Nikon N - -+-\ DECISION MASTER SYSTEM Technical Guide
Nikon N The Nikon N4004 autofocus SLR, with its point-and-shoot simplicity plus its selection of high-performance features, appeals to a very broad market segment. The latest autofocus technology enables the N4004 to autofocus even in dim candlelight and to discern even minute details for fast and accurate operation. Combined with the alternative of manual focus, this enables the N4004 to assure super-sharp pictures - quickly, easily and consistently. .
DEcISION MAsTER SYSTEM Achoice of autofocus or manual focus adds to the N4004's potential. The built-in auto TTL flash is fast and convenient.
SUPERIOR AUTOFOCUS The user can count on Nikon 's many years of experience in the development and advance of SLR autofocus technology. The Nikon F3AF, the first Nikon autofocus SLR, has been highly appreciated by professional photographers because it ushered in the age of state-ofthe-art autofocus technology. The F3AF was followed by the Nikon N2020 featuring dual autofocus - Single-Servo and Continuous.
DECISION MASTER SYSTEM tical path The light rays of an image come through the camera's taking lens, and part of the light passes through the main mirror's semi-transparent area. The sub-mirror behind the main mirror deflects the optical path downward, so the light reaches the N4004's autofocus sensor module AM200. The AM200 autofocus system consists of two parts: the optical block and the CCO package.
TRIPLE-SENSOR LIGHT METER Nikon pioneered mUlti-pattern evaluative exposure metering technology with the world's first such system in the Nikon FA. The new N4004 with Decision Master System advances multi-pattern evaluative metering to new applications, now including both available light and flash photography. Other systems tend to require a high level of photographic skill. The N4004's Decision Master System is designed for ultimate simplicity and automation.
DECISION MASTER SYSTEM Scene classification pattern According to the brightness and contrast of the scene as measured by the triple sensor, Decision Master System determines which of the three different ways of computation should be applied: centerweighted average, dim-light weighted, or averaged. The decision is based on Nikon's analysis of a great number of sample photographs; this assures that the expert know-how built in enables the N4004 to offer the best exposures to everybody automatically.
BALANCED FILL-FLASH The N4004 has a built-in auto TIL flash, assuring great flash photography anytime. The flash can be used for regular as well as fill-flash photography, a normally difficult technique. In this important area too, Nikon engineers have given the N4004 a unique advantage by way of Decision Master System's triple-sensor light meter (see previous section).
DECISION MASTER SYSTEM Conventional fill-flash In lighting conditions such as shown here, fill-flash becomes a powerful technique to solve the problem. But to give a correct exposure for both subject and background, using flash in addition to daylight involves extremely complicated calculations. Aperture 32 22 Shutter speed 1/100 16 11 8 17 5.6 4 V 2.8 N4004 balanced fill-flash Thanks to Decision Master System, the N4004 has made this procedure totally automatic.
EXPOSURE CONTROL Simple dial operations The N4004 has two dials which are located ergonomically at the top of the body so that the user can easily confirm the exposure setting. These two dials control four exposure modes. With S set on the aperture dial, Decision Master System automatically sets the aperture that matches the shutter speed the user picks. With A set on the shutter speed dial, Decision Master System automatically sets the shutter speed that matches the aperture picked by the user.
IDEe/SION MASTER SYSTEM Manual exposure control Manual exposure control is easier than ever with the N4004 because both aperture and shutter speed setting controls are on the body. The viewfinder LED gives information on correct exposure in easy-to-understand graphic symbols. The metering activated in this case is centerweighted. o Centerweighted metering The N4004 activates centerweighted metering in AE lock and meter-assisted manual exposure only.
BUILT-IN MOTOR DRIVE Decision Master System makes film handling easy and automatic. LOADING OX INDEXING FILM ADVANCE User just inserts film with film leader on orange mark, closes the camera back and presses the shutter release button to advance film automatically to the first frame; shutter remains closed until the first shot. On loading, the film speed of OX-coded film in the ISO 25-5000 range is automatically read and set accordingly; non-OX coded film is automatically set to ISO 100.
