The Nikon D90 is a powerful and versatile DSLR camera that offers a wide range of features and capabilities, making it a popular choice among photographers of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to upgrade from a point-and-shoot camera or an experienced photographer seeking a reliable workhorse, the D90 is an excellent choice. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to use the Nikon D90, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques.
Getting Started with the Nikon D90
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of using the D90, let’s take a moment to familiarize ourselves with the camera’s layout and basic controls. The D90 features a rugged and ergonomic design, with a comfortable grip and intuitive button placement.
Camera Modes
The D90 offers a range of camera modes, each designed to help you capture specific types of images. The main modes are:
- Auto Mode: This mode allows the camera to automatically adjust settings for optimal results.
- Program Mode: This mode gives you more control over camera settings, while still allowing the camera to make some adjustments.
- Shutter Priority Mode: This mode allows you to set the shutter speed, while the camera adjusts the aperture.
- Aperture Priority Mode: This mode allows you to set the aperture, while the camera adjusts the shutter speed.
- Manual Mode: This mode gives you complete control over camera settings.
Understanding Exposure
Exposure is a critical aspect of photography, and the D90 offers a range of tools to help you get it right. The camera’s exposure system is based on the concept of the “exposure triangle,” which consists of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- Aperture: Aperture refers to the size of the camera’s aperture, which controls the amount of light that enters the lens. A larger aperture (smaller f-stop number) allows more light in, while a smaller aperture (larger f-stop number) allows less light in.
- Shutter Speed: Shutter speed refers to the length of time the camera’s shutter is open, measured in seconds or fractions of a second. Faster shutter speeds are ideal for freezing motion, while slower speeds are better for creating motion blur.
- ISO: ISO refers to the camera’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO settings (such as ISO 100) are best for bright lighting conditions, while higher settings (such as ISO 6400) are better for low-light conditions.
Using the Nikon D90’s Autofocus System
The D90 features a fast and accurate autofocus system, which uses a combination of phase-detection and contrast-detection sensors to quickly and accurately focus on your subject.
Autofocus Modes
The D90 offers several autofocus modes, each designed for specific types of photography:
- Single Shot AF: This mode is ideal for stationary subjects, as it allows the camera to focus on a single point and lock focus.
- Continuous AF: This mode is ideal for moving subjects, as it allows the camera to continuously adjust focus as the subject moves.
- Manual Focus: This mode allows you to manually focus the lens using the focus ring.
Autofocus Points
The D90 features 11 autofocus points, which can be selected manually or automatically. You can also use the camera’s autofocus point selection mode to choose a specific point or group of points.
Working with the Nikon D90’s Metering System
The D90 features a sophisticated metering system, which uses a combination of sensors and algorithms to accurately measure the light in your scene.
Metering Modes
The D90 offers several metering modes, each designed for specific types of photography:
- Matrix Metering: This mode uses a combination of sensors and algorithms to measure the light in your scene and adjust exposure accordingly.
- Center-Weighted Metering: This mode gives more weight to the center of the frame when measuring light, making it ideal for portraits and other types of photography where the subject is centered.
- Spot Metering: This mode allows you to measure the light at a specific point in the frame, making it ideal for high-contrast scenes or situations where you need to accurately measure the light.
Using the Nikon D90’s White Balance System
The D90 features a sophisticated white balance system, which allows you to accurately capture the colors in your scene.
White Balance Modes
The D90 offers several white balance modes, each designed for specific types of photography:
- Auto White Balance: This mode allows the camera to automatically adjust white balance based on the lighting conditions.
- Presets: The D90 offers a range of white balance presets, including daylight, shade, tungsten, and fluorescent.
- Custom White Balance: This mode allows you to set a custom white balance using a gray card or other reference point.
Shooting with the Nikon D90
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the D90’s controls and features, let’s take a look at some tips and techniques for getting the most out of your camera.
Composition
Good composition is essential for creating visually appealing images. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Rule of Thirds: Divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place important elements along those lines.
- Leading Lines: Look for leading lines that can guide the viewer’s eye through the frame.
- Framing: Use natural or man-made features to frame your subject.
Working with Light
Light is one of the most critical elements of photography, and the D90 offers a range of tools to help you work with it.
- Golden Hour: The golden hour, which occurs just before sunset, is a great time to shoot, as the soft, warm light can add depth and interest to your images.
- Backlight: Backlight can be used to create interesting effects, such as rim lighting or silhouettes.
- Fill Flash: The D90’s built-in flash can be used to fill in shadows and add depth to your images.
Post-Processing with the Nikon D90
Once you’ve captured your images, it’s time to edit and enhance them using post-processing software.
