CHAPTER 1
Exploring the Nikon D7000
This chapter covers the key components of the Nikon D7000. These are the features that are most readily accessible because they are situated on the outside of the camera: the buttons, knobs, switches, and dials.
Although most Nikon dSLRs are relatively similar to each other, the D7000 has had an extensive redesign. Even if you're familiar with other Nikon dSLR cameras, you may want to read through the chapter to acquaint yourself with all the new features of the D7000.
Getting to know all your camera's menus, buttons, and dials allows you to capture your images just as you envision them.
Key Components of the D7000
This section doesn't cover the menus, only the exterior controls. Although you can access many features using menu options, oftentimes you can change the same settings with just the push of a button. Knowing exactly what these buttons do can save you loads of time and keep you from missing a shot.
Top of the camera
You find some of the most important buttons and dials on the top of the D7000. This is where you can change the Shooting mode and press the Shutter Release button to take your photo.
On the kit lens, you find three key features:
- Focus ring. Rotating the focus ring allows you to focus the lens manually. The location of the focus ring varies by lens. With old AF (non AF-S) lenses, and even older manual focus lenses, you turn the ring to focus the lens. Newer AF-S lenses, such as the kit lens, have a switch labeled A and M. Select M before attempting to manually focus. If you don't switch it over first, you can damage the lens. Some higher-end AF-S lenses have a switch labeled A/M and M. With these lenses set to the A/M position, you can manually override the autofocus at any time without damaging the lens.
For more information on lenses and compatibility, see Chapter 4.
- Zoom ring. Rotating the zoom ring allows you to change the focal length of the lens. Prime lenses do not have a zoom ring.
- Focal length indicators. These numbers indicate which focal length in millimeters your lens is zoomed to.
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 — a lot of them are used in conjunction with the Main Command dial or the Multi-selector. On the back of the camera you also find several key features, including the all-important LCD and viewfinder.
Front of the camera
The front of the D7000 (the lens facing you) is where you find the buttons to quickly adjust the flash settings as well as some camera-focusing options, and with certain lenses, you will find some buttons that control focusing and Vibration Reduction (VR).
Right side of the camera
On the right side of the camera (the lens facing you) are the output terminals on the D7000. These are used to connect your camera to a computer or to an external source for viewing your images directly from the camera. These terminals are hidden under a rubber cover that helps keep out dust and moisture.
Left side of the camera
On the left side of the camera (the lens facing you) is the memory card slot cover. Sliding this door toward the back of the camera opens it so you can insert or remove your memory cards.
1.5 Memory card slot cover
Viewfinder Display
When looking through the viewfinder, you see a lot of useful information about the photo you are setting up. Most of the information is also shown in the Information Display, but it is less handy when you are looking through the viewfinder composing a shot. Here is a complete list of all the information you get from the viewfinder display:
- Framing grid. When this option is turned on in the Custom Settings menu (CSM) d2, you will see a grid displayed in the viewing area. Use the grid to line up elements of your composition to ensure they are straight (or not).
- Focus points. The first thing you are likely to notice when looking through the viewfinder is a small rectangle near the center of the frame. This is your active focus point. Note that only the active focus point is shown full-time when you're using the Single, Dynamic, or 3D-tracking AF setting. When the camera is set to Auto-area AF, no focus point is shown until the Shutter Release button is half-pressed and focus is achieved.
- AF-area brackets. These brackets are used to indicate where the boundaries of the AF points are. The AF system will not recognize anything that lies outside the brackets. In the middle of the AF-area brackets on the top and bottom there is a semi-circle, which is the 12mm center-weighted metering circle.
- Low battery indicator. This shows up when the battery is low. When the battery is completely exhausted, this icon blinks and the Shutter Release is disabled.
- Black-and-white indicator. This warning appears when the camera is set to the MC (monochrome) Picture Control.
- No memory card indicator. This warning appears when there is no memory card inserted in the camera.
The No memory card, Black-and-white, and Low battery indicators can be turned off in CSM d4.
- Focus indicator. This is a green dot that lets you know whether the camera detects that the scene is in focus. When focus is achieved, the green dot lights up; if the camera is not in focus, no dot is displayed. On either side of a dot is an arrow. When the left arrow is lit, the focus is in between the camera and the subject; when the right arrow is lit the focus is falling behind the subject. Both arrows blinking indicates that the camera was unable to achieve focus.
