Nikon Coolpix S9 User Manual

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Using the Flash
Basic Photography and Playback: L (Auto) Mode
jNote on Using the Flash
When using the flash at a wide-angle zoom position, reflections from dust particles in the air
may appear as bright spots in pictures. To reduce these reflections, set the flash to B (Off) or
zoom in on the subject.
kWhen Lighting is Poor
When lighting is poor and the flash is off (B), the y or W
icon may appear on the monitor. Note the following.
• Place the camera on a flat, level surface or use a tripod (rec-
ommended).
•The W icon is displayed when the camera increases sensitiv-
ity from the normal sensitivity to minimize blur caused by
slow shutter speeds. The picture taken when the W icon is
displayed may be slightly mottled.
• If the warning at right is displayed after a picture is taken,
the picture may be blurred. Select [No] to exit without
recording the picture.
• The camera may process pictures to reduce noise, which
makes recording time increase.
kThe AF-assist Illuminator
If lighting is poor, the AF-assist illuminator may light to assist the focus operation when the
shutter-release button is pressed halfway. The illuminator has a maximum range of about
1.9 m/6 ft. 3 in. (t) to 1.1 m/3 ft. 7 in. (v). The AF-assist illuminator is not available in some
modes (c32-43) and can also be turned off manually (c103), although in this case the
camera may not focus when lighting is poor.
kThe Flash Lamp
The flash lamp indicates flash status when the shut-
ter-release button is pressed halfway.
•On: Flash will fire when picture is taken.
•Blinks: Flash charging. Wait a few seconds and try
again.
•Off: Flash will not fire when picture is taken.
kRed-Eye Reduction
• The COOLPIX S9 is equipped with an advanced red-eye reduction system. Pre-flashes are
fired several times at low intensity before the main flash to reduce “red-eye.” If the camera
detects “red-eye” after a picture is taken, Nikon’s own In-Camera Red-Eye Fix processes
the image as it is recorded. Therefore, there is a slight delay before the shutter-release but-
ton operates normally to take another picture. 
•
Red-eye reduction may not always produce the desired results. In some rare cases, other por-
tions of pictures may be affected. Should this occur, choose another flash mode and try again.
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save picture?
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Basic Photography and Playback: L (Auto) Mode
Taking Pictures with the Self-Timer
The camera is equipped with a ten-second timer for self-portraits. When
using the self-timer, mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it
on a flat, level surface.
1Press H (self-timer).
The self-timer menu is displayed.
2Press the multi selector G to choose [ON]
and press d.
The self-timer indicator (10H) is displayed.
The monitor will return to the normal display for the
current mode if the setting is not applied by pressing
d within five seconds.
3Frame the picture and press the
shutter-release button halfway.
4Press the shutter-release button
fully.
The self-timer starts.
The self-timer lamp will blink for about nine
seconds. The lamp stops blinking one second
before the photograph is taken and remains
lit until the shutter is released.
The number of seconds remaining before
the shutter is released is displayed in the
monitor.
To stop the timer before a picture is taken,
press the shutter-release button again.
OFFOFFOFFSelf-timer
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Basic Photography and Playback: L (Auto) Mode
Macro Close-up Mode
Macro close-up mode is used for taking shots of pictures as close as 4 cm
(1.6 in.). Note that the flash may be unable to light entire subject at distances
of less than 30 cm (11.8 in.). If the flash fires, play the picture back and
check the results.
1Press L (macro mode).
The macro close-up menu is displayed.
2Press the multi selector G to choose
[ON] and press d.
The macro close-up mode icon (F) is displayed.
The monitor will return to the normal display for the
current mode if the setting is not applied by pressing
d within five seconds.
3Press the zoom control to v (k) or to t
(j) to frame the picture.
The minimum focus distance varies with zoom posi-
tion. The camera can focus at a distance of 4 cm
(1.6 in.) at the zoom position at which F turns green.
4Press the shutter-release button fully.
The macro close-up mode applied in L mode is
stored in the camera’s memory even after the camera
is turned off.
kMacro Close-up Mode
In macro close-up mode, the camera focuses continuously, even when the shutter-release
button is not pressed halfway.
Macro close-up
MFFF
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Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
Assist and Scene Modes
The camera offers a choice of four “assist” modes
and eleven “scene” modes.
In these modes, camera settings are automatically
optimized for the selected subject type.
Assist Modes
The following modes offer framing assist options to
help you compose your shots.
Scene Modes
The following modes allow you to take pictures optimized for a particular
subject type by simply choosing a scene mode and pressing the shutter-
release button.
lImage Mode
[Image mode] (c77) can be set in the assist menu of the scene
assist modes or in the scene menu. Changes made to the image
mode setting apply to all shooting modes.
B Portrait (default)
Use for portraits. The main subject stands out clearly while the background 
details are softened, lending a sense of depth to the composition.
E Landscape
Use for vivid landscape shots that enhance outlines, colors, and contrast in 
subjects such as skyscapes and forests.
P Sports
Fast shutter speeds freeze fast-moving subjects for dynamic sports scenes.
D Night portrait
Use for a natural balance between the main subject and background lighting 
in portraits taken at night.
C Party/indoorG Night landscapeO Copy
H Beach/snowM Close upL Back light
I SunsetN MuseumF Panorama assist
J Dusk/dawnK Fireworks show
Scene
B
Z
Portrait
ExitPortrait figure
Image mode
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Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
Assist Modes
Taking Pictures in Assist Modes
1Enter scene mode by pressing p
in shooting mode, selecting n (press
the multi selector J), and then
pressing d.
The camera returns to the scene mode
selected last time.
2Press m to display the scene menu.
3Press GH to choose an assist mode and
press d.
The framing assist menu is displayed.
For information on using the multi selector, see “The
Multi Selector” (c8).
4Press GH to choose the appropriate
composition and press d.
Framing guides are displayed if available.
5Position the subject in the fram-
ing guide and take the picture.
Scene
Scene menu
ExitSet up
Portrait
Landscape
Sports
Night portrait
Assist modes
B
B
N
O
P
QPortrait
ExitPortrait
Portrait left
Portrait right
Portrait close-up
Portrait couple
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Assist Modes
Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
B Portrait Assist
Use this mode for portraits in which the main sub-
ject stands out clearly while background details are
softened. Portrait subjects exhibit smooth, natural-
looking skin tones.
1Other settings can be selected.2See “AF Assist” (c103) for information on using this function.3AF Assist is set to [Off] for all modes except for [Portrait].
BPortrait (default)
Camera focuses on subject in the center of the monitor. No guides are dis-
played in the monitor.
NPortrait left
Compose shot with subject in left half of frame. Camera focuses on subject 
inside the framing guides.
OPortrait right
Compose shot with subject in the right half of frame. Camera focuses on sub-
ject inside the framing guides.
PPortrait close-up
Compose shot with subject’s face in top half of frame. Camera focuses on 
face inside the framing guides.
QPortrait couple
Compose shot with two subjects side-by-side. Camera focuses on subjects 
inside the framing guides.
CPortrait figure
Compose shot in “tall” orientation. Camera focuses on subject inside the 
framing guides. Pictures taken in “tall” orientation are displayed in the same 
“tall” orientation in the monitor.
CA1HOff1FOffu2Off3
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Assist Modes
Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
E Landscape Assist
Use this mode for vivid landscapes, cityscapes, and
portraits featuring a landmark in the background.
1Other settings can be selected.
1Other settings can be selected.
lFocusing at Infinity
The focus indicator (c24) is always green when the shutter-release button is pressed half-
way when [Landscape], [Scenic view], or [Architecture] is selected for landscape assist mode.
Note, however, that objects in the foreground may not always be in focus.
ELandscape (default)
Camera focuses at infinity. No guides are displayed in the monitor.
SScenic view
Use to photograph distant skylines. Camera focuses at infinity. Match top of 
skyline with wavy yellow guide.
UArchitecture
Use to photograph buildings. Camera focuses at infinity. A grid is displayed in 
the monitor to help keep verticals and horizontals aligned with the frame.
CBHOff1FOffuOff
VGroup right
Use to compose portraits with portrait subjects to right and landmark or other 
objects in background at left of frame.
WGroup left
Use to compose portraits with portrait subjects to left and landmark or other 
objects in background at right of frame.
Cz1HOff1FOffuOff
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Assist Modes
Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
P Sports Assist
Use this mode for dynamic action shots that freeze
the action in a single shot or record motion in a
series of pictures. No framing guides are displayed.
lSports Assist
When [Sports] or [Sport composite] is selected in sports assist mode, the camera focuses con-
tinuously on the center of the frame, even when the shutter-release button is not pressed
halfway.
PSports (default)
While shutter-release button is held down, pictures are taken at rate of about 
1.7 frames per second (fps). Camera focuses continuously even when the 
shutter-release button is not pressed halfway. If [Image mode] ( c77) is set to 
[Normal(2816)], 3 pictures are taken continuously with the same focus, expo-
sure, and white balance values used for the first shot.
XSport spectator
As above, except that camera focuses at ranges of 3 m (9.8 ft.) to infinity at 
maximum wide-angle zoom position and 7 m (23 ft.) to infinity at maximum 
telephoto position.
YSport composite
Each time shutter-release button is pressed, cam-
era takes 16 shots in about 2 seconds and 
arranges them in four rows to form a single pic-
ture 1,600 × 1,200 pixels in size.
C BHOffFOffu Off
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Assist Modes
Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
D Night Portrait Assist
Use this mode to achieve a natural balance
between the main subject and background lighting
in portraits taken at night. This mode offers the
same assist options as portrait assist mode (c34).
Pictures taken at slow shutter speeds are processed
to reduce noise; to prevent blurring, mount the
camera on a tripod or rest it on a flat, stable sur-
face.
1Flash illuminates main subject with slow sync and red-eye reduction.2Other settings can be selected.3AF Assist is set to [Off] for all modes except for [Portrait].
CA1HOff2FOffuOff3
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Scene Modes: n Scene Mode
Scene Modes
Taking Pictures in Scene Modes
1Enter scene mode by pressing
p in shooting mode, selecting
n (press the multi selector J),
and then pressing d.
The camera returns to the scene mode
selected last time.
2Press m to display the scene menu.
3Press GH to choose a scene mode and
press d.
Three pages of scene modes are available, beginning
with [Party/indoor] and ending with [Panorama assist].
For information on using the multi selector, see “The
Multi Selector” (c8).
4Frame the subject and take the
picture.
Scene
H C
I
J
G
Scene menu
ExitParty/indoor
Beach/snow
Sunset
Dusk/dawn
Night landscape
Scene modes
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