Nikon D40 X Users Manual

Nikon-D40X-Owner-S-Manual nikon-d40x-owner-s-manual

Manual D40X_en Nikon D40X User Manual | Manual Device

D40 X - User’s Manual D40X_en Free User Guide for Nikon D Series Camera, Manual - page3

2015-08-19

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Where to Find It
Find what you’re looking for from:

The Table of Contents

See pages v–vi

Find items by function or menu name.

The Q&A Index

See pages vii–ix

Know what you want to do but don’t know the function name? Find it from the
“question and answer” index.

The Index

See pages 123–125

Search by key word.

Error Messages

See pages 111–112

If a warning is displayed in the viewfinder or monitor, find the solution here.

Troubleshooting

See pages 108–110

Camera behaving unexpectedly? Find the solution here.

Help
Use the camera’s on-board help feature for help on menu items and other topics. See page 3 for
details.
Digitutor
Digitutor, a series of “watch and learn” manuals in movie form, is available from the following website:
http://www.nikondigitutor.com/index_eng.html

Introduction
Tutorial

Photography and Playback
More on Photography (All Modes)
P, S, A, and M Modes

Reference
More on Playback
Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV
Playback Options: The Playback Menu
Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu
Menu Guide

Custom Settings
Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu
Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Technical Notes

For Your Safety
To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety
instructions where all those who use the product will read them.
The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions listed in this
section are indicated by the following symbol:
This icon marks warnings. To prevent possible injury, read all warnings before using this Nikon
product.

WARNINGS
Do not look at the sun through the viewfinder
Viewing the sun or other strong light source through
the viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment.
Using the viewfinder diopter control
When operating the viewfinder diopter control with
your eye to the viewfinder, care should be taken not to
put your finger in your eye accidentally.
Turn off immediately in the event of malfunction
Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming
from the equipment or AC adapter (available separately), unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery
immediately, taking care to avoid burns. Continued
operation could result in injury. After removing the
battery, take the equipment to a Nikon-authorized service center for inspection.
Do not disassemble
Touching the product’s internal parts could result in
injury. In the event of malfunction, the product should
be repaired only by a qualified technician. Should the
product break open as the result of a fall or other accident, remove the battery and/or AC adapter and then
take the product to a Nikon-authorized service center
for inspection.
Do not use in the presence of flammable gas
Do not use electronic equipment in the presence of
flammable gas, as this could result in explosion or fire.
Keep out of reach of children
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury.
Do not place the strap around the neck of an infant or child
Placing the camera strap around the neck of an infant
or child could result in strangulation.
Observe proper precautions when handling batteries
Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled.
Observe the following precautions when handling batteries for use in this product:
• Use only batteries approved for use in this equipment.
• Do not short or disassemble the battery.
• Be sure the product is off before replacing the battery.
If you are using an AC adapter, be sure it is unplugged.

For Your Safety

• Do not attempt to insert the battery upside down or
backwards.
• Do not expose the battery to flame or to excessive
heat.
• Do not immerse in or expose to water.
• Replace the terminal cover when transporting the battery. Do not transport or store the battery with metal
objects such as necklaces or hairpins.
• Batteries are prone to leakage when fully discharged.
To avoid damage to the product, be sure to remove the
battery when no charge remains.
• When the battery is not in use, attach the terminal
cover and store in a cool, dry place.
• The battery may be hot immediately after use or when
the product has been used on battery power for an
extended period. Before removing the battery turn the
camera off and allow the battery to cool.
• Discontinue use immediately should you notice any
changes in the battery, such as discoloration or deformation.
Observe proper precautions when handling the quick charger
• Keep dry. Failure to observe this precaution could
result in fire or electric shock.
• Dust on or near the metal parts of the plug should be
removed with a dry cloth. Continued use could result
in fire.
• Do not handle the power cable or go near the charger
during thunderstorms. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock.
• Do not damage, modify, or forcibly tug or bend the
power cable. Do not place it under heavy objects or
expose it to heat or flame. Should the insulation be
damaged and the wires become exposed, take the
power cable to a Nikon-authorized service representative for inspection. Failure to observe this precaution
could result in fire or electric shock.
• Do not handle the plug or charger with wet hands.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock.

Use appropriate cables
When connecting cables to the input and output jacks,
use only the cables provided or sold by Nikon for the purpose to maintain compliance with product regulations.

Observe caution when using the flash
Do not operate the flash with the flash window touching a person or object. Failure to observe this precaution could result in burns or fire.

CD-ROMs
CD-ROMs containing software or manuals should not
be played back on audio CD equipment. Playing CDROMs on an audio CD player could cause hearing loss
or damage the equipment.

Using the flash close to the subject’s eyes could cause
temporary visual impairment. Particular care should be
observed when photographing infants, when the flash
should be no less than one meter (39in.) from the subject.

Avoid contact with liquid crystal
Should the monitor break, care should be taken to avoid injury due to broken glass and to prevent the liquid crystal
from the monitor touching the skin or entering the eyes or mouth.

Notices
• No part of the manuals included with this product may be • Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval from the use of this product.
system, or translated into any language in any form, by any • While every effort has been made to ensure that the informeans, without Nikon’s prior written permission.
mation in these manuals is accurate and complete, we
• Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the would appreciate it were you to bring any errors or omishardware and software described in these manuals at any sions to the attention of the Nikon representative in your
time and without prior notice.
area (address provided separately).
Notices for Customers in the U.S.A.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful inter- CAUTIONS
ference to radio communications. However, there is no Modifications
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular The FCC requires the user be notified that any changes or
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer- modifications made to this device that are not expressly
ence to radio or television reception, which can be deter- approved by Nikon Corporation may void the user’s authormined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is ity to operate the equipment.
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
Interface Cables
more of the following measures:
Use the interface cables sold or provided by Nikon for your
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
equipment. Using other interface cables may exceed the
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
limits of Class B Part 15 of the FCC rules.
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different Notice for Customers in the State of California
from that to which the receiver is connected.
WARNING: Handling the cord on this product may expose
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television tech- you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to
nician for help.
cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.

D40x

Nikon Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York 11747-3064, U.S.A.
Notices for Customers in Canada
CAUTION
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.

Tel.: 631-547-4200

ATTENTION
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la
norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Notices

iii

Symbol for Separate Collection in European Countries
This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected separately.
The following apply only to users in European countries:
• This product is designated for separate collection at an appropriate collection point. Do not dispose of as
household waste.
• For more information, contact the retailer or the local authorities in charge of waste management.
Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction
Note that simply being in possession of material that has been digitally copied or reproduced by means of a scanner, digital camera, or other device may be punishable by law.
• Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced
• Cautions on certain copies and reproductions
Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, The government has issued cautions on copies or reprogovernment bonds, or local government bonds, even if ductions of securities issued by private companies (shares,
such copies or reproductions are stamped “Sample.”
bills, checks, gift certificates, etc.), commuter passes, or
coupon tickets, except when a minimum of necessary
The copying or reproduction of paper money, coins, or
copies are to be provided for business use by a company.
securities which are circulated in a foreign country is proAlso, do not copy or reproduce passports issued by the
hibited.
government, licenses issued by public agencies and priUnless the prior permission of the government has been vate groups, ID cards, and tickets, such as passes and meal
obtained, the copying or reproduction or unused postage coupons.
stamps or post cards issued by the government is prohib• Comply with copyright notices
ited.
The copying or reproduction of copyrighted creative
The copying or reproduction of stamps issued by the gov- works such as books, music, paintings, woodcuts, prints,
ernment and of certified documents stipulated by law is maps, drawings, movies, and photographs is governed by
national and international copyright laws. Do not use this
prohibited.
product for the purpose of making illegal copies or to
infringe copyright laws.
Disposing of Data Storage Devices
Please note that deleting images or formatting memory cards or other data storage devices does not completely erase the
original image data. Deleted files can sometimes be recovered from discarded storage devices using commercially available software, potentially resulting in the malicious use of personal image data. Ensuring the privacy of such data is the
user’s responsibility.
Before discarding a data storage device or transferring ownership to another person, erase all data using commercial deletion software, or format the device and then completely refill it with images containing no private information (for example, pictures of empty sky). Be sure to also replace any pictures selected for preset white balance and for Info display
format>Wallpaper. Care should be taken to avoid injury when physically destroying data storage devices.
Trademark Information
Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft corporation. The SD logo is a trademark of the SD Card Association. The SDHC logo is a
trademark. Adobe, Acrobat, and Adobe Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. PictBridge is a trademark.
All other trade names mentioned in this manual or the other documentation provided with your Nikon product are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Notices

Table of Contents
For Your Safety........................................................................ii
Notices..................................................................................... iii
Q&A Index ............................................................................ vii
Introduction ......................................................1
Getting to Know the Camera ........................................... 2
First Steps ................................................................................ 8
Attaching a Lens................................................................................ 8
Charging and Inserting the Battery....................................... 9
Basic Setup..........................................................................................11
Inserting Memory Cards.............................................................12
Adjusting Viewfinder Focus......................................................14
Tutorial ............................................................15
“Point-and-Shoot” Photography ( Mode).............15
Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs).........18
Basic Playback......................................................................20
Reference .........................................................21
More on Photography (All Modes) ........................22
The Shooting Information Display ...............................22
Focus .......................................................................................23
Focus Mode........................................................................................23
AF-Area Mode ...................................................................................24
Focus Area Selection.....................................................................25
Focus Lock...........................................................................................26
Manual Focus ....................................................................................28
Image Quality and Size.....................................................29
Image Quality....................................................................................30
Image Size ...........................................................................................30
Shooting Mode ...................................................................32
Self-Timer and Remote Control Modes.............................33
Using the Built-in Flash.....................................................34
ISO Sensitivity ......................................................................37
Two-Button Reset...............................................................38
P, S, A, and M Modes...............................................39
Mode P (Programmed Auto) ..........................................40
Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto) ......................................41
Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto) ..................................42
Mode M (Manual) ...............................................................43
Exposure ................................................................................45
Metering...............................................................................................45
Autoexposure Lock........................................................................46
Exposure Compensation............................................................47
Flash Compensation .....................................................................48
White Balance ......................................................................49
More on Playback ..................................................50
Viewing Photographs on the Camera.........................50
Photo Information..........................................................................51
Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback ...........52
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom ................................53
Protecting Photographs from Deletion ............................54
Deleting Individual Photographs..........................................54

Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV .............55
Connecting to a Computer .............................................55
Before Connecting the Camera............................................. 55
Connecting the USB Cable....................................................... 55
Printing Photographs........................................................57
Printing Via Direct USB Connection.................................... 57
Viewing Photographs on TV...........................................62
Menu Guide..................................................... 63
Using Camera Menus ........................................................63
Playback Options: The Playback Menu.......................65
Delete.....................................................................................................65
Playback Folder................................................................................ 66
Rotate Tall............................................................................................ 66
Slide Show .......................................................................................... 67
Print Set (DPOF) ............................................................................... 67
Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu .....................68
Optimize Image (P, S, A, and M Modes) ............................ 68
Image Quality ................................................................................... 70
Image Size........................................................................................... 70
White Balance (P, S, A, and M Modes) ................................70
ISO Sensitivity.................................................................................... 73
Noise Reduction.............................................................................. 73
Custom Settings..................................................................74
R: Reset.................................................................................................. 74
1: Beep................................................................................................... 74
2: Focus Mode .................................................................................. 75
3: AF-Area Mode.............................................................................. 75
4: Shooting Mode........................................................................... 75
5: Metering (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)........................... 75
6: No Memory Card?..................................................................... 75
7: Image Review .............................................................................. 75
8: Flash Compensation (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)....... 76
9: AF-assist (All Modes Except and )......................... 76
10: ISO Auto (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)......................... 76
11: /Fn Button.............................................................................. 77
12: AE-L/AF-L ..................................................................................... 77
13: AE Lock.......................................................................................... 77
14: Built-in Flash (P, S, A, and M Modes Only) ................78
15: Auto off Timers......................................................................... 78
16: Self-Timer..................................................................................... 79
17: Remote on Duration............................................................. 79
Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu ...................80
CSM/Setup menu........................................................................... 80
Format Memory Card................................................................... 81
Info Display Format ....................................................................... 81
Auto Shooting Info........................................................................ 83
World Time ......................................................................................... 83
LCD Brightness................................................................................. 83
Video Mode........................................................................................ 83
Language............................................................................................. 84
Image Comment ............................................................................ 84
USB .......................................................................................................... 84

Table of Contents

Folders....................................................................................................85
File No. Sequence ...........................................................................86
Mirror Lock-Up..................................................................................86
Firmware Version.............................................................................86
Dust off Ref Photo...........................................................................87
Auto Image Rotation ....................................................................88
Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu.........89
D-Lighting ...........................................................................................90
Red-Eye Correction ........................................................................91
Trim..........................................................................................................91
Monochrome.....................................................................................92
Filter Effects.........................................................................................92
Small Picture.......................................................................................92
Image Overlay...................................................................................94

Table of Contents

Technical Notes ............................................... 96
Optional Accessories.........................................................96
Lenses .................................................................................................... 97
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) ...................................... 99
Other Accessories........................................................................ 102
Accessories for the D40x......................................................... 103
Caring for the Camera.................................................... 104
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions ............ 106
Troubleshooting .............................................................. 108
Camera Error Messages and Displays ............................. 111
Appendix ............................................................................ 113
Specifications.................................................................... 119
Index ............................................................. 123

Q&A Index
Find what you’re looking for using this “question and answer” index.
General Questions
Question
How do I use the menus?
How do I get more information on a menu?
What do these indicators mean?
What does this warning mean?
How many more shots can I take with this card?
How much charge does the battery have left?
What does “exposure” mean and how does it work?
What do I do with the viewfinder eyepiece cap?
What optional flash units (Speedlights) can I use?
What lenses can I use?
What accessories are available for my camera?
What memory cards can I use?
What software is available for my camera?
Who can I ask to repair or inspect my camera?
How do I clean the camera or lens?

Key phrase
Using the menus
Help

Page #
63–64
3
5–6,
Monitor, viewfinder
81–82
Error messages and displays
111–112
Number of exposures remaining 29, 116
Battery level
15
Exposure
39
Self timer, remote control
7, 33
Optional flash units
99
Lenses
97
Accessories for the D40x
96
Approved memory cards
102
Accessories for the D40x
103
Servicing the camera
x
Cleaning the camera
104

Camera Setup
Question
How do I focus the viewfinder?
How do I keep the monitor from turning off?
How do I keep the shutter speed and aperture displays
from turning off?
How do I set the clock?
How do I set the clock for daylight savings time?
How do I change time zones when I travel?
How do I adjust monitor brightness?
How do I restore default settings?
How do I turn off the light on the front of the camera?
How do I change the self timer delay?
How do I change the remote delay?
How do I keep the camera from beeping?
How do I view all the items in the menus?
Can I display the menus in a different language?
How do I keep the file number from being reset when I
insert a new memory card?
How can I prevent the same file name from being
assigned to different photographs?

Key phrase
Viewfinder focus

Page #
14

Stand-by mode

World time

11, 83

LCD brightness
Two-button reset
AF-assist illuminator
Self timer
Remote control
Beep
CSM/setup menu
Language

83
38
76
33
33
74
80
84

File number sequence

Q&A Index

vii

Taking Photographs
Question
Is there an easy way to take snapshots?
Is there an easy way to take more creative shots?
What do I do if flash photography is prohibited?
How do I bring out a portrait subject?
How can I get good landscape shots?
How do I take snapshots of my kids?
How do I “freeze” a moving subject?
How do I take close ups of small objects?
Can I include night backgrounds in my portraits?
How do I change camera settings using the shooting
information display?
How do I take a lot of photographs quickly?
Can I shoot a self-portrait?
Is there a remote control for this camera?
How do I adjust exposure?
How do I freeze or blur moving objects?
How do I blur background details?
Can I make photos brighter or darker?
How do I make a time exposure?
How do I use the flash?
Can the flash fire automatically when needed?
How do I keep the flash from firing?
How do I prevent red eye?
Can I take pictures under low light without the flash?
Can I control how the camera focuses?
How do I focus on a moving subject?
How do I choose where the camera focuses?
Can I change the composition after focusing?
How do I improve image quality?
How do I take bigger photographs?
How can I get more photos on the memory card?
Can I take photos at a reduced size for e-mail?

viii Q&A Index

Key phrase
Auto mode
Digital Vari-Program modes
Auto (flash off ) mode
Portrait mode
Landscape mode
Child mode
Sports mode
Close-up mode
Night portrait mode
Shooting information display

Page #
15
18

Exposure; P, S, A, and M modes
Mode S (shutter-priority auto)
Mode A (aperture-priority auto)
Exposure compensation
Long time-exposures

32
33
33
39
41
42
47
44

Flash photography, flash mode

Red-eye reduction
ISO sensitivity
Autofocus
Focus mode
Focus area
Focus lock

35
37
23
23
25
26

Shooting mode

Image quality and size

29–30

Viewing, Printing, and Retouching Photographs
Question
Can I view my photographs on the camera?
Can I view more information about photos?
Why parts of my photos blink?
How do I get rid of an unwanted photo?
Can I delete several photos at once?
Can I zoom in on pictures to make sure they’re in focus?
Can I protect photos from accidental deletion?
Is there an automatic playback (“slide show”) option?
Can I view my photos on TV?
How do I copy photos to my computer?
How do I print photographs?
Can I print photos without a computer?
Can I print the date on my photographs?
How do I order professional prints?
How do I bring out details in shadows?
Can I get rid of red eye?
Can I crop photographs on the camera?
Can I create a monochrome copy of a photograph?
Can I create a copy with different colors?
Can I make a small copy of a photograph?
Can I overlay two photos to make a single image?

Key phrase
Camera playback
Photo info
Photo info, highlights
Deleting individual photos
Delete
Playback zoom
Protect
Slide show
Television playback
Connecting to a computer
Printing photographs
Printing via USB
Time stamp, DPOF
Print set
D-lighting
Red-eye correction
Trim
Monochrome
Filter effects
Small picture
Image overlay

Page #
50
51
52
54
65
53
54
67
62
55
57
57
59, 61
61
90
91
91
92
92
92
94

Q&A Index

Life-Long Learning
As part of Nikon’s “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing product support and education, continually-updated information is available on-line at the following sites:
• For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/
• For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support
• For users in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East: http://www.nikon-asia.com/
Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information, tips, answers to frequentlyasked questions (FAQs), and general advice on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the following URL for contact
information: http://nikonimaging.com/

Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon D40x single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera with
interchangeable lenses. This manual has been written to help you enjoy taking pictures
with your Nikon digital camera. Read this manual thoroughly before use, and keep it handy
when using the product.
To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions
are used:
This icon marks cautions, information that
should be read before use to prevent damage to the camera.

This icon marks tips, additional information
that may be helpful when using the camera.

This icon marks notes, information that
should be read before using the camera.

This icon indicates that more information is
available elsewhere in this manual or in the
Quick Start Guide.

This icon marks settings that can be adjusted
using camera menus.

This icon marks settings that can be finetuned from the Custom Settings menu.

Lens
Autofocus is supported with AF-S and AF-I lenses only. An 18–55 mm f/3.5–5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom
Nikkor lens ( 122) is used in this manual for illustrative purposes.
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1. Focal length scale
4. Rear cover: 8
7. Zoom ring

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2. Focal length scale index
5. CPU contacts: 45
8. Focus ring: 28

3. Mounting index: 8
6. A-M mode switch: 8, 28
9. Lens cap

Introduction

Getting to Know the Camera
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find
it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual.
Camera Body
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1 Infrared receiver..............................................................33
2 Power switch .......................................................................4
3 Shutter-release button...............................................17
4
(exposure compensation) button................47
(aperture) button....................................................43
Flash compensation.....................................................48
5
(shooting information) button ......................22
z (reset) button..............................................................38
6 AF-assist illuminator.....................................................23
Self-timer lamp................................................................33
Red-eye reduction lamp ...........................................35
7
(focal plane mark)...................................................28
8 Mode dial...............................................................................4
9 Built-in flash.......................................................................34

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

10 Accessory shoe cover................................................. 99
11 Accessory shoe (for optional flash unit).......... 99
12
(flash mode) button............................................. 34
(flash compensation) button ...................... 48
13 Eyelet for camera strap................................................. 7
14 Connector cover.............................................55, 58, 62
15 Video connector............................................................ 62
16 Reset switch ...................................................................108
17 USB connector.........................................................55, 58
18
(self-timer) button ................................................. 33
(function) button .................................................. 77
19 Lens release button ........................................................ 8
20 Lens mounting index .................................................... 8

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9
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12
13
14
15
16

1 DK-16 viewfinder eyepiece cup...............................7
2 Viewfinder eyepiece ...............................................5, 14 17
3 Diopter adjustment control ....................................14
4
(AE-L/AF-L) button...........................................46, 77 18
(protect) button.......................................................54 19
5 Command dial..............................................................115

Eyelet for camera strap................................................. 7
Multi selector *
Memory card slot cover............................................ 12
(delete) button..................................................20, 54
Memory card access lamp ...................................... 12
Power connector cover for optional AC
adapter connector .....................................................103
Battery-chamber cover latch................................. 10
Battery-chamber cover ...................................10, 103
Tripod socket
Monitor....................................................................6, 50, 82
(playback zoom) button..................................... 53
(setting) button ..................................................... 22
z (reset) button ............................................................. 38
(thumbnail) button................................................ 52
(help) button
(menu) button.......................................................... 63
(playback) button ............................................20, 50

* Multi selector
The multi selector is used for menu navigation and playback.
View more photo info
Move cursor up

Playback ( 51)
Menus/shooting info (

22, 63)

Press up
View previous photo
Return to previous menu
Cancel

Press right
View next photo
Display sub-menu

Press left
Press down
View more photo info
Move cursor down

Retouch photo ( 89)
Make selection

Help
For help on the current mode or menu item, press the button. Help is
displayed in the monitor while the button is pressed; to scroll the display, press the multi selector up or down. A blinking
icon indicates
that help on an error or other problem can be viewed in the monitor by
pressing the button.

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

The Mode Dial
The D40x offers a choice of the following twelve shooting modes:
Advanced Modes (Exposure Modes)
Select these modes for full control over camera settings.
P—Programmed auto: 40
S—Shutter-priority auto: 41

A—Aperture-priority auto:
M—Manual: 43

Point-and-Shoot Modes (Digital Vari-Programs)
Selecting a Digital Vari-Program automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene,
making creative photography as simple as rotating the mode dial.
—Auto: 15
—Auto (flash off): 18
—Portrait: 18
—Landscape: 18

— Child: 19
—Sports: 19
— Close up: 19
—Night portrait:

The Power Switch
The power switch is used to turn the camera on and off.

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

Off

The Viewfinder Display

4 5

8 9

15 16

1 Focus brackets (focus areas)....14, 16, 24, 25, 26 10 Number of exposures remaining.............. 15, 116
2 Focus indicator ....................................................... 16, 26
Number of shots remaining before
memory buffer fills............................................. 32, 116
3 Focus area display..........................14, 16, 24, 25, 26
AF-area mode.................................................................. 24
Preset white balance recording indicator ......71
4 Autoexposure (AE) lock ............................................. 46
Exposure compensation value..............................47
5 Flexible program indicator ...................................... 40
Flash compensation value .......................................48
6 Shutter speed ..........................................................39–44
PC connection indicator ...........................................56
Dust off ref photo mode indicator......................87
7 Aperture (f/-number)..........................................39–44 11 Flash-ready indicator ...................................................17
8 Flash compensation indicator.............48, 78, 101 12 Battery indicator.............................................................15
9 Exposure compensation indicator ..................... 47 13 Electronic analog exposure display....................43
Exposure compensation ...........................................47
14 ISO AUTO indicator...............................................37, 76
15 “K” (appears when memory remains for
over 1000 exposures)
16 Warning indicator..................................................3, 111

The Viewfinder
The response time and brightness of the viewfinder may vary with temperature. This is normal and
does not indicate a malfunction.
Large-Capacity Memory Cards
When enough memory remains on the memory card to record a thousand or more pictures at current settings, the number of exposures
remaining will be shown in thousands, rounded down to the nearest
hundred (e.g., if there is room for approximately 1,160 exposures, the
exposure count display will show 1.1K).

