Owner's Manual

ManualsBrandsNikon ManualsCamerasNikon L4_en

The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography

with the

Summary of content (112 pages)

PAGE 1
En R KO 18 .9 OM 6. 3- 3X OPTICA LZ O NI K The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with the .9m m 1: 2.
PAGE 2
Trademark Information Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The SD logo is a trademark of the SD Card Association. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. PictBridge is a trademark. D-Lighting technology is provided by Apical Limited. Face-priority AF technology is provided by Identix®.
PAGE 3
Symbols and Conventions To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used: This icon marks cautions, information that should be read before use to prevent damage to the camera. This icon marks notes, information that should be read before using the camera. This icon marks tips, additional information that may be helpful when using the camera. This icon indicates that more information is available elsewhere in this manual or in the Quick Start Guide.
PAGE 4
For Your Safety To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will read them.
PAGE 5
• • • • • • • • • • Use only the batteries listed on this manual ( 7). Do not use other types. Do not mix old and new batteries or batteries of different makes or types. Charge and use each pair of Nikon rechargeable Nikon EN-MH1 NiMH batteries together as a set. Do not mix batteries from different pairs. Insert batteries in the correct orientation. Do not short or disassemble batteries or attempt to remove or break the covering. Do not expose batteries to flame or to excessive heat.
PAGE 6
Handle moving parts with care Be careful that your fingers or other objects are not pinched by the lens cover or other moving parts. CD-ROMs The CD-ROMs supplied with this device should not be played back on audio CD equipment. Playing CD-ROMs on an audio CD player could cause hearing loss or damage the equipment. Observe caution when operating the flash Using the flash close to your subject’s eyes could cause temporary visual impairment.
PAGE 7
Notices • • • • No part of the manuals included with this product may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form, by any means, without Nikon’s prior written permission. Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in these manuals at any time and without prior notice. Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of this product.
PAGE 8
Notice for customers in the State of California WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Nikon Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York 11747-3064, U.S.A. Tel.
PAGE 9
• Comply with copyright notices The copying or reproduction of copyrighted creative works such as books, music, paintings, woodcut prints, maps, drawings, movies, and photographs is governed by national and international copyright laws. Do not use this product for the purpose of making illegal copies or to infringe copyright laws.
PAGE 10
Table of Contents For Your Safety ................................................................................................... ii WARNINGS ...................................................................................................................... ii Notices ............................................................................................................... v Introduction ..........................................................................................
PAGE 11
Viewing Pictures on a Computer ....................................................................... 42 Printing Pictures ................................................................................................ 46 Connecting the Printer ................................................................................................... Printing Pictures One at a Time ....................................................................................... Printing Multiple Pictures ..................
PAGE 12
Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories Nikon COOLPIX cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including battery chargers, batteries, and AC adapters) certified by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of this electronic circuitry.
PAGE 13
Introduction Illustrations and on-screen text in this manual and the Quick Start Guide may differ from the actual display. Before Taking Important Pictures Before taking pictures on important occasions (such as at weddings or before taking the camera on a trip), take a test shot to ensure that the camera is functioning normally. Nikon will not be held liable for damages or lost profits that may result from product malfunction.
PAGE 14
Parts of the Camera Shutter-release button ( 16) Power switch ( 9) Power-on lamp ( 9) Introduction Self-timer lamp ( 20) Built-in flash ( 18) Eyelet for camera strap Lens ( 14, 78) Lens cover closed Power cord channel cover for optional AC adapter ( 76) Battery-chamber cover ( 6) Lens cover Battery chamber ( Attaching the Camera Strap Attach the strap as shown below.
PAGE 15
Replacing the connector cover Monitor ( 4, 13, 17) MENU button ( 53) Introduction Zoom button ( 14).
PAGE 16
The Monitor The following indicators may appear in the monitor during shooting and playback (actual display varies with current camera settings): Shooting Introduction 5 6 AUTO 1 2 3 19 4 7 8 20 9 10 11 18 17 10 12 9999 14 13 +1.0 16 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 4 Shooting mode ............ 13, 23, 33 Exposure lock ........................... 31 Macro close-up mode............... 22 Zoom indicator................... 14, 22 Focus indicator ......................... 15 Flash mode.............
PAGE 17
Playback 15 14 100NIKON 9999.JPG 15.05.2006 12:00 OK 9999 / 9999 10 9 3 Introduction 13 12 11 1 2 4 5 6 7 OK : START 8 1 Current folder .......................... 92 2 File number and type................ 92 3 Internal memory/Memory card indicator................................... 11 4 Battery level indicator ............... 13 5 D-Lighting guide ...................... 40 6 Current frame number/Total number of frames/ Movie length......................
PAGE 18
First Steps Inserting Batteries Introduction The camera uses two AA batteries. Depending on the country or region of purchase, the package will include either alkaline batteries or an MH-71 battery charger with rechargeable EN-MH1 batteries. Charge the batteries (EN-MH1 batteries only) If the camera came with a battery charger and rechargeable Nikon EN-MH1 NiMH batteries, charge the batteries as described below.
PAGE 19
Insert the batteries 1 Open the battery chamber. Hold the camera upside down to prevent the batteries from falling out. 3 1 2 Insert the batteries. Insert the batteries as shown. 3 Close the battery chamber. Introduction 2 1 2 Is the Camera Off? Confirm that the power-on lamp is off before removing batteries. Batteries Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ii–iii and 79 of this manual.