- AE Lock indicator. When this is lit, you know that the Auto-Exposure has been locked.
- Shutter speed/AF mode. This shows how long your shutter is set to stay open, from 30 seconds (30″) up to 1/8000 (8000) second. When you press the AF mode button, this shows your AF mode setting (AF-A, AF-C, AF-S).
- Aperture. This shows what your current aperture setting is. The words aperture and f-stop are used interchangeably. Your aperture setting is how wide your lens opening is.
- Low battery warning. This appears when the camera battery is low and needs to be charged.
- Auto-bracketing indicator. This appears when Auto-bracketing is engaged.
- ISO sensitivity indicator. When you press the ISO button, this indicator shows up next to the ISO sensitivity setting, letting you know that the numbers you are seeing are the ISO numbers.
- K. This lets you know that there are more than 1,000 exposures remaining on your memory card.
- Flash-ready indicator. When this is displayed, the flash, whether it is the built-in flash or an external Speedlight attached to the hot shoe, is fully charged and ready to fire at full power.
- FV lock indicator. When the FV lock indicator is on, it means you have locked in the flash exposure value. The flash value (FV) can only be locked when the Function button (or Preview) has been set to do this.
- Flash sync indicator. This indicator is displayed as a small X. This comes on when you set your camera to the sync speed in CSM e1. This is only available in Shutter Priority (S) or Manual (M) mode. To set the camera to the preset sync speed, dial the shutter speed down one setting past the longest shutter time, which is 30 seconds in S and bulb in M.
1.6 Viewfinder display
- Aperture stop indicator. This indicator is displayed when a non-CPU lens is attached that hasn't had non-CPU lens data entered. The camera displays the aperture steps in numbers. Wide open the indicator reads F0, and each stop you click down is another full number; for example, stop down to f/5.6 when using an f/2.8 lens and the indicator reads F2. Stop down to f/22 and it reads F6, which is 6 stops away from f/2.8.
- Exposure indicator/Tilt indicator. When the bars are in the center, you are at the proper settings to get a good exposure; when the bars are to the left, you are overexposed, and when the bars are to the right, you are underexposing your image. You can reverse this in CSM f9. This feature is especially handy when using Manual exposure. This display also doubles as the tilt indicator that allows you to ensure your camera is level, which is great when shooting landscapes. When the camera is tilted to the right, the bars are displayed on the left. When the camera is tilted to the left, the bars are displayed on the right. When the camera is level, a single bar appears directly under the zero.
- FEC indicator. When this is displayed, Flash Exposure Compensation is on. You adjust FEC by pressing the Flash mode button and rotating the Sub-command dial.
- Exposure Compensation indicator. When this appears in the viewfinder, your camera has exposure compensation activated. You adjust exposure compensation by pressing the Exposure Compensation button and rotating the Main Command dial.
- Auto ISO indicator. This is displayed when the Auto ISO setting is activated to let you know that the camera is controlling the ISO settings. You can turn on Auto ISO in the ISO sensitivity settings located in the Shooting menu.
- Exposures remaining/ISO/WB/EV FEC/Active D-Lighting/AF-area mode. This set of numbers lets you know how many more exposures can fit on the memory card. The actual number of exposures may vary according to file information and compression. When you half-press the Shutter Release button, the display changes to show how many exposures can fit in the camera's buffer before the buffer is full and the frame rate slows down. The buffer is in-camera RAM that stores your image data while the data is being written to the memory card. This also shows the WB preset recording information as well as your exposure compensation values, FEC values, Active D-Lighting amount, and the AF-area mode.
Control Panel
The Control Panel on the top of the camera allows you a quick way to reference some of the most important settings on your D7000.
- Color temperature indicator. This indicator is displayed to alert you that the numbers you are seeing is the color temperature in the Kelvin scale. This only appears when the camera is set to Kelvin WB and the WB button is being pressed.
- Shutter speed. By default, this set of numbers shows you the shutter speed setting. These numbers also show a myriad of other settings depending on which buttons are being pressed and what modes are activated. Here's a list:
- Exposure compensation value. When you press the Exposure Compensation button and rotate the Sub-command dial, the exposure value (EV) compensation number is displayed.