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

The Shooting Information Display
To view camera settings, press the
button. The following shooting information will be
displayed in the monitor. See page 22 for information on changing camera settings.
25

22 21

1
20

19
6

18
17

15
8

1 Focus area display ......................... 14, 16, 24, 25, 26
AF-area mode ..................................................................24
2 Shutter speed.......................................................... 39–44
3 Electronic analog exposure display ...................43
Exposure compensation ...........................................47
4 Aperture (f/-number) ......................................... 39–44
5 Mode ........................................................................................4
6 Shutter-speed display
7 Aperture display
8 Flash compensation value.......................................48
9 Flash sync mode.............................................................35
10 Exposure compensation value..............................47
11 Help indicator .....................................................................3
12 Number of exposures remaining.............. 15, 116
Preset white balance recording indicator ......71
PC mode indicator........................................................56

13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Metering mode .............................................................. 45
AF-area mode.................................................................. 24
Focus mode...................................................................... 23
Shooting mode.............................................................. 32
ISO sensitivity................................................................... 37
White balance mode .................................................. 49
Image size.......................................................................... 30
Image quality................................................................... 30
Battery indicator ............................................................ 15
“Beep” indicator.............................................................. 74
Optimize image indicator........................................ 68
Auto ISO sensitivity indicator..........................37, 76
Manual flash control indicator.............................. 78
Flash compensation indicator for
optional Speedlight...................................................101

Note: Above display is shown when Graphic is selected for Info display format. See page 81 for
other display formats.

The Shutter-Speed and Aperture Displays
These displays provide a visual indication of shutter speed and aperture.

Fast shutter speed, large aperture
(small f/-number)

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

Slow shutter speed, small aperture
(large f/-number)

Supplied Accessories
The DK-5 Viewfinder Eyepiece Cap
Attach the DK-5 viewfinder eyepiece cap for self-timer ( 33) or
remote control photography ( 33). Before attaching the DK-5 or
other viewfinder accessories ( 102), remove the DK-16 viewfinder
eyepiece cup. Hold the camera firmly when removing the cup.
The Camera Strap
Attach the camera strap as shown below.

The MH-23 Quick Charger ( 122)
The MH-23 is for use with the supplied EN-EL9 battery.
CHARGE lamp

AC inlet

AC adapter plug

Wall plug (shape varies with country of sale)

The EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (
The EN-EL9 is for use with the D40x.

103, 121)

Negative terminal
Signal contact
Positive terminal
Terminal cover

The use of third-party rechargeable
Li-ion batteries not bearing the
Nikon holographic seal shown above
could interfere with normal operation of the camera or result in the
batteries overheating, igniting, rupturing, or leaking.

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera

First Steps
Attaching a Lens
Autofocus is supported with AF-S and AF-I lenses only. Care should be taken to prevent
dust from entering the camera when exchanging lenses.

Turn the camera off and remove the body cap.

Remove the rear lens cap from the lens.

Keeping the mounting index on the lens aligned with the
mounting index on the camera body, position the lens in the
camera’s bayonet mount and rotate the lens in the direction
shown until it clicks into place.

If the lens is equipped with an A-M or M/A-M switch, select A
(autofocus) or M/A (autofocus with manual priority).

Detaching Lenses
Be sure the camera is off when removing or exchanging lenses. To
remove the lens, press and hold the lens-release button while turning the
lens clockwise. After removing the lens, replace the camera body cap and
rear lens cover.

Aperture Ring
If the lens is equipped with an aperture ring, lock aperture at the minimum setting (highest f/-number). See the lens manual for details.

Introduction: First Steps

Charging and Inserting the Battery
The supplied EN-EL9 battery is not charged at shipment. Charge the battery using the supplied MH-23 battery charger as described below.

Charge the battery.
1.1 Remove the terminal cover from the battery.

1.2 Connect the power cord to the charger and plug it in.

1.3 Place the battery in the charger. The CHARGE lamp will blink
as the battery charges. About 90 minutes are required for
an exhausted battery to fully charge.

1.4 Charging is complete when the CHARGE lamp stops blinking. Remove the battery from the charger and unplug the
charger.

The Battery and Charger
Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ii–iii and 106–107 of this manual, together with any
warnings and instructions provided by the battery manufacturer.
Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below 0°C (32°F) or above 40°C (104°F). During
charging, the temperature should be in the vicinity of 5–35°C (41–95°F). For best results, charge the
battery at temperatures above 20°C (68°F). Battery capacity may drop if the battery is charged or used
at lower temperatures.

Introduction: First Steps

Insert the battery.
2.1 After confirming that the power switch is in the off position, open the battery chamber cover.

2.2 Insert a fully charged battery as shown at right. Close the
battery chamber cover.

Removing the Battery
Turn the camera off before removing the battery. To avoid shorting the battery, replace the terminal
cover when the battery is not in use.

Introduction: First Steps

Basic Setup
The first time the camera is turned on, the language selection dialog shown in Step 1 will be
displayed in the monitor. Follow the steps below to choose a language and set the time
and date. No photographs can be taken until the camera clock has been set.

2
Turn camera on.

Select language.

Display map of world time zones.*
Select local time zone.
* UTC field shows time difference between selected time zone and Coordinated Universal Time
(UTC), in hours.

6
Display daylight saving time options.

Highlight On if daylight saving time is in effect.

8
Display date menu.

Press multi selector left or right to select item,
up or down to change.
To reset the camera clock, choose a new time
zone, turn daylight saving time on or off, or
choose the order in which the year, month, and
date are displayed, use the World time option in
the setup menu ( 83).

Exit to shooting mode.

Using Camera Menus
The language menu is only displayed automatically the first time the camera is turned on. See the
Menu Guide ( 63) for information on normal menu operation.

Introduction: First Steps

Inserting Memory Cards
The camera stores pictures on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (available separately). See
“Approved Memory Cards” for information on approved memory cards ( 102).

Insert a memory card.
1.1 Before inserting or removing memory cards, turn the camera off and open the card slot cover.

1.2 Slide the memory card in as shown at right until it clicks
into place. The memory card access lamp will light for
about a second. Close the memory card slot cover.

Front

Removing Memory Cards
1. Confirm that the access lamp is off.

2. Turn the camera off and open the memory card slot cover.
3. Press the card in to eject (c). The card can then be removed by hand
(d).

Introduction: First Steps

Memory cards must be formatted in the camera before first use. Note that formatting
memory cards permanently deletes all photographs and other data they may contain.
Be sure all data you wish to keep have been copied to another storage device before formatting the card.
2.1

2.2

Turn camera on.
Display menus.*
* If menu item is highlighted, press multi selector left to highlight icon for current menu.

2.3

2.4

Highlight .

2.5

Position cursor in setup menu.

2.6

Highlight Format memory card.

2.7

Display options.

2.8

Highlight Yes.

Format card. Do not turn camera off or
remove card or battery until formatting is
complete and setup menu is displayed.

Formatting Memory Cards
Use the camera Format memory card option to format memory cards. Performance may drop if
cards are formatted in a computer.
The Write Protect Switch
SD cards are equipped with a write protect switch to prevent accidental
loss of data. When this switch is in the “lock” position, the camera will display a message to warn that photos can not be recorded or deleted and
the memory card can not be formatted.
Write-protect switch

Introduction: First Steps

Adjusting Viewfinder Focus
Photographs are framed in the viewfinder. Before shooting, make
sure that the display in the viewfinder is in clear focus. The viewfinder can be focused by removing the lens cap and sliding the
diopter adjustment control up and down until the focus brackets
are in sharp focus. When operating the diopter adjustment control with your eye to the viewfinder, be careful not to put your fingers or fingernails in your eye.

Focus brackets

Auto Meter Off
At default settings, the viewfinder and shooting information display will turn off if no operations are
performed for about eight seconds (auto meter off ), reducing the drain on the battery. Press the shutter-release button halfway to reactivate the display in the viewfinder ( 17).

Exposure meters on

Exposure meters off

Exposure meters on

The length of time before the exposure meters turn off automatically can be adjusted using Custom
Setting 15 (Auto off timers; 78).

Introduction: First Steps

Tutorial
Photography and Playback

“Point-and-Shoot” Photography (

Mode)

This section describes how to take photographs in
(auto) mode, an automatic “pointand-shoot” mode in which the majority of settings are controlled by the camera in response
to shooting conditions.

Turn the camera on.
1.1 Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on. The monitor will turn on and the viewfinder display will light.

1.2 If the monitor is off, press the button to display shooting
information. Check the battery level as described below.
Monitor Viewfinder Description
—
Battery fully charged.
—
Battery partially discharged.
Low battery. Prepare to charge battery.
Shutter release disabled. Charge battery.
(blinks) (blinks)

If shooting information is not displayed when the
is exhausted. Charge the battery.

button is pressed, the battery

1.3 The number of photographs that can be stored on the
memory card is shown in the shooting information display
and viewfinder. Check the number of exposures remaining.
If there is not enough memory to store additional photographs at current settings, the display will flash as shown
at right. No further pictures can be taken until the memory card has been replaced or photographs have been
deleted ( 20, 65).

Rotate the mode dial to

(auto mode).

Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography (

Mode)

Frame a photograph in the viewfinder.
3.1 Hold the camera as shown.
Holding the Camera
Hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle the camera
body or lens with your left. Keep your elbows propped lightly
against your torso for support and place one foot half a pace
ahead of the other to keep you upper body stable.

3.2 Frame a photo in the viewfinder with the main subject
positioned in any of the three focus areas.

Focus area
Zoom in

Using a Zoom Lens
Use the zoom ring to zoom in on the subject so that it fills a larger
area of the frame, or zoom out to increase the area visible in the
final photograph (select longer focal lengths to zoom in, shorter
focal lengths to zoom out).

Zoom out

Focus and shoot.
4.1 Press the shutter-release button halfway. The camera will
automatically select the focus area containing the subject
closest to the camera and focus on this subject. If the subject is dark, the AF-assist illuminator may light to assist the
focus operation and the flash may pop up. The monitor
will turn off.
When the focus operation is complete, the selected focus
area will be highlighted, a beep will sound, and the infocus indicator (z) will appear in the viewfinder. The number of exposures that can be stored in the memory buffer
(“r”;
32) is shown in the viewfinder display while the
shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography (

Mode)

4.2 Smoothly press the shutter-release button the rest of the
way down to release the shutter and record the photograph. The access lamp next to the memory card slot
cover will light. Do not eject the memory card or remove or
disconnect the power source until the lamp has gone out and
recording is complete.

Turn the camera off when shooting is complete.

The Shutter-Release Button
The camera has a two-stage shutter-release button. The camera focuses and the monitor turns off
when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. If the subject is stationary (or if single-servo autofocus is selected in P, S, A, or M mode; 23), a beep will sound and focus will lock. To take the photograph, press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down.

Focus

Take photograph

The Built-in Flash
If additional lighting is required for correct exposure in
mode, the
built-in flash will pop up automatically when the shutter-release button is
pressed halfway (to prevent the flash from firing when lighting is poor,
select Auto (flash off ) mode). Flash range varies with aperture and ISO
sensitivity ( 117); remove lens hoods when using the flash. If the flash is
required, photographs can only be taken when the flash-ready indicator
( ) is displayed. If a photograph can not be taken and the flash-ready
indicator is not displayed, remove your finger briefly from the shutterrelease button and try again.
To save battery power when the flash is not in use, return it to its closed
position by pressing it gently downward till the latch clicks into place. For
more information on using the flash, see page 34.

Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography (

Mode)

Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs)
In addition to , the D40x offers a choice of seven Digital Vari-Program modes. Selecting a
program automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene, making creative photography as easy as rotating the mode dial.
Mode
Auto (flash off)
Portrait
Landscape
Child
Sports
Close up
Night portrait

Description
For pictures that do not use the flash.
For portraits.
For natural and man-made landscapes.
For pictures of children.
For moving subjects.
For close up shots of flowers, insects, and other small objects.
For portraits taken under low light.

To take photographs in Digital Vari-Program modes:

Rotate the mode dial to select a Digital Vari-Program mode.

Frame a photograph in the viewfinder, focus, and shoot.

Digital Vari-Program modes are described below.
Auto (Flash Off)
The built-in flash turns off. Use where flash photography is prohibited, to photograph infants without using the flash, or to capture
natural lighting under low light. The camera selects the focus area
containing the closest subject; the AF-assist illuminator will light
to assist the focus operation when lighting is poor.
Portrait
Use for portraits with soft, natural-looking skin tones. The camera
selects the focus area containing the closest subject. If the subject
is far from the background or a telephoto lens is used, background
details will be softened to lend the composition a sense of depth.
Landscape
Use for vivid landscape shots. The camera selects the focus area
containing the closest subject; the built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off automatically.

Tutorial: Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs)

Child
Use for snapshots of children. Clothing and background details
are vividly rendered while skin tones are given a soft, natural finish.
The camera selects the focus area containing the closest subject.
Sports
High shutter speeds freeze motion for dynamic sports shots in
which the main subject stands out clearly. The camera focuses
continuously while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway,
tracking the subject in the center focus area. If the subject leaves
the center focus area, the camera will continue to focus based on
information from the other focus areas. The starting focus area can be selected with the
multi selector. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off automatically.
Close Up
Use for close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other small objects.
The camera automatically focuses on the subject in the center
focus area; other focus areas can be selected using the multi selector. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.
Night Portrait
Use for a natural balance between the main subject and the background in portraits taken under low light. The camera selects the
focus area containing the closest subject. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.

The Built-in Flash
If additional lighting is required for correct exposure in , , , or
mode, the built-in flash will
pop automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. See “Using the Built-in Flash”
for information on choosing a flash mode ( 34).

Tutorial: Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs)

Basic Playback
Photographs are automatically displayed after shooting. The battery level and number of exposures remaining are also displayed.

If no photograph is displayed in the monitor, the most recent picture can be viewed by pressing the button ( 50).

Additional pictures can be displayed by rotating the command
dial or pressing the multi selector left or right.
To end playback and return to shooting mode, press the shutterrelease button halfway.

Deleting Unwanted Photographs
To delete the photograph currently displayed in the monitor, press
the button. A confirmation dialog will be displayed. Press the
button again to delete the image and return to playback. To
exit without deleting the picture, press the button.

Tutorial: Basic Playback

Reference
This section builds on the Tutorial to cover more advanced shooting and playback options.
More on Photography (All Modes):

Use the shooting information display
Shoot a moving subject or focus manually
Adjust image quality and size
Take photographs in one at a time, in bursts, or
using the self-timer or a remote control
Use the built-in flash
Raise ISO sensitivity when lighting is poor
Restore default settings

P, S, A, and M Modes:

The Shooting Information Display:

Focus:

Image Quality and Size:

Shooting Mode:

Using the Built-in Flash:

ISO Sensitivity:

Two-Button Reset:

Mode P (Programmed Auto):

Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto):

Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto):

Mode M (Manual):

Exposure:

White Balance:

Let the camera choose shutter speed and aperture
Freeze or blur motion
Choose whether to blur background objects
Choose shutter speed and aperture manually
Choose how the camera meters exposure, lock
exposure, adjust exposure and flash level
Make colors look natural
Take photos under unusual lighting

See the Menu Guide for information on other operations that can only be performed in P, S, A, and M
modes, including customizing sharpening, contrast, color saturation, and hue (“Optimize Image”;
68, 69).

More on Playback:

View photographs on the camera
See the Menu Guide for other playback options (

Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV:
Copy photographs to a computer
Print photographs
View photographs on TV

Viewing Photographs on the Camera:

Connecting to a Computer:

Printing Photographs:

Viewing Photographs on TV:

65–67).

Reference 21

More on Photography (All Modes)
The Shooting Information Display
Pressing the button displays shooting information in the monitor. Shooting information can also be displayed by pressing
in
shooting mode, by pressing in P, S, or A mode, by pressing /
(unless white balance is selected for Custom Setting 11 in Digital
Vari-Program mode;
77), or by pressing
when the flash is
enabled. Shooting information is also displayed after the shutterrelease button is released when On is selected for Auto shooting
info ( 83) and immediately after the camera is turned on. To
hide shooting information, press the button again. The display
format depends on the option selected for Info display format
in the setup menu ( 81).
The
button can be used to change the settings shown in the
shooting information display.

2
Display shooting information.

3
4

Selected setting is highlighted.
Highlight desired setting. Settings not available
in current mode are grayed out and can not be
selected.

Display options for highlighted setting.
* Press
to return to Step 3 without modifying setting.

Highlight desired option. *

Select option. Repeat Steps 3–6 to change
other settings, or press
to return to Step 1.

Take pictures. Monitor turns off while shutterrelease button is pressed.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/The Shooting Information Display

Focus
Focus can be adjusted automatically (see “Focus Mode,” below) or manually ( 28). The
user can also select the focus area for automatic or manual focus ( 24, 25) or use focus lock
to focus to recompose photographs after focusing ( 26).

Focus Mode
Controls used

Choose how the camera focuses. AF-S and AF-C are available only in P, S, A, and M modes.
Focus mode

Description
Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus when subject is judged
Auto-servo AF
to be stationary, continuous-servo autofocus when subject is judged to be
AF-A
(default setting)
moving.
For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is pressed
AF-S Single-servo AF
halfway.
For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously while shutter-release butContinuouston is pressed halfway. Priority is given to shutter response, meaning that
AF-C
servo AF
shutter may sometimes be released before in-focus indicator (z) is displayed
in viewfinder.
MF Manual focus
User focuses manually ( 28).

The AF-Assist Illuminator
If the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist illuminator will light automatically
to assist the autofocus operation when the shutter-release button is
pressed halfway. The AF-assist illuminator will not light in continuousservo AF or manual focus mode, in , or modes, or if the center focus
area is not selected or if Off has been selected for Custom Setting 9 (AF
assist). The illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3.0m (1ft. 8in.–9ft.
10in.); when using the illuminator, use a lens with a focal length of 24–
200mm and remove the lens hood.
2—Focus Mode ( 75)
Focus mode can also be selected from the Custom Settings menu.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

AF-Area Mode
Controls used

Choose how the focus area is selected in autofocus mode. This setting has no effect in
manual focus mode.
Option

Description
Camera automatically selects focus area containing subject closest to camera. Default
Closest
for P, S, A, and M modes; selected automatically when mode dial is rotated to , , ,
subject
, , or .
User selects focus area manually, but if subject leaves selected focus area even briefly,
Dynamic
camera will focus based on information from other focus areas. Use with erratically movarea
ing subjects. Selected automatically when mode dial is rotated to .
User selects focus area using multi selector; camera focuses on subject in selected focus
Single
area only. Use with stationary subjects. Selected automatically when mode dial is
area
rotated to .

Viewfinder Display
AF-area mode is shown in the viewfinder as follows:

Closest subject

Dynamic area

3—AF-Area Mode ( 75)
AF-area mode can also be selected from the Custom Settings menu.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

Single area

Focus Area Selection

Controls used

Multi selector

The D40x offers a choice of three focus areas. At default settings, the camera chooses the
focus area automatically or focuses on subject in the center focus area, but the focus area
can also be selected manually to compose photographs with the main subject positioned
at either side of the frame.

At default settings, the focus area is selected automatically in
, , , , , , P, S, A, and M modes. To enable manual
focus selection in these modes, select Single area or
Dynamic area for AF-area mode in the shooting information
display ( 24).

Press the multi selector left or right to highlight the focus area
in the viewfinder or shooting information display. The
selected focus area is highlighted again when the shutterrelease button is pressed halfway.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

Focus Lock

Controls used Shutter-release button/AE-L/AF-L button

Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to
focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the final composition. It can also be
used when the autofocus system is unable to focus ( 27). Single or dynamic area AF is recommended when using focus lock ( 24).

Focus lock can be used with any focus area. Position the subject in the selected focus area ( 25) and press the shutterrelease button halfway to initiate focus.

Check that the in-focus indicator (z) appears in the viewfinder. Focus will lock automatically when the in-focus indicator appears, and remain locked while the shutter-release
button is pressed halfway. Focus can also be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button while the shutter-release button is
pressed halfway. Focus will remain locked while the AE-L/AF-L
button is pressed, even if you later remove your finger from
the shutter-release button.

Recompose the photograph and shoot.

The shutter-release button can not be used to lock focus in mode ( 19), continuous
shooting mode ( 32), or continuous-servo autofocus ( 23), or when continuous-servo
autofocus is selected in auto-servo AF ( 23). Use the AE-L/AF-L button to lock focus. At
other settings, focus will remain locked between shots if the shutter-release button is kept
pressed halfway.

12—AE-L/AF-L ( 77)
This option controls the behavior of the AE-L/AF-L button.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below. The shutter release may be disabled if the camera is unable to focus under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator (z) may be displayed and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released even when the subject
is not in focus. In these cases, use manual focus ( 28) or use focus lock ( 26) to focus on another
subject at the same distance and then recompose the photograph.
There is little or no contrast
between the subject and the
background (e.g., the subject is
the same color as the background).

The focus area contains
objects at different distances
from the camera (e.g., the subject is inside a cage).

The subject is dominated by
regular geometric patterns
(e.g., a row of windows in a
skyscraper).

The focus area contains areas
of sharply contrasting brightness (e.g., the subject is half in
the shade).

The subject appears smaller
than the focus area (e.g., focus
area contains both foreground subject and distant
buildings).

The subject contains many
fine details (e.g., a field of flowers or other subjects that are
small or lack variation in
brightness).

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

Manual Focus
Controls used

Use this option when the camera is unable to focus correctly
using autofocus. To focus manually, select manual focus mode
and adjust the lens focusing ring until the image displayed on the
clear matte field in the viewfinder is in focus. Photographs can be
taken at any time, even when the image is not in focus.

When using a lens that offers A-M selection, select M when focusing manually. With lenses
that support M/A (autofocus with manual priority), focus can be adjusted manually with the
lens set to M or M/A. See the documentation provided with your lens for details.

The Electronic Range Finder
If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus
indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in
the selected focus area is in focus. After positioning the subject in the
active focus area, press the shutter-release button halfway and rotate the
lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator (z) is displayed. Note that if
the subject is one for which autofocus does not perform well ( 27), the
in-focus indicator may be displayed when the subject is not in focus. Confirm that the image in the
viewfinder is in focus before shooting.
Focal Plane Position
To determine the distance between your subject and the camera, measure from the focal plane mark on the camera body. The distance
between the lens mounting flange and the focal plane is 46.5mm
(1.83in.).

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus

Image Quality and Size
Together, image quality and size determine how much space each photograph occupies on
the memory card. Larger, higher quality images can be printed at larger sizes but also
require more memory, meaning that fewer such images can be stored on the memory card.
Large file size

Image Quality and Size

JPEG Fine

HighLow

JPEG Normal

JPEG Basic

Small file size

Small

Medium
SmallLarge

Large

Changes to image quality and size are reflected in the number of
exposures remaining as shown in the shooting information display and viewfinder ( 5, 6). The approximate maximum file size
of individual photographs and the total number of pictures that
can be recorded at the selected setting are also shown in the
shooting information display while image quality or size options are displayed ( 30).
Actual file size and memory card capacity may differ. Typical file sizes are listed on page 116.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and Size 29

Image Quality
Controls used

The camera supports the following image quality options (the first four are listed in
descending order by image quality and file size):
Option

Format

RAW

NEF

FINE
NORM
(default)
BASIC

JPEG

Description
Compressed raw data from the image sensor are saved directly to memory card.
Choose for images that will be retouched on a computer.
Images are compressed less than NORM, producing higher-quality images. Compression ratio: roughly 1:4.
Best choice in most situations. Compression ratio: roughly 1:8.

