Nikon D300 Modes & Menus

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Nikon D300 Modes and Menus

Nikon D300 Modes

The Nikon D300 doesn't have a mode dial, but instead has a mode button. The current exposure mode is displayed on the LCD and viewfinder and can be changed by pressing this button and rotating the main (rear) command dial. Available exposure modes are: P (Programmed Auto), S (Shutter Priority), A (Aperture Priority) or M (Manual). Like all pro and semi-pro Nikons, the D300 doesn't offer any scene modes.

Programmed Auto: Lets the camera control the shutter speed and aperture settings, although you can vary its choices by turning the Command dial (that is, you can increase or decrease the aperture the camera has chosen, and the camera will vary the shutter speed to maintain the same overall exposure value. Once you've chosen an offset in the aperture/shutter combination, the camera will continue to control the exposure automatically, while maintaining the aperture/shutter bias you've selected.) This ability to select a persistent bias for the exposure system is very useful, in many cases more so than conventional Aperture or Shutter Priority metering (see below). This is because the "tweaked" Program AE will track even radical changes in subject lighting, not being constrained to a single aperture or shutter speed.

Aperture Priority: Allows you to set the aperture value while the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed. Available apertures will vary with the lens in use.

Shutter Speed Priority: Allows you to set the shutter speed value while the camera automatically selects the appropriate aperture. Shutter speeds range from 1/8,000 to 30 seconds in this mode.

Manual: Lets you select both the aperture value and shutter speed, and increases the shutter speed range to include a Bulb setting for exposures longer than 30 seconds.

Nikon D300 Menus

Pressing the Menu button provides access to the camera's full menu system.

Playback Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
Delete	- Selected - All	- Selected Image - All pictures	Deletes pictures from the camera memory card. Hidden and protected images will not be deleted.
Playback Folder	- ND300 - All - Current		Select a folder for playback.
Hide Image	- Select/set - Deselect all?		Reveal or hide selected images.
Display Mode	- Done	- Basic photo info - Highlights - Focus point	Allows you to select what shooting information is displayed with the picture during playback.
Display Mode	- Detailed photo info	- RGB histogram - Data
Image Review	- On - Off		Lets you choose to see the image right after shooting it or not.
After Delete	- Show next - Show previous - Continue as before		Lets you choose which remaining picture will be displayed after a picture is deleted.
Rotate Tall	- On - Off		Allows pictures that were shot in portrait orientation to be rotated correctly on the LCD monitor.
Slide Show	- Start	- OK	Allows you to create a slide show of existing pictures with your choice of interval between pictures. Hidden pictures will not be displayed.
Slide Show	- Frame interval	- 2 s - 3 s - 5 s - 10 s
Print Set (DPOF)	- Select/set	- Select image screen	Allows you to select which pictures to print on a DPOF compatible printer.
Print Set (DPOF)	- Deselect all?	- Remove print marking from all images? - Yes - No

