Nikon Camera D7100 Users Manual

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AF-Area Mode
Choose how the focus point for autofocus is selected.
•Single-point AF : Select the focus point as described  on page 75; the camera will focus 
on the subject in the selected focus point only.
 Use with stationary subjects.
• Dynamic-area AF : Select the focus point  as described on page 75.
 In AF-A  and  AF-C 
focus modes, the camera will focus base d on information from surrounding focus 
points if the subject briefly leaves the selected point.
 The number of focus points 
varies with the mode selected:
- 9-point dynamic-area AF : Choose when there is time  to compose the photograph or 
when photographing subjects that are mo ving predictably (e.g., runners or race 
cars on a track).
- 21-point dynamic-area AF : Choose when photographin g subjects that are moving 
unpredictably (e.g., players at a football game).
- 51-point dynamic-area AF : Choose when photographin g subjects that are moving 
quickly and can not be easily framed  in the viewfinder (e.g., birds).
• 3D-tracking : Select the focus point as  described on page 75.
 In AF-A  and  AF-C focus 
modes, the camera will track subjects that  leave the selected focus point and select 
new focus points as required.
 Use to quickly compose pictures with subjects that 
are moving erratically from side to  side (e.g., tennis players).
 If the subject leaves 
viewfinder, remove your finger from th e shutter-release button and recompose 
the photograph with the subject in the selected focus point.
• Auto-area AF : The camera automatically detects the subject and 
selects the focus point.
 If a type G or D lens is used ( 0296), 
the camera can distinguish human subjects from the 
background for improved subject detection.
 The active focus 
points are highlighted briefly after the camera focuses; in  AF-C 
mode or when continuous-servo autofocus is selected in  AF-A 
mode, the main focus point re mains highlighted after the 
other focus points have turned off. 
						

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AF-area mode can be selected by pressing 
the AF-mode button and rotating the sub-
command dial until the desired setting is 
displayed in the viewfinder or control panel.
A3D-tracking
When the shutter-release button is pressed half way, the colors in the area surrounding the 
focus point are stored in the camera.
 Consequently 3D-tracking may not produce the 
desired results with subjects that are the same  color as the background or that occupy a very 
small area of the frame.
AAF-Area Mode
AF-area mode is shown in the control panel and viewfinder.
AF-area modeControl panelViewfinderAF-area modeControl panelViewfinder
Single-point AF 51-point dynamic-area 
AF
*
9-point dynamic-area AF*3D-tracking
21-point dynamic-area  AF
*Auto-area AF
* Only active focus point is displayed in the viewfinder.
 Remaining focus points provide information to 
assist focus operation.
AManual Focus
Single-point AF is automatically se lected when manual focus is used.
ASee Also
For information on adjusting how long the camera waits before refocusing when an object 
moves in front of the camera, see Custom Setting a3 ( Focus tracking with lock-on, 0 232).
 
See page 156 for information on the autofocus opti ons available in live view or during movie 
recording.
AF-mode button Sub-command dial
Control panel Viewfinder 
						

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Focus Point Selection
The camera offers a choice of 51 focus points that can be used to compose 
photographs with the main subject positioned almost anywhere in the frame.
1Rotate the focus selector lock to ●.
This allows the multi selector to be used to select 
the focus point.
2Select the focus point.
Use the multi selector to select the focus point in 
the viewfinder while the exposure meters are on.
 
Press  J to select the center focus point.
The focus selector lock can be rotated to the 
locked ( L) position following selection to prevent 
the selected focus point from changing when 
the multi selector is pressed.
AAuto-area AF
The focus point for auto-area AF  is selected automatically; manual focus-point selection is 
not available.
ASee Also
For information on choosing when the focus poi nt is illuminated, see Custom Setting a4 (AF 
point illumination , 0 232).
 For information on setting focus-point selection to “wrap 
around,” see Custom Setting a5 ( Focus point wrap-around, 0 232).
 For information on 
choosing the number of focus points that ca n be selected using the multi selector, see 
Custom Setting a6 ( Number of focus points , 0 233).
 For information on changing the role 
of the  J button, see Custom Setting f1 ( OK button, 0 252).
Focus selector lock 
						

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Focus Lock
Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible 
to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition.
 If the 
camera is unable to focus using autofocus ( 072), focus lock can also be used to 
recompose the photograph after focusing on another object at the same distance as 
your original subject.
 Focus lock is most effective when an option other than auto-
area AF is selected for AF-area mode ( 073).
1Focus.
Position the subject in the selected focus point 
and press the shutter-release button halfway to 
initiate focus.
 Check that the in-focus indicator 
( I ) appears in the viewfinder.
2Lock focus.
AF-A and AF-C focus modes : With the shutter-release button 
pressed halfway ( q), press the  AAE-L/AF-L  button ( w) to 
lock both focus and exposure (an  f i c o n  w i l l  b e  d i s p l aye d  
in the viewfinder).
 Focus and exposure will remain locked 
while the  AAE-L/AF-L  button is pressed, even if you later 
remove your finger from the shutter-release button.
AF-S focus mode : Focus locks automatically when the in-focus 
indicator ( I) appears, and remain locked until you remove 
your finger from the shutter-release button.
 Focus can 
also be locked by pressing the  AAE-L/AF-L  button (see 
above).
3Recompose the photograph and shoot.
Focus will remain locked between shots if you 
keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway 
( AF-S ) or keep the  AAE-L/AF-L  button pressed, 
allowing several photogra phs in succession to 
be taken at the same focus setting. 
Do not change the distance between the camera and the subject while focus lock is 
in effect.
 If the subject moves, focus again at the new distance.
Shutter-release button
A AE-L/AF-L  button 
						

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ALocking Focus with the AF-ON Button
If desired, the autofocus can be assigned to a separate button in the Custom Settings menu, 
in which case focus will lock when the button is pressed and remain locked until the button 
is pressed again.
 The shutter can be released at any time  regardless of the options selected 
for Custom Settings a1 ( AF-C priority selection , 0 231) and a2 ( AF-S priority selection , 
0 231), and the in-focus indicator ( I) will not be displayed in the viewfinder.
ASee Also
See Custom setting c1 ( Shutter-release button AE-L , 0 236) for information on using the 
shutter-release button to lock exposure, Custom Setting f4 ( Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 
0 256) for information on choosing the role played by the  AAE-L/AF-L  button. 
						

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Manual Focus
Manual focus is available for lenses that do not support autofocus (non-AF NIKKOR 
lenses) or when the autofocus does not produce the desired results (072).
• AF-S lenses : Set the lens focus mode switch to  M.
• Other AF lenses : Set the lens focus mode switch (if 
present) and camera focus-mode selector to  M.
• Manual focus lenses : Set the camera focus-mode 
selector to  M.
To focus manually, adjust the lens focus ring until the 
image displayed on the clear matte field in the 
viewfinder is in focus.
 Photographs can be taken at 
any time, even when the image is not in focus.
❚❚ The Electronic Rangefinder
The viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm 
whether the subject in the selected focus point is in 
focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 
51 focus points).
 After positioning the subject in the 
selected focus point, press the shutter-release button 
halfway and rotate the lens focus ring until the in-
focus indicator ( I) is displayed.
 Note that with the subjects  listed on page 72, the in-
focus indicator may sometimes be displayed wh en the subject is not in focus; confirm 
focus in the viewfinder before shooting.
DAF Lenses That Are Not AF-S Lenses
Except when using an AF-S lens, do not use AF lenses 
with the lens focus mode switch set to  M and the 
camera focus-mode selector set to  AF.
 Failure to 
observe this precaution co uld damage the camera or 
lens.
AFocal Plane Position
To determine the distance between your subject and the 
camera, measure from the focal plane mark ( E) on the 
camera body.
 The distance between the lens mounting 
flange and the focal plane is 46.5 mm (1.83 in.).
Focus-mode selector
Focal plane mark
 46.5 mm 
						

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S
S
ISO Sensitivity
The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing 
higher shutter speeds  or smaller apertures.
 Choosing Auto allows the camera to set 
ISO sensitivity automatically in response to lighting conditions.
 The following 
options are available:
ISO sensitivity can be adjusted by 
pressing the  W (S ) button and 
rotating the main command dial until 
the desired setting is displayed in the 
control panel or viewfinder.
ModeISO sensitivity
% Auto
P ,  S,  A , M 100–6400 in steps of 
1/3 EV; Hi 0.3 to Hi 2
Other shooting modes Auto; 100–6400 in steps of 1/3 EV; Hi 0.3 to Hi 2
W  (S ) button Main command dial
Control panel Viewfinder 
						

