Nikon Guide to Digital Photography

8/6/2019 Nikon Guide to Digital Photography

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Contents

1

Product Documentation

First Steps

Basic Photography

Advanced Photography

Playback

Camera Setup

Connections

The Guide to Digital Photography

with the

COOLPIX 990DIGITAL CAMERA

Electronic Edition

Technical Notes

Click to go


2/106

Product DocumentationThank you for your purchase of a COOLPIX 990 digital cam-era. The documentation for this product includes the manualslisted below. Please be sure to read all instructions thoroughlyto get the most from your camera.

Fast Track Guide/For Your Safety In addition to taking first time users step-by-step throughthe process of setting up and using the camera, the printedFast Track Guide gives a quick overview of camera settings.For Your Safety , printed on the reverse of the Fast Track Guide,lists warnings and cautions that should be observed whenusing and storing your camera, together with legal informa-tion. Please keep this document where all those who usethe camera will read it.

Menu GuideThis printed guide provides an overview of the camerasmenus.

Guide to Digital Photography The Guide to Digital Photography (this manual, available in bothelectronic and printed formats) provides detailed informa-tion about your camera. The electronic edition featuresclickable links not available in the printed guide; otherwisethe contents of the two manuals are identical. Both aredivided into the following chapters:

First StepsGuides you step-by-step through the process of setting upyour camera and taking your first photograph

Basic PhotographyIntroduces the shooting options available in A-REC mode, a

point-and-shoot mode that gives you control over flash,focus, and image quality settings, while the camera auto-matically adjusts other settings for the best results

Advanced PhotographyDetails the shooting options available in M-REC mode, anadvanced shooting mode that gives you complete controlover camera settings

PlaybackExplains how to view and delete the photographs stored inthe cameras memory

Camera SetupDetails the options available in the SET-UP menus

ConnectionsDescribes how to connect your camera to a television orcomputer

Technical NotesProvides information on caring for your camera, cameraaccessories, specifications, and troubleshooting

ProductDocumentation

2


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To make it easier to find the information you need, the follow-ing symbols and conventions are used:

A table of contents appears on the first page of theelectronic Guide to Digital Photography . In addition,each chapter begins with an outline of the topics

covered. Click on the heading to open the guideto the indicated chapter or section.

Click the icon at the bottom right corner of each page for an explanation of the symbols andconventions used in this manual.

Click the icon at the bottom of each page for

an explanation of how to use the camera menus.

Click the icon at the bottom of each page fora quick overview of camera menus.

Click the icon at the bottom of each page toview an illustration identifying camera parts.

Blue text indicates a link to another part of theGuide to Digital Photography . To follow the link, click the blue text.

This icon marks cautions, information that youshould read before use to prevent damage to yourcamera.

This icon marks notes, information that you shouldread before using your camera.

This icon marks tips, additional information you mayfind helpful when using your camera.

This icon marks references to other documenta-tion or to another part of this manual.

This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to the Fast Track Guide.

This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to For Your Safety .

This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to the Guide to Digital Photography .

While this guide is also available in printed format, you may find it conve-nient to print portions of the electronic edition for ease of reference. Thedesired pages can be printed using the Print command in the Adobe

Acrobat Reader File menu.

Printing this manual

ProductDocumentation

About

As part of Nikons Life-Long Learning commitment to providing ongoingproduct support and education, a continuing set of new and updated infor-mation is always available on-line at www.nikon-euro.com . Please visit thissite to keep up-to-date with the latest in product information, tips, FAQs,

and general advice on the subjects of Digital Imaging and Photography.

Life-Long Learning

3
http://www.nikon-euro.com/http://www.nikon-euro.com/http://www.nikon-euro.com/http://www.nikon-euro.com/


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First StepsThis chapter: Introduces you to the parts of the COOLPIX 990 and the

camera menus Takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up

your camera Outlines the steps involved in taking photographs and play-ing them back

Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Putting Batteries in the Camera

Inserting the Memory Card

Choosing a Language

Setting the Time and Date

Taking a Photograph

Playback and Deletion

FirstSteps

4

Click to go


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Click

for more information

Shutter-releasebutton

Mode dial

Exposure compensation(FUNC 2) button

Commanddial

Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera con-trols, displays, and menus.

MODE (FUNC 1)button

MENU button

MONITORbutton

Zoom-out (Wide)button

Zoom-in (Tele)button

Multiselector

Image-quality/Size button

Flash/Sensitivity(Thumbnail)button

Focus mode(Delete)

button

Flash-readylamp

Autofocuslamp

Viewfindereyepiece

LCDMonitor

FirstSteps:Getting to Knowthe COOLPIX990

5

The lens section is attached to the camera body by a hinge that permitsthe lens to be rotated through 270 . For more information, see:

First Steps: Taking a Picture

Control panel

Lens

Viewfinder

DC-INconnectorUSB/serial

connector

Diopter-adjust-

ment dial

Photocell

Connectorfor external

flash

Battery-chamber latch

Eyelet forcamera strap

Battery-chamber

cover

Memory-cardslot

Tripodsocket

Built-inflash

VIDEOOUT

Red-eyereduction

lamp


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Control Panel Through the Viewfinder


6

Focus target (A-REC)/Center focus area for manual or

automatic AF area selection (M-REC)

Use this area to framephotographs at ranges of

less than 90 cm (1 yd)

Use the diopter-adjustment dial to adjust viewfinder focus.

Manual focusindicator

Sensitivity (ISO equivalency)indicator

Shutter-speed/aperturedisplay (press to

switch between shutter-

speed and aperture)

Focus mode

Continuous

Flash mode

Exposurecompensationindicator

Exposure count display(shows number of

exposures remaining)Image quality

Image size

Exposuremode

Memory-cardindicator

Battery

indicator

Meteringmode

White-balanceindicator

(FUNC. 1/

FUNC. 2)

Click



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Camera MenusChanges to some settings can be made with the help of menusthat appear in the LCD monitor. Separate menus are availablefor each operating mode:

LCD Monitor

27

30

28B-LAE-L

P 1/60 F2.7FINEINEVGAA

NOOV

[ 10 ]

BS S

X2.0

ISOSO

+0.7

22

24

20

15

119

1 2 3 54

67

810

121314161718

19

2123

25

26

29

1 Zoom indicator2 Digital zoom3 Focus mode/manual focus dis-

tance4 External flash indicator5 Flash mode (built-in flash)6 Battery indicator7 Image sharpening8 White-balance program9 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency)

10 Image adjustment11 Image size12 Image quality

13 Number of exposures remain-ing at current settings

14 Exposure compensation15 Aperture (f number)

16 Shutter speed17 Exposure mode18 Metering mode19 Continuous (multi-shot) mode20 Exposure bracketing indicator21 Auto-exposure lock 22 White-balance lock 23 Best-shot selection24 Lens converter indicator25 Current folder26 User set number27 Self-timer indicator28 Auto-exposure target (spot

metering)29 Focus areas30 Exposure display (manual expo-

sure mode)


7

Controls

Playback options

Advanced shooting options (e.g.,white balance, metering)

Basic camera setup (e.g., formattingmemory cards, setting time anddate). SET-UP menus for M-RECand PLAY accessible from SHOOT-ING and PLAY BACK menusrespectively. Options availabledepend on operating mode.

Menu

PLAY BACK

SHOOTING

SET-UP

Mode

PLAY

M-REC

A-REC,M-REC,PLAY

Menu operations are performed with the multi selector, theMENU button, and the command dial, as described on the pagesthat follow.


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Highlightoption

Displayoptions

Making a selectionUse the multi selector to make a selection.

31

2

SMENU OF F

METERING

MatrixSpotCenter-WeightedSpot AF Area

A

S EL ECT S ETAA

21

2

SMENU OF F

METERING


A

SELECT SETAA

41

2

S

A

SELECT SET

METERING

A

AMENU PAGE2

To go back one step, press the multi selector to the left. The selection for some menu options is made from a sub-menu. Repeat steps 3

and 4 to select the desired setting from the sub-menu. Changes to settings apply as soon as the selection is made. In M-REC mode, the view through the lens is visible behind the main menu. Photo-

graphs can be taken while the menu is displayed by pressing the shutter-releasebutton.

In A-REC mode, the view through the lens can be restored by half-pressing theshutter-release button. You can take a picture at any time by pressing the shutter-release button all the way down. The A-REC menu will be restored when youremove your finger from the shutter-release button.

1

MENU PAGE2

1

2

S

A

SELECT SET

METERING

AAHighlightmenu item


8

Make selection

1

2

S

MENU PAGE2

WHITE BALANCEA

SELECT SET

AA

Viewing the menusPress the MENU button to display the menu for the current mode.

