D90 User Group (Thread IV)

[coolthought]

Hi all

Got a D90.... finally

Happily molesting "her" and shooting with both kit lens and 70-200mm for past few days that forgot to post :sweatsm:. Also busy reading up to answer wife's questions on what is this dial for, what does this button do, blah, blah blah... (yes, she doesn't real the manual).

Will be hunting for a 50mm this couple of days and look forward in joining you guys soon!

hi there. welcome.
Good that your wife is having quite a bit of interest.
Now you can start a proposal for either a D7000 or D300s so that she can have the D90.

 

[vireon]

welcome to the club! Time to change your signature then.

I'm trying to compile a list of FAQs. Perhaps as a new D90 owner, you can help me by listing down the questions that you think of... perhaps 10 - 15 questions?
I can use those as a guideline to get started.

As a D90 new owner, I would love to know what is AF-area mode. The manual is not very clear in this topic.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

As a D90 new owner, I would love to know what is AF-area mode. The manual is not very clear in this topic.

AF area? What is that?

Do you mean wide-area AF and dynamic-area AF? They're 2 different modes. Are you asking what's the difference between those 2?

 

[pasay]

As a D90 new owner, I would love to know what is AF-area mode. The manual is not very clear in this topic.

i thought the manual states it quite clearly (p.173 in case you missed it).

quoted from manual: "this option (available in all shooting modes) determines how the focus point for autofocus is selected."

you can then choose between:
1. single-point = self-explanatory
2. dynamic area = use with erratically moving subjects
3. auto-area = default setting. mix of #1 and #2
4. 3d tracking = camera uses 3d-tracking to keep focus or select new focus point

anything specific about it you're not sure?

 

[kriegsketten]

Once again, c'mon guys...don't get caught with your pants down not reading the manual in full... We can assist if after reading and you still don't get what the instruction is trying to say (can also try googling for the term as well), but no laziness please... All of us spend our precious time going through it and we'd expect no less from everyone here. In fact, from time to time, I do find myself going back to it trying not to miss anything out... Or trying to refresh on things that I've forgotten...

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

i thought the manual states it quite clearly (p.173 in case you missed it).

quoted from manual: "this option (available in all shooting modes) determines how the focus point for autofocus is selected."

you can then choose between:
1. single-point = self-explanatory
2. dynamic area = use with erratically moving subjects
3. auto-area = default setting. mix of #1 and #2
4. 3d tracking = camera uses 3d-tracking to keep focus or select new focus point

anything specific about it you're not sure?

:thumbsup:

realized that I stated the names wrongly... should be auto-area (not wide-area) AF. I think there's something else that mentions 'wide area'... thought it was to do with AF ~shrug~ never use it, so forgot about it.... hehehe

 

[kriegsketten]

:thumbsup:

realized that I stated the names wrongly... should be auto-area (not wide-area) AF. I think there's something else that mentions 'wide area'... thought it was to do with AF ~shrug~ never use it, so forgot about it.... hehehe

Haiz... can't imagine we've been living on single cross AF point all this while... can't wait to move up to 9, 15 or more when the time comes... :sweatsm: Up till now I still don't know how that feels like...

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Haiz... can't imagine we've been living on single cross AF point all this while... can't wait to move up to 9, 15 or more when the time comes... :sweatsm: Up till now I still don't know how that feels like...

I've forgotten what auto-focus feels like... been using manual focus almost all the time!

 

[kriegsketten]

I've forgotten what auto-focus feels like... been using manual focus almost all the time!

That's because we've been shooting subjects that don't move at all... :bsmilie: but can't be leh, I've always pre AF first before setting lens to manual... turned slightly backwards for hyperfocal distancing...

 

[pasay]

:thumbsup:

realized that I stated the names wrongly... should be auto-area (not wide-area) AF. I think there's something else that mentions 'wide area'... thought it was to do with AF ~shrug~ never use it, so forgot about it.... hehehe

i think you were thinking about the AF center focus point (normal zone and wide zone) which determines the size of the center focus point i only knew about it coz it perplexed me for the longest time what the diff was between those two settings :bsmilie:

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

i think you were thinking about the AF center focus point (normal zone and wide zone) which determines the size of the center focus point i only knew about it coz it perplexed me for the longest time what the diff was between those two settings :bsmilie:

ya... I think you're right...
Gosh there's so much about the D90 that I've still yet to explore.

Definitely need you guys' input to compile this FAQ... wanna start with a 'bang' instead of many 'reserved for future updates' posts

 

[LBL2009]

How do you usually shoot bracketing?

If you set it to 3 frames, do you press three times in single shot mode or you shoot in continuous mode?

It seems a tripod is needed to shoot in bracketing.

 

[kriegsketten]

How do you usually shoot bracketing?

