Nikon D40 User Manual

Printed in EuropeSB7L06(11)6MBA7611-06EnNo reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articl

viii Q&A IndexTaking PhotographsQuestion Key phrase Page #Is there an easy way to take snapshots? Auto mode 15Is there an easy way to take more cr

88 Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuAuto Image RotationPhotographs taken while On (the default option) is selected con-tain information

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu 89Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch MenuThe options in the retouch menu are used to create

90 Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch MenuTo create retouched copies from the retouch menu:* To view selected picture full frame, press

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu 91Red-Eye CorrectionSelecting this option displays a preview image as shown below. Confirm the

92 Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch MenuMonochromeChoose from Black-and-white, Sepia, and Cyanotype (blueand white monochrome).Selec

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu 93Selecting Small picture from the retouch menu displays the menu shown in Step 1. Fol-low the

94 Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch MenuImage OverlayImage overlay combines two existing RAW photographs to create a single picture t

Menu Guide/Creating Retouched Copies: The Retouch Menu 957Press the multi selector left or right to highlight the Previewcolumn. Press the multi sele

96 Technical Notes/Optional AccessoriesTechnical NotesOptional AccessoriesOne advantage of digital SLR cameras is the wide variety of accessories they

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 97LensesAutofocus is supported only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with anautofocus motor. IX

Q&A Index ixViewing, Printing, and Retouching PhotographsQuestion Key phrase Page #Can I view my photographs on the camera? Camera playback 50Can

98 Technical Notes/Optional AccessoriesIncompatible Non-CPU Lenses and AccessoriesDo NOT attempt to use the following non-CPU lenses and accessories.

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 99Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)The accessory shoe allows SB-series Speedlights, including the SB-400, 800, 6

100 Technical Notes/Optional AccessoriesThe following features are available with CLS-compatible flash units:The following Speedlights can only be us

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 101Notes on Optional SpeedlightsRefer to the Speedlight manual for detailed instructions. If the Speedlight supp

102 Technical Notes/Optional AccessoriesOther AccessoriesApproved Memory CardsThe following SD memory cards have been tested and approved for use in t

Technical Notes/Optional Accessories 103Accessories for the D40At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D40. Up to da

104 Technical Notes/Caring for the CameraCaring for the CameraStorageWhen the camera will not be used for an extended period, turn the camera off, rem

Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera 105The Low-Pass FilterThe image sensor that acts as the camera’s picture element is fitted with a low-pass filte

106 Technical Notes/Caring for the CameraCaring for the Camera and Battery: CautionsDo not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected tostrong sho

Technical Notes/Caring for the Camera 107On cold days, the capacity of batteries tends to decrease. Be sure the battery is fully charged before takin

xLife-Long LearningAs part of Nikon’s “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing product support and education, con-tinually-updated information is av

108 Technical Notes/TroubleshootingTroubleshootingIf the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems belowbefore consultin

Technical Notes/Troubleshooting 109Problem SolutionImage in viewfinder is not in focus.• Manual focus selected: if AF-S or AF-I lens is attached,choos

110 Technical Notes/TroubleshootingProblem SolutionColors are unnatural• Select mode P, S, A, or M and adjust white balance tomatch light source.• Sel

Technical Notes/Troubleshooting 111Camera Error Messages and DisplaysThis section lists common warning indicators and error messages that appear in th

112 Technical Notes/TroubleshootingHelpA blinking is displayed in the monitor or viewfinder indicates that a description of the current prob-lem can

Technical Notes/Appendix 113AppendixThe Appendix covers the following topics:• Available Settings and Defaults ...