- FEC value. Pressing the Flash mode button and rotating the Sub-command dial displays the FEC value.
- WB fine-tuning. Pressing the WB button and rotating the Sub-command dial fine-tunes the white balance setting. A is warmer and B is cooler.
- Color temperature. When the WB is set to K, the panel displays the color temperature in the Kelvin scale when you press the WB button.
- WB preset number. When the WB is set to one of the preset numbers, pressing the WB button displays the preset number currently being used.
- Bracketing sequence. When the D7000 Auto-bracketing feature is activated, pressing the Function button displays the number of shots left in the bracketing sequence. This includes WB, exposure, and flash bracketing.
- Interval timer number. When the camera is set to use the interval timer for time-lapse photography, this displays the number of shots remaining in the current interval.
- Focal length (non-CPU lenses). When the camera's Function button is set to choose a non-CPU lens number when the Function button is pressed, the focal length of the non-CPU lens is displayed. You must enter the lens data in the Setup menu.
- MB-D11 battery indicator. When the MB-D11 battery grip is attached and the camera is using the battery installed in the grip, this icon is displayed.
- Battery indicator. This display shows the charge remaining on the active battery. When this indicator is blinking, the battery is dead and the shutter is disabled.
- Flash mode. These icons denote which flash mode you are using. The flash modes include Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync. To change the Flash sync mode, press the Flash mode button and rotate the Main Command dial.
- Image size. When you're shooting JPEG, or RAW + JPEG files, this tells you whether you are recording Large, Medium, or Small files. This display is turned off when shooting RAW files.
- Image quality. This displays the type of file format you are recording. You can shoot RAW or JPEG. When you're shooting JPEG or RAW + JPEG, it displays the compression quality: FINE, NORM, or BASIC.
- WB fine-tuning indicator. When the white balance fine-tuning feature is activated, this asterisk is displayed. You can fine-tune WB by pressing the WB button and rotating the Sub-command dial.
- WB setting. This shows you which white balance setting is currently selected.
- Aperture stop indicator. This icon appears when a non-CPU lens is attached without the non-CPU lens data being entered. This indicates that the numbers next to it are not aperture settings, but aperture stops starting from F0, which is wide open.
- F-stop/Aperture number. At default settings, this displays the aperture at which the camera is set. This indicator also displays other settings as follows:
- Aperture (number of stops). This shows the number of stops for a non-CPU lens with no data entered into the camera.
- Auto-bracketing compensation increments. The exposure bracketing can be adjusted to overand underexpose in 1/3-stop increments. When the Function button is set to Auto-bracketing, the number of EV stops is displayed in this area. The choices are 0.3, 0.7, or 1.0 EV. The WB Auto-bracketing can also be adjusted; the settings are 1, 2, or 3.
- Number of shots per interval. When the D7000 is set to Interval Timer shooting, the number of frames shot in the interval is displayed.
- Maximum aperture (non-CPU lenses). When a non-CPU lens is attached and the non-CPU lens data has been entered, the aperture setting of the specified lens is displayed.
- PC mode indicator. This is displayed as PC when connected to the computer by a USB cable.
- Flexible program indicator. This asterisk appears next to the exposure mode when you're in P, or Programmed Auto, mode. It lets you know that you have changed the default auto-exposure set by the camera to better suit your creative needs.
- Memory card indicator (Slot 1, Slot 2). This is displayed when a memory card is inserted into a slot. If a number appears in the icon, the slot contains the active card and the images are being recorded to it. Both slots can be active when you're using Slot 2 as a backup or recording RAW to Slot 1 and JPG to Slot 2.
- Auto ISO indicator. This is displayed when the Automatic ISO setting is activated to let you know that the camera is controlling the ISO settings. You can activate Auto ISO in the Shooting menu.
- Thousands indicator (K). This lets you know that there are more than 1,000 exposures remaining on your memory card.
- Beep indicator. This informs you that the camera will beep when the self-timer is activated or when the camera achieves focus when in Single Focus mode.
- Exposure Compensation indicator. When this appears in the control panel, your camera has exposure compensation activated. This will affect your exposure. Adjust the exposure compensation by pressing the Exposure Compensation button and rotating the Main Command dial.