The menu can be hidden by pressing the MENU button when is dis-played in the lower left corner of the LCD monitor (to clear the M-REC menufrom the monitor when MENU PAGE2is displayed as shown at left, press the MENUbutton twice: once to display the second page of the M-REC menu, the secondtime to clear the menu from the screen).


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Multi-page menusUse the multi selector to move between pages in the M-REC menu, or to access the SET-UP menu from the M-REC andplayback menus.

4

MENU OF F

1

2

S

USER SETTING

SELECT SETS

You can also go from Page 1 to Page 2 of the M-REC menu by pressing the MENUbutton once.

The SET-UP menu for playback mode can also be accessed from the main playback menu. The SET-UP menu for M-REC can be accessed from the second page of theM-REC menu.


9

Displayselected page

1 12

S

MENU PAGE2

WHITE BALANCEA

SELECT SET

AA

Positioncursor in main

menu

Highlight pagetab

2 12

S

MENU PAGE2

SHOOTING MENU 1

A

SELECT SET

AA

3

MENU OF F

1

2

S

SHOOTING MENU 2

SELECT SETSHighlight page

number ( S forSET-UP menu)

Using the command dial to make a selectionA icon next to a menu item indicates that the command dial can be used instead of the multi selector to make a selection.

1

2

S

MENU PAGE2

WHITE BALANCE

SELECT SET

A

A

2 Stop whendesired option

is displayed

1

2

S

MENU PAGE2

WHITE BALANCEA

SELECT SET

A

A

1

Rotatecommand dial

Changes to settings apply as soon asthe selection is made. You can thenmake further changes to other settings

as described above, or use the MENUbutton to clear the menu from the dis-play.


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MENU O F F

S

SET-UP

FoldersMonitor OptionsShutter SoundAuto OffSeq. NumbersCF Card FormatDate

SELECT S ET

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 1 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

FirstSteps:Getting to Knowthe COOLPIX 990

1The A-REC Menu

CF CARD FORMAT

NoFormat

WARNING!All images willbe deleted!

3 0 S1 M5 M3 0 M

BrightnessHue

ONOFFReset

OptionsN I K O N

ONOFF

OPTIONS

New

Delete

Rename

BRIGHTNESS

HUE

NEW

LM

N I K O N

OPRENAME

N O V

S H O WDELETE

S H O WN O V

RENAME

QR

S H O W

T

U

DELETE

YesNo

S H O Wdeleting folder?

Click


11


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MENU O F F

1

2

S

USER SETTING

SELECT SETS

1

2

S

MENU PAGE2

WHITE BALANCEA

SELECT SET

AA

FirstStep

s:Getting to Knowthe COOLPIX 990

11

USER SETTING

RESET ALL

NoReset

Reset all settingsto default values?

FOCUS OPTIONS

AF Area ModeAuto Focus ModeFocus ConfirmationDistance Units

ZOOM OPTIONS

Digital TeleStartup PositionFixed Aperture

SPEEDLIGHT OPT.

Variable PowerSpeedlight Cntrl

The M-REC Menu, Page 1 The M-REC Menu, Page 2

IMAGE SHARPENING

HighNormalLow

Auto

Off

A IMAGE ADJUSTMENT

NormalAuto

More ContrastLess ContrastLighten ImageDarken Image

0

Black&White

A

LENS

NormalWide AdapterTelephoto 1Telephoto 2Fisheye 1Fisheye 2

METERINGMatrixSpotCenter- WeightedSpot AF Area

BSS

OFFON

CONTINUOUS

SingleContinuousMulti-shot 16VGA SequenceUltra HSMovie

WHITE BALANCEAutoWhiteite Bal Pres ettFineIncandescentncandescentFluorescentluorescentC loudyoudySpeedlight

A

EXPOSURE OPTIONSAE LockAuto BracketingExp +/

WHITE BALANCE PRESET

CancelMeasure

MFONOFF

m

ft

AutoManualOff

Continuous AFSingle AF

OFFON

Last PositionWideTele

ONOFF

+ 0. 3

0. 3

0

le PowerInt & Ext ActiveInt Flash Off

OFFONReset

OFFON

+ 0. 3

0. 3

0

Click


12


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SET-UP

FoldersMonitor OptionsControlsAuto OffSeq. NumbersCF Card Format

Shutter SoundShot Confirm LampDateVideo ModeLanguage

FirstStep


12The M-REC Set-up Menu

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 1 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

CF CARD FORMAT

NoFormat


3 0 S1 M5 M3 0 M

Display ModeBrightnessHue

ONOFFResetON

OFF

NTSCPAL

DEFJ

MemorizeFunc.1Func.2

OptionsN I K O N

ONOFF

BRIGHTNESS DISPLAY MODE

ONReview OnlyPreview OnlyMonitor Off

HUE

MEMORIZE

Mode

DoneFUNC. 1

Mode

Metering

White Balance

FUNC. 2

Mode

Metering

White Balance

OPTIONS

New

Delete

Rename

NEW

LM

N I K O N

OP

RENAME

N O VS H O W

DELETE

S H O W

N O V

RENAME

QR

S H O W

TU

DELETE

Yes

No

S H O Wdeleting folder?

Click for more information

13


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MENU OF F

1

S

SET-UP

Monitor OptionsShutter SoundAuto Off

DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

LanguageSELECT SET

MENU OF F

1

S

PLAY BACK MENU

DeleteFoldersSlide ShowProtectHide ImagePrint SetSet-up

SELECT SETS

FirstStep


13The Playback Menu The Playback Set-up Menu

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 1 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

CF CARD FORMAT

NoFormat


3 0 S1 M5 M3 0 M

BrightnessHue

ON

OFF

NTSCPAL

DEFJ

DELETE

Print Set

Selected Images

FolderAll Images

SLIDE SHOW

(Pause )

StartFrame Intvl

HIDE IMAGE

FOLDERS

N O V

Options

N I K O NAll Folders

PROTECTPRINT

DELETE

DELETE

S H O WN O V

ERASE ALL IMAGES

YesNo

Erasing all images( excluded)

OPTIONS

New

Delete

Rename

PRINT SET

InfoDate

Done

BRIGHTNESS

HUE

Click


1


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FirstSteps:Putting Batteries inthe Camera

1

For more information on:

The batteries can be removed without affecting photographs stored onthe cameras memory card. All M-REC settings except date and languagewill, however, be reset.

The cameras clock-calendar is powered by a separate rechargeable bat-tery. When you put batteries in your camera for the first time or after along period of storage, wait a few hours for the clock battery to recharge

before removing the main batteries.

Putting Batteries in the Camera

1 Turn the camera off Turn the mode dial to the off position.If the camera is on a tripod, removethe tripod before proceeding to thenext step.

2 Open the battery-chamber coverFirmly pressing the button in the cen-ter of the latch, slide the latch to theopen position ( ), then open the bat-tery-chamber cover as shown at right.

3 Insert the batteriesInsert four LR6 (AA) batteries with the+ and poles oriented as shown inthe label inside of the battery-cham-ber cover.

4 Close and latch the battery-chamber coverClose the battery-chamber cover and, keeping the coverheld firmly closed by pressing it where labeled w Push ,return the latch to the locked position ( ). To prevent thebatteries from falling out of the camera during operation,confirm that the cover is latched.

5 Check the battery levelTurn the mode dial to A-REC and check the battery level inthe control panel.

Batteries fully charged

Low batteryReplace the batteries as soon as possible.

Batteries exhaustedNo photographs can be taken until the batterieshave been replaced.

Battery types approved for use in your camera

Safe storage and handling of batteries

15


15/106

While alkaline batteries are suitable for use in the COOLPIX 990, batterylife can be extended by using high-capacity lithium or nickel-metal hydride(Ni-MH) batteries.

The following techniques can be used to extend battery life: Turn the LCD monitor off whenever possible (see right). Turning the

monitor off eliminates the single biggest draw on battery power. If the batteries become exhausted, try turning the camera off and warming

the batteries gently, for example in an inside pocket. The batteries mayrecover sufficient charge for a few extra shots with the monitor turnedoff.

Use the AC adapter (available separately) when the camera is connectedto a computer, when playing images back, or when using the slide-showoption.

In M-REC mode, power consumption is also affected by the options in theFOCUS OPTIONS > Autofocus Mode and the SET-UP > MonitorOptions > Display Mode sub-menus (see table below).

Extending battery life

FirstStep

s:Putting Batteries inthe Camera

15

Powerconsumption

Autofocus modeDisplay mode

High

Low

Review Only N.A.*

Monitor Off N.A.*

On /Preview Only

Single AF

Continuous AF

* Single autofocus is used while Review Only or Monitor Off are ineffect.


