Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Introduction xv
Chapter 1 Thinking Outside the Box 1
First Things First 2
In the Box 2
Optional and Non-Optional Add-Ons 4
Initial Setup 9
Mastering the Multi Selector and Command Dials 9
Setting the Clock 13
Battery Included 13
Final Steps 14
Chapter 2 Nikon Z5 Quick Start 19
Selecting a Release Mode 19
Selecting an Exposure Mode 21
Choosing a Metering Mode 22
Choosing a Focus Mode 23
Choosing the Focus Area Mode 24
Adjusting White Balance and ISO 25
Reviewing the Images You've Taken 25
Transferring Photos to Your Computer 26
Changing Default Settings 27
Resetting the Nikon Z5 27
Recommended Default Changes 28
Shooting Tips 30
Photo Shooting Menu Recommendations 30
Custom Settings Menu Recommendations 32
Chapter 3 Nikon Z5 Roadmap 39
Nikon Z5: Up Front 40
The Nikon Z5's Business End 43
Playing Back Images 48
Zooming the Nikon Z5 Playback Display 49
Viewing Thumbnails 50
Working with Calendar View 51
Using the Photo Data Displays 52
Going Topside 54
Lens Components 56
Underneath Your Nikon Z5 57
The Viewfinder/Monitor Displays 57
Chapter 4 Nailing the Right Exposure 59
Getting a Handle on Exposure 60
Equivalent Exposure 63
How the Z5 Calculates Exposure 64
Correctly Exposed 65
Overexposed 65
Underexposed 66
Metering Mid-Tones 66
Choosing a Metering Method 68
Matrix Metering 68
Center-weighted Metering 70
Spot Metering 71
Highlight-weighted Metering 73
Choosing an Exposure Method 74
Aperture-Priority 74
Shutter-Priority 77
Program Mode 79
Manual Exposure 80
Adjusting Exposure with ISO Settings 82
Dealing with Noise 83
Bracketing 84
White Balance Bracketing 85
ADL Bracketing 87
Working with HDR 87
Auto HDR 88
Bracketing and Merge to HDR 90
Fixing Exposures with Histograms 92
Tonal Range 93
Histogram Basics 95
Understanding Histograms 96
Fine-Tuning Exposure 100
Chapter 5 Mastering the Mysteries of Focus 103
Auto or Manual Focus? 103
How Focus Works 105
Contrast Detection 106
Phase Detection 107
Adding Circles of Confusion 109
Using Autofocus with the Nikon Z5 111
Bringing the Z5's AF System into Focus 112
Focus Mode and Priority 112
Autofocus Mode 113
Focus-Priority versus Release-Priority 115
Choosing an Autofocus Area Mode 116
Face/Eye Detection and Subject Tracking 120
Face/Eye Detection 120
Subject Tracking 122
Store by Orientation 123
Autofocus Activation… and More 124
Manual Focus 125
Using the Focus/Control Ring 128
Trap (Auto) Focus 130
Back-Button Focus 132
Activating Back-Button Focus 134
Fine-Tuning the Focus of Your Lenses 135
Lens Tune-up Options 137
Evaluating Current Focus 138
Changing the Fine-Tuning Setting 140
Chapter 6 Advanced Techniques 143
Continuous Shooting 143
A Tiny Slice of Time 146
Working with Short Exposures 148
Long Exposures 151
Three Ways to Take Long Exposures 151
Working with Long Exposures 152
Delayed Exposures 155
Self-Timer 155
Interval/Time-Lapse Photography 156
Using Interval Photography 158
Time-Lapse Movies 161
Star Trails 162
Multiple Exposures 164
Geotagging with the Nikon GP-1a 168
Focus Shift Shooting 170
Connecting to Your Smart Device or Computer 175
Linking Camera to Smart Device 176
Using the SnapBridge App 179
Camera Screen 180
Other Connection Options 184
Chapter 7 Focus on Lenses 187
Sensor Sensibilities 190
Choosing Native Z-mount Lenses 192
Nikon Lens Overview 195
Ingredients of Nikon's Alphanumeric Soup 195
Wide-to-Normal Zoom Lenses 198
Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 198
Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S 198
Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S 199
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S 199
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S 201
Wide-Angle/Normal Prime Lenses 201
Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S 202
Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S 203
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S 203
Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S 204
Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S 204
Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct 204
Telephoto Lenses 205
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 S 205
Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S VR 205
Nikkor Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR 206
DX Lenses 207
Nikkor Z 16-50mm DX f/3.5-6.3 VR 207
Nikkor Z 50-250mm DX f/4.5-6.3 VR 207
Nikkor Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x/TC-2.0x 208
enses to Come 208
Universal VR 209
How It Works 209
Using the FTZ Adapter 211
Other Adapters 213
Categories of Lenses 215
Using Wide-Angle and Wide-Zoom Lenses 215
Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems 216
Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses 219
Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems 221
Telephotos and Bokeh 222
Using F-Mount Lenses 224
Macro Lenses 225
The F-Mount Magic Three 226
Wide Angles 228
Wide-to-Medium/Long Zooms 230
Telephoto and Normal Lenses 230
Chapter 8 Mastering Light 237
Light That's Available 237
Continuous Lighting Basics 242
Living with Color Temperature 242
Daylight 245
Incandescent/Tungsten/Halogen Light 246
Fluorescent Light/LEDs 246
Other Lighting Accessories 248
Chapter 9 Electronic Flash with the Nikon Z5 253
Electronic Flash Basics 254
The Moment of Exposure 255
A Tale of Two Exposures 258
Measuring Exposure 260
Guide Numbers 262
Choosing a Flash Sync Mode 263
Ghost Images 264
High-Speed Sync 267
Using External Flash 269
Using Flash Exposure Compensation 270
Specifying Flash Shutter Speed 271
Previewing Your Flash Effect 271
Flash Control 272
Working with Nikon Flash External Units 272
Nikon SB-300 272
Nikon SB-400 273
Nikon SB-500 273
Nikon SB-700 274
Nikon SB-R200 274
Nikon SB-910 274
Nikon SB-5000 275
Light Modifiers 277
Using Zoom Heads 278
Flash Modes 278
Repeating Flash 280
Chapter 10 Wireless and Multiple Flash 283
Elements of Wireless Flash 284
Master Flash 285
Remote Flashes 288
Channels 288
Groups 289
Lighting Ratios 289
Setting Your Master Flash 292
Setting Commander Mode for the SB-5000 292
Setting Commander Modes for the SB-910 or SB-900 295
Setting Commander Modes for the SB-700 297
Setting Commander Modes for the SB-500 297
Setting Remote Modes 298
Radio Control 299
Chapter 11 Playback, Photo Shooting, and Movie Shooting Menus 301
Anatomy of the Nikon Z5's Menus 302
Playback Menu Options 303
Delete 303
Playback Folder 304
Playback Display Options 305
Dual-Format Recording PB Slot 306
Image Review 306
After Delete 307
Rotate Tall 308
Copy Image(s) 309
Slide Show 311
Rating 312
Photo Shooting Menu Options 312
Reset Photo Shooting Menu 313
Storage Folder 315
File Naming 317
Role Played by Card in Slot 2 318
Choose Image Area 321
Image Quality 321
Image Size 325
NEF (RAW) Recording 326
ISO Sensitivity Settings 328
White Balance 330
Set Picture Control 335
Manage Picture Control 343
Color Space 344
Active D-Lighting 346
Long Exposure NR 348
High ISO NR 349
Vignette Control 350
Diffraction Compensation 350
Auto Distortion Control 352
Flicker Reduction Shooting 353
Metering 353
Flash Control 354
Flash Mode 354
Flash Compensation 354
Focus Mode 355
AF-Area Mode 355
Vibration Reduction 355
Auto Bracketing 356
Multiple Exposure 356
HDR (High Dynamic Range) 358
Interval Timer Shooting 358
Time-Lapse Movie 359
Focus Shift Shooting 360
Silent Photography 360
Movie Shooting Menu 361
Reset Movie Shooting Menu 361
File Naming 362
Destination 362
Choose Image Area 363
Frame Size/Frame Rate 364
Movie Quality 364
Movie File Type 364
ISO Sensitivity Settings 364
White Balance 365
Set Picture Control 365
Manage Picture Control 365
Active D-Lighting 366
High ISO NR 366
Vignette Control 366
Diffraction Compensation 366
Auto Distortion Control 366
Flicker Reduction 367
Metering 367
Focus Mode 367
AF-Area Mode 368
Vibration Reduction 368
Electronic VR 368
Microphone Sensitivity 369
Attenuator 369
Frequency Response 369
Wind Noise Reduction 369
Headphone Volume 369
Timecode 370
Chapter 12 The Custom Settings Menu 371
Custom Settings Menu Layout 371
Reset Custom Settings 372
a Autofocus 376
a1 AF-C Priority Selection 376
a2 AF-S Priority Selection 377
a3 Focus Tracking with Lock-on 377
a4 Auto-Area AF Face/Eye Detection 378
a5 Focus Points Used 378
a6 Store Points by Orientation 378
a7 AF Activation 379
a8 Limit AF-Area Mode Selection 380
a9 Focus Point Wrap-Around 380
a10 Focus Point Options 380
a11 Low-Light AF 381
a12 Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator 381
a13 Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode 382
b Metering/Exposure 382
b1 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl. 382
b2 Easy Exposure Compensation 383
b3 Center-Weighted Area 384
b4 Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure 384
c Timers/AE Lock 385
c1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L 385
c2 Self-Timer 386
c3 Power Off Delay 386
d Shooting/Display 387
d1 CL Mode Shooting Speed 387
d2 Max. Continuous Release 388
d3 Sync. Release Mode Options 389
d4 Exposure Delay Mode 389
d5 Shutter Type 390
d6 File Number Sequence 390
d7 Apply Settings to Live View 391
d8 Framing Grid Display 392
d9 Peaking Highlights 392
d10 View All in Continuous Mode 393
e Bracketing/Flash 393
e1 Flash Sync Speed 393
e2 Flash Shutter Speed 394
e3 Exposure Compensation for Flash 395
e4 Auto Flash ISO Sensitivity Control 395
e5 Modeling Flash 395
e6 Auto Bracketing (Mode M) 396
e7 Bracketing Order 397
f Controls 397
f1 Customize i Menu 397
f2 Custom Controls 399
f3 OK Button 404
f4 Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock 404
f5 Customize Command Dials 405
f6 Release Button to Use Dial 406
f7 Reverse Indicators 406
g Movie 407
g1 Customize i Menu 407
g2 Custom Controls 408
g3 OK Button 408
g4 AF Speed 408
g5 AF Tracking Sensitivity 410
g6 Highlight Display 410
Chapter 13 The Setup Menu, Retouch Menu, and My Menu 413
Setup Menu Options 413
Format Memory Card 414
Save User Settings 414
Reset User Settings 415
Language 415
Time Zone and Date 416
Monitor Brightness 416
Monitor Color Balance 417
Viewfinder Brightness 417
Viewfinder Color Balance 417
Limit Monitor Mode Selection 418
Information Display 419
AF Fine-Tuning Options 419
Non-CPU Lens Data 420
Clean Image Sensor 421
Image Dust Off Ref Photo 421
Pixel Mapping 422
Image Comment 422
Copyright Information 423
Beep Options 423
Touch Controls 424
HDMI 424
Location Data 425
Wireless Remote (WR) Options 426
Assign Remote (WR) Fn Button 427
Airplane Mode 427
Connect to Smart Device 427
Connect to PC 428
Conformity Marking 428
Battery Info 428
USB Power Delivery 428
Energy Saving 429
Slot Empty Release Lock 429
Save/Load Menu Settings 430
Reset All Settings 431
Firmware Version 431
Retouch Menu 431
NEF (RAW) Processing 433
Trim 434
Resize 435
D-Lighting 435
Red-Eye Correction 435
Straighten 436
Distortion Control 436
Perspective Control 437
Monochrome 437
Image Overlay 437
Trim Movie 438
Side-by-Side Comparison 438
Using My Menu 439
Chapter 14 Capturing Video with the Z5 441
Quick Start Checklist 441
Lean, Mean, Movie Machine 443
Capturing Video 444
Shooting Your Movie 449
Using the i Button 450
Stop That! 451
Viewing Your Movies 452
Trimming Your Movies 453
Saving a Frame 454
Chapter 15 Tips for Shooting Better Video 455
Using an External Recorder 455
Refocusing on Focus 459
Lens Craft 459
Depth-of-Field and Video 460
Zooming and Video 462
Keeping Things Stable and on the Level 463
Shooting Script 464
Storyboards 464
Storytelling in Video 464
Composition 465
Lighting for Video 469
Illumination 469
Creative Lighting 469
Lighting Styles 470
Audio 471
Tips for Better Audio 471
External Microphones 473
Special Features 474
Chapter 16 Troubleshooting and Prevention 475
Upgrading Your Firmware 476
How It Works 476
Why Multiple Firmware Modules? 477
Getting Ready 477
Updating from a Card Reader 478
Starting the Update 478
Protecting Your LCD 479
Troubleshooting Memory Cards 480
All Your Eggs in One Basket? 480
Preventive Measures 481
What Can Go Wrong? 482
What Can You Do? 483
Cleaning Your Sensor 485
Dust the FAQs, Ma'am 485
Identifying and Dealing with Dust 486
Avoiding Dust 487
Sensor Cleaning 489
Index 493