Shooting Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
Shooting Menu Bank	- A - B - C - D	- Rename screen	This allows you to set up 4 different menu banks and lets you customize these options to your liking. These options stay set when you turn the camera off. The names can be changed if needed.
Shooting Menu Bank	- Rename	- A - B - C - D
Reset Shooting menu	- Yes - No		Restores default settings to the shooting menu.
Active Folder	- New folder number - Select folder	- 100-999 - 101ND300	Choose the active folder name where your images will be stored.
File Naming	- sRGB - Adobe RGB	- File naming screen	This is used to rename the file names used by sRGB or Adobe RGB.
Image Quality	- NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine - NEF (RAW) + JPEG normal - NEF (RAW) + JPEG basic - NEF (RAW) - TIFF (RGB) - JPEG fine - JPEG normal - JPEG basic		Choose the type of file you want to capture.
Image Size	- Large - Medium - Small		Choose the images size you want to capture.
JPEG Compression	- Size priority - Optimal quality		Compress images based on a fixed size or on the best quality.
NEF (RAW) recording	- Type	- Lossless compressed - Compressed - Uncompressed	Choose the type and bit depth of the Raw images you want to capture.
NEF (RAW) recording	- NEF (RAW) bit depth	- 12-bit - 14-bit
White Balance	- Auto - Incandescent - Fluorescent - Direct Sunlight - Flash - Cloudy - Shade - Choose color temp. - Preset manual	- Adjustment screen (all modes except "Choose color temp" which allows you to choose color temp from 2500K to10,000K)	Adjusts the white balance to match the conditions you are shooting in.
Set Picture Control	- Standard - Neutral - Vivid - Monochrome - C1 STANDARD-02 - C2 STANDARD-03 - C3 NEUTRAL-02		Set the picture control option for various intensities of color or to black and white.
Manage Picture Control	- Save/edit	- Standard - Neutral - Vivid - Monochrome - C1 STANDARD-02 - C2 STANDARD-03 - C3 NEUTRAL-02	Adjustment of these values can be done with either a grid type process or with the quick adjust values screen.
	- Rename	- C1 STANDARD-02 - C2 STANDARD-03 - C3 NEUTRAL-02 - C4 Unused - C5 Unused - C6 Unused - C7 Unused
	- Delete	- C1 STANDARD-02 - C2 STANDARD-03 - C3 NEUTRAL-02 - C4 Unused - C5 Unused - C6 Unused - C7 Unused
	- Load/save	- Copy to camera - Delete from card
	- Load/save	- Copy to card	- C1 STANDARD-02 - C2 STANDARD-03 - C3 NEUTRAL-02 - C4 Unused - C5 Unused - C6 Unused - C7 Unused
Color Space	- sRGB - Adobe		Color space determines the amount of color in your pictures.
Active D-Lighting	- High - Normal - Low - Off		This will help preserve the details in light and dark areas of the picture. Shadows and highlights.
Long Exp. NR	- On - Off		Turns on the Noise Reduction when using long exposures.
High ISO NR	- High - Normal - Low - Off		Turns on the Noise Reduction when using high ISO's.
ISO Sensitivity Settings	- ISO sensitivity	- LO 1 - LO 0.7 - LO 0.3 - 200 - 250 - 320 - 400 - 500 - 640 - 800 - 1000 - 1250 - 1600 - 2000 - 2500 - HI 0.3 - HI 0.7 - HI 1	This adjusts many settings dealing with ISO sensitivity. See the manual for details.
	- ISO Sensitivity auto control	- On - Off
	- Maximum sensitivity 9999	- 400 - 800 - 1600 - 3200 - HI
	- Minimum shutter speed 1/999	- 1/250 s - 1/200 s - 1/160 s - 1/125 s - 1/100 s - 1/80 s - 1/60 s - 1/50 s - 1/40 s - 1/30 s - 1/15 s - 1/8 s - 1/4 s - 1/2 s - 1 s
Live View	- Live View Mode	- Hand-held - Tripod	Allows you to select which mode of Live view you want to use. You can also select the frame advance rate.
Live View	- Release Mode	- S Single frame - CL Continuous low-speed - CH Continuous high-speed
Multiple Exposure	- Done	- OK - 2 - 10 shots - On - Off	Allows you to shoot from 2 to 10 multiple exposures.
	- Number of shots	- 2 - 10 shots
	- Auto gain	- On - Off
Interval Timer Shooting	- Choose start time		Allows you to set the start time, the interval between shots and the number of shots to capture.
Interval Timer Shooting	- Now - Start time	- Start time - Interval - Select intvls X no. of shots - On - Off

