What To Know
- Located on the top right of the camera, the mode dial allows you to select the shooting mode, such as Program (P), Aperture-priority (A), Shutter-priority (S), Manual (M), and various automatic modes.
- The multi-selector, located on the back of the camera, is a four-way button that allows you to navigate through menus, select focus points, and access various functions.
- The Live View button, also on the back of the camera, activates the live view mode, which displays the scene on the LCD screen.
The Nikon D700 is a powerful DSLR that offers a wide range of settings and features. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, knowing how to change settings on your Nikon D700 is crucial for capturing stunning images. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential settings and how to adjust them to achieve your desired results.
Understanding the Nikon D700’s Interface
Before diving into specific settings, let’s familiarize ourselves with the Nikon D700’s layout. The camera’s body is designed for intuitive operation, with dedicated buttons and dials for quick access to key functions.
- Mode Dial: Located on the top right of the camera, the mode dial allows you to select the shooting mode, such as Program (P), Aperture-priority (A), Shutter-priority (S), Manual (M), and various automatic modes.
- Command Dial: The command dial, positioned near the mode dial, is used for scrolling through menus, adjusting settings, and navigating the camera’s interface.
- Multi Selector: The multi-selector, located on the back of the camera, is a four-way button that allows you to navigate through menus, select focus points, and access various functions.
- Live View Button: The Live View button, also on the back of the camera, activates the live view mode, which displays the scene on the LCD screen.
- Info Button: The Info button, located to the left of the multi-selector, provides detailed information about the current settings and exposure values.
Navigating the Menu System
The Nikon D700’s menu system is organized into various sections, each containing related settings. To access the menu, press the “Menu” button, located on the back of the camera. You can navigate through the menus using the multi-selector and confirm your choices with the “OK” button.
Essential Settings to Master
1. Image Quality and File Format
- Image Size: Choose the appropriate image size based on your needs. Smaller sizes like “Small” or “Medium” are suitable for quick sharing, while “Large” provides maximum detail for printing or editing.
- Image Quality: The “Image Quality” setting determines the level of compression applied to the image file. “RAW” provides the highest quality and flexibility for post-processing, while JPEG offers smaller file sizes and is ideal for quick sharing.
- File Format: Choose between JPEG, RAW, or RAW+JPEG. RAW captures the maximum amount of data, while JPEG is a compressed format suitable for general photography.
2. Exposure Settings
- ISO Sensitivity: ISO determines the camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO values allow for shooting in low-light conditions but can introduce noise (grain) into the image.
- Aperture: Aperture controls the amount of light entering the lens. A wider aperture (lower f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background, while a smaller aperture (higher f-number) provides greater depth of field, keeping both foreground and background sharp.
- Shutter Speed: Shutter speed controls the duration the shutter remains open, allowing light to reach the sensor. Faster shutter speeds freeze motion, while slower shutter speeds create motion blur.
- Exposure Compensation: This setting allows you to adjust the overall exposure of the image. Use positive values to brighten the image and negative values to darken it.
3. Focusing Settings
- Focus Mode: Choose between “Single-servo AF” (AF-S) for stationary subjects and “Continuous-servo AF” (AF-C) for moving subjects.
- Focus Area: Select the area on the sensor where the camera will focus. Options include “Single-point AF” for precise focusing and “Dynamic-area AF” for tracking moving subjects.
- Focus Point Selection: Use the multi-selector to choose the specific focus point you want to use.
4. White Balance Settings
- Preset White Balance: Choose from various presets like “Auto,” “Daylight,” “Cloudy,” “Fluorescent,” and “Tungsten” to adjust the white balance based on the lighting conditions.
- Custom White Balance: Use the custom white balance setting to create a custom white balance profile based on a specific light source.
5. Metering Modes
- Center-weighted Metering: This mode focuses on the center of the frame, making it suitable for general photography.
- Spot Metering: This mode measures the light from a small area of the frame, ideal for precise exposure control.
- Matrix Metering: This mode analyzes the entire scene and determines the optimal exposure based on the subject and lighting conditions.
6. Picture Styles
- Picture Styles: Picture styles affect the overall look and feel of your images. Choose from options like “Standard,” “Neutral,” “Vivid,” and “Monotone” to enhance contrast, saturation, and sharpness.
7. Custom Settings
- Custom Settings (C1-C3): The D700 allows you to save custom settings for different shooting scenarios. You can customize various settings, including exposure compensation, white balance, focus mode, and picture style, and assign them to the C1-C3 buttons for quick access.
Mastering Your Nikon D700: Beyond the Basics
- Shooting Modes: Explore different shooting modes like Program (P), Aperture-priority (A), Shutter-priority (S), and Manual (M) to understand their functionalities and how they affect your images.
- Live View Mode: Utilize the Live View mode for precise composition and to take advantage of features like “Focus peaking” and “Zoom.”
- Custom Function (Fn) Buttons: Assign frequently used functions to the Fn buttons for quick access.
- Image Review: Use the image review function to quickly evaluate your shots and make adjustments on the go.
- Auto bracketing: Explore features like Auto bracketing to capture a series of images with different exposures, giving you more flexibility in post-processing.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Photography with the Nikon D700
Understanding and utilizing the settings on your Nikon D700 is crucial for capturing stunning images. By mastering these settings and experimenting with different options, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful DSLR and express your creativity through photography. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to play around with the settings and find what works best for you.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
1. How do I reset the Nikon D700 to factory settings?
To reset the Nikon D700 to factory settings, go to the “Setup Menu” and select “Reset settings.” Confirm your choice to restore the camera to its default settings.
2. Can I shoot in RAW format without JPEG?
Yes, you can choose to shoot in RAW format without JPEG. This will save only the RAW files, which are uncompressed and offer maximum flexibility for editing.
3. What is the difference between “Single-servo AF” and “Continuous-servo AF”?
“Single-servo AF” (AF-S) is ideal for stationary subjects, focusing once and locking the focus. “Continuous-servo AF” (AF-C) is designed for moving subjects, continuously adjusting focus as the subject moves.
4. How do I use the custom settings (C1-C3)?
To use custom settings, first, customize the settings you want to save under a specific custom setting (C1-C3). Then, press the corresponding button (C1, C2, or C3) while shooting to activate those settings.
5. What is the purpose of picture styles?
Picture styles affect the overall look and feel of your images. They adjust settings like contrast, saturation, and sharpness to create different visual effects.