Smaller file size suited to e-mail or the Web. Compression ratio: roughly 1:16.
Two images are recorded: one NEF (RAW) image and one basic-quality JPEG
RAW+B NEF+JPEG
image.

Image Size
Controls used

Image size is measured in pixels. The following options are available:
Image size
L (default)
M
S

Size (pixels)
3,872×2,592
2,896×1,944
1,936×1,296

Approximate size when printed at 200 dpi
49.2×32.9cm (19.4×13.0in.)
36.8×24.7cm (14.5×9.7in.)
24.6×16.5cm (9.7×6.5in.)

Note that the option selected for image size does not affect the size of NEF (RAW) images.
When viewed on a computer, NEF images are 3,872×2,592 pixels in size.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and Size

NEF (RAW)/RAW+B
NEF (RAW) files can be viewed on a computer using Capture NX (available separately; 103) or the
supplied PictureProject software. NEF (RAW) photographs can not be printed by most print services
or by direct USB connection; use PictureProject or Capture NX to print NEF (RAW) photographs.
When photographs taken at RAW+B are viewed on the camera, only the JPEG image will be displayed.
When photographs taken at this setting are deleted, both NEF and JPEG images will be deleted.
Capture NX ( 103)
Capture NX (available separately) automatically checks for updates if an Internet connection is
detected at startup. Be sure to update to the latest version before viewing NEF (RAW) files.
File Names
Photographs are stored as image files with names of the form “DSC_nnnn.xxx,” where nnnn is a fourdigit number between 0001 and 9999 assigned automatically in ascending order by the camera, and
xxx is one of the following three letter extensions: “NEF” for NEF (RAW) images or “JPG” for JPEG
images. Files containing Image Dust Off reference data have the extension “.NDF” ( 87). The NEF
and JPEG files recorded at a setting of RAW+B have the same file names but different extensions. Small
copies created with the small picture option in the retouch menu have file names beginning with
“SSC_” and ending with the extension “.JPG” (e.g., “SSC_0001.JPG”), while images recorded with the
other options in the retouch menu have file names beginning with “CSC” (e.g., “CSC_0001.JPG”).
Images recorded at a Optimize Image > Custom > Color Mode setting of II (AdobeRGB) ( 69)
have names that begin with an underscore (e.g., “_DSC0001.JPG”).
Image Quality ( 30)/Image Size ( 30)
Image quality and size can also be set using the Image quality and Image size options in the shooting menu.
11— /Fn Button ( 77)
Image quality and size can also be set using the command dial.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and Size 31

Shooting Mode
Controls used

Shooting mode determines how the camera takes photographs: one at a time, in a continuous sequence, with a timed shutter-release delay, or with a remote control.
Mode
Single frame
(default)

Description
Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-release button is pressed.

Camera records photographs at up to about three frames per second while
shutter-release button is pressed. Only one shot will be taken if flash fires;
Continuous
select
Auto (flash off ) mode ( 18) or turn flash off ( 35) for burst pho(burst mode)
tography. The fastest frame rates can be achieved by choosing manual focus
( 28), rotating the mode dial to S or M and selecting a shutter speed of 1/250 s
or faster ( 41, 43), and using defaults for all other settings.
10s Self-timer
Use for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake ( 33).
2s Delayed remote Optional ML-L3 remote control required. Use for self-portraits ( 33).
Quick-response Optional ML-L3 remote control required. Use to reduce blurring caused by
remote
camera shake ( 33).
11—

/Fn Button (

77)

If Self-timer (the default option) is selected for Custom Setting 11 ( /Fn
button), self-timer mode can also be selected by pressing the self-timer
button.

The Memory Buffer
The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue
while photographs are being saved to the memory card. When the buffer is full, the shutter is disabled until enough data have been transferred to the memory card to make room for another photograph. In continuous mode, shooting will continue to a maximum of 100 shots, although the frame
rate will drop once the buffer has filled. See the Appendix for information on the number of photographs that can be stored in the memory buffer.
The approximate number of images that can be stored in the memory
buffer at current settings is shown in the exposure-count display in the
viewfinder while the shutter-release button is pressed.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Shooting Mode

Self-Timer and Remote Control Modes
The self-timer or optional ML-L3 remote control can be used for self-portraits.

Mount the camera on a tripod or place the camera on a stable,
level surface.

Select one of the following shooting modes:
Mode
10s Self-timer
2s Delayed remote
Quick-response
remote

Description
Shutter released about 10s after camera has focused.
Shutter released about 2s after camera has focused.
Shutter released when camera focuses.

3
4

Frame the photograph. If the remote control is used with the camera in autofocus
mode, you can check focus by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.

Take the photograph.

Remove the viewfinder eyepiece cup and insert the supplied
DK-5 eyepiece cap as shown. This prevents light entering via
the viewfinder interfering with exposure.

Self-timer: Press the camera shutter-release button halfway to
focus, then press it the rest of the way down to start the selftimer. The self-timer lamp will start to blink, stopping two seconds before the photograph is taken.
Remote control: From a distance of 5m (16ft.) or less, aim the
transmitter on the ML-L3 at the infrared receiver on the camera and press the shutter-release button on the ML-L3. In
delayed remote mode, the self-timer lamp will light for about
two seconds before the shutter is released. In quick-response
remote mode, the self-timer lamp will flash after the shutter
has been released.
Self-timer mode ends when a photograph is taken or the camera is turned off. Single-frame
or continuous shooting mode is automatically restored when self-timer mode ends.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Shooting Mode 33

Using the Built-in Flash
Controls used

The camera supports a variety of flash modes for photographing poorly lit or backlit subjects. The flash modes available depend on the mode selected with the mode dial; note
that the built-in flash can not be used in , , or mode. The default flash setting for Digital Vari-Program modes is automatically restored when the mode dial is rotated to a new
setting or the camera is turned off.
Using the Built-in Flash:

1
2
3

Rotate the mode dial to

,
,

, and
,

, or

Modes
.

Choose a flash mode.
Take pictures. Unless (off ) is selected, the flash will pop up
as required when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway
and fire when a photograph is taken.

Using the Built-in Flash: P, S, A, and M Modes

1
2

Rotate the mode dial to P, S, A, or M.

3
4
5

Choose a flash mode.

Press the

button to raise the flash.

Choose a metering method and adjust exposure.
Take pictures. The flash will fire whenever a picture is taken. To prevent the flash from
firing, lower the flash.

Lowering the Built-in Flash
To save power when the flash is not in use, press it gently downward until the latch clicks
into place.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in Flash

Flash Mode
The flash modes available depend on the mode currently selected with the mode dial.
,

, ,
Auto

Auto+
red-eye
reduction

Auto slow sync

Off

P, A
Fill flash
Red-eye
reduction

Auto slow
sync+
red-eye
reduction

Off

S, M
Fill flash
Rearcurtain+
slow
sync *

Red-eye
reduction

Rear-curtain
sync

Slow sync+
Slow sync
red-eye reduction
* SLOW is displayed after command dial is released.
Flash modes are described below.
• AUTO (auto flash): When lighting is poor or subject is back lit, flash pops up automatically when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and fires as required.
•
(red-eye reduction): Use for portraits. AF-assist lamp lights before flash fires, reducing “red-eye.”
• SLOW (slow sync): Shutter speed slows automatically to capture background lighting at night or
under low light. Use to include background lighting in portraits.
• REAR (rear curtain sync): Flash fires just before shutter closes, creating the effect of a stream of light
behind moving subjects. If this icon is not displayed, flash will fire immediately after shutter opens.
The Button
Flash mode can also be selected by pressing the
button and rotating
the command dial. In P, S, A, and M modes, press the
button once to
raise the flash and then select a flash mode by pressing the button and
rotating the command dial.
Custom Settings ( 76, 78)
Use Custom Setting 10 (ISO auto) to adjust sensitivity for optimal flash
output. Custom Setting 14 (Built-in Flash) can be used for manual flash
control.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in Flash

The Built-in Flash
Use with CPU lenses with focal lengths of 18–300mm or non-CPU lenses with focal lengths of 18–
200mm ( 97–98). Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. Lenses that block the subject’s view of
the AF-assist lamp may interfere with red-eye reduction. The flash has a minimum range of 60cm
(2ft.) and can not be used in the macro range of macro zoom lenses.
If the flash fires in continuous shooting mode (
shutter-release button is pressed.

32), only one picture will be taken each time the

The shutter release may be briefly disabled to protect the flash after it has been used for several consecutive shots. The flash can be used again after a short pause.
For information on optional flash units (Speedlights), see “Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)” (
See “Flash Compensation” for information on controlling flash level ( 48).

99).

Rear-Curtain Sync
Normally the flash fires as the shutter opens (“front curtain sync”; see below at left). In rear-curtain
sync, the flash fires just before the shutter closes, creating the effect of a stream of light behind moving subjects.

Front-curtain sync

Rear curtain sync

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in Flash

ISO Sensitivity
Controls used

Photographs taken at slow shutter speeds are prone to blurring. If ISO sensitivity is raised
above the base setting of ISO 100 equivalent, the same exposures can be achieved at faster
shutter speeds, preventing blur. ISO sensitivity can be set to values between ISO 100 and
ISO 1600 in steps of 1EV, with a further high sensitivity setting of HI 1 available for an ISO
equivalent of roughly 3200.
(auto) and Digital Vari-Program modes also offer an Auto
setting that allows the camera to automatically raise sensitivity when lighting is poor or
lower sensitivity when lighting is bright. Rotating the mode dial from P, S, A, or M to
or a
Digital Vari-Program mode automatically restores the default ISO sensitivity of Auto.

Sensitivity
ISO sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light
needed to make an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures. Just as higher
speed films tend to be “grainy,” pictures taken at high ISO sensitivities are prone to mottling.
ISO Sensitivity ( 73)
ISO sensitivity can also be set using the ISO sensitivity option in the shooting menu.
10—ISO Auto ( 76)
This option can be used to enable automatic ISO sensitivity control in P, S, A, and M modes. When HI 1
is selected, automatic ISO sensitivity control is disabled.
11— /Fn Button ( 77)
ISO sensitivity can also be set using the command dial.

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/ISO Sensitivity

Two-Button Reset

Controls used:

button +

button

The camera settings listed below can be restored to default values
by holding the
and buttons down together for more than
two seconds (these buttons are marked by a green dot). The
monitor turns off briefly while settings are reset. Custom Settings
are not affected.
Option
Image quality ( 30)
Image size ( 30)
White balance ( 49) *
ISO sensitivity ( 37)
, Digital Vari-Program
P, S, A, M
Shooting mode ( 32)
Focus mode ( 23)
AF-area mode ( 24)
, , , , , , P, S, A, M

* Fine-tuning (

Default
JPEG Normal
Large
Auto
Auto
100
Single frame
AF-A

P, S, A, M
Flexible program (

Closest subject
Dynamic area
Single area

70) reset to 0.

Default Settings
See the Appendix for a list of default settings (

Option
Metering ( 45)
Flash compensation ( 48)
Exposure compensation
( 47)
Flash mode ( 34)
, , ,

113).

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Two-Button Reset

40)

Default
Matrix
±0
±0
Auto
Auto slow sync
Fill flash
Off

P, S, A, and M Modes
P, S, A, and M modes offer control over a variety of advanced settings, including exposure (
45), white balance, and image optimization. Each of these modes offers a different degree
of control over shutter speed and aperture:
Mode
P

Programmed auto
( 40)

Shutter-priority
auto ( 41)
Aperture-priority
A
auto ( 42)
S

M Manual (

43)

Description
Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Recommended for snapshots and in other situations in which there is little time to
adjust camera settings.
User chooses shutter speed; camera selects aperture for best results. Use to
freeze or blur motion.
User chooses aperture; camera selects shutter speed for best results. Use to
blur background or bring both foreground and background into focus.
User controls both shutter speed and aperture. Set shutter speed to “bulb”
or “--” for long time-exposures.

Lens Aperture Ring
When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring, lock the aperture ring at the minimum aperture
(highest f/-number). Type G lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring.
Non-CPU lenses can only be used in exposure mode M, when aperture can be adjusted manually using
the lens aperture ring (in other modes, the shutter-release will be disabled). The camera exposure
meter and a variety of other features can not be used ( 97).
10—ISO Auto ( 76)
Use this option to enable auto ISO sensitivity control in P, S, A, and M modes.
Shutter Speed and Aperture
The same exposure can be achieved with different combinations of shutter speed and aperture,
allowing you to freeze or blur motion and control depth of field. The following figure shows how
shutter speed and aperture affect exposure.
Shutter speed

Aperture

Fast shutter speed

Small aperture (large f-/number)

Slow shutter speed

Large aperture (small f/-number)

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes

Mode P (Programmed Auto)
In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture for optimal
exposure in most situations. This mode is recommended for snapshots and other situations
in which you want to leave the camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture.
To take photographs in programmed auto:

Rotate the mode dial to P.

Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Flexible Program
In mode P, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be
selected by rotating the command dial (“flexible program”). Rotate the
command dial to the right for large apertures (small f-/numbers) that blur
background details or fast shutter speeds that “freeze” motion. Rotate the
command dial to the left for small apertures (large f/-numbers) that
increase depth of field or slow shutter speeds that blur motion. All combinations produce the same exposure. While flexible program is in effect,
a indicator appears in the viewfinder. To restore default shutter speed
and aperture settings, rotate the command dial until the indicator is no
longer displayed, choose another mode, or turn the camera off.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode P (Programmed Auto)

Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)
In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed from values between 30s and ¼,000 s
while the camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the optimal exposure.
Use slow shutter speeds to suggest motion by blurring moving subjects, high shutter
speeds to “freeze” motion.
To take photographs in shutter-priority auto:

Rotate the mode dial to S.

Rotate the command dial until the desired shutter speed is
displayed in the viewfinder (shutter speed can also be displayed in the monitor by pressing the button).

Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Shutter Speed and Camera Shake
To prevent blur caused by camera shake, the shutter speed should be faster than the inverse of the
focal length of the lens, in seconds (for example, when using a lens with a focal length of 300mm,
choose a shutter speed faster than 1/300 s). A tripod is recommended when shooting at slower shutter
speeds. To prevent blur, try increasing ISO sensitivity ( 37), using the built-in flash ( 34) or an
optional Speedlight ( 99), mounting the camera on a tripod, or using a vibration reduction (VR) lens.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)

Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)
In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture from values between the minimum and
maximum for the lens while the camera automatically selects the shutter speed that will
produce the optimal exposure. Small apertures (high f/-numbers) increase depth of field,
bringing both the main subject and background into focus. Large apertures (low f/-numbers) soften background details.
To take photographs in aperture-priority auto:

Rotate the mode dial to A.

Rotate the command dial until the desired aperture is displayed in the viewfinder (aperture can also be displayed in the
monitor by pressing the button).

Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)

Mode M (Manual)
In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed can
be set to values between 30s and ¼,000 s, or the shutter can be held open for indefinitely for
longer exposures (
). Aperture can be set to values between the minimum and maximum values for the lens.
To take photographs in manual exposure mode:

Rotate the mode dial to M.

Rotate the command dial to choose a shutter speed (see the illustration at left, below).
To set aperture (below right), rotate the command dial while pressing the ( ) button (to display shutter speed and aperture in the monitor, press the button). Check
exposure in the electronic analog exposure displays (see note below).

Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Electronic Analog Exposure Display
If a CPU lens is attached and a shutter speed other than
is selected, the electronic analog
exposure displays in the viewfinder and shooting information display show whether the photograph
would be under- or over-exposed at current settings. If the limits of the exposure metering system are
exceeded, the displays will flash.
Display

Description
Optimal exposure.
If indicator is to right of 0, picture will be underexposed. Display at left indicates
that picture will be underexposed by 1/3 EV.
If indicator is to left of 0, picture will be overexposed. Display at left indicates that
picture will be overexposed by more than 2EV.

When On is selected for Custom Setting 10 (ISO auto; 76), ISO sensitivity is automatically adjusted
to compensate for changes in aperture and shutter speed, with the result that changes to shutter
speed and aperture will not affect the electronic analog exposure display.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode M (Manual)

Long Time-Exposures
Shutter speeds of “bulb” and “--” can be used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. To prevent blurring caused by camera shake,
use a tripod or an optional remote control ( 33, 103).
Shutter speed Description
bulb
Shutter remains open while the shutter-release button is held down.
Optional remote control required. Select mode M, choose a shutter speed of “bulb,” and
then select delayed remote or quick-response remote mode ( 33). Shutter opens
-when the shutter-release button on the remote control is pressed and remains open for
thirty minutes or until the button is pressed a second time.

35s, f/25

To prevent loss of power before the exposure is complete, use a fully charged battery or an
optional AC adapter ( 103). Note that noise may be present in long exposures; before
shooting, choose On for the Noise reduction option in the shooting menu.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode M (Manual)

Exposure
Metering
Controls used

The metering method determines how the camera sets exposure. The following options
are available when the mode dial is rotated to P, S, A, or M (matrix metering is used in other
modes):
Method
Matrix
Center-weighted

Spot

Description
Recommended in most situations. Camera meters a wide area of the frame
and instantly sets exposure according to distribution of brightness, color, distance, and composition for natural results.
Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Classic meter for portraits.
Camera meters exposure in active focus area only (if Closest subject is
selected for AF-area mode ( 24), camera will meter center focus area).
Ensures that subject will be correctly exposed, even when background is
much brighter or darker.

Metering
Metering is available with CPU lenses only. In matrix metering, exposure is set using a 420-pixel RGB
sensor. Use a type G or D lens for results that include range information (3D color matrix metering II;
97). With other CPU lenses, 3D range information is not included (color matrix metering II).
CPU lenses can be identified by the presence of CPU contacts, type G and D lenses by a letter on the
lens barrel. Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring.

CPU lens

Type G lens

Type D lens

5—Metering ( 75)
Metering can also be selected from the Custom Settings menu.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure 45

Autoexposure Lock

Controls used

AE-L/AF-L button

If the subject is not in the metered area when center-weighted or spot metering is used,
exposure will be based on lighting conditions in the background and the main subject may
not be correctly exposed. This can be prevented by using autoexposure lock.

1
2

Select mode P, S, or A and choose center-weighted or spot metering (exposure lock has
no effect in mode M).
Position the subject in the selected focus area (when using
center-weighted metering, position the subject in the center
focus area). Press the shutter-release button halfway and confirm that the in-focus indicator (z) appears in the viewfinder.
Then, keeping the shutter-release button pressed halfway and
the subject positioned in the selected focus area, press the AEL/AF-L button to lock exposure.

While exposure lock is in effect, an EL indicator will appear in
the viewfinder.

Keeping the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot.

Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture
While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be adjusted without altering the metered
value for exposure.
Mode
Programmed auto
Shutter-priority auto
Aperture-priority auto

Setting
Shutter speed and aperture (flexible program;
Shutter speed
Aperture

40)

The new values can be confirmed in the viewfinder and shooting information display. Note that the
metering method can not be changed while exposure lock is in effect (changes to metering take
effect when the lock is released).
12—AE-L/AF-L ( 77)
This option controls the behavior of the AE-L/AF-L button.
13—AE Lock ( 77)
This option controls whether the shutter-release button locks exposure.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure

Exposure Compensation
Controls used

Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure by up to ±5EV in increments of 1/3EV, making pictures brighter or darker. It is available only in P, S, and A modes and is most effective
when used with center-weighted or spot metering ( 45). As a rule of thumb, positive
compensation may be needed when the main subject is darker than the background, negative values when the main subject is brighter than the background.
Exposure compensation is shown in the shooting information display. Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure compensation to ±0. Exposure compensation is not reset when the
camera is turned off.

–1EV

No exposure compensation

+2EV

The Button
Exposure compensation can also be adjusted by pressing the
button
and rotating the command dial until the desired value is shown in the
viewfinder or shooting information display (P, S, and A modes only). The
viewfinder display is illustrated at right.
–0.3EV
+2.0EV

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure 47

Flash Compensation
Controls used

Flash compensation (available only in P, S, A, and M modes) is used to alter flash output by
from –3EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3EV, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear
brighter, or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.
Flash compensation is shown in the shooting information display.
Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to ±0.0. Flash exposure compensation is not reset when the
camera is turned off.
Flash compensation is also available with SB-400, SB-800, SB-600,
and SU-800 flash units ( 99).

The (
) Button
Flash compensation can also be adjusted by pressing the (
) and
buttons and rotating the command dial until the desired value is shown
in the viewfinder or shooting information display. The viewfinder display
is illustrated at right.
–3.0EV
+0.7EV
8—Flash Compensation ( 76)
Flash compensation can also be adjusted from the Custom Settings menu.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure

White Balance
Controls used

White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. Auto
white balance is recommended for most light sources; if necessary, other values can be
selected according to the type of source. The following options are available in P, S, A, and M
modes (Auto is automatically selected in Digital Vari-Program modes):
Option

Description
Camera sets white balance automatically. Recommended for most sitAuto
uations.
Incandescent
Use under incandescent lighting.
Fluorescent
Use under fluorescent lighting.
Direct sunlight
Use with subjects lit by direct sunlight.
Flash
Use with built-in flash or optional Nikon flash units.
Cloudy
Use in daylight under overcast skies.
Shade
Use in daylight with subjects in the shade.
Use gray or white object or existing photograph as reference for white
White balance preset
balance ( 70).

White Balance ( 70)
In addition to selecting white balance, the White balance option in the shooting menu can be used
to fine tune white balance, measure preset white balance, or copy a value for preset white balance
from an existing photograph.
11— /Fn Button ( 77)
White balance can also be set using the command dial.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/White Balance

More on Playback
Viewing Photographs on the Camera
To view photographs in the monitor, press the button. Photographs taken in “tall” (portrait) orientation are displayed in tall orientation as shown at right.
The following operations can be performed in full-frame playback:
To

Use

View additional
photographs

Description
Press multi selector to right or rotate command dial right to view
photographs in order recorded. Press multi selector left or rotate
command dial left to view photographs in reverse order.
Press multi selector up or down to view information about current
photograph ( 51).

View photo
information
Zoom in on
photo
Delete photo
Protect photo

Zoom in on current photograph (

(

)

Delete current photograph (

54).

Protect current photograph (

54).

53).

View thumbnails
Exit to shooting Shutter button
mode
or
View menus

View multiple photographs ( 52).
To return to shooting mode, press shutter-release button halfway
or press the button.
View menus ( 63).

Retouch photo
Display shooting
information

Create retouched copy of current photograph (
Display shooting information (

89).

22).

Auto Image Rotation ( 88)/Rotate Tall ( 66)
These options control whether photographs taken in “tall” orientation are rotated for display in the
monitor during playback.
7—Image Review ( 75)
Choose whether to display photographs as they are taken.
15—Auto Off Timers ( 78)
Choose how long the monitor remains on before turning off automatically to save power.

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera

Photo Information
Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full-frame playback. Press the
multi selector up or down to cycle through the following information: File
Information↔Shooting Data Page 1↔Shooting Data Page 2 ↔ Retouch History
(retouched copies only)↔Highlights↔RGB Histogram↔File Information.
File Information
1 Protect status............................ 54
2 Retouch indicator .................. 89
3 Frame number/total
number of images
4 Folder name .............................. 85

5
6
7
8
9

File name..................................... 31
Image quality............................ 30
Date of recording........... 11, 83
Time of recording .......... 11, 83
Image size................................... 30

6
7

Shooting Data, Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6

Protect status............................ 54 7 Mode................................................. 4
Retouch indicator .................. 89 8 Exposure compensation.... 47
Camera name
9 Focal length.................................. 1
Metering ...................................... 45 10 Flash mode......................... 78, 99
Shutter speed ...................39–44 11 Frame number/total
number of images
Aperture...............................39–44

4
6
8
10

5
7
9

Shooting Data, Page 2
Protect status............................ 54 7
Retouch indicator .................. 89 8
Image optimization .............. 68 9
ISO sensitivity 1 ......................... 37 10
White balance/white
11
balance fine tuning....... 49, 70 12
6 Image size/
image quality............................ 30
1.Displayed in red if ISO sensitivity
value by auto ISO.
2.Only first 15 letters are displayed.
1
2
3
4
5

Tone compensation ............. 69
Sharpening................................. 69
Color mode/hue..................... 69
Saturation.................................... 69
Image comment 2 .................. 84
Frame number/total
number of images

3
5
7
9
11

4
6
8
10

was modified from selected

Retouch History 1
1 Protect status.......................................................................................................... 54
2 Retouch indicator ................................................................................................ 89
3 Retouch history: Lists changes made to image using options
in retouch menu ( 89), starting with most recent change.
4 Frame number/total number of images
1.Displayed if image was created using options in retouch menu.

