Mastering the Nikon COOLPIX A

Mastering the Nikon COOLPIX A

by Darrell Young
Released November 2013
Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
ISBN: 9781457182006

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Book description

Mastering the Nikon COOLPIX A by Darrell Young provides experience-based information for owners of the new COOLPIX A camera. In this ebook, Darrell helps the user navigate past the confusion that often comes with learning to use complex camera equipment.

This ebook explores the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user’s manual. It includes an in-depth look at the camera’s controls and functions. It guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; color illustrations; and detailed explanations for each option. Every button, dial, 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. In this new COOLPIX A manual, Darrell provides information on the camera’s functions, as well as basic photography techniques, as part of the complete learning experience.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Table of Contents
  6. Chapter 1: Basic Camera Setup
    1. Who was the COOLPIX A designed for?
    2. First Use of the Camera
      1. Battery and Memory Card
      2. Five Steps to Basic Camera Configuration
        1. Step 1: Setting the Language
        2. Step 2: Setting the Time Zone
        3. Step 3: Setting the Date Format
        4. Step 4: Setting Daylight Saving Time
        5. Step 5: Setting the Date and Time
    3. Sidebar: 12- to 24-Hour Time Conversion Chart
    4. Accessing the Information Display and Menus
      1. Information Display (Quick Menu)
      2. Camera Menus
    5. Camera Settings Recommendations
  7. Chapter 2: Live View, Information Display, and Quick Menu
    1. Introduction to the Live View Display
      1. Adjusting the Exposure Controls in the Live View Monitor
        1. Shutter Speed
        2. Aperture
        3. ISO Sensitivity
    2. Introduction to the Information Display and Quick Menu
      1. Information Display
        1. Shutter Speed
        2. Aperture
      2. Quick Menu
        1. Exposure Mode (Mode Dial Setting)
        2. Image Quality
        3. Image Size
        4. White Balance
        5. ISO Sensitivity
        6. Release Modes
        7. Autofocus Modes
        8. AF-Area Modes
        9. Metering
        10. Active D-Lighting
        11. Auto Bracketing
        12. Set Picture Control
        13. Picture Control List
        14. Exposure Compensation
        15. Flash Compensation
        16. Flash Mode
        17. List of Flash Modes by Shooting Mode
        18. Scene modes: Portrait, Child, Close up, Party/indoor, Pet portrait, and Auto
        19. Scene mode: Night portrait
        20. Scene mode: Food
        21. Shooting mode: Programmed auto (P) and Aperture-priority auto (A)
        22. Shooting mode: Shutter-priority auto (S) and Manual (M)
        23. Selecting a Flash Mode
    3. Author’s Conclusions
  8. Chapter 3: Playback Menu
    1. Playback Menu Function List
    2. Sidebar: Technical LCD Monitor Information
    3. Delete Function
      1. Selected
      2. Select Date
      3. All
    4. Sidebar: Recovering Deleted Images
    5. Playback Folder
      1. Current
      2. All
    6. Playback Display Options
      1. None (Image Only)
      2. Highlights
      3. RGB Histogram
      4. Shooting Data
        1. Figure 3.12, image 2
        2. Figure 3.12, image 3
        3. Figure 3.12, image 4
      5. Overview
      6. Basic Display Screen
    7. Image Review
    8. Sidebar: Are You a Chimper Too?
    9. Rotate Tall
    10. Sidebar: Rotate Tall versus Auto Image Rotation
    11. Slide Show
      1. Exiting a Slide Show
    12. DPOF Print Order
      1. Sidebar: In-Camera Printing: Not for RAW Images
      2. DPOF Printing
      3. Sidebar: Single DPOF Print Order Only
      4. PictBridge Printing
    13. Author’s Conclusions
  9. Chapter 4: Shooting Menu
    1. Shooting Menu Function List
    2. User Settings U1 and U2
    3. Configuring the Shooting Menu
    4. Reset Shooting Menu
    5. Storage Folder
      1. Selecting an Existing Storage Folder
      2. Manually Creating a New Storage Folder
      3. Renaming an Existing Storage Folder
      4. Deleting an Existing Storage Folder
    6. Image Quality
      1. NEF (RAW) Image Quality Format
        1. NEF (RAW) Conversion Software
        2. Viewing RAW Files as Thumbnails on Your Computer
        3. Nikon Software Included with Your Camera
        4. A RAW File Is Not an Image, Yet!
