Nikon
D50 First Look - Page 3
AF System and Custom Settings
Fast, precise 5-area AF system
The Nikon D50 features a fast 5-area autofocus system that
inherits Nikon's proven cross-type center sensor, broad frame
coverage, and class-leading low light detection found only
in the award-winning Nikon D70 camera (D70s), and delivers
even greater AF precision with fast, more consistent subject
acquisition and improved focus tracking.
The new
system in the Nikon D50 adopts AF-A mode for smooth automated
operation that switches between AF-S (single-servo autofocus)
and AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) depending on the movement
of the subject in the framed shot.
An AF-assist
illuminator is also included, which helps maximize performance
when shooting in low lighting conditions. Low light performance
is excellent (the Nikon D50's focus detection range covers
-1 EV to 19 EV)
Focus
Area Selection
The handy multi selector on the back of the Nikon
D50 makes it easy to select a specific focus area, and the
selected area can be confirmed on the top control panel as
well as the focus indicator in the viewfinder display. (Active
AF area is highlighted in the viewfinder).
For some
reason Nikon has choosen to remove the multi-selector "lock"
feature found on the Nikon D70. A useful feature which prevents
the possibility of accidental movement of the multi-selector.
|
|
|
|
|
Multi
Selector on back of camera
|
|
Nikon
D50 viewfinder display
|
When shooting
moving subjects with the Nikon D50, predictive focus tracking
and Lock-on™ help you achieve accurate focus by shifting
instantly and automatically from your selected focus area
to the one into which the subject has moved.
The AF area
modes on the Nikon D50 include; 1) Single Area AF, 2) Dynamic
Area AF, 3) Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF.
According
to Nikon, the D50 offers improvements in AF tracking technology
compared to the Nikon D70, with advances in both Dynamic Area
AF and in Closest Subject Priority Mode. (See today's Nikon
D70
Firmware Update notice.)
|
|
|
Built-in pop-up Speedlight with i-TTL flash control
The
built-in Speedlight automatically pops up and fires when the
natural light is inadequate or to add Balanced Fill-Flash
when there is strong backlighting.
A big bonus
of the D50's built-in flash is that it adopts Nikon's exclusive
i-TTL flash control of the Creative Lighting System. i-TTL
improves the accuracy of the monitor pre-flash used by the
system's 420-pixel RGB sensor to evaluate flash exposure and
perform an automatic balanced flash.
The
Nikon D50 lets you shoot at synchronized speeds up to 1/500
second for great fill effects under brighter light conditions.
Another feature FV Lock, maintains the measured flash value,
so while recomposing the shot you still achieve the appropriate
flash output for the subject. The Nikon D50 offers flash exposure
compensation as well, which allows you to increase or reduce
flash output for yet finer control over results.
The Nikon
Speedlight SB-600 is part of Nikon's Creative Lighting System,
and looks like an ideal complement to the Nikon D50's built-in
pop-up speedlight.
The Nikon D50 is compatible with Nikon's
optional SB600 and SB800 external speedlights. Available flash
modes supported with various Nikon speedlights is outlined
below.
Remote
Release
Remote shutter release of the D50 is possible with the optional
ML-L3 Wireless (IR) Remote Control. The user can choose between
"2-second delay" and "instant trigger". The
Nikon D50 does not have a connection terminal for attaching a cable
release as on the D70s, nor does it have a shutter button release
socket as found on the Nikon D100.
Nikon
ML-L3 Remote
Nikon D50 Camera Menu System
Changes
to a variety of camera settings are made through menus that
appear in the camera LCD monitor (accessed by using menu button
on back of camera). The Nikon D50 offers four main menus.
-
Playback:
Adjust playback settings and manage photos.
-
Shooting:
Adjust shooting settings.
-
Custom
Settings: Personalize camera settings.
-
Setup:
Format memory cards and perform basic camera setup.
Playback
Menu: Contains
options for managing the images stored on a memory card, and
for playing pictures back in automated slide shows. Settings
include;
-
Delete:
Options include to delete selected photographs or delete
all photographs on the card.
- Playback
fldr: Options include "Current" or "All".
