Nikon D7000 tips

[Grandpaw]

Each time I purchase a new camera I make an attempt to learn as much about it's different functions as possible and get my monies worth out of the equipment but many people just learn enough to get by and go no further. Due to the fact that my research on line to find tips and information out about the Nikon D7000 didn't turn up much I came up with the idea to write a thread and give other as much information and tips about the D7000 as I could. About once a week another tip is added with the idea that D7000 owners will have a place to go for helpful information and to be able to learn more about their camera. If you have the time you might want to start a thread about your camera so you can help others also, Jeff

The Virtual Horizon on your camera will help you get all your pictures level and eliminate them slanting to the right or left. I thought that the Virtual Horizon only worked in the live mode on the LCD screen. I just figured out that it can show up in the viewfinder if you set it up. As I find out things about my D7000 I will post them here. If you already know what I post just disregard my thread but hopefully maybe some of the things I find out and post will be new to more members than just myself. If you have a tip that you would like to share please feel free to send it to me and I will write it up and add it to the list. I can be contacted by Email or PM by clicking on "Grandpaw" just above my picture on the left hand side of this post, Jeff

NOTE: many of the tips will also work on other Nikon models.

This is how to get the virtual horizon to show up in the viewfinder.
Go to custom settings in menu
F- controls
F3 assign button. I assigned the FN button for this.
Highlight virtual horizon and press OK

At the bottom of the viewfinder the light meter shows over and under exposure. If you press the button you assigned on the camera and the meter will change to the virtual horizon mode. It will look the same as the exposure looked but if you tilt your camera down left or right you will see the effect on the meter at the bottom of your viewfinder. The Virtual Horizon will stay active until you take a picture or your meter times out. I thought the virtual horizon only worked in the live mode with the LCD screen. I found this to be helpful and hope you do also, Jeff

Starting today (April 14th 2012) I will start keeping a list of the different tips here in case you wish to come back and re read a TIP in this thread so it will be easier to locate them. Hope this helps you out, Jeff

