Mastering the Nikon D600

Mastering the Nikon D600

by Darrell Young
Released March 2013
Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
ISBN: 9781457181856

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Book description

Mastering the Nikon D600 by Darrell Young provides a wealth of experience-based information and insights for owners of the new D600 camera. Darrell is determined to help the user navigate past the confusion that often comes with complex and powerful professional camera equipment.

This book explores the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user's manual. It guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; color illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles.

Darrell's friendly and informative writing style allows readers to easily follow directions, while feeling as if a friend dropped in to share his knowledge. The learning experience for new D600 users goes beyond just the camera itself and covers basic photography technique.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Table of Contents
  6. Foreword
  7. Camera Body Reference
  8. Basic Camera Setup
    1. Learning about the Nikon D600
    2. First Use of the Camera
    3. First-Time HD-SLR Users
    4. Five Steps for First-Time Camera Configuration
      1. Setting the Language – Step 1
      2. Setting the Time Zone – Step 2
      3. Setting the Date Format – Step 3
      4. Setting Daylight Saving Time – Step 4
      5. Setting the Date and Time – Step 5
    5. Accessing the Camera Menus
    6. Camera Functions for Initial Configuration
    7. Personal Camera Settings Recommendations
    8. Things to Know When Reading This Book
    9. Downloadable Resources Website
  9. Playback Menu
    1. Delete
      1. Selected
      2. Select Date
      3. All
      4. Protecting Images from Deletion
    2. Playback Folder
      1. ND600
      2. All
      3. Current
    3. Hide Image
      1. Select/Set
      2. Select Date
      3. Deselect All?
    4. Playback Display Options
      1. None (Image Only)
      2. Focus Point
      3. Highlights
      4. RGB Histogram
      5. Shooting Data
    5. Copy Image(s)
    6. Image Review
    7. After Delete
    8. Rotate Tall
    9. Slide Show
      1. Starting a Slide Show
      2. Selecting an Image Type for a Slide Show
      3. Changing a Slide Show’s Frame Interval
    10. DPOF Print Order
      1. DPOF Printing
      2. PictBridge Printing
    11. Author’s Conclusions
  10. Shooting Menu
    1. User Settings U1 and U2
    2. Configuring the Shooting Menu
    3. Reset Shooting Menu
    4. Storage Folder
      1. Manually Creating a New Storage Folder
      2. Selecting an Existing Storage Folder
    5. File Naming
      1. File Number Sequence Used with File Naming
    6. Role Played by Card in Slot 2
    7. Image Quality
      1. NEF (RAW) Image Quality Format
      2. NEF (RAW) Conversion Software
      3. Viewing RAW Files as Thumbnails on Your Computer
      4. Nikon Software Included with Your Camera
      5. A RAW File Is Not an Image, Yet!
      6. JPEG Image Quality Format
      7. Combined NEF + JPEG Shooting (Two Images at Once)
      8. Image Format Recommendations
      9. Image Format Notes
    8. Image Size
    9. Image Area
      1. Using Viewfinder in DX Mode
    10. JPEG Compression
    11. NEF (RAW) Recording
      1. Type
      2. NEF (RAW) Bit Depth
      3. Channel and Bit Depth Tutorial
    12. White Balance
    13. Set Picture Control
      1. Modifying an Existing Picture Control
      2. Examining Picture Controls
      3. MC Picture Control Filter Effects and Toning
      4. Filter Effects
      5. Toning
      6. Picture Control Grid Screen
      7. Resetting a Nikon Picture Control
      8. Photoshop and Black-and-White Images
    14. Manage Picture Control
      1. Save/Edit a Custom Picture Control
      2. Rename a Custom Picture Control
      3. Delete a Custom Picture Control
      4. Load/Save a Custom Picture Control
      5. Copy to Camera
      6. Copy to Camera – Renaming a Custom Picture Control
      7. Delete from Card
      8. Copy to Card
    15. Auto Distortion Control
    16. Color Space
      1. Which Color Space Should I Choose?
    17. Active D-Lighting
    18. HDR (High Dynamic Range)
    19. Vignette Control
    20. Long Exposure NR
    21. High ISO NR
    22. ISO Sensitivity Settings
      1. Configuring the ISO Sensitivity Settings
      2. ISO Sensitivity Auto Setting
      3. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
      4. Maximum Sensitivity
