Nikon D5300 Digital Field Guide Table of Contents Introduction About the Digital Field Guide Chapter 1: Exploring the Nikon D5300 Key Components of the D5300 The top of the camera The back of the camera The front of the camera The left side of the camera The Viewfinder Display The Information Display Chapter 2: Nikon D5300 Essentials Exposure Modes Automatic modes Programmed auto mode Aperture-priority auto mode Shutter-priority auto mode Manual mode Scene modes Special Effects Modes Night Vision Color Sketch Toy Camera effect Miniature Effect Selective Color Silhouette High Key Low Key HDR Painting Metering Modes Matrix metering mode Center-weighted metering mode Spot metering mode Autofocus Phase detection Contrast detection Focus Modes Auto Servo AF mode Continuous Servo AF mode Single Servo AF mode Manual focus mode Autofocus Area Modes Auto-area AF mode Single-point AF mode Dynamic-area AF mode Release Modes ISO Sensitivity Auto ISO Noise reduction White Balance The Kelvin scale White balance settings Picture Controls File Formats, Size, and Compression NEF (RAW) JPEG Image size Image quality Wi-Fi GPS Chapter 3: Setting up the Nikon D5300 The Playback Menu Delete Playback folder Playback display options Image review Rotate tall Slide show DPOF print order Rating Select to send to smart device The Shooting Menu Reset shooting menu Storage folder Image quality Image size NEF (RAW) recording White balance Set Picture Control Manage Picture Control Auto distortion control Color space Active DLighting High Dynamic Range Long exposure NR High ISO NR ISO sensitivity settings Release Mode Multiple exposure Interval timer shooting Movie settings The Custom Setting Menu Reset custom settings Custom Setting menu a: Autofocus Custom Setting menu b: Exposure Custom Setting menu c: Timers/AE lock Custom Setting menu d: Shooting/display Custom Setting menu e: Bracketing/flash Custom Setting menu f: Controls The Setup Menu Format memory card Monitor brightness Info display format Auto info display Clean image sensor Lock mirror up for cleaning Image Dust Off ref photo Flicker reduction Time zone and date Language Auto image rotation Image comment Location data Video mode HDMI Remote control Wi-Fi Eye-Fi upload Conformity marking Firmware version The Retouch Menu DLighting Red-eye correction Trim Monochrome Filter effects Color balance Image overlay NEF (RAW) processing Resize Quick retouch Straighten Distortion control Fisheye Color outline Color sketch Perspective control Miniature effect Selective color Edit movie Recent Settings / My Menu Chapter 4: Selecting and Using Lenses with the Nikon D5300 Deciphering Nikon Lens Codes Lens Compatibility The DX Crop Factor Third-Party Lenses Types of Lenses Wide-angle lenses Standard zoom lenses Telephoto lenses Close-up/Macro lenses Fisheye lenses Chapter 5: Controlling Exposure Defining Exposure ISO Shutter speed Aperture or f-stop Fine-Tuning Your Exposure Exposure compensation Using histograms Chapter 6: Working with Light Lighting Essentials The quality of light Lighting direction Natural Light Continuous Light The D5300 Built-in Flash Built-in flash exposure modes Flash sync modes Flash Compensation Light Modifiers Chapter 7: Working with the Live View and Video Modes Live View Mode Focus modes AF-area modes Using Live View mode Shooting and Editing Video Frame size and frame rate In-camera video editing Chapter 8: Real-World Applications Abstract Photography Equipment Technique Action and Sports Photography Equipment Technique Concert and Live Music Photography Equipment Technique Macro Photography Equipment Technique Nature and Landscape Photography Equipment Technique Night and Low-light Photography Equipment Technique Portrait Photography Equipment Technique Still-life, Product, and Food Photography Equipment Technique Street Photography Equipment Technique Chapter 9: After Capture Viewing Your Images Downloading Your Images File Management and Workflow Folder structure Editing Filenames and metadata Tonal Adjustments and Color Corrections Sharing Your Images Using Wi-Fi APPENDIX A: General Composition Tips Keep It Simple The Rule of Thirds Leading Lines, S-Curves, and Patterns The Odd Rule Using Color APPENDIX B: Accessories Speedlights The ME-1 Stereo Microphone The ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control Triggertrap Spider Holster Glossary Introduction Once again Nikon pulled a shocking move when they announced an update to the D5200, which was a little over a year old and, to be quite honest, a very capable little camera especially for the price point. But Nikon seems to use the mid-range 5000 series cameras to test out their newest features because just as the D5200 was upgraded with features that weren’t available on even the newest cameras, the D5300 is arriving hot on the heels of the brand new D610 and has some impressive features that aren’t included on the more advanced camera. Of course the D5300 retains the real hallmark of the 5000 series cameras, which is the Vari-Angle articulated screen, but the screen has seen an increase in both size and resolution. The screen is 3.2 inches and an impressive 1,037,000 dots, which gives the Nikon D5300 unsurpassed clarity. The outside the camera remains relatively unchanged with the exception of the removal of the drive button that was added to the D5200. This is a shame because that was a handy feature which now has to be accessed through the menu system. The real changes to the D5300 are on the inside. Most notably, the D5300 has inherited a feature from the more expensive D7100 — a 24MP CMOS sensor without an Anti-Aliasing blur filter, which promises sharper more detailed images. Another leap in technology is the brand new Expeed 4 imaging processor that expands the D5300’s native ISO all the way up to 12,800 and promises at least one stop better low-light performance in a camera that is already very capable in low light. The other thing the Expeed 4 imaging processor brings to the table is the ability to record video 60fps at 1080p, which allows perfect integration of slow motion effects into your HD videos. A couple of other exciting features that have been included that many Nikon users have been wanting are integrated Wi-Fi and GPS. In the past you had to buy relatively expensive add-ons to get these features. Now you can record the location where all of your images are taken without a bulky GPS-1 in your hot-shoe or hanging from are taken without a bulky GPS-1 in your hot-shoe or hanging from your camera strap. The Wi-Fi feature allows you to transfer images to your smart phone or tablet so that you can share them with your friends and family nearly instantly. The Wi-Fi also allows you to shoot tethered wirelessly as well as enabling you to control your camera using your Smartphone as both the controller and Live View source using Nikon’s free app. The D5300 retains the state of the art Multi-CAM 4800DX 39-point autofocusing system and the 2016-pixel Color Matrix Metering II metering system that was introduced with the D5200. The D5300 is a camera at its own level within the Nikon system, having many features that even the much more expensive professional models don’t have. It is more compact than more expensive models too, which is great for travelers and people who don’t want to be encumbered by a huge professional camera, but want high-end professional features. About the Digital Field Guide The Nikon Digital Field Guide book series is intended to act as an adjunct to the manual that comes with your camera. While the manual gives you a great overview of the camera, a photographer didn’t write it. The Nikon D5200 Digital Field Guide gives you all the information you need about the camera from a working photographer’s perspective. The goal of this guide is to help photographers — from novice to advanced amateur — grasp all of the features of their new camera. It includes tips learned from working with the camera in the field, as well as some basic information to help newer photographers get up to speed quickly. This full-color guide walks you through setting up your camera, offers insight about which settings to use, and tells you why each setting is useful in particular situations. Full-color images demonstrate different photography concepts, and show you some of the things the D5300 is able to accomplish. The Nikon D5300 Digital Field Guide will help you familiarize yourself with your camera more quickly, so that you can not only navigate and handle it better, but also more easily achieve your photographic vision. Chapter 1: Exploring the Nikon D5300 Nikon’s 5000 series of cameras occupy a special niche within the Nikon line of cameras. The D5300 is the only camera in Nikon’s current lineup to feature the articulating Vari-angle LCD monitor. To make room for this handy feature the D5300 is designed differently from all other Nikon cameras, and the result is that there are fewer buttons and dials; many common features are accessed through the D5300’s menu. Because the camera has been streamlined, many of the buttons and dials have more than one function, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the layout and use of these buttons so that when you’re shooting, you’re not fumbling around trying to find the right button to access the features that you need. Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc. The Vari-angle LCD monitor is specific to the 5000 series of Nikon dSLR cameras. Key Components of the D5300 As I mentioned previously, the D5300 doesn’t have the plethora of buttons and dials that other Nikon camera models do, so the few controls the camera does have are very important. Most of them controls the camera does have are very important. Most of them perform numerous duties depending on the camera mode, so understanding how each control functions is key to controlling your camera quickly so that you don’t miss a shot. The following sections break the camera features down into segments and go over each control. The top of the camera Most of the important buttons are on the top of the D5300. This makes it easier to find them, especially when you have your eye to the viewfinder. This is where you find the dial to change the shooting modes, as well as the all-important shutter-release button and the Movie record button. The following list includes the controls/buttons on top of the camera: On/Off switch. Located concentric to the shutter-release button, this switch turns the camera on and off. Push it to the right to turn the camera on or to the left to turn the camera off. Shutter-release button. This is the most important button on the camera. It is a two-stage button. Pressing this button halfway activates the camera’s autofocus and light meter. Fully depressing this button releases the shutter, and a photograph is taken. When the camera has been idle, and has "gone to sleep," lightly pressing the shutter-release button wakes it up. When the Auto info display is set to On, half-pressing and holding it turns the Info Display off, while releasing it turns the Info Display on. When the image review is on, lightly pressing the shutter-release button turns off the LCD screen and prepares the camera for another shot. Movie-record button. When the camera is in Live View mode ( ), you press this button (which has a simple red dot on it) to start recording video. Press it a second time to stop recording. Exposure compensation ( )/Aperture ( ) button. Press this button while spinning the Command dial to modify the exposure set by the D5300 light meter when it is in the Programmed auto ( ), Shutterpriority auto ( ), or Aperture–priority auto ( ) modes. Turning the Command dial to the right increases the exposure, while turning the dial to the left decreases the exposure. When set to Manual exposure mode ( ), you can press this button and rotate the Command dial to adjust the aperture settings. Image courtesy of Nikon, Inc. 1.1 The controls on top of the camera. Info button ( ). Press this button to display information on the LCD screen. The information display shows all of the exposure and camera setting options. NOTE If you’re stepping up from the D5200 you may notice that the shutter-release mode button has been moved to the bottom left side of the camera near the lens mount. Live View mode switch ( ). Of all Nikon cameras, the D5300 has my favorite implementation for Live View mode ( ). A quick flick of the Live View mode switch ( ), which is right next to the Mode dial, puts the camera in Live View mode ( ), so you can shoot stills or videos using the LCD monitor as a viewfinder. Mode dial. This is an important dial. Rotating the Mode dial allows you to change your shooting mode quickly. You can choose one of the scene modes, the Special Effects mode, one of the semiautomatic modes, or Manual exposure mode , which lets you pick the exposure settings. CROSS REF For a detailed description of all exposure modes, see Chapter 2. Hot shoe. This is where you attach an accessory flash to the camera body. The hot shoe has an electronic contact that tells the flash to fire when the shutter is released. A number of other electronic contacts allow the camera to communicate with the flash, enabling the automated features of a dedicated flash unit such as the SB-700. Stereo microphone. The D5300 employs a built-in stereo microphone for recording sound with your movies. Speaker. This small speaker allows you to hear the sound of the video playback. The fidelity isn’t very good, but it gives you a close approximation of what you will hear during playback. Focal plane indicator. This marks the plane where the front of the sensor lies. Nikon uses this as the mark of the closest focus length of a lens and when measuring distances for manual flash calculations this is where the measurement to the subject from the camera should start. The back of the camera The back of the camera is where you find the buttons that mainly control playback and menu options, although a few buttons control some of the shooting functions. Most of the buttons have more than one function. Additionally, you use many of them in conjunction with the Command dial or multi-selector. On the back of the camera, you also find several key features, including the all-important LCD screen and viewfinder. The following are the controls on the back of the camera: Vari-angle LCD monitor. This is the most prominent feature on the back of the camera. This 3.2-inch, liquid crystal display (LCD)