Contents Overview First Steps Putting Batteries in Your Camera Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Choosing a Language for the Menus Setting the Time and Date Taking Your First Photograph DIGITAL CAMERA COOLPIX 950 Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC) Flash Settings Focus Settings Using the Self-Timer Image Quality and Size Sensitivity Exposure Mode Using the Buttons (PLAY) Reference Manual -1-
The Camera Menus The A-REC Menu Using Folders (A-REC, M-REC) LCD Brightness Sound Settings Auto Off Formatting Memory Cards The M-REC Menu Digital Zoom (DIGITAL TELE) Black-and-White Photography Lens Converter Settings (LENS) Making a Panorama—Tips (AE-LOCK) User Settings Restoring Default Settings LCD On/Off The Controls Menu (M-REC) SEQ.
Overview Troubleshooting outlines steps to take when things go wrong Thank you for buying a COOLPIX 950. This Reference Manual explains how to use and care for your COOLPIX 950. It is intended Please read all instructions carefully to get the most from your as a supplement to the Fast Track Guide and Pocket Guide, to which camera. you can refer for guidance on topics not covered here.
First Steps Putting Batteries in Your Camera This chapter guides you through the steps you will take after removing the camera from the box, from inserting the batteries to making your first photographs and playing them back.
Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Choosing a Language for the Menus 1 Turn the camera off The cameras menus and messages can be displayed in English, German, French, or Japanese. To select a language for the display, follow these steps: Turn the mode dial to OFF. 2 Open the card slot Turn the camera upside down (if the camera is on a tripod, detach it from the tripod first), then open the card slot cover.
5 Rotate the command dial to select the Setting the Time and Date When you turn on your camera for the first time, you will need to set the time and date as follows: 1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY. 2 Press the MENU button to display the P L AY BAC K D E L E T E AUTO F O L D E R S S L I D E S H OW P ROT E C T H I D E I M AG E P R I N T S E T S E T U P playback menu. 3 Using the zoom buttons, highlight SET UP and press the shutter-release button.
Taking Your First Photograph Step 2—Turn the mode dial to A-REC To enter automatic recording mode, turn the This section outlines the basic steps involved in taking a photograph selector dial to A-REC. After a short pause in A-REC mode. while the camera initializes, a beep will sound and current settings will be displayed in the Step 1—Remove the lens cap LCD monitor and the control panel. Remove the lens cap as shown below. P 1/125 F4.
Step 3—Check the number of exposures remaining Step 4—Adjust camera settings The control panel and LCD monitor show the number of expo- In automatic mode, the user can adjust flash, focus, exposure sures remaining at the current image quality setting. compensation, and image quality and size. The default settings, which produce the best results in most circumstances, are automatic flash, autofocus, no exposure compensation, an image quality of “normal,” and an image size of “full” (1,600 × 1,200 pixels).
Step 6—Half-press the shutter-release button When lighting is poor, the flash lamp next to the viewfinder will glow red. If the flash is off, set the flash to “Auto” for a photo in which objects within the range of the flash are fully exposed. If the red flash lamp blinks, the flash is charging, and you will need to take your finger off the shutter-release button and wait a few seconds before taking a photograph.
Step 8—Check the results Step 9—Turn the camera off After a photograph has been taken, the autofocus lamp will blink and an hourglass icon ( ) will be displayed in the LCD monitor while the photograph is recorded. Before the photograph is transferred to the memory card, it will be displayed briefly in the LCD monitor. When you have finished using the camera, be sure to turn the mode dial to OFF.
Using the Buttons (A-REC, M-REC) This chapter details some of the camera settings that can be accessed without using the camera menus: flash, focus, image quality, image size, sensitivity, and exposure mode. Exposure compensation is covered in the Fast Track Guide. Flash Settings The following flash settings are available: Setting Auto Flash Cancel (off) How it works When to use it Camera fires flash whenever lighting is poor. Best for general use. Flash will not fire even when lighting is poor.
When the mode dial is set to A-REC or M-REC, the current flash Flash status is indicated by the red flash lamp next to the viewfinder. setting can be changed using the button next to the Flash lamp glows red: The camera is ready to fire the flash control panel. The setting changes each time the button is pressed, when the shutter-release button is cycling through the different flash modes in the following order: fully pressed. Flash lamp blinks: The flash is charging.
