★★★★★ "David Busch has been my trusted instructor for years!"
Filled with detailed how-to steps and full-color illustrations, David Busch's Nikon Z50 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is your all-in-one comprehensive resource and reference for getting the most out of your Nikon Z50 mirrorless camera.
Nikon's first APS-C format mirrorless model is compact, weighs just 14 ounces, and is very affordable, making it the perfect camera for budding photo enthusiasts. It's built around a 21-megapixel sensor that offers excellent image quality and is sensitive enough for low light shooting. With a 209-point phase-detect autofocus system covering more than 85 percent of the frame, the Z50 can shoot sports and action at up to 11 frames per second, with lightning fast focus. The Z50 can capture both 4K and Full HD movies, too, and the flip-down rear LCD is ideal for selfies and vlogging. With this book in hand, you'll master all the camera's impressive features, and fine tune your camera skills as develop your creativity taking great photographs with your new Z50.
David covers all the camera's capabilities in depth, from taking your first photos through advanced details of setup, exposure, lens selection, lighting, and more, and relates each feature to specific photographic techniques and situations. Also included is the handy visual guide to the Z50, with close-up photos and descriptions of the camera's essential features and controls. Learn when to use each option and, more importantly, when not to use them, by following the author's recommended settings for every menu entry.
With best-selling photographer and mentor David Busch as your guide, you'll quickly have full creative mastery of your camera's capabilities, whether you're shooting on the job, as an advanced enthusiast, or are just out for fun.
Start building your knowledge and confidence, while bringing your vision to light with the Nikon Z50 today.
Chapter Page
Preface xi
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1 Thanking Outside the Box 1
First Things First 2
In the Box 2
Optional and Non-Optional Add-Ons 4
Initial Setup 7
Mastering the Multi Selector and Command Dials 7
Setting the Clock 11
Battery Included 11
Final Steps 12
Chapter 2 Nikon Z50 Quick Start 15
Selecting an Exposure Mode 15
Choosing a Metering Mode 16
Choosing a Focus Mode 17
Choosing the Focus Area Mode 18
Selecting a Release Mode 19
Adjusting White Balance and ISO 21
Reviewing the Images You've Taken 22
Transferring Photos to Your Computer 23
Changing Default Settings 23
Resetting the Nikon Z50 24
Recommended Default Changes 25
Shooting Tips 27
Photo Shooting Menu Recommendations 27
Custom Setting Menu Recommendations 28
Chapter 3 Nikon Z50 Roadmap 35
Using Cross-References 35
Nikon Z50: Up Front 36
The Nikon Z50's Business End 39
Top of Back Panel 40
Taking Selfies 41
Making Settings 43
Playing Back Images 46
Zooming the Nikon Z50 Playback Display 47
Viewing Thumbnails 48
Using the Photo Data Displays 49
The Viewfinder/Monitor Displays 52
Going Topside 53
Lens Components 54
Underneath Your Nikon Z50 55
Chapter 4 Nailing the Right Exposure 57
Getting a Handle on Exposure 58
Equivalent Exposure 61
How the Z50 Calculates Exposure 62
Correctly Exposed 62
Overexposed 63
Underexposed 63
Metering Mid-Tones 63
Choosing a Metering Method 65
Matrix Metering 65
Center-weighted Metering 67
Spot Metering 68
Highlight-weighted Metering 69
Choosing an Exposure Method 70
Aperture-Priority 71
Shutter-Priority 73
Program Mode 74
Manual Exposure 75
Adjusting Exposure with ISO Settings 77
Dealing with Noise 78
Bracketing 79
White Balance Bracketing 80
ADL Bracketing 81
Working with HDR 82
Auto HDR 82
Bracketing and Merge to HDR 84
Fixing Exposures with Histograms 86
Tonal Range 87
Histogram Basics 89
Understanding Histograms 90
Fine-Tuning Exposure 93
Chapter 5 Mastering the Mysteries of Focus 95
How Focus Works 95
Contrast Detection 96
Phase Detection 97
Depth-of-field 98
Using Autofocus with the Nikon Z50 99
Autofocus vs. Manual Focus 100
Bringing the Z50's AF System into Focus 100
Focus Mode and Priority 101
Autofocus Mode 102
Choosing an Autofocus Area Mode 104
Face Detection and Subject Tracking 107
Face Detection 107
Subject Tracking 108
Manual Focus 110
Back Button Focus 112
Activating Back Button Focus 113
Fine-Tuning the Focus of Your Lenses 114
Lens Tune-up Options 116
Evaluating Current Focus 117
Changing the Fine-Tuning Setting 119
Setting the Default Value 120
Chapter 6 Advanced Techniques 121
Continuous Shooting 121
A Tiny Slice of Time 124
Working with Short Exposures 125
Long Exposures 127
Three Ways to Take Long Exposures 127
Working with Long Exposures 128
Delayed Exposures 130
Self-Timer 130
Interval/Time-Lapse Photography 131
Using Interval Photography 133
Time-Lapse Movies 136
Multiple Exposures 137
Overlay Shooting 139
Connecting Your Z50 141
Introduction to Wi-Fi/Computer Connections 141
Using SnapBridge 142
Using the SnapBridge App 145
Chapter 7 Focus on Lenses 149
Sensor Sensibilities 149
Choosing Native Z-mount Lenses 152
Better Lenses with Z-mount? 154
The "Kit" DX Lenses 154
Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S 155
Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S 155
Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S 156
Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S 157
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 S 157
Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S 157
Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct 158
Another Prime and Versatile Zoom 158
Using the FTZ Adapter 158
Ingredients of Nikon's Alphanumeric Soup 160
Zoom or Prime? 163
Categories of Lenses 164
Using Wide-Angle and Wide-Zoom Lenses 164
Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems 165
Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses 167
Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems 168
Telephotos and Bokeh 169
Chapter 8 Mastering Light 171
Light That's Available 171
Continuous Lighting Basics 174
Living with Color Temperature 174
Daylight 176
Incandescent/Tungsten/Halogen Light 176
Fluorescent Light/LEDs 177
Electronic Flash Basics 178
The Moment of Exposure 179
A Tale of Two Exposures 182
Measuring Exposure 183
Guide Numbers 185
Choosing a Flash Sync Mode 185
Ghost Images 187
High-Speed Sync 190
Using Internal and External Flash 191
Using Flash Exposure Compensation 193
Specifying Flash Shutter Speed 194
Flash Control 194
Working with Nikon Flash External Units 195
Nikon SB-300 195
Nikon SB-400 195
Nikon SB-500 196
Nikon SB-700 196
Nikon SB-R200 197
Nikon SB-910 197
Nikon SB-5000 198
Elements of Wireless Flash 198
Master Flash 199
Remote Flashes 201
Channels 202
Groups 202
Chapter 9 Playback, Photo Shooting, and Movie Shooting Menus 203
Anatomy of the Nikon Z50's Menus 204
Playback Menu Options 205
Delete 205
Playback Folder 206
Playback Display Options 207
Image Review 208
After Delete 208
Rotate Tall 209
Slide Show 210
Rating 211
Photo Shooting Menu Options 212
Reset Photo Shooting Menu 212
Storage Folder 213
File Naming 216
Choose Image Area 217
Image Quality 218
Image Size 221
NEF (RAW) Recording 221
ISO Sensitivity Settings 222
White Balance 224
Set Picture Control 229
Manage Picture Control 236
Color Space 237
Active D-Lighting 240
Long Exposure NR 241
High ISO NR 243
Vignette Control 243
Diffraction Compensation 244
Auto Distortion Control 245
Flicker Reduction Shooting 246
Metering 246
Flash Control 247
Flash Mode 247
Flash Compensation 247
Release Mode 247
Focus Mode 248
AF-Area Mode 248
Optical VR 248
Auto Bracketing 249
Multiple Exposure 249
HDR (High Dynamic Range) 251
Interval Timer Shooting 252
Time-Lapse Movie 253
Silent Photography 254
Movie Shooting Menu 254
Reset Movie Shooting Menu 254
File Naming 255
Frame Size/Frame Rate 256
Movie Quality 256
Movie File Type 256
ISO Sensitivity Settings 256
White Balance 257
Set Picture Control 257
Manage Picture Control 257
Active D-Lighting 258
High ISO NR 258
Vignette Control 258
Diffraction Compensation 258
Auto Distortion Control 259
Flicker Reduction 259
Metering 259
Release Mode (Save Frame) 259
Focus Mode 260
AF-Area Mode 260
Optical VR 260
Electronic VR 261
Microphone Sensitivity 261
Attenuator 261
Frequency Response 261
Wind Noise Reduction 262
Chapter 10 The Custom Settings Menu 263
Custom Settings Menu Layout 263
Reset Custom Settings 264
a Autofocus 267
a1 AF-C Priority Selection 267
a2 Auto-Area AF Face/Eye Detection 268
a3 Focus Points Used 268
a4 AF Activation 268
a5 Focus Point Wrap-Around 269
