Contents The Guide to Digital Photography with the COOLPIX 990 DIGITAL CAMERA Product Documentation First Steps Basic Photography Advanced Photography Playback Electronic Edition Camera Setup Connections Technical Notes Click to go
Product Documentation Fast Track Guide/For Your Safety In addition to taking first time users step-by-step through the process of setting up and using the camera, the printed Fast Track Guide gives a quick overview of camera settings. For Your Safety, printed on the reverse of the Fast Track Guide, lists warnings and cautions that should be observed when using and storing your camera, together with legal information. Please keep this document where all those who use the camera will read it.
To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used: A table of contents appears on the first page of the electronic Guide to Digital Photography. In addition, each chapter begins with an outline of the topics covered. Click on the heading to open the guide to the indicated chapter or section. Click the icon at the bottom right corner of each page for an explanation of the symbols and conventions used in this manual.
First Steps First Steps This chapter: • Introduces you to the parts of the COOLPIX 990 and the camera menus • Takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up your camera • Outlines the steps involved in taking photographs and playing them back Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 Putting Batteries in the Camera Inserting the Memory Card Choosing a Language Setting the Time and Date Taking a Photograph Playback and Deletion Click to go
Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 The lens section is attached to the camera body by a hinge that permits “First Steps: Taking a Picture” MODE (FUNC 1) button Shutter-release button Control panel Lens Viewfinder Built-in flash Exposure compensation (FUNC 2) button MENU button MONITOR button Red-eye reduction lamp Command dial Multi selector Viewfinder eyepiece Flash-ready lamp USB/serial connector Mode dial DC-IN connector Zoom-in (Tele) button LCD Monitor Autofocus lamp Focus mode (Delete)
Control Panel Battery indicator Manual focus indicator Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) indicator Shutter-speed/aperture display (press to switch between shutterspeed and aperture) Focus target (A-REC)/ Center focus area for manual or automatic AF area selection (M-REC) Focus mode Memory-card indicator Continuous White-balance indicator (FUNC. 1/ FUNC.
LCD Monitor 1 1 Zoom indicator 2 Digital zoom 3 Focus mode/manual focus distance 4 External flash indicator 5 Flash mode (built-in flash) 6 Battery indicator 7 Image sharpening 8 White-balance program 9 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) 10 Image adjustment 11 Image size 12 Image quality 13 Number of exposures remaining at current settings 14 Exposure compensation 15 Aperture (f number) 16 Shutter speed 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Exposure mode Metering mode Continuous (multi-shot) mode Exposure brac
Viewing the menus Press the MENU button to display the menu for the current mode. 2 S A A MENU PAG E 2 SELECT SET • The menu can be hidden by pressing the MENU button when is displayed in the lower left corner of the LCD monitor (to clear the M-REC menu from the monitor when MENU PAG E 2 is displayed as shown at left, press the MENU button twice: once to display the second page of the M-REC menu, the second time to clear the menu from the screen).
Using the command dial to make a selection A icon next to a menu item indicates that the command dial can be used instead of the multi selector to make a selection. 2 WHITE BALANCE 1 A 2 S WHITE BALANCE Stop when desired option is displayed 1 2 A A MENU S PAG E 2 SELECT Rotate command dial SET A A MENU PAG E 2 SELECT SET • Changes to settings apply as soon as the selection is made.
The A-REC Menu Options NIKON OPTIONS New 10 NEW L M Rename I K Delete O P RENAME NOV SHOW Brightness Hue SET-UP O N RENAME Q R S H O W T U DELETE BRIGHTNESS Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S Date MENU OF F SELECT NOV SHOW DELETE SHOW deleting folder? ON OFF No Yes SET 3 1 5 3 0S M M 0M HUE ON OFF Reset CF CARD FORMAT DATE Y M D 2000 . 01 .
The M-REC Menu, Page 1 WHITE BALANCE WHITE BALANCE PRESET White hite Bal Preset et Fine Incandescent Fluorescent Cloudy loudy Speedlight Cancel Measure MENU PAG E 2 SELECT SET IMAGE ADJUSTMENT A Auto 0 Normal More Contrast Less Contrast Lighten Image Darken Image Black&White LENS Normal Wide Adapter Telephoto 1 Telephoto 2 Fisheye 1 Fisheye 2 – 0.3 2 S S MENU OF F SET Auto Manual Off Continuous AF Single AF MF ON OFF m ft + 0.
BRIGHTNESS The M-REC Set-up Menu L M N I K O for more information HUE N Options NIKON O P SET-UP OPTIONS New RENAME NOV SHOW Rename Delete RENAME Q R DELETE S NOV SHOW H O W Folders Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format MEMORIZE Mode Memorize Func.1 Func.2 Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language T U Done FUNC. 1 Mode 3 1 5 3 0S M M 0M White Balance Metering DELETE SHOW deleting folder? No Yes FUNC.
