∞ Infinity symbol on lens, 30
1:1 and 1:2 magnification (macro), 40
12-bit vs. 14-bit (sidebar), 116
256 levels in JPEG file, 111
256 steps in a histogram, 122
3-lens kit, see Three-lens kit
8-bit file formats (JPEG and TIFF), 112
A/M setting on lens, 29
A or Av – Aperture priority mode, 67, 77, 91, 95, 104–105
ft or feet marking on lens, 30
K or Kelvin color temperature, see Color temperature
K or Kelvin white balance setting, 132
M or Manual mode, 67, 77, 95, 105–107
M/A setting on lens, 29
mm or millimeter marking on lens, 30
MP, see Megapixels
P – Programmed auto mode, 103
PRE white balance, 133
RGB – color channels, 111, 116, 120, 128
S or Tv – Shutter priority mode, 67, 91, 95, 103–104
Aberration, chromatic or CA, 49
Action or motion control, 74, 81–82, 103–104
Adobe RGB color space, 127–129
Advice from friends, 14
AF-S, see Autofocus Motor Types
Afterword (author’s thoughts), 135
Analog exposure display (in M mode), 105–106
Angle of view, 31–37
• Changed by focal length, 33
• Short, normal, and long, 32–34
• Subject size test, 31
• Wide-angle, normal, and telephoto, 32–34
Aperture
• Adjustable opening or hole, 38, 66–69
• Aperture controls depth of field, 74–77
• Aperture and shutter speed relationship, 87–91
• Blades affect bokeh, 50–51
• Camera controlled, 104
• Control relationship illustrated, 61
• Diffraction unsharpness, 79
• Exposure control, 57
• F/numbers (f/3.5, f/8, etc.), 38–39, 67–69
• How much light comes in, 38, 66–69
• Ring on lens, 30
• Star effect (small aperture), 79
• Similar to your eye’s pupil, 66
• Understanding aperture numbers, 67–69
• What is the aperture?, 38–39, 66–69
Aperture priority mode (A, Av), 67, 77, 91, 95, 104–105
Aperture and shutter speed chart, 88
Aperture and shutter speed relationship, 87–91
Apochromatic lens elements, 49
APS-C (DX) imaging sensor, 20, 33, 35, 86
APS-H imaging sensor, 20
Artifacts (from JPEG compression), 110–111
ARW, Sony RAW image format, 113
Aspherical lens elements, 39, 49
Assignments
• Controlling AF points, 61
• Controlling exposure, 58
• Learning about depth of field, 78
• Learning about focal length, 36
• Learning about ISO sensitivity and noise, 66
• Learning about motion control, 86
• Learning about shutter speed, 71
• Learning about the aperture, 69
• Aperture and shutter speed relationship, 88–89
• Using the camera settings, 88–89
Author contact info, 135
Auto exposure mode, 101–102
Auto or Manual focus switch on lens, 29
Autofocus
• Acronyms per camera brand, 45
• Contrast detection, 17
• Phase detection, 17
• Lenses, 27
• Motor types, 45
• Speed, 16
• Spot metering with AF point, 98
• Tracking motion, 80–81
• Versus manual focus, 42
Autofocus Motor Types, 45
Automatic multizone metering, 97
Auto white balance, 131
Averaging meter, 98–99
Background blurry or sharp, 73–78
Bag (for camera), 43
Barrel distortion, 49–50
Bellows (sidebar), 42
Blink mode for highlights, 60 (sidebar), 127
Blown out (overexposed image), 58, 60, 65, 122, 124, 127
Blur the background, 73–78
Brand
• Does it matter?, 13–14
• Most popular, 14
Camera
• Bags, 43–44
• Body importance (vs. lenses), 24
• Body size, 23
• Brand, is it important, 13, 22
• Classes of cameras, 22
• Choosing a camera system, 21
• Dynamic range limitations, 58–60
• Hand-holding technique for stability, 45
• Pictures of actual camera systems, 21, 22
• Shake (blurry pictures from), 66
• Types, 13
• Weather sealing, 23
• What is a camera system, 21
• Which type is best, 17, 21–23
Camera obscura, 17