      5. Minimum Shutter Speed
      6. Auto Minimum Shutter Speed
      7. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control from the Camera’s Perspective
      8. Enabling Auto ISO Sensitivity with External Controls
      9. When and Why Should You Use Auto ISO Sensitivity Control?
      10. Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Auto ISO Sensitivity Control?
      11. Auto ISO Sensitivity and Exposure Modes
    23. Remote Control Mode
    24. Multiple Exposure
      1. Understanding Auto Gain
    25. Interval Timer Shooting
    26. Time-Lapse Photography
    27. Movie Settings
    28. Author’s Conclusions
  11. Custom Setting Menu
    1. Using the Camera’s Help System
    2. The User Settings and the Custom Setting Menu
    3. Using the Custom Setting Menu
      1. Reset Custom Settings
    4. a Autofocus
      1. Custom Settings a1–a7
      2. a1 AF-C Priority Selection
      3. a2 AF-S Priority Selection
      4. Using Custom Settings a1 and a2
      5. a3 Focus Tracking with Lock-On
      6. Does Lock-On Cause Autofocus to Slow Down?
      7. a4 AF Point Illumination
      8. a5 Focus Point Wrap-Around
      9. a6 Number of Focus Points
      10. a7 Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator
    5. b Metering/Exposure
      1. Custom Settings b1–b5
      2. b1 ISO Sensitivity Step Value
      3. b2 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl
      4. b3 Easy Exposure Compensation
      5. b4 Center-Weighted Area
      6. b5 Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure
    6. c Timers/AE Lock
      1. Custom Settings c1–c5
      2. c1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L
      3. c2 Standby Timer
      4. c3 Self-Timer
      5. c4 Monitor Off Delay
      6. c5 Remote on Duration
    7. d Shooting/Display
      1. Custom Settings d1–d13
      2. d1 Beep
      3. d2 Viewfinder Grid Display
      4. d3 ISO Display and Adjustment
      5. d4 Screen Tips
      6. d5 CL Mode Shooting Speed
      7. d6 Max. Continuous Release
      8. d7 File Number Sequence
      9. d8 Information Display
      10. d9 LCD Illumination
      11. d10 Exposure Delay Mode
      12. d11 Flash Warning
      13. d12 MB-D14 Battery Type
      14. d13 Battery Order
    8. e Bracketing/Flash
      1. Custom Settings e1–e7
      2. e1 Flash Sync Speed
      3. Auto FP High-Speed Sync Review
      4. Special Shutter Speed Setting X + Flash Sync Speed
      5. e2 Flash Shutter Speed
      6. e3 Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash
      7. TTL – TTL
      8. M – Manual
      9. RPT – Repeating Flash
      10. CMD – Commander Mode
      11. Commander Mode Notes
      12. e4 Exposure Comp. for Flash
      13. e5 Modeling Flash
      14. e6 Auto Bracketing Set
      15. Steps to Use AE and Flash Bracketing
      16. Steps to Use WB Bracketing
      17. Steps to Use ADL Bracketing
      18. e7 Bracketing Order
    9. f Controls
      1. Custom Settings f1–f9
      2. f1 OK Button (Shooting Mode)
      3. f2 Assign Fn Button, f3 Assign Preview Button, f4 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
      4. Assignable Function List
      5. Using the Information Display to Change Button Assignments
      6. f5 Customize Command Dials
      7. Reverse Rotation
      8. Change Main/Sub
      9. Aperture Setting
      10. Menus and Playback
      11. f6 Release Button to Use Dial
      12. f7 Slot Empty Release Lock
      13. f8 Reverse Indicators
      14. f9 Assign MB-D14 AE-L/AF-L Button
    10. g Movie
      1. Custom Settings g1–g4
      2. g1 Assign Fn Button, g2 Assign Preview Button, g3 Assign AE-L/AF-L Button
      3. g4 Assign Shutter Button
    11. Modified Custom Setting Notice
    12. Author’s Conclusions
  12. Setup Menu
    1. Format Memory Card
      1. Camera Button Format Method
    2. Save User Settings
    3. Reset User Settings
    4. Monitor Brightness
    5. Clean Image Sensor
      1. Clean Now
      2. Clean at Startup/Shutdown
    6. Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning
    7. Image Dust Off Ref Photo
      1. Finding a Subject for the Dust-Off Reference Photo
      2. Where to Store the Reference Photo
    8. HDMI
      1. Output Resolution
      2. Device Control
    9. Flicker Reduction
    10. Time Zone and Date
      1. Time Zone
      2. Date and Time
      3. Date Format
      4. Daylight Saving Time
    11. Language
    12. Image Comment
    13. Auto Image Rotation
    14. Battery Info
      1. Battery Info with an MB-D14 Battery Pack