Focus Settings With the mode dial set to A-REC, a choice of three autofocus modes is available. In addition, M-REC mode offers a selection of manual focus settings. Autofocus settings The following autofocus settings are available in M-REC and A-REC modes: Setting Autofocus NO ICON Infinity Macro Close-up How it works When to use it Camera automatically adjusts focus according to disUse when subject is 30cm (1ft) or more from lens. tance to subject. Focus is fixed at infinity. Flash is disabled.
Focus distance is displayed in the LCD monitor, while the control panel shows the focus distance together with a flashing icon. A short focus distance can be used to focus the camera on objects at the specified distance while blurring background details. Choose a setting of Inf for a focus distance of infinity. Unlike the autofocus setting of Infinity, manual infinity allows use of the flash. Manual focus can be cancelled by pressing the button.
Using the Self-Timer The COOLPIX 950 is equipped with an automatic timer with two settings: three seconds, useful when making group photographs, and ten seconds, ideal for self-portraits. To use the self-timer, follow these steps: 1 For self-portraits, mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it on a flat, stable surface. 2 Press the button until the the control panel or LCD monitor. icon appears in 3 Compose the photograph. 4 Fully depress the shutter-release button to activate the timer.
Image Quality Image Quality and Size The image quality/image size setting determines how many photo- At settings of BASIC, NORMAL, and FINE, the camera uses JPEG graphs can be stored on a single memory card. The following compression to reduce the amount of memory required to store photographs. JPEG compression results in a slight loss in image combinations of image quality and size are available: quality, which grows more noticeable at higher compression ratios.
Photographs taken at an image quality setting of HI are stored in uncompressed TIFF format and show no loss in quality. An 8MB memory card is however sufficient to store only one such photograph at a time. To take photographs at an image quality of HI, turn the mode dial to M-REC, then hold down the button and turn the command dial until HI is displayed in the control panel. Sensitivity In A-REC mode, automatic gain control is used to produce sensitivity roughly equivalent to ISO 80 film.
Exposure Mode When the mode dial is set to M-REC, you can choose an exposure mode from the following options: Setting Program Aperture Priority Shutter Priority How it works Camera automatically sets shutter speed and aperture to produce the best exposure. When to use it Best for general use. A wide aperture (low f-number) can be used to blur You choose the aperture (f-number) using the comdetails of the background. A small aperture (high fmand dial.
Aperture Priority Shutter Priority An exposure mode of Aperture Priority allows you to choose an When the exposure mode is Shutter Priority, shutter speed can be aperture setting from three pre-determined f-values. To choose chosen from settings ranging from 1/500 sec. to 8sec. To set the a value for aperture: shutter speed: 1 Set the exposure mode to Aperture Priority. 1 Set the exposure mode to Shutter Priority. 2 Turn 2 Turn The chosen f-number will be shown in the control panel and LCD monitor.
Using the Buttons (PLAY) This chapter describes the following playback functions: • viewing photographs • deleting unwanted photographs individually These functions can be accessed using the zoom (▼W/T▲) buttons, the command dial, and the three buttons below the control panel. The options available in the playback menu are described in the following chapter.
• To select a photo for viewing: Press the thumbnail ( ) button to display a menu of nine preview images. A number at the bottom right corner of each preview gives the position of the photograph in memory. If there are more than nine photos in memory, use the command dial to page through the previews, nine at a time. Use the ▼W/T▲ buttons to highlight the photo you want to view, then press the thumbnail button again to view it at full size. 3 View the information for the current photograph.
The Camera Menus This chapter supplements “Other Camera Functions” in the Pocket Guide, exploring the options available in the menus for each operating mode. The bulk of the shooting options available in the M-REC menu are described in the Pocket Guide, “Taking Photographs.” DATE Set the camera’s internal clock-calendar as described in “First Steps: Setting the Time and Date,” above. The A-REC Menu To display the A-REC menu, turn the mode dial to A-REC and press the MENU button.