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera

Highlights
Highlights are the brightest portions of the image. Details may be
lost (“washed out”) in areas of highlights that are overexposed.
1 Protect status.......................................................................................................... 54
2 Retouch indicator ................................................................................................ 89
3 Highlights (indicated by flashing border)
4 Frame number/total number of images

Histogram
A histogram is a graph showing the distribution of tones in the
image. The horizontal axis corresponds to pixel brightness, with
dark pixels at the left and bright pixels at the right. The vertical axis
shows the number of pixels of each brightness in the image. Note
that camera histograms are intended as a guide only and may differ
from those displayed in imaging applications.
1 Protect status............................ 54 3 Frame number/total
number of images
2 Retouch indicator .................. 89
4 Histogram

3
4

Viewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail Playback
To display images in “contact sheets” of four or nine images, press
the button in full-frame playback. The following operations can
be performed while thumbnails are displayed:

To
Display more
images per page
Display fewer
images per page
View photo
Highlight
photographs
Delete photo

Use

Description
Increase number of images displayed from one (full-frame playback) to four or from four to nine.
Decrease number of images displayed from nine to four or from
four to one (full-frame playback).
View highlighted photograph full frame.

Use multi selector or command dial to highlight photographs.

Protect photo
( )
Exit to shooting Shutter button
mode
or
View menus
Display shooting
information

Delete highlighted photograph (

54).

Protect highlighted photograph ( 54).
To return to shooting mode, press shutter-release button halfway
or press the button.
View menus ( 63).
Display shooting information (

22).

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera

Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom
Press the button to zoom in on a photograph in full-frame playback. The following operations can be performed:

To
Zoom in and out

Use
/

View other
images
Cancel zoom

Description
Press
to zoom in to maximum of
approximately 25× (large images),
19× (medium images) or 13× (small
images). Press to zoom out. While
photo is zoomed in, press multi selector up, down, left, or right to view
areas of image not visible in monitor. Keep multi selector pressed
to scroll rapidly to other areas of frame. Navigation window is displayed when zoom ratio is altered; area currently visible in monitor
is indicated by yellow border.
Rotate command dial to view same location in other images at
current zoom ratio.
Return to full-frame playback.

Delete photo

Delete current photograph (

View other areas
of image

Protect photo
( )
Exit to shooting Shutter button
mode
or
View menus
Display shooting
information

54).

Protect current photograph ( 54).
To return to shooting mode, press shutter-release button halfway
or press the button.
View menus ( 63).
Display shooting information (

22).

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera

Protecting Photographs from Deletion
In full-frame, zoom, and thumbnail playback, the
button can be used to protect photographs from accidental deletion. Protected files can not be deleted using the button or
the Delete option in the playback menu, and have DOS “read-only” status when viewed on
a Windows computer. Note that protected files will be deleted when the memory card is
formatted ( 13, 81).
Press the
button to protect the photograph currently displayed in full-frame or zoom playback or highlighted in the
thumbnail list. The photograph will be marked with a
icon.

To remove protection from the photograph so that it can be deleted, press the
button
when the photograph is displayed in full-frame or zoom playback or highlighted in the
thumbnail list.

Deleting Individual Photographs
Press the button to delete the photograph currently displayed
in full-frame or zoom playback or highlighted in the thumbnail list.
One of the following confirmation dialogs will be displayed; press
the button again to delete the photograph. Press the button
to exit without deleting the photograph.

Delete ( 65)
This option can be used to delete multiple photographs.

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera

Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV
Connecting to a Computer
The camera can be connected to a computer using the supplied USB cable. The supplied
PictureProject software can then be used to copy photographs to the computer, where
they can be organized, retouched, and printed.

Before Connecting the Camera
Install PictureProject from the supplied installer CD. To ensure that data transfer is not interrupted, be sure the camera battery is fully charged. If in doubt, charge the battery before
connecting the camera or use an optional EH-5 AC adapter and EP-5 AC adapter connector
( 103).
Before connecting the camera, select the USB item in the camera
setup menu and choose a USB option as described below.
Computer operating system *
USB
Windows Vista (32-bit Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Enterprise/Ultimate editions)
Choose MTP/PTP or
Windows XP (Home Edition/Professional)
Mass Storage
Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or 10.4.x
Windows 2000 Professional
Choose Mass Storage †
* See the websites listed on page x for the latest information on supported operating systems.
† Do NOT select MTP/PTP. If MTP/PTP is selected when the camera is connected, the Windows hardware wizard will be displayed. Click Cancel to exit the wizard, and then disconnect the camera and
select Mass Storage.

Connecting the USB Cable

1
2
3

Turn the computer on and wait for it to start up.
Turn the camera off.
Connect the supplied USB cable as shown. Do not use force or attempt to insert the
connectors at an angle. Connect the camera directly to the computer; do not connect
the cable via a USB hub or keyboard.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Connecting to a Computer 55

Turn the camera on. The computer will detect the camera
automatically and display PictureProject Transfer. If Mass
Storage is selected for USB, the monitor and viewfinder will
display the indicators shown at right (when MTP/PTP is
selected, the normal shooting indicators are displayed).

5
6

Transfer photographs to the computer using PictureProject. See the PictureProject Reference Manual (on CD) for more information.
If MTP/PTP is selected for USB, the camera can be turned off and the USB cable disconnected once transfer is complete. If Mass Storage is selected, the camera must
first be removed from the system as described below.
Windows Vista/Windows XP
Click the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in the taskbar ( )
and select Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device.
Windows 2000 Professional
Click the “Unplug or Eject Hardware” icon in the taskbar ( )
and select Stop USB Mass Storage Device.
Mac OS X
Drag the camera volume (“NIKON D40X”) into the Trash.

During Transfer
Do not turn the camera off or disconnect the USB cable while transfer is in progress.
Camera Control Pro
Camera Control Pro (available separately; 103) can be used to operate the camera from a computer.
Before connecting the camera, set the camera USB option ( 84) to MTP/PTP. When Camera Control Pro is running, “PC” will appear in the viewfinder and shooting information display.
Capture NX automatically checks for updates if an Internet connection is detected at startup. Be sure
to update to the latest version.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Connecting to a Computer

Printing Photographs
Photographs can be printed by any of the following methods:
• Connect the camera to a printer and print JPEG photographs directly from the camera
(see below).
• Insert the camera memory card in a printer equipped with a card slot (see the printer
manual for details). If the printer supports DPOF ( 117), photographs can be selected for
printing using Print set (DPOF) ( 61).
• Take the camera memory card to a developer or digital printer center. If the center supports DPOF ( 117), photographs can be selected for printing using Print set (DPOF) (
61).
• Transfer pictures ( 55) and print them from a computer using PictureProject or Capture
NX (available separately; 103). Note that this is the only method available for printing
RAW (NEF) pictures.

Printing Via Direct USB Connection
JPEG photographs can be printed directly from a camera connected to a PictBridge printer
( 117). When taking photographs for printing via direct USB connection in P, S, A, and M
modes, choose Ia (sRGB) or IIIa (sRGB) for the Custom>Color mode option in the Optimize image menu ( 68).
Take photographs
Select photographs for printing
using Print set (DPOF) ( 61)
Select MTP/PTP in camera USB menu and connect camera to printer (

Print photographs
one at a time ( 59)

Print multiple
photographs ( 60)

58)

Create index prints (

60)

Disconnect USB cable

Printing Via Direct USB Connection
If an error occurs during printing, the camera will display the dialog
shown at right. After checking the printer, press the multi selector up or
down to highlight Continue and press OK to resume printing. Select
Cancel to exit without printing the remaining pages.
RAW (NEF) photographs can not be printed by direct USB connection. They are displayed in the Print
Select menu ( 60) but can not be selected for printing.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs

Connecting the Printer
Before printing, check that the camera battery is fully charged. If in doubt, charge the battery or use an EH-5 AC adapter and EP-5 AC adapter connector (available separately; 103).

Set the camera USB option to MTP/PTP (

2
3

Turn the printer on.

Connect the supplied USB cable as shown. Do not use force or attempt to insert the
connectors at an angle.

Turn the camera on. A welcome screen will be displayed, followed by the PictBridge playback display. Proceed to “Printing
Pictures One at a Time” ( 59) or “Printing Multiple Pictures”
( 60).

84).

Turn the camera off.

Press the multi selector left or right to view additional photographs, or press the button to zoom in on the current photo ( 53). To view six photographs at a time, press
the button. Use the multi selector to highlight photographs, or press to display
the highlighted photograph full frame.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs

Printing Pictures One at a Time
To print the picture currently selected in the PictBridge playback
display, press OK. The menu shown at right will be displayed. Press
the multi selector up or down to highlight an option and press to
the right to select.
Option

Description
Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press multi selector
up or down to choose page size from Printer default
Page size (default page size for current printer), 3.5x5in., 5x7in.,
100x150mm, 4x6in., 8x10in., Letter, A3, or A4, then
press OK to select and return to print menu.
Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press multi selector
up or down to choose number of copies (maximum 99), then
No. of
press OK to select and return to print menu.
copies

Border

Time
stamp

Cropping

Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press multi selector
up or down to choose print style from Printer default
(default for current printer), Print with border (print photo
with white border), or No border, then press OK to select and
return to print menu.
Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press multi selector
up or down to choose Printer default (default for current
printer), Print time stamp (print time and date of recording
on photo), or No time stamp, then press OK to select and
return to print menu.
Menu shown at right will be displayed. To exit without cropping picture, highlight No cropping and press OK. To crop
picture, highlight Crop and press multi selector right.

If Crop is selected, dialog shown at right will be displayed.
Use
and
buttons to choose size of crop and use multi
selector to choose position of crop. Press OK to return to print
menu.

To start printing, highlight Start printing and press OK. Printing can be interrupted at any
time by pressing OK while printing is in progress. The PictBridge playback display will be
shown when printing is complete.

Page Size, Border, and Time Stamp
Choose printer default to print at current printer settings. Only options supported by the current
printer can be selected.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs

Printing Multiple Pictures
To print multiple pictures or create an index print listing all JPEG
photographs as small thumbnail images, press the
button in
the PictBridge playback display. The menu shown at right will be
displayed. Press the multi selector up or down to highlight an
option and press to the right to select.
Option
Description
Print select Print selected pictures (see below).
Print (DPOF) Print current DPOF print order ( 61).
Create index print of all JPEG photos, to maximum of 256.
Confirmation dialog shown at right will be displayed;
press OK to display menu of print options. Choose page
Index print size, border, and time stamp options as described on preceding page (warning will be displayed if selected page
size is too small). To start printing, highlight Start printing and press OK. PictBridge menu will be displayed when printing is complete.

Printing Selected Photographs
Choosing Print select displays the menu shown in Step 1.

Scroll through pictures. To display current pic- Select current picture and set number of prints
ture full screen, press and hold button.
to 1. Selected pictures marked by icon.

Specify number of prints (up to 99). To deselect
picture, press multi selector down when number of prints is 1. Repeat Steps 1–3 to select
additional pictures.

Display print options. Choose page size, border,
and time stamp options as described on page
59. To start printing, highlight Start printing
and press OK. PictBridge menu will be displayed
when printing is complete.

Interrupting Printing
To cancel printing and return to the PictBridge playback display, press OK.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs

Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set
The Print set (DPOF) option in the playback menu is used to create digital “print orders” for
PictBridge-compatible printers and devices that support DPOF. Selecting Print set (DPOF)
from the playback menu displays the menu shown in Step 1.

2
Highlight Select/set.

3
4

Display selection dialog.

Select pictures and specify number of prints as described in Steps 1–3 on previous page.
Note that RAW (NEF) photos can not be selected for printing.
Display options. Highlight option and press
multi selector right:
• Data imprint: Print shutter speed and aperture
on all pictures in print order.
• Imprint date: Print date of recording on all pictures in print order.
To complete print order and exit, highlight
Done and press OK.

To print the current print order when the camera is connected to a PictBridge printer, select
Print (DPOF) in the PictBridge menu and follow the steps in “Printing Selected Photographs” to modify and print the current order ( 60). DPOF date and data imprint options
are not supported when printing via direct USB connection; to print the date of recording
on photographs in the current print order, use the PictBridge Time stamp option.

Print Set
The Print set (DPOF) option can not be used if there is not enough space on the memory card to
store the print order.
Print orders may not print correctly if images are deleted using a computer after the print order is created.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs

Viewing Photographs on TV
An EG-D100 video cable (available separately; 103) can be used to connect the camera to
a television or VCR for playback or recording. Use of an optional EH-5 AC adapter and EP-5
AC adapter connector is recommended for extended playback ( 103).

Choose the appropriate video mode (

Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before connecting or disconnecting the video cable.

Connect the video cable as shown.

83).

Connect to video device

4
5

Connect to camera

Tune the television to the video channel.
Turn the camera on and press to begin playback. During
playback, images will be displayed on the television or
recorded to video tape; the camera monitor will remain off.

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Viewing Photographs on TV

Menu Guide
Using Camera Menus
Most shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from
the camera menus. To view the menus, press the button.
Choose from playback, shooting,
Custom Settings, setup, and
retouch menus (see below)

Slider shows position in current
menu

If “?” icon is displayed, help for the
current item can be viewed by
pressing button

Current setting for each option is
shown by icon

Menu
Playback
Shooting
Custom Settings
Setup
Retouch

Current menu item is highlighted

Description
Adjust playback settings and manage photos ( 65).
Adjust shooting settings ( 68).
Personalize camera settings ( 74).
Format memory cards and perform basic camera setup (
Create retouched copies of existing photographs ( 89).

80).

The multi selector and OK button are used to navigate the camera menus.
Move cursor up
Increase number
Press up
Press right
Return to previous menu

Display sub-menu
Press left
Press down

Make selection

Move cursor down
Decrease number

Menu Guide/Using Camera Menus

To modify menu settings:

2
Display menus.

Highlight icon for current menu.

3
Select menu.

5
Position cursor in selected menu.

Highlight menu item.

7
Display options.

Highlight option.
Menu items that are displayed in gray are not currently available.

Make selection.

Press the shutter-release button halfway to exit the menus and return to shooting mode.
The monitor will turn off.

Menu Guide/Using Camera Menus

Playback Options: The Playback Menu
The playback menu contains the following options (options displayed may differ if My menu is selected for the CSM/Setup
menu option in the setup menu;
80). See “Using Camera
Menus” ( 63) for more information on using the menus.
Option
Delete
Playback folder
Rotate tall
Slide show
Print set (DPOF)

Description
Delete all or selected photos.
Choose folder for playback.
Rotate “tall” (portrait-orientation) photos during playback.
Play photos back in automatic slide shows.
Select photos for printing.

65
66
66
67
67

Delete
The delete menu contains the following options:
Option
Selected
All

Description
Delete selected photographs (see below).
Delete all photographs in the folder currently selected for
playback.

If the number of photographs to be deleted is very large, some time may be needed to
complete the operation.

Selecting Multiple Pictures
To select multiple pictures for deletion:

Highlight picture. To view highlighted picture
full frame, press button.

Repeat steps 1–2 to select additional pictures. To deselect picture, highlight and
press multi selector down.

Select highlighted picture.
Selection shown by icon.

4
Complete operation.

Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback Menu

Playback Folder
Choose a folder for playback:
Option

Description
Only photos in the folder currently selected for Folders in the
setup menu are displayed during playback. This option is
Current selected automatically when a photo is taken. If a memory card
(default) is inserted and this option selected before photos have been
taken, a message stating that the folder contains no images will
be displayed during playback. Select All to begin playback.
All
Play back photos in all folders on the memory card.

To select the folder to which new photographs will be recorded, use the Folders option in
the setup menu ( 85).

Rotate Tall
Select On to rotate “tall” (portrait-orientation) photos for display in
the camera monitor. Photographs taken with Off selected for
Auto image rotation ( 88) will be displayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation.

Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback Menu

Slide Show
Create a slide show of the pictures in the current playback folder.
The following options are available:
Option
Description
Frame interval Choose how long each picture will be displayed.
Start
Start slide show.

The following operations can be performed during a slide show:
To

Use

Skip back/skip ahead
View photo info

Change photo info displayed (

51).

Pause slide show.
End slide show and return to playback menu.
End slide show and return to full-frame ( 50) or thumbnail playback ( 52).

Pause slide show
Exit to playback menu
Exit to playback mode
Exit to shooting mode

Description
Press multi selector left to return to previous frame, right to skip to
next frame.

Shutter
Press shutter-release button halfway to return to shooting mode.
release

Display shooting
information

Display shooting information (

22).

The dialog shown at right is displayed when the show ends or
when the button is pressed to pause playback. Select Restart
to restart the show or Exit to return to the playback menu.

Print Set (DPOF)
Choose Select/set to select photographs for printing on a PictBridge printer or DPOF-compatible device ( 57). Choose Deselect all? to remove all photos from the current print order.

Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback Menu

Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu
The shooting menu contains the following options (options displayed may differ if My menu is selected for the CSM/Setup
menu option in the setup menu;
80). See “Using Camera
Menus” ( 63) for more information on using the menus.
Option
Optimize image *
Image quality
Image size
White balance *
ISO sensitivity

Description
Optimize images according to scene.
68–69
Choose image quality.
70
Choose image size.
70
Adjust colors according to the light source.
70
Raise sensitivity when lighting is poor.
73
Reduce noise at high ISO sensitivities and slow
Noise reduction
73
shutter speeds.
* Available in P, S, A, and M modes only.

Optimize Image (P, S, A, and M Modes)
Optimize contrast, sharpening, and other settings according to how photographs will be
used or the type of scene.
Option

Description

N Normal (default) Recommended for most situations.

Softens outlines, producing natural results suitable for portraits or retouching
on a computer.
Enhances saturation, contrast, and sharpness to produce vivid images with
Vivid
vibrant reds, greens, and blues.
Maximizes saturation, contrast, and sharpness to produce crisp images with
More vivid
sharp outlines.
Lowers contrast while lending natural texture and rounded feel to skin of porPortrait
trait subjects.
Black-and-white Take photos in black-and-white.
Custom
Customize image optimization settings ( 69).

SO Softer
VI
VI
PO
BW

Optimize Image
Use a type G or D lens for best results. Results are optimized for current shooting conditions and vary
with exposure and the position of the subject in the frame. For consistent results over a series of photographs, select Custom and choose a setting other than Auto for image sharpening, tone compensation, and saturation.
Settings other than Custom use the sRGB color space.
Color Space
The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. sRGB is for general
use, while Adobe RGB is used in publishing and commercial printing.

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

Customizing Image Enhancement Options: Custom
Select Custom to make separate adjustments to the following options. After adjusting settings, highlight Done and press OK.
• Image sharpening: Choose how much outlines are sharpened during shooting. Choose high settings for sharp outlines, low settings for softer outlines.
Default setting: Auto.
• Tone compensation: Control contrast. Lower settings prevent loss
of detail in highlights under harsh lighting or in direct sunlight.
Higher settings preserve detail in misty landscapes and other
low-contrast subjects. Choose Custom to select a user-defined
tone curve created using Camera Control Pro (available separately; 103). See the Camera Control Pro manual for details.
Default setting: Auto.
• Color mode: Control color reproduction. Photos taken in modes Ia
and IIIa are adapted to the sRGB color space and are suited for
printing or use “as is,” with no further modification. Choose Ia for
portrait shots and IIIa for nature or landscape shots. Mode II is
adapted to the Adobe RGB color space, which supports a wider
gamut of colors than sRGB. Mode II is the preferred choice for
photos that will be extensively processed or retouched.
Default setting: IIIa (sRGB).
• Saturation: Control the vividness of colors. Choose Moderate for
less saturated colors, Enhanced for more vivid colors.
Default setting: Auto.
• Hue adjustment: Hue can be adjusted between –9° to +9° in increments of 3° (the degrees refer to the “color wheel” often used to
express hue). Positive values make reds more orange, greens
more blue, and blues more purple. Negative values make reds
more purple, blues more green, and greens more yellow.
Default setting: ±0.

Color Mode
Modes Ia and IIIa are recommended for photos that will be printed without modification or viewed in
applications that do not support color management. If the application supports color management,
choose the Adobe RGB color space when opening photos taken in mode II.

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

Image Quality
Select image quality (

30).

Image Size
Choose image size (

30).

White Balance (P, S, A, and M Modes)
Nine options are available for white balance. See “Reference:
White Balance” ( 49).

Fine-Tuning White Balance
At settings other than White balance preset, white balance can be “fine tuned” by ±3 in
increments of one (see page 118 of the Appendix for color temperature equivalents).
Choose lower values to make photographs appear slightly more yellow or red, higher values to lend images a bluish tinge.
Selecting an option other than preset in the white balance menu
displays the menu shown at right. Press the multi selector up or
down to select a value for fine tuning; press OK to select and return
to the shooting menu. At settings other than ±0, a “+” or a “–” will
appear next to the white balance icon in the shooting information
display.
Preset White Balance
Preset white balance can be used when the desired results can not be achieved at other
settings or to match white balance to the value used in an existing photograph. Two methods are available for setting preset white balance:
Method
Direct measurement
Copy from existing
photograph

Description
Neutral gray or white object is placed under lighting that will be used in
final photograph and white balance is measured by camera ( 71).
White balance is copied from photo on memory card (

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

72).

Measuring a Value for Preset White Balance

Place a neutral gray or white object under the lighting that will be used in the final
photograph. A standard gray card can be used as a reference in studio settings. Do
alter exposure from the value selected by the camera; when shooting in mode M, use
the electronic analog exposure display to select optimum exposure.

Display the shooting menu and select White balance>
White balance preset (to proceed directly to Step 4 without
displaying the shooting menu, select White balance preset
for white balance in the shooting information display as
described on page 49 and press OK).

Highlight Measure and press the multi selector right. The
menu shown at right will be displayed; highlight Yes and
press OK (to set white balance to the last measured value and
exit to shooting mode, highlight No and press OK).

The message, “Take photo of white or gray object filling viewfinder under lighting for shooting” will be displayed. When
the message clears from the display, the viewfinder and
shooting information white balance displays will flash as
shown at right. To exit without measuring a preset value,
press and select another option for white balance.

Frame the reference object so that it fills the viewfinder and
press the shutter-release button all the way down. White balance can be measured even when the camera is not in focus.

If the camera was able to measure a value for white balance,
the message “Data acquired” will be displayed. White balance
will automatically be set to the measured value; no photograph will be recorded.
If the warning shown at right is displayed, the camera was
unable to measure white balance. Return to Step 2 and measure white balance again.

11— /Fn Button ( 77)
If White balance is chosen for Custom Setting 11 ( /Fn button), pressing the Fn button for about 2s
when preset white balance is in effect will display the indicators shown in Step 4. Measure a value for
preset white balance as described in Steps 5–6.

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

Copying White Balance from a Photograph
A white balance value copied from an existing photograph can be used for preset white
balance. Select White balance>White balance preset in the shooting menu. The menu
shown in Step 1 will be displayed.

Highlight Use photo. *
Display current source photo.
* To use last measured value ( 71), highlight Measure and press multi selector right.

Display folder list.
Highlight Select image. †
† To use current source photo, highlight This image and press OK.