Connecting to a computer

Playback

Autofocus mode

Focus options

Display mode

The MONITOR button

The MONITOR button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button tocycle through monitor settings as shown below.

Monitor on,settings displayed

Monitor on,settings hidden

Monitor off

Press

Press

Press

1i d


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FirstStep

s:Inserting the Mem

ory Card


Inserting the Memory Card

1 Turn the camera off Turn the mode dial to the off position.

2 Insert the memory card

Open the card-slot cover (1) and in-sert the card (2) oriented as shown inthe v INSERT label on the undersideof the cover, sliding it in until it is firmlyin place at the back of the slot and theeject button pops up (3).

3Close the card-slot coverFold the eject button back into posi-tion (4) and close the card-slot cover(5). If the button is not folded overwhen the cover is closed, closing thecover may partially eject the card, caus-ing errors in recording photographs or

during playback.

Safe handling of memory cards

Approved memory cards

Reading memory cards with a computer

Formatting memory cards

Memory cards must be formatted for use in the COOLPIX 990 beforethey can be used. To format the memory card:

Select A-REC

1

Press MENU OF FS

SET-UP


SELECT SET

2 A-REC setupmenu displayed

Removing memory cards

Memory cards can be removed without loss of datawhen the camera is off. To remove memory cards,turn the camera off and open the card-slot cover.Stand the eject button up (6) and press it down (7)to eject the card.

Highlight CFCard Format

MENU OF F

S

SET-UP


SELECT SET

3

Press

4

Confirmation dialog displayed. Press multiselector down to highlight Format , then pressto right to format card. Do not turn camera off or remove card until FORMATTING messagehas disappeared from display. All data on cardwill be permanently deleted.

MENU OF F

S

CF CARD FORMAT

SELECT SET

NoFormat


5

14 Choose a language from the Language sub menu


17/106

MENUOF F

1

S

PLAY BACK MENU


SELECTSET

SHighlightSet-up

FirstSteps:Choosing aLanguage

Choosing a Language

The language in which menus and messages are displayed canbe set using the Language sub-menu.

1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY

2 Press the MENU buttonThe playback menu will be displayed (the appearance of themenu will vary depending on the language currently selected).

3 Display the SET-UP menu

4 Choose a language from the Language sub-menu

MENU OF F

1

S

PLAY BACK MENU


SELECT SET

S

A

B

MENU OF F

1

S

SET-UP


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

LanguageSELECT SETPress

MENU OF F

1

S

SET-UP


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

LanguageSELECT SETHighlight

Language

A

B

MENU OF F

1

S

LANGUAGE

SELECT SET


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

Language

DEFJ

The languages available in the Language sub-menu are:D German (Deutsch)E EnglishF French (Franais) J Japanese

Press

PressMENU OF F

1

S

LANGUAGE

SELECT SET


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

Language

DEFJHighlight

option

C D

1S i h Ti d D 4 Display the DATE menu


18/106

FirstSteps:Setting the Time andDate

Setting the Time and Date

1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY

2 Press the MENU buttonThe playback menu will be displayed.

3 Display the SET-UP menu

4 Display the DATE menu

MENU OF F

1

S

PLAY BACK MENUDeleteFoldersSlide ShowProtectHide ImagePrint SetSet-up

SELECT SETS

Any photographs taken before the time and date have been set will have atime stamp of 2000/01/01 0:00. Until you have set the time and date, aflashing clock icon will be displayed in the top right corner of the LCDmonitor when the camera is set to A-REC or M-REC.

The clock-calendar is powered by a separate, rechargeable battery, whichis charged as necessary when the main batteries are installed. If the cam-era has been stored with the main batteries removed for a long period of time, the clock may need to be reset. Once the main batteries have beenreinserted, the clock battery will recharge in several hours, during which

time the batteries should be left in the camera.

MENU OF F

1

S

PLAY BACK MENUDeleteFoldersSlide ShowProtectHide ImagePrint SetSet-up

SELECT SETSHighlight

Set-up

A

B

MENU OF F

1

S

SET-UP


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

LanguageSELECT SETPress

MENU OF F

1

S

SET-UP


DateVideo Mode

CF Card Format

LanguageSELECT SETHighlight

Date

A

B

MENU OF F

1

S

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 1 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

SELECT SETPress

15 Set the time and date using the multi selector 6 Exit the DATE menu


19/106

FirstSteps:Setting the Time andDate

B

MENU OF F

1

S

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 2 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

SELECT SETEdit selecteditem

A

MENU OF F

1

S

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 1 . 0 1

0 0 : 0 0

Y M D

SELECT SETHighlightdesired item

MENU OF F

1

S

DATE

2 0 0 0 . 0 4 . 2 4

2 0 : 1 6

Y M D

SETSELECT

5 Set the time and date using the multi selector 6 Exit the DATE menuTo set the time and date to the values displayed, highlightY M D and press the multi selector to the right.

To exit without changing the timeand date, press the MENU button.

To change the or-der in which theyear, month, and dayare displayed, high-light Y M D an dpress the multi se-lector up or downto cycle throughsettings in the fol-lowing order:

Y M D

M D Y

D M Y

2Taking a Photograph In you can control the camera controls


20/106

FirstSteps:Taking aPhotograph

Taking a Photograph

The COOLPIX 990 offers two shooting modes, A-REC andM-REC. In A-REC, the majority of camera settings are con-trolled by the camera in response to lighting conditions andfocus distance, producing the best possible results. M-REC

allows you greater control over such settings as shutter speed,aperture, and white balance.

In

A-REC

you can control

Optical and digitalzoom

Flash settings Focus mode

(autofocus, macro-close-up, infinity, self-timer)

Image size and quality Exposure compensa-

tion

the camera controls

Shutter speed Aperture Focus distance (in

autofocus and macro-close-up modes)

Exposure metering White balance Contrast Sharpness

M-REC

All settings listed above,as well as: Focus area

Focus distance(manual focus)

Sensitivity (ISOequivalency)

Advance rate (singleframe, continuous,video)

Best-shot selection for

sharper, clearer photo-graphs

Other settings

Depending on theexposure mode se-lected, the camera can

control any or all of shutter speed, aperture,and focus distance inresponse to othersettings made by theuser

This section outlines the basic steps involved in taking a pho- 3 Check the number of exposures remaining

21


21/106

P 1/60/60 F2.7.7NORMALORMAL

[ 100 ]

s sect o out es t e bas c steps vo ved ta g a p otograph in A-REC mode.

1 Remove the lens capRemove the lens cap as shown below.

2 Turn the mode dial to A-RECAfter a short pause, a beep will soundand current settings will be displayed inthe LCD monitor and the control panel.

3 Check the number of exposures remainingThe control panel and LCD monitor show the number of exposures remaining at current settings for image qualityand size.


The MONITOR button

The monitor button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cyclethrough monitor settings as shown below.

Monitor on,settings displayed

Monitor on,settings hidden

Monitor off


[ 100]

When this number reaches zero, you will need to insert anew memory card or delete some pictures before you willbe able to take more photographs. It may be possible to

record more photographs at a different image quality orsize.

Press

Press

Press

Number of exposures remaining

Lift latch andremove cap


Deleting photographs

Image quality and size

4 Adjust camera settings 22Before taking a photograph, you can make changes to these


22/106

Focus mode

j gWhen the mode dial is turned to A-REC, the following set-tings will return to their default values:


Using the flash

Focus mode


Exposure compensation


g p g p , y gsettings using the camera buttons and command dial.

OperationButton Controls

Press

Press

Press

Image size

Full XGA VGA 3 : 2

Press while turn-ing command dial

Exposurecompensation

(2.0 EV to +2.0 EV inincrements of 0.3 EV)

Press while turn-ing command dial

The icons shown above are displayed in the control panel.

Image qualityFINE

BASICNORMAL

Flash mode

Autofocus

* These settings apply the first time you turn the camera on.Image quality and size are not restored to default settings thenext time the mode dial is turned to A-REC (an image-quality

setting of HI becomes FINE in A-REC).

Setting

Flash mode

Focus mode

Image quality

Image size

Exposurecompensation

Description

Flash fires automaticallywhen lighting is poor

Camera focuses automati-cally at distances over30 cm (1 ft)

Photographs compressedfor best balance betweenfile size and image quality

Photographs are 2048 1536 pixels in size

No exposure compensa-tion performed

Default

Auto

Autofocus

Normal *

Full*

0 EV

5 Ready the camera 23Frame photographs in the monitor when:


23/106

yTo reduce blurring caused by camera shake, hold the cam-era firmly in both hands. Photographs can be framed in theLCD monitor (A) or the viewfinder (B).