Selecting a Folder By default, photographs taken with the COOLPIX 950 are stored in the memory card in a folder labeled NIKON. To make it easier to locate photographs during playback, you can create additional folders and organize your photographs by theme. The FOLDERS menu enables you to select the folder in which subsequent photographs will be stored or choose the folder from which photographs will be played back. You can also create folders, rename existing folders, or delete folders.
5 Press the shutter-release button when the last letter is high- The Folder Options Menu To create a new folder, or to rename or delete existing folders, choose OPTIONS from the FOLDERS menu. The menu shown at right will be displayed. O P T I O N S AUTO N E W R E N A M E D E L E T E Creating new folders To create a new folder: Until another folder is selected from the FOLDERS menu, all subsequent photographs will be stored in the new folder.
Deleting folders To delete an existing folder: LETE in the OPTIONS menu and press the shutter-release button. The window shown at right will be displayed. D E L E T E AUTO A P R I L S H OW 2 Use the zoom buttons to highlight the folder you want to delete (note that the folder name NIKON can not be deleted) and press the shutter release button.
The COOLPIX 950 is equipped with a speaker that produces a beep when you turn the camera on or take a picture. This speaker can be turned on and off using the SOUND menu. When operated on battery power, the camera enters sleep mode if no action is performed for thirty seconds (three minutes when menus are displayed). Auto Off allows you to specify a new time limit for sleep mode. Two time limits can be set, one for playback and the other for shooting photos (A-REC and M-REC).
4 Using the zoom buttons, highlight FOR- CONCEPT Formatting Memory Cards Compact flash memory cards must be formatted before they can be used in the camera. You can also format cards to erase all folders and photographs. When memory cards are formatted, all data on the card are permanently deleted; be sure to copy to a computer any files you would like to keep. PRACTICE The Card Format option is available in all modes.
The M-REC Menu To display the M-REC menu, turn the mode dial to M-REC and press the MENU button. The M-REC menu has two pages of options; you can move from the first to the second page using the MENU button or zoom buttons. Press the MENU button when the second page is displayed to return to shooting mode.
LENS (Lens Converter) Offers a choice of settings for achieving optimum results with the following lens converters (available separately): the FCE8 fish-eye lens converter, the WC-E24 wide-angle lens converter, and the TC-E2 telephoto lens converter. Details of these settings are provided below. AE LOCK Fixes autoexposure and white-balance to produce several matching photographs of a single scene.
CONCEPT In “digital zoom,” images are processed digitally to enlarge the center portion of photographs to fill the frame. Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom does not increase the amount of detail visible in the photograph. Instead, details already visible are enlarged, producing a slightly “grainy” image. By default, the COOLPIX 950 automatically enters digital zoom mode when the zoom-in (T/▲) button is held down for two seconds at maximum zoom.
CONCEPT Black-and-White Photography In M-REC mode, photographs can be taken either in color or in black-and-white (in A-REC mode, only color is available). Photographs taken in black-and-white have slightly better image quality than color photos. The chosen setting will be in effect whenever the camera is in MREC mode. When black-and-white is selected, a check mark appears next to the BLACK&WHITE item in the shooting menu and the view through the monitor is in black-and-white.
If you have attached one of the lens converters available separately for the COOLPIX 950, you can use the LENS option to adjust zoom, flash, and other settings to the optimum values for the chosen converter. The following preset combinations of settings are available: CONCEPT Option How it works WIDE (for WC-E24 wide-angle converter) Camera zooms all the way out, allowing you to take photos at the maximum possible angle. Flash is disabled.
CONCEPT Making a Panorama—Tips (AE-LOCK) In M-REC mode, you can lock autoexposure and auto white balance to produce a series of photographs with consistent color balance and exposure. This can be used to take several matching photographs of a single scene, which can later be blended together to create a panorama or a virtual-reality image. Autoexposure and white-balance settings are fixed at the values used in the first photograph taken after ON is selected.
4 To change the setting, either In M-REC mode, the camera can “memorize” up to three combinations of settings, including metering, white balance, multishot, image adjustment, best-shot selection, digital zoom, lens converter, and autoexposure/white-balance lock. These settings can be restored by selecting the settings number from the USER SET menu. Any changes to settings will be automatically saved under the current settings number.