6
Highlight folder.

Display images in selected folder.

Highlight photograph. ‡ To view highlighted
picture full frame, press and hold button.

Set preset white balance to value for highlighted photograph and return to shooting
menu.
‡ Images displayed may include those created with other cameras, but only photographs created
with D40x can be used as source for preset white balance.

Note that if a new value is measured for white balance, white balance will be set to the measured value even if Use photo is currently selected in the preset white balance menu.

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

ISO Sensitivity
Adjust ISO sensitivity (

37).

Noise Reduction
Photographs taken at high sensitivities or at shutter speeds of 8s
or slower can be processed to reduce “noise” in the form of mottling or randomly-spaced, brightly-colored pixels. Choose from
the following options:
Option

Off

Description
Photographs taken at ISO sensitivities over ISO 400 or at shutter speeds of about 8s or
slower are processed to reduce noise. In continuous shooting mode, frame rates will slow
and the capacity of the memory buffer will drop. (At shutter speeds of 8s or slower, “Job nr”
will be displayed at the bottom of the viewfinder for a period of time equal to about onehalf to one times the current shutter speed. New photographs can be taken when “Job nr”
clears from the display. Noise reduction will not be performed if the camera is turned off
before processing is complete.)
Noise reduction turns off at ISO sensitivities of 800 or less. Minimal noise reduction is still
performed at ISO sensitivities over 800.

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu

Custom Settings
Custom Settings are used to customize camera settings to suit
individual preferences. The following options are available when
Simple (the default option) is selected for CSM/Setup menu in
the setup menu ( 80):
Option
R
1
2
3

Reset
Beep
Focus mode
AF-area mode

74
74
75
75

Option
4 Shooting mode
5 Metering
6 No memory card?

75
75
75

To display the following options, select Full for CSM/Setup menu:
7
8
9
10
11
12

Option
Image review
Flash compensation
AF-assist
ISO auto
/Fn button
AE-L/AF-L

75
76
76
76
77
77

13
14
15
16
17

Option
AE lock
Built-in flash
Auto off timers
Self-timer
Remote on duration

R: Reset
Select Yes to restore all Custom Settings to their default values.
See the Appendix ( 113) for a complete list of default settings.

1: Beep
At the default setting of On, a beep will sound when the camera
focuses in single-servo AF (AF-S or when shooting stationary subjects in AF-A autofocus mode), while the release timer is counting
down in self-timer and delayed remote modes ( 33), or when a
photograph is taken in quick-response remote mode ( 33). The
beep will not sound when Off is selected. The current setting is
shown in the shooting information display: is displayed when
the beep is on,
when it is off ( 6).

Menu Guide/Custom Settings

77
78
78
79
79

2: Focus Mode
Select a focus mode (

23).

3: AF-Area Mode
Choose how the camera selects the focus area in autofocus mode
( 24, 25).

4: Shooting Mode
Select from single-frame, continuous, self-timer, and remote control mode ( 32).

5: Metering (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
Choose how the camera meters exposure (

45).

6: No Memory Card?
If Release locked (the default setting) is selected, the shutterrelease is disabled when no memory card is inserted. Choose
Enable release to enable the shutter-release button when no
memory card is inserted. Photographs will be displayed with the
word “Demo” in the monitor but will not be saved.

7: Image Review
If On (the default setting) is selected, photographs will automatically be displayed in the monitor after shooting (the length of
time photographs are displayed depends on the option selected
for Custom Setting 15: Auto off timers). If Off is selected, photographs can be displayed in the monitor by pressing the button.

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 75

8: Flash Compensation (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
Adjust flash level (

48).

9: AF-assist (All Modes Except

and )

If On (the default setting) is selected and the subject is poorly lit,
the AF-assist illuminator will light when required to assist the focus
operation ( 23). Choose Off to disable the AF-assist illuminator.
Note that when the illuminator is off, the camera may not be able
to focus on poorly-lit subjects using autofocus.

10: ISO Auto (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
If Off (the default setting) is selected, ISO sensitivity will remain
fixed at the value selected by the user ( 37). If On is selected,
ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted if optimal exposure
can not be achieved at the selected value (flash level is adjusted
appropriately). The maximum value for auto ISO sensitivity can be
selected using the Max. sensitivity option. In modes P and A,
sensitivity will only be adjusted if underexposure would result at the shutter speed selected
for Min. shutter speed (slower shutter speeds may be used if optimal exposure can not be
achieved at the value selected for maximum sensitivity).
When On is selected, the viewfinder and shooting information
display show ISO-AUTO. Unless a flash is used, these indicators blink
when sensitivity is altered from the value selected by the user.
Note that noise is more likely at higher sensitivities.
ISO Auto
Auto ISO control is not available at an ISO sensitivity of HI 1. Foreground subjects may be
underexposed in photos taken with the flash at slow shutter speeds, in daylight, or against a bright
background. Choose a flash mode other than slow sync or select mode A or M and choose a larger
aperture.

Menu Guide/Custom Settings

11:

/Fn Button

Choose the function performed by the Fn button.
Option
Self-timer
(default)
Shooting
mode
Image
quality/size
ISO
sensitivity
White
balance

Description
Press the Fn button to select self-timer mode (

33).

Press the Fn button and rotate the command dial to select
shooting mode ( 32).
Press the Fn button and rotate the command dial to select
image quality and size ( 29).
Press the Fn button and rotate the command dial to select ISO
sensitivity ( 37).
Press the Fn button and rotate the command dial to select
white balance (P, S, A, and M modes only;
49).

At settings other than Self-timer (the default option), the shooting information display will
show a icon to the left of the setting that can be adjusted by pressing the Fn button and
rotating the command dial (“Classic” display only; 81).

12: AE-L/AF-L
Choose the function performed by the AE-L/AF-L button.

Option
AE/AF lock
(default)
AE lock only
AF lock only

Description
Both focus and exposure lock while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed.

Exposure locks while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed. Focus is unaffected.
Focus locks while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed. Exposure is unaffected.
Exposure locks when the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed and remains locked until the button is
AE lock hold
pressed again or the exposure meters turn off.
The AE-L/AF-L button initiates autofocus. The shutter-release button can not be used to
AF-ON
focus.

13: AE Lock
If Off (the default option) is selected, pressing the shutter-release
button halfway does not lock exposure. If On is selected, exposure will lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 77

14: Built-in Flash (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
Choose a flash control mode for the built-in flash or the optional
SB-400 Speedlight.
TTL (default): Flash output is adjusted automatically in response to
shooting conditions.
Manual: The flash fires at the level selected in the menu shown at
right. At full power, the built-in flash has a Guide Number of 13/43
(ISO 100, m/ft., 20°C/68 °F).
A
icon flashes in the viewfinder and shooting information display when Manual is selected.
The Optional SB-400 Speedlight
When an optional SB-400 Speedlight is attached, Custom Setting 14 is
used to choose the flash control mode for the SB-400 and the name
changes to Optional Speedlight.

15: Auto off Timers
Choose how long the monitor and exposure meters ( 14)
remain on when no operations are performed. Choose a shorter
auto off delay for longer battery life.

Option
Short
Normal
(default)
Long
Custom

Description
Monitor and exposure meters remain on for 4s. When Image review is on, pictures are
displayed in monitor for 4s after shooting ( 75).
Monitor and exposure meters remain on for 8s. When Image review is on, pictures are
displayed in monitor for 4s after shooting ( 75).
Monitor remains on for 20s; exposure meters remain on for 1minute. When Image
review is on, pictures are displayed in monitor for 20s after shooting ( 75).
Choose monitor off delay and image review time from 4s, 8s, 20s, 1minute, and
10minutes. Choose auto meter-off delay from 4s, 8s, 20s, 1minute, or 30minutes.

Note that the shooting information display turns off automatically when the exposure meters
turn off. When a remote control is used ( 33), the monitor and exposure meters remain on
for the length of time selected for Custom Setting 17 (Remote on duration; 79).
Auto Off
Regardless of the setting chosen, the exposure meters do not turn off automatically when the camera
is powered by an optional EH-5 AC adapter and EP-5 AC adapter connector ( 103). The camera does
not turn off automatically when connected to a computer ( 55) or PictBridge printer ( 57).

Menu Guide/Custom Settings

16: Self-Timer
Choose the length of the shutter-release delay in self-timer mode
( 33). The default setting is 10s.

17: Remote on Duration
Choose how long the camera will wait for a signal from the
remote before cancelling delayed or quick-response remote
modes ( 33). Choose shorter times for longer battery life. The
default setting is one minute.

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 79

Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu
The setup menu contains the options listed below (options displayed may differ if My menu is selected for CSM/Setup menu.)
See “Using Camera Menus” ( 63) for more information on using
the menus.
The following options are available when To display the following additional options,
Simple (the default option) is selected for select Full for CSM/Setup menu:
CSM/Setup menu:
Option
Option
CSM/Setup menu
Format memory card
Info display format
Auto shooting info
World time
LCD brightness
Video mode
Language
Image comment
USB

80–81
81
81–82
83
83
83
83
84
84
84

Folders
File no. sequence
Mirror lock-up
Firmware version
Dust off ref photo
Auto image rotation

CSM/Setup menu
Choose the options displayed in the menus.
Option
Simple
(default)
Full
My menu

Description
Display only basic options in the Custom Settings ( 74) and
setup menus (see above). Other menus list all options.
Display all options.
Display only selected options.

To choose menu items for display with My menu:

Highlight My menu and press the multi selector right. A list
of menu names will be displayed.

Highlight a menu name and press the multi selector right.
The items in the selected menu will be listed as shown at right
(the illustration shows the items listed when the playback
menu is selected). The CSM/Setup menu item in the setup
menu can not be selected.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

85
86
86
86
87
88

Press the multi selector up or down to highlight items and
then press to the right to select or deselect. Selected items
are indicated by a check mark.

Highlight Done and press OK to return to the list of menu
names shown in Step 1. Repeat steps 2–3 to edit additional
menus.

Highlight Done in the list of menu names and press OK to
return setup menu.

Format Memory Card
Select Yes to format the memory card. Note that this permanently
deletes all photographs and any other data the card may contain.
Be sure that any valued files have been copied to a computer
before formatting.
Formatting Memory Cards
Do not turn the camera off or remove the memory card while formatting is
in progress.

Info Display Format
Choose one of the following shooting information display formats
for Digital Vari-Program ( , , , , , , , and ) modes and
P, S, A, and M modes. Note that choosing Classic also changes the
background color for the menus. Wallpaper uses the same
menu background as the Graphic format.

Classic

Graphic

Wallpaper

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Classic format is shown below.
23

22
21

20
19

16
13
5

8
14

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Mode ........................................................................................4
Shutter speed.......................................................... 39–44
Auto ISO sensitivity indicator .................................76
Optimize image indicator ........................................68
Focus area display ......................... 14, 16, 24, 25, 26
AF-area mode ..................................................................24
“Beep” indicator ..............................................................74
Battery indicator.............................................................15
Number of exposures remaining.............. 15, 116
Preset white balance recording indicator ......71
PC mode indicator........................................................56
Manual flash control indicator...............................78
Flash compensation indicator for
optional Speedlight ..................................................101

10 Electronic analog exposure display................... 43
Exposure compensation........................................... 47
11 Aperture (f/-number)..........................................39–44
12 Flash sync mode............................................................ 35
13 Exposure compensation value............................. 47
14 Help indicator..................................................................... 3
15 Flash compensation value ...................................... 48
16 Metering mode .............................................................. 45
17 AF-area mode.................................................................. 24
18 Focus mode...................................................................... 23
19 Shooting mode.............................................................. 32
20 ISO sensitivity................................................................... 37
21 White balance mode .................................................. 49
22 Image size.......................................................................... 30
23 Image quality................................................................... 30

The design of the Wallpaper format is the same as the Graphic
display except that a user-selected photograph is displayed in the
background and the shutter speed and aperture displays do not
appear ( 6). To choose a photograph for the Wallpaper format:

Highlight Select wallpaper and press the multi selector
right. The photographs on the memory card will be displayed
as shown at right.

Press the multi selector left or right to highlight a photograph.
To view the highlighted photograph full screen, press and
hold the button.

Press OK to select the highlighted picture and return to the setup menu. The camera
will store the new wallpaper and use it in the shooting display whenever Wallpaper is
selected. Any existing wallpaper (including the default image provided with the camera) is deleted when a new image is selected and can not be restored. Wallpaper can
not be viewed during playback or copied to a memory card.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Auto Shooting Info
Choose whether to automatically display shooting information in
the monitor in Digital Vari-Program ( , , , , , , , and )
modes or P, S, A, and M modes. Select On to automatically display
shooting information after the shutter-release button is released.
If Custom Setting 7 (Image review) is off, shooting information will
also be displayed after a photograph is taken. Turn Auto shooting info on if you find yourself frequently checking camera settings. Note that even if On is
selected, the monitor will turn off while the shutter-release button is pressed.

World Time
Set the camera clock to the current date and time.
Option
Time zone
Date
Date
format
Daylight
saving time

Description
Choose the time zone. The camera clock will automatically
be reset to the time in the selected zone.
Set the camera clock ( 11). Reset the clock regularly for
accurate time keeping.
Choose the order in which the month, day, and year are
displayed.
Turn daylight saving time on or off. The camera clock is
automatically advanced or set back one hour.

LCD Brightness
Adjust monitor brightness between –2 (darkest) and +2 (brightest).

Video Mode
Choose NTSC when connecting the camera to an NTSC television
or VCR. Choose PAL when connecting the camera to a PAL video
device.

The Clock Battery
The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power source, which is charged as
necessary when the main battery is installed or the camera is powered by an optional EH-5 AC
adapter and EP-5 AC adapter connector ( 103). Three days of charging will power the clock for
about one month. If “Clock not set” is displayed in the monitor, the clock battery is exhausted and the
clock has been reset to a time starting at 2007.01.01.00:00:00. Set the clock to the correct date and
time.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Language
Choose the language for camera menus and messages from:
De
En
Es
Fi
Fr
It
Nl
Pl

Deutsch
English
Español
Suomi
Français
Italiano
Nederlands
Polski

German
English
Spanish
Finnish
French
Italian
Dutch
Polish

Pt Português Portuguese
Ru
Russian
Sv Svenska
Swedish
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Japanese
Korean

Image Comment
Add a comment to photographs as they are taken. Comments
can be viewed in Capture NX (available separately;
103) or
PictureProject.
• Done: Save changes and return to the setup menu.
• Input comment: The following dialog will be displayed. Input a
comment as described below.
Image Comment
Keyboard area: Use multi selector to highlight letters, press OK to select.
Name area: Comment appears here. To move cursor, rotate command
dial.
Comments can be up to thirty-six characters long. Any additional characters will be deleted. To
delete the character at the current cursor position, press . Press to save changes and return to
the image comment menu, or press to exit without changing the comment.

• Attach comment: A comment is added to all photographs taken while this option is checked.
Highlight this option and press the multi selector to the right to toggle the check mark on
or off.

USB
Choose a USB option for connection to a computer or PictBridge
printer. Choose MTP/PTP when connecting to a PictBridge
printer or using Camera Control Pro (available separately). See
“Connecting to a Computer” for information on selecting a USB
option for use with PictureProject ( 55).

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Folders
Create, rename, or delete folders or choose the folder in which
new photographs will be stored.
• Select folder: Choose the folder in which subsequent photographs will be stored.
Current folder
ND40X (default
folder)

Other folders (in
alphabetical order)

• New: Create a new folder and name it as described in “Naming Folders,” below.
• Rename: Select a folder from a list and rename it as described in “Naming Folders,” below.
• Delete: Delete all empty folders on the memory card.
Naming Folders
Keyboard area: Use multi selector to highlight letters, press OK to select.
Name area: Folder name appears here. To move cursor, rotate command dial.
Folder names can be up to five characters long. Any additional characters will be deleted. To
delete the character at the current cursor position, press . Press to save changes and return to
the setup menu, or press to exit without creating a new folder or changing the folder name.

Folder Names
On the memory card, folder names are preceded by a three-digit folder number assigned automatically by the camera (e.g., 100ND40X). Each folder can contain up to 999 photographs. During shooting, pictures are stored in the highest-numbered folder with the selected name. If a photograph is
taken when the current folder if full or contains a photograph numbered 9999, the camera will create
a new folder by adding one to the current folder number (e.g., 101ND40X). The camera treats folders
with the same name but different folder numbers as the same folder. For example, if the folder NIKON
is selected for Select folder, photographs in all folders named NIKON (100NIKON, 101NIKON,
102NIKON, etc.) will be visible when Current is selected for Playback folder ( 66). Renaming
changes all folders with the same name but leaves the folder numbers intact.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

File No. Sequence
Choose how the camera names files.
• Off (default): File numbering is reset to 0001 when a new folder is
created, the memory card is formatted, or a new memory card is
inserted.
• On: File numbering continues from the last number used after a
new folder is created, the memory card is formatted, or a new
memory card is inserted. If a photograph is taken when the current folder contains a photograph numbered 9999, a new folder will be created and file numbering will begin again
from 0001.
• Reset: As for On, except that file numbering is reset to 0001 with the next photograph
taken (if the current folder already contains photographs, a new folder will be created).
File Numbering
If the current folder is numbered 999 and contains 999 photographs or a photograph numbered 9999,
the shutter release will be disabled and the monitor and viewfinder displays will show that the card is
full. If File no. sequence is on, turn it off and format the memory card or insert another memory card
in the camera.

Mirror Lock-Up
Lock the mirror in the up position when inspecting or cleaning
the low-pass filter that protects the camera image sensor ( 105).

Firmware Version
View the current camera firmware version.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Dust off Ref Photo
Acquire reference data for the Image Dust Off option in Capture
NX (available separately; for more information, see the Capture NX
manual).

Highlight On and press OK. The message shown at right will
be displayed and “rEF” will be appear in the viewfinder.

With the lens ten centimeters (four inches) from a well-lit, featureless white object,
frame the object so that it fills the viewfinder and then press the shutter-release button halfway. In autofocus mode, focus will automatically be set to infinity; in manual
focus mode, set focus to infinity manually.

Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to
acquire Image Dust Off reference data. The monitor turns off
when the shutter-release button is pressed.
If the reference object is too bright or too dark, the camera
may be unable to acquire Image Dust Off reference data and
the message shown at right will be displayed. Choose
another reference object and repeat the process from Step 1.
Image Dust Off

Dust off ref photo is available with CPU lenses only. A lens with a focal length of at least 50mm is
recommended. If using a zoom lens, zoom all the way in.
The same reference image can be used for photographs taken with
different lenses or at different apertures. Reference images can not be
viewed using computer imaging software. A grid pattern is displayed
when reference images are viewed on the camera; histograms and
highlights are not displayed.
Image Dust Off is used to reduce the effects of dust in NEF (RAW)
photographs. See the Capture NX manual for more information.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Auto Image Rotation
Photographs taken while On (the default option) is selected contain information on camera orientation, allowing them to be
rotated automatically during playback ( 50) or when viewed in
Capture NX (available separately;
103) or PictureProject. * The
following orientations are recorded:

Landscape (wide)
Camera rotated 90°
Camera rotated 90°
orientation
clockwise
counter-clockwise
* In continuous mode ( 32), orientation recorded for first shot applies to all images in same burst,
even if camera orientation is changed during shooting.

Camera orientation is not recorded when Off is selected. Choose this option when taking
photographs with the lens pointing up or down.

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu

Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu
The options in the retouch menu are used to create trimmed,
resized, or retouched copies of the photographs on the memory
card. The following options are available (options displayed may
differ if My menu is selected for the CSM/Setup menu option in
the setup menu;
80). See “Using Camera Menus” ( 63) for
more information on using the menus.
Option
Description
D-lighting *
Brighten dark or back-lit subjects or produce effects similar to the flash.
90
Red-eye correction * Correct “red-eye” caused by the flash.
91
Trim
Create cropped copies of existing photographs.
91
Monochrome *
Copy pictures in black-and-white, sepia, or cyanotype.
92
Filter effects *
Create copies with color filter effects.
92
Small picture
Create small copies of existing photographs.
92–93
Image overlay Combine two RAW photographs into a single image.
94–95
* Not available with photographs taken with Black-and-white selected for Optimize image.

Except in the case of Image overlay, the photographs to be retouched can be selected in
full-frame playback or from the retouch menu. In full-frame playback:

Display photo in full-frame playback (

20, 50).

Display retouch menu.

Highlight menu item. *
Display retouch options. †
* Image overlay is not available during full-frame playback.
† If sub-menu is displayed, repeat Steps 3–4 to select options from sub-menu. To exit to full-frame
playback without creating modified copy, press button.

Retouching Copies
Copies created with Small picture or Trim can not be further modified. D-lighting, red-eye correction, and filter effects can not be applied to monochrome copies. Otherwise the options in the
retouch menu can each be applied once to existing copies, although this may result in loss of quality.
Image Quality
Small picture creates JPEG Fine copies (1:4 compression ratio). Image overlay creates copies at the
current image quality setting. Other options copy RAW photos as JPEG Fine quality images; save
where otherwise noted, copies created from RAW photos are 3,872×2,592 pixels in size.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

To create retouched copies from the retouch menu:

2
Highlight menu item.

Display selection screen.

Highlight photo. *
Display retouch options. †
* To view selected picture full frame, press and hold button.
† To exit to playback mode without creating modified copy, press button.

D-Lighting
D-lighting brightens shadows, making it
ideal for dark or back-lit photographs.

Before

After

Press the multi selector up or down to choose the amount of correction performed. The effect can be previewed in the edit display. Press OK to copy the photograph and return to full-frame
playback.

Retouching Photographs
The D40x may be unable to display or retouch photographs that were created with other models of
camera or that have been modified using a computer or other device.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Red-Eye Correction
Selecting this option displays a preview image as shown below. Confirm the effects of redeye correction and create a corrected copy as described in the following table. Note that
red-eye correction may not always produce the expected results and may in very rare circumstances be applied to portions of the image that are not affected by red eye; check the
preview thoroughly before proceeding. Red-eye correction is available only with photographs taken using the flash.
To

Use

Zoom in and out

View other areas
of image
Create copy

Description
Press to zoom in, to zoom out. While
photo is zoomed in, press multi selector
up, down, left, or right to view areas of
image not visible in monitor. Keep multi
selector pressed to scroll rapidly to other
areas of frame. Navigation window is displayed while / buttons or multi selector is pressed; area currently
visible in monitor is indicated by yellow border.
If the camera detects red eye in the selected photograph, a copy will
be created that has been processed to reduce its effects. No copy will
be created if the camera is unable to detect red eye.

Trim
Choosing this option displays the selected image full frame as shown below. To create a
cropped copy of the selected image:
To

Use

Zoom in and out

View other areas
of image
Create copy

Description
Press to zoom in, to zoom out. While
photo is zoomed in, press multi selector
up, down, left, or right to view areas of
image not visible in monitor.
Save the area currently visible in the monitor as a separate file and
return to full-frame playback.

Trim: Image Quality and Size
Copies created from NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW)+JPEG photos have an image quality of JPEG Fine;
cropped copies created from JPEG photos have the same image quality as the original. Depending on
the size of the crop, the copy may be 2,560×1,920, 1,920×1,440, 1,280×960, 960×720, or 640×480
pixels in size.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Monochrome
Choose from Black-and-white, Sepia, and Cyanotype (blue
and white monochrome).

Selecting Sepia or Cyanotype displays a preview of the selected
image; press the multi selector up to increase color saturation,
down to decrease. Press OK to create a monochrome copy and
return to full-frame playback.

Filter Effects
Choose from the following options. After adjusting filter effects as
described below, press OK to copy the photograph and return to
full-frame playback.

Option

Description
Creates the effect of a sky light filter, making the picture less
Skylight blue. The effect can be previewed in the monitor as shown at
right.
Warm Creates a copy with warm tone filter effects, giving the copy
filter “warm” red cast. The effect can be previewed in the monitor.
Press the multi selector up to increase the amount of green,
right to increase the amount of red, left to increase the amount
Color
of blue, or down to increase the amount of magenta. The effect
balance
is displayed in the monitor together with red, green, and blue
histograms giving the distribution of tones in the copy ( 52).

