Nikon D200 Users Manual
Have a look at the manual Nikon D200 Users Manual online for free. It’s possible to download the document as PDF or print. UserManuals.tech offer 64 Nikon manuals and user’s guides for free. Share the user manual or guide on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
61 Reference—Exposure Metering The metering method determines how the cam era sets exposure: Method Description 3D color matrix II/ Color matrix II/ Color matrix1,005-pixel RGB sensor sets exposure based on variety of information from all areas of frame. With type G or D lens, camera uses 3D color matrix metering II for natural results even when frame is dominated by bright (white or yellow) or dark (black or dark green) colors. With other CPU lenses, 3D range informa- tion is not included; instead, camera uses color matrix metering II. Color matrix metering is available when focal length and maximum aperture of non-CPU lens are specifi ed using Non-CPU Lens Data item in shooting menu ( 93; center- weighted metering is used if focal length or aperture is not specifi ed). Matrix metering will not produce desired results with autoexposure lock ( 70) or ex- posure compensation ( 72), but is recommended in most other situations. Center- weightedCamera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to area in center of frame 8 mm (0.31 in.) in diameter, shown by corresponding 8-mm reference circle in viewfi nder. Classic meter for portraits; recommended when using fi l- ters with an exposure factor (fi lter factor) over 1 × ( 181). * SpotCamera meters circle 3 mm (0.12 in.) in diameter (approximately 2.0% of frame). Circle is centered on current focus area (in group dynamic AF, on center focus area of current group; 54), making it possible to meter off -center subjects (if non-CPU lens is used or if dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority is in ef- fect, camera will meter center focus area). En sures that sub ject will be correctly ex posed, even when back ground is much brighter or darker. * * For improved precision with non-CPU lenses, specify lens focal length and maximum aperture in Non-CPU Lens Data menu ( 93). Before shooting, rotate the me ter ing selector to choose a meth od suit ed to the com po si tion and light ing conditions, and confi rm your se lec tion in the viewfi nder. Exposure b6—Center Weight ( 155) This option controls the size of the area assigned the greatest weight in center-weighted metering. b7—Fine Tune Exposure ( 156) Optimal exposure can be fi ne-tuned separately for each metering method (note that the exposure compensation icon is not displayed when exposure is fi ne-tuned). Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
62 Reference—Exposure Exposure Mode Exposure mode determines how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. Four modes are available: programmed auto (P), shut- ter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A), and manual (M). To preview the eff ects of aperture, press and hold the depth-of-fi eld preview button. The lens will be stopped down to the aperture value se lect ed by the cam era (modes P and S) or the val ue cho sen by the user (modes A and M), al low ing depth of fi eld to be previewed in the viewfi nder (the built-in fl ash and optional SB-800, SB-600, and SB-R200 Speedlights will emit a modeling fl ash).Depth-of-Field Preview CPU Lenses When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring, lock the aperture ring at the min- i mum aperture (highest f/-number). At other settings, the shutter release will be dis abled and a blinking will appear in the aperture displays in the control panel and viewfi nder. Type G lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring. b1—ISO Auto ( 152) When Custom Setting b1 (ISO Auto) is on, the camera automatically varies ISO sensitivity between ISO 100 and a maximum selected by the user to help ensure optimum ex po sure and fl ash level. In exposure modes P and A, the camera adjusts ISO sensitivity when the shutter speed needed to obtain optimum exposure would be faster than / s or slower than a specifi ed value. Otherwise the camera adjusts ISO sensitivity when the limits of the camera exposure metering system are exceeded (mode S) or when optimum exposure can not be achieved at the shutter-speed and aperture selected by the user (mode M). e4—Modeling Flash ( 166) If Off is selected for Custom Setting e4 (Modeling Flash), the built-in fl ash and optional SB-800, SB-600, and SB-R200 Nikon Speedlights will not emit a modeling fl ash when the depth-of-fi eld preview button is pressed. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
63 Reference—Exposure P: Programmed Auto In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture ac- cord ing to a built-in program ( 195) for optimal exposure in most sit u a tions. This mode is recommended for snapshots and other sit u a tions in which you want to leave the camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture. Ad just ments can be made using fl exible program, ex po sure com pen sa tion ( 72), and auto ex- po sure bracketing ( 73). Programmed auto is only available with CPU lenses. To take photographs in programmed auto: 2 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. 