PAGE 20
Introduction Power saving modes and auto power off This camera features a three-stage power saving function, which works as follows if no operation is attempted for the times shown while the power is on. • Approx. five seconds: The monitor brightness will be reduced to about 50% normal brightness. • Approx. one minute (default setting): The monitor turns off and the camera enters standby mode. The power-on lamp blinks. The camera can be reactivated by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.
PAGE 21
Basic Setup A language-selection dialog is displayed the first time the camera is turned on. Choose a language and set the time and date as described below. Press the multi selector up or down. 1 2 DATE Set time and date? MENU Cancel OK Confirm Turn the camera on. The language-selection screen is displayed. No Yes OK Confirm Highlight the desired display language and press the center of the multi selector. The confirmation screen is displayed.
PAGE 22
3 4 TIME ZONE OK HOME TIME ZONE London, Casablanca DaylightSaving Introduction London, Casablanca MENU Back OK Confirm OK Confirm Highlight Yes and press the center of the multi selector. The TIME ZONE menu is displayed.* Press the multi selector right. The map of world time zones is displayed. * If daylight saving time is in effect, press the multi selector down to highlight “DaylightSaving” and press the center of the multi selector.
PAGE 23
7 8 DATE DATE D M Y D M Y 15 05 2006 15 05 2006 00 : 00 15 : 10 Edit Month and press the multi selector right. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to edit the year, hour, and minutes, then press the multi selector right. D M Y is highlighted. 9 7 Choose the order in which Day, Month, and Year will be displayed and press the center of the multi selector. The setting becomes effective, and the screen of the mode (selected by the mode selector) is displayed.
PAGE 24
Introduction 2 Insert the memory card. Open the memory card slot cover. Slide the memory card in as shown until it clicks into place. Close the memory card slot cover. 3 Turn the camera on. If no message is displayed in the monitor, the camera is ready for use. If the message shown at right is displayed, the memory card must be formatted before use. CARD IS NOT FORMATTED Note that formatting permanently deletes all pictures and other data on the memory Format card.
PAGE 25
Basic Photography and Playback (Auto) Mode This section describes how to take pictures in (auto) mode, an automatic, “point-and-shoot” mode recommended for first-time users of digital cameras. 1 (auto) mode Slide the mode selector to Basic Photography and Playback Step1 Select . Step2 Turn the camera on 1 Turn the camera on. The power-on lamp will light and the monitor will turn on. To turn the camera off at any time, press the power switch again.
PAGE 26
Step3 Frame a picture Basic Photography and Playback 1 Ready the camera. Hold the camera steadily in both hands, keeping your fingers and other objects away from the lens and flash. 2 Frame the picture. Frame the subject near the center of the monitor. 5 Zoom Use the button to frame the subject in the monitor. Press to zoom out, increasing the area visible in the frame. Press to zoom in up to 3× so that the subject fills a larger area of the frame.
PAGE 27
Step4 Focus and shoot 1 Basic Photography and Playback Focus. Press the shutter-release button halfway. The camera will focus on the subject in the center of the focus area ( 4). When the camera is fully focused on the subject, the focus indicator (AF●) lights up green. Blinking red indicates that the camera was unable to focus. Change the composition and try again. 5 2 Take the picture. Press the shutter release button the rest of the way down to take the picture.
PAGE 28
The Shutter-Release Button –Focus Lock To set focus and exposure, lightly press the shutter-release button about halfway, stopping when you feel resistance. Focus and exposure lock while the shutter-release button is held in this position. To release the shutter and take a picture, press the shutterrelease button down the rest of the way. Use a gentle touch; moving the camera while pressing the shutter-release button can result in blurred pictures.
PAGE 29
Viewing Pictures 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0005.JPG OK 5/ 5 Basic Photography and Playback Press the button to display a picture in the monitor. Use the multi selector to view additional pictures: press the multi selector down or right to view pictures in the order recorded, up or left to view pictures in reverse order. Keep the multi selector pressed to scroll quickly to the desired picture. Pictures may be displayed briefly at low resolution while being read from memory.
PAGE 30
Using the Flash The flash has a range of 0.4–3 m (1 ft. 4 in.–9 ft. 10 in.) when the camera is zoomed all the way out. The range at maximum zoom is 0.4–1.7 m (1 ft. 4 in.–5 ft. 7 in.). The following flash modes are available: Mode AUTO Description Auto Flash fires automatically when lighting is poor. Basic Photography and Playback Auto with red- Reduces “red eye” in portraits ( eye reduction 1 19). Off Flash will not fire even when lighting is poor.
PAGE 31
Red-eye Reduction The camera uses advanced red-eye reduction. Low-intensity light pulses cause the subject’s pupils to contract before the flash fires. If the camera still detects red-eye, it will process the image to further reduce its effects (“In-Camera Red-eye Fix”; note that this may slightly increase the time needed to record the picture). This mode is not recommended where a quick shutter response is required; if the desired results are not achieved, try again at a different flash setting.
