Nikon COOLPIX Digital Field Guide - Softcover

Thomas, J. Dennis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470168536 ISBN 13: 9780470168530

Publisher: Wiley, 2007

Synopsis

The Nikon COOLPIX Digital Field Guide is filled with everything you need to know in order to take amazing photographs using any Nikon COOLPIX camera. This full–color portable guide walks you through the essential controls, features, and functions of the Nikon COOLPIX point–and shoot camera line using step–by–step instructions and full–color images of each menu screen. This robust guide not only shows you how to adjust a variety of settings on your Nikon COOLPIX, it also teaches you when and why you should adjust them. The Nikon COOLPIX Digital Field Guide goes beyond camera settings to offer you a friendly guide to the principles of digital photography, covering the essentials of lighting and composition. Filled with amazing examples, this book also presents a variety of techniques for getting great photos, including specific tips and tricks for capturing portraits, candids, sports and action shots, travel pictures, macro photography, and much more.

About this title

About the Author

J. Dennis Thomas has been an avid photographer since his teens. He currently owns Dead Sailor Productions, a photography and graphic design business, and has worked with such companies as RedBull Energy Drink, Obsolete Industries, Secret Hideout Studios, and Digital Race Photography. Denny′s work has been published in several regional publications and is shown in various galleries throughout the country. He is also the author of the Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide and the Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide.

From the Back Cover

Your guide to the camera that fits your lifefstyle

Your COOLPIX camera can do it all — from photographing your children at play to photographing the Eiffel Tower at night. Whether you have a P, S, or L Series camera, this book gives you the details on how to use all your camera controls to get the best shots possible, along with practical advice on essential photography topics from the best settings to choose to exposure to composition and more. This is the go-anywhere guide for you and your COOLPIX.

• Explore your COOLPIX camera's image capture modes, including novel color options

• Work with exposure compensation, blur detection, in-camera crop, and D-Lighting settings

• Learn about the basic rules of good composition

• Get tips on accessories, in-camera editing, downloading pictures, and printing

• Learn to capture dynamic and creative shots of concerts, animals, people, nature, cityscapes, and more

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Nikon COOLPIX Digital Field Guide

By Dennis J. Thomas

John Wiley & Sons

Copyright © 2007 Dennis J. Thomas
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-470-16853-0

Chapter One

Exploring the COOLPIX Cameras

In This Chapter

The L Series

The S Series

The P Series

Power requirements

Choosing the right memory card

In this chapter you explore all the details of the different camera series and some of the specifications and features that each has to offer. We also cover the layouts and where to find the certain parts and buttons that make up the camera. This chapter is intended to help you learn the layout of the camera so you know where each part of your camera is and what it does.

The L Series

Nikon calls its COOLPIX L Series the "Life" series of cameras because they are designed to "capture your life, easily." These cameras are sophisticated, yet very simple to use: The camera controls almost all of the shooting functions, allowing you to concentrate on composing the image in the LCD viewfinder.

An L Series camera, although not as compact as an S Series one, is small enough to fit in your pocket so you can always have it with you. And although the L Series cameras are the most affordable in Nikon's lineup of point-and-shoot cameras, even these entry-level models offer an amazing array of features.

The L-series cameras start out with the L4's 4-megapixel image sensor, which is enough to print photos up to 8 x 10 inches in size, and go all the way up to the L5 and L12's 7-megapixel sensor, which allows you to print flawless-looking images as large as 16 x 20 inches! The cameras in the L Series have at least a 3X optical zoom lens. The L5 has a 5X optical zoom, which offers plenty of zoom for those far-off subjects. All the cameras also offer an additional 4X digital zoom for extra reach when the subject is extremely far away.

Basic camera layout

In this section, I discuss the various buttons on the camera and give a brief description of what each button does. Although there are some minor variations on the layout between the different camera models, everything is nearly the same.

Top of the camera

On the top of the L Series cameras, you have the On/Off button and the shutter release button. With the L5 and L12 cameras, the top of the camera is also where the Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction (VR) and the One-Touch Portrait and D-Lighting buttons are located.

On cameras that offer a voice recording option, the speaker is also located on the top of the camera.

The On/Off button powers up the camera when you push and hold it for about three quarters of a second. The reason you need to press and hold the button is that otherwise it would be hard to prevent the camera from accidentally turning on in your pocket, purse, or camera bag if the button was momentarily pressed.

The Shutter Release button is the button you press to engage the autofocus and to make the picture.

For cameras equipped with this feature (L5), the VR button allows you to activate the Vibration Reduction. You can choose between VR off, VR normal, and VR active by pressing the button.

Cross-Reference

For more information on Vibration Reduction see Chapter 3.

Another button that is only available on certain models is the One-Touch Portrait button. When you press this button, the camera switches to Face-Priority AF and applies In-Camera Red-Eye Fix in the next shot you take. If the camera is in Playback mode and you press this button, it is activates the D-Lighting button function. D-Lighting is a function within the camera that can fix the underexposure that can often happen to images that are backlit.

Front of the camera

The front of the camera is where the lens, the flash, and the AF-Assist illuminator and self-timer lights are located. On cameras with the sound recording function, the front of the camera is also where the built-in micro-phone is located so that you can record sound with your images or movies.

Nikon has been known for making some of the best lenses in the industry for going on seventy years. All Nikon COOLPIX cameras come equipped with high-quality Zoom-Nikkor lenses.

Located above the lens is the flash, or in Nikon terminology, the Speedlight. While there are all sorts of different reason to use flash, the main function of the flash is to provide ample illumination when the lighting is too dim to take a photograph.

The AF-Assist illuminator/Self-timer lamp lights up when there is not enough light for the camera to focus properly. The lamp pro-vides enough light for the camera to detect enough contrast to focus. It also functions as a self-timer light. The self-timer light blinks, letting you know that the timer is activated and the shutter will fire.

There is a small microphone located just above and to the side of the lens area, if your camera has this feature, for recording sound when using the movie mode, or for recording notes to a still image.

Note

Not all L Series cameras have the AF-assist illuminator. Check your owner's manual for your specific model.

Back of the camera

The back of the L Series cameras is where most of the controls and option buttons reside. Everything from the zoom to exposure compensation is controlled from here. This is also where the LCD panel is.

* LCD screen. The most obvious feature on the back of the camera is the LCD screen. The L Series cameras have anywhere from a 2- to 2.5-inch LCD screen. The LCD screen is where you compose and view your images, view the menus to change your settings, and, do any in-camera editing to your images such as in-camera cropping and D-Lighting adjustments. The LCD screens on the COOLPIX cameras are bright, easy to see, durable, and scratch-resistant.

* Mode selector button. At the top of the back of the camera is the Mode selector button. This button slides left and right, allowing you to choose the shooting mode to which you want to set your camera. The modes are Auto, Scene Mode, and Movie Mode. * Flash lamp. Above the LCD panel is the flash lamp. This light indicates if the flash is ready and will fire or if the flash is charging. When the flash lamp is glowing solid, the flash is ready to fire. If the flash lamp is blinking, the flash is still charging, and will be ready in a few seconds. If the flash lamp is not lit, the flash will not fire.

Note

The Shutter Release button must be half-pressed in order for the flash lamp to come on.

* Zoom button. The Zoom button is a two-way rocker switch that allows you to zoom the lens in or out. To the left on this button is the wide-angle setting, marked with a W, which allows you to fit a lot of the scene into the image; the right button, marked with a T for telephoto, allows you to zoom in close to capture faraway subjects or to focus on a specific detail of a subject. The Zoom button also has two other uses, depending on the mode the camera is in:

In Playback mode. Under the button on the left-hand (W) side is a small checkerboard pattern. When you press it in Playback mode, the LCD plays back your images as small thumbnails. Under the right-hand (T) side of the button is a magnifying glass icon. When you press this side of the button, you're able to zoom into the image that is being played back for closer inspection. In Menu mode. Next to the magnifying glass icon is a question mark symbol. When your camera is in Menu mode, you can press this button on the T side to display a brief description of whatever menu item is currently selected.

* Menu button. When you press this button, a menu where you can change settings appears on the LCD screen. Each menu is different depending on which mode you're in. For example, if your camera is set to Auto mode when the Menu button is pressed, you see the Shooting menu; if you're set to the Scene mode, you see the Scene menu, and so on. There is also a menu for the One-Touch Portrait mode on cameras with this feature.

* Multi-selector in Shooting mode. The multi-selector control is probably the most important and complex control on the camera because it is really a conglomeration of five buttons, with more than one function for each button. When you're in Shooting mode, whether you're in Auto or Scene mode, the primary function of the multi-selector is to enable you to change the most important features quickly. For ease of use, each button is marked with the icon of what it does.

Flash mode button. This button is at the top of the multi-selector and is represented by a small lightning-bolt icon. When you press this button, the flash mode options appear on the LCD panel. Use this button to change the flash mode, choosing the one that is more suited to your needs.

Exposure compensation button. Use the right button on the multi-selector to adjust the exposure compensation to fine-tune the image. It is represented by a plus and minus icon. After you preview the image, if it looks too dark or too light you can adjust the exposure compensation and re-shoot the picture with the adjustments in place. Focus mode button. You use the Focus mode button, which looks like a flower, to enable the close-up function. This allows you to focus very close to the subject to get greater detail in your images.

Self-timer button. The left button, which looks like a clock or a timer, is used to set the self-timer. The self-timer puts a ten-second delay on the shutter so you can set your camera up for shooting self-portraits.

OK button. The center OK button sets the selection of the function being modified.

