Nikon D4 User Manual
Professional
Setting Guide
Table of Contents
Taking Photographs
1
Taking Photographs
Improving Camera Response ........................................... 2
Settings by Subject ............................................................. 6
Matching Settings to Your Goal......................................12
Reducing Camera Blur: Vibration Reduction ..................12
•
Preserving Natural Contrast: Active D-Lighting ............13
•
Quick Setting Selection: Shooting Menu Banks ............14
•
Finding Controls in the Dark: Button Backlights ...........15
•
Reducing Noise at High ISO Sensitivities .........................15
•
Reducing Noise and Blur: Auto ISO Sensitivity Control.. 16
•
Reducing Shutter Noise: Quiet and Silent Release .......17
•
Optimizing White Balance .....................................................18
•
Varying White Balance: White Balance Bracketing .......22
•
Copying White Balance from a Photograph ...................26
•
Creating a Multiple Exposure ...............................................28
•
Choosing a Memory Card for Playback ............................30
•
Copying Pictures Between Memory Cards ......................31
•
Copying Settings to Other D4 Cameras ...........................31
•
Keeping the Camera Level: Virtual Horizon .................... 32
•
Composing Photographs: The Framing Grid .................. 34
•
Resizing Photographs for Upload: Resize ........................ 34
•
1
ii
Autofocus Tips ...................................................................35
Movies 4
Focusing with the AF-ON Button ........................................35
•
Choosing the Number of Focus Points .............................35
•
AF-C Priority Selection ............................................................ 36
•
AF-Area Mode ............................................................................ 38
•
Focus Point Selection and Camera Orientation .............41
•
Adjusting Autofocus to the Lens: AF Fine-Tune ............ 42
•
Focus Tracking with Lock-On ............................................... 44
•
Movies 455
Before Filming ...................................................................46
•
Sound ............................................................................................ 46
•
Movie Settings ........................................................................... 47
•
Starting Movie Live View........................................................50
•
Exposure Mode .........................................................................51
•
White Balance ............................................................................51
•
Using Autofocus ........................................................................52
•
Lens Vibration Reduction (VR) .............................................54
•
Adjusting Settings During Live View .................................55
•
The Information Display .........................................................56
•
Checking Focus .........................................................................57
Filming Movies ..................................................................58
•
Starting and Ending Recording ........................................... 58
•
Editing Movies ........................................................................... 59
Time-Lapse Movies ........................................................... 60
•
Time-Lapse Movies ..................................................................60
HDMI Output ..................................................................... 64
iii
Table of Contents
First-Time Users 6
First-Time Users 677
Customizing the Command Dials .......................................68
•
Reversing Indicators ................................................................ 68
•
Choosing the Primary Slot ....................................................69
•
Adjusting Monitor Brightness ..............................................69
•
Choosing the Monitor o Delay .......................................... 69
•
Metering ...................................................................................... 70
•
iv
Taking Photographs
This chapter describes how the camera
can be con gured for improved shutter
response and settings adjusted for different subjects, and gives tips on using
autofocus.
1
Improving Camera Response
Continuous-Servo AF (AF-C)
Dynamic-Area AF
This section introduces settings for reliably and quickly
photographing athletes and other moving subjects.
Continuous-Servo AF (AF-C)
Press the AF-mode button and rotate the main
command dial to select
AF-C. Focus is adjusted
continuously while the
shutter-release button is
pressed halfway or the
B button is pressed.
Dynamic-Area AF
Press the AF-mode button and rotate the sub-command
dial until dynamic-area AF is selected in the view nder
and top control panel. The focus point is selected manually prior to shooting, but if the subject brie y leaves the
selected focus point, the camera will focus based on data
from surrounding focus points (choose from 9, 21, and 51
points as described on page 38).
