Nikon Coolpix 990 manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    Contents 1 Pr oduct Documentation First Steps Basic Photogra ph y Advanced Photogra ph y Pla yback Camera Setup Connections The Guide to Digital Photogra ph y with the COOLPIX 990 DIGIT AL C AMERA Electronic Edition T echnical Notes Click to go[...]

  • Page 2

    Pr oduct Documentation Thank you f or y our purchase of a COOLPIX 990 digital cam- era. The documentation for this pr oduct includes the manuals listed below . Please be sure to r ead all instructions thoroughl y to get the most fr om y our camera. Fast T rack Guide/F or Y our Safety In addition to taking first time users step-b y-step through the [...]

  • Page 3

    T o mak e it easier to find the information you need, the follow- ing symbols and conv entions are used: A table of contents appears on the first page of the electr onic Guide to Digital Photo graph y . In addition, each chapter begins with an outline of the topics cov ered. Click on the heading to open the guide to the indicated chapter or section[...]

  • Page 4

    First Steps This chapter : • Intr oduces you to the par ts of the COOLPIX 990 and the camera menus • T ak es you step-by-step thr ough the process of setting up your camera • Outlines the steps in volv ed in taking photographs and pla y- ing them back Getting to Kno w the COOLPIX 990 Putting Batteries in the Camera Inserting the Memor y Card [...]

  • Page 5

    Click f or more inf or mation Shutter -release button Mode dial Exposure compensation (FUNC 2) button Command dial Getting to Kno w the COOLPIX 990 T ak e a few moments to familiarize y ourself with camera con- tr ols, displa ys, and menus. MODE (FUNC 1) button MENU button MONIT OR button Zoom-out (Wide) button Zoom-in (T ele) button Multi selector[...]

  • Page 6

    Contr ol Panel Thr ough the Viewfinder First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 6 Focus target (A-REC)/ Center focus ar ea for man ual or automatic AF area selection (M-REC) Use this ar ea to frame photographs at ranges of less than 90 cm (1 yd) Use the diopter -adjustment dial to adjust viewfinder focus. Manual focus indicator Sensitivity (ISO[...]

  • Page 7

    Camera Menus Changes to some settings can be made with the help of menus that appear in the LCD monitor . Separate menus ar e a vailable for each operating mode: LCD Monitor 27 30 28 WB-L AE-L P 1/60 F 2.7 FINE FINE V GA GA NO NO V [ 10 ] BSS X2.0 ISO ISO +0.7 31 22 24 20 15 11 9 1 2 3 5 4 6 7 8 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 23 25 26 29 1 Zoom indicat[...]

  • Page 8

    Highlight option Displa y options Making a selection Use the multi selector to mak e a selection. 3 1 2 S MENU OF F METE R ING M atrix Spot Center-Weighted S pot AF Area A SELECT S E T A A 2 1 2 S MENU OF F METE R ING M atrix Spot Center-Weighted S pot AF Area A SELECT S E T A A 4 1 2 S A SELECT S E T METE R ING A A MENU PA G E 2 • T o go back on[...]

  • Page 9

    Multi-pa ge menus Use the multi selector to mo ve between pages in the M-REC men u, or to access the SET -UP menu from the M-REC and pla yback menus. 4 MENU OF F 1 2 S USER SETTING SELECT S E T S • Y ou can also go fr om Page 1 to Page 2 of the M-REC menu by pressing the MENU button once . • The SET -UP menu for pla yback mode can also be acces[...]

  • Page 10

    MENU OF F S SET -UP Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format Date SELECT S E T DA T E 2 0 0 0.0 1.0 1 0 0:0 0 YMD First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 10 The A-REC Menu CF CARD FORMA T No Format W ARNING! All images will be deleted! 30S 1M 5M 30M Brightness Hue ON OFF Reset Options NIK ON ON OFF OPTIONS New[...]

  • Page 11

    MENU OF F 1 2 S USER SETTING SELECT S E T S 1 2 S MENU P AGE2 W HITE B A L ANCE A SELECT S E T A A First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 11 USER SETTING RESET ALL No Reset Reset all settings to default v alues? FOCUS OPTIONS AF Area Mode Auto F ocus Mode Focus Confirmation Distance Units ZOOM OPTIONS Digital T ele Star tup P osition Fixed Ap[...]

  • Page 12

    SET -UP Folders Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 12 The M-REC Set-up Menu DA T E 2 0 0 0.0 1.0 1 0 0:0 0 YMD CF CARD FORMA T No For ma t W ARNING! All images will be deleted! 30S 1M 5M 30M Display Mode Brightness Hue ON[...]

  • Page 13

    MENU OF F 1 S SET -UP Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Date Video Mode CF Card Format Language SELECT SET MENU OF F 1 S PLA Y BACK MENU Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set Set-up SELECT SET S First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 13 The Pla yback Menu The Pla yback Set-up Menu DA T E 2 0 0 0.0 1.0 1 0 0:0 0 YMD CF CA[...]

