Nikon N90 User Manual
Nikon
N90
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CONTENTS
FOREWORD................................................................................4
NOMENCLATURE....................................................................5 10
BASIC OPERATION...............................................................11 26
MOUNTING THE LENS
INSTALLING BAHERIES
CHECKING BAHERY POWER............................................14-15
LOADING FILM
BASIC SHOOTING
REWINDING FILM
GENERAL FUNCTIONS........................................................27 66
FILM ADVANCE MODE.......................................................28-29
SINGLE-FRAME SHOOTING
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING
EXPOSURE METERING SYSTEM
MATRIX METERING.............................................................30
CENTER-WEIGHTED METERING
SPOT METERING
SETTING METERING SYSTEM...........................................32
FOCUS.................................................................................33-48
FOCUS AREA..................................................................33-35
AUTOFOCUS...................................................................35-39
AUTOFOCUS WITH MAIN SUBJECT OFF CENTER
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS
MANUAL FOCUS.............................................................46-48
EXPOSURE MODE..............................................................49-66
SELECTING EXPOSURE MODE
SETTING EXPOSURE MODE
FLEXIBLE PROGRAM
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12
13
16-18
19-24
25-26
28
29
30-32
31
31
40-43
44-45
50-53
54
55
2
OPERATION IN SHUTTER-PRIORITY AUTO
EXPOSURE MODE
OPERATION IN APERTURE-PRIORITY AUTO
EXPOSURE MODE
OPERATION IN MANUAL EXPOSURE MODE
VARI-PROGRAM 67 85
WHAT IS VARI-PROGRAM?...............................................68-69
SELECTING VARI-PROGRAM SOFTWARE
SHOOTING WITH VARI-PROGRAM
PORTRAIT PROGRAM
PORTRAIT PROGRAM WITH RED-EYE REDUCTION
(with SB-25 Speedlight exclusively)
HYPERFOCAL PROGRAM.............................................76-77
LANDSCAPE PROGRAM................................................78-79
SILHOUETTE PROGRAM
SPORT PROGRAM
CLOSE-UP PROGRAM
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS 86 102
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION...........................................87-93
AE-L (AUTO EXPOSURE LOCK) LEVER
TO OBTAIN METER READING FOR A PARTICULAR
SUBJECT IN MANUAL EXPOSURE MODE
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION BUTTON.......................92-93
SELF-TIMER OPERATION..................................................94-96
ONE-SHOT SELF-TIMER.....................................................95
TWO-SHOT SELF-TIMER.....................................................96
TO CONFIRM SHARPNESS BEFORE SHOOTING
—DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON
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56-59
60-62
63-66
70-71
72-85
72-73
74-75
80-81
82-83
84-85
88-89
90-91
97
LONG TIME EXPOSURE—Using bulb setting
TO USE NON-DX-CODED FILM
INTERCHANGING FOCUSING SCREENS
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98-99
100
101-102
LENSES....................................................................................103-106
LENS COMPATIBILITY CHART
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104-106
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 107 126
NIKON SPEEDLIGHT COMPATIBILITY.........................................108-109
FLASH MODES AVAILABLE
WITH NIKON SPEEDLIGHT
WHAT YOU CAN DO
WITH YOUR NIKON SPEEDLIGHT..............................................109
TTL AUTO FLASH—AUTOMATIC BALANCED
FILL-FLASH AND STANDARD HL FLASH
TYPE OF TTL AUTO FLASH......................................................110-113
AUTOMATIC BALANCED FILL-FLASH
WITH TTL MULTI SENSOR—3D MULTI-SENSOR
BALANCED FILL-FUSH AND MULTI-SENSOR
BALANCED FILL-FLASH..............................................................114
CENTER-WEIGHTED/SPOT FILL-FLASH........................................115
STANDARD TTL FLASH
SHUTTER SPEED/APERTURE FOR EACH EXPOSURE
MODE IN TTL AUTO FLASH
TTL AUTO FLASH ORERATION................................................118-119
TO MAKE NIGHT BACKGROUND MORE VISIBLE
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SLOW SYNC OPERATION................................................120-121
TO CREATE NATURAL-LOOKING STREAM OF LIGHT
—REAR-CURTAIN SYNC
RED-EYE REDUCTION
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110-119
116-117
122-123
108
115
{for use with SB-25 only)..........................................................124-125
NOTES ON FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY..................................................126
EV CHART FOR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY...........................................127
MISCELLANEOUS 128 147
ACCESSORY COMPATIBILITY............................................................129
CAMERA CARE TIPS
NOTES ON BAHERIES................................................................132-133
SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................134-138
GLOSSARY..................................................................................139-142
LCD PANEL/VIEWFINDER INDICATIONS
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130-132
143-147
FOREWORD
Thank you for choosing the new Nikon N90 camera, it’s a high-performance
camera that offers today’s newest and most advanced capabilities, aii designed to
enable you to take more exciting pictures.
