Nikon D200 User Manual

							1
Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon D200 single-lens refl  ex (SLR) digital camera 
with interchangeable lenses.  This manual has been written to help you enjoy 
taking pictures with your Nikon digital camera.  Read this manual thoroughly 
before use, and keep it handy when using the product.  The documentation for 
this product also includes the manuals listed below.  Please be sure to read all 
instructions thoroughly to get the most from the cam era.
• Quick Start Guide: The Quick Start Guide takes you through the process of un-
packing and set ting up your Nikon digital camera, taking your fi  rst photographs, 
and trans fer ring them to your computer.
• Software manual (on CD): The software manual contains information on using 
the software provided with your camera.  For information on view ing the soft-
ware manual, see the Quick Start Guide.
To make it easier to fi nd the information you need, the following sym bols and 
con ven tions  are  used:
This icon indicates that more infor-
mation is available elsewhere in this 
manual or in the Quick Start Guide.This icon marks notes, information that 
should be read before using the cam-
era.
This icon marks tips, additional infor-
mation that may be helpful when us-
ing the camera.This icon marks cautions, information 
that should be read before use to pre-
vent damage to the camera.
This icon marks settings that can be 
fi ne-tuned from the Custom Set tings 
menu.This icon marks settings that can be ad-
justed using camera menus.
An AF-S DX 18–70 mm f/3.5–4.5G ED lens is used in this manual for illustrative purposes.  
The parts of the lens are shown below.Lens
Zoom ring Mounting index: 
 8
Focus ring: 
 60 A-M mode switch:  60
Introduction
CPU contacts:  176 Focal length scale
Introduction
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays.  
You may fi nd it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read 
through the rest of the manual.
Camera Body
Accessory shoe:  180
Getting to Know the Camera
 (fl ash sync mode)
button:  78
[  Flash compensa-
tion:  80]
Lens release button: 
 8
Focus-mode selector:
 
 19, 51 Built-in fl ash: 
 76
Connector cover:  106
Video connector: 
 106
DC-IN connector for optional 
EH-6 AC adapter: 
 181
USB connector: 
 108, 111Eyelet for camera 
strap: 
 9 Flash sync terminal: 
 180 Flash pop-up button: 
 78
10-pin remote
terminal: 
 182
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
AF-assist illuminator:  58
[Self-timer lamp:  83]
[Red-eye reduction lamp:  77]
Sub-command dial: 
 170
Eyelet for camera strap: 
 9
Depth-of-fi eld preview button: 
 62
FUNC. button: 
 170
Battery-chamber cover: 
 11
Battery-chamber cover latch: 
 11 Tripod socket
Mode dial lock 
release: 
 26 QUAL (image quality/size) 
button: 
 29, 32
[ ● (reset) button:  97]
WB (white balance) 
button: 
 35–44
ISO (ISO sensitivity) button: 
 33 Mode dial:  26Power switch: 
 17
[Illuminator switch:  5]
 (exposure
compensation)
button: 
 72
[ ● (reset)
button: 
 97]
Control panel: 
 5
 (focal plane mark):  60
 (exposure mode) 
button:  62
[  (format) button:  14] Shutter-release button: 
 20
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
The multi selector is used for menu navigation and to control the display of photo in-
formation during playback.
