1. Introduction to the Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide
This guide provides detailed instructions for operating the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera. It is designed to help users understand the camera's many controls, functions, and photographic techniques. The content is derived from the comprehensive Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide, offering a practical approach to mastering your camera.
The original guide features full-color photographs to assist in identifying camera controls and provides step-by-step instructions for various shooting situations. It aims to simplify the learning process compared to traditional camera manuals.
Figure 1.1: Front cover of the Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide. This image displays the book's title and a visual of the Nikon D80 camera, indicating the subject of the guide.
Figure 1.2: Back cover of the Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide. This image highlights key benefits and topics covered within the book, such as operating controls, photographic basics, and lens exploration.
2. Exploring the Nikon D80 Camera Controls
This section details the various buttons, dials, switches, and levers on the Nikon D80 camera. Understanding these controls is essential for efficient camera operation. The original guide includes detailed full-color photographs of the camera from various views to help identify each component.
2.1. Up Front Controls
When holding the camera, your right hand wraps around the handgrip, and your left hand supports the lens. This grip allows quick access to essential controls.
- Autofocus Assist/Self-timer/Red-eye Reduction Lamp: This front-mounted white LED serves multiple functions. It can flash in dim light to aid autofocus, blink during self-timer countdown, and emit a burst of light before flash exposure to reduce red-eye.
- Bhatani reFunc: This customizable button provides quick access to a user-defined feature, such as switching spot metering or disabling the flash.
- Shutter Kuburitswa: Partially depressing this button locks exposure and focus. Fully depressing it takes the picture. Tapping it reactivates autoexposure and autofocus if they have turned off, or removes a review image from the LCD.
- On-Off Switch: Rotate this switch one notch to power on the camera. Rotating it further activates the top panel LCD backlight, which remains on for a few seconds.
- Sub-Command Dial: A secondary control dial that offers alternate or complementary functions to the main command dial. For example, it adjusts aperture in Manual exposure mode.
- Handgrip: Provides a comfortable hold for the camera and houses the battery.
- Kudzika-kwe-Field Preview Bhatani: Press and hold to close the lens aperture to the shooting value, allowing a preview of the depth of field. The viewfinder dims, but sharpness range becomes visible.
2.2. Other Front Controls
The other side of the D80 also features several controls:
- Bracketing Button: Hold this button and rotate the main command dial to activate a bracketing sequence (two or three shots). Rotate the sub-command dial while holding it to adjust the exposure increment (0.3 EV to 2.0 EV).
- Flash Mode Button: Press to pop up the built-in electronic flash. Hold and rotate the command dial to change flash modes (e.g., auto flash, red-eye reduction). Rotate the sub-command dial to adjust flash exposure compensation.
- Infrared Receiver: This window receives signals from the optional ML-L3 remote control. Its front panel position requires specific positioning for activation.
- Lens Release Button: Hold this button while rotating the lens to detach it from the camera body.
- Focus Mode Selector Button: The AF/M switch on the camera body selects between autofocus and manual focus. Some lenses also have their own AF/M or M/A-M switches.
2.3. Sides and Bottom Controls
The sides and bottom of the D80 contain connectors and compartments:
- AC Power/AV Connector/USB Connector Covers: On the left side, rubber covers protect ports for USB data transfer, an optional AC/DC adapter for continuous power, and an AV plug for external monitor connection.
- Remote Control Port: Under the bottom rubber cover on the left side, this port connects the optional MC-DC1 wired remote control.
- SD Memory Card Slot: On the right side, a door slides back to reveal the Secure Digital (SD) card slot. Pressing the card releases it for removal.
- Tripod Socket: Located on the bottom, this is used for mounting the camera on a tripod or securing the optional MB-D80 battery pack/vertical grip.
- Battery Compartment: A flip-open door on the bottom accepts a single EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
2.4. On the Lens Controls
Lenses for the Nikon D80 have their own set of controls, which can vary by lens type and model. The original guide illustrates these with examples like the 18-55mm, 18-200mm, and 105mm Micro-Nikkor lenses.