CONCEPT The RESET ALL item in the M-REC menu allows you to reset user settings to the default values shown below: Setting Default value White balance automatic Metering matrix Continuous single frame Sensitivity no adjustment Image adjustment standard Best-shot selection off DIGITAL TELE automatic Black-and-white off (color) Folder NIKON Lens converter off AE LOCK off LCD brightness 0 (no adjustment) LCD on/off ON&C-AF Controls all settings other than MENU DIR and DIST FT reset
CONCEPT Setting How it works ON&C-AF (monitor on, continuous autofocus) The LCD monitor remains on when the mode dial is turned to M-REC. The camera adjusts focus continuously until the shutter-release button is half-pressed. ON&S-AF (monitor on, single autofocus) The LCD monitor remains on when the mode dial is turned to M-REC. Focus is only adjusted when the shutter-release button is half-pressed.
CONCEPT The Camera Menus: The M-REC Menu To change these control settings: 1 Turn the mode dial to M-REC. 2 Press the MENU button to open the MREC menu, then press it again to view the second page. 3 Use the zoom buttons to highlight SET UP 1 and press the shutter-release button to display the SET UP menu. 4 Using the zoom buttons, highlight CONTROLS and press the shutter-release button.
Photographs taken by the COOLPIX 950 are stored as image files. Each file is assigned a name which includes a four-digit number. Because no two photographs on any given memory card will have the same number at the same time, there is no possibility of confusion so long as you continue to use a single memory card without formatting it. If you format the card or use a new card, however, a previously-assigned number may be used again.
The Playback Menu In addition to some of the camera settings discussed above, the playback menu offers options for deleting multiple images, creating slide shows, protecting photographs from deletion, and hiding photographs during playback. It also includes options for setting up photos for printing on suitably-equipped printers.
2 Use the zoom buttons to highlight SE- The DELETE option in the playback menu allows you to: • delete selected photographs • delete all the photographs in the current folder • select a folder for deletion • delete printer information files created with the PRINT SET option (see “Preparing Photographs for Printing,” below) Note that once deleted, photographs can not be recovered; be sure to back up any photographs you would like to keep.
Deleting All Photographs in Memory Deleting Folders To delete all photographs except those that have been hidden or To delete a folder: protected: 1 Using the zoom buttons, highlight DE1 Using the zoom buttons, highlight DELETE in the playback menu and press the D E L E T E AUTO S E L E C T E D LETE in the playback menu, then press the shutter-release button. The menu shown A L L shutter-release button. The menu shown at right will be displayed. F O L D E R P R N T S E T at right will be displayed.
In addition to the folder creation, renaming, and deletion functions available in A-REC and M-REC, the playback FOLDERS menu allows you to select a new folder for playback. The slide-show option allows unattended sequential playback of all images in the current folder that have not been hidden using HIDE IMAGE. Photographs are displayed one after the other, with a pause between each photograph.
4 To pause the slide show, press the shut- Photographs stored on the memory card can be protected from deletion using the PROTECT option in the playback menu. Protected files can not be deleted using the button or the DELETE—SELECTED or DELETE—ALL options (protected files will be deleted when the card is formatted). Protected files appear as “read-only” files when viewed from a computer, and can be neither deleted nor overwritten. CONCEPT Protecting Photographs from Deletion 4 will be displayed.
Photographs taken with the COOLPIX 950 can be printed directly using an output device that supports DPOF format and is equipped with a card reader. The PRINT SET option in the camera menu allows you to select the photographs to be printed, set the number of copies, and specify whether the date of recording is to be printed on the photo. This information is stored in printer files on the memory card. You can then remove the memory card from the camera and take it to be printed.
highlight COPIES and turn the command dial. Alternatively, press the shutter-release button and use the zoom buttons to select the number of copies in the COPIES menu, then press the shutter-release button to return to the PRINT SET menu. 6 To print the date of recording on the photographs, highlight 7 The Controls Menu (PLAY) By default, the zoom out (W/▼) button is used to move the highlight bar down through the menus and the zoom in (T/▲) button to move it up.
