Nikon D2Hs DSLR First Look Review Page 2

Nikon D2Hs AF System

Nikon D2Hs vs Nikon D2H and D2X, Major Features,
AF System and Image Processing
Controls and new WiFi Support , Specifications and Press Release

Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus (AF) Sensor Module: The Nikon D2H s offers an advanced high-speed, high-precision 11-area AF system with 9 cross-type AF sensors allowing coverage over a wider area, whether shooting horizontal or vertical.

First introduced with the Nikon D2H, this sensor module brings out-of-focus elements into focus more quickly and accurately than any previous module.

Nikon D2Hs 11 AF points superimposed through the viewfinder system

The Nikon D2Hs incorporates five AF Area Modes:

Single Area AF
Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on™
Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF
Group Dynamic AF
Group dynamic-AF with Center area priority (New)

Group dynamic-AF with Center area priority: The D2Hs focuses on subject in center focus area of selected group. Because the camera does not have to select the focus area, less time is required for focus operation. If the subject moves out of the center focus area, the camera will focus based on information from other focus areas in the same group.

In Group Dynamic AF Mode, 3 to 5 of the 11 focus areas are selected and Dynamic AF with Closest Subject Priority is limited to those areas. There are two sets of focus area patterns available, which can be selected in the custom settings menu.

Nikon D2Hs Focus Areas

Taking the Nikon D2HS's autofocus system one step further is its capability for 'extreme focus detection.' A typical camera can detect focus in a scene up to a certain 'defocus' limit, beyond which the camera enters a scanning mode. During this mode, the camera's autofocus system scans through the entire focusing range of the lens before detecting a focus point. This process can waste precious time, especially when photographing high-speed action. The Nikon D2HS's autofocus system can detect focus in scenes with about twice the defocus limit of other cameras, ensuring more accurate and consistent operation.

Recording Options

JPEG and RAW (NEF) Combination Filing System: The Nikon D2Hs enables simultaneous recording of RAW (NEF) and JPEG data for the same shot to the camera's CompactFlash™ media to optimize and accelerate workflow operations. Images that are needed immediately can be downloaded in JPEG format, while high-quality images needed for printing can be converted from NEF at a later time.

NEF + JPEG Fine	Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW) image and one fine-quality JPEG image.
NEF + JPEG Normal	Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW) image and one normal-quality JPEG image.
NEF + JPEG Basic	Two images are recorded, one NEF (RAW) image and one basic-quality JPEG image.
NEF (Raw)	Raw 12-bit data from the image sensor are saved directly to the memory card in Nikon Electronic Image Format (NEF).
TIFF (RGB)	Record uncompressed TIFF-RGB images at a bit depth of 8 bits per channel (24-bit color). Time needed to record images increases.
JPEG Fine	Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 4.
JPEG Normal	Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 8.
JPEG Basic	Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 16.

The Nikon D2HS's recording and reading speed is the same as that for the D2H. FAT32 is supported, so Compact Flash memory cards over 2GB can be used. Nikon recommends that the initialization be done on the camera and not on personal computers using the Windows XP OS.

Lexar Media's WA (write acceleration) technology is also supported, so even faster recording and reading is possible with these specific memory cards.

For storing compressed images, a 8-bit JPEG standard format is used. (Compression of approximately 1/4, 1/8 or 1/16 can be selected.) For uncompressed images, images can be saved and read in 8-bit RGB-TIFF or in the NEF file format (12-bit raw data: raw output data from the CCD), Nikon's proprietary image format.

The NEF (raw file) is virtually as good as having an original negative and can be post processed after shooting using Nikon Capture 4. This enables image processing that offers higher image quality than that offered by JPEG and TIFF formats.

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Innovative Image Processing

Improved Processing Algorithm: The Nikon D2Hs advanced image-processing engine features 3D Matrix Metering II Image Control and innovative technologies to deliver subtle color gradations, reduce false colors, and minimize the appearance of jaggies on diagonal lines and around color edges.

Color Reproduction System: The Nikon D2Hs offers a choice of three color modes to best match different subjects, assignment and conditions:

Mode I: Optimized for portraits and natural skin tones (sRGB)

Mode II: Optimized to realize a wide color gamut (Adobe RGB)

Mode III: Optimized for landscapes and flora colors (sRGB)

Precise, easy-to-use Auto White Balance / Auto Tone Control System: The D2Hs features an intelligent white balance system that accurately measures and calculates color temperature and white balance settings for complex conditions..