The Playback Menu BRIGHTNESS The Playback Set-up Menu 13 DELETE Erasing all images ( excluded) No Yes DELETE Selected Images All Images Folder Print Set PLAY BACK MENU Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set S S Set-up MENU OF F SELECT NOV SHOW SET-UP OPTIONS New FOLDERS 1 HUE ON OFF DELETE Options Rename All Folders NIKON NOV Delete Monitor Options 1 Shutter Sound Auto Off CF Card Format Date Video Mode S Language MENU OF F SELECT 3 1 5 3 0S M M 0M SET CF CARD FORMAT
Putting Batteries in the Camera Turn the mode dial to the off position. If the camera is on a tripod, remove the tripod before proceeding to the next step. 2 Open the battery-chamber cover Firmly pressing the button in the center of the latch, slide the latch to the open position ( ), then open the battery-chamber cover as shown at right. 3 Insert the batteries Insert four LR6 (AA) batteries with the + and – poles oriented as shown in the label inside of the battery-chamber cover.
Extending battery life The following techniques can be used to extend battery life: • Turn the LCD monitor off whenever possible (see right). Turning the monitor off eliminates the single biggest draw on battery power. • If the batteries become exhausted, try turning the camera off and warming the batteries gently, for example in an inside pocket. The batteries may recover sufficient charge for a few extra shots with the monitor turned off.
Turn the mode dial to the off position. Memory cards must be formatted for use in the COOLPIX 990 before they can be used. To format the memory card: 1 2 2 Insert the memory card Open the card-slot cover (1) and insert the card (2) oriented as shown in the ▲ INSERT label on the underside of the cover, sliding it in until it is firmly in place at the back of the slot and the eject button pops up (3).
Choosing a Language 4 Choose a language from the LANGUAGE sub-menu A 17 SET-UP 1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY 2 Press the MENU button Highlight Language The playback menu will be displayed (the appearance of the menu will vary depending on the language currently selected).
Setting the Time and Date 18 4 Display the DATE menu A SET-UP The playback menu will be displayed. Highlight Date PLAY BACK MENU SET 1 B DATE 1 Y M D 2000 . 01 . 01 SET S Press 3 Display the SET-UP menu A MENU 00 : 00 OF F SELECT SET PLAY BACK MENU Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set S S Set-up MENU OF F SELECT 1 Highlight Set-up B SET Any photographs taken before the time and date have been set will have a time stamp of “2000/01/01 0:00”.
5 Set the time and date using the multi selector A DATE Y M D To set the time and date to the values displayed, highlight Y M D and press the multi selector to the right. 2000 . 01 . 01 S Highlight desired item MENU SELECT OF F DATE 1 00 : 00 SET M D 2000 . 04 . 24 S MENU B Y 20 : 16 OF F SELECT SET DATE 1 Y M D 2000 . 02 . 01 S Edit selected item MENU 00 : 00 OF F SELECT SET To exit without changing the time and date, press the MENU button.
Taking a Photograph you can control the camera controls • Optical and digital zoom • Flash settings • Focus mode (autofocus, macroA-REC close-up, infinity, selftimer) • Image size and quality • Exposure compensation • Shutter speed • Aperture • Focus distance (in autofocus and macroclose-up modes) • Exposure metering • White balance • Contrast • Sharpness All settings listed above, as well as: • Focus area • Focus distance (manual focus) • Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) M-REC • Advance rate (single fram
This section outlines the basic steps involved in taking a photograph in A-REC mode. Remove the lens cap as shown below. The control panel and LCD monitor show the number of exposures remaining at current settings for image quality and size. 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 Lift latch and remove cap 2 Turn the mode dial to A-REC After a short pause, a beep will sound and current settings will be displayed in the LCD monitor and the control panel.
4 Adjust camera settings Setting Flash mode Focus mode Image quality Image size Exposure compensation * Default Auto Button Operation Description Flash fires automatically when lighting is poor Flash mode Press Camera focuses automatiAutofocus cally at distances over 30 cm (1 ft) Normal* Full * ±0 EV Photographs compressed for best balance between file size and image quality Photographs are 2048 × 1536 pixels in size For more information on: Using the flash Focus mode Image quality and size Ex
5 Ready the camera A B Frame photographs in the viewfinder when: • you want to save power by turning the monitor off • bright ambient lighting conditions make it difficult to see the display in the monitor When framing photographs in the viewfinder at ranges of 90 cm (1 yd) or less, use the smaller of the two frames in the viewfinder display (the area shaded in purple in the illustration at right). Keep your fingers and other objects away from the lens and flash window when taking photographs.
6 Select your subject Frame the photograph using the zoom buttons. Button Operation Function Zoom camera out (zoom position shown in LCD monitor) Press P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] Zoom camera in Press P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] Enter digital zoom mode X2.0 For more information on: Macro close-up Optical and digital zoom Lens converters Image size Hold for 2 s at maximum optical zoom position P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] Digital zoom ratio can be adjusted using and buttons.
7 Focus 8 Take the photograph Lamp AF lamp Glows steadily To take a photograph, press the shutterrelease button all the way down. A beep will sound to let you know that a photograph has been taken, and the green AF lamp will blink slowly while the image is saved to the memory card. Meaning Subject in focus Flashes rapidly Camera unable to focus using autofocus. Use focus lock to focus on another subject at same distance, then recompose photograph.
