Nikon D800 Quick start guide

Technical Guide

ii

Introduction

This “Technical Guide” details the principal techniques used

to create two of the more technically advanced photographs

in the D800/D800E brochure. Take this opportunity to admire

the skills of professional photographers who have mastered

the D800/D800E.

While its groundbreaking 36 megapixels give the D800/D800E

resolution unrivalled by previous digital SLR cameras, a side

eect of such high resolution is that blur, whether the result

of imprecise focus or camera shake, becomes that much more

noticeable. Realizing the full potential of a camera with over

30-million pixels involves a thorough understanding of the

causes and characteristics of blur, careful selection of settings

and tools (lenses, tripods, etc.), and working with the best

possible subjects.

1

Table of Contents

Introduction iIntroduction iii

Shooting TechniquesShooting Techniques 22

Still Subjects...............................................................................2

Lesson 1: Use a Tripod.................................................................. 5

Lesson 2: Use Live View ............................................................... 6

Lesson 3: Avoid Very Small Apertures .................................11

Same Shot with Viewnder Framing ....................................13

Portrait Subjects..................................................................... 14

Lesson 1: Choose the Proper Focus Settings .....................17

Lesson 2: Choose the Proper Exposure Settings ..............18

Learn from Mistakes: Same Shot, Dierent Focus Point ...

21

Quick Tips 2Quick Tips 222

1. High ISO Sensitivity........................................................... 22

2. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control ............................................ 24

3. Improving Optical Performance ..................................... 26

4. Backlit Portraits.................................................................. 28

The D800EThe D800E 3030

1. High Resolution Images with the D800E .......................30

2. Aperture and Complex Subjects..................................... 32

3. Color Aliasing and Moiré ................................................. 34

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2

Shooting Techniques

Still Subjects

—Keeping Blur to a Minimum—

3

4

Shooting Techniques

At the high resolutions oered by the D800/D800E, even the

slightest camera shake can result in blur. The technique re-

vealed in this section minimizes blur through a combination

of live view photography and the use of a tripod.

Technical Data

■Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED ■Exposure mode:

Manual ■Shutter speed: 1 s ■Aperture: f/8 ■White balance:

Choose color temp. (5000 K) ■ISO sensitivity: 100 ■Picture con-

trol: Standard

Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed

using Capture NX 2.

Photo © Benjamin Anthony Monn

5

Still Subjects

Lesson 1: Use a Tripod

Use a tripod to reduce blur when

photographing static subjects. It

should be as sturdy as possible;

avoid extending the legs or center

column farther than necessary. A

large head helps keep the camera

steady.

Tripod Mode

Some lenses, such as the AF-S

NIKKOR 200 –400mm f/4G ED

VR II, oer vibration reduction

with a TRIPOD option that is par-

ticularly eective at reducing

blur at shutter speeds of ⁄–1 s.

This option is generally recom-

mended when the camera is

mounted on a tripod. The NOR-

MAL option is preferred, howev-

er, if the tripod head is not xed

or when a monopod is used.

6

Shooting Techniques

Lesson 2: Use Live View

Live view can be used to achieve sharper focus and prevent

blur.

Live View Photography

Rotate the live view selector to Cand press ato raise the

mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor.

Live view selector abutton

7

Still Subjects

Why Use Live View?

1. The mirror is raised prior to shooting, reducing blur.

At the high resolutions oered by the D800/D800E, even the

slight movement that occurs when the mirror is raised can

sometimes be enough to blur photographs. With live view,

the mirror is raised well before the shutter is released, reduc-

ing one possible cause of blur.

Reducing Blur with Viewnder Framing

If the live view display is dicult to see outdoors or under

bright ambient light, use the viewnder to frame photo-

graphs. Use mirror-up mode when using the viewnder

to frame photos to reduce the blur that sometimes occurs

when the mirror is raised. Press the release mode dial lock

release and rotate the release mode dial to MUP.

After focusing, press the shutter-release button all the way

down once to raise the mirror and again to release the

shutter. An optional remote cord can be used to prevent

the camera from moving when the shutter-release button

is pressed, or an option other than O can be selected for

Custom Setting d4 (Exposure delay mode) to delay shutter

release until 1–3 s after the mirror is raised. Use of a tripod

is recommended.

8

Shooting Techniques

Why Use Live View?

2. Focus anywhere in the frame.

With live view, the multi selector can be used to

position the focus point anywhere in the frame,

regardless of the options selected for AF/MF and

autofocus.

The ability to position the focus point anywhere within the

monitor’s angle of view greatly expands the range in which

the camera can focus.

In autofocus mode, press the shutter-release button halfway,

or press the Bbutton, to focus on the subject in the select-

ed focus point. In manual focus mode, focus can be adjusted

by rotating the lens focus ring.

Other manuals for D800

4

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1

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