Small Picture
Create a small copy of the selected picture. The following sizes are available:
Option
640×480
320×240
160×120

Description
Suited to television playback.
Suited to display on Web pages.
Suitable for e-mail.

The small picture option can be used during full-frame playback as described on page 89.
The procedure for selecting pictures after choosing Small picture from the retouch menu,
however, differs from that described at the beginning of this section: instead of selecting a
single photograph and then choosing a picture size, the user selects a picture size first and
then selects one or more photographs to copy at the selected size as described on the following page.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Selecting Small picture from the retouch menu displays the menu shown in Step 1. Follow the steps below to create small copies of multiple pictures.

2
Highlight Choose size.

Display options.

4
Highlight desired picture size.

Make selection and return to previous menu.

6
Highlight Select picture.

Display selection screen.

Select pictures ( 65). Selected pictures are
marked with
icon.

Confirmation dialog displayed.

Highlight Yes. *
Copy photos and exit to full-frame playback.
* To return to Step 7 without creating copies, highlight No and press OK. Press MENU to exit to retouch
menu without creating copies.

Viewing Small Pictures
Small pictures are indicated by a gray border during playback. Playback zoom is not available when
small pictures are displayed.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Image Overlay
Image overlay combines two existing RAW photographs to create a single picture that is
saved separately from the originals. The new picture is saved at current image quality and
size settings; before creating an overlay, set image quality and size ( 30; all options are
available). To create a RAW image, choose an image quality of NEF (RAW).

Highlight Image overlay in the retouch menu and press the
multi selector right. The preview dialog shown at right will be
displayed with Image 1 highlighted.

Press OK. A picture selection dialog will be displayed.

Press the multi selector left or right to highlight the first photograph in the overlay. To view the highlighted photograph
full frame, press and hold the button.

Press OK to select the highlighted image and return to the preview display. The selected image will appear as Image 1.

Optimize exposure for the overlay by pressing the multi selector up or down to select the gain for image 1 from between
0.1 and 2.0. The default value is 1.0; selecting 0.5 cuts gain in
half, while selecting 2.0 doubles gain. The effects of gain are
visible in the Preview column.

Press the multi selector left or right to highlight Image 2.
Repeat Steps 2–5 to select the second photo and adjust gain.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Press the multi selector left or right to highlight the Preview
column. Press the multi selector up or down to highlight one
of the following options and press OK.
• Overlay: Preview the overlay as shown at right. Press OK to save
the new image. To return to Step 6 and select new photos or
adjust gain, press .
• Save: Save the overlay without viewing a preview.

After an overlay is created, the camera will enter full-frame playback ( 50) with the new picture displayed in the monitor.

Image Overlay
Only RAW photographs created with the D40x can be selected for image overlay. Other images are
not displayed on the selection screen.
The overlay has the same photo info (including date of recording, metering, shutter speed, aperture,
exposure mode, exposure compensation, focal length, and image orientation) and values for white
balance and optimize image as the photograph selected for Image 1.

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu

Technical Notes
Optional Accessories
One advantage of digital SLR cameras is the wide variety of accessories they support. See
our web sites or product catalogs for up-to-date information on accessories for the D40x.
Flash units (Speedlights)
Viewfinder accessories

ML-L3 remote control

Batteries

Lenses

Software

AC adapters
Filters

AC adapter connectors

Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories
Only Nikon brand accessories certified by Nikon specifically for use with your Nikon digital camera are
engineered and proven to operate within its operational and safety requirements. THE USE OF NONNIKON ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA AND MAY VOID YOUR NIKON WARRANTY.
Picture Angle and Focal Length
The size of the area exposed by a 35-mm camera
is 36×24mm. The size of the area exposed by the
D40x, in contrast, is 23.6×15.8, meaning that the
picture angle of a 35-mm camera is approximately 1.5 times that of the D40x. The approximate focal length of lenses for the D40x in 35-mm
format can be calculated by multiplying the focal
length of the lens by about 1.5.

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

Picture size (35-mm format)
(36 mm × 24 mm)
Picture diagonal

Lens

Picture size (D40x)
(23.6 mm × 15.8 mm)
Picture angle (35-mm format)
Picture angle (D40x)

Lenses
Autofocus is supported only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with an
autofocus motor. IX Nikkor CPU lenses can not be used; other CPU lenses (including AF
lenses not equipped with an autofocus motor) can be used in manual focus mode. CPU
lenses can be identified by the presence of CPU contacts ( 45), AF-S and AF-I lenses by
“AF-S” or “AF-I” at the beginning of the lens name.
The following CPU lenses can be used with the D40x.
Camera setting
Lens/accessory
AF-S, AF-I Nikkor
PC-Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D 2
AF-S/AF-I teleconverter 4
Other AF Nikkor (except lenses for F3AF)
AI-P Nikkor

AF
9
—
95
—
—

Focus
MF (with electronic
range finder)
9
93
95
96
97

MF
9
9
9
9
9

Mode
Digital Vari Program,
P, S, A
9
—
9
9
9

M
9
9
9
9
9

Metering
, ,
1

9
9
9
9
9

1. Spot metering meters selected focus area.
• AF-I ED: 300mm f/2.8D IF, 400mm f/2.8D IF, 500mm f/4D IF *,
2. Camera exposure metering and flash control may not function when
600mm f/4D IF *
lens is shifted and/or tilted or aperture is not at maximum.
* Autofocus not available with TC-17E II/TC-20E II AF-S teleconverter.
3. Electronic range finder can not be used when shifting or tilting lens.
5. With maximum effective aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
4. Compatible with the following lenses:
6. If AF 80–200mm f/2.8S, 35–70mm f/2.8S, new-model 28–85mm
• AF-S VR Micro ED: 105mm f/2.8G IF (autofocus not supported)
f/3.5–4.5S,or 28–85mm f/3.5–4.5S is zoomed while focusing at mini• AF-S VR ED: 70–200mm f/2.8G IF, 200mm f/2G IF, 300mm f/2.8G IF, mum range, image on matter screen in viewfinder may not be in focus
200–400mm f/4G IF
when in-focus indicator is displayed. Focus manually using image in
• AF-S ED: 80–200mm f/2.8D IF, 300mm f/2.8D II IF, 300mm f/2.8D IF, viewfinder as guide.
300mm f/4D IF *, 400mm f/2.8D II IF, 400mm f/2.8D IF, 500mm f/4D 7. With maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
II IF *, 500mm f/4D IF *, 600mm f/4D II IF *, 600mm f/4D IF *

Type G and D Lenses
Type G and D AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses ( 45) are recommended for use with the D40x. Type G and D
lenses support 3D color matrix metering II ( 45). Vibration reduction is available with Type G and D
VR lenses only.
Non-CPU Lenses
The non-CPU lenses listed below may be used, but only when the camera is in mode M. Selecting
another mode disables the shutter release. Aperture must be adjusted manually via the lens aperture
ring; the camera autofocus system, metering, electronic analog exposure display, and TTL flash control
can not be used. Except where otherwise noted, the electronic range finder can be used with lenses
that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
• AI-modified, AI-, AI-S, or Series E Nikkor
• Medical Nikkor 120mm f/4 (can only be used at shutter speeds slower than 1/125s)
• Reflex Nikkor (electronic range finder can not be used)
• PC Nikkor (electronic range finder can not be used
when shifting or tilting lens)

• AI-type teleconverter *
• PB-6 Bellows focusing attachment (attach in vertical
orientation; can be used in horizontal orientation
once attached) *
• Auto extension rings (PK 11A, 12, 13; PN-11) *
* Electronic range finder can be used if maximum effective aperture is
f/5.6 or faster.

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

Incompatible Non-CPU Lenses and Accessories
Do NOT attempt to use the following non-CPU lenses and accessories. Failure to observe this precaution could result in damage to the camera or lens.
• TC-16A AF Teleconverter
• Non-AI lenses
• Lenses that require the AU-1 focusing unit (400mm
f/4.5, 600mm f/5.6, 800mm f/8, 1200mm f/11)
• Fisheye (6mm f/5.6, 7.5mm f/5.6, 8mm f/8, OP 10mm f/5.6)
• Old-model 21mm f/4
• K2 rings
• ED 180–600mm f/8 (serial numbers 174041–174180)
• ED 360–1200mm f/11 (serial numbers 174031–174127)

• 200–600mm f/9.5 (serial numbers 280001–300490)
• Lenses for the F3AF (80mm f/2.8, 200mm f/3.5, TC-16
Teleconverter)
• PC 28mm f/4 (serial number 180900 or earlier)
• PC 35mm f/2.8 (serial numbers 851001–906200)
• Old-model PC 35mm f/3.5
• Old-model 1000mm f/6.3 Reflex
• 1000mm f/11 Reflex (serial numbers 142361–143000)
• 2000mm f/11 Reflex (serial numbers 200111–200310)

AF-Assist Illumination/Red-Eye Reduction
AF-assist illumination is not available with the following lenses:
• AF-S VR ED 70–200mm f/2.8G
• AF-S VR ED 300mm f/2.8G

• AF-S ED 80–200mm f/2.8D
• AF-S VR ED 200–400mm f/4G

• AF-S VR ED 200mm f/2G

At ranges under 1m (3ft. 3in.), the following lenses may block the AF-assist illuminator and interfere
with autofocus when lighting is poor:
• AF-S VR ED 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G
• AF-S DX IF ED 17–55mm f/2.8G

• AF-S ED 17–35mm f/2.8D
• AF-S ED 28–70mm f/2.8D

• AF-S DX VR ED 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6G

Lenses that block the subject’s view of the AF-assist illuminator can interfere with red-eye reduction.
The Built-in Flash
The built-in flash can be used with CPU lenses with focal lengths of 18–300mm. The flash may be
unable to light the entire subject with the following lenses at ranges less than those given below:
Lens
AF-S DX ED 12–24mm f/4G
AF-S ED 17–35mm f/2.8D

AF-S DX ED 17–55mm f/2.8G
AF ED 18–35mm f/3.5–4.5D
AF-S DX ED 18–70mm f/3.5–4.5G
AF 20–35mm f/2.8D
AF-S VR ED 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G
AF-S ED 28–70mm f/2.8D
AF-S VR ED 200–400mm f/4G
AF-S DX ED 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6G
AF-S DX VR ED 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6G

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

Zoom position
20mm
24mm
24mm
28mm
35mm
28mm
35mm
45–55mm
24mm
28–35mm
18mm
24–70mm
24mm
28mm
35mm
24mm
28–120mm
35mm
50–70mm
250mm
300–400mm
18mm
24–135mm
24mm
35–200mm

Min. range
3.0m / 9ft. 10in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
2.0m / 6ft. 7in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.5m / 4ft. 11in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
2.5m / 8ft. 2in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.5m / 4ft. 11in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
2.5m / 8ft. 2in.
2.0m / 6ft. 7in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.
1.0m / 3ft. 3in.
0.6m / 2ft. 3in.

Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
The accessory shoe allows SB-series Speedlights, including the SB400, 800, 600, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, 23, 22S, and 29S to be mounted
directly on the camera without a sync cable. It is equipped with a
safety lock for Speedlights with a locking pin, such as the SB-800
and SB-600. Before attaching an optional flash unit, remove the
accessory shoe cover. The built-in flash will not fire when an
optional Speedlight is attached.
When used with compatible flash units such as the optional SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600
Speedlights or SB-R200 wireless remote Speedlight, the D40x supports the advanced Nikon
Creative Lighting System (CLS), including i-TTL flash control and Flash Color Information
Communication. See the Speedlight manual for details.
SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600 Speedlights
These high-performance Speedlights have Guide Numbers of 21/69 (18-mm zoom coverage), 38/125 (35-mm zoom head position), and 30/98 (35-mm zoom head position) respectively (m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68 °F). The flash head can be rotated through 90° above the
horizontal for bounce-flash or close-up photography. The SB-800 and SB-600 can also be
rotated 180° left and 90° right, and the SB-800 can be rotated 7° below the horizontal. The
SB-800 and SB-600 support auto power zoom (24–105mm and 24–85mm, respectively),
ensuring that the illuminating angle is adjusted in accord with lens focal length and have
both a built-in wide panel that can be used for an angle of 14mm (the SB-800 also supports
17mm) and an illuminator that can be used when adjusting settings in the dark.
SB-R200 Wireless Remote Speedlight
This high-performance wireless remote Speedlight has a Guide Number of 14/49 (m/ft, ISO
200, 20°C/68 °F; GN at ISO 100 is 10/32). Although it can not be mounted directly on the
accessory shoe, it can be controlled using an optional SB-800 Speedlight or SU-800 wireless
Speedlight commander. The SB-R200 can be hand-held, placed on an AS-20 Speedlight
stand, or mounted on the camera lens using the SX-1 attachment for remote control and
close-up i-TTL photography.
SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander
The SU-800 can be used as a commander for remote SB-800, 600, or R200 flash units. The
SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash.

Guide Number
To calculate the range of the flash at full power, divide the Guide Number by the aperture. For example, at ISO 100 the SB-400 has a Guide Number of 21m or 69ft.; its range at an aperture of f/5.6 is
21÷5.6 or about 3.7 meters (or in feet, 69÷5.6=12ft. 4in.). For each twofold increase in ISO sensitivity,
multiply the Guide Number by the square root of two (approximately 1.4).

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

The following features are available with CLS-compatible flash units:
Speedlight

Advanced Wireless Lighting
Commander
Remote
Flash mode/feature
SB-400 SB-800 SB-600 SB-800 SU-800 1 SB-800 SB-600 SB-R200
9 3, 4
93
93
95
95
95
95
95
i-TTL 2
AA
Auto aperture 2
—
96
—
97
98
98
—
—
A
Non-TTL auto
—
96
—
97
—
97
—
—
GN
Range-priority manual
—
9
—
—
—
—
—
—
M
Manual
94
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
RPT
Repeating flash
—
9
—
9
9
9
9
—
REAR
Rear-curtain sync
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Red-eye reduction
9
9
9
9
—
—
—
—
Flash Color Information Communication
9
9
9
9
—
—
—
—
AF-assist for multi-area AF 2
—
9
9
9
9
—
—
—
Auto zoom
—
9
9
9
—
—
—
—
Auto ISO
9
9
9
—
—
—
—
—
1. Only available when SU-800 is used to control other flash units.
2. CPU lens required.
3. Standard i-TTL for Digital SLR is used with spot metering or when
selected with Speedlight. Otherwise i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash for Digital SLR is used.
4. Can be selected from camera Custom Settings menu ( 78).

5. i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash for Digital SLR.
6. Use Speedlight controls to select flash mode. Non-TTL auto is selected
automatically when a non-CPU lens is attached.
7. Auto aperture is selected automatically if CPU lens is attached. NonTTL auto is selected automatically if non-CPU lens is attached.
8. Use Speedlight controls to select flash mode.

The following Speedlights can only be used in non-TTL auto and manual modes at shutter
speeds of 1/200 s or slower. Flash charge state is shown by the Speedlight flash-ready indicator. In TTL mode, the shutter-release button will lock and no photographs can be taken.
Speedlight SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28,
Flash mode
SB-26, SB-25, SB-24
A
Non-TTL auto
9
M
Manual
9
RPT Repeating flash
9
REAR Rear-curtain sync 4
9

SB-50DX 1, SB-23, SB-29 2
SB-21B 2, SB-29s 2
—
9
—
9

SB-30, SB-27 3, SB-22S,
SB-22, SB-20, SB-16B, SB-15
9
9
—
9

1. In P, S, A, and M modes, lower built-in flash and use optional Speed- 3. When mounted on D40x, flash mode is automatically set to TTL and
light only.
shutter release is disabled. Set Speedlight to A (non-TTL auto) mode.
2. Autofocus is available only with AF-S VR ED 105mm f/2.8G IF Micro 4. Available when camera is used to select flash mode.
Nikkor lenses.

Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories
Use only Nikon Speedlights. Negative voltages or voltages over 250V applied to the accessory shoe
could not only prevent normal operation, but damage the sync circuitry of the camera or flash. Before
using a Nikon Speedlight not listed in this section, contact a Nikon-authorized service representative
for more information.
The AS-15 Accessory Shoe Adapter
When the AS-15 accessory shoe adapter (available separately) is mounted on the camera accessory
shoe, flash accessories can be connected via a sync cable.

100 Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

Notes on Optional Speedlights
Refer to the Speedlight manual for detailed instructions. If the Speedlight supports the Creative Lighting System, refer to the section on CLS-compatible digital SLR cameras. The D40x is not included in
the “digital SLR” category in the SB-80DX, SB-28DX, and SB-50DX manuals.
If an optional Speedlight is attached with the camera in , , , , , , or mode, the built-in
flash will turn off and the optional Speedlight will fire whenever a photograph is taken. The following
flash modes are available:
•
, , , , , and modes: Fill flash and red-eye reduction. Fill flash is automatically selected if
the flash mode is set to off or auto when an optional Speedlight is attached. Auto with red-eye
reduction becomes red-eye reduction.
•
mode: Auto slow sync becomes slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction becomes slow
sync with red-eye reduction, and off becomes slow sync.
The optional Speedlight will not fire when the camera is in mode.
If AUTO is selected for ISO sensitivity in , , , , , , or modes or On is selected for Custom
Setting 10 (ISO auto) in P, S, A, or M mode, ISO sensitivity will be adjusted for optimal flash output when
an optional SB-400, SB-800, or SB-600 Speedlight is attached. This may result in foreground subjects
being underexposed in photographs taken with the flash at slow shutter speeds, in daylight, or
against a bright background. Choose a flash mode other than slow sync or choose a larger aperture.
The shutter will synchronize with an external flash at speeds of 1/200 s or slower.
i-TTL flash control can be used at ISO sensitivities between 100 and 1600. Higher values may not produce the desired results at some ranges or apertures. If the flash-ready indicator blinks for about three
seconds after a photograph is taken, the flash has fired at full power and the photograph may be
underexposed.
The SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600 provide red-eye reduction, while the SB-800, SB-600, and SU-800 provide AF-assist illumination (the SU-800 does not provide AF-assist illumination in close-up mode).
With other Speedlights, the camera AF assist illuminator is used for AF-assist illumination and red-eye
reduction. If the controls on the SB-800, SB-600, or SU-800 are used to adjust flash compensation,
will appear in the camera shooting information display.
In the following modes, the maximum aperture (minimum f/-number) varies with ISO sensitivity:
Maximum aperture at ISO sensitivity of
Mode
100
200
400
800
1600
P, , , , , ,
4
4.8
5.6
6.7
8
5.6
6.7
8
9.5
11
For each one-step increase in sensitivity (e.g., from 200 to 400), aperture is stopped down by half an f/stop. If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the maximum value for aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.
When an SC-series 17, 28, or 29 sync cable is used for off-camera flash photography, correct exposure
may not be achieved in i-TTL mode. We recommend that you choose spot metering to select standard i-TTL flash control. Take a test shot and view the results in the monitor.
In i-TTL mode, use the flash panel or bounce adapter provided with the Speedlight. Do not use other
panels such as diffusion panels, as this may produce incorrect exposure. Auto power zoom is available
only with SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights.

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 101

Other Accessories
• Diopter adjustment viewfinder lenses: Lenses are available with diopters of –5, –4, –3, –2, 0,
+0.5, +1, +2, and +3m–1. Use diopter adjustment lenses only if the desired focus can not
be achieved with the built-in diopter adjustment control (–1.7 to +0.5m–1). Test diopter
adjustment lenses before purchase to ensure that the desired focus can be achieved.
Viewfinder • DG-2 magnifier: Magnify the scene displayed in the center of the viewfinder for close-up
photography, copying, telephoto lenses, and other tasks that require added precision.
eyepiece
accessories Eyepiece adapter required (available separately).
• Eyepiece adapter: Attach the DG-2 magnifier to the D40x.
• DR-6 right-angle viewing attachment: The DR-6 attaches at a right angle to the viewfinder
eyepiece, allowing the image in the viewfinder to be viewed from above when the camera is in portrait orientation.
• Nikon filters can be divided into three types: screw-in, slip-in, and rear-interchange. Use
Nikon filters; other filters may interfere with autofocus or electronic range finding.
• The D40x can not be used with linear polarizing filters. Use the C-PL circular polarizing
filter instead.
• The NC and L37C filters are recommended for protecting the lens.
Filters
• When using an R60 filter, set exposure compensation to +1.
• Moiré may occur if a filter is used when the subject is framed against a bright light or
when a bright light source is in the frame.
• Center-weighted metering is recommended with filters with exposure factors (filter factors) over 1× (Y48, O56, R60, X0, X1, C-PL, ND4S, ND8S, A2, A12, B2, B8, B12).

Approved Memory Cards
The following SD memory cards have been tested and approved for use in the D40x. All
cards of the designated make and capacity can be used, regardless of speed.
SanDisk
64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB *, 4GB *†
Toshiba
64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB *, 4GB *†
Panasonic
64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB *, 4GB *†
Lexar
128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB (Platinum II/Professional), 2GB (Platinum II/Professional)*
* If card will be used with card reader or other device, check that device † SDHC compliant. If card will be used with card reader or
supports 2GB and 4GB cards.
other device, check that device supports SDHC.

Operation is not guaranteed with other makes of card. Contact the manufacturer for details
on the above cards.

Memory Cards
• Format memory cards in the camera before first use.
• Turn the power off before inserting or removing memory cards. Do not remove memory cards from
the camera, turn the camera off, or remove or disconnect the power source during formatting or
while data are being recorded, deleted, or copied to a computer. Failure to observe these precautions could result in loss of data or in damage to the camera or card.
• Do not touch the card terminals with your fingers or metal objects.
• Do not apply force to the card casing. Failure to observe this precaution could damage the card.
• Do not bend, drop, or subject to strong physical shocks.
• Do not expose to heat, water, high levels of humidity, or direct sunlight.

102 Technical Notes/Optional Accessories

Accessories for the D40x
At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D40x. Up to date
information is available at Nikon websites or from our latest product catalogs.
• EN-EL9 rechargeable Li-ion battery: Additional EN-EL9 batteries are available from local
retailers and Nikon service representatives.
Power
• EH-5 AC adapter: Use to power the camera for extended periods. EP-5 AC adapter connecsources
tor required (available separately).
• EP-5 AC adapter connector: Connect the EH-5 to the D40x.
• BF-1A body cap: The BF-1A keeps the mirror, viewfinder screen, and low-pass filter free of
Body caps
dust when a lens is not in place.
Video cables • EG-D100 video cable: View photos on TV or record them to video tape ( 62).
• ML-L3 wireless remote control: Use as a remote shutter release for self-portraits or to prevent
blur caused by camera shake. The ML-L3 uses a 3V CR2505 battery.
Remote
1
2
3
4
5
controls

Software

• Capture NX: A complete photo editing package with support for RAW images.
• Camera Control Pro: Control the camera from a computer and save photos to disk.
Note: Capture NX and Camera Control Pro automatically check for updates if an Internet
connection is detected at startup. Be sure to update to the latest version.

Connecting the Optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector and EH-5 AC Adapter

Turn the camera off and open the battery-chamber (c) and
power-connector (d) covers.

���

Insert the EP-5 into the battery chamber as shown at right,
making sure the “+” and “–” terminals are in the correct orientation.

Guide the power cord into the opening left by the power connector cover and close the battery-chamber cover.

Insert the EH-5 AC adapter plug into the EH-5 AC inlet (e) and connect the EH-5 DC
plug to the EP-5 DC in connector (f). When the camera is powered by the AC
adapter, the battery-level indicator in the monitor will show
.
���

���

See the EP-5 and EH-5 instruction manuals for more information on using an AC adapter.