Custom Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
Custom Setting Bank	- A - B - C - D		Custom settings can be stored in four separate custom banks. You can switch between them at any time and give them your own names.
Custom Setting Bank	- Rename	- Rename screen - A - B - C - D
Reset Custom Settings	- Yes - No		Restores custom settings to their default values.
A- Autofocus	- a1 AF-C priority selection	- Release - Release + focus - Focus	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the Autofocus system. See manual for greater detail.
	- a2 AF-S priority selection	- Release - Focus
	- a3 Dynamic AF area	- 9 points - 21 points - 51 points - 51 points (3D tracking)
	- a4 Focus tracking w/lock-on	- Long - Normal - Short - Off
	- a5 AF activation	- Shutter/AF-ON - AF-ON only
	- a6 AF point Illumination	- Auto - On - Off
	- a7 Focus point wrap-around	- Wrap - No wrap
	- a8 AF point selection	- AF51 51 points - AF11 11 points
	- a9 Built-in AF-assist illuminator	- On - Off
	- a10 AF-ON for MB-D10	- AF-ON - AE/AF lock - AE lock only - AE lock (Reset on release) - AE lock (hold) - AF lock only - Same as FUNC. button
B- Metering/Exposure	- b1 ISO sensitivity step value	- 1/3 step - 1/2 step - 1 step	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the Metering/Exposure system. See manual for greater detail.
	- b2 EV steps for exposure cntrl.	- 1/3 step - 1/2 step - 1 step
	- b3 Exp comp/fine tune	- 1/3 step - 1/2 step - 1 step
	- b4 Easy exposure compensation	- On (Auto reset) - On - Off
	- b5 Center-weighted area	- 6 mm - 8 mm - 10 mm - 13 mm - Average
	- b6 Fine tune optimal exposure	- Exposure compensation icon is not displayed when exposure is altered from the default value. Continue? - Yes - No
C- Timers/AE Lock	- c1 Shutter-release button AE-L	- On - Off	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the Self-timer and AE lock. See manual for greater detail.
	- c2 Auto meter-off delay	- 4s - 6s - 8s - 16s - 30s - 1 min. - 5 min. - 10 min. - 30 min. - No Limit
	- c3 Self-timer delay	- 2 s - 5 s - 10 s - 20
	- c4 Monitor off delay	- 10 s - 20 s - 1 min. - 5 min. - 10 min.
D- Shooting/Display	- d1 Beep	- High - Low - Off - MB-D10 (Use MB-D10 batteries first)	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the Shooting/Display system. See manual for greater detail.
	- d2 Viewfinder grid display	- On - Off
	- d3 Viewfinder warning display	- On - Off
	- d4 CL mode shooting speed	- 7 fps - 6 fps - 5 fps - 4 fps - 3 fps - 2 fps - 1 fps
	- d5 Max. continuous release	- Select 1-100
	- d6 File number sequence	- On - Off - Reset
	- d7 Shooting info display	- Auto - Manual B dark on light, W Light on dark
	- d8 LCD illumination	- On - Off
	- d9 Exposure delay mode	- On - Off
	- d10 MB-D10 battery type	- LR6 (AA alkaline) - HR6 (NiMH) - FR6 (AA Lithium) - ZR6 (AA NiMn)
	- d11 Battery order	- MB-D10 (Use MB-D10 batteries first) - D300 (Use camera battery first)
E- Bracketing/Flash	- e1 Flash sync speed	- 1/320 s (Auto FP) - 1/250 s (Auto FP) - 1/250 s - 1/200 s - 1/160 s - 1/125 s - 1/100 s - 1/80 s - 1/60 s	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the Bracketing/flash system. See manual for greater detail.
	- e2 Flash shutter speed	- 1/60 s - 1/30 s - 1/15 s - 1/8 s - 1/4 s - 1/2 s - 1 s - 2 s - 4 s - 8 s - 15 s - 30
	- e3 Flash cntrl for built-in flash	- TTL - Manual - Repeating flash - Commander mode
	- e4 Modeling flash	- On - Off
	- e5 Auto bracketing set	- AE & flash - AE only - Flash only - WB bracketing
	- e6 Auto bracketing (Mode M)	- Flash/speed - Flash/speed/aperture - Flash/aperture - Flash only
	- e7 Bracketing order	- MTR > under > over - Under > MTR > over
F- Controls	- f1 Multi selector center button	- Shooting mode - Select center focus point - Highlight active focus point - Not used - Playback mode - Thumbnail on/off - View histograms - Zoom on/off - Low magnification - Medium magnification - High magnification - Choose folder	These custom menu functions control all aspects of the external Controls system. See manual for greater detail.
	- f2 Multi selector	- Reset Meter-off delay - Do nothing
	- f3 Photo info/playback	- Info (left/right)/ Playback (up/down) - Info (up/down)/ Playback (left/right
	- f4 Assign FUNC. button	- FUNC. button press - Preview - FV lock - AE/AF lock - AE lock only - AE lock (Reset on release) - AE lock (Hold) - AF lock only - Flash off - Bracketing burst - Matrix metering - Center-weighted - Spot metering - None - Assign FUNC. button - 1 step spd/aperture - Choose non-CPU lens number - Dynamic AF area - None
	- f5 Assign preview button	- Preview button press - Preview - FV lock - AE/AF lock - AE lock only - AE lock (Reset on release) - AE lock (Hold) - AF lock only - Flash off - Bracketing burst - Matrix metering - Center-weighted - Spot metering - None - Preview + command dials - 1 step spd/aperture - Choose non-CPU lens number - Auto bracketing - Dynamic AF area - None
	- f6 Assign AE-L/AF-L button	- AE-L/AF-L button press - Preview - FV lock - AE/AF lock - AE lock only - AE lock (Reset on release) - AE lock (Hold) - AF lock only - AF-ON - Flash off - Bracketing burst - Matrix metering - Center-weighted - Spot metering - None - AE-L/AF-L + command dials - Choose non-CPU lens number - Auto bracketing - Dynamic AF area - None
	- f7 Customize command dials	- Reverse rotation - Yes - No - Change main/sub - On - Off - Aperture setting - Sub-command dial - Aperture ring - Menus and playback - On - Off
	- f8 Release button to use dial	- Yes - No
	- f9 No memory card?	- Lock Release Locked - OK Enable Release
	- f10 Reverse indicators	- + 0 - display - - 0 + display