PAGE 32
Taking Pictures with the Self-Timer The camera is equipped with a ten-second timer for self-portraits. When using the self-timer, mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it on a flat, level surface. 1 2 Basic Photography and Playback 10 OFF Self-timer OK :Confirm OFF ON Press the self-timer button. 6 Highlight ON and press the center of the multi selector. appears. • 3 4 10 9 6 Frame the picture and press and hold the shutter-release button halfway.
PAGE 33
The self-timer lamp will blink until one second before the picture is taken, staying lit during the final second to warn that the shutter is about to be released. Basic Photography and Playback Auto Mode In addition to the flash, self-timer, and macro close-up options described on pages 18– 22, (auto) mode offers a menu of shooting options controlling such settings as image size, picture color, and white balance ( 65–70).
PAGE 34
Macro Close-up Mode Macro close-up mode is used for taking shots of objects as close as 4 cm (1.6 in.). Note that flash may be unable to light entire subject at distances of less than 40 cm (15.7 in.); if flash fires, play picture back and check results. Basic Photography and Playback 1 OFF Macro close-up OFF OK :Confirm ON 2 6 Display options. Press the button. Highlight ON and press the center of the multi selector. appears. 3 4 6 Frame picture.
PAGE 35
Scene Mode Scene Mode Scene mode offers a choice of eleven “scene” and four “assist” settings. Camera settings are automatically optimized for the selected subject type. Assist modes offer framing assist options to help compose shots: Mode For portraits. Landscape For landscapes. Sports For moving subjects. Night Portrait For portraits taken against a backdrop of night scenery.
PAGE 36
Assist Modes These modes offer a selection of framing assist options that allow you to compose pictures with the help of framing guides displayed in the monitor. 1 2 SCN PORTRAIT MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Scene Mode Assist modes Select 3 mode. Press the MENU button. FACE-PRIORITY AF 4 6 MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Highlight , , , or and press the center of the multi selector. The framing assist menu is displayed.
PAGE 37
Portrait Assist Use for smooth, natural-looking portraits. FACE-PRIORITY AF Camera automatically focuses on face of portrait subject ( 26). PORTRAIT Camera focuses on subject in center of monitor. No guides are displayed. PORTRAIT CLOSE-UP Compose shot with subject’s face in top half of frame. Camera focuses on face area in framing guide. PORTRAIT COUPLE Compose shot with two subjects side-by-side. Camera focuses on subject in framing guide. PORTRAIT FIG- Compose shot in “tall” orientation.
PAGE 38
Taking Pictures with Face-Priority AF Scene Mode 1 2 Highlight and press center of multi selector. icon blinks in monitor. Frame picture using size of icon as a guide. Closest portrait subject is indicated by double yellow border.* * If camera detects multiple faces, closest subject will be indicated by double border, other subjects by single border. Camera will focus on closest subject.
PAGE 39
Face-Priority AF The camera’s ability to detect faces depends on a variety of factors, including whether or not the subject is facing the camera. The camera may be unable to detect faces that are hidden by sunglasses or other obstructions or that take up too much or too little of the frame. If no face is detected when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the camera will focus on the center of the frame. The camera will focus continuously until a face is detected.
PAGE 40
SPORT COMPOSITE Each time shutter-release button is pressed, camera takes 16 shots in about two seconds and arranges them in a single picture 1600 × 1200 pixels in size. Camera focuses continuously even when shutterrelease button is not pressed. Scene Mode Night Portrait Assist Use for a natural balance between the main subject and background lighting in portraits shot at night. With the exception of face-priority AF, this mode offers the same assist options as portrait assist mode.
PAGE 41
The following modes are available: PARTY/INDOOR Captures the effects of candlelight and other indoor background lighting. Camera focuses on subject in center of frame. Hold camera steady to prevent blurring. BEACH/SNOW Captures the brightness of such subjects as snowfields, beaches, or sunlit expanses of water. Camera focuses on subject in center of frame. Scene Mode SUNSET Preserves the deep hues seen in sunsets and sunrises. Camera focuses at infinity.* Hold camera steady to prevent blurring.
PAGE 42
MUSEUM Use indoors where flash photography is prohibited (for example, in museums and art galleries) or in other settings in which you do not want to use the flash. Camera focuses on subject in center of frame; BSS ( 69) turns on automatically. Hold camera steady to prevent blurring. FIREWORKS SHOW Slow shutter speeds are used to capture the expanding burst of light from a firework. Focus is fixed at infinity.* Use of a tripod recommended to prevent blurring.
PAGE 43
Taking Pictures for a Panorama ( 30) The camera focuses on the subject in the center of the frame. Use a tripod for better results. 1 2 5 5 Highlight the desired pan direction and press the center of the multi selector. The arrow showing the selected direction turns white. • • 3 The direction can be re-selected by pressing the center of the multi selector again. If the first shot is taken without deciding the pan direction, it will be automatically set for the right. 4 4 Take the first picture.
PAGE 44
5 2 End series. The monitor returns to the screen in step 1. Scene Mode Panorama Assist Flash mode ( 18), self-timer ( 20) and macro close-up ( 22) cannot be adjusted after the first picture is taken. Pictures cannot be deleted, or zoom or image mode ( 65) cannot be adjusted until shooting is complete.
PAGE 45
Movies Movie Mode Follow the steps below to shoot movies. Movies recorded to internal memory at the default setting of Small Size 320 can be up to 1 minute long; a 256MB memory card can hold up to 26 minutes 33 seconds. 1 Select mode. Exposure count display shows maximum total length of movie that can be recorded. 0h 1m 0s Movies 2 Start recording. Progress bar shows amount of memory remaining. 0h 0m45s 3 End recording. The monitor returns to the screen in step 1.