Because the N90 camera has a host of new features, many of which you may not
be familiar with, before actually taking pictures you should thoroughly read the
instruction manuals provided, including the “PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM" leaflet.
These will help you understand the technical terminology used and how the various
new features work.
The N90, in its standard configuration, is a powerful camera with important features
such as Nikon’s exciusive Advanced Matrix Meter, many autofocus features inciuding
Focus Tracking, and Nikon’s latest innovation, TTL Multi-Sensor flash control. To
expand the camera’s performance and take full advantage of all its capabilities, you
will want to consider using the N90 with accessories such as the Nikon MF-26 Multi
Control Back, the Nikon SB-25 AF Speedlight, and the Nikon Data Link System with
1C Card AC-1 E which works exclusively with the Sharp® Electronic Crganizer.
Please read this manual thoroughly, then enjoy experimenting with all of the N90’s
exciting features. Good luck, and have a great time with this high-tech Nikon.
Sharp is a registered trademark of SHARP CORPORATION.
NOMENCLATURE
Once you know the names of the parts of your new Nikon N90, as
well as their functions and the camera’s other controis, you will be
surprised how simpie and iogicai the N90 system’s operation can
be.
LCD panel (p. 9)
Shutter release button: To
activate exposure meter and
autofocus function, lightly
press; to release shutter,
depress fully; exposure
meter automatically
switches off after 8 sec.
Self-timer indicator LED
(pp. 95-96)
Depth-of-field preview
button (p. 97)
AF-L (Auto Focus Lock)
button: Locks focus when
pressed and held in.
Minimum aperture lock:
Setting for all Programmed
and Shutter-Priority auto
exposure modes.
Accessory shoe: For Nikon dedicated
Speedlights. The rear edge of the shoe
indicates film plane. Exact distance from lens
mounting flange to film plane is 46.5mm.
Sync terminal
10-pin remote terminal:
For Electronic Organizer
Connecting Cord MC-27,
Remote Cord MC-20,
etc. (see attached
PHOTOGRAPHIC
SYSTEM leaflet).
Lens release button
Focus mode selector:
S for Single Sen/o AF (pp.
36-37).
C for Continuous Servo AF
(pp. 38-39).
M for Manual focus (pp.
46-48).
_______________
Lens mounting index
Aperture scale
Focusing ring
Optional lens illustrated
(AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 D)
Eyepiece shutter lever: Used to pre
vent stray light from entering viewfinder
Viewfinder/LCD panel
illumination button:
Press to illuminate
viewfinder and LCD
panel, useful in dim
light. Illumination
automatically switches
off 8 sec. after you
remove your finger from
button.
Camera strap eyelet
Camera back lock releases: To
open camera back, slide camera
back lock releases together.
AE-L (Auto Exposure Lock)
lever: Sliding and holding
lever in locks auto exposure.
Film cartridge
confirmation window
Viewfinder eyepiece
Focusing screen type B:
Interchangeable with
optional type E screen
(pp. 101-102).
7
Reset button: Press and hold this
button and exposure compensation/
reset button together for instant reset
of basic camera settings (p. 20)
Metering system (K)button*:
See page 32.
Film rewind button
Exposure mode (MODE) button*
See page 54.
Vari-Program (Ps) button*: See
pages 70-71.
Flash sync mode (i) button*:
See pages 121, 123 and 125 .
Film advance mode (DRIVE)
button*: See pages 28-29
Film speed/film rewind (S)
button: See pages 18, 25 and
100.
* Used with command dial
8
AF NIKKOR
■
----------
' m k o n
W
Exposure compensation/
ff
15 5
oo 5 2
T ?l
1
I
50 35
II
«¿8-70mm'
l=a5-4.5
21
reset button (• 0)*: See
pages 20 and 92.