  • Page 14

    First Steps: Putting Batteries in the Camera 14 For mor e inf ormation on: The batteries can be remo v ed without affecting photographs stor ed on the camera’ s memor y card. All M-REC settings except date and language will, how ev er , be reset. The camera’ s clock-calendar is pow ered b y a separate rechargeable bat- tery . When y ou put batt[...]

  • Page 15

    While alkaline batteries ar e suitable for use in the COOLPIX 990, batter y life can be extended by using high-capacity lithium or nick el-metal h ydride (Ni-MH) batteries. The follo wing techniques can be used to extend batter y life: • T urn the LCD monitor off whenev er possible (see right). T urning the monitor off eliminates the single bigge[...]

  • Page 16

    First Steps: Inser ting the Memor y Card 16 For mor e inf ormation on: Inser ting the Memor y Car d 1 T urn the camera off T urn the mode dial to the off position. 2 Insert the memor y card Open the card-slot co v er (1) and in- sert the card (2) oriented as shown in the ▲ INSER T label on the underside of the cov er , sliding it in until it is f[...]

  • Page 17

    MENU OF F 1 S PLA Y BACK MENU Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set Set-up SELECT SET S Highlight Set-up First Steps: Choosing a Langua ge 17 Choosing a Langua g e The language in which menus and messages ar e displa yed can be set using the Languag e sub-menu. 1 T urn the mode dial to PLA Y 2 Press the MENU button The pla yback me[...]

  • Page 18

    First Steps: Setting the Time and Date 18 Setting the Time and Date 1 T urn the mode dial to PLA Y 2 Press the MENU button The pla yback menu will be displa yed. 3 Displa y the SET -UP menu 4 Displa y the D A TE menu MENU OF F 1 S PLA Y BACK MENU Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set Set-up SELECT SET S Any photogra phs tak en befo[...]

  • Page 19

    First Steps: Setting the Time and Date 19 B MENU OF F 1 S DA T E 2 0 0 0.0 2.0 1 0 0:0 0 YM D SELECT S E T Edit selected item A MENU OF F 1 S DA T E 2 0 0 0.0 1.0 1 0 0:0 0 YM D SELECT S E T Highlight desired item MENU OF F 1 S DA T E 2000 . 04 . 24 20 : 16 YMD SET SELECT 5 Set the time and date using the multi selector 6 Exit the D A TE menu T o s[...]

  • Page 20

    First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 20 T aking a Photogra ph The COOLPIX 990 offers tw o shooting modes, A-REC and M-REC. In A-REC , the majority of camera settings are con- tr olled by the camera in response to lighting conditions and focus distance, producing the best possible r esults. M-REC allows y ou greater contr ol ov er such settings as shu[...]

  • Page 21

    P 1/60 1/60 F 2.7 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 10 ] This section outlines the basic steps in volv ed in taking a pho- tograph in A-REC mode . 1 Remo ve the lens ca p Remov e the lens cap as shown below . 2 T urn the mode dial to A-REC After a short pause , a beep will sound and curr ent settings will be displa y ed in the LCD monitor and the contr ol pan[...]

  • Page 22

    Focus mode 4 Adjust camera settings When the mode dial is turned to A-REC, the following set- tings will r eturn to their default values: For mor e inf ormation on: Using the flash Focus mode Image quality and size Exposure compensation First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 22 Befor e taking a photograph, you can mak e changes to these settings using [...]

  • Page 23

    5 Ready the camera T o r educe blurring caused by camera shak e, hold the cam- era firmly in both hands. Photographs can be framed in the LCD monitor (A) or the viewfinder (B). First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 23 K eep your fingers and other objects a wa y from the lens and flash window when taking photographs. When framing photographs in the vie[...]

  • Page 24

    First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 24 Button Operation Function 6 Select y our subject Frame the photograph using the zoom buttons. For mor e inf ormation on: Macro close-up Optical and digital zoom Lens conv er ters Image size When framing photographs in the LCD monitor , you can tak e advantage of the rotating lens section to hold the cam- era at[...]

  • Page 25

    First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 25 For mor e information on: Autofocus Focus lock Focus ar ea Using the flash 8 T ake the photo graph T o tak e a photograph, press the shutter- r elease button all the wa y down. A beep will sound to let y ou know that a pho- tograph has been tak en, and the green AF lamp will blink slowl y while the im- age is s[...]

  • Page 26

    ▼ ▼ First Steps: T aking a Photogra ph 26 9 Check the r esults After a photograph has been tak en, the autofocus lamp will blink and an hourglass icon ( ) will be displa yed in the LCD monitor while the photograph is r ecorded. Befor e the pho- tograph is transf err ed to the memor y card, it will be dis- pla yed briefl y in the LCD monitor . 1[...]

