FOCUS Enhancements D2Xs User Manual

D I G I T A L S L R C A M E R A

www.nikondigital.com

1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, N.Y. 11747-3064, USA.

Nikon Digital SLR Camera D2Xs Specifications

Type
Effective Pixels
Image Sensor
Image Size (pixels)

Sensitivity
Storage Media
Storage System

Storage (number of frames)
Shooting Modes

White Balance

LCD Monitor

Playback Function

Delete Function
Video Output
Interface

Voice Memo

Text Input

Usable Lenses

Picture Angle

Viewfinder

Eyepoint
Focusing Screen

Viewfinder Frame Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Reflex Mirror
Lens Aperture
Autofocus

Lens Servo

Focus Area
AF Area Modes

Single-lens reflex digital camera

12.4 million
CMOS sensor, 23.7 x 15.7mm; total pixels: 12.84 million
Full image: 4,288 x 2,848(L), 3,216 x 2,136(M), 2,144 x 1,424(S)
High-speed Crop Image: 3,216 x 2,136(L), 2,400 x 1,600(M), 1,600 x 1,064(S)
100 to 800 (ISO equivalent); HI-0.3, HI-0.5, HI-0.7, HI-1 and HI-2 available
CompactFlash™ (CF) Card (Type I/II) and Microdrive™
NEF (12-bit uncompressed or compressed RAW),
EXIF 2.21, DCF 2.0 and DPOF compliant
(uncompressed TIFF-RGB or compressed JPEG)
For details, refer to page 9

1) Single frame shooting [S] mode: advances one frame for each shutter release

2) Continuous high shooting [CH] mode: Full Image; 5 frames per
second (fps)/High-speed Crop Image; 8 frames per second (fps)

3) Continuous low shooting [CL] mode: Full Image; 1 to 4 frames per
second (fps) (selectable in menu)/High-speed Crop Image;
1 to 7 frames per second (fps) (selectable in menu)

4) Self-timer mode: time duration can be set

5) Mirror up mode: first press: mirror up, second press: release

1) Auto (hybrid with 1,005-pixel RGB Sensor, CMOS image sensor and
external Ambient Light Sensor)

2) Manual (6 steps with fine tuning)

3) Preset (5 settings)

4) Color temperature setting in Kelvin (select from 31 steps)

5) White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames adjustable in 10, 20, 30
MIRED steps)

2.5-in., approx. 230,000-dot, low temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with white LED

backlighting; Backlight/brightness adjustment available

1) Full frame, 2) Thumbnail (4/9 segments), 3) Zoom, 4) Slideshow,

5) RGB Histogram indication, Shooting data and Highlight point display

1) Card format, 2) All frames delete, 3) Selected frames delete

NTSC or PAL (selectable in menu)
USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) (Mini-B connector)
FTP file transfer and PTP/IP camera control/file transfer is available with
optional WT-2/2A (IEEE 802.11b/g) Wireless transmitter; FTP file transfer
compatibility with WT-1/1A (IEEE 802.11b)
CF Card Slot Type II: supports firmware updates via CF cards
Record mode: Automatic or manual recording at shooting or playback,
Max. recording time: 60 seconds
Playback mode: Built-in speaker or Audio Video Cable
File format: Mono WAV file
Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input is available with LCD monitor
and multi-selector; stored in EXIF header

1) AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type): All functions possible

2) D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus and some
exposure modes available

3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix
Metering II and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible

4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II,
3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible

5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Usable in [A] or [M] mode with Matrix Metering,
Center-Weighted and Spot Metering available

Indication of aperture No., after user inputs the aperture f/No. and focal
length F=mm by multi-selector operation
Electronic rangefinder usable with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster
Full Image: Approx . 1.5x foc al len gth in 35mm [135 ] fo rmat equival ent
High-speed Crop Image: Approx. 2x focal length in 35mm [135] format equivalent
Optical-type fixed eye-level p entap rism; Bui lt-in diopter adj ustme nt ( -3 to
+1m-1), Eyepiece shutter provided

19.9mm (at -1.0m-1)