        5. NEF (RAW) Positives
        6. NEF (RAW) Negatives
      2. JPEG Image Quality Format
        1. JPEG Positives
        2. JPEG Negatives
      3. Combined NEF + JPEG Shooting (Two Images at Once)
      4. Image Format Recommendations
    7. Image Size
    8. White Balance
    9. Set Picture Control
      1. Modifying an Existing Picture Control
      2. Examining Picture Controls
      3. MC Picture Control Filter Effects and Toning
        1. Filter Effects
        2. Toning
      4. Picture Control Grid Screen
      5. Resetting a Nikon Picture Control
    10. 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
        1. Copy to Camera
        2. Delete from Card
        3. Copy to Card
    11. Sidebar: Memory Cards and Custom Controls
    12. Color Space
      1. Which Color Space Should I Choose?
    13. Sidebar: Which Color Space is Best, Technically?
    14. Active D-Lighting
    15. Long Exposure NR
    16. High ISO NR
    17. Sidebar: What is Noise?
    18. ISO Sensitivity Settings
      1. Configuring the ISO Sensitivity Settings
        1. ISO Sensitivity Auto Setting
        2. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
        3. Maximum Sensitivity
        4. Minimum Shutter Speed
        5. Auto ISO Sensitivity Control from the Camera’s Perspective
        6. When and Why Should I Use Auto ISO Sensitivity Control?
        7. Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Auto ISO Sensitivity Control?
    19. Sidebar: What is ISO?
    20. Release Mode
    21. Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator
    22. Exposure Comp. for Flash
    23. Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash (and Optional Flash)
    24. Auto Bracketing Set
      1. Steps to Use AE Bracketing
      2. Steps to Use WB Bracketing
        1. What Is Mired?
      3. Steps to Use ADL Bracketing
        1. Canceling a Bracketing Session
    25. Interval Timer Shooting
    26. Movie Settings
    27. Sidebar: Video Compression Type and Audio
    28. Author’s Conclusions
  10. Chapter 5: Setup Menu
    1. Setup Menu Function List
    2. Format Memory Card
    3. Save User Settings
      1. Items that can be saved
      2. Items that cannot be saved
    4. Reset User Settings
    5. Monitor Brightness
    6. Photo Info
    7. HDMI
      1. Output Resolution
      2. Device Control
    8. Flicker Reduction
    9. Time Zone and Date
      1. Time Zone
      2. Date and Time
      3. Date Format
      4. Daylight Saving Time
    10. Language
    11. Image Comment
    12. Auto Image Rotation
    13. Self-Timer
    14. Auto Off Timer
    15. Image Review Time
    16. Sidebar: What is Chimping?
    17. Remote On Duration (ML-L3)
    18. Beep
    19. Shutter Sound
    20. File Number Sequence
    21. MF Distance Indicator Units
    22. Reverse Indicators
    23. Assign Fn1 Button
      1. Assignable function list
    24. Assign ISO/Fn2 Button
      1. Assignable function list
    25. Reverse Dial Rotation
    26. Slot Empty Release Lock
    27. GPS
      1. Using a GPS Unit with Your COOLPIX A
      2. Preparing the Camera for GPS Usage
        1. Auto Off
        2. Position
        3. Use GPS to Set Camera Clock
        4. Using the GPS Unit
    28. Eye-Fi Upload
      1. Enabling Eye-Fi Uploads on the COOLPIX A
    29. Firmware Version
    30. Author’s Conclusions
  11. Chapter 6: Retouch Menu
    1. Retouch Functions List
    2. Retouched File Numbering
    3. Accessing the Retouch Functions: Two Methods
    4. Playback Retouching
    5. Sidebar: Limitations on Previously Retouched Images
    6. Using Retouch Menu Items Directly
      1. D-Lighting
      2. Red-Eye Correction
      3. Trim
      4. Monochrome
      5. 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
      6. Color Balance
      7. Image Overlay
      8. NEF (RAW) Processing
      9. Resize
      10. Quick Retouch
      11. Straighten
      12. Fisheye
      13. Color Outline
      14. Color Sketch
      15. Perspective Control
      16. Miniature Effect
      17. Selective Color
      18. Edit Movie
        1. Choose Start Point and Choose End Point
        2. Save Selected Frame
      19. Side-by-Side Comparison
    7. Author’s Conclusions
  12. Chapter 7: My Menu and Recent Settings
    1. What’s the Difference between My Menu and Recent Settings?
    2. My Menu
      1. Add Items
      2. Remove Items
      3. Rank Items
      4. Choose Tab
    3. Recent Settings
    4. Author’s Conclusions
  13. Chapter 8: Autofocus, AF-Area, and Release Modes
    1. Examining the Modes
      1. Autofocus modes
