Nikon Camera D810 Users Manual

							97
2Lock focus.
AF-C focus mode (087): With the 
shutter-release button pressed 
halfway ( q), press the  AAE-L/AF-L  
button ( w) to lock both focus and 
exposure (an  AE-L icon will be 
displayed in the viewfinder).
 Focus 
will remain locked while the 
A AE-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 photographs 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 
						

							98
ALocking Focus with the B Button
During viewfinder photography, focus can be locked using the  B 
button in place of the shutter-release button ( 088).
 If AF-ON only  is 
selected for Custom Setting a4 ( AF activation, 0 308), the camera will 
not focus when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway; instead, 
the camera will focus when the  B button is pressed, at which point 
focus will lock and remain locked until the  B button is pressed 
again.
 The shutter can be released at any time, although the in-focus 
indicator ( I) will not be displayed in the viewfinder. Note, however, 
that if  Focus is selected for Custom Setting a2 ( AF-S priority 
selection , 0 307) and single-point AF is selected for AF-area mode, 
the shutter will not be released if  the camera is unable to focus in 
single-servo autofocus mode.
ASee Also
See Custom Setting c1 ( Shutter-release button AE-L , 0 319) for 
information on using the shutter-release button to lock exposure, 
Custom Setting f6 ( Assign AE-L/AF-L button , 0 349) for information 
on choosing the role played by  AAE-L/AF-L  button. 
						

							99
AGetting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below. The shutter release may be disabled  if the camera is unable to focus 
under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator ( ●) may be displayed 
and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released 
even when the subject is not in focus.
 In these cases, use manual focus 
( 0 100) or use focus lock ( 096) to focus on another subject at the 
same distance and then  recompose the photograph.
There is little or no contrast between the subject and 
the background.
Example : Subject is the same color as the 
background.
The focus point contains  objects at different 
distances from the camera .
Example : Subject is inside a cage.
The subject is dominate d by regular geometric 
patterns .
Example : Blinds or a row of windows in a 
skyscraper.
The focus point contains areas of sharply 
contrasting brightness .
Example : Subject is half in the shade.
Background objects appear larger than the subject.
Example: A building is in the frame behind the 
subject.
The subject contains many fine details .
Example : A field of flowers or other subjects that 
are small or lack variation in brightness. 
						

							100
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 ( 099).
• 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.
Manual Focus
DAF Lenses
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 could damage the camera or lens. This does not apply to 
AF-S lenses, which can be used in  M mode without setting the 
camera focus-mode selector to  M. Focus-mode selector 
						

							101
❚❚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 99, the in-
focus indicator may sometimes be displayed when the subject is 
not in focus; confirm focus in the viewfinder before shooting.
 
For information on using the electronic rangefinder with 
optional AF-S/AF-I teleconverters, see page 423.
AFocal Plane Position
To determine the distance between 
your subject and the camera, measure 
from the focal plane mark ( E) on the 
camera body ( 01).
 The distance 
between the lens mounting flange and 
the focal plane is 46.5 mm (1.83 in.).
Focal plane mark
 46.5 mm 
						

							102
Release Mode
To choose a release mode, press the 
release mode dial lock release and turn 
the release mode dial to the desired 
setting.
Choosing a Release Mode
ModeDescription
SSingle frame: Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-
release button is pressed.
T
Continuous low speed : While shutter-release button is held down, 
camera takes photographs at frame rate selected for Custom 
Setting d2 ( CL mode shooting speed , 0 321).
 Lower built-in 
flash ( 0190); continuous release is  not available while flash is 
raised.
U
Continuous high speed : While shutter-release button is held down, 
camera takes photographs at frame rate given on page 104. Use for active subjects. Lower built-in flash ( 0190); 
continuous release is not avai lable while flash is raised.
J
Quiet shutter-release: As for single frame, except that mirror does 
not click back into place while shutter-release button is fully 
pressed, allowing user to control timing of click made by 
mirror, which is also quieter than in single frame mode.
 In 
addition, beep does not sound regardless of setting selected 
for Custom Setting d1 ( Beep; 0 321).
M
Qc (quiet continuous) shutter-release : While shutter-release button 
is held down, camera takes photographs at frame rate given 
on page 104.
 Camera noise is reduced. Lower built-in flash 
( 0 190); continuous release is not available while flash is 
raised. 
						

