutter-release button AE-L
          2. 3.3.4.2. c2 Auto meter-off delay
          3. 3.3.4.3. c3 Self-timer
          4. 3.3.4.4. c4 Monitor off delay
          5. 3.3.4.5. c5 Remote on duration
        5. 3.3.5. CSM d Shooting/display
          1. 3.3.5.1. d1 Beep
          2. 3.3.5.2. d2 Viewfinder grid display
          3. 3.3.5.3. d3 ISO display and adjustment
          4. 3.3.5.4. d4 Viewfinder warning display
          5. 3.3.5.5. d5 Screen tips
          6. 3.3.5.6. d6 CL mode shooting speed
          7. 3.3.5.7. d7 File number sequence
          8. 3.3.5.8. d8 Shooting info display
          9. 3.3.5.9. d9 LCD illumination
          10. 3.3.5.10. d10 Exposure delay mode
          11. 3.3.5.11. d11 Flash warning
          12. 3.3.5.12. d12 MB-D80 battery type
        6. 3.3.6. CSM e Bracketing/flash
          1. 3.3.6.1. e1 Flash shutter speed
          2. 3.3.6.2. e2 Flash cntrl for built-in flash
          3. 3.3.6.3. e3 Modeling flash
          4. 3.3.6.4. e4 Auto bracketing set
          5. 3.3.6.5. e5 Auto FP
          6. 3.3.6.6. e6 Bracketing order
        7. 3.3.7. CSM f Controls
          1. 3.3.7.1. f1 illuminator switch
          2. 3.3.7.2. f2 OK button (shooting mode)
          3. 3.3.7.3. f3 Assign FUNC. button
          4. 3.3.7.4. f4 Assign AE-L/AF-L button
          5. 3.3.7.5. f5 Customize command dials
          6. 3.3.7.6. f6 No memory card?
          7. 3.3.7.7. f7 Reverse indicators
      4. 3.4. Setup Menu
        1. 3.4.1. Format memory card
        2. 3.4.2. LCD brightness
        3. 3.4.3. Clean image sensor
        4. 3.4.4. Lock mirror up for cleaning
        5. 3.4.5. Video mode
        6. 3.4.6. HDMI
        7. 3.4.7. World time
        8. 3.4.8. Language
        9. 3.4.9. Image comment
        10. 3.4.10. Auto image rotation
        11. 3.4.11. Image Dust Off ref photo
        12. 3.4.12. Battery info
        13. 3.4.13. GPS
        14. 3.4.14. Firmware version
      5. 3.5. Retouch Menu
      6. 3.6. My Menu
      7. 3.7. Quick Settings Display
  8. II. Capturing Great Images with the Nikon D90
    1. 4. Selecting and Using Lenses for the Nikon D90
      1. 4.1. Lens Compatibility
      2. 4.2. Wide-Angle and Ultrawide-Angle Lenses
        1. 4.2.1. When to use a wide-angle lens
        2. 4.2.2. Understanding limitations
      3. 4.3. Midrange Zoom Lenses
      4. 4.4. Telephoto Lenses
      5. 4.5. Special-Purpose Lenses
        1. 4.5.1. Micro-NIKKOR lenses
        2. 4.5.2. Defocus Control lenses
        3. 4.5.3. Fisheye lenses
      6. 4.6. Using Vibration Reduction Lenses
    2. 5. Essential Photography Concepts
      1. 5.1. Exposure Review
        1. 5.1.1. Shutter speed
        2. 5.1.2. ISO
        3. 5.1.3. Aperture
      2. 5.2. Understanding Depth of Field
      3. 5.3. Rules of Composition
        1. 5.3.1. Keep it simple
        2. 5.3.2. The Rule of Thirds
        3. 5.3.3. Leading lines and S-curves
        4. 5.3.4. Helpful hints
      4. 5.4. Lighting Essentials
        1. 5.4.1. Hard light
        2. 5.4.2. Soft light
    3. 6. Working with Light
      1. 6.1. Natural Light
      2. 6.2. D90 Flash Basics
        1. 6.2.1. Guide Number
        2. 6.2.2. Aperture
        3. 6.2.3. Distance
        4. 6.2.4. Guide Number/Distance = Aperture
      3. 6.3. Flash Exposure Modes
        1. 6.3.1. i-TTL mode
        2. 6.3.2. Manual mode
        3. 6.3.3. Auto mode
        4. 6.3.4. Auto Aperture mode
        5. 6.3.5. Guide Number Distance Priority mode
        6. 6.3.6. Repeating Flash mode
      4. 6.4. Flash Sync Modes
        1. 6.4.1. Sync speed
        2. 6.4.2. Front-Curtain Sync mode
        3. 6.4.3. Red-Eye Reduction mode
        4. 6.4.4. Slow Sync mode
        5. 6.4.5. Rear-Curtain Sync mode
      5. 6.5. Flash Exposure Compensation
      6. 6.6. Fill Flash
      7. 6.7. Bounce Flash
      8. 6.8. Nikon Creative Lighting System Basics
        1. 6.8.1. Understanding the Creative Lighting System
        2. 6.8.2. Speedlights
          1. 6.8.2.1. SB-900 Speedlight
          2. 6.8.2.2. SB-800 Speedlight