AF-mode
button
Main command
dial
Top control panel
AF-mode button Sub-command dial
2
View nder
AA Custom Settings
Custom Settings
a1 AF-C priority selection > Release: The camera
gives priority to shutter release over focus, ensuring that you never miss a shot
(page 36).
a10 Store points by orientation > Yes: Select
separate focus points in landscape and
portrait orientations for quick framing
(page 41).
c2 Standby timer > 1 min: Reactivating the
exposure meters introduces a slight
delay. Choose settings around 1 min
according to your subject, but note that
longer times increase the drain on the
battery.
f1 Multi-selector center button > Playback mode >
Zoom on/o : Use the center of the multi se-
lector for close inspection of focus during
playback.
3
Taking Photographs
f3 Assign Fn button/f4 Assign preview button >
Press > MY MENU: Add Custom settings
bank to My Menu and then use the Fn
or Pv button to quickly select a bank according to the scene. To add items to
My Menu:
Select Add items.
11
In My Menu, highlight Add items
and press 2.
Add items.
22
Navigate to the item you wish to
add and press J, then position the
new item and press J again to add
it to My Menu.
Custom Settings Banks
Custom settings are stored in four banks (A, B, C, and D).
Changes to one bank have no e ect on the others.
f10 Customize command dials > Menus and playback > On: Use the main command dial to
scroll through pictures in full-frame playback without changing the zoom ratio, a
handy feature when you want to check
focus for multiple pictures.
4
Improving Camera Response
Lens Vibration Reduction (VR)
DD Playback Menu
f16 Assign movie record button > Press + command
dial > ISO sensitivity: When taking photos,
use your right hand on the movie record
button and main command dial to set
ISO sensitivity without taking your eye
from the view nder.
Lens Vibration Reduction (VR)
Lens VR switch > OFF: Vibration is unlikely to
a ect photographs at shutter speeds of
⁄ s or faster. For accurate framing at
high shutter speeds, turn vibration reduction o .
Playback Menu
Image review > O : Turning image review
o improves shutter response during
burst photography. Pictures can be
viewed by pressing K.
5
Situation
Settings by Subject
In addition to the changes described above under “Improving Camera Response”, you can ne-tune settings to
improve response for speci c subjects.
Situation
Most team sports (e.g., soccer/rugby). Choose these
basic settings if subjects are often partially obscured by other objects or focus shifts quickly
between nearby and distant subjects.
Subjects are often obscured by other athletes (e.g.,
track events). Select a long lock-on to maintain
focus on your subject.
Lock-on targetLock-on target
Subjects appear suddenly or are hard to track (e.g.,
diving/ski-jumping). Increasing number of dynam-
ic-area focus points ensures that camera will
focus based on information from surrounding
focus points if subject briefl y leaves selected
focus point. Most eff ective where there is separation between subject and background.
6
AF-C priority
selection
(page
AF-area
mode
(page
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page
See also
AF-C priority
selection
(page 3636))
AF-area
mode
(page 3838))
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page 4444))
See also
Release
Release or
Focus +
release
Release
Dynamicarea AF (9
points)
Dynamic-
area AF (21
points)
3 (Normal)
3 (Normal) to
5 (Long)
3 (Normal)
High-contrast scenes,
backlighting: page 13
Focus tracking with
•
lock-on: page 44
AF-C priority selec-
•
tion: page 36
High-contrast scenes:
page 13
7
Situation
Taking Photographs
Situation
Outer focus points are used (e.g., speed skating). Increase number of dynamic-area focus points
by one level when framing pictures in “tall”
(portrait) orientation. Choose Focus + release
for improved focus when photographing
ball sports and in other situations in which
precise timing is not a priority.
Subjects move rapidly; camera orientation changes
often (e.g., gure skating). Increase number of
dynamic-area focus points. Increase lock-on
times for pairs events, where subjects are
often obscured by partner and camera may
focus background in gap between subjects.
For improved framing, choose Yes for Custom
Setting a10 (Store points by orientation).
Subjects move and/or change rapidly (e.g., hockey or
when alternately framing the pitcher and a runner
when shooting from the bench in baseball). Reduce
lock-on times for improved response in situations that call for rapid changes of subject.