PAGE 46
Movie Playback In full-frame playback ( 37), movies ( 33) are indicated by a icon. 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0001.M MOV OV OK START 0h0m9s Movies To play a movie, display it in full-frame playback and press the center of the multi selector. Playback controls appear at the top of the display; press the multi selector left or right to highlight a control, then press the center of the multi selector to perform the selected operation.
PAGE 47
Movie Options: The Movie Menu The movie menu contains the options shown below. To display the movie menu: MOVIE SET-UP Movie options Auto-focus mode Select mode. Press MENU button.
PAGE 48
Auto-focus Mode Choose how the camera focuses in movie mode. Option Description Single AF Camera focuses when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and locks at this position during shooting. Full-time AF Camera constantly adjusts focus, even when shutter-release button is not pressed.
PAGE 49
Viewing Pictures on the Camera To view pictures full-frame in the monitor (fullframe playback), press the button (if the camera is off, pressing the button for about one second will turn the camera on in playback mode). The following operations can be performed: To Press 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0005.
PAGE 50
Viewing Multiple Pictures: Thumbnail Playback Pressing the ( ) button in full-frame playback displays pictures in “contact sheets” of four or nine thumbnail images.
PAGE 51
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom During full-frame playback ( 37), the ( ) button can be used to zoom in on pictures to a maximum of 10×.
PAGE 52
Enhancing Contrast: D-Lighting If a icon appears on a picture during fullframe playback ( 37), D-lighting can be used to create a copy with enhanced brightness and contrast, brightening dark and backlit subjects. 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0005.JPG OK 5/ 1 2 10.10.2006 15:30 5 100NIKON 0005.JPG D-Lighting OK Cancel OK Confirm Confirmation dialog is displayed. 5/ 5 Viewing Pictures on the Camera Highlight OK and press the center of the multi selector. The enhanced brightness copy is made.
PAGE 53
Connecting to Televisions, Computers, and Printers In addition to viewing pictures on the camera, you can also: • View pictures on TV and record movies to video (see below) • Copy pictures to a computer for storage and editing ( 42) • Print pictures on a home printer ( 46) or order prints from photofinisher Before connecting the camera to another device, it may be necessary to change the Interface settings in the setup menu ( 64). See “Menus” ( 53) for more information.
PAGE 54
Viewing Pictures on a Computer Before pictures can be transferred (copied) to a computer, PictureProject must be installed. For more information on installing and using PictureProject, see reference CD and Quick Start Guide. To transfer pictures to a computer: 1 Start a computer to which PictureProject has been installed. 2 Choose an Interface>USB option as described in “Choosing a USB Option for Connection to a Computer” ( 44).
PAGE 55
The following messages will be displayed: PREPARING TO TRANSFER TRANSFERRING IMAGES TO COMPUTER TRANSFER COMPLETED The pictures will be displayed in PictureProject when transfer is complete. 6 Disconnect the camera as described in “Disconnecting the Camera” ( 45). The PictureProject Transfer Button To copy both marked and unmarked pictures to the computer, click the PictureProject Transfer button instead of pressing the center of the multi selector in Step 5. 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0005.
PAGE 56
Choosing a USB Option for Connection to a Computer Consult the following table when choosing a USB option for connection to a computer ( 42). The default option is Mass Storage. For more information on menu operations, see “Menus” ( 53). Computer operating system Pictures transferred using: Camera (Transfer button*1 ) PictureProject button Choose Mass storage.
PAGE 57
Disconnecting the Camera If PTP is selected for USB, turn the camera off and disconnect the USB cable. If Mass Storage is selected for USB, remove the camera from the system as described below before turning the camera off and disconnecting the USB cable. • Windows XP Home Edition/Windows XP Professional: Click the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon ( ) in the taskbar and select Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device from the menu that appears.
PAGE 58
Printing Pictures Users of PictBridge-compatible printers can connect the camera directly to the printer and print pictures without using a computer.
PAGE 59
Printing the Date of Recording on Pictures Two options are available for printing the date of recording on pictures: Date imprint ( 60) and Print set>Date ( 52).
PAGE 60
4 Turn the camera on. A PictBridge start-up screen will be displayed. The camera will then enter full-frame playback with the PictBridge logo displayed in the monitor. PictBridge OK : 4/ Printing Pictures One at a Time 1 2 PRINT MENU Start print OK : Connecting to Televisions, Computers, and Printers 4/ 5 Select a desired picture. * To choose picture from thumbnail list, press ( ) and use multi selector to highlight desired picture, or press ( ) to exit to full-frame playback.
PAGE 61
3 Press multi selector up or down to highlight option, press center to select: Option Description Start print Start printing. To cancel before all copies have been printed, press center of multi selector. Camera returns to PictBridge playback display when printing is complete; repeat from Step 1 to print additional pictures. Copies Press multi selector up or down to choose number of copies (up to 9). Press center of multi selector to return to previous menu.
PAGE 62
Printing Multiple Pictures To print multiple pictures, press the MENU button while the PictBridge playback screen is displayed ( 47). The menu shown at right will be displayed; press the multi selector up or down to highlight an option, then press the center to select. Option Description Print selection Print selected pictures (see below). Print all images Print one copy of all images.