1 Press the button and rotate the main com- mand dial until P is displayed in the viewfi nder and control panel. Non-CPU Lenses Exposure mode A (aperture-priority auto) is automatically selected when a non-CPU lens is attached. The exposure mode indicator (P) will blink in the control panel and A will be displayed in the viewfi nder. For more information, see “Aperture-Priority Auto” ( 66). Exposure Warning If the limits of the exposure metering system are exceeded, one of the following in di ca tors will be dis played in the control panel and viewfi nder: Indicator DescriptionSubject too bright. Use optional Neutral Density (ND) fi lter or lower ISO sensitivity ( 33).Subject too dark. Use fl ash or raise ISO sensitivity ( 33). In mode P, diff erent com bi na tions of shutter speed and ap er ture can be selected by rotating the main com mand dial (“fl exible program”). All combinations pro duce the same ex po sure. While fl exible program is in eff ect, an as- terisk (“*”) appears next to the exposure-mode indicator in the control panel. To restore de fault shut ter speed and aperture settings, rotate the main com mand dial until the indicator is no longer dis played. Default settings can also be re stored by turning the cam era off , selecting another exposure mode, per form ing a two-but ton re set ( 97), or choosing another setting for Custom Setting b3 (EV Step; 154). Flexible Program Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
64 Reference—Exposure S: Shutter-Priority Auto In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the camera au to - mat i cal ly selects the aperture that will produce the optimal exposure. Shutter speed can be set to values between 30 s and / s. Use slow shutter speeds to suggest motion by blurring moving objects, high shutter speeds to “freeze” mo- tion. Shutter-priority auto is only available with CPU lenses. To take pho to graphs in shutter-pri or i ty auto: 2 Rotate the main com mand dial to choose the de sired shut ter speed. 1 Press the button and rotate the main com- mand dial until S is displayed in the viewfi nder and control panel. 3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
65 Reference—Exposure Non-CPU Lenses Exposure mode A (aperture-priority auto) is automatically selected when a non-CPU lens is attached. The exposure mode indicator (S) will blink in the control panel and A will be displayed in the viewfi nder. Changing from Mode M to Mode S If you select a shutter speed of in mode M and then select mode S without changing the shutter speed, the shutter-speed display will fl ash and the shutter can not be released. Rotate the main command dial to select a diff erent shutter speed before shooting. Exposure Warning If the camera is unable to produce the correct exposure at the selected shutter speed, the electronic analog exposure display ( 69) in the viewfi nder will show the amount of un der- or over-exposure and one of the fol low ing in di ca tors will be dis played in the con trol panel and viewfi nder aperture displays: Indicator DescriptionSubject too bright. Choose faster shutter speed or lower ISO sensitivity ( 33), or use optional Neutral Density (ND) fi lter. Subject too dark. Choose slower shutter speed or higher ISO sensitivity ( 33), or use fl ash. Long Exp. NR ( 131) To reduce noise at slow shutter speeds, select On for the Long Exp. NR option in the shooting menu. Check that the battery is fully charged before making long time expo- sures. b3—EV Step ( 154) This option controls whether changes to shutter speed and aperture are made in in cre - ments equiv a lent to / EV (the default setting), / EV, or 1 EV. f5—Command Dials >Change Main / Sub ( 170) This option can be used to reverse the roles of the command dials so that the sub-com- mand dial controls shutter speed, while the main command dial controls aperture. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
66 Reference—Exposure A: Aperture-Priority Auto In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera au to mat i- cal ly selects the shut ter speed that will produce the optimal exposure. Small apertures (high f/-numbers) increase depth of fi eld, bringing both the main sub- ject and back ground into focus. Large apertures (low f/-num bers) soften back- ground details and let more light into the camera, increasing the range of the fl ash and making photographs less susceptible to blurring. To take pho to graphs in aperture-priority auto: 2 Rotate the sub-com mand dial to choose the de- sired aperture. 1 Press the button and rotate the main com- mand dial until A is displayed in the viewfi nder and control panel. 3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
67 Reference—Exposure Non-CPU Lenses If the maximum aperture of the lens has been specifi ed using the Non-CPU Lens Data item in shooting menu ( 93) when a non-CPU lens is attached, the current f/-number will be displayed in the control panel and viewfi nder, rounded to the nearest full stop. Otherwise the aperture displays will show only the number of stops ( , with maximum ap- erture displayed as ) and the f/-number must be read from the lens aperture ring. Exposure Warning If the camera is unable to produce the correct exposure at the selected aperture, the elec- tronic analog exposure display ( 69) in the viewfi nder will show the amount of un der- or over-exposure and one of the fol low ing in di ca tors will be dis played in the con trol panel and viewfi nder shutter-speed displays: Indicator DescriptionSubject too bright. Choose smaller aperture (larger f/-number) or ISO sensitivity ( 33), or use optional Neutral Density (ND) fi lter. Subject too dark. Choose larger aperture (smaller f/-number) or higher ISO sensitivity ( 33), or use optional Speedlight. b3—EV Step ( 154) This option controls whether changes to shutter speed and aperture are made in in cre - ments equiv a lent to / EV (the default setting), / EV, or 1 EV. f5—Command Dials ( 170) Command Dials > Change Main / Sub and Command Dials > Aperture Setting con- trol whether aperture is assigned with the main command dial, the sub-command dial, or the lens aperture ring. Regardless of the settings chosen, the sub-command dial is always used with type G lenses, the lens aperture ring with non-CPU lenses. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
68 Reference—Exposure M: Manual In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. Shut ter speed can be set to values between 30 s and / s, or the shutter can be held open for indefi nitely for longer exposures ( ). Aperture can be set to val ues between the minimum and maximum values for the lens. Using the elec tron ic analog exposure display in the viewfi nder, you can adjust exposure ac cord ing to shooting con di tions and the task at hand. To take pho to graphs in manual exposure mode: 2 Rotate the main com mand dial to choose a shut ter speed, and the sub-com mand dial to set aperture. Check exposure in the electronic an- a log ex po sure displays (see right), and con tin ue to adjust shut ter speed and ap er ture until the de sired ex po sure is achieved. 1 Press the button and rotate the main com- mand dial until M is displayed in the viewfi nder and control panel. 3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. At a shutter speed of , the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release but ton is held down. Nikon recommends using a fully-charged EN-EL3e battery or an optional EH-6 AC adapter to prevent loss of power while the shutter is open. If the battery is exhausted during shooting, the camera will record the photograph to the memory card and then turn off automatically. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
69 Reference—Exposure AF Micro Nikkor Lenses Provided that an external exposure meter is used, the exposure ratio need only be taken into account when the lens aperture ring is used to set aperture. Non-CPU Lenses If the maximum aperture of the lens has been specifi ed using the Non-CPU lens data item in shooting menu ( 93) when a non-CPU lens is attached, the current f/-num- ber will be displayed in the viewfi nder and control panel, rounded to the nearest full stop. Otherwise the aperture displays will show only the number of stops ( , with maximum aperture displayed as ) and the f/- number must be read from the lens aperture ring. Long Exp. NR ( 131) To reduce noise at slow shutter speeds, select On for the Long Exp. NR option in the shooting menu. b3—EV Step ( 154) This option controls whether changes to shutter speed and aperture are made in in cre - ments equiv a lent to / EV (the default setting), / EV, or 1 EV. f5—Command Dials ( 170) Command Dials > Change Main / Sub and Command Dials > Aperture setting control whether aperture is assigned with the main command dial, the sub-command dial, or the lens aperture ring. Regardless of the settings chosen, the sub-command dial is always used with type G lenses, the lens aperture ring with non-CPU lenses.At shutter speeds other than , the electronic analog exposure displays in the con- trol panel and viewfi nder show whether the photograph would be un der- or over-ex- posed at current settings. Depending on the option chosen for Custom Setting b3 (EV Step), the amount of un der- or over-ex po sure is shown in increments of / EV, / EV, or 1 EV. If the limits of the ex po sure metering system are ex ceed ed, the displays will fl ash. “EV step” set to “1/3 step” “EV step” set to “1/2 step” “EV step” set to “1 step” Control panel Viewfi nder Control panel Viewfi nder Control panel Viewfi nder Optimal exposure Underexposed by / EV Underexposed by / EV Underexposed by 1 EV Overexposed by more than 3 EV * * At 1/3 step, appears in the viewfi nder when overexposure exceeds 2 EV. Electronic Analog Exposure Displays Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals
70 Reference—Exposure Autoexposure Lock When center-weighted metering is used, an area in the center of the frame is assigned the greatest weight when determining exposure. Similarly, when spot metering is used, exposure is based upon lighting conditions in the selected fo- cus area. If the subject is not in the metered area when the picture is taken, exposure will be based on lighting conditions in the back ground, and the main sub ject may be under- or over-exposed. To prevent this, use autoexposure lock: 1 Select exposure mode P, S, or A and choose cen- ter-weight ed or spot metering (exposure lock has no eff ect in exposure mode M). If us ing cen- ter-weight ed me ter ing, select the cen ter focus area with the multi selector ( 53). 2 Position the sub ject in the selected focus area and press the shutter-re- lease button halfway. With the shut ter-release button pressed halfway and the subject po si tioned in the fo cus area, press the AE-L/AF-L button to lock exposure (and focus, except in man u al focus mode). Confi rm that the in- focus in di ca tor (●) appears in the viewfi nder. While ex po sure lock is in eff ect, an AE-L in di ca tor will ap pear in the view- fi nder. 3 Keeping the AE-L/AF-L but ton pressed, re com - pose the pho to graph and shoot. Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Nikon Manuals