Nikon D1The D1 WonderCam!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 9:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: May 12, 2000 |
Operation and User Interfaces
We found the user interface on the D1 surprisingly straightforward and simple to use, particularly in light of its amazing array of functions and features. We especially appreciated the fact that the majority of the camera settings don't depend on an LCD menu system--they're all controlled by separate buttons and dials that use the smaller status display windows instead. The only menu dependent on the LCD is the Playback menu, which also holds the camera setup options. Overall, the control setup and layout is reminiscent of the Nikon F5, so we found no difficulties on that score although a quick read of the manual should set anyone at ease who isn't familiar with other Nikon cameras. Our single quibble about user-interface design had to do with the "Custom Settings Menu", with it's 31 setting options and numerous sub-options, each of which is identified solely by a numeric value. Admittedly, CSM functions are ones that you're less likely to change in the course of normal shooting, and any that you do use frequently are easily committed to memory. Still, you really need to carry around a pocket reference card if you intend to make extensive use of these features in daily shooting. We did find though, that we learned the settings we used frequently fairly quickly, after only a couple of days of playing with the camera.
Control Enumeration
Depth of Field Preview Button: Located on the front of the camera, on the top left side (viewed from the front) next to the lens, this button allows you to check the depth of field for the current aperture setting by looking through the viewfinder, which provides an approximate idea of the depth of field.
Focus Mode Selector Dial: Located on the front of the camera, on the right side next to the lens, this dial selects between Manual, Single Servo and Continuous Servo focus modes.
Lens Release Button: Also on the front of the camera, on the right side next to the lens, this button releases the lens from its mount when pressed.
Sub-Command Dial: Located on the front of the hand grip, just beneath the power switch, this dial is used for selecting secondary values in many operating modes and menus. Among other functions, it fine-tunes the white balance across the -3 to +3 range (arbitrary units) when holding down the white balance button. It also accesses the Black and White shooting mode when turned while pressing the Quality button. While pressing the Custom Settings button, this dial allows you to change the option set for each item number. When turned while pressing the Bracket button, the dial changes the bracketing step size (in EV units). In Manual exposure mode, the dial sets the aperture (can be altered through the Custom Settings menu). Adjusts the combination of aperture and shutter speed in Program AE mode.
Power Switch: Located on the top right of the camera, this switch turns the camera on and off. It also turns on a blue illumination for both status display panels (on top and on the back panel) when shooting in dark situations.
Shutter Button: Located on the top of the camera, encircled by the power switch, this button sets exposure and focus when halfway pressed and fires the shutter when fully pressed.
Exposure Compensation Button: Located on the top of the camera, just beneath the shutter button, pressing this button while turning the main command dial changes the exposure compensation value from -5 to +5 in 1/3 EV increments.
Exposure Mode / Format Button: Located directly to the left of the Exposure Compensation button, pressing this button while turning the main command dial sets the exposure mode (Program AE, Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority). In Playback mode, pressing this button simultaneously with the Delete button (also labeled Format) formats the memory card.
Metering Selector: Located on top of the camera, this selector wheel surrounds a small black button. Pressing the button and turning the wheel allows you to select between Spot, Center-Weighted and Color 3D Matrix metering options.
Diopter Adjustment Knob: Located directly beside the metering selector, this knob adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
Mode Dial Lock Release: (See photo of mode dial below.) Located on the top left side of the camera (when looking at the back), next to the mode dial, this button releases the mode dial to select the camera mode.
Mode Dial: Located on the top left of the camera, this dial selects between PC, Playback, Single, Continuous and Self-Timer modes.
Auto Bracketing Button: (See photo of mode dial above. The Auto Bracket button is the one labeled "BKT".) Located on the top of the camera, encircled by the mode dial and next to the Flash and Focus Area buttons, this button turns on the auto bracketing function (when pressed while turning the main command dial).
Flash Sync Mode Button: (See photo of mode dial above. Flash sync button is the one with a lightning bolt icon on it.) Located directly beside the Auto Bracketing button, this button cycles between five flash sync modes (Front-Curtain Sync, Slow-Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction and Red-Eye Reduction with Slow-Sync) when held down while turning the main command dial.
AF Area Mode Button: (See photo of mode dial above. AF Area Mode button is the one with the [+] label.) Located directly beside the Flash Sync Mode button, this button cycles through the autofocus area modes when pressed while turning the main command dial. Available options are Single Area, Dynamic and Dynamic with Closest Subject Priority.
Monitor Button: Located on the top left side of the back panel, this button turns the LCD monitor on and off.