9 Check the results 26 10 Turn the camera off When you have finished using the camera, be sure to turn the mode dial to OFF. To avoid wasting batteries, check that the camera is off before putting it away. 11 Replace the lens cap Replace the lens cap as shown below. ▼ Press to pause display for 20 s. Press again to record photograph, or press ( ) to delete as shown at left. Photograph recorded automatically after 20 s.
Button 1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY The most recent photograph in memory will be displayed in the LCD monitor. 2000.04.25 14:20 Function Rotate View additional information on current photo View other photographs in memory one Press up or left to at a time (hold down view earlier images, to scroll rapidly to down or right to desired frame number) view later images 100NIKON 0005.JPG [ Operation 5/5] ( ) Press Cancel zoom The MONITOR button Press The monitor button controls the LCD monitor.
Thumbnail playback Button ( ) ) Press Function Press once to display menu of nine thumbnail images, twice to display four thumbnail images, a third time to return to single-image playback Rotate Scroll through thumbnails page by page Press up, left, down, or right Highlight thumbnail. Use ( ) button to view highlighted thumbnail at full size. Press Select highlighted thumbnail for deletion Single-image playback 2000.04.25 100NIKON 100NIK ON 14:20 0005.
Basic Photography These topics are covered in the sections that follow. In addition, you can also perform the following operations in A-REC mode: • focus lock • delay shutter release using the self-timer • review and delete photographs as they are taken Basic Photography This chapter covers operations that can be performed using the camera’s dials and buttons in A-REC mode.
Indicator in LCD monitor displays amount of zoom while either button is pressed Zoom out Zoom in P 1/60 F2.7 2.7 NORMAL [ 10] 30 Basic Photography: Optical and Digital Zoom Digital Zoom At the maximum optical zoom position, holding the butThe COOLPIX 990 is equipped with motor-driven, ×3 optical ton down for two seconds triggers digital zoom. zoom linked to the viewfinder.
Digital zoom Digital zoom can not be used when Black & White is chosen in the M-REC IMAGE ADJUSTMENT sub-menu. The flash settings can be changed in A-REC and M-REC modes using the button. Confirm flash setting in control panel or LCD monitor (setting not displayed in monitor when flash set to “auto”) Press The effects of digital zoom are not visible in the viewfinder. Digital zoom is only available when the LCD monitor is on or the camera is connected to a television set. 2.7 P 1/60 F2.
Setting How it works Slow synchronized Flash fires whenever photo is taken Use to “fill-in” (illuminate) back-lit subjects Auto flash combined with low shutter speed Use to capture both subject and background at night or under low light conditions When lighting is poor and the flash is set to “Off” ( ) or “Slow Sync” ( ), shutter speed slows and photos may be blurred. If possible, use a tripod when lighting is poor.
Focus mode will cycle through the following settings: Focus Setting Camera automatiNO ICON cally adjusts focus Autofocus according to distance to subject Confirm focus-mode setting in control panel or LCD monitor Press Infinity 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] Macro Close-up Macro close-up When the camera is zoomed to the middle optical zoom position, macro close-up can be used with subjects as little as 2 cm (0.8 in) from the lens.
AF Mode How it works Pros and cons PRO Minimizes time required to focus Camera adjusts CON Continuous focus continuously Photos can be taken even when camera is not focused—check AF lamp before shooting Single Camera focuses when shutterrelease button pressed halfway For more information on: In A-REC, autofocus mode is determined by whether the LCD monitor is on or off: continuous AF is used when the monitor is on, single AF when it is off.
2 Check the AF lamp 1 Focus the camera 3 Recompose the photograph and shoot Position the subject in the center focus area (shown by the focus target in the viewfinder) and press the shutter-release button halfway. P 1/60 F2.7 With the shutter-release button held halfway down, check that the green AF lamp next to the viewfinder glows steadily. Focus will remain locked as long as the shutter-release button is held halfway. Keeping the shutter-release button held halfway down, recompose your photograph.
Using the Self-Timer 1 Mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it ton to activate the timer. Press the shutter-release button once for a tensecond delay. For a three-second delay, press the shutter-release button twice. on a flat, stable surface. 2 Press the button until the control panel or LCD monitor. 3 2.7 P 1/60 F2.
Quality or LCD monitor Press Size Full XGA VGA 3:2 MB MB MB MB MB MB 8 16 8 16 8 16 8 16MB MB HI 0 1 — — — — 0 1 FINE 5 10 19 40 48 100 5 11 NORMAL 10 20 38 79 91 187 11 23 BASIC 19 40 73 151 161 333 22 46 Number of images that can be stored on 8 MB and 16 MB memory cards Size Quality Full XGA VGA 3:2 HI 10 — — 11 FINE 61 239 588 69 NORMAL 121 466 1101 137 BASIC 239 885 1952 269 Number of images that can be stored on 96 MB memory card P 1/60
Confirm size setting in control panel or LCD monitor P 1/60 F2.7 VGA GA NORMAL [ 38] Image size determines the size at which an image can be reproduced on a printer or monitor. If the output size is too large, the individual pixels will be visible to the naked eye, giving the image a rough, uneven appearance. A typical target resolution for an ink-jet printer is about 200 pixels per inch. At this resolution, a VGA picture will be output at a size of 3.2 × 2.4 inches (8.1 × 6.
To cancel exposure compensation, set the compensation value to ±0.0 EV. Exposure Compensation Basic Photography: Exposure Compensation To obtain the desired result with certain subject compositions, particularly those containing complex patterns of light and shade or areas of high contrast, it may be necessary to use exposure compensation to modify the exposure value suggested by the camera. Exposure compensation is available in both A-REC and M-REC. Exposure compensation can be set to values between +2.
Reviewing Photographs Photograph displayed in monitor after shooting ▼ Press to delete photograph Press to pause display for 20 s before recording Delete dialog displayed • Select Yes to delete photograph • Select No to save photograph and return to shooting mode DELETE erase images? No Yes MENU OF F SELECT ▼ SET For more information on: M-REC review settings 40 Basic Photography: Reviewing Photographs In A-REC mode, photographs are displayed in the LCD monitor after shooting (in M-REC, you ca
Advanced Photography These topics are covered in the sections that follow.
To use focus area selection, the LCD monitor must be on and Manual selected in the Focus Options > AF Area Mode sub-menu of the M-REC shooting menu. The focus area can then be selected using the multi selector. NORMAL [ 10] P 1/60 F2.7 Center focus area selected For more information on: Focus options AF-area spot metering Focus lock Digital zoom NORMAL [ 10] P 1/60 F2.
Mode Exposure Mode Confirm mode setting in control panel or LCD monitor Press while turning command dial P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] The following modes are available: Mode How it works Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for best exposure. Flexible program can Programmed be used to select auto further combinations of shutter speed and aperture that yield equivalent exposure.
Flexible Program When programmed auto is in effect, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be selected using the command dial. Each combination of shutter speed and aperture will produce the same exposure. * appears in control Rotate 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 panel and LCD monitor to indicate that flexible program is in effect.
Rotate 1/60 F2.7 2.7 control panel (shutter speeds of 1/4 s or more are shown in the LCD monitor in yellow to indicate that noise may appear in the final NORMAL [ 10] photograph) If the selected shutter speed would result in the photograph being over- or under-exposed, the shutter speed displayed in the control panel and LCD monitor will flash when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another setting and try again.
3 Rotate the command dial to set the selected Control panel display is in EVs, rounded to nearest EV (display lasts for eight seconds after FINE command dial is [ 10] M 1/60 F2.7 released, then is replaced by exposure count display). If photograph would be over- or under-exposed by more than 9 EV, display shows flashing +9 (overexposure) or –9 (underexposure). LCD monitor display shows values between –2 and +2 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
To choose a distance for manual focus: Press while turning command dial Focus distance is displayed in LCD monitor, and in control panel while INF command dial is rotated. After command dial is released, M-FOCUS NORMAL [ 10] icon in control panel P 1/60 F2.7 indicates that manual focus is in effect. Distances of 30 cm (12 in) or less are shown in red in monitor to indicate that camera may not be able to focus at some zoom settings. The flash can be used while manual focus is in effect.
Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency) Press while turning command dial to cycle through sensitivity settings as follows: 100 ⇔ 200 ⇔ 400 ⇔ AUTO 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 Sensitivity setting is displayed in LCD monitor, and in control panel while command dial is rotated. After AUT UTO command dial is released, ISO icon in NORMAL [ 10] control panel indicates that sensitivity adjustment is in effect. A slight amount of noise may appear in photographs taken at settings other than 100.
The following white-balance settings are available: White Balance Setting Description A Auto White balance automatically adjusted to suit lighting conditions. Best setting in most situations. MENU Fine-tuning white balance settings WHITE BALANCE At settings other than A (auto) and (preset), +1 uto A Auto 1 white balance can be “fine-tuned” by highlighting White hite Bal Pres 0 Fine the desired setting in the white-balance menu and 2 Incandescent Fluorescent –1 rotating the command dial.
WHITE BALANCE PRESET 1 2 S MENU Option Cancel Measure 50 Metering OF F Cancel Measure SELECT SET Description Recalls most recent value for preset white balance from memory and sets white balance to this value Camera measures white balance, using object displayed in center of LCD monitor as reference point.
Method How it works Spot AF Area Classic meter for portraits; preserves background details while letting lighting conditions at center of frame determine exposure. Selected automatically when digital zoom is used. Can be used in combination with AE hold (see right). When Auto or Manual is chosen in FOCUS OPTIONS > AF Area Mode sub-menu, this option can be used to link spot meterCamera measures ing to currently selected light in current focus area.
Option Continuous Photography CONTINUOUS A 1 2 S A A MENU Option Single Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 VGA Sequence Ultra HS Movie SELECT SET OF F Description Camera records one photograph each time shutter-release button is fully pressed Camera records photographs in continuous sequence while shutter-release button is held Continuous down. Not available at HI image quality. The built-in flash will not fire at settings of Continuous, Multi-shot 16, and VGA Sequence.