Power switch: •'!) setting
activates eiectronic beeper
(pp. 14-15).
Focus area button: See
page 33.
Command input control
dial (Command dial):
Rotate to set various
functions.
Self-timer button (CS))*: See
page 95-96.
LCD panel indications
1. Focus area
2. Exposure mode
3. Metering system
4. Film speed setting mode
5. Exposure compensation
6. Shutter speed
7. Autofocus
8. Aperture
9. Release/Focus priority
10. Flash sync mode/Red-Eye Reduction
11. Manual focus
9
10
11
12
13
14
12. Electronic Organizer*
13. Custom*
14. Battery
15. Film advance mode
16. Frame counterA/ari-Program/ISO speed/Self-timer
duration/compensation value
17. Film loading
18. Film advance and rewind
19. Self-timer
‘Appears only when Data Link System is in use.
Viewfinder indication
w U I
S8ob F8.S
1. Wide-Area focus brackets
2.12mm-dia. reference circle for CenterWeighted Metering
3. 3mm dia. reference circle for Spot
Metering/Spot-Area focus
4. Clear matte field
5. Focus area
6. Focus indicators: 9 indicates a
stationary subject is in focus;
indicates a moving subject is in focus;
► ^ shows Focus Tracking; blinking
► 4 indicates autofocus is
impossible; ► and 4 arrows indicate
front and rear focus, respectively.
10
7. Exposure mode
8. Shutter speed
9. Aperture
10. Electronic analog display
11. Frame counterA/ariProgram/compensation value
12. Exposure compensation
13. Flash recommend/ready light
Lightly pressing the shutter release
button to turn on the exposure
meter switches on the viewfinder
illuminator at a low light level.
In dim light, when the exposure
meter is on, the illuminator
automatically switches on at full
brightness.
BASIC OPERATION
This section shows you how to prepare the camera for shooting—
e.g., how to mount iens, load film, etc.—as well as how to actually
take pictures. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned
photographer, you should master this section before proceeding
further.
11
MOUNTING THE LENS
Position the lens in the camera's
2
bayonet mount so that the
mounting indexes on iens and camera
body are aligned. Taking care not to
press the lens release button, twist lens
counterclockwise until it locks into place.
Remove camera body cap and front
and rear lens caps.
• When mounting/removing lens, make sure that the camera's power is turned
off and avoid direct sunlight.
• See page 104 for Nikon lens compatibility chart.
12
To remove
Push and hold lens release button and
turn lens clockwise.
INSTALLING BATTERIES
• Make sure the power switch is set
at OFF position.
• NiCd batteries that have "+"
terminals exceeding 6mm in
diameter cannot be used.
• Manganese batteries are not
recommended for use at low
temperatures.
• See page 133 for "NOTES ON
BATTERIES."
Loosen battery holder lock screw
with a coin or similar object.
Remove battery holder.
Install four AA-type alkaline-
manganese, NiCd or high
3
performance manganese batteries with
"-I-” and terminals positioned as
shown inside holder.
Return battery holder to battery
chamber.
Press holder into place as you
tighten lock screw with coin.
13
CHECKING BATTERY POWER
Slide power switch to ON or ■«) position, and confirm that a full
battery mark appears on LCD panel, indicating sufficient battery
power.The battery mark and exposure indications automatically
turn off after 8 sec.
Sufficient battery power.
\ I I I /
/ I I I N
I blinks with/without blinking
Err, batteries are just about
exhausted. Slide power switch to
OFF and replace batteries with a
fresh set.
14
Batteries are nearing exhaustion.
Have a fresh set ready.
If no indication/mark appears,
batteries are completely exhausted
or imporperly installed. Replace.
About exposure meter
You can check battery power anytime by lightly pressing
the shutter release button. This action activates the
exposure meter; the LCD panel and viewfinder LCD show
aperture/shutter speed indications, and autofocus
operation starts (unless camera is set for manual
focusing). The exposure indications and battery mark stay
on for approx. 8 sec. after you take your finger off the
shutter release button, then automatically turn off. If the
shutter is released, these LCD readouts go off approx. 2
sec. after you take your finger off the button.
Data Link System users
You can set automatic meter switch-off as desired: 4
sec., 8 sec.,16 sec., 30 sec., 60 sec. For details, see
Nikon AC-1E card instruction manual.
About electronic beeper
With the power switch set to ■')) ,the beeper
is on. Two types of sound are emitted: a
double-beep which indicates in-focus
position, and continuous beeping which is
either an operation signal or an alert.
Double-beep
A double-beep is emitted when a stationary
subject becomes in-focus in the Single
Servo AF mode*.
Continuous beeping sound indicates:
(As an operation signal)
• Film rewind is complete.
• Self-timer is activated (pp. 95-96).
(As an alert signal)
• Possible picture blur due to slow shutter
speed in Programmed or Aperture-Priority
Auto exposure mode.
• Possible over- or underexposure (with H I
or I. o indications) in auto exposure mode*.
• Lens aperture is not set to the minimum
setting in Programmed or Shutter-Priority
auto exposure mode*.
• Film reaches the end of the roll and
requires rewinding*.
• Sounds when the shutter release button is lightly pressed.
• You have loaded a non-DX film or film with
a damaged or unacceptable DX code for
auto DX setting.
• Camera detects an abnormality such as
torn or damaged Aim during film advance.
• Vari-Program is set with non-CPU lenses.
• Shutter-Priority Auto exposure mode is
set with Bulb setting.
• Bulb setting is selected for Automatic
Exposure Bracketing function of MF-26.
• Speedlight is not set to TTL flash mode
with Auto Multi-Program.
Data Link System
users
You can use the
Electronic Organizer
to cancel the double
beep alert for in-focus
and/or the continuous
beep for picture blur
alert.
The beeper also
comes on when the
camera’s computer
memory is full in the
Memo Holder
function.
For details, refer to
Nikon AC-IEcard
instruction manual.
15
LOADING FILM
• To avoid fogging film {especially high-ISO film), do not
load/unload film in direct sunlight.
> Usable film speed range for DX-coded film is ISO 25 to
5000.
• For non-DX coded film, see p, 100.
Data Link System users
You can set the camera to DX-priority. For details, see
AC-1 E card instruction manual.
16
Confirm whether E53 for DX-coded film is shown on the
LCD panel.
If not, press and hold ISO button in, then rotate command dial
until [33 appears.
_ _1.1.___
Slide camera back lock releases
together to open camera back.
SHaamm
fTm A ass
j
1 lODaDQODODay
Do not touch the shutter curtains
with your finger or with film leader.
Insert film cartridge.
Pull film leader out to red index
mark.
Check to ensure film is properly positioned with no slack (see illustration)
17
g Gently close camera back until lock
releases snap closed. 7
Fully depress shutter release button
to advance film to frame #1.
• If non-DX-coded film or film with an
unacceptable DX code is loaded, the
£ r r, ISO and EQ marks in the LCD
panel blink, the beeper sounds (if set),
and the shutter is locked. Set ISO
speed manually (see p. 100).
Confirm frame counter shows ! and
Q__symbol appears on LCD
8
panel.
18
> If film is incorrectly positioned, £
remains, Q_ symbol blinks and shutter
is locked. Open camera back and
reload film properly.
BASIC SHOOTING
This section features the settings for
most common picture-taking situations
when AF Nikkor' tenses are used:
Fiim advance mode: singie-frame
shooting
Metering: Advanced Matrix Metering
Focus Area: Wide
Focus mode: Singie Servo AF
Exposure mode: Auto Muiti-Program
(If you are using Ai-P-Nikkor lens, use
manual focus [see pp. 46-48]. If you are
using other non-AF Nikkor ienses, use
Center-Weighted or Spot Metering [see
p. 32], manual focus, and AperturePriority Auto or Manual Exposure mode
[see pp. 60-62 or 63-66]. To confirm
usable mode by lens, see chart on p.
104.)
' AF Nikkor lenses includes D-type AF Nikkor lenses
and AF-I Nikkor lenses.
Set focus mode selector to S for
Single Servo autofocus. If lens has
an A-M switch, set switch to A. If you are
using an AF-I Nikkor lens, set the lens
focus mode ring to A or M/A.
Set lens to its minimum aperture
(highest f-number marked in orange
on AF Nikkor lenses) and lock lens
aperture of AF Nikkor lens at its
minimum setting (see lens instruction
manual).
19
Press • reset button and • 0 button simultaneously for
two seconds until P, E), E] and E3 appear in the LCD
3
panel, indicating that the camera settings are automatically
reset for basic shooting shown here:
Film advance:
Metering system:
Exposure control:
Focus area:
Flexible program setting:
Exposure compensation:
Flash sync mode:
Single frame p3)
Matrix (E)
Auto-Multi Program (P)
Wide (EH)
Cancel
+0
Normal (If Speedlight is set at
rear-curtain sync, rear-curtain
sync will be performed.)
20
Data Link System users
When activating Custom Reset with the Nikon AC-1E
card’s Customized Settings function, press and hoid the •
and • 0 buttons for two seconds to retrieve the Custom
Reset settings.
When one or more functions/options (including Custom
Reset) of the Customized Settings have been set, OKI
appears in the camera’s LCD panel*. To cancel the
functions/options of the Customized Settings and reset
your camera to the default setting (which will make 0003
disappear from the LCD), press and hold the • and • 0
buttons for more than four seconds until 0003 starts
blinking; then remove your fingers from the reset buttons
and press them again within two seconds. (0003 stops
blinking when the reset buttons are left untouched for two
seconds.)
filM also appears when “Store shooting data’’ is selected
and/or ’’Download stored data’’ is likewise selected in the
Memo Holder function. In this case, you also can make
0003 disappear from the LCD by following the instuctions
given above,
' When Custom Reset and/or “Simultaneous Lock of AF and AE’of User
Custom Option is set with the MF-26 attached to the camera, 0003
does not appear. To cancel Custom Reset or "Simultaneous Lock of AF
and AE“ with the MF-26, use the MF-26's(M^ button and the
camera's command dial. (For details, see the MF-26 's instruction
manual.)
MF-26 users
Pressing the reset buttons also
cancels the MF-26’s following
functions:
Auto Exposure Bracketing
Multiple Exposure Operation
Auto Sequence Shooting
Long Time Exposure
Interval Timer
Flash Exposure Bracketing
Flash output level compensation
Focus Priority
Hold camera, look through viewfinder and position focus brackets on main
subject.
With Nikon Autofocus
Speedlight SB-25
Pressing the reset buttons also
resets the Speedlight’s flash
output compensation to 0.
Although the viewfinder covers approx. 92% of the image area of the actual
photograph, a negative film will show you an image larger than what you see
through the viewfinder.
Note: The image in a slide film may be partially cropped by the mount. Also, the
edges of negative film are partially cropped by most labs.
21
Lightly press shutter release button to start autofocus
operation and switch exposure meter on.
5
Confirm that the in-focus indicator • for a stationary subject or
for a moving subject appears on the viewfinder's LCD
readout. Confirm, too, that the shutter speed and aperture
indications are shown. Exposure readouts also appear in the
camera’s external LCD panel.
In the Single Servo autofocus mode with Focus-Priority, the
shutter cannot be released until # or appears, indicating
that the subject is in focus; the focus is then subsequently
locked. If the distance between you and the subject changes,
remove your finger from the shutter release button, then lightly
press it again to refocus.
22
• In-focus indication for stationary subject
► A Focus Tracking (automatically activates)
In-focus indication for moving subject
A Subject is located closer than the lens' closest
focusing distance. Move away from the subject
and refocus.
► Appears when TC-16A is used, alerting that the
lens focusing ring is not set at infinity (H- See p.
36.
V I I I y
- ► 4- If ►
' " ' possible (p. 44).
A
blinks in the viewfinder: Autofocus is not
If shutter speed indicated is 1/(lens focal length) sec. or slower, the picture may come out biurred. To avoid this,
hoid camera firmiy or use a tripod.
If H I appears in the shutter speed
position—Overexposure alert: Use Nikon ND
or similar fiiter.
If L o appears in the shutter speed position—
Underexposure alert: Use a Nikon Speediight,
higher ISO film or lens with faster aperture,
whichever is suitable.
If fEE blinks in the aperture position—Lens
setting error alert: Lens is not set to smallest
aperture setting, so shutter is locked. Set lens to
smallest aperture.
• P -.fffr
If i mark in green appears—Flashphotography recommended: If available
light is insufficient, i mark appears. Use
Nikon TTL-type Speediight.
23
To take picture, fully depress shutter release button.
6
Camera automatically advances film by one frame, and
LCD frame counter increases by one.
24
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