COMPLETE LIST OF TIPS
Tip #1 The Virtual Horizon
Tip #2 Nikon built in flash adjustment
Tip #3 Where was the focus point of my picture
Tip #4 Menus driving you nuts My Menu
Tip #5 Manuals hard to understand Digitutor
Tip #6 Saving all your setting for your favorite type of shooting U1 & U2
Tip #7 Reducing noise in your pictures
Tip #8 Need faster FLASH SYNC SPEED than 1/250??
Tip #9 You might consider a battery grip and this is why
Tip #10 Capturing the natural look or mood with photos taken inside by using fill flash
Tip #11 When to use different flash fill modes and what they do
Tip #12 Additional observation or thought for the tip in my post #10
Tip #13 Some reasons to add an external flash to your list of equipment
Tip #14 Ever wish you had access to your camera manual while you were out shooting?
Tip #15 Lighting up the rear LCD display
Tip #16 Easy was to change your ISO setting in aperture mode
Tip #17 Ever need to get your active focus point back to the center quickly?
Tip #18 Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote
Tip #19 Having trouble with the auto focus in low light
Tip #20 Using the auto ISO setting and setting the minimum shutter speed
Tip #21 Discovering blown out areas quickly while you are still shooting so you can correct your mistakes
Tip #22 Getting your own custom look to your pictures
Tip #23 Wanting to compare two or more pictures up close
Tip #24 Customizing your metering system
Tip #25 Adding copyright information to the EXIF data of each of your pictures
Tip #26 Quick check all your settings BEFORE each time you shoot
Tip #27 Getting a custom white balance
Tip #28 Is your camera a pain in the neck?
Tip #29 Viewing your pictures, menus, or info on the rear LCD screen
Tip #30 Saving custom white balance settings
Tip #31 Getting the rear LCD screen to stay on as long as you need it
Tip #32 Another option to navigate menus with, other than the multi selector button
Tip #33 If you use a wide angle lens you may find this tip very helpful
Tip #34 Does part of your pictures disappear when you have enlargements made?
Tip #35 Ever consider trying "Active D Lighting" or "Regular D Lighting"
Tip #36 Getting a custom look to your pictures under many different situations
Tip #37 Resetting your Nikon SB 800 flash back to normal operation
Tip #38 What is the Diopter, where is it and what does it do
Tip #39 Finding a photo on your memory card in the camera
Tip #40 Try converting photos to black and white for a different look & feel
Tip #41 This tip is for people shooting more than one model camera
Tip $42 A simple tip that may save you money and headaches
Tip #43 Setting your camera to take a picture only after focus has been acquired
Tip #44 Beware of UFOs when changing lenses
Tip #45 Sometimes your rear LCD screen lighting up is annoying to others
Tip #46 Sometimes you may not want the flash to fire in AUTO mode
Tip #47 Accidentally shooting without a memory card in the camera
Tip #48 Ever wonder just what a particular menu selection does?
Tip #49 You may find turning on the grid display in the viewfinder helpful
Tip #50 My focus point needs to stay active longer
Tip #51 After a couple of shots my flash quit working
Tip #52 Obtaining FOCUS LOCK and EXPOSURE LOCK separately
Tip #53 Ever have the EV setting seem to change by itself?
Tip #54 Seeing your ISO in the viewfinder
Tip #55 Assigning the role played by the second SD slot
Tip #56 I think I might give the video a try
Tip #57 Getting some help with manual focusing
Tip #58 Be careful adjusting the brightness of the rear LCD screen
Tip #59 Adjusting exposure compensation
Tip #60 Tired of having to hold a button down while turning a dial to make adjustment
Tip #61 Reversing your "-"minus and "+"plus indicators
Tip #62 Quick check list to use before shooting
Tip #63 Using Live View to frame your shot and get correct exposure
Tip #64 Try this when focusing is critical
Tip #65 A very simple but helpful tip when using your tripod
Tip #66 A great book to get on the Nikon D7000
Tip #67 Protecting your rear LCD screen
Tip #68 Selecting a UV filter
Tip #69 Additional AUTO ISO information
Tip #70 My camera just went nuts!!!
Tip #71 Choosing a SD card for your Nikon D7000
Tip #72 Should I have my lens's VR turned on when shooting on a tripod
Tip #73 What would you do if your battery or charger quit working?
Tip #74 My shutter speeds in "M" and "S" modes won't go over 320
Tip #75 Do you find the RED RECORD BUTTON a pain in the neck for movies?
Tip #76 Updating to the latest firmware in your D7000 camera
Tip #77 Setting White Balance for "Sunrise" and "Sunset" pictures
Tip #78 Copy images from one SD card to another within your camera
Tip #79 Are you having trouble keeping your horizons level?
Tip #80 Are you having trouble with dust spots in your pictures?
Tip #81 Why or why not turn the audible beep to "ON" for Autofocus
Tip #82 Increasing your percentage of keepers when shooting
Tip #83 Why doesn't my D7000 give me pictures like I see in the sample galleries
Tip #84 My tripod and camera is setup but where is my remote
Tip #85 Getting great pictures of your kids on rides at attractions
Tip #86 Things I learned about shooting video while on vacation
Tip #87 Do's and Don'ts when taking a video of Christmas displays
Tip #88 I get my focus lock but my shutter button doesn't work
Tip #89 My pictures are all foggy, what is going on?
Tip #90 Start using your speedlite as a remote flash
Tip #91 Its time to update your copyright info in your cameras EXIF data Tip #92 Shooting photos from a vehicle
Tip #92 Shooting photos from a vehicle
Tip #93 A quick and easy way to format your SD cards
Tip #94 The effects of Depth of Field using different focal length lenses
Tip #95 Do you know when to use the "Normal" and "Active" position on a VR lens?
Tip #96 Learning from other photographers camera settings.
Tip #97 Needing a copyright symbol for your watermark
Tip #98 A few more reasons to have an umbrella available when out shooting.
Tip #99 Why I shoot single point focus point
Tip #100 Looking at things a little different might give you better results

[Grandpaw]

Nikon built in flash adjustment
I learned something new today and thought I would pass it on. Some of you probably already know this but I have to believe that there are many that don't.