Mode * Approx. no. of frames per s Max. no. of frames panel and LCD monitor. 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 Continuous (full size image) 1.5 5 VGA Sequence 2 44* Ultra HS 30 80 Movie 15 600 Single Multi-shot 16 Ultra HS Movie NORMAL [ 10 ] Continuous VGA sequence When battery power is low, the maximum number of frames that can be taken in a single sequence is ten. The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage of photos during shooting.
The options available in the BSS sub-menu are: Best-Shot Selection MENU BSS P 1/60 F2.7 For more information on: Zoom Optional lens converters Macro close-up Flash settings Continuous settings Image quality NORMAL [ 10] When photographs are taken with BSS on, the focus, exposure, and auto white-balance settings used for the first photo when the shutter-release button is pressed apply to all images in the series. The flash is set to (“flash cancel”) when BSS is on.
Option IMAGE ADJUSTMENT When a photograph is taken, the A Auto 1 A 0 Normal COOLPIX 990 automatically performs More Contrast 2 Less Contrast image compensation to produce optimal Lighten Image Darken Image A S brightness and contrast before the image A Black&White SELECT SET OF F is recorded to the memory card.
Image Sharpening IMAGE SHARPENING When a photograph is taken, the 1 A COOLPIX 990 automatically sharpens A Auto 2 High edges in the image before saving it to the Normal Low memory card. The image sharpening sub- S AA Off SELECT SET OF F menu gives you control over the amount of sharpening performed. The following options are available: MENU At settings other than Normal, an image adjustment icon appears in the LCD monitor. Option P 1/60 F2.
Camera Control P 1/60 F2.
USER SETTING User Settings In M-REC mode, the camera can “memorize” up to three combinations of settings, including white balance, metering, advance rate, best-shot selection, lens converter option, image adjustment, and sharpening. These settings can be recalled as desired, allowing you to create separate combinations of settings for different shooting conditions and recall them at a touch.
EXPOSURE OPTIONS 1 S P 1/60 F2.7 Option OF F SELECT SET AE LOCK 1 AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/– 2 S NORMAL [ 10] S MENU AE lock Use this option when you want to use the same aperture, shutter-speed, sensitivity, and white-balance settings for all photographs in a series (for example, when taking photographs that will later be joined to form a panorama). WB-L AE-L AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/– 2 59 While AE lock is in effect,AE-L and WB-L icons will appear in the LCD monitor.
At settings of Continuous and VGA Sequence, shooting will pause after each series of five photographs has been taken. While bracketing is in effect, the exposure modification appears with a BKT icon in the icon LCD monitor, and the in the control panel flashes. +0.7 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10 ] When the flash is set to “Auto,” the flash setting for the first photograph in each sequence of five photographs will apply to the remaining four.
Option FOCUS OPTIONS 1 AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation Distance Units 2 S S MENU AF area mode This setting determines which of the five focus areas will be used for autofocus in M-REC mode.
AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation MF ON Distance Units S OFF S MENU OF F SELECT SET 2 Option Description MF (Manual focus) When manual focus is used, objects that are in focus will be sharply outlined in LCD monitor* ON OFF * FOCUS CONFIRMATION 1 Zoom Options The zoom options sub-menu controls settings for optical and digital zoom.
STARTUP POSITION 1 Last Position Wide Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture 2 S S MENU OF F SELECT SET Fixed aperture Normally, aperture changes with zoom position. In studio flash situations, this requires that flash power be adjusted with each change in zoom. Fixing aperture makes this adjustment unnecessary (not available at a setting of Movie).
SPEEDLIGHT OPT. 1 2 S Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl S MENU Variable power This sub-menu is used to perform exposure compensation by varying the intensity of the flash. Exposure can be adjusted by from +2.0 EV to –2.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV. Speedlight control This sub-menu allows you to turn the camera’s built-in flash off while using an external Speedlight. OF F SELECT SET VARIABLE POWER 1 + 0.3 2 S 0 Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl S MENU OF F SELECT – 0.
RESET ALL 1 Reset all settings to default values? 2 S No Reset No Reset OF F SELECT SET Description Return to shooting mode leaving settings unchanged Restore the settings listed below to default values Selecting Reset restores the following settings to their default values: Setting Default White Balance Auto Metering Default Setting Default Digital Tele On On Startup Position Shutter Sound Last Position Memorize Fixed Aperture All options on Off Auto Off 30 s Variable Power ±0
Option LENS Lens converters for wide-angle, telephoto, 1 A Normal and fisheye photography are available Wide Adapter 2 Telephoto 1 separately for the COOLPIX 990. Each Telephoto 2 Fisheye 1 A S of these converters is adapted to a par- A Fisheye 2 SELECT SET OF F ticular combination of settings, including focus mode, zoom position, and metering method. Using the lens sub-menu, you can select combinations of settings suited to particular lens converters.