      2. AF-area modes
      3. Release modes
    2. Section 1: Autofocus Modes
      1. Single-Servo AF (AF-S)
      2. Full-Time-Servo AF (AF-F)
    3. Section 2: AF-Area Modes
      1. Face-Priority AF
      2. Wide-Area AF
      3. Normal-Area AF
      4. Subject-Tracking AF
    4. Section 3: Release Modes
      1. Single Frame (S) Release Mode
      2. Continuous Release Mode
      3. Self-Timer Release Mode
      4. Delayed Remote (ML-L3) Release Mode
      5. Quick-Response (ML-L3) Release Mode
      6. Movie Recording Release Mode
    5. Author’s Conclusions
  14. Chapter 9: Metering, Exposure Modes, and Histogram
    1. Section 1: Metering
      1. Matrix Metering
      2. Center-Weighted Metering
        1. Where’s the Circle?
      3. Spot Metering
    2. Section 2: Exposure Modes
      1. Programmed Auto (P) Mode
        1. Get Down, Grandpa!
        2. Beware the Extra Clicks
      2. Shutter-Priority Auto (S) Mode
        1. Watch Out for Camera Shake!
      3. Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Mode
      4. Manual (M) Mode
      5. Auto Exposure Mode
      6. Scene Modes
        1. Portrait Scene Mode
        2. Landscape Scene Mode
        3. Child Scene Mode
        4. Sports Scene Mode
        5. Close Up Scene Mode
        6. Night Portrait Scene Mode
        7. Night Landscape Scene Mode
        8. Party/Indoor Scene Mode
        9. Beach/Snow Scene Mode
        10. Sunset Scene Mode
        11. Dusk/Dawn Scene Mode
        12. Pet Portrait Scene Mode
        13. Candlelight Scene Mode
        14. Blossom Scene Mode
        15. Autumn Colors Scene Mode
        16. Food Scene Mode
        17. Silhouette Scene Mode
        18. High Key Scene Mode
        19. Low Key Scene Mode
        20. Using the Help System in Scene Modes
      7. U1 and U2 User Settings
        1. Items that can be saved
        2. Items that cannot be saved
    3. Section 3: Histogram
      1. Understanding the Histogram
        1. Light Range
        2. Histogram Shape
        3. Luminance Histogram Differences
        4. The Histogram Represents a JPEG Image
        5. How Does the Eye React to Light Values?
        6. Computer Adjustment of Images (Postprocessing)
    4. Author’s Conclusions
  15. Chapter 10: White Balance
    1. How Does White Balance Work?
    2. Sidebar: White Balance Fundamentals
    3. Color Temperature
    4. Sidebar: Understanding Mired
    5. Manual White Balance Using the Shooting Menu
    6. Selecting a White Balance from the Quick Menu
    7. Auto White Balance
      1. Using Auto WB (Auto1 and Auto2)
    8. Measuring Ambient Light Using PRE
      1. Using the WB from a Previously Captured Image
    9. Fine-Tuning White Balance
    10. Should I Worry about White Balance if I Shoot in RAW Mode?
    11. White Balance Tips and Tricks
    12. Author’s Conclusions
  16. Chapter 11: Creating HD Videos
    1. Understanding COOLPIX A Video Standard
    2. Containers and Their Formats
    3. Basic HD Video Information
      1. Progressive versus Interlaced
      2. Limitations of Capturing Videos in Movie Mode
      3. Avoiding the Jellywobble Effect
    4. Movie Live View Screens
      1. Understanding the Movie Recording Controls
    5. Preparing to Make Movies
      1. Camera Setup for Making Movies
        1. Quick Menu Settings
        2. Shooting Menu Settings
        3. Setup Menu Settings
        4. External Camera Control Settings
    6. Special Considerations for Movie Recording
      1. Choosing a White Balance
        1. Doing a PRE Reading for White Balance in Live View
      2. Choosing an ISO Sensitivity
      3. Selecting Movie Recording Mode
      4. Selecting an Autofocus Mode
      5. Choosing an AF-Area Mode
      6. Set Picture Control
      7. Exposure Compensation
      8. Frame Size/Frame Rate and Quality
        1. Video File Format
        2. Why Different Frame Rates?
      9. Movie Quality
    7. Recording a Video with Your COOLPIX A
    8. Displaying Movies
      1. Displaying a Movie on the Camera Monitor
      2. Displaying a Movie on an HDTV
    9. Author’s Conclusions
    10. Thank you!
  17. Appendix Camera Control Reference
    1. Front of camera (figure A.1)
    2. Rear of camera (figure A.2)
    3. Top of camera (figure A.3)
    4. Bottom of camera (figure A.4)
    5. Connector covers and contents (figure A.5)

Product information

  • Title: Mastering the Nikon COOLPIX A
  • Author(s): Darrell Young
  • Release date: November 2013
  • Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
  • ISBN: 9781457182006