Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon D90
- The first DSLR with high definition movie capability demands new skills and techniques, and this is the only guide that can help the advanced amateur master them
- Written by best-selling author and Nikon technical expert Simon Stafford
The Nikon D90 Companion
The Nikon D90 camera has exploded on the digital photography market, with a myriad of new features, including the industry-first HD video capability. The Nikon D90 Companion is intended to serve as a full-on photography class, one that covers everything including technical matters and exposure theory, composition theory, and how to find images and expand your visual sense. However, unlike a regular photography class, this book is built specifically around the D90, which means every concept is written about in terms of the D90's controls and features. By the time you're done with this book, you'll not only know how all the D90's controls function, but you'll also know how to recognize a good photo and how to use the D90's controls to represent that subject as a compelling image. In other words, you'll be a better photographer, whether you're shooting simple snapshots or aiming for something more.
Shooting Panoramas
By Ben Long
No matter how wide your lens might go, there will still be times when you face a vista that just can’t be captured in one frame. Now you can take a series of frames with your Nikon D90 images, and, rather than layering them together as a collage, you can digitally merge them into a single seamless image.
Shooting this type of panoramic image requires a combination of shooting technique and special software. You must shoot your images in a particular way to ensure that they contain the information you need to construct a good panorama and then use special stitching software to create the seamless merge. (Your Nikon Software Suite Disk includes a panoramic stitching program called PhotoStitch, and Photohsop and Photoshop Elements have good stitching tools.)
Choosing a Focal Length for Panoramas
Making a successful panoramic shot begins by shooting usable images. First, you must choose a focal length. If you choose a shorter (wider-angle) focal length, then you won’t need as many shots to cover the width of your panorama. However, a shorter focal length will have a deep depth, which will render many objects in your scene very small. Also, a super-wide angle might confuse some stitching programs. This panorama was shot with a shorter, wider-angle focal length. Although a wider angle lets you cover a wider area with fewer shots, it means the distant objects will be smaller.
If you choose a longer focal length, distant objects will appear larger, but you’ll have to shoot more frames, which will increase your chances of making an error and ending up with unusable source material. This panorama was shot with a longer, more telephoto focal length. It took more images to cover the scene, but objects in the foreground and background are larger and more prominent. Consequently, your best option is to aim somewhere in the middle and choose a moderate focal length that reveals the details you want to see but is still wide enough that you don’t have to shoot a lot of frames to cover your scene. Once you’ve selected a focal length, it’s time to think about exposure.
Setting Panoramic Exposure
From a panoramic photography standpoint, one of the things that's really annoying about the world is that it’s not lit perfectly evenly. This problem is much more pronounced when shooting a panorama than when shooting a single frame. If you look at most any panoramic scene in the real world, you’ll probably find that one end is brighter than the other. The reason this is a drag for panoramic shooting is that the area that’s brighter will expose differently than the area that’s darker, and when you try to stitch your images together, you could very well end up with weird color bands in the sky. This panorama was not evenly exposed.
Shooting Panoramas
By Ben Long
No matter how wide your lens might go, there will still be times when you face a vista that just can’t be captured in one frame. Now you can take a series of frames with your Nikon D90 images, and, rather than layering them together as a collage, you can digitally merge them into a single seamless image.
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Shooting this type of panoramic image requires a combination of shooting technique and special software. You must shoot your images in a particular way to ensure that they contain the information you need to construct a good panorama and then use special stitching software to create the seamless merge. (Your Nikon Software Suite Disk includes a panoramic stitching program called PhotoStitch, and Photohsop and Photoshop Elements have good stitching tools.)
Choosing a Focal Length for Panoramas
Making a successful panoramic shot begins by shooting usable images. First, you must choose a focal length. If you choose a shorter (wider-angle) focal length, then you won’t need as many shots to cover the width of your panorama. However, a shorter focal length will have a deep depth, which will render many objects in your scene very small. Also, a super-wide angle might confuse some stitching programs. This panorama was shot with a shorter, wider-angle focal length. Although a wider angle lets you cover a wider area with fewer shots, it means the distant objects will be smaller.
 |  |
If you choose a longer focal length, distant objects will appear larger, but you’ll have to shoot more frames, which will increase your chances of making an error and ending up with unusable source material. This panorama was shot with a longer, more telephoto focal length. It took more images to cover the scene, but objects in the foreground and background are larger and more prominent. Consequently, your best option is to aim somewhere in the middle and choose a moderate focal length that reveals the details you want to see but is still wide enough that you don’t have to shoot a lot of frames to cover your scene. Once you’ve selected a focal length, it’s time to think about exposure.
