The Nikon D1

Becca Haynes
University of Georgia, Athens

23 September 2002

Under construction

Discover Life | Education | Training Guides | The Nikon D1
Overview

This page will help you to take optimal photographs of specimens with the Nikon D1. It will also be a guide to navigating through the Nikon D1 User's Manual.

Index
Basic Steps

  1. Insert the Memory Card (see page 12 of the User's Manual)
  2. Set Shutter Speed
  3. Set Flash
  4. Focus
  5. Take photograph
  6. View the Photograph in the Monitor (see page 23 of the User's Manual)
    To delete photographs from the camera see page 81 of the User's Manual.
  7. Import Images from the Memory Card
  8. Reformat

Index
Camera Settings

Before taking photographs, you will need to check certain settings on the camera to take opitmal photographs:

  • White Balance:
    To set white balance, turn the main command dial while holding down the WB button.
    See page 31 of the User's Manual to for further instruction and help.
  • Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency):
    You may have to set the Sensitivity or ISO when taking photographs in low light conditions.
    We tend to keep the ISO set at the default setting of 200.
    You can confirm the current setting by simply pressing the ISO button.
    See page 30 of the User's Manual for further assistance.
  • Manual Focus:
    When photographing specimens, we almost always use the manual focus.
    To use manual focus, set the focus mode selector to M.
    Adjust focus using the lens focusing ring until the image displayed in the viewfinder is in focus.
    Also, remember to focus somewhat far into the specimen to get a greater depth of field.
    For further assistance, please see page 40 of the User's Manual.
  • Self-Timer:
    We run into problems when photographing specimens when the camera shakes as someone takes the photgraph.
    To cut down on the shaking, we use the self-timer mode, so the photographer is certain not to shake or bump the camera.
    To see a diagram of how to set the self-timer, please see page 62 of the User's Manual.
  • Shutter Speed:
    When taking photographs, we prefer to use the manual exposure mode (page 47 of the User's Manual), so we can adjust both aperture and shutter speed.
    I rarely adjust the aperture, but I do adjust the shutter speed depending on what type of specimen I am photographing.
    When taking photographs of butterflies, for instance, I set the shutter speed (and flash) to:

    500 and flash to 1/4 for darker butterflies

    80 and flash to 1/16 for lighter butterflies.

    When taking photographs of bees, I set the shutter speed (and flash) to:

    500 and flash to 1/4 for almost all types of bees.

    Of course, you should always use the setting that best fits your specimen. There is always room for improvement.

Index
Using the Flash

We use a Nikon macro speedlight flash with our camera. I use only the most basic functions of the flash.

  • To turn the flash on (it will not come on when the camera turns on), simply turn the switch on the back to the M position.
    I never use TTL.
  • You will see two more switches on the back front part of the flash.
    I always leave the switch on the left in the middle position.
  • The switch on the right is the one you will use frequently.
    I only set it to mFULL when I want the specimen to be very bright.
    I use m1/4 the most because it is darker, but not too dark (good for accurate photgraphs of most specimens).
    I only use m1/16 when I want very little light because the specimen is so light in color (a white butterfly for instance).
  • The flash runs off of four AA batteries.
    Taking photographs uses batteries very quickly, so always have some on hand and turn the flash off when you are not using it.

Index
Importing the Images

Once you are done taking photographs, or the memory card is full (you can keep track of how many pictures have been taken and when it is full in the top window), you will need to get the images from your camera to the computer.

  • First, you must remove the memory card from the back of the camera.
    To see a diagram of this, consult page 13 of the User's Manual.
  • Then you must insert the memory card into the memory card reader,
    which should be hooked up to the computer you plan to use.
  • Once the card is inserted, a NikonD1 icon will appear on the desktop.
    Double-click on this and navigate your way into the 100_NC file, which contains your images.
  • Next, go to your Apple menu where you will find NiftyTelnet.
    A window should appear, if it does not, go to FILE and select NEW and you will see it. In the window, click on Scp...S.
  • In the next window, drag your 100_NC file into the section labeled source files, select binary mode, and type your destination path (the location where you want the images to go). For instance, when photographing butterflies, I would type: /home/web/dl/butter.
    When photographing bees, I would type: /home/web/dl/bees.
    Then, click START COPY!
  • Before it starts to copy your images, it will prompt you for login id and password, which you will be told before photographing.
    Once the correct login/password is entered it should start copying.
    You should always check before deleting the images to see if they have arrived at their destination.
    For instance, I would type: cd butter in my shelltool to see if my butterfly pictures are there and so on.
  • Once you know the photographs transferred properly, you should drag your 100_NC file into the trash and then drag the NikonD1 icon into the trash.
    It will then prompt you to remove the card (do not click OK, simply take the memory card and the window will close). Now you can modify your images!

Index
Reformatting

Especially if the memory card is used a great deal, you will encounter a time when you will need to reformat. This happens frequently if the computer crashes while the memory card is in the memory card reader, or sometimes just because. You will know if it needs to be reformatted by checking in the window to see how many pictures remain. If it says zero when you know for a fact that you just imported all of them or if it says you can take less than 30 pictures, you should reformat. There are two ways you can reformat the memory card:

  • The quickest way to reformat is by holding the red FORMAT buttons (there are two) down simultaneously for two seconds.
    A blinking FOR will appear in the top control panel window.
    Press the two buttons again to complete formatting the card.
    To see a diagram of this consult page 13 of the User's Manual.
  • Another way, if you prefer, is to access the setup menu and select CARDFORMAT.
    Do this by first turning the dial on the top left corner of the camera (press button to turn dial) to the PLAY position.
    At this point the monitor will turn on. To access the setup menu you must use the control panel under the monitor (use the yellow guide on the panel).
    Press the MENU button (or L). Navigate through the options using your arrow controls on the right.
    Choose SETUP and press ENTER (or CSM). Then, choose CARDFORMAT. Follow the instructions on the screen.
    For further help please see page 92 of the User's Manual.

Discover Life | Education | Training Guides | The Nikon D1

Last updated: 3 October 2002