If you set it to 3 frames, do you press three times in single shot mode or you shoot in continuous mode?

It seems a tripod is needed to shoot in bracketing.

Tripod (OR a stable platform) a must... or else no point doing bracketing... But you know why peeps do bracketing shots right?

Can set it in continous-shoot mode so that you clear all 3 shots in one go... but if your tripod isn't up to standard (shaky), I'd advice shooting with exposure delay mode on, can use continuous mode as well - just hold the remote cord button until all 3 shots are cleared. Again, I'd advise the use of remote cord for bracketing as well - resorting to avoid touching the camera as much as possible.

 

[pasay]

How do you usually shoot bracketing?

If you set it to 3 frames, do you press three times in single shot mode or you shoot in continuous mode?

It seems a tripod is needed to shoot in bracketing.

if no tripod, i'll use the bracket function and shoot in continuous mode to minimize handshake blur.

if i have a tripod, i wouldnt use the bracket function at all, i go to Manual mode and bracket by exposures manually. gives more control on 1) the number of exposures i can make, 2) the range between highlights and shadows, 3) i can get one test shot to check exposure, highlights and shadows without having to worry about turning the bracket function on and off.

that's just me, though

 

[kriegsketten]

if no tripod, i'll use the bracket function and shoot in continuous mode to minimize handshake blur.

if i have a tripod, i wouldnt use the bracket function at all, i go to Manual mode and bracket by exposures manually. gives more control on 1) the number of exposures i can make, 2) the range between highlights and shadows, 3) i can get one test shot to check exposure, highlights and shadows without having to worry about turning the bracket function on and off.

that's just me, though

That's another way... shoot manual and adjust the EV value one by one... heck you can even go up more than 3 shoots! :bsmilie:

But as for shooting hand-held with bracketing... I don't trust my hands even for mere 1/500 sec shots, maybe that's the "perfectionist" in me talking...that or I'm getting old and jittery... :bsmilie:

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

How do you usually shoot bracketing?

If you set it to 3 frames, do you press three times in single shot mode or you shoot in continuous mode?

It seems a tripod is needed to shoot in bracketing.

Tripod (OR a stable platform) a must... or else no point doing bracketing... But you know why peeps do bracketing shots right?

Can set it in continous-shoot mode so that you clear all 3 shots in one go... but if your tripod isn't up to standard (shaky), I'd advice shooting with exposure delay mode on, can use continuous mode as well - just hold the remote cord button until all 3 shots are cleared. Again, I'd advise the use of remote cord for bracketing as well - resorting to avoid touching the camera as much as possible.

depends what you're using the bracketing function for
If it's just as 'insurance' in case you over/underexpose a shot (which was what film users traditionally used bracketing for), then tripod is not necessary but of course good to have.

If you're using bracketing to try and do layer blending, then tripod helps tremendously.
For me, I turn on bracketing, then self-timer 2s and multiple shots (2 or 3). So 1 press, and the camera automatically takes 2 or 3 bracketed exposures
I'm lazy I know....

 

[kriegsketten]

depends what you're using the bracketing function for
If it's just as 'insurance' in case you over/underexpose a shot (which was what film users traditionally used bracketing for), then tripod is not necessary but of course good to have.

If you're using bracketing to try and do layer blending, then tripod helps tremendously.
For me, I turn on bracketing, then self-timer 2s and multiple shots (2 or 3). So 1 press, and the camera automatically takes 2 or 3 bracketed exposures
I'm lazy I know....

You mean not pluging in the remote wire cord?? Bro, at this rate, you'll be using your ankles as tripod replacement for LE shots the next time! :bsmilie:

 

[kriegsketten]

depends what you're using the bracketing function for
If it's just as 'insurance' in case you over/underexpose a shot (which was what film users traditionally used bracketing for), then tripod is not necessary but of course good to have.

For the above, I'm even lazier than you... I'd either up or lower the EV manually, or control the shutter speed (quicker) up or down a bit. Provided the lighting conditions are suitable for doing that of course...

 

[vireon]

i thought the manual states it quite clearly (p.173 in case you missed it).

quoted from manual: "this option (available in all shooting modes) determines how the focus point for autofocus is selected."

you can then choose between:
1. single-point = self-explanatory
2. dynamic area = use with erratically moving subjects
3. auto-area = default setting. mix of #1 and #2
4. 3d tracking = camera uses 3d-tracking to keep focus or select new focus point

anything specific about it you're not sure?

No, I didn't miss this section in the manual. Only thing is that I don't know in which situation should best use #2 and which situation would best suit #4?

Thought this would be a good subject for the FAQ.

 

[makolit]

ok. i admit.
i have a D90 now. (actually, since 2 months ago)