FirstSteps:Taking aPhotograp

h

Keep your fingers and other objects away from the lens and flash windowwhen taking photographs.

When framing photographs in the viewfinder at ranges of 90 cm(1 yd) or less, use the smaller of the two frames in the viewfinderdisplay (the area shaded in purple in the illustration at right).

you are using macro close-up you are using digital zoom you are using a lens converter image size is set to 3 : 2 you want direct confirmation of camera settings or the

view through the lens

Frame photographs in the viewfinder when: you want to save power by turning the monitor off bright ambient lighting conditions make it difficult to see

the display in the monitor

A B

26 Select your subjectWhen framing photographs in the LCD monitor, you can


24/106


h

Button Operation Function

Frame the photograph using the zoom buttons.


Macro close-up

Optical and digital zoom

Lens converters

Image size

take advantage of the rotating lens section to hold the cam-era at almost any angle. You can even rotate the lens topoint at yourself and frame self-portraits in the monitor, asshown below (in this case, all indicators are hidden and themonitor shows a mirror image of what will appear in the

final photograph).Press

Zoom camera out(zoom position shown in LCD

monitor)

P 1/60 F2.7NORMALORMAL

[ 10 ]

Press

Zoom camera in


[ 10 ]

Hold for2 sec. at

maximumopticalzoom

position

Enter digital zoom mode

P

X2.0

1/60 F2.7NORMALORMAL

[ 10 ]

Digital zoom ratio can beadjusted using andbuttons. Press button atminimum digital zoom ratio toreturn to optical zoom.

258 Take the photograph7 Focus


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h


Autofocus

Focus lock

Focus area

Using the flash

To take a photograph, press the shutter-release button all the way down. A beepwill sound to let you know that a pho-tograph has been taken, and the greenAF lamp will blink slowly while the im-

age is saved to the memory card.

In A-REC, the camera focuses on thecenter of the frame, shown by the fo-cus target in the viewfinder. Before tak-ing a photograph, press the shutter-re-lease button halfway to initiate

autofocus, and check the status of theautofocus lamp (green) and the flashlamp (red) next to the viewfinder.

MeaningLamp

Camera unable to focus usingautofocus. Use focus lock tofocus on another subject at samedistance, then recompose photo-graph.

Subject in focus

AFlam

p

Flashes rapidly

Glows steadily

Flashlamp

Glows steadily Flash will fire when photograph istaken

Flash charging. Remove fingerbriefly from shutter-releasebutton, then try again.

Blinks

Flash not required or flash set tooff

Off

29 Check the results 10Turn the camera off


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w w


h

After a photograph has been taken, the autofocus lamp willblink and an hourglass icon ( ) will be displayed in the LCDmonitor while the photograph is recorded. Before the pho-tograph is transferred to the memory card, it will be dis-played briefly in the LCD monitor.

When you have finished using the cam-era, be sure to turn the mode dial toOFF. To avoid wasting batteries, check that the camera is off before putting itaway.

11 Replace the lens capReplace the lens cap as shown below.

Press to deletephotograph

Press to pause display for 20 sec.Press again to record photograph,or press ( ) to delete as

shown at left. Photograph re-corded automatically after 20 sec.

MENU OF F

DELETE

SELECT

YesNo

SET

erase images?

Delete dialog displayed. Press multiselector up or down to highlight option,press to right to select. Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to save photograph and

return to shooting mode

While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the autofocuslamp will blink. Do not eject the memory card, remove the batteries, orunplug the AC adapter (available separately) until the lamp has stoppedblinking. Removing the card or cutting power while recording is in progresscould result in loss of data.

Lift latch andreplace cap

2Playback and Deletion Single-image playback


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FirstSteps:Playback andDeletion

y

Photographs stored on the memory card can be played back for review or deletion.

1 Turn the mode dial to PLAYThe most recent photograph in memory will be displayedin the LCD monitor.

2000.04.25000.04.2514:20

NORMAL 5/5 ]

100NIKON0005.JPG

The MONITOR button

The monitor button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cyclethrough monitor settings as shown below.

Monitor on,photo info displayed

Monitor on,photo info hidden

Monitor off

Press

Press

Press

OperationButton Function

Press

Zoom in on currentphotograph (use multiselector to view other

areas of image)( )

Cancel zoomPress

Select current photo

for deletionPress( )

Start or stop movieplayback Press

Press up or left toview earlier images,down or right toview later images

View other photo-graphs in memory oneat a time (hold down

to scroll rapidly todesired frame number)

Rotate

View additional infor-mation on current

photo

2Thumbnail playback Deleting photographs


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FirstSteps:Playback andDeletion

OperationButton FunctionSingle-image

playbackThumbnail

playback000.04.25000.04.25

14:204:20

ORMALORMAL 5/5 ]

100NIK00NIKONN0005.JPG

( ) Press

Press once to displaymenu of nine thumbnailimages, twice to displayfour thumbnail images,

a third time to returnto single-image play-

back

Press ( )

button

MENU OF F

DELETE

SELECT

YesNo

SET

erase images?

Delete dialog displayed. Press multiselector up or down to highlightoption, press to right to select. Select Yes to delete photograph

Select No to save photograph andreturn to shooting mode

Highlight thumbnail.Use ( ) button

to view highlightedthumbnail at full size.

Press up, left,down, or right

Select highlightedthumbnail for deletionPress( )

Rotate

Scroll through thumb-nails page by page

2Basic Photography These topics are covered in the sections that follow.


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BasicPhotography

Optical and Digital Zoom

Using the Flash

Focus

Using the Self-Timer

Image Quality and Size

Exposure Compensation

Reviewing Photographs

This chapter covers operations that can be performed usingthe cameras dials and buttons in A-REC mode. A-REC modeis a simple, point-and-shoot mode in which the majority of settings are made automatically by the camera to produce thebest results. The user controls the following settings directlyby means of the cameras buttons and dials:

optical and digital zoom flash settings focus-mode settings image quality and size exposure compensation

In addition, you can also perform the following operations inA-REC mode:

focus lock delay shutter release using the self-timer review and delete photographs as they are taken

Click to go

3Optical and Digital Zoom Digital Zoom

At th i ti l iti h ldi th b t


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BasicPhotography:OpticalandDigitalZoom

The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with motor-driven, 3 opticalzoom linked to the viewfinder. By changing the area visible inthe viewfinder (the field of view), zoom helps you establishthe right balance between subject and background. A wide

field of view is suitable for group portraits or landscapes, anarrow field of view for close-ups or long-range photography.Digital zoom can be used to further enlarge photographs elec-tronically by up to 4.0. Note that zooming in on a subjecttends to decrease the amount of light entering the camera,resulting in slower shutter speeds, while simultaneously de-creasing the apparent distance between the subject and the

background. Zooming out has the opposite effect.

Optical ZoomPhotos can be framed in the viewfinder or LCD monitor usingthe zoom buttons.


[ 100]

Indicator in LCDmonitor displays amount

of zoom while eitherbutton is pressedZoom inZoom out

At the maximum optical zoom position, holding the but-ton down for two seconds triggers digital zoom.

While digital zoom is in effect, the zoom factor increases eachtime the button is pressed, to a maximum of 4.0. Press-ing the button decreases the zoom factor. To restore op-tical zoom, press the button until the digital zoom indica-tor disappears.


[ 10 ]

AF lamp blinks slowlyto show that photoscan not be accuratelyframed in viewfinder

P

.2.0

1/60 F2.7NORMALORMAL

[ 10 ]

Maximum opticalzoom position

Zoom factor displayedin LCD monitor

Hold for twoseconds

31Digital zoom Using the Flash


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BasicPhotography:Using the Flash


Initial zoom position

Digital zoom settings

Zoom aperture

Metering

Focus area selection

Image adjustment

In digital zoom, image data from the CCD are processed digitally, enlargingthe center portion of the image to fill the frame. Unlike optical zoom,digital zoom does not increase the amount of detail visible in the photo-graph. Instead, details visible at maximum zoom are enlarged, producing aslightly grainy image. Because only the center portion of the image ap-pears in the final photograph, center-weighted metering is used, and the

center focus area is automatically selected.

Digital zoom can not be used when Black & White is chosen in theM-REC IMAGE ADJUSTMENT sub-menu.

The effects of digital zoom are not visible in the viewfinder. Digital zoomis only available when the LCD monitor is on or the camera is connectedto a television set.

The flash settings can be changed in A-REC and M-REC modesusing the button.