    15. Copyright Information
    16. Save/Load Settings
    17. GPS
      1. Using a GPS Unit with Your D600
      2. Preparing the Camera for GPS Use
      3. Standby Timer
      4. Position
      5. Use GPS to Set Camera Clock
      6. Using the GPS
    18. Virtual Horizon
    19. Non-CPU Lens Data
      1. Selecting a Non-CPU Lens with the Non-CPU Lens Data Menu
      2. Selecting a Non-CPU Lens with External Camera Controls
    20. AF Fine-Tune
      1. AF Fine-Tune (On/Off)
      2. Saved Value
      3. Default
      4. List Saved Values
    21. Eye-Fi Upload
      1. Enabling Eye-Fi Uploads on the D600
    22. Firmware Version
      1. Upgrading Your Camera’s Firmware
    23. Author’s Conclusions
  13. Retouch Menu
    1. Retouched File Numbering
    2. Accessing the Retouch Functions – Two Methods
    3. Playback Retouching
    4. Using Retouch Menu Items Directly
    5. D-Lighting
    6. Red-Eye Correction
    7. Trim
    8. Monochrome
    9. Filter Effects
      1. Skylight Filter Effect
      2. Warm Filter Effect
      3. Red Intensifier Filter Effect
      4. Green Intensifier Filter Effect
      5. Blue Intensifier Filter Effect
      6. Cross Screen Filter Effect
      7. Soft Filter Effect
    10. Color Balance
    11. Image Overlay
      1. Image Overlay Ideas
    12. NEF (RAW) Processing
    13. Resize
    14. Quick Retouch
    15. Straighten
    16. Distortion Control
      1. Auto Distortion Control
      2. Manual Distortion Control
    17. Fisheye
    18. Color Outline
    19. Color Sketch
    20. Perspective Control
    21. Miniature Effect
    22. Selective Color
    23. Edit Movie
      1. Choose Start Point and Choose End Point
      2. Save Selected Frame
    24. Side-by-Side Comparison
    25. Author’s Conclusions
  14. My Menu and Recent Settings
    1. My Menu
      1. Add Items
      2. Remove Items
      3. Rank Items
      4. Choose Tab
    2. Recent Settings
    3. Author’s Conclusions
  15. Metering, Exposure Modes, and Histogram
    1. Section 1 – Metering
      1. 3D Color Matrix Metering II
      2. Center-Weighted Metering
      3. Where’s the Circle?
      4. Using the Averaging Meter
      5. Spot Metering
    2. Section 2 – Exposure Modes
      1. Programmed Auto (P) Mode
      2. Beware the Extra Clicks
      3. Shutter-Priority Auto (S) Mode
      4. Watch Out for Camera Shake!
      5. Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Mode
      6. Suggested Reading for Depth of Field, Aperture, and Shutter Speed Basics
      7. Manual (M) Mode
      8. Settings Recommendation for Exposure Mode Selection
      9. Auto Exposure (AUTO) Mode
      10. SCENE Modes
      11. Portrait Scene Mode
      12. Landscape Scene Mode
      13. Child Scene Mode
      14. Sports Scene Mode
      15. Close Up Scene Mode
      16. Night Portrait Scene Mode
      17. Night Landscape Scene Mode
      18. Party/Indoor Scene Mode
      19. Beach/Snow Scene Mode
      20. Sunset Scene Mode
      21. Dusk/Dawn Scene Mode
      22. Pet Portrait Scene Mode
      23. Candlelight Scene Mode
      24. Blossom Scene Mode
      25. Autumn Colors Scene Mode
      26. Food Scene Mode
      27. Silhouette Scene Mode
      28. High Key Scene Mode
      29. Low Key Scene Mode
      30. Using the Help System in Scene Modes
      31. U1 and U2 User Settings
      32. No Flash Mode
    3. Section 3 – Histogram
      1. Understanding the Histogram
      2. Light Range
      3. Histogram Shape
      4. Luminance Histogram Differences
      5. The Histogram Represents a JPEG Image
      6. How Does the Eye React to Light Values?
      7. Computer Adjustment of Images
    4. Author’s Conclusions
  16. White Balance
    1. How Does White Balance Work?
    2. Color Temperature
      1. Camera Control Locations for WB Adjustment
    3. Manual White Balance Using the WB Button
    4. Manual White Balance Using the Shooting Menu
      1. Additional Screen for Auto and Fluorescent WB
    5. Manual Color Temperature (K) with the WB Button
    6. Manual Color Temperature (K) with the Shooting Menu
    7. Measuring Ambient Light by Using PRE
    8. Fine-Tuning White Balance
      1. Fine-Tuning with External Controls
      2. Fine-Tuning with the Shooting Menu
      3. Fine-Tuning a PRE Measured White Balance
    9. Editing the PRE White Balance Comment Field
    10. Using the White Balance from a Previously Captured Image
    11. Protecting a White Balance Preset
    12. Auto White Balance
      1. Using Auto WB (AUTO1 and AUTO2)
    13. Should I Worry about White Balance If I Shoot in RAW Mode?