Setting Panoramic Exposure
From a panoramic photography standpoint, one of the things that's really annoying about the world is that it’s not lit perfectly evenly. This problem is much more pronounced when shooting a panorama than when shooting a single frame. If you look at most any panoramic scene in the real world, you’ll probably find that one end is brighter than the other. The reason this is a drag for panoramic shooting is that the area that’s brighter will expose differently than the area that’s darker, and when you try to stitch your images together, you could very well end up with weird color bands in the sky. This panorama was not evenly exposed.
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The vertical bands in the middle of the image are the result of the stitching program trying to reconcile the different exposures. To compensate for this, you’ll want to use the same exposure for all your shots. On the D90, this is easy to achieve, thanks to the auto exposure lock located on the back of the camera.
Try this: Point your camera in a predominantly bright direction, and half-press the shutter to take a meter reading. Note the shutter speed and aperture that are chosen. While holding the shutter button down, point the camera in a darker direction. You should see the exposure settings change. The camera has chosen different exposure settings, which makes sense since you’re looking into an area that’s darker. Now return to your initial bright scene—the camera will re-meter. Press the AE-L button. An AE-L icon should appear in the viewfinder status display to indicate that your exposure is now locked.
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Now, no matter where you point the camera, that locked exposure will be used. (Obviously, the locked settings may not be ideal for your re-framed shot, but the camera is doing what you asked—holding the exposure settings where you locked them, no matter what you’re pointed at.) Thanks to exposure lock, it’s possible to shoot a whole panorama of images, all with the same exposure. If you let go of the AE-L button, the camera will re-meter for your current framing.
Product Description
Through easy-to-follow lessons, this handy book offers a complete class on digital photography, tailored specifically for people who use the Nikon D90. This is not your typical camera guide: rather than just show you what all the buttons do, it teaches you how to use the D90's features to make great photographs-including professional-looking images of people, landscapes, action shots, close-ups, night shots, HD video, and more. With Ben Long's creative tips and technical advice, you have the perfect, camera-bag-friendly reference that will help you capture stunning pictures anywhere, anytime. The Nikon D90 Companion will show you how to:
- Take creative control and go beyond automatic settings
- Learn the basic rules of composition
- Capture decisive moments, including fast-moving objects
- Discover ways to use a flash indoors and outdoors
- Learn about different lenses, and the best time to use them
- Understand the options for shooting RAW, and whether it's right for you
- Use the D90's ability to shoot high definition video
About the Author
Ben Long is a freelance writer, photographer, and videographer based in San Francisco. A long-time computer journalist, he has written hundreds of features, reviews, and how-to's for magazines such as Macworld, MacWeek, Macworld UK, MacUser, Computer Graphics World, Maximum PC, and eMediaWeekly. He is currently a Senior Editor for CreativePro.com, where he writes a regular digital photography column. His most recent books include Apple's Pro Training guide for Aperture, Real World Aperture, Getting Started with Camera Raw, and Complete Digital Photography, 3rd Edition.As a photographer and videographer, his clients have included Blue Note Records, 20th Century Fox, the Pickle Circus, Global Business Network, Head Start, the Oklahoma Arts Institute, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Nikon D90 For Dummies
Your Nikon D90 digital camera offers professional-quality features like 11-point autofocus, Live View, and the ability to shoot HD video. Take full advantage of every feature with Nikon D90 For Dummies! This fun and easy guide helps you understand and use all the dials and modes, manage photo size and quality, take creative control with manual settings, and share your images in print or online.