[ 100]

Confirm flash setting incontrol panel or LCDmonitor (setting notdisplayed in monitorwhen flash set to auto)

Press

Flash fires whenlighting is poorAuto Best for general use

Flash will not fireeven when lighting

is poor

Use where flash is prohib-ited or to capture natural

lighting under dim light

(use of tripod advisedwhen lighting is poor)

Flash

Cancel (off)

How it worksSetting When to use it

The following flash settings are available:

32How it worksSetting When to use it

P fl h l fi


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BasicPhotography:Using the Flash


Safe flash use

Focus mode

Multi-shot settings

Best-shot selection

Lens converter settings

Exposure options

Flash exposure level

Using an external flash

When lighting is poor and the flash is set to Off ( ) or Slow Sync( ), shutter speed slows and photos may be blurred. If possible, use atripod when lighting is poor. At speeds of below 1/4 sec., the shutter speedindicator in the LCD monitor turns yellow. Noise may appear in photo-graphs taken at speeds slower than this value.

The built-in flash will automatically be set to Off ( ) when: you use autofocus with a setting of Infinity ( ) you choose a multi-shot setting of Continuous , Multi-shot 16, VGA

Sequence , or Ultra HS (an external flash can still be used with thesesettings)

you choose a multi-shot setting of Movie you use best-shot selection (BSS) you use lens converter (LENS) settings the AE Lock option in the EXPOSURE OPTIONS sub-menu is on

When using the flash, be sure the flash window is unobstructed.

Pre-flash lamp firesbefore main flashto minimize red-

eye caused byflash reflecting

from retina

Auto withred-eye

reduction

Use for portraits (worksbest when subjects are

well within range of flashand are looking directly at

camera)

Flash fires when-ever photo is

taken

AnytimeFlash (fill

flash)

Use to fill-in (illuminate)back-lit subjects

A short pause is required between exposures for the flash system to charge.While the flash is charging, the red flash lamp next to the viewfinder willblink when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Try again afterbriefly removing your finger from the shutter-release button.

Auto flash com-bined with low

shutter speed

Slowsynchro-

nized

Use to capture bothsubject and background at

night or under low lightconditions

33Focus Focus mode will cycle through the following settings:


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BasicPhotography:Focus

A-REC offers a choice of three autofocus settings, plus a self-timer mode. Focus mode can be set in A-REC or M-REC usingthe button.

How it worksSetting When to use it

Camera automati-cally adjusts focus

according todistance to subject

NO ICONAutofocus

Use with subject 30 cm(1 ft) or more from lens

Focus is fixed atinfinity. Flash is

disabled.

Use for photographingdistant scenes in daylight(a manual focus setting of Inf is available for whenyou want to use the flash)

Infinity

Focus adjustedautomatically for

subjects 2 cm(0.8 in) or more

from lens

MacroClose-up

Use for close-up photog-raphy

Shutter releasedelayed 10 sec.after shutter-

release button is

pressed (releasedelayed 3 sec. if pressed twice)

Self-timer

Use for self-portraits orto reduce camera shake.

Focus mode set to(macro close-up), allowing

photographs to be takenat ranges of 2 cm to

infinity.

When the camera is zoomed to the middle optical zoom position, macro

close-up can be used with subjects as little as 2 cm (0.8 in) from the lens.At zoom positions suited to macro close-up, the macro close-up icon( ) in the LCD monitor will turn yellow.

It is recommended that you frame photographs in the LCD monitor whenusing macro close-up.

While the flash can be used in macro close-up mode, it may sometimes beunable to light the entire subject. Take a test picture and verify the resultsin the LCD monitor.

Macro close-up


Manual focus

Using the self-timer


[ 100]

Confirm focus-modesetting in control panelor LCD monitorPress

3Autofocus ModeAt settings of autofocus or macro close-up the camera

In A-REC, autofocus mode is determined by whether the LCDmonitor is on or off: continuousAF is used when the monitor


34/106


At settings of autofocus or macro close up , the cameraautomatically focuses on the subject in the selected focus areawhen the shutter-release button is pressed halfway (in A-RECmode, the camera automatically focuses on the subject in thecenter focus area). The autofocus system operates in one of

two modes:

monitor is on or off: continuous AF is used when the monitoris on, single AF when it is off. M-REC offers additional settingsthat give greater control over autofocus mode.

How it worksAF Mode Pros and cons

Camera focuseswhen shutter-release button

pressed halfway

PROPhotographs can only betaken when camera is infocus; saves batteries

CONSlight delay beforecamera focuses

Single

Camera adjustsfocus continuouslyContinuous

PROMinimizes time requiredto focus

CONPhotos can be takeneven when camera isnot focusedcheck AFlamp before shooting

Getting good results with autofocus

Autofocus performs best when: There is contrast between the subject and the background. For ex-

ample, autofocus may not perform well on subjects that are the samecolor as the background.

The subject is evenly lit.

Autofocus does not perform well when: The focus area contains objects at different distances from the camera.

For example, autofocus may not perform well when photographing anobject inside a cage, as the bars of the cage will be closer to the camerathan the main subject.

The subject is very dark (the subject should not, however, be too muchbrighter than the background).

The subject is moving rapidly.

If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus, use focus lock to focus onanother subject at the same distance, or measure the distance to yoursubject and use manual focus. For more information, see:

Focus lock (following)

Advanced Photography: Manual Focus


Autofocus mode (M-REC)

Focus area

35Focus LockInA-REC mode, the camera automatically focuses on the sub-

2 Check the AF lampWith the shutter-release button held halfway down, check


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In A REC mode, the camera automatically focuses on the sub ject at the center of the frame. If your subject is not located atthe center of the frame when the shutter-release button ispressed halfway, the camera will focus on the background. Fo-cus lock allows you to first focus on your subject, then adjust

the composition before taking the photograph.1 Focus the camera

Position the subject in the center focus area (shown by thefocus target in the viewfinder) and press the shutter-re-lease button halfway.

y ,that the green AF lamp next to the viewfinder glows steadily.

3 Recompose the photograph and shootFocus will remain locked as long as the shutter-release but-ton is held halfway. Keeping the shutter-release button heldhalfway down, recompose your photograph. Press the shut-ter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot.


[ 100]


[ 10 ]

Do not change the distance between the camera and the sub-

ject while focus lock is in effect. If your subject moves, removeyour finger from the shutter-release button and focus again atthe new distance.

In M-REC mode, you can also use focus area selection to focus on an off-center subject. See:

Advanced Photography: Focus Area Selection

3Using the Self-Timer 3 Compose the photograph.

4 F ll d h h l b


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BasicPhotography:Using the Self-Timer

The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with an automatic timer withtwo settings: three seconds, useful for reducing camera shake,and ten seconds, ideal for self-portraits. To use the self-timer,follow these steps:

1 Mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest iton a flat, stable surface.

2 Press the button until the icon appears in thecontrol panel or LCD monitor.


[ 100]

3

4 Fully depress the shutter-release but-ton to activate the timer. Press theshutter-release button once for a ten-second delay. For a three-second de-lay, press the shutter-release buttontwice.

The red-eye reduction lamp next to the flash window willstart to blink when the shutter-release button is pressed,and continue to blink until one second before the shutter isreleased. The red-eye reduction lamp will stay lit during thefinal second to warn that the shutter is about to be re-

leased.

To stop the automatic timer before a photograph is taken, turn the modedial to a different setting. The timer will stop and the indicator will disap-pear from the control panel and LCD monitor.

Count-down timer in LCDmonitor shows number of seconds remaining toshutter release after shutter-release button fully pressed

Image Quality and Size

3Image QualityTo reduce memory requirements, images are compressed us-


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Image quality and size together determine the file size of pho-tographs taken with the camera. This in turn determines howmany photographs can be stored on a single memory card.The number of images that can be stored at different combina-tions of image quality and size is illustrated in the followingtables:


[ 10 ]

BasicPhotography:Image Quality andSize

Setting File format How it works

y q g ping JPEG compression, which can result in changes in imagequality. Image quality is set using the button.

QualitySize

Full XGA VGA 3 : 2

HI 10 11

FINE 61 239 588 69

NORMAL 121 466 1101 137

BASIC 239 885 1952 269

Number of images that can be stored on 96 MB memory card

Press

Confirm image qualitysetting in control panelor LCD monitor

HI(M-REC

only)TIFF No compression, maximumquality

FINE JPEG File size reduced to roughly1/4

of original

NORMAL JPEG File size reduced to roughly1/8

of original

BASIC JPEG File size reduced to roughly1/16

of original

Image quality will cycle through the following settings:

Quality

HI

FINENORMAL

BASIC

SizeXGA VGA 3 : 2

8MB 16 MB 8MB 16 MB 8MB 16 MB 8MB 16 MB

Number of images that can be stored on 8 MB and 16 MB memory cards

1938

73

4891

161

0

511

22

1

1020

40

4079

151

100187

333

1

1123

46

Full

0

510

19

3 JPEG compression analyzes images in blocks 8 8 pixels insize, and selectively reduces detail within each block. At higher

Setting Size (pixels) Notes

The following options are available:


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BasicPhotography:Image Quality andSize

compression ratios, the block pattern becomes more visibleand there may be noticeable loss of detail. The actual effectdepends on the size of the image when output on a monitoror printer and on the type of subject. While a setting of NOR-

MAL represents the best trade-off between memory and im-age quality in most cases, a setting of BASIC can be used tosave memory. Settings of HI (M-REC only) or FINE are suit-able for photographs that will be enlarged or printed at highresolution.

Image SizeImage size can be set by holding down the button whileturning the command dial.


[ 38 ]

VGAA

Confirmsize settingin controlpanel orLCDmonitor

Setting Size (pixels) Notes

Full 2048 1536

VGA 640 480 Not available at HI imagequality

XGA 1024 768 Not available at HI imagequality

Same aspect ratio as 35 mmfilm. AF lamp blinks slowly to

indicate that viewfinder can notbe used to frame photo accu-

rately. Use LCD monitor.

3 : 2 2048 1360

Image size determines the size at which an image can be reproduced on aprinter or monitor. If the output size is too large, the individual pixels willbe visible to the naked eye, giving the image a rough, uneven appearance. A

typical target resolution for an ink-jet printer is about 200 pixels per inch.At this resolution, a VGA picture will be output at a size of 3.2 2.4 inches(8.1 6.1 cm), a full-size image at a size of about 10.2 7.7 inches(26.0 19.5 cm). Computer monitors typically have a resolution of about100 pixels per inch.

JPEG compression (image quality) reduces file size, but has no effect onthe number of pixels in the image or on the size of the image when outputon a printer or monitor.

3Exposure Compensation

b h d d l h b

To cancel exposure compensation, set the compensation valueto 0.0 EV.


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BasicPhotography:Exposure C

ompensation

To obtain the desired result with certain subject compositions,particularly those containing complex patterns of light and shadeor areas of high contrast, it may be necessary to use exposurecompensation to modify the exposure value suggested by thecamera. Exposure compensation is available in both A-RECand M-REC.

Exposure compensation can be set to values between +2.0 EV(overexposure) and 2.0 EV (underexposure) in increments of 1/3 EV.

By default, exposure compensation returns to 0.0 when the camera isturned off. In M-REC mode, the camera can be set to remember thecompensation value in effect when the mode dial is turned off, restoringthe value when the mode dial is next set to M-REC. For more informa-tion, see:

Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls

Exposure compensation can also be set using the EXPOSURE OPTIONS >Exp. +/ item in the M-REC menu. See:

Advanced Photography: Camera Control


[ 100]

Confirm exposurevalue in control

panel or LCDmonitor. Results of exposure compen-sation visible inmonitor; adjustcompensation untildesired resultachieved.

Press while turningcommand dial

icon displayed incontrol panel whileexposure compensationis in effect

4Reviewing Photographs

I A REC d h h di l d i h LCD i

While the display is paused, a REC icon appears in the LCDmonitor. Press the button again to record the photo-


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w w

BasicPhotography:Reviewing Photographs

In A-REC mode, photographs are displayed in the LCD moni-tor after shooting (in M-REC, you can choose whether or notto display photographs after shooting using the Monitor Op-tions > Display Mode item in the SET-UP menu). The reviewfeature is not available when the monitor is off.

graph and return to shooting mode, or press the ( )button to delete the photograph as described above. The pho-tograph will automatically be recorded if neither button ispressed before twenty seconds have passed.

M-REC review settings


Press to deletephotograph

Press to pausedisplay for 20 sec.before recording

MENU OF F

DELETE

SELECT

YesNo

SET

erase images?

Delete dialog displayed

Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to save photograph and

return to shooting mode

Photographdisplayed in

monitor aftershooting

41Advanced PhotographyThis chapter covers settings available only when shooting in

In addition, menu options give the user control over: white balance camera settings, in-


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Advanced

Photography

Continuous Photography

Best-Shot Selection

Contrast, Brightness, and Image Type

Image Sharpening

Camera Control

Settings for Optional Lens Converters

p g y gM-REC mode. In addition to the settings discussed in the pre-vious chapter, in M-REC the user can use camera buttons anddials to control:

focus area

exposure mode focus distance (manual focus) sensitivity (ISO equivalency)

White Balance

Metering

These topics are covered in the sections that follow.

metering method frame advance rate best-shot selection contrast, brightness,

and image type (coloror black-and-white) image sharpening

cluding user settingsand settings for expo-sure, autofocus, zoom,and flash

settings for optionallens converters

Focus Area Selection

Exposure Mode

Manual Focus

Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)

Click to go

42Focus Area Selection

In M REC you can choose the focus target for autofocus op

Focus area selection can be used in combination with AF-areaspot metering to match spot metering to the selected focus

l b d b h f l k f h


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AdvancedPhotography:Focus AreaSelection

In M-REC, you can choose the focus target for autofocus op-erations from one of five focus areas. Focus area selection isuseful when the subject is not positioned in the center of theframe. There are five focus areas: center, top, bottom, right,left.

To use focus area selection, the LCD monitor must be on andManual selected in the Focus Options > AF Area Modesub-menu of the M-REC shooting menu. The focus area canthen be selected using the multi selector.

When Auto (the default setting) is selected in the Focus Options > AFArea Mode sub-menu for M-REC mode, the camera automatically se-

lects the focus area containing the subject closest to the camera when theshutter-release button is pressed halfway. No focus area indicators appearin the LCD monitor until the shutter-release button is half-pressed, whenthe active focus area is shown in red. Focus area selection can also bedeactivated by selecting Off in the Focus Options > AF Area Modesub-menu, in which case the center focus area is used. For more informa-tion, see:


Focus options

AF-area spot metering

Focus lock

Digital zoom


area. It can also be used in combination with focus lock if thesubject would not fall in any of the focus areas in the finalcomposition.


[ 10 ] P 1/60 F2.7NORMALORMAL

[ 10 ]

Center focus areaselected

Use multi selector toselect new focus area

Manual focus selection is not available when the monitor is off or whendigital zoom is in effect. In these cases, the center focus area (shown bythe focus target in the viewfinder) is used for autofocus operations.

43Exposure Mode

In M-REC you can choose from four exposure modes that

Mode How it works When to use it

hLarge apertures (small f

b ) bl b k d


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[ 10 ]

AdvancedPhotography:Exposure Mode

In M-REC, you can choose from four exposure modes thatmake it possible to manually adjust shutter speed and/or aper-ture and still achieve optimal exposures. To set the exposuremode:

Mode How it works When to use it

Programmedauto

Camera sets shutterspeed and aperturefor best exposure.

Flexible program canbe used to select

further combinationsof shutter speed andaperture that yield

equivalent exposure.

Best for general useand for snapshots

Confirm modesetting in controlpanel or LCDmonitor


Aperture-priority auto

User choosesaperture;

camera setsshutter speedfor best expo-

sure

numbers) blur backgrounddetails and increase rangeof flash; small apertures

(large f numbers) increasedepth of field, bringing both

main subject and back-ground into focus

Shutter-priority

auto

User choosesshutter speed;camera setsaperture for

best exposure

High shutter speeds freezemotion; low shutter speeds

suggest movement byblurring moving objects

ManualUser choosesshutter speedand aperture

Use when you want com-plete control over expo-

sureThe following modes are available:

The term exposure refers to the amount of light allowed to enter thecamera when a photograph is taken. The exposure depends on the aper-ture (the size of the opening through which light enters the camera) andshutter speed (the length of time that light enters the camera). The sameexposure can be achieved using many different combinations of apertureand shutter speed. You can use flexible program to choose from one of several combinations, or set either aperture or shutter speed to suit yourcreative designs, while the camera takes care of the other to ensure cor-rect exposure. Manual exposure mode gives you the freedom to modifyexposure from the value suggested by the camera.

4Programmed AutoIn programmed auto, the camera automatically adjusts shutter

d d t t d th b t Adj t

Aperture-Priority AutoIn aperture-priority auto, aperture can be chosen by rotatingth d di l A t b t t l b t


44/106

A 1/60 F2.7NORMALORMAL

[ 10 ]


* appears in controlpanel and LCD monitorto indicate that flexible

program is in effect.When monitor is on,values for shutter speedand aperture aredisplayed in controlpanel and LCD monitor(values are not displayedin control panel when

monitor is off).

Rotate

Exposure compensation

Exposure bracketing


speed and aperture to produce the best exposure. Adjust-ments to the exposure value selected by the camera can bemade using exposure compensation or exposure bracketing.