PAGE 63
3 4 PRINT SELECTION 005 PRINTS 3 10. 10. 2006 12 : 00 + -[ 4/ 5] MENU Back OK Confirm Choose number of prints (up to 9). To deselect picture, press multi selector down when number of prints is 1. Repeat steps 1–2 to select additional pictures. 5 1 2 4 5 3 MENU Back OK Start print Confirm selection (to return to step 1 and change selection, press MENU button). Printing 001/003 OK Cancel Connecting to Televisions, Computers, and Printers Start printing.
PAGE 64
Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set The Print set option in the playback menu ( 71) is used to create digital “print orders” for printing on DPOF-compatible devices ( 90). Selecting Print set displays the menu shown in Step 1. 1 PRINT SET Print selected Delete print set 2 PRINT SELECTION 10. 10. 2006 12 : 00 MENU Exit OK Confirm Highlight Print selected. + -[ 4/ 5] MENU Back OK Confirm Display selection dialog.
PAGE 65
Menus Menus are available for shooting, playback, movies, and camera setup. Press the MENU button to display the menus; press again to return to shooting or playback. To display the shooting menu: Select mode. Press MENU button. SHOOTING MENU 1/2 SET-UP Image mode White balance Exp. +/Continuous MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help To display the playback menu: Display picture full frame ( 37). Press MENU button.
PAGE 66
Use the multi selector to navigate the menus: Move cursor up Make selection Move cursor left Move cursor right Move cursor down Default Settings See the Appendix for information on menu defaults ( 88). To make a selection from a menu: 1 SHOOTING MENU 1/2 SET-UP Image mode White balance Exp. +/Continuous MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Menus Highlight menu item. 3 SHOOTING MENU 1/2 SET-UP Image mode White balance Exp. +/Continuous MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Select the highlighted option.
PAGE 67
To select multiple pictures in the Print set ( 52), Erase selected images ( 73), Protect ( 73), Transfer marking>Select image(s) ( 73), or Copy>Selected images ( 75) menus: 1 2 PROTECT 10. 10. 2006 12 : 00 [ 4/ ON OFF 5] 10. 10. 2006 12 : 00 MENU Exit OK Confirm Scroll through pictures and select a desired picture. The current picture is shown at the center of the monitor. E.g. To protect a picture 3 PROTECT [ 4/ ON OFF 5] MENU Exit OK Confirm Set ON/OFF (or the number of copies).
PAGE 68
Basic Camera Setup: The Setup Menu The setup menu contains the following options: Option Description Basic Camera Setup: The Setup Menu Menus Choose how menus are displayed. 57 Welcome screen Select screen displayed when camera is turned on. 57 Date Set clock and choose home and destination time zones. 57 Monitor settings Adjust monitor brightness and choose display style. 59 Date imprint Imprint date or birthday counter on pictures. 60 Sound settings Adjust sound and volume settings.
PAGE 69
Menus Choose how menus are displayed. SET-UP Shooting menu Menus Welcome screen Date Monitor settings MENU Exit OK Confirm ? 1/3 ---Help WELCOME IMAGE SELECT MENUS Text Icons MENU Exit OK Confirm MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Text Icon Welcome Screen WELCOME IMAGE SELECT Disable welcome Nikon Animation Select an image COOLPIX MENU Back OK Confirm Date Set the camera clock and choose home and travel destination time zones. DATE 10.10.
PAGE 70
To switch between home ( ) and travel destination ( To switch between home ( ) and travel destination ( ) time zones: Highlight or and press the center of the multi selector. The clock is set to the time in the selected time zone. The current selection is indicated by a dot. ) time zones: TIME ZONE 10.10.
PAGE 71
Monitor Settings The following options are available: Option Description Photo info Choose information displayed in monitor. Brightness Choose from five settings for monitor brightness. MONITOR SETTINGS -Photo info 3 Brightness MENU Exit OK Confirm Photo Info The following display options are available: Description Show info Indicators are displayed in monitor ( 4). Display Shooting mode Playback mode 10.10.2006 15:30 100NIKON 0005.
PAGE 72
Date Imprint Imprint date information on pictures as they are taken. Option Description Off Time and date do not appear on pictures. Date Date or date and time are imprinted on pictures taken while this option is in effect. Date and time DATE IMPRINT Off Date Date and time Date counter MENU Exit OK Confirm Basic Camera Setup: The Setup Menu Date counter Time stamp shows number of days between date of shooting and selected date (see below).
PAGE 73
Display options Highlight Number of Days, Years and Days, or Yrs, Mnths, Days and press center of multi selector. Sample date counter time stamps are shown below. 09/10.10.2006 Future date (days remaining) 02/21.10.2006 Past date (days elapsed) Sound Settings Set the following: Option Description Button sound When ON is selected, beep will sound once when operations are completed successfully, three times when error is detected. Shutter sound Choose shutter sound ON or OFF.
PAGE 74
Blur Warning Choose whether or not the blur warning is displayed ( 16). Note that the warning may not always be displayed ( 85). BLUR WARNING Off On MENU Exit OK Confirm Auto Off Basic Camera Setup: The Setup Menu Choose the time before the monitor turns off automatically to save power ( 8). Option Description Auto off Choose delay before monitor turns off when no operations are performed. Sleep Mode AUTO OFF Auto off Sleep Mode 1m OFF MENU Exit OK Confirm Select On or Off.
PAGE 75
Format Memory/ Format Card FORMAT MEMORY WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format MENU Exit OK Confirm MEMORY CARD FORMAT Quick format Format MENU Exit OK Confirm Format Do not turn the camera off or remove the batteries or memory card during formatting. Use the Format option to format memory cards before first use and reformat them regularly thereafter. Without regular formatting, performance will drop with use.
PAGE 76
Interface Adjust settings for connection to a computer or video device. Option Description USB Select USB option for connection to computer ( 42) or printer ( 47). Video mode Choose from NTSC and PAL ( Auto transfer Choose On to mark all new pictures for transfer to computer ( 43). INTERFACE USB Video mode Auto transfer MENU Exit OK Confirm 41). Basic Camera Setup: The Setup Menu Reset All Select Reset all to restore camera settings to their default values ( 88).
PAGE 77
Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu With the exception of Image mode, the following options are available only in (auto) mode. See “Menus” for information on viewing and using the shooting menu ( 53). Option SHOOTING MENU 1/2 SET-UP Image mode White balance Exp. +/Continuous MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Description Display the setup menu. Image mode Choose image size and quality. 56 65 White balance* Match white balance to the light source.
PAGE 78
Option Size (pixels) Description Normal(1600) 1600 × 1200 Smaller size allows more pictures to be stored. PC screen (1024) 1024 × 768 Suited to computer display. TV screen(640) 640 × 480 Suited to e-mail or television viewing. The current setting is shown by an icon in the display. Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu White Balance Process pictures to produce natural colors under different types of light. Option 66 1/2 WHITE BALANCE Auto White bal.
PAGE 79
At settings other than Auto, the current setting is shown by an icon in the display. Preset White Balance Preset white balance is used with mixed lighting or to compensate for light sources with a strong color cast (for example, to make pictures taken under a lamp with a red shade look as though they had been taken under white light). 1 2 1/2 WHITE BALANCE Auto White bal. preset Daylight Incandescent Fluorescent MENU Exit OK Confirm Highlight White bal. preset.
PAGE 80
5 1/2 WHITE BALANCE Auto White bal. preset Daylight Incandescent Fluorescent MENU Exit OK Confirm Frame the reference object and press the center of the multi selector. The new white balance value is set. * To restore most recent value for preset white balance, highlight Cancel and press center of multi selector. Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu Preset White Balance Preset white balance cannot be measured with the flash.
PAGE 81
Option Description Multi-shot 16 Each time shutter-release button is pressed, camera takes 16 shots at about 1.4 frames per second and arrange them in a single picture (2272 × 1704 image size) as shown at right. At settings other than Single, focus, exposure, and white balance are fixed at the values for the first picture in each series and the current setting is shown by an icon in the display.
PAGE 82
Color Options Make colors more vivid or record pictures in monochrome. Option Standard color Description Natural color. Vivid color Vivid, “photoprint” colors. Black-and- Take pictures in black-and-white. white Sepia Record pictures in sepia. Cyanotype Take pictures in blue-tinted monochrome. Shooting Options: The Shooting Menu The effects of the selected option can be previewed in the monitor. At settings other than Standard Color, the current setting is also indicated by an icon in the display.
PAGE 83
Playback Options: The Playback Menu The playback menu contains the following options. See “Menus” for information on viewing and using the playback menu ( 53). Option PLAYBACK MENU 1/2 SET-UP Print set Slide show Delete Protect MENU Exit OK Confirm ? Help Description Display the setup menu. Print set Select pictures for printing. 56 71 Slide show View pictures in an automatic slide show. 72 Delete Delete all or selected pictures. 73 Protect Protect selected pictures from accidental deletion.
PAGE 84
Slide Show Play pictures back in an automated “slide show,” with about three seconds between each picture. SLIDE SHOW Pause OK Start Loop MENU Exit OK Confirm 1 2 SLIDE SHOW Pause OK Start Loop MENU Exit OK Confirm Highlight Start. Begin slide show. Playback Options: The Playback Menu Movies Movies appear in slide shows as still images of the first frame. “Loop” Select Loop to repeat the slide show until the center of the multi selector is pressed.
PAGE 85
Delete Delete all or selected pictures. Note that pictures marked with a icon are protected and cannot be deleted. DELETE Erase selected images Erase all images MENU Exit OK Confirm Protect Protect selected pictures from accidental deletion. Protected pictures are marked with a icon (see right, below) and cannot be deleted using the button or the Delete option in the playback menu. Note, however, that formatting will delete protected files ( 63). PROTECT 10. 10.
PAGE 86
Small Pic. Create a small copy of the current picture. Choose from the following sizes: Option Description 640×480 Suited to television playback. 320×240 Suited to display on web pages. 160×120 Suitable for e-mail. A confirmation dialog will be displayed. Highlight Yes and press the center of the multi selector to create a copy at the chosen size. During playback, small copies are indicated by a gray border; a , , or icon is displayed when copies are viewed full-frame.