  • Page 27

    First Steps: Playback and Deletion 27 Pla yback and Deletion Photographs stor ed on the memor y card can be pla yed back for r eview or deletion. 1 T urn the mode dial to PLA Y The most recent photogra ph in memor y will be displa yed in the LCD monitor . 2000 . 04 . 25 2000.04.25 14:20 NORMAL 5/5 ] [ 100NIK ON 0005.JPG Single-imag e pla yback The [...]

  • Page 28

    First Steps: Playback and Deletion 28 Operation Button Function Thumbnail pla yback Deleting photogra phs Single-imag e pla yback Thumbnail pla yback 2000 . 04 . 25 2000.04.25 1 4:20 14:20 N ORMAL NORMAL 5/5 ] [ 100NIK 100NIK ON ON 0005.JPG ( ) Press Pr ess once to displa y menu of nine thumbnail images, twice to displa y four thumbnail images, a t[...]

  • Page 29

    Basic Photogra phy 29 Optical and Digital Zoom Using the Flash F ocus Using the Self-Timer Imag e Quality and Size Exposur e Compensation Re viewing Photogra phs Basic Photo graph y This chapter co vers operations that can be perf ormed using the camera’ s dials and buttons in A-REC mode . A-REC mode is a simple , “point-and-shoot” mode in wh[...]

  • Page 30

    Basic Photogra phy: Optical and Digital Zoom 30 Optical and Digital Zoom The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with motor -driven, × 3 optical zoom link ed to the vie wfinder . By changing the ar ea visible in the viewfinder (the “field of view”), zoom helps you establish the right balance betw een subject and backgr ound. A wide field of view is suitab[...]

  • Page 31

    Basic Photogra phy: Using the Flash 31 For mor e inf ormation on: Initial zoom position Digital zoom settings Zoom aperture Metering Focus ar ea selection Image adjustment Digital z oom In digital zoom, image data from the CCD ar e pr ocessed digitally , enlarging the center portion of the image to fill the frame . Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom[...]

  • Page 32

    Basic Photogra phy: Using the Flash 32 Ho w it w orks Setting When to use it For mor e inf ormation on: Safe flash use Focus mode Multi-shot settings Best-shot selection Lens conv er ter settings Exposure options Flash exposure le vel Using an external flash When lighting is poor and the flash is set to “Off ” ( ) or “Slow Sync” ( ), shutte[...]

  • Page 33

    Basic Photogra phy: F ocus 33 F ocus A-REC offers a choice of thr ee autofocus settings, plus a self- timer mode. F ocus mode can be set in A-REC or M-REC using the button. Ho w it w orks Setting When to use it Camera automati- cally adjusts f ocus according to distance to subject NO ICON Autofocus Use with subject 30 cm (1 ft) or more fr om lens F[...]

  • Page 34

    Basic Photogra phy: F ocus 34 Autofocus Mode At settings of “autofocus” or “macro close-up”, the camera automatically focuses on the subject in the selected f ocus area when the shutter -release button is pr essed halfwa y (in A-REC mode, the camera automatically focuses on the subject in the center focus ar ea). The autofocus system operat[...]

  • Page 35

    Basic Photogra phy: F ocus 35 F ocus Lock In A-REC mode , the camera automatically focuses on the sub- ject at the center of the frame. If your subject is not located at the center of the frame when the shutter -release button is pr essed halfwa y , the camera will focus on the backgr ound. Fo- cus lock allows y ou to first focus on your subject, t[...]

  • Page 36

    Basic Photogra phy: Using the Self-Timer 36 Using the Self-Timer The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with an automatic timer with tw o settings: three seconds, useful for r educing camera shake, and ten seconds, ideal for self-portraits. T o use the self-timer , follo w these steps: 1 Mount the camera on a tripod (r ecommended) or rest it on a flat, stable[...]

  • Page 37

    Ima ge Quality and Siz e Image quality and size together determine the file size of pho- tographs tak en with the camera. This in turn determines how many photogra phs can be stored on a single memory card. The number of images that can be stor ed at differ ent combina- tions of image quality and size is illustrated in the follo wing tables: P 1/60[...]

  • Page 38

    Basic Photogra phy: Imag e Quality and Size 38 JPEG compression anal yzes images in blocks 8 × 8 pixels in size, and selectiv ely reduces detail within each block. At higher compression ratios, the block pattern becomes mor e visible and there ma y be noticeable loss of detail. The actual effect depends on the size of the image when output on a mo[...]

  • Page 39

    Basic Photogra phy: Exposure Compensation 39 Exposur e Compensation T o obtain the desir ed result with cer tain subject compositions, particularly those containing complex patterns of light and shade or areas of high contrast, it ma y be necessar y to use exposure compensation to modify the exposur e value suggested by the camera. Exposure compens[...]

