Exploring the Nikon D70 17

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Exploring the CHAPTER Nikon D70 11 ✦✦✦✦

f you’ve taken your first picture or two (or 200!) with your In This Chapter Nikon D70 or Nikon D70s, you’re probably eager to learn I Up front more about your camera’s features and how to use them. The Quick Tour covered just the basics you need to know to get On top started. This chapter delves a little more deeply into the key features of the camera, what they’re for, and how to use On the back them. Viewfinder display I’m going to avoid the deadly trap that most camera manuals fall into when they provide three or four views of a camera LCD display (usually front, back, top, and perhaps side or bottom) and label everything willy-nilly without giving you a clue about Viewing and playing what each control actually is used for. If you want to know back images where a specific button is located, you have to search for it in Where’s Waldo? fashion amongst a thicket of labels. Then you Activating the onboard may have to thumb through the manual to see exactly what flash the control does. Metering modes Although you’ve probably attempted to learn about your D70’s buttons and wheels with the manual’s confusing dia- ISO sensitivity grams, this chapter’s illustrations are more accessible roadmaps that will help you sort through the D70’s features Setting white balance and controls much more quickly, especially when you’re out in the field taking photos. Programmed exposure modes This chapter does not cover the D70’s menu system. It con- centrates on theCOPYRIGHTED buttons, dials, and other controls MATERIAL that you Semiautomatic and manual exposure can access directly, without visiting menus. Some of the set- modes tings discussed in this chapter, such as flash options or white balance, are duplicated in the menus or have additional ✦✦✦✦ options available in there.

You can learn more about the D70’s menu setup options in Chapter 2. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 16

16 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

the depth of field preview button. Up Front The lens stops down to the taking aperture, the view through the The front panel of the Nikon D70 is shown finder may dim a little (or a lot), in figure 1.1. You can’t see all the buttons and you can see just how much of and controls from a straight-on perspective, the image is in focus. so I’ll show you separate, three-quarters- ✦ view looks at each half of the front panel, Sub-command dial: This is a sec- which I’ve color-coded red (the left side of ondary control dial used to supple- the camera when looking at it head-on) and ment the main command dial on green (the right side of the camera from this the back of the D70. It’s used angle). While this illustration shows the when two different, related settings can be made, as in manual expo- D70, the D70s is identical except for the sure mode when the shutter speed model number plate. is set using the main command dial, and the aperture is adjusted using the sub-command dial. Another example of this use is in setting the white balance (which controls how the D70 reacts to illumination sources of different colors, such as daylight and incandescent light). The main command dial flips among the different light-source types, while the sub- command dial fine-tunes those settings. Although you can “swap” the command dials (turning the 1.1 The “business end” of the Nikon D70. sub-command dial into the command dial, and vice versa) using the D70’s menus, it’s best to leave The easiest way to hold the D70 is by wrap- them in their default configuration ping your fingers of your right hand around to start out. the hand grip, with the left hand providing ✦ Front lamp: This front-mounted support and usually activating most of the source of illumination serves three controls. However, there are a few controls different functions. Under dim within the reach of the right hand’s digits, as lighting conditions that make auto- shown in figure 1.2. These controls and fea- focusing difficult, this light source tures include the following: can be set to cast a little extra light on your subject to assist the auto- ✦ The handgrip: The grip is the focus system. If you’ve set your housing for the D70’s battery, and camera to self-timer mode, so that also serves as a comfortable hand- a picture is taken after a short hold for your fingers. delay (or if you’re using the ✦ Depth of field preview: This is a optional remote control in delay small button (see the figure) next mode), the lamp blinks in a pat- to the lens mount. Press and hold tern as a sort of countdown to the 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 17