Want to adjust the power of the on camera flash for a Nikon D7000!

Here is how you do it
Press the info button down so you can view the rear screen. Now hold down the button that makes the on camera flash pop up. Next while holding that button down turn the finger wheel button on the front of the camera. This allows you to turn the power of the on camera flash down. When taking pictures up close, having the ability to lower the power of the on camera flash will be very helpful and help you to keep from over exposing as much. Hope this is new information to a few folks out there like it was to me. I am doing this on my Nikon D7000 but it may also work on other models, Jeff
REMEMBER like all settings that you change now and then, be sure to change it back when you are done or it could drive you nuts!!!!
__________________

Let me add a clarification to this tip. You are not really adjusting the power output of the flash you are actually adding or subtracting compensation of the flash as compared to what it would normally choose to use. This way if it is giving you more light than you want the flash can be adjusted to get the effect you are looking for. This is just adjusting or compensating for the reading the camera has chosen to use with the flash just like you compensate for the exposure with the "EV" button on top of the camera for non flash exposures.

[fotofill]

I shoot football in the dark at HS fields. When I am at the back of the endzone, I pop up the flash. I have been turning down the ISO number. Now I can set the flash 3 stops lower and keep shooting at 4000. Great info!

[n8]

good to see you're getting to know your camera and passing it along!

[Grandpaw]

Where was the focus point of my picture? You can wait until you get your file in your computer and find out it was off the mark that you wanted the focus to be on or you can know instantly if you nailed it. Have you ever looked at one of your pictures that you intended to have the focus on an eye and actually was on an ear instead, leaving the eye soft? This might be for you.

When the preview comes up on the LCD screen I like having the focus point of that picture displayed so I can verify and see exactly where my point of focus was when the picture was taken. Doing this will display a red focus point where it was during the exposure.

Here is how you do it
Go to the PLAYBACK MENU
DISPLAY MODE
Check FOCUS POINT
Next go up the menu to DONE and press OK.

If you try it and do not like it just repeat and UN-check FOCUS POINT, Jeff

[Yochi]

Where was the focus point of my picture? You can wait until you get your file in your computer and find out it was off the mark that you wanted the focus to be on or you can know instantly if you nailed it. Have you ever looked at one of your pictures that you intended to have the focus on an eye and actually was on an ear instead, leaving the eye soft? This might be for you.

When the preview comes up on the LCD screen I like having the focus point of that picture displayed so I can verify and see exactly where my point of focus was when the picture was taken. Doing this will display a red focus point where it was during the exposure.

Here is how you do it
Go to the PLAYBACK MENU
DISPLAY MODE
Check FOCUS POINT
Next go up the menu to DONE and press OK.

If you try it and do not like it just repeat and UN-check FOCUS POINT, Jeff

Hi
First I want to thank you for this great thread. Am going to have a lot of questions hope I won't be too much of a nag...
I was trying to see the focal point and did everything as you suggested and yet when I am viewing the pictures on the camera I can't se the focal point.
Thanks
Yochi

[Grandpaw]

Hi
First I want to thank you for this great thread. Am going to have a lot of questions hope I won't be too much of a nag...
I was trying to see the focal point and did everything as you suggested and yet when I am viewing the pictures on the camera I can't se the focal point.
Thanks
Yochi

If you have it set to show the focus point and it doesn't just press the up arrow on the multi selector button and it will show up. It could either be a single focus point or multiple points depending on which focus option you are using, Jeff

[n8]

Boy, you're really getting into this
The quick menu feature is definitely one of my favorites. I have my Fn button assigned to pull this menu up.
The depth of field preview button is also able to be customized...I like using it to kill the flash for situations were maybe I want flash...maybe I don't.