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 103

Caring for the Camera
Storage
When the camera will not be used for an extended period, turn the camera off, remove the
battery, and store the battery in a cool, dry area with the terminal cover in place. To prevent
mold or mildew, store the camera in a dry, well-ventilated area. Do not store the camera
with naphtha or camphor moth balls or in locations that:
• are poorly ventilated or subject to humidities of over 60%
• are next to equipment that produces strong electromagnetic fields, such as televisions or
radios
• are exposed to temperatures above 50°C/122 °F (for example, near a space heater or in a
closed vehicle in a hot day) or below –10°C (14 °F)
Cleaning
Use a blower to remove dust and lint, then wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. After using
the camera at the beach or seaside, wipe off sand or salt with a cloth lightly dampened in
distilled water and dry thoroughly. Important: Dust or other foreign matter inside the camera
may cause damage not covered under warranty.
These elements are made of glass and are easily damaged. Remove dust and lint with a
Lens,
blower. If using an aerosol blower, keep the can vertical to prevent the discharge of liquid.
mirror, and
To remove fingerprints and other stains, apply a small amount of lens cleaner to a soft
viewfinder
cloth and clean with care.
Remove dust and lint with a blower. When removing fingerprints and other stains, wipe
Monitor the surface lightly with a soft cloth or chamois leather. Do not apply pressure, as this could
result in damage or malfunction.
Camera
body

The Monitor
Should the monitor break, care should be taken to avoid injury caused by broken glass and to prevent
liquid crystal from the monitor from entering your eyes or mouth.
Servicing the Camera and Accessories
The D40x is a precision device and requires regular servicing. Nikon recommends that the camera be
inspected by the original retailer or Nikon service representative once every one to two years, and that
it be serviced once every three to five years (note that fees apply to these services). Frequent inspection and servicing are particularly recommended if the camera is used professionally. Any accessories
regularly used with the camera, such as lenses or optional Speedlights, should be included when the
camera is inspected or serviced.

104 Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera

The Low-Pass Filter
The image sensor that acts as the camera’s picture element is fitted with a low-pass filter to
prevent moiré. If you suspect that dirt or dust on the filter is appearing in photographs, you
can clean the filter as described below. Note, however, that the filter is extremely delicate
and easily damaged. Nikon recommends that the filter be cleaned only by Nikon-authorized
service personnel. To prevent the camera from powering off while the mirror is raised, use a
full-charged battery or an optional EH-5 AC adapter and EP-5 AC adapter connector ( 103).

1
2
3

Remove the lens and turn the camera on.
Select Mirror lock-up from the setup menu (note that this option is not available at
battery levels of
or below).
Highlight On and press OK. The message shown at right will
be displayed. To restore normal operation without inspecting
the low-pass filter, turn the camera off.

Press the shutter-release button all the way down. The mirror
will be raised and the shutter curtain will open, revealing the
low-pass filter.

Holding the camera so that light falls on the low-pass filter,
examine the filter for dust or lint. If no foreign objects are
present, proceed to Step 7.

Remove any dust and lint from the filter with a blower. Do not
use a blower-brush, as the bristles could damage the filter.
Dirt that can not be removed with a blower can only be
removed by Nikon-authorized service personnel. Under no
circumstances should you touch or wipe the filter.

Turn the camera off. The mirror will be lowered and the shutter curtain will close.
Replace the lens or body cap.

Use a Reliable Power Source
The shutter curtain is delicate and easily damaged. If the camera turns off with the mirror raised, the
curtain will close automatically. To prevent damage to the curtain, observe the following precautions:
• Do not turn the camera off until cleaning or inspection is complete. Do not remove or disconnect
the power source while the mirror is raised.
• If the battery runs low while the mirror is raised, a beep will sound and the AF-assist illuminator will
blink to warn that the shutter curtain will close and the mirror will be lowered after about two minutes. End cleaning or inspection immediately.

Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera 105

Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions
Do not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected to Cleaning: When cleaning the camera body, use a blower to
strong shocks or vibration.
gently remove dust and lint, then wipe gently with a soft,
dry cloth. After using the camera at the beach or seaside,
Keep dry: This product is not waterproof, and may malfuncwipe off any sand or salt using a cloth lightly dampened in
tion if immersed in water or exposed to high levels of
pure water and then dry the camera thoroughly.
humidity. Rusting of the internal mechanism can cause
The lens and mirror are easily damaged. Dust and lint
irreparable damage.
should be gently removed with a blower. When using an
Avoid sudden changes in temperature: Sudden changes in tem- aerosol blower, keep the can vertical to prevent discharge of
perature, such as occur when entering or leaving a heated liquid. To remove fingerprints and other stains from the
building on a cold day, can cause condensation inside the lens, apply a small amount of lens cleaner to a soft cloth and
device. To prevent condensation, place the device in a car- wipe the lens carefully.
rying case or plastic bag before exposing it to sudden
See “The Low-Pass Filter” ( 105) for information on cleanchanges in temperature.
ing the low-pass filter.
Keep away from strong magnetic fields: Do not use or store this
Storage: To prevent mold or mildew, store the camera in a
device in the vicinity of equipment that generates strong
dry, well-ventilated area. If the product will not be used for
electromagnetic radiation or magnetic fields. Strong static
an extended period, remove the battery to prevent leakage
charges or the magnetic fields produced by equipment
and store the camera in a plastic bag containing a desiccant.
such as radio transmitters could interfere with the monitor,
Do not, however, store the camera case in a plastic bag, as
damage data stored on the memory card, or affect the
this may cause the material to deteriorate. Note that desicproduct’s internal circuitry.
cant gradually loses its capacity to absorb moisture and
Do not leave the lens pointed at the sun: Do not leave the lens should be replaced at regular intervals.
pointed at the sun or other strong light source for an To prevent mold or mildew, take the camera out of storage
extended period. Intense light may cause the image sensor at least once a month. Turn the camera on and release the
to deteriorate or produce a white blur effect in photo- shutter a few times before putting it away.
graphs.
Store the battery in a cool, dry place. Replace the terminal
Do not touch the shutter curtain: The shutter curtain is cover before putting the battery away.
extremely thin and easily damaged. Under no circumNotes on the monitor: The monitor may contain a few pixels
stances should you exert pressure on the curtain, poke it
that are always lit or that do not light. This is common to all
with cleaning tools, or subject it to powerful air currents
TFT LCD monitors and does not indicate a malfunction.
from a blower. These actions could scratch, deform, or tear
Images recorded with the product are unaffected.
the curtain.
Images in the monitor may be difficult to see in a bright
Handle all moving parts with care: Do not apply force to the bat- light.
tery-chamber, card-slot, or connector covers. These parts
Do not apply pressure to the monitor, as this could cause
are especially susceptible to damage.
damage or malfunction. Dust or lint on the monitor can be
removed with a blower. Stains can be removed by wiping
Lens contacts: Keep the lens contacts clean.
lightly with a soft cloth or chamois leather. Should the monTurn the product off before removing or disconnecting the power itor break, care should be taken to avoid injury from broken
source: Do not unplug the product or remove the battery glass and to prevent liquid crystal from the monitor touchwhile the product is on or while images are being recorded ing the skin or entering the eyes and mouth.
or deleted. Forcibly cutting power in these circumstances
could result in loss of data or in damage to product memory Batteries: Dirt on the battery terminals can prevent the camor internal circuitry. To prevent an accidental interruption of era from functioning and should be removed with a soft,
power, avoid carrying the product from one location to dry cloth before use. After removing the battery from the
camera, be sure to replace the terminal cover.
another while the AC adapter is connected.
Charge the battery before use. When taking photographs
on important occasions, ready a spare EN-EL9 battery and
keep it fully charged. Depending on your location, it may be
difficult to purchase replacement batteries on short notice.

106 Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera

On cold days, the capacity of batteries tends to decrease. Be sure the battery is fully charged before taking photographs
outside in cold weather. Keep a spare battery in a warm place and exchange the two as necessary. Once warmed, a cold
battery may recover some of its charge.
Continuing to charge the battery after it is fully charged can impair battery performance.
Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries:
• Turn the product off before replacing the battery.
• The battery may become hot when used for extended periods. Observe due caution when handling the battery.
• Use only batteries approved for use in this equipment.
• Do not expose the battery to flame or excessive heat.
Used batteries are a valuable resource. Please recycle used batteries in accord with local regulations.

Foreign Matter on the Low-Pass Filter
Nikon takes every possible precaution to prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the
low-pass filter during production and shipping. The D40x, however, is designed to be used with interchangeable lenses, and foreign matter may enter the camera when lenses are removed or exchanged.
Once inside the camera, this foreign matter may adhere to the low-pass filter, where it may appear in
photographs taken under certain conditions. To protect the camera when no lens is in place, be sure
to replace the body cap provided with the camera, being careful to first remove all dust and other foreign matter that may be adhering to the body cap.
Should foreign matter find its way onto the low-pass filter, clean the filter or have it cleaned by authorized Nikon service personnel ( x). Photographs affected by the presence of foreign matter on the
filter can be retouched using Capture NX (available separately;
103) or the clean image options
available in some third-party imaging applications.

Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera 107

Troubleshooting
If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems below
before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. Refer to the page numbers in the
right-most column for more information.
Problem
Camera takes time to turn on.

Solution
Delete files or folders.
20, 65
Adjust viewfinder focus or use optional diopter adjustViewfinder is out of focus.
14, 102
ment lenses.
Displays turn off without warning. Choose a longer auto off delay.
78
See “A Note on Electronically-Controlled Cameras,”
Camera stops functioning.
—
below.
Display in viewfinder is unrespon- The response times and brightness of the viewfinder
—
sive and dim.
display varies with temperature.
Menu item is not displayed.
Select Full for CSM/Setup menu.
80
Rotate mode dial to another setting or insert memory
4, 12
Menu item can not be selected.
card.
Image size can not be changed.
Image quality set to RAW or RAW+B.
30
Metering can not be changed.
Autoexposure lock in effect.
46
Can not measure white balance.
Subject is too dark or too bright.
71
Image can not be selected as source
Image was not created with D40x.
72
for preset white balance.
Full range of shutter speeds not
Flash in use.
117
available.
• Closest subject selected for AF-area mode: choose
24
another mode.
Can not select focus area.
• Press shutter-release button halfway to activate
14
exposure meters.
Use AE-L/AF-L button to lock focus in AF-C autofocus
Focus does not lock when shuttermode or when photographing moving subjects in 23, 26
release button is pressed halfway.
AF-A mode.

A Note on Electronically-Controlled Cameras
In extremely rare instances, a strong external static charge may cause the
camera may stop functioning. Turn the camera off, remove and replace
the battery (note that the battery may be hot) or disconnect and reconnect the AC adapter, and turn the camera on again. If the problem persists, turn the camera off and press the reset switch (see right; note that
this resets the clock). In the event of continued malfunction, contact your
retailer or a Nikon-authorized service representative.

108 Technical Notes/Troubleshooting

Reset
switch
Connector
cover

Problem

Image in viewfinder is not in focus.

AF-assist illuminator does not light.

Shutter release is disabled.

Solution
• Manual focus selected: if AF-S or AF-I lens is attached,
choose autofocus mode. Otherwise focus manually.
• Camera unable to focus using autofocus: use manual
focus or focus lock.
• Lens is not AF-S or AF-I: use manual focus.
• Mode dial rotated to or : select another mode.
• AF-assist lamp does not light for manual focus or
continuous-servo autofocus. Choose AF-S.
• Center focus area is not selected: select center focus
area
• Choose On for Custom Setting 9 (AF-assist).
• Illuminator has turned off automatically. Illuminator
may become hot with continued use; wait for lamp
to cool down.
• Memory card is full, locked, or not inserted.
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
No photo taken when remote con- •
trol shutter-release button is •
pressed.
•
Only one shot taken each time shutter-release button is pressed in continuous shooting mode.
Camera is slow to record photos.
Date of recording is not correct.
Final photo is larger than area
shown in viewfinder.
Randomly-spaced bright pixels
(“noise”) appears in photographs.
Reddish areas appear in photos.

28, 97
26, 28
28, 97
4, 18–19
23
25
76
—

12, 13,
15
17
Flash is charging.
23
Camera is not in focus.
CPU lens with aperture ring attached without lock- 8, 39
ing aperture at highest f/-number.
Non-CPU lens is attached: rotate camera mode dial 39, 43,
45
to M.
Mode dial rotated to S after shutter speed of bulb 41, 43
selected in mode M: choose new shutter speed.
Replace battery in remote control.
103
Choose remote control mode.
33
Flash is charging.
17
Time selected for Custom Setting 17 (Remote on
79
duration) has passed: reselect remote control
mode.
Bright light is interfering with remote.
—

Continuous shooting is not available when built-in 32, 34,
flash is required.
36
Turn noise reduction off.
73
Set camera clock.
11
Viewfinder horizontal and vertical frame coverage is
—
approximately 95%.
• Lower ISO sensitivity or use noise reduction.
37, 73
• Shutter speed is slower than 8s: use noise reduction.
73
Reddish areas may appear in long time-exposures.
Turn noise reduction on when shooting at shutter 44, 73
speeds of “bulb” or “--”.

Technical Notes/Troubleshooting 109

Problem
Colors are unnatural
Flashing areas appear in images.
Shooting data appear on images.
A graph appears during playback.
RAW image is not played back.
• Some photos are not displayed
during playback.
• Message displayed stating that no
images are available for playback.

Solution
• Select mode P, S, A, or M and adjust white balance to 39, 49
match light source.
• Select mode P, S, A, or M and adjust Optimize image 39, 68
settings.
Press multi selector up or down to choose photo information displayed.

Photo was taken at image quality of NEF+JPEG.

Select All for Playback folder. Note that Current will
automatically be selected when next photo is taken.

66
• Select On for Rotate tall.
88
• Photo was taken with Off selected for Auto image
rotation.
“Tall” (portrait) orientation photos
88
• Camera orientation was changed while shutterare displayed in “wide” (landscape)
release button was pressed in continuous shooting
orientation.
mode.
88
• Camera was pointed up or down when photo was
taken.
• Some retouch options can not be applied to copies.
89
Can not retouch photo.
• Photo created or modified with other device.
90
Can not delete photo.
Photo is protected: remove protection.
54
Can not change print order.
Memory card is full or locked.
13, 15
Photo is in RAW (NEF) format. Transfer to computer
Can not select photo for printing.
55, 57
and print using PictureProject or Capture NX.
Can not print pictures via direct USB
Set USB to MTP/PTP.
58, 84
connection.
Photo is not displayed on TV.
Choose correct video mode.
62, 83
Can not copy photos to computer. Choose correct USB option.
55
Can not use Capture NX.
Update software to latest version.
31, 103
• Set USB to MTP/PTP.
55, 56
Can not use Camera Control Pro.
• Update software to latest version.
103

110 Technical Notes/Troubleshooting

Camera Error Messages and Displays
This section lists common warning indicators and error messages that appear in the viewfinder and monitor.
Message
Viewfinder
Solution
Lock lens aperture ring at
minimum aperture (largest f/Lock ring at minimum aperture (largest f/-number).
(blinks)
number).
/
Lens not attached.
• No lens attached: attach lens.
(blinks)
• Attached lens is not CPU lens: select mode M.
/
Attach a lens.
(blinks)
Initialization error. Turn
Turn camera off, remove and reinsert battery, and
camera off and then on again. (blinks) then turn camera on again.
This battery cannot be used.
Choose battery designated
Insert EN-EL9 battery.
(blinks)
for use in this camera.
Shutter release disabled.
Turn camera off and recharge battery or replace
Recharge battery.
(blinks) with fully-charged spare battery.
Battery level is low. Complete
End cleaning or inspection of low-pass filter and
operation and turn camera
—
turn camera off immediately.
off immediately.
Clock not set.
No SD card inserted.
Memory card is locked.
Slide lock to “write” position.
This memory card cannot be
used. Card may be damaged.
Insert another card.
This card is not formatted.
Format the card.
Card is full.

Subject is too bright.

Subject is too dark.

(blinks)

Set camera clock.

(blinks)

8
39,
43, 45
—
7, 9–
10
9–10,
15
105
11

Insert memory card.
(blinks)

8, 39

12–13

Slide card write-protect switch to “write” position.

• Use Nikon-approved card.
102
• Card may be damaged. Contact retailer or Nikon- x
authorized service representative.
• Delete unwanted files or insert new memory card. 12–13,
20, 65
Format memory card.

13, 81

• Reduce image quality or size.
29–30
• Delete photographs and/or reset sequential file 20,
numbering.
65, 86
• Insert new memory card.
12
37
• Choose lower ISO sensitivity.
39–44
• Increase shutter speed.
• Choose smaller aperture (larger f/-number).
39–44
102
• Use optional Neutral Density (ND) filter.
37
• Choose higher ISO sensitivity.
• Use flash.
34
• Decrease shutter speed.
39–44
• Choose larger aperture (smaller f/-number).
39–44

Technical Notes/Troubleshooting 111

Message
—

—

Flash is in TTL mode. Choose
another setting or use a CPU
lens.
No Bulb in S mode.

Viewfinder
(blinks)

/
(blinks)

(blinks)
(blinks)

Solution
20, 45,
Flash has fired at full power. View photo; if underex48, 50,
posed, adjust settings and try again.
76, 78
• Built-in flash is lowered: raise built-in flash
34
• Reduce distance to subject, use larger aperture, or 37,
increase ISO sensitivity or flash range.
39–44
• Flash head on optional SB-400 Speedlight is in 99
bounce-flash position.
• SB-400 is unable to fully illuminate subject at cur- 99
rent lens focal length. Increase distance to subject
(this warning is not displayed with other optional
Speedlights).
Change flash control mode for optional Speedlight.

Change shutter speed or select mode M.

100

39–44

(blinks)
Unable to measure preset white
balance. Please try again.
FOLDER CONTAINS NO
IMAGES.
FILE DOES NOT CONTAIN
IMAGE DATA.

(blinks)
—
—

CHECK PRINTER.

—

Error. Press shutter release
button again.

(blinks)

Initialization error. Contact
Nikon-authorized service representative.

(blinks)

Camera unable to measure preset white balance.
47, 70
Adjust exposure settings and try again.
• Insert another memory card.
12
• Set Playback folder to All.
66
13,
Delete file or reformat memory card.
20, 65
Insert new ink or toner cartridge in printer. If error
occurs with ink remaining in printer, check printer 60
status.
Press shutter-release button again. If error persists,
x,
consult with Nikon-authorized service representa16–17
tive.
Contact Nikon-authorized service representative.

Help
A blinking is displayed in the monitor or viewfinder indicates that a description of the current problem can be viewed by pressing the button.

112 Technical Notes/Troubleshooting

Appendix
The Appendix covers the following topics:
• Available Settings and Defaults ...............................................................................................................................
• The Command Dial.........................................................................................................................................................
• Memory Card Capacity and Image Quality/Size .................................................................................................
• Exposure Program (Mode P).......................................................................................................................................
• Flash Control....................................................................................................................................................................
• Shutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash...............................................................................................
• Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range..................................................................................................................
• Supported Standards ...................................................................................................................................................
• White Balance and Color Temperature...................................................................................................................

113
115
116
116
117
117
117
117
118

Available Settings and Defaults
The following table lists the settings that can be adjusted in each mode.

Shooting menu

Optimize image
Image quality 1
9
9
Image size 1
White balance 1
9
ISO sensitivity 1
Noise reduction
9
9
1: Beep
9
2: Focus mode 1
93
3: AF-area mode 1
9
4: Shooting mode 1
5: Metering 1
6: No memory card?
9
7: Image review
9
8: Flash compensation 1
9: AF-assist
9
10: ISO auto
11: /Fn button
9
12: AE-L/AF-L
9
13: AE lock
9
14: Built-in flash
15: Auto off timers
9
16: Self-timer
9
17: Remote on duration
9
Flash mode 1
93
95
Autoexposure lock 1
Exposure compensation 1
Flexible program 1, 3
1. Reset with two-button reset ( 38).
2. Reset with Custom Setting R (Reset).
3. Reset with when mode dial is rotated to new setting.
Custom Settings 2
Other settings

9
9

9
9
9
9
93
9

9
9

9
9
9

9
9
9
93
95

9
9
9
94
95

9
9
9
93
95

9
9
9
94
95

9
9
9
93
95

P
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

S
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

A
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

M
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
96

4. Available with optional Speedlight only.
5. Autoexposure lock not recommended in these modes.
6. Affects electronic analog exposure display only; shutter speed and
aperture are not affected.

Technical Notes/Appendix 113

The following defaults are restored with Custom Setting R (Reset):
P
1: Beep
On
2: Focus mode
AF-A
3: AF-area mode
Closest subject
Dynamic Single
4: Shooting mode
Single frame
5: Metering
Matrix
6: No memory card?
Release locked
7: Image review
On
8: Flash compensation
—
9: AF-assist
On
—
On
—
10: ISO auto
—
11: /Fn button
Self-timer
12: AE-L/AF-L
AE/AF lock
13: AE lock
Off
14: Built-in flash
—
15: Auto off timers
Normal
16: Self-timer
10s
17: Remote on duration
1min.
1. Max. sensitivity set to 800, Min. shutter speed set to 1/30s.

Closest subject

Custom Settings

0.0
On
Off 1

TTL

Defaults for other settings are listed below.
P

Current
2s
On

Playback

Playback folder
Slide show: Frame intvl
Rotate tall
Optimize image
Image quality
Image size
White balance
ISO sensitivity
Noise reduction
CSM/Setup menu
Info display format
Auto shooting info
World time
LCD brightness
Video mode
Language
Image comment
USB
Folders
File no. sequence
Auto image rotation
Focus area
Focus lock
Flexible program
AE lock hold
Exposure compensation
Flash mode
* Auto slow sync.
Shooting menu

—

Normal
JPEG normal
Large
Auto

AUTO

Setup menu
Other settings

Auto

114 Technical Notes/Appendix

100
Off
Simple
Graphic
Off
2007.01.01.00:00:00 (format and time zone vary with region of sale)
0
Varies with region of sale
Varies with region of sale
—
Mass storage
ND40X
Off
On
—
Center
—
Off
—
Off
—
Off
—
0.0
Fill flash
— Auto — Auto — Auto Slow *

The Command Dial
The command dial can be used in alone or in combination with other controls to adjust the
following settings. Changes to the affected setting are visible in the viewfinder and shooting information display.
Exposure
Choose a combination of aperture and shutter
speed (flexible program, mode P; 40).
Choose a shutter speed (modes S and M;
Set aperture (mode A;

42).

Set aperture (mode M;

43).

41, 43).

+
Set exposure compensation (modes P, S, and A
47).
Flash settings
+

Choose a flash mode (
M modes; 34–36).

, P, S, A, and

Set flash compensation (P, S, A, and M modes;
48).

Fn button (available when the following options are selected for Custom Setting 11;

77)

Shooting mode

Image quality/size
+
ISO sensitivity

White balance

Technical Notes/Appendix 115

Memory Card Capacity and Image Quality/Size
The following table shows the approximate number of pictures that can be stored on a 1GB
Panasonic Pro HIGH SPEED memory card at different image quality and size settings.
Image size
File size (MB) 1
Number of images 1
Burst capacity 1, 2
—
9.0
79
6
L
4.8
129
100
FINE
M
2.7
225
100
S
1.2
487
100
L
2.4
251
100
NORMAL
M
1.3
431
100
S
0.6
888
100
L
1.2
487
100
BASIC
M
0.7
839
100
S
0.3
1500
100
RAW+BASIC
—/L
10.1 3
70
6
1.All figures are approximate and assume average file size; actual file size and memory card capacity
may vary with scene recorded and make of memory card. If enough memory remains for over 999
photographs, the camera will display the number of exposures remaining in thousands (“K”); for
example, “1.5K” is shown if enough memory remains for 1,500 exposures.
2.Maximum number of frames that can be taken before shooting stops. Actual number of frames may
vary with make of memory card. Additional photographs can be taken as soon as enough memory
is available in memory buffer.
3.Total file size of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images.
Image quality
RAW

Exposure Program (Mode P)
The exposure program for mode P is shown in the following graph.
F (lens focal length)≤55mm
135mm≥F>55mm
F>135mm

Aperture
Shutter speed
The maximum and minimum values for EV vary with ISO sensitivity; the above graph assumes an ISO
sensitivity of ISO 100 equivalent. When matrix metering is used, values over 16 1/3 EV are reduced to
16 1/3 EV.

