The Nikon Camera Book 5th Edition

180 Pages·2016·46.414 MB·English

by  Imagine Publishing Ltd

The
W
OVER 2 HOURS
E
OF VIDEO TUTORIALS
N
Nikon
Camera
The independent guide to getting the most from your Nikon
175

pages of
expert
tips
Master your Nikon • Find the best kit • Edit & manipulate images

Welcome to
NThe ikon
Camera
Photography is one of the most popular pastimes in the world, and with Nikon
leading the way in terms of technology and innovation, it’s no wonder that its
cameras are trusted by so many photographers. Although many other brands try to
nibble at the market share, year on year Nikon remains a heavyweight contender,
with a catalogue of cameras ranging from point-and-shoot compacts to professional
DSLRs, so you can fi nd the right camera. The Nikon Camera Book is the ultimate
guide to getting the most from your Nikon, and in this Fifth Edition, we will show
you everything you need to know about your model. From the newest cameras
and lenses on the market, to the accessories that’ll make your life easier, you’ll
discover which one suits your needs best. We take you through advanced shooting
techniques across a range of photographic genres, such as creating atmospheric
landscapes and working with RAW. We fi nish with essential advice on editing your
Nikon-captured images, to give your photo that fi nal touch for maximum impact.

NThe ikon
Camera
Imagine Publishing Ltd
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(cid:8) [phone]
Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
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Aaron Asadi
Head of Design
Ross Andrews
Production Editor
Sanne de Boer
Designer
Rebekka Hearl
Senior Art Editor
Greg Whitaker
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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may
be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has
endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
Nikon is a trademark of the Nikon Corporation.
The Nikon Camera Book Fifth Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd
ISBN 9781785462320
Part of the
bookazine series
Contents
A guide to your
Nikon camera
Learn more about your camera with our handy guide
Guide to Nikon Using your Nikon
50Composition
08 Y our Nikon Camera 50 C omposing images with your
Lean more about your camera and which one to use Nikon camera
as we get to grips with the newest, top-selling models Composition rules and how to apply them
20 G uide to Nikon lenses 56 S tay sharp
Our guide to the best lenses for your Nikon, their uses, Lean more about focusing your Nikon
and which one fits your budget
66 M etering with Nikon
28 E ssential Kit for Nikon
The principals and application of metering
Must-have gadgets to enhance your shots
72 Using flash
38 G uide to Nikon modes
Get the hang of this tricky technique
Explore the Nikon mode dial
78 A guide to filters for landscapes
Enhance your Nikon’s creativity with filters
“Focusing is
one of the most
28
important skills”
Essential kit
6 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK
“Many brands
nibble at the
market share,
but Nikon is
still the biggest
contender”
106
Capture RAW
Advanced
techniques
90 Portraits with personality
Create portraits that capture your model 170
Dodge and Burn
98 A tmospheric landscapes
Capture the irresistible magic of nature
Editing your
106 C apture RAW
Nikon images
90 Discover the potential of this incredible format
Capture personality to create stunning images
116 Capture motion 154 The essential guide to editing
Pro techniques for capturing action shots Use Photoshop to transform your Nikon images
126 T he ultimate guide to 162 P hotoshop fundamentals
macro photography Improve your Nikon’s photos in 5 minutes
Use your Nikon to take images of small 166 G et the best from NEF
subjects on a large scale
A guide to using Nikon’s Capture NX2 software
134 Master monochrome
170 A dd drama with Dodge & Burn
How to get the best black & white images with
your Nikon Make every photo timeless with this effect
116
146 Stylish still life 172 E nhance images with Levels
Make time stand still
Get to grips with commercial shots Make your images pop even more
THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK 7
Your Nikon camera
A guide to your
Nikon camera
We get to grips with the big brand’s top-selling models to
help you learn more about your camera
8 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK
Your Nikon camera
Although many brands try to nibble at the conjunction with NASA, but it has continued to build along the product line up is the prosumer model the
camera market share, Nikon remains one of a tradition as a name photographers can trust. Today D7200, which introduces higher-end technology in
the biggest contenders. Nikon has strategically the company retail dozens of models, all exhibiting a tougher shell. Semi-professionals are dazzled by
launched an impressive array of shooters that cover a variety of specifi cations perfectly crafted to fulfi l the full-frame D610, D750 and D810, with the latter
every portion of the market to fulfi l the needs of the needs of a particular group. The fi rst rung on having an incredible 36-megapixel sensor. Then you
every target demographic. Nikon’s D series DSLRs the ladder for debuting camera users is the beginner have the option of the astro-specialised 810A or the
have become a popular choice for anyone from the or entry-level models, and currently fulfi lling this retro-styled Nikon Df, which takes the controls back
enthusiastic novice to the seasoned photography demand are the easy-to-use Coolpix compacts and to the days of fi lm, with separate dials for things like
professional. Time after time, consumers choose the Nikon 1 series of compact system cameras. Next exposure compensation. Finally the professional
Nikon for its reputation for reliability, accessibility, up is the D3300 which has a built-in guide mode to segment is completed by the D4S, touting the
high performance, superb functionality, impressive aid the transition from compact to DSLR. industry’s fi nest photographic technology.
features and, ultimately, incredible image quality. Then if you want to start taking your photography Across the next few pages you’ll fi nd in-depth
The company has come a long way since it further you have the D5500, which has a few extra guides to some of the best Nikon has to offer to help
launched the fi rst professional DSLR, the D1, in features to help you take more control. Moving you make the best buying decision for you.
“Nikon has launched an impressive array of shooters
that cover every portion of the camera market”
THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK 9
Your Nikon camera: Professional
Despite the large size and
weight of the D4S, it feels
well-balanced in hand and
the placing of the Nikon’s
buttons is intuitive
Nikon D4S
SRP: £5,200 / $6,500
(body only)
How much has changed from Nikon’s flagship D4? And is this
camera the perfect kit you need to capture the action?
T
here’s always a lot of excitement with the is less likely to be distracted by objects crossing a
Technical data
arrival of a new high-end camera and the subject. In our tests the AF was very responsive.
Nikon D4S was no exception. People were Movie capabilities have been upgraded to
Model Nikon D4S disappointed when they realised it’s a modest 1080/60p recording. The LCD is clear, but suffers
Price £5,200 / $6,500 upgrade from the D4 – perhaps the biggest letdown from the green cast seen on the D800 and D4,
(body only)
was the continuation of the same 16MP sensor. though the colour is adjustable. Live View still lags
Web www.nikon.com
However, with this upgrade there are subtle changes behind the competition, too, struggling in low light.
Megapixels (effective) 16.2
that improve both performance and image quality. In general, image quality is excellent, with some
Max resolution (pixels) 4928 x 3280
Sensor information 36 x 23.9mm CMOS The D4S is a big camera but it feels lighter when areas, in particular dynamic range, being outstanding.
Shutter speed 30 -1/8000sec you pick it up as it’s so well-balanced. It’s solid and The files are very sharp, with great clarity and detail,
ISO sensitivity A, 100-25600 feels as if it could survive a knock or two. On the though with a tendency to smooth out textured
(expandable to 50- whole, ergonomics are excellent, with logically laid surfaces. The Nikon’s impressive dynamic range
409600) out controls. The viewfinder is clear and bright and, does cause a minor issue, which is that the tonal
Exposure modes P, A, S, M while large enough, it is smaller than the one on its range of the RAW files is often far greater than the
Metering options CW, S, M
main competitor, the Canon 1Dx. review histogram suggests. Auto white balance was
Flash modes A, RE, RE+SS, SS, high-
Tweaks have also been made inside the weather- disappointing, being slightly cool with hints of a cyan
speed sync, front-curtain,
sealed, magnesium alloy body. The processor was colour cast. This pricey camera might not tempt D4
rear-curtain
Connectivity USB, HDMI, Optional upgraded to the EXPEED 4, which enables the D4S to users but is a worthwhile proposition for others.
wireless continuously focus at the highest frame rate of 11fps,
Weight 1,350g and expands the ISO range to a huge 409600. Images Summary
Dimensions 160x156.5x90.5mm are understandably noisy at the highest ISO settings
Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion but up to ISO 3200, noise isn’t an issue.
While the D4 was already excellent, Nikon has
Storage CompactFlash, XQD Autofocus performance has also been refined, with made some incredibly useful tweaks with this
LCD 3.2”, 921K-dot TFT, fixed
the reintroduction of the Group AF mode, allowing interim upgrade in the D4S. Low light and sports
Viewfinder: Optical, 100% coverage,
users to specify five points to focus on, rather than photography fans will be well equipped here with
0.7x magnification
one. The algorithms have been improved, so that AF this solidly built camera.
10 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK