Nikon Camera D610 Users Manual

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ADefault Flash Modes
Default flash modes are shown below.
ModeDefaultModeDefault
i , k , p , n , w Auto oAuto+slow sync
s Auto+red-eye reduction 0, P,  S,  A , M Fill flash
AFlash Modes
The flash modes listed on the previous page may combine one or more of the following 
settings, as shown by the flash mode icon:
• AUTO (auto flash) : When lighting is poor or subject is back lit, flash pops up automatically 
when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and fires as required.
• Y  (red-eye reduction) : Use for portraits.
 Red-eye reduction lamp lights before flash fires, 
reducing “red-eye.”
• j (off ) : Flash does not fire even when lighting is poor or subject is back-lit.
• SLOW (slow sync) : Shutter speed slows automatically to capture background lighting at night 
or under low light.
 Use to include background lighting in portraits.
• REAR (rear-curtain sync) : Flash fires just before shutter closes , creating a stream of light behind 
moving light sources (below at right).
 If this icon is not displayed, flash will fire as the 
shutter opens (front-curtain sync; the effect  this produces with moving light sources is 
shown below at left).
Front-curtain sync Rear-curtain sync
DThe Built-in Flash
Use with lenses with focal lengths in FX  format of 24–300 mm (16–300 mm in DX format; 
0 288).
 Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m 
(2 ft) and can not be used in the macro rang e of zoom lenses with a macro function.
 i-TTL 
flash control can be used at ISO sensitivities between 100 and 6400.
 At values over 6400, the 
desired results may not be achieved at some ranges or aperture settings.
If the flash fires in continuous release mode ( 083), only one picture will be taken each time 
the shutter-release button is pressed.
The shutter release may be briefly disabled to  protect the flash after it has been used for 
several consecutive shots.
 The flash can be used again after a short pause. 
						

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AShutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash
The following shutter speeds are available with the built-in flash.
ModeShutter speedModeShutter speed
i , P *,  A*,  k , p , s , w1/200–1/60s S*1/200–30 s
n , 01/200–1/125s M*1/200–30 s,  A
o1/200–1 s
*Speeds as fast as 1/4,000s are available with optional SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, and SB-600 flash 
units when  1/250 s (Auto FP)  or 1/200 s (Auto FP)  is selected for Custom Setting e1 ( Flash sync 
speed , 0 234). When  1/250 s (Auto FP)  is selected, shutter speeds as fast as 
1/250 s are available with 
the built-in flash.
AFlash Control Mode
The camera supports the following i-TTL flash control modes:
• i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR : Flash emits series of nearly invisible preflashes (monitor 
preflashes) immediately before main flash.
 Preflashes reflected from objects in all areas of 
frame are picked up by 2,016-pixel RGB sens or and are analyzed in combination with 
range information from matrix metering system  to adjust flash output for natural balance 
between main subject and ambient background lighting.
 If type G, E, or D lens is used, 
distance information is included  when calculating flash output.
 Precision of calculation 
can be increased for non-CPU lenses by prov iding lens data (focal length and maximum 
aperture; see  0172).
 Not available when spot metering is used.
• Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR : Flash output adjusted to bring lighting in frame to standard 
level; brightness of background is not taken into account.
 Recommended for shots in 
which main subject is emphasized at expens e of background details, or when exposure 
compensation is used.
 Standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR is activated automatically when 
spot metering is selected.
The flash control mode for the built-in flash  can be selected using Custom Setting e3 (Flash 
cntrl for built-in flash , 0  236).
 The information display shows the flash control mode for 
the built-in flash as follows:
Flash syncAuto FP ( 0 234)
i-TTL —
Manual —
Repeating flash
—
Commander mode 
						

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AAperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range 
Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture.
Aperture at ISO equivalent of Range 
100 200 400800160032006400m ft 
1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 0.7–8.5 2 ft 4in.–27ft 11in. 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 0.6–6.0 2 ft–19ft 8in.
2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 0.6–4.2 2 ft–13ft 9in. 4 5.6 8 11162232 0.6–3.0 2ft–9ft 10in.
5.6 8 11 16 22 32 — 0.6–2.1 2 ft–6ft 11in. 8 11162232—— 0.6–1.5 2ft–4ft 11in.
11 16 22 32 — — — 0.6–1.1 2 ft–3ft 7in.
16 22 32 — — — — 0.6–0.8 2 ft–2 ft 7in.
The built-in flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft).
In mode  P, the maximum aperture (minimum f-nu mber) is limited according to ISO 
sensitivity, as shown below:
Maximum aperture at ISO equivalent of:
100200400800160032006400
2.8 3.5 4 5 5.6 7.1 8
If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the maximum value for 
aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.
ASee Also
See page 149 for information on locking flash value (FV) for a metered subject before 
recomposing a photograph.
 
For information on auto FP high-speed sync  and choosing a flash sync speed, see Custom 
Setting e1 ( Flash sync speed , 0 234).
 For information on choosing the slowest shutter 
speed available when using the flash, see Custom Setting e2 ( Flash shutter speed, 0 235).
 
For information on flash control and using  the built-in flash in commander mode, see 
Custom Setting e3 ( Flash cntrl for built-in flash , 0 236). 
See page 292 for information on using optional flash units. 
						

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Flash Compensation
Flash compensation is used to alter flash output by from –3 EV to +1 EV in increments 
of 1/3EV, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. 
Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced 
to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.
Press the  M (Y ) button and rotate the sub-command 
dial until the desired value is displayed in the control 
panel.
 In general, choose positive values to make the 
main subject brighter, negative values to make it 
darker.
At values other than ±0.0, a  Y icon will be displayed 
in the control panel and vie wfinder after you release 
the  M (Y ) button.
 The current value for flash 
compensation can be confirmed by pressing the 
M (Y ) button.
Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash 
compensation to ±0.0.
 Flash compensation is not 
reset when the camera is turned off.
AOptional Flash Units
Flash compensation is also available with optional flash units that support the Nikon 
Creative Lighting System (CLS). The SB-910,  SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, and SB-600 also allow 
flash compensation to be set using the controls on the flash unit; the value selected with the 
flash unit is added to the value selected with the camera.
ASee Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for flash compensation, see 
Custom Setting b2 ( EV steps for exposure cntrl , 0 224).
 For information on choosing how 
flash and exposure compensation combine, see Custom Setting e4 ( Exposure comp. for 
flash , 0 240).
 For information on automatically varying flash level over a series of shots, see 
page 153.
(P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
M  (Y ) button Sub-command
dial
±0 EV 
( M  (Y ) button pressed)
–0.3 EV
+1.0 EV 
						

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FV Lock
This feature is used to lock flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed 
without changing the flash level and ensuring that flash output is appropriate to the 
subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame.
 Flash 
output is adjusted automatically for an y changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.
To  u s e  F V  l o c k :
1Assign FV lock to the  Fn button.
Select  FV lock  for Custom Setting f2 ( Assign Fn 
button , 0 242).
2Raise the flash.
In P,  S,  A , M , and  0 modes, the flash can be raised 
by pressing the  M (Y ) button.
 In i, k , p , n , o , 
s , and  w modes, the flash will pop up 
automatically when required.
3Focus.
Position the subject in the center of the frame 
and press the shutter-release button halfway to 
focus.
4Lock flash level.
After confirming that the flash ready indicator ( M) 
is displayed in the viewfinder, press the  Fn 
button.
 The flash will emit a monitor preflash to 
determine the appropriate flash level.
 Flash 
output will be locked at this level and FV lock 
icons ( e) will appear in  the viewfinder.
M (Y ) button
Fn button 
						

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5Recompose the photograph.
6Ta k e  t h e  p h o t o g r a p h .
Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot. If desired, 
additional pictures can be taken without releasing FV lock.
7Release FV lock.
Press the  Fn button to release FV lock. Confirm that the FV lock icon ( e) is no 
longer displayed in the viewfinder.
DUsing FV Lock with the Built-in Flash
FV lock is only available wi th the built-in flash when TTL is selected for Custom Setting e3 
( Flash cntrl for built-in flash , 0 236).
AUsing FV Lock with Optional Flash Units 
FV lock is also available with optional flash units in TTL and (where supported) monitor pre-
flash AA and monitor pre-flash A flash control modes.
 Note that when commander mode is 
selected for Custom Setting e3 ( Flash cntrl for built-in flash, 0 236), you will need to set 
the flash control mode for the master or at least one remote group to TTL or AA.
AMetering
The metering areas for FV lock when using optional flash unit are as follows:
Flash unitFlash modeMetered area
Stand-alone flash unit i-TTL 5-mm circle in center of frame
AA Area metered by flash exposure meter
Used with other flash units 
(Advanced Wireless Lighting) i-TTL Entire frame
AA Area metered by flash exposure meter
A (master flash)
ASee Also
For information on using the  depth-of-field preview or AAE-L/AF-L  button for FV lock, see 
Custom Setting f3 ( Assign preview button , 0 244) or Custom Setting f4 ( Assign AE-L/AF-L 
button , 0 244). 
						