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 17

eventual exposure. Finally, this The other side of the D70 has a few more lamp also can send out a little controls, as shown in figure 1.3. These blast of light shortly before a flash include the following: exposure, which can serve to close down the pupils of your subjects’ ✦ Flash multi-button: Nikon has eyes, and reduce the demon red- kept the D70’s design clean by eye effect. assigning multiple functions to many buttons, and this flash con- Note Nikon Speedlights as well as the trol is one of them. It serves three Nikon SC-29 Speedlight cable different purposes, even though have their own less-obtrusive Nikon calls it the Flash Exposure focus assist lights that can take over for the one built into the Compensation button. Pressing the camera. button when the built-in electronic flash is in its down/stowed posi- ✦ Shutter release: Canted atop the tion causes the flash to flip up handgrip are the shutter-release (as shown in figure 1.4), ready for button and power switch. use. Holding this button while

On/Off switch

Shutter release Autofocus assist lamp Self-Timer lamp Sub-command dial Red-Eye reduction lamp

Hand grip Depth of field preview 1.2 Nikon D70 left front side, viewed from the subject’s position. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 18

18 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

spinning the command dial on the ✦ Infrared receiver: This is a dark back of the camera changes red window (opaque to visible among flash sync modes, such as light) that captures a signal from red-eye reduction, or slow sync the optional remote control. (which combines flash and a regu- Because it’s on the front of the lar exposure to lighten back- camera you must use the remote grounds). Holding this button from the front position. while spinning the sub-command ✦ Lens release: Press and hold this dial adds or subtracts from the button to unlock the lens so you flash exposure, making your flash can rotate the lens to remove it picture a little lighter or darker, as from the camera. you prefer.

Flash accessory shoe

Flash lock release Infrared receiver Flash sync mode Flash exposure compensation Mode dial

Flip-up flash Neck strap lug

Lens focus mode selector AC power/ AC connector Lens release cover Camera body focus mode selector

USB connector cover 1.3 Nikon D70 right-front side, viewed from the subject’s position. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 19

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 19

Flip up electronic flash/speedlight control the camera’s functions using the Nikon Capture software. The Nikon D70s also has a connector for the wired remote control accessory.

On Top The top surface of the D70 has its own set of controls, shown in figure 1.5. In addition, a bird’s-eye view provides the best perspective of some of the controls on the lens. I’ve Flash lock release divided these controls into a pair of bite- Flash sync mode sized color-coded pieces, too, with red Flash exposure compensation assigned to the lens controls, and green to 1.4 Pressing the flash multi-button (Flash the camera-body controls. Exposuer Compensation button) pops up the built-in electronic flash, ready for use.

✦ Focus-mode selector: The autofocus/manual (AF/M) lever on the camera body can be ﬂipped to set the focus mode for lenses that don’t have such a control on the lens barrel, or for manual focus lenses. Figure 1.3 also shows such a control on the 18–70mm kit lens. ✦ AC Power/AV Connector/USB Connector covers: On the side of the camera, you’ll see two rubber covers that protect the D70’s pri- mary external connectors. These include the AC power connector, which can operate the camera without batteries (for, say, studio 1.5 The top of view of the D70 and its kit work or time-lapse photography). lens. Just below the AC power connector is an AV plug that can link the D70 You can see the basic controls found on to an external monitor for viewing many zoom lenses in ﬁgure 1.6. Not all these pictures or menus. The bottom- controls are found on all lenses, and some of most connector accepts the USB them may be in different positions on differ- cable, which enables transferring pictures directly from the camera ent lenses (particularly those not produced to your computer, and also lets you by Nikon). The key components are 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 20