BriteView Clear Matte Screen III; supplied Type-B or
optional Type-E with grid
Approx. 100% (High-speed Crop mode: Approx. 97%)
Approx. 0.86x with 50mm f/1.4 lens set to infinity and -1.0m
Automatic, instant-return type
Instant-return type, with Depth-of-field Preview Button
TTL phase detection, Nikon Multi-CAM 2000 autofocus module;
Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (Right edge/Left edge AF range: EV 0 to +19)
(at normal temperature [68°F/20°C], ISO 100 equivalent)

1) Single servo AF [S], 2) Continuous servo AF [C], 3) Manual focus [M]

Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in [S] or [C] AF
Selectable from 11 focus areas (High-speed Crop: 9 focus areas)

1) Single Area AF 2) Dynamic-area AF 3) Group Dynamic AF

4) Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority

Focus Lock

Exposure Metering System

Exposure Metering Range

Exposure Meter Coupling
Exposure Modes

Exposure Compensation
Auto Exposure Lock
Auto Exposure Bracketing

Shutter

Sync Contact
Flash Control

Flash Sync Modes

Ready-light

Accessory Shoe
Sync Terminal
Self-timer
Depth-of-field Preview Button
Remote Control
GPS

Supported Languages

Power Requirements

Battery Monitoring System

Tripod Socket
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Weight (without battery)

-1

Supplied Accessories*

Optional Accessories

*Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area.

Focus is locked by pressing AE-L /AF-L button or lightly pressing shutter
release button in [S] AF
TTL full-aperture exposure metering system;

1) D-/G-type Nikkor lenses support 3D-Color Matrix Metering II using the
1,005-pixel RGB Sensor while other AF Nikkor lenses with built-in CPUs
support Matrix Metering (Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data)

2) Center-Weighted Metering (75% of the meter's sensitivity concentrated
on the 8mm dia. circle) given to 6, 10 or 13mm dia. circle in center of
frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame

3) Spot Metering (3mm dia. circle, approx. 2% of entire frame); metering position
can be linked to the focus area when using Nikkor lenses with built-in CPU

1) 3D-Color Matrix Metering II: EV 0 to 20

2) Center-Weighted Metering: EV 0 to 20

3) Spot Metering: EV 2 to 20
(at normal temperature [20°C/68°F], ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)

CPU and AI (Automatic maximum aperture Indexing)

1) [P] Programmed Auto with flexible program

2) [S] Shutter-priority Auto

3) [A] Aperture-priority Auto

4) [M] Manual

±5 EV increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Detected exposure value locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Number of shots: 2 to 9 frames
Compensation steps: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV steps
Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/8,000 sec.
in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb
X-contact only: flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec.

1) Creative Lighting System: i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by TTL
Sensor with Nikon Speedlight SB-800/600: Advanced Wireless Lighting,
FV (Flash Value) Lock, Flash Color Information Communication for Auto
White Balance, Auto FP High-Speed Flash Sync, Modeling Flash

2) D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash: When used with the Speedlight SB-80DX/50DX
and in accordance with the mounted lens, five-segment TTL Multi Sensor
control makes available 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, Multi-Sensor
Balanced Fill-Flash, and Standard D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash

3) A A (Auto Aper ture-type) Flash available when used with SB-800/80DX
and lens with built-in CPU

4) Non-TTL Auto Fla sh (A-type Flash) with a Speedlight such as
SB-800/30/ 27/22s etc.

5) Range-prior ity manua l available with SB-80 0

1) Front-curtain sync (normal sync), 2) Red-eye reduction,

3) Red-eye reduction with slow sync, 4) Slow sync, 5) Rear-curtain sync

Lights up when flash fully charged with Speedlight SB-800/600/80DX/
28DX/50DX; blinks for full output warning
Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safely lock provided
ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided
Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration
Stop-down lens aperture by pressing Depth-of-field Preview Button
Via 10-pin remote terminal
NMEA 0183 (ver. 2.01) Interface standard supported with
9-pin D-sub cable (optional) and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish,
Simplified Chinese, Korean, Japanese (selectable in menu)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a (11.1V DC),
Quick Charger MH-21, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)
The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information
about the EN-EL4a battery: 1) Remaining charge (%); 2) No. of shots taken
since last charge; 3) Calibration status (Recommended/Not required);

4) Battery life (5 stages)