- Flash sync indicator. This indicator is displayed as an X. This comes on when you set your camera to the flash sync speed that is set in CSM e1. This is only available in S or M mode. To set the camera to the preset sync speed, dial the shutter speed down one setting past the longest shutter time, which is 30 seconds in S and bulb in M.
- Flash Compensation indicator. This icon is displayed to inform you that Flash Exposure Compensation has been applied.
- AF-area mode indicator. This lets you know what AF-area mode is selected and in use.
- AF mode. This lets you know which focus mode is being used: AF-A, AF-C, or AF-S.
- Clock not set indicator. When this appears in the control panel, the camera's internal clock needs to be set. You can find the Clock settings in the Setup menu.
- Interval timer indicator. When the camera's Interval timer option is turned on, this appears in the control panel. You set the interval timer in the Shooting menu.
- Multiple exposure indicator. This icon informs you that the camera is set to record multiple exposures. Set multiple exposures in the Shooting menu.
- Auto-bracketing indicator. When the D7000 is in the Auto-Exposure or flash bracketing setting, this appears on the control panel; when it is using WB bracketing, a WB icon also appears above the icon. You set Auto-bracketing in CSM e5.
- Bracketing progress indicator. This shows you your place in the bracketing sequence when Auto-bracketing is turned on.
- GPS connection indicator. When this icon is displayed, a GPS device has been attached to the camera using the accessory port.
- Metering mode. This displays the metering mode setting (Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot metering).
- Remaining exposures. By default the number of remaining exposures is displayed. A few other things are also displayed, depending on the mode and what buttons are being pressed, as follows:
- Buffer. When the Shutter Release button is half-pressed, the amount of shots remaining until the buffer is full is displayed.
- Capture mode indicator. This indicates specific settings when the camera is connected to the computer with a USB (PC), and others when using Capture Control Pro 2 or the WT-4 wireless transmitter.
- ISO sensitivity. This is the ISO sensitivity setting number.
- Preset white balance recording. When recording a custom WB, this flashes PRE.
- Active D-Lighting amount. This only appears when Active D-Lighting is assigned to the Fn or Preview button and that button is pressed. It displays the current setting (Auto, Off, HP (Extra High), H (High), n (Normal), L (Low)).
- Manual lens number. This only appears when non-CPU lens data is assigned to the Fn or Preview button and that button is pressed. It displays the number of the lens setting (n-1–n-9).
- HDMI-CEC connection indicator. When your camera is connected to an HDMI device that supports HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), this icon is displayed. This means that the Multi-selector is disabled and the HDMI device remote is controlling the playback.
Information Display
The Information Display, which I refer to as the Info display for brevity, shows some of the same shooting information that appears in the viewfinder, but there are also quite a few settings that are only displayed here. When this is displayed on the rear LCD, you can view and change the settings without looking through the viewfinder. When the camera is turned on, the Shooting info is automatically displayed on the LCD monitor.
You can also view the Info display by pressing the Info button (located on the bottom right of the camera directly under the focus selector lock). Pressing the Info button twice brings up another screen, which allows you to change some key settings on the camera. These settings are detailed in Figure 1.9.
The information remains on display until no buttons have been pushed for about 10 seconds (default) or the Shutter Release or Info button is pressed.
This display shows you everything you need to know about your camera settings. Additionally, the camera has a sensor built in that tells it when you are holding it vertically, and the Info display is shown upright no matter which way you are holding your camera.
- Shooting mode. This displays the Shooting mode that your camera is currently set to. This can be one of the scene modes, in which case the display will be the appropriate icon; or one of the semiautomatic modes, such as P, S, A, or M, in which case the display will show the corresponding letter. This display changes when the Mode dial is rotated.
- Flexible program indicator. This asterisk appears next to the exposure mode when you're in P, or Programmed Auto, mode. It lets you know that you have changed the default auto-exposure set by the camera to better suit your creative needs.
- Shutter speed. By default this displays the shutter speed setting. It also shows a few other things, as follows:
- Exposure compensation value. When you press the Exposure Compensation button and rotate the Sub-command dial, the exposure value (EV) compensation number is displayed.
- FEC value. Pressing the Flash mode button and rotating the Sub-command dial displays the FEC value.
- Number of shots in bracketing sequence. When you press the BKT button, you look here to determine the settings.