20 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

✦ Focus ring: This is the ring to turn course, because it doesn’t zoom, this lens when manually focusing the lens. If lacks the zoom ring and zoom scale. Other the autofocus/manual switch components include the following: (AF/M) on the lens or camera is set to Auto, this ring has no effect. ✦ Lens thread: Most lenses have a Some lenses, such as the kit lens, thread on the front for attaching fil- allow manual override of the cam- ters and other add-ons. Some also era’s autofocus setting, and are use this thread for attaching a lens marked with an M/A-M switch hood (you’d screw on the filter instead. By convention, turning the first, and then attach the hood to ring toward the right (when look- the screw thread on the front of ing down on the lens from above) the filter). increases the focused distance. ✦ Limit switch: Lenses with an ✦ Distance scale: This is a scale that extensive focus range (such as this moves in unison with the lens’s macro lens) often have a switch focus mechanism (whether acti- that can be used to limit the range vated by manually focusing or by used by the autofocus system. For the autofocus system) to show example, if you’re not shooting approximately the distance at close-up pictures, you can set the which the lens has been focused. lens to seek focus only at more It’s a useful indicator for double- distant settings, which can save a checking autofocus, and for bit of time. roughly setting manual focus. ✦ Zoom ring: This is the ring turned Lens hood alignment guide to change the zoom setting. With many lenses, turning this ring to Zoom scale Lens hood bayonet the right increases the focal length, but you may find that the opposite is true with some lenses (which can be very frustrating!). ✦ Zoom scale: These markings on the lens show the current focal length set. ✦ Lens hood alignment guide/bayonet: Used to mount the lens hood for lenses that don’t use screw-mount hoods.

Figure 1.7 shows a single focal length, or prime lens, a 105mm Nikkor macro lens used for close-up photography. This particular lens has some features not available on Focus ring Distance scale Zoom ring the kit lens, but that are found on some other zoom and non-zoom lenses. Of 1.6 Key components of a typical zoom lens. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 21

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 21

✦ Aperture ring: The kit lens, as photo are used to trigger the well as many other newer lenses, flash and to allow the camera and use the camera’s electronics exclu- flash to communicate exposure, sively to set the shooting aperture. distance, zoom setting, and other These lenses, which include a G information. You can also attach suffix in their name, have no aper- other flash units made by Nikon ture ring at all, and are compatible and other vendors, but not all only with cameras that can set the functions may operate. f-stop through a control on the ✦ Monochrome LCD control panel: camera. Other lenses maintain This LCD readout provides informa- compatibility with earlier cameras tion about the status of your by including an aperture ring and a camera and its settings, including pair of aperture readouts (the exposure mode, number of pic- numbers from f/32 down to f/2.8 tures remaining, battery status, and in figure 1-7). The second, outer- many other settings. most readout is required by some cameras. These lenses include a D Auto/manual focus switch suffix in their name. Both G- and D-type lenses work fine with the Focus ring Lens thread Nikon D70 digital camera. ✦ Aperture lock: When using a D- type lens on the D70, you’ll need to set the aperture ring to the smallest f-stop, and then lock it in that position using the aperture lock. Set it once and then forget about it, unless you need to mount the lens on an older camera or you’ve mounted the lens on an accessory such as a bellows or extension ring.

The top panel has relatively few controls. They include:

✦ Mode dial: This knurled wheel is turned to change from the various exposure and scene modes, discussed later in this chapter. ✦ Flash accessory shoe: Mount an external electronic ﬂash unit (Nikon calls them Speedlights), such as Aperture ring Aperture lock the Nikon SB-600 or SB-800, on this slide-in shoe. The multiple Limit switch electrical contacts shown in the 1.7 Key components of a typical Type D lens. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 22

22 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

✦ LCD Lamp/Format #1 button: ✦ Metering Mode/Reset #1 but- Press this button to backlight the ton: Press this button while spin- control panel for about 8 seconds ning the command dial on the when working under illumination back of the camera to change from that makes it difﬁcult to view the matrix to center weighted or spot panel’s information without a little metering modes (explained later in help. This button also can be used this chapter). This button also can to reformat the D70’s digital mem- be used to reset the D70’s internal ory card, if you hold it down simul- settings to the original factory set- taneously with the Format #1 tings if held down simultaneously button on the back panel with the Reset #2 button (described in the next section). (described later in this chapter). ✦ Sensor focal plane: Some special- ✦ Exposure compensation button: ized kinds of close-up photography Hold down this button while spin- require knowing exactly where the ning the command dial to add or plane of the camera sensor is subtract exposure from the basic located. This marker shows that setting calculated by the D70’s point, although it represents the autoexposure system. plane, not the actual location of the sensor itself, which is placed aft of the lens.

