The W OVER 2 HOURS E OF VIDEO TUTORIALS N Nikon Camera The independent guide to getting the most from your Nikon 175 pages of expert tips Master your Nikon • Find the best kit • Edit & manipulate images Welcome to NThe ikon Camera Photography is one of the most popular pastimes in the world, and with Nikon leading the way in terms of technology and innovation, it’s no wonder that its cameras are trusted by so many photographers. Although many other brands try to nibble at the market share, year on year Nikon remains a heavyweight contender, with a catalogue of cameras ranging from point-and-shoot compacts to professional DSLRs, so you can fi nd the right camera. The Nikon Camera Book is the ultimate guide to getting the most from your Nikon, and in this Fifth Edition, we will show you everything you need to know about your model. From the newest cameras and lenses on the market, to the accessories that’ll make your life easier, you’ll discover which one suits your needs best. We take you through advanced shooting techniques across a range of photographic genres, such as creating atmospheric landscapes and working with RAW. We fi nish with essential advice on editing your Nikon-captured images, to give your photo that fi nal touch for maximum impact. NThe ikon Camera Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth Dorset BH2 6EZ (cid:8) +44 (0) 1202 586200 Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk Twitter: @Books_Imagine Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineBookazines Publishing Director Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews Production Editor Sanne de Boer Designer Rebekka Hearl Senior Art Editor Greg Whitaker Printed by William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU Tel 0203 787 9060 www.marketforce.co.uk Distributed in Australia by Network Services (a division of Bauer Media Group), Level 21 Civic Tower, 66-68 Goulburn Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia Tel +61 2 8667 5288 Disclaimer The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. Nikon is a trademark of the Nikon Corporation. The Nikon Camera Book Fifth Edition © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd ISBN 9781785462320 Part of the bookazine series Contents A guide to your Nikon camera Learn more about your camera with our handy guide Guide to Nikon Using your Nikon 50Composition 08 Y our Nikon Camera 50 C omposing images with your Lean more about your camera and which one to use Nikon camera as we get to grips with the newest, top-selling models Composition rules and how to apply them 20 G uide to Nikon lenses 56 S tay sharp Our guide to the best lenses for your Nikon, their uses, Lean more about focusing your Nikon and which one fits your budget 66 M etering with Nikon 28 E ssential Kit for Nikon The principals and application of metering Must-have gadgets to enhance your shots 72 Using flash 38 G uide to Nikon modes Get the hang of this tricky technique Explore the Nikon mode dial 78 A guide to filters for landscapes Enhance your Nikon’s creativity with filters “Focusing is one of the most 28 important skills” Essential kit 6 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK “Many brands nibble at the market share, but Nikon is still the biggest contender” 106 Capture RAW Advanced techniques 90 Portraits with personality Create portraits that capture your model 170 Dodge and Burn 98 A tmospheric landscapes Capture the irresistible magic of nature Editing your 106 C apture RAW Nikon images 90 Discover the potential of this incredible format Capture personality to create stunning images 116 Capture motion 154 The essential guide to editing Pro techniques for capturing action shots Use Photoshop to transform your Nikon images 126 T he ultimate guide to 162 P hotoshop fundamentals macro photography Improve your Nikon’s photos in 5 minutes Use your Nikon to take images of small 166 G et the best from NEF subjects on a large scale A guide to using Nikon’s Capture NX2 software 134 Master monochrome 170 A dd drama with Dodge & Burn How to get the best black & white images with your Nikon Make every photo timeless with this effect 116 146 Stylish still life 172 E nhance images with Levels Make time stand still Get to grips with commercial shots Make your images pop even more THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK 7 Your Nikon camera A guide to your Nikon camera We get to grips with the big brand’s top-selling models to help you learn more about your camera 8 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK Your Nikon camera Although many brands try to nibble at the conjunction with NASA, but it has continued to build along the product line up is the prosumer model the camera market share, Nikon remains one of a tradition as a name photographers can trust. Today D7200, which introduces higher-end technology in the biggest contenders. Nikon has strategically the company retail dozens of models, all exhibiting a tougher shell. Semi-professionals are dazzled by launched an impressive array of shooters that cover a variety of specifi