RAW vs. JPEG
The D90 can capture images in both RAW and JPEG formats. RAW files offer more flexibility when editing, as they contain more data than JPEG files.
Editing Software
There are many editing software options available, including Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. These programs offer a range of tools and features to help you edit and enhance your images.
Conclusion
The Nikon D90 is a powerful and versatile camera that offers a wide range of features and capabilities. By mastering the camera’s controls and features, and by using the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can unlock the full potential of your D90 and take your photography to the next level.
What are the key features of the Nikon D90 camera?
The Nikon D90 is a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera that boasts a range of impressive features. Some of its key features include a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, and the ability to record 720p HD video. Additionally, the camera has a built-in autofocus motor, allowing for faster and more accurate focusing.
The Nikon D90 also features a range of shooting modes, including manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program mode. This allows users to have full control over their camera settings, enabling them to capture high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions. Furthermore, the camera has a built-in pop-up flash and supports external flash units, providing users with greater flexibility when it comes to lighting.
How do I get started with using my Nikon D90 camera?
To get started with using your Nikon D90 camera, begin by reading the user manual to familiarize yourself with the camera’s controls and features. Next, charge the battery and insert a memory card into the camera. Turn on the camera and set the mode dial to the desired shooting mode. You can start with the auto mode to get a feel for the camera’s settings and then experiment with other modes as you become more comfortable.
It’s also a good idea to practice using the camera’s autofocus and metering modes to get a sense of how they work. You can start by taking photos of stationary objects, such as flowers or buildings, and then move on to more challenging subjects, such as moving objects or portraits. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things – the more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with using your Nikon D90 camera.
What are the different shooting modes available on the Nikon D90?
The Nikon D90 camera offers a range of shooting modes, including manual (M), aperture priority (A), shutter priority (S), and program mode (P). Manual mode allows users to have full control over the camera’s settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Aperture priority mode allows users to set the aperture, while the camera adjusts the shutter speed accordingly. Shutter priority mode allows users to set the shutter speed, while the camera adjusts the aperture.
Program mode is an automatic mode that allows the camera to adjust the settings based on the lighting conditions. Additionally, the camera has a range of scene modes, including portrait, landscape, and sports modes, which are designed to help users capture specific types of images. The camera also has a night vision mode, which allows users to capture images in low-light conditions.
How do I use the autofocus feature on my Nikon D90 camera?
To use the autofocus feature on your Nikon D90 camera, start by selecting the autofocus mode using the autofocus mode button. The camera has two autofocus modes: single-shot AF and continuous AF. Single-shot AF is best for stationary subjects, while continuous AF is best for moving subjects. Next, select the autofocus point using the autofocus point selector.
Once you’ve selected the autofocus point, press the shutter release button halfway to activate the autofocus. The camera will adjust the focus and display a confirmation light in the viewfinder. If the subject is not in focus, the camera will display a flashing light in the viewfinder. You can also use the camera’s autofocus lock feature to lock the focus on a specific subject.
How do I use the metering modes on my Nikon D90 camera?
The Nikon D90 camera has three metering modes: matrix metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering. Matrix metering is the default metering mode and is best for capturing images with a range of lighting conditions. Center-weighted metering gives more weight to the center of the frame, while spot metering allows users to measure the light from a specific area of the frame.
To use the metering modes, start by selecting the metering mode using the metering mode button. Next, frame the shot and press the shutter release button halfway to activate the metering. The camera will display the metering reading in the viewfinder. You can also use the camera’s exposure compensation feature to adjust the exposure based on the metering reading.
How do I record video on my Nikon D90 camera?
To record video on your Nikon D90 camera, start by setting the mode dial to the live view mode. Next, select the video recording mode using the video recording button. The camera has two video recording modes: 720p and 640×424 pixels. Select the desired mode and frame the shot using the LCD screen.
Once you’ve framed the shot, press the shutter release button to start recording. The camera will display a recording indicator in the LCD screen. You can also use the camera’s autofocus feature to adjust the focus during recording. To stop recording, press the shutter release button again. The camera will save the video file to the memory card.
How do I transfer images from my Nikon D90 camera to my computer?
To transfer images from your Nikon D90 camera to your computer, start by connecting the camera to the computer using a USB cable. Next, turn on the camera and set the mode dial to the playback mode. The camera will display the images on the LCD screen. You can then use the camera’s transfer mode to transfer the images to the computer.
Alternatively, you can remove the memory card from the camera and insert it into a memory card reader connected to the computer. The computer will recognize the memory card and allow you to transfer the images using a file transfer program. You can also use the Nikon Transfer software, which is included with the camera, to transfer the images to the computer.