114 Technical Notes/AppendixThe following defaults are restored with Custom Setting R (Reset):1. Max. sensitivity set to 800, Min. shutter speed set t

Technical Notes/Appendix 115The Command DialThe command dial can be used in alone or in combination with other controls to adjust thefollowing setting

116 Technical Notes/AppendixMemory Card Capacity and Image Quality/SizeThe following table shows the approximate number of pictures that can be stored

Technical Notes/Appendix 117Flash Control ( 99–101)The following types of flash control are supported when a CPU lens is used in combinationwith the

Introduction 1IntroductionThank you for your purchase of a Nikon D40 single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera withinterchangeable lenses. This manual

118 Technical Notes/AppendixWhite Balance and Color TemperatureApproximate color temperatures for each white balance setting are given below (valuesma

Technical Notes/Specifications 119SpecificationsType Single-lens reflex digital cameraEffective pixels 6.1 millionCCD 23.7×15.6mm; total pixels: 6.24

120 Technical Notes/SpecificationsExposureMetering Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering systemMatrix 3D color matrix metering II (type

Technical Notes/Specifications 121Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with a fully-charged battery operating at an ambi-ent temperat

122 Technical Notes/SpecificationsMH-23 Quick Charger18–55 mm f/3.5–5.6GII ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens (Available Separately)The minimum aperture avai

Index 123IndexSymbols3D color matrix metering II. See Metering420-pixel RGB sensor. See Metering; White balance (aperture) button, 2, 43 (auto/flash

124 IndexFormat memory card (setup menu), 13, 81HHelp, 3, 112Highlights, 52Histogram, 52, 92Hue, 69I (setting) button, 3, 22Illuminator. See AF-assis

Index 125UUSB, 55–56, 57–58, 84cable, 55–56, 57–58Mass storage, 55, 84MTP/PTP, 55, 84USB (setup menu), 55, 84VVideo cable, 62, 103Video device, 62Vide

126

Printed in EuropeSB7L06(11)6MBA7611-06EnNo reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articl

2 Introduction: Getting to Know the CameraGetting to Know the CameraTake a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera 3* Multi selectorThe multi selector is used for menu navigation and playback.HelpFor help on the current mode

4 Introduction: Getting to Know the CameraThe Mode DialThe D40 offers a choice of the following twelve shooting modes:The Power SwitchThe power switch

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera 5The Viewfinder Display1 Focus brackets (focus areas)...14, 16, 24, 25, 26 10 Number of exposures remaining.

6 Introduction: Getting to Know the CameraThe Shooting Information DisplayTo view camera settings, press the button. The following shooting informa

Introduction: Getting to Know the Camera 7Supplied AccessoriesThe DK-5 Viewfinder Eyepiece CapAttach the DK-5 viewfinder eyepiece cap for self-timer (

Where to Find ItFind what you’re looking for from: The Table of Contents See pages v–viFind items by function or menu name. The Q&A Index See page

8Introduction: First StepsFirst StepsAttaching a LensAutofocus is supported with AF-S and AF-I lenses only. Care should be taken to preventdust from

Introduction: First Steps 9Charging and Inserting the BatteryThe supplied EN-EL9 battery is not charged at shipment. Charge the battery using the sup

10 Introduction: First Steps2Insert the battery.2.1 After confirming that the power switch is in the off posi-tion, open the battery chamber cover.2.2

Introduction: First Steps 11Basic SetupThe first time the camera is turned on, the language selection dialog shown in Step 1 will bedisplayed in the m

12 Introduction: First StepsInserting Memory CardsThe camera stores pictures on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (available separately). See“Approved

Introduction: First Steps 132Memory cards must be formatted in the camera before first use. Note that formattingmemory cards permanently deletes all

14 Introduction: First StepsAdjusting Viewfinder FocusPhotographs are framed in the viewfinder. Before shooting, makesure that the display in the vie

Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography ( Mode) 15TutorialPhotography and Playback“Point-and-Shoot” Photography ( Mode)This section describes how t

16 Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography ( Mode)3Frame a photograph in the viewfinder.4Focus and shoot.3.1 Hold the camera as shown.Holding the Cam

Tutorial: “Point-and-Shoot” Photography ( Mode) 175Turn the camera off when shooting is complete.The Shutter-Release ButtonThe camera has a two-stage

iIntroductionTutorial Photography and PlaybackReferenceMore on Photography (All Modes)P, S, A, and M ModesMore on PlaybackConnecting to a Computer, Pr