In "Current setting only images in the folder currently selected
for storage in the setup Folders menu are displayed during playback.
In "All", images in all folders will be visable during
playback.
- Rotate:
Select Yes or No to have vertical (portraits) orientation images
displayed in tall mode. (to fit in monitor, vertical orientation
images are displayed at 2/3 size)
- Slide show:
Options include start Slide Show and Frame Interval were you
can choose how long each picture will be displayed. (2sec, 3s,
5s, 10s)
- Hide Image:
This option is used to hide or reveal selected phtographs.
Hidden images are visable only in the Hide image menu, and can
only be deleted by formatting the card.
- Print set:
Used to create a digital "print order" that lists
photographs to be printed, the number of copies, and the information
to be included on each print.
Shooting
Menu
The
shooting menu contains options for setting the following:
- Optimize
Image
- Long
exp. NR (Noise Reduction)
- Image
Quality
- Image
Size
- White
Balance
- ISO
Nikon
D50 shooting menu
Custom
Settings Menu
A total of 20 custom settings allow you to personalize the
operation of your Nikon D50 to match your shooting style or
the demands of different shooting conditions. The custom settings
menu is displayed on the LCD monitor in easy to understand
fashion, and selections are made using the handy multi selector.
You can also display help dialogs with the press of a button
that describe each setting.
Custom
settings menu
Set
Up Menu
The Nikon D70 has a Set Up
Menu that contains options for controlling the following:
-
Folders:
Options include to create a new folder with a five letter folder
name, rename an existing folder or delete empty folders
- File No.
Sequencing: This option controls whether file numbering continues
from the last number used when a new folder is created, the memory
card is formatted, or a new memory card is inserted in the camera.
- Card format:
select Yes or No
- Custom Menu
(CSM):
Choose whether the CSM (custom) menu lists all twenty six Custom
Settings or only the first ten options
- Date Settings:
Set camera date and time.
- LCD Brightness
Control:
adjust brightness of LCD monitor from -2 to +2 (Brightest)
- Mirror Lock
Up Mode:
Select Yes or No. Used to lock the mirror in the up position to
allow inspection or cleaning of the low-pass filter that protects
the CCD sensor.
- Video Mode:
Choose NTSC or PAL video standard
- Language:
Select language for menu display
- Image Comment:
Text comments can be added to photographs as they are taken (Up
to 36 characters)
- USB:
Select PTP or Mass Storage
- Dust Ref
Photo:
This option is used to capture reference data for the Image Dust
Off feature in optional Nikon Capture 4 software.
- Firmware
Version: Displays current firmware version.
- Image Rotation:
Turn On or Off vertical image rotation feature.
Battery
Supply and Power Options
The Nikon D50 comes supplied with a Li-Ion EN-EL3 rechargeable
battery (same as D70), and the Nikon Quick Charger MH-18a.
An
optional Multi Charger MH-19 (charge two batteries at a
time), and AC Adapter EH-5 are also available for the Nikon
D50.
Connections
USB, Video out and AC adapter
connections are found on the left side of the Nikon D50
under a protective rubber hinged door.
Nikon Software
Nikon Capture 4.3 (optional)
is a comprehensive image editing and remote camera control
package that fully supports NEF* (RAW), TIFF and JPEG data.
Among other features, the package offers Image Dust Off
sensor dust and particle shade removal control; Digital
DEE™ scene-specific automatic dodge and burn control;
and transformation of shots from the AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor
10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens to ultra-wideangle images.
PictureProject
(included) is Nikon's bundled software that simplifies and
improves data transfer to the computer, as well as browsing
and editing of image files.
In
the Box
The Nikon D50 ships with the following items:
-
Rechargeable
li-ion battery EN-EL3
-
-
PictureProject
Software CD-ROM
-
USB
cable UC-E4
-
Video
cable
-
Strap
-
LCD
monitor cover BM-4
-
Body
cap
-
Finder
eyepiece cup DK-20
-
Eyepiece
cap DK-5
-
User's
manual
-
Quick
Start Guide
-
2
year in Canada Service Warranty Card
|
|