Exposure compensation

Shutter release

On/Off switch

Metering Mode/Reset #1

Mode dial Monochrome LCD control panel

Flash accessory shoe Sensor focal plane

LCD lamp/Format #1 1.8 Key components on the top panel of the D70. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 23

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 23

✦ Shutter-release button: Partially depress this button to lock in Upper left exposure and focus; press it all the The upper-left corner of the back panel way to take the picture. Tapping includes just two buttons: the shutter release when the camera has turned off the autoexpo- ✦ Bracketing (BKT) button: Hold sure and autofocus mechanisms the bracketing button while spin- will reactivate both. When a review ning the main command dial image is displayed on the back- (to select the bracketing function), panel color LCD, tapping this but- and the sub-command dial (to ton will remove the image from the choose the type of bracketing to display and reactivate the autoex- be applied), as described later in posure and autofocus mechanisms. this chapter. This button also serves as the Reset #2 button. ✦ Power switch: Flip this switch to turn the D70 on or off. ✦ Shooting mode button: Hold this button while spinning the main command dial to choose from single shot, continuous/burst mode, On the Back self-timer, or remote-control operation. This button also serves as the The back panel of the Nikon D70 is studded Format #2 button. with more than a dozen controls, many of which serve more than one function. Where other cameras may force you to access a menu to set image quality, change the camera’s sensitivity, or to activate the self-timer, with the D70, just press the appropriate button, turn the command dial, and make the setting you want. I’ve divided this crowded back panel into four color-coded sections.

Bracket/Reset #2

Shooting Mode/Format #2 1.10 Key components on the upper-left corner of the back panel of the D70.

1.9 Key components on the back panel of the D70. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 24

24 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

shutter speed, bracketing, or shoot- Upper right ing mode, depending on what There are only a few controls located on the function button is being pressed at upper-right corner of the D70. They include: the same time.

✦ Viewfinder eyepiece: The rubber eyecup shields the viewfinder from Lower left extraneous light, much like a lens This is the D70’s “hot corner,” with a collec- hood — a necessary component tion of the function buttons you’ll use the because light entering the viewfinder can affect the exposure most. They can have multiple functions, so meter. The eyecup is removable you need to keep your camera’s current and can be replaced by a cap to mode (playback/shooting, and so on) in block that extra light when the mind when you attempt to access a specific camera is used on a tripod. feature. A more complete description of each button’s functions appears later in this ✦ Diopter adjustment control: chapter. The buttons include: Slide this lever to adjust the diopter correction for your ✦ Playback button: Enter picture eyesight. review (playback) mode. ✦ AE/AF (autoexposure/autofocus) ✦ Menu button: Access the D70’s lock button: Depending on set- multilevel menu system. tings you make in the Setup menu (see Chapter 2), pressing this ✦ Sensitivity (ISO)/thumbnail but- button will lock exposure, focus ton: In any shooting mode, hold setting, or both, either until you this button and spin the main release the button or press it a command dial to change ISO. In second time. playback mode, use it to change ✦ the number of thumbnails dis- Main command dial: This dial is played on the LCD. spun to change settings such as

Diopter adjustment control Autoexposure/Autofocus lock

Viewfinder eyepiece Main command dial

1.11 Key components on the upper-right corner of the back panel of the D70. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 25

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 25

✦ White balance/help/protect but- ✦ Image quality/size (QUAL)/ ton: In any shooting mode, hold playback zoom/enter button: and spin the main command dial Press and spin the main command to change the white balance. When dial or sub-command dial to viewing the Custom Settings menu, change the image quality or picture press it to view the help screen. size. In playback mode, press it to In playback mode, press it to lock zoom in and out of the reviewed the current image from accidental image. When viewing menus, this erasure. button services as an OK key.