[Grandpaw]

Boy, you're really getting into this
The quick menu feature is definitely one of my favorites. I have my Fn button assigned to pull this menu up.
The depth of field preview button is also able to be customized...I like using it to kill the flash for situations were maybe I want flash...maybe I don't.

When would you need a button like that to kill the flash? It won't pop up unless you do it manually or you are in auto and then all you have to do is turn it one more notch on the mode dial and it is auto without flash. When would you use a button to turn it off? Just curious, Jeff

[Raymond_K]

Hi All,

I have just joined and wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Jeff for all his hints and tips on how to get even more out of a Nikon D7000 than what one can achieve by reading every page of a very well written manual that comes with the camera.

I am not a professional and admit to only having this camera a few months. I am still experimenting with options (I haven't worked out how many 100's (or could it be 1000's?) there are) but I do know that I am going to enjoy trying out every one of the useful ones that are currently mentioned.

Keep up the great work Jeff. I don't know how many other sites there are similar to this one but I know that I will be referring back to check this one out very frequently!

Thanks and good luck!!

Raymond

[Grandpaw]

Hi All,

I have just joined and wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Jeff for all his hints and tips on how to get even more out of a Nikon D7000 than what one can achieve by reading every page of a very well written manual that comes with the camera.

I am not a professional and admit to only having this camera a few months. I am still experimenting with options (I haven't worked out how many 100's (or could it be 1000's?) there are) but I do know that I am going to enjoy trying out every one of the useful ones that are currently mentioned.

Keep up the great work Jeff. I don't know how many other sites there are similar to this one but I know that I will be referring back to check this one out very frequently!

Thanks and good luck!!

Raymond

Thanks a lot Raymond for letting me know that you are getting something out of the tips thread and are benefiting from it. It's nice to get some feedback once in a while from people that are reading the thread. Thanks again for your positive comments, they are much appreciated. Jeff

[Raymond_K]

Jeff,

I'm wondering if you (or any other reader of this forum) could avise with respect to VIDEO recording with the D7000. To be more specific in my case:

I currently had 2 32Gb cards in the camera (they will be empty to start with) and I plan to film at HD(720p) - not 1080.

My very basic questions are:

1). Are you aware of a (more of less) recording time for each card? I know that there's a maximum of 20 mins per "take", but I'm referring to a TOTAL time per card.

2). What really happens when card 1 fills? Is the video actually split between the 2 cards and, if this is the case, is it easy to recover it (I mean, to store it as just 1 video on a PC).

3). As I have to film a dance type show (I mean, with normal theatre lighting but with a lot of movement on the stage - i.e. jumps, leaps, and God knows what else!!), would you still advise to recording simply in live view and "auto"? If not, are there any basic rules to what you would recommend?

The only reason that I've posted this here now as I feel sure that there are many of your readers who, like me, would appreciate guidance on this subject.

Keep up the great work on these hints and tips - for me at least, they are already proving very useful.

Regards to all,

Raymond

[Grandpaw]

Jeff,

I'm wondering if you (or any other reader of this forum) could advise with respect to VIDEO recording with the D7000. To be more specific in my case:

I currently had 2 32Gb cards in the camera (they will be empty to start with) and I plan to film at HD(720p) - not 1080.

My very basic questions are:

1). Are you aware of a (more of less) recording time for each card? I know that there's a maximum of 20 mins per "take", but I'm referring to a TOTAL time per card.

2). What really happens when card 1 fills? Is the video actually split between the 2 cards and, if this is the case, is it easy to recover it (I mean, to store it as just 1 video on a PC).

3). As I have to film a dance type show (I mean, with normal theatre lighting but with a lot of movement on the stage - i.e. jumps, leaps, and God knows what else!!), would you still advise to recording simply in live view and "auto"? If not, are there any basic rules to what you would recommend?

The only reason that I've posted this here now as I feel sure that there are many of your readers who, like me, would appreciate guidance on this subject.

Keep up the great work on these hints and tips - for me at least, they are already proving very useful.