For more information on: Zoom Flash settings Focus mode P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10] Metering Advanced Photography: Settings for Optional Lens Converters At settings other than Normal, a lens adapter icon is displayed in the LCD monitor.
Playback These topics are covered in the sections that follow. Basic Playback Deleting Multiple Photographs Selecting a Folder for Playback Slide Show Protecting Photographs from Deletion Hiding Photographs During Playback Preparing Photographs for Printing Click to go 68 Playback This chapter covers the operations that can be performed when the mode dial is set to PLAY.
Single-Image Playback Basic Playback 14:20 NORMAL 0005.JPG [ 5/5] This section covers the operations that can be performed in playback mode using camera buttons and dials. Only photographs in the current folder are displayed in playback mode. If there are no photographs in the current folder, the message “CARD CONTAINS NO IMAGE DATA” will be displayed. To select another folder for playback, or to view photographs in all folders, use the “Folders” item in the playback menu.
Page 1 2000.04.25 .04.25 Date of recording 2000 14:20 Time of recording Image size VGA Image quality NORMAL 100NIKON Folder 100NIKON 0005.JPG File no. and type [ Print-order icon Protect icon 5/5] Frame no./Total no. of frames visible Page 2 Camera CAMERA : E990 FIRM VER : E990 V1.0 type, METERING : MA MATRIX TRIX MODE :P firmware SHUTTER : 1/60 APERTURE APER TURE : F2.7 version, EXP +/– +/ : 0.0 metering FOCAL LENGTH : 8.
( × 2.0 SCROLL 71 ) Movie playback In single-image playback, movies are indi- 2000.04.20 11:42 cated by a icon. Movie playback is controlled by the button. ZOOM Operation Function Press Zoom photograph in. Zoom increases each time button is pressed, to maximum of × 4.0. When image zoomed in, indicator appears and zoom factor is shown in LCD monitor.
Operation Press Rotate Function Press once to display menu of nine thumbnail images, or twice to display four thumbnail images. Press again to view highlighted thumbnail full size. Deleting Individual Photographs ( ) To delete the image or movie currently on display in singleimage playback, or to delete the currently selected thumbnail, press the ( ) button. Single-image playback 2000.04.25 100NIKON 100NIK ON 14:20 0005.
To select images for deletion: Deleting Multiple Photographs 1 Highlight thumbnail MENU Deleting Selected Photographs To delete selected photographs, highlight Selected Image in the Delete sub-menu and press the multi selector to the right. A menu of thumbnail images will be displayed.
Deleting All Photographs To delete all photographs on the memory catd: DELETE NOV SHOW List of folders displayed (folder NIKON is not available for deletion) DELETE 1 Press right Selected Images All Images Folder Print Set MENU 2 OF F SELECT SET ERASE ALL IMAGES Erasing all images ( excluded) No Yes Press right MENU OF F SELECT SET DELETE Selected Images All Images Folder Print Set SET NOV SHOW Confirmation dialog displayed • Select Yes to delete all images (images that are hidden or p
Selecting a Folder for Playback FOLDERS 1 Options All Folders NIKON NOV S MENU 1 FOLDERS 1 MENU All Folders NIKON NOV 2 OF F SELECT SELECT SET Highlight folder name. To view images in all folders, select All Folders Options S OF F SET 2000.04.25 14:20 The slide-show option in the playback menu allows unattended sequential playback. All images in the current folder that have not been hidden using Hide Image will be played back one after the other, with a pause between each image.
MENU Press End slide show and return to single-image playback Restarting a Slide Show PAUSE After the slide show comes to an end, or while the slide show is paused, the dialog shown at right will be displayed. Select Restart Restart to restart, or Frame Intvl to Frame Intvl SELECT SET OF F change the length of time each image is displayed. Press the MENU button to end the slide show and return to single-image playback.
Select the desired images from the thumbnail menu. 1 The Protect option in the playback menu can be used to protect images from deletion. Protected files can not be deleted in single-image playback or from the Delete sub-menu, and have “read-only” status when viewed from a computer. Note that protected files will be deleted when the memory card is formatted.
Select the desired images from the thumbnail menu. 1 When creating a slide show or playing back photographs for an audience, you may want to use the Hide Image option to hide some of the photographs in the current folder. Once hidden, images are only visible in the Hide Image menu. They can not be deleted in single image playback or from the Delete sub-menu, and are treated as hidden files when the contents of the memory card are viewed from a computer.
Select the desired images from the thumbnail menu. 1 The Print Set option in the playback menu can be used to create digital “print orders” that specify the photographs to be printed, the number of prints, and the information included with each print. This information is stored on the memory card in Digital Print Order Format (DPOF).
Camera Setup Camera Setup This chapter details the options available in the setup menus for A-REC, M-REC, and PLAY. The setup menus are where you make changes to basic camera settings, and perform such tasks as formatting memory cards. For an overview of the options available in the setup menus, see “Accessing Setup Options,” below.