1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Approx. 6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 in. (157.5 x 149.5 x 85.5mm)
Approx. 2.4 lbs (1,070g)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-21, Body Cap,
Camera Strap AN-D2Xs, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4,
LCD Monitor Cover BM-3, Battery Chamber Cover BL-1, Type-B Focusing
Screen, PictureProject software CD-ROM
Wireless Transmitter WT-2/2A, Extended Range Antenna WA-E1, AC Adapter
EH-6, Type-E Focusing Screen, Magnifier DG-2, Antifog Finder Eyepiece DK­17A, Rubber Eyepiece Cup DK-19, Eyepiece Correction Lens DK-17C series,
Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, Right-Angle Magnifying Viewing Attachment DR-5,
Speedlight SB-800/SB-600/SB-R200, Capture NX Software, Camera Control
Pro Software, Image Authentication Software.

The following memory cards have been tested and approved for use with the D2Xs. • SanDisk Corporation: 128MB-8GB (SDCFB, SDCFB(Type II), SDCF2B(Type II), SDCFH (Ultra II), and SDCFX (Extreme III) • Lexar Media
Corporation: 128MB-8GB (Entry-level, 40x, Professional 40x with WA, Professional 80x with WA) • Microdrive™: 340MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 6GB
For more details, please contact the respective media card manufacturer. CF cards not listed above are not guaranteed to operate properly.

Microsoft® and Windows® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

States and/or other countries.

shown in this brochure are simulated.

CompactFlash™ is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.

Products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Macintosh® is a registered trademark or a trademark of Apple Computer Inc. in the United

Images in viewfinders, on LCDs and monitors

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the

c

manufacturer. June 2006

WARNING

Printed in Japan Code No. 6CE60165 (0605A) Ad

TO ENSURE CORRECT USAGE, READ MANUALS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING
YOUR EQUIPMENT. SOME DOCUMENTATION IS SUPPLIED ON CD-ROM ONLY.

2006 NIKON INC.

DSLR-D2XS-30-05/ 06

The True Nature of Photography

The goal was straightforward; take a truly versatile professional tool to new levels of response, handling
efficiency and fine control over the results. The strategy was clear; apply the feedback gained by
working hand in hand with professional photographers in the field to refine the already stellar operation
and performance of Nikon’s flagship digital SLR camera. At the heart of the system is a proven 12.4
million-pixel image sensor, advanced image processing engine, and optimized systems that blend
high levels of resolution with superb image quality, pure color rendition, and class-leading speed.
The 11-area AF system is tuned to deliver even finer precision and higher performance. An improved
view in High-speed Crop mode makes composition easier. The host of enhancements also includes
significantly increased battery life per charge, an improved menu interface, and a new color calibrated

2.5-inch LCD with ultra-wide viewing angle. The Nikon D2Xs hits the mark – freeing photographers to
explore the true nature of photography.

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Smooth control and usability Performance you can trust

Vic Huber

“Every decision I make as a photographer impacts the

outcome of an image. The D2Xs handles intuitively and

make s exce llent techn ical decisi ons for me so I c an

focus on the dynamics of the image.”

Image quality mode: RAW (NEF) • Lens: AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF • Exposure mode: [A] 1/40 second, f/13

• White balance: Cloudy • Sensitivity: ISO-equiv. 100

Passive quality —

Uncompromising craftsmanship and optimum in-field efficiency

Understanding the importance of intuitive handling and tough reliability in the field, Nikon designed every button, control and
function for maximum ease of access, intuitive operation, handling efficiency and reliability. Meet the professional digital SLR
solution truly equipped to extend creative freedom and business productivity; the Nikon D2Xs.

Ergonomic design and button layout

The size, layout and operation of each customizable button, control and
function is designed for intuitive operation and feedback, minimizing the need to
remove the eye from the viewfinder while shooting. This combines with instant,
predictable response to free the photographer to concentrate on composition.
Operation remains consistently comfortable for either horizontal or vertical
orientation. The convenient Function button on the front of the body can be
programmed for simpler switching such as in and out of High-speed Crop mode
when using continuous shooting.
The eye-level viewfinder features frame coverage of vir tually 100% and a

19.9mm eyepoint. Information bars along the bottom and right edges display
the current white balance mode, image quality and size settings, ISO setting
and more. Updated for the D2Xs, the viewfinder also features an improved view
within the High-speed Crop mode frame for faster and easier composition.