Regards to all,

Raymond

Raymond, I do not take a lot of video but I will give you two suggestion that may help. First in concerning knowing how much time is remaining for your video I would refer you to Tip #55 that will cover that and tell you how to do it. By setting up your camera to have the video saved to card slot #2 you will always know exactly how much time you have remaining to record your videos.

What I have found as far a video is that leaving my camera in manual focus works much better for me because the camera does not keep refocusing continually which causes problems not only with the video but you can hear the focusing in the audio portion also. I have found that my camera can auto focus much better than I can manually focus so this is how I proceed when recording video. Before I go into video mode I just point my camera at where the action will be and take a auto focus reading because I do not seem to do a very good job in focusing in manual. Once the camera has acquired the focus I turn the auto focus OFF, and now I am ready to turn on live view and get ready to record. This gets me the focus that I don't seem to be able to get manually and it also eliminates the camera continually refocusing and also eliminates the sound that is picked up each time the camera refocuses. Now I am ready to turn on the live view and start recording.

This is what I found that works for me but I will have to mention again that I do not do a lot of video and someone else may have some better suggestions than I am able to give you. When recording, if you need or want to move your camera around for different views be sure and make all your movements slow and smooth so that your picture does not look jerky from the movement. Good luck with the video and I would HIGHLY SUGGEST doing a little practicing BEFORE the night of the show. Jeff

[Raymond_K]

Jeff,

Thanks for that tip about focussing automatically first and then turning off the automatic focussing and just staying in manual - to be honest, I would never have thought of that one!!!

I will give it a try and certainly practice before trying to video the show as it's of my daughter's dance company and I would hate to let her down with a bad video!!!

Final question for you (for the moment, at least!) is that, if one ever wants to upload a photo (or maybe even a video) to this site, there appears to be a very low limit (that of around 280Kb) and I was wondering whether you consider that has been set precisely to AVOID filling this site up with photos?

I just thought that it could be of interest for all to be able to, at times, post a video or photo so as to discuss it, get your personal opinion, get other opinions and even possible suggestions too.

Please let me know what you think about the "uploading" of photos and, once again, thanks for the tip about focussing - I'll let you know how I get on.

Many thanks,

Raymond

[Grandpaw]

A very simple but helpful tip when using your tripod

One of my favorite types of photography is nighttime or available light photography. When I get through shooting I have a tendency to remove my tripod from my camera and place it in the rear of my car and put my camera in front with me so I can take it in and check out my pictures when I get home. After looking at my pictures I remove the quick connect that attaches my camera to the tripod and it gets set on my desk to be put up latter. The problem with this method is several times when I went out to shoot the next time my quick connect was still on my desk. I had the tripod, camera and everything else but did not have the quick connect. This became a big problem and needed to be fixed

Here is what I did.

Now I have an extra quick connect that I leave mounted to my longer lens which makes it easy to attach to a tripod when needed. The thing that helped me the most, and the simple tip for this week, is remove the quick connect from the camera when your done shooting and attach back it to the tripod. I have gotten in the habit of doing this and now I never have a tripod without the quick connect right where I need it. I leave my tripod in the car and the quick connect on the tripod and have not had the is problem come up again. This is a very simple tip but one that has been very beneficial to me. You can have all the cameras, lenses and tripods you want but if the quick connect is not with you, you are can't shoot at night with your tripod. Jeff

[n8]

When I have a speed light attached. I did this a lot when shooting the vietnow pics in viewfinder. I had the flash on the whole time, but was shooting with a 1.8, and with the iso performance...the light wasn't essential...just useful for certain shots. There are a ton of applications for this, but it pretty much is only useful if you have a strobe attached. Using the dof preview button is essential too, as you can still reach it with your right ring finger while shooting in portrait with the grip attached.

[Grandpaw]

Manuals hard to understand?
You might want to go to the link below and view the Nikon Digitutor for the D7000. It is a video on the Nikon site that will give you a good over view of what the camera can do and how it operates. Each time I get a new Nikon I review the video for my new camera and recommend you check it out also, Jeff

Here is the link to the video.....
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor | D7000

[Grandpaw]

Saving all your settings for your favorite type of shooting.