18 Tutorial: Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs)Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs)In addition to , the D40 offers a choice of seve

Tutorial: Creative Photography (Digital Vari-Programs) 19The Built-in FlashIf additional lighting is required for correct exposure in , , , or mo

20 Tutorial: Basic PlaybackBasic PlaybackPhotographs are automatically displayed after shooting. The bat-tery level and number of exposures remaining

Reference 21ReferenceThis section builds on the Tutorial to cover more advanced shooting and playback options.More on Photography (All Modes): 22P,

22 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/The Shooting Information DisplayMore on Photography (All Modes)The Shooting Information DisplayPressing

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus 23FocusFocus can be adjusted automatically (see “Focus Mode,” below) or manually ( 28). Theuser can

24 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/FocusAF-Area ModeChoose how the focus area is selected in autofocus mode. This setting has no effect in

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus 25The D40 offers a choice of three focus areas. At default settings, the camera chooses thefocus are

26 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/FocusFocus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible tofocus on a su

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Focus 27Getting Good Results with AutofocusAutofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed belo

ii For Your SafetyFor Your SafetyTo prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the follow-ing safety precautions in

28 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/FocusManual FocusUse this option when the camera is unable to focus correctlyusing autofocus. To focus

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and Size 29Image Quality and SizeTogether, image quality and size determine how much space ea

30 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and SizeImage QualityThe camera supports the following image quality options (the first fo

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Image Quality and Size 31NEF (RAW)/RAW+BNEF (RAW) files can be viewed on a computer using Capture NX (avail

32 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Shooting ModeShooting ModeShooting mode determines how the camera takes photographs: one at a time, in a

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Shooting Mode 33Self-Timer and Remote Control ModesThe self-timer or optional ML-L3 remote control can be u

34 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in FlashUsing the Built-in FlashThe camera supports a variety of flash modes for photogr

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in Flash 35Flash ModeThe flash modes available depend on the mode currently selected with t

36 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Using the Built-in FlashThe Built-in FlashUse with CPU lenses with focal lengths of 18–300mm or non-CPU

Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/ISO Sensitivity 37ISO SensitivityPhotographs taken at slow shutter speeds are prone to blurring. If ISO se

Notices iiiUse appropriate cablesWhen connecting cables to the input and output jacks,use only the cables provided or sold by Nikon for the pur-pose t

38 Reference: More on Photography (All Modes)/Two-Button ResetThe camera settings listed below can be restored to default valuesby holding the and

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes 39P, S, A, and M ModesP, S, A, and M modes offer control over a variety of advanced settings, including exposure (45),

40 Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode P (Programmed Auto)Mode P (Programmed Auto)In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and ap

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto) 41Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed

42 Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture fr

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode M (Manual) 43Mode M (Manual)In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed

44 Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Mode M (Manual)Long Time-ExposuresShutter speeds of “bulb” and “--” can be used for long time-exposure photographs

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure 45ExposureMeteringThe metering method determines how the camera sets exposure. The following optionsare avai

46 Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/ExposureIf the subject is not in the metered area when center-weighted or spot metering is used,exposure will be ba

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure 47Exposure CompensationExposure compensation is used to alter exposure by up to ±5EV in increments of 1/3EV,

iv NoticesSymbol for Separate Collection in European CountriesThis symbol indicates that this product is to be collected separately.The following appl

48 Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/ExposureFlash CompensationFlash compensation (available only in P, S, A, and M modes) is used to alter flash output

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/White Balance 49White BalanceWhite balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. Autow

50 Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the CameraMore on PlaybackViewing Photographs on the CameraTo view photographs in the monitor, p

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera 51Photo InformationPhoto information is superimposed on images displayed in full-frame p

52 Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the CameraHighlightsHistogramViewing Multiple Images: Thumbnail PlaybackTo display images in “co

Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the Camera 53Taking a Closer Look: Playback ZoomPress the button to zoom in on a photograph in fu

54 Reference: More on Playback/Viewing Photographs on the CameraProtecting Photographs from DeletionIn full-frame, zoom, and thumbnail playback, the

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Connecting to a Computer 55Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TVConnecting to a ComputerThis se

56 Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Connecting to a ComputerDuring TransferDo not turn the camera off or disconnect the USB cable w

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs 57Printing PhotographsPhotographs can be printed by any of the following meth

Table of Contents vTable of ContentsFor Your Safety...iiNotices...

