This document provides details about the Nikon D700 digital SLR camera, including: - An overview of the camera's key components and controls. - Explanations of the camera's exposure modes, metering modes, focus modes, and other functions. - Guidance on setting up options like image quality, white balance, ISO, and custom settings. - Tips for capturing great photos using advanced shooting techniques and working with lighting. - Appendices with specifications, recommended accessories, and online resources. The document is a field guide for users of the Nikon D700, providing comprehensive reference information about the camera's features and setup to help photographers get the most out of its capabilities.

3. Nikon D700
®
Digital Field Guide

5. Nikon D700®
Digital Field Guide
J. Dennis Thomas

6. Nikon® D700 Digital Field Guide
Published by
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Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-0-470-41320-3
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7. About the Author
J. Dennis Thomas is a freelance photographer based out of Austin, Texas. He’s been using
a camera for fun and profit for almost 25 years. Schooled in photography first in high school
then at Austin College, he has won numerous awards for both his film and digital photogra-
phy. Denny has a passion for teaching others about photography and teaches black-and-
white film photography to middle school students as well as lighting and digital photography
seminars in Austin. He enjoys all types of photography and his photographic subjects are
diverse, from weddings and studio portraits to concerts and extreme sports events. He has
written six highly successful Digital Field Guides for Wiley Publishing and has another in the
works. His work has been featured in numerous galleries, magazines, and newspapers in
the central Texas area and beyond.

8. Credits
Acquisitions Editor Vice President and Executive Group
Courtney Allen Publisher
Richard Swadley
Project Editor
Jama Carter Vice President and Executive Publisher
Barry Pruett
Technical Editor
Michael Corrado Project Coordinator
Erin Smith
Copy Editor
Lauren Kennedy Graphics and Production Specialists
Andrea Hornberger
Editorial Manager Jennifer Mayberry
Robyn B. Siesky Christin Swinford
Business Manager Quality Control Technician
Amy Knies John Greenough
Senior Marketing Manager Proofreading
Sandy Smith Linda Quigley
Indexing
Galen Schroeder

9. Acknowledgments
Thanks to Courtney, Cricket, Jama, and Laura at Wiley. Thanks to Robert at Precision Camera
in Austin for always getting me the camera as soon as it arrives. A special thanks to every-
one who appears in my photos, without you the images would have no subject.

11. Contents at a Glance
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xix
Part I: Using the Nikon D700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1: Exploring the Nikon D700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Chapter 2: Nikon D700 Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Chapter 3: Setting Up the Nikon D700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Part II: Capturing Great Images with the Nikon D700 . . . . . . . . . . 113
Chapter 4: Selecting and Using Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Chapter 5: Essential Photography Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Chapter 6: Working with Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Chapter 7: Advanced Shooting Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Chapter 8: Viewing and In-Camera Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Part III: Appendixes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Appendix A: Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Appendix B: D700 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Appendix C: Online Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

13. Contents
Acknowledgments vii Shooting Info Display 24
Chapter 2: Nikon D700
Part I: Using the Essentials 31
Nikon D700 1
Chapter 1: Exploring the Nikon
D700 3
Exposure Modes 31
Programmed Auto 32
Aperture Priority 33
Shutter Priority 34
Manual 35
Metering Modes 36
D700 FX-format CMOS Sensor 3
Matrix 36
From analog to digital 4
Center-weighted 38
CMOS versus CCD 4
Spot 39
CCD 4
Focus Modes 39
CMOS 4
How the D700 autofocus
Pixels 5 works 39
Micro-lenses 5 Phase detection 40
Interpreting color 5 Contrast detection 40
Key Components of the D700 5 Continuous 40
Top of the camera 6 Single 41
Back of the camera 8 Manual 41
Front of the camera 11 Autofocus Area Modes 41
Right front 12 Single-area AF 42
Left front 13 Dynamic-area AF 42
Sides and bottom of camera 14 9 points 43
Right side 14 21 points 43
Left side 15 51 points 43
Bottom 15 51 points (3D-tracking) 43
Viewfinder Display 16 Auto-area AF 43
Control Panel 20

14. ISO Sensitivity 44 Playback Menu 65
Auto ISO 44 Delete 66
Noise reduction 45 Playback folder 67
Long exposure NR 46 Hide image 67
High ISO NR 46 Display mode 67
White Balance 47 Image review 68
What is Kelvin? 47 After delete 68
White balance settings 48 Rotate tall 69
Picture Controls 51 Slide show 69
Original Picture Controls 51 Print set (DPOF) 69
Optional Picture Controls 52 Shooting Menu 70
Custom Picture Controls 52 Shooting menu bank 70
JPEG 57 Reset shooting menu 72
TIFF 59 Active folder 72
Image Size 59 File naming 73
Image Quality 59 Image quality 73
NEF (RAW) 60 Image size 74
Type of compression 60 Image area 74
Bit depth 61 JPEG compression 75
Live View 63 NEF (RAW) recording 75
White balance 76
Chapter 3: Setting Up Using standard WB
the Nikon D700 65 settings 76
Choosing a color
temperature 77
Preset white balance 78
Set Picture Control 80
Manage Picture Control 81
Color space 82
Active D-Lighting 82
Vignette control 83
Long exp. NR 84
High ISO NR 84
ISO sensitivity settings 85
Live view 85
Multiple exposure 85
Interval timer shooting 86
Custom Settings Menu 87
Custom setting bank 87
Reset custom settings 87
CSM a – Autofocus 87
a1 – AF-C priority selection 87
a2 – AF-S priority selection 88

15. a3 – Dynamic AF area 88 d11 – Battery order 94
a4 – Focus tracking with CSM e – Bracketing/flash 95
lock-on 89 e1 – Flash sync speed 95
a5 – AF activation 89 e2 – Flash shutter speed 95
a6 – AF point illumination 89 e3 – Flash cntrl for
a7 – Focus point built-in flash 95
wrap-around 89 e4 – Modeling flash 96
a8 – AF point selection 89 e5 – Auto bracketing set 96
a9 – Built-in AF-assist e6 – Auto bracketing
illuminator 89 (Mode M) 96
a10 – AF-ON for MB-D10 90 e7 – Bracketing order 96
CSM b – Metering/exposure 90 CSM f – Controls 96
b1 – ISO sensitivity step f1 – Switch 96
value 90 f2 – Multi selector center
b2 – EV steps for exposure button 97
cntrl. 91 f3 – Multi selector 98
b3 – Exp comp/fine tune 91 f4 – Photo info/playback 98
b4 – Easy exposure f5 – Assign FUNC. button 98
compensation 91
f6 – Assign preview
b5 – Center-weighted area 91 button 100
b6 – Fine tune optimal f7 – Assign AE-L/AF-L
exposure 91 button 100
CSM c – Timers/AE lock 92 f8 – Shutter spd &
c1 – Shutter-release aperture lock 100
button AE-L 92 f9 – Customize
c2 – Auto meter-off delay 92 command dials 100
c3 – Self-timer delay 92 f10 – Release button
c4 – Monitor off delay 92 to use dial 101
CSM d – Shooting/display 92 f11 – No memory card? 101
d1 – Beep 92 f12 – Reverse indicators 101
d2 – Viewfinder grid Setup Menu 101
display 92 Format memory card 102
d3 – Screen tips 93 LCD brightness 102
d4 – CL mode shooting Clean image sensor 102
speed 93 Lock mirror up for cleaning 103
d5 – Max. continuous Video mode 103
release 93
HDMI 103
d6 – File number
World time 103
sequence 93
Language 103
d7 – Shooting info display 94
Image comment 104
d8 – LCD illumination 94
Auto image rotation 104
d9 – Exposure delay
mode 94 Dust off ref photo 104
d10 – MB-D10 battery Battery info 104
type 94 Wireless transmitter 105

16. Image authentication 105 Third-Party Lenses 135
Copyright information 105 Sigma 135
Save/load settings 105 Tamron 136
GPS 105 Tokina 137
Virtual horizon 106 Lens Accessories 137
Non-CPU lens data 106 Teleconverters 137
AF fine tune 107 Extension tubes 138
Firmware version 108 Filters 138
Retouch Menu 108
My Menu 109 Chapter 5: Essential
Quick Settings Display 110 Photography Concepts 141
Part II: Capturing Great
Images with the Nikon
D700 113
Chapter 4: Selecting and
Using Lenses 115
Wide-Angle and Ultrawide Lenses 116
When to use a wide-angle
lens 119
Understanding limitations 119 Exposure 141
Mid-Range or Standard Zoom Shutter speed 142
Lenses 120 Using fast shutter speeds 142
Telephoto Lenses 123 Using slow shutter speeds 143
Special Purpose Lenses 126 ISO 145
Perspective Control lenses 126 Aperture 146
Macro (Micro-NIKKOR) Understanding Depth of Field 146
lenses 128 Exposure Compensation 148
Fisheye lenses 129 Histograms 149
Using VR Lenses 130 Bracketing 154
Using DX Lenses 131 White Balance bracketing 157

17. Chapter 6: Working Flash Exposure Compensation 168
with Light 159 Fill flash 168
Bounce flash 170
Nikon Creative Lighting
System Basics 171
Understanding the Creative
Lighting System 172
Speedlights 173
SB-900 Speedlight 173
SB-800 Speedlight 174
SB-600 Speedlight 174
SB-400 Speedlight 175
SU-800 Wireless
Speedlight
commander 175
R1/R1C1 Macro flash 176
Using the Built-In Speedlight 177
Studio Strobes 178
Continuous Lighting 181
Incandescent and halogen 182
Fluorescent 183
HMI 184
Light Modifiers 184
Umbrellas 184
Natural Light 159
Softboxes 185
D700 Flash Basics 160
Diffusion panels 186
Achieving proper exposures 161
Other light modifiers 187
Guide Number 161
Aperture 162
Chapter 7: Advanced
Distance 162
Shooting Techniques 191
GN / Distance = Aperture 162
Flash exposure modes 162
i-TTL 162
Manual 163
Auto 163
Auto Aperture 163
Guide Number distance
priority 163
Repeating flash 163
Flash sync modes 164 Action and Sports Photography 191
Sync speed 164 Techniques 193
Front-curtain sync 165 Action and sports
Red-eye reduction 165 photography tips 196
Slow sync 166
Rear-curtain sync 167

18. Architectural Photography 196 Retouch Menu Options 228
Perspective 197 D-Lighting 228
Architectural photography Red-eye correction 228
tips 199 Trim 229
Concert Photography 200 Monochrome 229
Techniques 201 Filter effects 231
Concert photography tips 204 Color balance 231
Macro Photography 205 Image overlay 232
Macro lens alternatives 206 Side-by-side comparison 233
Macro photography tips 207
Night Photography 208
Techniques 208
Part III: Appendixes 235
Night photography tips 209
Appendix A: Accessories 237
Portrait Photography 210
Studio considerations 211
Portrait lighting patterns 212
Posing and composition
considerations 214
Indoor 217
Outdoor 218
Portrait photography tips 219
Product and Still-Life Photography 219
Considerations 219
Product and still-life MB-D10 Battery Grip 237
photography tips 221 WT-4a Wireless Transmitter 238
Wildlife Photography 221 ML-3 Modulite Remote
Considerations 222 Control Set 239
Wildlife photography tips 224 MC-36 Multi-Function Remote
Cord 239
Chapter 8: Viewing and Tripods 239
In-Camera Editing 225 When to use a tripod 240
Which tripod is right for you? 241
Camera Bags and Cases 241
Appendix B: D700
Specifications 243
Viewing Your Images 225
The Retouch menu 226

19. Appendix C: Online Photo Sharing and Critiquing
Sites 250
Resources 249
Flickr.com 250
Photoworkshop.com 250
ShotAddict.com 250
Online Photography Magazines 250
Communication Arts 250
Digital Photographer 250
Digital Photo Pro 250
Outdoor Photographer 250
Photo District News 250
Popular Photography
Informational Web Sites 249 & Imaging 250
Nikonusa.com 249 Shutterbug 250
Nikon School 249
Glossary 251
Nikonians.org 249
Photo.net 250
Index 257

21. Introduction
Welcome to the Nikon D700 Digital Field Guide. This guide is a handy reference book to get
you started using your new camera and help you understand the different features and
functions that this amazing camera offers.
It is aimed at a wide variety of readers, from beginners to advanced amateurs. Some of you
are familiar with many of the concepts, while others of you may be new to digital photogra-
phy with a digital single lens reflex (dSLR) or new to photography altogether. You’ll find
sections to help you, regardless of your level.
With its many different buttons and features, the D700 can be daunting. My goal is to
explain these settings and features as clearly as possible as you learn the layout of the D700
and how to use the features out in the field.
About the D700
The D700 is the little brother to the D3, which came on the market August 2007. The D3
was Nikon’s first camera with a 24 × 36mm full-frame sensor (which Nikon dubs FX).
Unfortunately the $5,000 price tag was a bit beyond what most casual photographers could
afford. Nikon addressed the need for a more affordable FX camera with a more compact
body, and announced the D700 on July 1, 2008. The D700 is essentially a D3 within the
body of a D300.
The D700’s FX sensor is identical to the D3’s 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor. One of the
advantages of having a larger FX sensor is that you have larger pixels that collect light more
effectively; this enables you to use higher ISO settings without digital noise.
Another advantage is that the D700’s FX sensor allows you to use your lenses without wor-
rying about the pesky “crop factor” that plagues the DX camera lines. Indeed, a 28mm lens
is once again a wide-angle lens on the D700. For those of you who started with a DX cam-
era and purchased DX-only lenses such as Nikon’s AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8, no worries. Nikon
has built in a feature that allows the D700 to crop down to a DX-sized image; this way you
can use your DX lenses effectively on the D700 camera body, albeit the sensor resolution is
reduced from 12.1 megapixels to 5.1 megapixels. The D700 is compatible with almost all
the Nikon lenses ever made. Nikon lenses are world renowned for their quality and durabil-
ity. You can use hundreds of different lenses on the D700, and any new lens Nikon releases
will be compatible.

22. xx Introduction
The D700 is also compatible with Nikon’s proprietary Creative Lighting System. The D700
has a built-in flash with a wireless commander mode so, unlike the D3 without a pop-up
flash, the D700 can control a number of off-camera Speedlights wirelessly for the ultimate
control of your lighting. You can use the D700 with a number of Nikon’s Speedlights, from
the new flagship flash, the SB-900, on down to the SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, or the macro
lighting kit, the R1C1.
As with all Nikon professional cameras, the D700 boasts a sturdy magnesium-framed body
that is augmented by weather-sealing gaskets made to keep dust, dirt, and moisture from
getting inside the camera body and damaging the internal components. The D700’s rugged
yet compact camera body can withstand the abuse of any demanding photographer and
should last for years to come.
Although the D700 is relatively affordable, Nikon hasn’t stripped down any of its features as
some other camera manufacturers are known to do. The D700 sports the same impressive
Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point autofocus (AF) system as the D3, the D3’s EXPEED imaging
processor, and a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter, as well as 16-bit image processing. Like
the D3 and the D300, the D700 is also equipped with the versatile Live View function,
which allows you to compose your images on the amazing high-resolution, 922,000-pixel,
3-inch LCD screen — a handy feature for framing subjects that may be difficult when you’re
looking through the viewfinder.
All in all, as you’ve gathered by now, the D700 is an impressive, durable camera in a com-
pact body that offers many features you previously could only find in the substantially more
expensive D3, and that will be sure to last for many years to come.

23. Using the
P A R T
Nikon D700
I
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
In This Part
Chapter 1
Exploring the Nikon
D700
Chapter 2
Nikon D700 Essentials
Chapter 3
Setting Up the Nikon
D700
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

25. Exploring the
Nikon D700
✦
1
C H A P T E R
✦ ✦ ✦
T he Nikon D700 is considered one of Nikon’s pro-level
performance camera models and, therefore, has many
more buttons, dials, and knobs than most consumer and mid-
level cameras. This makes it faster and easier to access the con-
In This Chapter
D700 FX-format CMOS
sensor
trols that are used most, especially for advanced or professional
photographers. To use the same functions in consumer cam- Key components of the
D700
eras such as the D60 and D90, you need to navigate the menu
functions, which can cost precious time when you are in the
Viewfinder display
midst of shooting. Instead of pressing the Multi-selector ten
times to find the correct option in the menu system, you simply
Control panel
press one button and rotate a dial — it’s quick and easy
Shooting info display
With its many buttons and dials, the D700 can be daunting,
especially if you are upgrading from a consumer camera, are ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
new to photography in general, or are switching camera
brands. This chapter helps you become familiar with the
D700’s various features, as well as the LCD control panel and
viewfinder displays.
D700 FX-format
CMOS Sensor
The FX-format CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-
conductor) sensor is arguably the most important part of the
camera and the main reason why many photographers buy
the D700. For quite a few years, Nikon has been using APS-C
sized sensors (which they call DX-format) in all their cameras.
They are about 24mm × 16mm and because they are much
smaller than a standard frame of 35mm film, lenses are sub-
ject to a “crop factor.” This causes the lenses to perform differ-
ently than they have on film cameras. Finally Nikon released
the D3, their first “full-frame,” or FX, dSLR, meaning that the
sensor is the same size as a standard frame of 35mm film.
This allows lenses to perform exactly as they had with film

26. 4 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
cameras, giving you the same angle of view. consumer level D90. Although CMOS and
Unfortunately, the D3 was a bit expensive, CCD sensors do the same job, they do it dif-
out of the price range for most amateurs. ferently and each type of sensor has its own
Surprisingly, not long after the launch of the strengths and weaknesses.
D3, Nikon released a dSLR that is essentially
a D3 in a D300-sized body at nearly half the CCD
price. This amazing 36 × 24mm, 12 mega-
The name Charge Coupled Device refers to
pixel CMOS sensor gives almost no noise,
how the sensor moves the electrical charges
even at ISO settings up to 6400.
created by the photons that the pixels have
For more information on DX sen- collected. The CCD sensor moves these
sors and lenses, see Chapter 4. electrical charges from the first row of pixels
to a shift register (a digital circuit that allows
the charges to be shifted down the line) and
From analog to digital from there, the signal is amplified so the
A/D converter can read it. The sensor then
Believe it or not, digital image sensors are
repeats the processes with each row of pix-
actually analog devices that capture light
els until every row of pixels on the sensor
just like emulsion on a piece of film. When
has been processed. This is a pretty precise
the shutter is opened, light from the scene
method of transfer, but in digital terms it’s
that you’re photographing, whether it be
quite slow. It requires a large amount of
sunlight or flash, travels through the lens
power, relatively speaking, so it uses more
and is projected (hopefully in focus) onto
of the camera battery, which equals fewer
the sensor. Each sensor has millions of pix-
shots per charge. CCD sensors have a higher
els, which act as a receptacle that collects
signal to noise ratio; which makes them less
individual photons of light. A photon is a
prone to high ISO noise than CMOS sensors
quantum particle of light, which is a form of
and enables them to provide a higher image
electromagnetic radiation. The more pho-
quality.
tons the pixel collects, the brighter the area
is; conversely, if the pixel doesn’t collect a
lot of photons, the area is dark. CMOS
Just like a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor has
Each pixel has a photodiode that converts millions of pixels and photodiodes. The
these photons into minute electrical charges main difference between the CMOS and
that the Analog/Digital (A/D) converter CCD sensor is that each pixel has its own
reads. The A/D converter renders this ana- amplifier and it converts the charge to volt-
log data into digital data that can be utilized age on the spot. It’s much more efficient to
by Nikon’s EXPEED imaging processor. transfer voltage than it is to transfer a charge;
therefore, CMOS sensors use less power
than CCDs. Multiple channels of sensor data
CMOS versus CCD can also be sent out at the same time, so
About half of Nikon’s dSLRs use Charge the CMOS sensor can send the data to the
Coupled Device (CCD) sensors, although A/D converter much faster. CMOS chips are
Nikon appears to be moving away from this also cheaper to manufacture than CCDs.
technology by putting a CMOS sensor in the

27. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 5
Pixels pattern. (Dr. Bryce Bayer was a scientist at
Kodak who developed this pattern.) The
The more pixels the sensor has, the higher Bayer pattern lays the filters out in an array
the resolution of the sensor. However, pack- that consists of 50 percent green, 25 per-
ing more pixels onto a sensor means that cent blue, and 25 percent red. The green
although the resolution is higher, each pixel filters are luminance (brightness) sensitive
becomes less effective at gathering light elements and the red and blue filters are
because its much smaller. A larger pixel is chrominance (color) sensitive elements.
more effective at gathering photons; there- Twice as many green filters are used to sim-
fore you get a wider dynamic range and a ulate human eyesight given our eyes are
better signal-to-noise ratio, which means more sensitive to green than to red or blue.
less inherent noise and the ability to achieve
a higher ISO sensitivity. The camera determines the colors in the
image by a process called demosaicing. In
One of the reasons that Nikon chose to use demosaicing, the camera interpolates the
a lower resolution sensor on their full-frame red, green, and blue data for each pixel by
sensor than their competitors do is to keep using information from adjacent pixels.
the pixel size larger, thereby allowing better Interpolation is a mathematical process in
low-light capability. The D700 and D3 sen- which sets of known data are used to deter-
sor has a pixel size of 8.5 microns, which is mine new data points. (I like to call it an
the largest pixel pitch of any digital sensor educated guess.)
on the market at this time.
Micro-lenses
In addition to having larger pixels to gather
Key Components
more light, camera manufacturers place
micro-lenses over the pixels. These micro-
of the D700
lenses collect the light and focus them onto If you’ve used a Nikon dSLR before, you
the photodiode much the same way the should be pretty familiar with the basic but-
camera lens focuses the image onto the tons and switches that you need to do the
sensor. By making the micro-lenses larger, basic settings. In this section, I cover the
Nikon has decreased the gaps between the camera from all sides and break down the
pixels, increasing the effective light gather- layout so that you know what everything on
ing ability of each one. the surface of the camera does.
Although you can access many features with
Interpreting color
just the push of a button, oftentimes you
The light-sensitive pixels on the sensor only
can change the same setting using menu
measure the brightness in relation to how
options. The great thing about the buttons,
many photons it has gathered, so the basic
however, is that they give you speedy access
image captured is, in effect, black and white.
to important settings — settings you will use
To determine color information, the pixels
often. Missing shots because you are search-
are covered with red, green, or blue colored
ing through the menu options can get irritat-
filters. These filters are arranged in a Bayer
ing fast, which is one of the key reasons

28. 6 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
most people upgrade from a consumer is turned on. When you push the
model camera to a professional-grade cam- spring-loaded switch all the way to
era like the D700. the right, the top-panel LCD illumi-
nator turns on. This enables you to
For information about specific view your settings when in a dimly
menus and their functions, see lit environment. The LCD illumina-
Chapter 3. tor turns off automatically after a
few seconds or when the shutter is
released. In Custom Settings menu
Top of the camera (CSM) f1, you can also specify that
The most important buttons are on the top this switch be used to display the
of the D700. This is where you’ll find the Shooting info display on the rear
buttons for the settings you’ll tend to change LCD screen.
most frequently. I’ve also included is a brief ✦ Exposure mode button. This but-
description of some of the features you will ton is used in conjunction with the
find on the top of the lens in this section. Main Command dial and allows
Although your lens may vary, most of the you to change among the different
features are quite similar from lens to lens. exposure modes. You can choose
Programmed Auto (P), Shutter
✦ Shutter Release button. In my Priority (S), Aperture Priority (A),
opinion, this is the most important or Manual (M) modes. This button
button on the camera. Halfway also doubles as a format button
pressing this button activates the when you press it down in con-
camera’s autofocusing and light junction with the Delete button.
meter. When you fully depress this Pressing and holding down these
button, the shutter is released and two buttons simultaneously allows
a photograph is taken. When the you to format your CompactFlash
camera is set to CL or Ch, pressing (CF) card without entering the
and holding this button takes a Setup menu.
sequence of photos. When the
✦ Exposure Compensation button.
camera has been idle and has
Pressing this button in conjunction
“gone to sleep,” lightly pressing the
with spinning the Main Command
Shutter Release button wakes the
dial allows you to modify the expo-
camera up. When the image review
sure that is set by the D700’s light
is on, lightly pressing the Shutter
meter or the exposure you set in
Release button turns off the LCD
Manual exposure mode. Turning the
control panel and prepares the
Main Command dial to the right
camera for another shot.
decreases exposure, while turning
✦ On/Off switch/LCD illuminator. the dial to the left increases the
This switch turns on the camera. exposure. This button also doubles
It’s concentric with the Shutter as the camera reset button when
Release button. You push the used in conjunction with the Quality
switch all the way to the left to turn button. Pressing these buttons at
the camera off. When the switch is the same time restores the camera
in the center position, the camera to the factory default settings.

29. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 7
✦ LCD control panel. This displays quality of the JPEG if you are shoot-
many of the main camera settings. ing that format. You can choose
I cover this panel in detail later in from RAW, TIFF, JPEG, or RAW +
this chapter. JPEG. Your JPEGs are saved at Fine,
Normal, or Basic quality. Rotating
✦ Focal plane mark. The focal plane
the Sub-command dial while press-
mark shows you where the plane
ing this button allows you to change
of the CMOS image sensor is inside
the size of the image when the
the camera. The sensor isn’t exactly
camera is set to save in TIFF, JPEG,
where the mark is; the sensor is
or RAW + JPEG. Rotating the Sub-
directly behind the lens opening.
command dial when the camera is
When doing certain types of pho-
set to save RAW files has no effect.
tography, particularly macro pho-
tography using a bellows lens, you For more information on image
need to measure the length of the quality and size settings, see
bellows from the front element of Chapter 2.
the lens to the focal plane. This is
where the focal plane mark comes ✦ ISO button. Press this button and
in handy. rotate the Main Command dial to
change the ISO sensitivity. The
✦ Hot shoe. You attach an accessory
higher the ISO setting, the less light
flash to the camera body here. The
needed to make an exposure. The
hot shoe has an electronic contact
ISO value is displayed on the LCD
that tells the flash to fire when the
control panel while the ISO button
shutter is released. There are also a
is pressed. The ISO value is also dis-
number of other electronic contacts
played in the viewfinder. To learn
that allow the camera to communi-
more about ISO, see Chapter 2.
cate with the flash to enable the
automated features of a dedicated ✦ White Balance button. Press
flash unit such as the SB-600. this button and rotate the Main
Command dial to choose from one
✦ Release Mode dial. Rotating this
of the predefined white balance
dial changes the release mode of
(WB) settings such as Daylight,
the camera. You can choose from
Incandescent, or Fluorescent. You
Single shot, Continuous Low mode,
can also choose to set your own
Continuous High mode, Live View,
WB (PRE) or choose a specific color
Self-timer, and Mirror up. To rotate
temperature (K). White balance
the dial, you must press the
is used to compensate for the
Release Mode dial lock release.
effect that different colored light
✦ Release Mode dial lock release. sources have on your photos.
This button locks the Release Mode Adjusting the WB gives your images
dial to prevent it from accidentally a natural look. When the D700 is
being changed. set to a predefined WB, holding
✦ Quality button. Press this button the button and rotating the Sub-
and rotate the Main Command dial command dial allows you to adjust
to change the file format that your the WB by making it cooler (right)
camera is saving in as well as the or warmer (left). For more on white
balance settings, see Chapter 2.

30. 8 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
✦ Focus ring. Rotating the focus ring ✦ Focus distance scale. This displays
enables you to manually focus the the approximate distance from the
lens. With some lenses, such as the camera to the subject.
high-end Nikkor AF-S lenses, you
can manually adjust the focus at any
time. On other lenses, typically older Back of the camera
and non-Nikon lenses and con-
The buttons that mainly control playback
sumer-level AF-S lenses, you must
and menu options are on the back of the
switch the lens to Manual focus to
camera, although there are a few that con-
disable the focusing mechanism.
trol some of the shooting functions. Most of
✦ Zoom ring. Rotating the zoom ring the buttons have more than one function —
enables you to change the focal a lot of them are used in conjunction with
length of the lens. Prime lenses do the Main Command dial or the Multi-
not have a zoom ring. selector. You will also find several key fea-
tures, including the all-important viewfinder
For more information on lenses,
see Chapter 4. and LCD screen.
Zoom ring
Focus ring
Focus distance scale Exposure mode button
On/Off switch/LCD illuminator
Release Mode dial lock release
Shutter Release button
Exposure
Compensation
Quality button button
White Balance button
Focal plane mark
Release Mode dial
ISO button Hot shoe LCD control panel
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.1 Top of the camera controls

31. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 9
✦ LCD screen. This is the most obvi- ✦ Diopter adjustment control. Just
ous feature on the back of the to the right of the viewfinder is the
camera. Nikon’s 3-inch, 920,000- Diopter adjustment control. Use
dot liquid crystal display (LCD) this control to adjust the viewfinder
screen is, so far, the highest resolu- lens to suit your individual vision
tion LCD on the market today (the differences (not everyone’s eyesight
D3 and D300 share this feature). is the same). To adjust this, look
The LCD screen is where you through the viewfinder; if the view-
review your images after shooting, finder display, focus points, and AF
or compose them using Live View. area brackets aren’t quite sharp,
The menus are also displayed here. pull out the button and turn the
Diopter adjustment control until
✦ Viewfinder. This is what you look
everything appears in focus. When
through to compose your photo-
you are satisfied with the results,
graphs (unless you’re using Live
be sure to push the button back in.
View). Light coming through the
lens is reflected from a mirror up ✦ Metering Mode dial. You use this
to a pentaprism that reflects the dial to choose the metering mode:
image through the viewfinder to Matrix, Center-weighted, or Spot
your eye, enabling you to see metering. This dial is concentric
exactly what you’re shooting (as with the Auto-Exposure/Autofocus
opposed to a rangefinder camera, lock (AE-L/AF-L) button.
which gives you an approximate
✦ AE-L/AF-L button. The AE-L/AF-L
view). Around the viewfinder is a
button is used to lock the Auto-
rubber eyepiece that serves to give
Exposure (AE) and Autofocus (AF).
you a softer place to rest your eye
This button can be customized to
and to block any extra light from
perform several different functions
entering the viewfinder as you
in CSM f7.
compose and shoot your images.
Looking in the viewfinder you will ✦ AF-ON button. The Autofocus On
also see a control panel; more on button activates the AF mechanism
this later in the chapter. without your having to press the
Shutter Release button. When in
✦ Eyepiece shutter lever. Flipping
Single Focus mode, the AF-ON but-
this lever closed closes a shutter
ton also locks in the focus until the
over the viewfinder. You can use
button is released.
this option when you are shooting
without looking directly in the ✦ Main Command dial. You use this
viewfinder (for example, with timed dial to change a variety of settings
exposures on a tripod or when depending on which button you
you’re using Live View). This stops are using in conjunction with it. By
light from entering into the view- default, it is used to change the
finder and fooling the camera’s shutter speed when you’re in
exposure meter, causing it to S and M mode. It can also be
underexpose. You must also close used with the ISO, QUAL, and
this lever to remove the eyepiece. WB buttons.

32. 10 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
✦ Multi-selector. The Multi-selector ✦ Delete button. When reviewing
is another button that serves a few your pictures, if you find some that
different purposes. When the D700 you don’t want to keep, you can
is in Playback mode, you use the delete them by pressing this button,
Multi-selector to scroll through the marked with a trashcan icon. To
photographs you’ve taken, and you prevent the accidental deletion of
can also use it to view image infor- images, the camera displays a dia-
mation such as histograms and log box asking you to confirm that
shooting settings. When the camera you want to erase the picture. Press
is in Shooting mode, you can use the Delete button a second time to
the Multi-selector to change the permanently erase the image.
active focus point when the camera
✦ Menu button. Press this button to
is in Single-point or Dynamic-area
access the D700 menu options.
AF mode.
There are a number of different
✦ Focus selector lock. You can menus including Playback, Shooting,
use this switch to lock the active Custom Settings, and Retouch. Use
focus point so it’s not accidentally the Multi-selector to choose the
changed if the Multi-selector is menu you want to view.
pushed. Slide the switch to the
✦ Protect/Help button. The Protect
L position to lock the focus point.
button has the icon of a key on it.
✦ AF Area Mode selector. You use The primary use of the Protect but-
this three-position switch to choose ton is to lock the image to prevent
among focus modes: Single-area AF, it from being deleted. You can only
Dynamic-area AF, or Auto-area AF. access this function when the cam-
era is in Playback mode. When
✦ Info button. Press this button once
viewing the image you want to pro-
to view the Shooting info display,
tect, simply press this button. A
which displays the current camera
small key icon will be displayed in
settings. Press this button twice to
the upper-right-hand corner of
enter the Quick Settings Display,
images that are protected. Pressing
which allows you to quickly change
the Shutter Release button lightly
a few options such as Noise
brings you back to default shooting
Reduction, Picture Controls, and
mode. When you’re viewing the
color space.
menu options, pressing this button
✦ CF card access lamp. This lamp displays a help screen that explains
lights up to let you know that data the functions of that particular
is being transferred between the menu option.
camera and the CF card. Under no
✦ Thumbnail/Zoom out button. In
circumstance should you remove
Playback mode, pressing this but-
the CF card while this lamp is lit.
ton allows you to go from full-
✦ Playback button. Pressing this frame playback (or viewing the
button displays the most recently whole image) to viewing thumb-
taken photograph. You can also nails. You can view thumbnails
view other pictures by pressing the either four images or nine images
Multi-selector left and right. on a page.

33. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 11
✦ Zoom in button. When reviewing ✦ OK button. When you’re in the
your images, you can press the Menu mode, press this button
Zoom in button to get a closer look to select the menu item that is
at the details of your image. This is a highlighted.
handy feature for checking the sharp-
ness and focus of your shot. When
you’re zoomed in, use the Multi- Front of the camera
selector to navigate around within
The front of the D700 (lens facing you) is
the image. To view your other
where you find the buttons to quickly adjust
images at the same zoom ratio,
the flash settings as well as some camera
rotate the Main Command dial. To
return to full-frame playback, press focusing options, and with certain lenses
the Zoom out button. You may have you will find buttons that control focusing
to press the Zoom out button multi- and Vibration Reduction (VR).
ple times depending on how much
you have zoomed in.
Viewfinder Diopter adjustment control
Eyepiece shutter lever
Metering Mode dial
Delete button AE-L/AF-L button
AF-ON button
Playback Main
button Command dial
Menu button CF card door
Multi-selector
Protect/Help Multi-selector
button center button
Thumbnail/Zoom Focus selector
out button lock
Zoom in button AF Area Mode
selector
OK button
LCD screen CF card access lamp
Info button
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.2 Back of the camera controls

34. 12 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
Right front ✦ Flash pop-up button. Press this
button to open and activate the
The right front of the camera has the follow-
built-in flash.
ing controls:
✦ Flash mode button. Pressing this
✦ Built-in flash. This option is a button and rotating the Main
handy feature that allows you to Command dial on the rear of the
take sharp pictures in low-light situ- camera allows you to choose a
ations. Although it’s not as versatile flash mode. You can choose from
as one of the external Nikon among Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye
Speedlights, such as the SB-800 or Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with
SB-600, you can use the built-in Slow sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-
flash very effectively and it is great Curtain Sync. Pressing the Flash
for snapshots. However, I don’t rec- mode button and rotating the Sub-
ommend using this without first command dial, located just below
getting a pop-up flash diffuser. The the Shutter Release button, enables
best feature of the built-in flash is you to adjust the Flash Exposure
you can also use it as a com- Compensation (FEC). FEC allows
mander unit to trigger Nikon CLS- you to adjust the flash output to
compatible Speedlights wirelessly make the flash brighter or dimmer
for off-camera use. depending on your needs.
For more on using flash, see
Chapter 6.
Built-in flash
Flash pop-up button
Flash mode button
Flash sync terminal cover
10-pin remote terminal cover
Lens release button
Focus mode selector
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.3 Right front camera controls

35. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 13
✦ Flash sync terminal cover. is in Auto-area AF mode, or when
Underneath this rubber cover is the in Dynamic- or Single-area AF and
flash sync terminal. This terminal, the focus point is set to the center
also known as PC sync, allows you position. This illuminator also
to connect a PC cord to trigger an shines when the Speedlight is set
external flash or studio strobe. to Red-Eye Reduction mode. The
light shines on the subject, causing
✦ 10-pin remote terminal cover.
the pupils to contract, which
Underneath this rubber cover is the
reduces the red-eye effect. When
10-pin remote terminal. This termi-
the self-timer is activated, this light
nal allows the camera to be con-
blinks to count down the timer. It’s
nected to a variety of accessories.
recommended that you remove
Some of these include the Nikon
your lens hood when using this
MC-30 remote shutter release cord
feature because the hood can block
and Global Positioning System
the light reducing the effectiveness.
(GPS) devices.
✦ Sub-command dial. You use this
✦ Lens Release button. This button
dial, by default, to change the aper-
disengages the locking mechanism
ture setting when in Aperture
of the lens, allowing the lens to be
Priority and Manual exposure
rotated and removed from the lens
mode. You also use it to change
mount.
JPEG file size when used with the
✦ Focus Mode selector. This three- QUAL button and to fine-tune
way switch is used to choose which white balance when used with the
focus mode the camera operates WB button. When you use the Sub-
in: Single AF (AF-S), Continuous AF command dial in conjunction with
(AF-C), or Manual (M) focus. Keep the Flash mode button, you can
in mind that your lens may also adjust the Flash Exposure
have a focus mode switch and that Compensation (FEC)
it must be in the A or M/A position
✦ Depth-of-field preview button.
to work with the AF-S or AF-C
While using the camera’s default
modes.
settings, pressing this button stops
down the aperture of the lens so you
Left front can preview how much of the sub-
The left front of the camera has the follow- ject is in focus (the depth of field).
ing controls: The image in the viewfinder gets
darker as the aperture decreases.
✦ AF-assist illuminator. This is an You can also customize the Depth-
LED that shines on the subject to of-field preview button in CSM f6 or
help the camera to focus when the in the Quick Settings Display.
lighting is dim. The AF-assist illumi-
nator only lights when it’s in Single For more information on aper-
tures, see Chapter 5.
Focus mode and when the camera

36. 14 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
AF-assist illuminator
Sub-command dial
Depth-of-field
preview button
Function button
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.4 Left front camera controls
✦ Function button. You can custom- use if you would like to view your images
ize the Function (Fn) button to per- straight from the camera as a slide show on
form different functions depending your television. Or you may have a high-
on user preference. You can use it definition (HD) monitor in your studio and
to set exposure, flash, WB bracket- use the Live View function along with
ing, flash value (FV) lock, and a Camera Control Pro 2 to view your images
number of other settings. You can in HD before you even release the shutter.
set the Function button in CSM f4. You can also attach an AC adaptor for those
long studio shoots that require plenty of
For more information on the
CSM, see Chapter 3. juice without worrying about the batteries
giving out on you. The output terminals are
Sides and bottom ✦ Standard video out. You use
this connection, officially called
of camera Standard video output, to connect
The sides and bottom of the camera have the camera to a standard TV or VCR
for viewing your images on-screen.
places for connecting and inserting things
The D700 is connected with the
such as cables, batteries, and memory cards.
EG-D100 video cable that is sup-
plied with the camera.
Right side
✦ HDMI out. You use the HDMI (High-
The D700’s various output terminals are on Definition Multimedia Interface)
the right side of the camera (with the lens output terminal to connect the cam-
facing you). These are the connections you era to an HD television (HDTV). The

37. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 15
camera is connected with an Left side
optional Type A HDMI cable that
The CF card slot cover is on the left side of
you can purchase at an electronics
the camera (with the lens facing you). Slide
store.
this cover back and the door springs open.
✦ DC power in. This AC adapter input Insert the CF card with label side facing
connection allows you to plug the toward the back of the camera. Press the
D700 into a standard electrical out- card firmly in until the grey button pops out.
let using the Nikon EH-5 or EH-5a To eject the card, firmly press the grey but-
AC adapter. This allows you to ton until the CF card is loose.
operate the camera without drain-
ing your batteries. The AC adapter
is available separately from Nikon. Bottom
The bottom of the camera has a few fea-
✦ USB 2.0 port. This is where the USB
tures that are quite important:
cable plugs in to attach the camera
to your computer to transfer images
✦ Battery chamber cover. This cov-
straight from the camera. You can
ers the chamber that holds the
also use the USB cable to connect
EN-EL3e battery that is supplied
the camera to the computer when
with your D700.
you’re using Nikon’s optional
Camera Control Pro 2 software. ✦ Tripod socket. This is where you
attach a tripod or monopod to help
steady your camera.
HDMI out
Standard video out
USB 2.0 port
DC power in
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.5 The D700’s output terminals

38. 16 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
Battery chamber cover
MB-D10 contact cover Tripod socket
Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc.
1.6 The bottom of the D700
✦ MB-D10 contact cover. This rubber ✦ Framing grid. When this option is
cover is used to protect the contact turned on in CSM d2, you will see a
points for the optional MB-D10 grid displayed in the viewing area.
Multi-power Battery Grip that This helps with composition. Use
attaches to the bottom of the cam- the grid to help line up elements of
era. The MB-D10 allows you to use your composition to ensure that
a variety of battery types as well as things are straight (or not).
to control the camera when hold-
✦ AF-area brackets. These brackets
ing it in the vertical position.
give you a rough estimate of where
the group of 51 AF points is located.
Anything in the frame outside of this
Viewfinder Display bracket cannot be locked into focus.
Switching to DX mode gives you
When looking through the viewfinder, you wider range of AF coverage due to
see a lot of useful information about the the reduced frame size.
photo you are setting up. Most of the infor- ✦ 12mm reference circle. These
mation is also displayed in the LCD control curves located at the top and bot-
panel screen on the top of the camera, but it tom of the AF-area brackets give
is less handy on top when you are compos- you an idea of how much of an
ing a shot. Here is a complete list of the infor- area of the frame is used for
mation you get from the viewfinder display. Center-weighted metering. The
curves show you an area of 12mm,

39. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 17
which is the default circle size for only shown full time when the
center-weighted metering. Note D700 is in the Single- or Dynamic-
that although you can change the area AF setting. When the camera is
size of the area for center-weighted set to Auto-area AF and Single
metering (CSM b12), this display Focus, the focus point isn’t shown
does not change. until you half-press the Shutter
Release button and focus is
✦ Focus points. The first thing you
achieved. When the D700 is in
are likely to notice when looking
Auto-area AF and set to Continuous
through the viewfinder is a small
Focus mode, the focus point is not
rectangle near the center of the
displayed at all.
frame. This is your active focus
point. Note that the focus point is
Framing grid 12mm reference circle
AF area brackets Focus points
Shutter
speed lock
indicator
Aperture Flash exposure
lock compensation
indicator indicator
Exposure Exposure
mode compensation
indicator
Auto- Flash ready
exposure
lock indicator
indicator
Focus indicator Thousands indicator
Metering mode display Battery Exposures remaining
indicator
Flash value
ISO sensitivity
lock indicator
Flash sync indicator Auto ISO indicator
Shutter speed indicator Electronic analog exposure display
F-stop indicator Aperture/f-stop display
1.7 Viewfinder display. Note that this figure displays all possible focus points. Only the
active focus points will be visible in actual shooting conditions.

40. 18 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
A black bar with LCD readouts on it appears ✦ FV lock indicator. When the FV
below the image portion of the viewfinder. lock indicator is on, it means you
Not only do you find your shooting informa- have locked in the flash exposure
tion here, but also depending on the settings value. The flash value can only be
you’ve selected, other useful indicators appear locked when the Function (or
as well. From left to right these items are Preview or AE-L/AF-L) button has
been set to do this.
✦ Focus indicator. This green dot ✦ Shutter speed lock indicator. This
and arrows lets you know if the indicates that your shutter speed
camera detects that the scene is in has been locked to prevent acci-
focus. When the camera attempts dental changes. You can lock your
to autofocus, the arrows located to shutter speed in CSM f8.
either side of the dot blink. The left
arrow or the right arrow may blink ✦ Flash sync indicator. This indicator
simultaneously or one at a time, is displayed as an X. This comes on
depending on where the camera when you set your camera to the
is trying to focus. When focus is flash sync speed limit that is set in
achieved, the green dot lights up; if CSM e1. This is only available when
the camera is unable to lock focus, in Shutter Priority or Manual mode.
both arrows blink. When you are To set the camera to the preset
focusing manually, you can use the sync speed, dial the shutter speed
arrows as a guide to find focus. down one setting past the longest
When the arrow on the left is lit, shutter time, which is 30 seconds
your focus is falling between the in S and bulb in M.
camera and the subject. If the ✦ Shutter speed display. This shows
arrow on the right is lit, the focus is how long your shutter is set to stay
falling behind the subject. If the open. Rotating the Main Command
camera is unable to detect enough dial when in S or M mode can
contrast to determine if the subject change the shutter speed.
is in focus, both arrows blink.
✦ Aperture lockindicator. This indi-
✦ Metering mode display. This dis- cates that your aperture has been
play shows which metering mode locked to prevent accidental
you are in: Spot, Center-weighted, changes. You can lock this aperture
or Matrix. setting in CSM f8.
✦ AE lock indicator. This tells you ✦ Aperture/f-stop display. This
that the auto-exposure meter is shows what your current lens
locked. Depending on your settings, opening setting is. You adjust aper-
the AE-L/AF-L button may be ture by rotating the Sub-command
pressed or the shutter is half- dial when in M or A mode.
pressed. When this is locked you
can recompose the image while ✦ Exposure mode display. This tells
maintaining the correct exposure you which exposure mode you are
for the subject. currently using: P, S, A, or M.

41. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 19
✦ Electronic analog exposure dis- ✦ Auto ISO indicator. This is dis-
play. Although Nikon gives this fea- played when the Auto ISO setting is
ture a long and confusing name, in activated to let you know that the
simpler terms, this is your light camera is controlling the ISO set-
meter. When the bars are in the tings. You can turn on Auto ISO in
center, you are at the proper set- the ISO sensitivity settings located
tings to get a good exposure; when in the Shooting menu.
the bars are to the left, you are
✦ ISO sensitivity display. This tells
overexposed; and when the bars
you what the ISO sensitivity is cur-
are to the right, you are underex-
rently set to.
posing your image. You can reverse
this in CSM f12. This feature is ✦ Exposures remaining. This set of
especially handy when using numbers lets you know how many
Manual exposure. This display also more exposures can fit on the CF
doubles as the virtual horizon indi- card. The actual number of expo-
cator. When the camera is tilted to sures may vary according to file
the right, the bars are displayed on information and compression.
the left. When the camera is tilted When you half-press the Shutter
to the left, the bars are displayed Release button, the display changes
on the right. When the camera is to show how many exposures can
level, a single bar appears directly fit in the camera’s buffer before the
under the zero. buffer is full and the frame rate slows
down. The buffer is in-camera RAM
✦ FEC indicator. When this is dis-
that stores your image data while
played, your Flash Exposure
the data is being written to the
Compensation is on. You adjust
memory card. This also shows the
FEC by pressing the Flash mode
WB preset recording information as
button and rotating the Sub-
well as your exposure compensation
command dial.
values.
✦ Exposure compensation indica-
✦ Thousands indicator. This lets you
tor. When this appears in the view-
know that there are more than
finder, your camera has exposure
1,000 exposures remaining on your
compensation activated. You adjust
memory card.
exposure compensation by press-
ing the Exposure Compensation ✦ Flash ready indicator. When this is
button and rotating the Main displayed the flash, whether it is
Command dial. the built-in flash or an external
Speedlight attached to the hot
✦ Battery indicator. When this icon
shoe, is fully charged and ready to
appears, your battery is low; if it
fire at full power.
is blinking, your battery is dead
and the Shutter Release button
is disabled.

42. 20 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
• WB preset number. When the
Control Panel WB is set to one of the preset
numbers, pressing the WB but-
The monochrome control panel on top of
ton displays the preset number
the camera displays some of the same
that is currently being used.
shooting information that appears in the
viewfinder, but there are also some settings • Bracketing sequence. When
that are only displayed here. This LCD con- the D700 auto-bracketing
trol panel allows you to view and change feature is activated, pressing
the settings without looking through the the Function button displays the
viewfinder. The settings are as follows: number of shots left in the
bracketing sequence. This
✦ Shutter speed. By default this set includes WB, exposure, and
of numbers shows you the shutter flash bracketing.
speed setting. This set of numbers • Interval timer number. When
also shows a myriad of other set- the camera is set to use the
tings depending on which buttons interval timer for time-lapse
are being pressed. photography, this displays the
• Exposure compensation value. number of shots remaining in
When you press the Exposure the current interval.
Compensation button and • Focal length (non-CPU lenses).
rotate the Sub-command dial, When the camera’s Function
the exposure value (EV) com- button is set to choose a non-
pensation number is displayed. CPU lens number when the
• FEC value. Pressing the Flash Function button is pressed, the
mode button and rotating the focal length of the non-CPU lens
Sub-command dial displays the is displayed. You must enter the
FEC value. lens data in the Setup menu.
• ISO. The ISO sensitivity appears ✦ Shutter speed lock indicator. This
when you press the ISO button. lets you know that your shutter
Rotating the Main Command speed is locked to prevent acciden-
dial changes the sensitivity. tal changes. The shutter speed can
be locked in CSM f8.
• WB fine-tuning. Pressing the
WB button and rotating the ✦ Flexible program indicator.
Sub-command dial fine-tunes This asterisk appears next to the
the white balance setting. A is Exposure mode when you’re in P,
warmer, and B is cooler. or Programmed Auto, mode. It lets
you know that you have changed
• Color temperature. When the the default auto-exposure set by
WB is set to K, the panel dis- the camera to better suit your cre-
plays the color temperature in ative needs.
the Kelvin scale when you press
the WB button. ✦ Exposure mode. This tells you
which exposure mode you are
For more information on white currently using: P, S, A, or M.
balance and Kelvin, see Chapter 2.

43. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Nikon D700 21
✦ Flash mode. These icons denote
Flexible program mode is discussed
more in depth in Chapter 2.
which flash mode you are using.
The flash modes include Red-Eye
✦ Image size. When you’re shooting Reduction, Red-Eye with Slow sync,
JPEG, TIFF, or RAW + JPEG files, this Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync.
tells you whether you are recording To change the flash sync mode,
Large, Medium, or Small files. This press the Flash mode button and
display is turned off when shooting rotate the Main command dial.
RAW files. ✦ Multiple exposure indicator. This
✦ Image quality. This displays the icon informs you that the camera is
type of file format you are record- set to record multiple exposures.
ing. You can shoot RAW, TIFF, or Set multiple exposures in the
JPEG. When shooting JPEG or RAW Shooting menu.
+ JPEG, it displays the compression ✦ F-stop/Aperture number. At
quality: FINE, NORM, or BASIC. default settings, this displays the
✦ WB fine-tuning indicator. When aperture at which the camera is set.
the white balance fine-tuning fea- This indicator also displays other
ture is activated, these two arrows settings as follows:
are displayed. You can fine-tune • Auto-bracketing compensa-
WB by pressing the WB button and tion increments. The exposure
rotating the Sub-command dial. bracketing can be adjusted to
✦ WB setting. This shows you which over- and underexpose in 1/3-
white balance setting is currently stop increments. When the
selected. Function button is set to Auto-
bracketing, the number of EV
✦ Exposures remaining. By default, stops is displayed in this area.
this displays the number of expo- The choices are 0.3, 0.7, or 1.0
sures remaining on your CF card. EV. The WB auto-bracketing can
When you half-press the Shutter also be adjusted; the settings
Release button to focus, the display are 1, 2, or 3.
changes to show the number of
shots remaining in the camera’s • Number of shots per interval.
buffer. In preset WB, the icon PRE When the D700 is set to Interval
appears when the camera is ready Timer shooting, the number of
to set a custom WB. When using frames shot in the interval is
Camera Control Pro 2 to shoot displayed here.
tethered to a computer, this • Maximum aperture (non-CPU
appears as PC. lenses). When the non-CPU
✦ Thousands indicator. A K appears lens data is activated, the maxi-
when the number of remaining mum aperture of the specified
exposures exceeds 1,000. This is lens appears here.
not to be confused with the K that ✦ F-stop indicator. This icon, which
may appear in the WB area, which appears as a right triangle, appears
is used to denote the Kelvin when a non-CPU lens is attached
temperature. to the camera.

44. 22 Part I ✦ Using the Nikon D700
✦ FEC indicator. When this is dis- preset sync speed, dial the shutter
played, your FEC is on. Adjust the speed down one setting past the
FEC by pressing the Flash mode longest shutter time, which is 30
button and rotating the Sub- seconds in S and bulb in M.
command dial.
✦ Auto ISO indicator. This is dis-
✦ Exposure compensation indica- played when the Automatic ISO
tor. When this appears in the setting is activated to let you know
control panel, your camera has that the camera is controlling the
exposure compensation activated. ISO settings. You can activate Auto
This will affect your exposure. ISO in the Shooting menu.
Adjust the exposure compensation
✦ Clock indicator. When this appears
by pressing the exposure compen-
in the control panel, the camera’s
sation and rotating the Main
internal clock needs to be set. You
Command dial.
can find the Clock settings in the
✦ Flash sync indicator. This indicator Setup menu.
is displayed as an X. This comes on
✦ MB-D10 battery indicator. When
when you set your camera to the
the MB-D10 battery grip is attached
sync speed that is set in CSM e1.
and the camera is using the battery
This is only available when in S or
installed in the grip, this icon is
M mode. To set the camera to the
displayed.
Shutter speed lock indicator Shutter speed/multi-function display
Flexible program
indicator Multiple exposure indicator
Exposure Flash
mode mode F-stop indicator F-stop/
Image Aperture
size number
Image quality WB setting
WB fine-tuning Exposures remaining
indicator
Thousands indicator
1.8 The LCD control panel display 1