Ever spend a lot of time getting all the settings fine tuned for taking shots at the beach, portraits, landscapes or something else only to loose them after changing to a different mode selection and have to figure them out again the next time you shoot? If you have, then take advantage of all the time you spent tweaking your settings and save them to U1 or U2 on the mode dial of your camera. After you have invested all the time getting your favorite tweaks for, lets say shots at the beach, BEFORE you move that mode dial just pick U1 or U2 on the mode dial and save all the settings and tweaks for the next time by doing this.

Go to MENU > SETUP > Save user settings > (select U1 or U2) > Save settings

Now the next time you go back to that style of photography all the work is done, just turn the mode dial to whichever selection you saved them to and you are ready to go. If you find that after using it a little while you need to make a few more fine adjustments then repeat the steps above. Be sure to save the new adjustments BEFORE you move the mode dial or you will loose the latest adjustments and revert back to the last time you saved. This is a feature that few cameras have and you can save a complete set of settings for two types of photography of your choice so take advantage of this great function, Jeff

I would be interested in hearing from some of the members to find out if any of you are getting any helpful information out of this, if so let me know and I will keep posting. Close to 400 views with only n8 giving any comments. Thanks n8!!

[Grandpaw]

Reducing noise in your pictures.
To start with this tip applies to pictures taken preferably on a tripod and have a relatively still subject. What you do is to take multiple pictures of the same subject and have "auto gain" on which results in a noticeable decrease in noise by taking either two or three pictures and dividing the exposure between the frames and merging them back together into one image within the camera.

To do this go to SHOOTING MENU
Multiple exposure, select Number of shots, go down to AUTO Gain and turn it on then scroll up to DONE and click OK.

You have a choice of two or three frames and I like to use three to reduce the noise as much as possible. The three ways you can trip the shutter are 1st, manually pushing the button three times, 2nd using a remote to do the same thing, or 3rd by placing your camera on CH burst mode and doing three quick pictures by pressing the shutter button once. You have to pay attention because you will be shooting at 6FPS. I prefer this method because it is the fastest and reduces the chances of movement while taking the three shots. The multiple exposure function automatically turns off and will need to be reset to take additional multiple pictures. If you leave the AUTO GAIN off each of your pictures will be exposed for the full amount needed to take a single picture so make sure the AUTO GAIN is turned on. I have already posted a picture taken with this method and will add it below so you can see it again. Any camera can take multiple pictures that can be merged into one shot using PhotoShop or additional software but the Nikon's will do it quickly IN CAMERA for simple, instant results. Try this and see what you think, you should have a noticeable reduction in the amount of noise that can be seen, Jeff

Note: the noise reduction was off in the camera for this shot and no noise reduction was done in post production. The only method to reduce noise was the method used above. Also I suggest adding the multiple exposure button to your "My Menu" so it can be accessed easily and quickly for additional shots like this.

[Grandpaw]

Need faster FLASH SYNC SPEED than 1/250???
I have my camera set to 1/320 (AUTO FP). The reason I have changed it is because at the default setting your camera flash will only sync up to 1/250 and go no higher. By changing the setting to 1/320 (AUTO FP) it will allow your camera to sync normally up to the faster 1/320 speed using the full power of your flash and also go much higher automatically if you need it to go above the 1/320 sync level. As you pass the 1/320 sync speed the duration of the flash has to be extended due to how the shutter operates on your camera so the sensor is equally exposed to the light from the flash. Your camera has a focal plane shutter that exposes the sensor in two different movements and not all at the same time. As the speed of the shutter increases the flash needs to operate longer to be able to equally cover and expose light to the sensor because of the way the shutter exposes the sensor in the two different movements. Remember that at 1/320 (AUTO FP) that everything up to and including 1/320 will operate with NO DECREASE in flash power. If you go above that speed the flash power will slowly decrease due to extending the length of duration the flash has to operate at.
One example of when you may need the higher flash sync speed would be if you were taking a picture outside and wanted to use a larger F-stop to blur the background but also need some FILL FLASH. This would allow you to use an F-stop of say F2.8 that would call for a fast shutter speed that would eliminate using fill flash at the higher shutter speed if your camera was at the default setting of 1/250 sec.
Having the camera set to 1/320 (AUTO FP) all the time will allow you to sync your flash up to this speed any time you need it at full flash power and automatically let you go above that if you need it without having to go into any menus. To me it is a win, win situation.