    14. White Balance Tips and Tricks
    15. Author’s Conclusions
  17. Autofocus, AF-Area, and Release Modes
    1. Section 1 – Autofocus in Viewfinder Photography
      1. What Is the Multi-CAM 4800 FX Autofocus Module?
      2. Three Mode Groups
      3. Using Autofocus and AF-Area Modes for Viewfinder Photography
      4. Cross-Type AF Sensors at Various Apertures
      5. Autofocus Modes in Detail
      6. Auto-Servo AF (AF-A) Mode
      7. Single-Servo AF (AF-S) Mode
      8. Continuous-Servo AF (AF-C) Mode
      9. Shutter Lag
      10. Predictive Focus Tracking
      11. Effect of Lens Movement
      12. AF-Area Modes in Detail
      13. Single-Point AF
      14. Dynamic-Area AF
      15. 3D-Tracking AF
      16. Auto-Area AF
    2. Section 2 – Autofocus in Live View Photography
      1. Using Autofocus and AF-Area Modes for Live View Photography
      2. Autofocus in Live View Mode
      3. Live View Mode Compared to Earlier Nikon Cameras
      4. Single-Servo AF
      5. Full-Time-Servo AF
      6. AF-Area Mode
    3. Section 3 – Release Modes
      1. Single Frame (S) Release Mode
      2. Continuous Low Speed (CL) Release Mode
      3. Continuous High Speed (CH) Release Mode
      4. Quiet Shutter-Release (Q) Release Mode
      5. Self-Timer Release Mode
      6. Remote Control Release Mode
      7. Mirror-Up (MUP) Release Mode
    4. Custom Settings for Autofocus (a1–a7)
    5. Author’s Conclusions
  18. Live View Photography Mode
    1. Using Live View Photography Mode
      1. Screen Blackout during Exposure
      2. Extreme Focusing Accuracy
      3. Taking Pictures in Live View Photography Mode
    2. Live View Photography Mode Screens
      1. Live View Photography – Screen 1
      2. Live View Photography – Screen 2
      3. Live View Photography – Screen 3
      4. Live View Photography – Screen 4
    3. Selecting a Picture Control in Live View
    4. Changing the Monitor Brightness
    5. Closing Notes on Live View Photography Mode
      1. Movie Live View Still Images
      2. Using Autofocus in Live View
      3. Live View Camera Protection System
    6. Author’s Conclusions
  19. Movie Live View Mode
    1. No Tripod and Handheld Modes
    2. Selecting Movie Live View Mode
    3. Movie Live View Still Images
    4. Movie Live View Screens
      1. Movie Live View – Screen 1
      2. Screen Overlay and Controls Change When Recording a Movie
      3. Movie Live View – Screen 2
      4. Movie Live View – Screen 3
      5. Movie Live View – Screen 4
    5. Preparing to Make Movies
      1. Basic HD Video Information
      2. Progressive versus Interlaced
      3. Camera Setup for Making Movies
      4. Choosing a Picture Control
      5. Choosing a White Balance
      6. Selecting a Frame Size and Frame Rate
      7. Video File Format
      8. Movie Quality
      9. Adjusting the Microphone Sensitivity
      10. Sound Output from Camera
      11. Adjusting the Headphone Volume
      12. Changing the Monitor Brightness
      13. Choosing a Destination for Video Recordings
      14. Selecting an Autofocus Mode
      15. Choosing an AF-Area Mode
      16. Selecting an Exposure Mode
    6. Recording a Video with Your D600
      1. Recording Video from the HDMI Port
      2. The Atomos Ninja-2 External Video Recorder
    7. Displaying Movies
      1. Displaying a Movie on the Camera LCD Screen
      2. Displaying a Movie on an HDTV
    8. Limitations in Movie Mode Video Capture
      1. How the Rolling Shutter Works in Movie Mode
      2. Avoiding the Jellywobble Effect
    9. Author’s Conclusions
  20. Speedlight Flash
    1. Light Is a Photographer’s Friend!
    2. What Is a Guide Number?
    3. Flash Modes
      1. Auto
      2. Fill Flash (Front-Curtain Sync)
      3. Red-Eye Reduction
      4. Slow Sync
      5. Rear-Curtain Sync
      6. List of Flash Modes by Shooting Mode
      7. No Flash Mode
    4. Flash Compensation
    5. Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
      1. How Does the D600 Fit into the CLS Scheme?
      2. What Is Commander Mode and How Does It Work?
      3. Using Commander Mode
      4. Commander Mode Settings
      5. Setting the Channel (CH) for Communication
      6. Downloadable Resource on Flash Units
    6. Author’s Conclusions
      1. Thank You!
  21. Credits for Chapter Opening Images
  22. Index

Product information

  • Title: Mastering the Nikon D600
  • Author(s): Darrell Young
  • Release date: March 2013
  • Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
  • ISBN: 9781457181856