8
AF-C priority
selection
(page
AF-area
mode
(page
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page
See also
AF-C priority
selection
(page 3636))
AF-area
mode
(page 3838))
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page 4444))
Settings by Subject
See also
Focus +
release
Release
Release
Dynamic-
area AF (21
points)
Dynamic-
area AF (9 or
21 points)
Dynamicarea AF (9
points) or
single-point
AF
3 (Normal)
3 (Normal) or
5 (Long)
O or 1 (Short)
AF-C priority selection: page 36
AF-area mode:
•
page 38
Focus point selec-
•
tion and camera
orientation: page 41
Focus tracking with
•
lock-on: page 44
AF-area mode:
•
page 38
Focus tracking with
•
lock-on: page 44
9
Taking Photographs
Situation
Situation
Time between focus and shooting is short and there are
obstacles between autofocus target and camera (e.g.,
volleyball or swimming). Use single-point AF to
prevent camera focusing on obstacles such
as volleyball net or splashes, and set standby
timer to 1 minute or longer for improved
shutter response.
If the camera has trouble focusing when high frame advance rates are selected in continuous release mode, try
lowering the frame rate.
10
AF-C priority
selection
(page
AF-area
mode
(page
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page
See also
AF-C priority
selection
(page 3636))
AF-area
mode
(page 3838))
Focus tracking
with lock-on
(page 4444))
Settings by Subject
See also
Release
Single-point
AF
3 (Normal)
The standby timer:
page 3
11
Matching Settings to Your Goal
Situation
VR mode
Reducing Camera Blur: Vibration Reduction
●●
Vibration reduction (VR) is supported with VR lenses. To reduce camera blur, choose a setting suited to the subject.
Situation
Moving subjects shot at shutter speeds of
1⁄500 s or faster: Because blur is less
likely, OFF is recommended at fast
shutter speeds.
Stationary subjects; panning shots of moving subjects: Select ON
or NORMAL to reduce the eff ects of vibration.
Photos taken from cars, boats, helicopters, or other unstable platforms: Select
ACTIVE. Note that the image in the
viewfi nder may be aff ected by
panning or excessive vibration.
Photographs taken with a tripod: Select TRIPOD, but note that
NORMAL is suggested if the head is not fi xed or you are
using a monopod.
Note that depending on the lens, some of the above VR
modes may not be available.
Note
Frame rates may drop at settings other than OFF.
VR mode
NORMAL
TRIPOD
OFF
ON/
ACTIVE
12
Preserving Natural Contrast: Active D-Lighting
●●
Active D-Lighting helps preserve details in highlights
and shadows. Use Active
D-Lighting for natural contrast when photographing
day matches in stadiums
and other venues that mix
sunlight and shade.
Note
Noise may appear when
Active D-Lighting is used at
high ISO sensitivities.
The following settings are suggested:
Active D-Lighting: Auto
•
Metering: Matrix
•
Exposure mode: e, f, or g
•
1
2
2
1 Choose Extra high 1 or 2 if Auto fails
to produce desired results, but note
that noise may increase.
2 Desired results may not be achieved with center-weight-
ed or spot metering or in exposure mode h.
13
Shooting Menu Banks
Extended Menu Banks
Taking Photographs
Quick Setting Selection: Shooting Menu Banks
●●
Use the Shooting menu bank option in the shooting
menu when you need to switch rapidly from one group
of settings to another, for example when alternating between sunlight and shade.
Shooting Menu Banks
Shooting menu settings are stored in four banks (A, B, C,
and D). To store a particular combination of frequentlyused settings, select a bank using the Shooting menu
bank option in the shooting menu and set the camera
to the desired settings. The new settings will be restored
the next time the bank is selected. With some exceptions,
changes to one bank have no e ect on the others.
Extended Menu Banks
To include exposure mode, shutter
speed (modes f and h only), and aperture (modes g and h only) settings in
the shooting menu banks, select On for
Extended menu banks in the shooting
menu.
Shooting Menu Bank Selection
When shooting menu bank selection is assigned to the Fn
or Pv button using the Press + command dials option for
Custom Setting f3 (Assign Fn button) or f4 (Assign pre-
view button), menu banks can be selected by pressing the
button and rotating a command dial.
14
Matching Settings to Your Goal
Option
Description
Finding Controls in the Dark: Button Backlights
●●
If you are having trouble
nding camera controls in
the dark, rotate the power
switch toward D to activate
the control panel and button backlights. The backlights remain on for 6 s after the switch is released.
The Standby Timer
If On is selected for Custom Setting d10 (LCD illumination), the control panel and button backlights will remain
on while the standby timer is active. Extend the timer to
keep the backlights lit longer.
Reducing Noise at High ISO Sensitivities
●●
Use the High ISO NR option in the shooting menu to reduce “noise” (randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) at high
ISO sensitivities.
Option
High
Reduce noise, particularly in photographs taken at high
Normal
ISO sensitivities.
Low
Noise reduction is only performed at sensitivities of 3200
O
and higher. The amount of noise reduction is less than the
amount performed when Low is selected for High ISO NR.
Description
15
Taking Photographs
Reducing Noise and Blur: Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
●●
When On is selected for ISO sensitivity
settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control
in the shooting menu, the camera automatically adjusts ISO sensitivity if optimal exposure can not be achieved at
the value selected by the user.
Auto ISO sensitivity control can be netuned using the following options.
Maximum sensitivity: Choose the maxi-
•
mum value available for auto ISO sensitivity control (200–Hi 4). The minimum is ISO 100.
Minimum shutter speed: In exposure modes e and g, sensitiv-
•
ity will only be adjusted if shutter speed would otherwise
be slower than this value (¼ –1 s or Auto). If Auto is
selected, the camera will adjust the threshold for auto
ISO sensitivity control according to the focal length of
the lens.
Tips
We recommend that you use matrix metering (L) and
choose exposure mode e or g. Exposure compensation
can be used.
16
Matching Settings to Your Goal
Release mode
View nder
Live view
JJ (Quiet)
Quiet
Silent
1
SShutter sound
Burst shooting
Reducing Shutter Noise: Quiet and Silent Release
●●
To reduce the amount of noise made by the shutter during
view nder photography, rotate the release mode dial to J.
In live view, shutter noise can be eliminated by selecting
Silent for Live view photography in the shooting menu
(note that while FX format pictures taken when Quiet is
selected for Live view photography are the same size as
those taken during view nder photography—about 16.2
megapixels—those taken when Silent is selected are only
about 2.5 megapixels in size). The e ects of these settings
are summarized below.
Release mode
View nder
(Quiet)
hutter sound Slight Slight
Burst shooting n/a Up to 11 fps Up to 24 fps
Quiet
2
Live view
Silent
None
1
2
1. JPEG only.
2. Mirror slap audible at start and end of live view.
3. Bursts may be up to 5 s long.
3
17
Choosing a Setting
Taking Photographs
Optimizing White Balance
●●
If auto white balance does not produce the desired results,
you can try another setting, choose a color temperature, or
use preset manual white balance as described below.
Choosing a Setting
Press the U button and rotate the main command dial
until the desired setting is displayed in the rear control
panel.
U button Main command dial Rear control panel
18
Matching Settings to Your Goal
Choosing a Color Temperature
Choosing a Color Temperature
To choose a color temperature for the amber (A)–blue (B)
axis, select a white balance setting of K (Choose color
temp.) as described opposite and then press the U but-
ton and rotate the sub-command dial until the desired
value is displayed in the rear control panel.
U button Sub-command dial Rear control panel
To enter a value directly in increments
of 10 K, press the U button and use
the multi selector, pressing 4 or 2 to
highlight digits and 1 or 3 to change.
19
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