With this full-color book, getting great shots is a snap. You’ll learn to:
- Format memory cards, use Live View, create custom settings, and change lenses
- Use thumbnail and calendar displays and picture data, and get tips for inspecting your photos
- Control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; work with active D-lighting; and use various flash modes
- Take control of lighting, exposure, and color
- Set up, shoot, and review photos using the viewscreen
- Record HD video, including sound, and know what your D90 can and can’t do
- Download, organize, and archive your images, share them in prints, e-mails, or slide shows, and use Nikon’s photo management software
- Decide when you should use JPEG and when to use NEF
- Adjust resolution for optimum print quality or file size
Use every feature of your D90, get creative, and snap great shots!
Your Nikon D90 offers professional-quality features to helpyou take your photography to the next level. Take full advantageof every one with this fun and easy guide! Understand and use all the dials and modes, manage photo size and quality, take creative control with manual settings, and share your images in print or online.
- Nuts and bolts — set up your camera, work with lenses and memory cards, and use automatic photography modes
- Go live — get the scoop on using Live View mode and recording and playing HD movies
- Gain new shooting skills — find out how to use advanced options to capture any subject like a pro
- Exposure is everything — control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; work with Active D-Lighting; and use various flash modes
- Out of the camera — download, organize, and archive your images and share them in prints, e-mails, and slide shows
- Tips for taking perfect portraits, dynamic action shots, and beautiful nature pics
- Techniques for manipulating color and focus
- Detailed coverage of every menu option
- Advice on which Custom Settings to use (and which ones to avoid)
- How to choose the right Image Quality setting
- Help with using Retouch menu options to fix problem photos
- Easy-to-understand explanations of technical lingo
Mastering the Nikon D90
The Nikon D90 is the long-awaited upgrade to the popular D80 digital SLR. The D90 sits between the D60 and D300 in Nikon's DSLR lineup, though many of its features come from its more expensive sibling.
In this book, Darrell Young provides a wealth of information and professional insights for owners of this powerful new camera. Each chapter explores the features and capabilities of the D90 in detail, surpassing basic user manuals by providing step-by-step menu setting adjustments coupled with illustrations and logical explanations for each option. Darrell Young's writing style allows the reader to follow directions in a friendly and informative manner, as if a friend dropped in to share his experienced knowledge without "talking down" to you, explaining the how and the why.
Darrell gives special emphasis to the amazing HD movie capabilities of the D90, which create new possibilities for the creative photographer.
Mastering the Nikon D90 is the fourth volume in the highly successful series of Nikonians Press camera books.
Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell) is an information technology engineer by trade. He's been an avid photographer since 1968 when his mother gave him a Brownie Hawkeye camera.
Darrell has used Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses since 1980. He has an incurable case of Nikon Acquisition Syndrom (NAS) and delights in working with Nikon's newest digital cameras.
Living near Great Smoky Mountains National Park has given him a real concern for, and interest in, nature photography.
He loves to write, as you can see in the Resources area of the Nikonians.org community. He joined the community in 2000 and his literary contributions led to an invitation to become a Founding Member of the Nikonians Writers Guild.
Nikon D90: Focal Digital Camera Guides
Just bought a Nikon D90 and looking to combine practical know-how with inspiration? This one-stop, easy-to-read guide covers all the basic functions of the camera, and everything beyond.
Inside, you'll find detailed explanations of every control and every feature, including full-color illustrations showing how changing each setting will affect your photos. But this book's greatest strength isn't its focus on the camera; it's the detailed, easy-to-follow instruction it offers on using your camera to take superior photographs. The lens, the subject matter, the light - all these variables are covered in depth, and always in the context of the Nikon D90.
Written by a widely acclaimed photographer and photography instructor, the Nikon D90 Digital Camera Guide shows you how to get the shots you can see in your head but have never been able to capture with a camera.
*Get up and running in five minutes with the quick start guide
*Profit from dozens of tips and tricks
*Master all of your camera's many features and controls
*See first-hand how different settings affect your photos
*Refine and manage your photos using the Nikon photo software
*Be inspired by hundreds of gorgeous, full color photographs, and learn how to get the same effects in your own shots
**Get you FREE Nikon D90 Pocket Guide with purchase! Visit www.focalpress.com/camerapocketguides for more info**
*Reveals the creative potential of your camera with clear, practical guidance, great tips, and advice from an experienced photographer
*Highly visual approach with camera screenshots, highlighted tip boxes, and inspiring photos throughout
*Includes valuable advice on general digital photography techniques as well as camera-specific information
Corey Hilz is a professional photographer specializing in nature and travel photography. His work is seen in magazines, books, calendars and catalogues, as well as in art galleries. Corey finds the diversity in nature offers boundless opportunities for new images. He approaches his subjects with an artistic eye, looking for a fresh perspective. Corey shares his approach to photography in workshops he teaches in the United States and abroad. Corey has a passion for helping others improve their photography by sharing his knowledge through group and private instruction.