Capturing light, 17–21
Center-weighted metering, 97–98
Channels (RGB color), 111, 116
Chart, aperture and shutter speed, 88
Christian Bloch, author, 100
Chromatic aberration (CA), 49
CIELAB color space, 127–128
Circular (or cir.) polarizer filter, see Polarizing filter
Clipping (histogram), 122–124
• Highlight and dark clipping, 122–124
• Shadows are normally dark, 124
Close-up filters vs. a macro lens, 40–42
Close-up photography, see Macro
Cloudy white balance, 132
Coin photography, 40
Color channels (RGB), 111, 116
Color fringing, 49
Color gamut, 127–129
Color temperature (Kelvin), 119, 129
• Affects the appearance of the image, 119
• Associated with white balance, 129
• Preset color temperatures (cloudy, shade etc.). 130
Commercial photography, 14
Composition, 39
Compression of image (JPEG), 110–111
Computer adjustment of images, 125–126
Contact Darrell Young, author, 135
Continuous release mode, 81
Contrast-detection autofocus, 17
CRW and CR2, Canon RAW format, 113
CX imaging sensor, 20
Darrell Young, author contact info, 135
Depth of Field (DOF), 73–80
• Aperture controls depth of field, 74–77
• Everything in focus (no blur), 73–75
• Macro lens has shallow DOF up close, 42
• Portraits with blurry backgrounds, 73–75
• Preview button on camera, 31, 78
• Understanding depth of field, 73–80
Diopter filters (close up), 41
Distortion (lens)
• Barrel distortion, 49
• Dispersion, 48
• Falling-over effect, 36
• Perspective distortion, 36–38
• Pincushion distortion, 49
• Wide-angle lens up close, 36–37
• Telephoto compression, 38
Digital noise, see Noise
DNG, non-proprietary RAW image format, 113
DSLR
• How different from an ILC, 16
• Light path through camera, 15
• Moving to from P&S camera, 13–14
• Should I choose a DSLR?, 16–17
• What is a DSLR?, 15
Dynamic range
• And the histogram, 122–125
• Of the imaging sensor, 20
• Camera about half of eye’s range, 58
• HDR (high dynamic range), 59
• Limitations in capturing light, 58–60
• What is dynamic range? (sidebar), 59
DX (APS-C) imaging sensor, 20, 33, 35, 86
Eastman Kodak, 18
Electro selective pattern metering (ESP), 97
Electronic shutter, 80
Elements, lens, 28
Enthusiast, 13
ESP metering, 97
Event photography, 14
EVIL camera (footnote), 16
EV steps, see Stops
Exposure
• Control relationship illustrated, 61
• Basic exposure rule (how much, how long), 87
• Blown out (overexposure), 60
• EV or exposure value, 63
• Examples of good and bad, 58
• Expose for the subject, 60
• Highlight blink mode, (sidebar), 60
• Manual exposure display (in M mode), 105–106
• Semiautomation (A, S, Av, Tv), 102–105
• Stops, f-stops, and EV steps, 62–63
• Three exposure controls, 57, 73
• Using semi-automation, 91–92
• What is a good exposure?, 57
Evaluative metering, 97
Extension tube (sidebar), 42
Eye vs. camera, 28, 31, 38, 58–59, 63, 66–67, 70, 79, 80, 83, 111, 120, 124–125, 127
Fast vs. slow lenses, 39–40
Filters
• Can lower image quality (sidebar), 52
• Coatings matter, 50
• Circular Polarizing filter (PL-CIR), 52–53
• Determining filter size, 54
• Don’t over tighten filters (sidebar), 53
• Don’t stack filters (sidebar), 52
• Polarizing filter, 52–53
• Darkens sky, 53
• Removes reflections, 53
• Saturates colors, 53
• Skylight filter, 51
• UV (ultraviolet) filter, 51
Fine-tuning focus, 29
First photograph in 1826, 17–18
Flare (lens), 48–50
Flash white balance, 132
Fluorescent white balance, 132
• Changes angle of view, 33
• Short, normal and long, 32
Focus distance scale on lens, 30