Valuable feedback from information displays

The D2X s’s new 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD with up to 27x magnification
permits effective evaluation of sharpness, expression and exposure, and quick
confirmation of exposure using the Histogram or RGB Histogram displays.
The color-coded menu displays and large type have been refined for easier
recognition and access. The top and rear control panels are also designed to
convey essential status and settings information at a glance.

Menus that maximize practicality and versatility

Custom Settings menus are grouped according to basic features for fast and
easy access. Up to 4 complete selections of Custom Settings can be stored
in the camera’s memory bank, allowing instant switching to the optimized
selection for the given assignment.
In addition to displaying the last 8 settings made using the Shooting menus
and Custom Settings menus, further evolution of the Recent Settings list adds
the ability to delete the current settings, or lock them to prevent accidental
changes. A new menu option also allows camera settings to be saved to or
loaded from a memory card, making it convenient to share settings between
D2Xs cameras that will be used in similar conditions.
A new feature available from the Shooting menu is the ability to download up
to 3 custom tone curves for a wider range of gamma choice to accommodate
the diverse demands of different assignments.

Magnesium alloy body with enhanced sealing system

Housed in a lightweight yet highly durable magnesium alloy body, the D2Xs is built
to perform reliably under the tough working conditions of professional photographic
assignments. Nikon’s enhanced sealing system protects every possible seam and
exposed part, making the body resistant to dust and drops of water.
A new locking mechanism holds the USB cable’s connector securely and prevents
it from being accidentally pulled out of the USB port.

New

Lithium-ion battery system with even greater power

The new EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery retains the same form,
but features significantly increased capacity that delivers enough power for
up to 3,800 shots* per charge. It can be recharged at any time or any level,
features extended service life, and per forms well at low temperatures. The
system’s real-time status display gives accurate feedback on the percentage
of remaining battery charge, the number of shots taken since the last charge,
the overall status of ser vice life, as well as notification when calibration is
recommended. The D2Xs can also be powered by EN-EL4 batteries, and EN-EL4a
batteries are compatible with earlier Nikon D2 series cameras.

*Based on Nikon test conditions. See instruction manual for complete details.

Proven shutter unit for reliability and speed

Mechanical systems throughout the camera are enhanced to fully support the
speed, precision and durability required by professionals. The double-bladed
shutter unit, refined from the field-proven systems on high-end Nikon SLRs, is
tested to well over 150,000 cycles. It employs a mirror balance mechanism that
completes its motion cycle and reaches a full stop with virtually no mirror bounce,
achieving maximum stability and speed as well as smoother AF detection.

Custom Settings menus

C Bank se lect
R Menu r eset
a Autofoc us
a1 A F-C mode p riorit y
a2 A F-S mode pr iorit y
a3 G roup dyn amic AF
a4 L ock-on
a5 A F activat ion
a6 F ocus area I llum
a7 F ocus area
a8 Ve rtical A F-ON

b M etering /exposur e
b1 ISO auto
b2 ISO s tep value
b3 EV s tep
b4 Ex posure co mp. EV
b5 Ex posure co mp.
b6 Cen ter weight
b7 Fine tun e exposure
c Timer s/AE & AF lo ck
c1 A E lock
c2 A E-L/A F-L

c3 A uto meter-of f
c4 Sel f-timer
c5 M onitor of f
d S hooting /display
d1 Sho oting spe ed
d2 Ma ximum sho ts
d3 Ex p. delay mod e
d4 Fil e No. Seq.
d5 Cnt rl Panel / fin der
d6 Ill uminatio n

e Bracke ting/fl ash
e1 F lash sync s peed
e2 F lash shut ter speed
e3 A A flash mode
e4 M odeling fl ash
e5 A uto BKT se t
e6 M anual mod e bkting
e7 A uto BKT or der
e8 A uto BKT se lection

f Contr ols
f1 Center button
f2 Multi s elector
f3 Photo in fo/playb ack
f4 FUNC. b utton
f5 FUNC. + com mand
f6 Command d ials
f7 Button s and dials
f8 No CF card?

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