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AViewing ISO Sensitivity in the Information Display
ISO sensitivity is shown in the information display. When  Auto is 
selected,  ISO AUTO and the sensitivity chosen by the camera is 
displayed as shown at right.
AAuto
If the mode dial is rotated to  P,  S,  A , or  M after  Auto is selected for ISO sensitivity in another 
mode, the ISO sensitivity last selected in  P,  S,  A , or  M mode will be restored.
AHi 0.3–Hi 2
The settings  Hi 0.3 through  Hi 2 correspond to ISO sensitivities 0.3–2 EV over ISO 6400 (ISO 
8000–25600 equivalent).
 Pictures taken at these settings are more likely to be subject to 
noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines).
AThe Shooting Menu
ISO sensitivity can also be adjusted using the  ISO sensitivity 
settings  option in the shooting menu ( 0224).
ASee Also
For information on choosing the ISO sensitiv ity step size, see Custom Setting b1 (ISO 
sensitivity step value ; 0 234).
 For information on displaying ISO sensitivity in the control 
panel or adjusting ISO sensitivity without using the  W (S ) button, see Custom Setting d3 
( ISO display and adjustment ; 0 239).
 For information on using the  High ISO NR option in 
the shooting menu to reduce noise at  high ISO sensitivities, see page 228. 
						

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Auto ISO Sensitivity Control
If On  is selected for  ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control  in the 
shooting menu, ISO sensitivity will automatica lly be adjusted if optimal exposure can 
not be achieved at the value selected by  the user (ISO sensitivity is adjusted 
appropriately when the flash is used).
1Select  Auto ISO sensitivity control  for 
ISO sensitivity settings  in the shooting 
menu.
To display the menus, press the  G button. 
Select  ISO sensitivity settings  in the 
shooting menu, highlight  Auto ISO 
sensitivity control  and press 2.
2Select  On.
Highlight  On and press  J (if  Off  is selected, 
ISO sensitivity will remain fixed at the value 
selected by the user).
3Adjust settings.
The maximum value for auto ISO sensitivity 
can be selected using  Maximum sensitivity  
(the minimum value for auto ISO sensitivity 
is automatically set to ISO 100; note that if 
the ISO sensitivity selected by the user is 
higher than that chosen for  Maximum sensitivity, the value selected by the 
user will be used instead).
 In modes  P and  A, sensitivity will only be adjusted if 
underexposure would result at the shutter speed selected for  Minimum 
shutter speed  (
1/4000–1 s, or Auto; in modes  S and  M, ISO sensitivity will be 
adjusted for optimal exposure at the  shutter speed selected by the user).
 If 
Auto  (available only with CPU lenses; equivalent to 1/30s when a non-CPU lens 
is used) is selected, the camera will  choose the minimum shutter speed based 
on the focal length of the lens (auto shutter-speed selection can be fine-tuned 
by highlighting  Auto and pressing  2; for example, even faster values than 
those usually selected automatically by the camera can be used with telephoto 
lenses to reduce blur).
 Shutter speeds slower than the minimum value may be 
used if optimum exposure can not be achieved at the ISO sensitivity value 
selected for  Maximum sensitivity .
 Press J to exit when settings are complete.
(P, S, A, and M Modes Only)
G  button 
						

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When On is selected, the viewfinder and 
control panel show  ISO-AUTO.
 When 
sensitivity is altered from the value 
selected by the user, these indicators 
flash.
ATurning Auto ISO Sensitivity Control On or Off
You can turn auto ISO sensitivity control on or off by 
pressing the  W (S )  button and rotating the sub-
command dial.
 ISO-AUTO  is displayed when auto ISO 
sensitivity control is on.
AAuto ISO Sensitivity Control
Noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or li nes) is more likely at higher sensitivities.
 Use 
the  High ISO NR  option in the shooting menu  to reduce noise (see page 228).
 If the shutter 
speed selected for  Minimum shutter speed  is slower than sync speed selected for Custom 
Setting e1 ( Flash sync speed , 0 244), the sync speed will be  used as the minimum shutter 
speed for auto ISO sensitivity control during flash photography.
 Note that ISO sensitivity 
may be raised automatically when auto ISO sens itivity control is used in combination with 
slow sync flash modes (available with the built-in flash and the optional flash units listed on 
page 304), possibly preventing the camera from selecting slow shutter speeds.
When auto ISO sensitivity control  is in effect, the adjusted and 
selected values appear in the information display as shown at right.
Control panel Viewfinder
W  (S ) button Sub-command
dial
Adjusted value
Selected value