Flexible Program

When programmed auto is in effect, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be selected using the com-mand dial. Each combination of shutter speed and aperturewill produce the same exposure.

the command dial. Aperture can be set to values betweenmaximum and minimum aperture in increments of 1/3 of a step.

Aperture displayed inLCD monitor andcontrol panel

Rotate


[ 100]

If the selected aperture value would result in the photographbeing over- or under-exposed, the aperture value displayed inthe control panel and LCD monitor will flash when the shut-ter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another aper-ture setting and try again.

Flexible program is reset to the default aperture and shutter speed whenany of the following actions are performed: The camera is turned off The mode dial is turned to another setting Another exposure mode is chosen

45Shutter-Priority AutoWhen the camera is set to shutter-priority auto, shutter speedcan be chosen by rotating the command dial Options range

ManualIn manual exposure mode, you can choose an aperture be-tween maximum and minimum aperture (in increments of 1/


45/106


can be chosen by rotating the command dial. Options rangefrom 8 sec. to 1/1000 sec. in increments of one step.

tween maximum and minimum aperture (in increments of 1/3of a step), and a shutter speed of bulb or values between8 sec. and 1/1000 sec. (in increments of one step). Follow thesteps below to set shutter-speed and aperture in manual ex-posure mode:

1 After setting the exposure mode to manual, release thebutton.

2 Press the button again to select ei-ther shutter speed or aperture in the con-trol panel shutter-speed/aperture display, or

in the LCD monitor, where the selected item is shown ingreen. The item selected changes each time the button ispressed.

When the shutter-speed is set to bulb (manual exposure mode only), theshutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is pressed (maxi-mum exposure 60 sec.). Use of the remote shutter-release cord MC-EU1(available separately) and a tripod is recommended.

Note that if the shutter is open for longer than 1/4 sec. at any setting, noisemay appear in the final photograph.

Long time exposure

Shutter speed displayedin LCD monitor andcontrol panel (shutterspeeds of 1/4 sec. ormore are shown in theLCD monitor in yellowto indicate that noisemay appear in the finalphotograph)

Rotate

If the selected shutter speed would result in the photograph

being over- or under-exposed, the shutter speed displayed inthe control panel and LCD monitor will flash when the shut-ter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another settingand try again.

1/60/60 F2.7.7NORMALORMAL

[ 100 ]

At a CONTINUOUS setting of Ultra HS , the lowest available shutterspeed is 1/30 sec. At a setting of Movie , shutter speed can not be set to avalue slower than 1/15 sec. A setting of bulb (manual exposure mode only)is only available at a CONTINUOUS setting of Single . For more infor-mation on CONTINUOUS settings, see:

Advanced Photography: Continuous Photography

Shutter speed limitations

43 Rotate the command dial to set the selecteditem (aperture or shutter speed) to the de-sired value The amount the photograph

4 Press the button to select the re-maining item (aperture or shutter speed).


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sired value. The amount the photographwill be over- or under-exposed at the se-lected setting is displayed in the control panel and LCDmonitor.

If sensitivity is set to AUTO when shutter-priority auto or manual expo-sure is used, sensitivity will be fixed at ISO 100 equivalent and will not varywith lighting conditions. This ensures that the desired exposure will beachieved. For more information on sensitivity settings, see:

Advanced Photography: Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)

Control panel display isin EVs, rounded tonearest EV (display lastsfor eight seconds aftercommand dial isreleased, then is re-

placed by exposure count display). If photograph would be over- orunder-exposed by more than 9 EV, display shows flashing +9 (overex-posure) or 9 (underexposure).

LCD monitor display shows values between 2 and +2 EV inincrements of 1/3 EV.

2 +2 0

1 +1

Underexposed Overexposed

(Values in EVs)

5 Rotate the command dial to choose a valuethat will produce the desired exposure, asshown in the control panel and LCD moni-

tor (see Step 3, at left).

M 1/60 F2.7FINEINE

[ 10 ]

A

4Manual Focus

In M-REC, focus distance can be selected from fifty preset dis-

The value displayed for manual focus is the approximate dis-tance from the front of the lens. The actual focus distance maydiffer slightly from the value shown; check focus in the LCD


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INF

[ 10 ]

Focus distance isdisplayed in LCDmonitor, and incontrol panel whilecommand dial isrotated. Aftercommand dial is

released, M-FOCUSicon in control panelindicates that manual

focus is in effect. Distances of 30 cm (12 in)or less are shown in red in monitor toindicate that camera may not be able to focusat some zoom settings.

AdvancedPhotography:ManualFocus

y ptances ranging from 0.02 m (0.8 in) to infinity. Manual focuscan be used when you know the distance to your subject inadvance, or when the camera is unable to focus using autofocus.

To choose a distance for manual focus:


differ slightly from the value shown; check focus in the LCDmonitor before shooting.

Manual focus can be cancelled by pressing the button.

The flash can be used while manual focus is in effect. This makes it possibleto combine the flash with a manual focus setting of infinity.

The focus distances available depend on the zoom setting. The cameracan focus at a distance of 2 cm at the middle optical zoom position only.

The units used for manual focus distance can be chosen from the FOCUSOPTIONS > Distance Units sub-menu in the M-REC menu. See:


A

4Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)

In A-REC mode, automatic gain control is used to produce

The following settings are available:

Setting Description


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AdvancedPhotography:Sensitivity (ISOEquivalency)

sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 film. In M-REC mode, you canchoose increased values for sensitivity, or allow the camera toset sensitivity in response to lighting conditions. Increasingsensitivity reduces the time needed to make an exposure, al-lowing increased shutter speed. This can be used to reduceblurring caused by camera motion when lighting is poor, or tofreeze moving objects. Sensitivity is adjusted as shown be-low:

Press while turningcommand dial to cycle

through sensitivitysettings as follows:

100 200 400 AUTO

Sensitivity setting isdisplayed in LCDmonitor, and incontrol panel whilecommand dial isrotated. Aftercommand dial isreleased, ISO icon incontrol panelindicates thatsensitivity adjustment

is in effect.

P 1/60/60 F2.7.7

AUTTO

NORMALORMAL[ 100]

100 Approximately equivalent to ISO 100 (default)

200

400 Approximately equivalent to ISO 400

A slight amount of noise may appear in photographs taken at settingsother than 100 .

In a film camera, sensitivity is a characteristic of the film, not the camera.Sensitivity determines the amount of light needed to produce a given de-gree of exposure. The more sensitive the film, the less light needed tomake an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds. Higher sensitivity isachieved by altering the chemical composition of the film, causing a ran-dom pattern, called grain, to appear in the final photograph. In a digitalcamera, sensitivity has a similar effect: higher sensitivities allow higher shut-ter speeds, at the expense of noise (the digital equivalent of film grain)appearing in the final image.

Changes to sensitivity have no effect in A-REC mode. Turningthe mode dial to A-REC returns sensitivity to the default value;the M-REC setting is restored when the mode dial is set toM-REC once again.

Approximately equivalent to ISO 200

AUTO

Equivalent to 100 under normal conditions;when lighting is poor, however, camera will

automatically raise sensitivity to compensate.ISO icon appears in control panel and LCD

monitor only when sensitivity is raised above 100 .

A

4 White Balance

The perceived color of an object is af- WHITE BALANCEAutoA A

Setting Description

The following white-balance settings are available:


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AdvancedPhotography:White Balance

fected by the color of the lighting underwhich it is viewed. The human brain isable to detect and compensate for suchchanges in perceived color. As a result, awhite object will look white to humans whether viewed insunlight or under overcast skies, or indoors under incandes-cent or fluorescent lighting. A digital camera must emulate thehuman brain and adjust colors according to lighting so thatcolors that appear white when viewed directly also appear whitein the final photograph. This adjustment is called white bal-ance, and can be made using the WHITE BALANCE sub-menuin the M-REC menu.

1

2

S

MENU OF F

AutoWhiteite Bal PresettFineIncandescentFluorescentC loudyS peedlight

A A

SETSELECT

AA

AAuto

White BalPreset

Fine

Incandescent

Fluorescent

Cloudy

Speedlight

White balance automatically adjusted to suitlighting conditions. Best setting in mostsituations.

White object used as reference point to set

white balance to suit unusual lighting condi-tions

White balance set for direct sunlight

Use when taking photographs indoors underincandescent light

Use when taking photographs indoors underfluorescent light

Use when taking photographs under over-cast skies

White balance set to match light producedby flash

At settings other than A (auto) and (preset),white balance can be fine-tuned by highlightingthe desired setting in the white-balance menu androtating the command dial. Adjustments can bemade in the range of +3 to 3 or, in the case of

(fluorescent), by selecting the type of bulbfrom the following sub-menu:

FL1 : W (default) FL2 : N FL3 : DRaising white balance gives images a blue, cold cast; lowering white bal-ance makes photos appear warmerthat is, slightly yellow or red. Afterselecting the desired white-balance adjustment, press the multi selectorto the right to put your choice into effect.