Setup Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
Format Memory Card	- Yes - No		Formats camera memory card.
LCD Brightness	- -3/+3 adjustment		Adjusts LCD brightness darker or lighter 3 arbitrary units each way.
Clean Image Sensor	- Clean Now	- Cleaning activated	Cleans dust from the image sensor.
Clean Image Sensor	- Clean at startup/shutdown	- Clean at startup - Clean at shutdown - Clean at startup and shutdown	Cleans dust from the image sensor.
Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning	- Start OK		This locks the mirror up to allow manual cleaning of the imaging sensor.
Video Mode	- NTSC - PAL		Selects the video output mode for display on a TV
HDMI	- Auto - 480P (progressive) - 576P (progressive) - 720P (progressive) - 1080I(interlaced)		High Definition Multimedia Interface. Allows pictures to be played back on High Definition TVs and monitors with the appropriate cable (not supplied)
World Time	- Time zone - Date and time - Date format	- Graphical time zone selector - YMD and HMS - YMD, MDY, DMY - On - Off	Selects the time zone and date format that you want to use and sets the camera to use Daylight Savings time or not
	- Date and time	- YMD and HMS
	- Date format	- YMD,MDY,DMY
	- Daylight saving time	- On - Off
Language	- German - English - Spanish - Finnish - French - Italian - English - Dutch - Polish - Portuguese - Russian - Swedish - Traditional Chinese - Simplified Chinese - Japanese - Korean		Selects the language that the camera will use
Image Comment	- Done	- OK - Data entry screen - Set	Allows comments to be added to a picture.
	- Input comment	- Data entry screen
	- Attach comment	- Set
Auto Image Rotation	- On - Off		Decides if the camera will automatically orient your picture properly for viewing during playback
USB	- Mass Storage - MTP/PTP		Selects a connection option to a computer or a PictBridge printer
Dust Off Ref Photo	- Start - Clean sensor then start	- Take photo of bright featureless white object 10cm from lens. Focus will be set to infinity	Captures the reference data used to filter out dust electronically
Battery Info	- Batt. meter % - Pic. meter (nnn) - Calibration - Charging life		Gives very detailed information about battery condition, age and shots fired on this battery
Wireless Transmitter	- Mode - Transfer settings - Print - Device info - Device settings		Select various settings for use with a wireless network
Image Authentication	- On - Off		Allows you to turn image authentication on for photos about to be taken for detection by Nikons image authentication software
Save/Load Settings	- Save settings - Load settings		Allows you to Save specific settings to the memory card. These are described in the manual
GPS	- Auto Meter off	- Enable - Disable	When a GPS unit is connected to the camera it can record latitude, longitude, altitude, time and heading information. See manual for specific GPS units the camera has been tested with
GPS	- Position
Non-CPU Lens Data	- Done	- OK	Allows you specify data for lenses without CPU's to allow them to use some functions of CPU equipped lenses. Up to 9 lenses can be entered. See manual for full details
	- Lens Number	- 1 thru 9
	- Focal Length	- 6 thru 4000
	- Maximum aperture	- f1.2 thru f22
AF Fine Tune	- AF fine tune	- On - Off	Allows you to enter focus correction factors to fine tune focusing with lenses that you define via this menu. See manual for full details
	- Saved value	- -20 thru + 20 units
	- Default	- -20 thru + 20 units
	- List saved values	- previously saved values
Firmware Version	- A	-Version	Displays which firmware version the camera is using
Firmware Version	- B	-Version	Displays which firmware version the camera is using

