Foto at top: Algarve Gannet (Jan van Gent) 35 meter sun handheld D800 Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II equivalent 200mm standard camouflage. A full frame camera with large field of view plus pro quality lens Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II are ideal in this situation: action of large bird close by. All settings were optimal in this case for focus tracking and quick resetting camera.

This is workshop page 5: Settings Nikon camera’s

This page lists key general settings (algemene instellingen) and default settings (standaardbeginwaarden) of Nikon DSLR’s and mirrorless camera’s we use(d). Setting actual values of APERTURE, ISO sensitivity, EXPOSURE TIME, and their important limit values, the various methods and techniques of focussing and focus tracking, everything during actual bird photography are reviewed in 10 Focussing & tracking, 10 APERTURE, 11 ISO sensitivity and 12 EXPOSURE TIME.

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You have to continuously change settings of your camera in bird photography because the wheather, the direction of light, the distance or seize of bird(s) change frequently and when you switch from stationary birds to birds in action or vice versa. If you use the method for setting your camera as described below, you can:

1. Continuously keep your eye on the viewer and at the same time adjust key settings with your right hand while using left hand for redirecting camera, tripod head, etcetera on the bird(s) (assuming you work right handed).
2. Only need to reset the camera occasionally in stead of almost continuously so you can use all the time for following and enjoying bird action.

Therw is no need whatsoever for continuously resetting camera’s or lenses. It is like you are using ordinary point and shoot digicams for your bird photography.

An easy “Point and shoot”- method in bird photography

This method for setting your camera in such manner that you only occasionally may have to use the camera’s EXPOSURE CORRECTION (+/- button) when the type or direction of the light changes – bird is in direct sunlight or dark shadow – or when you change the camera itself when you are using two camera’s like one with 300mm f/4 for fast reliable action potograpphy and another one with 500mm f/5.6 TC-20E III for detailed pictures of eg. Shrikes or Kingfishers. We will review the complete method at pages (Default) settings Nikon DSLR’s & mirrorless camera’s and EXPOSURE TIME.

We will use Nikons latest DSLRs D500, D7200 (still good starters camera) and D7500 (idem but also excellent focus tracking) and Nikons late MLC Z50 as representatives of Nikons APS-C type DSLR’s and APS-C type Z system camera’s suitable for affordable lightweight bird photography.

D500 speed and handling

qqq review Fn D500 eo qqq

• Language: English (compatible with imprints camera buttons and keyboard shortcuts Lightrooom).
• Menu parameter c2 to 20 or 30 secs (mimize energy drain by AF, VR but fast start on Release press).
• Shutterspeed: Maximum Highspeed (be prepared for fast bird action).
• EV increments: 1/2 stops (quick and easy counting during resetting).
• AF-Lock: L lock inadvertent selection autofocus point via multiselector!
• b4: easy exposure compensation (assign EXPOSURE CORRECTION +/- function to primary dial (works fast in APERTURE mode when using only right hand; our personal preference): WARNING: when (re(setting) ISO values this way be sure to press ISO button (otherwise you may inadvertently (re)set EXPOSURE CORRECTION +/- value!
• Fn2: set to Whitebalance so WB reset also right handed. Or: set WB auto and adjust it in Lightroom.
• Use Info button DSLR’s as useful overview key settings, overview adaptable via camera menu.
• Camera mode: APERTURE driven (in fact “ISO driven” explanation: EXPOSURE TIME).
• AF-ON: re-assign button for using back button autofocus (explanation in Focus, tracking).
• ISO Auto: ISO 3200 or 6400 (if low available light), our preference for maximum acceptable ISO value in bird photography if RAW workflow (RAW workflow) used. Set Minimum Speed 1/1000 sec or to Auto (focus length lens also taken into calculation optimal ISO value, set amount of effect to: Normal or 1 or 2 stops Slower or Faster). ISO setting by camera improves dave wotk and improves handling speed significantly!
• Autofocus with lock on a3: Set to 5 delayed to avoid camera dropping focus too soon or starting hunting at “empty” background when bird takes off from starting position or when flying bird passes behind object in foreground like bush or reed. Set to 1 quick to avoid camera dropping focus too soon if bird flying slow but you still can’t keep camera pointed at bird.
• Autofocus with lock on a3: Subject motion: steady or erratic depends on species and action expected, eg. erratic if Whiskered or Black Tern or Lapwing (Witwang, Zwarte Stern, Kievit) and eg. steady if Crane or Buzzard (Kraanvogel, Buizerd).

• D500 high quality photography:

• Camera mode: APERTURE driven (explanation: EXPOSURE TIME).
• APERTURE use value <= F8 preserving reliable autofocus and advanced AF functions 3d & auto.
• Metering: Matrix. In our expericence with late camera’s mostly the best way in bird photography.
• Color space: Adobe RGB (not really relevant when using Raw).
• Whitebalance: Sun, cloudy or auto plus adjust later in Lightroom (depending on wheather type).
• EXPOSURE TIME Correction value -1.5 – -2.0 if very bright sun (protect highlight detail) and value 0.0 if dark (parts of) bird e.g. Crow, Goosande, Magpie. WARNING: clouds usually create Backlight! In that case set this parameter to + 1.0 or the like.

Z50 speed and handling

• Language: English (compatible with imprints camera buttons and keyboard shortcuts Lightrooom).
• Menu parameter c3 to 20 or 30 secs (minimize energy drain EVF, AF, VR but fast start on Release press).
• Shutterspeed: Maximum High (be prepared for action).
• EV increments: 1/2 stops. (quick and easy counting during resetting)
• qqq how qm qqq Assign EXPOSURE Correction to primary dial and (re)set with right hand; our personal preference). WARNING When (re)setting ISO values make sure you press ISO button also (else you will (re)set EXPOSURE CORRECTION +/- value !)
• Use i-menu: overview key settings (overview directly programmable).
• This i-menu should include WB: reset all key settings via i-menu, or set WB automatic, adjust later in Lightroom.
• AF-L/AE-L button: re-assign to AF-ON funtion enabling back button autofocus (explanation in Focus, tracking). Assign AF-L/AE-L function to qqq.
• Preferably use APERTURE <= F8 preserving reliable autofocus. Tjhis is even more importanon the Z50 than on D500 because Z50 is a bit weaker in focus tracking compare to Nikon DSLR’s lik D500.
• EV increments 1/2 stops (quick and easy counting when resetting).
• Assign EXPOSURE Correction to primary dial and (re)set with right hand. WARNING When changing ISO values make sure you press ISO button also (else you will (re)set EXPOSURE CORRECTION +/- value !). Some don’t like this setting that way, we do.
• Autofocus: AF-C area: small (be prepared for focus tracking action).
• i-menu it should include WB so you can reset all key settings via i-menu. Alternative: set WB automatic and adjust in Lightroom.

Z50 high quality photography

• Camera mode: APERTURE driven.
• APERTURE value preferably set<= f/8 preserving reliable autofocus (if APERTURE f/8 sensor receives 1/16 amount of light if eg. f/4!).
• Metering: Matrix. In our experience with late camera’s mostly the best way in bird photography.
• Color space: Adobe RGB (not really relevant when using Raw).
• Quality: Raw workflow for maximal image quality (RAW workflow).
• AF-L/AE-L set to AF ON (enabling back button autofocus), explanation Focus, tracking). Also reset original AF-L/AE-L to qqq
• ISO Auto: ISO 3200 or 6400 (if low available light), our preference for maximum acceptable ISO value in bird photography using RAW workflow. Set Minimum Speed 1/1000 sec or (camera will take actual 35mm equivalent into consideration (according to classical reciproke rule)) Auto Normal (not 1 or 2 stops Slower or 1 or 2 stops Faster). This setting improves handling speed significantly. This setting improves handling speed significantly.
• EXPOSURE TIME Correction value -1.5 – -2.0 if very bright sun (protect highlight detail) and value 0.0 if dark (parts of) bird e.g. Crow, Goosander, Magpie. WARNING: clouds usually create Backlight! In that case set this parameter to + 1.0 or the like.

Settings D7200 and D7500

The settings for these Nikon DSLR’s are very similar to those of DSLR D500. However be aware that choosing another image area than standard 24 x 16 mode (DX mode) does not increase your reach (bereik) although some people do claim this. The resolution of the images is exactly the same in any image mode because the resolution of the image sensor is exactly the same at any square millimeter of the sensor. Detailed explanation in: 7. Hard and soft crop.

Next page workshop: 10 Focus & tracking.