Nikon D2HNikon introduces an 8 frame/second speed demon, with WiFi connectivity and an amazing new flash system to boot!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 12/18/2003 |
Operation and User Interface
Though some of the control buttons have moved around and a few new ones have
been added, I found the user interface on the D2H surprisingly straightforward
and simple to use, even more so than I did the earlier D1H model. The addition
of a few external control buttons makes it faster to access some of the camera's
settings. The LCD menu is a four-tab system that divides up functions between
Playback, Camera, Custom Settings, and Set-up. Nikon greatly simplified the
Custom Settings menu on the D2H, eliminating the more cryptic numeric designations
and implementing a color coded system that divides the settings between common
themes such as "Metering/Exposure" and "Shooting/Display."
While many of the camera's options can be accessed via the excellent "plain
English" menu system, all the most common shooting controls are available
via the camera's external buttons and knobs. You can also program the operation
of some of the buttons, to configure the camera for your particular shooting
requirements. As I noted earlier, Nikon makes a big deal of their digital
SLR's "cameraness," defined as how well/easily they function as
cameras. The D2H definitely fits this mold, with an intuitive control layout
that's quick to learn, once you get the gist of things, and that's arguably
the fastest and most intuitive I've had the pleasure to use.
Control Enumeration
Depth of Field Preview Button: Located on the front of the camera,
on the top left side (viewed from the front) next to the lens, this button
allows you to check the depth of field for the current aperture setting by
looking through the viewfinder, which provides an approximate idea of the
depth of field. Note that since less light can enter through the smaller
aperture, the viewfinder becomes correspondingly dimmer whilst the Depth
of Field Preview button is pressed.
Function Button: Beneath the Depth of Field Preview button,
this button can be programmed through the Custom Settings menu to control
a variety of exposure options, including Flash Value Lock, Flash Value Lock
/ Lens Data, One Stop Speed / Aperture, AE Lock / AF Lock, Flash Off, Bracketing
Burst, Matrix Metering, Center-Weighted Metering, and Spot Metering.
Lens Release Button: Also on the front of the camera, on the right
side next to the lens, this button releases the lens from its mount when
pressed. This button was enlarged slightly from the D1H model, making it
more comfortable to access.
Focus Mode Selector Switch: Beneath the Lens Release button,
this switch sets the focus mode to Manual, Single Servo AF, or Continuous
Servo AF.
Sub-Command Dial: Positioned at the top front of the hand grip, just
beneath the Power switch, this dial is used for selecting secondary values
in many operating modes and menus. The dial also adjusts the aperture in
Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes, and selects from a range of
equivalent exposure settings in Flexible Program mode.
Power Switch: Encircling the Shutter button on the top right of the
camera, this switch turns the camera on and off. By turning it slightly past
the "On" position to the "Light Bulb" icon, it also turns
on the backlights for both status display panels (on top and on the back
panel) when shooting in dark situations. The switch is spring-loaded to return
itself to the "On" position after turning on the backlights, which
will remain on while the exposure meter is active (that is, for a few seconds
after a half-press of the shutter button), or until the shutter is released.
Shutter Button (see image above): In the center of the Power switch,
on the top of the camera, this button sets exposure and focus when halfway
pressed and fires the shutter when fully pressed.
Exposure Compensation Button: Directly behind the Shutter button on
the top of the camera, this button sets the Exposure Compensation from –5
to +5 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third, one-half, or one-step increments
when pressed while turning the main Command dial.
Exposure Mode / Format Button: Just to the left of the Exposure Compensation
button, pressing this button while turning the main Command dial sets the
exposure mode (Program AE, Manual, Aperture Priority, or Shutter Speed Priority).
In any mode, pressing this button simultaneously with the Erase button (also
labeled Format) for two seconds, then releasing both buttons momentarily
and re-pressing them formats the memory card.
Metering Selector: To the left of the Exposure Mode / Format button
on top of the camera (actually on the side of the bulky flash hot-shoe mount),
this selector ring surrounds a small black button. Pressing the button and
turning the ring allows you to select between Spot, Center-Weighted, and
Color Matrix / 3D Color Matrix metering options.
Diopter Adjustment Knob: Directly behind the metering selector, this
knob adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers. (Range
is -3 to +1 DP.)
Mode Dial Lock Release: On the top left side of the camera (when looking
at the back), next to the Mode dial, this button releases the Mode dial to
select the camera mode.
Mode Dial: Underneath a set of control buttons on the left side of
the top panel, this notched dial selects between Single Frame, Continuous
Low-Speed Shooting, Continuous High-Speed Shooting, Self-Timer, and Mirror-Up
modes.
Auto Bracketing Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. The Auto Bracket
button is the one labeled "BKT".) Positioned on the top of the
Mode dial and next to the Flash and Command Lock buttons, this button turns
on the Auto Bracketing function and sets the number of frames when pressed
while turning the main Command dial. Pressing this button and turning the
Sub-Command dial sets the exposure or white balance step size (in EV for
exposure, or Mireds for white balance).