Accessing Setup Options 81 M-REC, PLAY 1 WHITE BALANCE Accessing the Setup Menus A 2 A-REC S Press 1 SET-UP Press Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S Date MENU OF F SELECT A A MENU 2 PAG E 2 SELECT SET SHOOTING MENU 1 1 A 2 SET S Press 3 A A MENU PAG E 2 SELECT SET SET-UP 1 Folders Monitor Options Controls 2 Auto Off Seq.
Setup Menu Options The options available in the setup menu depend on the operating mode.
Using Folders 1 FOLDERS Folders Options Monitor Options N I K O N Controls NOV 2 Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S 1 MENU Highlight folder name 2 OF F SELECT SET Folder name displayed in LCD monitor (folder “NIKON” not displayed) NOV NO Press The camera file system conforms to the Design Rule for Camera File Systems (DCF). Under this system, folder names consist of a three-digit folder number followed by the folder name (for example, “100NIKON”).
3 1 2 NEW OPTIONS 1 New 2 Rename N O V 0 1 S Delete S Y Z MENU OF F SELECT SET Press Highlight last letter and press multi selector to right to register new folder and exit menu. Press MENU button to exit without creating new folder. SELECT SET OF F Creating new folders To create a new folder, highlight New in the folder options Until another folder is selected from the FOLDERS menu, all subsequent photographs will be stored in the new folder.
1 2 DELETE New NOV SHOW the Folder Options > Delete item can be used to delete all photographs in a series at once. Rename Delete S MENU OPTIONS OF F SELECT Press SET MENU OF F SELECT SET Select a folder for deletion.
Monitor Options MONITOR OPTIONS Folders Monitor Options Display Mode Controls 2 Auto Off Brightness Seq. Numbers Hue CF Card Format S 1 MENU Display Mode (M-REC Only) This option controls the review function and determines when the LCD monitor comes on automatically in M-REC mode.
Sound Settings SHUTTER SOUND 1 2 S Shutter Sound ON Shot Confirm Lamp OFF Date Video Mode Language MENU ON OF F SELECT Description Camera beeps once to confirm that: • mode dial has been turned to A-REC or MREC from OFF or PLAY • picture has been taken • memory card has been inserted in camera • lens converter or manual focus modes have been selected • delete, hide, or protect operations have been completed • ON has been chosen from Shutter Sound sub-menu Camera beeps twice to warn that: • camera no
MENU Exposure mode Focus Metering Metering method (press while turning command dial to select metering method) Flash settings Sensitivity White balance Exposure compensation Metering Exposure options Exposure mode can not be used unless Mode is assigned to one of the two buttons. If neither button is assigned the exposure compensation function, exposure compensation can only be adjusted using the Exp. +/– item in the M-REC EXPOSURE OPTIONS sub-menu.
Auto Off Photographs taken with the COOLPIX Folders SEQ. NUMBERS 1 Options 990 are stored as image files. Each file is Monitor Controls 2 30S Off assigned a name consisting of “DSCN” 2 Auto 1M Seq. Numbers ON 5M OFF CF Card Format S plus a four-digit number assigned auto30M Reset SELECT SET SELECT SET OF F OF F matically by the camera.
Formatting Memory Cards S Highlight CF Card Format Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format MENU OF F 2 SELECT Option SET CF CARD FORMAT 1 WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format 2 S Press MENU OF F SELECT SET Format Confirmation dialog displayed. Select Format or No (note that selecting Format begins formatting immediately, permanently deleting all data on card) No Return to setup menu without formatting card Formatting in progress.
Date and Time DATE 1 Y 2 M D 2000 . 01 . 01 00 : 00 S MENU OF F SELECT SET Video Mode The Video Mode sub-menu is used to select the video standard used when the camera is connected to a television set or video recorder. VIDEO MODE 1 2 S Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode NTSC Language PAL MENU NTSC PAL The Language option in the M-REC and playback setup menus is used to choose the language for menus and messages displayed by the camera.
Connections Connections This chapter provides information on connecting your camera to a computer and to a television or videocassette recorder (VCR).
Connecting to a Television or VCR 1 Insert the black plug on the EG-900 into the camera’s video-out connector. 2 Connect the yellow plug to the video- Connect the AC adapter (available separately) if you want the television to continue displaying images after the camera has entered sleep mode and the LCD monitor has turned off. Camera settings and photo info will not be displayed on the television screen when the LCD monitor is off.
Connecting to a Computer Using Nikon View Before you start Before using Nikon View, read the documentation provided. The manuals for Nikon View are divided into two parts, both on the reference CD provided with your camera: After reading the documentation, install Nikon View as instructed in the Quick Start Guide. You are now ready to connect the camera to your computer. Quick Start Guide (HTML) This guide, which can be viewed with Internet Explorer version 3.
USB 1 Connect UC-E1USB cable to camera USB/ serial connector 2 Connect cable to computer USB connector Serial (PC) 1 Connect SC-EW3 serial cable to camera USB/serial connector 2 Connect cable to computer serial port Serial (Macintosh) 1 Connect SC-EM3 serial cable to camera USB/serial connector 3 Turn the camera on. The borders of the shutter-speed/aperture display in the control panel will light up ( ).
fer is in progress. To users of IBM-compatible computers: The SC-EW3 serial cable (available separately) is for connection to a male 9-pin serial connector, standard on many IBM compatibles. Your PC may however use a different type of serial connector, in which case you will need to buy an adapter before you will be able to connect the cable.