          3. 6.8.2.3. SB-600 Speedlight
          4. 6.8.2.4. SB-400 Speedlight
          5. 6.8.2.5. SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander
          6. 6.8.2.6. R1/R1C1 Macro flash
      9. 6.9. Using the Built-In Speedlight
      10. 6.10. Strobes and Monolights
      11. 6.11. Continuous Lighting
        1. 6.11.1. Incandescent and halogen
        2. 6.11.2. Fluorescent
        3. 6.11.3. HMI
      12. 6.12. Light Modifiers
        1. 6.12.1. Umbrellas
        2. 6.12.2. Softboxes
        3. 6.12.3. Diffusion panels
        4. 6.12.4. Other light modifiers
    4. 7. D-Movie
      1. 7.1. About Video
        1. 7.1.1. Progressive versus interlaced
        2. 7.1.2. Frame rate
        3. 7.1.3. Shutter
        4. 7.1.4. Setting up D-Movie
        5. 7.1.5. Recording
      2. 7.2. Tricks, Tips, and Workarounds
      3. 7.3. Video-Editing Software
    5. 8. Advanced Shooting Techniques
      1. 8.1. Action and Sports Photography
        1. 8.1.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.1.2. Action and sports photography practice
        3. 8.1.3. Action and sports photography tips
      2. 8.2. Architectural Photography
        1. 8.2.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.2.2. Architectural photography practice
        3. 8.2.3. Architectural photography tips
      3. 8.3. Concert Photography
        1. 8.3.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.3.2. Concert photography practice
        3. 8.3.3. Concert photography tips
      4. 8.4. Landscape and Nature Photography
        1. 8.4.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.4.2. Landscape photography practice
        3. 8.4.3. Landscape photography tips
      5. 8.5. Macro Photography
        1. 8.5.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.5.2. Macro photography practice
        3. 8.5.3. Macro photography tips
      6. 8.6. Night Photography
        1. 8.6.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.6.2. Night photography practice
        3. 8.6.3. Night photography tips
      7. 8.7. Pet Photography
        1. 8.7.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.7.2. Pet photography practice
        3. 8.7.3. Pet photography tips
      8. 8.8. Portrait Photography
        1. 8.8.1. Studio considerations
        2. 8.8.2. Portrait lighting patterns
        3. 8.8.3. Posing and composition considerations
        4. 8.8.4. Indoor
        5. 8.8.5. Outdoor
        6. 8.8.6. Portrait photography practice
        7. 8.8.7. Portrait photography tips
      9. 8.9. Still-Life and Product Photography
        1. 8.9.1. Inspiration
        2. 8.9.2. Still-life and product photography practice
        3. 8.9.3. Still-life and product photography tips
    6. 9. Viewing, Downloading, and In-Camera Editing
      1. 9.1. Viewing Your Images
      2. 9.2. Downloading Images
        1. 9.2.1. Using Nikon Transfer
          1. 9.2.1.1. Source tab
          2. 9.2.1.2. Embedded Info tab
          3. 9.2.1.3. Primary Destination tab
          4. 9.2.1.4. Backup Destination tab
          5. 9.2.1.5. Preferences tab
        2. 9.2.2. Transferring your images
      3. 9.3. Using the Retouch Menu Options
        1. 9.3.1. D-Lighting
        2. 9.3.2. Red-eye correction
        3. 9.3.3. Trim
        4. 9.3.4. Monochrome
        5. 9.3.5. Filter effects
        6. 9.3.6. Color balance
        7. 9.3.7. Small picture
        8. 9.3.8. Image overlay
        9. 9.3.9. NEF processing
        10. 9.3.10. Quick retouch
        11. 9.3.11. Straighten
        12. 9.3.12. Distortion control
        13. 9.3.13. Fisheye
        14. 9.3.14. Side-by-side comparison
  9. III. Appendixes
    1. A. Accessories
      1. A.1. MB-D80 Battery Grip
      2. A.2. ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
      3. A.3. MC-DC2 Remote Cord
      4. A.4. GP-1 GPS Unit
      5. A.5. Tripods
        1. A.5.1. When to use a tripod
        2. A.5.2. Which tripod is right for you?
      6. A.6. Camera Bags and Cases
  10. Glossary