Connections 2 Connect the yellow plug to the VIDEO IN jack on the television This chapter provides information on connecting your camera to a computer and to a television or video-cassette recorder (VCR). 3 Tune the television to the video channel. 4 Turn the mode dial to A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY. The television Connecting to a Television or VCR or VCR. monitor will mirror the image displayed in the camera’s LCD monitor.
Using a PCMCIA Card Slot 1 To read CompactFlash cards using a PCMCIA Type II or Type III card slot, Photographs stored on the memory card can be viewed on a insert the card in a PC card adapter as computer either using Nikon View to transfer data directly from the shown at right. camera, or by removing the memory card from the camera and reading it using a CompactFlash (CF) card reader or PC card adapter.
Caring for Your Camera Storage To ensure that you continue to get the most from your camera, you Store your camera in a dry, well-ventilated should observe the following precautions when cleaning and environment, away from electronic equipstoring your camera. ment such as televisions or radios which produce strong magnetic fields. Do not store Cleaning your camera where the temperature exceeds 50°C (122°F) or goes below -10°C The lens is covered by a clear plastic shield.
Accessories Optional Accessories This chapter identifies the items packaged with your camera and At the time this manual was written, the following optional the accessories available for separate purchase. accessories were available for the COOLPIX 950. Contact your local Nikon representative or retailer for details. What’s in the Box Lens converters Purchasers of the COOLPIX 950 should find that the package • FC-E8 fish-eye lens converter contains the items listed below.
Troubleshooting If you should notice any problems with your COOLPIX 950, check the list below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. General Problems Nothing shows in the control panel Checklist: • Is the mode dial set to OFF? Turn the mode dial to A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY. • Are the batteries correctly inserted and the battery chamber cover closed? The camera will not operate if the batteries are not inserted in the correct orientation or the cover is not fully closed.
The exposure count shows zero • There is not enough memory to record photographs at current settings. There may still be enough memory to record photographs at a lower image quality or size. You will not however be able make a photograph at current settings until you have deleted one or more images from memory as described in “Using the Buttons (PLAY)” or “The Camera Menus: The Playback Menu.
Your television does not mirror the LCD monitor Your computer can’t read photographs recorded on the memory card Checklist: • Is the camera correctly connected to the television set or VCR? Checklist: Connect the camera as described in “Connections: Connect- • Is the card correctly inserted in the PC-card adapter or CF card ing to a Television or VCR.” reader? See “Connections: Viewing Photos on a Computer.” • Is the television tuned to the video channel? Tune the television to the video channel.
Error Messages When there is a problem with the flash-memory card or with the camera’s internal programming and circuitry, an error message will appear superimposed on the image in the LCD monitor. Below is a list of error messages that may be displayed by the COOLPIX 950 and the steps that should be taken to deal with them. NO C A R D PRESENT The camera can not detect a flashmemory card.
A L L I MA G E S ARE H I DDEN F I L E CON T A I N S N O I MA G E D A T A T HE FOL DER C A N NO T B E DE L E T E D This error appears when all photographs in the current folder have been hidden using HIDE IMAGE and the mode dial is set to PLAY. It will not be possible to play back or delete images until you have chosen a different folder or used HIDE IMAGE to allow at least one image to be displayed (see “The Camera Menus: The Playback Menu”).
Specifications Type: digital camera Recording modes: automatic (A-REC), custom (M-REC; offers monochrome mode and allows manual adjustments to focus, shutter speed, aperture, sensitivity, white balance, metering, brightness, and contrast) Image sensor: high-density 1/2˝ CCD Pixel count: effective pixel count 1.92 million pixels (1,600 × 1,200 pixels), total pixel count 2.
Exposure Range (continuous): EV -2.0–+15.5 (wide angle) EV -0.8–+16.7 (telephoto) (ISO 100 equivalent) Control: programmed auto, shutter-priority auto, aperture-priority auto Compensation: -2.0EV–+2.0EV in increments of 1/3 EV White balance: automatic TTL homing system; programs available for sunny and overcast conditions and for incandescent, fluorescent, and flash lighting; can be preset two-mode, fixed-duration timer (3 sec./10 sec.