Playback Lower right Sensitivity ISO/thumbnail review Menu A second cluster of controls and components is found in the lower-right corner of the back panel (see ﬁgure 1.13):

✦ LCD: The color LCD displays your images for review and provides access to the menu system. ✦ Multi selector: Used to navigate menus as well as scroll through photos being reviewed (by pressing the up/down keys), and to change the type of image information displayed (by pressing the left/right keys.) ✦ Focus selector lock: Enables/dis- ables manual focus area selection. ✦ Delete button: Erases the currently viewed image during review. ✦ Memory card access lamp: Blinks when an image is being written to the Compact Flash card. ✦ Compact Flash compartment: Your memory card goes here.

White balance/ Image quality/ help/protect size (QUAL)/ playback zoom/ enter 1.12 Key components on the lower left panel of the D70. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 26

26 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

Multi selector

Compact Flash compartment

LCD Delete Memory card access lamp

Focus selector lock 1.13 Key components on the lower-right corner of the back panel of the D70.

✦ Focus area/autofocus mode: Viewfinder Display Shows the current focus area, and which autofocus mode is in use. The D70 provides lots of status information in the viewfinder, although not all of it will ✦ Autoexposure (AE)/autofocus be visible at one time. Here’s the skinny: (AF) lock indicator: Shows that exposure and/or focus have been ✦ Reference grid: This optional set locked. of reference lines can be used to ✦ Battery status: Current power align images. level of the battery. ✦ Center-weighted metering refer- ✦ Shutter speed: Selected shutter ence circle: Shows the 8mm circle speed. that’s the default area for center- weighted meter readings. The size ✦ Aperture: Selected lens opening. of the circle used can be changed ✦ Exposure display: Shows the in the menu system. amount of over- or underexposure. ✦ Autofocus/spot metering zones: ✦ Flash compensation: Shows Shows the areas used by the D70 added or subtracted flash to focus and measure exposure. exposure. ✦ In-focus indicator: Illuminates ✦ Exposure compensation: Shows when an image is focused added or subtracted exposure. correctly. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 27

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 27

✦ Shots in buffer/other functions: ✦ Flash ready: Lights when the Multifunction display that shows Speedlight is charged for an the number of shots remaining in exposure. the buffer when the shutter release ✦ ISO automatic indicator: Shows is pressed. Also shows white bal- that ISO is being set automatically. ance preset status, exposure/ﬂash compensation values, and PC/USB ✦ Thousands of exposures indica- connection status. tor: Shows that the number of remaining exposures indicated exceeds 1,000.

Center-weighted metering reference circle

Reference grid Autofocus/spot metering zones

In-focus indicator Aperture Flash compensation Flash ready

Focus area/ Shutter speed ISO Automatic indicator Thousands of Autofocus mode exposures indicator Exposure display Exposure compensation

Battery status Autoexposure lock indicator Shots in buffer/White balance preset/ EV/Flash compensation/PC connection

1.14 Viewﬁnder readouts and indicators. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 28

28 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

shutter speed/f-stop combinations LCD Display can be changed to other equiva- lent exposures by rotating the main The top-panel monochrome LCD display command dial. shows a broad range of current status information. This display is a bit much to bite off ✦ EV/flash EV: Indicates that expo- in one chunk, so I’ve color-coded it for you. sure compensation or flash exposure compensation are being used. ✦ ISO auto: Indicates that ISO sensi- The amount of compensation (for tivity is being set automatically by example +0.7) is shown in the the camera. shutter speed readout area imme- diately above these indicators. ✦ Flash sync mode: Shows the current flash synchronization setting. ✦ Clock battery: Shows that the date/time should be set, or that ✦ Image quality: Shows whether the permanent built-in clock bat- image files are being saved in RAW tery must be replaced by an format, Fine (JPEG), Normal (JPEG), authorized technician. Basic (JPEG), or RAW+Basic. ✦ Bracketing: When bracketing is ✦ Image size: Indicates the current being used, the BKT indicator will resolution being used, either appear, the EV indicator on the 6 megapixels, 3.3 megapixels, or LCD and viewfinder will flash, and 1.5 megapixels, indicated by the icons under the BKT indicator L (large), M (medium) or S (small) will disappear as each bracketed indicators. picture is taken. ✦ Shutter speed: Current shutter ✦ Beep indicator: Shows whether a speed setting. beep will sound during certain ✦ Aperture: Current f-stop. camera functions, such as self- timer operation or when single ✦ Flexible program: Shows that autofocus is achieved. program mode is in use and that