cations perfectly crafted to fulfi l the full-frame D610, D750 and D810, with the latter every portion of the market to fulfi l the needs of the needs of a particular group. The fi rst rung on having an incredible 36-megapixel sensor. Then you every target demographic. Nikon’s D series DSLRs the ladder for debuting camera users is the beginner have the option of the astro-specialised 810A or the have become a popular choice for anyone from the or entry-level models, and currently fulfi lling this retro-styled Nikon Df, which takes the controls back enthusiastic novice to the seasoned photography demand are the easy-to-use Coolpix compacts and to the days of fi lm, with separate dials for things like professional. Time after time, consumers choose the Nikon 1 series of compact system cameras. Next exposure compensation. Finally the professional Nikon for its reputation for reliability, accessibility, up is the D3300 which has a built-in guide mode to segment is completed by the D4S, touting the high performance, superb functionality, impressive aid the transition from compact to DSLR. industry’s fi nest photographic technology. features and, ultimately, incredible image quality. Then if you want to start taking your photography Across the next few pages you’ll fi nd in-depth The company has come a long way since it further you have the D5500, which has a few extra guides to some of the best Nikon has to offer to help launched the fi rst professional DSLR, the D1, in features to help you take more control. Moving you make the best buying decision for you. “Nikon has launched an impressive array of shooters that cover every portion of the camera market” THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK 9 Your Nikon camera: Professional Despite the large size and weight of the D4S, it feels well-balanced in hand and the placing of the Nikon’s buttons is intuitive Nikon D4S SRP: £5,200 / $6,500 (body only) How much has changed from Nikon’s flagship D4? And is this camera the perfect kit you need to capture the action? T here’s always a lot of excitement with the is less likely to be distracted by objects crossing a Technical data arrival of a new high-end camera and the subject. In our tests the AF was very responsive. Nikon D4S was no exception. People were Movie capabilities have been upgraded to Model Nikon D4S disappointed when they realised it’s a modest 1080/60p recording. The LCD is clear, but suffers Price £5,200 / $6,500 upgrade from the D4 – perhaps the biggest letdown from the green cast seen on the D800 and D4, (body only) was the continuation of the same 16MP sensor. though the colour is adjustable. Live View still lags Web www.nikon.com However, with this upgrade there are subtle changes behind the competition, too, struggling in low light. Megapixels (effective) 16.2 that improve both performance and image quality. In general, image quality is excellent, with some Max resolution (pixels) 4928 x 3280 Sensor information 36 x 23.9mm CMOS The D4S is a big camera but it feels lighter when areas, in particular dynamic range, being outstanding. Shutter speed 30 -1/8000sec you pick it up as it’s so well-balanced. It’s solid and The files are very sharp, with great clarity and detail, ISO sensitivity A, 100-25600 feels as if it could survive a knock or two. On the though with a tendency to smooth out textured (expandable to 50- whole, ergonomics are excellent, with logically laid surfaces. The Nikon’s impressive dynamic range 409600) out controls. The viewfinder is clear and bright and, does cause a minor issue, which is that the tonal Exposure modes P, A, S, M while large enough, it is smaller than the one on its range of the RAW files is often far greater than the Metering options CW, S, M main competitor, the Canon 1Dx. review histogram suggests. Auto white balance was Flash modes A, RE, RE+SS, SS, high- Tweaks have also been made inside the weather- disappointing, being slightly cool with hints of a cyan speed sync, front-curtain, sealed, magnesium alloy body. The processor was colour cast. This pricey camera might not tempt D4 rear-curtain Connectivity USB, HDMI, Optional upgraded to the EXPEED 4, which enables the D4S to users but is a worthwhile proposition for others. wireless continuously focus at the highest frame rate of 11fps, Weight 1,350g and expands the ISO range to a huge 409600. Images Summary Dimensions 160x156.5x90.5mm are understandably noisy at the highest ISO settings Batteries Rechargeable Li-ion but up to ISO 3200, noise isn’t an issue. While the D4 was already excellent, Nikon has Storage CompactFlash, XQD Autofocus performance has also been refined, with made some incredibly useful tweaks with this LCD 3.2”, 921K-dot TFT, fixed the reintroduction of the Group AF mode, allowing interim upgrade in the D4S. Low light and sports Viewfinder: Optical, 100% coverage, users to specify five points to focus on, rather than photography fans will be well equipped here with 0.7x magnification one. The algorithms have been improved, so that AF this solidly built camera. 10 THE NIKON CAMERA BOOK