a6 Focus Point Options 269
a7 Low-Light AF 269
a8 Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator 270
a9 Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode 270
b Metering/Exposure 271
b1 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl 271
b2 Easy Exposure Compensation 271
b3 Center-Weighted Area 272
b4 Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure 272
c Timers/AE Lock 273
c1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L 273
c2 Self-Timer 274
c3 Power Off Delay 275
d Shooting/Display 275
d1 CL Mode Shooting Speed 275
d2 Max. Continuous Release 277
d3 Exposure Delay Mode 277
d4 Shutter Type 278
d5 Limit Selectable Image Area 278
d6 File Number Sequence 279
d7 Apply Settings to Live View 279
d8 Framing Grid Display 280
d9 Peaking Highlights 281
d10 View All in Continuous Mode 281
e Bracketing/Flash 281
e1 Flash Sync Speed 281
e2 Flash Shutter Speed 282
e3 Exposure Compensation for Flash 283
e4 Auto Flash ISO Sensitivity Control 283
e5 Bracketing Order 284
f Controls 284
f1 Customize i Menu 284
f2 Custom Controls (Shooting) 286
f3 Custom Controls (Playback) 290
f4 Customize Command Dials 290
f5 Release Button to Use Dial 291
f6 Reverse Indicators 292
g Movie 292
g1 Customize/Menu 292
g2 Custom Controls 293
g3 A.F Speed 293
g4 AF Tracking Sensitivity 295
g5 Highlight Display 295
Chapter 11 The Setup Menu, Retouch Menu, and My Menu 297
Setup Menu Options 297
Format Memory Card 298
Save User Settings 298
Reset User Settings 299
Language 299
Time Zone and Date 300
Monitor Brightness 300
Viewfinder Brightness 301
Viewfinder Color Blance 301
Information Display 301
AF Fine-Tune 302
Image Dust Off Ref Photo 303
Image Comment 303
Copyright Information 304
Beep Options 304
Touch Controls 304
Self-Portrait Mode 305
HDMI 305
Location Data Display 306
Airplane Mode 307
Connect to Smart Device 307
Connect to PC 307
Wireless Remote (ML-L7) Options 308
Conformity Marking 310
Energy Saving 310
Slot Empty Release Lock 311
Reset All Settings 311
Firmare Version 311
Retouch Menu 312
NEF (RAW) Processing 312
Trim 314
Resize 315
D-Lighting 315
Quick Retouch 316
Red-Eye Correction 316
Straighten 317
Distortion Control 317
Perspective Control 317
Image Overlay 318
Trim Movie 319
Side-by-Side Comparison 319
Using My Menu 320
Chapter 12 Capturing Video with the Z50 323
Quick Start Checklist 323
Lean, Mean, Movie Machine 325
Capturing Video 326
Slow-Motion Movies 329
Shooting Your Movie 330
Using the i Button 331
Stop That! 332
Viewing Your Movies 333
Trimming Your Movies 334
Saving a Frame 335
Tips for Shooting Better Video 335
Refocusing on Focus 336
Lens Craft 336
Zooming and Video 338
Keeping Things Stable and on the Level 339
Shooting Script 340
Storyboards 340
Storytelling in Video 340
Composition 341
Lighting for Video 345
Illumination 345
Creative Lighting 345
Lighting Styles 346
Audio 347
Tips for Better Audio 347
External Microphones 348
Special Features 350
Index 351
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With more than two million books in print, David D. Busch is the world's #1 best-selling camera guide author, with more than 100 guidebooks for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, and Panasonic cameras, and many popular books devoted to digital photography and imaging techniques. His best-sellers include Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies, which has sold more than 300,000 copies in five editions, and Mastering Digital SLR Photography, now in its Fourth Edition.
The graduate of Kent State University is a former newspaper reporter/photographer, and operated his own commercial photo studio, shooting sports, weddings, portraits, fashion, architecture, product photography, and travel images. For 22 years he was a principal in CCS/PR, Inc., one of the largest public relations/marketing firms based in San Diego, working on press conferences, press kits, media tours, and sponsored photo trade magazine articles for Eastman Kodak Company and other imaging companies. His 2500 articles and accompanying photos have appeared inside and on the covers of hundreds of magazines, including Popular Photography, Rangefinder, and Professional Photographer.
Softcover. 2020. Unabridged edition. Illustrated, w/Index. 9" L x 7" W. 384 pages. Brand New.