Nikon D90 compared to the Nikon D80, Canon EOS 450D, Pentax K20D
Nikon D90 advantages
- 11-point AF (1 cross-type) with 3D tracking
- 12 white balance presets (plus five slots for manual presets)
- Video (1080 x 720, 24fps)
- 4.5 fps continuous shooting rate
- High resolution 920,000 dot 3.0" LCD
 Nikon D90 |  Nikon D80 |  Canon EOS 450D |  Pentax K20D | |
Price (Body only) (With kit lens) | $999/£639 $1235/£799 | $652/£389 $785/£549 | $579/£408 $655/£457 | $965/£620 $995/£630 |
| Construction | • Plastic • Aluminum alloy | • Plastic • Aluminum alloy | • Plastic • Metal sub-structure | • Plastic • Metal sub-structure |
| Control dials | Two | Two | One | Two |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CCD | CMOS | CMOS |
| Dust removal | • Image Sensor Cleaning • Image Dust Off | • Image Dust Off | • Low-pass filter vibration • Anti-static coating • Dust delete data | • SP coating • Dust removal using SR unit • Dust alert mode |
| Effective pixels | 12.3 million | 10.2 million | 12.2 million | 14.6 million |
| Pixel Density | 3.3 MP/cm² | 2.7 MP/cm² | 3.7 MP/cm² | 4.0 MP/cm² |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| FOV crop | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.6x | 1.5x |
| Environmental sealing | • No | • No | • No | • Yes |
| Image stabilization | • Kit lens | • No | • Kit lens | • Sensor shift |
| Live View | • Yes • Contrast AF only • Face priority | • No | • Yes • Contrast or Phase AF | • Yes • Phase AF only |
| File formats | • JPEG • RAW (NEF) | • JPEG • RAW (NEF) | • JPEG • RAW (CR2) | • JPEG • RAW (PEF) • RAW (DNG) |
| Video | Yes 720p, 24fps | No | No | No |
| Auto focus | • 11 point • 1 cross-type • -1 to 18 EV | • 11 point • 1 cross-type • -1 to 18 EV | • 9 point • 1 cross-type • -0.5 to 18 EV | • 11 point • 9 cross-type • -1 to 18 EV |
| Metering sensor | 480 zone | 480 zone | 35 zone | 16 zone sensor |
| Metering modes | • 3D Color Matrix • Center-Weighted (6,8 or 10 mm diameter area) • Spot Metering | • 3D Color Matrix • Center-Weighted (6,8 or 10 mm diameter area) • Spot Metering | • Evaluative • Partial • Spot • Centre-weighted average | • Multi-segment • Center-weighted average • Spot |
| Exp. comp. | +/- 5.0 EV | +/- 5.0 EV | +/- 2.0 EV | +/- 3.0 EV |
| Continuous rate (high) | • 4.5 fps • 100 JPEG • 11 RAW | • 3 fps • 23 JPEG • 6 RAW | • 3.5 fps • 53 JPEG/Fine • 6 RAW | • 3 fps • 38 JPEG Hi • 14 RAW • 16 DNG |
| White balance | • Auto • 12 presets (with adj) • 5 manual presets • Kelvin temperature | • Auto • 8 presets (with adj) • Manual preset • Kelvin temperature | • Auto • 6 presets (with adj) • Manual preset • Kelvin temperature | • Auto • 6 presets (with adj) • Manual preset • Kelvin temperature |
| Image parameters | • 7 presets • 9 User defined • Quick Adjust • Sharpening • Contrast • Brightnesss • Saturation • Hue • B&W filter • B&W tone | • 7 presets • Sharpening • Tone • Color mode • Saturation • Hue • B&W filter • B&W tone | • 6 presets • 3 User defined • Sharpness • Contrast • Saturation • Color tone • B&W filter • B&W tone | • 6 presets • Saturation • Hue • Contrast • Sharpness |
| Noise reduction control | 4 levels | 4 levels | On/Off | 4 Levels |
| DR extension mode | D-Lighting | D-Lighting | Highlight Tone Priority | DRng |
| External flash | • Hot-shoe • Wireless flash | • Hot-shoe • Wireless flash | • Hot-shoe • Wireless flash via optional controller | • Hot-shoe • Wireless flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/200 sec | 1/200 sec | 1/200 sec | 1/180 sec |
| Viewfinder | • Pentaprism • 96% coverage • 0.94 x magnification | • Pentaprism • 95% coverage • 0.94 x magnification | • Pentamirror • 95% coverage • 0.87x magnification | • Pentaprism • 95% coverage • 0.95x magnification |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0" TFT LCD • 920,000 dots | • 2.5" TFT LCD • 230,000 dots | • 3.0" TFT LCD • 230,000 dots | • 2.7 " TFT LCD • 230,000 dots |