58 Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing PhotographsConnecting the PrinterBefore printing, check that the camera battery is ful

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs 59Printing Pictures One at a TimeTo print the picture currently selected in t

60 Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing PhotographsPrinting Multiple PicturesTo print multiple pictures or create an index pri

Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Printing Photographs 61Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print SetThe Print set (DPOF) option in the pl

62 Reference: Connecting to a Computer, Printer, or TV/Viewing Photographs on TVViewing Photographs on TVAn EG-D100 video cable (available separately;

Menu Guide/Using Camera Menus 63Menu GuideUsing Camera MenusMost shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed fromthe camera menus. To view

64 Menu Guide/Using Camera MenusTo modify menu settings:Press the shutter-release button halfway to exit the menus and return to shooting mode.The mon

Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback Menu 65Playback Options: The Playback MenuThe playback menu contains the following options (options dis-play

66 Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback MenuPlayback FolderChoose a folder for playback:To select the folder to which new photographs will be rec

Menu Guide/Playback Options: The Playback Menu 67Slide ShowCreate a slide show of the pictures in the current playback folder.The following options ar

vi Table of ContentsFolders...85File No. Sequence ...

68 Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting MenuShooting Options: The Shooting MenuThe shooting menu contains the following options (options dis-play

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu 69Customizing Image Enhancement Options: CustomSelect Custom to make separate adjustments to the follow

70 Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting MenuImage QualitySelect image quality ( 30).Image SizeChoose image size ( 30).White Balance (P, S, A, a

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu 71Measuring a Value for Preset White Balance1Place a neutral gray or white object under the lighting th

72 Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting MenuCopying White Balance from a PhotographA white balance value copied from an existing photograph can b

Menu Guide/Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu 73ISO SensitivityAdjust ISO sensitivity ( 37).Noise ReductionPhotographs taken at high sensitivities o

74 Menu Guide/Custom SettingsCustom SettingsCustom Settings are used to customize camera settings to suitindividual preferences. The following option

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 752: Focus ModeSelect a focus mode ( 23).3: AF-Area ModeChoose how the camera selects the focus area in autofocus mode( 2

76 Menu Guide/Custom Settings8: Flash Compensation (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)Adjust flash level ( 48).9: AF-assist (All Modes Except and )If On

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 7711: /Fn ButtonChoose the function performed by the Fn button.At settings other than Self-timer (the default option), the

Q&A Index viiQ&A IndexFind what you’re looking for using this “question and answer” index.General QuestionsCamera SetupQuestion Key phrase Pag

78 Menu Guide/Custom Settings14: Built-in Flash (P, S, A, and M Modes Only)Choose a flash control mode for the built-in flash or the optionalSB-400 Sp

Menu Guide/Custom Settings 7916: Self-TimerChoose the length of the shutter-release delay in self-timer mode( 33). The default setting is 10s.17: Re

80 Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuBasic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuThe setup menu contains the options listed below (options dis-

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu 81Format Memory CardInfo Display Format3Press the multi selector up or down to highlight items andthe

82 Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuClassic format is shown below.The design of the Wallpaper format is the same as the Graphicdisplay

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu 83Auto Shooting InfoChoose whether to automatically display shooting information inthe monitor in Dig

84 Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuLanguageChoose the language for camera menus and messages from:Image CommentAdd a comment to photog

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu 85FoldersCreate, rename, or delete folders or choose the folder in whichnew photographs will be store

86 Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup MenuFile No. SequenceChoose how the camera names files.• Off (default): File numbering is reset to 0001

Menu Guide/Basic Camera Settings: The Setup Menu 87Dust off Ref PhotoAcquire reference data for the Image Dust Off option in CaptureNX (available sepa