Camera Body (continued)
 (playback) 
button:  22, 98
 (menu)
button:  24
 (thumbnail) 
button:  102
 (protect ) 
button:  104
[ ? (help) button: 
 24]
 (enter) button:  24
[  (playback zoom)
button:  103]
 (delete) button:  22,  105
[  (format) button:  14]
Monitor: 
 9, 116, 184Viewfi nder eyepiece cup
Viewfi nder eyepiece: 
 83, 90, 181
View more photo info
Move cursor down
View previous photoReturn to previous menuCancel
Playback ( 98)Menu navigation ( 24)
View next photoDisplay sub-menuMake selection
View more photo infoMove cursor up
Multi selector
 (AE / AF lock) button:  56, 70
Main command 
dial: 
 170
AF-area mode selector: 
 54 Focus selector 
lock: 
 53 Diopter adjustment control: 
 16, 181
 (AF-ON)
button:  52
Memory card 
slot cover: 
 14
Card slot cover latch: 
 14 Memory card 
access lamp: 
 14
 (bracketing) 
button:  43, 73
Change number of
images displayed
Make selection
Metering selector:  61
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
Control Panel
 1 Color temperature indicator ........................38
 2 Shutter speed .............................................. 62–69
Exposure compensation value ..................72
Flash compensation value ............................80
ISO sensitivity ........................................................33
White balance fi ne-tuning, color
temperature, or preset number ....... 37–42
Number of shots in bracketing
sequence .................................................................73
Number of intervals ..........................................91
Focal length (non-CPU lens) ........................94
 3 Flash sync indicator ...........................................79
 4 Flexible program indicator ...........................63
 5 Exposure mode ....................................................62
 6 “Clock not set” indicator ..............................117
 7 Image size ...............................................................32
 8 Image quality ........................................................28
 9 Focus area ...............................................................53
AF-area mode .......................................................54
 10 White balance mode ........................................35
 11 Number of exposures remaining .............17
Number of shots remaining
before memory buff er fi lls ............................27
PC mode indicator ..........................................108
Preset white balance recording
indicator ...................................................................40
 12 “K” (appears when memory remains for 
over 1000 exposures) ......................................... 7
 13 Battery indicator ..................................................17
 14 Flash sync mode .................................................77
 15 “Beep” indicator .................................................158
 16 Aperture (f/-number) .............................. 62–69
Aperture (number of stops) .................67, 69
Bracketing increment ..............................43, 73
Number of shots per interval ......................91
Maximum aperture (non-CPU lens) ........95
PC connection indicator .............................108
 17 Aperture stop indicator ..........................67, 69
21
34567
8
910
1112131415
1716
 18 Flash compensation indicator ....................80
 19 Exposure compensation indicator ..........72
 20 ISO sensitivity indicator ..................................33
 21 Flash value (FV ) lock ..........................................81
 22 Image comment indicator .........................118
 23 Wide-frame focus area indicator ...............56
 24 Custom menu bank .......................................146
 25 Shooting menu bank ....................................125
 26 Bracketing indicator ..................................43, 73
 27 Electronic analog exposure display ........69
Exposure compensation ................................72
Bracketing progress indicator .............43, 73
PC connection indicator .............................108
 28 GPS connection indicator .............................96
 29 Multiple exposure indicator .........................87
 30 Interval timer indicator ...................................91201918
2122
2324
2728
2930
25
26
Holding the power switch in the  position activates the exposure meters and the 
control panel backlight (LCD illuminator), allowing the display to be read in the dark.  
After the power switch is released, the illuminator will remain active while the camera 
exposure meters are active or until the shutter is released.The LCD Illuminator
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
The Viewfi nder Display
When the battery is totally exhausted, the dis-
play in the viewfi nder will dim.  The viewfi nder 
display will return to normal when a fully-
charged battery is inserted.
128119101418
1920212422
13151617
23
6
7
2
1
3
54
 1 Framing grid (displayed when On is 
selected for Custom Setting d2 (Grid 
Display) ................................................................158
 2 8-mm (0.31-in.) reference circle for cen-
ter-weighted metering ...................................61
 3 “No memory card” warning * ......................... 7
 4 Battery indicator * ...............................................17
 5 Black-and-white indicator * ..........................45
 6 Normal-frame focus brackets
(focus areas) ...................................................53, 55
 7 Wide-frame focus brackets
(focus areas) ...........................................................55
 8 Focus indicator .....................................................20
 9 Metering ...................................................................61
 10 Autoexposure (AE) lock ..................................70
 11 Shutter speed .............................................. 62–69
 12 Aperture (f/-number) .............................. 62–69
Aperture (number of stops) .................67, 69
 13 Exposure mode ....................................................62 14 Flash compensation indicator ....................80
 15 Exposure compensation indicator ..........72
 16 ISO sensitivity ........................................................33
 17 Number of exposures remaining .............17
Number of shots remaining
before memory buff er fi lls ............................27
Preset white balance recording
indicator ...................................................................40
Exposure compensation value ..................72
Flash compensation value ............................80
PC connection indicator .............................108
 18 Flash-ready indicator ........................................79
 19 Flash value (FV ) lock ..........................................81
 20 Flash sync indicator ...........................................79
 21 Aperture stop indicator ..........................67, 69
 22 Electronic analog exposure display ........69
Exposure compensation ................................72
 23 Auto sensitivity indicator ............................153
 24 “K” (appears when memory remains for 
over 1000 exposures) ......................................... 7
*  Can be hidden with Custom Setting d3 ( 158).
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Introduction—Getting to Know the Camera
 Large-Capacity Memory Cards
When enough mem o ry re mains on the memory card to 
record a thou sand or more pic tures at cur rent set tings, the 
num ber of exposures re main ing will be shown in thou-
  sands, round ed down to the near est hun dred (e.g., if there 
is room for ap prox i mate ly 1,260 ex po sures, the ex po sure 
count dis play will show 1.2 K).
 Camera Off  Display/No Memory Card
If the camera is turned off  with a battery and memory card 
inserted, the number of exposures remaining will be dis-
played in the control panel.  If no memory card is inserted, 
the control panel will show 
 and a  icon will be dis-
played in the viewfi nder.
 Advanced Focusing Screen Display
When the background is bright, the active focus area ( 53) is highlighted in black.  When 
the background is dark, the active focus area is highlighted briefl y in red as needed to 
establish contrast with the background (“Vari-Brite” focus areas), making it easier to identify 
the selected focus area.  The viewfi nder is also equipped with on-demand grid lines.  When 
On is selected for Custom Setting d2 (Grid display; 
 158), a reference grid is superim-
posed over the display in the viewfi nder.  This grid is a useful aid when composing land-
scape shots or when tilting or shifting a PC Nikkor lens.
Owing to the characteristics of this type of viewfi nder display, you may notice fi ne lines 
radiating outwards from the selected focus area, or that the display in the viewfi nder turns 
red when the selected focus area is highlighted.  These phenomena are normal and do not 
indicate a malfunction.
 The Viewfi nder Display
The focus-area and grid-line displays in the viewfi nder (advanced focusing screen display) 
tend to brighten at high temperatures and to darken and exhibit slower response times 
at low temperatures.  The other displays in the viewfi nder tend to darken at high tem-
peratures and exhibit slower response times at low temperatures.  All displays will return to 
normal at room temperature.
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Introduction—First Steps
 Detaching Lenses
Be sure the camera is off  when removing or exchanging 
lenses.  To remove the lens, press and hold the lens-release 
button while turning the lens clockwise.
2 Keep ing the mounting index on the lens 
aligned with the mounting index on the cam era 
body, position the lens in the cam era’s bayonet 
mount.  Being careful not to press the lens-re-
lease button, ro tate the lens counter-clockwise 
until it clicks into place.
Attaching a Lens
Care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the camera when the lens 
is removed.
1 After confi rming that the camera is off , remove 
the rear lens cap and camera body cap.
First Steps
 Aperture Ring
If the lens is equipped with an aperture ring, lock aperture at the minimum setting (highest 
f/-number).  See the lens manual for details.
Mounting 
index
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Introduction—First Steps
 Attaching the Camera Strap
Attach the strap as shown below.
To remove the cover, hold the camera fi rmly and pull the 
bottom of the cover gently outwards as shown at right.
 The Monitor Cover
A clear plastic cover (the BM-6 LCD monitor cover) is pro-
vided with the camera to keep the monitor clean and 
protect it when the camera is not in use.  To attach the 
cover, insert the projection on the top of the cover into 
the matching indentation above the camera monitor (

), 
then press the bottom of the cover until it clicks into place 
(
).
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							10
Introduction—First Steps
Charging and Inserting the Battery
The supplied EN-EL3e battery is not charged at shipment.  Charge the battery us-
ing the supplied MH-18a quick charger as described below.
1 Charge the battery
1.1 Connect the power cord to the charger and 
plug it in.
1.2 Place the battery in the charger.  The CHARGE 
lamp will blink as the battery charges.  About 
two and a quarter hours are required for an 
exhausted battery to fully charge.
1.3 Charging is complete when the CHARGE 
lamp stops blinking.  Remove the battery 
from the charger and unplug the charger.
 The Battery and Charger
Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ii–iii and 187–188 of this manual, 
together with any warnings and instructions provided by the battery manufacturer.  Use 
only EN-EL3e batteries.  The D200 is not compatible with the EN-EL3 or EN-EL3a batteries 
available for D100, D70-series, or D50 cameras or with the MS-D70 CR2 battery holder.
Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 40 °C (104 °F).  
During charging, the tem per a ture should be in the vi cin i ty of 5–35 °C (41–95 °F).  Note that 
the battery may become hot during use; wait for the battery to cool before charging.  Fail-
ure to observe these precautions could damage the battery, impair its performance, or 
prevent it from charging normally.
The supplied power cable is intended solely for use with the MH-18a and is for domestic 
use only.  It may be necessary to purchase another cable for use abroad; consult with a local 
Nikon-authorized retailer or service representative.  Unplug the charger when not in use.
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