							103
ESelf-timer: Take pictures with the self-timer ( 0106).
V
Mirror up : Choose this mode to minimize camera shake in 
telephoto or close-up photography or in other situations in 
which the slightest camera movement can result in blurred 
photographs ( 0108).
ModeDescription 
						

							104
Power Source and Frame Rate
The maximum frame advance rate varies with the power source 
and image area.
 The figures below are the average maximum 
frame rates available with continuous-servo AF, manual or 
shutter-priority auto expo sure, a shutter speed of 
1/250s or faster, 
settings other than Custom Setting d2 at default values, and 
memory remaining in the memory buffer.
The stated rates may not be available under some conditions.
 
Frame rate drops at slow shutter speeds or very small apertures 
(high f-numbers) or when vibration reduction (available with VR 
lenses) or auto ISO sensitivity control is on ( 0111) or the battery 
is low.
 In  M  mode, frame rate is fixed at about 3 fps.
Power sourceImage areaMaximum frame rate (fps)1
UT
Camera with EN-EL15 FX, 5 : 4 5
1–6 
1.2×, DX 6
Camera with EP-5B power connector 
and EH-5b AC adapter  FX, 5 : 4 5
1.2× 6DX 7
Camera with MB-D12 (EN-EL15) FX, 5 : 4 5
1.2×, DX 6
Camera with MB-D12 (EN-EL18) FX, 5 : 4 5
1.2× 6
DX 7
Camera with MB-D12 (AA 
2)  FX, 5 : 4 5
1.2× 6
DX 7
1 Maximum frame rate when  FX (36 × 24) or 5 : 4 (30 × 24)  is selected for image area is 
5 fps even if higher values are selected for Custom Setting d2 ( CL mode shooting 
speed , 0 321).
2 AA-size batteries. Frame rates may drop at low temperatures or when batteries are low. 
						

							105
AThe Memory Buffer
The camera is equipped with a memo ry buffer for temporary storage, 
allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to 
the memory card.
 Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession; 
note, however, that frame rate will drop when the buffer is full ( tAA ).
The approximate number of images that 
can be stored in the memory buffer at 
current settings is shown in the exposure-
count displays in the viewfinder and 
control panel while the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway.
 The illustration 
at right shows the display when space 
remains in the buffer for about 58 pictures.
While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the 
memory card access lamp will light.
 Depending on shooting 
conditions and memory card performance, recording may take from a 
few seconds to a few minutes.
 Do not remove the memory card or 
remove or disconnect the power source until the access lamp has gone 
out .
 If the camera is switched off while data remain in the buffer, the 
power will not turn off until all images in the buffer have been 
recorded.
 If the battery is exhausted while images remain in the buffer, 
the shutter release will be disabled and the images transferred to the 
memory card.
ASee Also
For information on choosing the maximum number of photographs 
that can be taken in a single burst, see Custom Setting d3 ( Max. 
continuous release , 0 322).
 For information on the number of 
pictures that can be taken in a single burst, see page 489. 
						

							106
The self-timer can be used to reduce camera shake or for self-
portraits.
1Mount the camera on a tripod.
Mount the camera on a tripod or place the camera on a 
stable, level surface.
2Select self-timer mode.
Press the release mode 
dial lock release and turn 
the release mode dial to 
E.
3Frame the photograph and focus.
In single-servo AF ( 087), photographs can only 
be taken if the in-focus ( I) indicator appears in 
the viewfinder.
Self-Timer Mode ( E)
AClose the Viewfinder Eyepiece Shutter
When taking photos without your eye to 
the viewfinder, close the viewfinder 
eyepiece shutter to prevent light 
entering via the viewfinder from 
appearing in photographs or interfering 
with exposure. Release mode dial