Flash Sync Mode Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. Flash sync
button is the one with a lightning bolt icon on it.) Behind the Auto Bracketing
button, this button cycles between the five flash sync modes (Front-Curtain
Sync, Slow-Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync / Slow Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction,
and Red-Eye Reduction with Slow-Sync) when held down while turning the main
Command dial.
Command Lock Button: (See photo of Mode dial above. Command
Lock is the button with the L inside a white square.) This button locks either
the aperture or shutter speed setting in Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority
exposure modes, when pressed while turning the Sub-Command dial. You can
also lock one value or the other in Manual exposure mode.
Playback Button: Situated at the top left side of the back panel,
this button activates the LCD monitor and displays the most recently-captured
image.
Erase / Format Button: To the right of the Playback button, this button
deletes individual images. When pressed in conjunction with the Mode button
for two seconds, then released and both buttons pressed once more, this button
formats the CompactFlash card.
Eyepiece Shutter Lever: Nestled above the left side of the optical
viewfinder, this lever opens and closes the shutter that covers the viewfinder
eyepiece for accurate exposures when using a tripod. (e.g., when your eye
isn't blocking light from entering the rear element of the viewfinder.)
AE/AF Lock Button: Located on the top right side of the back panel,
this button locks the exposure and/or focus when pressed (can be set through
the Custom Settings menu to lock one or the other, or both).
AF-On Button: (see image above) To the right of the AE/AF Lock button,
this button sets the autofocus when pressed (performs the same function as
halfway pressing the Shutter button).
Main Command Dial: The final control on the top right of the back
panel, this dial is used to select various camera settings when turned in
conjunction with a number of control buttons. In Aperture Priority and Shutter
Speed Priority modes, this dial sets either the aperture or shutter speed
settings. In Manual exposure mode, the dial sets the shutter speed.
Focus Area Selector and Lock / Four-Way Arrow Rocker Pad: Beneath
the Command dial, on the right side of the back panel, this rocker button
with its associated locking switch controls the autofocus area in Record
mode. The switch unlocks the autofocus area and the four arrow buttons let
you decide where to set the main autofocus area (by choosing one of the 11
brackets displayed in the viewfinder). In Playback mode, the rocker toggle
button's up and down arrows scroll through captured images while the right
and left arrow buttons cycle through various information displays for each
image. The arrow buttons also navigate through the LCD menu system.
AF Area Mode Selector: Below the Four-Way Arrow Rocker pad,
this selector sets the AF area mode to Single Area, Dynamic Area, Group Dynamic,
or Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority.
Voice
Memo Button: Below the lower left corner of the LCD monitor, this
button lets you record as many as 60 seconds of sound to accompany a captured
image. The camera records as long as the button is held down.
Menu Button: The first button in a series lining the left side of
the LCD monitor, this button calls up the LCD menu system.
Thumbnail Button: Below the Menu button, this button pulls up an index display of either four or nine images when pressed while turning the Command dial. When an index display is active, you can move through your images a page at a time by holding the Thumbnail button and turning the Sub-Command dial.
Protect Button: Below the Index button, this button write-protects individual images from accidental deletion (except through card formatting). Pressing this button also removes protection.
Enter / Playback Zoom Button: The final button in the series on the left side of the LCD monitor, this button confirms menu settings in any menu. When a captured image is displayed on the LCD monitor, this button enlarges the image when pressed while turning the Sub-Command dial. Pressing this button while turning the main Command dial shows the full frame with an outline box indicating the area that was enlarged. (You can use the Four-Way Arrow pad to move the selection area and then zoom back in.)
ISO Button: The first button in a series lining the lower side of a smaller status display panel (directly beneath the LCD monitor), this button changes the camera’s sensitivity setting (ISO equivalent) when pressed while turning the Command dial.
Quality Button: To the right of the ISO button, this button
sets the image resolution and quality. Pressing this button and turning the
Command dial adjusts the quality setting, while turning the Sub-Command dial
adjusts the resolution.
White Balance Button: Directly to the right of the Quality button,
this button selects the White Balance setting when pressed while turning
the main Command dial. Options are Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct
Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Color Temperature, and Preset (which allows
you to manually adjust the white value by using a white card or object as
a reference point). All white balance settings (except Color Temperature
and Preset) can be adjusted from -3 to +3 by turning the Sub-Command dial
(on the front of the hand grip) while holding down the White Balance button
Card Slot Release Button: Hidden beneath a plastic flap on the back
panel, just below the Four-Way Arrow Rocker pad, this button releases the
CompactFlash card slot cover so that the card can be removed. (Sorry, no
photo of this button.)
Vertical AF-ON Button: Hidden on the bottom right of the back panel,
this button serves the same purpose as the main AF-ON button, but is used
when shooting vertically.
Vertical Command Dial: (see image above) Directly beside the vertical
AF-ON button on the lower right corner of the back panel, this dial serves
the same purpose as the main Command dial but is used when shooting vertically.
Vertical Shutter Release Button and Lock: Located on the bottom of
the right side of the camera (when looking at the back panel), this locking
Shutter button can be used when shooting vertically. The rotating lock ring
keeps it from accidentally firing when shooting normally.
Reader Comments! --> Visit our discussion forum for the Nikon D2H!
Follow Imaging Resource: