Nikon D3400 W User Manual

27
Basic Photography and Playback
This section describes how to take 
photographs in i and  j modes.
 i and  j are 
automatic “point-and-shoot” modes in which 
the majority of settings are controlled by the 
camera in response to shooting conditions; the 
only difference between the two is that the 
flash will not fire in  j mode.
1Rotate the mode dial to  i 
or  j.
Photographs can be framed in the 
viewfinder or in the monitor (live 
view).
 To start live view, press the  a 
button.
“Point-and-Shoot”...

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2Ready the camera.
Viewfinder photography: When framing photographs in the 
viewfinder, hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle 
the camera body or lens with your left.
 Bring your elbows in 
against the sides of your chest.
Live view : When framing photographs in the monitor, hold the 
handgrip in your right hand and cradle the lens with your left.
AFraming Photographs in Portrait (Tall) Orientation
When framing photographs in portrait (tall) orientation, hold the 
camera as shown below....

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3Frame the photograph.
Viewfinder photography: Frame a 
photograph in the viewfinder with the 
main subject in at least one of the 11 
focus points.
Live view : At default settings, the 
camera automatically detects faces 
and selects the focus point.
 If no face 
is detected, the camera will focus on 
subjects near the center of the frame.
AUsing a Zoom Lens
Before focusing, rotate the zoom ring to 
adjust the focal length and frame the 
photograph. Use the zoom ring to zoom in 
on the subject so...

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4Press the shutter-release 
button halfway.
Viewfinder photography: Press 
the shutter-release button 
halfway to focus
 (if the 
subject is poorly lit, the flash 
may pop up and the AF-
assist illuminator may light). 
When the focus operation is complete, a beep will sound (a 
beep may not sound if the subject is moving) and the in-focus 
indicator ( I) will appear in the viewfinder.
Live view : The focus point flashes green 
while the camera focuses.
 If the 
camera is able to focus, the focus...

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5Shoot.
Smoothly press the shutter-
release button the rest of 
the way down to take the 
photograph.
 The memory 
card access lamp will light 
and the photograph will be 
displayed in the monitor for 
a few seconds.
 Do not eject 
the memory card or remove 
or disconnect the power 
source until the lamp has 
gone out and recording is 
complete.
To end live view, press the  a button.
AThe Shutter-Release Button
The camera has a two-stage shutter-release button. The camera 
focuses when the...

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AAutomatic Scene Selection (Scene Auto Selector)
If live view is selected in  i or  j mode, the 
camera will automatically analyze the 
subject and select the appropriate shooting 
mode when the shutter-release button is 
pressed halfway to focus using autofocus.
 The selected mode is shown in the monitor.
cPortraitHuman portrait subjects
dLandscapeLandscapes and cityscapes
eClose upSubjects close to the camera
fNight portraitPortrait subjects framed against a dark 
background
ZAutoSubjects suited to...

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AThe Built-in Flash
If additional lighting is required for correct 
exposure in  i mode, the built-in flash will 
pop up automatically when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway.
 If the 
flash is raised, photographs can only be 
taken when the flash-ready indicator ( M) is 
displayed.
 If the flash-ready indicator is not 
displayed, the flash is charging; remove 
your finger briefly from the shutter-release 
button and try again.
When the flash is not in use, return it to its 
closed...

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AShooting in Live View
Although they will not appear in th e final picture, jagged edges, color 
fringing, moiré, and bright spots  may appear in the monitor, while 
bright regions or bands may appear  in some areas with flashing signs 
and other intermittent light sources or if the subject is briefly 
illuminated by a strobe or other bright, momentary light source.
 In 
addition, distortion may occur with moving subjects, particularly if the 
camera is panned horizontally or an object moves...

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Viewing Photographs
Pressing K displays a picture in the monitor.
Press  4 or  2 to view additional pictures.
❚❚ Thumbnail Playback
To display images in “contact sheets” of 
four, nine, or 72 images (thumbnail 
playback), press the  W (Q ) button.
 Use 
the multi selector or command dial to 
highlight images and press  J to display 
the highlighted image full frame.
 Press  X 
to reduce the number of images 
displayed.
K  button
W  (Q ) button 

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❚❚Calendar Playback
To view images taken on a selected date 
(calendar playback), press the  W (Q ) 
button when 72 images are displayed.
 
Press the  W (Q ) button to toggle 
between the date list and the list of 
thumbnails for the selected date.
 Use 
the multi selector to highlight dates in 
the date list or to highlight pictures in 
the thumbnail list.
 Press  X when the 
cursor is in the date list to return to 72-
frame playback.
Date list
Thumbnail list