- Focal length (non-CPU lenses). When the camera's Function button is set to choose a non-CPU lens number when the Function button is pressed, the focal length of the non-CPU lens is displayed. You must enter the lens data in the Setup menu.
- Exposure indicator. When the bars are in the center, you are at the proper settings to get a good exposure; when the bars are to the left, you are overexposed; when the bars are to the right, you are underexposing your image. You can reverse this in CSM f9.
- Exposure compensation display. If any exposure compensation is applied, it will show that you have an underor overexposure on the indicator.
- Bracketing progress indicator. When Auto-bracketing is turned on, you can use this to track your progress. The display shows a small line under the 0 (normal), the + side (overexposure), and the – side (underexposure).
- WB bracketing. When bracketing is set to WB, three small lines are placed on either side of the zero, indicating each shot to be taken. The line disappears when the shot has been taken.
- AF-area mode indicator. This lets you know which AF-area mode is selected and in use.
- Auto ISO indicator. This is displayed when the Automatic ISO setting is activated to let you know that the camera is controlling the ISO settings. You can activate Auto ISO in the Shooting menu.
- K. This lets you know that there are more than 1,000 exposures remaining on your memory card.
- Exposures remaining/Manual lens number. This displays the number of exposures remaining. When the Fn or Preview button is assigned to non-CPU lens data, this displays the focal length data for the selected lens.
- White balance/White balance fine-tuning. This is where your WB settings are displayed. If the WB has been changed from the default, an asterisk is shown.
1.7 Info display
- Image quality. The image quality settings are displayed here. There are two areas: one for Slot 1 and one for Slot 2.
- Image size. This area displays the size settings for JPEG images.
- Flash mode. This is where the different flash modes and settings are displayed.
- Beep indicator. When the camera is set to beep for AF confirmation (CSM d1), a music note appears here.
- Multiple exposure indicator. This icon is displayed when the multiple exposure feature is activated.
- Bracketing indicator. This is displayed when the D7000 Auto-bracketing feature is turned on.
- Interval timer indicator. When the camera is set to shoot at intervals, this icon is shown.
- Camera battery indicator. This shows the charge remaining on the battery that is in the camera.
- MB-D11 indicators. When an optional MB-D11 battery grip is being used, this displays the type of battery being used as well as the amount of charge remaining on the battery.
- GPS connection indicator. When the option GP-1 is connected to the D7000, this GPS indicator is displayed.
- Metering. This displays the metering mode that is in use.
- Autofocus mode. This section displays the AF-mode (AF-A, AF-C, AF-S).
- Copyright information. The D7000 can be programmed to add copyright information to the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data of all your images. When this option is turned on, this is displayed.
- Clock not set indicator. When this appears, the camera's internal clock has not been set and the time and date will not appear in the EXIF data.
- Image comment indicator. You can add a line or two of text into the EXIF data using the Image comment option. This indicator informs you that this feature is on.
- Release mode/Continuous shooting speed. This displays the Release mode settings. When the camera is set to a Continuous Release mode the frames per second (fps) is also displayed.
- Eye-Fi. When an option Eye-Fi memory card is being used in the camera, this icon is displayed.
- FV lock. This appears when the flash exposure has been locked. One of the customizable buttons must be set to FV lock to activate this feature.
- FEC indicator. This indicator is shown when the Flash Exposure Compensation has been adjusted.
- Exposure compensation. This alerts you when exposure compensation has been added to the settings.
The following are adjustable settings. Pressing the Info button twice gives you access to these common settings so that you can change them quickly. Once you have selected an option, pressing OK brings up the Settings menu.
- Movie quality. This allows you to change the resolution quality of the videos.
- ISO NR. You can adjust the high ISO noise reduction settings here.
- Active D-Lighting. You can change the Active D-Lighting settings using this option.
- Color space. This allows you to change the color space from Adobe RGB to sRGB. See Chapter 3 for information on color space.
- Assign Preview button. This allows you to change the settings for the Preview button.
- Auto distortion control. You can turn this option on or off. Not all lenses are compatible with this feature. If the feature isn't available, the option is grayed out and is not selectable.
- Picture Control settings. You can quickly change the Picture Control here.
- Assign AE-L/AF-L button. You can assign different functions to the AE-L/AF-L button using this menu option.
- Assign Fn button. This is where you select the settings for the Fn button.