It achieves this by employing Triple Sensor metering, and determines values from three different sources: a "third eye" incident meter (Ambience Light Sensor) located on the prism of the camera measures environmental light, Nikon's exclusive 1,005 pixel RGB color meter sensor continuously measures reflected light from the viewed image, and the DX image sensor measures color temperature in real-time during the actual exposure. Advanced algorithms process the perfect white balance setting for any given scene, using analysis of values from each of the three sources.

Nikon's acclaimed 1,005-pixel RGB Exposure/Color Matrix Metering Sensor performs direct through-the-lens (TTL) metering of the subject.

The LBCAST imaging sensor calculates the lighting characteristics of the actual image to be shot.

The new external Ambience Light Sensor meters ambient light without being affected by the color of the subject, and distinguishes artificial light from natural light.

An ideal white balance is even possible in situations where white cannot be detected because, for example, only greens or reds are coming through the lens. In such instances, data regarding the available light is collected from the Ambience Light Sensor. The system also features new easy-to-use preset WB controls.

WB Option	Approximate color temperature	Description
Auto	3,500–8,000 K	White balance adjusted automatically using color temperature measured by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, main image sensor, and ambient light sensor. For best results, use type G or D lens. With SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlight, white balance reflects conditions in effect when Speedlight fires.
Incandescent	3,000 K^*	Use under incandescent lighting.
Fluorescent	4,200 K^*	Use under fluorescent lighting.
Direct sunlight	5,200 K^*	Use with subjects lit by direct sunlight.
Flash	5,400 K^*	Use with Nikon Speedlights.
Cloudy	6,000 K^*	Use in daylight under overcast skies.
Shade	8,000 K^*	Use in daylight with subjects in the shade.
Choose color temp.	2,500–10,000 K	Choose color temperature from list of values
White bal. preset	—	Use subject, light source, or existing photograph as reference for white balance

There are nine possible settings for WB: Auto (approximately 3,500 - 8,000K), Incandescent, Fluorescent light, Sunlight, Speedlight, Cloudy, Shade, Preset (five settings can be saved) and Color Temperature. The white balance can be adjusted up or down three levels except in the preset and color temperature modes.

There are four methods for setting preset white balance:

Recording New Values with the Camera

(1) Frame a neutral gray or white object in the viewfinder and press the shutter-release button. This method produces extremely accurate values for white balance and is recommended when using a flash.

(2) Measure white balance using the ambient light sensor. This method is recommended for sports photography and on other occasions when there is little time available to measure white balance, or when photographing a neutral-colored subject using a telephoto lens or under other difficult conditions. The subject must be under the same lighting as the camera.
Copying Values from Existing Photographs

(3) Copy white balance from another image on the memory card.

(4) Copy white balance from Nikon Capture 4 version 4.2.1 or later (available separately).

There are 31 possible color temperature settings: 2,500, 2,550, 2,650, 2,700, 2,800, 2,850, 2,950, 3,000, 3,100, 3,200, 3,300, 3,400, 3,600, 3,700, 3,800, 4,000, 4,200, 4,300, 4,500, 4,800, 5,000, 5,300, 5,600, 5,900, 6,300, 6,700, 7,100, 7,700, 8,300, 9,100 and 10,000 (all figures K). The spacing grows numerically larger to maintain fairly even spacing that is based on MIRED units.

Note: MIRED unit expresses the reciprocal number of the color temperature multiplied by 1,000,000. Even with the same difference in color temperatures, the change in the color increases as the color temperature decreases and conversely decreases as the color temperature increases. For example, suppose there is a difference of 100K. At around, 6,000K there is little change, but the light's color changes greatly at around 3,000K. MIRED is a measure that expresses this change evenly. It is also used as the unit for color temperature correction filters.

With the Nikon D2Hs, White Balance bracketing is also possible. 2 to 9 frames can be selected and bracketing is adjustable in 10, 20, 30 MIRED steps.

Nikon D2Hs vs Nikon D2H and D2X, Major Features,
AF System and Image Processing
Controls and new WiFi Support , Specifications and Press Release