  • Page 40

    ▼ ▼ Basic Photogra phy: Revie wing Photographs 40 Re viewing Photo graphs In A-REC mode , photographs ar e displa yed in the LCD moni- tor after shooting (in M-REC, y ou can choose whether or not to displa y photographs after shooting using the Monitor Op- tions > Displa y Mode item in the SET -UP menu). The re view featur e is not available[...]

  • Page 41

    Advanced Photo graph y 41 Continuous Photo graph y Best-Shot Selection Contrast, Brightness, and Imag e T ype Imag e Sharpening Camera Contr ol Settings for Optional Lens Con verters Advanced Photo graph y This chapter co vers settings a vailable only when shooting in M-REC mode. In addition to the settings discussed in the pr e- vious chapter , in[...]

  • Page 42

    Advanced Photo graph y: Focus Area Selection 42 F ocus Area Selection In M-REC , you can choose the focus target f or autofocus op- erations fr om one of fiv e focus ar eas. F ocus area selection is useful when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. Ther e are five focus ar eas: center , top , bottom, right, left. T o use focus a[...]

  • Page 43

    P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] Advanced Photo graph y: Exposure Mode 43 Exposur e Mode In M-REC, y ou can choose fr om four exposur e modes that mak e it possible to manuall y adjust shutter speed and/or aper - ture and still achie ve optimal exposur es. T o set the exposure mode: Mode Mode Ho w it works When to use it Pr ogrammed auto Camera se[...]

  • Page 44

    A 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] Advanced Photo graph y: Exposure Mode 44 * appears in contr ol panel and LCD monitor to indicate that flexible pr ogram is in effect. When monitor is on, values for shutter speed and aperture ar e displa yed in control panel and LCD monitor (values are not displa yed in contr ol panel when monitor is off). Rotate E[...]

  • Page 45

    Advanced Photo graph y: Exposure Mode 45 Shutter -Priority Auto When the camera is set to shutter -priority auto, shutter speed can be chosen by r otating the command dial. Options range fr om 8 s to 1 / 1000 s in increments of one step . Manual In manual exposur e mode , you can choose an a per ture be- tw een maximum and minimum a perture (in inc[...]

  • Page 46

    Advanced Photo graph y: Exposure Mode 46 3 Rotate the command dial to set the selected item (aperture or shutter speed) to the de- sired value. The amount the photograph will be ov er - or under -exposed at the se- lected setting is displa yed in the contr ol panel and LCD monitor . If sensitivity is set to AU T O when shutter -priority auto or man[...]

  • Page 47

    P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL INF INF [ 10 ] Focus distance is displa y ed in LCD monitor , and in control panel while command dial is rotated. After command dial is released, M-FOCUS icon in control panel indicates that manual focus is in effect. Distances of 30 cm (12 in) or less ar e shown in r ed in monitor to indicate that camera ma y not be able[...]

  • Page 48

    Advanced Photo graph y: Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency) 48 Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency) In A-REC mode, automatic gain contr ol is used to produce sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 film. In M-REC mode , you can choose increased values f or sensitivity , or allow the camera to set sensitivity in r esponse to lighting conditions. Increasing sensitivity[...]

  • Page 49

    Advanced Photo graph y: White Balance 49 White Balance The per ceiv ed color of an object is af- fected b y the color of the lighting under which it is view ed. The human brain is able to detect and compensate for such changes in per ceiv ed color . As a result, a white object will look white to humans whether vie wed in sunlight or under ov ercast[...]

  • Page 50

    Cancel Recalls most r ecent value for pr eset white balance fr om memor y and sets white bal- ance to this value Advanced Photo graph y: Metering 50 Pr eset White Balance When (preset) is selected, the cam- era will zoom in and the preset white- balance menu will a ppear in the LCD monitor . MENU OF F 1 2 S WHITE BALANCE PRESET SELECT S E T Cancel [...]

  • Page 51

    P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] The metering method is shown by icons in the contr ol panel and LCD monitor (when Spot AF Area is chosen, a spot-metering icon ( ) ap- pears in the contr ol panel). P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] Advanced Photo graph y: Metering 51 Method Auto-Exposure Hold Pressing the shutter -release button halfwa y not only [...]

  • Page 52

    Advanced Photo graph y: Continuous Photogra phy 52 Continuous Photo graph y Using the CONTINUOUS menu, you can set the camera to tak e photographs one at a time, shoot multiple photographs in sequence, or ev en recor d short movies. 1 2 S MENU OF F CONTINUOUS Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 V GA Sequence Ultra HS A SELECT S E T Movie A A Option Des[...]

  • Page 53

    P 1/60 1/60 F 2.7 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 10 ] Continuous The CONTINUOUS setting is shown by icons in the contr ol panel and LCD monitor . Advanced Photo graph y: Continuous Photogra phy 53 The camera is equipped with a memor y buffer f or temporar y storage of photos during shooting. This allows you to tak e several photogra phs in succession, as y[...]

  • Page 54

    Advanced Photo graph y: Best-Shot Selection 54 Best-Shot Selection “Best-shot selection” (BSS) compensates for camera mov ement. It is most effec- tive in situations in which inadv er tent camera mov ement ma y affect the out- come of the photograph, for example when: • the camera is zoomed in or you ar e using a teleconv erter lens attachmen[...]

  • Page 55

    Advanced Photo graph y: Contrast, Brightness, and Imag e T ype 55 Contrast, Brightness, and Ima ge T ype When a photograph is tak en, the COOLPIX 990 automatically perf orms image compensation to pr oduce optimal brightness and contrast befor e the image is recor ded to the memor y card. The im- age adjustment sub-menu giv es you contr ol over the [...]

  • Page 56

    Advanced Photo graph y: Image Sharpening 56 Exposure compensation (changing the a perture or shutter speed fr om the value suggested by the camera to incr ease or decrease exposure) tends to increase or decr ease both contrast and brightness simultaneously . Image adjustment allows y ou to appl y contrast and brightness separately for mor e creativ[...]

  • Page 57

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 57 At settings other than Normal , an image adjust- ment icon appears in the LCD monitor . P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] Camera Contr ol The M-REC menu contains options that giv e the user greater contr ol over camera settings, including: • a menu of thr ee separate custom combinations of set- tings tha[...]

  • Page 58

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 58 User Settings In M-REC mode, the camera can “memorize” up to three com- binations of settings, including white balance , metering, advance rate, best-shot selection, lens converter option, image adjust- ment, and sharpening. These settings can be r ecalled as de- sired, allowing y ou to cr eate separat[...]

  • Page 59

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 59 Exposur e Options The exposur e options sub-menu pr ovides contr ol ov er the camera’ s auto-exposure function. MENU OF F 1 2 S EXPOSURE OPTIONS AE Lock Auto Br acketing Exp +/– SELECT S E T S MENU OF F 1 2 S AE LOCK SELECT S E T AE Lock Auto Br acketing Exp +/ – OFF ON Reset S AE lock Use this optio[...]

  • Page 60

    P 1/60 1/60 F 2.7 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 10 ] +0.7 +0.7 While brack eting is in effect, the exposure modification a p- pears with a BKT icon in the LCD monitor , and the icon in the contr ol panel flashes. Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 60 Exp . +/– (exposure compensation) This option works in the same wa y as ordinary exposure compensat[...]

  • Page 61

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 61 F ocus Options The focus options sub-men u pr ovides contr ol over focus settings. MENU OF F 1 2 S FOCUS OPTIONS AF Area Mode Auto F ocus Mode Focus Confirmation Distance Units SELECT S E T S Focus Confirmation MENU OF F 1 2 S AF AREA MODE SELECT S E T AF Area Mode Auto F ocus Mode Auto M anual Off Distanc[...]

  • Page 62

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 62 MENU OF F 1 2 S FOCUS CONFIRMA TION SELECT S E T AF Area Mode Auto F ocus Mode Focus Confirmation MF ON OFF Distance Units S F ocus confirmation Focus confirmation mak es it possible to determine in advance exactly what ar eas of the frame will be in focus in the final photograph. Option Description Distan[...]

  • Page 63

    Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 63 MENU OF F 1 2 S ST ARTUP POSITION SELECT S E T Digital Star tup P osition Fixed Aperture Last P osition Wide T ele S Star t-up position The options in this sub-menu determine the position of the zoom lens when the mode dial is turned fr om OFF to A-REC or M-REC. Option Description Last P osition When turne[...]

  • Page 64

    A flash brack et (the SK-E900 Multi-Flash Brack et Unit) is available sepa- rately for connecting external flash units to the COOLPIX 990. When the brack et is connected to the camera’ s synchr o-flash terminal, external flash units mounted on the brack et ar e synchronized with the camera’ s built-in flash, increasing the size of the ar ea ill[...]

  • Page 65

    Shutter Sound Default On Advanced Photo graph y: Camera Contr ol 65 Restoring Default Settings Selecting C (reset all) fr om the M-REC menu displa ys the message shown at right. MENU OF F 1 2 S RESET ALL SELECT S E T No Reset Reset all settings to default v alues? S Option Description No Return to shooting mode lea ving settings unchanged Reset Res[...]

  • Page 66

    Advanced Photo graph y: Settings for Optional Lens Con verters 66 Settings for Optional Lens Con verters Lens conv er ters for wide-angle, telephoto , and fishey e photograph y are a vailable separately for the COOLPIX 990. Each of these conv er ters is adapted to a par - ticular combination of settings, including focus mode, zoom position, and met[...]

  • Page 67

    Advanced Photo graph y: Settings for Optional Lens Con verters 67 P 1/60 F 2.7 NORMAL NORMAL [ 10 ] At settings other than Normal , a lens adapter icon is displa yed in the LCD monitor . Zoom Flash settings Focus mode Metering For mor e inf ormation on:[...]