Retouch Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
D-Lighting	- Picture selection	- Normal - High - Low	Adjusts the D-lighting to brighten shadows
Red-Eye Correction	- Picture selection		Allows you to remove Red-eye from your pictures. It saves the new picture and retains the old one
Trim	- Picture selection	- Trim screen	Allows you to crop a picture. It saves the new picture and retains the old one
Monochrome	- Black-and-white - Sepia - Cyanotype	- Selection screen	Allows you to copy pictures to black and white, sepia or cyanotype
Filter Effects	- Skylight - Warming	- Selection screen	Selects the time that an image is displayed on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
Color Balance	- Selection window	- Adjustment screen	Allows you to change the color balance via the adjustment window
Image Overlay	- Selection window	- Image overlay screen	Allows you to take 2 Raw images and combine them into a third picture
Side-By-Side Comparison	- Select a picture, press OK	- Comparison screen	This option does not appear on the menu screen until you select an image that has already been retouched. Once it is selected you press the Menu button and this option will be there. It lets you compare your retouched image with your original image.

(This screenshot shows some menu items already added.)

My Menu Options
Top-Level Selection	Second-Level	Third-Level	Notes
Add Items	- Playback menu	- Delete - Playback Folder - Hide Image - Display Mode - Image Review - After Delete - Rotate Tall - Slide Show - Print Set (DPOF)	This lets you add options to create a customized list of options.
	- Shooting menu	- Reset Shooting Menu - Active Folder - File Naming - Image Quality - Image Size - JPEG Compression - NEF (raw recording) - White Balance - Set Picture Control - Manage Picture Control - Color Space - Active D-Lighting - Long Exposure NR - High ISO NR - ISO Setting Sensitivity - Live View - Multiple Exposure - Interval Timer Shooting
	- Custom setting menu	- Reset Custom Settings - A Autofocus - B Metering/Exposure - C Timers/AE Lock - D Shooting/Display - E Bracketing/Flash - F Controls
	- Setup menu	- Format Memory Card - LCD Brightness - Clean Image Sensor - Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning - Video Mode - HDMI - World Time - Language - Image Compression - Auto Image Rotate - USB - Dust Off Ref Photo - Battery Info - Wireless Transmitter - Image Authorization - Save/Load Settings - GPS - Non-CPU Lens Data - AF Fine Tune - Firmware Version
	- Retouch menu	- D-Lighting - Red-Eye Correction - Trim - Monochrome - Filter Effects - Color Balance - Image Overlay
Remove Items	- Select Item - Done	Select the item(s) you wish to delete, then select Done to delete.	This lets you remove options to create a customized list of options.
Rank Items	- Menu of items - Move - OK	Select item and move it using Up or Down on the multi-selector.	This lets you rank options to create a customized list of options.