Cross-Reference

All of these features and more are discussed in greater detail in Chapter 2

* Multi-selector in Playback mode. When you are in Playback mode, you use the multi-selector to navigate through the images. The top button and the button on the left display previous images and the bottom button and right button display the next images in the order you took them. The OK button takes you into the Quick Playback Zoom mode, which divides the current displayed image into nine sections, initially zooming in on the center section. You can then use the directional button on the multi-selector to move to another section of the image. While in Quick Playback Zoom mode, you can also use the Zoom button to zoom in further or to zoom out.

Note

When you've connected to a computer via USB cable, press the OK button to start down-loading all pictures that have been marked for transfer.

* Playback mode button. Press this button to view a full-frame play-back on the LDC screen of the images you have taken. Once in Playback mode, you can use the multi-selector to view the images as noted in the previous bullet. To return to the Shooting mode, press the Playback mode button again. * Delete button. This button is marked with an icon that looks like a trash can. If you're in Playback mode and you press the delete button, the image that appears in the LCD screen is permanently deleted. To save your images from accidental deletion, the camera asks whether you want to erase the image. Use the multi-selector up or down to select Yes or No, and then press the OK button.

The sides and bottom of the camera

The right side of the camera is where the USB port is located that you use to connect your camera to your computer to download your images; you can also use the USB cable to connect to a PictBridge compatible printer to print directly from the camera.

The left side of the camera has an eyelet that is used to attach the strap that is supplied with the camera.

On the bottom of the camera are the battery door cover and the tripod socket. The battery door cover opens to insert the batteries and also the memory card. The tripod socket is used to screw in the quick-release plate of a tripod or to connect the camera directly to a tripod head.

The S Series

Nikon calls its S Series cameras its "Style" series. These cameras are ultra-compact, yet are packed with features such as Vibration Reduction, and some models even include Wi-Fi. They have a high sensitivity ISO that allows you to take pictures in even the lowest light without using a flash. The S Series has a sleek and stylish look: Some models have brushed aluminum casings, some have a sleek wave design, and others have a sophisticated black finish.

An S Series camera is so compact that it can fit unobtrusively into your pocket, allowing you to have it with you at all times so you don't miss that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

All of the S Series cameras have a 3X optical zoom. The S4 and S10 cameras even have a 10X optical zoom. This is perfect if you're shooting wildlife and birds or any subject that you just can't get to close to. The S4 and S10 also have a swiveling lens that allows you to compose your images up high and down low; this way you don't have to resort to getting into an awkward position and are still able to view the LCD screen perfectly.

Basic camera layout

Cameras in the S Series vary widely, so there may be some differences in the basic layout of the cameras shown and the camera you own, but for the most part the descriptions are accurate for all S Series cameras.

Note

Any major differences between the camera layouts are addressed separately.

Top of the camera

On the top of the S Series cameras, you have the On/Off button and the Shutter Release button. On models such as the S5, S6, S7c, S9, and S10, the Zoom button is also located on the top. On models S50, S50c, S200, and S500, the zoom button is located on the back panel. The top of the camera is also the location of the One-Touch Portrait mode button on cameras that are equipped with this feature. On the S50, S50c, and the S500, the button for activating the Anti-Shake mode is located on the top as well. The Anti-Shake mode button is represented by a hand with shaky lines around it.

Cross-Reference

For more information on the Anti-Shake mode see Chapter 3.

* On/Off button. Powers up the camera when you press and hold it for about three quarters of a second.

* Shutter Release button. You press this button to engage the auto focus and to actually make the picture.

* One Touch Portrait button. You press this button to switch the camera to Face-Priority AF and apply In-Camera Red-Eye fix. When the camera is in Playback mode, this button doubles as the D-lighting button. D-Lighting is a function within the camera that can fix the underexposure that can often happen to images that are backlit.

* Anti-Shake Button. By pressing this button, Best Shot Selector, VR, and high ISO are all activated. This mode allows low light photography (without a flash) with Image Stabilization with a high ISO capability.

The major exceptions to the top of the camera view are the S4 and S10 cameras. These cameras have a swiveling lens capability, and when they are closed, the lens of the camera points straight up to the top of the camera.

Front of the camera

The front of the camera is where the lens, the flash, and the AF-assist illuminator/self-timer lights are located. On cameras such as the S200 and S500, this is also where the built-in microphone is located.

The lens on the S200 and S500 is easily visible as it protrudes from the front of the camera. The rest of the cameras, with the exception of the S10, have an internally zooming lens. This means that even when the camera is on, no lens sticks out from the front of the camera. The S7c and the S500 S Series cameras have a 3X zoom with the exception of the S4 and S10, which have an amazing 10X optical zoom.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Nikon COOLPIX Digital Field Guideby Dennis J. Thomas Copyright © 2007 by Dennis J. Thomas. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0470168536
• ISBN 13: 9780470168530
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 242