Fine-tuning white balance settings

1

2

SMENU OF F

WHITE BALANCEAut otoWhiteite Bal PresFineIncandescentFluorescentC loudyS peedlight

A

SELECT SET

+1

1

0

AA

At settings other than A (auto), the current white-balance setting is indicated by an icon in the LCDmonitor.


[ 10 ]

A

5Preset White BalanceWhen (preset) is selected, the cam-era will zoom in and the preset white-

1

WHITE BALANCE PRESET

Metering

The COOLPIX 990 offers a choice of four1

METERINGA


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CancelRecalls most recent value for preset whitebalance from memory and sets white bal-ance to this value

AdvancedPhotography:Metering

pbalance menu will appear in the LCDmonitor.

MENU OF F

2

S

SELECT SET

CancelMeasure

Option Description

Measure

Camera measures white balance, usingobject displayed in center of LCD monitoras reference point. To use this option, firstplace white or light grey object underlighting that will be used in final photograph,then aim camera at object and press multiselector to right (beep will sound andcamera will zoom out, but no photographwill be taken).

metering methods. Choose a meteringmethod according to your compositionand lighting conditions.

1

2

S

MENU OF F


A

SELECT SET

AA

Method When to use it

Spot

Ensures that subject inmetering target will becorrectly exposedeven when back-ground is very light orvery dark. Can beused in combinationwith AE hold (seeoverleaf).

How it works

Camera measureslight in area in centerof frame occupyingroughly 1/32 of total,shown by square incenter of LCD moni-tor

Matrix Best for general use

Exposure calculatedby comparing mea-surements from 256segments of framewith library of typicalcompositions, produc-ing best possiblesetting for entireframe

A

51Method Auto-Exposure HoldPressing the shutter-release button halfway not only locks fo-cus, but also exposure. This can be used together with spot or

How it works When to use it

Camera mea-sures lighting in

Classic meter for portraits;preserves background


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[ 10 ]

The metering method isshown by icons in the controlpanel and LCD monitor (whenSpot AF Area is chosen, aspot-metering icon ( ) ap-pears in the control panel).


[ 10 ]

AdvancedPhotography:Metering

center-weighted metering to set exposure for a subject not atthe center of the final composition.

1 Set metering to (spot) or (center-weighted).

2 Position the subjectin the center of theframe and press theshutter-release but-ton halfway.

3 Keeping the shutter-release button heldhalfway down, re-compose your pho-tograph. Press theshutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot.

Digital zoom

Focus options

Focus area

Focus lock



[ 10 ]

Center- Weighted

sures lighting inentire frame, butassigns weight of 80% to area incenter of frameoccupying roughly1/4 of total

p gdetails while letting lightingconditions at center of frame determine exposure.Selected automatically

when digital zoom is used.Can be used in combinationwith AE hold (see right).

Spot AFArea

Camera measureslight in currentfocus area only

When Auto or Manual ischosen in FOCUS OP-TIONS > AF Area Modesub-menu, this option canbe used to link spot meter-ing to currently selectedfocus area. When OFF ischosen, this option isequivalent to Matrix.When manual focus is ineffect, this option is equiva-lent to Spot.

A

52Continuous Photography

Using the CONTINUOUS menu, you can1

CONTINUOUS

A

Option Description

Multi shot

Camera takes up to sixteen consecutivethumbnail images and combines them into


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dvancedPhotography:Continuous Photography

set the camera to take photographs oneat a time, shoot multiple photographs insequence, or even record short movies.

1

2

S

MENU OF F

SingleContinuousMulti-shot 16VGA SequenceUltra HS

SELE CT S ETMovie

AA

Option Description

SingleCamera records one photograph each timeshutter-release button is fully pressed

Continuous

Camera records photographs in continuoussequence while shutter-release button is helddown. Not available at HI image quality.

VGASequence

Camera takes series of consecutive photo-graphs 640 480 pixels in size. Image quality isset to NORMAL, allowing photos to be takenat approximately two frames per second.

Ultra HS

Camera takes series of photographs 320 240pixels in size (QVGA). Image quality is set toNORMAL, allowing photos to be taken atapproximately thirty frames per second. Eachsequence of photographs is saved in separate

folder automatically created by camera. Foldername begins with N_ followed by three-digitnumber assigned in ascending order by camera.

The built-in flash will not fire at settings of Continuous , Multi-shot 16 ,and VGA Sequence . Unless you are using an external flash, it is recom-mended that you set the flash to (flash cancel) at these settings toensure that photographs are not underexposed. At settings other thanSingle and Movie , the focus, exposure, and auto white-balance settings

used for the first image are applied to all other images in the same series.Settings of Movie and Ultra HS only take effect when the LCD monitoris on. If the monitor is turned off, the camera will revert to a setting of Single until the monitor is turned on. While Movie or Ultra HS is ineffect, both built-in and external flashes will be automatically turned off. If the lens is rotated to point in the same direction as the LCD monitor at asetting of Movie , the display in the LCD monitor will be inverted andmovies will be recorded upside down.


Flash settings


Multi-shot16

collage. This option is only available whenimage size is set to full.

Movie

Camera begins recording movie when shutter-release button is fully pressed. Movie endsafter forty seconds, or next time shutter-release button is fully pressed. Movie is stored

in QuickTime format (DOS file extension.MOV). Each frame has image quality of NORMAL and is 320 240 pixels in size(QVGA).

The CONTINUOUS setting isshown by icons in the control A

53The following table shows the number of photographs (nor-mal quality) that can be recorded in a single sequence at eachsetting, together with the approximate frame advance rate.


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[ 100 ]Continuous

panel and LCD monitor. dvancedPhotography:Continuous Photography

The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage of photos during shooting. This allows you to take several photographs insuccession, as you would with a traditional film camera, without waitingfor the images to be transferred to the memory card. The number of images that can be stored in the buffer depends on the quality and size of

the images. When the buffer becomes full, there will be a short pausewhile the camera transfers images to the card for permanent storage. Thetime required depends on the number of images in the buffer and thespeed of the CompactFlash memory card.

Do not remove the memory card from the camera while images are being trans-ferred from the buffer to the card . Doing so could result in loss of data or indamage to the camera or the card. Be sure the camera is off beforeremoving the memory card.

ModeApprox. no. of

frames per sec.Max. no. of

frames

VGA Sequence 2 44*

Continuous

(full size image)1.5 5

* When battery power is low, the maximum number of frames that canbe taken in a single sequence is ten.

Single VGA sequenceMulti-shot 16

Ultra HS Movie

Ultra HS 30 80*

Movie 15 40 sec.

When the camera is connected to a video device at a video-mode settingof PAL and a continuous setting of Ultra HS or Movie , video output willbe suspended while recording is in progress. Normal output will be re-stored when recording ends.

Ad

5Best-Shot Selection

Best-shot selection (BSS) compensatesf t It i t ff 1

BSS

A

Option Description

BSS off; one photo taken each time shutter-

The options available in the BSS sub-menu are:


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dvancedP

hotography:Best-ShotSelection

for camera movement. It is most effec-tive in situations in which inadvertentcamera movement may affect the out-come of the photograph, for examplewhen:

the camera is zoomed in or you are using a teleconverterlens attachment

you are using macro close-up shutter speed is low

BSS may not produce the desired results with a moving subject or if you change the composition during shooting.

2

S

MENU OF F

OFFON

SELE CT S ET

AA

OFFBSS off; one photo taken each time shutter-release button is fully pressed

ON

Camera shoots photos as long as shutter-release button is held down, to maximum of

ten. These images are then compared andsharpest photo (photo with highest level of detail) saved to memory card.


[ 10 ]

BSSSS

ZoomOptional lens converters

Macro close-up

Flash settings

Continuous settings

Image quality

For more information on:When photographs are taken with BSS on, the focus, exposure, and autowhite-balance settings used for the first photo when the shutter-releasebutton is pressed apply to all images in the series.

The flash is set to (flash cancel) when BSS is on.

BSS is not available at: CONTINUOUS settings of Continuous , Multi-shot 16 , VGA Se-

quence , Ultra HS , or Movie an image quality of HISelecting any of the above options automatically cancels BSS. BSS can notbe selected while the above options are in effect.

When BSS is on, a BSS icon is displayed in theLCD monitor.

Ad

55Contrast, Brightness,

and Image Type

Increases brightness of mid-tones in image.This setting can be used on images that will be

i i if

Option Description


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Documents

Nikon Guide to Digital Photography