PAGE 87
Copy Copy pictures between internal memory and a memory card. Option COPY Description Copy pictures from internal memory to memory card. MENU Exit OK Confirm Copy pictures from memory card to internal memory. Selecting either of the above options displays the menu shown at right. Choose Selected images to select the pictures that will be copied ( 55) or All images to copy all pictures. CAMERA TO CARD Selected images All images MENU Exit OK Confirm CAMERA TO CARD Selected images will be copied.
PAGE 88
Technical Notes Optional Accessories At the time of writing, the following optional accessories were available for this camera. Contact your local retailer or Nikon representative for details. Rechargeable battery Nikon EN-MH1 rechargeable NiMH batteries (EN-MH1-B2) Battery charger MH-71 battery charger AC adapter EH-65A AC adapter kit (connects as shown) EH-62B AC adapter kit cannot be used.
PAGE 89
• • • • • • • • • Memory Cards Use only Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. Format memory cards before first use ( 63). Do not eject the memory card, turn the camera off, remove the batteries, or disconnect the AC adapter during formatting or while data are being written to or deleted from the card. Failure to observe this precaution could result in loss of data or damage to the camera or card. Do not disassemble or modify. Do not drop, bend, or expose to water or strong physical shocks.
PAGE 90
Caring for the Camera To ensure continued enjoyment of this Nikon product, observe the following precautions when storing or using the device. Handle the lens and all moving parts with care Do not apply force to the lens, monitor, memory card slot, or battery-chamber and lens covers. These parts are easily damaged. Force applied to the lens cover could cause malfunction or damage the lens.
PAGE 91
Batteries Check the battery level when taking the camera out and replace the batteries if necessary ( 13). If possible, carry spare batteries when taking pictures on important occasions. Battery capacity tends to decrease on cold days. Be sure that the batteries are fresh before heading outside to take pictures in cold weather. Keep spare batteries in a warm place and exchange as necessary. Once warmed, a cold battery may recover some of its charge.
PAGE 92
Storage Turn the camera off when not in use. Check that the power-on lamp is off before putting the camera away and remove the batteries if the camera will not be used for an extended period.
PAGE 93
Error Messages The following table lists the error messages and other warnings that appear in the monitor and how to deal with them. Display (blinks) WARNING!! BATTERY EXHAUSTED Problem Solution Clock not set. Set clock. Batteries running low. Ready spare batteries. 6 Batteries exhausted. Replace batteries. 6, 64 AF● (● blinks red) Camera cannot focus. 57 Recompose picture. 15 Slow shutter speed. Pictures may be blurred.
PAGE 94
Display Problem Solution IMAGE CANNOT BE SAVED or Error occurred while recording picture. Format internal memory or memory card. 63 Camera has run out of file numbers. • Insert new memory card. Format internal memory or memory card. 11 63 Cannot create cropped, D-lighting, or small copy. Select picture that supports crop, D-lighting, or small picture. 93 Picture cannot be used for welcome screen. Choose picture 640×480 pixels or larger. — Cannot copy picture.
PAGE 95
Display Problem Solution LENS ERROR Lens error. Turn camera off and then on again. If error persists, contact retailer or Nikon representative. 13 COMMUNICATIONS ERROR USB cable disconnected during transfer or printing. If PictureProject displays error, click OK to exit. Resume operation after turning camera off and reconnecting cable. 41, 42 USB option incorrect. Choose correct USB option. 44 PictureProject did not start.
PAGE 96
Troubleshooting If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. Refer to the page numbers in the right-most column for more information. Problem Cause/Solution Camera turns off without warning • Monitor is blank • • • • • • • Batteries are low. Batteries are cold. 13 79 Camera is off. Batteries are exhausted. Standby mode: press shutter-release button halfway.
PAGE 97
Problem Cause/Solution Camera cannot focus using autofocus • • Pictures are blurred • • • Pictures are too dark (underexposed) • • • • • Randomly-spaced bright pixels (“noise”) appear in image Subject is low in contrast, dominated 15 by repeating geometric patterns, covers too small an area of the frame, or contains many fine details, objects of sharply differing brightness, or objects at different distances from the camera. Use focus lock to focus on another subject at same distance. Focus error.
PAGE 98
Problem Cause/Solution Blur warning is not displayed Blur warning is not displayed in selftimer mode or when , , , or is selected in scene mode, option other than Single is selected for Continuous, or BSS is on. 20, 23, 68, 69 No sound when shutter is released Off selected for Sound settings>Shutter sound. 61 Optical zoom cannot be used Optical zoom cannot be used while shooting movies.
PAGE 99
Problem Cause/Solution PictureProject does not start when camera is connected • • • • • Camera is off. Batteries are exhausted. USB cable is not correctly connected. Appropriate USB option is not selected. Camera is not registered in Device Manager (Windows only). See the PictureProject reference manual (on CD) for further information. 13 13 42 44 — Pictures not displayed on television Choose correct video mode. 41 Format memory > Format option not available 13, 63 Batteries are low.
PAGE 100
Appendix Defaults ( 54, 56, 65) Choosing Reset for Reset all restores the following default settings: Option Default mode Flash mode ( 18) Self timer ( 20) Macro close-up ( 22) Option Default Scene mode PORTRAIT Auto Portrait assist ( OFF Landscape assist ( 27) OFF Sports assist ( Setup menu 25) 27) Night portrait assist ( 28) Welcome screen ( 57) Animation Shooting menu Photo info ( 59) Show info Image mode ( Brightness ( 59) 3 White balance ( 66) Off Exposure Compensa- 0
PAGE 101
Choosing Reset also clears the current file number ( 92) from memory. Numbering will continue from the lowest number available (to reset file numbering to 0001, delete all pictures before selecting Reset). All other settings are unaffected, including Date ( 57), Date counter ( 60), Language ( 63), USB ( 64), Video mode ( 64), and Battery Type ( 64).
