Nikon D40X User Manual

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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

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 D40xAt the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D40x. Up to

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

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

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

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

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 camera with interchangeable lensesEffective pixels 10.2 millionCCD 23.

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

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Introduction 1IntroductionThank you for your purchase of a Nikon D40x single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera withinterchangeable lenses. This manual

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 D40x offers a choice of three focus areas. At default settings, the camera chooses thefocus ar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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