Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1
Thinking Outside the Box

In a Hurry?

First Things First

Initial Setup

Mastering the Multi Selector

Setting the Clock

Battery Included

Final Steps

Chapter 2
Nikon D3500 Quick Start

Using the Information Edit Display

Choosing a Release Mode

Selecting a Shooting Mode

Choosing a Scene Mode

Choosing an Advanced Mode

Choosing a Metering Mode

Choosing Focus Modes

Choosing Autofocus-Area Mode

Choosing Focus Mode

Adjusting White Balance and ISO

Reviewing the Images You’ve Taken

Using the Built-in Flash

Transferring Photos to Your Computer

Using the Guide Mode

Shoot Options

View/Delete Options

Retouch Options

Set Up Options

Chapter 3
Nikon D3500 Roadmap

Nikon D3500: Front View

The Nikon D3500’s Business End

Playing Back Images

Zooming the Nikon D3500 Playback Display

Viewing Thumbnails

Working with Calendar View

Working with Photo Information

Shooting Information Display/Information Edit Screen

Going Topside

Lens Components

Underneath Your Nikon D3500

Looking Inside the Viewfinder

Chapter 4
Playback and Shooting Menus

Anatomy of the Nikon D3500’s Menus

Playback Menu Options

Delete

Playback Folder

Playback Display Options

Image Review

Auto Image Rotation

Rotate Tall

Slide Show

Rating

Select to Send to Smart Device

Shooting Menu Options

Reset Shooting Menu

Image Quality

Image Size

ISO Sensitivity Settings

White Balance

Set Picture Control

Color Space

Active D-Lighting

Noise Reduction

Vignette Control

Auto Distortion Control

Focus Mode

AF-Area Mode

Built-In AF-Assist Illuminator

Metering

Flash Cntrl for Built-In Flash/Optional Flash

Optical VR

Movie Settings

Chapter 5
Setup, Retouch, and Recent Settings Menus

Setup Menu Options

Reset Setup Options

Format Memory Card

Date Stamp

Time Zone and Date

Language

Monitor Brightness

Info Display Format

Auto Info Display

Auto Off Timers

Self-Timer

Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning

Image Dust Off Ref Photo

Image Comment

Copyright Information

Beep

Flicker Reduction

Buttons

Rangefinder

Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode

File Number Sequence

Storage Folder

File Naming

HDMI

Location Data

Airplane Mode

Connect to Smart Device

Send to Smart Device (Auto)

Bluetooth

Eye-Fi Upload

Conformity Marking

Slot Empty Release Lock

Reset All Settings

Firmware Version

Retouch Menu Options

NEF (RAW) Processing

Trim

Resize

D-Lighting

Quick Retouch

Red-Eye Correction

Straighten

Distortion Control

Perspective Control

Fisheye

Filter Effects

Monochrome

Image Overlay

Color Outline

Photo Illustration

Color Sketch

Miniature Effect

Selective Color

Painting

Edit Movie

Side-by-Side Comparison

Using Recent Settings

Chapter 6
Nailing the Right Exposure

Getting a Handle on Exposure

How the D3500 Calculates Exposure

Correctly Exposed

Overexposed

Underexposed

Choosing a Metering Method

Matrix Metering

Center-Weighted Metering

Spot Metering

Choosing an Exposure Method

Aperture-Priority

Shutter-Priority

Program Mode

Manual Exposure

Using Scene Modes

Using Special Effects Modes

Adjusting Exposure with ISO Settings

Dealing with Noise

Fixing Exposures with Histograms

Bracketing

Bracketing and Merge to HDR

Chapter 7
Mastering the Mysteries of Autofocus

How Focus Works

Contrast Detection

Phase Detection

Locking in Focus

Focus Modes

Adding Circles of Confusion

Using Autofocus with the Nikon D3500

Your Autofocus Mode Options

Autofocus Mode

Autofocus Area

Focusing in Live View

Focus Mode

Focus Area

Chapter 8
Live View and Movie Making

Working with Live View

Fun with Live View

Beginning Live View

Shooting in Live View

Shooting Movies with the D3500

Movie Exposure

Viewing Your Movies

Editing Your Movies

Some Fundamentals

Tips for Shooting Better Video

Lens Craft

Audio

Keep Things Stable and on the Level

Shooting Script

Storyboards

Storytelling in Video

Composition

Lighting for Video

Chapter 9
Advanced Shooting Tips for Your Nikon D3500

Continuous Shooting

Exploring Ultra-Fast Exposures

Long Exposures

Three Ways to Take Long Exposures

Working with Long Exposures

Using SnapBridge

Chapter 10
Working with Lenses

Sensor Sensibilities

Crop or Not?

First (and Second) Lens Options

Buy Now, Expand Later

Your Best Do-Everything Option?

What Lenses Can You Use?

Ingredients of Nikon’s Alphanumeric Soup

Zoom or Prime?

Categories of Lenses

Using Wide-Angle and Wide-Zoom Lenses

Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems

Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses

Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems

Telephotos and Bokeh

Add-ons and Special Features

Lens Hoods

Telephoto Converters

Macro Focusing

Vibration Reduction

Chapter 11
Making Light Work for You

Continuous Illumination versus Electronic Flash

Continuous Lighting Basics

Daylight

Incandescent/Tungsten Light

Fluorescent and LED Lamps

Adjusting White Balance

Electronic Flash Basics

How Electronic Flash Works

Determining Exposure

Guide Numbers

Flash Control

Flash Metering Mode

Choosing a Flash Sync Mode

A Typical Electronic Flash Sequence

Working with Nikon Flash Units

Nikon D3500 Built-In Flash

Nikon Add-On Flash Units

Nikon SB-300

Nikon SB-400

Nikon SB-500

Nikon SB-700

Nikon SB-R200

Nikon SB-910

Nikon SB-5000

Working with Wireless Commander Mode

Connecting External Flash

More Advanced Lighting Techniques

Diffusing and Softening the Light

Chapter 12
Troubleshooting and Prevention

Battery Powered

Updating Your Firmware

How It Works

Why Four Firmware Modules?

Getting Ready

Protecting Your LCD

Troubleshooting Memory Cards

All Your Eggs in One Basket?

What Can Go Wrong?

What Can You Do?

Preventive Measures

Cleaning Your Sensor

Dust the FAQs, Ma’am

Identifying and Dealing with Dust

Avoiding Dust

Sensor Cleaning