- Lens Hood Alignment Guide/Bayonet: Used with lenses that feature bayonet-mount lens hoods for proper attachment.
- Sefa Thread: Located on the front of most lenses for attaching filters and other accessories.
- Funga Mhete: Rotated for manual focusing or fine-tuning focus when the camera or lens is set to manual focus. Some lenses allow manual override after autofocus.
- Chikero cheKure: (Present on some lenses) Indicates the approximate focus distance. Useful for checking autofocus or setting manual focus.
- Zoom Ring/Zoom Scale: The zoom ring changes the focal length, and the zoom scale shows the current setting.
- Alignment Indicator: A white dot on the lens that aligns with a corresponding dot on the camera body for correct lens mounting.
- Vibration Reduction Switches: (On VR lenses) Used to turn the vibration reduction feature on/off or toggle between Normal and Active modes.
- Limit Chinja: (On some lenses with extensive focus ranges) Restricts the autofocus range to speed up focusing by excluding distant or macro focus distances.
- Mhete yeAperture: (On D-series lenses) Allows manual aperture setting. G-series lenses lack this and rely on electronic aperture control from the camera body.
- Aperture Lock: (On D-series lenses) Locks the aperture ring at the smallest f-stop for compatibility with the D80's automatic exposure system.
2.5. On Top Controls
The top panel of the D80 features key controls for setting shooting modes and other functions:
- Modhi Dial: This knurled wheel selects shooting modes, including DVP/Scene modes, Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.
- Focal Plane Indicator: A small indicator showing the precise plane of the camera's sensor, relevant for specialized close-up photography.
3. Kugadzira Kamera
The original Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide dedicates Chapter 3 to a complete setup guide, including an explanation of the camera's menu system. This section covers initial camera configuration, customizing settings, and navigating through the various menu options to personalize your D80 for optimal use.
4. Operating the Nikon D80
Chapter 2 of the original guide details how to use the D80's basic features, such as metering and autofocus. It also covers various exposure modes, including Programmed exposure modes, Semi-automatic modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority), and Manual exposure modes. This section provides guidance on selecting the appropriate settings for different photographic scenarios.
5. Photographic Basics and Techniques
The guide reviews fundamental photographic concepts such as exposure, lighting, and composition. It explores different types of lenses and provides recommendations for appropriate lens selection, ISO settings, aperture or mode, shutter speed, and lighting for a variety of subjects and situations. This includes step-by-step recipes for shooting in over 15 specific situations.
6. Downloading and Editing Photos
Expert tips on downloading and editing your photos are also covered in the original guide. This includes instructions for transferring images from the camera to a computer and advice on post-processing techniques to enhance your photographs.
7. Kuchengeta
This Digital Field Guide focuses on camera operation and photographic techniques. For detailed maintenance procedures, cleaning instructions, and care of your Nikon D80 camera, please refer to the official Nikon D80 owner's manual.
8. Kugadzirisa matambudziko
This Digital Field Guide primarily covers operational aspects and creative techniques. For specific troubleshooting steps regarding camera errors, malfunctions, or technical issues, consult the official Nikon D80 owner's manual or Nikon's customer support resources.
9. Zvinotsanangurwa
The Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide itself has the following specifications:
- Muparidzi John Wiley & Sons
- Zuva Rekuburitswa: Chivabvu 29, 2007
- Mutauro: Chirungu
- Kureba 274 mapeji
- ISBN-10: 0470120517
- ISBN-13: 978-0470120514
- Chinhu Weight: 1.1 makirogiramu
- Dimensions: 6 x 0.62 x 9 inches
Figure 1.3: Dimensions of the Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide. This image provides a visual representation of the book's physical size, indicating its portability.
10. Warranty uye Tsigiro
Information regarding the warranty for the Nikon D80 camera or support services is not included in this Digital Field Guide. For warranty details, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the official documentation provided with your Nikon D80 camera or visit the official Nikon website.