116 Technical Notes/Appendix

Flash Control ( 99–101)
The following types of flash control are supported when a CPU lens is used in combination
with the built-in flash or optional SB-400, SB-800, or SB-600 Speedlights.
• i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash for Digital SLR: Flash output is adjusted for a natural balance between
the main subject and the background.
• Standard i-TTL Fill-Flash for Digital SLR: Flash output is adjusted for the main subject; the
brightness of the background is not taken into account. Recommended for use with
exposure compensation, for shots in which the main subject is emphasized at the
expense of background details, or when using an SC-series 17, 28, or 29 sync cable.
Standard i-TTL flash control is used with spot metering or when selected with the optional
Speedlight. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used in all other cases.
Shutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash
The following shutter speeds are available when the built-in flash is used.
,

Mode
, , P, A

Shutter speed
1/200–1/60 s
1/200–1/125 s
1/200–1s

Mode
S
M

Shutter speed
1/200–30s
1/200–30s,

Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range
Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture.
100
1.4
2
2.8
4
5.6
8
11
16

Aperture at ISO equivalent of
200
400
800
2
2.8
4
2.8
4
5.6
4
5.6
8
5.6
8
11
8
11
16
11
16
22
16
22
32
22
32
—

Range
1600
5.6
8
11
16
22
32
—
—

m
1.0–7.5
0.7–5.4
0.6–3.8
0.6–2.7
0.6–1.9
0.6–1.4
0.6–0.9
0.6–0.7

ft.
3ft. 3in.–24ft. 7in.
2ft. 4in.–17ft. 9in.
2ft.–12ft. 6in.
2ft.–8ft. 10in.
2ft.–6ft. 3in.
2ft.–4ft. 7in.
2ft.–2ft. 11in.
2ft.–2ft. 4in.

Supported Standards
• DCF Version 2.0: The Design Rule for Camera File Systems (DCF) is a standard widely used in
the digital camera industry to ensure compatibility among different makes of camera.
• DPOF: Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) is an industry-wide standard that allows pictures
to be printed from print orders stored on the memory card.
• Exif version 2.21: The D40x supports Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still
Cameras) version 2.21, a standard in which information stored with photographs is used
for optimal color reproduction when the images are output on Exif-compliant printers.
• PictBridge: A standard developed through cooperation with the digital camera and printer
industries, allowing photographs to be output directly to a printer without first transferring them to a computer.

Technical Notes/Appendix 117

White Balance and Color Temperature
Approximate color temperatures for each white balance setting are given below (values
may differ from color temperatures given by photo color meters):
Fine tuning
White balance
None
–3
–2
–1
+1
+2
+3
Auto
3,500K–8,000K
Fine tuning added to value selected by camera
Incandescent
3,000K
3,300K 3,200K 3,100K 2,900K 2,800K 2,700K
Fluorescent *
4,200K
7,200K 6,500K 5,000K 3,700K 3,000K 2,700K
Dir. sunlight
5,200K
5,600K 5,400K 5,300K 5,000K 4,900K 4,800K
Flash
5,400K
6,000K 5,800K 5,600K 5,200K 5,000K 4,800K
Cloudy
6,000K
6,600K 6,400K 6,200K 5,800K 5,600K 5,400K
Shade
8,000K
9,200K 8,800K 8,400K 7,500K 7,100K 6,700K
White balance preset
—
Not available
* Color temperature range reflects wide variation among fluorescent light sources, ranging from lowtemperature stadium lighting to high-temperature mercury-vapor lamps.

118 Technical Notes/Appendix

Specifications
Type

Single-lens reflex digital camera with interchangeable lenses

Effective pixels

10.2 million

CCD
Image size (pixels)

23.6×15.8mm; total pixels: 10.75 million
• 3,872×2,592 (Large)
• 2,896×1,944 (Medium)

Lens mount

Nikon F mount with AF contacts

• 1,936×1,296 (Small)

Compatible lenses *
Type G or D AF Nikkor
AF-S, AF-I
Other Type G or D Nikkor
PC Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D
Other AF Nikkor †/AI-P Nikkor

All functions supported
All functions supported except autofocus
Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II; electronic
range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
Non-CPU
Can be used with manual focus in mode M, but exposure meter does not function;
electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
* IX Nikkor lenses can not be used
†Excluding lenses for F3AF
Picture angle

Equivalent in 35-mm format is approximately 1.5 times lens focal length.

Viewfinder
Diopter
Eyepoint
Focusing screen
Frame coverage
Magnification

Fixed eye-level penta-Dach mirror type
–1.7–+0.5m-1
18mm (–1.0m-1)
Type B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Approximately 95% of lens (vertical and horizontal)
Approximately 0.8× (50-mm lens at infinity; –1.0m-1)

Reflex mirror

Quick return

Lens aperture

Electronically controlled with instant return

Self-timer

Electronically controlled timer with 2, 5, 10 or 20s duration

Focus-area selection

Focus area can be selected from 3 focus areas

Lens servo

• Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C); auto AFS/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking activated automatically according
to subject status
• Manual focus (M)

Storage
Media
File system
Compression
Autofocus
Detection range
AF-area mode
Focus lock
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)

SD (Secure Digital) memory cards; camera supports SDHC
Compliant with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) 2.0 and Digital Print Order
Format (DPOF)
• NEF (RAW): compressed 12-bit
• JPEG: JPEG baseline-complaint
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus sensor module with AF-assist
illuminator (range approximately 0.5–3.0m/1ft. 8in.–9ft. 10in.)
–1.0–+19EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
Single-area AF, dynamic-area AF, dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority
Focus can be locked by pressing the shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF)
or by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button
100–1600 in steps of 1EV with additional setting one step over 1600

Technical Notes/Specifications 119

Exposure
Metering
Matrix

Exposure compensation
Exposure lock

Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering system
3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU
lenses); metering performed by 420-pixel RGB sensor
Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame
Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
0–20EV (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
2–20EV (spot metering)
CPU coupling
Digital Vari-Program ( auto,
auto/no flash, portrait,
landscape,
child,
sports,
close-up,
night portrait); programmed auto (P) with flexible program;
shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M)
–5–+5EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

Shutter
Speed

Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter
30–¼,000 s in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb

White balance

Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor); six manual modes with fine tuning and preset white balance

Built-in flash

• , , , , : Auto flash with auto pop-up
• P, S, A, M: Manual pop-up with button release
• Approximately 12/39 at ISO 100 and 20°C/68°F (manual 13/42)

Center-weighted
Spot
Range (ISO 100 equivalent,
f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
Exposure meter coupling
Digital Vari-Program/
exposure modes

Guide number (m/ft)
Flash
Sync contact
Flash control
TTL

X-contact only; flash synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/200 s

Accessory shoe
Nikon Creative Lighting
System

TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and
standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in
flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600
Available with SB-800 and CPU lens
Available with such Speedlights as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s
Available with SB-800
• , , , : Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction
available with optional Speedlight
• : Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync; slow sync with red-eye
reduction and slow sync available with optional Speedlight
• , : Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
• P, A: Fill flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync with red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear-curtain with slow sync
• S, M: Fill flash, red-eye reduction, rear-curtain sync
–3–+1EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Lights when built-in flash or SB-series Speedlight such as 400, 800, or 600 is fully
charged; blinks for about 3s after flash is fired at full output
Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal, and ground contacts and safety lock
Supported with built-in flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600; Advanced Wireless Lighting
supported with SB-800 or SU-800 as Commander.

Monitor

2.5in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Video output

Can be selected from NTSC and PAL

External interface

Hi-Speed USB

Tripod socket

¼in. (ISO 1222)

Firmware upgrades

Firmware can be upgraded by user

Auto aperture
Non-TTL auto
Range-priority manual
Flash mode

Flash compensation
Flash-ready indicator

120 Technical Notes/Specifications

Supported languages

Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian,
Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Power source

• One rechargeable Nikon EN-EL9 Li-ion battery; charging voltage (MH-23 quick
charger): 7.4V DC
• EH-5 AC adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5 AC adapter connector)

Dimensions (W×D×H)

Approximately 126×64×94mm (5.0×2.5×3.7in.)

Approximate weight

495g (1lb. 1oz.) without battery, memory card, or body cap

Operating environment
Temperature
Humidity

0–+40°C (+32–104°F)
Less than 85% (no condensation)

Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with a fully-charged battery operating at an ambient temperature of 20°C (68°F).

EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Type

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Rated capacity

7.4V/1000mAh

Dimensions (W×D×H)

Approximately 36×56×14mm (1.4×2.2×0.6in.)

Approximate weight

51g (1.8oz.), excluding power cable

Battery Life
Battery life varies with charge state and shooting conditions. The number of shots that can be taken
with a fully-charged EN-EL9 battery (1000mAh) is approximately 520 shots in single-frame shooting
mode and 2,000 shots in continuous shooting mode. Battery life for single frame shooting mode is
measured according to CIPA standards (lens cycled from infinity to minimum range and shutter
released at default settings once every 30s; flash fired with every other shot). Battery life for continuous shooting mode is measured with image quality set to JPEG Basic, an image size of M, a shutter
speed of ½50 s, the shutter release pressed halfway for three seconds and focus then cycled from infinity to minimum range three times; after six shots, the monitor is turned on for five seconds and then
turned off; the cycle is repeated once exposure meters have turned off. All measurements are performed with an 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens.
The following can reduce battery life:
• Using the monitor
• Taking RAW (NEF) photographs
• Keeping the shutter-release button pressed half- • Slow shutter speeds
way
• Using vibration reduction with VR lenses
• Repeated autofocus operations
To ensure maximum battery performance:
• Keep the battery contacts clean. Soiled contacts can reduce battery performance.
• Use batteries immediately after charging. Batteries will lose their charge if left unused.
The battery level displayed by the camera may vary with changes in temperature.
Specifications
Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in this
manual at any time and without prior notice. Nikon will not be held liable for damages that may result
from any mistakes that this manual may contain.

Technical Notes/Specifications 121

MH-23 Quick Charger
Rated input

AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz

Rated output

DC 8.4V/0.9A

Supported batteries

EN-EL9 rechargeable Li-ion batteries

Charging time

Approximately 90 minutes

Operating temperature

0–+40°C (+32–104°F)

Dimensions (W×D×H)

Approximately 82.5×65×28mm (3.2×2.6×1.1in.)

Length of cord

Approximately 1.8m (5ft. 11in.)

Approximate weight

80g (2.8oz.), excluding power cable

18–55 mm f/3.5–5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Available Separately)
Type

G-type AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens with built-in CPU and Nikon mount

Supported cameras

Nikon DX-format digital cameras

Focal length

18–55mm

Max. reproduction ratio

1:3.5–5.6

Construction

7 elements in 5 groups (including 1 ED glass element and 1 aspherical element)

Angle

76°–28° 50´

Zoom positions

18, 24, 35, 45, 55

Distance information

Supplied to camera body

Zoom

Zoom adjusted by rotating lens ring

Focus

Autofocus with low-noise motor; manual focus

Min. focus distance

0.28m (11in.) at all zoom positions

Aperture

Seven blade diaphragm with auto aperture

Aperture range

f/3.5–22 (18mm zoom); f/5.6–38 (55mm zoom)

Metering

Maximum aperture

Filter diameter

52mm (P=0.75mm)

Dimensions (W×D×H)

Approximately 70.5mm diameter×74mm/2.8×3.0in. from standard bayonet mount
surface to front of lens

Approximate weight

205g (7.2oz.)

Lens hood

HB-33 (available separately; attaches as shown below)

The minimum aperture available when a 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is used
with the D40x is f/36.

122 Technical Notes/Specifications

Index
Symbols
3D color matrix metering II.
See Metering
420-pixel RGB sensor. See
Metering; White balance
(aperture) button, 2, 43
(auto/flash off mode), 4, 18
(child mode), 4, 19
(close-up mode), 4, 19
(continuous shooting indicator), 6, 32
(delete) button, 3, 20, 54
/Fn button (Custom Settings menu), 77,115
(exposure compensation),
5, 6, 47
(exposure compensation)
button, 2, 47
(flash compensation), 5, 6,
48
(flash compensation) button, 2, 48
(flash-ready indicator), 5,
17, 111–112
(flash mode) button, 2, 34
? (help) button, 3
? (help indicator), 3, 111–112
(landscape mode), 4, 18
(night portrait mode), 4, 19
(playback) button, 3, 20, 50
(playback zoom) button, 3,
50, 52, 53
(portrait mode), 4, 18
(protect) button, 3, 54
(remote control indicator),
32, 33
(self-timer) button, 2, 33
(self timer indicator), 32, 33
(sports mode), 4, 19
(thumbnail) button, 3, 50,
52, 53
A
A. See Aperture-priority auto
Accessories. See also Battery;
Lens; Flash, optional
optional, 96–103
supplied, 7
(AE-L/AF-L) button, 3, 46, 77
Adobe RGB. See Color mode
Advanced Wireless Lighting,
100
AE-L/AF-L (Custom Settings
menu), 77
AE lock (Custom Settings
menu), 77
AF-A. See Focus, mode
AF-area mode. See Focus, AFarea mode

AF-area mode (Custom Settings menu), 24, 75
AF-assist (Custom Settings
menu), 76
AF-assist illuminator, 2, 23, 76
AF-C. See Focus, mode
AF-S. See Focus, mode
AF-S/AF-I. See Lens, AF-S/AF-I
Aperture, 6, 39–44, 117
maximum, 28, 42, 43,101
minimum, 8, 39, 42, 43
Aperture-priority auto, 39, 42
Autoexposure lock, 46, 77. See
also AE lock
Autofocus. See Focus
Auto image rotation (setup
menu), 88
Auto meter off, 14
(auto mode), 4, 15–17
Auto off timers (Custom Settings menu), 78
Auto shooting info (setup
menu), 83
B
BASIC. See Image quality
Battery, 7, 9–10, 15, 103, 106–
107, 121. See also Clock, battery
EN-EL9, 7, 9–10, 103, 121
inserting, 9–10
life, 121
storage, 106–107
Beep (Custom Settings menu),
74
Black and white, 68, 92
Blur, reducing, 32, 41, 44. See
also Self timer; Shooting
mode, delayed remote;
Shooting mode, quickresponse remote
Brightness. See Exposure;
Flash, level; LCD brightness;
Monitor, brightness of
Built-in flash (Custom Settings menu), 78
Bulb. See Long time-exposures
Burst. See Shooting mode,
continuous
C
Camera Control Pro, 56, 103
Capture NX, 31, 87, 103
Center-weighted. See Metering
Clock, 83, 111
battery, 83
Close up, 4, 19
Closest subject priority. See
Focus, AF-area mode

CLS. See Creative Lighting System
Color. See Color mode; Filter
effects; Hue; Saturation;
White balance
Color mode, 69
Color profile. See Color mode
Color space. See Color mode
Color temperature, 70, 118. See
also White balance
Computer, 55–56
Continuous. See Shooting
mode, continuous
Continuous-servo AF. See
Focus, autofocus, mode
Contrast, 68–69. See also Optimize image; Tone compensation
Copies. See Small picture
Creative Lighting System (CLS),
99–101
Crop, 59, 91. See also Printing,
cropping pictures for; Trim
CSM/Setup menu (setup
menu), 80–81
Custom Settings, 74–79
D
Date, 11, 83. See also Clock;
World time
Daylight saving time, 11, 83.
See also World time
DCF. See Design Rule for Camera File System
Default settings, 38, 74, 113–
114. See also Reset; Two-button reset
Delete, 20, 54, 65. See also
Memory card, formatting; Protecting photographs
all images, 65
selected images, 65
single-frame playback, 20, 54
Delete (playback menu), 65
Depth of field, 39–40, 42
Design Rule for Camera File
System, 117
Digital Print Order Format, 57,
60–61, 117
Digital Vari-Program, 4, 18–19
Diopter, 14. See also Viewfinder
D-lighting, 90
D-lighting (retouch menu), 90
DPOF See Digital Print Order
Format
Dust off ref photo (setup
menu), 87
Dynamic area AF. See Focus,
AF-area mode

E
Electronic range finder. See
Focus, manual
Exif version 2.21, 117
Exposure, 39–44, 45–48,. See
also Aperture; Aperture-priority auto; Autoexposure lock;
Programmed auto; Shutterpriority auto; Shutter speed;
Manual mode
compensation, 47
electronic analog exposure
display, 43
meters, 14, 78
program, 116
Eyepiece cap, 7, 33
F
File, 29–31, 51, 86, 116
format, 31, 117
File no. sequence (setup
menu), 86
Filter. See also Accessories,
optional; Filter effects
Neutral Density (ND), 102,
111
Filter effects (retouch menu),
92
Firmware. See Firmware version
Firmware version (setup
menu), 86
FINE. See Image quality
Flash
built in, 2, 17, 34–36, 78
compensation, 48
level, 76
mode, 34–36
optional, 99–101
range, 117
ready indicator, 5, 17, 111–
112
remote, 99
Flexible program. See Programmed auto
(function) button, 2, 77,
115
Focus, 23–28
AF-area mode, 24, 75
area, 24, 25
center, 19, 25
autofocus, 23–27
lock, 26–27
manual, 28
mode, 23, 75
tracking, 119
Folder, 51, 66, 85
playback, 66
recording, 85
Folders (setup menu), 85

Index 123

Format memory card (setup
menu), 13, 81

M
M. See Image size
M. See Manual mode
H
Manual mode, 39, 43–44
Help, 3, 112
Mass storage. See USB, Mass
Highlights, 52
storage
Histogram, 52, 92
Matrix. See Metering
Hue, 69
Memory buffer, 32, 116
Memory card, 12–13, 81, 102,
I
116
(setting) button, 3, 22
approved, 102
Illuminator. See AF-assist illucapacity, 116
minator
formatting, 12–13, 81
Image comment (setup
lock, 13
menu), 84
(menu) button, 3, 63–64
Image overlay (retouch
Menus, 63–95. See also CSM/
menu), 94–95
Setup menu
Image quality, 29–31, 70
using, 63–64
NEF (RAW), 30–31
Metering, 45–46, 75
Image quality (shooting
Mirror, 86, 104, 105
menu), 30, 70
Image sensor, 30, 86, 105, 106 Mirror lock-up (setup menu),
86, 105
dimensions of, 119
Mode, 4. See also Aperture-priImage size, 29–31, 70
Image review (Custom Setority auto; Auto mode; Digital
tings menu), 75
Vari-Program; Programmed
Image size (shooting menu),
auto; Manual mode; Shutter30, 70
priority auto
(shooting information) but- Monitor, 3, 6, 50, 104
ton, 2, 22
auto off, 14, 78
Info display format (setup
brightness of, 83
menu), 81–82
Monochrome, 68, 92. See also
ISO auto (Custom Settings
Black and white
menu), 76
Monochrome (retouch
ISO sensitivity, 37, 73, 76
menu), 92
auto, 37, 76
Moving subjects. See
ISO sensitivity (shooting
(sports mode); Focus, autofomenu), 37, 73
cus, mode
i-TTL flash control, 78, 99–101 MTP/PTP. See USB, MTP/PTP
J
JPEG, 29–31, 57, 116
K
K. See Number of exposures
remaining
L
L. See Image size
Landscapes. See
(landscape mode)
Language, 84, 121
Language (setup menu), 84
LCD brightness (setup
menu), 83
Lens, 1, 8, 97–98, 122
AF-S/AF-I, 1, 8, 97
non-CPU, 97–98
Lighting. See Flash; White balance
Long time-exposures, 44
Low-pass filter, 86, 105
cleaning, 105

124 Index

N
ND. See Filter, Neutral Density
(ND)
NEF (RAW). See Image quality,
NEF (RAW)
Neutral Density. See Filter,
Neutral Density (ND)
Night photography. See
(night portrait mode)
Noise, 37, 44, 73, 76. See also
Noise reduction
Noise reduction (shooting
menu), 73
No memory card? (Custom
Settings menu), 75
Non-CPU lens. See Lens, nonCPU
NORMAL. See Image quality
Number of exposures remaining, 5, 6, 15

S
S. See Image size
S. See Shutter-priority auto
(single-frame shooting
indicator), 32
Saturation, 68–69
P
SD. See Memory card
P. See Programmed auto
Secure Digital. See Memory
PictBridge, 57–61, 117
card
PictureProject, 31, 55–56, 57,
Self timer. See Shooting mode,
88, 103
self timer
Picture Transfer Protocol. See
Self-timer (Custom Settings
USB, MTP/PTP
menu), 79
(flexible program indicator),
Self-portraits. See Remote con5, 40
trol; Self timer
Playback, 20, 50–54
Sensitivity. See ISO sensitivity
full frame, 20, 50
Sepia. See Monochrome
menu, 65–67
Setup menu, 80–88
thumbnail, 52
Sharpening, 69
zoom, 53
Shooting information display,
Playback folder (playback
6, 22, 81–83
menu), 66
Shooting menu, 68–73
Portraits. See
(portrait
Shooting mode, 32–33, 75, 77
mode);
(night portrait
continuous, 32
mode); Optimize image
delayed remote, 32–33
PRE. See White balance, preset
quick-response remote, 32–
Printing, 57–61. See also Pict33
Bridge; Print set (DPOF)
self timer, 32–33, 77
cropping pictures for, 59
single frame, 32
Print set (DPOF) (playback
Shutter, 17, 41
menu), 60–61, 67
speed, 6, 39–44. See also
Programmed auto, 39, 40
Exposure
Protecting photographs, 54
Shutter-priority auto, 39, 41
Q
Single area AF. See Focus, AFQuality. See Image quality
area mode
Single frame. See Shooting
R
mode, single frame
RAW. See Image quality, NEF
Single-servo autofocus. See
(RAW)
Focus, autofocus, mode
Rear curtain sync. See Flash,
Size. See Image size
mode
Slide show. See Slide show
Red eye correction (retouch
Slide show (playback menu),
menu), 91
67
Red-eye reduction. See Flash,
Slow sync. See Flash mode
mode
Small picture (retouch
Remote. See Accessories,
menu), 92–93
optional; Shooting mode,
Speedlight. See Flash
delayed remote; Shooting
Spot. See Metering
mode, quick-response remote
sRGB. See Color mode
Remote control, 32–33, 103
T
Remote on duration (CusTelevision, 62, 103
tom Settings menu), 79
Time, 11, 83. See also Clock;
Reset. See Reset
World time
Reset (Custom Settings
Time exposure. See Long time
menu), 74
exposures
Retouch menu, 89–95
Thumbnail. See Playback,
Rotate tall (playback menu),
thumbnail
66
Trim (retouch menu), 91
Rotating photographs, 66, 88
Tone compensation, 69
Two-button reset, 38
O
Optimize image (shooting
menu), 68–69
Options. See Accessories,
optional

U
USB, 55–56, 57–58, 84
cable, 55–56, 57–58
Mass storage, 55, 84
MTP/PTP, 55, 84
USB (setup menu), 55, 84
V
Video cable, 62, 103
Video device, 62
Video mode (setup menu),
62, 83
VIDEO OUT, 2, 62
Viewfinder, 5, 14, 16, 102, 111–
112
accessories, 102
focus, 14
indicators, 5, 111–112
Viewing photographs. See
Playback
W
(white balance indicator), 6,
49, 70–72
White balance, 49, 70–72. See
also Color temperature
preset, 49, 70–72
White balance (shooting
menu), 49, 70–72
World time (setup menu), 11,
83

Index 125

126

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