If you would like to try it, this is how you do it.
Go to CUSTOM MENU
E- BRACKETING
E1- FLASH SYNC SPEED 1/320 push menu selector to the right and select FLASH SYNC SPEED 1/320 (AUTO FP) then push OK

The “FP” in the setting stands for “FOCAL PLANE” which is the type of shutter your camera has that determines the speed of the sync with your flash.
You can get more information about this if you Google Nikon High Speed Flash Sync.
I leave my camera set to this setting all the time and never change it. Hope this might be of some benefit to some of the readers, Jeff

[Grandpaw]

Feel free to leave any comments about my "Tips" thread and let me know if you are benefiting from any of these posts, Jeff

[Raymond_K]

Hi there Jeff,

I would appreciate your clarification as to what difference there is between the "P" mode and the "Auto" mode (without flash) when taking a photo.

The reason that I'm asking this is that the manual (it's on page 67 in the one I have) states that, for the "P" setting (i.e programmed auto), "the camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure".

What I mean is that, if one selects the "Auto" mode (WITHOUT flash), what really is the difference between these 2 modes? Does this mean that the "P" mode will select a BETTER setting than the "Auto" (without flash) and, if it does, could you please explain the benefit(s) of using the "P" mode.

Hopefully I'm not showing myself up as too much of a beginner but, even asking friends and colleagues (NOT camera experts, unfortunately!), no-one has been able to clarify this for me.

Once again, thanks for all your tips on this site - I'm still working through them!!

Very best regards.

Raymond

[Grandpaw]

Raymond, if you take a picture in "P" mode and take the same picture in Auto (without the flash) you should get the same setting for both pictures. The difference is that the "P" mode will allow you to change the F-stop, shutter speed, or ISO from what the camera has chosen and will automatically adjust to get the correct exposure.

Say for instance if you are in "P" mode and the camera picks the settings for you and the shutter speed it chooses is too slow for the action you are taking, you have the ability to go to a faster shutter speed and the camera will automatically adjust the F-stop to get the correct exposure.

Basically the "P" mode is the same as Auto (without the flash) but you also have the ability to change a setting to match you needs and the camera will automatically adjust the rest of the settings to get what it thinks is the correct exposure. You can adjust the F-stop, shutter speed, or ISO in "P" mode and the camera will automatically adjust the other setting to get the correct exposure.

In Auto mode (with the flash turned off) you basically have an expensive point and shoot camera without a flash. Jeff

[Raymond_K]

Jeff,

This is like having a hotline to Nikon support - LOL!!

Thanks a million for such a quick reply!!

Maybe it's worth adding something like this as a tip? Well, I know that I'm finding all of this more than useful and I hope that other readers of this forum are too.

If anyone feels that I'm asking Jeff too many questions, please reply here and I will refrain. It's just that I have not found such a helpful site (and person) and I'm personally benefiting greatly.

Thank you once again Jeff!!

Best regards,

Raymond

[Grandpaw]

A great book to get on the Nikon D7000

I like to learn as much as I cam about each and every camera that I purchase. The Nikon D7000 is no exception so after getting the camera my research began on which book that would help me learn as much as I could about my hew camera. I read many reviews on several books and decided to purchase "Mastering the Nikon D7000" By Darrell Young. I am sure there are many books out there but this 479 page book covers everything and does it very well. It is written in easy to understand language and has many photos that show you just what to do.

Here is what to do

My tip for today is to purchase this book and learn as much about your camera as you can. The more you know and can get out of your camera the more enjoyment you will have. I very highly recommend this book. Jeff