| Top panel LCD | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Vertical grip | Yes, MB-D80 | Yes, MB-D80 | Yes, BG-E5 | Yes,D-BG2 |
| Dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) | 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) | 129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in) | 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.6 x 4.0 x 2.8 in) |
| Weight (inc batt) | 703 g (24.8 oz) | 668 g (23.6 oz) | 524 g (18.5 oz) | 800 g (28.2 oz) |
Nikon D90 compared to the Nikon D80
As you can see from the table below the D90 carries some quite significant improvements compared to the D80.
 Nikon D80 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 12.3 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS (DX format) | • 10.2 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD (DX format) |
| Image sizes | • 4,288 x 2,848 (12 MP) • 3,216 x 2,136 • 2,144 x 1,424 | • 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP) • 2896 x 1944 • 1936 x 1296 |
| Sensor cleaning | • Image Sensor Cleaning • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required) | • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX software required) |
| Autofocus | • 11 area TTL • Nikon Multi-CAM1000 | • 11 area TTL • Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 |
| Lens servo | • Single-servo AF (AF-S) • Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) • Automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A) • 3D Tracking AF (11 points) • Manual focus (M) | • Single-servo AF (AF-S) • Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) • Automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A) • Manual focus (M) |
| Sensitivity | • ISO 200 - 3200 • ISO 100-6400 with boost | • ISO 100 - 1600 • Up to ISO 3200 with boost |
| Built-in flash | Guide number 17 (ISO 200) | Guide number 13 (ISO 100) |
| Active D-lighting | Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off | No |
| Continuous | • 4.5 fps • 23 / 6 frames (JPEG / RAW) | • 3 fps • 23 / 6 frames (JPEG / RAW) |
| White balance | • Auto • 6 presets • Kelvin color temperature • Manual preset (immediate or from photo) | • Auto • 6 presets • Kelvin color temperature • Manual preset (immediate or from photo) |
| Image presets | • Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome • Landscape • Portrait • Storage for up to nine custom Picture Controls | • Normal • Softer • Vivid • More Vivid • Portrait • B&W |
| Viewfinder Frame coverage | • Approx. 96% | • Approx. 95% |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0" TFT LCD • 920,000 pixel TFT (RGB x 3 colors) • 170 degree viewing angle • Removable protective cover | • 2.5" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel TFT • 170 degree viewing angle • Removable protective cover |
| Dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) | 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) |
| Weight | • No battery: 620 g (1.4 lb) • With battery: 703 g (1.6 lb) | • No battery: 585 g (1.3 lb) • With battery: 668 g (1.5 lb) |
| Image processing engine | • Expeed • 12 bit | • New for D80 • Based on D200 / D2X • 12-bit algorithms, 2-channel |
| In-camera retouching | • D-Lighting • Red-eye reduction • Trimming • Monochrome & filter effects • Color balance • Small picture • Image overlay • NEF (RAW) processing • Quick retouch • Straighten • Distortion control • fisheye | • D-Lighting • Red-eye reduction • Trimming • Overlay • Monochrome and Filter • Small picture • Image overlay |
| Movie mode | Yes | No |
| Live View | Yes | No |
| Others | • Scene Recognition System • Face Detection • Calendar Display • New information display on main LCD • Vignetting control in-camera | |
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