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Other Shooting Options
The camera settings listed below can be restored to 
default values by holding the W (S ) and  E buttons 
down together for more than two seconds (these 
buttons are marked by a green dot).
 The control 
panel turns off briefly  while settings are reset.
Two-Button Reset: Restoring Default 
Settings
OptionDefault0
Image quality JPEG normal 93
Image size Large 95
White balance Auto > Normal 115 Fine tuning A-B: 0, G-M: 0 117
HDR (high dynamic range) Off
1139
ISO sensitivity settings
ISO sensitivity Auto and scene modes AUTO 105
P ,  S,  A , M 100
Auto ISO sensitivity control Off 107
Interval timer shooting Off
2164
Autofocus (viewfinder)
Autofocus mode AF-A 97
AF-area mode n , x , 0 , 1 , 2 , 3 Single-point AF
99
m , w 39-point dynamic-area AF
i , j , k , l , p , o , r , s , t , u , v , y , z , P,  S,  A , M Auto-area AF
E button
W  (S ) button 
						

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Autofocus (live view/movie)Autofocus mode AF-S 51
AF-area mode m , r , w , 1 , 2 , 3 , P,  S,  A , M Wide-area AF
52
n , 0 Normal-area AF
i , j , k , l , p , o , s , t , u , v , x , y , z Fa ce -pr ior it y AF
Focus point
3Center 101
Metering Matrix 109
AE lock hold Off 102, 110
Bracketing Off 153
Picture Control settings
4Unmodified 129
Flash compensation Off 148
Exposure compensation Off 112
Exposure delay mode Off 231
Flash mode i , k , p , n , w Auto
144
s
Auto+red-eye reduction
o Auto+slow sync
0 , P,  S,  A , M Fill flash
FV lock Off 149
Multiple exposure Off
5160
Flexible program Off 75
+ NEF (RAW ) Off 242
1 Exposure differential and smoothing are not reset.
2 If interval timer shooting is currently in progress, sh ooting will end. Starting time, shooting interval, and 
number of intervals and shots are not reset.
3 Focus point not displayed if auto-area AF is selected for AF-area mode.
4 Current Picture Control only.
5 If multiple exposure is currently in progress, shoot ing will end and multiple exposure will be created 
from exposures recorded to that point. Gain and number of shots are not reset.
OptionDefault0 
						

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Bracketing
Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active  D-L ighting (ADL), or 
white balance slightly with each shot, “bracketing” the current value.
 Choose in 
situations in which it is difficult to se t exposure, flash level (i-TTL and, where 
supported, auto aperture flash control mo des only; see pages 146, 236, and 294), 
white balance, or Active D-Lighting and there is not time to check results and adjust 
settings with each shot, or to experiment wi th different settings for the same subject.
❚❚Exposure and Flash Bracketing
To vary exposure and/or flash level over a series of photographs:
1Select flash or exposure bracketing for 
Custom Setting e 6 (Auto bracketing 
set ) in the Custom Settings menu.
To display the menus, press the  G button. 
Select Custom Setting e6 ( Auto bracketing 
set ) in the Custom Settings menu, highlight 
an option, and press  J.
 Choose  AE & flash  
to vary both exposure and flash level,  AE 
only  to vary only exposure, or  Flash only to 
vary only flash level.
2Choose the number of shots.
Pressing the  D button, rotate the main command dial to choose the number 
of shots in the bracketing sequence and the order in which they will be taken.
D  will be displayed in  the viewfinder (see 
right); the control panel will show  M.
Number of shots
Bracketing progress 
indicator
D  button Main command dial Control panel
No. of shotsBracketing progress indicatorBracketing order
Normal exposure, underexposure, overexposure
Normal exposure, overexposure
Normal exposure, underexposure
(P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
G  button 
						

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3Select a bracketing increment.
Pressing the D button and rotate the sub-command dial to choose a 
bracketing increment.
4Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
The camera will vary exposure and/or flash level shot-by-
shot according to the bracketing program selected.
 
Modifications to exposure are added to those made with 
exposure compensation ( 0112), making it possible to achieve exposure 
compensation values of more than 5 EV.
While bracketing is in effect, a bracketing  progress indicator will be displayed in 
the control panel.
 A segment will disappear from the indicator after each shot: 
the  y segment when the unmodified shot is taken, the  z segment when the 
shot with the negative increment is taken, and the  x segment when the shot 
with the positive  increment is taken.
To cancel bracketing, press the  D button and rotate the main command dial until 
the bracketing progress indicator and  M icon are no longer displayed.
Bracketing 
increment
D  button Sub-command dial Control panel
ASee Also
For information on choosing the size of the increment, see Custom Setting b2 ( EV 
steps for exposure cntrl , 0 224).
 For information on choosing the order in which 
bracketing is performed, see Custom Setting e7 ( Bracketing order, 0 241).
Exposure modified by:  0 EV (y) Exposure modified by:
–1 EV ( z) Exposure modified by:
+1 EV ( x)