Focus ring (control) on lens, 29
Foreword, 10
Frame rate, 23
Freeze action or motion, 74, 81–82, 103–104
Fringing, colors, 49
F-stops (or f/stops), see Stops
Full-frame imaging sensor, 20
FX imaging sensor, 20
Gain, 19
Gamut, 127–129
George Eastman (Kodak), 18
GPS unit, 44
Graduated exposure scale (in M mode), 105–106
Graininess, see Noise
Hand-holding technique for stability (camera), 45
HDR (high dynamic range) imaging, 59, 100, 119, 124
Highlight blink mode, 60 (sidebar), 127
Highlight clipping, see Clipping
Highlight headroom (histogram), 121
• Basic tutorial, 122
• Judge image exposure after-the-fact, 119
• Luminance histogram best for most, 121
• Shape of histogram, 123
• Shows light values captured (dark to light), 122
• Relationship with exposure meter, 120, 127
• JPEG is basis of histogram, 121
• JPEG or TIFF shooter’s friend, 121
• RGB vs. Luminance histograms, 120
• Shows dynamic range of light, 59, 119
Honeycomb metering, 97
Hoya HMC or DMC professional filters, 54
Hyperfocal distance (sidebar), 31
HSM, see Autofocus Motor Types
ILC
• How different from a DSLR, 16
• Moving to from a P&S camera, 13
• Should I choose an ILC?, 16–17
• Using DSLR and SLR lenses, 15
Images, see Pictures
Image compression (JPEG), 110
Image formats, 109–117
Image filename (jpg, tif, crw, nef, etc.), 109
Imaging sensor
• Affects angle of view, 35
• Common sizes illustration, 20
• How does it work?, 18–21
• Pictures of actual sensors, 19
• Size is important, 16, 19–21
• Technical information on megapixels, 20
• Vignetting with full-frame sensor, 47–48
• What is an imaging sensor?, 17–21
Image quality (JPEG, TIFF RAW), 16, 109–115
Image stabilization
• Acronyms per camera brand, 44–45
• Body vs. lens stabilization, 44
• Switch on lens, 30
• What does it do?, 44
Incandescent white balance, 132
Infinity symbol on lens, 30
Interchangeable lenses, 16
Interchangeable lens camera, see ILC
IS, see Image stabilization
ISO, see ISO sensitivity
ISO Sensitivity (or just ISO)
• Control relationship illustrated, 61
• Default ISO, 64
• Drawbacks to high ISO sensitivity, 65
• Exposure control, 57
• Final thoughts on ISO, 87
• Foundation for good exposures, 87
• Minimum and maximum ISO, 64
• Understanding ISO numbers, 64–65
• What does ISO stand for? (sidebar), 66
• What is ISO Sensitivity?, 63–66
Jack Howard, author, 100
Joseph Niépce, 17
JPEG image format (jpg), 109–112
• Settings applied permanently, 109, 110–111
• Compression of file size, 110, 111–112
• Compression ratios, 111
• Image is ready to use, 110
• Lossy format, 110–111
• Positives and negatives, 112
• White balance information, 134
Kelvin color temperature, see Color temperature
Kelvin or K white balance, 132
Kit lens information, 68
Kodak, 18
Knowledge of photography, 13
Landscape photography, 17
Language of photography 10, 13, 62
LCD monitor, 16
Lens
• Aspherical elements (sidebar), 39
• Barrel distortion, 48–49
• Buying new lenses, 21–24, 54–55
• Chromatic aberration, 48–49
• Color fringing, 48–49
• Concerns or issues, 45–50
• Construction materials, 42
• Dispersion, 48
• Distortion (also see Distortion), 27, 36, 48–50
• Edge softness (vs. sweet spot), 48
• Expense to buy, 35
• Filters for protection, 51
• Focal length, 31–39
• Fringing, 48–49
• How does a lens work?, 28–31
• Length compared, 33
• Low-dispersion elements, 39, 48
• Pincushion distortion, 48–49
• Prime lens, 33
• Quietness during autofocus, 45
• Reviews (lens charts vs. real-life), 46
• Speed (fast vs. slow lenses), 39
• Sweet spot in lens, 48
• Types of lenses, 27
• Zoom vs. prime lenses, 39–40
Light falloff (lens), 48–50
Light flow control, 61
Light gathering, 21
Light meters, 96–100
• Averaging meter, 98–99
• Center-weighted metering, 97–98
• Partial meter, 99
• Reflected-light meter, 99
Long focal length lens, 32–34
Lossless RAW compression, 114
Lossy format (JPEG), 110–111
Low-light photography, fast prime lens, 40
Luminance vs. RGB histograms, 120
Macro (close up)
• Filters (diopter), 41–42
• Life-size images, 40
• Macro lens vs. close-up filters, 40–42
Magnesium-alloy camera body, 23
Magnification, lens, 28, 32–34, 36, 40–42
Manual exposure mode (M), 67, 77, 95, 105–107
Manual focus
• Macro and close up, 29
• Switch on lens, 29
• Versus autofocus, 42
Manual or Auto focus switch on lens, 29
Mastering the Nikon DSLR Series, 10, 13, 95
Matrix metering, 97
Measured or PRE white balance, 133
Medium focal length (normal), 32
Mega O.I.S, see Image stabilization
Megapixels, 18–21
Meter, see Light meters
Michael Tapes Design, 133
Micro Four Thirds imaging sensor, 20, 35
MILC, see ILC
Mirror and prism in DSLR, 15
Mirrorless camera (also see ILC), 16
Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, see ILC
• Camera shake, 83
• Burst shooting, 81
• Increased ISO for faster shutter speed, 81–82
• Motion blur (implies movement), 82–84, 85, 104
• Panning, 81
• Peak of action, 81–82
• Reciprocal of focal length rule, 84–86
• Stopping action, 74, 81–82, 103–104
• Take a lot of pictures (tip), 81
• Water movement (tip), 84–85
MP, see Megapixels
MRW, Minolta RAW image format, 113
NEF, Nikon RAW image format, 113
Nodal point in lens, 33
Nikon brand featured in this book, why?, 14
Noise
• Degrades the image, 19
• Grainy dark or color specks, 20, 58
• High ISO settings and noise, 65
• Pixel size affects noise, 21
• Similar to radio static, 20
Normal focal length lens, 32–34
NRW, Nikon RAW image format, 113
Numbers on lens, 33
OIS and OS, see Image stabilization
Optical Image Stabilization, see Image stabilization
Optical Vignetting (light falloff), 47–48
ORF, Olympus RAW image format, 113
Panning, 81
Partial meter, 99
Peak of action, 81–82
PEF, Pentax RAW image format, 113
Perspective distortion
• Telephoto compression effect, 38
• Wide-angle distortion, 36–37
Phase detection autofocus, 17
Photography
• Your photographic eye, 73
• Passionate endeavor, 24
Pictures
• Enlarging efficiency, 20
• Image formats (JPEG, TIFF, RAW), 109–117
• Image quality settings, 109–115
• Maximum quality with prime lenses, 40
Pincushion distortion, 49–50
Plastic (polycarbonate) camera body, 23
PL-CIR (polarizing) filter, 52–53
Point and shoot camera
• Imaging sensor size, 20
• Scene modes, 100–101
• Why upgrading from, 10
Polarizing filter, 52–53
• Darkens sky, 53
• Removes reflections, 53
• Saturates colors, 53
Postprocessing images, 125–126
Portrait photography, 17
• Don’t use a wide-angle lens, 36–37
PRE white balance, 133
Programmed auto mode, 103
• Macro lens, 40–41
• Smaller and lighter than zoom, 40
• Versus zoom lenses, 39–40
PTX, Pentax RAW image format, 113
RAF, Fuji RAW format, 113
RAW image format, 14, 99, 113–116
• 12-bit vs. 14-bit (sidebar), 116
• Author recommendations, 117
• Camera’s proprietary image format, 14
• Conversion to another format, 114–115
• Compression of RAW image, 114
• Five to nine stops of light, 99
• Not an image yet (needs processing), 113, 134
• Positives and negatives, 114
• Viewing thumbnails on computer, 115
• White balance information, 134
RAW + JPEG shooting, 115
Reciprocal of focal length shutter speed rule, 84–86
Renting a camera, 23
Reflected-light meter, 99
Reflex mirror in an SLR or DSLR, 15
Resolution, 18
RGB vs. Luminance histograms, 120
Rule of thirds, 98
RW2 and RAW, Panasonic RAW image format, 113
RWL and RAW, Leica RAW image format, 113
Scene modes, 100–101
Semi-automation (conclusions), 91
Sensor, see Imaging sensor
Segment metering, 97
Semiautomation (exposure), 102–105
• Aperture priority mode (A, Av), 67, 77, 91, 95, 104–105
• Programmed auto mode (P), 103
• Shutter priority mode (S, Tv), 67, 91, 95, 103–104
SDM, see Autofocus Motor Types
Shade or shady white balance, 132
Shallow depth of field, 40, 104–105
Sharp backgrounds, 73–78
Shutter blades assembly, 70, 80
Shutter priority mode (S, Tv), 67, 91, 95, 103–104
Shutter speed
• Shutter speed and aperture relationship, 87–91
• Control relationship illustrated, 61
• Exposure control, 57
• Slowest speed for hand holding camera, 71
• Time interval measurements, 71
• Understanding shutter speed numbers, 71
• What is shutter speed?, 70–71
Shutter speed and aperture chart, 88
Shutter speed and aperture relationship, 87–91
Slow vs. fast lenses, 39–40
SLR versus DSLR, 15
Software for RAW conversion, 114–115
sRGB color space, 127–129
SR, SSM, and SSS, see Image stabilization
SR2 and SRF, Sony RAW image format, 113
SRW, Samsung RAW image format, 113
Stamp photography, 40
Star effect (small aperture), 79
Steps (EV), see Stops
Stock photography, 14
Stops
• F/numbers (f/3.5, f/8, etc.), 63
• In-between (partial) stops
• Aperture, 68
• ISO Sensitivity, 65
• Shutter speed, 71
• Stopped down means what?, 62, 67, 76
• Stops, f-stops, and EV steps, 62–63
• What is a stop?, 62
• What is an EV step?, 63
Stop-down metering (sidebar), 42
Stopping action or motion, 74, 81–82, 103–104
Street photography, 17
Sunlight white balance, 132
Subject motion control, see Motion control
SWD and SWM, see Autofocus Motor Types
System for camera, 21
Tagged image file format (TIFF), 112
Three-letter filename extension (JPG, etc.), 109
Telephoto focal length lens, 27, 32, 34, 31–38
Three-lens kit, 24, 35, 38, 43–44
Thumbnail images on computer (RAW), 115
TIFF image format (tif), 109, 112
• 8-bit file format, 112
• Not a lossy format, 112
• Positives and negatives, 112
Tutorial for color channel and bit depth, 116
USD and USM, see Autofocus Motor Types
VC, see Image stabilization
Vibration reduction, see Image stabilization
Viewfinder
• in a DSLR, 15
Vignetting (optical light falloff), 47–48
Visually lossless RAW compression, 114
VR, see Image stabilization
Waterfall photography (tip), 84
White balance, 113, 117, 129–133
• Ambient light reading tips, 134
• Additive color process, 129
• And RAW image mode, 133–134
• Auto white balance, 131
• Backwards from star colors, 129
• Fundamentals (sidebar), 133
• How does it work?, 129–130
• Kelvin color temperature, 129–131
• Modified after-the-fact in RAW files, 113
• Range of color temperature, 120–131
• WhiBal measurement cards, 133
Wide-angle lens, 27, 36, 31–38
Wide-angle focal length lens, 32–34
Wikipedia: Camera brands, 14
X3F, Sigma (Foveon) RAW image format, 113
XSM, see Autofocus Motor Types
Young, Darrell – author contact info, 135
ZIP file (RAW compression similarity), 114
Zone focusing, 30
Zone of sharp focus, 74
Zoom lens
• Wide-angle, normal, and telephoto, 31–39
• Versus prime lens, 33, 39–40
• Zooming in and out, 28, 32–34
• Zoom ring (control) on lens, 29