1.15 Top-panel LCD display readouts and indicators. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 29

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 29

✦ Thousands of exposures: Appears settings, or to a manually preset to show that the number of remain- value. ing exposures exceeds 1,000. ✦ Remaining Exposures: Approximate number of pictures remaining on your memory card. Viewing and Playing (With RAW format, this estimate is often about half of the true num- Back Images ber of pictures available.) The D70’s playback mode lets you review ✦ Focus Area/autofocus Mode: your images, delete the bad ones, and Shows the currently selected focus decide on exposure or compositional tweaks area and type of autofocus opera- to improve your following shots. tion in use. Follow these steps to review your images: ✦ Metering Mode: Indicates current exposure metering mode. 1. Press the playback button to ✦ White Balance Settings: Shows produce the most recently taken whether white balance is being set photo on the back panel LCD. automatically, to one of the built-in

Flexible program Shutter speed Shooting modes

Flash sync mode Metering mode Thousands of exposures

Battery Clock battery Beep indicator

ISO EV Flash EV Bracketing Aperture

Image qualityImage size White balance settings

Focus area/Autofocus mode Exposures remaining 1.16 Monochrome LCD readouts. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 30

30 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

Zoom Next photo

Protect Previous Thumbnails Change information photo

Playback

Delete 1.17 Review your photos using the color LCD.

2. Press the thumbnail button button to view a selected image repeatedly to cycle among on the LCD in full size. single-picture display, or tiled 3. Press the playback zoom button views that show four or nine to enlarge the viewed image on reduced-size thumbnails at one the screen. time. • Use the multi selector’s cursor • In single-picture display, the up keys to move the zoomed area and down keys on the multi around within the enlarged selector move to the next or view. previous image. • Hold down the thumbnail key • When viewing four or nine to view an inset area with a thumbnails, the up and down miniature view of the entire keys navigate among the avail- image, with the zoomed area able images. Press the playback highlighted. You can move this 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 31

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 31

1.18 Moving the zoomed area.

highlighted area around with • Histogram: Adds to the basics the multi selector’s cursor keys. a histogram graph that displays the relationship between the • Hold down the thumbnail key dark and light tones in the and spin the main command image. dial to change the size of the zoomed area. • Highlights: The brightest areas of an image are represented 4. Press the left and right keys on with a flashing border so you the multi selector while viewing can easily see any portions that an image to change the type of might lack detail because of information shown with your overexposure. preview. Your options include: 5. Press the protect button to keep • File Information: Shows the the selected image from acci- image, its filename, frame num- dental erasure. The photo can still ber, size, quality, folder name, be removed if the card is reformat- and so on. ted, however. • Shooting Data 1: Gives you a 6. Press the delete button to erase screen with more information, the selected image. including the info in the basic File Information page, plus camera name, date, time, metering and exposure methods, shutter speed, aperture, Activating the lens focal length, flash information, and any EV adjustment Onboard Flash you’ve made. In some scene modes, the built-in electronic • Shooting Data 2: Includes the flash can be set to pop up automatically File Information basics, plus ISO when the D70 detects low light levels suit- setting, white balance, sharpen- able for flash photography. Or you can man- ing, color mode, hue, satura- ually pop up the flash by pressing the flash tion, and some other data. button on the left side of the camera. Once 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 32

