Nikon D5000 Modes & Menus

Nikon D5000 Modes and Menus

Nikon D5000 Capture Modes

The mode dial on the right side of the Nikon D5000's top panel provides access to its various exposure modes, the same arrangement of Auto, three semi-auto, and one Manual as found on all Nikon DSLRs, but with a total of seven Scene modes (which Nikon calls "Vari-Programs"), plus a Scene setting that accesses an additional 13 scene modes not on the dial. Here's a list of what's available:

• Auto: The camera sets everything. Used for snapshots or users who just don't want to be bothered with the details. The AF-assist light will come on if needed, and the camera selects the AF point covering the closest subject.
• Program: Puts the camera in charge of aperture and shutter speed, though all remaining camera settings are available. You can vary the combination of aperture and shutter speed the camera has selected by rotating the Command Dial.
• Shutter Priority: The user controls shutter speed, from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, while the camera sets the aperture value.
• Aperture Priority: The opposite of Shutter Priority mode, this mode lets the user control the aperture, while the camera sets the shutter speed.
• Manual: Gives the user complete control over the exposure (both shutter and aperture settings), and provides access to the camera's Bulb shutter setting for exposures longer than 30 seconds.
• Night Portrait: Uses slow shutter speed with flash, balancing the two so that night portraits look natural even with flash. Closest-subject AF is used. Use a tripod to avoid blurring.
• Close up: Reds and greens are pumped up, camera selects center focus point, but other points can be chosen with the Multi-Selector. The built-in flash will pop up and fire if the lighting is too dim; tripod use is recommended.
• Sports: Uses higher shutter speeds, camera switches to continuous focus while the shutter button is held down halfway, tracking the subject in the center focus area. If the subject leaves the central AF area, the camera will follow it and judge focus from the other focus areas. The beginning AF area can be chosen with the Multi-selector. Both flash and AF illuminator are turned off and will not fire.
• Child: This mode boosts sharpness and saturation for clothing and background details, but renders skin tones soft and natural-looking. The built-in flash will pop up and fire if the lighting is too dim.
• Landscape: Boosts color saturation, contrast, and sharpening for city and forest landscape shots. Closest-focus AF is used, and the flash and AF-assist light are turned off in this mode.
• Portrait: Adjusts the lens aperture to soften background details to help the main subject stand out more clearly. Sharpness and color saturation are moderated somewhat, to give softer, more natural-looking skin tones. The built-in flash will pop up and fire if the lighting is too dim.
• Scene: The D5000 is the first Nikon DSLR with additional scene modes that aren't accessed by a dedicated positions on the mode dial. A total of 13 new scene modes can be accessed using the command dial when the mode dial is set to Scene. They are: Night Landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet Portraits, Blossom, Autumn Colors, Food, Silhouette, High Key, and Low Key.
• Auto (Flash Off): In this mode, exposure is automatic but the flash is disabled, and the camera will vary the ISO up to a maximum of 3,200, to capture images using available light. The AF-assist light will come on if needed, and the camera selects the AF point with the closest subject. This mode is great for museums and other places where flash isn't permitted, more natural-looking indoor shots, etc.

Nikon D5000 Menus

The menu system on the Nikon D5000 follows that of other recent Nikons SLRs like the D60 and D90. Pressing the Menu button provides access to the camera's full menu system. See the tables below for details.

Playback Menu:

Shooting Menu:

Custom Settings Menu:

Setup Menu:

Retouch Menu:

Recent Settings or My Menu:

Recent Settings or My Menu mode can be selected. Recent Settings automatically adds 20 of the most recently used settings to this menu, while My Menu mode lets you define and order what appears on this menu. The screenshot below shows Recent Settings mode.