  • Page 68

    Pla yback 68 Deleting Multiple Photogra phs Selecting a F older for Pla yback Slide Sho w Pr otecting Photogra phs fr om Deletion Hiding Photogra phs During Pla yback Pr eparing Photogra phs for Printing Pla yback This chapter cov ers the operations that can be performed when the mode dial is set to PLA Y . These include: • pla yback of photograp[...]

  • Page 69

    Only photographs in the cur rent f older are displa yed in pla yback mode. If there ar e no photographs in the current f older , the message “C ARD CON- T AINS NO IMAGE D A T A” will be displa yed. T o select another folder for pla yback, or to view photographs in all f olders, use the “Folders” item in the pla yback menu. For mor e informa[...]

  • Page 70

    Pla yback: Basic Pla yback 70 The monitor button contr ols the LCD monitor . Press the button to cycle through monitor settings as sho wn below . Monitor on, photo info displa yed Monitor on, photo info hidden Monitor off Vie wing photo information Photo information is sho wn superimposed on photographs dis- pla yed in single-image pla yback. Ther [...]

  • Page 71

    Pla yback: Basic Pla yback 71 Zoom ( ) Use the ( ) button to zoom in on photographs displa yed in single-image pla yback. Operation Function Press Zoom photograph in. Zoom increases each time button is pr essed, to maximum of × 4.0. When image zoomed in, indicator appears and zoom factor is shown in LCD monitor . × 2.0 SCROLL ZOOM Mo vie pla ybac[...]

  • Page 72

    Pla yback: Basic Pla yback 72 Thumbnail Pla yback ( ) The thumbnail menu can be used to se- lect photographs or mo vies for vie wing. Deleting Individual Photogra phs ( ) T o delete the image or movie cur rentl y on displa y in single- image pla yback, or to delete the curr ently selected thumbnail, pr ess the ( ) button. Operation Function Single-[...]

  • Page 73

    Pla yback: Deleting Multiple Photogra phs 73 Deleting Multiple Photo graphs Using the Delete option in the pla yback menu, you can: • delete selected photographs • delete all photographs • delete folders • delete print-order files cr eated with the Print Set op- tion (see “Preparing Photogra phs for Printing, ” below) Note that once del[...]

  • Page 74

    Pla yback: Deleting Multiple Photogra phs Deleting All Photogra phs T o delete all photographs on the memory catd: Deleting F olders T o delete a folder and all images it contains: 1 MENU OF F 1 S DELETE Print Set Selected Images Folder All Images SELECT S E T Highlight F older Photos tak en at a setting of Ultra HS are stored in f olders with name[...]

  • Page 75

    Pla yback: Slide Sho w 75 Slide Sho w The slide-show option in the pla yback menu allows unattended sequential pla y- back. All images in the curr ent folder that ha ve not been hidden using Hide Imag e will be pla yed back one after the other , with a pause betw een each image. Star ting a Slide Sho w MENU OF F 1 S SLIDE SHOW (P ause ➞ ) Star t [...]

  • Page 76

    Pla yback: Slide Sho w 76 Function Operation The following operations can be perf ormed while a slide show is in pr ogr ess: Restarting a Slide Sho w After the slide show comes to an end, or while the slide show is paused, the dialog shown at right will be displa y ed. Select Restart to r estar t, or F rame Intvl to change the length of time each i[...]

  • Page 77

    Pla yback: Protecting Photo graphs fr om Deletion 77 Pr otecting Photographs fr om Deletion The Pr otect option in the pla yback menu can be used to pr o- tect images fr om deletion. Pr otected files can not be deleted in single-image pla yback or fr om the Delete sub-menu, and ha ve “read-only” status when vie wed fr om a computer . Note that [...]

  • Page 78

    Pla yback: Hiding Photographs During Pla yback 78 Hiding Photo graphs During Pla yback When cr eating a slide show or pla ying back photographs for an audience, you ma y want to use the Hide Imag e option to hide some of the photographs in the cur r ent folder . Once hidden, images are onl y visible in the Hide Imag e menu. They can not be deleted [...]

  • Page 79

    Pla yback: Preparing Photo graphs f or Printing 79 Pr eparing Photographs f or Printing The Print Set option in the pla yback menu can be used to cr eate digital “print orders” that specify the photogra phs to be printed, the number of prints, and the information included with each print. This information is stored on the memory card in Digital[...]

  • Page 80

    Camera Setup 80 Camera Setup This chapter details the options a vailable in the setup menus for A-REC , M-REC , and PLA Y . The setup menus ar e wher e y ou mak e changes to basic camera settings, and perform such tasks as formatting memory cards. For an ov er view of the options a vailable in the setup menus, see “Accessing Setup Options, ” be[...]

  • Page 81

    Camera Setup: Accessing Setup Options 81 Accessing Setup Options Accessing the Setup Menus A-REC M-REC, PLA Y 1 MENU OF F S SET -UP Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format Date SELECT S E T Pr ess Press 4 MENU OF F 1 2 S SET -UP 1 SELECT S E T Folders Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format H[...]

  • Page 82

    Camera Setup: Accessing Setup Options 82 Setup Menu Options The options a vailable in the setup menu depend on the operating mode. Description Select folder used to stor e images; create, rename, and delete folders Option Folders ✔ ✔ — * * “Folders” option for pla yback mode accessible from main pla yback menu Mode A-REC M-REC PLA Y Deter[...]

  • Page 83

    Camera Setup: Using Folders 83 Using F olders By default, photographs tak en with the COOLPIX 990 ar e stored on the memor y car d in a folder labeled NIK ON. T o mak e it easier to locate photographs during pla yback, you can cr eate additional folders and organize photogra phs by theme. The F olders op- tion can be used to select the folder in wh[...]

  • Page 84

    F older Options The folder options menu can be used to cr eate , rename, or delete folders. MENU OF F 1 2 S OPTIONS New Delete Rename SELECT S E T MENU OF F 1 2 S NEW L M NIK O N O P SELECT SET Press Camera Setup: Using Folders 84 Name and r egister the new f older . MENU OF F 1 2 S OPTIONS New Delete Rename SELECT S E T MENU OF F 1 2 S RENAME NO V[...]

  • Page 85

    Camera Setup: Using Folders 85 Deleting folders T o delete an existing folder , highlight Delete in the folder op- tions menu and pr ess the multi selector to the right. A list of user -cr eated folders will a ppear . MENU OF F 1 2 S OPTIONS New Delete Rename SELECT S E T MENU OF F DELETE SHOW NO V SELECT S E T Pr ess Select a folder for deletion. [...]

  • Page 86

    Displa y mode and battery life For mor e inf ormation on: Camera Setup: Monitor Options 86 Monitor Options The Monitor Options item in the setup menu contr ols the revie w function and monitor brightness and hue (tone). MENU OF F 1 2 S MONITOR OPTIONS SELECT S E T Folders Display Mode Brightness Hue Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF[...]

  • Page 87

    Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls 87 MENU OF F 1 2 S SELECT S E T Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language ON OFF SHUTTER SOUND Sound Settings The Shutter Sound sub-menu controls the “beep” made by the camera’ s speak er . Option Description OFF Camera speak er off ON Camera beeps once to confirm that: • mode dial ha[...]

  • Page 88

    Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls 88 Function Buttons By default, the (FUNC .1 ) contr ols exposur e mode, the (FUNC . 2) but- ton exposur e compensation. Using the FUNC 1 and FUNC 2 menus, you can assign differ ent functions to these buttons in M-REC mode. For example , assigning white balance or me- tering to either button mak es it possi[...]

  • Page 89

    Camera Setup: File Numbering 89 Auto Off When operated on batter y pow er , the camera enters sleep mode if no opera- tions ar e performed f or thir ty seconds (thr ee minutes when menus ar e dis- pla yed). The time limit for sleep mode can be chosen fr om the Auto Off men u. The time limit for pla yback is independent of the time limit for A-REC a[...]

  • Page 90

    Camera Setup: Confirming Shutter Release 90 F ormatting Memor y Cards Memor y car ds can be formatted using the CF Car d F ormat option in the setup menu f or each mode . T o format a memor y card: 1 MENU OF F 1 2 S SET -UP 1 SELECT S E T Folders Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format Highlight CF Card F ormat 2 MENU OF F 1 S[...]

  • Page 91

    Camera Setup: Language 91 Date and Time The Date option can be used to set the camera’ s clock-calendar . For mor e infor - mation on setting the date and time, see “First Steps: Setting the Time and Date. ” Video Mode The Video Mode sub-menu is used to select the video standard used when the camera is connected to a television set or video r[...]

  • Page 92

    Connecting to a T elevision or VCR Connecting to a Computer Connections 92 Connections This chapter pr ovides information on connecting y our camera to a computer and to a tele vision or videocassette recor der (VCR). Click to go[...]

  • Page 93

    Connecting to a T ele vision or VCR Using the EG-900 video cable pr ovided with y our camera, you can connect y our camera to a television or VCR to view pho- tos on the television scr een. 1 Insert the black plug on the EG-900 into the camera’ s video-out connec- tor . 2 Connect the y ellow plug to the video- in jack on the television or VCR. Co[...]

  • Page 94

    Connections: Connecting to a Computer 94 Connecting to a Computer Photographs tak en with the COOLPIX 990 can be view ed on your computer monitor or copied to disk f or long-term stor - age or editing. Y ou can connect your camera dir ectly to your computer via the UC-E1 Universal Serial Bus (USB) or the optional SC-EW3/SC-EM3 serial cables and br [...]

  • Page 95

    USB Serial (Macintosh) Serial (PC) Connect UC-E1USB cable to camera USB/ serial connector 1 1 Connect cable to computer USB connector 2 Connect cable to computer serial por t 2 1 Connect cable to computer modem or printer port 2 Connecting y our camera to a computer The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with USB and serial ports. Follow the steps belo w to c[...]

  • Page 96

    Connections: Connecting to a Computer 96 Both the camera and the computer can be on when the cables are con- nected or disconnected, but do not disconnect the cable while data trans- fer is in pr ogress. T o users of IBM-compatible computer s: The SC-EW3 serial cable (a vailable separately) is f or connection to a male 9-pin serial connector , stan[...]

  • Page 97

    Connections: Connecting to a Computer 97 “inf o.txt” Each camera-created f older on the memory card contains a text file (“info .txt”) that provides photo information f or each image in memory . This file can be view ed using a text browser such as SimpleT ext or Notepad. The file lists the images in the order r ecorded and gives the follo [...]

  • Page 98

    T echnical Notes: Caring for Y our Camera 98 T echnical Notes This chapter cov ers: • camera care and storage • the accessories pr ovided with y our camera or available for separate pur chase • troubleshooting hints and tips • pr oduct specifications T r oubleshooting Specifications Caring for Y our Camera Accessories Caring for Y our Camer[...]

  • Page 99

    Notes techniques: Accessoires 99 Accessories What’ s in the Bo x Pur chasers of the COOLPIX 990 should find that the package contains the items listed below . Should you notice that an y item is missing or damaged, contact y our retailer as soon as possible. COOLPIX 990 digital camer a (1) Lens cap (1) CompactFlash- memor y card (1) AA (LR6) alka[...]

  • Page 100

    T echnical Notes: T roub leshooting 100 T roub leshooting Check the list below bef ore consulting y our retailer or Nik on r epresentativ e . Click the page numbers in the rightmost col- umn for mor e information on how to solve the pr oblems listed. Pr oblem P ossible cause Pr oblem P ossible cause Contr ol panel displa y is blank 21 14 14 • Cam[...]

  • Page 101

    T echnical Notes: T roub leshooting 101 Pr oblem P ossible cause Photos not in focus 35 34 47 • Subject not in focus area • AF lamp flickers: camera unable to focus • Manual focus distance does not match distance to subject Pr oblem P ossible cause Computer can not read files on memor y card 96 • Card not cor r ectly inserted in car d reade[...]

  • Page 102

    T echnical Notes: Caring for Y our Camera 102 Err or Messages When a pr oblem occurs with the memory card or with the camera’ s internal pr ogramming or cir cuitry , an error message will be displa yed superimposed on the image in the LCD monitor . Pr oblem Solution Contr ol Panel Messag e Err or accessing memor y card Use appr oved memory card 9[...]

  • Page 103

    T echnical Notes: T roub leshooting 103 Pr oblem Solution Contr ol Panel Messag e Folder selected in pla yback mode contains no images T o pla y photos back, select folder containing images fr om pla yback F olders menu 75 C ARD CONT AINS NO IMA GES All images in curr ent folder are hidden T o pla y photos back, select another folder or use Hide Im[...]

  • Page 104

    T echnical Notes: Specifications 104 Specifications The LCD monitor ma y contain a few pix els that are alwa ys lit or that do not light. This is common to all LCD displa ys and does not indicate a malfunction. The monitor is lit by a fluorescent backlight. Should the displa y begin to dim or flicker , contact your Nik on ser vice repr esentative. [...]

  • Page 105

    T echnical Notes: Specifications 105 Captur e modes • Single • Continuous • Multi-shot 16 (sixteen frames 1 / 16 in size) • V GA Sequence • Ultra High-speed Continuous (up to eighty QV GA-size images at ~30 fps) • Movie (up to 40 s of QV GA-size frames at 15 fps • White balance • Exposure metering • Continuous • Best-Shot Select[...]

  • Page 106

    T echnical Notes: Specifications 106 External Speedlight Multi-flash sync terminal connects to external Nikon Speedlight SB-28/28DX/26/25/24/22s through the Multi-Flash Brack et Unit SK-E900; built-in Speedlight can be canceled when using external Speedlight(s) I/O terminals • Po wer input • Video output • Digital output terminal (USB/Serial)[...]

  • Page 107

    T rademark Information 107 T rademark Information Apple, the Apple logo , Macintosh, Mac OS, Pow er Macintosh, Pow erBook, and QuickTime are r egistered trademarks of Apple Computer , Inc. Finder , Macintosh PC Exchange, Po wer Mac, iMac , and iBook are trademarks of Apple Computer , Inc . IBM and IBM PC/A T ar e register ed trademarks of Internati[...]