32 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

the flash is in place, you have the following shutter closes, but adds long options: shutter speeds to add background illumination to the flash You’ll find more on using flash exposure. Not available with in Chapter 4. shutter priority or manual modes. ✦ If you’re using programmed, shutter priority, aperture priority, or ✦ If you’re using auto, portrait, or manual modes, hold down the close-up modes, hold down the flash button and spin the main flash button and spin the main command dial to switch among: command dial to switch among: • Front curtain sync: The flash • Auto front-curtain sync: fires as soon as the shutter Similar to front-curtain sync, but opens. Set the shutter speed of the flash pops up automatically. your choice (generally up to 1/500 second), when using • Auto with red-eye: Same as manual or shutter priority auto front-curtain sync, with modes. In programmed and red-eye reduction. aperture priority mode, the D70 • Off: Flash does not fire. sets the shutter speed between 1/60 and 1/500 second. ✦ If you’re using the night portrait • Red-eye reduction: Triggers mode, hold down the flash button the front-panel lamp (also used and spin the main command dial for focus assist) 1 second prior to choose. to exposure to reduce red-eye • Auto slow effect. sync: • Slow sync: Uses slow shutter Similar to speeds (as long as 30 seconds) slow sync, to add background illumination but the to the flash exposure. Not avail- flash pops able with shutter priority or up auto- manual modes. matically. • Auto slow • Slow sync with red-eye: Adds 1.19 Flash options. red-eye reduction to slow sync sync with mode. red-eye: Same as auto slow sync, but • Rear-curtain sync: The flash is with red-eye reduction. delayed until just before the shutter closes. This puts any • Off: Flash does not fire. “ghost” images from the ambi- In certain modes, such as ent light caused by moving Tip Programmed mode, the cam- objects to appear behind the era’s viewfinder will signal the flash image. user with an icon when flash is suggested so that the flash but- • Slow rear-curtain sync: Also ton can be used to raise the delays flash until just before the flash head. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 33

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 33 Metering Modes ISO Sensitivity The D70 can use any of three different expo- The D70 can choose the sensitivity setting sure metering methods when set to any of (ISO) for you automatically, or you can man- the semi-automatic or manual exposure ually choose a setting. Just follow these steps: modes (which are discussed later in the chapter). Select the metering mode by hold- 1. If the LCD monitor is on, tap the ing down the metering mode button and shutter-release button to cancel spinning the main command dial until one the display. of these metering modes appears in the 2. Hold down the ISO button on monochrome LCD: the back panel.

✦ Matrix: The camera examines 3. Rotate the main command dial 1,005 pixels in the frame and to choose an ISO setting from chooses the exposure based on ISO 200 to ISO 1600. that information (plus, with Type G ISO and white balance can and D lenses, distance range data). alternatively be set using the ✦ Center-weighted: The camera col- menu system, which is dis- lects exposure information over the cussed in Chapter 2. You can also find more information on entire frame, ISO and white balance in but when Chapter 3. making its calculations emphasizes the 8mm Setting White center circle (or other Balance size chosen by you) To more closely match the D70’s color ren- shown dition to the color of the illumination used in the to expose an image, you can set the white viewfinder. balance. To use a preset value, follow these ✦ Spot: steps: Exposure is calculated 1. If the LCD monitor is on, tap the entirely from shutter-release button to cancel an area the display. approximating 2. Hold down the white balance the currently button on the back panel. selected focus 1.20 Metering 3. Rotate the main command dial area. modes. to choose a white balance from among auto, incandescent, fluo- rescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, and preset. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 34