Delete / Format Button: Located to the right of the Monitor button, this button deletes individual images. When pressed in conjunction with the Mode button, formats the CompactFlash card.
Eyepiece Shutter Lever: Located on the left side of the optical viewfinder, this lever opens and closes the protective shutter that covers the viewfinder.
AE/AF Lock Button: Located on the top right side of the back panel, this button locks the exposure and/or focus when pressed (can be set through the setup menu to lock one or the other or both).
AF Start / Cancel Button: Located to the right of the AE/AF Lock button, this button sets the autofocus when pressed (performs the same function as halfway pressing the shutter button). When viewing images on the LCD screen, acts as the Cancel button to cancel deletion of an image as well as to cancel menu selections when in the Playback menu.
Main Command Dial: Located directly to the right of the AF Start / Cancel button, this dial is used to select various camera settings when turned in conjunction with the Auto Bracketing, Flash Sync Mode, AF Area Mode, Exposure Compensation, Mode, Quality, Custom Settings, ISO and White Balance buttons. In Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority modes, this dial sets either the aperture or shutter speed settings. In Manual exposure mode, the dial sets the shutter speed (can be altered through the Custom Settings menu).
Focus Area Selector and Lock / Rocker Toggle Button: Located on the right side of the back panel, this rocker toggle button and locking switch control the autofocus area in Record mode. The switch unlocks the autofocus area and the four arrow buttons let you decide where to set the main autofocus area (by choosing one of the five brackets). In Playback mode, the rocker toggle button's up and down arrows scroll through captured images while the right and left arrow buttons cycle through various information displays about the image (frame number; frame number, filename, date, time and file type; image only; photo information page one; and photo information page two). The arrow buttons also navigate through the Playback menu when displayed on the LCD monitor.
Rear control panel buttons:
The next series of five controls we describe are all located in a small control panel area on the rear panel of the camera, at bottom left. They are protected by a small metal cover that flips down to reveal the pushbuttons.
Command Lock / Menu Button: Located on the bottom left of the back panel and protected by a metal cover, this button locks the shutter speed and aperture values when in record mode, to prevent them from being accidentally changed. In Playback mode, this button pulls up the Playback menu.
White Balance / Thumbnail Button: Located to the right of the Command Lock / Menu button, this button selects the white balance setting when pressed while turning the main command dial. Options are Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Overcast, Shade and Preset (which allows you to manually adjust the white value by using a white card or object as a reference point). All white balance settings can be adjusted from -3 to +3 (arbitrary units, see the Exposure section above for a translation into degrees Kelvin) by turning the sub-command dial (on the front of the hand grip) while holding down the white balance button. In Playback mode, pressing this button pulls up a nine image thumbnail index display.
Custom Setting / Execute Button: Located beneath the Command Lock / Menu button, this button cycles through the custom settings menu items when pressed while turning the main command dial in Record mode. After selecting a menu item, the option can be changed by then turning the sub-command dial. For example, values are displayed as 1-0, with the 1 being the item number and the 0 being the option number. Pressing this button in conjunction with the ISO button resets all the Custom Settings to their defaults. In Playback mode, this button executes menu selections. Click here for a list of all the options available on the Custom Settings Menu.
Image Quality / Select All Button: Located to the right of the Custom Settings button, this button selects the image quality setting in Record mode when used in conjunction with the main command dial. Quality choices are Hi (RAW data), Hi (YCbCr TIFF), Hi (RGB TIFF), Fine, Normal and Basic. In Playback mode, this button serves as a Select All, to perform various functions on all images at once, such as delete and protect.
Sensitivity / Multiple Select Button: Located to the right of the Quality / Select All button, this button sets the ISO equivalent in Record mode while turning the main command dial. Options are 200, 400, 800 and 1600 (or HI-1 and HI-2, depending on the setting in the Custom Settings menu). Pressing this button in conjunction with the Custom Settings button resets the Custom Settings menu to the defaults. In Playback mode, this button allows you to select multiple images in the thumbnail index display.
Card Slot Release Button: Located on the back panel, protected by a plastic flap, this button releases the CompactFlash card slot cover so that the card can be removed.
Vertical AF-ON Button: Located on the bottom right of the back panel, this button serves the same purpose as the main AF-ON button, but is used when shooting vertically.
Vertical Command Dial: Located directly beside the vertical AF-ON button on the lower right corner of the back panel, this dial serves the same purpose as the main command dial but is used when shooting vertically.
Vertical Shutter Release Button and Lock: Located on the bottom of the right side of the camera (when looking at the back panel), this locking shutter button can be used when shooting vertically. The sliding lock keeps it from accidentally firing when shooting horizontally.
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