“info.txt” The information for each image is followed by a blank line. The “info.txt” file can not be viewed using Nikon View. You may need to install an ATA RAM-card driver before you will be able to read memory cards on a computer running Windows 3.1. Nikon View can be used to browse photographs on a memory card. See the Nikon View Reference Manual for details. Connections: Connecting to a Computer Each camera-created folder on the memory card contains a text file (“info.
Technical Notes Caring for Your Camera Body Use blower to remove dirt or dust. Wipe carefully with soft cloth to remove fingerprints or other stains. Do not touch with fingers. Clean with soft, dry cloth Clean with damp cloth; dry immediately Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile cleaners. Storage If you are not going to use the camera for a long period of time, remove the batteries before putting the camera away.
Accessories COOLPIX 990 digital camera (1) Lens cap (1) CompactFlashmemory card (1) AA (LR6) alkaline batteries (4) UC-E1 USB cable (1) EG-900 video cable (1) Software CD-ROM (1) containing Nikon View browser software Reference CD-ROM (1) containing Guide to Digital Photography (electronic edition), Nikon View Reference Manual, Quick Start Guide, and Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.
Problem Troubleshooting Problem Possible cause 21 14 Control panel display is blank • Camera is off • Batteries are not correctly inserted or battery-chamber cover is not fully closed • Batteries are dead • AC adapter (available separately) is not properly connected 15 LCD monitor is blank • Monitor is off. Press MONITOR button. • Monitor Off selected in Display Mode sub-menu of M-REC setup menu No indicators appear in LCD monitor • Indicators are hidden.
Problem Possible cause 35 34 31 64 Flash does not fire • Flash is set to (“flash cancel”) • Internal flash set to “off” in M-REC SPEEDLIGHT OPT > Speedlight Cntrl sub-menu • Battery level is low • Focus mode is set to (infinity) • Camera is set to Continuous, Multi-shot 16, VGA Sequence, Ultra HS, or Movie • Best-shot selection (BSS) is on • Setting other than Normal is selected in LENS sub-menu • EXPOSURE OPTIONS > AE-Lock option is on 47 14 33 52 54 66 59 • Camera not properly connected Television
Message NO CARD PRESENT THIS CARD CANNOT BE USED CARD IS NOT FORMATTED FORMAT NO Control Panel Problem Solution Camera can not detect memory card Turn camera off and confirm that memory card is correctly inserted 16 Error accessing memory card Use approved memory card 99 Card has not been formatted for use in COOLPIX 990 Using multi selector, highlight FORMAT and press multi selector to right to format memory card, or turn camera off and replace card 16 OUT OF MEMORY CARD IS FULL • Reduce i
Message Control Panel Problem 103 Solution To play photos back, select folder containing images from playback Folders menu 75 ALL IMAGES ARE HIDDEN All images in current folder are hidden To play photos back, select another folder or use Hide Image to change hidden status of images in current folder 78 FILE CONTAINS NO IMAGE DATA File created on computer or by different make of camera • Delete file • Reformat memory card 72 90 THE FOLDER CANNOT BE DELETED Folder contains hidden or protected p
Optical viewfinder Specifications Digital camera 1 CCD • /1.8˝ high-density CCD • Total number of pixels: 3.34 million Image size Selectable from: • 2,048 × 1,536 pixels • XGA (1,024 × 768 pixels) • VGA (640 × 480 pixels) • 3 : 2 (2,048 × 1,360 pixels) Lens • 3× Zoom-Nikkor • f = 8 – 24 mm [35 mm (135) format equivalent to 38 – 115 mm]/F 2.
Shooting menu White balance Exposure metering Continuous Best-Shot Selector (BSS) Converters Image adjustment (Auto, Normal, More Contrast, Less Contrast, Lighten, Darken, Monochrome) • Image Sharpening • Digital zoom (up to 4×) • • • • • Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 (sixteen frames 1/16 in size) VGA Sequence Ultra High-speed Continuous (up to eighty QVGA-size images at ~30 fps) • Movie (up to 40 s of QVGA-size frames at 15 fps Control • Exposure modes: Programmed Auto with Flexible Program Shutter-P
External Speedlight Platform Serial Playback Playback menu • • • • Single frame Thumbnail (four or nine segments) Slide show Zoom playback (up to 4×) Delete function Deletes all or selected frames Attributes Hide and protect attributes can be set for each image Interface USB or serial interface (Windows: 115kbps, Macintosh: 230kbps) USB Macintosh OS Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000 or later pre-installed model CPU MMX Pentium or later OS Mac OS 8.
Trademark Information Trademark Information Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Mac OS, Power Macintosh, PowerBook, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Finder, Macintosh PC Exchange, Power Mac, iMac, and iBook are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM and IBM PC/AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. PowerPC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, used under license.