34 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

White balance can also be set using the Eiffel Tower. Don’t use this mode if menu system, where you have additional you want every picture in a series options for fine-tuning or defining a preset to be exposed exactly the same. If value. you change shooting angles or reframe your image, the D70 might match your shot with a different image in its database and produce a slightly different (but still “opti- mized”) look. 1.21 White balance options. ✦ Portrait: In this mode, the D70 assumes you’re taking a portrait of a subject (or two) standing relatively close to the camera. So, it Programmed automatically focuses on the near- est subject and uses a wider lens Exposure Modes opening (which can throw the The D70 has seven Digital Vari-Program background out of focus). The camera’s built-in sharpening effects (DVP), or scene, modes that make some of are not used, to produce less the setting decisions for you. You can detailed, but smoother skin tones. choose these modes from the mode dial. Exposure is also set to create They include: smoother tonal gradations that are flattering for your subjects. Flash ✦ Full auto: In this exposure mode, (if used) is set to reduce red-eye the D70’s brains take care of most effects. Don’t use this mode if your of the settings, based on what kind portrait subject is not the closest of shot you’ve framed in the object to the camera. viewfinder. For example, the camera knows how far away the sub- ✦ Landscape: Scenic photos are ject is (from the automatic focus usually taken of distant objects, but mechanism), the color of the light the D70 doesn’t lock focus at infin- (which tells the camera whether ity; it uses the “closest subject” set- you’re indoors or outdoors), and it ting, just as with portrait mode. can make some pretty good However, it does assume that elec- guesses about what kind of subject tronic flash won’t be of much help matter (landscape, portrait, and so in shooting your vistas, so it locks forth) from exposure data and out the built-in Speedlight. The other information. After comparing camera automatically boosts sharp- your shot to its 30,000-picture ness and color richness to help you database, the D70 decides on the capture distant details and the best settings to use when you vivid colors of foliage. Don’t use press the shutter-release button. this mode if you need to use flash Auto is the mode to use when you as a fill-in to illuminate shadows in want one of those fumble-fingered subjects relatively close to the cam- neophytes in your tour group to era who are posing in front of your take your picture in front of the vistas. 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 35

Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D70 35

✦ Close up: Your D70 makes some shutter speed and aperture. These four adjustments suitable for close-up exposure modes are also set using the photos when you choose this mode dial. Your choices include: mode. For example, the automatic focusing mechanism will concen- ✦ Program: In this mode, the D70 trate on the center of the frame automatically chooses an appropri- (because that’s where most close- ate shutter speed and f-stop to up subjects are located), and not provide the correct exposure. seek sharp focus until you partially However, you can override these depress the shutter-release button. settings in several ways. In all cases, if your attempted adjust- ✦ Sports: The D70 switches into a ments result in an exposure continuous autofocus mode that beyond the range of the system tries to track moving subjects to (that is, you’re asking for a shutter keep them in focus. It also uses speed or f-stop that’s not avail- higher shutter speeds and turns able), either HI or LO will appear in the flash off. Because the D70 fig- the viewfinder. ures you don’t want to miss a fast- moving shot, the shutter will trip • Rotate the main command dial even if focus hasn’t been achieved. to the left to change to a slower shutter speed and smaller f-stop ✦ Night landscape: In this mode, combination that provides the the D70 uses shutter speeds as same overall exposure. long as 17 seconds to allow dark backgrounds and shadows to be • Rotate the main command properly exposed. The flash is dial to the right to change to turned off. a higher shutter speed and larger f-stop combination that ✦ Night portrait: Similar to night provides the same overall landscape mode, this mode adds exposure. flash capability and tries to balance flash exposure with the back- • Hold down the EV button and ground illumination using front- rotate the main command dial curtain slow synchronization. to the left or right to add or subtract exposure from the metered exposure reading.

Semiautomatic and ✦ Shutter priority: In this exposure mode, you specify the shutter Manual Exposure speed with the main command dial, and the D70 will select an Modes appropriate f-stop. The HI and LO warnings will appear if you exceed The Nikon D70 has three semiautomatic the range of available settings. exposure modes that allow you to specify ✦ shutter speed, aperture, or combinations Aperture-priority: In this expo- of the two; and a manual exposure mode sure mode, you specify the f-stop to be used with the sub-command that gives you the complete freedom to set 06_596780 ch01.qxd 6/16/05 7:20 PM Page 36

36 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D70

dial, and the D70 will select the shutter speed for you, or display Tip As you work with these exposure modes, keep in mind that the HI and LO indicators if this isn’t each of them may lock you out possible. of making the full range of ✦ Manual: You can select both the adjustments of a particular type. For example, when using shutter speed and f-stop using the any DVP/scene mode, you won’t main and sub-command dials. The be able to adjust the exposure D70 will still let you know when manually using the EV settings. proper exposure is achieved using In portrait mode, electronic the exposure readout in the ﬂash options can be set only to viewﬁnder. automatic, or red-eye reduction either on or off.