DECISION MASTER SYSTEM FILM END The end of the roll is automatically detected, and the self-timer indicator lights up to alert user. FILM REWIND After a simple lever-and-button operation, film is automatically rewound. ... .., REWIND STOP Film rewind automatically stops when finished. 'Ii'll " , • J ~ . " . _ ~!)O : f) "'\ J - I L I I C 13
VIEWFINDER INFORMATION CD In-focus Autofocus @ Front/rear focus @ Autofocus impossible CD Auto exposure possible: (High-speed shutter) - ON - OFF - Blink @ Auto exposure possible : (Slow-shutter warning) @ Too bright for auto exposure ® Too dark for auto exposure Speedlight indication (red) Exposure indication (red) Focu s indication (green) The N4004 viewfinder With its newly improved, brighter BriteView screen, the N4004 with Decision Master System makes it easier for the user to see what is being sh
OPTIONAL SPEEDLIGHTS DECISION MASTER SYSTEM optional Nikon TTL speedlights, when used with the N4004, work with the same advanced flash exposure controls as the N4004 built-in auto TTL flash, including balanced fill-flash and programmed auto TTL flash. Such Nikon speedlights as the S8-20, S8-22, S8-15, and S8-168 provide more powerful flash output and range than the N4004's built-in flash. The S8-20 and S8-22, both equipped with built-in autofocus illuminators, also enable autofocus in total darkness.
ELECTRONICS Nikon N4004 electronics Nikon's expert electronics technology manifests itself both in the pictures taken with the Nikon N4004 and inside the camera itself, Memory Block diagram of N4004 electronics Film speed setting Self-timer AE lock High-performance 8-bit microcomputer Shutter dial Aperture dial Battery check Lens CPU Autofocus sensor f--- - - - , Autofocus motor f4---- -- - -- - -- - -- - -----1 Electronic parts configuration Shutter dial pattern 8 Aperture dial pattern 6) Self-timer
; DECISION MASTER SYSTEM AF Nikkor with CPU All AF Nikkor autofocus lenses have a Central Processing Unit (CPU) built-in. The computer in the camera body communicates with the lens CPU through seven electronic contacts. Information relayed between them includes data on lens such as minimum f/stop, focal length, etc. With a zoom lens, the focal length setting in actual use is constantly monitored for optimum results.
LENS TABLE Autofocus AF Zoom AF 28 - 85mm 1/3.5- 4.5 AF 35 - 75mm 1/3.3- 4.5 AF 35- 105mm 1/3.5- 4.5 AF 35 - 135mm 1/3.5- 4.5 AF70 - 210mm 1/4 AF Wideangle AF 24mm 1/2.8 AF 28mm 1/2.8 AF Telephoto AF 180mm 1/2.8 ED-IF AF 300mm fI2.8 ED-IF AF 300mm fl4 AF Normal AF 50mm 1/1.4 AF 50mm 1/1.8 AF Special Purpose AF Micro 55mm 1/2.8 Zoom Lenses 28- 85mm fl3.5 -4.5 35-7.0mm 1/3.3-4.5 35- 70mm 1/3.5 35- 105mm 1/3. 5- 4.5 ' 35- 135mm 1/3.5 - 4.5 35-200mm 1/3.5 . 50 - 135mm 1/3.5 80 -200mm 1/2.
~g IS It • DECISION MASTER SYSTEM Manual focus • •• •• ••• ••• •• •• • •• ••• ••• •• • Exposure Auto Manual exposure exposure • •• •• ••• ••• •• •• • •• ••• •• ••• • • TIL automatic flash control is available with non-AF lenses. The user must use the flash sync speed on the shutter speed dial and the appropriate aperture on the lens. Autofocus 300mm fl4 .5 ED-IF 400mm fl2.B ED-IF 400mm 1/3.5 ED-IF 400mm 1/5.6 ED-IF 600mm 1/4 EO-IF 600mm 1/5.6 ED-IF BOOmm 1/5.
Nikon cameras have been flying in space on NASA's manned spacecraft programme ever since the APOLLO programme. It also includes SKY LAB and the Joint venture APOLLO-SOYUZ. IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES FROMNIKON © Nikon Inc ., 1987 . 623 Stewart Avenue , Garden City, New York 11530 U.S.A . Printed in Japan (8706/8) Code No.