PAGE 102
Scene Mode Settings ( 23) The following table lists the default flash mode, self-timer, and macro close-up settings for each scene. These settings are restored when the camera is turned off, (auto) or (movie) mode is selected, pictures are played back, or Reset is selected for Reset all in the setup menu. Settings in parentheses can be changed.
PAGE 103
Image Mode ( 65) and Movie Options ( 35) The following table lists the number of pictures or maximum total movie length that can be stored in internal memory and on a 256MB memory card, together with the size of still pictures. Image mode/ Movie Options Internal memory (10MB) 256MB memory Print size card (printed at 300dpi) (cm/in.
PAGE 104
Restrictions on Camera Settings ( 65) Restrictions apply to the following settings in (auto) mode: Flash mode Flash turns off at Continuous settings other than Single or when BSS is on. Original mode is restored when Single is selected or BSS is turned off. Self timer If self-timer is on, only one shot will be taken when shutter is released, regardless of settings chosen for Continuous and BSS. Original Continuous and BSS settings are restored when picture is taken or self-timer is turned off.
PAGE 105
Files copied using Copy>Selected images are copied to the current folder, where they are assigned new file numbers in ascending order starting from the largest file number in memory. Copy>All images copies all folders from the source device; file names do not change but new folder numbers are assigned in ascending order starting from the largest folder number on the destination device ( 75).
PAGE 106
GMT +/– Location GMT +/– Location ±0 London, Casablanca +12 Auckland, Fiji Refreshing Nikon EN-MH1 Rechargeable NiMH Batteries ( 6, 76) An MH-71 battery charger and rechargeable EN-MH1 NiMH batteries are provided with the camera in some regions and are also available as options ( 76). NiMH batteries may suffer a temporary drop in capacity if charged after long periods of disuse or before being fully discharged. They will return to normal after being refreshed a few times as described below.
PAGE 107
Specifications Nikon COOLPIX L4 Digital Camera Type Compact digital camera Effective pixels 4.0 million CCD 1/2.5-in. CCD; total pixels: 4.23 million Image size (pixels) Lens • • 2272 × 1704 (2272★, 2272) 1600 × 1200 (1600) • • 1024 × 768 (1024) 640 × 480 (640) Zoom-Nikkor with 3× optical zoom Focal length F=6.3–18.9 mm (35-mm [135] camera-format equivalent: 38–114 mm) f/-number f/2.8–f/4.
PAGE 108
Shutter Speed Aperture Range Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter 4–1/3000 s Magnetically controlled f/2.8 and f/4.9 (W) ISO sensitivity Approximately equivalent to ISO 50 (auto gain to ISO 200) Self-timer Approximately 10 s Built-in flash Range (approx.) W: 0.4–3.0 m/1 ft. 4 in.–9 ft. 10 in. T: 0.4–1.7 m/1 ft. 4 in.–5 ft. 7 in.
PAGE 109
Unless otherwise stated, all figures are for a camera with fully-charged EN-MH1 batteries operated at an ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F). MH-71 Battery Charger (Option; Supplied with Camera in Some Regions) Rated input AC 100–240 V, 0.11–0.065 A, 50/60 Hz Charging output DC 1.2 V/2000 mA Applicable batteries Nikon EN-MH1 rechargeable Ni-MH batteries Discharge time Approximately 5 hours Charging time Approximately 2.
PAGE 110
Index Symbols Zoom button (help), 3, 55 (thumbnail), 3, 38 (playback zoom), 3, 39 (auto) mode, 3, 13 (playback) button, 3, 17, 37 Flash mode, 3, 18 Macro close-up mode, 3, 22 (delete) button, 3, 17, 38 Transfer picture, 3, 43 (movie) mode, 3, 33 Self-timer, 3, 20 D-lighting, 3, 40 (scene) mode, 3, 23 button, 3, 53 A Accessories, 76 AE-L, 31 AF● (auto-focus) indicator, 15 Assist modes, 24 Auto off, 62 Auto-focus mode, 36 B Backlit subjects, 7, 18, 30 Battery, ii, iii, 6, 7, 13, 64, 76, 79, 94 Battery cambe
PAGE 111
M Macro close-up, 22 Memory card approved, 76 capacity, 91 formatting, 63 icon, 4 inserting, 11 slot, 12 slot cover, 3, 12 MENU button, 3, 53 Menus, 53, 57 Mode selector, 3, 13, 23, 33 Monitor, 3, 4, 13, 17, 80 Monitor settings, 59 Movie menu, 35 Movies, 33 recording, 35 viewing, 34 Moving subjects, 68 Multi selector, 3, 9, 54 N Night photography, 18, 28 Night portrait assist, 28 Noise reduction, 16 NTSC, 41 Number of exposures remaining, 13 P PAL, 41, 64 Panorama, 30 Paper size, 50 PictBridge, 46, 89 Pic
PAGE 112
No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION.